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speedygal · 1 year

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Babylon 5

You know how in movies and tv shows where a officer tells 'It's been a honor to serve you' to another person before their presumable death? Well, watching Babylon 5 is a lot like that. It's an experience that you are humbled to be part of.

Remastered, old version, a second remastered version, wherever you may watch it, Tubi, Vudu, Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Youtube, or boxed set.

It's an opportunity that you can repeat, that you have favorite passages to jump into with very little sign of age in contrast to books when the age shows after being reread so many times. But perhaps, age does show in the format that it is being watched in and in which edition.

It's a story that is so compelling that you are part of it watching the events happen. I can best compare it to the scene in the Truman show where the audience is cheering for him. You can tear your attention off every so often with parts of the story and tune back in knowing what happens next. You cheer on the characters. You celebrate when a milestone is reached due to the climb that reached that point.

The highs and lows that the characters go on, the heartache, the struggle, the challenge, the subtext that is blatantly text, the character evolution, the character growth, the evolution growth, all of these things make you pride watching these people become bigger things to life itself. It's a experience that you're honored to be part of after choosing to watch it.

The story is so compelling that when it gets to certain parts, you have to lower your electronic points, close your tabs if you're watching it on a tablet, whatever you're doing, and watch the story. The dialogue you hear in the background at these points make you want to pay attention to what is going on and following along. It demands to be seen, it insists, it's long lasting, memorable. I modified a image to make my point clear.

Babylon 5 and The Orville share something that make them both memorable. They've got a unique story to share, with someone who had it all planned out and did with the run time for each episode with the funds they had each week, the story is epic in nature. Why am I comparing it to the Orville?

When there is fighting, it's for a good reason like Babylon 5. Not just because the ship itself feels like home as the station does after a while.

In Babylon 5, the fighting doesn't happen every episode. It happens for something that matters so dearly that is worth throwing away lives, getting hurt, significant, there is no galaxy being threatened at the end of every season save for season 4 and see every alien civilization ALL band together against the threat(s).

Season 5, no galaxy being threatened, it's more of a epilogue to the show and to the story itself dealing with threads that were not finished due to uncertainty of there being a season 5.

You may get the Babylon 5 theme playing in the background during a fight scene or for it's playing in the background in non-action scenes that you can tell it's the theme due to the notes. You get to be part of a character's lives even after it's done in the form of movies seeing how they were before or after the show had begun. And you actively miss them afterwards. You remember them, fondly. Morally flawed characters who felt like people and got to be people in the narrative.

It's the story that matters.

It makes you care about everything even down to the civilizations that don't have jump gate access. The smugglers helping Babylon 5 on it's own. It makes you care about the civilians, the Centauri people, from the people in down below, to the random visitors, to the crew of Babylon 5 who deal with unloading, to the maintenance crew, to the pilots of the starfuries, to the random captains, it makes you care about the telepaths, the psi corps, and everything interesting in between.

Even though you can do nothing but watch, you feel like you're there by being there watching the characters get back up to their feet, dust themselves off, and fight back. It's admirable. It's heroic. It's the characters that we know through and through keeping up the good fight.

#babylon 5 #long post

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handykitchen · 8 months

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Features to Look for When Buy Kitchen Accessories Online

The modern kitchen is often a hub of activity Whether you’re a home cook, professional chef, or just love trying out new recipes, having the right equipment can make all the difference in your culinary creations Shopping for kitchen appliances and tools online can be overwhelming with so many options to choose from To help you shop smarter and find the best deals on quality products, here’s a comprehensive guide that examines everything you need to consider when shopping for kitchen items online.

Buy Kitchen Accessories Online Next up is researching which retailers offer both quality products at good prices as well as reliable customer service such as free shipping or return policies if needed in case something doesn't work correctly after purchase Pay close attention to any reviews posted by past customers about their experiences with purchases too – this feedback could give valuable insight into how reputable certain companies are before buying something from them yourself!

Additionally take time to compare features between different models of similar items available on sites like Amazon Prime or Best Buy-perhaps one model will have extra functions beyond what another offers but at no additional cost-making sure that whatever product chosen meets expectations accordingly should always be priority number one during these types of comparisons!

Finally look for ways save money while still purchasing an item fit for purpose some sites have special promotions running either weekly/monthly (like Groupon where discounts are offered across select items bought within those periods only - making it important not only keep track these opportunities via regular emails newsletters etcetera sent directly from retailers themselves but also keeping eyes open news feeds other sources regularly seen regularly throughout day too!

Shopping for Kitchen Appliances Online in USA can be overwhelming, with so many different models to choose from Whether you're replacing older models, upgrading existing units or buying entirely new ones, there are plenty of options available online With a comprehensive guide like this one, you can compare different models of kitchen appliances side by side and find the best one for your needs

When comparing different models of kitchen equipment, it's important to consider factors such as features and price range Depending on what type of appliance you need (blender, ice cream maker etc, look at each model’s specifications and decide which has the best combination of power/performance/durability that fits your budget Also make sure to check reviews from other customers who have already bought the product in order to get an idea about its performance over time

If you're looking for convenience and great prices when shopping online for kitchen equipment then search no further than the extensive selection offered by reputable online retailers today! Be sure to read all descriptions carefully before making any decisions so that you know exactly what features will come included in the package - some items may require additional capabilities or accessories in order to work properly

Many websites offer deals on shipping or even free delivery depending on where you live; this is often a great way to save money when shopping online for large items like refrigerators or ovens that would otherwise cost more than regular items due their size and weight restrictions placed upon them by carriers such as UPS or FedEx Additionally take advantage of discounts being offered during certain times throughout the year – seasonal sales are usually very competitive!

Everyone loves convenience when it comes time purchase home goods – why not enjoy extra savings while shopping online? You can easily buy kitchen appliances through various web stores without ever leaving your house! Just remember though; don't forget about durability either - investing in quality products will ensure they last longer and help reduce future costs associated with maintenance & repairs down the line too!

Are you looking for the best deals on kitchen appliances online? With so many websites offering home and kitchen products, it can be overwhelming to find what you need at a good price But with this comprehensive guide on how to buy kitchen appliances online, you don’t need to worry anymore!

This blog post will take you through how to choose the right type of equipment for your kitchen space and where you can find it online We'll also provide tips on what features should be considered when comparing prices across websites or brands – including warranties and energy efficiency ratings that could save you money in the long run!

Before searching for the best deals on kitchen appliances online, firstly look at your budget and measure out how much space is available in your kitchen area as this will determine which items are suitable for purchase Consider whether a full set of matching pieces or individual items would better match existing decor while bearing in mindset future remodelling plans too - purchasing new equipment now may not suit later changes made down the line.

You should also consider key features within each appliance such as power consumption ratings, warranty periods from manufacturers along with customer reviews; all these factors play a role into choosing which item is most suited towards an individual's needs and cost-effectiveness over time period basis – further save money by buying less expensive options during off-peak seasons like wintertime where retailers usually lower their prices drastically due to lack of customers around then! Lastly if still unsure about any points regarding cooking equipment then consult than check with professionals they better suggest who have expertise knowledge about same domain topics plus asking questions via social media platforms such as Reddit/Facebook groups connected with kitchens & home improvement experts always helps immensely too!

#Kitchen Appliances Online in USA #Buy Kitchen Accessories Online #Buy Pressure Cooker Online in USA #Mixer Grinder Online in USA #Online Kitchen Appliances

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violetleaves · 3 years

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filming: season one | mid season break day thirteen time: 11:30am location: seventeen magazine photography studio | los angeles, california for: @lovekilling

it’s honestly kind of embarrassing how hard wes has worked to make this photoshoot happen. before the return to los angeles, there had been no official out of character cast shoots, no magazine spreads to create buzz about the show, and while going out of his way to help with publicity is something that wes does not want to do -- there is a plus side to it all: charlotte will be there. wes knows how to work his mother; asking her to make the photoshoot happen would not be the right way to go about it. she’d only question his sudden interest in marketing and inevitably discover his true intentions through a targeted line of questioning. so the practical way for wes to go about this ( which is the way he has to handle most things he wants with his mother ) is to make her believe that this is all her idea. she has the connections and surprising authority to have it all set up by the start of following week, and she does, all thanks to wes’ surreptitious intervention.

from the moment they touched back in LA wes has been devising ways that he can covertly allow himself and charlotte to see each other. it’s been difficult, considering both of their schedules and the fact that wes can never seem to escape his mother, but a few options have made themselves possible. unfortunately each of those excursions had to be cancelled -- but this one is impossible for her to skip out on, because it’s an obligation for little boxes. over the past week wes has been dropping offhanded comments whenever it seemed appropriate about other developing shows advertisement campaigns. did you see the spread in US for the new joshua bassett show? it looks terrible. i just got the worst ad for that new amazon prime series with kathryn newton -- it was a photoshoot of the cast in wrestling gear... garbage. paramount+ can’t advertise for shit, this twitter campaign is embarrassing. he went as far as to leave a couple of magazines around the house and left his laptop unattended and open on the teen vogue website to showcase the most recent thing capturing the minds of todays youths -- and to wes’ delight, his plan worked. by the following morning she had a photoshoot set up with the entire cast for seventeen magazine by monday.

there’s a part of him that wants to pull charlotte aside and tell her of his grand gesture, setting this whole thing up to see her, but the opportunities to do so are going to be extremely limited, and he thinks he might rather spend those two minutes they might have together kissing her madly than brag about the way he’d manipulated his mother. when they get to the studio, wes and his mother are the last to arrive, and while she unfortunately will be staying the entirety of the shoot, wes knows that actually paying attention to what’s going on is the last thing on her mind unless wes is the one being photographed. whatever’s going on behind the scenes is irrelevant to her, and from the moment she finds a place to settle down, she’s preoccupied by her phone and wes is free to do as he pleases. it’s been like this for just about as long as he can remember.

“hey,” wes says coolly, joining charlotte, emilia and jack as they wait to get their makeup done. he’s attempting to stand as naturally close to charlotte as he can without it being perceived as anything other than friendly, just in case there are any watching eyes. he’s just close enough to get a whiff of her perfume and wes doesn’t think he’s ever smelled anything as sweet before. “ever done a shoot like this?”

#{wes & charlotte}#lovekilling

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annakie · 3 years

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REDEMPTION TIME!

Leverage: Redemption released a day early and I’ve spent a good chunk of today watching the first 6 episodes (gonna save the last two for tomorrow) and no spoilers but I LOVE IT SO MUCH.

OK ok a few mild spoilers under the cut

First of all, Nate being dead is as expected and A-OK with me. Honestly I think him being dead really makes the series work and pushes them all forward. Nate is referred to respectably, everyone misses Nate, and even Nate’s son’s death is referred to a time or two when appropriate. After having finished a re-binge of the series a couple of weeks ago, I gotta say, I don’t... really miss Nate?

Noah Wylie’s Harry Wilson is great. Honestly just fits right into the team and his spot on the team well. He is good at what he’s good at (paperwork, lawyer-ing, knowing how the System works, can relate well to people) and a full human being while also being a great centerpiece to the theme of the season -- Redemption. I really love how it gives the others a chance to talk about how the team and the events of the original show changed them, some of the most touching moments have come about through Harry so far. And Noah himself is doing a fantastic job.

Which brings us to Sophie. I love that it feels like Sophie has really stepped up. She needs this... and yet I think she’s still heading for a crash. It’s clear that she loved Nate and they had a good relationship going until his death (which we’re not entirely clear on so far, maybe a heart attack?). She and Parker are kind of both Masterminding now, though Sophie is more Harry’s mentor, while Parker is Breana’s. But Sophie has also brought tears to my eyes several times.

There’s been a moment or two I think they slightly teased a possible Harry/Sophie ship and... right now... I hope not? We don’t know much about Harry’s personal life except that he has kids, but I gotta assume he’s not married anymore since he’s living with the team in New Orleans... but I think it’s way too soon for that. Hopefully I was reading into things that weren’t there. I do love how she always calls him “Mr. Wilson” though.

Speaking of Breana! I love her! She’s a great character -- so much more than “young female Hardison”, although her team role really does feel like everything Hardison would be doing with a small twist. But I love her developing mentor/mentee relationship with Parker. I hope we do get to dig more into her background, but it’s still less than halfway through the season, so there’s time.

The fact that there’s two “newbies” in the group does add an interesting twist, though Harry is learning more about Crime and Redemption while Breana learns more of those “early adult” lessons and how to relate. They both also have things to teach, and those things have come into play, even between not only the rest of the team but also each other, this early in the season.

And then let’s talk about the OT3.

Hardison is in the first two episodes and then not the rest of the half-season, which we all knew he’d be gone. I expect we probably won’t see him again until the last couple of episodes in the fall. That’s OK, I’m just glad we get him around at all. His presence is heavy in the episodes he was there, and felt when he’s not. He’s mentioned often, and it definitely feels like he’ll be back in the show-world, not just because we know he will be because of news reports.

He and Parker are still clearly a couple, and the show continues to leave the question of Eliot as a “easy to interpret as OT3 if you want to, but not pushing the idea.” Some people may be disappointed, but it’s what I expected.

I do have a quibble that Parker was clearly supposed to be the Mastermind while it was just the OT3 running cons, and now that Sophie is back, Parker isn’t so clearly in charge anymore, but she and Sophie are sharing the spotlight. Like, I’m okay with it, but I wonder if it’s going to be addressed at some point. But otherwise she’s Parker, still her “weird” self, but also showing a lot of growth. Again, really love her relationship with Breana.

And Eliot... admits he had anger issues, and still wants to take the burdens from the others, still reaches out to Sophie when she needs it, and still kicks ass. Episode 6, btw, has my favorite Eliot fight scene of all time. I cannot wait for gifs.

Is it perfect? No. But it’s still the same Leverage with a few new twists, I do love the new characters while missing having Hardison around all the time. I am happily devouring this new season and hope we continue to get more.

BTW -- everyone in the US can watch the show for free with ads. I’m watching via Amazon Prime and the commercial breaks are few (three, I think) with only one to three commercials per break. I will typically pay or do whatever I need to to not watch ads, but I am happily watching these ads because they’re reasonable and I know the show will need the numbers for another season, so please, watch it on Amazon Prime or IMBD.TV with the ads so we can get more. :)

#leverage #leverage redemption #annakie's misc stuff

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june2734 · 3 years

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The Short Lived Golden Age of Nerdy Web Shows

There was a time between the years of, let's say, 2007 to 2015 that I like to call the golden age of nerdy web shows. It consisted of a lot of small low to no budget productions that had a lot of heart, the kind you just don't see very often anymore for some reason. Many of these show have found a dedicated home on streaming services like The Fantasy Network, some have even gained enough steam to be featured on big name services like Netflix and Amazon like The Guild and LARPs The series respectively. I'm not exactly sure why the web show trend died out so hard, maybe the crowds just aren't there for them anymore like they use to be with some many pieces of high budget productions on streaming services vying for their attention. Every once and a while I'll jump onto Google to try and find new web shows that have that same heart and feel but rarely if ever do I come up with anything. As far as I can tell the only place new nerdy low to mid budget web shows or films gets any attention is at GenCon or small streaming services like The Fantasy Network. Who knows if there will ever be another nerdy heartfelt web show created that captures the spirit of those old series I hold so dear to my heart, but regardless if it happens or not I'd like to bring some attention to a few of my favorites. They may be old by the standards of the internet and maybe even cheesy by today's standards, but I really think they were something special and if you give them a shot maybe you'll think so too. If you have any others that you think would fit in with shows like this feel free to let me know.

The Gamers: Hands Of Fate

Zombie Orpheus Entertainment use to be one of my favorite channels for nerdy fantasy related content back in the day. You could always see the quality and passion that they put into every piece of content they out out on their channel. They're still around today but they've shifted their focus to other ventures such as the ever popular trend of live streaming table top games rather then making scripted content. That being said their old stuff is still well worth a watch and The Gamers series, particularly The Gamers: Hands of Fate, is some of their best work they’ve ever put out. The series centers around a group of table top gamers(the same that can be found in most of the other The Gamers creations by ZOE), particularly the character by the name of Cass, as he steps into the world of one extremely popular card game hopes of impressing a woman who's a huge fan of it. But this is seemingly simple premise is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this series. The show also features a secondary narrative that involves the characters that actually exist in the card game as as the players decisions in the real world effect their lives and leads one character, Buckstahue(not sure if I’m spelling that right), in particular to start questioning what mysterious forces are controlling their lives. The show is a real treat filled with twists and turns I never saw coming, it's fascinating seeing how the real world actions of this card game effects the card characters lives as well as question if and when Buckstahue will figure out what strings control her actions. The stories surrounding the other characters in the party might not be as engaging but they are by no means a weak point of the series either, many of their subplots are engaging in their own rights and pay off certain character moments established in proper The Gamers creations. If this peaks your interest then the series can still be found on Zombie Orpheus's Youtube channel or as a movie on The Fantasy Network. ZOE had pivoted more towards live streaming as opposed to the scripted content of their past but I'd love to see more content from The Gamers one day. Source

LARPs The Series

LARPs The Series first premiered at GenCon 2014 and took home the award for Best Independent Series. The year after it was picked up by Geek and Sundry as a part of a push for more scripted content on the channel which was where I and many others first got a chance to watch it. When the short trailer for popped up on the G&S channel everything about it screamed that I was absolutely going to love it, and I wasn’t wrong. The series centers around a 4 man party of larpers (AKA Live Action Role Players) by the names of Will, Brittany, Arthur and Sam and their DM (Dungeon Master) Evan as we follow their lives in and out of the game. The show is surprisingly heartfelt and sympathetic towards the characters involved in this often misunderstood and mocked hobby as it shows how larping enriches their often turbulent lives and connects them all as friends on a deep and meaningful level. These characters felt real and you really rooted for them as they deal with, work, relationships and the many other hurtles of adult life as they wait eagerly to gear up for whatever peril might befall them in their next campaign session. The show was also pretty hilarious, seeing them play out classic predicaments that any party, whether they be larpers or table top roleplayers, have experienced such as one player trying to roll to kill a tavern owner or romances between PCs were always a joy to watch unfold. Another thing that most will notice right away is how the production value and direction are surprisingly astounding as well, especially in season 2. I was shocked by just how much quality was put into the show from the costumes and sets as well as from a writing standpoint. If you're interested in checking out the show then it can be found on Amazon Prime but they can also still be viewed for free on YouTube or in The Fantasy Network. Beanduck, the production company behind LARPs The series, is working towards a funding campaign in hopes of earning enough to produce a third season so if you have any spare change you might want to toss it their way in support. Regardless if you decide to help or not, LARPs The Series is a show that I think any nerdy individual will enjoy. Source

Glitch

Glitch was another show produced by the team over at Zombie Orpheus Entertainment, but it never seemed to get the same kind of love as many of their other productions. The concept was brilliant: What if one day you woke up and found out your life operated on the logic of video games? Well this is the predicament that a programing temp nicknamed Glitch finds himself in. Most episodes of the show centered around particular game mechanics causing problems in his and his friends lives and how he tries to figure out ways to work around or fix problems they've created. Glitch, Wyatt and Samus were all fantastic characters and it was always fun seeing Glitch trying to work through some real world problem with game logic like trying to flirt with a woman he likes using a conversation wheel like in Mass Effect or figuring out how to "defeat" his boss at work who he see's as an actual game boss. Another thing I liked about the show was how the characters really felt like real people I knew, they played games on the couch, debated about which Sci-Fi starship captains were the best, and they grilled each other in nerdy ways while working in slang from their favorite bits of nerd culture into their daily vocabulary. I always hoped that ZOE would eventually put out a second season but unfortunately for whatever reason that never became a reality. Now days the channel that originally hosted Glitch has changed their name to Burger Orchard and rarely if ever uploads anything, but luckily those original episodes of Glitch can still be found on their. Give it a watch, it's short but sweet and if you really enjoyed the show a lot there are little companion shorts that can also be found on the channel. Source

The Street Fighter

The Game Station was an early find for me back in my early college days, and I'm not ashamed to admit that I shaved away many hours watching all kinds of gaming related content on that channel instead of studying for exams. One production, created by one of the channels founders Layne Pavoggi, which came out in late 2011 and was a cut above much their already fantastic content was a short lived series was called The Street Fighter. The series centered around a single dad by the name of Phil who has just lost his job and decides to take up a short career as a professional Street Fighter player to provide for his son as well as keep his mind off of the stressful and highly competitive job market. This a real underdog story that’s extremely reminiscent of old sports 80s films where the protagonist has everything working against them, with that being said you might think that such a trope filled narrative would make things a little predictable and you wouldn’t be wrong but there’s still plenty to love since this concept has really never been explored with videogame to my knowledge. Phil is a guy you’d be hard pressed not to warm up to, especially when you see him interacting with his preteen son Ryan or his best friend/semi love interest Camile (played by former All That star and all around spectacular person Lisa Foiles). Seeing him trying to make his way into the job market, taking odd jobs here and there just to try and get by while also playing Street Fighter to destress and become better for the sake of winning a competition for money to support his son really makes to root for him through all of it. One aspect of the show that I really this is fantastic is how it feels truly authentic to the FGC (Fighting Game Community) when it comes to talking about all of the technical aspects of play Street Fighter on a competitive level. There are moments when Phil goes into detail about his “bread and butter” combos or talks about different strategies when it comes to taking on different characters compared to his main. The show was short lived but it can still be found on The Game Stations channel, if you’re looking for a heartfelt underdog story then I highly recommend giving The Street Fighter a shot. Source

Versus Valerie

Versus Valerie is a bit of series finale for a fictional character created by Hannah Spear for the character more commonly known as the Sexy Nerd Girl on her YouTube channel. Even if you didn't watch the characters vlogs over the years leading up to the web series I still think you'll find something to enjoy in this extremely charming show. It centers around Valerie Lapomme, the titular Sexy Nerd Girl, as she lives life hanging out with with her best friend Guy, shopping for comic books, going on dates, vlogging, and trying to make something of herself as a mid 20 something living in Toronto. The brilliant thing about this series is how each episode is structured like or makes homage to popular shows, films and games such as Star Wars, Doctor Who, Memento, and The Matrix just to name a few. On top of that the show is surprisingly well produced and written for something that spawned from a fictional vlog series, Valarie and Guy are much more fleshed out and all the characters including them have some really fantastic character arcs and moments in the show. Valerie’s awkwardness and extremely nerdy imagination felt embracingly relatable to me personally since I often imagine different situations in my life in relation to my own nerdy fandoms. What I was often taken aback by when I first watched the show years ago was just how enjoyable all of the episodes were in their own special way, and the pay off of it all really feels like a proper satisfying ending to the strange and imaginative journey we’ve been on with Valerie. If it peaks your interest at all then you can still find the full series on the Veruse Valerie YouTube channel as well as some of the vlogs prior to the series on the Sexy Nerd Girl channel as well. It’s well worth a viewing and aside from the fantastic lead characters of Guy and Valerie the show also managed to grab Mark Meer as a supporting character, aka the voice of COMMANDER MOTHER F^*$(^% SHEPARD BABY!!! Source

#Web Shows #geek and sundry #Zombie Orpheus Entertainment #LARPs the series #table top rpg #larping #web series #a few of my favorite things

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datingintampafails · 3 years

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Chapter 24 Jake* Part Two

First Date and Another Week

Finally, he arrived at my place to pick me up for our first date, what normally was a five minute drive became twenty five minutes due to traffic. I hop in his car and I’m excited. While we are driving, I look at his center console and see a book regarding Emmanuel Kant, a philosopher. We talk briefly about philosophers, this one in my opinion tells me a lot about him, though he says he doesn’t think Kant’s ideals are sustainable and rather just interesting to think about. Jake* did not have high degrees from college, but is intelligent and well read, there’s more to this book than just the cover.

I had made reservations for my favorite restaurant, Maggiano’s. At the restaurant, it feels like we’ve been together forever, I’m discussing with the waitress that he’s allergic to cheese and making sure that certain items on the menu are okay for him. I order my food and get a glass of wine. Dinner is the opposite of awkward, we are engaged in conversation without a dull moment and happy to be together.

My best friend got word that we were going to our favorite place, so I ask him if it’s okay if we bring her some leftovers of cheesy garlic bread. He’s completely cool about it, so on the way, we stop by my friend’s apartment to give her the food. She meets us outside and meets him briefly. He is a little quiet but otherwise friendly and we chat for a couple minutes before driving off to my place, a few minutes down the street.

We get back to my place to continue hanging out. My dog goes crazy for him, but after a bit, she relaxed so we could focus on each other. I couldn’t tell you what we were watching, we were just cuddling. We kissed not that much, as his beard’s length scratched my face and I told him it was uncomfortable on my face, but that I definitely wanted to kiss him. I at one point brought my dog outside, and upon returning inside I said I didn’t feel good. My Apple Watch said my heart rate was at 160 bpm, insanely high for me, and I laid back down on the couch. Again, a caring man to the rescue. He tells me to relax there and he will get anything I need and not get up. He gets my dog and brings her back inside, he brings me a drink, I’m waited on hand and foot. I feel better with him around. We spoke about a lot that night of course, but I remember him telling me about him having deleted Hinge and I was the only one he was talking to. Although things so far had felt pretty deep, I was still super surprised he had dropped everything, seemingly, to be with me. I of course had done the same, but for my own reasons. I had talked about Jake* to my best friend and in talking with her I made a deal that if things with him didn’t work out, I would cease dating around until a vaccine comes out/COVID is more or less over.

Meanwhile, outside of my head, he touches my leg and I admit that I have become rather *excited* by being with him in person, our chemistry is just as good in person. He starts to finger me, I tell him to be careful because I wouldn’t want my heart rate to increase again. Strangely, I let him continue and my heart rate goes down. Upon taking a break, this man takes his hand and puts his fingers in his mouth, tasting it. I laugh at him and call him a freak but he laughs too. He too is turned on and he asks me if I want to touch him. I say that I am afraid his claims of being a shrimp are true. Curiosity gets the best of me and over his pants, I touch him and say “oh okay.” I know enough that he is not small. Besides that, nothing happens, as due to my heart issues, I have told him that I want to wait until I’ve seen a cardiologist and make sure it is safe for me to be participating in “cardio.” I ask him if he wants to sleep over, because I want to spend time with him now that I can, and because sexually I am tempted and almost want to just see what happens. He says no. We stop fooling around and just hang out together for another bit of time before he starts to get a headache and becomes really tired. It is then time to leave and agree that we will both have to masturbate later tonight due to our forbidden sex.

The next day, I am off to test drive a potential new car. We text during my experience there while I’m waiting and I share my news of the new car and the not so great experience at another dealership trying to take care of my old car. He talks about how he felt off due to his headache/tiredness and is seeing a doctor Monday:

We talk about what happened too with the lack of a sleepover:

I remind him of the activities we DID do, and that obviously I definitely was feeling it. It’s bizarre to me that he still holds uncertainty for my growing feelings of him.

He is talking about me to his family, I know because he mentions his mother “keeps asking” about me, “will I get to meet this one?” He jokes about telling her I’m 10 years older than him. I say “yeah we just had our first date last night so I should meet your mom tomorrow.” “Exactly.” He now claims he is bored, I ask if he’s bored or if he just wishes I was there. Again, an “exactly.” I get real again.

He decides to take a nap before watching football with his family. He says he is coming back after dinner and asks to come over. I say absolutely and he sends an emoji surrounded by hearts. More or less, he appears at my door maybe 45 minutes later. I did not notice at first, but he had shaved so that his beard was more like stubble. He called me out for not noticing, but upon kissing him and touching his face I told him it was a lot better and I could actually kiss him now without hurting myself.

I do not really remember much about that night or what we did as much as our first date, besides what I am about to describe. Again, he played with me, I touched him, and it got to a point where I finally said, “ok let’s have sex now,” caught by surprise he said “what?” I reiterated I wanted to have sex with him and go to my bedroom. He said he didn’t have condoms, I told him I did. That was that. Shrimp definitely was NOT a shrimp, when we were actually at the point of penetration, it felt a lot bigger. I did not climax but enjoyed myself, and he was attentive, gentle, and communicative. As a joke, he said “good girl” to me, referencing my story to him regarding Dan*. I laughed and playfully nudged him. Similar to Ethan*, compatible sex can only grow feelings. We cuddle, re-clothe, and return to the couch for a while. When he leaves I verify he’s reached home safely before passing out.

In the morning we text each other our good mornings and I tell him I’m glad we didn’t wait. He mentions how great it was and that he’s turned on by thinking about it. I tell him the options of masturbation, bringing “that dick over here,” or a cold shower. Jokingly he says the latter before sending a follow up “just kidding.” He is taking a shower before coming over. I too am going to take a shower, so I let him know the door is unlocked. I hear the front door opening as I am finishing up my shower. I yell out to him that I’m in the shower and he comes to my room. More or less since I’m already naked, we go straight to business. He ate me out, as that is something that he really enjoys doing before having sex. We spend more time together before I more or less kick him out since a plumber is supposed to come by and I am getting my hair done.

Later on, we have a conversation about condoms, he expresses it’s difficult to stay erect with them and I let him know that later down the line we don’t have to use it because of my IUD. He says “Look we’ll stop using them when YOU want to.” I describe to him I am not a fan of them necessarily but the pros and cons. We have more sex talk then immediately segue to sports. I joke that he had better luck with his sports bets before we started having sex. He claims no sex until the end of football season, with another quick “jk.” I am told I wouldn’t make it, I respond that he wouldn’t make it. At this point, we have seen each other three days in a row. I express to him again that I like him.

Monday comes along and both of our appointments go well more or less. They’ve found an abscess in his tooth and he was about to get a root canal to clean it out that day. He mentions he’s driving by my work. For some reason he didn’t think I was there, so missed the opportunity for him to have stopped by. Later that day, I finally feel confident enough to start showing off his Instagram to my co-workers and show them this guy I’ve been talking to. Upon showing one coworker his photo, she says “wait…. I know him!” Turns out she went to middle school and high school with him; they were friends in middle school before he started being a bad boy in high school. My other coworker keeps yelling as a joke that she and I are Eskimo sisters.

We make a plan Tuesday for him to help me swap out my cars, a very nice gesture I appreciate. Consistently he let me know his head is bothering him, an ailment that plagues him constantly. At this point, I don’t have his address, despite him having had mine for a while. I pick him up and we take care of the swap. After the swap, we go back to my place and I flip flop about what we are gonna eat for dinner. Finally, decide on Outback Steakhouse. I insist on paying to thank him for helping me today, something he has never had a girl do for him.

Not much in between, we spend Wednesday night together again and have a sleepover scheduled for Thursday. Wednesday he says something about seeing me in 11 business days, which for whatever reason rubs me kind of the wrong way. When Thursday comes, he, unfortunately, bails since he isn’t feeling good. Friday I made a joke about seeing him for 11 business days. I had promised to give him Hulu logins and a profile, I just needed to get to his place. I mention I am watching the new episode of The Boys on Amazon Prime, we have inside jokes about it, quoting lines like “lazer my tits” and later, “Fuck Fresca.” He gets “upset” that I watched it without him (I did not know we were supposed to watch things together). I asked “was I supposed to wait for you lol,” he says he thought that we would watch it together while eating lunch together. Also didn’t know we were getting lunch together. I came over, watched the episode again, and then we went to McAllister’s for lunch. When we are at his place, we get into sexcapades, with sex brain logic, I decide now is good enough to no longer use condoms. Not to be sketchy at all, and he mentions he feels bad shooing me away after sex, but he has to pack and get ready to stay at his parents’ for the weekend. He plans on Sunday that he is gonna come back after a 1pm football game, and wants to make me dinner at my place. He used to be a sous chef and is quite a talent at that, so out of everything and anything that I could want or have from a real chef, all I want is sloppy joes. We go back and forth on different real dishes he could make, risotto, chicken marsala with pasta, but in the end, I end with sloppy joes. I don’t expect really to hear much of him since he is hanging out with his family for the weekend before Sunday. But I am wrong.

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hectorprgp114 · 3 years

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Don’t Make This Silly Mistake With Your exterminator near me

Mice seek out warm nesting locations with distance to food and water. As a result, your home, garage, shed or trash bins can all look like perfect houses for a mouse. Typical home mice tend to nest in warm, remote locations such as near refrigerators, hot water heater and furnaces. They can squeeze into impossibly little spaces; a 1/4-inch hole, crack or space suffices to allow a mouse to travel through.

What Do Mice Eat? Mice choose to eat nuts, cereal and grains, but they will eat whatever food they can discover, consisting of produce, chocolate, pet food, bird seed and cheese. Their sharp teeth enable website them to easily nibble through paper and plastic food packaging. Mice might likewise roam your house in search of nesting products, with a preference for soft things like littles cotton and shredded paper.

Typically, a single mouse will reproduce 10 times each year, so simply a couple of fuzzy freeloaders can rapidly end up being an infestation with major health repercussions. An accumulation of rodent waste can exacerbate allergies and asthma; mice likewise can spread out diseases, including Hantavirus, Lassa fever and leptospirosis.

Fall and winter season are prime-time show for rodents trying to make their method into warm, relaxing homes, however it's never ever prematurely to start mouse-proofing, according to Cindy Mannes, a spokesperson for the National Insect Management Association. Not only can they chew through walls and boxes in your pantry, but mice can wreak major havoc on your home.

" And they carry a slew of health problems and germs," Mannes cautions. "An accumulation of their droppings can aggravate allergic reaction and asthma circumstances, too." Mouse droppings look like dark grains of rice, about a quarter inch long. Rat droppings look a little larger and longer about half an inch in length. Trails of little poop pellets are definitely a significant indication that you have mice, but the very best proof may not always be scattered along your counter tops.

" You may see particles on your rack or gnaw marks on boxes or bags of food," states Mannes. Sorry to break the news: If you see one mouse, you almost absolutely have more than one. "They're looking for the same things that human beings are looking for in the winter food, water, and shelter," states Mannes.

When you get one, others will discover their method. Plus, they multiply very quickly." We have actually seen all sorts of DIY repellent concepts (including peppermint sprays, clothes dryer sheet stuffings, and cotton balls taken in oil and cayenne pepper), however you may want to skip the natural home remedy. "There's no science or proof behind any of these approaches," says Mannes.

Before you put down any traps or bait, do a little detective work. "Determine where they're originating from since putting traps arbitrarily all over your basement flooring isn't going to do you any good," Mannes states. Figure out where they're living and building nests. When you have actually found those places, set your traps around those basic areas.

" The tried-and-true mousetrap is still very effective," says Mannes, who includes that a little dab of peanut butter on each spring-loaded trap is all you require. Want something a little, um, less visible? Try the d-Con Discreet No View, No Touch mousetrap, which hides the little man so you can just toss the entire thing ($ 10 for 2, amazon.

You can likewise go the more gentle path with a recyclable trap ($ 13, amazon. com) that doesn't use any glue or toxin, so you can launch the animal. As soon as you handle the invasion inside, you'll desire to make certain no extra mice can find their way in. Mice have the ability to fit through openings the size of a penny.

The bright side: "They can't penetrate caulk and steel wool," says Mannes. "Pay actually very close attention to where pipelines enter your home and along basement structures. Make sure to replace weather condition stripping, and make sure you've evaluated the vents and the openings of your chimneys." "If they get into the garage, they might just choose to live under your cars and truck hood, where the engine is good and warm," alerts Mannes.

" Otherwise, they're like highways for mice and pests to get into your house," Mannes says. Keep stacks of fire wood a minimum of 20 feet from your home, as mice like to nest in the piles. Put cereal and other kitchen products into airtight cylinders and you're less most likely to draw in mice, according to Mannes.

If you leave it out in a dog bowl throughout the day, that simply offers rodents another source of food." Easy Find Vented Lids Food Storage Containers Rubbermaid amazon. com $19. 99 Good Grips 10-Piece Airtight Food Storage Set TrueSeal Glass Food Storage Containers Anchor Hocking amazon. com 24-Piece Set Containers Variety Pack Everybody has a various threshold of what they want to endure or handle themselves.

Then, call to get an estimate to see what if anything they 'd charge for a consultation. "Likewise ask if they're accredited by the state and if they're a member of a state or nationwide association," says Mannes. "Those folks are generally putting in the time to be credentialed appropriately and they're finding out the most recent strategies for treatment." This content is produced and kept by a third party, and imported onto this page to assist users provide their e-mail addresses.

Prior to taking part in any extermination or control techniques, it is essential to effectively determine your pest population. Noises within walls may be an outcome of a mouse infestation; however, bugs and even the structure itself may make comparable sounds and will require different solutions. All possible feeding sites and entry points need to be identified and gotten rid of.

https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d1529111.5161862413!2d-88.81956634315551!3d41.53577540262298!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x880e3a385cca8b09%3A0xc323396a3778312b!2sAircon%20Pest%20Control!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1609108647747!5m2!1sen!2sus

Wastebasket need to be likewise resistant and sealed. Countertops, sinks and kitchen floors must be kept tidy, and all possible entry points must be sealed. Cracks, holes and crevices should be sealed with steel or concrete. The open locations around pipelines, gas lines and clothes dryer vents must likewise be sealed.

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griffinitjs825 · 3 years

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The 10 Scariest Things About aircon pest control

Mice look for out warm nesting locations with distance to food and water. As an outcome, your home, garage, shed or garbage bins can all look like best houses for a mouse. Common house mice tend to nest in warm, far-off locations such as near fridges, water heating units and heaters. They can squeeze into impossibly little areas; a 1/4-inch hole, crack or space is enough to enable a mouse to travel through.

What Do Mice Consume? Mice prefer to eat nuts, cereal and grains, however they will consume whatever food they can discover, consisting of fruit and vegetables, chocolate, pet food, bird seed and cheese. Their sharp teeth enable them to easily munch through paper and plastic food packaging. Mice may also wander your house in search of nesting products, with a preference for soft things like littles cotton and shredded paper.

Usually, a single mouse will recreate 10 times annually, so just a couple of fuzzy freeloaders can quickly end up being a problem with major health effects. A buildup of rodent waste can exacerbate allergies and asthma; mice also can spread out illnesses, consisting of Hantavirus, Lassa fever and leptospirosis.

Fall and winter season are prime time for rodents attempting to make their way into warm, comfortable houses, but it's never prematurely to begin mouse-proofing, according to Cindy Mannes, a spokesperson for the National Pest Management Association. Not just can they chew through walls and boxes in your kitchen, however mice can wreak serious havoc on your house.

" And they bring click here a multitude of health problems and bacteria," Mannes alerts. "A build-up of their droppings can worsen allergy and asthma situations, too." Mouse droppings resemble dark grains of rice, about a quarter inch long. Rat droppings look a little wider and longer about half an inch in length. Paths of little poop pellets are definitely a major sign that you have mice, but the best proof may not constantly be scattered along your counter tops.

" You may see debris on your shelf or gnaw marks on boxes or bags of food," states Mannes. Sorry to break the news: If you see one mouse, you almost certainly have more than one. "They're trying to find the same things that humans are trying to find in the winter season food, water, and shelter," says Mannes.

When you get one, others will discover their method. Plus, they increase extremely quickly." We have actually seen all sorts of DIY repellent concepts (including peppermint sprays, anti-static sheet stuffings, and cotton balls soaked in oil and cayenne pepper), but you might want to skip the home solutions. "There's no science or proof behind any of these techniques," states Mannes.

Before you put down any traps or bait, do a little investigator work. "Find out where they're originating from since putting traps randomly all over your basement floor isn't going to do you any excellent," Mannes states. Figure out where they're living and constructing nests. When you have actually found those locations, set your traps around those general areas.

" The tried-and-true mousetrap is still very reliable," states Mannes, who adds that a little dab of peanut butter on each spring-loaded trap is all you need. Want something a little, um, less out in the open? Attempt the d-Con Discreet No View, No Touch mousetrap, which hides the little person so you can simply toss the whole thing ($ 10 for 2, amazon.

You can also go the more gentle path with a multiple-use trap ($ 13, amazon. com) that doesn't utilize any glue or toxin, so you can release the animal. When you handle the invasion inside, you'll desire to make sure no extra mice can find their way in. Mice have the ability to fit through openings the size of a penny.

Fortunately: "They can't eat through caulk and steel wool," states Mannes. "Pay actually attention to where pipelines go into your home and along basement structures. Make certain to replace weather condition stripping, and make certain you've evaluated the vents and the openings of your chimneys." "If they enter the garage, they may simply choose to live under your car hood, where the engine is good and warm," cautions Mannes.

" Otherwise, they resemble highways for mice and bugs to get into your house," Mannes says. Keep stacks of firewood at least 20 feet from your house, as mice like to nest in the piles. Put cereal and other pantry items into airtight containers and you're less most likely to attract mice, according to Mannes.

If you leave it out in a pet bowl all day, that simply gives rodents another source of food." Easy Find Vented Covers Food Storage Containers Rubbermaid amazon. com $19. 99 Excellent Grips 10-Piece Airtight Food Storage Set TrueSeal Glass Food Storage Containers Anchor Hocking amazon. com 24-Piece Set Containers Range Pack Everyone has a different limit of what they're prepared to put up with or handle themselves.

Then, call to get a price quote to see what if anything they 'd charge for an assessment. "Likewise ask if they're licensed by the state and if they belong to a state or nationwide association," states Mannes. "Those folks are typically making the effort to be credentialed effectively and they're discovering the most recent methods for treatment." This material is produced and kept by a 3rd celebration, and imported onto this page to help users provide their e-mail addresses.

Prior to taking part in any extermination or control methods, it is needed to correctly identify your pest population. Sounds within walls might be an outcome of a mouse invasion; however, pests and even the building itself may make similar sounds and will require different services. All possible feeding websites and entry points need to be determined and eliminated.

Trash bin must be similarly resistant and sealed. Countertops, sinks and cooking area floorings need to be kept tidy, and all possible entry points need to be sealed. Fractures, holes and crevices should be sealed with steel or concrete. The open areas around pipes, gas lines and clothes dryer vents should also be sealed.

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free-fortnite-accounts-2020 · 4 years

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₡₡Genuine Free Fortnite Accounts Generator 2020 ®No Survey®

Fortnite turned out in 2017 and was a monster hit for the distributer Epic Games. This was their greatest dispatch in any case, and the game acquired extraordinary numerous gamers inside the coming weeks.

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The Battle Royale entertainment type overall accomplishment is a result of the affirmation of PUBG. In the wake of seeing how it flourished, particular redirection producers decided to trail the vague course and a bit of the eminent various anyway notwithstanding is Fortnite. It's a diversion that doesn't attempt to cover its resemblances with PUBG both to the extent intuitiveness and subject. V-Bucks bought on PlayStation 4 or Switch can't be spent on different contraptions. Any Fortnite content material you purchase close by your V-Bucks will be out there on each contraption associated with your Fortnite account, paying little heed to which gadget the substance material was bought on.

FREE FORTNITE ACCOUNTS GENERATOR

V Bucks - You may have section to much required Epic Store cash that licenses you to purchase something. You will continually be completely educated with respect to the perfect examples and most modern conveys since entry to the constant well of this money will be accessible to you.

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rachelthompsonauthor · 4 years

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The past two quarantine months have been like nothing I’ve ever experienced in my lifetime, and I turned 56 in January. So rather than regurgitate what you’ve likely read in the news or on social media, I’ve decided to share how I’ve spent my time these past two months along with random thoughts. I hope you’ll continue along with me as I share what I’m doing each week.

Books

Oh, how I’ve missed reading! With my business so insanely busy (for which I’m truly grateful) these past few years, I’ve barely had time to read little more than Slack, emails, texts, and social media updates. Not exactly satisfying for this lifelong, avid reader. This quarantine has allowed me a little bit of extra time, which I’ve put to good use.

In no particular order, here’s what I’ve read:

The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow is fantastic. Read it in one sitting because I didn’t want any of the details of this lacy, incredibly intricate work to fade. I highly recommend it. A mix of fantasy, drama, and a love story (because in the end, aren’t all stories love stories?), anyone with a working brain will love this novel.

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng is also superb. I’d heard about this book for a while, yet only got around to it because it’s also now a mini-series on Hulu (which I watched afterward – also very good, though the character arcs and the plot changed in crucial, at times startling, ways).

Curious if you’ve read the book and watched the series, what your thoughts are? I could write an entire post about it, yet I’ll only share this…

As a child, my parents hire a housekeeper. My folks both work full-time and we are not in any way rich or well-off. Neither of my folks has college degrees – Dad is an assistant manager at a chain drugstore and Mom has just completed x-ray tech school and works nights at San Bernardino County Hospital. We live in a small house on a long street in the smoggy Inland Empire of California.

There are two of us, my older sister and me. Then my mom gets pregnant when I’m nine and has my baby sister when I’m ten. My folks advertise for a housekeeper and Miss Louise answers. She’s African American and willing to work for the little they can pay her. She smokes a lot (outside only, so as “not to hurt the babies”), insists on wearing a uniform though my mom tells her it isn’t necessary and comes looking for us in her big old white Caddy if we aren’t home from school exactly 20 minutes after it lets out.

(Miss Louise’s husband’s name is George. If you are alive in the 70s and watch The Jeffersons, you understand why this is an endless source of amusement to my sister Caren and me.)

Being that young, neither Caren nor I understand what privilege means. We didn’t get whatever we wanted because my parents are always strapped, yet there is food on the table, and the lights are always on. Except for the occasional venture to Disneyland or Knott’s Berry Farm that one time (mom hated it), our vacations consist of driving to visit our Zayde (great-grandfather) in a nursing home in Santa Cruz, or some other relatives we don’t know somewhere in L.A. (I remember one great-aunt who drank. A lot.) We’d always stop at Cantor’s for a soup and sandwich (the highlight for us), and be back on the road. We don’t mind because it is anywhere but home.

Anyway – my entire point is that in Little Fires Everywhere – the show – Kerry Washington’s Mia is an artist who takes a maid job with Reese Witherspoon’s Elena Richardson’s family to keep an eye on her daughter Pearl, who is quite taken with the teenage Richardson clan. The racial and financial dichotomy is blatantly obvious: a rich family who’s seemingly got it all vs. a seemingly poor black single mother, which adds to the ‘fires’ mentioned in the title.

The book really made me think about my own privilege and despite how well my folks treated Louise, and how much we loved her, and she us, there would always be that wall. Granted, it was a business arrangement and my folks paid her for her services, and in truth, anyone could’ve answered the housekeeping ad. The fact that she was African American and we were white created a racial divide that’s undeniable.

The third book I read is Certain Cure by Jennifer Valoppi, also excellent. It’s the first in a series (parts two and three aren’t out yet, darn it). The novel chronicles the life of three generations of the Cummings family; Claire, a woman in her 70s who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, Helene, her television journalist daughter and Justin, the teenage grandson whose adoration of his “Grams” leads him to discover the dark secret behind the miracle technology that is not only curing Claire of her cancer but tempting his mother with eternal youth, as traditional medical industries wage war against the mysterious doctor from China who threatens them all.

I had no idea what to expect with this one, and I’m glad I read it. Valoppi is a former TV journalist from NYC so she knows her stuff. I’m not particularly religious (or scientific), yet I didn’t find either the science or religious stuff bogged me down. Fascinating read. I highly recommend it.

Movies and Shows

Gosh, so many. With four of us in the house (and two teens), it’s worth it to me to pay for Hulu and Netflix, Amazon Prime Video comes with my Amazon Prime membership already, plus my internet plan comes with AT&T Direct, Showtime, HBO, and other premium channels. For the amount of entertainment, it’s worth the money.

I watch movies and shows on my iPad at night, once I’m finally off my computer. I don’t know about you, but I don’t like a super loud TV with stereo surround-sound barking at me after a long day of noise and stress. So I go upstairs to my cozy bed, surround myself with blankets and pillows and cats, and snuggle in for a few hours to watch a movie or a few episodes of something I enjoy.

Another note: not a big ‘reality TV’ watcher, mostly because, as a writer, I prefer well-written shows. I also don’t like the negativity and yelling normally associated with those shows. That said, I do watch Vanderpump Rules (on Bravo) with my daughter (age 20). We bond.

Shows

Here’s what I’ve binged these past few quarantine months, show-wise (no links because you can Google):

Ray Donovan – ggggggreat! Heard it was wonderful, yet truly had no idea how awesome. Liev Schrieber is captivating as Ray. Flawed, human, sad, and, in case you don’t know, a childhood sexual abuse survivor (church abuse). I had no idea going in this would be a theme of the show, yet it was handled with care and truth. The entire supporting cast is also amazing. Every season is great. Watch it all. I hated to see it end.

Homeland – the first four or so seasons were mesmerizing. Then, I got bored. This last season had me falling asleep and then WHAM! that ending. Worth it.

Hunters – Good, not fantastically great. The twist in the last episode will get you, though.

Upload – Loved it! Thought it would be silliness (and in some places, it was, but that’s okay – we need a little silliness right now). Had a ton of heart which I love.

Bosch – come on, it’s Titus Welliver. He’s fantastic. This last season didn’t draw me in as much as the entire rest of the series, though. You?

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel – terrific, all of it. Every season, every episode, every character.

Tales From The Loop – amazing. Anything having to do with time-travel or the bending of time, I’m a total sucker for. This hurt my brain in a good way.

The Feed – weird but good and thought-provoking.

Dark – by far, my favorite show year. A German show dubbed in English (you get used to it – don’t let that scare you off), this time-bending, decade-moving hit show spans two seasons and every episode is worth watching. And the music – my god. Amazing. Here’s a Spotify playlist link.

Movies

Parasite – thought-provoking. Took a while to get into it and then boom! It just goes full-on insanity. Well-written, well-acted, and the message of the movie is just, wow. No spoilers in case you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it.

Hustlers – loved it. Whatever issues people have with strip clubs and ‘dancers,’ get over it. These girls are amazingly talented, are in amazing shape, and work hard to make money for their families. What I loved the most about the movie is that it’s all about the women; the men are only there as a plot device. It’s a movie entirely shot through the ‘female gaze’ (though of course, men will enjoy the dance scenes which are sexy, yet not unclothed). How many movies can say that?

Memento – I think I’m probably one of the few people who had never seen this neo-noir psychological thriller starring Guy Pearce looking like Brad Pitt (who was originally considered for the role). It was great, I think? LOL. My brain still hurts.

Call Me By Your Name – Lovely, sad, gorgeous. (And I will not make a juvenile peach joke.) And the music! Oh, my.

Zombieland – I hate zombies, I hate horror movies. I hate gore and squishy sounds. This movie was cute. (Not ready for the sequel, yet.)

Music

As mentioned above, the music in Dark sent me off on a ‘who are these talented musicians?’ lark. I’ve discovered so many. Here is who I’m listening to right now (all free on Spotify) and links provided here:

Apparat (you’ll recognize the opening theme of Dark and stay for the rest).

Agnes Obel – wondrous. I’ve played her entire catalog repeatedly since discovering her music on Dark. She’s become a commercial favorite as well now. Familiar is the song used in the show that’s received the most play.

Alev Lanz – otherworldly. I’ve not heard anyone like her. Her songs on the Dark soundtrack and Black Mirror are what she’s most noted for (May The Angels, and Fall Into Me, respectively), however, I love all of her work. Her harmonies are like nothing else. One song is layered with her voice and African throat singers – it’s gorgeous (May The Angels). She’s active on Twitter and we’ve interacted a few times. She’s beautifully transparent about her love of music and it shows in all her work.

Patrick Watson – I heard this song, Good Morning Mr. Wolf, on the Ray Donovan soundtrack and immediately clicked my SoundHound app. Who is this talented being? This song, in particular, sounds so large and cinematic – I wondered – is he is a film composer? (yes). A band? (yes). And so much more. I cannot get enough of all of his music, and still, I play this one song on repeat – repeatedly.

London Grammar – I discovered this band a few years ago and still adore them. Strong is still my favorite song, though Rooting For You is a close second. Hannah Reid’s vocals are big and beautiful.

Hilary Woods – ethereal and lovely. Especially the song Kith.

Sufjan Stevens – many of us just discovered him from the movie Call Me By Your Name soundscore, however, he’s been a working musician since the early 2000s. Talented beyond.

I could go on and on, but I’ll stop here. I made a Female Rockers list on Spotify which you’re welcome to.

Thoughts on Quarantine

My Business

Living in California, I’ve barely left the house in two months, with the exception of going to the pharmacy for meds or for the occasional physician appointment for me or the kids, because of the quarantine restrictions in place. And I’m okay with that.

I’m fortunate that my business is primarily online-only: I work with authors and small businesses on their branding, marketing, and promotion, so given that all real-life events are off the table, I’ve been quite busy working with my clients to ensure their products and services are still viable.

This doesn’t mean I don’t need help as a small business. I applied for an SBA loan and couldn’t even get onto the website the first time – it was pretty ridiculous – like the end scene in Beetlejuice. You all know who those first small business loans went to, right? Not small-potatoes people like me. So the second time around, it went much smoother, and I’m grateful to have received a small loan which will definitely help me keep going with rent, insurance, and other expenses.

I still did my annual non-profit initiative for writers, NaNoProMo (National Novel Promotion Month) this year over on my business site, BadRedhead Media, yet only for two weeks instead of the entire month. Daily blog posts from experts on everything publishing-related plus amazing giveaways. It’s always exhausting, yet I find enormous gratification in helping writers.

This year, however, getting writers to comment to win amazing, FREE giveaways was like pushing a house up a hill. I get it – people are focused on putting food on the table instead of commenting on blog posts, even if the giveaways were worth $500. That’s why I wanted to do this initiative this year – to help writers who are in a jam – yet only a smattering of writers participated.

I’m seriously rethinking if I want to do it next year given the financial cost as well as the personal toll. My first therapist, who I started seeing after I gave birth to my daughter Anya (I was terrified to leave her to go back to work, given my history with childhood sexual abuse), gave me this tip whenever I had trouble deciding whether to do something:

“If you ever aren’t sure if you should do something, ask yourself this question: Is this good for Rachel? If the answer is yes, do it. If the answer is no, don’t. It really is that simple.”

Self-care, y’all.

Social Media

I’ve stopped interacting with the crazies on social media (and who knows, maybe you’re one of them so truly, no offense), but I’d rather stay safe and keep my family safe by working exclusively at home – which I mostly do anyway – than venture back into face-to-face meetings with clients. I support four people with my business and if something happens to me, four people are doomed.

So the answer is simple to me: stay home, work from home, and don’t risk dying from this virus.

I don’t buy into any of this ridiculous conspiracy crap. Sorry, not sorry. You can if you want to. Spending time arguing with people online about it takes away time from my business, my kids, my guy, and my own sanity. Speaking of which…

Mental Health

There were a few mix-ups with my meds when this all started, and I couldn’t get my prescriptions filled and delivered before I ran out, so I ended up having about a week of insomnia which I’ve never had to deal with. I was a zombie (the non-squishy kind) and it sucked.

If you have insomnia, I’m sorry. I feel for you.

It’s all straightened out now, thank goodness. My son Lukas and I donned our masks and drove to the local CVS the other day because I couldn’t wait two days for my meds to be delivered. It felt like walking into a dystopian future walking in there: everyone in masks, tape six feet apart for the waiting line, plexiglass between us and the cashiers.

I’m thankful for these measures, of course, and wonder how long we’ll need them, or if this is our new normal?

My Writing

I finished the final edits on Broken People and sent it back to my editor. She’s had some health issues, so the delay is understandable. To be honest, I’m not in a huge hurry to launch a new book right now. Here are the questions that run through my mind:

Do people have money to purchase a new book?

If they do, will they want to read my new book?

If they do want to read my new book, will they take the money they do have to read mine, and then review it?

Does it even matter in the grand scheme of life?

I’m an author just like any author – I want to get my work out there so people can read it, engage with it, connect with me. I hope they’ll like it, feel something, reflect on their own lives, learn something new, particularly about being a childhood sexual abuse survivor. It’s a weird limbo to be in right now.

Our New Normal

This phrase is bandied about quite a lot yet let’s face it: it’s life as we know it, now. The anxiety is real, too. I haven’t hugged or kissed my elderly parents who live two miles away in two months. I bring them toilet paper and cookies from our favorite bakery (drive up and trunk drop off, pay online only) and drop it on their porch.

All these scenarios run through my mind: If I go to do this, what happens if? I know I’m not the only one. And yet, we can’t predict anything. So I sit here, writing this post, safe inside my little house bubble, grateful I can pay my rent, put food on the table (delivered by Instacart, thankfully), and everyone around me is healthy.

What’s your new normal? What have you been reading, watching, and listening to? If you’ve stuck it out this far, I thank you. Would love to hear your comments! Safe hugs, y’all.

***

Read more about Rachel’s experiences in the award-winning book, Broken Pieces.

She goes into more detail about living with PTSD and realizing the effects of how being a survivor affected her life in

Broken Places, available in print everywhere!

The post This is How To Spend Quarantine With Me appeared first on Rachel Thompson.

via Rachel Thompson

#IFTTT #Rachel Thompson

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humboldtfog · 4 years

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Years of depression has prepared me very well for the current state of affairs which is weird but whatever here’s a list of my faves on netflix, if I’m missing something let me know cause now’s the time, right?

I'm kinda embarrassed by how long this list is but also kinda like fuck that, there have been very long periods of time where it was either sit and watch shows all day or lie down and stare at the wall in silence all day so I chose the former and it adds up and there's nothing wrong with that.

Glow (Badass ladies learn to wrestle, great 80s aesthetics and grrrrl power.)

Our Planet (Netflix version of Planet Earth, beautiful, cute, terrifying that we aren’t doing more to save us all.)

Bojack Horseman (Hilarious and “deep” critique of LA and celebrity culture for people who don’t care about LA or celebrity culture. Also very funny visual jokes about how if animals were also kinda humans, and lots of great jokes about cliches and tropes, puns, and weirdly rhyming and alliteration? I don’t know how to explain it just watch it.)

Father Brown (BBC, based on mystery novels about a priest who always meddles in police business and solves murders in his small English countryside town.)

Pose (The Ball scene in NY in the 80s, poc queer and trans writers and actors bringing their people’s stories to life. So much joy, so much beauty, but also NYC in the 80s so you will cry.)

Paris is Burning (Documentary made during the Ball scene Pose is based on.)

Sex Education (Such empowering representations of all walks of gender and sexuality, and actually very educational, like I would straight up show this in schools because everyone would be very entertained and would learn a lot more than they teach in a lot of schools.)

What Happened Miss Simone (Documentary about Nina Simone’s life, music and the activism the establishment/ government worked to suppress and used to blacklist her.)

Night on Earth (Low light camera technology has gotten hella good and they’re starting to learn stuff about animals’ behaviors at night that they’ve never been able to study before.)

Call the Midwife (Follows stories from the midwives that worked in the East End of London after the war, based on memoirs. Interesting look at the kind of life of poverty people led before there were many large hospitals or birth control, right as the British were implementing their universal healthcare program.)

The Great British Baking Show (Everyone’s so nice and everything looks so good!)

Atypical (Dramady about a high schooler with autism and his family, very funny and great representations of autism and how to be a good dude.)

Parks and Recreation (Just very funny and everyone knows it. Amazing ensemble cast, and they still keeps in touch through a group chat awww doesn’t that say something!)

Kim’s Convenience (Canadian comedy about family of first and second gen Korean immigrants that’s just a really solid funny modern day sitcom.)

Queer Eye (I feel like if everyone in this world could get a life makeover from these guys we just wouldn’t be here right now.)

Obvious Child (Jenny Slate accidentally gets pregnant and gets an abortion. It’s funny and it’s realistic, we’re not all Juno.)

Maria Bamford: the Special Special Special (Rad lady comedian not afraid to talk about her mental health and lack thereof and very vocal about the stigma surrounding mental health problems and I very much relate to. My favorite standup probably ever. I could make a list just for standup so message me if you’d like more suggestions.)

Monty Python (Flying Circus, movies, doc, ect. “The Beatles of comedy” is the cliche but it's true.)

Easy (Very unconventional non-narrative structure and editing, following random people in Chicago in a very real life feeling way. Different story each episode, but sometimes characters show up briefly in each other’s lives or return for a second episode.)

Everything Sucks! (High school nerds and lesbians and theater geeks in the 90s! I’m so sad this only got one season I rewatched it recently and it’s just so solid.)

She’s Gotta Have It (Revival of Spike Lee’s first movie, black girl magic, art world, gentrified New York, lots of sex.)

The Office (Classic, holds up very well, totally solid throughout, worth a rewatch. Also if you're a fan Jenna Ficher and Angela Davis are doing a rewatch podcast jsyk.)

Billy on the Street (Mindless game show for laughs, amazing gay comedian runs around New York yelling questions at them. I watch this with my dad and he can’t help but snort even when it’s “inappropriate” or “juvenile” so you know it’s good.)

Good Girls (Some lower middle class family ladies that are all about to be broke decide to rob the grocery store one of them works at, but they accidentally cross a gang that stored their cash there, so they gotta pay it back, and of course can’t help but get deeper and deeper into it. Very suspenseful like your heart rate will go up and stay up. )

Arrested Development (It’s just funny, as you've probably heard, but I'm telling you it just really is.)

The Laundromat (Tells the stories of a few of the people involved in the panama papers in different ways, explains in an entertaining way how money laundering works in a way that made it mostly make sense even to me. The rich get richer, and Meryl Streep is here to tell them to fuck off and pay their taxes.)

Russian Doll (She keeps dying and coming back to the same moment over and over and can’t figure out how to stop the cycle or why so kinda sci fi, very suspenseful, big cliff hanger ending, or rather no ending, and just found out season two filming is delayed because virus which is very annoying!!)

Dear White People (Show picking up where the movie left off, after a frat hosts a black face party and the ivy league college is forced to deal with racism.)

Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings (Stories based on Dolly songs. Very Hallmark channel, you will cry.)

Episodes (Show about two British writers making a version of their BBC show for American tv. Kind of meta, very funny, Matt LaBlanc plays himself and it's great.)

Dumplin’ (Fat girl grows up with a beauty pageant winning mom and enters one herself with the help of her late aunt’s Dolly Parton drag queen friends.)

Lunatics (Chris Lilley is the best character actor ever, all his shows are just him playing different parts and you seriously forget it’s all one actor, even when he’s playing teenage girls.)

Jane the Virgin (Prime time soap opera about a girl who is engaged and waiting until marrige and is accidentally inseminated with the only sperm sample of a man who’s had cancer so decides to keep the baby, very heavy on the soap opera cliches in a meta way but also that’s what it is. So good at first but after the first three or so seasons it gets too much tbh though.)

Zumbo’s Just Desserts (Australian Bake show but with just sweet stuff and pressure to be avant garde.)

Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee (Jerry Sienfeld goes out with funny people to coffee and lunch in fancy cars and they have funny conversations.)

One Day at a Time (Very very cheesy laugh track sitcom, like the kind of thing my grandma would watch, but it makes me so happy it’s doing a great job eplaining really woke concepts like queer pronouns and ptsd and addiction and white privilege to people like my grandma!)

Orange is the New Black (Good stories about very diverse characters, I’d say by starting it off about a upper middle class white girl it tricks privileged white people into watching and then encountering the more realistic stories of women who go to prison and how the system treats prisoners. Ending of season two is super solid and you can stop it there, season three is a really great critique of the privatization of prisons. I admit it goes on and on to the point that it’s stressful and after watching it spread out over years I can’t remember/ keep up with all the different story lines, though they’re all good stories to tell.)

Space Jam (Just saw while scrolling for more ideas this was added! One of the greatest sports movies of all time obviously.)

Bonus amazon prime shows, I try to avoid Amazon in general but these are just too good if you know a prime member who you can't convince not to give their money to amazon so they might as well give you their login (like yer dad).

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (A 1950s New York upper class Jewish house wife gets dumped and starts doing stand up, so funny, great actors, and they seriously transform NY back into another era.)

Good Omens (Mini series based off Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman’s satirical novel about the biblical apocalypse, very funny, very smart, very British, does the book pretty solid justice.)

There are other decent things that aren’t included, I’d say these are solid recs for a general list of genres all over the map without letting it get to a ridiculously unhelpful length. I feel like I’d be good at the “if you like this then you’ll also like…” so let me know if some of these are your favorites too and want personal recs for what to watch next based on a brain instead of an algorithm.

If you want to have a remote date and watch things together on video chat or one of those watch party sites or just tell me what to watch next here’s some stuff on my list I’ve been curious about or not sure about or don’t want to watch alone or have been putting off, and now’s the time right?: Strangers Things, I Am Not Okay With This, Black Panther, The Betty White doc, John Mulaney Snack Lunch Bunch, Dead to Me, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, A Wrinkle in Time, The Little Prince, Maniac, Wet Hot American Summer reboots, and a bunch of different standup specials from comedians I like.

#netflix #list #best #favorites #self #coronavirus #covid19 #2020

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kspre-help · 5 years

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cheap cosplay? no problem

I’ve been doing cosplay for a good while now and im the type of person who constantly needs to have new content and new costumes every 3 or so months because i am impatient and easily bored. But obviously with new costumes, you’ll need to spend some $$ so im going to write a short post about how to do cosplay without breaking the bank each time

i did this entire costume for under 25$ check out the rest to learn my ways !!

tl;dr: thrift, reuse, taobao, or get sick deals. more under the cut!

1. Thrift stores are your best friend

I thrift a LOT at local vintage stores, goodwill, value village and the sorts. Try to also check out ur local family-run convenience stores (i like toronto’s chinatown) as they often carry miscellaneous items that are marked down depending on season. I personally love using old curtains because they usually have a lot of fabric to work with and it’s not thin. i made this jacket with curtains a friend left behind and the rest is thrifted, stuff i already had or made from scraps. (cost: $25)

so don’t be afraid to rip apart old curtains, bed sheets and modify thrifted clothing!!! (in the same vein, pay a visit to walmart, dollarama or whatever cheap 1$ stores for materials and art supplies!)

2. Ebay and aliexpress aren’t so bad (besides the shipping time)

I use ebay and aliexpress a lot for items that i just can’t find in person. I almost only get wigs off of these two sites and found the quality is very decent. Do watch out for aliexpress as some sellers are just taobao resellers that increase the prices of their items. the main thing is to know HOW to search for items. use general terms like ‘black vest’ or ‘striped pants’ to keep it vague enough so itll give you a lot of results (aka more price options). if you can’t find the perfect match, use your thrifting knowledge and think how you can modify ebay-bought items for your cosplay. on aliexpress, i like to check off ‘free shipping’ and check ‘orders’ so there are reviews and feedback i can look at for items

this was around 55$ but the catsuit itself was only 10$ (and the aforementioned swimsuit miku was all from aliexpress/ebay. i just bought faerie wings, a generic blue swimsuit, shorts, a tube top and cheap nightgown. all of that was like 22$)

the shipping times are unfortunately a bit unpredictable so be patient or plan ahead as it can take up to two months. if it doesn’t arrive within the estimated time frame, open up a dispute and you may even get some money refunded.

3. Taobao and its international best friend, superbuy

Sometimes making a costume from scratch just isn’t worth it when it has become so readily available on chinese shopping sites. An example would be like demon slayer where the uniforms are sold for 20-30$ and making it yourself (printing fabric, using applique for the designs etc etc) could easily end up being over 60$. Wigs are also high quality and typically cost under 30$. I personally recommend using superbuy as far as im aware they have really really low service rates (like 0.05% of your item costs) and they send images + updates of your items when they arrive at the warehouse to be shipped internationally. (you can even buy fabric for cheap if you find your local fabric stores are just a bit too $$)

i made this with fabric bought off taobao and it cost me 30$ (includes shipping)

obviously, there will be shipping. I find that one costume will typically cost around 10$ to ship, but if you want multiple items, look into setting up a group order so the shipping costs can be split between your friends. The shipping time surprisingly is better than ebay and aliexpress i find - it usually takes a month for me.

i bought this entire set for bort (wig and costume) for around 40-50$ and shipping was split with friends so total is around 55-60$. NOTE: WATCH OUT FOR CUSTOMS so when ordering a lot of items, do so with discretion!

4. reuse and recosplay

I take apart a lot of old costumes and old clothing i don’t wear anymore to harvest for fabric or other bits (buttons, zippers). i personally sometimes forego accuracy if it means i can reuse some old fabric which may be slightly different from the original design. from thrifting, i also modify a lot of clothing and reuse them if i can.

both of these cost me probably like 10$ for the dress.

i also cosplay miku A LOT because i can reuse the wig over and over again. consider cosplaying a character who wears different outfits OR cosplaying characters with similar hair styles so you can just style it instead of buying a new one. i also buy generic shoes and clothing items so i can use them for multiple characters. (like black heels, black boots, white shirt, black pants, red tie etc) it’s a good idea to also learn how to dye wigs if you need to change the color.

5. return after you’re done

this is a bit tricky and not always recommended. BUT HONESTLY, i’ve done this a couple times. i have bought items from stores to use for a photoshoot and returned it after i was finished using. obviously keep the tag on and don’t be too wild and damage the item when shooting.

i bought the jacket off amazon prime and the top from victoria secret. i did a shoot for love death and robots then returned everything after. this costume cost me 0$ (i already owned the wig which was like 8$ anyways) NOTE: make sure the store allows returns! ESPECIALLY amazon prime since they may not accept returns depending on the item

6. halloween season is over, but cosplay season isn’t!

go on to halloween costume sites off season. these sites are pretty dead when it’s not october so they have big sales to drive purchases. i like to use halloween costumes which is where i got this outfit.

this cost me 0$ because there was damages and stains on the skirt and i got refunded. BUT otherwise, it is 40$

so there you have it! some ways to keep costs low and economical. i personally always try to be as cheap as possible. always budget what you need for your costumes and see where you can apply these tips to cut costs if possible. good luck!!

#cosplay #cosplay help #cosplay tutorial #cosplayer #cosplay tips #good stuff #tutorial

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mmfinfotechblog-blog · 4 years

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TOP 10 TIPS TO INCREASE SALES ON AMAZON DURING HOLIDAY SEASON 2019

Christmas season with so many bubbly vibes is the most cherished season for each client. This time serves the clearest open door for all the Amazon sellers to play their A-game and lift their arrangements. By essentially following some wise Amazon selling tips or utilizing any office that works in Amazon PPC optimization services, you can get an increment on different events and advantage when diverged from the rest of the year.

Mechanical assembly up and seek after these tips which we have gathered to psych yourself up for this Christmas season. It's time you pull up your socks amazon merchants, shopping season is here!

1) Free Shipping is a customer magnet

You can attract a lot of customers from free shipping. Don't just give free dispatching on exorbitant things, yet give it on books, utensils, blessing vouchers, improving articles or whatever else correspondingly little. Recollecting free sending for the Christmas season is an exceptional strategy to tell customers that you are thinking about them and at last, make them destroyed into your things.

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There is a thing called Amazon thing Ads and Amazon bolstered ads that let you advance your thing by allowing you to pay for each snap on the advancement. This is an exceptional technique to lift your things to expand a higher situating on filed records in a little theory. You can dispatch it isolated or on the off chance that you feel like a beginner, you can take help from an Amazon exhibiting office that will launch your products with the right framework.

3) Don't miss the mark on stocks

You have to, need to (an over the top measure of emphasis) win the Buy Box this December. One of the fundamental contemplation Amazon checks before giving the buy box is the consistency of the stock. On the off chance that you find that you about miss the mark on your selling things, the chances become unprecedented of you winning a buy box. Make your stock to some degree significant in this high caution shopping season to expand the most extraordinary advantages.

4) Make "Gatherings" of enjoyment.

Make packages or bundles of things that can participate and sell them at a constrained rate. Make sure to tell buyers that they can save a better than average entirety from this course of action instead of acquiring things independently.

5) Best Prices Give the Best Results

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greatreviewreview · 3 years

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The Best Garden Tillers According to Hyperenthusiastic Reviewers

Here at the Strategist, we like to think of ourselves as crazy (in the good way) about the stuff we buy, but as much as we’d like to, we can’t try everything. Which is why we have People’s Choice, in which we find the best-reviewed products and single out the most convincing ones. (You can learn more about our rating system and how we pick each item here.)

And while we’ve written about lots of landscaping gear before — including garden hoses and leaf blowers — here, we’ve rounded up the best garden tillers as praised by the most enthusiastic reviewers on Amazon.

More than 40 percent of reviewers describe this electric garden tiller as powerful. One reviewer, who used this on a flower bed that hadn’t been tended to in decade, said, “It powered through everything, the roots of old rosemary shrubs, weed stems, larger chunks of old mulch, it ground them all up and dug deep into the dirt and mixed it all up nice.” Another reviewer, working with hard clay soil, writes, “It practically cut through concrete and was able to go to a depth of 6-8.” But reviewers with soft soil like it too: “The soil itself was fairly soft and unchallenging, but even at that, I was shocked at how quickly this tiller busted it up into a surprisingly fluffy soil.” Many also say it’s easy to operate and appreciate that it comes almost completely assembled. Plus, it’s electric, which is a huge selling point for many. “Unlike my gas ones though, it’s easy to turn it off, and it actually starts right back up again, doesn’t stink, and you don’t run out of gas halfway through … so far has made short, albeit back breaking, work of tilling up my garden,” explains one reviewer. The only fear one reviewer has is that it has “almost has too much power, so you have to be careful when you hit a rock or thick root as you can break a tine or overheat the motor; but the quick release stop works great.”

“I didn’t have high expectations for this product considering its low price, it being electric, and the toughness of the dirt where I live,” writes one reviewer, but their fears were eased once this tiller arrived. “As soon as I pressed the power button, this thing took off like a rocket. I live in north Georgia, right at the North Carolina line and our soil here isn’t all that friendly when it comes to landscaping or digging because of the thick red clay and large natural stones. This tiller dug in without any issue.” And much like our best-rated tiller, this one from Earthwise also gets a lot of praise for its smaller size, especially for those with small gardens or flower beds. “Used this to till for a 20x20 foot wildflower plot,” one reviewer writes. “Did a great job of cutting through the fairly thin turf and the clay soil, tilling down a few inches.” Another says, “It was very easy to put together and has just the right amount of power needed in a flower bed.” And one says, “There is enough power to even work through the hard clay we have.” The flip side, however, is that “It takes more passes than a full size tiller because it is small, but overall I still think it was easier because it is just so easy to use.”

“This thing really is the little roto-tiller that could,” one reviewer writes of this Sun Joe machine. “We have VERY heavy clay soil that is full of rocks/stones and roots ranging from pencil thickness to several inches in diameter. This bad boy took it all on no problem. It simply chucks the rocks out of the way.” And though it looks like a toy, one reviewer swears, “This machine is a BEAST. I tilled up a hundred square feet of rock-hard ground that is a clay and river cobble mixture to a depth of six to eight inches in short order.” Many say this is also the ideal tiller for a small garden. “My vegetable garden is about 20 by 35, it is a rear tine tiller for something around that size,” one says, while another used it to till their 360-square-foot “garden area in an hour or less.” And while many reviewers prefer electric tillers to gas ones because they don’t require multiple cranks to start up and you don’t have to fuss with mixing gas and oil to fuel it, one downside is needing to plug in with a cord. However, it’s not a dealbreaker. As one reviewer explains, “The cord is a pain, but I have found a way to control it and don’t have to worry about having enough gas in the gas cans.”

This Sun Joe electric garden tiller is nearly the same as the one previously mentioned, but it’s got a slightly more powerful motor with 13.5 amps, rather than 12. And according to one reviewer, “No regrets paying more for the 13.5 amp motor.” They describe it as a beast, explaining, “My backyard had a mulched area that was kept in disarray by the previous owner. I wanted to get rid of the iris, weed and other undesirable plants. This tiller shredded the area pulling out the weed and the roots.” Others agree that the extra power gets any size job done. “I tilled ground that was clay and compacted with rocks, buried pieces of wood, fabric pieces decomposing, beer bottles,” one writes, adding, “The tiller cut through this like butter.” Another says, “I did an area about 40x25 in no time on our first nice day, and it never lacked for power.” And even though it packs a punch, it is still easy to handle, according to more than a quarter of reviewers. One reports it “handles as easily as a vacuum cleaner albeit more bouncy.” One word of warning, since this tiller is not cordless: You’ll need “AT LEAST a 14-gauge extension cord … Long runs over 50-feet will need 12-gauge which isn’t cheap but nice cables to have anyways.”

While reviewers admit this tiller isn’t powerful enough to break through new ground, they do say it’s ideal for mixing up soil in their flower beds. “I have 200 sq ft of 4x4 raised beds and this is perfect for turning over the soil in the whole box or just a space between plants,” says one reviewer. Another who calls this “a kitchen mixing machine for the soil” says, “It’s not a tractor, it instead is great for breaking up soil in one spot, like if you want to plant something like a rose bush and you need to break up the soil and/or mix in soil amendments.” Another compares it to an egg-beater, because “it loosens dirt adequately to about a 4-inch depth and keeps me off my aging knees.” The fact that it’s cordless keeps this tiller lightweight and easy-to-operate, too. Reviewers say batteries last between 30 minutes and an hour, enough for these smaller projects, though one reports that one charge “made it for 2+ thorough passes of a 15X3 ft space.”

“This little machine will dig to China if you let it,” says one reviewer, and 75 percent of reviewers give this Mantis gas tiller five stars. One reviewer, with “decades of experience with Mantis tillers,” says, “You really can convert an established lawn into a plantable bed without first scraping off the sod” with this thing. Another says that despite the power, it’s still “very easy to make it till or cultivate.” They continue, “Rocks I couldn’t see did not stop this mean machine.” And while some note it works in their small gardens, others have taken this to their entire backyard: “We did an entire backyard border with the Mantis tiller and it did an amazingly excellent job of prepping the soil. It was powerful, dug deep for planting shrubs and whatever we wanted. Cleaning it is a breeze and its light weight makes it very enjoyable to use.” As for fuel, one user says, “I can till my entire garden on less than a tank.”

“It is light, but, man, does it dig in,” one reviewer says of this four-cycle gas tiller. One says it’s “Great for gardening, installing landscaping beds, trenching for rock borders, Hell, I even used mine to dig a 3-foot deep trench for a drain-tiled downspout.” The main advantage of this four-cycle tiller, compared to the two-cycle above, is that it doesn’t require a mix of oil and gas. That means the set-up is pretty quick. “Thirty minutes out of the box to tines in the ground. Oiled, gassed up, and primed, it started on the second pull; bonus, it’s quiet,” one reviewer writes. Another says it “has the torque and ease of operation wrapped into one unit,” and others say it also offers more control. “It really digs in when tilling and In an established garden, you can get right in around your plants without destroying half the garden.”

Bob Crewe is an expert on garden tillers, but when he needed one at his suburban Chicago home, he rented it.

That's about to change.

"This might be the season when I finally pick one up," said Crewe, who works for Power Equipment Direct, an online home equipment store. "If you already have one waiting for you, you're more apt to go out and get to it."

The advantages of owning or renting a mini tractor -- or its smaller cousin, a cultivator -- are many.

Tillers and cultivators are useful for turning soil, mixing in compost and fertilizer for soil amendment and loosening soil to help water reach plant roots.

Gardeners are firing up their tillers now to prepare flower beds and vegetable gardens for planting. This year's early spring has brought strong demand for tillers, said Joseph Cohen, CEO of Snow Joe, a garden equipment company headquartered in Edison, N.J.

"No one expected to be in the garden this early. I've never seen demand this early," Cohen said.

In summer, tillers and cultivators can weed between vegetable rows, said Barbara Hastings, senior manager of marketing and communication for Troy-Bilt brand of outdoor equipment. The company is headquartered in Valley City.

Come fall, tillers plough garden waste back into the soil to decompose over the winter, Hastings said.

Many homeowners like to rent a tiller just for a few hours, and let someone else deal with maintenance and storage. Fees at tool rental companies can run from $29 for a two-hour rental of a small tiller up to $85 for a 24-hour rental of a large unit. Rental companies typically ask for a deposit.

But, when you rent a tiller, transportation is your headache. That means lifting a heavy unit in and out of the car, and protecting the car trunk from dirt and mud, Crewe said. You may also need to wash and dry the tiller before returning it.

If you rent a tiller every year, the fees will soon equal what a new tool would cost. Plus, owning a tiller means no more working with one eye on the clock.

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crowdvscritic · 4 years

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round up // JUNE 20

The quarantine continues, and so does my insane level of film consumption. As you’ve probably discovered in your many a Zoom call, if you ask, “What’s new?” you usually get a, “Nothing much since we last talked.” Of course, these days no news means good news, so I’ll happily confirm the same is true here at Crowd vs. Critic. In this time of no movie theatres and few new releases, I’m catching up on a lot of classics and squeezing in a yoga sesh and reading in between. Perhaps these pop culture pieces that brought me joy in June will bring you some in July!

June Crowd-Pleasers

Yoga with Adriene

Adriene is all about finding what feels good, and her yoga videos have been helping me feel good during quarantine. I’m a big fan of browsing her YouTube playlist of 20-30 minute practices and picking whatever focus sounds like it would, well, feel good on my lunch break or when I wrap up my work day. If you’re looking for a way to stay active, destressed, or stretched out, Adriene’s (and her dog Benji’s) friendly videos have become my go-to.

The World According to Jeff Goldblum (2019- )

You know those people who can make anything interesting? Jeff Goldblum is the quintessence of that kind of person. Every episode of this Disney+ docuseries covers a broad topic that happens to intrigue him, including ice cream, tattoos, denim, RVs, and jewelry. While I don’t have many questions about ice cream, per se, I’m happy to just ride along on his trips all over the US to learn more about it. He finds niche communities, game changers, and new technology I suspect most won’t be familiar with, and he finds ways to get involved, a lá giving someone a Jurassic Park tattoo or getting custom grills made for his teeth. Truthfully, I don’t care much about what Goldblum chooses to explore as long as he’s stammering and sing-song-ing his way through as only he can.

Double Feature – Historical Action Flicks: The Quick and the Dead (1995) + Troy (2004)

I told you last month I’m working on the Western genre, and The Quick and the Dead (Crowd: 9/10 // Critic: 8/10) is a ‘90s entry from Sam Raimi featuring a rare female lead (Sharon Stone), the babiest of Leo DiCaprios, an evil Gene Hackman, and an epic tournament of duels. If you’d prefer your adventure several thousand years back, Troy (Crowd: 8/10 // Critic: 7/10) is a star-studded interpretation of The Iliad featuring a plethora of togas, romance, and epic battle scenes.

Double Feature – Corporate Espionage Thrillers: The Firm (1993) + Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014)

Two unassuming guys start jobs bright-eyed and leave jaded, one a fresh-out-of-law-school attorney and the other a quit-school-to-save-the-world CIA analyst. The Firm (Crowd: 9/10 // Critic: 9/10) is the critical winner of the pair, but Jack Ryan (Crowd: 8.5/10 // Critic: 7/10) is a more satisfying action movie than its Rotten Tomatoes score would suggest. (Another example of why we should take those numbers with a grain of salt.) Bonus: Another evil Gene Hackman in The Firm!

Double Feature – New Crime Comedies: The Lovebirds + My Spy (2020)

For a family movie night in, I recommend My Spy on Amazon Prime (Crowd: 8.5/10 // Critic: 7/10), which holds the honor of the last movie I watched in theatres before everything shut down. For date night in, I recommend The Lovebirds (Crowd: 9/10 // Critic: 7/10), which made me ready for Kumail Nanjiani to become a superstar. You can read my full thoughts on this fun pair of laughs on ZekeFilm:

The Lovebirds

My Spy

Double Feature – Heist Thrillers: Now You See Me (2013) + Finding Steve McQueen (2019)

Close up magic hasn’t been as cool as Now You See Me(Crowd: 10/10 // Critic: 8/10) since Houdini was escaping handcuffs. This, of course, has less to do with the magic shows and more to do with the Ocean’s Eleven/The Sting-style plot. I love a movie that pulls the wool over my eyes—Hollywood, this is your call to trick me more often! And who says “cool” like Steve McQueen? While I wouldn’t have minded another pass at the dialogue in Finding Steve McQueen (Crowd: 8.5/10 // Critic: 6.5/10), this based-on-a-true-story heist targeting President Nixon looks as cool as it is funny.

Double Feature – ‘80s Comedies: ¡Three Amigos! (1986) + Coming to America (1988)

The stars of early SNL & Friends make movies! Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Chevy Chase bring an alternative version of The Magnificent Seven with more jokes and fewer successful heroics, and I’m surprised at how most of it (save a few moments) has aged well. (Crowd: 9.5/10 // Critic: 7.5/10) And who knows when we’ll get the sequel Coming 2 America that Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall were going to star in this year, but the original sweet and silly romantic comedy about a Prince looking for love is worth revisiting so we’re ready whenever it drops. (Crowd: 8.5/10 // Critic: 8/10)

Cinematic Cities: New York by Christian Blauvelt (2019)

I started this Turner Classic Movies book to prep for my first visit to New York City in March...well, we all know what happened there. Kudos to this writer and the book designers who helped me wrap my head around how the neighborhoods are connected in this city and where to find famous movie locales, plus a few off the beaten path. Now I have more places I want to see and taste and experience when I finally go, but until then, I’ve got a list of movies to watch so my vacation doesn’t feel so far away.

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Summer Stock (1950)

The plot is hackneyed and the songs are hokey, but, gee, if I didn't spend the whole time wishing we had more movie stars like these clowns, Gene Kelly and Judy Garland. Twice I tried to wipe the smile off my face as Gene danced, and I just couldn't do it. The corners of my mouth twitched back up because a newspaper and squeaky floor were competing with Judy for his best dance partner! 70 years later this movie still won't let someone wipe a stupid grin off her face—three cheers for camera-magnetic movie stars! Crowd: 8/10 // Critic: 6/10

Air Force One (1997)

Sure, it’s Die Hard on a plane, but when you nail the formula this well, I think you get more than a pass. Crowd: 9/10 // Critic: 6.5/10

June Critic Picks

The Sting (1973)

I jumped out of chronological order in my Best Picture watch because I liked Butch and Sundance so much. It’s an unusual winner, but it holds up well. Scroll down a bit for two reviews, or catch ‘em here:

Crowd

Critic

Double Feature - World War II Action Dramas: Saving Private Ryan (1998) + Enemy at the Gates (2001)

Watching this pair back-to-back makes for a poignant compare and contrast of how the United States and Russia managed their campaigns during World War II (at least as they’re depicted here). In Saving Private Ryan (Crowd: 8.5/10 // Critic: 10/10), Tom Hanks and Co. are trying to save one soldier just after D-Day; in Enemy at the Gates (Crowd: 8.5/10 // Critic: 8.5/10), Jude Law is a legendary sniper trying to give hope to his comrades. Compare how both armies fight against all odds, and contrast how one life matters to each country.

Anna Karenina (2012)

Joe Wright reunites with much of his Pride and Prejudice cast, and it’s as magical and beautiful as you’d hope. Keira Knightley stars as the tragic heroine alongside a stacked cast including Domnhall Gleeson, Jude Law, Matthew Macfayden, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Alicia Vikander. Fun fact: I just learned my grandfather calls Knightley “his girlfriend” because he thinks she’s so cute in Pride and Prejudice—no word yet on what he thought of the gorgeous gowns she wore in this movie, but my podcast co-host Kyla and I loved them in our most recent episode. Crowd: 8.5/10 // Critic: 10/10

Double Feature – Humphrey Bogart: The Maltese Falcon (1941) + Key Largo (1948)

Plenty has been written about how The Maltese Falcon (Crowd: 8.5/10 // Critic: 9/10) is the epitome of Film Noir. Now that I’ve met Sam Spade and his femme fatale (Mary Astor) and watched their hunt for a McGuffin, I’ll just join in the chorus. And now that I’ve watched all of Bogie and Bacall’s features, I’m picking Dark Passage as my favorite and Key Largo (Crowd: 8/10 // Critic: 8.5/10) my second. In their last film together, she’s a war widow and he was a soldier who knew her husband. When he comes to visit her at her hotel in Key Largo, they end up stuck inside during a hurricane with gangsters—tension ensues.

Da 5 Bloods (2020)

While Spike Lee’s latest was a little long, it’s hard to know what to cut when its updated take on The Treasure of the Sierra Madre is so engrossing. Between the performances, the action, and the treasure hunt plot, it’s the rare Netflix original in which you won’t be tempted to look at your phone. I’m hoping Delroy Lindo is in the Oscars conversation come next April. Crowd: 8.5/10 // Critic: 8.5/10

youtube

Long Gone Summer (2020)

The summer of ’98 was big for me: My sister was born, my family moved to a new house, and I turned six with a Mulan-themed party. (Yes, I was the height of cool.) It was also the summer Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa faced off in a home run battle to beat Roger Maris’s regular season record, which even then I knew was a big deal. This ESPN 30 for 30 episode interviews McGwire, Sosa, and everybody in their orbit, but the real heart is the tribute it pays to St. Louis, Chicago, and baseball as a whole. I knew baseball films make me cry, and it turns out good baseball documentaries do, too.

Women In Music Pt. III by HAIM (2020)

The sisters are back with an album made for late-night driving with the windows down, and “I Know Alone” feels like a COVID anthem.

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964)

If you loved La La Land like I did and haven’t seen this musical, just get around to watching it already! From the colorful aesthetic to the melancholy plot structure, you can literally see Damien Chazelle’s inspiration for his modern musical. And if you can find an answer as to why the Academy found this film worthy of consideration at not one but two Oscars ceremonies, let me know—I’ve yet to solve that mystery. Crowd: 7/10 // Critic: 9/10

Double Feature – Gregory La Cava Class Comedies: My Man Godfrey (1936) + 5th Avenue Girl (1939)

I don’t think I’ve watched a film from the 1930s that isn’t about money on some level, and these two from director Gregory La Cava are no exception. In Godfrey (Crowd: 8.5/10 // Critic: 8.5/10), Carole Lombard is a socialite who brings a homeless man in as their family’s new butler (William Powell), but there’s more to him than they know. in 5th Avenue (Crowd: 8/10 // Critic: 8/10), Ginger Rogers befriends a lonely businessman (Walter Connolly), and though their relationship is platonic, that doesn’t mean he won’t hire her to make his philandering wife jealous. The moral of both films? Rich people be crazy, which is a great set up for comedy.

Also in June…

In addition to Anna Karenina, Kyla and teased our self-made millionaire hair and introduced our butler Max to discuss the ‘80s rom-com procedural Hart to Hart. If you enjoy detective shows, it’s a fun spin on the genre you may enjoy.

I watched and reviewed Best Picture winners The Sting (above) and the worst one I’ve watched yet, 1933’s Cavalcade. Read the Crowd and Critic reviews to know why it’s not worth your time.

I updated my Letterboxd with a list of all the movies in Cinematic Cities: New York, and my quarantine watch list is almost to 250.

Photo credits: Yoga With Adriene, HAIM. Cinematic Cities my own. All others IMDb.com.

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