#event staff jobs sydney

[kjmsupremacist]

poison sweet off the vine (chan/felix)

Chan, a poor student hoping to make a little extra money while he pursues a masters in music production, lands a gig as a super rich family's pool boy. He thinks it's pretty sweet at first. He'll get to stay in a fancy house and eat fancy leftovers and all he has to do is clean their pool and help out around the house. And then he meets Felix, the bratty, sharp-tongued, skirt-wearing son of his employers. He knows he could get fired for just looking at Felix the wrong way, but Felix, even with his stormy, unpredictable moods and ignorant selfishness, is alluring and beautiful.

Part 1 | next mlist

Characters: Chan, Felix, other members of skz throughout

Genre: smut, eventual romance, angst, I cannot overstate how much of this is sex

Pairing: Chan/Felix

Warnings: alcohol, family dysfunction, mentions of homophobia, slut-shaming (both the fun kind and the not fun kind), feminization

Rating: Explicit

Length: 12.4k

Felix has got some shit going on in this one. It's not, like, super serious and we don't really get into addiction territory, but I will say it might be triggering for some people, so please just proceed with caution.

On that, we also don't really see what I would say is a realistic path of recovery or whatever. The ending is by no means meant to be read as "and then they lived happily ever after the end" but I leave a lot out because ultimately this is a horny fic within a sort of fucked up setting, and I didn't want it to turn into a pedantic exercise. So I guess this is sort of me saying the dove isn't dead, per se, but it's not doing well. I'm in no way trying to glorify mental health issues brought on by neglect and self-loathing, so please just keep that in mind.

Chan probably should’ve known what he was getting himself into. 

After months of searching for side jobs and apartments, he finally found what seemed to be a perfect solution—pool boy and general assistant around a grand estate, with room and board covered. The house is huge, with large, comfortable staff quarters. It’s a short bus ride away from the University of Sydney, where Chan will be pursuing a masters in music composition and production starting in February. And while the family who owns the place are rich and snobbish, they’re nice enough, and seemed reasonable during his phone interview.

Chan had no reason to say no. So in early December, he packed himself up and moved back to Australia from Korea, away from all his university friends and into a house of strangers. He’ll be missing the holidays with his family, but he wanted to start making money, so here he is. And up until this moment, Chan thought everything was going to be fine. 

“You’ll sleep here.” Mrs. Lee shows Chan to his room personally—a basement level bedroom with a small connecting bathroom and a sizable closet. There’s even a small desk in the corner—perfect for when Chan will stay up late studying. “You’ll use the small kitchen to make most of your meals, but we have luncheons and dinners sometimes to which all the staff are invited. Additionally, our cooks usually buy a little extra on groceries in case something goes wrong. If there are any leftovers, they of course go to our live-in staff members. So don’t worry too much over your grocery bills. For tonight, of course, I hope you’ll join the family for dinner so we can get to know you. I understand you’ll be taking classes after the break?”

“Yes ma’am,” Chan says, nodding as he tentatively drops his bags on the floor.

“If you could just send me your schedules as you get them, that would be helpful,” Mrs. Lee says. “I will try to let you know in advance if there are any important events where we need you, but for the most part I’ll leave those decisions to you. I just like to know when we can expect you to be home or away.”

“Will do,” Chan agrees. 

“Mostly, you’ll help with outdoor maintenance. We do have a gardener, but we let him know that he can feel free to ask for your help with more menial tasks.” Mrs. Lee gestures for Chan to follow her down the hall. “Here’s the staff laundry. There is also our main laundry room, where our maids take care of the family’s laundry. Since the holidays are coming up, we might be a little short-staffed over the next month or so. If our maid needs a hand with the laundry, can I ask you to assist?”

“Certainly,” Chan says.

“Perfect.” They head back up the stairs. “I believe that’s all I have for you, except to give you your key. Please use the staff entrance through the back. Do you have any questions for me?”

“Ah, yes,” Chan says. “Are there specific hours I’m expected to keep? Such as being up at a certain time?”

“Unless one of us requests your presence earlier, I don’t mind when you get up as long as your sleep schedule doesn’t inhibit you from performing your duties,” Mrs. Lee says. She rummages around in a drawer in the study. “Here.” She produces a silver key on a plain keyring, handing it to Chan. “Try not to lose it, but if you do, just tell us straight away. We know a good locksmith, so it will be a quick fix. You have all our contact information?” 

“Yes,” Chan says, attaching the key to his ID protector that also has a few of his other things on it. “Thank you.”

“I think we’re all set, then,” Mrs. Lee says, leading Chan back out into the foyer. “I think introductions will wait until dinner, as my husband doesn’t get home from work for a few hours and goodness knows where Felix is—”

“I’m here, Eomma.” Chan turns at the sound of a deep voice, and sees his undoing poised at the top of the grand staircase.

He’s the prettiest thing Chan has ever seen. His hair is dyed a pale pink, and grown out so his bangs sweep low past his ears, the longest strands just brushing his shoulders. Chan can make out freckles scattering across his face, and delicate silver jewelry dangles from his ears and neck, glinting in the light as he makes his slow way down the stairs. Most notably, though, he’s in a baby pink blouse, tucked into a short white skirt, with matching pink knee-high stockings. 

Chan’s world tilts. He knew that this family had kids, that they were around his age. But at the time, Chan had reasoned that it wouldn’t be a problem. He’d be too busy between work and eventually school to develop much of an interest, and besides, they were probably all boring, spoiled brats that Chan would become disenchanted with the instant he saw them. 

Now, he has to grapple with the fact that he was sorely mistaken. Everything is not going to be fine, because his new employer has a beautiful, skirt-wearing son, and Chan has to fight to tear his eyes back to Mrs. Lee instead of staring at Felix’s thighs when his skirt flutters with every step.

“Is this the new pool boy?” Felix asks, and Chan doesn’t miss the lofty tint in his tone. He bristles a little, but it’s hard to stay mad when he glances back and catches sight of Felix’s cute little button nose scrunched just slightly against the sunlight streaming in through the windows.

“Yes, this is Chan,” Mrs. Lee says. “Chan, this is Felix, my son. He’s just finished his first year at university and is home for break.”

“Hi, Felix,” Chan says. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Hi,” Felix replies as he reaches the bottom of the stairs. “You’re studying music at Sydney Uni, aren’t you? For your masters, right?”

“Ah, yes,” Chan says, realizing that Felix must already know all about him; he has no doubt the parents shared his resume and details with their children before agreeing to hire him. “Where are you studying?”

“UWA,” Felix replies, smiling politely. “I’m not sure what I’ll be studying yet.”

“Perth,” Chan says, nodding. “That’s quite aways.”

“Not as far as Korea,” Felix says, and Chan can’t tell what he means by that. “Besides, Perth has some of the best schools, so it’s worth it.”

Chan decides that he’s being put down, but can’t figure out how, exactly, so doesn’t bother trying to piece it out. It hardly matters, anyway; Mrs. Lee is right here, so it’s in Chan’s best interest to remain ignorant and well-mannered. “That’s true,” he says simply.

Felix looks between Chan and his mother for a moment. “I’ll see you at dinner,” he says, and walks down the hall.

Mrs. Lee watches him go with a small, fond shake of her head, then turns back to Chan. “Feel free to head back to your room, wash up, maybe take a nap,” she offers. “I’m sure you’re tired from traveling. Dinner will be at seven.”

Chan ducks his head in lieu of a proper bow. “Thank you again for everything,” he says, and makes his escape. As he weaves back through the house, Chan catches a glimpse of Felix padding out into the garden. He’s got a full bottle of wine in hand, almost as pink as his stupid little stockings.

Chan sighs. It’s going to be a long summer. His only consolation is that Felix will go back to Perth at the start of the next semester and only be back for breaks, and Chan will be able to drown in his homework in peace.

* * *

Dinner is served at the big, fancy table in the dining room just off the foyer. Chan makes his way through the maze of hallways and sees an army of staff setting the table. He counts four positions—the parents, Felix, and him, then. The daughters aren’t supposed to be back for another week, if he recalls.

Mrs. Lee is directing her staff, positioned in the threshold of the kitchen entrance, tasting dishes and sending some back. She spots Chan during a lull and steps into the dining room fully. 

“Please, take a seat.” She gestures him to the spot furthest from the head of the table. “Can I get you anything to drink?”

“Ah,” Chan says, pulling out his chair but hesitating to sit. “Just water, please. Is there anything I can do to help?”

“No, don’t worry,” she replies, ducking her head back into the kitchen. “A glass of water, please.” She pops her head back out to the dining room. “Though if Felix doesn’t appear by the time my husband arrives, I might ask you to go fetch him.” 

Chan inclines his head, though the thought of it makes him tense. He doesn’t like the idea of being alone in a room with Felix. He’s not sure if it’s fear over what Felix will say to him, or fear of his own impulses. Maybe both.

The table is set before Chan; eventually, Mrs. Lee is satisfied with her staff and takes a seat, too, to the right of the head of the table, opposite side as Chan, which means Chan’s seatmate will be Felix. Great. 

Mrs. Lee checks her watch. “I think he just got home,” she says. “Would you mind getting my son for me? We don’t want the food to get cold.”

“Sure,” Chan agrees, pushing his chair back cautiously and standing. “Any places I should check first?”

“Out in the garden, most likely,” Mrs. Lee replies. “If not there, then the pool, and if not there, then his room.”

“Got it.” Chan heads through several rooms to the back door, shoving his feet into the slippers Mrs. Lee had laid out for him there when he first arrived, and punches in the code on the alarm system so the siren doesn’t go off before opening the door. 

The air is muggy and thick and oppressive. Chan feels the moisture on his skin as soon as the door shuts behind him. He trudges across the vast second-story patio and over the bridge that looks down onto the smaller patio below, as well as the pool. No sign of Felix there. He crosses into the gardens, venturing deeper until he comes upon a clearing. It’s lined with carefully-maintained plants and a few statues. There, on the other side, sprawled on an ornate bench beneath the grand weeping willow, is Felix. He had one arm draped over his eyes, the other hanging off the bench, clutching the neck of the wine bottle, which rests somewhat precariously in the grass. 

“Ah, Felix?” Chan tries. Felix doesn’t budge. Sighing, Chan makes his way across the clearing, swatting a bug away as he nears him. There’s a nearly-red tinge to Felix’s cheeks, obscuring his freckles. He must have gotten some sun, despite the fact that this entire clearing is in shade. Then again, he’s been out all afternoon, Chan supposes. He comes to a stop a few feet away from the bench, unsure. The skirt Felix is wearing is riding up his thighs. Chan clears his throat and tries not to stare. “Felix, your father is home and your mother asked me to bring you to dinner.”

Felix raises the hand over his eyes, squinting up at Chan. There’s a blankness on his face for a few moments, and then a detached sort of recognition falls into place. “Pool Boy Chan,” he says, voice slow and syrupy. “Your welcome dinner, right. It’s seven already?”

“Seven-twenty,” Chan supplies.

Felix sighs, peeling himself up from his perch and bringing the bottle into his lap. Chan sees it’s almost completely empty, and understands the flush on Felix’s cheeks. He watches as Felix yawns, runs his eyes, and then surveys the contents of the bottle. “Ugh, it’s all warm,” he mutters, but downs it anyway before pushing himself up to his feet, now-empty bottle swinging at his side. He sways for a second but rights himself before Chan can reach out to help him. “Well?” he prompts, looking at Chan. “Are you gonna stand there, or are we gonna go to dinner?”

Chan wonders how Felix’s parents will react to the wine, but decides it’s not his place to say anything. “Right, yeah,” he says, turning and shuffling back the way he came, checking over his shoulder every now and again to make sure he hasn’t lost his charge. 

Felix picks his way through the garden with ease. How are his stockings still so perfect? How is his blouse still tucked and smooth? How is he pretty even with a sour attitude and alcohol warm in his cheeks? Chan balks at this last thought. Stop it. You cannot be thinking about how pretty your boss’s son is. On day one. Get a fucking grip, Chris. 

Felix does trip going from the grass and dirt of the garden to the concrete and tile of the bridge. Chan catches him, staying steady even when the wine bottle hits him right in the elbow. Chan makes the mistake of inhaling when Felix is pressed close. He smells like wine, certainly, but he also smells like lemons and sugar and something that makes Chan want to press his tongue to Felix’s skin. 

“Sorry,” Felix says in a tone that’s just a touch too silky for his loss of balance to have been accidental. Chan steels himself, making sure Felix is solid before simply letting go. 

“No worries,” he replies mildly. If Felix wants a reaction out of him, he’s not going to get one. “You okay?”

Felix nods, lifting the bottle a bit. “Drank most of it sitting down,” he says, offhand. “Thought I would sleep it off, but…”

Chan nods wordlessly, continuing across the bridge and patio, back to the door. He unlocks the door, sliding his shoes back off and waiting as Felix struggles a little with his. When he offers his hand, though, Felix gives him a look of disdain. 

“I’m tipsy, not catatonic,” he says, tone icy. Chan retracts his hand quickly before he can stop himself, stung. 

Felix gets rid of the empty wine bottle somewhere between the back entrance and the dining room. When they return, Mr. Lee is just settling into his chair. He looks up and, upon seeing Chan, offers his hand to shake. Chan hurries to accept. 

“Chan?” Mr. Lee asks. 

“Yes, sir,” Chan says. He doesn’t miss the slightly sharper inhale from behind him—thinly veiled amusement from Felix. He doesn’t turn his head. 

Mr. Lee also ignores this intrusion. “Mr. Lee, and no need to call me sir,” he says. “Please, sit.”

“Thank you for getting Felix,” Mrs. Lee adds, picking up a dainty bell beside her empty wine glass and ringing it once. “He’s often late, though I must say it’s not like him to… indulge so much before dinner.” There’s a sharpness under the polite tint of her tone, Chan notes as he slides into his chair and reaches for his napkin—disappointment, edges jagged with embarrassment.

“I just had a couple glasses of wine,” Felix defends. Staff members file into the room, carrying pitches, dishes, more wine. “I’m on break, Eomma. I’m relaxing.”

“Only one glass with the meal,” Mrs. Lee says. 

“Eomma,” Felix complains. 

Mrs. Lee’s eyes flick to Chan, then back to her son. “Fine. Don’t do it again.”

Felix nods. Chan files this exchange into his mind to study later. 

Wine is poured, soup is served, and dinner begins. 

“So, you’re studying music, Chan?” Mr. Lee asks.

Chan is grateful the soup is made from cold cucumbers; he swallows quickly and painlessly so he can respond. “Ah, yes, music production.”

“The arts are very important,” Mr. Lee says. “But they require a passion.”

“I believe I have that,” Chan says as politely as possible. 

“That’s good,” Mr. Lee says. “We are nothing without drive, ambition.”

Felix takes a long pull from his wine glass. 

The rest of dinner goes this way—polite drivel bounced back and forth like a casual tennis match between Chan and the Lee parents, while Felix mostly ignores all of them in favor of his meal. Each new course resets Chan’s expectations for just how horrendously rich this family is. A dish featuring caviar is followed by a truffle risotto, and then lobster. The wine is endless, so Chan keeps to sips.

He also gets the distinct impression that family mealtime is rare, a practice that is stored away in a cabinet with the nice dishes, taken down and used only when necessary. 

Chan doesn’t keep track of how much Felix is drinking, but by the time dessert comes around, the flush has crept down Felix’s neck. Still, he seems steady enough, and when he is pressed for a comment, he provides one with ease. So is that what he is? I guess every rich family has its functional alcoholic. More money, more problems. 

“Thank you for the meal,” Chan says earnestly when the staff come to clear the last of their dishes away.

Mrs. Lee offers him a smile. “Of course,” she says. “Thank you for joining us.”

“Congratulations,” Felix cuts in before Chan can formulate a reply. “She’s impressed with your table manners.”

“Felix,” Mrs. Lee says, tone cool but meaning clear. “It wasn’t a test, Chan,” she adds. “We just would provide some… instruction if you had been… less practiced. So you could be prepared in the case of a more formal event.”

“Ah,” Chan manages. 

“Well, on that note,” Mr. Lee says. “I think we’ve held Chan here long enough. You must be tired from traveling.”

“A bit,” Chan admits. It is true, but he’s mostly interested in getting away from the awkward tension at this table. 

“Go on and get some rest, then,” Mrs. Lee says. “Both of you. The staff will clean up here. We—” She gestures to her husband. “—will likely be gone when you get up and will return later in the evening. That’s typical of our schedules. Meals are whenever you’re hungry. Our kitchen isn’t fully staffed at the moment, but Chan, please help yourself to any leftovers. Maya—one of our senior employees—will be able to help you.”

“Thank you,” Chan says. Felix is already standing. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.” Chan takes this as a final dismissal, and hurries to follow Felix’s retreating footsteps down the hall.

He doesn’t catch up to him; the steps leading down to the staff quarters are closer. As he descends, he looks back and catches a glimpse of the swishing white of the skirt and the faintest whiff of sugary lemons. 

* * *

Chan collapsed into sleep as soon as he got settled in his room, exhaustion pulling him down into unconsciousness almost violently. When he wakes, the house is still and dark, the air in his room stale. There’s a damp patch directly beneath his body on the sheets from a small accumulation of sweat—he must not have moved a muscle since shutting his eyes. 

Though fatigue weighs on his limbs, his mind is decidedly awake, so Chan pushes himself up, slapping around for his phone and then groaning when the bright screen sears his eyeballs. 

Eventually, he discerns that it is 5:17 a.m. Chan’s an early riser, but not this early, so he blames it on the nap he took before dinner yesterday. In any case, it can’t be jetlag, since Korea is an hour behind Australia. Chan gets up and dressed, bumbling around his room quietly and trying to kill a little time. 

Around six, his stomach growls angrily, so he resigns himself to human interaction and opens his door, making for the kitchen. 

The light is on when he gets there, and an older woman is stacking dishes in one of the cupboards. She must have heard Chan approach, or else simply has a great sixth sense, because she turns as he enters. 

“Chan?” she asks. She’s white, unlike most of the staff, with weathered skin and crooked teeth and piercing eyes. Chan guesses she must be in her mid-fifties; her hair is just beginning to grey. 

“Ah, yes,” he says, realizing it was more a question than a greeting. 

“Maya,” the woman says, and some neural pathway manages to fire in Chan’s brain and reminds him that this must be the woman Mrs. Lee mentioned the night before. “Good to meet you.”

“Likewise,” Chan replies. 

“You hungry?” She returns to her task, sliding some plates into place. 

“Yes,” Chan says. 

“Me too.” She takes the last handful of silverware and files it into a drawer. “How about some bacon and eggs?”

“That would be amazing,” Chan says. “Can I help?”

“If you want toast, it’s in here,” Maya says, tapping a long, skinny cabinet door as she shuffled past on her way to the fridge. “Could you grab me a slice? Not toasted, though, just leave it on a plate. Do you want coffee?”

“Yes please,” Chan says, taken aback by her blunt but warm welcome, lurching into motion and crossing to the cabinet. 

Chan makes toast and Maya cooks at the stove, coffeemaker brewing to the side. “Mr. and Mrs. Lee are already gone,” Maya tells him without him even asking. “Felix will get up anywhere between seven and noon. The girls will be the same. Generally, as long as you’re polite and you don’t get… underfoot, you’ll find your time here to be quite pleasant.”

Chan registers that she’s offering him some valuable advice. “I’ll keep it in mind, thank you,” he says.

Maya looks him over out of the corner of her eye. “You seem like a nice young man, though,” she says. “I doubt you’ll have a problem.”

“Have there been… problems before?” Chan ventures. 

Maya is quiet for a moment, but eventually she responds. “Yes, we’ve had a few pool boys in the past. Of course, some simply moved away, but.. we had a few get in trouble for making passes at the girls.” She turns and Chan sees she’s done cooking—she’s holding two perfect plates of bacon and eggs. “Not just the pool boys, of course, other staff members have been fired for similar reasons. It’s usually that, or stealing.” She offers Chan one of the plates.

“Thank you,” he says. “And thank you for explaining. I am just here to earn some money while I’m in school, though, so you’re right, I doubt I’ll have a problem.” That is, unless Felix takes over my brain, he adds silently. 

The leathery skin of Maya’s cheeks wrinkles as the corners of her mouth tug up in a small smile. “Good.” She nods towards the door. “Go on, find a spot at the island. Take your toast. I’ll bring the coffee and jam.”

Chan’s just finishing up his food when Felix stumbles in, head in his hands. He’s barefaced and puffy-eyed and wrapped in a simple silk robe. It hangs loose at the chest. Chan snaps his gaze back to his plate before he can get caught looking. Felix slumps into a seat at the far end of the island.

Maya has already finished eating, and was in the kitchen cleaning up, but she comes in now with a mug of coffee and a small tablet of medicine in the other hand, tsking at him softly. 

“Thank you,” Felix grumbles quietly. “I haven’t thrown up yet, but if I do, I’ll clean it myself.”

Maya hums her approval. “Just toast for now?” 

“Yes please,” Felix says. 

Chan listens to this exchange attentively. This Felix is entirely different from the one he met yesterday. He kind of expected him to snap at Maya, to be antagonistic the way he was before, but instead he’s small and quiet and contrite. Maybe Chan misread him. Or maybe his hangover is just that awful. 

Felix downs the pill Maya brought him with a soft groan. There’s a heavy silence save for the soft scraping of Chan’s fork against his plate. And then—

“No, I don’t usually drink like that,” Felix says flatly, and Chan nearly jumps out of his skin. 

“I didn’t say you did,” he replies quietly once he recovers. 

“You were thinking it,” Felix says. “Last night. And yes, I’m usually polite to our staff. I’m spoiled, but I’m not a monster.”

The Felix Chan met yesterday had been a bit of a monster, rude and arrogant and selfish, so Chan doesn’t know if he buys that, but he just puts his utensils down and looks up at Felix, holding his gaze. “Okay,” he says.

“You’re not smarter than me, okay?” He says it with such finality. 

Chan’s not exactly sure what he means. “Uh, okay,” he agrees anyway, taking his final bite of toast and washing it down with the last of his coffee. 

Felix nods and goes back to being miserable into his palms. Chan almost feels bad for him—almost. 

He brings his dishes back to the kitchen, protesting weakly when Maya takes them. 

“Your job isn’t in here,” she says. “Go on, tend to the pool before it gets too hot.”

“Thank you,” Chan says, and slips out the front entrance so he doesn’t have to confront Felix again, heading back to his room for some sunblock and a bottle of water. 

Though it’s only a bit past seven by the time Chan makes it outside, it’s already punishingly hot. He tries to make quick work of it, skimming off dead leaves and dead bugs and other unidentifiable debris. He tests the water, tests the filters, tests the temp, and clears the pool deck of debris as well. He checks the stock of towels, water bottles, liquor and ice and mixers behind the bar on the far end of the patio. By the time the pool and deck look spotless, it’s nearing eleven and Chan is drenched in sweat. He retreats to the shade, treating himself to a bottle of water.

He doesn’t see Felix approach, but suddenly the boy is standing over him, dressed in nothing but short black swim trunks, sunglasses pushed back over his hair.

“Come float with me,” he says. “You’re gonna die of heatstroke if you don’t.”

Chan grunts, taking another swig of water. “I'm supposed to be working.”

“Well, are you?” Felix asks. “Working? The pool’s already clean. Jerry isn’t here today, so there’s no gardening to do. Your only responsibility now is keeping me company.”

Chan’s still not sure how to take this shift in attitude. “I don’t think that was in the job description.”

Felix’s eyes narrow, his eyebrows furrowing in displeasure. “Fine, sit here and melt then, I don’t care.” He turns to go; Chan finds himself wounded somehow by the sourness in his voice.

“Hey, alright, alright,” he says quickly, pushing himself up onto his feet and tugging his tank top off. “You’re right, anyway, I’m melting.”

Felix turns back, and his gaze is bright again. “Good,” he says, and slips into the deep end.

Chan joins him, and has to admit the relief of being in the cool water is almost overwhelming. He paddles out to Felix, tipping onto his back. “Feeling better?” he asks. 

“Mmhm,” Felix says. “Toast, coffee, and antiemetics work wonders.”

Chan can’t help but laugh. “Oh, that’s what Maya gave you?”

“What, did you think it was an antidepressant or something?” Felix asks. When Chan hesitates, he groans. “We’re not that stereotypical. Rich family with tortured children. No, we’re just about regular in terms of dysfunction.”

Chan isn’t sure how he’s supposed to respond to this, so he just kind of hums. 

“What’s your family like?” Felix asks. He floats into Chan; their shoulders bump and settle against each other. Neither of them move to pull away.

“Ah, I dunno, we’re pretty boring,” Chan says. “Grew up here, actually. Moved back to Korea. I have two younger siblings, a sister and a brother. Hannah’s in secondary school. Lucas is still in primary.”

“And you’re going into music,” Felix says, like he’s reviewing a file.

“Trying to, anyway,” Chan replies.

“I wish I could go into music,” Felix says. “But Abeoji says it’s not sensible. So I’m studying business and communications. He wants me to take over for him.”

Chan can’t conjure up much sympathy. No matter what Felix does, he’ll be doted on and provided for for the rest of his life. He has a path laid out before him; all he has to do is walk it. If he says he wants to walk it but is too tired, his parents would probably conjure up a gold chariot to carry him down it instead. Maybe it’s not what he wants, but it’s secure. Chan wishes he had security.

He feels tiny fingers on his bicep and looks up. Felix is ghosting a hand over the muscle, watching Chan, waiting. 

“What?” Chan asks.

“Do your parents know you’re gay?” Felix asks bluntly.

Chan blinks. “Uh, how did you know I’m gay?”

Felix gives him a look. “Please,” he says. “I already told you, you’re not smarter than me.”

“Yes, my parents know I’m gay,” Chan says, sighing. “Why?”

Is Felix moving closer? “How do they feel about knowing?” 

“They’re supportive,” Chan says uncertainly. Felix’s hand is still on his arm. His lips have gotten color back into them, pink-red and plush, Cupid’s bow all dramatic corners and enticing. Chan can smell him over the chlorine and sunscreen. Lemons and sugar and something else. He swallows, hoping Felix doesn’t see.

“Lucky you,” Felix says. “How do you feel about knowing it?”

“I’m not emotionally constipated, if that’s what you’re getting at,” Chan says. He can’t stop staring at Felix’s lips. He wants to grab his little wrist. He wants to grab both of them, wrap his arms around Felix’s waist, pin his hands behind his back, and kiss him. And kiss him. And kiss him. “I’m very comfortable with who I am.”

“Lucky you,” Felix repeats. Closer still; his eyes are half-lidded. Chan could count his freckles. He could kiss every one. “Lucky me.”

We had a few get in trouble for making passes at the girls. Felix wouldn’t be any different, Chan knows. Chan would be fired on the spot. He needs an escape, so he blurts out the first thing that pops into his head, wrenching himself from the lust-addled stupor Felix has somehow coaxed him into. “If you don’t usually drink like you did last night, then why did you? Last night?”

It works, at least; Felix pushes away. “I’m hungry,” he says instead of answering, paddling over to the ladder. “Let’s get lunch.”

Chan accepts this, hurrying to follow him.

* * *

The next week passes mostly in this way. Chan gets up early, cleans, spends the midday either lounging or helping one of the other members of the staff. Maya cooks a lot of his meals. Felix comes to bother him on occasion, demands for his time or attention. When Chan accepts, Felix is bright and sunny. His air of general superiority never goes away, but he’s fun to hang out with when he’s not actively trying to get Chan to touch him. When Chan rejects him, too busy with work or too tired to withstand the teasing, Felix’s entire disposition shifts, dour and sulky and often rude. He retreats into himself for the rest of the day, punishing Chan by punishing himself. I guess he’s just used to getting his way, Chan thinks to himself. Not a monster. Just spoiled.

Still, in the back of his mind, Chan remembers the first day. What had Chan done that day to elicit the moodier Felix? Was it something Chan had done at all, or was he simply a convenient target for Felix’s ire? He’s not sure. He’s not sure which option he dislikes more.

The girls arrive that weekend. Chan meets them briefly; Rachael, the eldest, is much like her mother, and will be out most days because she has an internship. Olivia, the youngest, is sweet and funny but spends most of her time chatting on the phone with her boarding school friends. Their parents, at least, had the foresight of putting all of them in separate wings, so there’s very little chatter about the house, even when all three are home. Felix has rooms on the fourth and highest floor of the house, and overlooks the back patio, gardens, and pool. Olivia is in a tower to the east—like, a literal, actual tower; Rachael sleeps on the third floor in the western area of the house, nearer to the elevator and overlooking the front drive. The primary suite takes up a majority of the rest of the third floor, which is about all that Chan knows. He’s only been as high as the second floor once, and it was to fetch something for one of the maids. It’s mostly guest rooms and entertaining space. 

Felix’s sisters are friendly, but they generally keep to themselves even when they are at home. Chan imagines they’re skittish around new male hires, and can’t blame him. He wants to tell them they don’t have anything to worry about, but knows it won’t do any good. Still, the idea does give him some dark amusement. Don’t worry about me, girls. It’s your brother I want.

And god, does Chan want. Felix is always in short little skirts and dresses, sometimes with stockings and other ridiculous little accessories, and is usually made up too, with sparkly eyeshadow and dark eyeliner and smudged mascara and sticky lip gloss on his pouty lips. He always ends up in Chan’s space whenever he can get away with it, coming up to him when he’s working on the pool or settling in the grass beside him in the garden or perching on a running washer while Chan works on a new load of laundry. He leans in close until Chan’s head is filled with the smell of him, taunting Chan, daring him to take.

Chan maintains his composure as best as he can over the next couple weeks, better than the first day at the pool now that he knows what he’s in for. Felix asks him about himself, and Chan answers delicately. He doesn’t pry into Felix’s personal life. He tells himself it’s because he’s being professional, or that he doesn’t want to give off the impression that he’s interested in Felix, which he fears will only make him bolder. But really, he knows it’s because he’s afraid that he’ll like what he finds, dragging him impossibly deeper into this weird psychosexual vortex, or else that he won’t like what he finds, but will nonetheless be enraptured by Felix’s terrible beauty.

He even jerks off to the thought of Felix despite his guilt, hoping it might cure him of his desire, but it does little to curb his impulses. Instead, it fills his dreams with Felix. Tortured, awake and asleep.

It’s not like Felix is helping in the slightest. If it were just in Chan’s head, he could probably bear it, stuff it away in some dark corner of his mind and soldier on. But the problem is, Felix seems to be determined to make Chan crack. He’s not even sure if Felix actually wants him, or just loves to toy with him. Either way, it’s kind of working. Chan is a man possessed.

Some days are like the first day, though. It doesn’t happen often, but Felix will disappear, and when he returns, it’s with alcohol in hand and an invisible veil over his features. He gets drunk and doesn’t speak to Chan or anybody else and stumbles off to bed. The next morning he pays the price for his indulgence, miserable but resigned. It’s almost like he’s punishing himself, but Chan doesn’t know for what. Still, by noon, he’s his regular self again, probing and selfish and dripping sweet poison that makes Chan nearly lose all sense. 

Chan does all he can to cling to his sanity. Keep your hands to yourself so you’re not tempted, he tells himself one hot morning as he pours himself a lemonade behind the bar, chores finally done. No matter what he does. You can’t control him, but you can control yourself.

And, of course, Felix appears. He’s in a little skort-bottomed bikini, baby pink with cherries smattering the surface of the fabric and heart-shaped pink sunglasses slung over the string in-between to the two cups on his chest. Chan feels a heat rise to his cheeks immediately, and fixes his gaze determinedly on Felix’s face instead. 

“Can you mix drinks?” Felix asks, hopping up onto one of the barstools. “You used to bartend, right?”

“Uh, yes,” Chan says. 

“Make me a Sex on the Beach,” Felix says, and Chan tries not to choke on his next sip of lemonade.

“D’you even know what’s in one of those, or are you just saying it because you like the name?” he asks with raised eyebrows, suppressing a cough.

“Vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice, and cranberry juice,” Felix rattles off immediately. “And sometimes those cherries or an orange slice. But I like mine with more peach schnapps and less vodka.”

Chan sighs at him. “I can’t just feed you alcohol. I don’t care if you’re old enough, I shouldn’t enable you. Your parents will kill me if you swan into dinner drunk on cocktails I made you.”

“I won’t get drunk off one cocktail,” Felix says. “Especially if you make it with less vodka and more schnapps.” When Chan hesitates, Felix wheedles, “Fine, no vodka at all. I just wanted to watch you make it, really. That’s all.”

“What?” Chan blinks at him stupidly. “Why?”

“You have nice arms,” Felix replies, like it’s simple. “I like strong guys, you know.”

“Well, I’m definitely not doing it now,” Chan mutters.

“Chan.”

“Felix.”

“Please?” Felix makes his eyes big and sad and pitiful.

“Will you lay off if I do?” Chan barters. 

“Pinky-swear,” Felix says, offering his pinky.

Chan links his reluctantly. “Okay, fine. Just one, though. No vodka, just schnapps.”

Felix keeps to his word. He doesn’t say anything else suggestive or flirty. What he does instead, Chan thinks as he lifts a bottle to measure and watches Felixfollow the line of his arm, is much worse. His eyes darken, his tongue poking out to swipe over his gloss-covered lips. He drags his gaze over Chan’s body, hiding nothing about it, about where he’s staring and why. Chan is embarrassed by the attention, of course, but mostly it all just goes straight to his dick. Felix is practically begging Chan to fuck him, and Chan wishes more than anything he didn’t have to say no.

He finishes making the drink, dropping a couple of maraschino cherries in, and even finds a pink umbrella to garnish it along with a matching straw.

“Thank you.” Felix’s voice is even deeper and huskier than usual. Chan clenches his fist around the neck of the schnapps bottle as he moves to put it away. “Ooh, this is really good. You must’ve been popular as a bartender.”

“I got good tips.” He cleans off the counter and dries his hands. “I’m, uh, gonna go in and see if Maya needs anything from me. Leave the glass in the sink when you’re done. I’ll clean it later.” He starts walking before he even gets an answer.

But Felix’s voice floats over to him on the wind, sweet poison just like the drink in his hand. “See you later, Chan.” 

Chan doesn’t go see if Maya needs anything. He heads straight to his room, locks the door behind him, and turns the shower on. He strips quickly, throwing his clothes on the floor and steps in under the cold water, chest heaving.

He comes with his forehead pressed to the cool tile, icy water pounding against his back and fist wrapped around his cock. It barely keeps the heat beneath his skin at a simmer.

When he goes back to the pool, Felix is nowhere to be found. The glass is clean and drying on the rack.

* * *

It’s on a particularly hot day that the last of Chan’s resolve melts into nothing.

Felix’s parents are both out, his father at work and his mother at some kind of social gathering; his sisters are gone, too—Rachael at her internship and Olivia at a friend’s house, and most of the staff have already taken leave for the holidays—Christmas is less than a week away. So it’s just Chan and Maya, and Felix.

Felix came down to breakfast that morning in something rather modest, actually—a light, flowy skirt that fluttered a few inches above his knees, and a plain t-shirt tucked into the waistband. Simple and demure. Chan had let it lull him to a false sense of security, thinking, it’s too hot today for mischief anyway, right?

Wrong. Very, very wrong. Chan’s checking one of the filters in the shallow end of the pool, water lapping at his thighs, when Felix pokes his head out the back door. “Chan,” he calls.

“Yes?” Chan looks up, rinsing his hands off in the pool water.

“Can you help me? The zipper on my skirt is stuck, and I can’t twist it around to the front to see what’s wrong.”

Chan knows it’s dangerous. His promise to himself from the week before echoes faintly in his head. Keep your hands to yourself so you’re not tempted. But Felix looks genuinely upset. And it’s not like there’s anyone else to help him—Maya’s probably busy with the laundry, or working on lunch since their private chef is off until Christmas Eve. 

It’s just a zipper, Chris, he tells himself. You can handle a fucking zipper. “Sure, lemme just dry off.”

“I’ll be in the bathroom,” Felix replies, disappearing inside again.

Chan grabs a towel and runs it over his legs, just so he doesn’t drip all over the floors, and then chucks it on a nearby pool chair and ducks into the cool relief of the house. He pads across the hall and knocks on the bathroom door. 

Felix opens it and Chan slips inside, trying not to stare. Felix is shirtless, wearing just his skirt and a pout. Unlike Chan, he doesn’t try to hide his staring at all; Chan considers only now that he should’ve put a shirt on before coming in, or at least kept the towel as some kind of buffer. 

Not that it would’ve done anything, he thinks wearily as he gestures for Felix to turn around so he can look at the zipper. He’s as incorrigible and fickle as they come. 

The zipper is, in fact, stuck—Chan has to wrestle with the fabric as delicately as possible, but growing up with a little sister wasn’t for nothing, and eventually he manages to free it without putting a snag in a single thread. He doesn’t unzip it all the way, just far enough that it’ll be easy for Felix to reach. He’s honestly a little bit afraid that Felix is naked under the skirt, and that interaction is the last thing he needs.

“All set,” he says, cringing at the way his voice comes out, hoarse and weak. 

He turns to leave, but one of Felix’s tiny hands curls around his wrist, pulling him up short. “Finish unzipping it for me,” he says. “It’s hard for me to reach.”

“Felix.” Chan turns back around. “You can do it yourself.”

“Why don’t you wanna do it for me?” There’s that pout again, the pretty pink lips, glossy and so inviting; the wide, pitiful eyes. Chan almost falls for it, too entranced.

“You know why.” Chan tries to gently pull away, but Felix’s grip is too strong. “Felix,” he repeats. He thinks maybe he’s pleading with him, please, have a little mercy on me.

But Chan isn’t sure Felix knows how to be merciful, at least not in the face of something he wants. “Unzip me,” Felix demands, voice soft and almost petulant. “You said you’d help.”

Just unzip him and run, then, Chan thinks, sighing and moves behind Felix again, shaking his hand until Felix lets him go. He pulls the zipper down all the way and nearly bites his tongue so he doesn’t curse out loud.

He’s cursing a lot in his head, though. Fuck, shit fuck fuck fuck shit, oh fuck. Because Felix isn’t naked under the skirt. It’s worse.

Felix shimmies his hips a little so the skirt falls to the floor. He steps out of the puddle of fabric, then bends at the waist to pick it up. Fucker, Chan thinks. “What? D’you like them?” Felix asks, throwing Chan a glance over his shoulder. “Hyung?”

What a stupid question. Chan tips his head back, forcing himself to stare at the ceiling instead of at Felix’s cute little ass wrapped in a baby blue swimsuit bottom that’s only a few square centimeters of fabric away from being an honest-to-god thong. Felix has them hiked up over his hips, leaving very little to Chan’s imagination. He wants to escape before he sees what the front looks like and abandons all of his feverish promises of goodness right here and now.

“Felix,” Chan says through gritted teeth. “I don’t think your parents would appreciate this behavior. I certainly don’t.”

“You don’t?” Felix’s voice sounds closer, but Chan doesn’t dare look down. “Are you sure about that?”

Chan is absolutely sure about that. His body, however, has other plans. He can feel himself getting hard, and he knows if he doesn’t get out now, Felix will be able to see it through his swim trunks, and he’ll be done for. 

He feels fingertips on his waist, soft and warm. “Hyung,” Felix murmurs. “Look at me.”

Chan can’t help it. He crumbles completely at the sound of Felix’s voice, low and sweet and so enticing. He brings his head back to center, eyes focusing on Felix, and his breath catches in his throat as his gaze instantly travels lower. The front of the swim bottoms barely cover him; one wrong move and Chan’s certain Felix’s dick will pop free—which, he reflects, is probably exactly what Felix wanted. He flicks his eyes back up to Felix’s face, and is met with a devious little grin.

“I’m looking,” Chan says. “What else do you want from me?”

“I think you know exactly what I want,” Felix says.

“We can’t,” Chan says. “It’s not—appropriate, you know it’s not.”

“Why, because you’re working for my parents? So what?” Felix says. His hands are still on Chan’s body, trailing up his stomach. “They don’t have to know. It’s not that big of a deal! You’re only a couple years older than me, it’s not like it’s that scandalous. I want it. Don’t you?”

Chan swallows roughly. His skin is hot where Felix is touching him, even though goosebumps have broken out over his back where the A/C is blowing. This is it. Chan’s going to ruin his life for a terrible, pretty boy, and he finds that he doesn’t even care. “I do,” he whispers. He grabs one of Felix’s hands, the one that’s trying to sneak a little too low. “I shouldn’t, but I do.”

Victory shines through on Felix’s face, his eyes dancing with mirth. “Fucking finally,” he goads.

“Shut up and come here,” Chan says, and leans in and kisses him. 

Felix squeezes Chan’s waist with his other hand, gasping into his mouth. Chan takes a step forward, and another, cupping Felix’s jaw with one hand and nearly crushing his fingers in the other, backing him up against the wall. He licks Felix’s lip gloss off his lips, his teeth, his tongue. It tastes like artificial strawberry, gooey and sickly-sweet. He drops Felix’s hand, breaking away from him for just a second so he can take his baseball cap off, so the brim doesn’t get in the way. He throws it over in the direction of Felix’s discarded clothes without looking, and surges forward to kiss Felix again. Felix moans, taking hold of one of Chan’s biceps.

“Fuck,” Chan pants, reaching down and palming Felix’s ass, groaning when Felix hums out a noise of satisfaction. “God, if your parents weren’t gonna kill me before, they’re definitely gonna kill me now.”

Felix giggles. “No, they won’t.”

“I don’t care,” Chan says, dipping his head so he can nip at the sensitive skin of Felix’s neck, kissing over the hollow of his throat. “I’ll tell them it was your fault. You were the one who kept flirting with me, kept riling me up. Always wearing your shortest skirts, always looking for an excuse to touch me.”

“I wouldn’t have, if you hadn’t looked at me like that on the day we met,” Felix shoots back, and Chan flushes in embarrassment. He should’ve been more careful, he shouldn’t have even wanted it in the first place, but���well. It’s far too late now. “You made it so easy. It was too fun, I couldn’t resist.” 

“You’re such a brat,” Chan bites out. “Don’t act like it was just for fun. You wanted me to fuck you from the start.”

“So are you going to?” Felix asks. “Fuck me?”

“Well,” Chan says. “We’re gonna need lube. And probably a condom. And we probably shouldn’t be in the bathroom, what if Maya walks by? What if your mum gets home early and comes looking for you?”

“We could go up to my room,” Felix says, but he makes no move to pull away, and neither does Chan. Instead, Felix’s fingers find the waistband of Chan’s shorts. He toys with the fabric. “But I don’t want to wait. I want to come.”

“Already?” Chan asks, like he isn’t just as worked up, like he isn’t hard and aching just centimeters from Felix’s fingertips. 

“Touch me and find out,” Felix replies, and Chan doesn’t need to be told twice. He reaches down, ghosts his palm over the bulge in Felix’s obscenely small swim bottoms. Felix whines softly in his ear, so Chan gets bolder, curling his fingers and squeezing just slightly. The noise it pulls out of Felix’s chest is poisonous and wonderful.

Chan tugs the swim bottoms down as Felix lets his fingers slip inside Chan’s pants. A string of precome stretches from the head of Felix’s cock to the fabric before snapping midair. Chan presses his thumb against the slit, looking down to watch a few more beads dribble out over the tip when he pulls away. He collects it with his index fingers, spreading it down the length of Felix’s cock before taking him in his fist. “So messy, Felix,” he murmurs.

Felix fumbles for Chan’s cock, moaning softly. “Your hands are so big,” he whimpers. His hips twitch up into Chan’s palm. “Feels good.”

Though Felix is wet, there’s still too much friction, so Chan releases him for a moment. Felix whines at the loss, but Chan shushes him, spitting into his palm, and then takes him in his fist again, letting his spit mix with the precome, making the glide easy and smooth. Felix stutters over a moan, letting his head tip forward so his forehead is resting on Chan’s chest. He runs his fingers up the length of Chan’s cock, then brings his hand back out to the waistband of Chan’s shorts and tugs them down with a frustrated noise. 

Chan moves his hand faster over Felix’s cock, a dark, nasty sort of pleasure blooming in his chest when it makes Felix tremble. He lets out another choked little moan, and Chan shushes him. “Someone could hear you, and we don’t wanna get caught, do we?”

Felix doesn’t listen. “Cha-an,” he slurs, pressing a wet kiss to Chan’s chest as he fumbles with his cock. His little fingers are a bit clumsy, but it doesn’t matter to Chan. Felix is touching him, like he’s been imagining, like he does in Chan’s dreams. He’s not entirely sure this isn’t just another dream, except that it feels so real. He can smell sugar and lemons and Felix. He speeds up his hand, moaning low when Felix nips at his skin. 

“I tried, you know,” Chan huffs softly. “You know that, right? I tried not to let this happen. I tried not to want you.”

“Doesn’t matter,” Felix says against his skin. “Didn’t work.”

“No it didn’t, did it?” Chan finds it easy to accept. “Look at me, baby.” 

Felix straightens, looking up at him. There are stars in his eyes. “What?”

Chan doesn’t reply, just kisses him again. His lips are so soft, mouth so inviting. Chan could kiss him all day, he thinks, running his tongue over the backs of Felix’s teeth. Felix rolls his hips in time with Chan’s hand, stroking Chan at the same pace, letting himself be kissed. The noises he makes against Chan’s lips only make the dark pleasure grow. Felix is ruining him, but at least the destruction is mutual. Chan’s gonna make sure he’s the best fuck Felix will ever have.

Felix pulls away to pant out, “Chan, Chan, oh fuck, so good, daddy, fuck,” and then he’s shooting hot white release onto Chan’s fingers, Chan’s arm, Chan’s stomach. Chan can’t help the low almost-growl that drags itself up his throat as Felix shakes, whimpering sweetly in Chan’s arms. 

“Good boy, baby,” Chan murmurs, head spinning from the way Felix sounded, the way he called him daddy. Coming out of any other mouth, it would’ve made Chan cringe, but somehow with Felix it makes his knees weak and his vision blur. “Made such a mess, you gonna clean it up?”

Felix doesn’t say anything, just bends over, still trembling, and presses his tongue to Chan’s abdomen, swiping at his own come until Chan is clean, even his arm and hand. He pulls off Chan’s fingers with a wet pop, blinking up at him.

“Still want me to fuck you?” Chan asks darkly, prying Felix away and tucking himself back into his pants.

“Yes,” Felix whispers, that same trained sultry look back in his eye. He recovers quickly, Chan thinks, almost exasperated.

“Get dressed, then,” Chan says. “If Maya asks, you invited me up to game.”

“Got it,” Felix says pertly, side-stepping Chan to retrieve his skirt, handing Chan his cap while he’s at it. 

Chan takes it, but doesn’t put it back on, instead doing his best to smooth his hair in the mirror, waiting while Felix tugs his t-shirt on, too.

“Zip me up?” Felix asks, and Chan is reminded exactly how he got here. It almost makes him laugh.

“Sure.” He pulls the zipper into place, bending to kiss the top of Felix’s spine when he’s done. “Ready?”

“Mm,” Felix says. “Let’s take the elevator, Maya probably won’t see us.”

He’s right. They get to the elevator without interruption and spend the ride from the basement to the fourth floor in complete silence. Chan had almost forgotten there was an elevator in the building, since most of his time was spent in the basement level or on the first floor. He’s pretty sure he’s never been in it. But it moves quickly, and soon Felix is leading them out and down a hall Chan has never stepped foot in. 

Felix’s room is like the rest of the house. It’s clean, proper, and stately. The only things that betray its inhabitant’s age are the figurines lining one of the bookshelves. Chan closes the door behind him, flicking the lock, and doesn’t have the chance to take in any more of his surroundings. Felix is on him in an instant, fingers at the waistband of his shorts again, needy and demanding. 

“C’mon,” he says, muffled by Chan’s skin. “You said you’d fuck me, so fuck me.”

Chan picks him up with ease, smiling to himself when Felix squeals his surprise, and walks them over to Felix’s bed. He deposits Felix in the sheets, hiking his shirt up and bending over him to suck a hickey into his inner thigh. 

“Chan,” Felix moans, sweet and low and perfect. “Daddy.” Chan bites, and Felix whines. “Oh, fuck, you’re so mean.” He’s breathless when he says it, delight pitching in his voice. His fingers find Chan’s hair, tangle in the curls. “Will you fuck me like that? Mean?”

Chan looks up, finds Felix’s glassy eyes. “Is that what you want, baby?” Felix nods, sucking his bottom lip between his teeth. “Want me to treat you rough? Want me to pound your cute little ass into the mattress?” He doesn’t know how the words have snuck their way into his mouth—dirty and depraved. But it doesn’t matter, because Felix rolls his eyes back in his head, nodding emphatically. 

“Please,” he whispers. “Please. It’s all I’ve wanted this whole time. ‘S why I’ve been so annoying.”

“At least you’re self-aware,” Chan mutters, crawling up the bed so he can kiss him.

Felix wraps his little legs around Chan’s waist, kissing him hungrily, trying to pull Chan closer. “Chan,” he murmurs against Chan’s lips between kisses. “Daddy, need you, please.”

“Where’s your lube, baby?” Chan asks. “Condom, too.”

Felix rolls over with a groan, yanking open the drawer of his bedside table and rummaging around inside. Chan takes the opportunity to unzip Felix’s skirt again, though he doesn’t tug it down yet. It’ll be easier when Felix is on his back. 

Felix reemerges from the drawer with lube and a condom held victorious in a tight fist. He rolls back over, lifting his hips as he hands over the goods so he can tug his skirt off. Chan helps him, dropping it on the floor off the side of the bed. Next goes Felix’s shirt, shucked easily up over his head and leaving him in just his microscopic swim bottoms. 

Chan does the only logical thing. He bends down and undoes the bows on Felix’s hips with his teeth. Felix gasps softly; it turns into a breathy moan when Chan turns his head and kisses the tip of his cock.

He kind of wants to blow Felix, but Felix asked to be fucked, and Chan has basically accepted that he’s never going to tell Felix no ever again, so he sits back on his heels and pumps out some lube. 

“Showered earlier,” Felix supplies. “I’m all clean.”

Chan wasn’t gonna ask, honestly, was just gonna go for it, but he appreciates it. He raises his eyebrows as he reaches down to spread his cheeks. “You were that confident it would work?”

Felix shakes his head. He looks so little, drowning in the crumpled duvet. Chan thinks his mouth is watering. “I was hopeful,” he says. “I’ve done it every day, hoping.”

“Jesus, baby,” Chan mutters, easing his first finger in and rubbing something patternless into the skin over Felix’s hip bone when he whimpers. “Just for me?”

“Mm,” Felix confirms. “Knew you’d come around eventually. Just wasn’t sure when.”

Chan’s got his finger in up to the last knuckle already. “You’re kinda loose, baby. Did you prep yourself already?”

“A little,” Felix admits coyly. “But you’re bigger than I thought.” A soft giggle rises up. “You’ll have to go up to four fingers for sure. I only did three of mine, and mine are tiny.” He holds up his hand to show, as if Chan hadn’t already catalogued this fact on day one, and hadn’t been obsessing over it ever since. 

“Jesus,” Chan repeats. “You do that every day, too?” 

“Not every—every day.” Felix’s breath hitches when Chan’s second knuckle slips back out and catches on his rim. “Usually just one finger, maybe two.”

It’s still incredibly hot. “Sure you were doing it for me, or do you just like having your hole played with?” Chan pushes two fingers in this time. It’s still not much of a stretch. 

Felix moans, showy and sweet. “Both,” he says. “Your fingers feel better than mine, though.” Chan is working up a slow rhythm. “You get deeper. I bet your cock will feel best.”

“Have you been thinking about it?” Chan asks, curling his fingers a little, searching around for Felix’s prostate. “Imagining my cock?”

Felix’s eyelids flutter. “It’s almost all I think about when I’m with you,” he admits, low voice impossibly lower. “Oh, fuck!” He arches up off the bed. Chan’s found it. 

“Yeah?” Chan teases, hoping his voice comes out steady so Felix doesn’t have proof of just how much this is turning him on. “Right there?” He does it again, petting over the spot, and Felix twitches weakly, letting out another incoherent moan. 

“Mm, daddy, stop, hurts,” Felix whines with absolutely no conviction in his voice.

Still, Chan avoids it for the next couple thrusts. “Can’t take it?” he goads. “But what happens when it’s my cock? I’m gonna fill you up, baby, you’re so tight, I won’t be able to avoid it.”

“I’ll fall apart,” Felix says, though not piteously. It’s more a statement of fact. “I don’t wanna fall apart yet.”

That’s fair, Chan supposes. He doesn’t respond, just fits his ring finger in alongside the first two. He meets some resistance, but Chan has done a good job so far, and Felix opens easily, so it’s not long before he’s pumping three fingers in and out of Felix like it’s nothing. 

“Ch-Chan,” Felix stutters. “Hurry up, I can take it.”

Chan kisses the inside of his knee. “No, I don’t know how you’d explain the limp to your mother.”

“She wouldn’t know it’s you I’m fucking,” Felix points out.

“Still,” Chan says. 

“She already thinks I’m a whore, it doesn’t matter,” Felix mumbles, so swift and quiet Chan almost misses it. 

“What?” He pauses mid-stroke. 

“Nothing,” Felix says. “It doesn’t matter is all. I said hurry up.”

You’re fucking him, you’re not his psychiatrist, Chan thinks to himself as he resumes fingering him. It’s not your job to try and fix his life. Even if you could, he’d hate you for it. 

They brush past the moment quickly, drowning it with the wet noises from between Felix’s legs and Felix’s sweet moans. Chan murmurs praise as he adds in his pinky—doing so good, baby, almost there, look so pretty, so patient for me—and Felix responds beautifully, fucking himself back down on Chan’s fingers and twisting in the sheets. A fine layer of sweat has broken out across his skin, making him glisten in the early afternoon light. By the time Chan finally pulls away, satisfied that he won’t tear anything when he fucks him, Felix’s cock is already hard again, red and leaking against his stomach. 

Chan rolls the condom on, spreading a little more lube over the length, watching Felix catch his breath. “Ready?”

“Chan, if you don’t fuck me right now, I’ll never forgive you,” Felix replies, and Chan laughs. He realizes it’s the first time he’s laughed in a while, the misery from keeping his desire tamped down and hidden for weeks too heavy for joy. But now it doesn’t matter anymore, and he’s laughing again. He lines himself up with Felix’s puckered entrance, pink and red and perfect. 

“Well, we can’t have that,” he says, and pushes in. 

Felix is perfect. Chan knew this, but still—it was only imagination that had guided him all this time, because Chan’s never known anyone as perfect as this. The tight heat around him makes him shake. Felix’s eyes cross first, and then roll back completely as he lets out a moan when Chan finally bottoms out. Chan tips over Felix’s body, breathing out soft moans and pressing reverent kisses to his chest and stomach. 

“So full,” Felix rasps softly. His hands are in Chan’s hair again, combing it off his forehead. “Oh, fuck, Chan, feels so good.”

“Perfect, baby, you’re perfect,” Chan manages. He doesn’t know what else there is to say. “Take me so well, it’s like we were made for each other.”

Felix refocuses his eyes. Chan watches his slow blinking. “Could just stay like this,” he says. “Till my parents get home.”

This makes Chan’s dick twitch; Felix feels it and giggles. “Thought you wanted me to fuck you,” Chan counters. “Mean.”

Felix sighs dramatically. “I want that, too.”

“There’s always tomorrow,” Chan says, drawing his hips back and pushing in again. 

“Mm, or tonight,” Felix says. “After everyone’s gone to bed. You won’t be able to fuck me hard then ‘cause we’ll have to keep quiet. You could just put it in and we could cuddle like that.”

Chan groans, imagining it, their hushed voices in the dark, hoping no one hears them, biting back moans as Chan pushes in and fills Felix up. Huddling under the covers, chest to back, Chan’s arms wrapped around Felix’s lithe body. “Fuck, baby, you’ve been thinking about this a lot, haven’t you?”

Felix nods. “I want you,” he says plaintively, like that explains it. Maybe it does, except Chan’s been wanted before, and it wasn’t like this. This is something else, something deeper, more primal. He knows because he feels it in himself, too.

“What do you want, baby?” Chan asks. He wants to know the ways Felix has been picturing him, wants to know if it’s the same as the ways he’s been picturing Felix. He thinks he’ll agree to anything Felix asks. 

“I-I,” Felix stutters, hesitant, but Chan recognizes it as fake. The words are just waiting to trip off Felix’s tongue. “I want you to fuck me and make me come over and over,” he begins. “I want it rough and fast. I wanna come so hard I almost pass out.” He’s picking up steam, talking faster. “ I want it everywhere. I want you to fuck me in the shower and bend me over my desk and push me up against the mirror.” He’s panting now, but he keeps going. “I want to ride your thigh in the pool, I want to choke on your cock when you’re eating breakfast. I’ll come find you in the garden, too, and I won’t be wearing any panties so you can finger me under my skirt.” He gives Chan a wide-eyed, innocent look when he says it, but Chan sees the clear intent behind the facade. He’s trying to rile Chan up, but he’s also dead fucking serious. “I can take it anywhere, any time, I want it like that. Doesn’t matter if I’m busy or drunk or asleep, I like it. I’ll like it if it’s you.”

“Lix,” Chan groans. “That’s so dirty.”

“Want you to take advantage of me, daddy,” Felix pleads, blinking up at him, his beautiful eyes huge. “I’ll only wear my tiniest underwear from now on, and I’ll finger myself open every morning so it’s easy. I’ll carry condoms in my bra, so you’ll know where to find them. Will you do it?”

“All of it?” Chan licks kisses up Felix’s neck. “We’re gonna get caught, baby.”

“Only when it’s safe,” Felix amends. “Can’t have them taking you away from me, who’d fuck me then?”

“Okay, only when it’s safe,” Chan agrees, because of course he wants it, too.

“Good,” Felix says. “Now fuck me harder, I wanna feel it.”

A strange sort of noise rumbles out of Chan’s chest. It’s something close to displeasure, he’s pretty sure, but he doesn’t have time to dwell on it. He pushes himself up off Felix’s body and grabs him by the backs of his knees. He pushes him down into the bed that way, folding him at the hips until Felix’s knees are almost at his ears. “So flexible, baby,” he murmurs. Felix lets out a satisfied sigh, which hiccups into a moan when Chan thrusts into him. His cock bobs in midair from the force of it, dripping precome on Felix’s chest. “That how you wanted it?” He adjusts to the new angle quickly, picking up the pace again.

Felix is breathless when he responds. “Yes, just like that, yes.”

Felix is spread so wide like this, his body curled over itself to accommodate Chan. Chan digs his fingers into the skin of Felix’s thighs, hard enough to bruise. Felix can always wear stockings to cover them up, and Chan has a feeling he’ll like having the reminder. He slams his hips forward, rough just like Felix asked, fast and ruthless. All Chan’s hours in the gym are finally paying off, and he forces down delirious laughter at the thought. 

“Look so pretty like this,” Chan grits out. “Should’ve kept your skirt on, babygirl, they always make your waist look so nice.” Felix lets out a whimper at the word babygirl, and Chan zeroes in on that immediately. “You like that? Babygirl?” Felix nods fiercely; Chan realizes tears have gathered in the corners of his eyes, his cute nose reddening. Chan leans close. It’s a little difficult, with all the body in the way, but he manages, kissing the hollow of Felix’s cheek, then trailing down to his jaw. “Why the tears?” he murmurs into Felix’s skin.

His voice vibrates in Chan’s skull. “Feels so good,” Felix replies. “Just—overwhelmed, can’t help it. Good tears, don’t fucking stop.”

Chan straightens again, satisfied that Felix is okay, so he doesn’t have to work so hard. “Okay, baby. You need me to stop, though, just say so.” He rocks his hips in deep, making the bed creak. It’s a good thing nobody’s home.

“I won’t ever tell you to stop,” Felix says, and it’s dreamy and almost vacant. He’s staring up at Chan, eyes a little unfocused. A tear rolls down his cheek, leaving a pale grey streak in his skin from his mascara. He snakes a hand between his torso and his thigh and wraps it around his cock, stroking slowly, almost absently. His eyes never leave Chan’s face, even when Chan thrusts hard and deep and makes him cry out. “D-daddy, hn, gonna make me—gonna make me come—ah, oh fuck.” The rest is unintelligible, staccato moans, and then Felix’s whole body convulses. He clenches down on Chan, making it almost impossible for him to move; his pretty face contorts into a twisted expression of bliss, and his legs tremble. He comes with a string of soft curses, so hard some of it shoots past his chest and hits his face, coating his lips and spattering across his cheeks, a few droplets even sticking in his eyelashes.

Felix releases his cock, which still dribbles out a few beads of come with Chan’s every thrust, arms going limp at his sides and head lolling back. 

“Fuck, Lix,” Chan grunts, movements shallow despite the urge to start pounding him again, kind of worried he’ll fall apart. “Sound so gorgeous when you come.”

Felix is slowly licking the come off his lips while he cleans his eyelashes with the hand he wasn’t using to touch himself, his chest heaving. “I wish,” he says softly, so faint Chan barely hears it, “that I was flexible enough to suck my own cock.”

Unbidden, the image of Felix curled tight over himself, his own cock stuffed in his mouth, hole gaping and spread, manifests in Chan’s mind. “Oh, god,” he gasps, and before he realizes it, he’s coming, too, buried deep inside Felix, knuckles white where he’s still holding his legs. 

Chan hangs his head, panting and disoriented, as he comes down. Presently, he unlocks his fingers and releases Felix’s legs; they slide down on either side of him, whispering soft against the duvet cover. He makes no move to pull out. He’s not sure he can move at all.

After a while, he looks up, and sees that Felix has managed to clean off his face. He shakes his head, groaning, and sits back on his heels, bending over Felix’s body, running his hands down his sides, and presses wordless kisses to his ribs and stomach, slow and lazy.

“Good?” Felix whispers.

Chan looks up at him. “So good,” he replies. “Better than I imagined. Not sure I should say that, since it’ll just encourage you, but it’s true.”

Felix giggles brightly. “I won’t be nearly so bad now that I know you’ll give me what I want,” he says, tipping his head to the side.

“I have a hard time believing that,” Chan replies, finally pulling out. He gingerly removes the condom and ties it off, crawling up the bed so he can reach the waste basket next to Felix’s bedside table. He grabs a tissue while he’s at it, and rolls onto his side, towards Felix. “C’mere,” he coaxes softly. “Let me clean you up.”

“Oh,” Felix says, like he’d forgotten entirely about the mess on his chest. He turns to Chan, reaching out and laying a hand on his bicep.

Chan swipes his drying come away, leaning it to kiss away the rest, tugging Felix close to him until they’re lying chest to chest, legs slotted together. He looks up. “All done,” he says softly.

Felix leans in and kisses his forehead. The gesture is oddly sweet. “You really went for it,” he says. “I was impressed. I thought you’d need more prodding.”

“You’ve been quite frustrating,” Chan points out, keeping any trace of venom out of his tone. He’s not angry about it anymore. “I guess that was all the prodding I needed.”

“Mm, I’ll keep it in mind,” Felix says.

“Please don’t,” Chan mutters, and Felix giggles again.

“Out of curiosity,” he says. “Which outfits did you like best?”

“What?”

“What do you like to see me in?” Felix asks evenly. “It’s just you around. I can dress just for you.”

“Oh,” Chan says weakly. “I like the short skirts. And the stockings. You have—” He shifts his hand lower and squeezes. “—the best thighs ever, I like when you show them off.” Felix hums, clearly pleased. “But seriously, you could wear anything, and I’d want to fuck you. So don’t worry about me.”

Felix laughs again, full-bellied and mischievous. “Oh, Chan,” he sighs. “And here I thought my Christmas break was going to be boring.”

#works #stray kids #chanlix #bang chan #felix #bang chan fanfic #bang chan fanfiction #chan fanfic #chan fanfiction #felix fanfic #felix fanfiction #lee felix fanfic #lee felix fanfiction #chan smut #bang chan smut #felix smut #stray kids chan #stray kids chan fanfic #stray kids chan fanfiction #stray kids chan smut #stray kids felix #stray kids felix fanfic #stray kids felix fanfiction #stray kids felix smut #chanlix fanfic #chanlix fanfiction #chanlix smut #chan x felix fanfic #chan x felix #chan/felix

[inachospitality]

INAC Hospitality: Now Delivering Hospitality Staffing in Newcastle

Looking to host a memorable event in Newcastle? Look no further! INAC Hospitality is here to connect you with skilled and experienced staff, ensuring your occasion is a resounding success. Let’s dive into how we can help you make your event shine!

Newcastle, often referred to as a ‘mini Sydney,’ is experiencing a transformation, transitioning from its industrial roots to a bustling hub of hospitality and events. With this evolution comes a surge in demand for qualified staff to cater to the city’s growing needs. INAC Hospitality is proud to be at the forefront, bridging the gap between businesses and top-notch talent in Newcastle.

At INAC Hospitality, we specialise in providing tailored staffing solutions for all your event needs. 

From temporary staff for one-time events to permanent placements for ongoing support, we’ve got you covered. Our rigorous selection process ensures that only the most skilled and suitable candidates are matched with your requirements.

Temporary Hospitality Staff: 

Whether you’re hosting a corporate function, wedding, or special event, our temporary staff are equipped to handle any task with professionalism and efficiency. From waiters to chefs, we’ve got the right people for the job.

Promotional Staff:

As Newcastle transitions into a hub for new businesses and ventures, promotional events are on the rise. Our experienced promo staff are adept at engaging audiences and leaving a lasting impression, making your brand stand out from the crowd.

Personal Waiters and Bar Staff:

Planning an intimate gathering or celebration? Our personal waiters and bar staff add a touch of sophistication, ensuring seamless service and attention to detail for you and your guests.

Ready to elevate your event experience? 

Contact the INAC team in Newcastle today for personalised staffing solutions tailored to your needs. 

With INAC Hospitality by your side, you can rest assured that your event in Newcastle will be a resounding success. 

INAC Hospitality Newcastle

Address: Level 1/239 King St, Newcastle, NSW 2300

Phone: [phone]

Email: [email protected]

For more info :- 

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[qnewslgbtiqa]

The face behind Sydney's Stonewall Hotel

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/the-face-behind-sydneys-stonewall-hotel/

The face behind Sydney's Stonewall Hotel

Stonewall Hotel is one of a handful of venues along Oxford Street that can claim real longevity, having been open for an impressive 27 years this July, and it’s been a staple of the Sydney LGBTQIA+ scene since day one.

Many readers will be familiar with Stonewall’s dangerously cheap Long Islands, but they may not know the face behind the scenes that keeps the place running.

Linda Warren is the current licensee and general manager at the Stonewall Hotel.

For over a quarter of a century she has dedicated everything to the venue, working her way up from a bar back on opening night to where she is today.

QNews had the privilege of sitting down with Linda and talking all things Stonewall.

How long has Stonewall been a part of your life?

I started at Stonewall Hotel’s opening night on the 25th of July 1997, 26 years ago.

Back then, did you know that you’d be where you are now, almost 27 years later?

No, I had no idea. I started as a glassy/bar back. Then I went up to Bar Supervisor and then Management, and now of course Licensee. Stonewall is not only my job, but my passion.

Stonewall is often called the home of drag in Sydney. How is that legacy being carried into 2024?

Stonewall has drag performers working seven nights a week. We are one of the only places that has fully choreographed production shows every Friday and Saturday night, featuring three queens. We’ve also got Sunday nights for up and coming drag artists to perform on the Stonewall stage in our open mic night, Showgirl Sundays.

Are there any standout events or moments from your time working at Stonewall that you can tell me about?

There are so many. Meeting Cyndi Lauper at Stonewall after Mardi Gras, and hanging with one of my idols, Jimmy Barnes, would definitely be a highlight. Even the 2000 Olympics. What an incredible time at Stonewall! And of course the Vote Yes party back in 2017.

We’ve had so many amazing Mardi Gras, the Gay Games… But it’s all of the wonderful DJs, performers, staff, patrons and security guards that I have met through my Stonewall journey. Stonewall is family to me.

We are living in a completely different time to when Stonewall opened back in the 90s. What are your plans for the future of the venue?

It may be different times but we still have our core values of equality and fun which we shall carry into the future.

We also have to keep evolving and growing the business as changes to Oxford Street occur to stay relevant and continue to be the heart of the community. What do you think Stonewall represents to the scene here in Sydney?

It’s become a home to so many people and known all over the world as a fun, safe and friendly environment. We are a hub of diversity and an inclusive community. For everyone.

What makes Stonewall unique to other venues along the strip?

All the venues on the strip are very important and are all part of the wonderful community. Stonewall strives to be a place where you can be who you want to be and love who you want to love without judgement.

We love working with the other venues and want the future of Oxford Street to stay as a fun, safe, welcoming environment and continue to be one of the best queer destinations in the world.

-Stonewall Hotel is at 175 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst.

[joshuawithers]

14 ideas to build and grow a podcast network today

I recently had the opportunity to express my interest in a field I’ve never officially worked in, for a company I’d never worked for, in an industry I’ve been out of for over a decade: audio, more specifically, audio on-demand, or as we’ve called it for twenty years, podcasting.

I didn’t make it past expressing interest for the position but my application - in the form of audio on demand - was “one of the most creative submissions I’ve seen/heard” said an ABC staff member, which I sincerely appreciate, but my fire and passion for podcasting/audio on-demand has now been given oxygen - after over a decade of self-employment I applied for the job intending to get it.

So, I wanted to at least document my thoughts here on my blog, and then open source them, release my thoughts to the greater podcasting public.

May these gathered thoughts help or inspire you to succeed in the field, even if you got the job as Head of Audio on Demand for the ABC ;)

What I would do if I was the ABC’s Head of Audio on Demand

Create a role of tastemaker for the network. They’re the evangelist for the entire network of shows large and small. They themselves release a regular podcast but are also actively blogging and social media creating about episodes and shows. They’re the network’s number one fan and advocate.

Serve the niches to an extreme. Look for the small, weird, wonderful communities and interests. Niche passions are infectious, interesting, and lead to great audiences. Think Francis Bourgeois.

Serve local extremely well. The ABC already does this so well on every other medium, but the town of Esperance deserves a local daily podcast, as much as the region of Greater Sydney does along with Penrith. Every Australian should have a local podcast they MUST listen to, like it’s the gospel.

Up the metadata game. In radio we called the 1% of ultra-mad fans P1 fans, I was told it was because they had our station on preset one. P1 fans love the metadata that makes podcasts so more enjoyable, things like chapters for skipping to topics, unique and captivating album art per episode, and also album art to visually explain chapters. Like if a chart is mentioned, the chart is that album’s artwork. Metadata includes utilising all of the podcast specifications like categories, episode and season numbers, trailer identifiers, podcast:person tags, and show notes with links to things and people mentioned. Look at Podnews' How-To articles and podcasting2.org and get your CMS or software developers to build support for all the apps.

Album art like Mr Beast. YouTuber Mr Beast knows that the thumbnail of a video is almost more important than the content, it’s what brings people into the episode. Album art is a neglected wasteland in podcasting, up your game.

Unearthed for podcasting. I can still remember when Triple J Unearthed came to Mackay - my friend Leah even has video of me at the event {screen grab of the video to prove I was young once}. Over the past thirty years Unearthed has provided an amazing platform for the up and coming musical acts of Australia. I’m dreaming of a similar program for podcasters. An on ramping exercise to the wider network, developing talent, encouraging it, providing resources and assistance.

Success, how do we measure it? The Triton Digital Australian Podcast Ranker provides a nice big list of podcast success, but I would sincerely ask all stakeholders whether that listing defines our success or not. I just think of my own podcasting efforts as a wedding celebrant. I would have one of the least successful podcasts in the universe but I’m probably a top 1% earner because everyone that listens to my podcast books me to be their celebrant. No podcaster is getting that kind of return from each listener.

Expanding what audio on demand means. We all know what a podcast is supposed to look like today. A regular release, either daily, weekly, monthly, of a drop of audio. But if we look at audio like we do video, there’s feature films, short films, miniseries, documentaries, anthology series, reality TV, ‘straight to home video’ films. How can some of those storytelling mediums be transposed to audio, and could they be released from the “release date” that immediately dates a podcast when released?

Embracing the open web and our own platform. Anil Dash recently wrote this great piece, “Wherever you get your podcasts” is a radical statement, and I wholeheartedly will fight for the open web. The simple fact that you or I can publish a website or a podcast without needing permission from Zuckerberg, whoever is running Spotify, or Tim Cook. But then it also makes a lot of sense for a publisher to own its platform, like the ABC does with ABC Listen. So find the balance between the two.

Drop introductions for audio logos. Think of the Netflix Tudum or the Apple Macintosh or Windows XP startup sound. Instead of wasting precious seconds at the start and end of a podcast, employ an audio logo. The first seconds of a podcast are where the decisions to keep on listening are made, don’t waste it with lots of fancy talk about how we’re listening to another ABC Podcast.

Debate what we’re calling this. Before Ben Hammersly mashed together the words iPod and broadcast it was called audioblogging. Today we’re playing with the term “audio on-demand” but it doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue. My gripe is that people call videos on Youtube a podcast. The terminology is messy, and potentially there’s no fix, but somehow everyone agreed on what radio meant. Maybe the same can happen with recorded audio delivered on RSS or the web at your leisure?

Spread it far and wide with the wheel of content. I’m not going to make out like this is a Josh original, but I’ve been banging on about this since I worked at Southern Cross Austereo, 96five, 4BC and Fairfax radio, and everyone there looked at me like I was crazy. It’s my “Wheel of Content” idea. The simple idea is that a story enters the wheel at the hub (the middle), and then it works itself out through the different channels, audio, video, text, short form, longform, infographics, social media posts, all of it. Record the podcast, break it out into a number of blog posts, into smaller podcast episodes, into videos, tweets, posts, toots, whatever. Make that content work not just double time but 10x its usability. Get the story out of the mp3 file and run it far and wide.

Cross-guest. Introduce hosts and personalities from across the network as guests on other podcasts. Pretend like you’re not the only podcast in the network.

A big head with a long tail. This is my final thought that encapsulates all of them. Any one network can most likely only afford the social capital to market ten shows a year well. We’re talking large-scale marketing campaigns. But that same network should have 10x (at least) that number shows it is actively producing. This is not a new idea, Netflix and many streaming apps work the same way. Evangelism is a costly exercise, so evangelise the hits, and let the rest of the network ride off that network-effect of getting listeners interested in the rest of the shows. Build a big fat visible head of up to ten shows, and let that tail grow as long as you can resource.

[dreamsandroots]

The Freud-Hole, and Bernays' Extimate Space

There’s possibly no greater malady for a writer, in our day and age, than to be stuck in the Freud-hole, and yet here eye am. My former friends (please note here the playful melodrama) are glad to have escaped the event horizon of my eternally unsatisfied, ouroborean questing. Truly, they’d have rathered gouge out their eyes in favour of reading anything written by the hand of such a swollen-footed, motherfucking dreamer, affixed only to the chase of his own tail. The teaching staff where I study smile politely but you can see the apprehension in their Is. What’s he gonna do next?, I hear them thinking, what might he be projecting onto me at this very moment? Into what kind of strange, subconscious streamscape has he lost himself this time? What monstrous slips of the tongue? In truth, my close reading of Freud has been minimal over the years, though to admit this might only make things worse. 

Because it could be reasoned that the only sin greater than the writer who finds himself stuck in the sinkhole of Freudian thought is the sin of finding one’s way there unwittingly. A few chapters of The Interpretation of Dreams, maybe a few chapters of The Wolf Man, and at one point, on the edges of memory, Civilization and its Discontents and besides these some sections of papers: Beyond the Pleasure Principle, The Uncanny. If anything, based purely on reading I’m probably more of a Jungian. I said earlier that there’s nothing so frowned upon than a writer who has become affixed in the threads of Freud’s various orbits, but within academia this is perhaps not quite accurate: to be an open Jungian might give your peers the impression that at any moment, you’re likely to begin spouting Swedenborg, or quoting lines of William Blake’s obscurant poetry, or pontificating on the profundity of the writings of Aleister Crowley in relation to man’s collective unconscious. Of course, I’ve probably read more Nietzsche than either of them, but there are some things you dare not admit. In his biography Memories, Dreams, Reflections, Carl Jung writes, of reading Nietzsche:

I felt like the old peasant who discovered that two of his cows had evidently been bewitched and got their heads in the same halter. “how did that happen?” asked his small son. “Boy, one doesn’t talk about such things,” replied his father.

Recently a team of students from Western Sydney University (WSU) were provided the opportunity to visit New York as part of their training in Digital Communications. One photo, dated 16.07.23 depicts the gang visiting the Museum of Public Relations to learn about “the history and evolution of American public relations.” As part of this tour, the students got the chance to observe and interact with original materials from the offices of Ivy Lee, Arthur Page, and Edward Bernays himself, who, the poster points out in what she describes as a ‘fun fact’ was the double-nephew of none other than the father of psychoanalysis himself. It’s certainly not my intention to grate on the team or the poster here, I’m sure they’re doing a fine job in their role as students, but I can’t help but feel as if this connection may be somewhat understated in contemporary society. That he was Freud’s nephew was certainly never understated by Bernays himself. By all accounts, he used every opportunity to prop up his own reputation by reference to the relation. There is also widespread evidence that many of Freud’s ideas formed a central core of tenets for Bernays’ ongoing practice, his upbringing in Austria putting him in close proximity to his uncle’s rising notoriety.

I bring this up, not just to be a stickler, or as some kind of Freudian knight errant who demands recognition of his Lord. But personally, I can think of no better tale of history to illuminate more succinctly the particular kind of media PR hell we experience today, than that of the application of Freudean theory by Mr. Edward Bernays. Freud’s theories arose from his experience as a medical doctor, beginning with his fellowship with Jean-Martin Charcot, a French neurologist who had developed treatments for hysteria based on hypnosis. Freud developed his ‘talking cure’ as a method to uncover and shed light on strange behaviours in patients, often women, which, to his view, had no seeming basis in objective reality. Freud posited that such behaviours, often otherwise labelled simply as ‘hysteria’ (and perhaps, by a retrospective extrapolation, we might notice the historical proximity of madness with the ‘feminine’ within medical discourse, not to mention the witch-burnings) were in fact victims of psychical events which had played out at some point during their personal history (and in most cases, as he would discover, at various points) beneath conscious awareness, and well beyond the ability to articulate such wounds into language. Noting his uncle’s work in uncovering the power of psychic phenomenon that seemed to operate beneath the active purview of consciousness, Bernays developed his theory of propaganda as “the mechanism by which ideas are disseminated on a large scale.” As a practice, Bernays posits propaganda to be a kind of philosophical art-tool grounded in a teleological ends-based politics, utilised best by an ‘invisible government’ for the good of the people. Such an overbearing, yet shadowy agency, according to Bernays, seemed the only way to bring about a socially cohesive zeitgeist, something which could ensure the election of the right candidate (the one funding Bernays, that is) and the dissemination of the right kinds of products (those who hired Bernays as consultant). All for the good of the people. At the time of the publication of his seminal text, Propaganda (1928) Bernays had already forged a reputation for himself, being instrumental in shaping international views regarding America leading up to and during their intervention in WWI. One fan of Bernays’ assertions that “only through the active energy of the intelligent few can the public at large become aware of and act upon new ideas” was Joseph Goebbles, who utilised this vision to construct the Nazi propaganda machine that would sell the population of Germany a concentrated and clearly exaggerated vision of the anti-semitism that had been festering throughout Europe during the 18th Century and beyond. Freud would flee Austria 04.06.38 despite reluctance to do so, even after Hitler, on the 15th of March that same year, had been welcomed by the state leading to an extreme escalation of violence towards the Jewish population. Bernays would move away from the term ‘propaganda’, declaring loudly that any tool, psychological or otherwise, can be utilised for good or evil, depending on the ones that wield it. The new term he coined was ‘Public Relations’. Consulting with Austrian-US psychoanalyst A.A. Brill, Bernays would go on to popularise smoking for women in the adult population of The United States by organising groups of (paid) women to march while smoking cigarettes in the Easter Sunday Parade of 1929, as a way to battle against taboos relating to women smoking, being some considerable market restriction for those paying Bernays. Despite the organisation of these spectacles, Bernays vehemently opposed his wife’s smoking, indicating that he knew at least some of the dangers involved in this.

Of course, one could write an entire thesis on this relationship. The trajectory we see forming here is undoubtedly more complicated than simply asserting that Freud = Bernays (propaganda) = modern advertising. I’m not out here demanding we hold a parade for Freud and throw Bernays in the trash can, but I would be open to the idea of a world in which I could admit freely that I found value in Freud’s endeavour, notwithstanding the many things I found disagreeable and short-sighted about the man. If I’m to accept (as some of my colleagues keep telling me) that Freud’s legacy is just another ghostly voice of the old dead white hegemony, well then at least I’d like them to recognise that same undead ghost in their freedom torches, their 3am tik-tok deep dive eyes and their Barbie ads.

#writing #creative writing #psychoanalysis #freud #public relations #propaganda #bernays #writers on tumblr

[platinumsolar]

8 Diverse Establishments Harnessing the Power of Solar Energy

Solar installation Sydney services are always sought by many establishments because of what it can do to help the environment. Some might think that no one uses solar energy, but it is becoming more popular with many groups and institutions. If you are not convinced, here are some places where you can see solar energy being used:

Residential Homes

The most common place where you can see solar panels being installed are at homes. Many homeowners are continuously embracing this environment-friendly change because it helps reduce their energy bills. Since the energy will come from sunlight, you do not need to rely on grid electricity. And if ever you think of selling your home someday, the usage of solar power can increase the value of your property.

Commercial Offices

Aside from homes, commercial offices can also benefit from the service. For the same reasons as homeowners, offices can see the changes in their energy bills while helping the environment. But aside from that, it can also help in job creation because the solar industry might need more professionals to accommodate the needs of their clients. You can hire one for your office to ensure everything in your solar usage is correct and in good condition. But aside from maintenance, they are also available for installation if you ever need a new one.

Educational Institutions

Schools and universities can also benefit from solar energy. Teachers, students, and non-teaching staff can be comfortable inside the rooms because nothing hinders them from using solar energy. And if there are problems, like a power outage, they have backup power. Since schools also budget, they can take advantage of solar energy to reach financial stability. Many parents might also be interested in enrolling their child in the learning institution because they see how it focuses on good things.

Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities

If schools can use solar energy, so can hospitals. They can guarantee reliable and continuous power supply, considering hospitals are open 24/7. Experiencing power interruptions is something healthcare facilities cannot bear because of the life-support systems and medical equipment that only work with electricity. Having power outages can cause life-threatening consequences, especially for patients who are in critical condition.

Hotels and Resorts

When talking about vacations, hotels and resorts are always part of the list. And if you are looking for a location, you might want to step up your standards. Aside from those offering good ambience and great food, you might want to check hotels and resorts that use solar energy. Yes, they can use it in their marketing and branding, but it also means they are committed to using solar energy to become eco-friendly and environmentally conscious.

Manufacturing Plants

Manufacturing plants are one of the places that uses much energy because of the machines that need to work for hours. And sadly, they are one of the establishments that affect the environment. To claim a good image in the industry, involving themselves in the solar industry is a good start. They can continue doing what they need to do without damaging the planet further. And if there is a power outage, they have backup power.

Sports Stadiums

Not all sports stadiums use solar energy, but it is interesting to see one. Since they can consume a lot of energy, especially if there are events, looking for a healthier and more eco-friendly option is not impossible. It helps enhance profitability and reduce carbon footprint. With the latter, they can contribute to social responsibility.

Government Buildings

The government must be a good influence on the people, so it is not surprising if they will use solar energy in their buildings. They propose environmental stewardship, setting an example that there is no harm in trying something fresh. Those new things might also be the reason the planet keeps getting better.

Some might think that these are the only places that use solar energy. There might be unusual places, but they are not impossible. Here are some examples:

Agricultural Farms

Airports

Data Centres

Museums and Cultural Centres

Religious Institutions

Non-Profit Organisations

Wineries and Vineyards

Public Transportation

Prisons and Correctional Facilities

Many establishments are embracing solar power, so there is no reason you should not give it a chance. With its continuous help in the environment and the planet, you can say that it is worth the investment.

#solarinstallationsydney

[carloshealthcare]

A Career in Aged Care Support Worker

A career as an Aged Care Support Worker is a fulfilling and rewarding choice for those with a desire to help others. These carers provide a variety of services to older people including assistance with daily living activities, transport and errands, home maintenance, meal preparation and companionship. They also administer medication, change wound dressing and assist with physiotherapy exercises.

They may also be responsible for preparing medical records, maintaining a clean healthcare environment, assisting patients to attend scheduled social events and engaging with their families. In addition, they must comply with the healthcare team’s directions and adhere to workplace health and safety guidelines.

You can specialise in either home or residential care, depending on the type of service you want to provide. For example, a home care aged care support workers will travel to clients’ homes and may be the only staff member at a client’s house. This type of role is often more independent than working in a residential aged care home.

In both roles, your responsibilities will include writing personalised care plans in consultation with the clients you are supporting. This will involve a discussion about the person’s needs, goals and aspirations. You may also be asked to assist with mobility, escorting them to and from appointments, shopping or even delivering food parcels to the doorstep.

For higher care clients, you might have to do more clinical duties such as redressing wounds, changing bed linen and administering medication under the supervision of a nurse. In some cases, you might be required to use specialist equipment like feeding tubes or PEG tubes.

You will be employed through an agency that provides Aged Care Packages in both home and residential care. Agencies are typically state departments of human services or Local Government agencies.

Getting started in this field is relatively easy, as you can do an apprenticeship or study online to achieve a Certificate IV in Aged Care Support. These courses will give you a good overview of the industry and all the safety, legal and ethical protocols involved when working with elderly people. You will also need to have a police check and first aid certification before commencing work.

The other way to start is to find a community organisation that works with the elderly and offers internships. These can help you get an idea of what it is like to work in this sector and can also give you a head start on the job search. Then, you can start looking for an agency or employer that suits your interests and skills. This is a fantastic way to make sure that you have the right job for you and can continue to develop your passions and talents as well as help the people in your care. Good luck!

Carol’s Healthcare is a specialised disability support and Aged Care in Homes or within or existing care facility. We not only provide essential respite for caregivers while offering NDIS Support Services in Sydney, but we also strive to increase our participants’ freedom so that they can achieve their full potential.

#disability care sydney #nursing agency in sydney #aged care support workers #service providers for aged care #disability care services #disability services in sydney #disability services sydney

[allareass]

Cleaning Services in Sydney

Sydney is a busy city where people are engulfed by their career and family responsibilities. This leaves them with little time to complete mundane housework.

Hence, Cleaning services Sydney come in handy. It is possible to hire a cleaner for a one-off, daily or periodic clean. The platform also offers specialised services such as ceiling and wall cleaning.

Home cleaning services Sydney are a great way to keep your house tidy and stress-free. A clean environment promotes good health and can even help prevent germs from spreading. Nevertheless, juggling work and family responsibilities can make it hard to find the time to clean your home on a regular basis.

A basic house cleaning service usually includes general household tasks such as vacuuming and washing floors, dusting, mopping, wiping mirrors and frames, and disinfecting doorknobs and taps. A more thorough cleaning may include sanitising stove and oven exteriors, stacking the dishwasher, washing dishes, cleaning sinks, and sweeping and vacuuming carpets.

Leave the cleaning to a professional maid and spend more time exploring the wonders that Sydney has to offer. Have a fun day out with the kids at Luna Park or Raging Waters, or take a trip to the iconic Sydney Opera House or Taronga Zoo. It’s a city with endless attractions that you will never get bored of!

A clean and organised workspace is essential for the success of any business. It helps workers focus and work more effectively. Moreover, it also keeps them safe from germs and diseases. This is why it is important to hire commercial cleaning services Sydney. These professionals can take care of the cleanliness of all types of commercial areas.

Warehouses and industrial style buildings require special cleaning and maintenance. They need regular deep cleaning, high pressure washing and Covid 19 disinfection to keep them safe for their tenants. Commercial cleaning services Sydney specialise in this area and can provide customised services to suit the needs of the property.

Many businesses use their own staff to clean the facilities, but this can be demoralising and a waste of time for employees that are better qualified to do other tasks. Hiring a professional commercial cleaner is a safer and more cost-efficient option. Moreover, it helps companies maintain compliance with Australian sanitation standards.

A one-off cleaning service in Sydney is a service that is booked just once, and can be arranged as a spring clean or before or after an event. This type of cleaning can be a bit more extensive than regular house cleaning, and the cleaners will usually bring their own detergents and cleaning tools. Services can range from mopping floors and wiping surfaces to cleaning skirting boards, kitchen appliances, frames, and windows.

If you are a homeowner in Sydney who is often too busy with work and family to do your own house cleaning, you should consider using a one-off cleaning service. These professional maids will follow a checklist that you create to ensure your house is sparkling clean when they leave. They can even do extra tasks such as washing the removable parts of your oven in a dip tank and wiping down the inside of your windows with purified water to remove streaks.

There are a number of specialised cleaning services that can be performed in the home, office or commercial building. These include carpet cleaning, deodorising and sanitisation, strip and seal services, window washing, and gutter cleaning. Some of these services are available as one-off jobs, while others are offered as regular ongoing contracts. To know more about Cleaning Services Sydney, visit the All Areas website or call 1300659609.

All Areas offers cleaning services for community shared housing facilities and organisations that provide long and short-term housing solutions for people with disabilities. The company’s cleaning crews are highly trained and have the skills and knowledge to deal with complex cleaning requirements. They are also experienced in providing odour control services for properties that have been affected by smoke, water and mould damage.

#Sweeper hire Sydney #Scrubber hire Sydney #Cleaning services Sydney #sweep scrub #Regular maintenance services Sydney #sweeping and scrubbing Sydney #Scrubbing Sydney #Sweeping Sydney

[comedyinsydney]

Congratulations to our 🎤 Sydney Comedy School Graduates “ Angus Boyd, Ryan Evans, Gary Richardson and Romy Palan”. Tonight it was a sold out event, we apologize to those who couldn’t get seats. The students came with the laughs ( we knew they would 😄) thanks to our Special Guest MC “ Rob Andrews” and guest comic“ Henry Zhu”. It was a great night. Thanks to the management and staff at the 3 monkeys Bar 🙈🙉🙊 for keeping the drinks and food flowing. If you missed out on seats, we’re back for our next graduation show on June 8th. Tixs already on sale. Great job everyone 👏🏽 🎤 Australia’s School of Stand Up Comedy Grad Night“ Where we showed them,how to tickle their bones 😅“ https://www.comedyintheraw.com.au 2023 Next Comedy School Course Dates: Sydney : June 4th-8th and July 16-Aug 13th. #bonkerzcomedyaustralia #standupcomedyschools #comedyclubssydneycbd #comedy #sydneycbd #comedyclubs #comedysydney #sydneygeorgestreet #comedyschoolmelbourne #laughter  #bonkerzaustralia #sydneypubs #liveperformances #comedians #comedyschooladelaide #festivals #comedyfestivals #fringefestivals #comedyschoolcanberra #openmiccomedysydney #bonkerzcomedyaustralia #standupcomedyschoolssydney #comedyclubssydneycbd #comedyschoolbrisbane (at 3 Monkeys Pub) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqaY48kvd9X/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#bonkerzcomedyaustralia #standupcomedyschools #comedyclubssydneycbd #comedy #sydneycbd #comedyclubs #comedysydney #sydneygeorgestreet #comedyschoolmelbourne #laughter #bonkerzaustralia #sydneypubs #liveperformances #comedians #comedyschooladelaide #festivals #comedyfestivals #fringefestivals #comedyschoolcanberra #openmiccomedysydney #standupcomedyschoolssydney #comedyschoolbrisbane

[salmapainting]

Why Commercial Painting Sydney Is Important

If you are a business owner and have commercial property in Sydney, you should hire a good painter. This will make your office and shop look neat and stylish.

It is a good idea to use Australian registries to get in touch with reputable painters. You can find out their credentials, experience and other vital information.

Aesthetics

The aesthetics of commercial painting sydney are critical to the success of any business. Whether it’s an office building or a storefront, having attractive facilities and surroundings can attract customers and improve morale.

A clean, attractive work space can also encourage employees to be more productive. It can help to reduce the voluntary turnover rate and increase retention of productive staff.

Whether you’re looking to paint the interiors of your commercial property or the exterior, hiring a skilled and experienced painting contractor can ensure that your project is completed on time and within budget. In addition, a reputable painting company will follow all health and safety standards to protect your assets. The best way to find a painter who can do the job properly is by conducting some research and reading reviews from previous clients.

Safety

If you are thinking of a commercial painting job, it is important to hire professional painters who take safety seriously. The team of experts will make sure that the ladders, scaffolding and ropes are in good shape and safe to use.

They will also ensure that their equipment is properly sanitized and cleaned after every task to prevent contamination. The workers will also wear protective gear to avoid skin injuries, such as gloves, masks and headgear.

They also have a dedicated health and safety manager who is responsible for ensuring that all painters are following the right work procedures. They will carry out site-specific risk assessments and make any necessary changes to ensure safety. They are licensed by the government, and have all the relevant insurances in place to protect themselves and others in the event of an accident.

Maintenance

Whether you run a small retail store or a large office building, it is important to keep your business looking clean and fresh. It can make or break a customer's impression of your brand.

A commercial painter can help you maintain the appearance of your property by ensuring it is painted correctly. In addition, they can recommend maintenance measures that will help protect the exterior paint from dirt and stains.

A thorough washdown of the entire building is also recommended every 1-2 years to extend the life of the paint and protect the surface against damage and mould. This can also help prevent costly maintenance down the track, if it is done correctly.

Time

The amount of time it takes to complete commercial painting contractors Sydney projects varies depending on size. Smaller jobs can be done in a day while larger projects often take several days to finish.

As a result, planning is an essential part of commercial paint projects to minimise interference and ensure that all painted surfaces are properly cured and dried.

A well-painted office space or shop boosts trade and is an effective marketing tool. On the other hand, a dull wall can make a business look unprofessional and may push away clients.

Money

Whether you own a retail store or an office building, it's important to keep your property looking its best. Customers and clients are always drawn to clean, bright and inviting locations.

A new lick of paint can make your business stand out from the rest, and can boost your customer satisfaction rates. Not to mention, a professional commercial painting service can also add value to your property and increase your chances of selling it.

When choosing a commercial painter, it's a good idea to check for licensing and references. You can do this by checking websites for commercial painters in your area or by asking friends and colleagues who have used their services before.

#commercial painting Sydney #house painting quotes sydney #home painting sydney #office painting sydney #commercial painting sydney #commercial painting contractors sydney #wallpaper removal sydney #wallpaper removal companies #wallpaper removal service near me #PAINTERS BONDI

[mckaywoodruff46]

Special Feature of Raynor Chair Manufactured by Office Furniture Sydney Company

Right through the earliest events of human civilisation which can go back to thousands and thousands of years, instincts and emotion actually drive individuals. Right from the period, by only taking a look at a selected direction or a thing,they struggle to judge about the article, about its making, its value etc. Likewise, within our daily lives, we judge any person by taking a look at his belongings, furniture, type of house when the individual is living, the neighbourhood as many of these actually tell us about his financial circumstances and affordability. So, in our residential complexes and office places are now being decorated with latest stylish label of fixtures and eminent interior decorators are increasingly being contacted to present any where an improved look. Actually, if your chairs and tables and off course, other articles are organised in a very clean and neat manner anywhere can look bigger if combined with light and soothing colours. Moreover, the texture of finishing from the chairs and tables also play a crucial role in deciding the look of the place. Like, if they are covered with too bright a colour it could distract the persons who will be doing its job bright colours usually excite one's mind. Hence, based on the psychologists, the most significant shirt is those which can entice human mind and help them being more dedicated towards work. Hence, such soothing and lightweight colours should be used to the office place as they are able inspire the workforce besides giving a nice-looking look from the interior. Any eminent interior decoration expert actually looks to the perfect blend to organise the fixtures in innovative ways that can suffice the need in perfect way. In this regard, the tasks of the senior management along with other staff is the key ones as they must choose what sort of decoration they want plus which particular areas they need them. As Office Furniture Wollongong know that there are certain areas from the premises that are mostly frequented by the guests and some in the other places which are only frequented with the workforce. So, first type of places are needed to get taken great care of while to the second one, only organising the fixtures in a different way may suit the need. Moreover, few times investors will come on the premises to get a talk to the senior management or staffs. So, the decoration of meeting rooms or conference rooms would have been a great surprise it really is them and might act in constructive ways or impressing them.In this regard, the popular Office furniture Sydney companies are known whatsoever aspects of Australia due to their excellent rendered service. Also, it really is primarily the work with the employer to check whether all his staffs come in perfect health insurance and mood as without that one might not exactly feel safe to be effective normally. Hence, to maintain the perfect posture, the trendy and comfortable set of Raynor Chair must be bought.

#Commercial Office Furniture #Office Furniture Sydney #Height Adjustable Desk #Office Furniture Southern Highlands #Office Chair Wollongong #Wollongong Office Furniture #Office Furniture Wollongong #Office Furniture Nowra #Office Furniture Narellan #Office Furniture Campbelltown

[wedcellinsti]

  FAQs For An Event Management

1. Exactly What Is meant by an event planning ?

Event planning is a process by which a project such as weddings,ceremonys, meetings, tradeshows, corporate events etc. handled by skilled event planners successfully. 

The Responsibilities of an event planner

Liaising with vendors

Setting timelines

Charting out a budget

Scouting event sites

Obtaining permits

Planning food and lodging for event invitees

Arranging transportation

Selecting a theme

Planning various activities

However, these are only some of the tasks of event planning. All in all, it includes everything to make an event successful.

2. What does an event planner do?

An event planner coordinates with all aspects of the event to make it successful. Consult with clients to explain about an event with detailed information.To Devise a plan of action about an event in terms of the date and time, venue, and the expenses.To Communicate with service providers and agree at an affordable price for their services such as photographers, florists, equipment suppliers, bakers, and technicians.To Coordinate with the client during all times and decide on the event venue.To Arrange for event services such as food, transportation, and rooms.ToCoordinate with on-site staff to conform everything goes on well according to  the plan.AtLast, review invoices and distribute payments.

3. What skills should an event planner have?

An Event planning is a challenging and driven profession to organize events. Some of these skills are as below-

Ability to organize and communication skills

Knack for networking

Understanding of events

Problem-solving skills

Client-centric approach

Ability to negotiate and arrive at an affordable budget

Multitasking

Leadership

Creativity

Tech-savvy

Drive to get things done on time

Go-getter attitude

4. What are the other event planning professionals ?

Event planning or event management is an umbrella term for many types of careers included under it. The following are the job profiles in this industry-

Event Planner

Venue Manager

Wedding Planner

Catering Services Manager

Social Media Event Coordinator

Sponsorship Coordinator

Volunteer Coordinator

Communications or Marketing Manager

5. Which program can I do to pursue an event management ?

In order to pursue a career in event management, you can enroll yourself in any of these programs offered by universities depends on your finances, the amount of time you can devote to the programs and the availability at your preferred institute.

Undergraduate courses in Event Management -3 or 4-year program

Post-graduate courses in Event Management- 1 or 2 year program

Diploma in Event Management- Usually 1-year program

Bachelor/Master/Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication

6. What are the subjects in an event management program?

When you enroll yourself for an event management program, you will be taught several exciting and fun subjects, such as 

Business communication

Management process

Event management planning

Advertising management for services

Brand management

Marketing

Grooming and personality development

Spoken and communication abilities

Risk management

Advertising and Public Relations

Qualitative techniques

Concept and design

7. What are some top universities for an event management courses?

The following are a few universities you can browse through from around the world and decide on an event management program.

British and Irish Modern Music Institute, UK

CDI College, Canada

 New York University, USA

La Trobe University, Australia

 Llandrillo College, UK

University of Central Florida, USA

Iowa State University, USA

 Australian Catholic University, Australia

 Cornwall College, UK

University of Technology Sydney, Sydney

Singapore Institute of Management, Singapore

University of Derby, UK

8. What are the requirements for an event planning course?

Depending on the college and the country you are applying to, the application requirements vary slightly. However, some of the commonly asked documents at the time of registration and application are-

10+2 school level certificates

Bachelor’s degree and mark sheet if you are applying for a postgraduate degree

Letter of recommendation

Updated resume

Statement of purpose (in case you are applying for a scholarship, you might need to submit two statements of purpose)

IELTS, TOEFL, GRE scores

9. How much does it cost to get a degree in an event management ?

If you are applying for a bachelor’s degree in event management, it can cost you between $28,380- $40,350 approximately.  if you pursue a master’s program, it can costs from $57,916- $28,644 approximately.

10. What is the average salary for an event planner or manager?

an average salary of experienced event planners can be around $44,672 per annum.

11. What does a day in the life of an event planner look like?

A typical day as an event planner can begin at 7 am and end late by11 pm or 12 am. So you have to follow up a total project from begin to end. Therefore, you need to be regular to take updates, meet with the client daily to explain  about an event going on  as per their wish, agree on budgets, approve payments etc. to handle an event successfully.

12. What are some of the challenges of a career as an event planner?

Some challenges in the life of an event planner are that you will need to keep your schedule flexible at all times. You may have to work  continuously to get things done properly. You have to be fit both physically and mentally to long lasting in this profession. Moreover, you have to stay away from your family and dear ones for  somedays.

13. Can I be an event planner with out experience or educational degree ?

Without an educational background, you will not get well-paid clients who will be willing to invest their time and money on you to organize their most important events. So, you should either get a degree or diploma in an event management or will get practical experience as an intern or trainee to strengthen your profile.

[inachospitality]

Elevating Your Hospitality Business with Recruitment Agencies in Sydney

The hospitality industry is renowned for its relentless demand for exceptional staff capable of providing outstanding customer service while ensuring operational efficiency. In the bustling city of Sydney, where the culinary and hospitality scene thrives, the quest for qualified and skilled personnel is an ongoing pursuit for establishments aiming to exceed guest expectations. This pursuit has led many businesses to turn to hospitality recruitment agencies Sydney for their staffing needs.

Hospitality recruitment agencies play a pivotal role in connecting businesses with the right talent. These agencies specialize in sourcing, vetting, and placing candidates across various roles within the hospitality sector, from chefs and waitstaff to managers and event coordinators.

When it comes to Hospitality Staff Hire, these agencies act as a link between companies and job candidates, streamlining the hiring process while ensuring that businesses acquire candidates who not only fit their business values and culture but also have the requisite talents.

Businesses seeking to fill vacancies often find the expertise and network of these agencies invaluable. They leverage their extensive databases, industry knowledge, and screening processes to match businesses with candidates who are not just qualified on paper but are also the right fit for the roles being offered.

Hospitality recruitment agencies in Sydneyare well-versed in the nuances of the local market. They understand the specific needs of different establishments, whether it's a high-end restaurant, a boutique hotel, or a bustling café in the heart of the city. This familiarity allows them to curate a pool of candidates tailored to suit the unique requirements of each client.

Moreover, these agencies can significantly alleviate the burden of the hiring process for businesses. From advertising vacancies and conducting initial screenings to coordinating interviews and negotiating terms, they handle the whole hiring process, saving companies time and money so they may concentrate on their primary business activities.

Hospitality Staff Hire isn't just about filling immediate vacancies; it's about securing talent that contributes to the long-term success of an establishment. These agencies take a proactive approach by cultivating relationships with both clients and candidates, fostering an ongoing commitment to fulfilling staffing needs and career aspirations.

In the competitive landscape of Sydney's hospitality industry, standing out is crucial. Joining forces with a respectable employment firm can offer businesses with a competitive edge by accessing a talent pool that might otherwise be inaccessible through traditional hiring methods.

One such agency that has made a mark in the hospitality recruitment sphere is INAC (stands for I Need A Chef). With its vast network and expertise, INAC has been instrumental in assisting businesses across various sectors, including lodging facilities, dining establishments, and event planning firms, in locating exceptional personnel for their hiring requirements.

Conclusion

Hospitality recruitment agencies in Sydney, such as INAC, serve as invaluable partners for businesses seeking to elevate their operations by securing top-tier talent. Their expertise, industry knowledge, and dedication to connecting suitable candidates with the right employers make them indispensable in the dynamic and fast-paced world of hospitality.

For more information on how INAC can assist your hospitality staffing needs, visit their website at inac.com.au.

[qnewslgbtiqa]

Qantas honours crew member Luke Davies on Mardi Gras float

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/qantas-honours-crew-member-luke-davies-on-mardi-gras-float/

Qantas honours crew member Luke Davies on Mardi Gras float

Qantas will honour the life of flight attendant Luke Davies in Saturday night’s Mardi Gras Parade after he and partner Luke Baird’s murder rocked Sydney’s queer community.

Luke began flying with Qantas in Brisbane in 2022 and last year moved to Sydney to work as a flight attendant on international flights.

Ahead of the Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday, his mourning Qantas colleagues requested Luke’s name appear at the front of the float. Each year, the Qantas float typically features the nose of a Qantas plane (above) while staff follow behind.

Qantas’ Executive Manager Cabin Crew Leeanne Langridge previously said Luke is remembered as “a much-loved member of the Qantas cabin crew community in Brisbane and Sydney.”

“He had a passion for travel, life, his family and friends and the customers that he served,” she said.

“This is an incredibly sad time for those who worked alongside [Luke].

“He will be deeply missed. The whole team at Qantas are thinking of Luke and Jesse’s loved ones.”

Luke’s co-workers also shared moving tributes to the “beacon of sunshine” online.

“He was not just a close friend; he was a source of inspiration, a constant reminder of the beauty in life,” one fellow flight attendant wrote.

“Your laughter was infectious to everyone around you … your passing leaves a void that words can hardly express.”

Fellow crew member Brooke Walters recalled Luke’s dedication to his job on one of his last flights, from Sydney to Singapore just three weeks ago.

She told the Sydney Morning Herald Luke spent the entire eight-hour flight comforting a passenger suffering from dementia and the man’s wife.

“Luke took it upon himself to care for them constantly,” she recalled.

Luke’s partner, Jesse Baird, was a former 10 presenter and AFL umpire.

The AFL is also working with his loved ones on a tribute in the coming weeks.

‘This will be a more sombre Parade’

A community vigil for the murdered Sydney couple is on Friday night at Green Park in Darlinghurst.

Ahead of the parade, Mardi Gras co-chair Brandon Bear said the organisation is working with the community on tributes to the men.

Brandon said Mardi Gras has “always been a lot of things to a lot of people” and there have been situations in the past “where we’ve come together to celebrate but also come together to mourn, to create change”.

“For some people this will be a more sombre event. For some people they might choose to sit this one out,” he said on Friday.

“We’re working with the community and we know our partners are working to use their parade floats to talk to the lives and the memory of these young men.”

For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

#Qantas #sydney #sydney gay and lesbian mardi gras

[funkyflowers12]

Flower Delivery Sutherland

Flower delivery Sutherland is a great way to send flowers for birthdays, anniversaries or other important occasions. It is also a great way to send sympathy flowers to those who are experiencing loss or grief.

The best part about sending flowers through a florist is that they are able to offer a range of different options that will suit any occasion or taste. They can also provide the option to choose a vase or other accessories for your bouquet so that it is even more special!

Florists for Every Occasion in Sutherland

If you are looking for a florist in Sutherland, you can trust that the local florists we recommend have a lot of experience and offer a wide selection of fresh flowers. They can help you choose a flower arrangement that will be perfect for your special day and they can ensure that it is delivered to the right place at the right time!

You can use our website to search for a local florist in Sutherland who can deliver your bouquets. They will then have a member of staff contact you to discuss your order and give you an accurate quote. They will then make an arrangement with the local florist to have your flowers delivered as soon as possible!

We are always happy to help you find the perfect flower bouquet for any occasion, so if you are looking for a florist in Sutherland, please contact us today. We can also offer delivery to surrounding areas if you have a special request!

Our Local Florists are proud to serve Sutherland and the nearby suburbs. We have many talented flower designers who can create stunning arrangements for any occasion or event!

When choosing a local florist in Sutherland, you will want to be sure that they can provide you with the freshest, highest quality flowers available. This is important because you will be sending your loved ones a gift that they will appreciate for a long time to come!

They will be able to provide you with an excellent flowers delivery sutherland shire bouquet that will be the envy of all their friends. They will also be able to provide you with a flower basket that will be the perfect gift for someone who is celebrating their birthday, congratulating them on a new baby or simply thanking them for a job well done!

We also have a large range of beautiful roses and orchids that are perfect for any occasion. They can be a great addition to any bouquet of flowers that you have chosen and will look lovely in any home or office.

The flowers sutherland shire is an Australian local government area located in the state of New South Wales. It is located 30 kilometres south of the Sydney central business district.

Its name was reportedly derived from able seaman Forby Sutherland, who died on Captain Cook’s Endeavour voyage. It is thought that this able seaman was one of the first inhabitants of what would become the Sutherland Shire and is therefore a fitting name for the area.  To know more information visit at www.funkyflowers.com.au

#Flower delivery Sutherland #flowers delivery sutherland shire #flowers sutherland shire #san florist #flowers sutherland

[atlanticcanada]

Hockey volunteers are the unsung heroes at the World Juniors: organizers

Organizers of the IIHF World Junior Championship say the tournament being held in both Moncton, N.B., and Halifax is going off without a hitch.

In large part, that's due to the dedicated team of volunteers who are working behind the scenes to make sure everything is ironed out and running as smoothly as possible.

“Between Moncton and Halifax, we have about 250 volunteers and that’s fewer than we would have had in the past but those volunteers are doing an exceptional job," said Halifax event lead Grant MacDonald.

More than 9,000 fans packed the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax Thursday afternoon to watch Sweden beat Czechia 3-2 in overtime.

The awe and excitement of the tournament are creating an electric atmosphere in and around the rink and behind the scenes. Many say it's the dedicated group of volunteers making it all happen and on short notice.

In February, the International Ice Hockey Federation revoked Russia's right to host the tournament after they invaded Ukraine and denied Russian and Belarusian teams from competing in the tournament.

Halifax and Moncton had seven days to put a bid together to host the 2023 tournament and eventually won the right to host.

The World Junior tournament that was held in Halifax and Sydney, N.S., in 2003 set in-person attendance and television viewership records.

MacDonald said there were 500 volunteers onboard when the Halifax Mooseheads hosted the Memorial Cup in 2019.

For this tournament, they are getting by with fewer hands but MacDonald says they are more coordinated than ever.

“That's one of the outcomes of the pandemic," said MacDonald. "We are lean but we have a more professionalized staff that has been moving from event-to-event and have done it on very short planning cycles.”

MacDonald said Maritimers are well known for their hospitality and warm welcomes to those who come from away, adding to the success of the volunteers who he says are the "life-blood" of the tournament.

Longtime hockey coach and volunteer Paul Mason is well-known around hockey rinks in Halifax and anytime there's a major tournament in town, you can bet he'll be there volunteering in some capacity.

“It’s the team environment, there’s a bonding experience," said Mason, who is working in the volunteer office, helping to coordinate services among teams, tournament personnel and media.

"As Maritimers, we like to be hospitable and making sure that other people are having a good time," said Mason.

But there are other perks to volunteering.

“You meet people and you see great people from all around the world," said Mason. "They are very receptive to the fact that we are trying to do something for them.”

from CTV News - Atlantic https://ift.tt/zAr0GfS

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