Vitamin water sales forecast 2009
Chocolate Drink
2014.03.25 06:45 Ghostbuster180 Chocolate Drink
Yoo-hoo is an American brand of chocolate beverage that was developed in New Jersey in 1926; it is manufactured by Dr. Pepper Snapple Group. This is a community dedicated to this drink.
2024.05.14 05:57 tab_rick Top 10 Bathtub Manufacturers Worldwide in 2023
 | The bathtub sector is a dynamic industry dedicated to meeting the advanced needs of clientele who prioritize luxury and tranquility in their bath experiences. Renowned bathtub producers, including bathtub companies, curate bespoke designs to cater to diverse preferences and necessities. Driven by the growing appetite for upscale bathtubs and comprehensive bathroom amenities, a multitude of manufacturers and enterprises have surfaced. These firms specialize in crafting bathtubs from an array of materials, ranging from solid surfaces and cast iron to innovative composites and natural stone. Together, global bathtub entities, such as bathtub companies, represent a continuously advancing industry, consistently innovating and showcasing a vast assortment of elite bathroom solutions. This post lists 10 top bathtub manufacturers in the world. submitted by tab_rick to KKRsolidsurface [link] [comments] Kingkonreehttps://preview.redd.it/ieqfag6tdb0d1.png?width=307&format=png&auto=webp&s=598012857204001b347ed40eefb5b157cc37d3b8 Company Location: Shenzhen, China Year of Establishment: 2000 Types of Business: Manufacturing Product Offered:
Founded in 2000, KKR initially specialized in the production of material panels. With time, we evolved and strategically positioned ourselves as industry leaders in the solid surface sector. Our products rigorously comply with ISO9001:2015, CE, CUPC, and SGS standards, underscoring our unwavering commitment to international quality benchmarks. Our expansive 15,000 m² manufacturing facility boasts the capacity to produce over 15,000 items per month. Globally, our presence extends across 100 countries, having successfully executed over 1,000 projects. Due to our stringent quality and hygiene standards, premier entities in the hotel industry regard us as their reliable partner. Kingkonree stands as a paramount figure in the industry, acclaimed for its unparalleled excellence in crafting solid surface bathtubs. Each bathtub is meticulously fashioned from elite acrylic solid surface materials, which guarantees remarkable longevity, coupled with impressive resistance to staining, abrasion, and discoloration. A distinctive hallmark of Kingkonree’s solid surface bathtubs is their versatile nature and the breadth of personalization they offer. Patrons are presented with a comprehensive spectrum of colors, patterns, and finishes, empowering them to curate a tailored bathroom environment. In addition, Kingkonree demonstrates proficiency in catering to specific size requisites, guaranteeing impeccable alignment with assorted bathroom layouts. Beyond its commitment to quality, Kingkonree signifies a beacon of environmental stewardship. The inherent non-toxic, non-porous, and sustainable attributes of their bathtubs establish them as a green alternative in the market. In tandem with this ethos, Kingkonree maintains stringent quality assurance protocols, ensuring that every bathtub seamlessly converges with the pinnacle of industry benchmarks. KohlerCompany Location: Wisconsin, USAYear of Establishment: 1873 Types of Business: Design and manufacturing Product Offered: Kohler offers a diverse selection of bath products designed to cater to various preferences and style. Their product line includes alcove bathtubs, drop-in bathtubs, freestanding bathtubs, corner bathtubs, jetted/whirlpool bathtubs, and showebathtub combinations. Kohler’s bathtubs are known for their exceptional craftsmanship, durability, and elegant design. About Company Background and Advantages: Founded in 1873 as the Sheboygan Union Iron and Steel Foundry, Kohler has evolved to become a paramount entity in the home appliance sector. Marking its significant milestones, such as the ingenious transformation of a cast-iron horse trough into a high-end enameled bathtub, Kohler proudly showcases its rich 150-year lineage. Today, the company is renowned for its pioneering designs and superior product offerings. Central to Kohler’s acclaim is its bathtub series, emblematic of the company’s unwavering commitment to excellence and resilience. Each bathtub is meticulously crafted from premier materials, undergoing rigorous quality assurance processes to ensure sustained performance. Particularly, Kohler’s acrylic bathtubs are engineered to ward off scratches, discoloration, and stains, maintaining their immaculate appearance and ease of maintenance. This relentless pursuit of quality positions Kohler bathtubs as a prime choice for both residential and commercial settings. In a bid to redefine bathing experiences, Kohler seamlessly integrates cutting-edge amenities into its products. Their jetted bathtubs epitomize relaxation, with strategically aligned jets offering a therapeutic sensation, making every soak a serene escapade. Complemented with innovative water treatment solutions, Kohler promises an invigorating bath experience. From an aesthetic standpoint, Kohler presents an expansive spectrum, encompassing sleek freestanding models to timeless inset varieties. Their design acumen guarantees that each bathtub, inclusive of the freestanding variants, merges optimal functionality with aesthetic finesse, bestowing an air of sophistication upon any bathroom setting. Choosing Kohler transcends a mere transaction; it signifies an allegiance to a refined bathing haven. TOTOCompany Location: Tokyo, JapanYear of Establishment: 1917 Types of Business: Manufacturing Product Offered: TOTO, a leading manufacturer of bathroom fixtures, offers a diverse range of bathtubs designed to enhance bathing experiences. Their product line includes:
Founded in 1917, TOTO has consistently set the gold standard in the bathroom fixtures domain. Recognized on a global scale, TOTO delivers premier products that define industry standards. Their overarching mission is to transform daily routines with cutting-edge bathroom solutions, encompassing features such as heating to enhance comfort during chilly spells. TOTO is unwavering in its dedication to technological advancement. The firm has introduced pioneering innovations including the Tornado Flush for unparalleled waste management, the CEFIONTECT coating for sustaining hygienic surfaces, and the sophisticated Washlet bidet system, emphasizing both hygiene and user-friendliness. Central to TOTO’s ethos is environmental stewardship. Their product developments emphasize water conservation without compromising on performance. This commitment to sustainable practices has earned them a plethora of certifications and recognitions. The myriad of accolades and distinctions bestowed upon TOTO affirm their eminent position in the industry. As market trailblazers, they consistently adapt and innovate to meet the evolving needs of their clientele. American StandardCompany Location: Piscataway, New Jersey, USAYear of Establishment: 1872 Types of Business: Manufacturing Product Offered: American Standard specializes in a diverse range of bathtubs, catering to various design preferences and requirements. Their product line includes alcove bathtubs, drop-in bathtubs, freestanding bathtubs, and walk-in bathtubs. With a commitment to innovation, American Standard offers advanced features such as whirlpool systems, hydrotherapy options, and ergonomic designs. About Company Background and Advantages: Established in 1872, American Standard stands distinguished in its provision of exceptional quality bathroom fixtures, with a marked speciality in bathtubs. The organization harbors a steadfast dedication to the fusion of innovation and practicality in its designs, aiming to profoundly elevate the user’s bathing experience. A pivotal attribute of American Standard’s bathtubs is the meticulous integration of water-conservation technologies. Through the incorporation of cutting-edge systems, such as EcoSilent, the company ardently pursues the optimization of water utilization, aligning environmental sustainability with substantive economic advantages. In terms of durability, American Standard meticulously crafts bathtubs employing premium materials, encompassing acrylic and cast iron, thereby ensuring an enduring robustness and formidable resilience to the rigors of daily use. The exemplary artifacts they produce seamlessly align with elevated industry benchmarks, manifesting the company’s unwavering commitment to exhaustive testing processes and an unparalleled quality assurance ethos. The consumer-centric approach of American Standard shines prominently, as evidenced by their offering of a versatile array of models imbued with ergonomic considerations and integrated armrests. Their sophisticated portfolio encompasses a breathtaking diversity, featuring luxurious deep-soak bathtubs that invoke a sublime, spa-like ambiance, as well as thoughtfully designed walk-in variants, thus catering proficiently to a comprehensive array of preferences and functional necessities. RocaCompany Location: Barcelona, SpainYear of Establishment: 1917 Types of Business: Design and production Product Offered: Roca offers a wide range of bathtubs designed to cater to diverse preferences and needs. Their product line includes freestanding bathtubs, corner bathtubs, drop-in bathtubs, and whirlpool bathtubs. With a focus on innovation, quality, and style, Roca’s bathtubs are crafted to provide a luxurious and rejuvenating bathing experience. About Company Background and Advantages: Founded in 1917 in Barcelona, Roca has evolved into a globally acclaimed leader in superior bathroom solutions. Dedicated to innovation, the company adeptly balances aesthetic allure with functional design and enduring resilience. At its core, Roca’s mission is to elevate the bathroom experience, ensuring unparalleled comfort for its clientele. Roca’s bathtubs stand out for their avant-garde features. Particularly, their whirlpool tubs are equipped with advanced hydrotherapy functionalities, providing therapeutic massages and facilitating a luxurious spa ambiance within the seclusion of one’s residence. Employing only the finest materials and harnessing cutting-edge manufacturing techniques, Roca guarantees precision in every bathtub’s production, ensuring its longevity. This unwavering commitment to quality has solidified Roca’s reputation as a trusted global provider of bathroom solutions. Furthermore, Roca’s bathtubs are epitomes of elegance. Their range encompasses both contemporary and classic designs, catering to diverse aesthetic preferences. Beyond mere functionality, Roca bathtubs serve as sophisticated focal points, imbuing bathrooms with an essence of refinement. WoodbridgeCompany Location: Woodbridge, New Jersey, USAYear of Establishment: 2005 Types of Business: Manufacturing Product Offered: Woodbridge specializes in a wide range of luxurious and innovative bathtubs. Their product line includes freestanding bathtubs, alcove bathtubs, drop-in bathtubs, and whirlpool bathtubs. Each bathtub is designed with premium materials and advanced technologies to provide a sophisticated and indulgent bathing experience. About Company Background and Advantages: Founded in 2005, Woodbridge has swiftly cemented its reputation as a premier bathtub manufacturer, renowned for its unparalleled quality, sophisticated aesthetics, and cutting-edge designs. The brand’s unwavering commitment to excellence is underscored by the consistently favorable reviews from its clientele and its extensive product range. Constructed using premium materials such as acrylic and fiberglass, Woodbridge bathtubs promise enduring resilience. Leveraging state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques, the bathtubs are furnished with a robust finish that is adept at warding off stains, scratches, and fading, ensuring the product’s immaculate appearance is sustained over the years. A hallmark of Woodbridge’s offerings is the harmonious blend of avant-garde design with user-centric comfort. Numerous models are equipped with hydrotherapy features, including whirlpool jets and air massage systems, providing an oasis of therapeutic relaxation. Furthermore, their bathtubs are meticulously crafted, boasting capacious interiors that amplify the bathing experience. Attuned to the evolving needs of their clientele, Woodbridge designs bathtubs that seamlessly complement a myriad of bathroom decors. Their steadfast dedication to premium customer service ensures reliable product support and post-purchase assistance. KaldeweiCompany Location: Ahlen, GermanyYear of Establishment: 1918 Types of Business: Manufacturing Products Offered: Kaldewei specializes in the production of high-quality bathroom solutions, with a focus on luxury steel enamel bathtubs and shower surfaces. They offer a wide range of product options including freestanding bathtubs, built-in bathtubs, shower trays, and whirlpool systems. About Company Background and Advantages: Established in 1918 and headquartered in Ahlen, Germany, Kaldewei stands as a distinguished pioneer in the luxury bathroom industry. Over the years, the company has ascended to the zenith of the international market, distinguishing itself as a purveyor of premium bathroom essentials and state-of-the-art water systems. At the heart of Kaldewei’s ethos is the fusion of aesthetic excellence, pioneering technology, and sustainable practices, culminating in products that set industry benchmarks. A salient attribute of Kaldewei’s offerings is their incorporation of steel enamel. This superior material guarantees not only the longevity and resilience of their bathtubs and showers but also ensures effortless maintenance, encapsulating the essence of a lavish yet lasting bath experience. Their manufacturing paradigm marries avant-garde methodologies with meticulous craftsmanship, all underpinned by rigorous quality oversight. Beyond their product excellence, Kaldewei’s commitment to the environment is unwavering. They champion eco-conscious manufacturing paradigms, judicious utilization of natural resources, enhanced energy efficiency, and the production of recyclable goods. This unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship has garnered them commendations and certifications in recognition of their sustainable initiatives. With an expansive portfolio that caters to diverse aesthetic preferences, Kaldewei meticulously curates bathroom solutions that resonate with individual tastes and design inclinations. They are unrivaled in delivering opulent bathing experiences that seamlessly blend sophistication, comfort, and functionality. DuravitCompany Location: Hornberg, GermanyYear of Establishment: 1817 Types of Business: Manufacturing and design Products Offered: Duravit specializes in a wide range of bathroom fixtures and solutions, offering innovative designs, exceptional quality, and functionality. Their product portfolio includes toilets, basins, bathtubs, showers, furniture, accessories, and wellness systems. About Company Background and Advantages: Established in 1817 in Hornberg, Germany, Duravit stands at the forefront of contemporary bathroom solutions. As a globally acclaimed entity, their unwavering commitment to superior quality and pioneering designs sets them apart in the industry. Each bathtub from Duravit exemplifies unparalleled craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail, manifesting their ethos of excellence. Constructed using premium materials, these bathtubs guarantee robustness and longevity. Duravit is celebrated for its sophisticated designs which seamlessly blend aesthetics with practicality, transforming bathroom ambiances and providing unparalleled comfort. In its operations, Duravit ardently champions sustainability, placing emphasis on resource conservation, ethical production processes, and the creation of enduring products. Their dedication to environmental stewardship has garnered them numerous recognitions. With an expansive portfolio of bathroom products, Duravit caters to a wide spectrum of preferences and requirements. Whether one desires understated elegance or opulent grandeur, Duravit persistently ensures impeccable quality and utmost customer satisfaction. DeltaCompany Location: Indianapolis, Indiana, USAYear of Establishment: 1954 Types of Business: Design and manufacturing Products Offered: Delta, along with its major flagship brands Peerless, Brizzo, and First Wave, offers a wide range of bathtubs to meet both kitchen and bathroom needs. Their product line includes freestanding and drop-in bathtubs, all available in acrylic. These bathtubs come in multiple finishes such as nickel, brass, chrome, and matte, allowing customers to customize their bathing spaces. Product Offered: Delta, along with its flagship brands Peerless, Brizzo, and First Wave, specializes in manufacturing a wide range of faucets and fixtures for both kitchens and bathrooms. They offer different styles to suit various design preferences and requirements. Additionally, Delta provides freestanding and drop-in bathtubs in acrylic with multiple finish options such as nickel, brass, chrome, and matte. About Company Background and Advantages: Established in 1958, Delta is renowned for its unparalleled quality in faucets, fixtures, and bathing solutions. The design versatility and enduring resilience of their bathtubs are particularly commendable. As of 2023, Delta’s bathtubs are the preferred choice for discerning clientele. Engineered with meticulous precision, these bathtubs epitomize structural integrity and superior user satisfaction. The utilization of high-grade acrylic not only imparts a sophisticated appearance but also efficiently retains heat and necessitates minimal upkeep. This robust material is exceptionally resistant to discoloration, fading, and cracking, ensuring a product that retains its elegance over time. Collaborating with esteemed brands such as Peerless, Brizzo, and First Wave, Delta presents an expansive array of designs. Whether the preference is for a freestanding bathtub or one that harmonizes with its surroundings, Delta caters to a spectrum of design inclinations. An extensive range of finishes, spanning from nickel to matte, empowers consumers to customize their bathroom ambiance. Delta’s distinguishing trait is its unwavering commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction. Their bathtubs are designed with a keen emphasis on comfort, showcasing ergonomic contours and consistent water flow, facilitating a tranquil bathing experience. Bolstered by an extensive retail framework and a seamless online interface, the process of selecting and acquiring a Delta bathtub is both convenient and efficient. MansfieldCompany Location: Perrysville, Ohio, USAYear of Establishment: 1929 Types of Business: Manufacturing Product Offered: Mansfield Plumbing Products (MPP) offers a comprehensive range of plumbing fixtures and fittings, including an extensive lineup of bathtubs. Their current line of bathtubs includes various types and styles, catering to the diverse preferences of their customers. About Company Background and Advantages: Established in 1929, Mansfield Plumbing Products stands as a distinguished purveyor of premier plumbing fixtures, including shower bases. With a strategic presence across the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada, and fortified by an expansive network of over 4,000 distributors, Mansfield ensures the consistent availability of its superior products to a broad clientele. Mansfield’s bathtub collection exemplifies a sophisticated convergence of functionality and visual elegance. Each bathtub is a manifestation of impeccable craftsmanship, constructed with resilient materials guaranteeing enduring efficacy. The assortment offers an abundant spectrum of designs, accommodating a wide range of aesthetic preferences and interior bathroom styles. Continually dedicated to innovation and superior quality, Mansfield diligently refines its product range, presenting an all-encompassing array of bathtubs fashioned to address the varied demands and inclinations of its clientele. Every product is meticulously designed, seamlessly integrating quality, style, and practicality. Central to Mansfield’s ethos is an unrelenting commitment to client satisfaction. Beyond delivering exceptional products, the company emphasizes exemplary customer support and post-purchase services. This steadfast dedication to service excellence, product quality, and innovative design solidifies Mansfield’s esteemed standing in the plumbing industry. How to Choose Bathtub Manufacturers?When selecting bathtub manufacturers, it’s essential to approach the decision-making process with a comprehensive perspective. Here are some refined considerations to guide your selection:
Why KKR?
ConclusionIn conclusion, the industry dedicated to the production of bathtubs is undergoing significant growth, primarily catering to enterprises within the furniture manufacturing sphere as well as various other commercial entities. Our portfolio encompasses an extensive variety of bathtubs, each distinguished by its unique design, composition of materials, and functional attributes. Esteemed manufacturers, including Kingkonree, contribute to our collection through offerings of bespoke customization options. For more comprehensive information, we invite you to reach out to us via email or engage in a direct consultation with our expert team. |
2024.05.14 05:52 Strange-Cold-5192 Extremely loose, baggy skin (EDS-like), but only from head to shoulders
This has been bugging me for awhile now, and I think I have some pictures up on an old post showing me pulling skin off my neck/jaw area (and note: it got even worse since). My doctor gave me a referral for a dermatologist, but I still have some time before the appointment.
As I stated above, I can pull my facial skin almost like I have EDS; however, I have no other symptoms of EDS, and the skin laxity ends around my shoulders/collarbone. EDS was the first thing my doctor said before I showed her I did not have the same laxity on my forearms.
I’m only 27 (and male, 5’10”, 225lbs— probably useful info), but I’m becoming horribly prematurely aged, and it’s killing my confidence. The bizarre thing is, though, is that my skin quality is actually looking really good. Red light therapy has made my complexion look better than it has in years, cleared old scar tissue from pimples I popped, and gotten rid of all but a few stubborn forehead wrinkles I’ve developed from raising my brows to keep my vision clear of excess skin and my nasolabial folds. My skin is soft and thick, almost too thick, and it’s like almost like everything underneath the skin has melted. I really think that’s the problem— the fat and muscles that once held my face together are either disappearing or dropping, and I’m left with one amorphous, gelatinous blood pooling into my jowls and neck. Despite being overweight, I can feel every last bump and crevice in my cheeks, around my eyes, along my jaw and brow, etc. Yet the skin just covers over all of it like a mask, and it just makes me look fat (and as I just said, I am overweight, but my upper body does not look horribly so. I have massive legs, so people often think I’m a good 20-30lbs less than I really am). But it’s like all the fat has drained off my face and is sinking downward.
I’m at a loss. I keep thinking it can’t get worse, but it does. It’s affecting my vision, it makes my head feel heavy, I can feel my skin fold with every movement of my neck. Obviously, it’s destroyed my confidence and desire to be in public or date. And now as I read about stuff like acquired cutis laxa, I’m worried it could even be tied to stuff like cancer.
It’s worth noting that these symptoms really took off after a COVID infection. My case was very mild, but it was afterwards that things got bad. Tremors, spasms, heart palpitations, blood pressure spikes, brain fog, joint pain, muscle strains, you name it, I probably had it. I lost fat passing in my hands and wrists as well (strange thing to notice, but very evident as a powerlifter, golfer, and baseball player. Things start feeling different in your hands, your gloves stop fitting right, stuff like that). The tremors, heart palpitations, and all that cleared up last November after I upped my water intake from about a half gallon to at least one gallon a day, and all labwork was normal, if not better than before I was sick (no more vitamin D deficiency, testosterone up as my prolactinoma was finally under control after several years), except for positive antihistone antibodies. The rheumatologist said not to worry about it for now because everything else was normal, and he expected I had had an inflammatory reaction to the virus and the flare up was over.
I’m at my wit’s end. This is ruining my life, and not one doctor aside from my PCP seems to care because they dismiss it as a cosmetic concern.
submitted by Strange-Cold-5192 to DiagnoseMe [link] [comments]
As I stated above, I can pull my facial skin almost like I have EDS; however, I have no other symptoms of EDS, and the skin laxity ends around my shoulders/collarbone. EDS was the first thing my doctor said before I showed her I did not have the same laxity on my forearms.
I’m only 27 (and male, 5’10”, 225lbs— probably useful info), but I’m becoming horribly prematurely aged, and it’s killing my confidence. The bizarre thing is, though, is that my skin quality is actually looking really good. Red light therapy has made my complexion look better than it has in years, cleared old scar tissue from pimples I popped, and gotten rid of all but a few stubborn forehead wrinkles I’ve developed from raising my brows to keep my vision clear of excess skin and my nasolabial folds. My skin is soft and thick, almost too thick, and it’s like almost like everything underneath the skin has melted. I really think that’s the problem— the fat and muscles that once held my face together are either disappearing or dropping, and I’m left with one amorphous, gelatinous blood pooling into my jowls and neck. Despite being overweight, I can feel every last bump and crevice in my cheeks, around my eyes, along my jaw and brow, etc. Yet the skin just covers over all of it like a mask, and it just makes me look fat (and as I just said, I am overweight, but my upper body does not look horribly so. I have massive legs, so people often think I’m a good 20-30lbs less than I really am). But it’s like all the fat has drained off my face and is sinking downward.
I’m at a loss. I keep thinking it can’t get worse, but it does. It’s affecting my vision, it makes my head feel heavy, I can feel my skin fold with every movement of my neck. Obviously, it’s destroyed my confidence and desire to be in public or date. And now as I read about stuff like acquired cutis laxa, I’m worried it could even be tied to stuff like cancer.
It’s worth noting that these symptoms really took off after a COVID infection. My case was very mild, but it was afterwards that things got bad. Tremors, spasms, heart palpitations, blood pressure spikes, brain fog, joint pain, muscle strains, you name it, I probably had it. I lost fat passing in my hands and wrists as well (strange thing to notice, but very evident as a powerlifter, golfer, and baseball player. Things start feeling different in your hands, your gloves stop fitting right, stuff like that). The tremors, heart palpitations, and all that cleared up last November after I upped my water intake from about a half gallon to at least one gallon a day, and all labwork was normal, if not better than before I was sick (no more vitamin D deficiency, testosterone up as my prolactinoma was finally under control after several years), except for positive antihistone antibodies. The rheumatologist said not to worry about it for now because everything else was normal, and he expected I had had an inflammatory reaction to the virus and the flare up was over.
I’m at my wit’s end. This is ruining my life, and not one doctor aside from my PCP seems to care because they dismiss it as a cosmetic concern.
2024.05.14 05:50 J2SavesTheDay AITA for suing my former employer for unpaid overtime wages for me and 20 other former employees resulting in friends/co workers hating me/uninviting me from a wedding?
I was fired from my sales position at the beginning of March due to missing some time going through some mental health issues. I made peace with the company’s decision because I spent the last 18 months of a 5 year stint wishing I was closer to home so this was a welcomed “reset”.
The ownecompany has a history of just flat out screwing over employees as far how they’re treated, not paying their commissions after they leave, you name it, it probably happened. Suffice to say, I was skeptical that I would be paid out all of my commissions since I was no longer there to really have a say.
In an attempt to feel out the waters this with the owner, I reach out. I get a text back saying that I’d get paid any commissions owed after a number of deductions. Which was fair. I did have a few claims that I would/should pay my share of. What ticked me off on that list was a trip I won for me and a plus one Over $4,000 in value. For context I was expecting a final commission check roughly around $8k not factoring in the trip I suddenly was on the hook for. I did not attend the trip due to the health issues I mentioned at the beginning but my plus one DID go. A friend who happened to work there. Again, this was a trip I earned and nowhere was there any fine print that this could happen if someone didn’t go on the trip.
I decided that he wasn’t going to take advantage of me like he had done to so many others there and I filed a class action lawsuit for unpaid overtime wages so that anyone else who had been unfairly treated would finally have a voice and stand up for themselves. It’s going to cost a lot more than if he had just paid me my commissions owed sans the trip deduction. This isn’t a cash grab as I had done well for myself the last 3 years but the company treating me as if I wasn’t one of their top revenue earners the last three years, felt wrong.
This has not gone over well with the coworkers who I thought as of friends and one high ranking official there even uninvited from his wedding via text. “Just a heads up, don’t worry about watching the mail for a wedding invite. Seats are filled.” Realizing why I received the text, I call the bride and find out she’s blocked me on social media to apologize that my legal battle is having an impact outside of the workplace and in our personal lives but I never got the chance to before being cut off/out.
I can’t blame my friends/former colleagues for how they’re taking it because I’m not sure how my legal action is being portrayed to them. They might be fearful of their job security as I pursue this matter.
AITA?
TLDR: Boss with shady business practices withheld my commissions to recoup a business expense/trip I earned for two. I filed a lawsuit to stand up for myself and others wronged by the company and now I’m hated by friends at the company / uninvited from a wedding.
submitted by J2SavesTheDay to AmItheAsshole [link] [comments]
The ownecompany has a history of just flat out screwing over employees as far how they’re treated, not paying their commissions after they leave, you name it, it probably happened. Suffice to say, I was skeptical that I would be paid out all of my commissions since I was no longer there to really have a say.
In an attempt to feel out the waters this with the owner, I reach out. I get a text back saying that I’d get paid any commissions owed after a number of deductions. Which was fair. I did have a few claims that I would/should pay my share of. What ticked me off on that list was a trip I won for me and a plus one Over $4,000 in value. For context I was expecting a final commission check roughly around $8k not factoring in the trip I suddenly was on the hook for. I did not attend the trip due to the health issues I mentioned at the beginning but my plus one DID go. A friend who happened to work there. Again, this was a trip I earned and nowhere was there any fine print that this could happen if someone didn’t go on the trip.
I decided that he wasn’t going to take advantage of me like he had done to so many others there and I filed a class action lawsuit for unpaid overtime wages so that anyone else who had been unfairly treated would finally have a voice and stand up for themselves. It’s going to cost a lot more than if he had just paid me my commissions owed sans the trip deduction. This isn’t a cash grab as I had done well for myself the last 3 years but the company treating me as if I wasn’t one of their top revenue earners the last three years, felt wrong.
This has not gone over well with the coworkers who I thought as of friends and one high ranking official there even uninvited from his wedding via text. “Just a heads up, don’t worry about watching the mail for a wedding invite. Seats are filled.” Realizing why I received the text, I call the bride and find out she’s blocked me on social media to apologize that my legal battle is having an impact outside of the workplace and in our personal lives but I never got the chance to before being cut off/out.
I can’t blame my friends/former colleagues for how they’re taking it because I’m not sure how my legal action is being portrayed to them. They might be fearful of their job security as I pursue this matter.
AITA?
TLDR: Boss with shady business practices withheld my commissions to recoup a business expense/trip I earned for two. I filed a lawsuit to stand up for myself and others wronged by the company and now I’m hated by friends at the company / uninvited from a wedding.
2024.05.14 04:49 Specific_Marketing69 Sold my boat in IL after buyers remorse he threats to sue because I won't give him money back🙄
I sold my 1994 open bow w Ford 5.0 sterndrive w 344hrs on it. Buyer comes from 90min away we remove shrink wrap because he's super serious. I had lowered my asking price from $5200 to $4800 (I'm getting married and moving just need it to go) since he first contacted me and he acknowledged the reduction, we talk and convinces me to unwrap from winterizing put in water drive "around the block" my good sized bay twice probably more than 2 blocks, always been my test drive w private party used car,bike, snowmobile, boats including my purchase of the subject i even let him drive it he shifted to fwd for a lap put in reverse back to fwds no issues for another lap drives back towards launch he offers 4200 I say 4400 he puts his hand out, we shake he drives towards shore I load onto trailer. 2 days later he says he took it took a boat mechanic who says it has a dead cylinder and not worth reoairs, j0 so I'm likely sure nothing is wrong he just has buyers remorse but even if there is a problem it's just a head gasket no small job but definitely not major. He wants to give back boat and all the extras I included I keep plus $200 he's even gonna do me the solid of paying the shop he took it to🙄🤑 and he says if you think it's worth that much just resell it. My response was, I sold it. He has threatened me w small claims court. Now, I have a handwritten not Notarized bill of sale of numbered equip to Mr D. Head As is, it is signed by both parties and dated Cae$h was exchanged. Can he really go anywhere with this?
submitted by Specific_Marketing69 to legal [link] [comments]
2024.05.14 04:34 ObligationGrouchy456 Home Owners Insurance Claims/Non-Renewal
My husband and I are in a bit of a pickle and we are honestly lost at what to do.
We cannot find ANY insurance company to insure our house after our current insurer has backed out of our state (Alabama). I have talked to so many companies and brokers it is not even funny.
We have had two water claims which are the major issue. We have recalled piping in the house. Second issue is our zip code (tornados).
A broker I talked to today is still looking into options but said that our premiums are going to be very high and there will likely need to be a full inspection on the house and some kind of plan for us to replace the piping.
1st problem: Re-piping will be $20-30k 2nd problem: We know we will likely need to replace our roof which will be $10-$15k 3rd problem: Coverage is still not guaranteed if we did pay for both of those things 4th problem: Our coverage ends on June 14th - so only a month.
I think our only options for a 30-day turnaround are: 1. Do a quick sale on the house. We would lose a large chunk of our equity doing this.
Thank you for any insight/support.
submitted by ObligationGrouchy456 to homeowners [link] [comments]
We cannot find ANY insurance company to insure our house after our current insurer has backed out of our state (Alabama). I have talked to so many companies and brokers it is not even funny.
We have had two water claims which are the major issue. We have recalled piping in the house. Second issue is our zip code (tornados).
A broker I talked to today is still looking into options but said that our premiums are going to be very high and there will likely need to be a full inspection on the house and some kind of plan for us to replace the piping.
1st problem: Re-piping will be $20-30k 2nd problem: We know we will likely need to replace our roof which will be $10-$15k 3rd problem: Coverage is still not guaranteed if we did pay for both of those things 4th problem: Our coverage ends on June 14th - so only a month.
I think our only options for a 30-day turnaround are: 1. Do a quick sale on the house. We would lose a large chunk of our equity doing this.
- Pay for the repairs and hope for the best
Thank you for any insight/support.
2024.05.14 04:25 tssriram Having trouble with multiple issues, but seems to be connected somehow. Please advice.
Hello, I am 25M vegetarian and lead a relatively normal life. However I have several issues that seem to degrade quality of life. They seem connected but not sure.
For additional context, I have taken several blood tests over the course of the last 6 years and mostly have seen Vitamin D & B12, Iron deficiencies (I have tried taking supplements for several months, didn't seem to have much effect day-to-day, but subsequent blood tests improved). Normal Thyroid. Suspected high cortisol (have some fat and hair buildup on my back): was also normal. My most recent blood tests had low testosterone and HDL was lower and triglycerides and nonHDL were high. insulin high as well. But shown the results to a physician assistant and they didn't have any input other than a referral for weight management.
No particular diagnoses or supplements. Some Ashwagandha occasionally.
Hoping anyone can give me some pointers that I can work on and maybe take to my local physician. Thank you.
submitted by tssriram to AskDocs [link] [comments]
- Foot pain: Initially went to a Podiatrist and was prescribed insoles for mild flat feet. Did not work and severe pain persisted. Still persists today, but I came to realize that the pain is coming from foot cramps. The pain felt similar to a cramp but I never made the connection. I get severe foot cramps even if I do very little exercise or walking. Timeline: ~ 4years
- During the timeline of 1., I also thought a lot of my problems were led by dehydration and then ,later found out that it could be a possible cause of the foot pain. However, I have been ensuring before and after the pain that I drink enough water a day. I pee more often that required and its usually not dark. Timeline: ~2 years
- Excessive weight gain: I usually eat a little more than the average person, but nowhere close to justifying my weight gain. I used to be much thinner when i was younger and have gained much weight since then. I am unable to lose this despite bouts of significant exercise and diet control. I am also limited by low stamina and the foot pain. Timeline: ~8 years.
- Numbing: My arms and legs get extremely easily numbed out. Any small weight placed on my leg/abdomen when I sleep leads to numbness quite easily. It is actually quite severe. Timeline: Quick numbness has been there for several years but last few years have been worse.
- Get tired and lose focus easily: This has been a general theme for several years. I am able to concentrate and get things done in small pockets of time. Timeline: Been there for several years but got worse in the last few years.
- Hearing: My hearing has been getting a little worse. I occasionally hear some hight pitched noise and I read that it may be the Cochlea dying or sth? But definitely been getting a little worse. Timeline: ~4 years.
- Had a viral infection ~1.5 years back, and when I was infected a few spots behind my head and ear enlarged. Not sure why, and the doctor at the time ignored it. It shrunk about 70%, but has remained the same size for quite some time.
- Protein intake: Tried taking protein shakes/bars to increase my intake due to my vegetarian diet: seemed to get more drowsy and sleepy quickly, so I stopped.
For additional context, I have taken several blood tests over the course of the last 6 years and mostly have seen Vitamin D & B12, Iron deficiencies (I have tried taking supplements for several months, didn't seem to have much effect day-to-day, but subsequent blood tests improved). Normal Thyroid. Suspected high cortisol (have some fat and hair buildup on my back): was also normal. My most recent blood tests had low testosterone and HDL was lower and triglycerides and nonHDL were high. insulin high as well. But shown the results to a physician assistant and they didn't have any input other than a referral for weight management.
No particular diagnoses or supplements. Some Ashwagandha occasionally.
Hoping anyone can give me some pointers that I can work on and maybe take to my local physician. Thank you.
2024.05.14 04:16 esProc_SPL Put Records with Specific Values at the Beginning During the Sort
Problem description & analysis
There is an EMPLOYEE table in the database. The data is as follows:| EID | NAME | SURNAME | GENDER | STATE | BIRTHDAY | HIREDATE | DEPT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rebecca | Moore | F | California | 1974-11-20 | 2005-03-11 | R&D |
| 2 | Ashley | Wilson | F | New York | 1980-07-19 | 2008-03-16 | Finance |
| 3 | Rachel | Johnson | F | New Mexico | 1970-12-17 | 2010-12-01 | Sales |
| 4 | Emily | Smith | F | Texas | 1985-03-07 | 2006-08-15 | HR |
| 5 | Ashley | Smith | F | Texas | 1975-05-13 | 2004-07-30 | R&D |
| 6 | Matthew | Johnson | M | California | 1984-07-07 | 2005-07-07 | Sales |
| 7 | Alexis | Smith | F | Illinois | 1972-08-16 | 2002-08-16 | Sales |
| 8 | Megan | Wilson | F | California | 1979-04-19 | 1984-04-19 | Marketing |
| 9 | Victoria | Davis | F | Texas | 1983-12-07 | 2009-12-07 | HR |
| 10 | Ryan | Johnson | M | Pennsylvania | 1976-03-12 | 2006-03-12 | R&D |
| EID | NAME | SURNAME | GENDER | STATE | BIRTHDAY | HIREDATE | DEPT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Victoria | Davis | F | Texas | 1983-12-07 | 2009-12-07 | HR |
| 7 | Alexis | Smith | F | Illinois | 1972-08-16 | 2002-08-16 | Sales |
| 5 | Ashley | Smith | F | Texas | 1975-05-13 | 2004-07-30 | R&D |
| 3 | Rachel | Johnson | F | New Mexico | 1970-12-17 | 2010-12-01 | Sales |
| 1 | Rebecca | Moore | F | California | 1974-11-20 | 2005-03-11 | R&D |
| 2 | Ashley | Wilson | F | New York | 1980-07-19 | 2008-03-16 | Finance |
| 4 | Emily | Smith | F | Texas | 1985-03-07 | 2006-08-15 | HR |
| 6 | Matthew | Johnson | M | California | 1984-07-07 | 2005-07-07 | Sales |
| 8 | Megan | Wilson | F | California | 1979-04-19 | 1984-04-19 | Marketing |
| 10 | Ryan | Johnson | M | Pennsylvania | 1976-03-12 | 2006-03-12 | R&D |
Solution
We write the following script p1.dfx in esProc:| A | |
|---|---|
| 1 | =connect("demo") |
| 2 | =A1.query@x("SELECT * FROM EMPLOYEE").sort(EID).align@as(eid.split@pc(),EID) |
Set a script parameter eid, whose value is 9,7,5,3.
A1 Connect to the database named demo.
A2 Return query result as a table sequence and auto-close database connection when the query is finished. Sort the table sequence fist by EID then by the comma-separated sequence of numbers defined through parameter eid. Put the non-matching members at the end during the second sort.
Refer to How to Call an SPL Script in BIRT to learn about the method of integrating the SPL script with BIRT.
2024.05.14 04:14 covfa Fan favorite uzi producer DJ Plugg supposedly fw vitamin water 👀⁉️
 | submitted by covfa to liluzivert [link] [comments] |
2024.05.14 04:08 WILLARD2005 08+ corvette daily?
I’ve been looking at 08+ vettes as a daily car, I love them and have always wanted one, but it would be my daily if I got one, I know it’s the ls3 which is a fantastic engine, along with a 6l80, daily that’s still fun, price to performance is the best imo, I found one for sale has 139k on it for 18,500, is that a good deal? It also have all this done to it, Btr stage 2 N/A cam kit with springs and retainers ARP head bolts Summit harmonic balancer New water pump Meling oil pump Texas speed long tubes Texas speed x pipe Sip axle back Sip cold air intake New breaks. I don’t need 4 seats bc I’m never taking more than 1 extra person anywhere.
submitted by WILLARD2005 to askcarguys [link] [comments]
2024.05.14 03:54 Beefofterror [WTS] 5ML/10 ML Decants for Tom Ford, Kilian, PDM, Initio, Xerjoff, Creed, MFK, Amouage, Prada, Armani, Chanel, YSL, Louis Vuiton, Hermes, Mancera, Versace, JPG, Dior, Bvlgari, Viktor&Rolf, Azzaro... (decant)
Looking to sell rare/popular fragrances in high-quality decants with beautiful printed labels. Smell amazing guaranteed.
https://imgur.com/a/T9GiKzC
submitted by Beefofterror to fragranceswap [link] [comments]
- Prices (in USD) are firm and based on supply/demand. Enjoy hassle-free shipping to both Canada and the US, with FREE shipping for orders above $50.
- Larger decants for some fragrances may be available upon request.
- Choose from multiple payment options including paypal, e-transfer (Canada), and cryptocurrency like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Cardano.
- Guaranteed for good service and fast replies. Shop with confidence as I have multiple successful sales and positive verifications in this community!
| Brand | Fragrance | 5 ml | 10 ml |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Ford | Lost Cherry | $20 | $36 |
| Tom Ford | Bitter Peach | $20 | $36 |
| Tom Ford | Tuscan Leather | $20 | $36 |
| Tom Ford | Tobacco Vanille | $18 | $32 |
| Tom Ford | Oud Wood | $18 | $32 |
| Tom Ford | Ombre Leather EDP | $12 | $19 |
| Tom Ford | Grey Vetiver | $12 | $19 |
| Tom Ford | Black Orchid EDP | $12 | $19 |
| Kilian | Angels' Share | $18 | $32 |
| MFK | Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait | $20 | $36 |
| MFK | Baccarat Rouge 540 EDP | $16 | $28 |
| MFK | Oud Satin Mood EDP | $16 | $28 |
| Creed | Aventus (F000387) | $16 | $28 |
| Creed | Green Irish Tweed | $16 | $28 |
| Creed | Silver Mountain Water | $16 | $28 |
| Creed | Millesime Imperial | $14 | $24 |
| Initio | Oud for Greatness | $14 | $24 |
| Amouage | Reflection Man | $14 | $24 |
| Amouage | Interlude Man | $12 | $19 |
| Nishane | Ani | $12 | $19 |
| Xerjoff | Naxos | $12 | $19 |
| Xerjoff | Erba Pura | $12 | $19 |
| PDM | Herod | $12 | $19 |
| PDM | Carlisle | $12 | $19 |
| PDM | Layton | $12 | $19 |
| PDM | Pegasus | $12 | $19 |
| Bvlgari | Tygar | $16 | $28 |
| YSL | Tuxedo | $14 | $24 |
| YSL | Babycat | $14 | $24 |
| YSL | $11 | $18 | |
| YSL | La Nuit de L'homme | $8 | $14 |
| YSL | Y EDP | $8 | $14 |
| Louis Vuiton | Ombre Nomade | $20 | $36 |
| Louis Vuiton | California Dream | $16 | $28 |
| JPG | Le Male Le Parfum | $8 | $14 |
| JPG | Ultramale | $8 | $14 |
| JPG | Le Beau EDT | $8 | $14 |
| JPG | Le male | $6 | $10 |
| Dior | Sauvage Elixir | $14 | $24 |
| Dior | Dior Homme Intense | $8 | $14 |
| Dior | Sauvage EDT | $6 | $10 |
| V&R | Spicebomb Extreme | $11 | $18 |
| V&R | Spicebomb EDT | $6 | $10 |
| Prada | Luna Rossa Black (discontinued) | $11 | $18 |
| Roberto Cavalli | Uomo La Notte For Man (discontinued) | $11 | $18 |
| Armani | Stronger With You Absolutely | $12 | $19 |
| Armani | Stronger With You | $8 | $14 |
| Armani | Code Absolu (discontinued) | $11 | $18 |
| Armani | Acqua Di Gio Profumo (discontinued) | $8 | $14 |
| Chanel | Allure Homme Sport | $8 | $14 |
| D&G | The One EDP | $8 | $14 |
| Hermes | Terre d'Hermes | $8 | $14 |
| Versace | Eros EDP | $8 | $14 |
| Versace | Eros Flame | $8 | $14 |
| Mancera | Cedrat Boise | $8 | $14 |
| Mancera | Red Tobacco | $8 | $14 |
| Azzaro | Wanted By Night | $8 | $14 |
2024.05.14 03:43 NibVulture [WTS] Pilots 823(A)
Here I have some Pilots for sale Verification
All prices include US shipping. (+20 for international) Free ink sample for US buyers.
Pilot 91 $100 Nib: SM (soft medium) Condition: B/C Date code 909 (September 2009{I think}) This is the smaller version of the pilot 912, just like how the 74 is the smaller version of the 742/743. There is a splotch on it which may have been left from the sticker being removed.
Pilot 74 $100 Nib: B Condition: B Date code: 614 (June 2014?) Not much to say, a Broad pilot 74.
Pilot 823 Smoke $210 Nib: M Condition: A2 Date code: 522 I'm reposting this one here with a slightly reduced price. It comes with a box, but if you don't want it, I can lower the price for the offset shipping. I also have a new 60ml bottle of pilot namiki black for +$5
submitted by NibVulture to Pen_Swap [link] [comments]
All prices include US shipping. (+20 for international) Free ink sample for US buyers.
Pilot 91 $100 Nib: SM (soft medium) Condition: B/C Date code 909 (September 2009{I think}) This is the smaller version of the pilot 912, just like how the 74 is the smaller version of the 742/743. There is a splotch on it which may have been left from the sticker being removed.
Pilot 74 $100 Nib: B Condition: B Date code: 614 (June 2014?) Not much to say, a Broad pilot 74.
Pilot 823 Smoke $210 Nib: M Condition: A2 Date code: 522 I'm reposting this one here with a slightly reduced price. It comes with a box, but if you don't want it, I can lower the price for the offset shipping. I also have a new 60ml bottle of pilot namiki black for +$5
2024.05.14 03:11 EmRayeTay Has anyone tried Re-Lyte?
So, like many of you, Liquid IV and another supplement I’ve been taking have b given me a dangerously high level of Vitamin B6.
So I’ve been on the hunt for a new electrolyte drink! I have been looking into LMNT. I stumbled upon this Re-Lyte brand on Amazon that claims to not have a Vitamin B, and is a little cheaper than LMNT.
I wanted to get as many suggestions as possible for this! I have tried Normalyte, but the taste and the thickness it adds to your water is just unbearable for me.
I was also looking at those new Buoy drops, but they contain Vitamin B and I’m nervous about having the same issue.
Thanks potsies!
submitted by EmRayeTay to POTS [link] [comments]
So I’ve been on the hunt for a new electrolyte drink! I have been looking into LMNT. I stumbled upon this Re-Lyte brand on Amazon that claims to not have a Vitamin B, and is a little cheaper than LMNT.
I wanted to get as many suggestions as possible for this! I have tried Normalyte, but the taste and the thickness it adds to your water is just unbearable for me.
I was also looking at those new Buoy drops, but they contain Vitamin B and I’m nervous about having the same issue.
Thanks potsies!
2024.05.14 03:09 TheHawaiianRyan Iron breaker air induction vs. chemical injection system?
Hello. We have a deep well. Currently we have an aerator, a water softener, and a 50 gallon hot water heater.
Our water has been smelling like sewage recently. It is also leaving some orange stains in places but when we fill the tub, the water looks like it is tinted grey. We have had two people come out to take a look.
The first person said we have iron bacteria causing the smell and the solution is a chemical injection system plus a reverse osmosis system (for drinking and cooking water). The cost was $9K-ish. This person seemed knowledgeable but also very much like a salesman and less of an actual serviceman. He was pushing financing plans, rent to own, etc.
The second person said we have hard water and iron in the water. He also inspected the aerator and found a broken pipe in the aerator and significant algae in the aerator. To say it was disgusting to look at is an understatement. He cleaned the aerator and said that what we need is a an iron breaker air induction system plus the reverse osmosis under the kitchen sink for drinking water. Total cost $3K. This person also seemed knowledgeable, and he did more digging around to see what was going on, but he didn’t test for bacteria. He seemed more like a true service guy and not someone trying to sell us.
Our neighbor said that the first company’s “iron bacteria” test is just a sales tactic.
We are inclined to go with the iron breaker air induction system plus a really good reverse osmosis system under the kitchen sink. But we have young kids at home and I can’t stop thinking about how we could have bacteria in our water. But also I don’t love the idea of injecting bleach into our water.
Safe to say, we feel lost.
Any recommendations or information you can share to help us decide whether to go with the chemical injection system or the iron breaker air induction system?
Thank you!
submitted by TheHawaiianRyan to WaterTreatment [link] [comments]
Our water has been smelling like sewage recently. It is also leaving some orange stains in places but when we fill the tub, the water looks like it is tinted grey. We have had two people come out to take a look.
The first person said we have iron bacteria causing the smell and the solution is a chemical injection system plus a reverse osmosis system (for drinking and cooking water). The cost was $9K-ish. This person seemed knowledgeable but also very much like a salesman and less of an actual serviceman. He was pushing financing plans, rent to own, etc.
The second person said we have hard water and iron in the water. He also inspected the aerator and found a broken pipe in the aerator and significant algae in the aerator. To say it was disgusting to look at is an understatement. He cleaned the aerator and said that what we need is a an iron breaker air induction system plus the reverse osmosis under the kitchen sink for drinking water. Total cost $3K. This person also seemed knowledgeable, and he did more digging around to see what was going on, but he didn’t test for bacteria. He seemed more like a true service guy and not someone trying to sell us.
Our neighbor said that the first company’s “iron bacteria” test is just a sales tactic.
We are inclined to go with the iron breaker air induction system plus a really good reverse osmosis system under the kitchen sink. But we have young kids at home and I can’t stop thinking about how we could have bacteria in our water. But also I don’t love the idea of injecting bleach into our water.
Safe to say, we feel lost.
Any recommendations or information you can share to help us decide whether to go with the chemical injection system or the iron breaker air induction system?
Thank you!
2024.05.14 03:05 willdanceforsnacks Book Promotion Ideas?
I finally published for the first time. Not the first time I've finished a novel, but certainly the first time I have actively published one .. one that I've been a little proud of. I know it's a long process to get noticed, or even start to see some traction in sales & downloads, but how do you go about promoting your novel? I feel like I'm stuck. 😕
Beginning of chapter one below - if anyone would like to provide feedback that would be lovely. 🙂
[2,310] It began like a surreal haze, a fever dream dancing with unknown figures swirling around her like a languid tornado, their movements seemingly slowed by some unseen force as she awoke to a world spinning out of her control. She found herself surrounded by strangers who moved like spectres in a dream, fragmented flashes who assaulted her consciousness - a woman gently pressing a cloth to her throbbing head, another offering sips of water while she coughed and struggled to swallow, a man peering down at her with a furrowed brow, and a mysterious figure lingering in the doorway with an unsettling glint of desire in his eyes.
The room buzzed with a quiet urgency as they hovered around her, their faces etched with concern and something else she couldn't quite place - an undercurrent of tension that seemed to pulse in time with her own racing heart. These disjointed images flitted in and out, creating a mosaic of fragmented reality. Awake, her body throbbed with pain; asleep, she plunged into a black abyss, time slipping away unnoticed. Each awakening brought the desire for oblivion as her mind plunged back into the depths of darkness.
Beth jolted upright, startled by the sharp bang of a car backfiring. A cry of pain escaped her lips as she attempted to sit up, her back and legs resisting her will. A woman, the same from her fleeting visions, hurried into the room with a damp cloth and a glass of water.
"Easy now," the woman spoke gently, her mild Spanish accent adding warmth to her sharp words as she pressed the cloth to Beth's forehead and helped her sit up, "you're weak, rushing won't do you any favours. The sooner you regain strength, the sooner you can move."
A man, the one with the odd expression in her visions, appeared in the doorway once again; "and the sooner we can leave this place, I'm sick of it." He grumbled, striding away with urgency and frustration. His steps were heavy and fraught with agitation, each one seeming to leave a deep imprint on the ground beneath him. His grumbling was like distant thunder, punctuated by the clenching of his jaw and the tightening of his fists.
"Don't mind my brother," the woman interjected sharply, "it's not you - he hates everyone." Hate, Beth pondered, wondering what she might have done to earn his disdain.
"Are you hungry?" The woman stood, walking to the other side of the room to adjust another pillow behind Beth's back. Beth nodded; "I'll get you some soup."
Left alone, Beth surveyed the room - beige walls, a shattered TV, torn brown curtains. She squinted at the notepad on the side table, revealing the branding - Mill Village Motel Eatonville. The coffee pod machine at the room's far end, covered in dust, hinted at a neglected past.
"You're awake," startled, Beth turned to find the man with the furrowed brow at the door - tall and dark, with piercing brown eyes, he appeared softer now, "how are you feeling?" Beth managed a brief smile before adjusting herself, wincing in pain. He rushed to offer a hand, and she took his arm to shift as he adjusted the pillow.
"Want to give walking a try?" The man's warm, brown eyes crinkled at the edges as he smiled down at her, his features etched with concern, his furrowed brow now smooth and his brown eyes sparkled with an unfamiliar kindness.
She shook her head, and the woman returned with soup and water; "she needs to eat before attempting to walk, Austin," she said, setting the tray before Beth.
"Then we'll try again tomorrow," Austin expressed, heading towards the door, "the sooner we leave, the better - we've been here for too long." His footsteps echoed with determination and authority, less frustrated than the other man's but equally resolute.
"I apologise if it's cold. Heating options are limited here. Need a hand?" The woman offered. Beth shook her head, the pounding of her headache resonating through her body.
"Well I'll leave you to it then. Shout out if you need anything, if you can talk at all." Beth glanced down at her bowl of soup, parting her lips as if to speak, but no words escaped. A deep sigh escaped from the woman's mouth as she turned and left the room, leaving Beth alone with her cold, untouched meal. The silence in the room was deafening, broken only by the sound of muffed chatter outside.
The days stretched longer as Beth's need for rest diminished. Boredom and confusion settled in, intensifying as the people from her visions became tangible presences, moving in and out of her room. They attended to her needs but seldom engaged in conversation. At night, their muffled voices in the adjoining room became a distant comfort, and the faint echoes of their arguments a source of intrigue.
"We need to leave," a frustrated male voice pierced through the thin walls, "we have to head further south before winter traps us with little supplies and an extra mouth to feed - considering you're all so intent on keeping this girl alive."
"This woman," a familiar female voice retorted, likely the one who had been caring for her, "needed help - I distinctly remember a time when I wasn't doing well and needed it too."
"You're my sister, of course, I wasn't going to leave you behind."
"I'm not talking about you, Luis," she yelled, "I'm talking about before you came back from Minnesota and found me."
"Why can't we just leave her here with some supplies and a gun. Why do we need to bring her with us?"
"Jesus Christ Luis we're not leaving her here alone and you two can have it out later," intervened another man, "but Luis is right - we need to leave before the snow settles in."
The argument faded into muffled voices again, and Beth strained to catch the words exchanged between the trio. A knock at the door startled her.
"May I come in?" A young girl, the same from her visions, had opened the door quietly without her even noticing. "I thought the yelling might have woken you." Beth nodded, maintaining her silence.
"I'm Chantelle." Her soft Southern accent flowed like a gentle breeze through a cornfield. She pulled up a chair beside the bed. "Luis can get into it with everybody, but he means well. Well, no, that's a lie. I don't know why I said that. He's a dick."
"I gathered," Beth whispered and laughed a little, suddenly overtaken by a violent cough.
Chantelle rushed to hand her water; "so, you do speak. From the way Austin and Val were sayin' it, it sounded like you were mute. I thought, you couldn't be deaf because you've been nodding and smiling like a dang puppet."
Beth laughed and took another sip; "I didn't really have anything worth saying until now. No one has bothered to make conversation."
"Your accent, where are you from?" Chantelle sat down on the wooden chair, her long dark hair cascading down her back in gentle curls. Her bright brown eyes sparkled with kindness as she looked towards Beth.
"Australia," Beth paused, realising she hadn't thought about home for a while, "I'm from Australia," she repeated.
Chantelle pulled out a deck of cards; "well, I figured you might be bored and needed a little human interaction that didn't make you feel like you were in a hospital."
Beth's eyes lit up, and Chantelle smiled; "what do you want to play?"
— — —
"What do you think you are doing?" Austin stormed into the motel room.
"We're leaving. Today," Luis' words cut through the air.
"The van's still in bad shape, and we won't survive this winter on foot." Austin's arms were folded tightly across his chest, the muscles in his biceps and forearms bulging with tension. His jaw was clenched, and his brows furrowed in frustration.
"Then fix the damn van!" Luis yelled, the sound piercing through the walls and resonating outside the motel room for others to hear the heated exchange.
"Oh, sorry, I'll just take it down the road to the mechanic, shall I?" Austin raised a quizzical eyebrow, smirking at his friend. The men paused their argument, exchanging laughter.
"Luis, what's going on with you?" Austin softened his tone, taking a seat on the other bed. "We've been friends since high school, grew up together, served in the army together. This isn't you."
"I don't know, man." Luis sat on the other bed, facing his friend, his face buried in his hands. He rubbed his face hard, threw his head back, and sighed heavily. "This just isn't—" he paused.
"Isn't what?"
"Isn't life." Luis gestured around the room.
"We'll get to the coast, find a boat, just like we planned." There was a slight taste of bitterness in the air, as if Austin's mild frustration was tangible.
"And then what?"
"Do the best we can," Austin stood up, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder, "we all have our dark moments, brother. You helped me get through mine, I'll help you get through yours."
Austin walked out of the motel room into the crisp morning air. The atmosphere was fresh, with a subtle scent of dew and grass. The sweet aroma of winter's imminent arrival filled the air, mingling with the faint scent of burning oil from their broken down van across the parking lot.
"Ben thinks he can fix the van by tomorrow. He found the parts we need on the other side of town." Val caught Austin as he had walked outside.
"He went scouting alone?" Austin looked across the lot at Ben, deep into the hood of the black church van they had found a while back.
Chantelle bounded up before she could answer; "Beth seems much better today. She's eatin' and drinkin' more. I think she could try walkin' today."
"Beth?" Val and Austin remarked in unison.
"Mmm, she speaks - she might have a lot more to say if either of you bothered to converse with her instead of just talkin' to her." She walked off towards Ben, a light air in her hopeful stride.
— — —
Austin found Beth sitting on the edge of her bed, her feet bare and dangling idly over the side. Her toes were curled, squeezing them tightly as she wiggled them back and forth. Her face was tense with concentration as she tried to alleviate the tingling sensation in her feet.
"Beth." His voice was soothing and calming, his words spoken with a gentle tone as he tried to ease Beth's discomfort.
"Chantelle?" She looked up at him, as he nodded, smiling gently. "She's a good kid." She smiled and looked back at her toes.
"Do you want to try walking today?" He walked towards the chair on the other side of the room and sat down as it creaked underneath the weight of him.
"The sooner I can walk, the sooner you can get out of here." She said with a sarcastic air, mocking Luis.
"The sooner we can get out of here." He repeated sarcastically with a smile, a light spread of jest washing over him as he joined her in mocking his friend.
"Your friend Luis seems to be very against bringing me along with you." She looked back at him.
"I'm not in the business of leaving people behind. Especially in Washington in the middle of October," he sat forward, leaning his elbows on his knees, "you wouldn't survive the winter."
"Then maybe you should have just left me to die." She turned her body to face him abruptly. He opened his mouth to speak, but she interjected before he could respond.
"Why did you help me? You don't know me, why did you even bother?"
"Like I said, Beth," he stood up, his wistful tone switching back to cold and dry, "I'm not in the business of leaving people behind." He walked over to her slowly.
"I've lost too many people. I've watched people kill others over a can of soup. I've seen friends leave friends behind to save themselves," he sat down on the end of her bed, "I don't leave people behind."
His brown eyes cut through his words like a thunderstorm. She looked at his face, tired and weathered from sleepless nights with one eye open to ensure his group's safety. She pegged him as their leader - strong and determined with clear military training.
"What happened to you?" She asked softly.
"What happened to you?" He countered; "I refuse to believe you survived a pandemic alone for six months in a foreign country."
She said nothing and looked back at her feet. They sat in silence for a while before he stood up and headed for the door.
"We're leaving the day after tomorrow. We need to head south before it's too cold, and we don't know how long the van or the car will last, so part of that might be on foot."
"I'll try walking today." Beth nodded obediently.
"I'll send Val and Chantelle in to help you." He replied, his voice maintaining the cold cadency.
"Thank you." She smiled, wriggling her toes as the numbness started to dissipate. Before he could leave, she looked up at him again.
"Austin?" He stopped at the door and turned to her. "I know you've all done a lot for me, including putting your friendship with Luis on the line, so thank you. But I have a favour to ask," her voice grew quiet, "before we leave."
"What is it?" He asked sternly at her audacity to ask for another favour.
She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. He noticed her green eyes glisten with the added layer of acridity and the change in her demeanour; "before we leave, I need you to help me bury my husband."
submitted by willdanceforsnacks to WritingHub [link] [comments]
Beginning of chapter one below - if anyone would like to provide feedback that would be lovely. 🙂
The room buzzed with a quiet urgency as they hovered around her, their faces etched with concern and something else she couldn't quite place - an undercurrent of tension that seemed to pulse in time with her own racing heart. These disjointed images flitted in and out, creating a mosaic of fragmented reality. Awake, her body throbbed with pain; asleep, she plunged into a black abyss, time slipping away unnoticed. Each awakening brought the desire for oblivion as her mind plunged back into the depths of darkness.
Beth jolted upright, startled by the sharp bang of a car backfiring. A cry of pain escaped her lips as she attempted to sit up, her back and legs resisting her will. A woman, the same from her fleeting visions, hurried into the room with a damp cloth and a glass of water.
"Easy now," the woman spoke gently, her mild Spanish accent adding warmth to her sharp words as she pressed the cloth to Beth's forehead and helped her sit up, "you're weak, rushing won't do you any favours. The sooner you regain strength, the sooner you can move."
A man, the one with the odd expression in her visions, appeared in the doorway once again; "and the sooner we can leave this place, I'm sick of it." He grumbled, striding away with urgency and frustration. His steps were heavy and fraught with agitation, each one seeming to leave a deep imprint on the ground beneath him. His grumbling was like distant thunder, punctuated by the clenching of his jaw and the tightening of his fists.
"Don't mind my brother," the woman interjected sharply, "it's not you - he hates everyone." Hate, Beth pondered, wondering what she might have done to earn his disdain.
"Are you hungry?" The woman stood, walking to the other side of the room to adjust another pillow behind Beth's back. Beth nodded; "I'll get you some soup."
Left alone, Beth surveyed the room - beige walls, a shattered TV, torn brown curtains. She squinted at the notepad on the side table, revealing the branding - Mill Village Motel Eatonville. The coffee pod machine at the room's far end, covered in dust, hinted at a neglected past.
"You're awake," startled, Beth turned to find the man with the furrowed brow at the door - tall and dark, with piercing brown eyes, he appeared softer now, "how are you feeling?" Beth managed a brief smile before adjusting herself, wincing in pain. He rushed to offer a hand, and she took his arm to shift as he adjusted the pillow.
"Want to give walking a try?" The man's warm, brown eyes crinkled at the edges as he smiled down at her, his features etched with concern, his furrowed brow now smooth and his brown eyes sparkled with an unfamiliar kindness.
She shook her head, and the woman returned with soup and water; "she needs to eat before attempting to walk, Austin," she said, setting the tray before Beth.
"Then we'll try again tomorrow," Austin expressed, heading towards the door, "the sooner we leave, the better - we've been here for too long." His footsteps echoed with determination and authority, less frustrated than the other man's but equally resolute.
"I apologise if it's cold. Heating options are limited here. Need a hand?" The woman offered. Beth shook her head, the pounding of her headache resonating through her body.
"Well I'll leave you to it then. Shout out if you need anything, if you can talk at all." Beth glanced down at her bowl of soup, parting her lips as if to speak, but no words escaped. A deep sigh escaped from the woman's mouth as she turned and left the room, leaving Beth alone with her cold, untouched meal. The silence in the room was deafening, broken only by the sound of muffed chatter outside.
The days stretched longer as Beth's need for rest diminished. Boredom and confusion settled in, intensifying as the people from her visions became tangible presences, moving in and out of her room. They attended to her needs but seldom engaged in conversation. At night, their muffled voices in the adjoining room became a distant comfort, and the faint echoes of their arguments a source of intrigue.
"We need to leave," a frustrated male voice pierced through the thin walls, "we have to head further south before winter traps us with little supplies and an extra mouth to feed - considering you're all so intent on keeping this girl alive."
"This woman," a familiar female voice retorted, likely the one who had been caring for her, "needed help - I distinctly remember a time when I wasn't doing well and needed it too."
"You're my sister, of course, I wasn't going to leave you behind."
"I'm not talking about you, Luis," she yelled, "I'm talking about before you came back from Minnesota and found me."
"Why can't we just leave her here with some supplies and a gun. Why do we need to bring her with us?"
"Jesus Christ Luis we're not leaving her here alone and you two can have it out later," intervened another man, "but Luis is right - we need to leave before the snow settles in."
The argument faded into muffled voices again, and Beth strained to catch the words exchanged between the trio. A knock at the door startled her.
"May I come in?" A young girl, the same from her visions, had opened the door quietly without her even noticing. "I thought the yelling might have woken you." Beth nodded, maintaining her silence.
"I'm Chantelle." Her soft Southern accent flowed like a gentle breeze through a cornfield. She pulled up a chair beside the bed. "Luis can get into it with everybody, but he means well. Well, no, that's a lie. I don't know why I said that. He's a dick."
"I gathered," Beth whispered and laughed a little, suddenly overtaken by a violent cough.
Chantelle rushed to hand her water; "so, you do speak. From the way Austin and Val were sayin' it, it sounded like you were mute. I thought, you couldn't be deaf because you've been nodding and smiling like a dang puppet."
Beth laughed and took another sip; "I didn't really have anything worth saying until now. No one has bothered to make conversation."
"Your accent, where are you from?" Chantelle sat down on the wooden chair, her long dark hair cascading down her back in gentle curls. Her bright brown eyes sparkled with kindness as she looked towards Beth.
"Australia," Beth paused, realising she hadn't thought about home for a while, "I'm from Australia," she repeated.
Chantelle pulled out a deck of cards; "well, I figured you might be bored and needed a little human interaction that didn't make you feel like you were in a hospital."
Beth's eyes lit up, and Chantelle smiled; "what do you want to play?"
— — —
"What do you think you are doing?" Austin stormed into the motel room.
"We're leaving. Today," Luis' words cut through the air.
"The van's still in bad shape, and we won't survive this winter on foot." Austin's arms were folded tightly across his chest, the muscles in his biceps and forearms bulging with tension. His jaw was clenched, and his brows furrowed in frustration.
"Then fix the damn van!" Luis yelled, the sound piercing through the walls and resonating outside the motel room for others to hear the heated exchange.
"Oh, sorry, I'll just take it down the road to the mechanic, shall I?" Austin raised a quizzical eyebrow, smirking at his friend. The men paused their argument, exchanging laughter.
"Luis, what's going on with you?" Austin softened his tone, taking a seat on the other bed. "We've been friends since high school, grew up together, served in the army together. This isn't you."
"I don't know, man." Luis sat on the other bed, facing his friend, his face buried in his hands. He rubbed his face hard, threw his head back, and sighed heavily. "This just isn't—" he paused.
"Isn't what?"
"Isn't life." Luis gestured around the room.
"We'll get to the coast, find a boat, just like we planned." There was a slight taste of bitterness in the air, as if Austin's mild frustration was tangible.
"And then what?"
"Do the best we can," Austin stood up, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder, "we all have our dark moments, brother. You helped me get through mine, I'll help you get through yours."
Austin walked out of the motel room into the crisp morning air. The atmosphere was fresh, with a subtle scent of dew and grass. The sweet aroma of winter's imminent arrival filled the air, mingling with the faint scent of burning oil from their broken down van across the parking lot.
"Ben thinks he can fix the van by tomorrow. He found the parts we need on the other side of town." Val caught Austin as he had walked outside.
"He went scouting alone?" Austin looked across the lot at Ben, deep into the hood of the black church van they had found a while back.
Chantelle bounded up before she could answer; "Beth seems much better today. She's eatin' and drinkin' more. I think she could try walkin' today."
"Beth?" Val and Austin remarked in unison.
"Mmm, she speaks - she might have a lot more to say if either of you bothered to converse with her instead of just talkin' to her." She walked off towards Ben, a light air in her hopeful stride.
— — —
Austin found Beth sitting on the edge of her bed, her feet bare and dangling idly over the side. Her toes were curled, squeezing them tightly as she wiggled them back and forth. Her face was tense with concentration as she tried to alleviate the tingling sensation in her feet.
"Beth." His voice was soothing and calming, his words spoken with a gentle tone as he tried to ease Beth's discomfort.
"Chantelle?" She looked up at him, as he nodded, smiling gently. "She's a good kid." She smiled and looked back at her toes.
"Do you want to try walking today?" He walked towards the chair on the other side of the room and sat down as it creaked underneath the weight of him.
"The sooner I can walk, the sooner you can get out of here." She said with a sarcastic air, mocking Luis.
"The sooner we can get out of here." He repeated sarcastically with a smile, a light spread of jest washing over him as he joined her in mocking his friend.
"Your friend Luis seems to be very against bringing me along with you." She looked back at him.
"I'm not in the business of leaving people behind. Especially in Washington in the middle of October," he sat forward, leaning his elbows on his knees, "you wouldn't survive the winter."
"Then maybe you should have just left me to die." She turned her body to face him abruptly. He opened his mouth to speak, but she interjected before he could respond.
"Why did you help me? You don't know me, why did you even bother?"
"Like I said, Beth," he stood up, his wistful tone switching back to cold and dry, "I'm not in the business of leaving people behind." He walked over to her slowly.
"I've lost too many people. I've watched people kill others over a can of soup. I've seen friends leave friends behind to save themselves," he sat down on the end of her bed, "I don't leave people behind."
His brown eyes cut through his words like a thunderstorm. She looked at his face, tired and weathered from sleepless nights with one eye open to ensure his group's safety. She pegged him as their leader - strong and determined with clear military training.
"What happened to you?" She asked softly.
"What happened to you?" He countered; "I refuse to believe you survived a pandemic alone for six months in a foreign country."
She said nothing and looked back at her feet. They sat in silence for a while before he stood up and headed for the door.
"We're leaving the day after tomorrow. We need to head south before it's too cold, and we don't know how long the van or the car will last, so part of that might be on foot."
"I'll try walking today." Beth nodded obediently.
"I'll send Val and Chantelle in to help you." He replied, his voice maintaining the cold cadency.
"Thank you." She smiled, wriggling her toes as the numbness started to dissipate. Before he could leave, she looked up at him again.
"Austin?" He stopped at the door and turned to her. "I know you've all done a lot for me, including putting your friendship with Luis on the line, so thank you. But I have a favour to ask," her voice grew quiet, "before we leave."
"What is it?" He asked sternly at her audacity to ask for another favour.
She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. He noticed her green eyes glisten with the added layer of acridity and the change in her demeanour; "before we leave, I need you to help me bury my husband."
2024.05.14 03:04 willdanceforsnacks Book Promotion Ideas?
I finally published for the first time. Not the first time I've finished a novel, but certainly the first time I have actively published one .. one that I've been a little proud of. I know it's a long process to get noticed, or even start to see some traction in sales & downloads, but how do you go about promoting your novel? I feel like I'm stuck. 😕
Beginning of chapter one below - if anyone would like to provide feedback that would be lovely. 🙂
[2,310] It began like a surreal haze, a fever dream dancing with unknown figures swirling around her like a languid tornado, their movements seemingly slowed by some unseen force as she awoke to a world spinning out of her control. She found herself surrounded by strangers who moved like spectres in a dream, fragmented flashes who assaulted her consciousness - a woman gently pressing a cloth to her throbbing head, another offering sips of water while she coughed and struggled to swallow, a man peering down at her with a furrowed brow, and a mysterious figure lingering in the doorway with an unsettling glint of desire in his eyes.
The room buzzed with a quiet urgency as they hovered around her, their faces etched with concern and something else she couldn't quite place - an undercurrent of tension that seemed to pulse in time with her own racing heart. These disjointed images flitted in and out, creating a mosaic of fragmented reality. Awake, her body throbbed with pain; asleep, she plunged into a black abyss, time slipping away unnoticed. Each awakening brought the desire for oblivion as her mind plunged back into the depths of darkness.
Beth jolted upright, startled by the sharp bang of a car backfiring. A cry of pain escaped her lips as she attempted to sit up, her back and legs resisting her will. A woman, the same from her fleeting visions, hurried into the room with a damp cloth and a glass of water.
"Easy now," the woman spoke gently, her mild Spanish accent adding warmth to her sharp words as she pressed the cloth to Beth's forehead and helped her sit up, "you're weak, rushing won't do you any favours. The sooner you regain strength, the sooner you can move."
A man, the one with the odd expression in her visions, appeared in the doorway once again; "and the sooner we can leave this place, I'm sick of it." He grumbled, striding away with urgency and frustration. His steps were heavy and fraught with agitation, each one seeming to leave a deep imprint on the ground beneath him. His grumbling was like distant thunder, punctuated by the clenching of his jaw and the tightening of his fists.
"Don't mind my brother," the woman interjected sharply, "it's not you - he hates everyone." Hate, Beth pondered, wondering what she might have done to earn his disdain.
"Are you hungry?" The woman stood, walking to the other side of the room to adjust another pillow behind Beth's back. Beth nodded; "I'll get you some soup."
Left alone, Beth surveyed the room - beige walls, a shattered TV, torn brown curtains. She squinted at the notepad on the side table, revealing the branding - Mill Village Motel Eatonville. The coffee pod machine at the room's far end, covered in dust, hinted at a neglected past.
"You're awake," startled, Beth turned to find the man with the furrowed brow at the door - tall and dark, with piercing brown eyes, he appeared softer now, "how are you feeling?" Beth managed a brief smile before adjusting herself, wincing in pain. He rushed to offer a hand, and she took his arm to shift as he adjusted the pillow.
"Want to give walking a try?" The man's warm, brown eyes crinkled at the edges as he smiled down at her, his features etched with concern, his furrowed brow now smooth and his brown eyes sparkled with an unfamiliar kindness.
She shook her head, and the woman returned with soup and water; "she needs to eat before attempting to walk, Austin," she said, setting the tray before Beth.
"Then we'll try again tomorrow," Austin expressed, heading towards the door, "the sooner we leave, the better - we've been here for too long." His footsteps echoed with determination and authority, less frustrated than the other man's but equally resolute.
"I apologise if it's cold. Heating options are limited here. Need a hand?" The woman offered. Beth shook her head, the pounding of her headache resonating through her body.
"Well I'll leave you to it then. Shout out if you need anything, if you can talk at all." Beth glanced down at her bowl of soup, parting her lips as if to speak, but no words escaped. A deep sigh escaped from the woman's mouth as she turned and left the room, leaving Beth alone with her cold, untouched meal. The silence in the room was deafening, broken only by the sound of muffed chatter outside.
The days stretched longer as Beth's need for rest diminished. Boredom and confusion settled in, intensifying as the people from her visions became tangible presences, moving in and out of her room. They attended to her needs but seldom engaged in conversation. At night, their muffled voices in the adjoining room became a distant comfort, and the faint echoes of their arguments a source of intrigue.
"We need to leave," a frustrated male voice pierced through the thin walls, "we have to head further south before winter traps us with little supplies and an extra mouth to feed - considering you're all so intent on keeping this girl alive."
"This woman," a familiar female voice retorted, likely the one who had been caring for her, "needed help - I distinctly remember a time when I wasn't doing well and needed it too."
"You're my sister, of course, I wasn't going to leave you behind."
"I'm not talking about you, Luis," she yelled, "I'm talking about before you came back from Minnesota and found me."
"Why can't we just leave her here with some supplies and a gun. Why do we need to bring her with us?"
"Jesus Christ Luis we're not leaving her here alone and you two can have it out later," intervened another man, "but Luis is right - we need to leave before the snow settles in."
The argument faded into muffled voices again, and Beth strained to catch the words exchanged between the trio. A knock at the door startled her.
"May I come in?" A young girl, the same from her visions, had opened the door quietly without her even noticing. "I thought the yelling might have woken you." Beth nodded, maintaining her silence.
"I'm Chantelle." Her soft Southern accent flowed like a gentle breeze through a cornfield. She pulled up a chair beside the bed. "Luis can get into it with everybody, but he means well. Well, no, that's a lie. I don't know why I said that. He's a dick."
"I gathered," Beth whispered and laughed a little, suddenly overtaken by a violent cough.
Chantelle rushed to hand her water; "so, you do speak. From the way Austin and Val were sayin' it, it sounded like you were mute. I thought, you couldn't be deaf because you've been nodding and smiling like a dang puppet."
Beth laughed and took another sip; "I didn't really have anything worth saying until now. No one has bothered to make conversation."
"Your accent, where are you from?" Chantelle sat down on the wooden chair, her long dark hair cascading down her back in gentle curls. Her bright brown eyes sparkled with kindness as she looked towards Beth.
"Australia," Beth paused, realising she hadn't thought about home for a while, "I'm from Australia," she repeated.
Chantelle pulled out a deck of cards; "well, I figured you might be bored and needed a little human interaction that didn't make you feel like you were in a hospital."
Beth's eyes lit up, and Chantelle smiled; "what do you want to play?"
— — —
"What do you think you are doing?" Austin stormed into the motel room.
"We're leaving. Today," Luis' words cut through the air.
"The van's still in bad shape, and we won't survive this winter on foot." Austin's arms were folded tightly across his chest, the muscles in his biceps and forearms bulging with tension. His jaw was clenched, and his brows furrowed in frustration.
"Then fix the damn van!" Luis yelled, the sound piercing through the walls and resonating outside the motel room for others to hear the heated exchange.
"Oh, sorry, I'll just take it down the road to the mechanic, shall I?" Austin raised a quizzical eyebrow, smirking at his friend. The men paused their argument, exchanging laughter.
"Luis, what's going on with you?" Austin softened his tone, taking a seat on the other bed. "We've been friends since high school, grew up together, served in the army together. This isn't you."
"I don't know, man." Luis sat on the other bed, facing his friend, his face buried in his hands. He rubbed his face hard, threw his head back, and sighed heavily. "This just isn't—" he paused.
"Isn't what?"
"Isn't life." Luis gestured around the room.
"We'll get to the coast, find a boat, just like we planned." There was a slight taste of bitterness in the air, as if Austin's mild frustration was tangible.
"And then what?"
"Do the best we can," Austin stood up, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder, "we all have our dark moments, brother. You helped me get through mine, I'll help you get through yours."
Austin walked out of the motel room into the crisp morning air. The atmosphere was fresh, with a subtle scent of dew and grass. The sweet aroma of winter's imminent arrival filled the air, mingling with the faint scent of burning oil from their broken down van across the parking lot.
"Ben thinks he can fix the van by tomorrow. He found the parts we need on the other side of town." Val caught Austin as he had walked outside.
"He went scouting alone?" Austin looked across the lot at Ben, deep into the hood of the black church van they had found a while back.
Chantelle bounded up before she could answer; "Beth seems much better today. She's eatin' and drinkin' more. I think she could try walkin' today."
"Beth?" Val and Austin remarked in unison.
"Mmm, she speaks - she might have a lot more to say if either of you bothered to converse with her instead of just talkin' to her." She walked off towards Ben, a light air in her hopeful stride.
— — —
Austin found Beth sitting on the edge of her bed, her feet bare and dangling idly over the side. Her toes were curled, squeezing them tightly as she wiggled them back and forth. Her face was tense with concentration as she tried to alleviate the tingling sensation in her feet.
"Beth." His voice was soothing and calming, his words spoken with a gentle tone as he tried to ease Beth's discomfort.
"Chantelle?" She looked up at him, as he nodded, smiling gently. "She's a good kid." She smiled and looked back at her toes.
"Do you want to try walking today?" He walked towards the chair on the other side of the room and sat down as it creaked underneath the weight of him.
"The sooner I can walk, the sooner you can get out of here." She said with a sarcastic air, mocking Luis.
"The sooner we can get out of here." He repeated sarcastically with a smile, a light spread of jest washing over him as he joined her in mocking his friend.
"Your friend Luis seems to be very against bringing me along with you." She looked back at him.
"I'm not in the business of leaving people behind. Especially in Washington in the middle of October," he sat forward, leaning his elbows on his knees, "you wouldn't survive the winter."
"Then maybe you should have just left me to die." She turned her body to face him abruptly. He opened his mouth to speak, but she interjected before he could respond.
"Why did you help me? You don't know me, why did you even bother?"
"Like I said, Beth," he stood up, his wistful tone switching back to cold and dry, "I'm not in the business of leaving people behind." He walked over to her slowly.
"I've lost too many people. I've watched people kill others over a can of soup. I've seen friends leave friends behind to save themselves," he sat down on the end of her bed, "I don't leave people behind."
His brown eyes cut through his words like a thunderstorm. She looked at his face, tired and weathered from sleepless nights with one eye open to ensure his group's safety. She pegged him as their leader - strong and determined with clear military training.
"What happened to you?" She asked softly.
"What happened to you?" He countered; "I refuse to believe you survived a pandemic alone for six months in a foreign country."
She said nothing and looked back at her feet. They sat in silence for a while before he stood up and headed for the door.
"We're leaving the day after tomorrow. We need to head south before it's too cold, and we don't know how long the van or the car will last, so part of that might be on foot."
"I'll try walking today." Beth nodded obediently.
"I'll send Val and Chantelle in to help you." He replied, his voice maintaining the cold cadency.
"Thank you." She smiled, wriggling her toes as the numbness started to dissipate. Before he could leave, she looked up at him again.
"Austin?" He stopped at the door and turned to her. "I know you've all done a lot for me, including putting your friendship with Luis on the line, so thank you. But I have a favour to ask," her voice grew quiet, "before we leave."
"What is it?" He asked sternly at her audacity to ask for another favour.
She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. He noticed her green eyes glisten with the added layer of acridity and the change in her demeanour; "before we leave, I need you to help me bury my husband."
submitted by willdanceforsnacks to writerchat [link] [comments]
Beginning of chapter one below - if anyone would like to provide feedback that would be lovely. 🙂
The room buzzed with a quiet urgency as they hovered around her, their faces etched with concern and something else she couldn't quite place - an undercurrent of tension that seemed to pulse in time with her own racing heart. These disjointed images flitted in and out, creating a mosaic of fragmented reality. Awake, her body throbbed with pain; asleep, she plunged into a black abyss, time slipping away unnoticed. Each awakening brought the desire for oblivion as her mind plunged back into the depths of darkness.
Beth jolted upright, startled by the sharp bang of a car backfiring. A cry of pain escaped her lips as she attempted to sit up, her back and legs resisting her will. A woman, the same from her fleeting visions, hurried into the room with a damp cloth and a glass of water.
"Easy now," the woman spoke gently, her mild Spanish accent adding warmth to her sharp words as she pressed the cloth to Beth's forehead and helped her sit up, "you're weak, rushing won't do you any favours. The sooner you regain strength, the sooner you can move."
A man, the one with the odd expression in her visions, appeared in the doorway once again; "and the sooner we can leave this place, I'm sick of it." He grumbled, striding away with urgency and frustration. His steps were heavy and fraught with agitation, each one seeming to leave a deep imprint on the ground beneath him. His grumbling was like distant thunder, punctuated by the clenching of his jaw and the tightening of his fists.
"Don't mind my brother," the woman interjected sharply, "it's not you - he hates everyone." Hate, Beth pondered, wondering what she might have done to earn his disdain.
"Are you hungry?" The woman stood, walking to the other side of the room to adjust another pillow behind Beth's back. Beth nodded; "I'll get you some soup."
Left alone, Beth surveyed the room - beige walls, a shattered TV, torn brown curtains. She squinted at the notepad on the side table, revealing the branding - Mill Village Motel Eatonville. The coffee pod machine at the room's far end, covered in dust, hinted at a neglected past.
"You're awake," startled, Beth turned to find the man with the furrowed brow at the door - tall and dark, with piercing brown eyes, he appeared softer now, "how are you feeling?" Beth managed a brief smile before adjusting herself, wincing in pain. He rushed to offer a hand, and she took his arm to shift as he adjusted the pillow.
"Want to give walking a try?" The man's warm, brown eyes crinkled at the edges as he smiled down at her, his features etched with concern, his furrowed brow now smooth and his brown eyes sparkled with an unfamiliar kindness.
She shook her head, and the woman returned with soup and water; "she needs to eat before attempting to walk, Austin," she said, setting the tray before Beth.
"Then we'll try again tomorrow," Austin expressed, heading towards the door, "the sooner we leave, the better - we've been here for too long." His footsteps echoed with determination and authority, less frustrated than the other man's but equally resolute.
"I apologise if it's cold. Heating options are limited here. Need a hand?" The woman offered. Beth shook her head, the pounding of her headache resonating through her body.
"Well I'll leave you to it then. Shout out if you need anything, if you can talk at all." Beth glanced down at her bowl of soup, parting her lips as if to speak, but no words escaped. A deep sigh escaped from the woman's mouth as she turned and left the room, leaving Beth alone with her cold, untouched meal. The silence in the room was deafening, broken only by the sound of muffed chatter outside.
The days stretched longer as Beth's need for rest diminished. Boredom and confusion settled in, intensifying as the people from her visions became tangible presences, moving in and out of her room. They attended to her needs but seldom engaged in conversation. At night, their muffled voices in the adjoining room became a distant comfort, and the faint echoes of their arguments a source of intrigue.
"We need to leave," a frustrated male voice pierced through the thin walls, "we have to head further south before winter traps us with little supplies and an extra mouth to feed - considering you're all so intent on keeping this girl alive."
"This woman," a familiar female voice retorted, likely the one who had been caring for her, "needed help - I distinctly remember a time when I wasn't doing well and needed it too."
"You're my sister, of course, I wasn't going to leave you behind."
"I'm not talking about you, Luis," she yelled, "I'm talking about before you came back from Minnesota and found me."
"Why can't we just leave her here with some supplies and a gun. Why do we need to bring her with us?"
"Jesus Christ Luis we're not leaving her here alone and you two can have it out later," intervened another man, "but Luis is right - we need to leave before the snow settles in."
The argument faded into muffled voices again, and Beth strained to catch the words exchanged between the trio. A knock at the door startled her.
"May I come in?" A young girl, the same from her visions, had opened the door quietly without her even noticing. "I thought the yelling might have woken you." Beth nodded, maintaining her silence.
"I'm Chantelle." Her soft Southern accent flowed like a gentle breeze through a cornfield. She pulled up a chair beside the bed. "Luis can get into it with everybody, but he means well. Well, no, that's a lie. I don't know why I said that. He's a dick."
"I gathered," Beth whispered and laughed a little, suddenly overtaken by a violent cough.
Chantelle rushed to hand her water; "so, you do speak. From the way Austin and Val were sayin' it, it sounded like you were mute. I thought, you couldn't be deaf because you've been nodding and smiling like a dang puppet."
Beth laughed and took another sip; "I didn't really have anything worth saying until now. No one has bothered to make conversation."
"Your accent, where are you from?" Chantelle sat down on the wooden chair, her long dark hair cascading down her back in gentle curls. Her bright brown eyes sparkled with kindness as she looked towards Beth.
"Australia," Beth paused, realising she hadn't thought about home for a while, "I'm from Australia," she repeated.
Chantelle pulled out a deck of cards; "well, I figured you might be bored and needed a little human interaction that didn't make you feel like you were in a hospital."
Beth's eyes lit up, and Chantelle smiled; "what do you want to play?"
— — —
"What do you think you are doing?" Austin stormed into the motel room.
"We're leaving. Today," Luis' words cut through the air.
"The van's still in bad shape, and we won't survive this winter on foot." Austin's arms were folded tightly across his chest, the muscles in his biceps and forearms bulging with tension. His jaw was clenched, and his brows furrowed in frustration.
"Then fix the damn van!" Luis yelled, the sound piercing through the walls and resonating outside the motel room for others to hear the heated exchange.
"Oh, sorry, I'll just take it down the road to the mechanic, shall I?" Austin raised a quizzical eyebrow, smirking at his friend. The men paused their argument, exchanging laughter.
"Luis, what's going on with you?" Austin softened his tone, taking a seat on the other bed. "We've been friends since high school, grew up together, served in the army together. This isn't you."
"I don't know, man." Luis sat on the other bed, facing his friend, his face buried in his hands. He rubbed his face hard, threw his head back, and sighed heavily. "This just isn't—" he paused.
"Isn't what?"
"Isn't life." Luis gestured around the room.
"We'll get to the coast, find a boat, just like we planned." There was a slight taste of bitterness in the air, as if Austin's mild frustration was tangible.
"And then what?"
"Do the best we can," Austin stood up, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder, "we all have our dark moments, brother. You helped me get through mine, I'll help you get through yours."
Austin walked out of the motel room into the crisp morning air. The atmosphere was fresh, with a subtle scent of dew and grass. The sweet aroma of winter's imminent arrival filled the air, mingling with the faint scent of burning oil from their broken down van across the parking lot.
"Ben thinks he can fix the van by tomorrow. He found the parts we need on the other side of town." Val caught Austin as he had walked outside.
"He went scouting alone?" Austin looked across the lot at Ben, deep into the hood of the black church van they had found a while back.
Chantelle bounded up before she could answer; "Beth seems much better today. She's eatin' and drinkin' more. I think she could try walkin' today."
"Beth?" Val and Austin remarked in unison.
"Mmm, she speaks - she might have a lot more to say if either of you bothered to converse with her instead of just talkin' to her." She walked off towards Ben, a light air in her hopeful stride.
— — —
Austin found Beth sitting on the edge of her bed, her feet bare and dangling idly over the side. Her toes were curled, squeezing them tightly as she wiggled them back and forth. Her face was tense with concentration as she tried to alleviate the tingling sensation in her feet.
"Beth." His voice was soothing and calming, his words spoken with a gentle tone as he tried to ease Beth's discomfort.
"Chantelle?" She looked up at him, as he nodded, smiling gently. "She's a good kid." She smiled and looked back at her toes.
"Do you want to try walking today?" He walked towards the chair on the other side of the room and sat down as it creaked underneath the weight of him.
"The sooner I can walk, the sooner you can get out of here." She said with a sarcastic air, mocking Luis.
"The sooner we can get out of here." He repeated sarcastically with a smile, a light spread of jest washing over him as he joined her in mocking his friend.
"Your friend Luis seems to be very against bringing me along with you." She looked back at him.
"I'm not in the business of leaving people behind. Especially in Washington in the middle of October," he sat forward, leaning his elbows on his knees, "you wouldn't survive the winter."
"Then maybe you should have just left me to die." She turned her body to face him abruptly. He opened his mouth to speak, but she interjected before he could respond.
"Why did you help me? You don't know me, why did you even bother?"
"Like I said, Beth," he stood up, his wistful tone switching back to cold and dry, "I'm not in the business of leaving people behind." He walked over to her slowly.
"I've lost too many people. I've watched people kill others over a can of soup. I've seen friends leave friends behind to save themselves," he sat down on the end of her bed, "I don't leave people behind."
His brown eyes cut through his words like a thunderstorm. She looked at his face, tired and weathered from sleepless nights with one eye open to ensure his group's safety. She pegged him as their leader - strong and determined with clear military training.
"What happened to you?" She asked softly.
"What happened to you?" He countered; "I refuse to believe you survived a pandemic alone for six months in a foreign country."
She said nothing and looked back at her feet. They sat in silence for a while before he stood up and headed for the door.
"We're leaving the day after tomorrow. We need to head south before it's too cold, and we don't know how long the van or the car will last, so part of that might be on foot."
"I'll try walking today." Beth nodded obediently.
"I'll send Val and Chantelle in to help you." He replied, his voice maintaining the cold cadency.
"Thank you." She smiled, wriggling her toes as the numbness started to dissipate. Before he could leave, she looked up at him again.
"Austin?" He stopped at the door and turned to her. "I know you've all done a lot for me, including putting your friendship with Luis on the line, so thank you. But I have a favour to ask," her voice grew quiet, "before we leave."
"What is it?" He asked sternly at her audacity to ask for another favour.
She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. He noticed her green eyes glisten with the added layer of acridity and the change in her demeanour; "before we leave, I need you to help me bury my husband."
2024.05.14 02:58 redditwastesmyday Wendy's NYC Penthouse sold at loss
I MISS WENDY!!! I Hope she is OK.
Wendy Williams' guardian sold her NYC penthouse for a loss (nypost.com)
The transaction, which closed on May 10, occurred only several years after Williams acquired the Financial District property. It’s also the latest chapter in Williams’ ongoing legal and personal challenges after being diagnosed in 2023 with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia.
Records accessed by The Post indicate that Williams, 59, was deemed “incapacitated,” thus necessitating the involvement of a guardian in the decision-making process regarding the sale of her residence.
The three-bedroom, three-bathroom penthouse traded hands for $3.75 million, marking a considerable decrease of $822,000 from its purchase price in July 2021.
An insider close to Williams lamented her circumstances, telling The Post, “Wendy’s dream has always been to live in Manhattan in a dream apartment but never got a chance to d
Prior to the sale, Williams divested herself of all personal belongings housed within the property, including her iconic purple chair, a fixture synonymous with her provocative “Hot Topics” segment that captivated audiences for years.
Meanwhile, at the same time that Williams was selling off her belongings, she was also dealing with a hefty tax problem.
She owed more than half a million dollars in unpaid taxes, which resulted in a federal tax lien. Legal documents revealed that her New York City condo, purchased for $4.5 million in 2021, was affected by this lien.o so. It is a very unfortunate situation.”
Speculation had arisen regarding Williams’ potential relocation to sunny Los Angeles.
But a separate source speaking to Page Six did not know if she would actually go through with it.
“She was asking how to sell her stuff with ‘The Real Real,’ but I don’t think she’s actually moving to Los Angeles. She seems so unwell.”
Spanning more than 2,400 square feet, Williams’ former FiDi residence boasts luxurious amenities characteristic of Manhattan’s elite living spaces.
The main level has a spacious living/dining room area, an open kitchen replete with custom stained walnut cabinetry, granite countertops, and top-of-the-line Miele and Sub-Zero appliances.
The upper level has the primary suite, adorned with an ensuite five-fixture bath boasting opulent marble accents and state-of-the-art fixtures.
In addition to its lavish interiors, the building has an array of amenities, including a fitness center and a Water Club featuring a 60-foot lap pool, a sauna, a steam room and a Jacuzzi.
Williams’ personal and professional struggles have been well-documented over the past year, culminating in her absence from public view following the conclusion of her talk show in 2022.
A series of health issues — also including Graves’ Disease and lymphedema — prompted the appointment of a financial guardian to oversee her affairs, with Williams also seeking treatment for “severe alcohol use” at a rehabilitation facility in Malibu.
submitted by redditwastesmyday to WendyWilliams [link] [comments]
Wendy Williams' guardian sold her NYC penthouse for a loss (nypost.com)
The transaction, which closed on May 10, occurred only several years after Williams acquired the Financial District property. It’s also the latest chapter in Williams’ ongoing legal and personal challenges after being diagnosed in 2023 with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia.
Records accessed by The Post indicate that Williams, 59, was deemed “incapacitated,” thus necessitating the involvement of a guardian in the decision-making process regarding the sale of her residence.
The three-bedroom, three-bathroom penthouse traded hands for $3.75 million, marking a considerable decrease of $822,000 from its purchase price in July 2021.
An insider close to Williams lamented her circumstances, telling The Post, “Wendy’s dream has always been to live in Manhattan in a dream apartment but never got a chance to d
Prior to the sale, Williams divested herself of all personal belongings housed within the property, including her iconic purple chair, a fixture synonymous with her provocative “Hot Topics” segment that captivated audiences for years.
Meanwhile, at the same time that Williams was selling off her belongings, she was also dealing with a hefty tax problem.
She owed more than half a million dollars in unpaid taxes, which resulted in a federal tax lien. Legal documents revealed that her New York City condo, purchased for $4.5 million in 2021, was affected by this lien.o so. It is a very unfortunate situation.”
Speculation had arisen regarding Williams’ potential relocation to sunny Los Angeles.
But a separate source speaking to Page Six did not know if she would actually go through with it.
“She was asking how to sell her stuff with ‘The Real Real,’ but I don’t think she’s actually moving to Los Angeles. She seems so unwell.”
Spanning more than 2,400 square feet, Williams’ former FiDi residence boasts luxurious amenities characteristic of Manhattan’s elite living spaces.
The main level has a spacious living/dining room area, an open kitchen replete with custom stained walnut cabinetry, granite countertops, and top-of-the-line Miele and Sub-Zero appliances.
The upper level has the primary suite, adorned with an ensuite five-fixture bath boasting opulent marble accents and state-of-the-art fixtures.
In addition to its lavish interiors, the building has an array of amenities, including a fitness center and a Water Club featuring a 60-foot lap pool, a sauna, a steam room and a Jacuzzi.
Williams’ personal and professional struggles have been well-documented over the past year, culminating in her absence from public view following the conclusion of her talk show in 2022.
A series of health issues — also including Graves’ Disease and lymphedema — prompted the appointment of a financial guardian to oversee her affairs, with Williams also seeking treatment for “severe alcohol use” at a rehabilitation facility in Malibu.
2024.05.14 02:50 Usurper96 Would PCB be the second richest cricket board if the 2009 incident didn't happen?
I'm from Tamil Nadu,India and I was watching a yt video of how India created a 11 billion USD cricket empire(IPL). Most of the income is coming through ticket sales,TV viewership,sponsorship etc due to the large population interested in the sport.
Pakistan is very similar to India in terms of cricket craze and though the population is only 1/7th of India, Pak could easily do better revenue than other two big cricketing nations Aussies and England. So how much revenue generating potential does PCB and PSL have, if the 2009 incident didn't happen?
submitted by Usurper96 to pakistan [link] [comments]
Pakistan is very similar to India in terms of cricket craze and though the population is only 1/7th of India, Pak could easily do better revenue than other two big cricketing nations Aussies and England. So how much revenue generating potential does PCB and PSL have, if the 2009 incident didn't happen?
2024.05.14 02:44 Remote_Year3642 Help! Well water and swimming pool chemicals
 | So we manage (as volunteers) a 160,000 gallon residential pool. We have a well that we fill with. It’s basically an endless supply of water as I can drain and fill 3 times in less than two weeks. submitted by Remote_Year3642 to swimmingpools [link] [comments] Our problem is we have a few leaks (we are still actively locating through a third party company) and lose about 2” of water a night. I’m not looking for information on the leaks right now but mainly the following problem. I have everything perfectly balanced and within the suggested limits for all chemicals, other than my cyanuric acid is extremely low and my phosphate level was a little high but just treated that last week and are in normal range below 100 PPB. Low cyanuric was intentional as a test to see if it played a part in our issue. With that said, every time I add the well water, which is every morning right now, the water turns a deep green. Not an algae green per se but more of a “metallic” green for lack of better word. We battled this last year and somehow we just stopped having the issue after a while and I can’t remember what we did differently. Currently, when the water turns green (starts in the deep end where the well water is being added) it takes about an hour from start of adding new water for a perfectly crystal blue pool to turn fully green. I’ve taken multiple water samples for testing from the clear, the green, the well water itself, the backwash water etc. all of them show virtually non existent metal content. However, when I use sc 1000, the water clears up the next day. But as soon as I add well water it’s back to green. Also, if I add a lb of vitamin c, the pool turns back clear blue within 15 mins. You can watch it turn, but again, when I add water it turns back green. I gutted the pump room this year and went from 4 DE filters to 4 glass media filters. We are also running a pulsar auto feeder with calcium hypo brickets feeding the pool. We took out our tricolor feeders and no longer use tablets. With using the sc1000, the CL has been low due to it zapping it but not below a 2. When I was bringing the chemicals up initially I put shock in and it turned the pool green within an hour. Does anyone have any insights? If I’ve left something out I’m happy to elaborate, we have tried so many things lately and just not sure what to do next. The green pictures were taken before I vacuumed. I vacuumed and then put in vitamin C and took this blue pictures 25 mins after it was as green as the pictures. |
2024.05.14 02:44 Extra_Handle_3291 [SELL] 18650/350 storage tubes for b5 sopmod stocks AND some cool grips and barricade stops (MD)
Reposting this while I get orders together, am making a trip or two to the post office in the next 24-48 hours, if you’d like some goodies end of this week/early next week go ahead and place and order! As usual PM if you have any questions! https://imgur.com/a/yV3l47M
Hey everyone! I’ve got some sweet new stuff and of course more Sopmod tubes in stock.
https://outofsightsolutions.myshopify.com/
New stuff first: I’ve got a new grip “Mostly Vertical Grip for Mlok” it’s exactly as the title states, mostly vertical it’s got a nice slight Bend which works great for those who mostly use grips as a handstop or similar(myself included) I kinda use it half regular grip half handstop and to make it nice and grippy even when your sweaty or wet, I created a mild texture on both sides that grips well for barehands and I’m sure even better with gloves. It also has some grooves cut into the front and back for added texture. As of right now it is MLOK only but am working on a pic version as we speak.
https://imgur.com/a/iuKuNCP
$17 for the mostly vertical grip
Old stuff: I still have the “banana grip” but it is now available for BOTH mlok and pic rails. The mlok is my choice just because it has such great flush fitment with most rails. This grip also is textured just more on the light end. It has a much more curved design which really feels great to pull the rifle into your shoulder. It is also NOT VERTICAL in anyway so you can throw this on a pistol and tell the ATF to kick rocks. The banana grip is also $17 for mlok OR picatinny
https://imgur.com/a/AQbqxn3 BANANA GRIP PICS^
And lastly
Good ole 18650 storage tubes for b5 Sopmod stocks. These have come a long way from my first versions. My first versions worked well, but since acquiring some new hardware for my printer I’m able to print these much better which gives more room for variation in 18650 battery films. Some films are thicker than others and this varies brand to brand. When I first came out with these I had trouble fitting my USB built in streamlight 18650. It fit it was just a bit tight, now it slides right in with ease. These are water resistant and hold up well when stored in the stock. You can fit 2 standard 18650 batteries or whatever other goodies you like.
The storage tubes are $20 a piece or $30 for 2. The discount does not show up until you add 2 to your cart.
https://imgur.com/a/Kz9Alcj
Everything I have listed here is on my site and in stock right now. If you would prefer to do a private sale that is cool with me! I take PayPal g&s or F&F whatever you prefer. Just comment on here that your interested and I’ll send a PM asap. Otherwise my site is listed in the beginning and end of this post.
ALL OF THESE DESIGNS AND PRODUCTS ARE 100% my design and creation. I manufacture these parts at home with quality materials that are durable. While I strive for the highest quality possible when manufacturing these, there are sometimes defects visually that occur. These have no impact to the product and I always check every single part for function and fitment before it arrives to you. If you have any questions about my products feel free to message me or leave a comment I’m happy to answer! If there is something that you’d like to see me make or you have an idea I’m all ears!
https://outofsightsolutions.myshopify.com/
submitted by Extra_Handle_3291 to GunAccessoryVendors [link] [comments]
Hey everyone! I’ve got some sweet new stuff and of course more Sopmod tubes in stock.
https://outofsightsolutions.myshopify.com/
New stuff first: I’ve got a new grip “Mostly Vertical Grip for Mlok” it’s exactly as the title states, mostly vertical it’s got a nice slight Bend which works great for those who mostly use grips as a handstop or similar(myself included) I kinda use it half regular grip half handstop and to make it nice and grippy even when your sweaty or wet, I created a mild texture on both sides that grips well for barehands and I’m sure even better with gloves. It also has some grooves cut into the front and back for added texture. As of right now it is MLOK only but am working on a pic version as we speak.
https://imgur.com/a/iuKuNCP
$17 for the mostly vertical grip
Old stuff: I still have the “banana grip” but it is now available for BOTH mlok and pic rails. The mlok is my choice just because it has such great flush fitment with most rails. This grip also is textured just more on the light end. It has a much more curved design which really feels great to pull the rifle into your shoulder. It is also NOT VERTICAL in anyway so you can throw this on a pistol and tell the ATF to kick rocks. The banana grip is also $17 for mlok OR picatinny
https://imgur.com/a/AQbqxn3 BANANA GRIP PICS^
And lastly
Good ole 18650 storage tubes for b5 Sopmod stocks. These have come a long way from my first versions. My first versions worked well, but since acquiring some new hardware for my printer I’m able to print these much better which gives more room for variation in 18650 battery films. Some films are thicker than others and this varies brand to brand. When I first came out with these I had trouble fitting my USB built in streamlight 18650. It fit it was just a bit tight, now it slides right in with ease. These are water resistant and hold up well when stored in the stock. You can fit 2 standard 18650 batteries or whatever other goodies you like.
The storage tubes are $20 a piece or $30 for 2. The discount does not show up until you add 2 to your cart.
https://imgur.com/a/Kz9Alcj
Everything I have listed here is on my site and in stock right now. If you would prefer to do a private sale that is cool with me! I take PayPal g&s or F&F whatever you prefer. Just comment on here that your interested and I’ll send a PM asap. Otherwise my site is listed in the beginning and end of this post.
ALL OF THESE DESIGNS AND PRODUCTS ARE 100% my design and creation. I manufacture these parts at home with quality materials that are durable. While I strive for the highest quality possible when manufacturing these, there are sometimes defects visually that occur. These have no impact to the product and I always check every single part for function and fitment before it arrives to you. If you have any questions about my products feel free to message me or leave a comment I’m happy to answer! If there is something that you’d like to see me make or you have an idea I’m all ears!
https://outofsightsolutions.myshopify.com/
2024.05.14 02:42 Lookatmywrist Getting down to the last 4 days of 20 day WF... my experience, problems, and plans
Day 15 today, as many have said I think days 3-5 were the toughest. Still, beyond that my energy has fluctuates seemingly without a clear connection to snake juice amount, water, vitamin, exercise nothing. Some days I am just absolutely dragging ass can't even keep myself from slouching.
Yesterday I realized I've developed a pain in my right thigh, today it has begun in the left as well. It feels deep in the muscle kind of burning or sore, it's definitely a little concerning but my pee is clear and no other symptoms so I've continued. I've been exercising nearly every day with a cardio 3x and weightlifting 3x a week on alternating days. Both have absolutely suffered and some days I cannot do half of what I normally would so I just prioritize whatever I think is most important, do what I can and tell myself I'm proud of myself for just going and doing whatever I do.
From day 3-12 I really lost the hunger for the most part, interesting to me my stomach didn't even ever growl. I'd get phantom food smells and cravings every once in a while but they pass quickly. Oddly enough, ~day 13 the stomach growling came back a little bit and has occurred a few times since then maybe once a day. In the last few days I've been starting to feel hungry again it is also pretty ignoreable and not constant but what's interesting to me is that it feels more real - like my body is really telling me we need to eat something now. I find myself craving things I don't even eat, a sunny side up egg for instance. The majority of my cravings now especially when I get those hunger signals seems to be for protein. I am a carb lover tbh but though I definitely think about carbs and sweets sometimes it is the proteins I find myself really craving in body and mind.
Looking ahead I've bought bone broth, deli meat, and am planning to get kimchi, miso, and kombucha closer to the day. I plan to take it extremely slow with a 5 day refeed of listening to my body and very low carbs up to the 4th/5th day. I'm actually feeling a little bit anxious about the refeed although I definitely feel like I'm ready to start eating again and feel like I have more control and have refreshed any sugacarb addiction that was likely under my surface.
Final note on the electrolytes/vitamins: I take a prenatal multi about every 3 days just a standard multi pill. I found the recipe for snake juice here to be way too much for me, I actually felt worse after having a full serving for 2 days despite also working out. I looked up the RDA on this website https://www.nal.usda.gov/human-nutrition-and-food-safety/dri-calculator Which actually uses your weight/age etc to give you an RDA, I found this to be much closer to what I need and what makes me feel good. I still found the sodium to be a little high so cut it just a little bit but stuck to the potassium and magnesium levels recommended for me there.
Any tips for the next few days, refeed, or comments and thoughts are welcome!
submitted by Lookatmywrist to fasting [link] [comments]
Yesterday I realized I've developed a pain in my right thigh, today it has begun in the left as well. It feels deep in the muscle kind of burning or sore, it's definitely a little concerning but my pee is clear and no other symptoms so I've continued. I've been exercising nearly every day with a cardio 3x and weightlifting 3x a week on alternating days. Both have absolutely suffered and some days I cannot do half of what I normally would so I just prioritize whatever I think is most important, do what I can and tell myself I'm proud of myself for just going and doing whatever I do.
From day 3-12 I really lost the hunger for the most part, interesting to me my stomach didn't even ever growl. I'd get phantom food smells and cravings every once in a while but they pass quickly. Oddly enough, ~day 13 the stomach growling came back a little bit and has occurred a few times since then maybe once a day. In the last few days I've been starting to feel hungry again it is also pretty ignoreable and not constant but what's interesting to me is that it feels more real - like my body is really telling me we need to eat something now. I find myself craving things I don't even eat, a sunny side up egg for instance. The majority of my cravings now especially when I get those hunger signals seems to be for protein. I am a carb lover tbh but though I definitely think about carbs and sweets sometimes it is the proteins I find myself really craving in body and mind.
Looking ahead I've bought bone broth, deli meat, and am planning to get kimchi, miso, and kombucha closer to the day. I plan to take it extremely slow with a 5 day refeed of listening to my body and very low carbs up to the 4th/5th day. I'm actually feeling a little bit anxious about the refeed although I definitely feel like I'm ready to start eating again and feel like I have more control and have refreshed any sugacarb addiction that was likely under my surface.
Final note on the electrolytes/vitamins: I take a prenatal multi about every 3 days just a standard multi pill. I found the recipe for snake juice here to be way too much for me, I actually felt worse after having a full serving for 2 days despite also working out. I looked up the RDA on this website https://www.nal.usda.gov/human-nutrition-and-food-safety/dri-calculator Which actually uses your weight/age etc to give you an RDA, I found this to be much closer to what I need and what makes me feel good. I still found the sodium to be a little high so cut it just a little bit but stuck to the potassium and magnesium levels recommended for me there.
Any tips for the next few days, refeed, or comments and thoughts are welcome!
2024.05.14 02:41 willdanceforsnacks Book Promotion Ideas?
I finally published for the first time. Not the first time I've finished a novel, but certainly the first time I have actively published one .. one that I've been a little proud of. I know it's a long process to get noticed, or even start to see some traction in sales & downloads, but how do you go about promoting your novel? I feel like I'm stuck. 😕
Beginning of chapter one below - if anyone would like to provide feedback that would be lovely. 🙂
[2,310] It began like a surreal haze, a fever dream dancing with unknown figures swirling around her like a languid tornado, their movements seemingly slowed by some unseen force as she awoke to a world spinning out of her control. She found herself surrounded by strangers who moved like spectres in a dream, fragmented flashes who assaulted her consciousness - a woman gently pressing a cloth to her throbbing head, another offering sips of water while she coughed and struggled to swallow, a man peering down at her with a furrowed brow, and a mysterious figure lingering in the doorway with an unsettling glint of desire in his eyes.
The room buzzed with a quiet urgency as they hovered around her, their faces etched with concern and something else she couldn't quite place - an undercurrent of tension that seemed to pulse in time with her own racing heart. These disjointed images flitted in and out, creating a mosaic of fragmented reality. Awake, her body throbbed with pain; asleep, she plunged into a black abyss, time slipping away unnoticed. Each awakening brought the desire for oblivion as her mind plunged back into the depths of darkness.
Beth jolted upright, startled by the sharp bang of a car backfiring. A cry of pain escaped her lips as she attempted to sit up, her back and legs resisting her will. A woman, the same from her fleeting visions, hurried into the room with a damp cloth and a glass of water.
"Easy now," the woman spoke gently, her mild Spanish accent adding warmth to her sharp words as she pressed the cloth to Beth's forehead and helped her sit up, "you're weak, rushing won't do you any favours. The sooner you regain strength, the sooner you can move."
A man, the one with the odd expression in her visions, appeared in the doorway once again; "and the sooner we can leave this place, I'm sick of it." He grumbled, striding away with urgency and frustration. His steps were heavy and fraught with agitation, each one seeming to leave a deep imprint on the ground beneath him. His grumbling was like distant thunder, punctuated by the clenching of his jaw and the tightening of his fists.
"Don't mind my brother," the woman interjected sharply, "it's not you - he hates everyone." Hate, Beth pondered, wondering what she might have done to earn his disdain.
"Are you hungry?" The woman stood, walking to the other side of the room to adjust another pillow behind Beth's back. Beth nodded; "I'll get you some soup."
Left alone, Beth surveyed the room - beige walls, a shattered TV, torn brown curtains. She squinted at the notepad on the side table, revealing the branding - Mill Village Motel Eatonville. The coffee pod machine at the room's far end, covered in dust, hinted at a neglected past.
"You're awake," startled, Beth turned to find the man with the furrowed brow at the door - tall and dark, with piercing brown eyes, he appeared softer now, "how are you feeling?" Beth managed a brief smile before adjusting herself, wincing in pain. He rushed to offer a hand, and she took his arm to shift as he adjusted the pillow.
"Want to give walking a try?" The man's warm, brown eyes crinkled at the edges as he smiled down at her, his features etched with concern, his furrowed brow now smooth and his brown eyes sparkled with an unfamiliar kindness.
She shook her head, and the woman returned with soup and water; "she needs to eat before attempting to walk, Austin," she said, setting the tray before Beth.
"Then we'll try again tomorrow," Austin expressed, heading towards the door, "the sooner we leave, the better - we've been here for too long." His footsteps echoed with determination and authority, less frustrated than the other man's but equally resolute.
"I apologise if it's cold. Heating options are limited here. Need a hand?" The woman offered. Beth shook her head, the pounding of her headache resonating through her body.
"Well I'll leave you to it then. Shout out if you need anything, if you can talk at all." Beth glanced down at her bowl of soup, parting her lips as if to speak, but no words escaped. A deep sigh escaped from the woman's mouth as she turned and left the room, leaving Beth alone with her cold, untouched meal. The silence in the room was deafening, broken only by the sound of muffed chatter outside.
The days stretched longer as Beth's need for rest diminished. Boredom and confusion settled in, intensifying as the people from her visions became tangible presences, moving in and out of her room. They attended to her needs but seldom engaged in conversation. At night, their muffled voices in the adjoining room became a distant comfort, and the faint echoes of their arguments a source of intrigue.
"We need to leave," a frustrated male voice pierced through the thin walls, "we have to head further south before winter traps us with little supplies and an extra mouth to feed - considering you're all so intent on keeping this girl alive."
"This woman," a familiar female voice retorted, likely the one who had been caring for her, "needed help - I distinctly remember a time when I wasn't doing well and needed it too."
"You're my sister, of course, I wasn't going to leave you behind."
"I'm not talking about you, Luis," she yelled, "I'm talking about before you came back from Minnesota and found me."
"Why can't we just leave her here with some supplies and a gun. Why do we need to bring her with us?"
"Jesus Christ Luis we're not leaving her here alone and you two can have it out later," intervened another man, "but Luis is right - we need to leave before the snow settles in."
The argument faded into muffled voices again, and Beth strained to catch the words exchanged between the trio. A knock at the door startled her.
"May I come in?" A young girl, the same from her visions, had opened the door quietly without her even noticing. "I thought the yelling might have woken you." Beth nodded, maintaining her silence.
"I'm Chantelle." Her soft Southern accent flowed like a gentle breeze through a cornfield. She pulled up a chair beside the bed. "Luis can get into it with everybody, but he means well. Well, no, that's a lie. I don't know why I said that. He's a dick."
"I gathered," Beth whispered and laughed a little, suddenly overtaken by a violent cough.
Chantelle rushed to hand her water; "so, you do speak. From the way Austin and Val were sayin' it, it sounded like you were mute. I thought, you couldn't be deaf because you've been nodding and smiling like a dang puppet."
Beth laughed and took another sip; "I didn't really have anything worth saying until now. No one has bothered to make conversation."
"Your accent, where are you from?" Chantelle sat down on the wooden chair, her long dark hair cascading down her back in gentle curls. Her bright brown eyes sparkled with kindness as she looked towards Beth.
"Australia," Beth paused, realising she hadn't thought about home for a while, "I'm from Australia," she repeated.
Chantelle pulled out a deck of cards; "well, I figured you might be bored and needed a little human interaction that didn't make you feel like you were in a hospital."
Beth's eyes lit up, and Chantelle smiled; "what do you want to play?"
— — —
"What do you think you are doing?" Austin stormed into the motel room.
"We're leaving. Today," Luis' words cut through the air.
"The van's still in bad shape, and we won't survive this winter on foot." Austin's arms were folded tightly across his chest, the muscles in his biceps and forearms bulging with tension. His jaw was clenched, and his brows furrowed in frustration.
"Then fix the damn van!" Luis yelled, the sound piercing through the walls and resonating outside the motel room for others to hear the heated exchange.
"Oh, sorry, I'll just take it down the road to the mechanic, shall I?" Austin raised a quizzical eyebrow, smirking at his friend. The men paused their argument, exchanging laughter.
"Luis, what's going on with you?" Austin softened his tone, taking a seat on the other bed. "We've been friends since high school, grew up together, served in the army together. This isn't you."
"I don't know, man." Luis sat on the other bed, facing his friend, his face buried in his hands. He rubbed his face hard, threw his head back, and sighed heavily. "This just isn't—" he paused.
"Isn't what?"
"Isn't life." Luis gestured around the room.
"We'll get to the coast, find a boat, just like we planned." There was a slight taste of bitterness in the air, as if Austin's mild frustration was tangible.
"And then what?"
"Do the best we can," Austin stood up, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder, "we all have our dark moments, brother. You helped me get through mine, I'll help you get through yours."
Austin walked out of the motel room into the crisp morning air. The atmosphere was fresh, with a subtle scent of dew and grass. The sweet aroma of winter's imminent arrival filled the air, mingling with the faint scent of burning oil from their broken down van across the parking lot.
"Ben thinks he can fix the van by tomorrow. He found the parts we need on the other side of town." Val caught Austin as he had walked outside.
"He went scouting alone?" Austin looked across the lot at Ben, deep into the hood of the black church van they had found a while back.
Chantelle bounded up before she could answer; "Beth seems much better today. She's eatin' and drinkin' more. I think she could try walkin' today."
"Beth?" Val and Austin remarked in unison.
"Mmm, she speaks - she might have a lot more to say if either of you bothered to converse with her instead of just talkin' to her." She walked off towards Ben, a light air in her hopeful stride.
— — —
Austin found Beth sitting on the edge of her bed, her feet bare and dangling idly over the side. Her toes were curled, squeezing them tightly as she wiggled them back and forth. Her face was tense with concentration as she tried to alleviate the tingling sensation in her feet.
"Beth." His voice was soothing and calming, his words spoken with a gentle tone as he tried to ease Beth's discomfort.
"Chantelle?" She looked up at him, as he nodded, smiling gently. "She's a good kid." She smiled and looked back at her toes.
"Do you want to try walking today?" He walked towards the chair on the other side of the room and sat down as it creaked underneath the weight of him.
"The sooner I can walk, the sooner you can get out of here." She said with a sarcastic air, mocking Luis.
"The sooner we can get out of here." He repeated sarcastically with a smile, a light spread of jest washing over him as he joined her in mocking his friend.
"Your friend Luis seems to be very against bringing me along with you." She looked back at him.
"I'm not in the business of leaving people behind. Especially in Washington in the middle of October," he sat forward, leaning his elbows on his knees, "you wouldn't survive the winter."
"Then maybe you should have just left me to die." She turned her body to face him abruptly. He opened his mouth to speak, but she interjected before he could respond.
"Why did you help me? You don't know me, why did you even bother?"
"Like I said, Beth," he stood up, his wistful tone switching back to cold and dry, "I'm not in the business of leaving people behind." He walked over to her slowly.
"I've lost too many people. I've watched people kill others over a can of soup. I've seen friends leave friends behind to save themselves," he sat down on the end of her bed, "I don't leave people behind."
His brown eyes cut through his words like a thunderstorm. She looked at his face, tired and weathered from sleepless nights with one eye open to ensure his group's safety. She pegged him as their leader - strong and determined with clear military training.
"What happened to you?" She asked softly.
"What happened to you?" He countered; "I refuse to believe you survived a pandemic alone for six months in a foreign country."
She said nothing and looked back at her feet. They sat in silence for a while before he stood up and headed for the door.
"We're leaving the day after tomorrow. We need to head south before it's too cold, and we don't know how long the van or the car will last, so part of that might be on foot."
"I'll try walking today." Beth nodded obediently.
"I'll send Val and Chantelle in to help you." He replied, his voice maintaining the cold cadency.
"Thank you." She smiled, wriggling her toes as the numbness started to dissipate. Before he could leave, she looked up at him again.
"Austin?" He stopped at the door and turned to her. "I know you've all done a lot for me, including putting your friendship with Luis on the line, so thank you. But I have a favour to ask," her voice grew quiet, "before we leave."
"What is it?" He asked sternly at her audacity to ask for another favour.
She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. He noticed her green eyes glisten with the added layer of acridity and the change in her demeanour; "before we leave, I need you to help me bury my husband."
submitted by willdanceforsnacks to writers [link] [comments]
Beginning of chapter one below - if anyone would like to provide feedback that would be lovely. 🙂
The room buzzed with a quiet urgency as they hovered around her, their faces etched with concern and something else she couldn't quite place - an undercurrent of tension that seemed to pulse in time with her own racing heart. These disjointed images flitted in and out, creating a mosaic of fragmented reality. Awake, her body throbbed with pain; asleep, she plunged into a black abyss, time slipping away unnoticed. Each awakening brought the desire for oblivion as her mind plunged back into the depths of darkness.
Beth jolted upright, startled by the sharp bang of a car backfiring. A cry of pain escaped her lips as she attempted to sit up, her back and legs resisting her will. A woman, the same from her fleeting visions, hurried into the room with a damp cloth and a glass of water.
"Easy now," the woman spoke gently, her mild Spanish accent adding warmth to her sharp words as she pressed the cloth to Beth's forehead and helped her sit up, "you're weak, rushing won't do you any favours. The sooner you regain strength, the sooner you can move."
A man, the one with the odd expression in her visions, appeared in the doorway once again; "and the sooner we can leave this place, I'm sick of it." He grumbled, striding away with urgency and frustration. His steps were heavy and fraught with agitation, each one seeming to leave a deep imprint on the ground beneath him. His grumbling was like distant thunder, punctuated by the clenching of his jaw and the tightening of his fists.
"Don't mind my brother," the woman interjected sharply, "it's not you - he hates everyone." Hate, Beth pondered, wondering what she might have done to earn his disdain.
"Are you hungry?" The woman stood, walking to the other side of the room to adjust another pillow behind Beth's back. Beth nodded; "I'll get you some soup."
Left alone, Beth surveyed the room - beige walls, a shattered TV, torn brown curtains. She squinted at the notepad on the side table, revealing the branding - Mill Village Motel Eatonville. The coffee pod machine at the room's far end, covered in dust, hinted at a neglected past.
"You're awake," startled, Beth turned to find the man with the furrowed brow at the door - tall and dark, with piercing brown eyes, he appeared softer now, "how are you feeling?" Beth managed a brief smile before adjusting herself, wincing in pain. He rushed to offer a hand, and she took his arm to shift as he adjusted the pillow.
"Want to give walking a try?" The man's warm, brown eyes crinkled at the edges as he smiled down at her, his features etched with concern, his furrowed brow now smooth and his brown eyes sparkled with an unfamiliar kindness.
She shook her head, and the woman returned with soup and water; "she needs to eat before attempting to walk, Austin," she said, setting the tray before Beth.
"Then we'll try again tomorrow," Austin expressed, heading towards the door, "the sooner we leave, the better - we've been here for too long." His footsteps echoed with determination and authority, less frustrated than the other man's but equally resolute.
"I apologise if it's cold. Heating options are limited here. Need a hand?" The woman offered. Beth shook her head, the pounding of her headache resonating through her body.
"Well I'll leave you to it then. Shout out if you need anything, if you can talk at all." Beth glanced down at her bowl of soup, parting her lips as if to speak, but no words escaped. A deep sigh escaped from the woman's mouth as she turned and left the room, leaving Beth alone with her cold, untouched meal. The silence in the room was deafening, broken only by the sound of muffed chatter outside.
The days stretched longer as Beth's need for rest diminished. Boredom and confusion settled in, intensifying as the people from her visions became tangible presences, moving in and out of her room. They attended to her needs but seldom engaged in conversation. At night, their muffled voices in the adjoining room became a distant comfort, and the faint echoes of their arguments a source of intrigue.
"We need to leave," a frustrated male voice pierced through the thin walls, "we have to head further south before winter traps us with little supplies and an extra mouth to feed - considering you're all so intent on keeping this girl alive."
"This woman," a familiar female voice retorted, likely the one who had been caring for her, "needed help - I distinctly remember a time when I wasn't doing well and needed it too."
"You're my sister, of course, I wasn't going to leave you behind."
"I'm not talking about you, Luis," she yelled, "I'm talking about before you came back from Minnesota and found me."
"Why can't we just leave her here with some supplies and a gun. Why do we need to bring her with us?"
"Jesus Christ Luis we're not leaving her here alone and you two can have it out later," intervened another man, "but Luis is right - we need to leave before the snow settles in."
The argument faded into muffled voices again, and Beth strained to catch the words exchanged between the trio. A knock at the door startled her.
"May I come in?" A young girl, the same from her visions, had opened the door quietly without her even noticing. "I thought the yelling might have woken you." Beth nodded, maintaining her silence.
"I'm Chantelle." Her soft Southern accent flowed like a gentle breeze through a cornfield. She pulled up a chair beside the bed. "Luis can get into it with everybody, but he means well. Well, no, that's a lie. I don't know why I said that. He's a dick."
"I gathered," Beth whispered and laughed a little, suddenly overtaken by a violent cough.
Chantelle rushed to hand her water; "so, you do speak. From the way Austin and Val were sayin' it, it sounded like you were mute. I thought, you couldn't be deaf because you've been nodding and smiling like a dang puppet."
Beth laughed and took another sip; "I didn't really have anything worth saying until now. No one has bothered to make conversation."
"Your accent, where are you from?" Chantelle sat down on the wooden chair, her long dark hair cascading down her back in gentle curls. Her bright brown eyes sparkled with kindness as she looked towards Beth.
"Australia," Beth paused, realising she hadn't thought about home for a while, "I'm from Australia," she repeated.
Chantelle pulled out a deck of cards; "well, I figured you might be bored and needed a little human interaction that didn't make you feel like you were in a hospital."
Beth's eyes lit up, and Chantelle smiled; "what do you want to play?"
— — —
"What do you think you are doing?" Austin stormed into the motel room.
"We're leaving. Today," Luis' words cut through the air.
"The van's still in bad shape, and we won't survive this winter on foot." Austin's arms were folded tightly across his chest, the muscles in his biceps and forearms bulging with tension. His jaw was clenched, and his brows furrowed in frustration.
"Then fix the damn van!" Luis yelled, the sound piercing through the walls and resonating outside the motel room for others to hear the heated exchange.
"Oh, sorry, I'll just take it down the road to the mechanic, shall I?" Austin raised a quizzical eyebrow, smirking at his friend. The men paused their argument, exchanging laughter.
"Luis, what's going on with you?" Austin softened his tone, taking a seat on the other bed. "We've been friends since high school, grew up together, served in the army together. This isn't you."
"I don't know, man." Luis sat on the other bed, facing his friend, his face buried in his hands. He rubbed his face hard, threw his head back, and sighed heavily. "This just isn't—" he paused.
"Isn't what?"
"Isn't life." Luis gestured around the room.
"We'll get to the coast, find a boat, just like we planned." There was a slight taste of bitterness in the air, as if Austin's mild frustration was tangible.
"And then what?"
"Do the best we can," Austin stood up, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder, "we all have our dark moments, brother. You helped me get through mine, I'll help you get through yours."
Austin walked out of the motel room into the crisp morning air. The atmosphere was fresh, with a subtle scent of dew and grass. The sweet aroma of winter's imminent arrival filled the air, mingling with the faint scent of burning oil from their broken down van across the parking lot.
"Ben thinks he can fix the van by tomorrow. He found the parts we need on the other side of town." Val caught Austin as he had walked outside.
"He went scouting alone?" Austin looked across the lot at Ben, deep into the hood of the black church van they had found a while back.
Chantelle bounded up before she could answer; "Beth seems much better today. She's eatin' and drinkin' more. I think she could try walkin' today."
"Beth?" Val and Austin remarked in unison.
"Mmm, she speaks - she might have a lot more to say if either of you bothered to converse with her instead of just talkin' to her." She walked off towards Ben, a light air in her hopeful stride.
— — —
Austin found Beth sitting on the edge of her bed, her feet bare and dangling idly over the side. Her toes were curled, squeezing them tightly as she wiggled them back and forth. Her face was tense with concentration as she tried to alleviate the tingling sensation in her feet.
"Beth." His voice was soothing and calming, his words spoken with a gentle tone as he tried to ease Beth's discomfort.
"Chantelle?" She looked up at him, as he nodded, smiling gently. "She's a good kid." She smiled and looked back at her toes.
"Do you want to try walking today?" He walked towards the chair on the other side of the room and sat down as it creaked underneath the weight of him.
"The sooner I can walk, the sooner you can get out of here." She said with a sarcastic air, mocking Luis.
"The sooner we can get out of here." He repeated sarcastically with a smile, a light spread of jest washing over him as he joined her in mocking his friend.
"Your friend Luis seems to be very against bringing me along with you." She looked back at him.
"I'm not in the business of leaving people behind. Especially in Washington in the middle of October," he sat forward, leaning his elbows on his knees, "you wouldn't survive the winter."
"Then maybe you should have just left me to die." She turned her body to face him abruptly. He opened his mouth to speak, but she interjected before he could respond.
"Why did you help me? You don't know me, why did you even bother?"
"Like I said, Beth," he stood up, his wistful tone switching back to cold and dry, "I'm not in the business of leaving people behind." He walked over to her slowly.
"I've lost too many people. I've watched people kill others over a can of soup. I've seen friends leave friends behind to save themselves," he sat down on the end of her bed, "I don't leave people behind."
His brown eyes cut through his words like a thunderstorm. She looked at his face, tired and weathered from sleepless nights with one eye open to ensure his group's safety. She pegged him as their leader - strong and determined with clear military training.
"What happened to you?" She asked softly.
"What happened to you?" He countered; "I refuse to believe you survived a pandemic alone for six months in a foreign country."
She said nothing and looked back at her feet. They sat in silence for a while before he stood up and headed for the door.
"We're leaving the day after tomorrow. We need to head south before it's too cold, and we don't know how long the van or the car will last, so part of that might be on foot."
"I'll try walking today." Beth nodded obediently.
"I'll send Val and Chantelle in to help you." He replied, his voice maintaining the cold cadency.
"Thank you." She smiled, wriggling her toes as the numbness started to dissipate. Before he could leave, she looked up at him again.
"Austin?" He stopped at the door and turned to her. "I know you've all done a lot for me, including putting your friendship with Luis on the line, so thank you. But I have a favour to ask," her voice grew quiet, "before we leave."
"What is it?" He asked sternly at her audacity to ask for another favour.
She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. He noticed her green eyes glisten with the added layer of acridity and the change in her demeanour; "before we leave, I need you to help me bury my husband."
2024.05.14 02:37 3corneredtreehopp3r Fallow ground moisture conservation
We have a substantial amount of ground that we fallow each year due to arid conditions.
I’m interested in trying to retain as much moisture as possible, with the goal to plant a crop of wheat on the ground every other year, or maybe even every third year. We can supplement with irrigation, but water is terribly expensive here, so I need to stretch it as much as possible and apply it selectively.
I’ve heard that this is done in some dry parts of Oklahoma, where they use sweep plows to keep the ground free of vegetation. My question is.. does anybody have experience with this? And is it possible to hold moisture in soil over the course of a long, dry summer? We receive about 7 inches of rain from fall to early spring, and get nothing in the summer. The soil is a clay loam.
Also, is there a substantial practical difference between a sweep plow and a field cultivator with sweeps? We have a spring tooth cultivator already, but the closest used sweep plows I can find for sale are in Kansas, which isn’t very convenient.
submitted by 3corneredtreehopp3r to farming [link] [comments]
I’m interested in trying to retain as much moisture as possible, with the goal to plant a crop of wheat on the ground every other year, or maybe even every third year. We can supplement with irrigation, but water is terribly expensive here, so I need to stretch it as much as possible and apply it selectively.
I’ve heard that this is done in some dry parts of Oklahoma, where they use sweep plows to keep the ground free of vegetation. My question is.. does anybody have experience with this? And is it possible to hold moisture in soil over the course of a long, dry summer? We receive about 7 inches of rain from fall to early spring, and get nothing in the summer. The soil is a clay loam.
Also, is there a substantial practical difference between a sweep plow and a field cultivator with sweeps? We have a spring tooth cultivator already, but the closest used sweep plows I can find for sale are in Kansas, which isn’t very convenient.