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Fallout 4 Settlement Building
2015.11.10 07:47 BadBassa Fallout 4 Settlement Building
A subreddit dedicated to everything related to settlement building in Fallout 4 and Fallout 76. Share your builds, ask your questions, and help the community! Join The Living Wasteland Discord: https://discord.gg/zdHVY8KrUA Facebook Settlement Building: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Fallout4SettlementBuilding
2017.09.27 23:51 SirLotsaLocks Mark Zuckerberg memes
a subreddit made for Mark Zuckerberg memes/jokes/quotes
2009.09.25 03:22 shibuya246 Tokyo
For people living in Tokyo and the surrounding metropolitan area. Please read the rules before posting. Tourist questions should go to TokyoTravel.
2024.05.18 21:21 CHITOWNBROWN1400 We need Much More of this...
https://youtu.be/qXirMSMT5J4?si=GuDUGAkTG2sWJrF6
We need Much More of stuff like this... This is the type of stuff that gets us respect, us doing something mainstream and doing it well. This is what Americans consider cool: Rapping, playing sports, etc... The former NFL player Robert Griffin III shared it on his Facebook page cause he liked it, and asked who these guys were, and the comments were filled with a lot of praise for this guy- people liked the beat, flow, etc... I already know the lyrics aren't promoting anything good, but who cares. It's a positive social media video that isn't some dirty ass street food vendor and people all bashing India in the comments. Watch this video and share it around, we need to see more and more of this kind of thing.
submitted by CHITOWNBROWN1400 to SouthAsianMasculinity [link] [comments]
We need Much More of stuff like this... This is the type of stuff that gets us respect, us doing something mainstream and doing it well. This is what Americans consider cool: Rapping, playing sports, etc... The former NFL player Robert Griffin III shared it on his Facebook page cause he liked it, and asked who these guys were, and the comments were filled with a lot of praise for this guy- people liked the beat, flow, etc... I already know the lyrics aren't promoting anything good, but who cares. It's a positive social media video that isn't some dirty ass street food vendor and people all bashing India in the comments. Watch this video and share it around, we need to see more and more of this kind of thing.
2024.05.18 20:30 roseohseven Long first time trip report 5/13-5/18!
LOOOONG first time trip report! 5/13-5/18, stayed at Beach Club, visited all four parks, bought Genie+ every day, had the standard DDP. Family of 4, two girls 5 and 9. I learned so much from this group over the past year and especially loved trip reports, so hopefully this post will be helpful to someone!
đ˛BUDGETđ˛
-- I booked the trip a year out so I could break it up into 12 manageable payments. I opened the no fee Disney VISA, which gives you several months of no interest on charges made towards Disney travel packages, rewards dollars to use at Disney, and a couple other perks like character meet and greets and discounts.
-- I signed up for Disney Movie Insiders. This is what you're supposed to do with all those little codes that come in Disney DVDs/Blurays. You enter the codes in exchange for points, and at 1000 points, you can redeem for a $10 Disney gift card. You also get points for being subscribed to Disney+, seeing Disney movies in the theater, their social media accounts, and a whole bunch of other things. I got $50 in gift cards from this alone.
-- If you want Disney-themed luggage, try thinking outside the box to save money! I got plain luggage in Mickey colors--red and black--and Mickey luggage tags to make them Disney themed.
-- I tried to budget for souvenirs via gift cards... but I failed, lol. Everything is so expensive, $100 is gone in a second. Plushes are like $40, coffee cups are $20, etc. Whatever you're planning to spend, double it! I get what people say about most shops having the same stuff, but it's definitely not all of them, most of the ones post-ride have unique stuff. And honestly it's kind of nice most of them have the same stuff, if you want to get whatever your kid was asking for earlier, you don't have to walk all the way back to the one shop you saw it at.
-- We paid for Memory Maker and I'm on the fence about it. On the one hand, it's really nice to get all the ride photos and meet and greet photos and magic shots. It's also really nice for the whole family to be in a lot of pictures and not have to swap with the other adult or find someone willing to take your picture. On the other, we definitely didn't utilize it as much as I wanted to because a lot of the photographers had pretty long lines and I just didn't want to spend time waiting for a picture I could take myself. If we came across someone with a shortish or no line, we made sure to get it, but for anyone with a long line, we just stood around the same spot and took our own.
đď¸PLANNINGđď¸
-- If you have kids and live within easy driving distance of another amusement park, highly recommend making a visit BEFORE going to Disney to get an idea of how they handle that kind of day/environment, especially if they have never been. I quickly discovered we would absolutely need a stroller and I would need to be militant with the kids about staying hydrated. Also to avoid face paint, as heat + tears + paint + eyes = bad day! I felt so much better making these discoveries beforehand and being able to prepare accordingly, rather than making them at Disney.
-- USE AN AGENT! An agent is free to you, so why not have the help? Ours was amazing, she gave us quotes, booked the package, rebooked as needed later when a better deal came out, made all the payments, dining and extra reservations, and was just all-around awesome to work with. It was such a load off to know I wasn't on my own with all this stuff.
-- Watch everything Ear Scouts. No one explains Genie+ better, and Rob and Erick's videos are just so positive and beautiful and well done.
-- I also enjoyed reading Disney Tourist Blog--lovingly snarky but super informative!--and Disney Food Blog for fun tips and news.
-- I didn't find any park to be a half day park, we filled our whole day in every one and still didn't see everything!
-- My kids did really well, whenever they were on the verge of cranky, we had one ride in the stroller for a while, bought a snack (usually ice cream or popcorn), and used the bubble wand, and/or gave them some ibuprofen, and everyone felt better pretty quick. We never tried to do fireworks, we were all done by 8 so always left after dinner. The only park we closed down was EPCOT because we didn't get out of dinner until after close, and that was a really cool experience, the park was so quiet and empty and beautiful!
-- You don't NEED a Magic Band... but man, was it convenient. We just had 1.0 Magic Bands though, we didn't bother with the 2.0s.
-- I guess moving through security fast is important to people rope dropping... but as someone who didn't, it added like maybe 30 seconds to a minute to the experience the couple times my bag got flagged, it's really not a big deal.
-- I'm not saying anyone's lying about bad experiences or exaggerating or anything, but try to remember that far more people go on the Internet to complain than they do to praise. I got so stressed about all the things that could go wrong, and we had a pretty much perfect trip. The only attraction that broke down on us was Muppetvision, of all things. The only "bad behavior" we witnessed was the morning we were leaving, we could hear a dad across the hall yelling at his family, I think they overslept and were going to miss their flight or something? We just turned the TV on so we didn't have to hear him. A couple times we forgot to take our stuff with us when we parked our stroller or forgot some food in it, and neither people nor animals bothered it. The only dicey thing that happened to us was me dropping my phone into the Dumbo moat, the cast members fished it out and it still worked, I sent them a cast compliment for all their help! All the cast members were great, I'm not really sure what people expect but IMO they all do amazing for having to be peppy and helpful all day in absolutely blazing heat, walking a ride conveyer belt nonstop, repeating the same spiels over and over, meeting person after person, etc. I wouldn't last a 2 hour shift let alone 8. Cast members, you rock!!!
âď¸TRAVELâď¸
-- We flew Delta, flight there was flawless, flight home was delayed by an hour waiting for crew and was a little bumpy (which is not great for a nervous flyer like me) but otherwise fine.
-- Get TSA PreCheck! Good for a few years, if the adults have it the kids have it too. It made the whole experience so much easier. That said, even PreCheck still moves kind of slow at MCO, so definitely get there at least 2 hours early for your flight. Use curbside check-in for bags, way faster than the long line inside!
-- On our agent's recommendation, we used Away We Go for ground transport in Orlando. They communicate really well, both ways were flawless, no complaints!
-- We used Minnie Vans to get to Animal Kingdom + Sanaa and Magic Kingdom, what a wonderful service! Definitely pricey, but they had cartoons on in the car, booster seats they set up for you, and the drivers were so nice and friendly and had fun trivia to share. I never had any problem requesting one when I needed it.
âąď¸BEACH CLUBâąď¸
-- We knew we wanted an onsite hotel where you could walk to at least one park. This pretty much limits you to a handful of Deluxe hotels or the Swan and Dolphin. Beach Club won for us because it's "in the Disney bubble" and you can walk to 2/4 parks. Note that while you can technically walk to Hollywood Studios, it is a LOOOONG walk. The boat is a nice not crowded alternative! We did not make use of Early Entry or Extended Hours, we're just not built for either. Beach Club was lovely, we booked a resort view but I think we ended up with a water view, we were right by the quiet pool and could see the water beyond from our room. Stormalong Bay was a little crazy for us but we loved the quiet pool. Best thing about Beach Club though is the location, EPCOT is literally steps away!
đłANIMAL KINGDOMđł
-- We had read that there's really no bad day to do AK, so we started there. We rode: Navi River Journey, Flight of Passage, Kali River Rapids, Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Triceratops Spin, and Dinosaur--so pretty much everything! With Genie+ we walked onto all of them. We also met Moana, Pocahontas, and Russell! The only thing we didn't do here that we wanted to was the Gorilla Falls trail, but we just ran out of time before the park closed.
đEPCOTđ
-- We had read to avoid EPCOT on Fridays and Saturdays, so we went on Wednesday. We rode: Grand Fiesta Tour, Living with the Land, Nemo, Spaceship Earth, Imagination with Figment, Frozen, Remy, Journey of Water, and Guardians--everything we wanted! Again, with Genie+, we walked right onto everything! We also met Anna and Elsa! Tried a couple of Flower and Garden snacks: chicken and waffles, fruit and cheese strudel, and potato pancakes, all were delicious! Everyone had a different favorite day, but EPCOT was personally my favorite day, it felt like we were firing on all cylinders and the day just went really smoothly!
đ°MAGIC KINGDOMđ°
-- We had read that Wednesdays were the quietest days at MK, so we were originally going to try to do it that day, but we could only get a reservation for Cinderella's Royal Table on Thursday, so we switched it up. Definitely the most crowded of all the parks we visited, but I think that's just the norm for MK, everyone wants to go to the castle park with the most rides. We rode: Regal Carousel, Tomorrowland Speedway, Barnstormer, Magic Carpets, Mad Tea Party, People Mover, Dumbo, Small World, Little Mermaid, Pirates, Space Ranger Spin, Jungle Cruise, TRON, and Peter Pan. Again, with Genie+, we walked right onto everything! The only ride we missed at this park that we wanted to do was Pooh, I couldn't manage to get a return time that was earlier than we planned on leaving. Outside of our character meals (more on those in the dining section!) we also met Mirabel, Tiana, and Rapunzel! We had both the Rapunzel and Aurora ice creams, both so good and cute!
đŹHOLLYWOOD STUDIOSđŹ
-- We had read that, like MK, it's better to do HS later in the week, so we went Friday. We rode: Slinky, Alien Saucers, Toy Story Mania, Rise, Smuggler's Run, Runaway Railway. Again, with Genie+, we walked right onto everything! The only ride we missed was Tower of Terror, again I couldn't manage to get a return time that was earlier than we planned on leaving. We also met Olaf, be aware Olaf doesn't sign stuff, they just give you a signature card. This park needs more shade IMO, especially Toy Story Land, I know it's supposed to be Andy's backyard, but I don't see why that means we can't have some shade from trees or something. 𤪠Blue milk from Galaxy's Edge was really good, the family was all fighting over it!
đ˝ď¸DININGđ˝ď¸
-- We almost certainly lost some money on the DDP, but I'm still glad we got it because it allowed us to do more table service meals and have less stress overall about expenses. We easily used up everything but child quick service credits, we had a few of those left over near the end.
Here's where we ate!
BOARDWALK DELI/PIZZA WINDOW: Pizza for the kids, sandwiches for the adults. Tasty and satisfying after our day of travel!
BEACHES AND CREAM: Got the kitchen sink for the experience, but honestly it's not great, all the ice cream and toppings melt together quick and you just end up with weird ice cream soup.
SAT'ULI CANTEEN: LOVED this place, everything was so yummy! Best quick service we had!
SANAA: Since Animal Kingdom closes so early, we thought we'd try to extend the experience by eating at Sanaa. What a great idea, we got seated right by a window and saw so many animals! The food was great too.
AKERSHUS: Our favorite princess meal! We met Aurora, Tiana, Snow White, Ariel, and Belle. They were all lovely, and the breakfast was really good too. Only 1 credit on the DDP!
GARDEN GRILL: Our kids really enjoyed getting to look down over Living with the Land and the fact that the restaurant spins. We met Farmer Mickey, Pluto, and Chip and Dale. They were fun and even came to our table more than once. Food was good!
SPACE 220: Not on the DDP, but wow, what a cool restaurant! Almost like a ride with the theming and the elevator up. Food was really good.
CINDERELLA'S ROYAL TABLE: You gotta eat in the castle! We paid for it OOP because we didn't want to use up 2 DDP credits here. You're really going for the location and the princesses, the food is kinda meh, not bad but not as good as other places. The restaurant is small and they have to turn tables quick, so it's very understandable to me that the princesses have to move fast. It's not that they rush you, they'll take all the pictures you ask for and sign whatever and answer your questions, but if you don't have much you need, they try to keep moving. Akershus is much bigger so they are able to be more relaxed there. The only small bummer is that we didn't see Merida (maybe she was on vacation too!) We did meet Cinderella, Ariel, Jasmine, and Aurora though!
CRYSTAL PALACE: We are not big on buffets but we enjoyed meeting Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore and Tigger!
TOPOLINO'S: Maybe the best food of the trip, steak and eggs were so good! The character artist costumes are so cute too. It was fun to have an excuse to ride the Skyliner to get here from Beach Club too.
DOCKING BAY 7: The theming is great, but the food wasn't as good as Satuli Canteen IMO.
THE MARKET AT ALE & COMPASS: We had quick service credits we wanted to use up on the last day and we didn't want to leave the resort again, otherwise I would have gone somewhere else, food was meh.
â¨EXTRASâ¨
-- I originally wanted to book Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for my kids, but it's so expensive/competitive that I decided to didn't want the stress. Instead I booked Have Wand, Will Travel to come to our room and bought dresses from Presley Couture and Only Little Once. I chose Have Wand, Will Travel because they keep character throughout. Fairy Godmother Elyse was amazing and so much fun, my kids loved it and kept talking about it all day!
-- That same morning I ordered a Sammicakes breakfast box with beignets for us to eat. I also ordered a pretend letter from Tiana on Etsy to make it seem like the breakfast came from Tiana. My kids also loved this and had fun telling Tiana about it both times we met her. Sammicakes was good but a LOT of food, sadly we didn't end up eating half of it. It can last you at least 3 days!
-- Matching shirts and ear hats, all from Etsy! So many cool designs there, hardest part is choosing!
-- Got my kids a pin trading lanyard with some pins, they loooooved pin trading! It was like free souvenirs.
đ§łPACKINGđ§ł
-- Things the Internet Told Me to Pack That I Needed: Scissors, ziploc bags, ibuprofen (kids and adults), garbage bags.
-- Things the Internet Told Me to Pack that I Didn't Need: stainless steel straws (the paper straws are more like cardboard, they really don't break down unless your kid is gnawing on them or something), ponchos (it did rain some most days, but wearing a poncho was almost more miserable than not wearing one, it's so hot and humid to be walking around in a plastic bag! We did better taking shelter and using umbrellas.), wipes (obv you need them if your kid is younger, but mine were older and just never got messy enough to need them.), glow sticks (we never stayed anywhere long enough to use them.) Basically, the less you can get away carrying in the parks, the better. It's annoying to lug stuff around you don't end up needing or using!
đSTROLLERđ
-- I know it seems insane that your 5 year old and 9 year old will need a stroller, but mine definitely did. Once I accepted that I was going to have to get one, I tried to make the best of it, and actually got really into decorating it so we could always easily spot it in the sea (the decorations also later made nice wall decor for a gallery of our trip!) The Magic Spotter flag was the best investment, hardly anyone had them so it was easy to instantly spot our stroller anywhere we left it, even if it got moved. That said, I definitely didn't want to spend a lot on a stroller we were really only buying for this one trip, so I got a used Joovy Caboose on Facebook Marketplace for $50. It was very hard to handle with two older kids in it, and even with one it was hard to handle unless the kid was in the back seat. So we basically used it like a single stroller, glad I didn't spend a lot on it since it was so hard to drive!
âWEATHERâ
-- We had mostly great weather, it rained some every day except Magic Kingdom day but it passed within an hour each time. We wore socks with Crocs so that if/when it rained, we could just take our wet socks off and walk in our Crocs, this worked great! Don't trust the weather reports though, two days it wasn't supposed to rain. One day it actually didn't, the other day it did and we had to walk in wet shoes because we didn't wear the Crocs that day. Just figure it might rain any day and be prepared! See above note RE: ponchos being not great and shelter + umbrellas being better. When it didn't rain, It. Was. Hot. 𼾠In the 90s but definitely felt hotter with the humidity making it so sticky. We felt there was plenty of shade at Animal Kingdom and EPCOT, but hardly any at Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, which I would say slightly affected how much fun we had on those days comparatively.
Phew! That's about it, let me know if you have any questions!
submitted by roseohseven to WaltDisneyWorld [link] [comments]
đ˛BUDGETđ˛
-- I booked the trip a year out so I could break it up into 12 manageable payments. I opened the no fee Disney VISA, which gives you several months of no interest on charges made towards Disney travel packages, rewards dollars to use at Disney, and a couple other perks like character meet and greets and discounts.
-- I signed up for Disney Movie Insiders. This is what you're supposed to do with all those little codes that come in Disney DVDs/Blurays. You enter the codes in exchange for points, and at 1000 points, you can redeem for a $10 Disney gift card. You also get points for being subscribed to Disney+, seeing Disney movies in the theater, their social media accounts, and a whole bunch of other things. I got $50 in gift cards from this alone.
-- If you want Disney-themed luggage, try thinking outside the box to save money! I got plain luggage in Mickey colors--red and black--and Mickey luggage tags to make them Disney themed.
-- I tried to budget for souvenirs via gift cards... but I failed, lol. Everything is so expensive, $100 is gone in a second. Plushes are like $40, coffee cups are $20, etc. Whatever you're planning to spend, double it! I get what people say about most shops having the same stuff, but it's definitely not all of them, most of the ones post-ride have unique stuff. And honestly it's kind of nice most of them have the same stuff, if you want to get whatever your kid was asking for earlier, you don't have to walk all the way back to the one shop you saw it at.
-- We paid for Memory Maker and I'm on the fence about it. On the one hand, it's really nice to get all the ride photos and meet and greet photos and magic shots. It's also really nice for the whole family to be in a lot of pictures and not have to swap with the other adult or find someone willing to take your picture. On the other, we definitely didn't utilize it as much as I wanted to because a lot of the photographers had pretty long lines and I just didn't want to spend time waiting for a picture I could take myself. If we came across someone with a shortish or no line, we made sure to get it, but for anyone with a long line, we just stood around the same spot and took our own.
đď¸PLANNINGđď¸
-- If you have kids and live within easy driving distance of another amusement park, highly recommend making a visit BEFORE going to Disney to get an idea of how they handle that kind of day/environment, especially if they have never been. I quickly discovered we would absolutely need a stroller and I would need to be militant with the kids about staying hydrated. Also to avoid face paint, as heat + tears + paint + eyes = bad day! I felt so much better making these discoveries beforehand and being able to prepare accordingly, rather than making them at Disney.
-- USE AN AGENT! An agent is free to you, so why not have the help? Ours was amazing, she gave us quotes, booked the package, rebooked as needed later when a better deal came out, made all the payments, dining and extra reservations, and was just all-around awesome to work with. It was such a load off to know I wasn't on my own with all this stuff.
-- Watch everything Ear Scouts. No one explains Genie+ better, and Rob and Erick's videos are just so positive and beautiful and well done.
-- I also enjoyed reading Disney Tourist Blog--lovingly snarky but super informative!--and Disney Food Blog for fun tips and news.
-- I didn't find any park to be a half day park, we filled our whole day in every one and still didn't see everything!
-- My kids did really well, whenever they were on the verge of cranky, we had one ride in the stroller for a while, bought a snack (usually ice cream or popcorn), and used the bubble wand, and/or gave them some ibuprofen, and everyone felt better pretty quick. We never tried to do fireworks, we were all done by 8 so always left after dinner. The only park we closed down was EPCOT because we didn't get out of dinner until after close, and that was a really cool experience, the park was so quiet and empty and beautiful!
-- You don't NEED a Magic Band... but man, was it convenient. We just had 1.0 Magic Bands though, we didn't bother with the 2.0s.
-- I guess moving through security fast is important to people rope dropping... but as someone who didn't, it added like maybe 30 seconds to a minute to the experience the couple times my bag got flagged, it's really not a big deal.
-- I'm not saying anyone's lying about bad experiences or exaggerating or anything, but try to remember that far more people go on the Internet to complain than they do to praise. I got so stressed about all the things that could go wrong, and we had a pretty much perfect trip. The only attraction that broke down on us was Muppetvision, of all things. The only "bad behavior" we witnessed was the morning we were leaving, we could hear a dad across the hall yelling at his family, I think they overslept and were going to miss their flight or something? We just turned the TV on so we didn't have to hear him. A couple times we forgot to take our stuff with us when we parked our stroller or forgot some food in it, and neither people nor animals bothered it. The only dicey thing that happened to us was me dropping my phone into the Dumbo moat, the cast members fished it out and it still worked, I sent them a cast compliment for all their help! All the cast members were great, I'm not really sure what people expect but IMO they all do amazing for having to be peppy and helpful all day in absolutely blazing heat, walking a ride conveyer belt nonstop, repeating the same spiels over and over, meeting person after person, etc. I wouldn't last a 2 hour shift let alone 8. Cast members, you rock!!!
âď¸TRAVELâď¸
-- We flew Delta, flight there was flawless, flight home was delayed by an hour waiting for crew and was a little bumpy (which is not great for a nervous flyer like me) but otherwise fine.
-- Get TSA PreCheck! Good for a few years, if the adults have it the kids have it too. It made the whole experience so much easier. That said, even PreCheck still moves kind of slow at MCO, so definitely get there at least 2 hours early for your flight. Use curbside check-in for bags, way faster than the long line inside!
-- On our agent's recommendation, we used Away We Go for ground transport in Orlando. They communicate really well, both ways were flawless, no complaints!
-- We used Minnie Vans to get to Animal Kingdom + Sanaa and Magic Kingdom, what a wonderful service! Definitely pricey, but they had cartoons on in the car, booster seats they set up for you, and the drivers were so nice and friendly and had fun trivia to share. I never had any problem requesting one when I needed it.
âąď¸BEACH CLUBâąď¸
-- We knew we wanted an onsite hotel where you could walk to at least one park. This pretty much limits you to a handful of Deluxe hotels or the Swan and Dolphin. Beach Club won for us because it's "in the Disney bubble" and you can walk to 2/4 parks. Note that while you can technically walk to Hollywood Studios, it is a LOOOONG walk. The boat is a nice not crowded alternative! We did not make use of Early Entry or Extended Hours, we're just not built for either. Beach Club was lovely, we booked a resort view but I think we ended up with a water view, we were right by the quiet pool and could see the water beyond from our room. Stormalong Bay was a little crazy for us but we loved the quiet pool. Best thing about Beach Club though is the location, EPCOT is literally steps away!
đłANIMAL KINGDOMđł
-- We had read that there's really no bad day to do AK, so we started there. We rode: Navi River Journey, Flight of Passage, Kali River Rapids, Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Triceratops Spin, and Dinosaur--so pretty much everything! With Genie+ we walked onto all of them. We also met Moana, Pocahontas, and Russell! The only thing we didn't do here that we wanted to was the Gorilla Falls trail, but we just ran out of time before the park closed.
đEPCOTđ
-- We had read to avoid EPCOT on Fridays and Saturdays, so we went on Wednesday. We rode: Grand Fiesta Tour, Living with the Land, Nemo, Spaceship Earth, Imagination with Figment, Frozen, Remy, Journey of Water, and Guardians--everything we wanted! Again, with Genie+, we walked right onto everything! We also met Anna and Elsa! Tried a couple of Flower and Garden snacks: chicken and waffles, fruit and cheese strudel, and potato pancakes, all were delicious! Everyone had a different favorite day, but EPCOT was personally my favorite day, it felt like we were firing on all cylinders and the day just went really smoothly!
đ°MAGIC KINGDOMđ°
-- We had read that Wednesdays were the quietest days at MK, so we were originally going to try to do it that day, but we could only get a reservation for Cinderella's Royal Table on Thursday, so we switched it up. Definitely the most crowded of all the parks we visited, but I think that's just the norm for MK, everyone wants to go to the castle park with the most rides. We rode: Regal Carousel, Tomorrowland Speedway, Barnstormer, Magic Carpets, Mad Tea Party, People Mover, Dumbo, Small World, Little Mermaid, Pirates, Space Ranger Spin, Jungle Cruise, TRON, and Peter Pan. Again, with Genie+, we walked right onto everything! The only ride we missed at this park that we wanted to do was Pooh, I couldn't manage to get a return time that was earlier than we planned on leaving. Outside of our character meals (more on those in the dining section!) we also met Mirabel, Tiana, and Rapunzel! We had both the Rapunzel and Aurora ice creams, both so good and cute!
đŹHOLLYWOOD STUDIOSđŹ
-- We had read that, like MK, it's better to do HS later in the week, so we went Friday. We rode: Slinky, Alien Saucers, Toy Story Mania, Rise, Smuggler's Run, Runaway Railway. Again, with Genie+, we walked right onto everything! The only ride we missed was Tower of Terror, again I couldn't manage to get a return time that was earlier than we planned on leaving. We also met Olaf, be aware Olaf doesn't sign stuff, they just give you a signature card. This park needs more shade IMO, especially Toy Story Land, I know it's supposed to be Andy's backyard, but I don't see why that means we can't have some shade from trees or something. 𤪠Blue milk from Galaxy's Edge was really good, the family was all fighting over it!
đ˝ď¸DININGđ˝ď¸
-- We almost certainly lost some money on the DDP, but I'm still glad we got it because it allowed us to do more table service meals and have less stress overall about expenses. We easily used up everything but child quick service credits, we had a few of those left over near the end.
Here's where we ate!
BOARDWALK DELI/PIZZA WINDOW: Pizza for the kids, sandwiches for the adults. Tasty and satisfying after our day of travel!
BEACHES AND CREAM: Got the kitchen sink for the experience, but honestly it's not great, all the ice cream and toppings melt together quick and you just end up with weird ice cream soup.
SAT'ULI CANTEEN: LOVED this place, everything was so yummy! Best quick service we had!
SANAA: Since Animal Kingdom closes so early, we thought we'd try to extend the experience by eating at Sanaa. What a great idea, we got seated right by a window and saw so many animals! The food was great too.
AKERSHUS: Our favorite princess meal! We met Aurora, Tiana, Snow White, Ariel, and Belle. They were all lovely, and the breakfast was really good too. Only 1 credit on the DDP!
GARDEN GRILL: Our kids really enjoyed getting to look down over Living with the Land and the fact that the restaurant spins. We met Farmer Mickey, Pluto, and Chip and Dale. They were fun and even came to our table more than once. Food was good!
SPACE 220: Not on the DDP, but wow, what a cool restaurant! Almost like a ride with the theming and the elevator up. Food was really good.
CINDERELLA'S ROYAL TABLE: You gotta eat in the castle! We paid for it OOP because we didn't want to use up 2 DDP credits here. You're really going for the location and the princesses, the food is kinda meh, not bad but not as good as other places. The restaurant is small and they have to turn tables quick, so it's very understandable to me that the princesses have to move fast. It's not that they rush you, they'll take all the pictures you ask for and sign whatever and answer your questions, but if you don't have much you need, they try to keep moving. Akershus is much bigger so they are able to be more relaxed there. The only small bummer is that we didn't see Merida (maybe she was on vacation too!) We did meet Cinderella, Ariel, Jasmine, and Aurora though!
CRYSTAL PALACE: We are not big on buffets but we enjoyed meeting Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore and Tigger!
TOPOLINO'S: Maybe the best food of the trip, steak and eggs were so good! The character artist costumes are so cute too. It was fun to have an excuse to ride the Skyliner to get here from Beach Club too.
DOCKING BAY 7: The theming is great, but the food wasn't as good as Satuli Canteen IMO.
THE MARKET AT ALE & COMPASS: We had quick service credits we wanted to use up on the last day and we didn't want to leave the resort again, otherwise I would have gone somewhere else, food was meh.
â¨EXTRASâ¨
-- I originally wanted to book Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for my kids, but it's so expensive/competitive that I decided to didn't want the stress. Instead I booked Have Wand, Will Travel to come to our room and bought dresses from Presley Couture and Only Little Once. I chose Have Wand, Will Travel because they keep character throughout. Fairy Godmother Elyse was amazing and so much fun, my kids loved it and kept talking about it all day!
-- That same morning I ordered a Sammicakes breakfast box with beignets for us to eat. I also ordered a pretend letter from Tiana on Etsy to make it seem like the breakfast came from Tiana. My kids also loved this and had fun telling Tiana about it both times we met her. Sammicakes was good but a LOT of food, sadly we didn't end up eating half of it. It can last you at least 3 days!
-- Matching shirts and ear hats, all from Etsy! So many cool designs there, hardest part is choosing!
-- Got my kids a pin trading lanyard with some pins, they loooooved pin trading! It was like free souvenirs.
đ§łPACKINGđ§ł
-- Things the Internet Told Me to Pack That I Needed: Scissors, ziploc bags, ibuprofen (kids and adults), garbage bags.
-- Things the Internet Told Me to Pack that I Didn't Need: stainless steel straws (the paper straws are more like cardboard, they really don't break down unless your kid is gnawing on them or something), ponchos (it did rain some most days, but wearing a poncho was almost more miserable than not wearing one, it's so hot and humid to be walking around in a plastic bag! We did better taking shelter and using umbrellas.), wipes (obv you need them if your kid is younger, but mine were older and just never got messy enough to need them.), glow sticks (we never stayed anywhere long enough to use them.) Basically, the less you can get away carrying in the parks, the better. It's annoying to lug stuff around you don't end up needing or using!
đSTROLLERđ
-- I know it seems insane that your 5 year old and 9 year old will need a stroller, but mine definitely did. Once I accepted that I was going to have to get one, I tried to make the best of it, and actually got really into decorating it so we could always easily spot it in the sea (the decorations also later made nice wall decor for a gallery of our trip!) The Magic Spotter flag was the best investment, hardly anyone had them so it was easy to instantly spot our stroller anywhere we left it, even if it got moved. That said, I definitely didn't want to spend a lot on a stroller we were really only buying for this one trip, so I got a used Joovy Caboose on Facebook Marketplace for $50. It was very hard to handle with two older kids in it, and even with one it was hard to handle unless the kid was in the back seat. So we basically used it like a single stroller, glad I didn't spend a lot on it since it was so hard to drive!
âWEATHERâ
-- We had mostly great weather, it rained some every day except Magic Kingdom day but it passed within an hour each time. We wore socks with Crocs so that if/when it rained, we could just take our wet socks off and walk in our Crocs, this worked great! Don't trust the weather reports though, two days it wasn't supposed to rain. One day it actually didn't, the other day it did and we had to walk in wet shoes because we didn't wear the Crocs that day. Just figure it might rain any day and be prepared! See above note RE: ponchos being not great and shelter + umbrellas being better. When it didn't rain, It. Was. Hot. 𼾠In the 90s but definitely felt hotter with the humidity making it so sticky. We felt there was plenty of shade at Animal Kingdom and EPCOT, but hardly any at Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, which I would say slightly affected how much fun we had on those days comparatively.
Phew! That's about it, let me know if you have any questions!
2024.05.18 20:06 Mouse_Numerous Pension & Investors release Fortress Mgt buys Fortress back from Softbank 5/15/24
5/15/24 co CEO Fortress announces closure of Fortress Mgt buyback from Softbank. Now Fortress is ready to roll at Novation Co NOVCQ a public company hidden by SEC Rule 15c2-11 with partners co investors Mass Mutual & sub Barings aka Babson Capital, Jefferies $JEF & White Mountainâs Capital $WTM & NOVCQ Board of Directors Barry Igdaloffâs Howard Amster & Whitney Tilson, Chuck Gillman, Jeffrey Eberwein, David Pointer, Tim Eriksen, Lee Keddie & Robert Pearse. These people are all connected and their 3 NOVCQ restructuring are all connected and advised by 3 third party professionals TPP Boulay Group, Olshan Law, Shapiro Sher. These TPP are no different then Sullivan Cromwell aiding the FTX scheme.
https://www.pionline.com/alternatives/fortress-mubadala-complete-acquisition-fortress-investment-group
ďťżWorld Leading Investors Fortress, EJF Capital aka FBR, MassMutual Barings, Jefferies, White Mountains Capital $WTM are about to create BILLIONS in Capital plus Hundreds of Millions in Cash Flow every year. This is how Whitney Tilson's pals Chuck Gillman, Jeff Eberwein and their co-investors siege control of Novation Companies $NOVC. Use SEC Rule 15C(2)-11 to drive share price down, while taking 16M or 10% of stock at pennies as partial board compensation. Equipped with 40M common shares of NOVCQ they are ready to make Billions plus Create $100Ms every year in cash flow in dividends/Mgt Fees. They have a world class roster of investors supporting them including; MassMutual Barings/Jefferies 40M and Fortress/EJF Capital 31.3M NOVCQ common shares (EJF formerly FBR is owned by White Mountains Capital $WTM). Fortress/EJF Capital also own $NOVCQ only Sr Debt to exit their 1st Ch 11 MD and was used in 2nd Ch 11 in DE filed 8/13/2024. Fortress/EJF invested a few thousand dollars in Off Balance Sheet entities Taberna Trups CDOs I & II/Kodiak CDO I, that hold NOVCQ only Sr Debt. After the 1st Ch 11 NOVCQ Board of Director Barry Igdaloff, Howard Amster hands Fortress/EJF Capital 31M shares allocated by Board at zero basis. This proves NOVCQ Board of Directors was not independent from Sr Debt Holders Fortress/EJF Capital. Sr Debt was a ruse including its use in DE Ch 11. DE Ch 11 was carefully crafted to provide short sellers a way to take tax free gains. The Board with little cash invested holds control of this former NYSE MREIT Novastar Financial Inc. traded under MREIT NYSE Exemption $NFI now Novation $NOVCQ.
Per WSJ Wesley Edens of Fortress is the new MREIT Subprime KING after restructuring Mr. Cooper $COOP and OMF One Main aka LEAF AIG and Citi Bank Subprime CaPersonal Lending unit, and RITM/NRZ and Dynex Capital DX. Manny Friedman Founder of EJF Capital formerly FBR Friedman, Billings Ramsey, is regarded as a leading MREIT expert. They control Novation Companies Inc. NOVCQ thanks to $NOVCQ Board of Directors who they have a past relationship. They renamed Novastar Financial Inc. former traded NSYE as $NFI to Novation Companies, which owns MREIT Novastar Financial Inc., renamed Novastar Mortgage inside 2nd Ch 11 in DE. A new 8-Member Board is waiting in the wings with new name/symbol. I have been told they have big plans for NOVCQ only operating unit http://healthcare-staffing.com HCS which owns and conceals Medmasa http://medmasa.com
I believe they will merge HCS/Medmasa with Jeff Eberwein Hudson Global $HSON to create quarter billion tax free BPO public company. Jeffrey Eberwein is the former NOVCQ COB/CEO that managed 1st Ch 11 in MD with Shapiro Sher. Eberwein is now COB/CEO of Hudson Global $HSON. This merger will monetize NOVCQ $730M NOLs just like both CH 11 the 1st in Maryland, MD & 2nd or last in Delaware, DE. Both used Sr Debt as ruse to execute both Ch 11s which have gone to great length to save NOVCQ $730M NOLs. 2022 NOVCQ triggered SEC Rule 15c(2)-11 which allows NOVCQ to remain public but conceals who is buying NOVCQ as only Expert Investors can accumulate NOVCQ like Putnam Inv. Goldman Sachs, Blackrock & David Dreman of Dreman Value Mgt. and Thomas Akin Talkot Capital fund owns 1.9M common. This SEC Rule is postured as way for small public company to remain public and not have the cost burden of SEC filings. What it really does is stops Retail bid/ask and allows Expert Investors in the know to front run a public company before rolling out true reorganization plans.
They are ready to change Novation Co $NOVCQ name and brand so as to eliminate any reference to the prior board or brand. This is how they roll. I believe they will present the new name/symbol and 8-Member Board comprised of Fortress, EJF Capital aka FBR people once Fortress Management close Softbank SALE of Fortress (DONE See Top 5/15/24 Announcement) to them and Mubadala Investment Company ex Fortress executive Rajeev Misra. Whitney Tilson close small cap co-investors Chuck Gillman, Jeff Eberwein are at the center. Iâve been told they do nothing but sure things. Former George Soros Investments Portfolio Mgr. Jeff Eberwein Wharton MBA, is ready to take $NOVC http://medmasa.com conceal behind http://healthcare-staffing.com & $730M NOLs. This 8-Member Board connected to past Board Members Jeff Eberwein, Chuck Gillman, Barry Igdaloff, Howard Amster I believe will merge Medmasa/HCS with Hudson Global $HSON (see Jefferey Eberwein Form 4s at $HSON & Form 4s filed at NOVCQ between April-Oct 2015 via his fund Lone Star Value Mgt.). Jeff Eberwein & his clan including Whitney Tilson/Chuck Gillman were introduced to the present day NOVCQ Board Barry Igdaloff, Howard Amster. Wes Edens, Founder of Fortress hide their identity behind Off Balance Sheet OBE Entities Taberna Trups CDOs I and II and former FBR Friedman, Billings, Ramsey now called http://EJFCap.com also hide their identity behind OBE Kodiak CDO I.
Fortress/EJF own at the same time both the only Sr Debt to exit 1st Ch 11 MD and months afterward 31M NOVCQ common (9M NOVCQ common shares plus 22.250M Ten Year Warrants. There are co-conspirators with NOVCQ board of directors that own 40M NOVCQ Common & MassMutual & Jefferies own 40M NOVCQ common shares. Novation Companies Inc. $NOVCQ submerged shareholder plans and value under SEC Rule 15c(2)-11 to sub penny stock that can only be traded today by Expert Investors defined by this SEC Rule. Fortress/EJF Capital paid almost nothing for OBEs yet they have spent at least $2M cash in the last Ch 11 in DE. They have every reason to do something big.
I believe that something will be splitting NOVCQ into two tax free public companies worth BILLIONS plus Hundreds of Millions in annual cash flow in MREIT Dividends & Lucrative Mgt Fees just like Fortress did a LEAF/One Main OMF, Newcastle that is New Residential $NRZ now Rithm Capital $RITM and $GCI formerly New Media NEWM and New Senior $SNR sold for over $2B. $RITM aka $NRZ in 2019 10K documented that shareholders paid Fortress over $250M in Mgt Fees annually, plus dividends. Fortress terminated the NRZ/RITM Mgt Deal for cool $400M (simultaneously changing Name/Symbol to Rithm Capital $RITM). NOVCQ Dark Horse are their plans for NOVCQ only operating unit HCS aka Medmasa http://medmasa.com concealed by CH 11 in DE. Medmasa NOVCQ only operating unit is http://healthcare-staffing.com NOVCQ former MREIT NYSE $NFI now named Novastar Mortgage is the Board, EJF Capital and Fortress ticket to monetizing rights (see Exhibit 2.1 of Q3 2007 10Q Service Rights Transfer Agreement Sec 5.04 that defines these rights as Cleanup Call Rights CCR well know to these MREIT experts) that control billions of rich, seasoned collateral assets ideal to be leveraged and securitized into MREIT dividend & like RITM aka NRZ another external management fee for Fortress and/or EJF. Fortress/EJF Capital then FBR did this with NOVCQ Board Barry Igdaloff, Howard Amster 2000-03 at Dynex Capital NYSE $DX. Ask Igdaloff helpers Thomas Akin former CEO/COB of DX he holds 1.9M of NOVCQ in his fund Talkot Capital. Thomas Bruce Akin sat on DX Board for years with NOVCQ Chairman Igdaloff. Igdaloff served 20 years on DX Board per DX 8K 9/3/2020.This is your chance to do what is right. ====================================== ALTERNATIVES
May 15, 2024 12:04 PM
REPRINTSPRINT
Drew McKnight and Joshua Pack
Fortress Investment Group, an alternatives manager, and Mubadala Investment Co., the investment arm of Abu Dhabiâs $276 billion sovereign wealth fund, completed their acquisition deal May 15, and as part of the close, Fortress management now owns a 32% equity interest.
Mubadala owns the remaining 68%. The acquisition, through Mubadala Capital, is for the 90.01% of Fortress equity that was held by SoftBank Group Corp., according to a news release. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Fortressâs sale of majority equity was approved by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States after concessions were made to let Fortress keep data and technology in the U.S., the Financial Times first reported last week.
Fortress, which had $48 billion in assets under management at the end of 2023, said it expects the new joint venture to help it further establish itself in credit and real estate in both public and private markets. Fortress pointed to Mubadala Capitalâs global network to help expand client relationships.
âThis is a true landmark event for Fortress, for our employees and for the clients we serve,â said Fortress co-CEOs Drew McKnight and Joshua Pack, adding, âWe have strengthened alignments of interest, put significant management skin in the game, and deepened our long-term partnership with Mubadala, one of the worldâs most highly regarded investors.â
As part of Fortress management now owning a 32% equity interest, its management is entitled to appointment of a majority of board seats. McKnight, Pack and managing partner Jack Neumark were the largest individual investors in the buyout and were joined by about 150 members of the firm.
Mubadala Capitalâs CEO and managing director, Hani Barhoush, continues to serve on the Fortress board, a position he has held since 2019 when Mubadala initially invested.
Fortress will continue to operate as an independent investment manager under its own brand and with full autonomy over its investment process and personnel.
submitted by Mouse_Numerous to eventdriveninvestment [link] [comments]
https://www.pionline.com/alternatives/fortress-mubadala-complete-acquisition-fortress-investment-group
ďťżWorld Leading Investors Fortress, EJF Capital aka FBR, MassMutual Barings, Jefferies, White Mountains Capital $WTM are about to create BILLIONS in Capital plus Hundreds of Millions in Cash Flow every year. This is how Whitney Tilson's pals Chuck Gillman, Jeff Eberwein and their co-investors siege control of Novation Companies $NOVC. Use SEC Rule 15C(2)-11 to drive share price down, while taking 16M or 10% of stock at pennies as partial board compensation. Equipped with 40M common shares of NOVCQ they are ready to make Billions plus Create $100Ms every year in cash flow in dividends/Mgt Fees. They have a world class roster of investors supporting them including; MassMutual Barings/Jefferies 40M and Fortress/EJF Capital 31.3M NOVCQ common shares (EJF formerly FBR is owned by White Mountains Capital $WTM). Fortress/EJF Capital also own $NOVCQ only Sr Debt to exit their 1st Ch 11 MD and was used in 2nd Ch 11 in DE filed 8/13/2024. Fortress/EJF invested a few thousand dollars in Off Balance Sheet entities Taberna Trups CDOs I & II/Kodiak CDO I, that hold NOVCQ only Sr Debt. After the 1st Ch 11 NOVCQ Board of Director Barry Igdaloff, Howard Amster hands Fortress/EJF Capital 31M shares allocated by Board at zero basis. This proves NOVCQ Board of Directors was not independent from Sr Debt Holders Fortress/EJF Capital. Sr Debt was a ruse including its use in DE Ch 11. DE Ch 11 was carefully crafted to provide short sellers a way to take tax free gains. The Board with little cash invested holds control of this former NYSE MREIT Novastar Financial Inc. traded under MREIT NYSE Exemption $NFI now Novation $NOVCQ.
Per WSJ Wesley Edens of Fortress is the new MREIT Subprime KING after restructuring Mr. Cooper $COOP and OMF One Main aka LEAF AIG and Citi Bank Subprime CaPersonal Lending unit, and RITM/NRZ and Dynex Capital DX. Manny Friedman Founder of EJF Capital formerly FBR Friedman, Billings Ramsey, is regarded as a leading MREIT expert. They control Novation Companies Inc. NOVCQ thanks to $NOVCQ Board of Directors who they have a past relationship. They renamed Novastar Financial Inc. former traded NSYE as $NFI to Novation Companies, which owns MREIT Novastar Financial Inc., renamed Novastar Mortgage inside 2nd Ch 11 in DE. A new 8-Member Board is waiting in the wings with new name/symbol. I have been told they have big plans for NOVCQ only operating unit http://healthcare-staffing.com HCS which owns and conceals Medmasa http://medmasa.com
I believe they will merge HCS/Medmasa with Jeff Eberwein Hudson Global $HSON to create quarter billion tax free BPO public company. Jeffrey Eberwein is the former NOVCQ COB/CEO that managed 1st Ch 11 in MD with Shapiro Sher. Eberwein is now COB/CEO of Hudson Global $HSON. This merger will monetize NOVCQ $730M NOLs just like both CH 11 the 1st in Maryland, MD & 2nd or last in Delaware, DE. Both used Sr Debt as ruse to execute both Ch 11s which have gone to great length to save NOVCQ $730M NOLs. 2022 NOVCQ triggered SEC Rule 15c(2)-11 which allows NOVCQ to remain public but conceals who is buying NOVCQ as only Expert Investors can accumulate NOVCQ like Putnam Inv. Goldman Sachs, Blackrock & David Dreman of Dreman Value Mgt. and Thomas Akin Talkot Capital fund owns 1.9M common. This SEC Rule is postured as way for small public company to remain public and not have the cost burden of SEC filings. What it really does is stops Retail bid/ask and allows Expert Investors in the know to front run a public company before rolling out true reorganization plans.
They are ready to change Novation Co $NOVCQ name and brand so as to eliminate any reference to the prior board or brand. This is how they roll. I believe they will present the new name/symbol and 8-Member Board comprised of Fortress, EJF Capital aka FBR people once Fortress Management close Softbank SALE of Fortress (DONE See Top 5/15/24 Announcement) to them and Mubadala Investment Company ex Fortress executive Rajeev Misra. Whitney Tilson close small cap co-investors Chuck Gillman, Jeff Eberwein are at the center. Iâve been told they do nothing but sure things. Former George Soros Investments Portfolio Mgr. Jeff Eberwein Wharton MBA, is ready to take $NOVC http://medmasa.com conceal behind http://healthcare-staffing.com & $730M NOLs. This 8-Member Board connected to past Board Members Jeff Eberwein, Chuck Gillman, Barry Igdaloff, Howard Amster I believe will merge Medmasa/HCS with Hudson Global $HSON (see Jefferey Eberwein Form 4s at $HSON & Form 4s filed at NOVCQ between April-Oct 2015 via his fund Lone Star Value Mgt.). Jeff Eberwein & his clan including Whitney Tilson/Chuck Gillman were introduced to the present day NOVCQ Board Barry Igdaloff, Howard Amster. Wes Edens, Founder of Fortress hide their identity behind Off Balance Sheet OBE Entities Taberna Trups CDOs I and II and former FBR Friedman, Billings, Ramsey now called http://EJFCap.com also hide their identity behind OBE Kodiak CDO I.
Fortress/EJF own at the same time both the only Sr Debt to exit 1st Ch 11 MD and months afterward 31M NOVCQ common (9M NOVCQ common shares plus 22.250M Ten Year Warrants. There are co-conspirators with NOVCQ board of directors that own 40M NOVCQ Common & MassMutual & Jefferies own 40M NOVCQ common shares. Novation Companies Inc. $NOVCQ submerged shareholder plans and value under SEC Rule 15c(2)-11 to sub penny stock that can only be traded today by Expert Investors defined by this SEC Rule. Fortress/EJF Capital paid almost nothing for OBEs yet they have spent at least $2M cash in the last Ch 11 in DE. They have every reason to do something big.
I believe that something will be splitting NOVCQ into two tax free public companies worth BILLIONS plus Hundreds of Millions in annual cash flow in MREIT Dividends & Lucrative Mgt Fees just like Fortress did a LEAF/One Main OMF, Newcastle that is New Residential $NRZ now Rithm Capital $RITM and $GCI formerly New Media NEWM and New Senior $SNR sold for over $2B. $RITM aka $NRZ in 2019 10K documented that shareholders paid Fortress over $250M in Mgt Fees annually, plus dividends. Fortress terminated the NRZ/RITM Mgt Deal for cool $400M (simultaneously changing Name/Symbol to Rithm Capital $RITM). NOVCQ Dark Horse are their plans for NOVCQ only operating unit HCS aka Medmasa http://medmasa.com concealed by CH 11 in DE. Medmasa NOVCQ only operating unit is http://healthcare-staffing.com NOVCQ former MREIT NYSE $NFI now named Novastar Mortgage is the Board, EJF Capital and Fortress ticket to monetizing rights (see Exhibit 2.1 of Q3 2007 10Q Service Rights Transfer Agreement Sec 5.04 that defines these rights as Cleanup Call Rights CCR well know to these MREIT experts) that control billions of rich, seasoned collateral assets ideal to be leveraged and securitized into MREIT dividend & like RITM aka NRZ another external management fee for Fortress and/or EJF. Fortress/EJF Capital then FBR did this with NOVCQ Board Barry Igdaloff, Howard Amster 2000-03 at Dynex Capital NYSE $DX. Ask Igdaloff helpers Thomas Akin former CEO/COB of DX he holds 1.9M of NOVCQ in his fund Talkot Capital. Thomas Bruce Akin sat on DX Board for years with NOVCQ Chairman Igdaloff. Igdaloff served 20 years on DX Board per DX 8K 9/3/2020.This is your chance to do what is right. ====================================== ALTERNATIVES
May 15, 2024 12:04 PM
Fortress, Mubadala complete acquisition of Fortress Investment Group
LYDIA TOMKIWERIN ARVEDLUNDREPRINTSPRINT
Drew McKnight and Joshua Pack
Fortress Investment Group, an alternatives manager, and Mubadala Investment Co., the investment arm of Abu Dhabiâs $276 billion sovereign wealth fund, completed their acquisition deal May 15, and as part of the close, Fortress management now owns a 32% equity interest.
Mubadala owns the remaining 68%. The acquisition, through Mubadala Capital, is for the 90.01% of Fortress equity that was held by SoftBank Group Corp., according to a news release. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
RELATED ARTICLE
Mubadala seeks co-investors for Fortress in effort to clear U.S. security review SoftBank-Fortress deal turns attention to future arrangements with private equity firmsFortressâs sale of majority equity was approved by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States after concessions were made to let Fortress keep data and technology in the U.S., the Financial Times first reported last week.
Fortress, which had $48 billion in assets under management at the end of 2023, said it expects the new joint venture to help it further establish itself in credit and real estate in both public and private markets. Fortress pointed to Mubadala Capitalâs global network to help expand client relationships.
âThis is a true landmark event for Fortress, for our employees and for the clients we serve,â said Fortress co-CEOs Drew McKnight and Joshua Pack, adding, âWe have strengthened alignments of interest, put significant management skin in the game, and deepened our long-term partnership with Mubadala, one of the worldâs most highly regarded investors.â
As part of Fortress management now owning a 32% equity interest, its management is entitled to appointment of a majority of board seats. McKnight, Pack and managing partner Jack Neumark were the largest individual investors in the buyout and were joined by about 150 members of the firm.
Mubadala Capitalâs CEO and managing director, Hani Barhoush, continues to serve on the Fortress board, a position he has held since 2019 when Mubadala initially invested.
Fortress will continue to operate as an independent investment manager under its own brand and with full autonomy over its investment process and personnel.
2024.05.18 18:44 Hunter328 Hi everyone! Is This Where Everyone Went? (From the Zen Forums)
Hello all, Iâve decided to get back into playing PinballFX (Iâm so much more used to calling it Zen Pinball as I did most of my playing during the Zen Pinball 2 days on PS Vita (Which, btw, I owned basically just for portable ZP2 and itâs a great system for that game.), although what really got me hooked were the two pinball games they made for the Nintendo 3DS, Zen Pinball and Star Wars Pinball. Even though the 3DS was underpowered and couldnât run the games perfectly, playing in 3D was awesome and I still miss it. I went to the official Zen Forums, but besides some new spam, that place has become a ghost town. Is this where everyone went? Anyway, itâs good to find an active group of fans. I used to be in a Facebook ZP2 group that ran tournaments, which was really fun, not to mention the cash prizes for 1st-3rd, which was even better, but they were PS only, and as the tables werenât cross-gen purchases this time (which I at least am fine with) Iâve started buying the new tables for Xbox Series X. I donât have all the tables yet, I just got back into it when I noticed you can change the orientation and so took my older TV and propped it up on its side and now have a cool huge vertical virtual pinball system, but Iâm buying the old tables when they come up on sale and slowing getting all the new ones. If anyone knows of some good groups for tournaments, let me know. BTW, on the forums I was hunter328, same on 3DS, and on PS I was SergioCosmopolis, in case some of the people I used to play with see this. On Xbox Iâm TheBadJesus. Feel free to add me (but put a little note in the invite saying itâs about Pinball, or Iâll think itâs spam and probably just delete it). So thatâs about it, just wanted to introduce myself and say hi. Thanks and have a great day!!!
submitted by Hunter328 to PinballFX3 [link] [comments]
2024.05.18 17:53 fist_of_mediocrity LG Refrigerator Bad Compressor - Never Again!!!
Bought a new, big 30 cubic foot LG refrigerator in 2018, model LMXS30776S.
Was fine for a few years, then in June 2021 started to have trouble staying cold. After a lot of back and forth with LG and $500+ in destroyed groceries, they finally agreed to repair under warranty. Had to wait almost 2 weeks until they had an "authorized tech" available.
Now, just under 3 years later, same thing again, blinking error light on the control board and intermittently not cooling. LG says parts warranty only, on the compressor only, and l'll have to pay for labor, plus any additional parts like filter dryer and evap core because of contamination from compressor. Minimum $650, could be up to $1500. And no guarantees it will last any longer than 2-3 years again.
I have the tools and ability to evacuate, replace the compressodryeevap, and recharge the system, but of course they won't give me the compressor under warranty and it's $300+ for the compressor alone.
Apparently from what I've read in other threads, this is not uncommon for these fridges?
I know there was already one class action, but that still doesn't help with the future replacements as far as I'm understanding it, as even the replacement compressors have the same design flaw?
This is absolutely absurd for an appliance that was $4,400 new.
I'll never buy another LG fridge again. For now, I've bought a used Subzero 650 off Facebook for $400 that seems way more sturdy.
submitted by fist_of_mediocrity to Appliances [link] [comments]
Was fine for a few years, then in June 2021 started to have trouble staying cold. After a lot of back and forth with LG and $500+ in destroyed groceries, they finally agreed to repair under warranty. Had to wait almost 2 weeks until they had an "authorized tech" available.
Now, just under 3 years later, same thing again, blinking error light on the control board and intermittently not cooling. LG says parts warranty only, on the compressor only, and l'll have to pay for labor, plus any additional parts like filter dryer and evap core because of contamination from compressor. Minimum $650, could be up to $1500. And no guarantees it will last any longer than 2-3 years again.
I have the tools and ability to evacuate, replace the compressodryeevap, and recharge the system, but of course they won't give me the compressor under warranty and it's $300+ for the compressor alone.
Apparently from what I've read in other threads, this is not uncommon for these fridges?
I know there was already one class action, but that still doesn't help with the future replacements as far as I'm understanding it, as even the replacement compressors have the same design flaw?
This is absolutely absurd for an appliance that was $4,400 new.
I'll never buy another LG fridge again. For now, I've bought a used Subzero 650 off Facebook for $400 that seems way more sturdy.
2024.05.18 16:03 Key_Audience_6982 MBA in Digital Marketing in Delhi
Delhi offers top-notch programs that provide hands-on experience, flexible schedules, and industry connections. With a booming digital landscape, Delhi is the perfect place to gain the skills and knowledge needed to excel in this dynamic field.
submitted by Key_Audience_6982 to u/Key_Audience_6982 [link] [comments]
- IIDE IIDE offers an 11-month Post Graduation in Digital Marketing with Placement Assurance at the MBA level at their Delhi campus. With two unique specializations, flexible weekday and weekend batches, a mandatory 2-month internship, and 13+ live projects, itâs super convenient. You'll master tools like Google, Facebook, LinkedIn Ads, Shopify, WordPress, Freepik, and more.
- SkillCircle SkillCircle is another great option with no specific eligibility requiredâyou can be a college student, housewife, job seeker, or anyone else! Theyâve been around for 8 years, and over 700 companies have hired their students. The course lasts from 3 to 11 months, with a 100% job placement guarantee and 5+ capstone projects.
- Amity University Amity University also offers a similar program. They have campuses across India and globally, offering scholarships and up to 100% placements in recent years. Their course is online, making it convenient, and it lasts two years, which is longer compared to the other two institutes. Graduates have gone on to top universities like Stanford, Harvard, Yale, Oxford, and more for higher education.
2024.05.18 15:57 LenComeDown Obtaining Autographs & Photos?
Question for folks. My wife and I are attending two shows this tour - Indianapolis and Nashville. We splurged for VIP in Indianapolis but not Nashville.
Anyway, wife recently joined a fan group on Facebook and saw that one of the fans in this group posted about waiting by the back door of the venue and got photos with band members and autographs. Mentioned some of them had their children with them. This seemed really intrusive to me but I figured it was a one-off, probably little weird and a bit obsessive fan thing and no big deal just let it be.
But then she saw another post where someone asked if there was opportunities for obtaining autographs at the VIP sessions and they said not really but one of the ADMINS of this group said to wait by the busses after the show and get the poster signed that way.
I'm not a fan of Facebook and I'm not on it. I'm not big on social media at all, but all of this seems very intrusive to me and I made this account to ask. I would love to have an autograph and maybe pics with the band, though so I'm asking if in general this is acceptable behavior? I'm a little skeptical though because this particular fan group seems to be a little wonky in its views, ie you can't seem to have an opinion of the new music that's different than theirs, they are turning the number of shows you're going to into a sort of competition and bragging about being on guest lists for shows and etc.
So, what say you reddit? Is it cool to wait by back doors of venues and busses into the wee hours of the morning to get autographs and pics with the band? Should we all be doing it? At least one admin on one Facebook fan group is encouraging it!
submitted by LenComeDown to Decemberists [link] [comments]
Anyway, wife recently joined a fan group on Facebook and saw that one of the fans in this group posted about waiting by the back door of the venue and got photos with band members and autographs. Mentioned some of them had their children with them. This seemed really intrusive to me but I figured it was a one-off, probably little weird and a bit obsessive fan thing and no big deal just let it be.
But then she saw another post where someone asked if there was opportunities for obtaining autographs at the VIP sessions and they said not really but one of the ADMINS of this group said to wait by the busses after the show and get the poster signed that way.
I'm not a fan of Facebook and I'm not on it. I'm not big on social media at all, but all of this seems very intrusive to me and I made this account to ask. I would love to have an autograph and maybe pics with the band, though so I'm asking if in general this is acceptable behavior? I'm a little skeptical though because this particular fan group seems to be a little wonky in its views, ie you can't seem to have an opinion of the new music that's different than theirs, they are turning the number of shows you're going to into a sort of competition and bragging about being on guest lists for shows and etc.
So, what say you reddit? Is it cool to wait by back doors of venues and busses into the wee hours of the morning to get autographs and pics with the band? Should we all be doing it? At least one admin on one Facebook fan group is encouraging it!
2024.05.18 14:12 GlitteringTrick7063 Wish I could warn his new gf
This dude broke up with me randomly over text and started dating his new girlfriend on what would have been our 1 year anniversary. Cool pattern, bro.
Right now sheâs thinking sheâs special and sheâs âso amazingâ as he says with everyone, but he hasnât had time to change at all. Maybe sheâll be the exception?
She had to make it Facebook official, he wasnât gonna do it, now theyâre all celebrating like heâs a catch. Celebrating like they didnât just celebrate me and him few months earlier.
He made me feel on top of the world, discarded me, and acted like I never existed. Itâs over now, he has a new victim. He probably told her Iâm crazy or that heâs been single for years. Iâm going to keep moving forward but damnâŚhe sucks. Run girl!
submitted by GlitteringTrick7063 to BreakUps [link] [comments]
Right now sheâs thinking sheâs special and sheâs âso amazingâ as he says with everyone, but he hasnât had time to change at all. Maybe sheâll be the exception?
She had to make it Facebook official, he wasnât gonna do it, now theyâre all celebrating like heâs a catch. Celebrating like they didnât just celebrate me and him few months earlier.
He made me feel on top of the world, discarded me, and acted like I never existed. Itâs over now, he has a new victim. He probably told her Iâm crazy or that heâs been single for years. Iâm going to keep moving forward but damnâŚhe sucks. Run girl!
2024.05.18 14:00 GlitzGlitz King of Sloth - Ana Huang- my thoughts on the book and feelings on her recent declining quality ?
Please donât come for me!! Iâm a big fan and collect all her books and will always read them. Please donât tell me âjust donât read themâ the books were very comforting to me at a time I needed them but that doesnât mean I canât be open to discussion about her recent work and how her new direction or perhaps rush to put out books might be affecting quality.
Iâm part of her Facebook group as well; which is strictly a fan page.
Spoilers ahead !
Here goes:
First becomes its top of mind- there are more cameo mentions in this book than any other- including from the Twisted Series. I get happy when I see them but I think sometimes theyâre sprinkled in randomly by name only and itâs very fan-service-like. Itâs a great way to show how well the characters are doing years after the fact but more detailed scenes would make sense because yes, the AH fans love cameos.
Juleâs name was tossed around as a lawyer handling some of Xavierâs things but in the future I hope AH writes more compelling small cameo mentions, otherwise weâll get conversations like âI have to go, I have a doctorâs appointmentâŚDr.Josh Chen, havenât you heard, heâs the most up and coming doctor in town ! I had to practically beg Christian Harper to get me an appointment.â
But for the main characters: I guess I expected Sloane to be a character who looked like Bridget but with the personality of Jules. Instead she behaved exactly like Allesandra, Isabel and Vivian. Speaking of Bridget, the bubbly Queen of Eldora was more icy than Sloane (the series' designated Ice Queen) and she was supposed to be Rhy's sunny counterpart. We were constantly TOLD how icy and emotionless she was and never really shown it. Instead, we find out she's actually insecure and has a lot of issues, which yes is realistic to how Ice Queens typically form their avoidant personalities, but it would have been great to see a few chapters of her being icy before we peel the layers and find out why she puts up these icy walls.
If the book was supposed to be about how sheâs NOT the ice queen people think she isâŚthat wasnât exactly shown either. She does admit it herself that she is icy, just hates that she is and hates being called that.
Xavier is the Jojo Siwa of bad boys. He was a bad boy, he did some bad things. The things that made him Colombiaâs biggest bad boy with a bad boy reputation known all over the word: Parties with other rich kids, spends his wealthy fatherâs money, refuses to behave at publicity events like galas, refuses to inherit his familyâs company, gets into shenanigans that land him in a night in jail with other rich kids, got a tattoo of his family rivalâ crestâŚ.this oneâs more stupid than âsticking it to his familyâ, slept around with whether model/It Girl was around. In the words of Phoebe Buffay âOkay, who hasnât?!â Even Jules, Ava and Stella have landed themselves in jail after some shenanigan gone wrong. Itâs clear that despite being a âspicyâ book, AH created a Disney character version of a bad boy.
I feel like Ana forgot how to write from the male's POV after the Twisted series ended. The point of the dual POV is that you feel like you're reading two different people's POV, and honestly it all just blends together. I think Josh's book (Twisted Hate) was the best example of a male's perspective and thoughts/dialogue that a guy in that situation would be saying.
I noticed since King of Greed at least, these Alpha males have been carrying dialogue that mention the most ridiculous things that "Alpha billionaire" males wouldn't even notice. Example: In King of Greed, when Dominic makes a comment about the expression a Chinese food delivery person makes when he realizes he just dropped off a ton of food for two people.....I think that was an Ana Huang thought, not a Domenic thought. While weâre at it, Domenic was just as bad a XavierâŚ. Dante was the last good âAlphaâ she wrote and Kai was such a different character (modeled clearly after the lead in Crazy Rich Asians) that he was hard to mess up ..
The Spanish in King of Sloth was important given the character's background, but felt like it was written with Google Translate. It felt very formal and boring, and doesn't feel like a Spanish-language consultant was brought in to make sure the random sentences and random Spanish words made sense. It was giving the same energy as the Netflix original shows that are set in Los Angeles neighborhoods and the writer's idea of Spanglish is sprinkling random Spanish words into English sentences. There was a little Spanish dialogue in Twisted Games that was way less cringier- maybe because the Spanish was in full sentences and then translated right afterâŚ.. Latino English speaking people donât add random âTiosâ or âhermanoâ to their sentences. Look up @Leogonzall âhow Latinos talk in moviesâ videos to see a visual representation of how the Spanish dialogue in these books feel.
Some random things that appear in every single book: - "A thought niggling......" - A table groaning under the weight of food - The first kiss consists of the male's mouth "crashing" into the female's - Every single female character has parental and sibling issues of some sort. - Every male character has parental/abusive parents of some sort. I'm beginning to feel like AH cannot write complex characters that don't rely solely on parental drama, as relatable as it can be...not counting her "If Love..." series, we've seen this 7 times in a row, for EACH main character. So twice per book, for 7 books ! Formulas are one thing, but copy and pasting is another.
submitted by GlitzGlitz to RomanceBooks [link] [comments]
Iâm part of her Facebook group as well; which is strictly a fan page.
Spoilers ahead !
Here goes:
First becomes its top of mind- there are more cameo mentions in this book than any other- including from the Twisted Series. I get happy when I see them but I think sometimes theyâre sprinkled in randomly by name only and itâs very fan-service-like. Itâs a great way to show how well the characters are doing years after the fact but more detailed scenes would make sense because yes, the AH fans love cameos.
Juleâs name was tossed around as a lawyer handling some of Xavierâs things but in the future I hope AH writes more compelling small cameo mentions, otherwise weâll get conversations like âI have to go, I have a doctorâs appointmentâŚDr.Josh Chen, havenât you heard, heâs the most up and coming doctor in town ! I had to practically beg Christian Harper to get me an appointment.â
But for the main characters: I guess I expected Sloane to be a character who looked like Bridget but with the personality of Jules. Instead she behaved exactly like Allesandra, Isabel and Vivian. Speaking of Bridget, the bubbly Queen of Eldora was more icy than Sloane (the series' designated Ice Queen) and she was supposed to be Rhy's sunny counterpart. We were constantly TOLD how icy and emotionless she was and never really shown it. Instead, we find out she's actually insecure and has a lot of issues, which yes is realistic to how Ice Queens typically form their avoidant personalities, but it would have been great to see a few chapters of her being icy before we peel the layers and find out why she puts up these icy walls.
If the book was supposed to be about how sheâs NOT the ice queen people think she isâŚthat wasnât exactly shown either. She does admit it herself that she is icy, just hates that she is and hates being called that.
Xavier is the Jojo Siwa of bad boys. He was a bad boy, he did some bad things. The things that made him Colombiaâs biggest bad boy with a bad boy reputation known all over the word: Parties with other rich kids, spends his wealthy fatherâs money, refuses to behave at publicity events like galas, refuses to inherit his familyâs company, gets into shenanigans that land him in a night in jail with other rich kids, got a tattoo of his family rivalâ crestâŚ.this oneâs more stupid than âsticking it to his familyâ, slept around with whether model/It Girl was around. In the words of Phoebe Buffay âOkay, who hasnât?!â Even Jules, Ava and Stella have landed themselves in jail after some shenanigan gone wrong. Itâs clear that despite being a âspicyâ book, AH created a Disney character version of a bad boy.
I feel like Ana forgot how to write from the male's POV after the Twisted series ended. The point of the dual POV is that you feel like you're reading two different people's POV, and honestly it all just blends together. I think Josh's book (Twisted Hate) was the best example of a male's perspective and thoughts/dialogue that a guy in that situation would be saying.
I noticed since King of Greed at least, these Alpha males have been carrying dialogue that mention the most ridiculous things that "Alpha billionaire" males wouldn't even notice. Example: In King of Greed, when Dominic makes a comment about the expression a Chinese food delivery person makes when he realizes he just dropped off a ton of food for two people.....I think that was an Ana Huang thought, not a Domenic thought. While weâre at it, Domenic was just as bad a XavierâŚ. Dante was the last good âAlphaâ she wrote and Kai was such a different character (modeled clearly after the lead in Crazy Rich Asians) that he was hard to mess up ..
The Spanish in King of Sloth was important given the character's background, but felt like it was written with Google Translate. It felt very formal and boring, and doesn't feel like a Spanish-language consultant was brought in to make sure the random sentences and random Spanish words made sense. It was giving the same energy as the Netflix original shows that are set in Los Angeles neighborhoods and the writer's idea of Spanglish is sprinkling random Spanish words into English sentences. There was a little Spanish dialogue in Twisted Games that was way less cringier- maybe because the Spanish was in full sentences and then translated right afterâŚ.. Latino English speaking people donât add random âTiosâ or âhermanoâ to their sentences. Look up @Leogonzall âhow Latinos talk in moviesâ videos to see a visual representation of how the Spanish dialogue in these books feel.
Some random things that appear in every single book: - "A thought niggling......" - A table groaning under the weight of food - The first kiss consists of the male's mouth "crashing" into the female's - Every single female character has parental and sibling issues of some sort. - Every male character has parental/abusive parents of some sort. I'm beginning to feel like AH cannot write complex characters that don't rely solely on parental drama, as relatable as it can be...not counting her "If Love..." series, we've seen this 7 times in a row, for EACH main character. So twice per book, for 7 books ! Formulas are one thing, but copy and pasting is another.
- Ana Huang writes parents and siblings the way Amy Sherman-Palladino writes children in Gilmore Girls, just very one-dimensional and for the plot.
- Except for Isabel's good relationship with one of her brothers, Alessandra (and Ava and Josh) every female character has severe sibling drama, usually a case where their sibling is an over-achiever and conforms to their parent's expectations (and that's horrifying because it affects the main character and not because that sibling is also a victim that may have used conformity to survive their abusive parents actions)
- How she started her PR agency and the staff she hires- what a girl boss! We only get a vague background about how she started her agency but nothing about how she built experience prior, and how she managed to build a reputation to become one of the best PR agencies in the world. We just have to take the author's word for it, and there's been so much build-up of Sloane in the three previous books. Sheâs extremely well connected and good at her job- but we get zero background about how she got there except that she worked hard, and came from a rich family.
- I always imagined Sloane having a luxury apartment in NYC, something completely immaculate and stone-cold and awesome like her personality. We hear nothing about her apartment despite so many scenes taking place there.
- We didn't get that many scenes of Sloane doing anything by herselfâŚanything she cool she eats or wears or anything. I feel we got more of these smaller details about the heroines in the earlier books. At least we had a few scenes of Stella eating croissants and green smoothies- it was cute ! âşď¸
- I think Sloane got the Stella treatment- Both heroines's have been teased since the first book in the series but were a bit lackluster once the book came out.
- I really like that AH gives her characters a signature scent/flavor- I think Vivian was described smelling like apples, Alessandra smelled like lilies and rain or something. I canât recall the others. She also gives certain âelementsâ to characters- like Sloane being pale like the moon, icy, etc. Christian Harper was like whiskey and fire, etc.
- The world building in NYC and DC and other countries.
- the friendships and the conversations between the girls.
- I love the scenes that take place in both DC and NYC - they feel so cosmopolitan but I feel we no longer get smaller details about the weather, street details, etc - we got plenty more of this in Twisted Hate and Twisted Games...even details about it being a misty or cold day, make a huge difference in creating imagery in the reader's mind.
- The Valhalla scenes are typically entertaining and beautifully written, it's clear how lovely and gorgeous this country club is.
- Any cameos where Alex shows up, are well-written. I think Twisted Love was one of her strongest books, so it makes sense he's one of her strongest characters who is stable and can carry any appearance.
2024.05.18 10:09 soundsystem00 Something fishy about a used G14. But may be nothing..
I bought a used g14 from this college student on facebook marketplace. I met him and went into his bedroom to hang out so he really seemed like a good guy. When I got home I noticed marks and an indention on the top left side of the lid. It wont sit flush on that side and toward the corner, you can see screen browning on that corner.
He seemed prety honest and honestly i was the pushy one in the transaction, not him. Somehow that laptop got damaged, even on a stand the entire time of owning it. The lid was always closed and it was hooked up to a monitor on a cooling pad. I saw it myself. The scratches and dent really are strong i have no idea how it could have happened maybe he go in a fight with his gj and she threw it across the room.
Anyway, i finally installed a fresh copy of win11 and it took unreasonably long. More than I have ever seen. It really worried me but now that I have everything running with all the drivers installed, it is going lightening fast.
Here is the problem though. The gpu sucks. It is a 3060 and should be super-capable. I am having to take everyything down to llow settings and in starfield that is still not enough. I had the older g14 with the 2060 Max Q and it ran cyberpunk when it first came out. I run cyberpunk now and did a bench mark with ray racing on and got like 11fps. I have tried reinstalling the drivers over and over. I have changed every mode on every cpu and gpu app. I have changed the settings a million times and it always has to be on low, and even then it gets studdery when scenes get busy or i turn fast.
I also had a g15 with a r9 and a 3070. That is almost the same spec as this one since this is only 14 inch so the 3060 to 14 inch should be almost identical to 3070 on 15 inch. The g15 rocked cyberpunk on high settings with super good frame rate and graphics were beautiful. On this one, they barely cut it. STEAM DECK ran it better honestly. Same with ratchet and clank. Ratchet and clank, when i set the frame limit to 30, ran smooth as butter.
This is wqhd by default so yeah maybe the games should be bumped down to full hd but that doesnt really help either. Something is wrong with the graphics card. When I shut the lid, the laptop stay on and I hear a weird noise underneath.
Could this be a defective laptop that is unfixable? It runs so great on the OS. Like next level fast. Its just the graphics blow. I almost wonder if it is trying to use AMD software graphics or something even though the nvidia sign comes up when i start the game.
Sorry for the huge rant. If you have read this THANK YOU a lot. I love asus g14s and I was so let down when i started playing games today. Oh yeah, and often they run good at first frame rate wise but then start slowing down speeding up slowing down sleeping up. I think theres a name for that but i forgot.
plz help
submitted by soundsystem00 to ZephyrusG14 [link] [comments]
He seemed prety honest and honestly i was the pushy one in the transaction, not him. Somehow that laptop got damaged, even on a stand the entire time of owning it. The lid was always closed and it was hooked up to a monitor on a cooling pad. I saw it myself. The scratches and dent really are strong i have no idea how it could have happened maybe he go in a fight with his gj and she threw it across the room.
Anyway, i finally installed a fresh copy of win11 and it took unreasonably long. More than I have ever seen. It really worried me but now that I have everything running with all the drivers installed, it is going lightening fast.
Here is the problem though. The gpu sucks. It is a 3060 and should be super-capable. I am having to take everyything down to llow settings and in starfield that is still not enough. I had the older g14 with the 2060 Max Q and it ran cyberpunk when it first came out. I run cyberpunk now and did a bench mark with ray racing on and got like 11fps. I have tried reinstalling the drivers over and over. I have changed every mode on every cpu and gpu app. I have changed the settings a million times and it always has to be on low, and even then it gets studdery when scenes get busy or i turn fast.
I also had a g15 with a r9 and a 3070. That is almost the same spec as this one since this is only 14 inch so the 3060 to 14 inch should be almost identical to 3070 on 15 inch. The g15 rocked cyberpunk on high settings with super good frame rate and graphics were beautiful. On this one, they barely cut it. STEAM DECK ran it better honestly. Same with ratchet and clank. Ratchet and clank, when i set the frame limit to 30, ran smooth as butter.
This is wqhd by default so yeah maybe the games should be bumped down to full hd but that doesnt really help either. Something is wrong with the graphics card. When I shut the lid, the laptop stay on and I hear a weird noise underneath.
Could this be a defective laptop that is unfixable? It runs so great on the OS. Like next level fast. Its just the graphics blow. I almost wonder if it is trying to use AMD software graphics or something even though the nvidia sign comes up when i start the game.
Sorry for the huge rant. If you have read this THANK YOU a lot. I love asus g14s and I was so let down when i started playing games today. Oh yeah, and often they run good at first frame rate wise but then start slowing down speeding up slowing down sleeping up. I think theres a name for that but i forgot.
plz help
2024.05.18 08:58 Worst_Artist The Best SEO Plumber Guide From an Industry Expert
 | https://preview.redd.it/ad2tj4pku41d1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=ff5c3973dcc6ebb929c8ec59b20b06815f3200fa submitted by Worst_Artist to PlumberSEO [link] [comments] Every month âplumbers near meâ is searched up to 800,000 times globally (Google Keyword Planner. 2024). Is your plumbing company a top result in your target location? To thrive, your plumbing business needs to be visible where most potential customers are searching, Google. This guide will provide you with top Plumber SEO tips to enhance your plumbing businessâs online visibility. First, what is Plumber SEO?Plumber SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the practice of affecting local search engine rankings for plumbers. Plumber SEO is a subspecialty of Local SEO, which is the practice of affecting local search engine rankings.Understanding Why You Should Do Plumber SEOPlumber SEO is crucial because it helps your plumbing service appear in search results when potential customers in your area look for the services you offer.A cool 68.7% of all clicks go to the top three organic search results. If you're not effective with SEO you're invisible (Unless you're paying to play). Can You Do Plumber SEO Yourself?Yes, you can certainly get started with the basics of Plumber SEO, but advanced SEO, like Technical SEO, will require a technical specialization.The most accessible way to learn is through reputable sources like Barry Schwartz's Search Engine Roundtable and experienced Local SEO professionals like Joy Hawkins. Let's get started with some basics. 1. Optimize Your Google Business Profilehttps://preview.redd.it/n7u78h3yu41d1.png?width=1277&format=png&auto=webp&s=91fb5b4a5ffa946d75c4f582ca43904ca5233c10To appear in Googleâs local search results, including the Map Pack, start with your Google Business Profile (GBP). Hereâs how to optimize it: Claim and Set Up Your Google Profile If you're not on the map already, add your business name and category. Choose a primary category such as "Plumber" and you can add more later for more specific services like Gas Installation Service, Drainage Service, or Bathroom Remodeler. Complete Your Profile Details Review Darren Shaw's Whitespark Local Search Ranking Factors to see how you should prioritize your time. If you're here doing pre-research before you even start a plumbing business take advantage of the knowledge that the keywords in your business name and the proximity to the location you want to rank in are top-ranking factors. Set up your service area and you can choose up to 20 locations, but the guideline is that it must be no longer than a 2-hour drive from where your business is based. 2. Local Citations and Reviewshttps://preview.redd.it/yaphjtwzu41d1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=9a1368dfc95d8f370bd64adb18eb9de70fa43893Most business directories list your business name, address, and phone number. These listings are known as NAP citations. Consistent NAP citations across various directories improve your Local SEO. Hereâs how to get started: Get Listed with Top Local Directories You can either use a data aggregator service to list you on multiple directories or take care of some of the free ones first. Once you're verified for Google Business Profile you can import your business onto Bing as well with a few clicks. Don't forget to get listed on Yelp as well since Apple Map searches rely on data from Yelp. Facebook and Instagram also allow you to put your address which helps your Local SEO. YellowPages, Better Business Bureau, and Manta are some free ones to get as well. 3. Boost Your ReviewsReviews not only enhance your credibility but also improve your SEO rankings. Here are some effective ways to gather more reviews:
4. Keyword Research for Targeted VisibilityUnderstanding what potential customers search for helps tailor your website content to meet their needs. Effective keyword research is the foundation of successful SEO.Identify Service-Related Keywords Identifying the right keywords is the first step in creating content that attracts potential customers. Hereâs how to get started: List Your Services Start by making a comprehensive list of all the plumbing services you offer. Think about every specific service you provide, no matter how niche. A detailed list might include: Drain unblocking, Burst pipe repair, Drain Cleaning, Toilet installation, Water heater repair, Sewer line inspection and repair Listing these services helps you understand the scope of your business and provides a basis for keyword research. Make sure to include all services, even those you might consider minor, as they can attract targeted searches from potential customers looking for specific help. Use Keyword Tools Once you have your list of services, the next step is to use keyword research tools to find relevant keywords that potential customers are searching for. Hereâs how to leverage these tools: Google Keyword Planner Google's Keyword Planner is a free tool that helps you find keywords related to your services. Hereâs how to use it effectively: Enter Your Services Input the list of services you created into the tool. For example, if you offer "drain cleaning," enter this term into the Keyword Planner. Analyze Keyword Suggestions The tool will generate a list of related keywords, showing their search volumes and competition levels. Look for keywords with a high search volume and low to medium competition. These are the sweet spots that can drive significant traffic to your site. Include Local Modifiers Add local modifiers to your keywords to target searches in your service area. For example, âdrain cleaning near meâ or âemergency plumber in [your city].â This helps attract customers who are looking for services in specific locations. Develop individual pages for each service, optimized with relevant keywords. Each page should include the following elements: Create Service-Specific Pages By creating dedicated, optimized pages for each service, you can attract more targeted traffic and convert visitors into customers. These pages not only improve your SEO but also provide valuable information to potential clients, helping them choose your services with confidence. Once you have identified the right keywords, the next step is to create dedicated pages for each service you offer. Hereâs how to optimize these pages: Service Areas Clearly list the areas you serve for each service. This helps with local SEO and lets potential customers know if you can assist them in their location. For example: "We proudly offer our drain cleaning services to residents in [Your City] and surrounding areas, including [Nearby City 1], [Nearby City 2], and [Nearby City 3]." Unique Selling Points Highlight what makes your service unique. This could be your experience, certifications, special equipment, or customer satisfaction guarantees. For example: "With over 20 years of experience and state-of-the-art equipment, we provide unparalleled drain cleaning services. Our certified technicians ensure the job is done right the first time, giving you peace of mind." Customer Reviews and Testimonials Include positive reviews and testimonials from satisfied customers. This builds trust and credibility with potential clients. For example: What Our Customers Have to Say "Professional and courteous. The best drain cleaning service Iâve used." -Mark S. Contact Information Make it easy for visitors to get in touch with you. Provide your phone number, email address, and a web form for inquiries. Including a call-to-action (CTA) encourages potential customers to take the next step. For example: "Contact us today for expert drain cleaning services. Call us at [Phone Number] or fill out our online form for a free quote. Weâre here to help 24/7." 5. Website Content & Optimizationhttps://preview.redd.it/ytjgfll1v41d1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=941a55816f174cf4162d7212be048011e2639fe0Craft Compelling Content Each service page should clearly describe the service, its benefits, and why customers should choose you. Include certifications, unique selling points, and customer testimonials to build trust. Additionally, create engaging and informative content such as blog posts, FAQs, and plumbing tips to attract and retain visitors. Optimize Title Tags and Meta Descriptions Ensure these elements are compelling and informative as they appear in search results and can influence click-through rates. Here are some tips: Title Tags Your title tag should accurately describe the content of your page. Include specific details that make your page stand out. For example, instead of a generic title like "Plumbing Services," use something more specific like "Expert Drain Cleaning Services in [City]." Meta Descriptions Clearly summarize what the page is about. Include the most important points that users should know before clicking. For example, for a drain cleaning service page, you might write: "Get expert drain cleaning services in [City]. Our plumbers are available 24/7 to handle any blockage. Call [number] for a free quote." Google typically displays the first 150-160 characters of a meta description. Aim to keep your meta descriptions concise and within this limit to ensure the full text is visible. Include your phone number in the meta description as this is clickable on mobile. Create Mobile-Friendly Pages With most local searches being conducted on smartphones, itâs essential to ensure your website is mobile-friendly. Hereâs how: Responsive Design Responsive design refers to a web design approach that makes web pages render well on a variety of devices and window or screen sizes. It ensures that your website looks and functions correctly on desktops, tablets, and smartphones. Optimize Images Large images can slow down your website, leading to a poor user experience, especially on mobile devices with slower internet connections. Optimizing images ensures faster loading times, which can improve both user experience and SEO. Use a site like TinyJPG to compress images for free. Simple Layout A simple, uncluttered layout improves user experience by making it easier for visitors to navigate your site and find the information they need. It also ensures that your site loads faster, as there are fewer elements to load. Click-to-Call Buttons Click-to-call buttons are crucial for mobile users, allowing them to contact your business with a single tap. This convenience can increase conversion rates and improve customer satisfaction. 6. Build a Strong Link ProfileBacklinks are one of Googleâs strongest ranking factors. Hereâs how to build a robust link profile for your plumbing business:Guest Blogging and Community Participation Guest blogging and engaging in community participation are effective ways to build high-quality backlinks and establish your authority in the plumbing industry. Identify Target Blogs Find blogs in the plumbing, home improvement, and DIY niches that accept guest posts. Look for blogs with a good reputation and engaged audiences. Use search queries like âplumbing blogs accepting guest postsâ or âhome improvement write for us.â Reach out to the blog owners with well-crafted pitches. Propose topics that are relevant to their audience and showcase your expertise. Ensure your pitch is concise and highlights the value you can provide to their readers. Write well-researched, informative, and engaging articles. Focus on providing valuable insights and practical advice. Include relevant keywords naturally and ensure the content aligns with the blogâs style and tone. In your author bio, include a brief description of yourself and your plumbing business, along with a link back to your website. Some blogs may also allow you to include a link within the content itself. Ensure these links are relevant and add value to the article. Join Relevant Communities Participate in forums and online communities related to plumbing, home improvement, and DIY. Websites like Reddit, Quora, and specialized plumbing forums are great places to start. Join groups where homeowners seek advice on plumbing issues. Offer helpful and knowledgeable answers to questions. Avoid blatant self-promotion; instead, focus on providing genuine value. Share your expertise and build a reputation as a helpful professional. When appropriate, include links to your blog posts or service pages that provide additional information. Make sure these links are relevant to the discussion and genuinely help the reader. HARO (Help A Reporter Out) HARO connects sources with journalists looking for expert quotes. This can lead to high-quality backlinks from reputable sites. Sign up for a free HARO account as a source. You will receive daily emails with journalist requests categorized by industry. Plumbing-related requests might fall under Home & Garden or Business & Finance. Monitor the HARO emails for requests related to plumbing, home maintenance, or small business operations. Respond promptly with concise, informative answers. Highlight your expertise and provide useful insights. When responding, be detailed and professional. Include your full name, title, business name, and a link to your website. Journalists are more likely to use your quotes if they are well-articulated and relevant to their article. Replicate Competitorsâ Links Analyzing your competitorsâ backlinks can help you discover new link-building opportunities. Identify your top competitors by searching for your target keywords in Google. Note the websites that consistently appear at the top of the search results. Use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz to analyze your competitorsâ backlink profiles. Enter their domain into the tool to see a list of websites linking to them. Assess the quality of these backlinks by looking at metrics like organic traffic. Focus on high-quality backlinks from reputable sites. Look for backlinks that you can replicate. These might include guest posts, directory listings, or mentions in articles. Reach out to these websites with a similar pitch to get your site linked as well. Reclaim Lost Links Reclaiming lost links involves identifying and fixing broken or redirected links pointing to your site. Use tools like Ahrefs or Google Search Console to identify broken links pointing to your website. These tools can help you find 404 errors and other issues. Identify links that are redirected to other pages or domains. Ensure that the redirects are still relevant and pointing to the correct pages. Reach out to the webmasters of the sites linking to your broken URLs. Politely ask them to update the link to the correct page. Provide the exact URL to make it easier for them. If you have moved content to a new URL, set up 301 redirects from the old URLs to the new ones. This ensures that any backlinks pointing to the old URL still pass on link equity to the new page. 7. Technical SEOTechnical SEO ensures that search engines can find and index your pages. Hereâs how to set your site up for technical success:Plan Your Site Structure A well-organized site structure helps visitors navigate your website and allows Google to find all your pages. Hereâs a good starting point for your site structure: Home Page -> Service Pages -> Blogs to Informational and How-To Pages Use HTTPS HTTPS is a secure way for visitors to access web pages. Itâs important for SEO because itâs been a ranking factor since 2014. Check if your website uses HTTPS by looking for a lock icon in the browserâs search bar. Monitor Your SEO Health Regularly monitor your websiteâs SEO health using tools like Google Search Console. These tools can help you identify and fix common SEO issues. Key metrics to track include organic traffic, keyword performance, and site health score. 8. SEO Content MarketingCreating valuable content can attract traffic and customers from organic search. Hereâs how to create and promote content that ranks:Keyword Research Topics Finding the right topics to write about is crucial for attracting organic traffic. Hereâs how to identify proven topics: Begin with broad keywords related to plumbing, such as âleak repair,â âdrain cleaning,â or âwater heater maintenance.â Enter these into keyword research tools like Ahrefs Keywords Explorer, Google Keyword Planner, or SEMrush. Use these tools to find related keywords and phrases that people are searching for. Look for questions and long-tail keywords (phrases with three or more words) that indicate specific user intents. For example, instead of just âdrain cleaning,â look for âhow to clean a clogged drainâ or âbest drain cleaning services in [city].â Evaluate the search volume and competition level for each keyword. Ideally, target keywords with high search volume but low to medium competition. This increases the chances of ranking well without facing too much competition. Analyze the search engine results pages (SERPs) for your target keywords to see what type of content is ranking. Look for featured snippets, people also ask boxes, and top-ranking articles to understand the type of content Google favors. Use Questions and Informational Keywords Focus on questions and informational keywords, such as âhow-toâ guides, tutorials, and tips. These types of content tend to attract more engagement and backlinks, boosting your SEO. Publish Optimized Blog Posts Once you have identified the right topics, itâs time to create optimized blog posts that rank well and attract traffic. Analyze the top-ranking pages for your target keywords to understand the user intent behind the searches. Are people looking for how-to guides, detailed articles, or quick answers? Align your content with what users expect to find. Ensure your content fully addresses the search query. If users are looking for a guide on fixing a leaky faucet, provide a step-by-step tutorial with images, videos, and troubleshooting tips. Use Clear Headings and Subheadings Organize your content with clear headings (H1, H2, H3) and subheadings. This not only improves readability but also helps search engines understand the structure of your content. Break down information into bullet points and numbered lists where appropriate. This makes your content more scannable and user-friendly. Include Images and Videos Use relevant images, infographics, and videos to enhance your content. Visual elements can help explain complex topics and keep readers engaged. Write Compelling Titles Your titles should be engaging and accurately describe the content. Use power words and numbers to make your titles more compelling. For example, â10 Easy Tips for Fixing a Leaky Faucetâ or âHow to Unclog Any Drain in 5 Simple Steps.â Keep It Under 60 Characters Aim to keep your titles under 60 characters to ensure they are fully displayed in SERPs and not cut off. For a blog post on drain cleaning, a compelling title could be: âHow to Clean a Clogged Drain: 7 Effective Methodsâ 9. Promote Your Content Creating great content is only the first step. You also need to promote it to ensure it reaches your target audience and attracts backlinks. Share your blog posts on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Tailor your posts to each platformâs audience and use engaging visuals and descriptions to attract attention. Join Relevant Groups and Communities Participate in relevant Facebook groups, LinkedIn groups, and online communities related to plumbing and home improvement. Share your content when appropriate, providing value to the community. Engage with Your Audience Respond to comments and questions on your social media posts. Engaging with your audience can increase your contentâs reach and build relationships with potential customers. 10. Tracking SEO ProgressTracking your SEO efforts is essential to understand whatâs working and what needs improvement. Hereâs how to do it:Google Business Profile Performance Monitoring your Google Business Profile (GBP) performance is crucial for understanding how well your business is performing in local search results. Check Profile Performance Log into your Google account and search for your business name. This should bring up your Google Business Profile. Click on the âSee profile performanceâ button to access detailed metrics about how your profile is performing. Key Metrics to Monitor Views: The number of times your business profile has been viewed. This gives you an idea of how visible your business is in local searches. Search Queries: The specific queries that led users to your business profile. This helps you understand what terms potential customers are using to find your business. Customer Actions: This includes actions like visits to your website, requests for directions, calls to your business, and bookings. Tracking these actions helps you understand how effective your profile is at converting views into interactions. Photo Views: The number of times your business photos have been viewed. High-quality photos can attract more attention and engagement. Optimize Based on Insights Use the insights from your profile performance to optimize your GBP. For example, if you notice that certain photos are getting more views, consider adding more similar photos. If specific queries are leading to your profile, ensure those keywords are prominently featured in your profile description and posts. Google Search Console (GSC) is a powerful tool that provides valuable insights into your websiteâs performance in organic search results. Key Metrics to Monitor Performance Report: This report provides an overview of your siteâs performance in Google Search. Key metrics include: Total Clicks: The number of times users clicked on your site in search results. Total Impressions: The number of times your site appeared in search results. Average Click-Through Rate (CTR): The ratio of clicks to impressions, showing how effective your site is at attracting clicks. Average Position: Your siteâs average ranking position for the tracked queries. Search Queries: This section shows the specific queries that users are entering to find your site. Analyze which keywords are driving the most traffic and consider creating more content around those terms. Pages: Identify which pages on your site are performing best in search. This can help you understand what type of content resonates most with your audience. Devices: Understand how users are accessing your site (desktop, mobile, tablet). This helps you ensure your site is optimized for all devices, particularly mobile. Optimize Based on Insights Use the data from GSC to optimize your siteâs SEO strategy. For example, if you notice that certain pages have a high number of impressions but a low CTR, consider updating the meta descriptions and title tags to be more compelling. If specific keywords are performing well, create more content around those topics to capture additional traffic. Set up Google Analytics on your website to analyze and gain even more valuable insights. Hope this helps! Credits: Original Source |
2024.05.18 07:29 sweetlibertea No one in the family likes my brother's fiancee due to her own actions, and I'm not really sure how much longer I can retain my sanity and play nice. I really miss my brother, but at this point I'm almost considering him a lost cause.
I (27F) have an older brother, 33M. We didn't get along very much as kids due to the age gap, not for my lack of trying. I never really understood why my brother didn't really like spending time with me, because he was one of my favorite people in the world, despite all his bullying.
For context, I'll give some examples of what my brother has done to me over the years with some vague age ranges of when they occurred.
When I was about 3, my brother convinced me that red was orange and orange was red because I was learning my colors in preschool. He also used to steal food like tater tots off my little high chair tray and would pretend he didn't do anything when my mom checked on why I was crying (I was NOT a fussy baby/toddler, so it set off alarm bells when I did.)
I think when I was 4 or 5, my brother came into my room after I had already been put to bed, and he woke me up. Thing is, he was hovering over me with a scary mask on, only the hallway light, and a butterknife. Not sure I really have to explain why that was traumatic. I'm still afraid of masks to this day.
When I was around 10-12, my brother kept drinking all the milk or kool aid that I would make and never replenish/remake it. I told him to stop, he wouldn't, of course. My mom was fostering other children and didn't have time for squabbles like this. So I very visibly spit on top of the kool aid pitcher and left the lid off so it was seen. What does my (reminder, 17-19) brother do? He wrenches the bowl of cereal I'm currently eating out of my hands, spits in it, and shoves it back at me hard enough that it spilled all over me. Now, I'm not an angry person. I'm not a violent person. But I was still a child and fed up with being bullied by someone who was/almost an adult. I never tried getting physical before because I was so much smaller, but I hit puberty kind of early. So I splashed the bowl back at him to see how he liked it. He threw me to the ground and hit me. My mom had to break us up and told us we were both to blame, so he didn't even get punished.
Several times, he would turn the lights off on me when I was on the other side of the room in the basement away from the switch, because I was afraid of the dark for a very long time.
We had Sonic Adventure 2 we shared. If we ever fought about something, or I reminded him it was my turn, he threatened to say goodbye forever to my chao. I am extremely soft hearted so that accomplished what he wanted.
Sometimes I would notice my things go missing. I had assumed maybe my mom put them away somewhere and forgot, but I'm pretty sure I know what happened to them. Especially gamecube games-- Those discs were tiny! He was pawning them for drug and booze money. One time he was drunk and admitted he had been selling his adderall for other drugs. That came to a head one terrible Christmas Eve. Brother was home for the holiday and I'm not very clear on what events led up to it, but my parents caught my brother in the bathroom with a baggie of various drugs that he was already doing. He insisted it was just weed, but my parents didn't believe that. I wouldn't know, I only briefly saw the bag, but it was full of both a large green ball of like leaves and lots of white powder. It was a vicious screaming match for a few hours. I hid out in my room on a different floor and played a video game as loud as I could so I didn't have to hear my family. The screams died down after a while, and I cautiously went out of my room. My brother had left the house for a while. I had a few holiday assignments and decided to just crank them out while my family cooled off, and I did it at the dining room table because that's where our Christmas tree was too and I desperately needed that good cheer magic. I was quietly writing, not saying anything, not making much noise, when my brother came back in the house. He stopped off at the kitchen for something and muttered something rude and belittling to me. At this point I'm a preeten-early teen and he had already ruined the day that had always been magical to me before, as my grandma used to stay over with us on Christmas Eve. She had died rather recently at the time. And I can't tell you exactly what I said. I think I've blocked out as much as I can. I made some snide remark, something like 'at least I don't do drugs' and in the next second I was yanked out of my chair. My brother picked me up by the neck and slammed me against the wall. I know I clawed and kicked against the wall as hard as I could. I blacked out, and I woke up on the floor with my parents absolutely screaming at him that he could have killed me. As a side note to the whole ordeal, he never apologized, and it's made my adult life a lot harder as weed becomes more and more commonplace. Just the thought of it used to send me in a panic attack, I could feel the hands choking me again. I've gotten better about dealing with it, but I still refuse to have it in any part of my life whatsoever. It's cost me a few relationships.
When I was in college, my brother had moved back in with me and my parents because his girlfriend dumped him for being a piece of shit that worked at walmart and did nothing but drink all day despite having a state paid scholarship, that he wasted, because he couldn't keep his GPA above 2.8. He was a music major. The classes he took were things like 'History of Jimi Hendrix' and 'The Beatles'. He just partied too much to even attend class. He took the dog they got with him, not at all prepared for her. The dog is a high energy breed that is difficult to train, and we had two small 5-10 pound dogs at home. At 1 year old, bro's dog was about 30 pounds. He often left for several hours during summers/breaks when I was home, without telling anyone, knowing that I would either hear the dog cry if he crated them and feel bad and let them out or that I wouldn't banish them to a crate if they were already in a room with me. The dog bullied our other dogs and bit at everyone. Dog was incredibly overly protective of my brother-- Trait of the breed. I was back at college for a few months and had spent a good month mourning the loss of a 5 year relationship. I never really heard anything from him. Then out of the blue, my brother asks me if I can let him and dog stay for the night (we live 2 hours from the college) because my mom had kicked him out. The dog had bit her and she snapped at my brother to control his f'ing dog and he responded by calling her, the woman who birthed him, payed for his other college costs, paid back loans he promised to pay to other family members, never charged him rent, and he called her a f'ing female dog. She snapped. While I agree that my mom was completely in the right to do that, I have too soft of a heart to just leave him with nowhere to go. He promised it was just a night so he could get in touch with some friends closer to home and figure shit out. I let him come to me.
I really regret that decision.
At the time I had a new roommate (she was very nice though, I liked her) and a sort of FWB who doted on me for a little while. I texted FWB and asked if he could bring some alcohol by-- I was still 19 at the time, underage to buy it, but FWB was old enough and agreed the man could probably do with a drink. We stayed out on our little porch area to make sure that we wouldn't be disturbing my roomie in any way while we socialized. My brother got really wasted. He told me terrible things about our deceased grandmother (who he knew I had really loved growing up, and had no idea about who she really was because she had always loved me). And he laughed. He laughed when he saw the discomfort on my face. My FWB was feeling pretty bad for me and suggested we go to bed because it was also like 3 in the morning and both of us had class in the morning, so we go inside. The apartment has a shared common room/living room, little kitchen area, and laundry closet. My bedroom is on one side and roomie's was on the other-- Both bathrooms are also ensuite to the bedroom. So I went in and changed out of my clothes into something comfier to sleep in and crawled into my bed, letting my brother do his own thing in the bathroom. I'm just trying to rest and suddenly my brother is pulling me out of my bed and dragging me out of my own room. He's yelling that he's taking my bed, did I really expect him to take the couch? And I'm not very confrontational. I'm flustered, tired, and honestly a little afraid after the neck choke incident. FWB steps in like a hero and tries to calmly explain that its my bed, and I will sleep in it, I have been kind enough to let him stay and he should not be so ungrateful. Brother fucking loses his mind. Starts screaming his head off about how selfish I am and how reliant I am on our parents and won't be able to do anything on my own as an adult (I was financially dependent on my parents at 19 while in college, shocker). He starts drunkenly trying to pick up his dog's toys and searching for his keys, and both FWB and I step in and tell him he can't go driving like this, after like half a bottle of fireball. He at least needs to sober up before he can drive. I stand in front of the front door, as my brother is still searching for his keys, and there is no way I'm letting him out of here right now. Brother has found his keys, and starts pulling at me and hurting me. Lucky for me, FWB had been a pretty good wrestler in highschool. He got my brother pinned down and I snatched the keys, hiding over by the sink in case I had to throw them in there. He's screaming his head off and my poor roommate comes out and asks what the hell is going on because she knows I'm very quiet and tend to keep visitors in my room. I'm like half sobbing trying to explain and the FWB, still pinning my brother, tells her that we're trying to keep him from drunk driving. My roommate does not play around with that. She was in nursing school, and had recently lost a friend to a drunk driver. I don't know how it worked, but she put on her stern nurse tone and told my brother that he was free to leave when he sobered up, or she herself would be calling the cops on him, and both me and FWB could press additional charges for assault. He reluctantly agreed to this condition and FWB let him off the floor, but sat in front of the front door just in case. When he was sobered up, he left, saying 'I hope you like mom and dad, because I'm not your family anymore'.
And that was devastating. I couldn't stop crying. My FWB went back to bed with me and laid me down in bed and let me cry until I passed out. He skipped his class that day to be there for me. I know I don't paint a good picture of my brother, but I did/do love him. I thought now that we were older that he'd mellowed out and we could be good friends like I always wanted. I mean, I made like 300 fake facebook accounts back in the day to vote for his band to be a headliner at a large concert. Just a few years prior when he was home on a break he introduced me to a TV show we binged and he let my lay on his shoulder. (I was/am very touch starved but paralyzed by fear that I'm annoying the other person, and all my friends were made later in life and are states away). When Pokemon Go came out we would take late night drives around quiet places of town while hunting pokemon together. We traded off the controller on online battlefield games and compared scores and the most ridiculous deaths. I really thought that he loved me too, finally, after years of resentment.
He didn't speak to me for 2 years. I didn't find out until later, but my parents lied for him on my behalf that he still loved me and was just annoyed, and gave me birthday/christmas presents that they told me had been from him, just that he was working. I really treasured those objects when I didn't know the truth about them. I got a really stupid mug with the first letter of my name on it in pink and zebra print (two things I don't really enjoy) but I used that thing every single day.
So, these are glimpses into my previous relationship with my brother. I don't really remember when he started speaking to me again, but I sure know he never apologized. He had finally hit rock bottom and asked my father to put in a good word for him at (insert facility with decent pay and good benefits but hard work), which he had previously rejected by telling my parents that it was a shit job. My brother's name got put closer to the top of the resumes. He got in. It wasn't easy work, or comfy sometimes, but it paid well enough to endure that, I guess. My brother used to be rather athletic.
Between the cut off point and then, my brother had worked at a (also generic job) a town or two over and hated the commute. He also happened to find a girlfriend with an apartment sort of close by. She didn't like having him over because of his dog, and almost never let him do any overnight. But now that my brother had a better paying job, she was willing to move in with him, of course. My brother bought a house in our home town and she came with it. She pays a ridiculously low amount of rent to my brother.
If she was home and brother wasn't, the dog stayed crated up because she didn't want to deal with it. Both of them worked, but her job isn't at all difficult. And yet somehow, sometimes pulling doubles, my brother ended up doing most of everything. My brother, who didn't learn to do his laundry until his 20s, ate pizza every single day, and had left used condoms on the floor of his bedroom in our parents house when he left. He did most of the cooking because she says she's bad at it. But will make pies for her mom. When the holidays came around, instead of discussing or rotating, they will always go to her family first. If my brother can come to ours at all. He often misses entire occassions (we don't go out big, but like, cmon. Hand your dad the gift card on his birthday at least, not 2 weeks later).
I also used to get to hangout or see my brother sometimes. Maybe once every few weeks, and it was fun! It was the friendship I had always dreamt of. Now I can't even get him to do anything online with me from the comfort of his own home. I don't have a single text from him this year past 1/27.
At first, we all understood. She was quirky. I was quirky. We share several similar traits and interests. I used to like that and be excited to have a family member like me, but now I dread the day she becomes family.
Let's start with the smoking car. Me and my parents were driving near his street so we could cut through to the highway, and out of nowhere, black smoke starts coming from the hood. My father tells me and my mom to get out and he'll get it to my brother's and out of the road to look at it and see what was going on. This was like.... early August. It was very hot outside. Since I've 'been in the house before' and 'know what it's like' I am 'allowed' to come into my brother's house to cool off. But GF refuses letting in either of them, referring to the messy state of the house. Which, okay, fair-- But its HER messes. My brother cleans up after her. I learned later that GF snapped at him about his family always coming over unannounced and how she has to hurry to put on a bra and everything is messy and we can't just drop in its rude! She says, as her mother and brother do the exact same thing, in a house she doesn't own. But my family let it be water under the bridge for now. My brother called me a f'in a'hole for telling my mom about the conversation. Because my mom was livid.
The next thing is my father. My dad's family has a pretty big history of strokes and heart attacks, and he's had one heart attack. My dad had been in pain all day and he finally gave up at about 3AM and woke my mom up to drive him to the hospital. I don't have a license at this point, so there's little that I can do. My mom says the surgery he probably needs isn't even done here and they're transferring him, my mom asked me to keep my brother in the loop. So I told him about this and about the time they would reach the hospital, because my mom dad gran and I share locations. I asked if he would take me up, I had a bag full of things that might make him more comfortable or less stressed. The hospital they're taking our dad to is a little over an hour away. Everyone is more or less frantic. My brother is talking to work for him, I'm making sure that for however many hours that our pets will be okay and talking to my mom's work. We drive there and nothing major happens, but it was so... Uncomfortable? Tense. The thing that's hurting my dad is a blocked or enlarged blood vessel that cuts off oxygen to the tissue around it, which, cells die, and you really need your colon, the area my dad has an issue with. The thing is, until they can do the surgery, it was like he was a ticking time bomb. My brother takes me home when visitor hours are over and I hold my dogs tight. The next day is filled with lots of pricks pokes and prods at my dad so we don't go that day. We do go the day after, Friday. My brother's GF is in the truck with him. I'm not really paying attention to much of anything because for all we know my dad could die before we got there. Brothers' GF goes to get some snacks from the long drive and the fact that she's not exactly family yet. My brother, mom and I rotate who is away in the cafe and eating with GF. I see GF and my brother whispering angrily at each other. She's tugging at his arm. I manage to pick up 'We're going to miss my mom's dinner!" And I am just stunned. Her mother has a small family dinner every single friday and makes meatloaf. His GF wanted us to head back from our critical father, because she didn't want to miss a weekly event. And I really have to hand it to my brother for not snapping right then and there. He waited until we were in his truck and out of the hospital parking lot and says "How in the f'ck do you say something to me like that? Like, for real, wtf!" GF starts crying and says its a family tradition and her mom is all she has left-- False. She has her mom, sister, and brother, at least. Her father died in a car incident that hospitalized her as a kid. So my brother snaps again like 'are you seriously telling me you value a f'ing loaf of meat over a life? we have no idea what will happen, my dad could die within the hour and i'm not there, he could die tomorrow, how long d-" And GF cuts him off wailing that her dad is dead. Which, yes, is a horrifyingly traumatic experience. But she does not get to play the 'my dad is dead' card ten years after the fact, to justify leaving our possibly dying father before visiting hours ended. She tried to emotionally blackmail my brother by apologizing to me through tears that this must be so hard for me but honestly I was doing my best to block it out, staring at pictures of dogs in hammocks. I shared my brother's sentiment.
But wait, there's more! Remember that car accident GF had years ago? You would think that, if nothing else, she would be empathetic for someone/their family in a car crash? You'd be wrong! I was rear ended at 60 mph right in front of my house after coming home from work (the ambulance took me straight back to work lmao). The physical damage to me was pretty minimal, bruises and a sprained ankle because my foot was pressed on the brake, waiting for an opportunity to cross into the driveway. This was late October 2020. Covid regulations were pretty strict. So I was alone in a room for a while and in pain. My parents had followed the ambulance. My dad had actually heard the crash and went 'huh she usually comes home now' and runs over after seeing the wreckage. My parents had the crash footage, grainy, but there thanks to the cameras set up outside our house. I hadn't realized it by that point but I had a pretty good concussion, and I was hurt, and scared. I was texting my mom constantly but my dad had left his phone at home in the rush to get my mom and she hadn't charged her phone, they'd been in the parking lot for like an hour and a half already. They promised me they'd be back soon, they'll just pop in and let my brother know since he lives nearby. My parents didn't even ask to like, stay and sit with them instead of a cold car. My mom asked to pee and to borrow a charging cable (they had one, GF has the same model phone) given the, you know, situation. My brother barely cracked the door to speak with them. He said no, because GF was uncomfortable, because they were waiting for their second negative test to come in. Read that again. They had tested negative. It's not like my mom would go near anyone to the bathroom either-- The back door that's used more often is literally inches away from the bathroom door. My brother didn't even try to argue with his GF about his own home and some empathy for someone else dealing with a car crash. It absolutely disgusted my parents. And later on brother told me he got another earful about our parents just dropping in without notice and its like? Excuse me? Its his house!
Unfortunately, a tire popped on my parents' car when we were nearby. It was like, 3 years since the first issue with the car. I went inside and asked my brother to let my mom in because its raining. GF did not like that, and didn't realize I could overhear her down the hall, arguing with my brother and his family again. I went over the next day to my brother and he was actively cleaning up GF's mess so it wouldn't be as 'embarassing' for her. I sat him down and talked to him as realistically as I could. I have depression, anxiety, emotional abuse trauma, agorophobia, and very few friends. But I'm okay. He started very quietly expressing his frustration towards GF. She doesn't do much around the house or contribute financially, lets her family over but not his, him doing most of the cooking despite regularly pulling 12s. I sat there calmly, because of course I knew this. This is what makes the situation somewhat even more sticky. I asked my brother, "Do you actually love someone like that? Or are you afraid to be alone?" He's been in one relationship or another for most of my life. Lately he had been confiding in me about how bad his mental health was falling and I was like 'that's not a slump, that's. that's depression.' So when I asked my brother the question, he hesitated. That spoke loudly enough in my opinion. But then I also saw my brother's face crumpling as he admitted he just didn't want to be alone. GF wants babies but my brother knows with her medical history and condition on top of being so lazy and bluntly told me she would not be a good mother and hopes to God that day doesn't come. He is so unhappy being with her. We both heard the rustling of a comforter and my brother lowered his panicky voice and asked me to leave so she doesn't see me here. That is incredibly messed up, especially since its his name on the house. I haven't seen my brother at his house since then, and that was over 2 years ago.
During COVID, GF started working from home, and it stayed that way. My brother still takes care of most things.
In the mean time, he's proposed to her. Yeah. I managed to save things when all our faces dropped at the Christmas dinner he announced their engagement at. My brother calls her by a nickname that was also the name of a beloved family dog that had passed away only one month ago. My dad and my reactions at that time were genuine confusion and sadness about him bringing up our passed pet. Everything was pretty quiet after that. When we got home, I texted my brother and told him that hearing our dog's name in conversation after losing her so recently shattered us, be we were, in fact, happy for his engagement.
I lied.
None of us want him to marry her. I dread the day that I get a wedding invitation or GF shows up pregnant. She would be a terrible mother. My brother is aware of the fact that my parents think she's a rude, inconsiderate brat that only thinks of herself, from that earlier conversation that I talked to my parents about. My mom snapped that they don't have to like her, all they were required to do was be civil, and we are, so shut up.
At larger family functions GF tends to gravitate around me. Like I said, we have similar interests and personalities. And I have never told her to get lost or had it in me to upfront tell her we don't like her. I am absolutely horrible at confrontation, but my patience is wearing thin.
Last year my parents set up brunch for Mother's Day. We were at the table when my brother called and said they were going to urgent care because GF had another one of her migraines that make her vomit. Which, she takes medicine and has injectable solutions. Some situation always comes up with her right before my brother would come to us.
My parents tried again with the Mother's Day brunch last week. On the day of, he said that he was too tired to come, can we try next week? Please insert the eyeroll of the century.
Because of our clear dislike, my brother doesn't often bring his GF around anymore on the offchance she lets him. It occurred to me that my parents planned the same brunch as last year, and I was dreading my question. "Is GF coming with us for brunch?" They don't know. All my brother did was confirm the time and place. The thought of having to deal with her in the morning and pretend that I don't see her for what she is, is already exhausting me. I can barely get my brother to even play online with me. I feel like this has been festering long enough that at some point, its all going to overflow at once. But I am absolutely disgusted by how she takes advantage of my brother's fear of being alone and how the world revolves around her.
I had a dream the other day, actually, it was a good dream. I was at their wedding, and the priest guy said the standard 'speak now or hold your peace' and I stood up and loudly shouted OBJECTION! Every single person in the room turned to look at me, one because I don't raise my voice like that, two my patience is vast, and three, to upset me to this level of shouldering my anxiety by making a spectacle of myself. I then explained every detail, especially how much she was charged for rent, that my brother admitted he wasn't happy, and I wanted better for him than to just be an ATM maid.
If I bring this up to my brother again, I may lose him forever. But if I don't, he may be miserable together. And on the third side-- Do I actually really want my brothers' friendship at this point? Like, I'm definitely fed up dealing with his GF like she is. Plus, I pointed out and reiterated to him before that he admitted he wasn't happy.
I am very, very quiet by default. Never got into much trouble. I was and still am a gentle soul at my core being. If things get to a point where I cross lines of polite manners and call someone out on their bs, people around know that someone did something almost unforgivable. I'm wondering if my brother would know that.
TLDR; Brother's fiancee is disliked for good reason. My brother has isolated. I miss him, but also never want to see him again. I want to remind him that this marriage isn't a good idea, but I don't want to antagonize him.
submitted by sweetlibertea to offmychest [link] [comments]
For context, I'll give some examples of what my brother has done to me over the years with some vague age ranges of when they occurred.
When I was about 3, my brother convinced me that red was orange and orange was red because I was learning my colors in preschool. He also used to steal food like tater tots off my little high chair tray and would pretend he didn't do anything when my mom checked on why I was crying (I was NOT a fussy baby/toddler, so it set off alarm bells when I did.)
I think when I was 4 or 5, my brother came into my room after I had already been put to bed, and he woke me up. Thing is, he was hovering over me with a scary mask on, only the hallway light, and a butterknife. Not sure I really have to explain why that was traumatic. I'm still afraid of masks to this day.
When I was around 10-12, my brother kept drinking all the milk or kool aid that I would make and never replenish/remake it. I told him to stop, he wouldn't, of course. My mom was fostering other children and didn't have time for squabbles like this. So I very visibly spit on top of the kool aid pitcher and left the lid off so it was seen. What does my (reminder, 17-19) brother do? He wrenches the bowl of cereal I'm currently eating out of my hands, spits in it, and shoves it back at me hard enough that it spilled all over me. Now, I'm not an angry person. I'm not a violent person. But I was still a child and fed up with being bullied by someone who was/almost an adult. I never tried getting physical before because I was so much smaller, but I hit puberty kind of early. So I splashed the bowl back at him to see how he liked it. He threw me to the ground and hit me. My mom had to break us up and told us we were both to blame, so he didn't even get punished.
Several times, he would turn the lights off on me when I was on the other side of the room in the basement away from the switch, because I was afraid of the dark for a very long time.
We had Sonic Adventure 2 we shared. If we ever fought about something, or I reminded him it was my turn, he threatened to say goodbye forever to my chao. I am extremely soft hearted so that accomplished what he wanted.
Sometimes I would notice my things go missing. I had assumed maybe my mom put them away somewhere and forgot, but I'm pretty sure I know what happened to them. Especially gamecube games-- Those discs were tiny! He was pawning them for drug and booze money. One time he was drunk and admitted he had been selling his adderall for other drugs. That came to a head one terrible Christmas Eve. Brother was home for the holiday and I'm not very clear on what events led up to it, but my parents caught my brother in the bathroom with a baggie of various drugs that he was already doing. He insisted it was just weed, but my parents didn't believe that. I wouldn't know, I only briefly saw the bag, but it was full of both a large green ball of like leaves and lots of white powder. It was a vicious screaming match for a few hours. I hid out in my room on a different floor and played a video game as loud as I could so I didn't have to hear my family. The screams died down after a while, and I cautiously went out of my room. My brother had left the house for a while. I had a few holiday assignments and decided to just crank them out while my family cooled off, and I did it at the dining room table because that's where our Christmas tree was too and I desperately needed that good cheer magic. I was quietly writing, not saying anything, not making much noise, when my brother came back in the house. He stopped off at the kitchen for something and muttered something rude and belittling to me. At this point I'm a preeten-early teen and he had already ruined the day that had always been magical to me before, as my grandma used to stay over with us on Christmas Eve. She had died rather recently at the time. And I can't tell you exactly what I said. I think I've blocked out as much as I can. I made some snide remark, something like 'at least I don't do drugs' and in the next second I was yanked out of my chair. My brother picked me up by the neck and slammed me against the wall. I know I clawed and kicked against the wall as hard as I could. I blacked out, and I woke up on the floor with my parents absolutely screaming at him that he could have killed me. As a side note to the whole ordeal, he never apologized, and it's made my adult life a lot harder as weed becomes more and more commonplace. Just the thought of it used to send me in a panic attack, I could feel the hands choking me again. I've gotten better about dealing with it, but I still refuse to have it in any part of my life whatsoever. It's cost me a few relationships.
When I was in college, my brother had moved back in with me and my parents because his girlfriend dumped him for being a piece of shit that worked at walmart and did nothing but drink all day despite having a state paid scholarship, that he wasted, because he couldn't keep his GPA above 2.8. He was a music major. The classes he took were things like 'History of Jimi Hendrix' and 'The Beatles'. He just partied too much to even attend class. He took the dog they got with him, not at all prepared for her. The dog is a high energy breed that is difficult to train, and we had two small 5-10 pound dogs at home. At 1 year old, bro's dog was about 30 pounds. He often left for several hours during summers/breaks when I was home, without telling anyone, knowing that I would either hear the dog cry if he crated them and feel bad and let them out or that I wouldn't banish them to a crate if they were already in a room with me. The dog bullied our other dogs and bit at everyone. Dog was incredibly overly protective of my brother-- Trait of the breed. I was back at college for a few months and had spent a good month mourning the loss of a 5 year relationship. I never really heard anything from him. Then out of the blue, my brother asks me if I can let him and dog stay for the night (we live 2 hours from the college) because my mom had kicked him out. The dog had bit her and she snapped at my brother to control his f'ing dog and he responded by calling her, the woman who birthed him, payed for his other college costs, paid back loans he promised to pay to other family members, never charged him rent, and he called her a f'ing female dog. She snapped. While I agree that my mom was completely in the right to do that, I have too soft of a heart to just leave him with nowhere to go. He promised it was just a night so he could get in touch with some friends closer to home and figure shit out. I let him come to me.
I really regret that decision.
At the time I had a new roommate (she was very nice though, I liked her) and a sort of FWB who doted on me for a little while. I texted FWB and asked if he could bring some alcohol by-- I was still 19 at the time, underage to buy it, but FWB was old enough and agreed the man could probably do with a drink. We stayed out on our little porch area to make sure that we wouldn't be disturbing my roomie in any way while we socialized. My brother got really wasted. He told me terrible things about our deceased grandmother (who he knew I had really loved growing up, and had no idea about who she really was because she had always loved me). And he laughed. He laughed when he saw the discomfort on my face. My FWB was feeling pretty bad for me and suggested we go to bed because it was also like 3 in the morning and both of us had class in the morning, so we go inside. The apartment has a shared common room/living room, little kitchen area, and laundry closet. My bedroom is on one side and roomie's was on the other-- Both bathrooms are also ensuite to the bedroom. So I went in and changed out of my clothes into something comfier to sleep in and crawled into my bed, letting my brother do his own thing in the bathroom. I'm just trying to rest and suddenly my brother is pulling me out of my bed and dragging me out of my own room. He's yelling that he's taking my bed, did I really expect him to take the couch? And I'm not very confrontational. I'm flustered, tired, and honestly a little afraid after the neck choke incident. FWB steps in like a hero and tries to calmly explain that its my bed, and I will sleep in it, I have been kind enough to let him stay and he should not be so ungrateful. Brother fucking loses his mind. Starts screaming his head off about how selfish I am and how reliant I am on our parents and won't be able to do anything on my own as an adult (I was financially dependent on my parents at 19 while in college, shocker). He starts drunkenly trying to pick up his dog's toys and searching for his keys, and both FWB and I step in and tell him he can't go driving like this, after like half a bottle of fireball. He at least needs to sober up before he can drive. I stand in front of the front door, as my brother is still searching for his keys, and there is no way I'm letting him out of here right now. Brother has found his keys, and starts pulling at me and hurting me. Lucky for me, FWB had been a pretty good wrestler in highschool. He got my brother pinned down and I snatched the keys, hiding over by the sink in case I had to throw them in there. He's screaming his head off and my poor roommate comes out and asks what the hell is going on because she knows I'm very quiet and tend to keep visitors in my room. I'm like half sobbing trying to explain and the FWB, still pinning my brother, tells her that we're trying to keep him from drunk driving. My roommate does not play around with that. She was in nursing school, and had recently lost a friend to a drunk driver. I don't know how it worked, but she put on her stern nurse tone and told my brother that he was free to leave when he sobered up, or she herself would be calling the cops on him, and both me and FWB could press additional charges for assault. He reluctantly agreed to this condition and FWB let him off the floor, but sat in front of the front door just in case. When he was sobered up, he left, saying 'I hope you like mom and dad, because I'm not your family anymore'.
And that was devastating. I couldn't stop crying. My FWB went back to bed with me and laid me down in bed and let me cry until I passed out. He skipped his class that day to be there for me. I know I don't paint a good picture of my brother, but I did/do love him. I thought now that we were older that he'd mellowed out and we could be good friends like I always wanted. I mean, I made like 300 fake facebook accounts back in the day to vote for his band to be a headliner at a large concert. Just a few years prior when he was home on a break he introduced me to a TV show we binged and he let my lay on his shoulder. (I was/am very touch starved but paralyzed by fear that I'm annoying the other person, and all my friends were made later in life and are states away). When Pokemon Go came out we would take late night drives around quiet places of town while hunting pokemon together. We traded off the controller on online battlefield games and compared scores and the most ridiculous deaths. I really thought that he loved me too, finally, after years of resentment.
He didn't speak to me for 2 years. I didn't find out until later, but my parents lied for him on my behalf that he still loved me and was just annoyed, and gave me birthday/christmas presents that they told me had been from him, just that he was working. I really treasured those objects when I didn't know the truth about them. I got a really stupid mug with the first letter of my name on it in pink and zebra print (two things I don't really enjoy) but I used that thing every single day.
So, these are glimpses into my previous relationship with my brother. I don't really remember when he started speaking to me again, but I sure know he never apologized. He had finally hit rock bottom and asked my father to put in a good word for him at (insert facility with decent pay and good benefits but hard work), which he had previously rejected by telling my parents that it was a shit job. My brother's name got put closer to the top of the resumes. He got in. It wasn't easy work, or comfy sometimes, but it paid well enough to endure that, I guess. My brother used to be rather athletic.
Between the cut off point and then, my brother had worked at a (also generic job) a town or two over and hated the commute. He also happened to find a girlfriend with an apartment sort of close by. She didn't like having him over because of his dog, and almost never let him do any overnight. But now that my brother had a better paying job, she was willing to move in with him, of course. My brother bought a house in our home town and she came with it. She pays a ridiculously low amount of rent to my brother.
If she was home and brother wasn't, the dog stayed crated up because she didn't want to deal with it. Both of them worked, but her job isn't at all difficult. And yet somehow, sometimes pulling doubles, my brother ended up doing most of everything. My brother, who didn't learn to do his laundry until his 20s, ate pizza every single day, and had left used condoms on the floor of his bedroom in our parents house when he left. He did most of the cooking because she says she's bad at it. But will make pies for her mom. When the holidays came around, instead of discussing or rotating, they will always go to her family first. If my brother can come to ours at all. He often misses entire occassions (we don't go out big, but like, cmon. Hand your dad the gift card on his birthday at least, not 2 weeks later).
I also used to get to hangout or see my brother sometimes. Maybe once every few weeks, and it was fun! It was the friendship I had always dreamt of. Now I can't even get him to do anything online with me from the comfort of his own home. I don't have a single text from him this year past 1/27.
At first, we all understood. She was quirky. I was quirky. We share several similar traits and interests. I used to like that and be excited to have a family member like me, but now I dread the day she becomes family.
Let's start with the smoking car. Me and my parents were driving near his street so we could cut through to the highway, and out of nowhere, black smoke starts coming from the hood. My father tells me and my mom to get out and he'll get it to my brother's and out of the road to look at it and see what was going on. This was like.... early August. It was very hot outside. Since I've 'been in the house before' and 'know what it's like' I am 'allowed' to come into my brother's house to cool off. But GF refuses letting in either of them, referring to the messy state of the house. Which, okay, fair-- But its HER messes. My brother cleans up after her. I learned later that GF snapped at him about his family always coming over unannounced and how she has to hurry to put on a bra and everything is messy and we can't just drop in its rude! She says, as her mother and brother do the exact same thing, in a house she doesn't own. But my family let it be water under the bridge for now. My brother called me a f'in a'hole for telling my mom about the conversation. Because my mom was livid.
The next thing is my father. My dad's family has a pretty big history of strokes and heart attacks, and he's had one heart attack. My dad had been in pain all day and he finally gave up at about 3AM and woke my mom up to drive him to the hospital. I don't have a license at this point, so there's little that I can do. My mom says the surgery he probably needs isn't even done here and they're transferring him, my mom asked me to keep my brother in the loop. So I told him about this and about the time they would reach the hospital, because my mom dad gran and I share locations. I asked if he would take me up, I had a bag full of things that might make him more comfortable or less stressed. The hospital they're taking our dad to is a little over an hour away. Everyone is more or less frantic. My brother is talking to work for him, I'm making sure that for however many hours that our pets will be okay and talking to my mom's work. We drive there and nothing major happens, but it was so... Uncomfortable? Tense. The thing that's hurting my dad is a blocked or enlarged blood vessel that cuts off oxygen to the tissue around it, which, cells die, and you really need your colon, the area my dad has an issue with. The thing is, until they can do the surgery, it was like he was a ticking time bomb. My brother takes me home when visitor hours are over and I hold my dogs tight. The next day is filled with lots of pricks pokes and prods at my dad so we don't go that day. We do go the day after, Friday. My brother's GF is in the truck with him. I'm not really paying attention to much of anything because for all we know my dad could die before we got there. Brothers' GF goes to get some snacks from the long drive and the fact that she's not exactly family yet. My brother, mom and I rotate who is away in the cafe and eating with GF. I see GF and my brother whispering angrily at each other. She's tugging at his arm. I manage to pick up 'We're going to miss my mom's dinner!" And I am just stunned. Her mother has a small family dinner every single friday and makes meatloaf. His GF wanted us to head back from our critical father, because she didn't want to miss a weekly event. And I really have to hand it to my brother for not snapping right then and there. He waited until we were in his truck and out of the hospital parking lot and says "How in the f'ck do you say something to me like that? Like, for real, wtf!" GF starts crying and says its a family tradition and her mom is all she has left-- False. She has her mom, sister, and brother, at least. Her father died in a car incident that hospitalized her as a kid. So my brother snaps again like 'are you seriously telling me you value a f'ing loaf of meat over a life? we have no idea what will happen, my dad could die within the hour and i'm not there, he could die tomorrow, how long d-" And GF cuts him off wailing that her dad is dead. Which, yes, is a horrifyingly traumatic experience. But she does not get to play the 'my dad is dead' card ten years after the fact, to justify leaving our possibly dying father before visiting hours ended. She tried to emotionally blackmail my brother by apologizing to me through tears that this must be so hard for me but honestly I was doing my best to block it out, staring at pictures of dogs in hammocks. I shared my brother's sentiment.
But wait, there's more! Remember that car accident GF had years ago? You would think that, if nothing else, she would be empathetic for someone/their family in a car crash? You'd be wrong! I was rear ended at 60 mph right in front of my house after coming home from work (the ambulance took me straight back to work lmao). The physical damage to me was pretty minimal, bruises and a sprained ankle because my foot was pressed on the brake, waiting for an opportunity to cross into the driveway. This was late October 2020. Covid regulations were pretty strict. So I was alone in a room for a while and in pain. My parents had followed the ambulance. My dad had actually heard the crash and went 'huh she usually comes home now' and runs over after seeing the wreckage. My parents had the crash footage, grainy, but there thanks to the cameras set up outside our house. I hadn't realized it by that point but I had a pretty good concussion, and I was hurt, and scared. I was texting my mom constantly but my dad had left his phone at home in the rush to get my mom and she hadn't charged her phone, they'd been in the parking lot for like an hour and a half already. They promised me they'd be back soon, they'll just pop in and let my brother know since he lives nearby. My parents didn't even ask to like, stay and sit with them instead of a cold car. My mom asked to pee and to borrow a charging cable (they had one, GF has the same model phone) given the, you know, situation. My brother barely cracked the door to speak with them. He said no, because GF was uncomfortable, because they were waiting for their second negative test to come in. Read that again. They had tested negative. It's not like my mom would go near anyone to the bathroom either-- The back door that's used more often is literally inches away from the bathroom door. My brother didn't even try to argue with his GF about his own home and some empathy for someone else dealing with a car crash. It absolutely disgusted my parents. And later on brother told me he got another earful about our parents just dropping in without notice and its like? Excuse me? Its his house!
Unfortunately, a tire popped on my parents' car when we were nearby. It was like, 3 years since the first issue with the car. I went inside and asked my brother to let my mom in because its raining. GF did not like that, and didn't realize I could overhear her down the hall, arguing with my brother and his family again. I went over the next day to my brother and he was actively cleaning up GF's mess so it wouldn't be as 'embarassing' for her. I sat him down and talked to him as realistically as I could. I have depression, anxiety, emotional abuse trauma, agorophobia, and very few friends. But I'm okay. He started very quietly expressing his frustration towards GF. She doesn't do much around the house or contribute financially, lets her family over but not his, him doing most of the cooking despite regularly pulling 12s. I sat there calmly, because of course I knew this. This is what makes the situation somewhat even more sticky. I asked my brother, "Do you actually love someone like that? Or are you afraid to be alone?" He's been in one relationship or another for most of my life. Lately he had been confiding in me about how bad his mental health was falling and I was like 'that's not a slump, that's. that's depression.' So when I asked my brother the question, he hesitated. That spoke loudly enough in my opinion. But then I also saw my brother's face crumpling as he admitted he just didn't want to be alone. GF wants babies but my brother knows with her medical history and condition on top of being so lazy and bluntly told me she would not be a good mother and hopes to God that day doesn't come. He is so unhappy being with her. We both heard the rustling of a comforter and my brother lowered his panicky voice and asked me to leave so she doesn't see me here. That is incredibly messed up, especially since its his name on the house. I haven't seen my brother at his house since then, and that was over 2 years ago.
During COVID, GF started working from home, and it stayed that way. My brother still takes care of most things.
In the mean time, he's proposed to her. Yeah. I managed to save things when all our faces dropped at the Christmas dinner he announced their engagement at. My brother calls her by a nickname that was also the name of a beloved family dog that had passed away only one month ago. My dad and my reactions at that time were genuine confusion and sadness about him bringing up our passed pet. Everything was pretty quiet after that. When we got home, I texted my brother and told him that hearing our dog's name in conversation after losing her so recently shattered us, be we were, in fact, happy for his engagement.
I lied.
None of us want him to marry her. I dread the day that I get a wedding invitation or GF shows up pregnant. She would be a terrible mother. My brother is aware of the fact that my parents think she's a rude, inconsiderate brat that only thinks of herself, from that earlier conversation that I talked to my parents about. My mom snapped that they don't have to like her, all they were required to do was be civil, and we are, so shut up.
At larger family functions GF tends to gravitate around me. Like I said, we have similar interests and personalities. And I have never told her to get lost or had it in me to upfront tell her we don't like her. I am absolutely horrible at confrontation, but my patience is wearing thin.
Last year my parents set up brunch for Mother's Day. We were at the table when my brother called and said they were going to urgent care because GF had another one of her migraines that make her vomit. Which, she takes medicine and has injectable solutions. Some situation always comes up with her right before my brother would come to us.
My parents tried again with the Mother's Day brunch last week. On the day of, he said that he was too tired to come, can we try next week? Please insert the eyeroll of the century.
Because of our clear dislike, my brother doesn't often bring his GF around anymore on the offchance she lets him. It occurred to me that my parents planned the same brunch as last year, and I was dreading my question. "Is GF coming with us for brunch?" They don't know. All my brother did was confirm the time and place. The thought of having to deal with her in the morning and pretend that I don't see her for what she is, is already exhausting me. I can barely get my brother to even play online with me. I feel like this has been festering long enough that at some point, its all going to overflow at once. But I am absolutely disgusted by how she takes advantage of my brother's fear of being alone and how the world revolves around her.
I had a dream the other day, actually, it was a good dream. I was at their wedding, and the priest guy said the standard 'speak now or hold your peace' and I stood up and loudly shouted OBJECTION! Every single person in the room turned to look at me, one because I don't raise my voice like that, two my patience is vast, and three, to upset me to this level of shouldering my anxiety by making a spectacle of myself. I then explained every detail, especially how much she was charged for rent, that my brother admitted he wasn't happy, and I wanted better for him than to just be an ATM maid.
If I bring this up to my brother again, I may lose him forever. But if I don't, he may be miserable together. And on the third side-- Do I actually really want my brothers' friendship at this point? Like, I'm definitely fed up dealing with his GF like she is. Plus, I pointed out and reiterated to him before that he admitted he wasn't happy.
I am very, very quiet by default. Never got into much trouble. I was and still am a gentle soul at my core being. If things get to a point where I cross lines of polite manners and call someone out on their bs, people around know that someone did something almost unforgivable. I'm wondering if my brother would know that.
TLDR; Brother's fiancee is disliked for good reason. My brother has isolated. I miss him, but also never want to see him again. I want to remind him that this marriage isn't a good idea, but I don't want to antagonize him.
2024.05.18 06:57 Worst_Artist The Best SEO Plumber Guide From an Industry Expert
| | https://preview.redd.it/1shzb3ov541d1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=95ea6f2823224f56986ee0f53fb9e6d65e740c46 submitted by Worst_Artist to u/Worst_Artist [link] [comments] Every month âplumbers near meâ is searched up to 800,000 times globally (Google Keyword Planner. 2024). Is your plumbing company a top result in your target location? To thrive, your plumbing business needs to be visible where most potential customers are searching, Google. This guide will provide you with top Plumber SEO tips to enhance your plumbing businessâs online visibility. First, what is Plumber SEO?Plumber SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the practice of affecting local search engine rankings for plumbers. Plumber SEO is a subspecialty of Local SEO, which is the practice of affecting local search engine rankings.Understanding Why You Should Do Plumber SEOPlumber SEO is crucial because it helps your plumbing service appear in search results when potential customers in your area look for the services you offer.A cool 68.7% of all clicks go to the top three organic search results. If you're not effective with SEO you're invisible (Unless you're paying to play). Can You Do Plumber SEO Yourself?Yes, you can certainly get started with the basics of Plumber SEO, but advanced SEO, like Technical SEO, will require a technical specialization.The most accessible way to learn is through reputable sources like Barry Schwartz's Search Engine Roundtable and experienced Local SEO professionals like Joy Hawkins. Let's get started with some basics. 1. Optimize Your Google Business Profilehttps://preview.redd.it/flmgg13e641d1.png?width=1277&format=png&auto=webp&s=262a86e4fa578c3cba939d4d83ece4125a76f9eaTo appear in Googleâs local search results, including the Map Pack, start with your Google Business Profile (GBP). Hereâs how to optimize it: Claim and Set Up Your Google Profile If you're not on the map already, add your business name and category. Choose a primary category such as "Plumber" and you can add more later for more specific services like Gas Installation Service, Drainage Service, or Bathroom Remodeler. Complete Your Profile Details Review Darren Shaw's Whitespark Local Search Ranking Factors to see how you should prioritize your time. If you're here doing pre-research before you even start a plumbing business take advantage of the knowledge that the keywords in your business name and the proximity to the location you want to rank in are top-ranking factors. Set up your service area and you can choose up to 20 locations, but the guideline is that it must be no longer than a 2-hour drive from where your business is based. 2. Local Citations and Reviewshttps://preview.redd.it/nu4jmc8j641d1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=46befefb7b8ad525a5b6d1e51d937291841701aeMost business directories list your business name, address, and phone number. These listings are known as NAP citations. Consistent NAP citations across various directories improve your Local SEO. Hereâs how to get started: Get Listed with Top Local Directories You can either use a data aggregator service to list you on multiple directories or take care of some of the free ones first. Once you're verified for Google Business Profile you can import your business onto Bing as well with a few clicks. Don't forget to get listed on Yelp as well since Apple Map searches rely on data from Yelp. Facebook and Instagram also allow you to put your address which helps your Local SEO. YellowPages, Better Business Bureau, and Manta are some free ones to get as well. 3. Boost Your ReviewsReviews not only enhance your credibility but also improve your SEO rankings. Here are some effective ways to gather more reviews:
4. Keyword Research for Targeted VisibilityUnderstanding what potential customers search for helps tailor your website content to meet their needs. Effective keyword research is the foundation of successful SEO.Identify Service-Related Keywords Identifying the right keywords is the first step in creating content that attracts potential customers. Hereâs how to get started: List Your Services Start by making a comprehensive list of all the plumbing services you offer. Think about every specific service you provide, no matter how niche. A detailed list might include: Drain unblocking, Burst pipe repair, Drain Cleaning, Toilet installation, Water heater repair, Sewer line inspection and repair Listing these services helps you understand the scope of your business and provides a basis for keyword research. Make sure to include all services, even those you might consider minor, as they can attract targeted searches from potential customers looking for specific help. Use Keyword Tools Once you have your list of services, the next step is to use keyword research tools to find relevant keywords that potential customers are searching for. Hereâs how to leverage these tools: Google Keyword Planner Google's Keyword Planner is a free tool that helps you find keywords related to your services. Hereâs how to use it effectively: Enter Your Services Input the list of services you created into the tool. For example, if you offer "drain cleaning," enter this term into the Keyword Planner. Analyze Keyword Suggestions The tool will generate a list of related keywords, showing their search volumes and competition levels. Look for keywords with a high search volume and low to medium competition. These are the sweet spots that can drive significant traffic to your site. Include Local Modifiers Add local modifiers to your keywords to target searches in your service area. For example, âdrain cleaning near meâ or âemergency plumber in [your city].â This helps attract customers who are looking for services in specific locations. Develop individual pages for each service, optimized with relevant keywords. Each page should include the following elements: Create Service-Specific Pages By creating dedicated, optimized pages for each service, you can attract more targeted traffic and convert visitors into customers. These pages not only improve your SEO but also provide valuable information to potential clients, helping them choose your services with confidence. Once you have identified the right keywords, the next step is to create dedicated pages for each service you offer. Hereâs how to optimize these pages: Service Areas Clearly list the areas you serve for each service. This helps with local SEO and lets potential customers know if you can assist them in their location. For example: "We proudly offer our drain cleaning services to residents in [Your City] and surrounding areas, including [Nearby City 1], [Nearby City 2], and [Nearby City 3]." Unique Selling Points Highlight what makes your service unique. This could be your experience, certifications, special equipment, or customer satisfaction guarantees. For example: "With over 20 years of experience and state-of-the-art equipment, we provide unparalleled drain cleaning services. Our certified technicians ensure the job is done right the first time, giving you peace of mind." Customer Reviews and Testimonials Include positive reviews and testimonials from satisfied customers. This builds trust and credibility with potential clients. For example: What Our Customers Have to Say "Professional and courteous. The best drain cleaning service Iâve used." -Mark S. Contact Information Make it easy for visitors to get in touch with you. Provide your phone number, email address, and a web form for inquiries. Including a call-to-action (CTA) encourages potential customers to take the next step. For example: "Contact us today for expert drain cleaning services. Call us at [Phone Number] or fill out our online form for a free quote. Weâre here to help 24/7." 5. Website Content & Optimizationhttps://preview.redd.it/j6ium1c0741d1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=efaa4073122592e847bd0b476d4e1b37d104709cCraft Compelling Content Each service page should clearly describe the service, its benefits, and why customers should choose you. Include certifications, unique selling points, and customer testimonials to build trust. Additionally, create engaging and informative content such as blog posts, FAQs, and plumbing tips to attract and retain visitors. Optimize Title Tags and Meta Descriptions Ensure these elements are compelling and informative as they appear in search results and can influence click-through rates. Here are some tips: Title Tags Your title tag should accurately describe the content of your page. Include specific details that make your page stand out. For example, instead of a generic title like "Plumbing Services," use something more specific like "Expert Drain Cleaning Services in [City]." Meta Descriptions Clearly summarize what the page is about. Include the most important points that users should know before clicking. For example, for a drain cleaning service page, you might write: "Get expert drain cleaning services in [City]. Our plumbers are available 24/7 to handle any blockage. Call [number] for a free quote." Google typically displays the first 150-160 characters of a meta description. Aim to keep your meta descriptions concise and within this limit to ensure the full text is visible. Include your phone number in the meta description as this is clickable on mobile. Create Mobile-Friendly Pages With most local searches being conducted on smartphones, itâs essential to ensure your website is mobile-friendly. Hereâs how: Responsive Design Responsive design refers to a web design approach that makes web pages render well on a variety of devices and window or screen sizes. It ensures that your website looks and functions correctly on desktops, tablets, and smartphones. Optimize Images Large images can slow down your website, leading to a poor user experience, especially on mobile devices with slower internet connections. Optimizing images ensures faster loading times, which can improve both user experience and SEO. Use a site like TinyJPG to compress images for free. Simple Layout A simple, uncluttered layout improves user experience by making it easier for visitors to navigate your site and find the information they need. It also ensures that your site loads faster, as there are fewer elements to load. Click-to-Call Buttons Click-to-call buttons are crucial for mobile users, allowing them to contact your business with a single tap. This convenience can increase conversion rates and improve customer satisfaction. 6. Build a Strong Link ProfileBacklinks are one of Googleâs strongest ranking factors. Hereâs how to build a robust link profile for your plumbing business:Guest Blogging and Community Participation Guest blogging and engaging in community participation are effective ways to build high-quality backlinks and establish your authority in the plumbing industry. Identify Target Blogs Find blogs in the plumbing, home improvement, and DIY niches that accept guest posts. Look for blogs with a good reputation and engaged audiences. Use search queries like âplumbing blogs accepting guest postsâ or âhome improvement write for us.â Reach out to the blog owners with well-crafted pitches. Propose topics that are relevant to their audience and showcase your expertise. Ensure your pitch is concise and highlights the value you can provide to their readers. Write well-researched, informative, and engaging articles. Focus on providing valuable insights and practical advice. Include relevant keywords naturally and ensure the content aligns with the blogâs style and tone. In your author bio, include a brief description of yourself and your plumbing business, along with a link back to your website. Some blogs may also allow you to include a link within the content itself. Ensure these links are relevant and add value to the article. Join Relevant Communities Participate in forums and online communities related to plumbing, home improvement, and DIY. Websites like Reddit, Quora, and specialized plumbing forums are great places to start. Join groups where homeowners seek advice on plumbing issues. Offer helpful and knowledgeable answers to questions. Avoid blatant self-promotion; instead, focus on providing genuine value. Share your expertise and build a reputation as a helpful professional. When appropriate, include links to your blog posts or service pages that provide additional information. Make sure these links are relevant to the discussion and genuinely help the reader. HARO (Help A Reporter Out) HARO connects sources with journalists looking for expert quotes. This can lead to high-quality backlinks from reputable sites. Sign up for a free HARO account as a source. You will receive daily emails with journalist requests categorized by industry. Plumbing-related requests might fall under Home & Garden or Business & Finance. Monitor the HARO emails for requests related to plumbing, home maintenance, or small business operations. Respond promptly with concise, informative answers. Highlight your expertise and provide useful insights. When responding, be detailed and professional. Include your full name, title, business name, and a link to your website. Journalists are more likely to use your quotes if they are well-articulated and relevant to their article. Replicate Competitorsâ Links Analyzing your competitorsâ backlinks can help you discover new link-building opportunities. Identify your top competitors by searching for your target keywords in Google. Note the websites that consistently appear at the top of the search results. Use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz to analyze your competitorsâ backlink profiles. Enter their domain into the tool to see a list of websites linking to them. Assess the quality of these backlinks by looking at metrics like organic traffic. Focus on high-quality backlinks from reputable sites. Look for backlinks that you can replicate. These might include guest posts, directory listings, or mentions in articles. Reach out to these websites with a similar pitch to get your site linked as well. Reclaim Lost Links Reclaiming lost links involves identifying and fixing broken or redirected links pointing to your site. Use tools like Ahrefs or Google Search Console to identify broken links pointing to your website. These tools can help you find 404 errors and other issues. Identify links that are redirected to other pages or domains. Ensure that the redirects are still relevant and pointing to the correct pages. Reach out to the webmasters of the sites linking to your broken URLs. Politely ask them to update the link to the correct page. Provide the exact URL to make it easier for them. If you have moved content to a new URL, set up 301 redirects from the old URLs to the new ones. This ensures that any backlinks pointing to the old URL still pass on link equity to the new page. 7. Technical SEOTechnical SEO ensures that search engines can find and index your pages. Hereâs how to set your site up for technical success:Plan Your Site Structure A well-organized site structure helps visitors navigate your website and allows Google to find all your pages. Hereâs a good starting point for your site structure: Home Page -> Service Pages -> Blogs to Informational and How-To Pages Use HTTPS HTTPS is a secure way for visitors to access web pages. Itâs important for SEO because itâs been a ranking factor since 2014. Check if your website uses HTTPS by looking for a lock icon in the browserâs search bar. Monitor Your SEO Health Regularly monitor your websiteâs SEO health using tools like Google Search Console. These tools can help you identify and fix common SEO issues. Key metrics to track include organic traffic, keyword performance, and site health score. 8. SEO Content MarketingCreating valuable content can attract traffic and customers from organic search. Hereâs how to create and promote content that ranks:Keyword Research Topics Finding the right topics to write about is crucial for attracting organic traffic. Hereâs how to identify proven topics: Begin with broad keywords related to plumbing, such as âleak repair,â âdrain cleaning,â or âwater heater maintenance.â Enter these into keyword research tools like Ahrefs Keywords Explorer, Google Keyword Planner, or SEMrush. Use these tools to find related keywords and phrases that people are searching for. Look for questions and long-tail keywords (phrases with three or more words) that indicate specific user intents. For example, instead of just âdrain cleaning,â look for âhow to clean a clogged drainâ or âbest drain cleaning services in [city].â Evaluate the search volume and competition level for each keyword. Ideally, target keywords with high search volume but low to medium competition. This increases the chances of ranking well without facing too much competition. Analyze the search engine results pages (SERPs) for your target keywords to see what type of content is ranking. Look for featured snippets, people also ask boxes, and top-ranking articles to understand the type of content Google favors. Use Questions and Informational Keywords Focus on questions and informational keywords, such as âhow-toâ guides, tutorials, and tips. These types of content tend to attract more engagement and backlinks, boosting your SEO. Publish Optimized Blog Posts Once you have identified the right topics, itâs time to create optimized blog posts that rank well and attract traffic. Analyze the top-ranking pages for your target keywords to understand the user intent behind the searches. Are people looking for how-to guides, detailed articles, or quick answers? Align your content with what users expect to find. Ensure your content fully addresses the search query. If users are looking for a guide on fixing a leaky faucet, provide a step-by-step tutorial with images, videos, and troubleshooting tips. Use Clear Headings and Subheadings Organize your content with clear headings (H1, H2, H3) and subheadings. This not only improves readability but also helps search engines understand the structure of your content. Break down information into bullet points and numbered lists where appropriate. This makes your content more scannable and user-friendly. Include Images and Videos Use relevant images, infographics, and videos to enhance your content. Visual elements can help explain complex topics and keep readers engaged. Write Compelling Titles Your titles should be engaging and accurately describe the content. Use power words and numbers to make your titles more compelling. For example, â10 Easy Tips for Fixing a Leaky Faucetâ or âHow to Unclog Any Drain in 5 Simple Steps.â Keep It Under 60 Characters Aim to keep your titles under 60 characters to ensure they are fully displayed in SERPs and not cut off. For a blog post on drain cleaning, a compelling title could be: âHow to Clean a Clogged Drain: 7 Effective Methodsâ 9. Promote Your Content Creating great content is only the first step. You also need to promote it to ensure it reaches your target audience and attracts backlinks. Share your blog posts on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Tailor your posts to each platformâs audience and use engaging visuals and descriptions to attract attention. Join Relevant Groups and Communities Participate in relevant Facebook groups, LinkedIn groups, and online communities related to plumbing and home improvement. Share your content when appropriate, providing value to the community. Engage with Your Audience Respond to comments and questions on your social media posts. Engaging with your audience can increase your contentâs reach and build relationships with potential customers. 10. Tracking SEO Progresshttps://preview.redd.it/arej4v26841d1.jpg?width=1024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b9d0dd295f91e56cfc542386a4f4d2ff1a0a54c3Tracking your SEO efforts is essential to understand whatâs working and what needs improvement. Hereâs how to do it: Google Business Profile Performance Monitoring your Google Business Profile (GBP) performance is crucial for understanding how well your business is performing in local search results. Check Profile Performance Log into your Google account and search for your business name. This should bring up your Google Business Profile. Click on the âSee profile performanceâ button to access detailed metrics about how your profile is performing. Key Metrics to Monitor Views: The number of times your business profile has been viewed. This gives you an idea of how visible your business is in local searches. Search Queries: The specific queries that led users to your business profile. This helps you understand what terms potential customers are using to find your business. Customer Actions: This includes actions like visits to your website, requests for directions, calls to your business, and bookings. Tracking these actions helps you understand how effective your profile is at converting views into interactions. Photo Views: The number of times your business photos have been viewed. High-quality photos can attract more attention and engagement. Optimize Based on Insights Use the insights from your profile performance to optimize your GBP. For example, if you notice that certain photos are getting more views, consider adding more similar photos. If specific queries are leading to your profile, ensure those keywords are prominently featured in your profile description and posts. Google Search Console (GSC) is a powerful tool that provides valuable insights into your websiteâs performance in organic search results. Key Metrics to Monitor Performance Report: This report provides an overview of your siteâs performance in Google Search. Key metrics include: Total Clicks: The number of times users clicked on your site in search results. Total Impressions: The number of times your site appeared in search results. Average Click-Through Rate (CTR): The ratio of clicks to impressions, showing how effective your site is at attracting clicks. Average Position: Your siteâs average ranking position for the tracked queries. Search Queries: This section shows the specific queries that users are entering to find your site. Analyze which keywords are driving the most traffic and consider creating more content around those terms. Pages: Identify which pages on your site are performing best in search. This can help you understand what type of content resonates most with your audience. Devices: Understand how users are accessing your site (desktop, mobile, tablet). This helps you ensure your site is optimized for all devices, particularly mobile. Optimize Based on Insights Use the data from GSC to optimize your siteâs SEO strategy. For example, if you notice that certain pages have a high number of impressions but a low CTR, consider updating the meta descriptions and title tags to be more compelling. If specific keywords are performing well, create more content around those topics to capture additional traffic. Set up Google Analytics on your website to analyze and gain even more valuable insights. Hope this helps! |
2024.05.18 06:54 hot_disko_doomr_bish It feels like everyone gets a relatively happy ending or like a life at least but im stuck here alone in my room agian and agian, im inferior asf and it gets worse every day (rant)
Im sick of it tbh. It feels like every godamn person I come into contact with just gets to have a life yknow or they get a functional relationship or yknow something goes right for them. For me its the same story over and over agian. Always alone in my room the last resort option for everything and everyone, no job, failing school ,mom's a piece of shit. The only good consistent thing is my one friend/father figure almost but he always also has more of a life then me so he can't give me that much attention + he rubs the fact that he has a life in like CRAZZZY. Idk im just, i cant stop scrolling thro insta and facebook only to see exs and other people I used to know's stories just working out while im the dust. Its not fair. I tried to be good despite evrything and it only backfires, it feels like I can't have anything thats just mine for the keeping. My life has random peaks but they never last, they either dont work out or end up being a curse in disguise and biting me in the ass or they just go away. My mom goes through these stupid phases where she puts on the "good mom" act only for it to fall apart the second anything goes wrong and I need her lol. I applied to EVERY DAMN restraunt/cinema/buisness/etc in all of Manhattan im pretty sure and I been workin my ass off trying to get a job all fuckin year so I can make money to move out, I get ONE fuckin interview and suprise suprise the job goes to the managers kid who probably doesn't even give a fuck! I spent every minute of two weeks preparing for that shit, I even wore a fuckin suit (lady variation of a suit) shit, my interview was right after school so I wore that shit to school, didnt even get considered for the job. Every relationship/talking stage/whatever is either only a secret hookup for him or they leave once I get attached or it just becomes EXTREMELY toxic and borderline abusive and they leave anyways lol. Friends just leave, judge you or get you into deeper shit (the bullfucks at my school at least) and there all fake fucks too. So i've given up socializing. Along with giving up school and my family situation. My relationships are doomed and my only hope is getting a part time job so I can have some cash so I have some control, yknow. Im pretty much done with school, its an alt school so it goes by class, meaning I currently only have to be there one hour a day, the rest of the days every week for the last month I been spending alone in my room vaping. I been fuckin with my vyvance too, taking it up the nose. I have wayyyyy too much time to thinl and stalk peoples socials and every single time I open insta I wanna shoot myself but I have this dumb sick addiction to how inferior I am compared to the new chicks my exs are with. Especially the guy I lost my v to. Man his new girl idk I was hoping she'd be as lame and ugly as him but no, in fact she's just everything im not. Shes aint even a 10 compared to me she a 100000. Beautiful dark skin, long full hair, clear skin, perfect curvy body, smart, motivated, fuckin model, going to college, loving parents, mentally stable, wholesome. For godsakes there valentines date they drank tea and watched Stewart fuckin Little. Man, why? I did soo much to help him, soo much to take care of him, he ditched me as a friend at my literal fuckin lowest after all of that. Comes back after months of not talking to bang me no condy, shows up the next morning with an anti-baby pill even though he knew from like week one of being friends im personally VERY agianst abortion and for me chemical contraceptives. I dont blame other people for using them, its a choice. But in my case, I just strongly believe in fate/god and I feel wrong about using a chemical pill after the deeds done to ruin that. I mean yeah I was 14 but still, he knew I wasnt cool with that but he convinced me by telling me he really loved me. So I did only for him to tell me what a broken, dysfunctional piece of shit I am before walking out the door. Im glad I didnt have a baby at 14 in the middle of a several month episode too lol but still. Anyways my point with that shit was im just tired of people always finding someone better than me, it feels like theres always a better option for everyone im always the backup for when shit hits the fan. For friends too, even with my mom. Im the back burner shit to microwave when theres no other food in the house. Man, what i'd do to have someone who truly wanted me a lot or somehwere where I was wanted, doubt it'll ever happen though. Dumb lil rant :))))
submitted by hot_disko_doomr_bish to doomer [link] [comments]
2024.05.18 06:08 Longjumping-Pick-706 Husband lied about a girlfriend two DECADES ago. Is this really as wrong as I think it is? Is he truly pure evil? Or am I wrong?
I posted this in other subs, but it had me thinking and still struggling if I was overreacting to how bad this really is. The original is very long so I snipped out a few parts, while keeping the parts I felt were pertinent. If you want to see the original, please go to my profile.
I suffered through narcissistic abuse by my partner for 23 years. This incident happened when we were still friends. If I had I only known the truth when this had originally happened, I would have been saved from decades of emotional, psychological, verbal, physical, sexual, and physical abuse. (And currently post-separation abuse).
The cast: me, my ex Bub (Beelzebub), my ex-crush B, Bub's gf M, Bub's bf V (It will make sense when you read it.)
TW: Suicide, self-harm, abuse
We met through a mutual friend. We became really close really quickly. He was 17 and I was 19. We would talk for hours about anything and everything. I was raised around domestic abuse, and my family was highly dysfunctional. I suffered severe trauma as a child being raised in this environment with an abusive father and brother. (His namesake). By the time I met Bub, I had been having mental health struggles for many years. To deal with the trauma I still suffered from I would self-harm by cutting frequently. I also had been in a psychiatric hospital twice for suicide attempts. I told Bub about all of this, and he knew that I still did it. He was very supportive and would get really sad when I harmed myself.
Since we were just friends we would talk about our crushes. He had a crush on a girl from high school and I had a crush on one of my ex's B, who was also my high school crush. We only dated for 3 weeks, and we decided we were better as friends then lovers. Though we did have a FWB thing going on when we were both single. He really talked up his crush and I really talked up mine.
Two months into our friendship he got a gf. He told me she was a girl he knew from his home city named M. He claimed her mother would babysit him and his brother. He really talked this girl up. She was into all the same things as him. I was starting to believe he talked her up to make me jealous, which it honestly did. However, I knew it was petty jealousy and I was very happy for him and expressed that to him.
I don't know whose idea it was for her to start communicating with me, but she started emailing me to get to know his best friend (me). I was totally cool with this and was excited to get to know her. Before I know it, she starts getting really nasty with me for no apparent reason. It really upset me. My natural impulse at the time when I was upset was to cut. It was a maladaptive coping mechanism I had for years, and I did it when I was really upset. I explained this to him, and he said he would talk to her. He showed real concern I was harming myself and he also wanted her to stop.
So, he told me he had talked to her, and she had told him she would stop harassing me for no good reason. She didn't stop. She continued to say the vilest and f'd up things to me, including making crass and insensitive comments about my suicidal ideation and self-harm. Naturally I was really upset and cut myself pretty badly. I still have the scar.
This basically went on until they broke up a month later. He said she was doing heroin, and he was vehemently against drugs. He said that they had a good friend that died of an OD, and he couldn't be with her if she was going to do that. It was over. She never contacted me again.
A couple of months later me and Bub started dating. He ended up telling me that him and M didn't really date, and he had only told me that to make me jealous. AHA! I was correct!
So, I asked to meet her. He was a bit hesitant at first, but he finally agreed. At this point his bf V from his home city was dating her. It was the perfect opportunity to meet her as like a double date. I will say, at that time in my life I could be possessive and jealous. Not proud of it, but I was young and immature. I ended up treating her pretty snidely because of this.
One night we were out with them, and Bub got into a car accident. We ended up having to call his dad for a ride home. When we got to his home, his dad was contemplating letting them sleep there. I whispered in Bub's ear that I was not okay with his ex-gf sleeping at his house. She overheard me tell him this. She pulled me aside and told me they never dated. WHAT? I was furious. Bub made eye contact with me, and by the look on his face, I could tell he knew what she told me. The ride back, to drop them at home in his dad's car, was uncomfortable to say the least.
After he dropped them off, I confronted him. His explanation was I was so pushy to meet her, but he knew how jealous I could be, so he didn't want to actually introduce me to the real M. Ends up V was dating a girl with the same name. I felt so stupid and betrayed. I wanted to end it, but he seemed so remorseful I ended up giving him another chance.
Well, the years go rolling by, and I hear no more about this girl who he was so close with, in the past. Bub was a very charismatic person with a lot of friends. He never stopped speaking to friends permanently and they would come in and out of his life. I found it a little odd that there was no mention of her but didn't think much else of it. I also never really formally met her.
Then Facebook became a thing. He ended up being friends with every person he had ever known. Except her. I would bring it up and he would always have some excuse. We ended up moving in with his brother in 2015. I wasn't really around his brother a lot, so I never got a chance to talk to him at length. I remember at one point I brought her up. I was just so curious at the mystery girl and wanted to see if he was still in touch with her. He told me he didn't know what I was talking about. He said his mother never left them with babysitters and only worked when they were in school.
"What does that mean," I'm thinking. WTF does that mean? I brought it up to Bub and he told me she only babysat a few times so his brother probably forgot. But this didn't sit right with me. He had told me that she would babysit them frequently. He denied ever saying the frequency. What could I do but believe him? It had been almost 15 years by that point. That's a long time to keep a secret like that and it's possible I simply didn't remember right. Surely, he was telling me the truth. I dropped it for good.
We get married that year. We had a child the next year. We had a stillborn a year after that. All this time until 2022, I started feeling really uneasy about our relationship. I started suspecting that his behavior towards me was abusive.
By the end of 2022 I was broken. A lot of things happened between here and the summer of 2023 when the conclusion to this situation came to an end. I will say I really started to acknowledge he was abusive, but I was still so desperate to salvage my marriage with my eternal hope that he could change. I was just so broken by then I didn't think I deserved any better, and no one else could possibly want a worthless, pitiful broken mess like me.
The summer of 2023, while laying sleepless in bed, the memory of M flashed through my mind. I started remembering details I had long forgotten. Why did I never meet her? Why was she never his friend on Facebook? Why had neither of them reached out to each other? I had met every person he talked about, or he was at least friends with them on Facebook. Why not her? Why did his brother not remember? Why did he say M's mother babysat them all the time? I KNOW he originally said that damn it! Why was her email address, at only 17-years-old, her first and last name? 17-year-olds don't use their names like professionals. They call themselves sparklybutterflies86 for christ's sakes! This was all going through my head.
The next day I confronted Bub. I will paraphrase to the best of my memory:
Me: Was M real?
Bub: I thought this had been settled already.
Me: No. No, it hasn't. You told me your brother just did not remember her and that was the last I spoke of it.
Bub: Deadpanned looking me right in the eye "No. She wasn't real. I thought you knew this by now."
I can't really remember what I said at that point, but it was a lot of "how the fuck could you do that? and other expletives. His excuse was he was an insecure teenager, and he was jealous of B and how much I talked about him. A fucking insecure teenager. Talking up his high school crush didn't make me jealous, so he made up a gf.
He pretended to be a gf, who went on to harass the shit out me. Which caused me to be so distraught that I cut myself. He knew I was harming myself and he kept on doing it. I still bare the fucking scar from that time. He involved a poor innocent girl that I was fucking terrible to. Not to mention the fake story of a friend that Od'd. And his excuse for this deranged, diabolical, INSANE fucking shit was, "I was an insecure teenager." No fucking big deal, right?
I can honestly say, since I was raised in dysfunction, I have a very skewed idea of what is normal 17-year-old behavior. Maybe he never said anything because of shame, despite the fact it was still on my mind, and he could have stopped it at any time. Is this really as diabolical and INSANE as I think it is? Am I wrong to think only a truly evil person would do this? Or is this as insignificant as he and his friends are claiming?
submitted by Longjumping-Pick-706 to amiwrong [link] [comments]
I suffered through narcissistic abuse by my partner for 23 years. This incident happened when we were still friends. If I had I only known the truth when this had originally happened, I would have been saved from decades of emotional, psychological, verbal, physical, sexual, and physical abuse. (And currently post-separation abuse).
The cast: me, my ex Bub (Beelzebub), my ex-crush B, Bub's gf M, Bub's bf V (It will make sense when you read it.)
TW: Suicide, self-harm, abuse
We met through a mutual friend. We became really close really quickly. He was 17 and I was 19. We would talk for hours about anything and everything. I was raised around domestic abuse, and my family was highly dysfunctional. I suffered severe trauma as a child being raised in this environment with an abusive father and brother. (His namesake). By the time I met Bub, I had been having mental health struggles for many years. To deal with the trauma I still suffered from I would self-harm by cutting frequently. I also had been in a psychiatric hospital twice for suicide attempts. I told Bub about all of this, and he knew that I still did it. He was very supportive and would get really sad when I harmed myself.
Since we were just friends we would talk about our crushes. He had a crush on a girl from high school and I had a crush on one of my ex's B, who was also my high school crush. We only dated for 3 weeks, and we decided we were better as friends then lovers. Though we did have a FWB thing going on when we were both single. He really talked up his crush and I really talked up mine.
Two months into our friendship he got a gf. He told me she was a girl he knew from his home city named M. He claimed her mother would babysit him and his brother. He really talked this girl up. She was into all the same things as him. I was starting to believe he talked her up to make me jealous, which it honestly did. However, I knew it was petty jealousy and I was very happy for him and expressed that to him.
I don't know whose idea it was for her to start communicating with me, but she started emailing me to get to know his best friend (me). I was totally cool with this and was excited to get to know her. Before I know it, she starts getting really nasty with me for no apparent reason. It really upset me. My natural impulse at the time when I was upset was to cut. It was a maladaptive coping mechanism I had for years, and I did it when I was really upset. I explained this to him, and he said he would talk to her. He showed real concern I was harming myself and he also wanted her to stop.
So, he told me he had talked to her, and she had told him she would stop harassing me for no good reason. She didn't stop. She continued to say the vilest and f'd up things to me, including making crass and insensitive comments about my suicidal ideation and self-harm. Naturally I was really upset and cut myself pretty badly. I still have the scar.
This basically went on until they broke up a month later. He said she was doing heroin, and he was vehemently against drugs. He said that they had a good friend that died of an OD, and he couldn't be with her if she was going to do that. It was over. She never contacted me again.
A couple of months later me and Bub started dating. He ended up telling me that him and M didn't really date, and he had only told me that to make me jealous. AHA! I was correct!
So, I asked to meet her. He was a bit hesitant at first, but he finally agreed. At this point his bf V from his home city was dating her. It was the perfect opportunity to meet her as like a double date. I will say, at that time in my life I could be possessive and jealous. Not proud of it, but I was young and immature. I ended up treating her pretty snidely because of this.
One night we were out with them, and Bub got into a car accident. We ended up having to call his dad for a ride home. When we got to his home, his dad was contemplating letting them sleep there. I whispered in Bub's ear that I was not okay with his ex-gf sleeping at his house. She overheard me tell him this. She pulled me aside and told me they never dated. WHAT? I was furious. Bub made eye contact with me, and by the look on his face, I could tell he knew what she told me. The ride back, to drop them at home in his dad's car, was uncomfortable to say the least.
After he dropped them off, I confronted him. His explanation was I was so pushy to meet her, but he knew how jealous I could be, so he didn't want to actually introduce me to the real M. Ends up V was dating a girl with the same name. I felt so stupid and betrayed. I wanted to end it, but he seemed so remorseful I ended up giving him another chance.
Well, the years go rolling by, and I hear no more about this girl who he was so close with, in the past. Bub was a very charismatic person with a lot of friends. He never stopped speaking to friends permanently and they would come in and out of his life. I found it a little odd that there was no mention of her but didn't think much else of it. I also never really formally met her.
Then Facebook became a thing. He ended up being friends with every person he had ever known. Except her. I would bring it up and he would always have some excuse. We ended up moving in with his brother in 2015. I wasn't really around his brother a lot, so I never got a chance to talk to him at length. I remember at one point I brought her up. I was just so curious at the mystery girl and wanted to see if he was still in touch with her. He told me he didn't know what I was talking about. He said his mother never left them with babysitters and only worked when they were in school.
"What does that mean," I'm thinking. WTF does that mean? I brought it up to Bub and he told me she only babysat a few times so his brother probably forgot. But this didn't sit right with me. He had told me that she would babysit them frequently. He denied ever saying the frequency. What could I do but believe him? It had been almost 15 years by that point. That's a long time to keep a secret like that and it's possible I simply didn't remember right. Surely, he was telling me the truth. I dropped it for good.
We get married that year. We had a child the next year. We had a stillborn a year after that. All this time until 2022, I started feeling really uneasy about our relationship. I started suspecting that his behavior towards me was abusive.
By the end of 2022 I was broken. A lot of things happened between here and the summer of 2023 when the conclusion to this situation came to an end. I will say I really started to acknowledge he was abusive, but I was still so desperate to salvage my marriage with my eternal hope that he could change. I was just so broken by then I didn't think I deserved any better, and no one else could possibly want a worthless, pitiful broken mess like me.
The summer of 2023, while laying sleepless in bed, the memory of M flashed through my mind. I started remembering details I had long forgotten. Why did I never meet her? Why was she never his friend on Facebook? Why had neither of them reached out to each other? I had met every person he talked about, or he was at least friends with them on Facebook. Why not her? Why did his brother not remember? Why did he say M's mother babysat them all the time? I KNOW he originally said that damn it! Why was her email address, at only 17-years-old, her first and last name? 17-year-olds don't use their names like professionals. They call themselves sparklybutterflies86 for christ's sakes! This was all going through my head.
The next day I confronted Bub. I will paraphrase to the best of my memory:
Me: Was M real?
Bub: I thought this had been settled already.
Me: No. No, it hasn't. You told me your brother just did not remember her and that was the last I spoke of it.
Bub: Deadpanned looking me right in the eye "No. She wasn't real. I thought you knew this by now."
I can't really remember what I said at that point, but it was a lot of "how the fuck could you do that? and other expletives. His excuse was he was an insecure teenager, and he was jealous of B and how much I talked about him. A fucking insecure teenager. Talking up his high school crush didn't make me jealous, so he made up a gf.
He pretended to be a gf, who went on to harass the shit out me. Which caused me to be so distraught that I cut myself. He knew I was harming myself and he kept on doing it. I still bare the fucking scar from that time. He involved a poor innocent girl that I was fucking terrible to. Not to mention the fake story of a friend that Od'd. And his excuse for this deranged, diabolical, INSANE fucking shit was, "I was an insecure teenager." No fucking big deal, right?
I can honestly say, since I was raised in dysfunction, I have a very skewed idea of what is normal 17-year-old behavior. Maybe he never said anything because of shame, despite the fact it was still on my mind, and he could have stopped it at any time. Is this really as diabolical and INSANE as I think it is? Am I wrong to think only a truly evil person would do this? Or is this as insignificant as he and his friends are claiming?
2024.05.18 05:29 Mission_Beat2189 The Fall Least Unexpected [3316]
The Fall Least Unexpected
Camp Wapiti was the most competitive summer-camp on the western border of the Allegheny Mountains, titular for the raving childrenâs testimonies by the end of the season. An influx of young campers had signed up this year to roost in forests of Red Spruce and Eastern Hemlock. The camp had reportedly gone through a series of expansion, including state-of-the-art âlodging enclavesâ and an Olympic-sized swimming pool; at least according to the Wapiti parent Facebook Group. Rah-rah Elks!
A slew of bus rentals carries the kids to the gates of the 150-acre property, summer reveries already taking effect on everyone - from the bus drivers to the happy campers. The counselors had done a splendid job in garbing under the theme of Swan Lake, tinges of pastel pink and candlelight establishing the campâs timbre; all awaited returning and new faces alike.
Once they reached, a horde of children spilled out from vehicles from all directions. The season had started.
âWelcome to Camp Wapiti our future outdoorsmen and adventurers! Plenty of secrets and fun await you this year - but first some rulesâŚâ bellowed Hailey Clifton, head counselor of the ensemble and youngest chick among the staff. The other counselors rolled their eyes during Haileyâs yearly pitch about showing a high level of care towards the surrounding wilderness and carrying the Happy Camperâs Guide to Nature: Dynamite Deciduous at all times. Many of the children began fidgeting, a crowd of creepy-crawlers wiggling underneath the heat vortex and swarm of mosquitos.
Finally, a cool breeze could be felt as Hailey finished off, invigorating everybodyâs spirits once again. Campers and counselors drifted off into their own respective circles, reuniting with old friends and meeting new ones, breathing life and community into the grounds. Already burnt bodies sticky from chlorine and Sun-Bum were packed like sardine and people of all ages hollered from the tree-tops.
The first afternoon and night had been a success in every sense of the word. Residents were comatose within their cabins before 10 pm, in anticipation for a day at Lake Dimii in the morning. Somebody was dreaming of the unmarred lake and its magical properties according to the Iroquois, at any given moment during the night.
Come morning, camp was bustling with movement in every corner. Louie, an independent, fire-cracker 11-year-old from Brooklyn led a large pack of his well-rested peers to the lake. The other kids couldnât help but look up to Louie, who was often disinterested in the bull of the others, but who was also the first person someone would ask for help in messing with the counselors or sneaking into the girlâs dorm at night. The children sang Wapitiâs jingle on their trek:
We are the happy herd of elks
Roaming through the fields with stealth!
On our crowâs nest seat,
We are the Camp Wapiti fleet!
The childrenâs chants could be heard reverberating through the wood, like a canyon wall is to singing birds. The menagerie cannonballed into the lake from all perimeters, the counselors struggling to keep up. But the day swelled with happiness as the surroundings looked effervescent within the sunlight, everything appeared to be cast underneath a yellow, sparkly film. After head-check, Hailey could finally record the potpourri of foreign flowers in her scrapbook.
Michel Barre and his two most loyal pals, Barnett and Sal, were camped away from the others, scoffing at the troupe of wildlings swimming in the waters. Michel, son of hot-shot French socialites, had moved to the North-East just two years ago, and still couldnât wrap his mind around the hobbies and traditions of American kids his age; especially the dreaded capture the flag. The counselors had attempted to urge the three to join the others in the water, coaxing them with extra pie during dessert, but with no luck.
Traditionally, the first few days of camp were a hedonistic blur with no planned activities or events. Counselors encouraged to introduce themselves with one another and become comfortable with their bunk-mates especially. After a blistering day in the heat at Dimii, the whole lot was absolutely worn-out and immediately returned to their quarters following a hearty meal of chicken fried steak and apple pie fritters. Another day of sunshine and splashing around in the surf awaited everybody tomorrow, with a round of softball and soft serve afterwards. Even Michel felt a knot of excitement grow in his stomach.
Yet at half-past three in the morning, just two remained awake. As the moonâs image was reflected upon the lakeâs surface while the others peacefully slept, Michel had been awoken and dragged by his feet out of his bed, across floorboards punctuated with nails, and out into the night. He was dragged for what seemed like hours. Across the gravel, dirt, and bushes, his skin was battered, and his limbs mangled. He contained no mental or physical capacity to identify who on Godâs Earth was forcing him through his misery.
After a while, Michel could discern a certain atmospheric change - the air had felt more serene - what could only be Lake Dimii.
SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK âNO LIFEGUARDâ
âPlease, I'm so sorry for whatever I did - please donât-â Michelâs captor continued on to the edge of the lake and held him there, his face inundated like a trembling leaf caught in a storm. Michel didnât know how to swim and tried to remember what his camping guide said about situations like this, but his mind went blank, and his lungs burned.
A passerby would be able to make out the two figures easily, even though the humid mist: One submerged and one forcing its grasp on the nape of the otherâs neck, calmly watching. Michel was so incapacitated he wasnât even aware that he was being forcibly held - he only regretted refusing to take swimming lessons as a child. And now his despairing amount of weakness against the dark waters was apparent. He thrashed about like a wild animal, a trail of bubbles circling his head. Gasps and sunken murmurs were the only sounds that could be heard on the lakeside at this hour.
And the other continued to watch, looking almost disinterested in the slump of his shoulders and the swaying of his feet. The moon still stubbornly shone, indiscriminate in its gleam, illuminating the other boyâs poor, sinking body. The scene was now still - a sharp contrast from a mere 8 hours ago.
The one on the bank turned to leave for the campgrounds, whistling a familiar tune.
The amount of time it takes to notice a person is missing is usually longer than one would think. In the case of Michel Barre, it took nearly 2 hours after the inhabitants of Wapiti rose. Barnett and Sal eventually realized that Michel was nowhere to be found and alerted Hailey before they were blamed for something they didnât do. All campers were to report back to their bunks immediately for the rest of the day and stay there till instructed otherwise. A wave of confusion and frustration hit the camp â and rumors quickly spread like a nasty bout of lice.
According to the older kids, Barnett and Sal were messing around with Michel in the woods and left him there for inexplicable reasons. Others believed that Michelâs mega-loaded parents airlifted him out of the woods after just a few hours sleeping in the itchy twin sheets.
Meanwhile, in the counselorâs lodge, absolute pandemonium had settled alongside the cabinâs perpetual dust. These âdesignated adultsâ were not adults at all, but hormonal, dewy-eyed teenagers who had been looking forward to an unsupervised summer. None of them were prepared for a situation like this.
âHow on Earth will we ever explain this to Michelâs parents? The poor boy - he is probably wounded in the middle of the forest somewhere. Who knows, he could already be dead right now,â cried Hailey. The others stared at her blankly, not knowing what to say in response.
Javon Scott, who was only there for the massive paycheck that would hit his bank account at the end of the summer, couldnât stop concentrating on Hailey's strawberry-blond curls. They smelled like apples.
âHaileyâs right, guys. Michelâs probably dead somewhere in a ditch. Shit, I canât handle this right now, I need to smoke,â said Javon. He couldnât keep his legs from bouncing, even with two hands on his thighs. Hailey let out a dry sob.
âYouâve been smoking too much Javon. The kid is probably fine, he couldnât have made it that far into the woods,â chimed in someone from the back. A few other counselors murmured in agreement.
âWe canât bank on that. We have to tell Michelâs parents and call the authorities,â said Hailey. Javon aggressively nodded his head - the only one out of the bunch to agree.
âLike the cops? No way, I like this gig and my parents would murder me. Letâs all just split up and try to find him first,â said Bryce, one of the older counselors, a local town bum. There seemed to be a consensus already made at that point and all of Hailey's lamentations were paid any further attention.
The teens decided on rounding up the campers towards the center of the ground for the remainder of the day and to keep guard for God-knows-what, while the rest divvied up the surrounding woods in sections to search for the missing boy. Seemingly overnight, Camp Wapiti had transformed into a dire place â a canvas of frantic people and an obscure disappearance coloring the air.
Hailey had volunteered to scale the one of many huge rocks overlooking the eastern corner of the camp, a citadel over the surrounding area. Javon had offered to accompany Hailey, but everyone agreed it would be best if he stayed out at camp and watched over the fidgety kids. Javon grumbled about his role, because the last thing he wanted to do was spend the rest of the day with the snotty-sits, but he was sorely outnumbered. Besides, Hailey wanted to be alone.
The rock sat among the treetops, overlooking miles beyond the peripheries of the camp in each direction. It was a hot spot for late-night hookups, summertime dares, and sunrise viewings. Some of the graffiti that marked the base of the rock was almost two generations old.
It took a good 20 minutes for Hailey to reach the peak. Once she did, she was taken aback at the unstable illusion that was presented - the forest and vegetation seemed to have no end, swallowing all the land in its vastness. She shuddered to think where Michel could be within the thickets, as there was no way she could make out a 9-year-old from this vantage point. Her day had been spent in vain.
She plopped down at the edge of the overlook and began to burst into fitful tears. She couldnât even begin to imagine how scared Michel was. Her stomach felt like a bowling ball. She decided that she would immediately contact the Allegheny preservative police and Michelâs parents before telling the others. She took in the horizon for a few months, ablaze in a deep mandarin, before heading back to Wapiti.
Except, someone had been watching her and her lovely head full of curls for a while now. It was a quite pleasant evening, and a single sight was more like a shout in the dead silence. And so, when Hailey could hear the heavy breathing of someone behind her, she chose not to stir.
âI know thatâs you Javon. Look, I donât have the time for this right now,â said Hailey, sniffling into her hands. Only silence followed and the breathing now ceased. Hailey looked over her shoulders and saw only rock. She felt as if she were becoming progressively crazier as the day went on.
Hailey turned back to stare at the view. And as she tumbled down the face of the cliff - from a single push or a gust of wind, no one would be able to tell - her last thoughts were of Michelâs ill-fated end instead of hers and how beautiful the sea of green looked when falling. Down, down she went, impaled upon the serrated end of a branch. Dark, gelatinous fluid sprayed from where she was impaled. She writhed in agony for thirty long minutes before her organs failed from the fatal amount of blood that was lost to the forest dirt.
By 10 pm, all of the inhabitants were united, and unlike this morning, there was a noticeable absence in the atmosphere. With the chief counselor nowhere to be found, the modus operandi of the camp had been altered. Campers were ordered to stay in their cabins and to not leave under any circumstances. Most of the counselors themselves hunkered in their bunks, too exhausted to search for yet another missing person or were a little paranoid themselves. Besides, Hailey probably bailed on the rest of them to avoid being complicit in anything that anything might have happened to Michel.
Still, a few agreed it was best to search the immediate vicinity at least once more, including Javon, who hadnât felt this terrible since his parentâs divorce.
The crag wasnât too far from the camp and so when five odd teenagers stumbled upon the grisly sight that was the remains of their fellow counselor â with what the forest scavengers had made of the relatively fresh carcass anyways - a wave of nausea and hysteria hit the group. Two immediately ran straight backwards towards the lodges, escaping into the night.
Javon stood within the fetid odor of the body, unable to take his eyes off the ravage in front of him. Tears silently raced down his cheek. The Allegheny Mountains had turned into an inescapable hellscape paradox.
The remaining counselors turned to wake and alert the others, concluding that the only possible explanation was that Hailey had tumbled from a rock. Javon contested this theory, adamant foul play was involved, but like always, he was ignored. Haileyâs body was left alone, and Camp Wapiti was bustling in panic for the second time that day, except everyone knew what had happened to Hailey. And now with the bus rentals back already less than 96 hours, followed by a parade of police forces, the warmth of the season had disappeared just as quickly it had come.
There simply werenât enough buses available to transport the entire campâs population in one batch, especially considering the time of night. The kids were priority and were bused off the premises as soon as possible, except for around two dozen. The police rounded everyone else - which included all the counselors â into the canteen, dead-center of the campsite.
By 6 AM, Javon had become sick of his environment and everyone in it. No one had been able to sleep the whole night except the police, who were used to sleeping in their patrol cars. A distinct tenor could be felt in the canteen, not a soul felt safe during those 9 dreadful hours.
Louie â the Brooklyn boy â entertained some of the other kids by reciting gruesome renditions of what could have happened to Michel and Hailey. The kids took morbid interest, looking over their shoulders for the monsters in Louieâs reenactments. A detailed sketch had been made of the killer. The kids described him as like the silent Northern Saw-Whet Owl, camouflaging within the dark envelope of the forest.
Javon snuck off into the sunrise to go smoke a joint in the hammock park behind the canteen, in plain view of the swarm of knocked-out cops. His nerves were in desperate need of soothing and he didnât need to think twice about using the only medicine at hand.
The sunrise was dim and sullen, casting its gray halo throughout the sky. The hammock swayed slightly from the cool morning breeze and Javon was starting to get a little sick. Images of Hailey had been burned into his subconscious and he wondered how he would ever be able to sleep again. Well, not sober at least.
Javon could care less about the âowlâ killer if he were staring at the end of its barrel, he just needed to forget about this place. This was the first time he had regretted not filling out college application forms, because now, he couldnât escape this town even if he tried.
As he continued to ruminate in his limited prospects, he saw a shadow flit from the corner of his eye. He jolted awake from his existential morning thoughts.
It was a rather small shadow, one that emerged like a premature lightning strike. The figure disappeared into the woods â seemingly spawning from the direction of the cabins. Snuffing his joint, Javon waltzed in the shadowâs path, determined to not let the sly thing get away. The police were starting to stir. Javon dashed into the thicketâs cover.
While the figure had been in full sprint before, Javon had caught up to it within a couple of minutes. From behind a tree, looking onto an unobstructed clearing, there was the silhouette, his back facing Javon.
It was a boy. A shirtless boy. Quiet and unmoving. But Javon could easily recognize the personâs gait â strangely self-assured for just an 11-year-old. No doubt it was Louie, unruly, scraped and bruised, swaggering within late dawnâs mist. Javon observed quietly for a few moments, watching the boy sit in silence in the grass.
Louie knew someone was watching him. Besides, he had been on the other side â the one who was hunting the unsuspecting so many times that his instincts were deceivingly sharp. Louie turned his head around slowly, catching Javonâs direct line of vision and holding it. Javon froze under Louieâs blank expression towards him.
Slowly, Louie made his way towards Javon, carefully maintaining eye contact. Javon was almost in some sort of trance and had been. rendered immobile. Louie started to quicken his pace, opening his mouth to say something before Javon snapped out of his terrifying reverie.
Javonâs paranoia was through the roof, fueled by all that weed he consumed on an empty stomach. He ran towards the cabin for dear life to warn the others, convinced of Louieâs hand in evil. Something about Louieâs vacant eyes, devoid of emotion and almost-artificial like, sent Javon reeling for shelter from that empty expression. Even Haileyâs lifeless face exhibited more human-ness.
He finally had enough courage to look behind him when in view of the canteen, only to be met with a silent wood. Nevertheless, he continued to run, right outside to the main grounds, running right smack into the punchy gut of a cop.
âDo you think you can tell me what you are doing out here, hm,â asked the man in faded blue. Javon relayed his morning, leaving out extraneous details. But what he said fell upon empty ears and a boisterous laugh!
âHmph, you kids sure arenât meant to be out here as counselors. Clueless, all of you.â
But the police soon realized that Javon was telling the cold truth. Louie was thought to be on the busses, but the police received word that the boy was nowhere to be found in the vehicles. A small search-party was sent into the woods, but there wasnât a single trace of an 11-year-old to be found. Only a lumbering 21-year-old, who took embarrassingly long strides.
Louie and his belongings had dematerialized along with warm winds of summer.
As the rest of the kids and counselors were sent away through a second round of buses, Javon looked longingly at the shrinking campgrounds from the back window.
On our crowâs nest seat,
We are the Camp Wapiti fleet!
Javon dreamt of distant heights and killer elks for months after the incidents.
submitted by Mission_Beat2189 to WritersGroup [link] [comments]
Camp Wapiti was the most competitive summer-camp on the western border of the Allegheny Mountains, titular for the raving childrenâs testimonies by the end of the season. An influx of young campers had signed up this year to roost in forests of Red Spruce and Eastern Hemlock. The camp had reportedly gone through a series of expansion, including state-of-the-art âlodging enclavesâ and an Olympic-sized swimming pool; at least according to the Wapiti parent Facebook Group. Rah-rah Elks!
A slew of bus rentals carries the kids to the gates of the 150-acre property, summer reveries already taking effect on everyone - from the bus drivers to the happy campers. The counselors had done a splendid job in garbing under the theme of Swan Lake, tinges of pastel pink and candlelight establishing the campâs timbre; all awaited returning and new faces alike.
Once they reached, a horde of children spilled out from vehicles from all directions. The season had started.
âWelcome to Camp Wapiti our future outdoorsmen and adventurers! Plenty of secrets and fun await you this year - but first some rulesâŚâ bellowed Hailey Clifton, head counselor of the ensemble and youngest chick among the staff. The other counselors rolled their eyes during Haileyâs yearly pitch about showing a high level of care towards the surrounding wilderness and carrying the Happy Camperâs Guide to Nature: Dynamite Deciduous at all times. Many of the children began fidgeting, a crowd of creepy-crawlers wiggling underneath the heat vortex and swarm of mosquitos.
Finally, a cool breeze could be felt as Hailey finished off, invigorating everybodyâs spirits once again. Campers and counselors drifted off into their own respective circles, reuniting with old friends and meeting new ones, breathing life and community into the grounds. Already burnt bodies sticky from chlorine and Sun-Bum were packed like sardine and people of all ages hollered from the tree-tops.
The first afternoon and night had been a success in every sense of the word. Residents were comatose within their cabins before 10 pm, in anticipation for a day at Lake Dimii in the morning. Somebody was dreaming of the unmarred lake and its magical properties according to the Iroquois, at any given moment during the night.
Come morning, camp was bustling with movement in every corner. Louie, an independent, fire-cracker 11-year-old from Brooklyn led a large pack of his well-rested peers to the lake. The other kids couldnât help but look up to Louie, who was often disinterested in the bull of the others, but who was also the first person someone would ask for help in messing with the counselors or sneaking into the girlâs dorm at night. The children sang Wapitiâs jingle on their trek:
We are the happy herd of elks
Roaming through the fields with stealth!
On our crowâs nest seat,
We are the Camp Wapiti fleet!
The childrenâs chants could be heard reverberating through the wood, like a canyon wall is to singing birds. The menagerie cannonballed into the lake from all perimeters, the counselors struggling to keep up. But the day swelled with happiness as the surroundings looked effervescent within the sunlight, everything appeared to be cast underneath a yellow, sparkly film. After head-check, Hailey could finally record the potpourri of foreign flowers in her scrapbook.
Michel Barre and his two most loyal pals, Barnett and Sal, were camped away from the others, scoffing at the troupe of wildlings swimming in the waters. Michel, son of hot-shot French socialites, had moved to the North-East just two years ago, and still couldnât wrap his mind around the hobbies and traditions of American kids his age; especially the dreaded capture the flag. The counselors had attempted to urge the three to join the others in the water, coaxing them with extra pie during dessert, but with no luck.
Traditionally, the first few days of camp were a hedonistic blur with no planned activities or events. Counselors encouraged to introduce themselves with one another and become comfortable with their bunk-mates especially. After a blistering day in the heat at Dimii, the whole lot was absolutely worn-out and immediately returned to their quarters following a hearty meal of chicken fried steak and apple pie fritters. Another day of sunshine and splashing around in the surf awaited everybody tomorrow, with a round of softball and soft serve afterwards. Even Michel felt a knot of excitement grow in his stomach.
Yet at half-past three in the morning, just two remained awake. As the moonâs image was reflected upon the lakeâs surface while the others peacefully slept, Michel had been awoken and dragged by his feet out of his bed, across floorboards punctuated with nails, and out into the night. He was dragged for what seemed like hours. Across the gravel, dirt, and bushes, his skin was battered, and his limbs mangled. He contained no mental or physical capacity to identify who on Godâs Earth was forcing him through his misery.
After a while, Michel could discern a certain atmospheric change - the air had felt more serene - what could only be Lake Dimii.
SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK âNO LIFEGUARDâ
- Read a wasted sign, torn at its hinges.
âPlease, I'm so sorry for whatever I did - please donât-â Michelâs captor continued on to the edge of the lake and held him there, his face inundated like a trembling leaf caught in a storm. Michel didnât know how to swim and tried to remember what his camping guide said about situations like this, but his mind went blank, and his lungs burned.
A passerby would be able to make out the two figures easily, even though the humid mist: One submerged and one forcing its grasp on the nape of the otherâs neck, calmly watching. Michel was so incapacitated he wasnât even aware that he was being forcibly held - he only regretted refusing to take swimming lessons as a child. And now his despairing amount of weakness against the dark waters was apparent. He thrashed about like a wild animal, a trail of bubbles circling his head. Gasps and sunken murmurs were the only sounds that could be heard on the lakeside at this hour.
And the other continued to watch, looking almost disinterested in the slump of his shoulders and the swaying of his feet. The moon still stubbornly shone, indiscriminate in its gleam, illuminating the other boyâs poor, sinking body. The scene was now still - a sharp contrast from a mere 8 hours ago.
The one on the bank turned to leave for the campgrounds, whistling a familiar tune.
According to the older kids, Barnett and Sal were messing around with Michel in the woods and left him there for inexplicable reasons. Others believed that Michelâs mega-loaded parents airlifted him out of the woods after just a few hours sleeping in the itchy twin sheets.
Meanwhile, in the counselorâs lodge, absolute pandemonium had settled alongside the cabinâs perpetual dust. These âdesignated adultsâ were not adults at all, but hormonal, dewy-eyed teenagers who had been looking forward to an unsupervised summer. None of them were prepared for a situation like this.
âHow on Earth will we ever explain this to Michelâs parents? The poor boy - he is probably wounded in the middle of the forest somewhere. Who knows, he could already be dead right now,â cried Hailey. The others stared at her blankly, not knowing what to say in response.
Javon Scott, who was only there for the massive paycheck that would hit his bank account at the end of the summer, couldnât stop concentrating on Hailey's strawberry-blond curls. They smelled like apples.
âHaileyâs right, guys. Michelâs probably dead somewhere in a ditch. Shit, I canât handle this right now, I need to smoke,â said Javon. He couldnât keep his legs from bouncing, even with two hands on his thighs. Hailey let out a dry sob.
âYouâve been smoking too much Javon. The kid is probably fine, he couldnât have made it that far into the woods,â chimed in someone from the back. A few other counselors murmured in agreement.
âWe canât bank on that. We have to tell Michelâs parents and call the authorities,â said Hailey. Javon aggressively nodded his head - the only one out of the bunch to agree.
âLike the cops? No way, I like this gig and my parents would murder me. Letâs all just split up and try to find him first,â said Bryce, one of the older counselors, a local town bum. There seemed to be a consensus already made at that point and all of Hailey's lamentations were paid any further attention.
The teens decided on rounding up the campers towards the center of the ground for the remainder of the day and to keep guard for God-knows-what, while the rest divvied up the surrounding woods in sections to search for the missing boy. Seemingly overnight, Camp Wapiti had transformed into a dire place â a canvas of frantic people and an obscure disappearance coloring the air.
The rock sat among the treetops, overlooking miles beyond the peripheries of the camp in each direction. It was a hot spot for late-night hookups, summertime dares, and sunrise viewings. Some of the graffiti that marked the base of the rock was almost two generations old.
It took a good 20 minutes for Hailey to reach the peak. Once she did, she was taken aback at the unstable illusion that was presented - the forest and vegetation seemed to have no end, swallowing all the land in its vastness. She shuddered to think where Michel could be within the thickets, as there was no way she could make out a 9-year-old from this vantage point. Her day had been spent in vain.
She plopped down at the edge of the overlook and began to burst into fitful tears. She couldnât even begin to imagine how scared Michel was. Her stomach felt like a bowling ball. She decided that she would immediately contact the Allegheny preservative police and Michelâs parents before telling the others. She took in the horizon for a few months, ablaze in a deep mandarin, before heading back to Wapiti.
Except, someone had been watching her and her lovely head full of curls for a while now. It was a quite pleasant evening, and a single sight was more like a shout in the dead silence. And so, when Hailey could hear the heavy breathing of someone behind her, she chose not to stir.
âI know thatâs you Javon. Look, I donât have the time for this right now,â said Hailey, sniffling into her hands. Only silence followed and the breathing now ceased. Hailey looked over her shoulders and saw only rock. She felt as if she were becoming progressively crazier as the day went on.
Hailey turned back to stare at the view. And as she tumbled down the face of the cliff - from a single push or a gust of wind, no one would be able to tell - her last thoughts were of Michelâs ill-fated end instead of hers and how beautiful the sea of green looked when falling. Down, down she went, impaled upon the serrated end of a branch. Dark, gelatinous fluid sprayed from where she was impaled. She writhed in agony for thirty long minutes before her organs failed from the fatal amount of blood that was lost to the forest dirt.
Still, a few agreed it was best to search the immediate vicinity at least once more, including Javon, who hadnât felt this terrible since his parentâs divorce.
The crag wasnât too far from the camp and so when five odd teenagers stumbled upon the grisly sight that was the remains of their fellow counselor â with what the forest scavengers had made of the relatively fresh carcass anyways - a wave of nausea and hysteria hit the group. Two immediately ran straight backwards towards the lodges, escaping into the night.
Javon stood within the fetid odor of the body, unable to take his eyes off the ravage in front of him. Tears silently raced down his cheek. The Allegheny Mountains had turned into an inescapable hellscape paradox.
The remaining counselors turned to wake and alert the others, concluding that the only possible explanation was that Hailey had tumbled from a rock. Javon contested this theory, adamant foul play was involved, but like always, he was ignored. Haileyâs body was left alone, and Camp Wapiti was bustling in panic for the second time that day, except everyone knew what had happened to Hailey. And now with the bus rentals back already less than 96 hours, followed by a parade of police forces, the warmth of the season had disappeared just as quickly it had come.
There simply werenât enough buses available to transport the entire campâs population in one batch, especially considering the time of night. The kids were priority and were bused off the premises as soon as possible, except for around two dozen. The police rounded everyone else - which included all the counselors â into the canteen, dead-center of the campsite.
By 6 AM, Javon had become sick of his environment and everyone in it. No one had been able to sleep the whole night except the police, who were used to sleeping in their patrol cars. A distinct tenor could be felt in the canteen, not a soul felt safe during those 9 dreadful hours.
Louie â the Brooklyn boy â entertained some of the other kids by reciting gruesome renditions of what could have happened to Michel and Hailey. The kids took morbid interest, looking over their shoulders for the monsters in Louieâs reenactments. A detailed sketch had been made of the killer. The kids described him as like the silent Northern Saw-Whet Owl, camouflaging within the dark envelope of the forest.
Javon snuck off into the sunrise to go smoke a joint in the hammock park behind the canteen, in plain view of the swarm of knocked-out cops. His nerves were in desperate need of soothing and he didnât need to think twice about using the only medicine at hand.
The sunrise was dim and sullen, casting its gray halo throughout the sky. The hammock swayed slightly from the cool morning breeze and Javon was starting to get a little sick. Images of Hailey had been burned into his subconscious and he wondered how he would ever be able to sleep again. Well, not sober at least.
Javon could care less about the âowlâ killer if he were staring at the end of its barrel, he just needed to forget about this place. This was the first time he had regretted not filling out college application forms, because now, he couldnât escape this town even if he tried.
As he continued to ruminate in his limited prospects, he saw a shadow flit from the corner of his eye. He jolted awake from his existential morning thoughts.
It was a rather small shadow, one that emerged like a premature lightning strike. The figure disappeared into the woods â seemingly spawning from the direction of the cabins. Snuffing his joint, Javon waltzed in the shadowâs path, determined to not let the sly thing get away. The police were starting to stir. Javon dashed into the thicketâs cover.
While the figure had been in full sprint before, Javon had caught up to it within a couple of minutes. From behind a tree, looking onto an unobstructed clearing, there was the silhouette, his back facing Javon.
It was a boy. A shirtless boy. Quiet and unmoving. But Javon could easily recognize the personâs gait â strangely self-assured for just an 11-year-old. No doubt it was Louie, unruly, scraped and bruised, swaggering within late dawnâs mist. Javon observed quietly for a few moments, watching the boy sit in silence in the grass.
Louie knew someone was watching him. Besides, he had been on the other side â the one who was hunting the unsuspecting so many times that his instincts were deceivingly sharp. Louie turned his head around slowly, catching Javonâs direct line of vision and holding it. Javon froze under Louieâs blank expression towards him.
Slowly, Louie made his way towards Javon, carefully maintaining eye contact. Javon was almost in some sort of trance and had been. rendered immobile. Louie started to quicken his pace, opening his mouth to say something before Javon snapped out of his terrifying reverie.
Javonâs paranoia was through the roof, fueled by all that weed he consumed on an empty stomach. He ran towards the cabin for dear life to warn the others, convinced of Louieâs hand in evil. Something about Louieâs vacant eyes, devoid of emotion and almost-artificial like, sent Javon reeling for shelter from that empty expression. Even Haileyâs lifeless face exhibited more human-ness.
He finally had enough courage to look behind him when in view of the canteen, only to be met with a silent wood. Nevertheless, he continued to run, right outside to the main grounds, running right smack into the punchy gut of a cop.
âDo you think you can tell me what you are doing out here, hm,â asked the man in faded blue. Javon relayed his morning, leaving out extraneous details. But what he said fell upon empty ears and a boisterous laugh!
âHmph, you kids sure arenât meant to be out here as counselors. Clueless, all of you.â
But the police soon realized that Javon was telling the cold truth. Louie was thought to be on the busses, but the police received word that the boy was nowhere to be found in the vehicles. A small search-party was sent into the woods, but there wasnât a single trace of an 11-year-old to be found. Only a lumbering 21-year-old, who took embarrassingly long strides.
Louie and his belongings had dematerialized along with warm winds of summer.
As the rest of the kids and counselors were sent away through a second round of buses, Javon looked longingly at the shrinking campgrounds from the back window.
On our crowâs nest seat,
We are the Camp Wapiti fleet!
Javon dreamt of distant heights and killer elks for months after the incidents.
2024.05.18 04:21 Longjumping-Pick-706 AIO: Is he truly a diabolical narcissist? Or does he deserve more grace?
I posted this in other subs, but it had me thinking and still struggling if I was overreacting to how bad this really is. The original is very long so I snipped out a few parts, while keeping the parts I felt were pertinent. If you want to see the original, please go to my profile.
I suffered through narcissistic abuse by my partner for 23 years. This incident happened when we were still friends. If I had I only known the truth when this had originally happened, I would have been saved from decades of emotional, psychological, verbal, physical, sexual, and physical abuse. (And currently post-separation abuse).
The cast: me, my ex Bub (Beelzebub), my ex-crush B, Bub's gf M, Bub's bf V (It will make sense when you read it.)
TW: Suicide, self-harm, abuse
We met through a mutual friend. We became really close really quickly. He was 17 and I was 19. We would talk for hours about anything and everything. I was raised around domestic abuse, and my family was highly dysfunctional. I suffered severe trauma as a child being raised in this environment with an abusive father and brother. (His namesake). By the time I met Bub, I had been having mental health struggles for many years. To deal with the trauma I still suffered from I would self-harm by cutting frequently. I also had been in a psychiatric hospital twice for suicide attempts. I told Bub about all of this, and he knew that I still did it. He was very supportive and would get really sad when I harmed myself.
Since we were just friends we would talk about our crushes. He had a crush on a girl from high school and I had a crush on one of my ex's B, who was also my high school crush. We only dated for 3 weeks, and we decided we were better as friends then lovers. Though we did have a FWB thing going on when we were both single. He really talked up his crush and I really talked up mine.
Two months into our friendship he got a gf. He told me she was a girl he knew from his home city named M. He claimed her mother would babysit him and his brother. He really talked this girl up. She was into all the same things as him. I was starting to believe he talked her up to make me jealous, which it honestly did. However, I knew it was petty jealousy and I was very happy for him and expressed that to him.
I don't know whose idea it was for her to start communicating with me, but she started emailing me to get to know his best friend (me). I was totally cool with this and was excited to get to know her. Before I know it, she starts getting really nasty with me for no apparent reason. It really upset me. My natural impulse at the time when I was upset was to cut. It was a maladaptive coping mechanism I had for years, and I did it when I was really upset. I explained this to him, and he said he would talk to her. He showed real concern I was harming myself and he also wanted her to stop.
So, he told me he had talked to her, and she had told him she would stop harassing me for no good reason. She didn't stop. She continued to say the vilest and f'd up things to me, including making crass and insensitive comments about my suicidal ideation and self-harm. Naturally I was really upset and cut myself pretty badly. I still have the scar.
This basically went on until they broke up a month later. He said she was doing heroin, and he was vehemently against drugs. He said that they had a good friend that died of an OD, and he couldn't be with her if she was going to do that. It was over. She never contacted me again.
A couple of months later me and Bub started dating. He ended up telling me that him and M didn't really date, and he had only told me that to make me jealous. AHA! I was correct!
So, I asked to meet her. He was a bit hesitant at first, but he finally agreed. At this point his bf V from his home city was dating her. It was the perfect opportunity to meet her as like a double date. I will say, at that time in my life I could be possessive and jealous. Not proud of it, but I was young and immature. I ended up treating her pretty snidely because of this.
One night we were out with them, and Bub got into a car accident. We ended up having to call his dad for a ride home. When we got to his home, his dad was contemplating letting them sleep there. I whispered in Bub's ear that I was not okay with his ex-gf sleeping at his house. She overheard me tell him this. She pulled me aside and told me they never dated. WHAT? I was furious. Bub made eye contact with me, and by the look on his face, I could tell he knew what she told me. The ride back, to drop them at home in his dad's car, was uncomfortable to say the least.
After he dropped them off, I confronted him. His explanation was I was so pushy to meet her, but he knew how jealous I could be, so he didn't want to actually introduce me to the real M. Ends up V was dating a girl with the same name. I felt so stupid and betrayed. I wanted to end it, but he seemed so remorseful I ended up giving him another chance.
Well, the years go rolling by, and I hear no more about this girl who he was so close with, in the past. Bub was a very charismatic person with a lot of friends. He never stopped speaking to friends permanently and they would come in and out of his life. I found it a little odd that there was no mention of her but didn't think much else of it. I also never really formally met her.
Then Facebook became a thing. He ended up being friends with every person he had ever known. Except her. I would bring it up and he would always have some excuse. We ended up moving in with his brother in 2015. I wasn't really around his brother a lot, so I never got a chance to talk to him at length. I remember at one point I brought her up. I was just so curious at the mystery girl and wanted to see if he was still in touch with her. He told me he didn't know what I was talking about. He said his mother never left them with babysitters and only worked when they were in school.
"What does that mean," I'm thinking. WTF does that mean? I brought it up to Bub and he told me she only babysat a few times so his brother probably forgot. But this didn't sit right with me. He had told me that she would babysit them frequently. He denied ever saying the frequency. What could I do but believe him? It had been almost 15 years by that point. That's a long time to keep a secret like that and it's possible I simply didn't remember right. Surely, he was telling me the truth. I dropped it for good.
We get married that year. We had a child the next year. We had a stillborn a year after that. All this time until 2022, I started feeling really uneasy about our relationship. I started suspecting that his behavior towards me was abusive.
By the end of 2022 I was broken. A lot of things happened between here and the summer of 2023 when the conclusion to this situation came to an end. I will say I really started to acknowledge he was abusive, but I was still so desperate to salvage my marriage with my eternal hope that he could change. I was just so broken by then I didn't think I deserved any better, and no one else could possibly want a worthless, pitiful broken mess like me.
The summer of 2023, while laying sleepless in bed, the memory of M flashed through my mind. I started remembering details I had long forgotten. Why did I never meet her? Why was she never his friend on Facebook? Why had neither of them reached out to each other? I had met every person he talked about, or he was at least friends with them on Facebook. Why not her? Why did his brother not remember? Why did he say M's mother babysat them all the time? I KNOW he originally said that damn it! Why was her email address, at only 17-years-old, her first and last name? 17-year-olds don't use their names like professionals. They call themselves sparklybutterflies86 for christ's sakes! This was all going through my head.
The next day I confronted Bub. I will paraphrase to the best of my memory:
Me: Was M real?
Bub: I thought this had been settled already.
Me: No. No, it hasn't. You told me your brother just did not remember her and that was the last I spoke of it.
Bub: Deadpanned looking me right in the eye "No. She wasn't real. I thought you knew this by now."
I can't really remember what I said at that point, but it was a lot of "how the fuck could you do that? and other expletives. His excuse was he was an insecure teenager, and he was jealous of B and how much I talked about him. A fucking insecure teenager. Talking up his high school crush didn't make me jealous, so he made up a gf.
He pretended to be a gf, who went on to harass the shit out me. Which caused me to be so distraught that I cut myself. He knew I was harming myself and he kept on doing it. I still bare the fucking scar from that time. He involved a poor innocent girl that I was fucking terrible to. Not to mention the fake story of a friend that Od'd. And his excuse for this deranged, diabolical, INSANE fucking shit was, "I was an insecure teenager." No fucking big deal, right?
I can honestly say, since I was raised in dysfunction, I have a very skewed idea of what is normal 17-year-old behavior. Maybe he never said anything because of shame, despite the fact it was still on my mind, and he could have stopped it at any time. Is this really as diabolical and INSANE as I think it is? Or should I be giving him more grace due to his age when he did this?
submitted by Longjumping-Pick-706 to AmIOverreacting [link] [comments]
I suffered through narcissistic abuse by my partner for 23 years. This incident happened when we were still friends. If I had I only known the truth when this had originally happened, I would have been saved from decades of emotional, psychological, verbal, physical, sexual, and physical abuse. (And currently post-separation abuse).
The cast: me, my ex Bub (Beelzebub), my ex-crush B, Bub's gf M, Bub's bf V (It will make sense when you read it.)
TW: Suicide, self-harm, abuse
We met through a mutual friend. We became really close really quickly. He was 17 and I was 19. We would talk for hours about anything and everything. I was raised around domestic abuse, and my family was highly dysfunctional. I suffered severe trauma as a child being raised in this environment with an abusive father and brother. (His namesake). By the time I met Bub, I had been having mental health struggles for many years. To deal with the trauma I still suffered from I would self-harm by cutting frequently. I also had been in a psychiatric hospital twice for suicide attempts. I told Bub about all of this, and he knew that I still did it. He was very supportive and would get really sad when I harmed myself.
Since we were just friends we would talk about our crushes. He had a crush on a girl from high school and I had a crush on one of my ex's B, who was also my high school crush. We only dated for 3 weeks, and we decided we were better as friends then lovers. Though we did have a FWB thing going on when we were both single. He really talked up his crush and I really talked up mine.
Two months into our friendship he got a gf. He told me she was a girl he knew from his home city named M. He claimed her mother would babysit him and his brother. He really talked this girl up. She was into all the same things as him. I was starting to believe he talked her up to make me jealous, which it honestly did. However, I knew it was petty jealousy and I was very happy for him and expressed that to him.
I don't know whose idea it was for her to start communicating with me, but she started emailing me to get to know his best friend (me). I was totally cool with this and was excited to get to know her. Before I know it, she starts getting really nasty with me for no apparent reason. It really upset me. My natural impulse at the time when I was upset was to cut. It was a maladaptive coping mechanism I had for years, and I did it when I was really upset. I explained this to him, and he said he would talk to her. He showed real concern I was harming myself and he also wanted her to stop.
So, he told me he had talked to her, and she had told him she would stop harassing me for no good reason. She didn't stop. She continued to say the vilest and f'd up things to me, including making crass and insensitive comments about my suicidal ideation and self-harm. Naturally I was really upset and cut myself pretty badly. I still have the scar.
This basically went on until they broke up a month later. He said she was doing heroin, and he was vehemently against drugs. He said that they had a good friend that died of an OD, and he couldn't be with her if she was going to do that. It was over. She never contacted me again.
A couple of months later me and Bub started dating. He ended up telling me that him and M didn't really date, and he had only told me that to make me jealous. AHA! I was correct!
So, I asked to meet her. He was a bit hesitant at first, but he finally agreed. At this point his bf V from his home city was dating her. It was the perfect opportunity to meet her as like a double date. I will say, at that time in my life I could be possessive and jealous. Not proud of it, but I was young and immature. I ended up treating her pretty snidely because of this.
One night we were out with them, and Bub got into a car accident. We ended up having to call his dad for a ride home. When we got to his home, his dad was contemplating letting them sleep there. I whispered in Bub's ear that I was not okay with his ex-gf sleeping at his house. She overheard me tell him this. She pulled me aside and told me they never dated. WHAT? I was furious. Bub made eye contact with me, and by the look on his face, I could tell he knew what she told me. The ride back, to drop them at home in his dad's car, was uncomfortable to say the least.
After he dropped them off, I confronted him. His explanation was I was so pushy to meet her, but he knew how jealous I could be, so he didn't want to actually introduce me to the real M. Ends up V was dating a girl with the same name. I felt so stupid and betrayed. I wanted to end it, but he seemed so remorseful I ended up giving him another chance.
Well, the years go rolling by, and I hear no more about this girl who he was so close with, in the past. Bub was a very charismatic person with a lot of friends. He never stopped speaking to friends permanently and they would come in and out of his life. I found it a little odd that there was no mention of her but didn't think much else of it. I also never really formally met her.
Then Facebook became a thing. He ended up being friends with every person he had ever known. Except her. I would bring it up and he would always have some excuse. We ended up moving in with his brother in 2015. I wasn't really around his brother a lot, so I never got a chance to talk to him at length. I remember at one point I brought her up. I was just so curious at the mystery girl and wanted to see if he was still in touch with her. He told me he didn't know what I was talking about. He said his mother never left them with babysitters and only worked when they were in school.
"What does that mean," I'm thinking. WTF does that mean? I brought it up to Bub and he told me she only babysat a few times so his brother probably forgot. But this didn't sit right with me. He had told me that she would babysit them frequently. He denied ever saying the frequency. What could I do but believe him? It had been almost 15 years by that point. That's a long time to keep a secret like that and it's possible I simply didn't remember right. Surely, he was telling me the truth. I dropped it for good.
We get married that year. We had a child the next year. We had a stillborn a year after that. All this time until 2022, I started feeling really uneasy about our relationship. I started suspecting that his behavior towards me was abusive.
By the end of 2022 I was broken. A lot of things happened between here and the summer of 2023 when the conclusion to this situation came to an end. I will say I really started to acknowledge he was abusive, but I was still so desperate to salvage my marriage with my eternal hope that he could change. I was just so broken by then I didn't think I deserved any better, and no one else could possibly want a worthless, pitiful broken mess like me.
The summer of 2023, while laying sleepless in bed, the memory of M flashed through my mind. I started remembering details I had long forgotten. Why did I never meet her? Why was she never his friend on Facebook? Why had neither of them reached out to each other? I had met every person he talked about, or he was at least friends with them on Facebook. Why not her? Why did his brother not remember? Why did he say M's mother babysat them all the time? I KNOW he originally said that damn it! Why was her email address, at only 17-years-old, her first and last name? 17-year-olds don't use their names like professionals. They call themselves sparklybutterflies86 for christ's sakes! This was all going through my head.
The next day I confronted Bub. I will paraphrase to the best of my memory:
Me: Was M real?
Bub: I thought this had been settled already.
Me: No. No, it hasn't. You told me your brother just did not remember her and that was the last I spoke of it.
Bub: Deadpanned looking me right in the eye "No. She wasn't real. I thought you knew this by now."
I can't really remember what I said at that point, but it was a lot of "how the fuck could you do that? and other expletives. His excuse was he was an insecure teenager, and he was jealous of B and how much I talked about him. A fucking insecure teenager. Talking up his high school crush didn't make me jealous, so he made up a gf.
He pretended to be a gf, who went on to harass the shit out me. Which caused me to be so distraught that I cut myself. He knew I was harming myself and he kept on doing it. I still bare the fucking scar from that time. He involved a poor innocent girl that I was fucking terrible to. Not to mention the fake story of a friend that Od'd. And his excuse for this deranged, diabolical, INSANE fucking shit was, "I was an insecure teenager." No fucking big deal, right?
I can honestly say, since I was raised in dysfunction, I have a very skewed idea of what is normal 17-year-old behavior. Maybe he never said anything because of shame, despite the fact it was still on my mind, and he could have stopped it at any time. Is this really as diabolical and INSANE as I think it is? Or should I be giving him more grace due to his age when he did this?
2024.05.18 04:16 JoshisJewish Can I trust a used 2020 401 Vitpilen?
I've gone through many forums regarding this bike and I've heard about how shit and how awesome it can be. Found one on facebook with 6,500 miles on it going for $4K, messaged the guy, he has 3 other bikes seems very cool, everything is up to date according to him. Is there anything I should be looking out for on this bike, is this worth it? Any advice is very appreciated (It'll be my first bike:)
submitted by JoshisJewish to motorcycles [link] [comments]
2024.05.18 02:55 Effective-Effort-587 The Pach Store: Gaslighting
 | Reposting because I forgot to redact the order number in one of the pictures. submitted by Effective-Effort-587 to lightsabers [link] [comments] A while ago I made this post about my experience with Pach Store starting with quality control issues and lack of response. Now, they commented claiming to not find any of the emails I sent them, questioning me about the pricing and trying to say it was ânowhere nearâ the $500 I had said, claiming to not even find records of my order, and telling me to make a Facebook account just to contact them. While I did angrily exaggerate pricing for dramatic effect, responding with full-on bs about never finding my order or my emails is ridiculous. So, here are the receipts. Hereâs the order confirmation and my email records of their automated order updates and my sent emails to them. You can see the order was $433 which is a lot more ânearâ the $500 I claimed than the $274 they claim. I sent them a DM five minutes after their comment with these screenshots. They were still online for about another five minutes, then their green online dot disappeared. Cool. Gaslighting is never a good look for a company, especially when thereâs such an extensive electronic record proving everything. Just wanted everyone to see what kind of customer service they can expect from Pach Store. |
2024.05.18 02:13 FeastibleSouls11 Tired Of Running Into Snapchat Hacking Scams? We Finally Reviewed One! @naequalityy On Telegram > Scammers Or Actually Legit?
Welcome Back To Our "scam" finding REVIEWS! Today, we're going through someone who has been highly recommended to check out.
Its Friday - so we're here checking out "naequalityy" on telegram! They've been vouched for, reviewed by other folks & given a pretty decent amount of feedback from the community so without anymore rambling - lets get into it!
Usually, we break down what's important like the average experience when going through with dealing with them, how to be safe dealing with ANYONE not just people being "accused" of certain practices. So we'll start with the positive
1 - Content / Proof -( 7.8 / 10 )
So starting with what everyone usually wants to see the most, hearing what they do you'd think "bullshit, let me see some proof" & you'd be right. Where's the damn proof this is even real? well - they've got a pretty nice layout of their work, in the group they host on tele! I was able to see people's orders being taken, worked on progressively , content being issued and an actual reaction from them also. We were in a group call as they showed us them using an access link to get into some chicks my eyes only which was actually crazy lol! So they definitely aren't short of anything
2 - Time / Efficiency - (8.3 / 10)
So this parts a bit mixed, they're usually going to quote you a specific time frame (which may or may not be exact - just an estimate) that could most likely change so be open minded before going 100% into this thinking it'll be 10 minutes. It really depends on how much has to get pulled because more content = more work which means more waiting. So I'd do this when i have at least 25-30 minutes to wait because nothing really is "instant". What i also realized is they get pretty booked up - so if you're not at least a member , have history with them or ordered ahead - on a buy day that 30 min might be 1-2 hours.
In Conclusion , We give "naequalityy"s group a (8.6 / 10) for the way they've gotten proof that's easily accessible , a great sense of community when it comes to updating everyone on orders , showing & going out of their way to show you that they're ACTIVELY working , + showing a lot of love to members of their community / group like sales , freebies , & handing out content! Ill link their group on my social link / comments for more info!
submitted by FeastibleSouls11 to snapscorespam [link] [comments]
Its Friday - so we're here checking out "naequalityy" on telegram! They've been vouched for, reviewed by other folks & given a pretty decent amount of feedback from the community so without anymore rambling - lets get into it!
Usually, we break down what's important like the average experience when going through with dealing with them, how to be safe dealing with ANYONE not just people being "accused" of certain practices. So we'll start with the positive
1 - Content / Proof -( 7.8 / 10 )
So starting with what everyone usually wants to see the most, hearing what they do you'd think "bullshit, let me see some proof" & you'd be right. Where's the damn proof this is even real? well - they've got a pretty nice layout of their work, in the group they host on tele! I was able to see people's orders being taken, worked on progressively , content being issued and an actual reaction from them also. We were in a group call as they showed us them using an access link to get into some chicks my eyes only which was actually crazy lol! So they definitely aren't short of anything
2 - Time / Efficiency - (8.3 / 10)
So this parts a bit mixed, they're usually going to quote you a specific time frame (which may or may not be exact - just an estimate) that could most likely change so be open minded before going 100% into this thinking it'll be 10 minutes. It really depends on how much has to get pulled because more content = more work which means more waiting. So I'd do this when i have at least 25-30 minutes to wait because nothing really is "instant". What i also realized is they get pretty booked up - so if you're not at least a member , have history with them or ordered ahead - on a buy day that 30 min might be 1-2 hours.
- The Members / Community (8.5 / 10)
- Security / Anonymity ( 9.1 / 10)
- Pricing / Sales ( 8.3 / 10)
In Conclusion , We give "naequalityy"s group a (8.6 / 10) for the way they've gotten proof that's easily accessible , a great sense of community when it comes to updating everyone on orders , showing & going out of their way to show you that they're ACTIVELY working , + showing a lot of love to members of their community / group like sales , freebies , & handing out content! Ill link their group on my social link / comments for more info!
2024.05.18 00:20 Substantial_Cod_5907 Do I stay or do I go
My coworker wanted me to become friends with his girlfriend who was pregnant with their baby. I met her, we hit it off, and then she told me he was abusive. She wrote me novel-length emails about things he'd said and done and I started feeling really weird at work cause I had to work in close proximity to this dude. She had the baby and it died within 8 hours. She was devastated. Obviously. What I didn't expect was her to try again with the same a-hole. But she did. By this time I'm at a different job. It's fast food who cares. But she wants me to be with her every step of the way and I hardly know her if I really think about it. She dragged me through their shit show and course I felt awful for her but I also didn't ask for this. I dont know why she doesnt have other friends or why she got so attached to me so fast. I'm not that cool. I go to work, go home to my empty apartment, don't even have a car, hardly talk to anybody because im introverted, you get the idea. I started to avoid her before she ever had the baby and he gets in touch with me on Facebook about how she really needs a friend and I'm thinking, dude she just needs to get away from you... Shes starting this whole thing again since they decided they'd try again. I kinda want to run away but she feels like she needs me... What do I do?
submitted by Substantial_Cod_5907 to FriendshipAdvice [link] [comments]
2024.05.18 00:11 Sweet-Count2557 Best Water Parks United States in 2023
 | Best Water Parks United States in 2023 submitted by Sweet-Count2557 to worldkidstravel [link] [comments] Are you ready for the ultimate summer experience? Nothing says 'summer fun' quite like a visit to one of America's best water parks. Whether you're looking to cool off during those long, hot days or just want an adrenaline-filled adventure, these top water parks in the United States offer something for everyone! From thrilling slides and jaw-dropping rides to lazy rivers and wave pools â it's time to grab your swimsuit and dive into the exciting world of water parks. The next question is: which destination should be on your list? Here we've curated a guide showcasing some of the best water parks united states. Whether you're searching for family-friendly attractions or extreme thrill seekers, each park offers unique experiences that will make memories that last a lifetime. So pack up your sunscreen and get ready for adventure; here are our picks for the best water parks in the United States! No matter what kind of vacationer you are, there's sure to be something special at these amazing destinations. Get set for endless thrills, chills, and spills as you explore all that these incredible places have to offer! With so much excitement packed into every corner of each park, it won't take long before you feel free from everyday worries and stressors - allowing yourself to truly enjoy this one-of-a-kind experience! Cedar Point Shores: Sandusky, Ohio Cedar Point Shores in Sandusky, Ohio is one of the best water parks in the United States. Located near Lake Erie and open seasonally from May to September, visitors can take a break from reality with thrilling rides like the six-story tall Riptide Race that sends two four-person rafts down a series of waves at lightning speeds. The park also has an enormous wave pool called Breakers Bay, where guests can relax or bravely test their skills against larger-than-life swells. For those looking for something more daring, there's Volcano Bay - an erupting volcano whose waterslides will have you screaming with joy! With over 22 acres of aquatic attractions, Cedar Point offers something for everyone. Visitors can enjoy adrenaline-pumping slides such as Flags White Water Rapids Ride which features five intertwining rapids linked together by bridges and tunnels, or they can cool off on lazy rivers like Crossroads Creek which winds its way through the parkâs picturesque landscape surrounded by lush foliage and palm trees. There are plenty of chairs around the park so no matter what age you are or what kind of adventure youâre looking for, Cedar Point Shores provides enough thrills to last all day long! The amenities don't stop there: food stands offer delicious snacks and drinks while souvenir shops give vacationers the opportunity to bring home memories that will last a lifetime. So why not add a splash of excitement this summer with Cedar Point Shores? You won't regret it! DollywoodâS Splash Country: Pigeon Forge, Tennessee Just when you thought it was impossible to top the thrills of Cedar Point Shores, Dollywoodâs Splash Country in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee provides even more excitement and adventure than ever before. With its picturesque views of the Smoky Mountains and abundant attractions, this water park will captivate your senses with its dazzling beauty! At Dollywoodâs Splash Country, you can cool off during a hot summer day by taking an exhilarating plunge down one of their many slides or simply float lazily along on a lazy river. Whether you prefer high-speed slides or slower-paced activities like wave pools and activity centers, there is something for everyone at this incredible waterpark. For those who crave thrill rides that make your heart race, enjoy some of Splash Country's most popular attractions such as: âBig Bear Plungeâ â a thrilling four-story slide featuring twists and turns; âRiverRushâ â a multilevel coaster where riders zoom through dark tunnels and steep drops; âMountain Screamâ âa freefall experience from thirty feet above ground level; âCove Mountain Wave Poolâ â guests can splash around in a giant wave pool surrounded by majestic mountains. Dollywoodâs Splash Country offers endless fun for all ages with exciting features that include interactive aqua play areas, large tube slides, and multi-person rafting adventures. Enjoy refreshing drinks at any of the restaurants located throughout the park while soaking up the sun rays or go shopping for souvenirs at one of the shops after spending time in the show-stopping water park. It truly is an enjoyable experience worth visiting again and again! Camelbeach Mountain Water Park: Tannersville, Pennsylvania Camelbeach Mountain Water Park in Tannersville, Pennsylvania is a thrilling escape from the mundane. The park offers over 37 water slides and attractions that can cater to all ages. From daring speed slides like Tantrum Alley and Triple Venom to lazy rivers for relaxation, Camelbeach has something for everyone. Families enjoy splashing around on the Boogie Bear Surf Pool or racing down one of their signature multi-person mat racer slides. There are also plenty of activities off the water too, such as zip lining, rock climbing walls, mini golf courses, and even paintball arenas â making it a great choice for an action-packed family getaway. The surrounding mountains provide spectacular views while visitors cool off at this mountain waterpark paradise. With its vast array of rides and attractions, families are sure to make unforgettable memories here throughout the summer season. In addition, there are several dining options available so you won't go hungry after hours spent swimming or playing games in the sun! Whether you're looking for an exciting adventure full of thrills or just want to relax beside gentle waves with your feet up, Camelbeach Mountain Water Park provides an unbeatable experience in Tannersville, Pennsylvania. Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Phoenix: Glendale, Arizona Plunging from Pennsylvania to Arizona, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Phoenix in Glendale is a watery wonderland. Positioned perfectly for family fun and adventurous aquatic activities, this park offers the opportunity to explore and experience all that the Southwestern state has to offer. ActivityThrill LevelDurationWave PoolMild-High2 HoursTornado SlideHigh Adrenaline Rush1 MinuteLazy RiverRelaxation Vibes Only!30 Minutes - 1 Hour The perfect destination for summertime splendor or winter warmth, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Phoenix encompasses an array of attractions and activities. From high adrenaline rides such as the Tornado Slide, which takes you on a wild ride through twisting tubes up into a giant funnel before dropping you back down again; to more relaxed options like their lazy river â meandering along offering gentle waves â thereâs something for everyone at this park. Additionally, visitors can enjoy some time lounging around in the sun with friends or families by taking advantage of their expansive wave pool. At Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Phoenix, guests have access to amenities such as private cabanas, showers/lockers/changing areas, restaurants serving both healthy snacks and fast food favorites alike, special events throughout the season (like Dive In Movies), and free parking when entering early enoughâallowing them plenty of opportunities to make memories while having fun! With so much available here in Glendale, it's no surprise why people come back year after year for another day filled with thrills and excitement! Zoombezi Bay: Powell, Ohio Zoombezi Bay in Powell, Ohio is a great place to take the family for some water adventures. It's full of exciting attractions that will keep everyone entertained and amused all day long! Here are three features you won't want to miss: A wave pool perfect for surfing or relaxing 15 slides including two tube rides and an inner-tube slide A lazy river with twists and turns to enjoy while soaking up the sun The park also has plenty of activities designed especially for kids, such as Fort Rapids Indoor Water Park and Water Country USA. There are plenty of shaded spots throughout Zoombezi Bay where families can relax together between rides. With so many options, itâs easy to find something fun for every age group here at Zoombezi Bay. Plus, thereâs no need to worry about safety since lifeguards are on duty at all times. Whether you're looking for adventure or just want to float around in the Lazy River all day, Zoombezi Bay offers a variety of experiences sure to make lasting memories for your entire family. From thrilling water slides to laid-back relaxation, this popular attraction provides everything needed for a memorable summer outing. Typhoon Texas Waterpark: Katy, Texas The sun gleamed brightly in the sky, beckoning those who had a subconscious desire for freedom. For them, Typhoon Texas was just what they needed - an adventure-filled water park located in Katy, Texas that offered thrills and excitement with its many attractions. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes of summer boredom, Typhoon Texas provided countless opportunities to cool off while having fun. With slides ranging from gentle curves to fast plunges; wave pools with mild or wild surf sessions; lazy rivers to float down on inner tubes, and other features like kiddie area play structures, kids' tipping buckets, and floating obstacle courses â there was something for everyone at this tropical paradise! Typhoon Texas outdid itself by offering exciting amenities such as free sunscreen stations throughout the facility and private cabanas with TVs and fans so visitors could catch up on sports scores or watch their favorite show while lounging in comfort. In comparison to other popular United States water parks such as Typhoon Lagoon, Cedar Point Shores Water Park in Ohio, and Lagoon Water Park in Utah, Typhoon Texas stands tall with its unique offerings and attractions sure to provide hours of entertainment. Six Flags Hurricane Harbor: Jackson, New Jersey Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Jackson, New Jersey is a water park that offers thrills and fun for visitors of all ages. Its wide array of attractions makes it one of the best water parks in the United States. From thrilling slides to relaxing pools and lazy rivers, this Six Flags amusement park has something for everyone. AttractionThrill LevelFamily Friendly?Wave PoolđđđđđđSpeed Slidesđ¤ŞđąâLazy Riverđ˘đ The wave pool at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor provides an adrenaline rush with five-foot swells while still allowing children to play safely. It's perfect for families who are looking for some excitement during their trip. For those seeking even more thrill, they can take on the speed slides which provide heart-stopping drops and twists! Children should be accompanied by an adult when riding these rides as they are not suitable for young ones. Last but certainly not least, there is also a lazy river available where guests can float along without having to worry about any sudden surprises or dangers. For those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Phoenix is a great option. This Arizona desert oasis features exhilarating body slides, tube slides, and plenty of other activities such as mini golfing or lounging around in one of its four swimming pools. Whether you're just visiting or spending multiple days here, there's something new to discover each time! Finally, don't forget to check out White Water Bay - another wonderful addition to the Six Flags family located nearby in Oklahoma City! From fast-paced action-packed rides to peaceful relaxation spots, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor provides endless entertainment possibilities for visitors of all ages making it one of Americaâs most popular destinations for summertime fun! Six Flags White Water: Marietta, Georgia The next stop on our tour of the best water parks in the United States is Six Flags White Water in Marietta, Georgia. This thrilling park has something for everyone, from daredevil slides to leisurely river floats and everything in between. It's adventure time! Features Thrill rides: Thunderbolt - A dueling slide where riders race side-by-side down steep drops and tight curves before hitting a grand finale splashdown; guaranteed to get your adrenaline pumping! Dive Bomber - Brave this near-vertical body slide through darkness followed by a free fall into an incredible pool of white water below. Family fun: Adventure Island - An interactive play structure with spray jets and geysers as well as an endless lazy river winding around it for all ages to enjoy. Monsoon Lagoon - Splash around in this tropical-themed area that features mini slides perfect for kids. Experience the beauty of nature while whizzing down one of their many tube slides or take it easy at the wave pool, which can be seen from miles away due to its huge size! With such variety available, you're sure to have a blast no matter what activity you choose. From classic thrill rides like Dive Bomber to family-friendly attractions like Adventure Island, thereâs something here to satisfy every type of waterpark enthusiast. So grab your swimsuit and towel and come join us at Six Flags White Water â we guarantee you won't regret it! Splish Splash: Calverton, New York Dreams of freedom and summer fun come alive at Splish Splash in Calverton, New York. Nestled on the east end of Long Island, this water park is a paradise for those looking to escape from the everyday hustle and bustle. With its lagoon-style waterslides, state-of-the-art Typhoon Lagoon Waterpark, and indoor water playgrounds â thereâs something here for everyone! You can take a plunge down one of their thrilling slides such as Riptide Racer or Big Kahuna Wavepool; float along with friends in the lazy river; or hang out under some palm trees while soaking up the sun's rays. There are also plenty of family-friendly attractions like Kiddie Kove and Pirate Blaster that will keep your little ones entertained all day long. Plus, they offer an array of snacks and refreshments so you don't have to worry about going hungry during your visit. Splish Splash offers something for every type of thrill seeker - whether it's relaxing by the poolside or riding some adrenaline-pumping rides. So if you're looking for a great way to kick off your summer vacation this year, then look no further than Splish Splash! Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston: Galveston, Texas The Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Galveston, Texas is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to escape the hot summer days. This park boasts adrenaline-filled rides and slides that will keep anyone entertained all day long. From thrilling water coaster rides to leisurely tube float trips, there's something here for everyone. AttractionLocationDescriptionMASSIV Monster BlasterBuena ParkThis ride takes passengers on an exhilarating uphill blast of water followed by a wild slide through tunnels and turns!Tadpole SwirlSan Antonio TexasA combination of four side-by-side enclosed tubes that whip around tight curves with sudden dropsBoogie BahnNew BraunfelsAn open flume inner tube ride with twists and turns over a 1,000-foot courseBlizzard BeachGalvestonA relaxing lazy river perfect for floating down under palm trees as you take in the sights and smells of tropical foliage. Whether you're looking for some extreme thrills or just want to relax on a warm afternoon, this waterpark has it all. With its variety of attractions, there's no better place than Schlitterbahn to get your fill of sun, fun, and excitement. So don't wait any longer â come join us at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Galveston! Aquatica San Antonio: San Antonio, Texas Aquatica San Antonio is a water park located in San Antonio, Texas that offers visitors plenty of thrilling attractions and activities. The park boasts over 50 rides and slides, including the world's first hybrid coaster-aqua tube combo slide, the Taumata Racer. Visitors can also enjoy two wave pools, a lazy river, five unique childrenâs areas, several restaurants, snack bars, and much more! Here are just some of the fun things to do at Aquatica San Antonio: Ride on âThe Fallsâ â This tube ride lets you zoom through a wild sequence of drops and turns before ending with a splash into an 8-foot-deep pool below. Take on âCalypso Coasterâ â This one-of-a-kind roller coaster takes riders for an exhilarating plunge down nearly 4 stories of twists and turns. Float along the âLazy Riverâ â Unwind as you float around the 1/4 mile long Lazy River while soaking up the sun or admiring views from atop your own inner tube raft. Relax in âBig Surf Shores" - Enjoy gentle waves created by eight massive surge pumps at Big Surf Shores perfect for swimming, floating, or lounging around with friends or family. Located only 45 minutes away from nearby New Braunfels Texas, Aquatica San Antonio is easily accessible for anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and take a break from nature's beauty. With miles of shoreline to explore, fantastic food options, and tons of exciting attractions Aquatica San Antonio has something for everyone! It truly stands out among other popular parks like Holiday World Splashin Safari in Santa Claus Indiana and Wet n Wild Emerald Pointe in Greensboro North Carolina when it comes to providing guests with all they need for an unforgettable day full of adventure and relaxation! Adventure Island : Tampa, Florida The sun beating down on the glimmering pools of water in front of us symbolizes something greater. Itâs a reminder that life is meant to be enjoyed, and Adventure Island Tampa, Florida does just that! This 30-acre park offers up all sorts of fun for everyone from thrill seekers to those who just want to relax in the sun. The large wave pool is great for families with young children or anyone looking to cool off and has some fun splashing around. There are also plenty of slides ranging from mild to wild. For daredevils, they can take on the six-story tall Manta-Ray slide or the daring Congo River Rapids. If you need a break from all the excitement, there are other attractions including two lazy rivers perfect for floating along without a care in the world. Other aquatic Orlando-themed areas like Splashin' Safari and Holiday World Splashin' Safari provide even more fun opportunities like raft rides, animal encounters, and interactive play structures. And no trip would be complete without enjoying Soak City Water Park next door where guests can ride tube slides through dark tunnels and splash their way down giant slides into cooling swimming pools below. Adventure Island Tampa is an unforgettable experience that's sure to make lasting memories for everyone involved - whether it's an individual seeking thrills or an entire family simply wanting quality time together. With its mix of exciting rides, relaxing environments, and many different activities, this tale waterpark has something special for everyone! Water Country USA: Williamsburg, Virginia Water Country USA in Williamsburg, Virginia is an aquatic playground for the whole family. It boasts a variety of slides and attractions to provide hours of entertainment for everyone. From Harbor Phoenix--an aqua coaster that spirals through loops and tunnels--to Splash Country Pigeon River Rapids' exhilarating ride through rapids, there's something for every thrill seeker here. The kids will love taking a trip into the Enchanted Forest Water Works where they can explore waterfalls, geysers, water jets, and more. They'll even get their own lazy river with gentle ripples! For added fun, Santa Claus Lake has plenty of activities like kayaking or just relaxing as you float along. This water park is great for spending quality time together while enjoying some summer sun. With its convenient location close to historic Williamsburg, it makes the perfect day trip or weekend escape from reality. Take a break from everyday life and experience all that Water Country USA has to offer today! Schlitterbahn Waterpark New Braunfels :New Braunfels ,Texas For a thrilling adventure that will make your heart race, look no further than Schlitterbahn Waterpark New Braunfels in Texas. This park is an aquatic paradise and offers something for everyone with its numerous attractions. From the rushing rapids of the Torrent River to the relaxing lazy river, youâre sure to find something that fits your needs. For those looking for a thrill, there are multiple water slides ranging from mild to wild as well as interactive water play areas. The kids can enjoy an array of activities such as mini golf or floating down the kid-friendly rivers on colorful tubes. Get ready to be immersed in the fun as you explore this spectacular park! When it comes to food options, Schlitterbahn has everything from hot dogs and pizza to ice cream and other sweet treats. You can even grab a cold beer at one of their many bars if desired. After refueling, take some time out of your day and lounge under one of their cabanas while listening to live music or watching exciting shows performed by local artists. No matter what activity you choose, youâll have plenty of opportunities to soak up all the sun and water play experiences Schlitterbahn has to offer! Frequently Asked Questions Are There Age Restrictions For The Water Parks? One of the most important questions to ask when selecting a water park is whether or not there are age restrictions in place. After all, no one wants to end up somewhere that isn't suitable for them and their family's needs! Age limits vary from water park to water park, so it's essential to check before you go. The good news is that many of the best water parks in the United States have little to no age limit on admission. This means that you can bring anyone along with you, regardless of their age â making these spots perfect for families with young children and adults alike. However, some parks may still impose minimum height requirements or other rules based on safety considerations. It's always worth looking into those details beforehand if they're available online. Another thing to keep in mind is that certain rides at a given water park might be restricted due to age or physical size constraints. For instance, some thrill-seeking attractions could require riders to be over 14 years old (or even 16), while others may only accept adults 18 and up. In any case, it pays off to double-check what activities your group can partake in before hitting the road! No matter where you decide to visit this summer season, being aware of potential age restrictions will help ensure everyone has an enjoyable time - without compromising safety standards or breaking any rules! Do Any Of The Water Parks Offer Discounts For Large Groups? Are you looking to take a group of people on an exciting water park adventure? Before you plan your trip, itâs important to know if any of the water parks offer discounts for large groups. It could make or break your budget! Fortunately, many popular water parks across the United States have special offers for larger parties. For instance, some may require at least ten guests in order to receive a discount, while others are more flexible and will give discounts even when there is only a small party size. It's also worth considering other money-saving options such as family packages or season passes. These can be great value deals that provide access to the best attractions throughout the summer months. Furthermore, some water parks even host special events where entrance fees are reduced â allowing everyone to enjoy all the thrills without breaking the bank! No matter what type of savings you're after, researching different options beforehand is always recommended before visiting any of Americaâs top water parks. That way, you can find out which ones suit your needs best and have an unforgettable time with friends and family. Are There Lifeguards On Duty At All Times? Are there lifeguards on duty at all times? Talk about the million-dollar question! It's a hyperbole, but it feels like your safety is worth its weight in gold when you're splashing around and having fun at a water park. The answer to this crucial query is â yes! Most if not all water parks have certified lifeguards patrolling every area of their premises and ensuring that everyone follows the rules. They are well-trained and experienced professionals who can assist visitors with any concerns or issues they might have during their visit. Furthermore, many of these lifeguards also possess advanced first aid certifications, making them ideal for dealing with medical emergencies should they arise. Not only do these lifeguards play an important role in keeping guests safe while enjoying the attractions and slides, but they also help ensure that everyone has a pleasant and enjoyable experience by enforcing policies that guarantee everyoneâs enjoyment without compromising anyoneâs safety or privacy. With attentive eyes watching over proceedings, you can rest assured knowing that youâre in good hands no matter what kind of situation arises. It goes without saying then; next time you're off to enjoy some wet n' wild fun at a water park make sure to take comfort in the fact that there will be experienced professionals providing continuous supervision throughout your stay! Are There Any Water Parks That Are Open Year-Round? Are there any water parks that are open year-round? We all know how much fun it is to visit a water park during the summer, but what about if you want to go swimming and splash around outside of the traditional season? Fortunately, there are some great options available for those looking for an aquatic adventure that doesn't have to be limited by time. These days, more and more water parks are offering extended hours or even being open all year round. This means that you can enjoy thrilling rides, cool off in refreshing pools, and lounge on deck chairs whenever you, please! Plus, many of these parks offer additional attractions such as mini golf courses or arcades so that visitors can make the most out of their day trips. When choosing which water park to visit, it's important to consider whether or not lifeguards will always be present. Most popular spots employ qualified staff who monitor the facilities at all times â ensuring everyone has a safe experience while having fun. Additionally, most locations also offer discounted admission prices for seniors and memberships for frequent visitors. So no matter when you decide to take your next plunge into a pool of fun, rest assured knowing that safety isn't something you'll need to worry about when planning your aquatic escape! Is There A Way To Purchase Discounted Tickets For Multiple Water Parks? Are you looking for a way to experience the joy and excitement of multiple water parks without breaking the bank? If so, then you're in luck! There are plenty of ways to purchase discounted tickets for multiple water parks throughout the US. From special deals on group tickets to discount programs available at certain locations - this article will guide you through everything you need to know about finding the best value when it comes to visiting different American water parks: Look out for promotions from individual park websites Check social media platforms for limited-time offers Take advantage of student discounts If youâre willing to do some research, there are countless opportunities that can help make your aquatic adventure more affordable. Visiting multiple water parks over the course of one summer is a great way to get outdoors while having fun with friends or family â but only if you can find an economical option that fits your budget. That's why researching online ahead of time is key. Many parks have regular specials and promotions which include discounts on tickets, food, merchandise, and even complimentary admission days! It's also helpful to search social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter as well as various other online forums where people post exclusive deals they've come across during their own visits. Additionally, many universities offer student discounts making it easier than ever before for college students who want to explore America's finest water parks on a shoestring budget! So don't let money be an obstacle preventing you from experiencing all the thrills and chills associated with water rides, wave pools, and lazy rivers across our nation - whether it's just one trip or several trips throughout the year. With a little bit of research and planning upfront itâs possible to make your dream vacation happen! Conclusion In conclusion, water parks are a great way to have some family fun in the United States. With so many options available for safe and enjoyable experiences, it can be hard to choose which one is right for you and your group. However, by asking questions such as age restrictions, discounts for large groups, lifeguard availability, and year-round operating hours before booking tickets, you can make sure that everyone has an amazing time. The joy of riding down a waterslide or floating on a lazy river symbolizes freedom from everyday stressors. The energy created when laughing with friends while splashing around brings people together as no other activity can. Each person should take advantage of the opportunity of visiting these spectacular places during their travels across America - creating memories to last a lifetime! So if you're looking for a place to cool off this summer â why not visit one of the best waterparks in the United States? Whether I'm young or old there's something here for everyone â making it perfect for families and friends alike. I know I'll be planning my next trip soon! |