Wood pattern towel
whats a normal amount of hair to lose when applying product to damp hair?
2024.06.11 02:58 jammypersimmon whats a normal amount of hair to lose when applying product to damp hair?
I was diagnosed with androgenetic apolecia (female pattern hairloss) a little under a year ago, and i've been taking some medication to help with it. I do feel like I've been seeing a lot of new growth, but I'm not sure if the amount of hair I lose is normal. Specifically, when I apply product to damp hair. Even more specifically, when I apply K18 to damp, shampooed, non-conditioned hair.
I apply K18 after letting my hair dry in a wrapped towel, freshly shampooed but no conditioner (per the instructions). I find that whenever I do this, I see 10-20 strands of hair stuck to my hand after I've finished the application. Is that normal?
submitted by jammypersimmon to femalehairadvice [link] [comments]
I apply K18 after letting my hair dry in a wrapped towel, freshly shampooed but no conditioner (per the instructions). I find that whenever I do this, I see 10-20 strands of hair stuck to my hand after I've finished the application. Is that normal?
2024.06.11 02:31 WildNectarine2079 Based on this list of preferences, what interior design style(s) should I follow? I know very little about interior design and need help putting it into words!
Like: Natural Materials (Wood, bamboo, rattan) Earth tones Original Craftmanship Plants Cozy Texture Woven Elements Hygge Feels well-lived without being cluttered Organic Natural decor Dark, saturated accent colors Floor seating/Moroccan style couches Thrifted furniture
Dislike: Minimalism Super clean lines Super bright colors/accents Industrial Harsh Patterns
Broad Style Descriptions: Bohemian, but focusing more on texture than pattern. Cozy Japandi with less clean forms and lines. Cottegecore, but with less clutter.
My partner also hates the idea of "uncomfy" furniture, which is fair, so the style probably shouldn't include lots of harsh angles minimal cushioning. I just have no idea where to go because I feel like many of my ideas clash!
submitted by WildNectarine2079 to interiordecorating [link] [comments]
Dislike: Minimalism Super clean lines Super bright colors/accents Industrial Harsh Patterns
Broad Style Descriptions: Bohemian, but focusing more on texture than pattern. Cozy Japandi with less clean forms and lines. Cottegecore, but with less clutter.
My partner also hates the idea of "uncomfy" furniture, which is fair, so the style probably shouldn't include lots of harsh angles minimal cushioning. I just have no idea where to go because I feel like many of my ideas clash!
2024.06.11 02:29 Ok_Coconut_2560 Noodles
My family has always been of great minds. I hated it. Growing up and having to study day and night to try and live up to them was extremely exhausting when I couldn't care how things worked as long as I was happy. I gave up but somehow everything kept turning out to be true.
Over my lifetime I have become the Gorden Ramsey of the science world. Known for my temper and also for huge things like curing world hunger using play-doe and cancer with baby powder I got in a back street ally while drunk.
To get my family off my back I started making random ideas so they could see me as a failure and leave me alone but...they keep working. And soon people started to praise me. Fame has left me with nothing but more and more attention. So today I plan to make sure that everyone can just think I'm insane and leave me alone and not some king.
I chuckled like a kid who was opening a Christmas present as I heard the crowd of people chatting and talking loudly as I hid behind my stage in a grey tight suit that my sister had picked out. I sighed and was ready to walk out and make a fool out of myself but my brother stopped me.
" Jack... I just want you to know how proud I am of you. Dad would have loved to see you right now. "
I thought it was ironic because last night while chilling on the couch watching TV and eating chips I made this theory up. He dusted off my shoulders held them tight and looked me in the eyes taking in the moment.
" go give them hell man. "
He had a goofy smile just like Dad but spoke with confidence.
" you got it, man. "
I heard my name being called onto the stage and the uproar startled me for a second but I collected myself and headed out after giving him a nod just to entertain him.
The lights were blinding as I grabbed the mic and looked at the table in front of me with a small box with the ingredients I needed and a chalkboard behind me.
After I stood still for a minute the crowd died down. I had not told anyone what I was presenting so the whole world was watching without a clue of what I was doing this time.
"Hello everyone. Today I believe I have my most important presentation yet..."
The crowd grew silent and hung on every word. And I heard my voice around the room through the speakers.
" Today I have with me a box...and inside is spaghetti I had for breakfast. "
The crowd laughed thinking it was a joke
" shut up "
The crowd grew silent once more
"Behind me is a chalkboard and I will now present my new findings to all of you...I have found out how to make portals to other worlds. "
A man in the far back of the audience yelled bullshit in a heavy Indian accent but he was so far it was a faint sound for me. I smiled at that thinking I had finally found something that would make me lose my title and I could go ahead and live a life without people making me feel like an evil man for not helping others.
I opened the box got a handful of the noodles and threw them at the chalkboard. I then grabbed a paper towel on standby to clean myself.
The noodles hit the board and slowly moved and rested on a spot on the board. I made eye contact with my brother backstage and he had a look on his face showing he believed in me.
I spun the board dropping the noodles to the ground I then grabbed the chalk and drew around the sauce and noodles that stuck to the board then drew my attention to the others that had fallen on the floor and drew an outline of that.
After it finished I threw the chalk in the crowd violently hitting an old lady in the face.
" Quickly I want a show of hands who thinks I'm a crazy guy "
Everyone raised their hands and I laughed to myself
I then went behind the board and laid it horizontally. I grabbed a small knife in my pocket and poked my finger with it. The crimson blood fell and hit the chalk and then as more and more blood hit the chalk it started glowing.
" you have got to be joking. "
I said out loud as it started to spark an orange glow and it slowly grew color to the rest of the chalk in orange sparks.
Once the symbol was fully sparking with orange the sauce began to swell and move around in a counterclockwise manner. I stepped away from it in shock as small parts of the blood in my finger began to float to the parts where it fell on the floor I drew my outlines on and started sparking those as well.
It started to smoke and hiss as if lightning could whisper and the orange began to take shape and the sauce made a doorway. The parts that were not on the board began to grow ice around them and started to make designs on the floor circling me and the board. Suddenly it grew in size and a large booming voice was heard through the portal as I felt panic of people start to set in.
A huge claw came out and scrapped the sides of my table trying to crawl out from the world it had been trapped in. Cold winds hit me as they cut my skin and threw around my clothes. As I saw the table was now melting from its touch.
A slimy green claw with mucus like a face-hugger egg from the movie Alien carved through the floor and pulled the rest of its body out slowly. A beast stood at 12 feet tall adjusting to our world as goop grew and shaped its body as people screamed, ran, and stood frozen in fear.
As it looked around it locked its spider-like eyes and swerled around coming out from the portal and twisting and turning around the body as it made its way to its head finding a place to rest. It then locked its eyes with me and its jaw twisted slowly from an ant-like maw to mine and slowly shrunk and it soon took the shape of me and knelt on the floor and spoke to me.
" master. "
I stood in shock as everyone seemed to calm down and watched to see what I would do.
"...umm "My family has always been of great minds. I hated it. Growing up and having to study day and night to try and live up to them was extremely exhausting when I couldn't care how things worked as long as I was happy. I gave up but somehow everything kept turning out to be true.
Over my lifetime I have become the Gorden Ramsey of the science world. Known for my temper and also for huge things like curing world hunger using play-doe and cancer with baby powder I got in a back street ally while drunk.
To get my family off my back I started making random ideas so they could see me as a failure and leave me alone but...they keep working. And soon people started to praise me. Fame has left me with nothing but more and more attention. So today I plan to make sure that everyone can just think I'm insane and leave me alone and not some king.
I chuckled like a kid who was opening a Christmas present as I heard the crowd of people chatting and talking loudly as I hid behind my stage in a grey tight suit that my sister had picked out. I sighed and was ready to walk out and make a fool out of myself but my brother stopped me.
" Jack... I just want you to know how proud I am of you. Dad would have loved to see you right now. "
I thought it was ironic because last night while chilling on the couch watching TV and eating chips I made this theory up. He dusted off my shoulders held them tight and looked me in the eyes taking in the moment.
" go give them hell man. "
He had a goofy smile just like Dad but spoke with confidence.
" you got it, man. "
I heard my name being called onto the stage and the uproar startled me for a second but I collected myself and headed out after giving him a nod just to entertain him.
The lights were blinding as I grabbed the mic and looked at the table in front of me with a small box with the ingredients I needed and a chalkboard behind me.
After I stood still for a minute the crowd died down. I had not told anyone what I was presenting so the whole world was watching without a clue of what I was doing this time.
"Hello everyone. Today I believe I have my most important presentation yet..."
The crowd grew silent and hung on every word. And I heard my voice around the room through the speakers.
" Today I have with me a box...and inside is spaghetti I had breakfast. "
The crowd laughed thinking it was a joke
" shut up "
The crowd grew silent once more
"Behind me is a chalkboard and I will now present my new findings to all of you...I have found out how to make portals to other worlds. "
A man in the far back of the audience yelled bullshit in a heavy Indian accent but he was so far it was a faint sound for me. I smiled at that thinking I had finally found something that would make me lose my title and I could go ahead and live a life without people making me feel like an evil man for not helping others.
I opened the box got a handful of the noodles and threw them at the chalkboard. I then grabbed a paper towel on standby to clean myself.
The noodles hit the board and slowly moved and rested on a spot on the board. I made eye contact with my brother backstage and he had a look on his face showing he believed in me.
I spun the board dropping the noodles to the ground I then grabbed the chalk and drew around the sauce and noodles that stuck to the board then drew my attention to the others that had fallen on the floor and drew an outline of that.
After it finished I threw the chalk in the crowd violently hitting an old lady in the face.
" Quickly I want a show of hands who thinks I'm a crazy guy "
Everyone raised their hands and I laughed to myself
I then went behind the board and laid it horizontally. I grabbed a small knife in my pocket and poked my finger with it. The crimson blood fell and hit the chalk and then as more and more blood hit the chalk it started glowing.
" you have got to be joking. "
I said out loud as it started to spark an orange glow and it slowly grew color to the rest of the chalk in orange sparks.
Once the symbol was fully sparking with orange the sauce began to swell and move around in a counterclockwise manner. I stepped away from it in shock as small parts of the blood in my finger began to float to the parts where it fell on the floor I drew my outlines on and started sparking those as well.
It started to smoke and hiss as if lightning could whisper and the orange began to take shape and the sauce made a doorway. The parts that were not on the board began to grow ice around them and started to make designs on the floor circling me and the board. Suddenly it grew in size and a large booming voice was heard through the portal as I felt panic of people start to set in.
A huge claw came out and scrapped the sides of my table trying to crawl out from the world it had been trapped in. Cold winds hit me as they cut my skin and threw around my clothes. As I saw the table was now melting from its touch.
A slimy green claw with mucus like a face-hugger egg from the movie Alien carved through the floor and pulled the rest of its body out slowly. A beast stood at 12 feet tall adjusting to our world as goop grew and shaped its body as people screamed, ran, and stood frozen in fear.
As it looked around it locked its spider-like eyes and swerled around coming out from the portal and twisting and turning around the body as it made its way to its head finding a place to rest. It then locked its eyes with me and its jaw twisted slowly from an ant-like maw to mine and slowly shrunk and it soon took the shape of me and knelt on the floor and spoke to me.
" master. "
I stood in shock as everyone seemed to calm down and watched to see what I would do.
Now that this creature knelt before me I realized that the room I was in was so terrible quietly you could hear everyone's ass get tight in anticipation of what would happen next.
" ...what...are you. "
I spoke carefully to the being that had taken the shape of myself. It still took my breath away and my throat was dry.
The beast was a deep green. The color mixed with shades of grey streaming from it. The longer I looked at it I could see it getting closer to what I looked like shaping itself.
From small flowing green tendrils to an arm they grew as they twisted and made bone then muscle and finally skin.
It locked eyes with me and it smiled deeply at me. As it formed the face finally.
" Your vassle. "
My eyes had not moved to the crowd at all but even though the lights hit the stage so hard it was enveloped in smoke.
The creature's eyes glowed as it answered brightly, not figuratively. This thing's eyes were glowing.
"To serve you, We are bound by blood magic. I am a reflection of your desires, Master, " it said, its voice now a whisper in my mind.
It began to stand up as my grey suit began to form on it and by the time it stood fully up it had copied what I looked like.
" let me explain everything. "
My body frozen in fear woke up with adrenaline as I blinked and a flash of green smoke covered my vision as he teleported right to me face to face.
Its body turned to smoke and went into the slits of my eyes. I felt visions follow me in my peripheral vision but surprisingly no pain followed power filled me and it felt like one hell of a drug.
My body and mind altered.
I was now in a very dark place with no walls or light except my reflection on the floor which waved like water.
I took a step back looking around and back to the reflection of me on the ground.
Soon the water rippled and my reflection fell through the floor like gravity was inverted. he flew upright and water fell off of him as he looked at me as he now stood straight ahead of me. He was just reflecting in the water but now eyed me down.
Collecting my nerves.
I begin to speak.
" what do you want..."
He was still in my form and stood perfectly straight. Now with water dripping from his...my hair.
Slight stubble with hair that hung down and my hazel eyes were not present within him but I was greeted with a swelling acidic green that doubled the size of my pupil.
" to serve you. "
He made no other movement than putting his hands behind his back like a soldier at ease.
I could not tell if it was lying or not.
" ...is that it? "
" I am the embodiment of your fear desires and brilliance. You have shaped me. Your desire for solitude birthed me. I will aid you in shaping the world how you see fit. Your reality becomes mine. "
There was a slight echo in the room as he spoke.
" wait...where are we "
I questioned haphazardly
" your mind. "
An awkward silence was in the air until I spoke
" so...am I just standing on the stage not making a sound? "
He gave me a concerned look.
" no...time has frozen outside for you. You may sleep here without having to in the real world so to others you look as if you never rest and you may think and plan what to do in battle here. For them, it will be about two seconds...Do...do you not have any knowledge of what I am? "
Suddenly I felt bad like I had encountered someone famous and I had no idea who they were. A slap in the face like a popular kid meeting someone who had never heard of them. Ego shattered.
" ok sorry no. I...don't go around reading about...monsters?"
I felt like was I saying the n-word of the demon realm not knowing if that word was offensive.
He folded his arms a little upset.
"Are you not a warrior? "
" well...no I...just watch TV and cook here and there- "
The demon cut me off
" weak. "
" excuse me? "
" look. I am an immortal being and after a while you get bored. So I'm sorry if I may be a little upset after being bonded with some nobody. "
I got quiet and I was a little annoyed that I was being roasted by some demon that I just met.
Its form wavers and eyes begin to open on its skin. Cheeks forhead etc.
"After being a god for so long it's fun to play with limitations. Makes things extremely exciting. "
" what do you mean by that? "
" look. You can only be so entertained by the same things. Life gets boring and now...you are going to help me with this. I get to have pure entertainment while you get every wish you could ever want. A mutual bond no? "
He then closed his eyes annoyed and the other eyes meshed back to his skin.
" though... the TV is not that interesting...life is what gets the blood pumping"
I felt the need to quickly change the topic
"Are there others like you? "
The room began to take shape very slowly as the water floor turned to wood and walls went around us.
" of course. You may meet them one day "
Confused and curious I pressed.
"Meet them? "
" yes. Summoning one of us is considered a threat to them. "
He spoke while opening and closing his newly found hand except backward.
" hm...no that don't look right "
I quickly responded
" Wait! How is doing that a threat! "
"Well, one doesn't just accidentally Summon one of us to suddenly get powers beyond human control. "
I thought back to how I summoned him by accident with some food I made.
" well...funny story but I summoned you using my breakfast..."
I had never regretted speaking so much as in that moment.
" What... "
Acid dripped from his words. Literally. His pupils split in half and his bottom jaw ripped open like an ant and curved giving sharpness to the bone.
"Please don't kill me. "
The room began to look like a cozy cabin with a fireplace and he slowly went back to normal.
" I would if I could. I've never felt so disrespected. We are bonded by your blood. If you die...I die. "
Suddenly I felt at ease by this new information.
Then a thought came to my mind
" ...God's can die? "
" you did hear me, right? "
The SAS from this guy was unneeded and I was starting to miss him being on his knees as weird as that sounds.
" so...all that power gone.... in an instant... "
" well...no actually God's powers don't just disappear they transfer to whoever killed them...wait...hold up."
He suddenly had an epiphany.
A smile grew on his face and he grabbed my shoulders
" you! You are going to help me kill the other gods! "
He sounded proud but I let him down.
" ha! No. "
" oh come on! Don't be like that. "
He did a pout.
"Look, man. I'm not killing gods for you. Just because you are bored. "
" hey...they might send people to kill you because you bonded with me. "
"What did I ever do to them? "
"They have a system to this stuff. They like to build and watch things play out. You're a problem. That can mess it up. So...they kill ya...to be honest, I don't know any other way to explain it, man. You know people normally just use my power to kill people and become a king and know this already. "
"This is outrageous. "
" bro. Look if you do this I will be able to get their powers and you will be able to do so much more than what I offer "
I tilted my head
" what can you do? Know what never mind. I will just talk to them and figure things out. "
He groaned and his form melted down sagging and it shot back up reforming
"Is there not anything that you want? Anything in the world? Gods don't put themselves in physical forms. They give people power and can make beings to hunt you. And if they care enough to come down themself. Ha, good luck."
I stopped and thought about it trying to weigh the options of pissing off higher beings.
Suddenly. I found something.
"Can you bring back the dead..."
He stopped confused.
" well...no "
" then I don't want anything "
" wait! "
He threw his arms out pleading
"I don't...but another God does..."
He crosses his arms smiling. He had left the question hanging letting me reconsider his offer.
I stopped and thought for a while before looking back up to him.
I let out a sigh and looked him in the eyes
" ok...you are going to help me get my father back. "
The demon smirked.
submitted by Ok_Coconut_2560 to dontmindthis9 [link] [comments]
Over my lifetime I have become the Gorden Ramsey of the science world. Known for my temper and also for huge things like curing world hunger using play-doe and cancer with baby powder I got in a back street ally while drunk.
To get my family off my back I started making random ideas so they could see me as a failure and leave me alone but...they keep working. And soon people started to praise me. Fame has left me with nothing but more and more attention. So today I plan to make sure that everyone can just think I'm insane and leave me alone and not some king.
I chuckled like a kid who was opening a Christmas present as I heard the crowd of people chatting and talking loudly as I hid behind my stage in a grey tight suit that my sister had picked out. I sighed and was ready to walk out and make a fool out of myself but my brother stopped me.
" Jack... I just want you to know how proud I am of you. Dad would have loved to see you right now. "
I thought it was ironic because last night while chilling on the couch watching TV and eating chips I made this theory up. He dusted off my shoulders held them tight and looked me in the eyes taking in the moment.
" go give them hell man. "
He had a goofy smile just like Dad but spoke with confidence.
" you got it, man. "
I heard my name being called onto the stage and the uproar startled me for a second but I collected myself and headed out after giving him a nod just to entertain him.
The lights were blinding as I grabbed the mic and looked at the table in front of me with a small box with the ingredients I needed and a chalkboard behind me.
After I stood still for a minute the crowd died down. I had not told anyone what I was presenting so the whole world was watching without a clue of what I was doing this time.
"Hello everyone. Today I believe I have my most important presentation yet..."
The crowd grew silent and hung on every word. And I heard my voice around the room through the speakers.
" Today I have with me a box...and inside is spaghetti I had for breakfast. "
The crowd laughed thinking it was a joke
" shut up "
The crowd grew silent once more
"Behind me is a chalkboard and I will now present my new findings to all of you...I have found out how to make portals to other worlds. "
A man in the far back of the audience yelled bullshit in a heavy Indian accent but he was so far it was a faint sound for me. I smiled at that thinking I had finally found something that would make me lose my title and I could go ahead and live a life without people making me feel like an evil man for not helping others.
I opened the box got a handful of the noodles and threw them at the chalkboard. I then grabbed a paper towel on standby to clean myself.
The noodles hit the board and slowly moved and rested on a spot on the board. I made eye contact with my brother backstage and he had a look on his face showing he believed in me.
I spun the board dropping the noodles to the ground I then grabbed the chalk and drew around the sauce and noodles that stuck to the board then drew my attention to the others that had fallen on the floor and drew an outline of that.
After it finished I threw the chalk in the crowd violently hitting an old lady in the face.
" Quickly I want a show of hands who thinks I'm a crazy guy "
Everyone raised their hands and I laughed to myself
I then went behind the board and laid it horizontally. I grabbed a small knife in my pocket and poked my finger with it. The crimson blood fell and hit the chalk and then as more and more blood hit the chalk it started glowing.
" you have got to be joking. "
I said out loud as it started to spark an orange glow and it slowly grew color to the rest of the chalk in orange sparks.
Once the symbol was fully sparking with orange the sauce began to swell and move around in a counterclockwise manner. I stepped away from it in shock as small parts of the blood in my finger began to float to the parts where it fell on the floor I drew my outlines on and started sparking those as well.
It started to smoke and hiss as if lightning could whisper and the orange began to take shape and the sauce made a doorway. The parts that were not on the board began to grow ice around them and started to make designs on the floor circling me and the board. Suddenly it grew in size and a large booming voice was heard through the portal as I felt panic of people start to set in.
A huge claw came out and scrapped the sides of my table trying to crawl out from the world it had been trapped in. Cold winds hit me as they cut my skin and threw around my clothes. As I saw the table was now melting from its touch.
A slimy green claw with mucus like a face-hugger egg from the movie Alien carved through the floor and pulled the rest of its body out slowly. A beast stood at 12 feet tall adjusting to our world as goop grew and shaped its body as people screamed, ran, and stood frozen in fear.
As it looked around it locked its spider-like eyes and swerled around coming out from the portal and twisting and turning around the body as it made its way to its head finding a place to rest. It then locked its eyes with me and its jaw twisted slowly from an ant-like maw to mine and slowly shrunk and it soon took the shape of me and knelt on the floor and spoke to me.
" master. "
I stood in shock as everyone seemed to calm down and watched to see what I would do.
"...umm "My family has always been of great minds. I hated it. Growing up and having to study day and night to try and live up to them was extremely exhausting when I couldn't care how things worked as long as I was happy. I gave up but somehow everything kept turning out to be true.
Over my lifetime I have become the Gorden Ramsey of the science world. Known for my temper and also for huge things like curing world hunger using play-doe and cancer with baby powder I got in a back street ally while drunk.
To get my family off my back I started making random ideas so they could see me as a failure and leave me alone but...they keep working. And soon people started to praise me. Fame has left me with nothing but more and more attention. So today I plan to make sure that everyone can just think I'm insane and leave me alone and not some king.
I chuckled like a kid who was opening a Christmas present as I heard the crowd of people chatting and talking loudly as I hid behind my stage in a grey tight suit that my sister had picked out. I sighed and was ready to walk out and make a fool out of myself but my brother stopped me.
" Jack... I just want you to know how proud I am of you. Dad would have loved to see you right now. "
I thought it was ironic because last night while chilling on the couch watching TV and eating chips I made this theory up. He dusted off my shoulders held them tight and looked me in the eyes taking in the moment.
" go give them hell man. "
He had a goofy smile just like Dad but spoke with confidence.
" you got it, man. "
I heard my name being called onto the stage and the uproar startled me for a second but I collected myself and headed out after giving him a nod just to entertain him.
The lights were blinding as I grabbed the mic and looked at the table in front of me with a small box with the ingredients I needed and a chalkboard behind me.
After I stood still for a minute the crowd died down. I had not told anyone what I was presenting so the whole world was watching without a clue of what I was doing this time.
"Hello everyone. Today I believe I have my most important presentation yet..."
The crowd grew silent and hung on every word. And I heard my voice around the room through the speakers.
" Today I have with me a box...and inside is spaghetti I had breakfast. "
The crowd laughed thinking it was a joke
" shut up "
The crowd grew silent once more
"Behind me is a chalkboard and I will now present my new findings to all of you...I have found out how to make portals to other worlds. "
A man in the far back of the audience yelled bullshit in a heavy Indian accent but he was so far it was a faint sound for me. I smiled at that thinking I had finally found something that would make me lose my title and I could go ahead and live a life without people making me feel like an evil man for not helping others.
I opened the box got a handful of the noodles and threw them at the chalkboard. I then grabbed a paper towel on standby to clean myself.
The noodles hit the board and slowly moved and rested on a spot on the board. I made eye contact with my brother backstage and he had a look on his face showing he believed in me.
I spun the board dropping the noodles to the ground I then grabbed the chalk and drew around the sauce and noodles that stuck to the board then drew my attention to the others that had fallen on the floor and drew an outline of that.
After it finished I threw the chalk in the crowd violently hitting an old lady in the face.
" Quickly I want a show of hands who thinks I'm a crazy guy "
Everyone raised their hands and I laughed to myself
I then went behind the board and laid it horizontally. I grabbed a small knife in my pocket and poked my finger with it. The crimson blood fell and hit the chalk and then as more and more blood hit the chalk it started glowing.
" you have got to be joking. "
I said out loud as it started to spark an orange glow and it slowly grew color to the rest of the chalk in orange sparks.
Once the symbol was fully sparking with orange the sauce began to swell and move around in a counterclockwise manner. I stepped away from it in shock as small parts of the blood in my finger began to float to the parts where it fell on the floor I drew my outlines on and started sparking those as well.
It started to smoke and hiss as if lightning could whisper and the orange began to take shape and the sauce made a doorway. The parts that were not on the board began to grow ice around them and started to make designs on the floor circling me and the board. Suddenly it grew in size and a large booming voice was heard through the portal as I felt panic of people start to set in.
A huge claw came out and scrapped the sides of my table trying to crawl out from the world it had been trapped in. Cold winds hit me as they cut my skin and threw around my clothes. As I saw the table was now melting from its touch.
A slimy green claw with mucus like a face-hugger egg from the movie Alien carved through the floor and pulled the rest of its body out slowly. A beast stood at 12 feet tall adjusting to our world as goop grew and shaped its body as people screamed, ran, and stood frozen in fear.
As it looked around it locked its spider-like eyes and swerled around coming out from the portal and twisting and turning around the body as it made its way to its head finding a place to rest. It then locked its eyes with me and its jaw twisted slowly from an ant-like maw to mine and slowly shrunk and it soon took the shape of me and knelt on the floor and spoke to me.
" master. "
I stood in shock as everyone seemed to calm down and watched to see what I would do.
"...umm "
Part two of the noodle demon.Now that this creature knelt before me I realized that the room I was in was so terrible quietly you could hear everyone's ass get tight in anticipation of what would happen next.
" ...what...are you. "
I spoke carefully to the being that had taken the shape of myself. It still took my breath away and my throat was dry.
The beast was a deep green. The color mixed with shades of grey streaming from it. The longer I looked at it I could see it getting closer to what I looked like shaping itself.
From small flowing green tendrils to an arm they grew as they twisted and made bone then muscle and finally skin.
It locked eyes with me and it smiled deeply at me. As it formed the face finally.
" Your vassle. "
My eyes had not moved to the crowd at all but even though the lights hit the stage so hard it was enveloped in smoke.
The creature's eyes glowed as it answered brightly, not figuratively. This thing's eyes were glowing.
"To serve you, We are bound by blood magic. I am a reflection of your desires, Master, " it said, its voice now a whisper in my mind.
It began to stand up as my grey suit began to form on it and by the time it stood fully up it had copied what I looked like.
" let me explain everything. "
My body frozen in fear woke up with adrenaline as I blinked and a flash of green smoke covered my vision as he teleported right to me face to face.
Its body turned to smoke and went into the slits of my eyes. I felt visions follow me in my peripheral vision but surprisingly no pain followed power filled me and it felt like one hell of a drug.
My body and mind altered.
I was now in a very dark place with no walls or light except my reflection on the floor which waved like water.
I took a step back looking around and back to the reflection of me on the ground.
Soon the water rippled and my reflection fell through the floor like gravity was inverted. he flew upright and water fell off of him as he looked at me as he now stood straight ahead of me. He was just reflecting in the water but now eyed me down.
Collecting my nerves.
I begin to speak.
" what do you want..."
He was still in my form and stood perfectly straight. Now with water dripping from his...my hair.
Slight stubble with hair that hung down and my hazel eyes were not present within him but I was greeted with a swelling acidic green that doubled the size of my pupil.
" to serve you. "
He made no other movement than putting his hands behind his back like a soldier at ease.
I could not tell if it was lying or not.
" ...is that it? "
" I am the embodiment of your fear desires and brilliance. You have shaped me. Your desire for solitude birthed me. I will aid you in shaping the world how you see fit. Your reality becomes mine. "
There was a slight echo in the room as he spoke.
" wait...where are we "
I questioned haphazardly
" your mind. "
An awkward silence was in the air until I spoke
" so...am I just standing on the stage not making a sound? "
He gave me a concerned look.
" no...time has frozen outside for you. You may sleep here without having to in the real world so to others you look as if you never rest and you may think and plan what to do in battle here. For them, it will be about two seconds...Do...do you not have any knowledge of what I am? "
Suddenly I felt bad like I had encountered someone famous and I had no idea who they were. A slap in the face like a popular kid meeting someone who had never heard of them. Ego shattered.
" ok sorry no. I...don't go around reading about...monsters?"
I felt like was I saying the n-word of the demon realm not knowing if that word was offensive.
He folded his arms a little upset.
"Are you not a warrior? "
" well...no I...just watch TV and cook here and there- "
The demon cut me off
" weak. "
" excuse me? "
" look. I am an immortal being and after a while you get bored. So I'm sorry if I may be a little upset after being bonded with some nobody. "
I got quiet and I was a little annoyed that I was being roasted by some demon that I just met.
Its form wavers and eyes begin to open on its skin. Cheeks forhead etc.
"After being a god for so long it's fun to play with limitations. Makes things extremely exciting. "
" what do you mean by that? "
" look. You can only be so entertained by the same things. Life gets boring and now...you are going to help me with this. I get to have pure entertainment while you get every wish you could ever want. A mutual bond no? "
He then closed his eyes annoyed and the other eyes meshed back to his skin.
" though... the TV is not that interesting...life is what gets the blood pumping"
I felt the need to quickly change the topic
"Are there others like you? "
The room began to take shape very slowly as the water floor turned to wood and walls went around us.
" of course. You may meet them one day "
Confused and curious I pressed.
"Meet them? "
" yes. Summoning one of us is considered a threat to them. "
He spoke while opening and closing his newly found hand except backward.
" hm...no that don't look right "
I quickly responded
" Wait! How is doing that a threat! "
"Well, one doesn't just accidentally Summon one of us to suddenly get powers beyond human control. "
I thought back to how I summoned him by accident with some food I made.
" well...funny story but I summoned you using my breakfast..."
I had never regretted speaking so much as in that moment.
" What... "
Acid dripped from his words. Literally. His pupils split in half and his bottom jaw ripped open like an ant and curved giving sharpness to the bone.
"Please don't kill me. "
The room began to look like a cozy cabin with a fireplace and he slowly went back to normal.
" I would if I could. I've never felt so disrespected. We are bonded by your blood. If you die...I die. "
Suddenly I felt at ease by this new information.
Then a thought came to my mind
" ...God's can die? "
" you did hear me, right? "
The SAS from this guy was unneeded and I was starting to miss him being on his knees as weird as that sounds.
" so...all that power gone.... in an instant... "
" well...no actually God's powers don't just disappear they transfer to whoever killed them...wait...hold up."
He suddenly had an epiphany.
A smile grew on his face and he grabbed my shoulders
" you! You are going to help me kill the other gods! "
He sounded proud but I let him down.
" ha! No. "
" oh come on! Don't be like that. "
He did a pout.
"Look, man. I'm not killing gods for you. Just because you are bored. "
" hey...they might send people to kill you because you bonded with me. "
"What did I ever do to them? "
"They have a system to this stuff. They like to build and watch things play out. You're a problem. That can mess it up. So...they kill ya...to be honest, I don't know any other way to explain it, man. You know people normally just use my power to kill people and become a king and know this already. "
"This is outrageous. "
" bro. Look if you do this I will be able to get their powers and you will be able to do so much more than what I offer "
I tilted my head
" what can you do? Know what never mind. I will just talk to them and figure things out. "
He groaned and his form melted down sagging and it shot back up reforming
"Is there not anything that you want? Anything in the world? Gods don't put themselves in physical forms. They give people power and can make beings to hunt you. And if they care enough to come down themself. Ha, good luck."
I stopped and thought about it trying to weigh the options of pissing off higher beings.
Suddenly. I found something.
"Can you bring back the dead..."
He stopped confused.
" well...no "
" then I don't want anything "
" wait! "
He threw his arms out pleading
"I don't...but another God does..."
He crosses his arms smiling. He had left the question hanging letting me reconsider his offer.
I stopped and thought for a while before looking back up to him.
I let out a sigh and looked him in the eyes
" ok...you are going to help me get my father back. "
The demon smirked.
2024.06.11 02:18 jubil0u What color to paint my kitchen?
We moved into a new house about 1 month ago. There is fresh paint throughout but it's ALL the same grey and I need some spice in my life.
My previous kitchen had red walls and darker wood cabinets. I'm not sure if red will work with these cabinets. My dishes are black/red and black/yellow, and all my hand towels and other accents are red and brown.
My brain is stuck on something in the red or red-brown family but I am open to any suggestions as I have never had light cabinets. I don't want the room to look too "orange."
**I am not interested in painting the cabinets- just the walls.
submitted by jubil0u to DesignMyRoom [link] [comments]
My previous kitchen had red walls and darker wood cabinets. I'm not sure if red will work with these cabinets. My dishes are black/red and black/yellow, and all my hand towels and other accents are red and brown.
My brain is stuck on something in the red or red-brown family but I am open to any suggestions as I have never had light cabinets. I don't want the room to look too "orange."
**I am not interested in painting the cabinets- just the walls.
2024.06.11 01:40 itsleoleoo How are men supposed to compete in the dating world
I just don't understand how men are supposed to compete in the dating world. It's so difficult to do everything right as a male: Own a home, own a car, have a good paying career, own a business, be attractive, be physically healthy and fit, be mentally available, be psychological healthy, travel, have money, have a limited romantic past, etc., etc., I can go on.
I'm barely turning 30, and I have maybe half of the stuff above, but I am always finding out from women about how unattractive or how they would never date a man without so and so. Like the more and more I progress through life, the less unfulfilling I realize I am. Like for example:
Home: I have my own home, but I'm always met with "oh, but it would be nice to have land, or live in this part of the city", as if me owning my own home isn't enough as is.
Vehicle wise: I need to get a bettenewer catruck. I have my car fully paid off and works great, it's just not visually appealing, but I'm saving so much money not having a car note.
Career wise: you need to be able to make more money so I can financially support my romantic partner, because that's what a real man is supposed to do. More and more, I run into partners that state that they want to be financially taken care of, and money/career is a very important part as a man in the dating world. I had a conversation with a partner that mentioned how nice it is to be a stay-at-home wife, and just manage the finances and the home, and that it's their dream to live like that.
Fitness wise: I'm not fat nor skinny, I have a bulky muscular build, and I can admit that I can lose 20 lbs., but I have a good amount of muscle in me to feel comfortable in my skin. I'm just tired of hearing when girls gloating about how they matched with this super handsome male, and he's shredded and ripped and looks like he spends a majority of his time at the gym.
Career: I work as an engineer (have my degree in Mechanical Engineering) and am trying to venture in the YouTube world as a side hobby by making math tutorial videos. I don't have a very interesting job/career, but it definitely pays my bills and then some. I make a comfortable living, but I don't think I have enough to support the lifestyle many girls dream about. I'm trying to figure out how to make some side income, but this leads on to my next problem:
Mental Availability: With all of the stuff we have to worry about, we are still expected to pay attention and set aside a good amount of time to satisfy the needs of our romantic partner, via listening, acts of kindness, planning dates, dinner, just time in general. As someone that I trying to grow myself and wealth, I find myself not having enough time to provide the time most women expect from a guy and then potentially leaving my romantic partner seeking attention elsewhere.
Limited romantic past: I've just been in enough romantic relationships where I'm tired of even bringing them up because it just becomes a constant comparison about how previous exes were treated, things that were done, etc. It's just a constant comparison with your past, and you just begin to build antagonists in your life when relationships break. You start to build a reputation with your past, and it's almost impossible to run from it, unless you move. I feel like you can live through life easier with less romantic partners, because they don't haunt you in the future.
These are just some rants about on how tough it is to be a male and still find a potential partner. I'm just seeing a constant pattern where I'm just never seen as good enough, and I don't want to settle for that. I have very amazing parents that showed me true love, and how hard work can get things done. My parents had absolutely nothing when I was born. Dad was a butcher and mom work part-time at a deli shop while taking care of me. When my parents first bought their first home, they never got an inspection and the house had termites. My dad transitioned to working as a carpenter at the time, and I remember being ~10 years old with our entire home exposed for months, while my dad replaced all the damaged wood in the home by himself because money was tight. Not once did my mom ever doubt him, and stuck by his side the entire time, they made everything work by sticking together. 99% of women today would have not chosen my dad as a partner due to the lack of the items mentioned above.
Most women I have talked to/dated have nowhere near the stuff a guy has. They never purchased a car (it was almost always gifted from dad), they don't own a home/apartment (still living with parents), they studied and went to school, but don't want to work in their field forever (what was the point of accumulating debt, and wasting time if you don't want to work then), talk to so many different guys and difficult to get their attention because they can't be alone (every girl I spoke too still had some connection with their ex, or had a casual hook up partner that was kept secret from public, all of them). The only thing women think that they focus on is traveling & looking attractive. They just glide through life, visiting new places, waiting for the right guy to fall into their lap.
Now I'm just going through life and realizing, IF & when I do end up achieving majority of the items that modern day women want, how do I know that they truly wanted me for me, and not for what I can offer them & this idea makes me feel that the future will be truly lonely for me. Since I waited so long to find a partner, one to build our wealth and future together. I don't want to be wanted by someone based on what I have accomplished, but I feel like that is the only way to get noticed now a days.
Rant over
submitted by itsleoleoo to rant [link] [comments]
I'm barely turning 30, and I have maybe half of the stuff above, but I am always finding out from women about how unattractive or how they would never date a man without so and so. Like the more and more I progress through life, the less unfulfilling I realize I am. Like for example:
Home: I have my own home, but I'm always met with "oh, but it would be nice to have land, or live in this part of the city", as if me owning my own home isn't enough as is.
Vehicle wise: I need to get a bettenewer catruck. I have my car fully paid off and works great, it's just not visually appealing, but I'm saving so much money not having a car note.
Career wise: you need to be able to make more money so I can financially support my romantic partner, because that's what a real man is supposed to do. More and more, I run into partners that state that they want to be financially taken care of, and money/career is a very important part as a man in the dating world. I had a conversation with a partner that mentioned how nice it is to be a stay-at-home wife, and just manage the finances and the home, and that it's their dream to live like that.
Fitness wise: I'm not fat nor skinny, I have a bulky muscular build, and I can admit that I can lose 20 lbs., but I have a good amount of muscle in me to feel comfortable in my skin. I'm just tired of hearing when girls gloating about how they matched with this super handsome male, and he's shredded and ripped and looks like he spends a majority of his time at the gym.
Career: I work as an engineer (have my degree in Mechanical Engineering) and am trying to venture in the YouTube world as a side hobby by making math tutorial videos. I don't have a very interesting job/career, but it definitely pays my bills and then some. I make a comfortable living, but I don't think I have enough to support the lifestyle many girls dream about. I'm trying to figure out how to make some side income, but this leads on to my next problem:
Mental Availability: With all of the stuff we have to worry about, we are still expected to pay attention and set aside a good amount of time to satisfy the needs of our romantic partner, via listening, acts of kindness, planning dates, dinner, just time in general. As someone that I trying to grow myself and wealth, I find myself not having enough time to provide the time most women expect from a guy and then potentially leaving my romantic partner seeking attention elsewhere.
Limited romantic past: I've just been in enough romantic relationships where I'm tired of even bringing them up because it just becomes a constant comparison about how previous exes were treated, things that were done, etc. It's just a constant comparison with your past, and you just begin to build antagonists in your life when relationships break. You start to build a reputation with your past, and it's almost impossible to run from it, unless you move. I feel like you can live through life easier with less romantic partners, because they don't haunt you in the future.
These are just some rants about on how tough it is to be a male and still find a potential partner. I'm just seeing a constant pattern where I'm just never seen as good enough, and I don't want to settle for that. I have very amazing parents that showed me true love, and how hard work can get things done. My parents had absolutely nothing when I was born. Dad was a butcher and mom work part-time at a deli shop while taking care of me. When my parents first bought their first home, they never got an inspection and the house had termites. My dad transitioned to working as a carpenter at the time, and I remember being ~10 years old with our entire home exposed for months, while my dad replaced all the damaged wood in the home by himself because money was tight. Not once did my mom ever doubt him, and stuck by his side the entire time, they made everything work by sticking together. 99% of women today would have not chosen my dad as a partner due to the lack of the items mentioned above.
Most women I have talked to/dated have nowhere near the stuff a guy has. They never purchased a car (it was almost always gifted from dad), they don't own a home/apartment (still living with parents), they studied and went to school, but don't want to work in their field forever (what was the point of accumulating debt, and wasting time if you don't want to work then), talk to so many different guys and difficult to get their attention because they can't be alone (every girl I spoke too still had some connection with their ex, or had a casual hook up partner that was kept secret from public, all of them). The only thing women think that they focus on is traveling & looking attractive. They just glide through life, visiting new places, waiting for the right guy to fall into their lap.
Now I'm just going through life and realizing, IF & when I do end up achieving majority of the items that modern day women want, how do I know that they truly wanted me for me, and not for what I can offer them & this idea makes me feel that the future will be truly lonely for me. Since I waited so long to find a partner, one to build our wealth and future together. I don't want to be wanted by someone based on what I have accomplished, but I feel like that is the only way to get noticed now a days.
Rant over
2024.06.11 01:00 Dan_T93 Mayhew vs Icon Punch & Chisel Set (after noticing the amount of pieces included, I dont think there is much of a competition here lol)
 | submitted by Dan_T93 to Tools [link] [comments] |
2024.06.11 00:57 rosenbsr [For Sale] Pink Floyd, Django Reinhardt, Desperate Angel, Moor Mother & Billy Woods, Tom Waits, Harry Connick, Jr., Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, The Miracles, Branford Marsalis, The Psychedelic Furs, Pearl Jam, Billie Holiday, Patterns In Peru, Passengers
Going through a couple massive collections. Adding inventory every day. Shipping starts at $5.
Passengers – Original Soundtracks 1 - $160
Patterns In Peru – This Is The Night - $50
Billie Holiday – Body And Soul - $99
Pearl Jam – No Code - $99
Branford Marsalis – I Heard You Twice The First Time - $75
The Psychedelic Furs – All Of This And Nothing - $75
Wynton Marsalis – Standard Time Vol. 2 Intimacy Calling - $110
Pavement – Slanted And Enchanted - $180
The Miracles – Love Machine - $700
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band* – Live In New York City - $60
Harry Connick, Jr. – She - $200
Tom Waits – Bone Machine - $165
Tom Waits – The Black Rider - $175
Moor Mother & Billy Woods – Brass - $100
Desperate Angel – Desperate Angel / Kid Rocker - $20
Django Reinhardt – Django - $165
Pink Floyd – '97 Vinyl Collection - $350
submitted by rosenbsr to VinylCollectors [link] [comments]
Passengers – Original Soundtracks 1 - $160
Patterns In Peru – This Is The Night - $50
Billie Holiday – Body And Soul - $99
Pearl Jam – No Code - $99
Branford Marsalis – I Heard You Twice The First Time - $75
The Psychedelic Furs – All Of This And Nothing - $75
Wynton Marsalis – Standard Time Vol. 2 Intimacy Calling - $110
Pavement – Slanted And Enchanted - $180
The Miracles – Love Machine - $700
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band* – Live In New York City - $60
Harry Connick, Jr. – She - $200
Tom Waits – Bone Machine - $165
Tom Waits – The Black Rider - $175
Moor Mother & Billy Woods – Brass - $100
Desperate Angel – Desperate Angel / Kid Rocker - $20
Django Reinhardt – Django - $165
Pink Floyd – '97 Vinyl Collection - $350
2024.06.11 00:16 milkinmytoast Next steps on responding to friend’s LEO husband beating my dog
Hi everyone. Here’s a good toilet read for you. I really could use some sage advice. Names have been changed.
I (30F) am the very lucky steward of a handsome 75-pound male Labrador, Cooper. Cooper has been with me since he was 8 weeks old, i trained him myself. When he was a puppy, a small dog bit him in the face, forever making him wary and cautious of other dogs regardless of size. I’ve tried working with him on it but didn’t work with him enough. Cooper is 6 now, and he’s getting more and more cantankerous with other pups. I still bring him to breweries and the like, we play first so he’s able to relax better. Cooper can sit, stay, wait, speak,but he’s reactive at the doorbell, other dogs and has nipped dogs to establish boundaries. (This behavior is not encouraged and even punished) He’s great with humans, babies and toddlers, and tolerant of cats. He just doesn’t like other dogs.
Two weeks ago, my friends (married couple, 30F and her husband 36M) got a new puppy! He’s their second dog. They brought only the puppy to my house to meet me and my partner. They’ve known Cooper the whole time I’ve had him. He’s been to their house for 4th of July, dinner parties, birthdays, etc. The husband is a bit clean-freaky and insists I wipe my dog’s paws every time he comes into their house; even after quick potty breaks in their back yard. I’m respectful, it’s a nice house, baby wipes cost $2. Sure.
Back to the incident. In my yard, the puppy was curious approached him head on. Cooper growled and nipped this poor puppy on the head and he started to scream and yelp… and bleed. Head wound. 🩸 Now, the next few points all happened in 30-60 seconds. There were 4 humans present. Myself, my partner, the husband and the wife, and the 2 dogs.
My partner and I back at my house gather their other belongings and my wallet and a clean shirt for my friend. We take a minute to breathe, I weep, try to check on cooper but partner said he looked ok, and we had to leave. We get to the emergency vet. I see my friends. Wife’s shirt is stained with blood and they’re both quiet. Holding their napping, pain medicated puppy. His head wound was cleaned up (single soft tissue puncture, no stitches) and he was sent home with a cone, pain pills, antibiotics, and I paid the $450 bill. I apologized profusely, told them that Cooper’s behavior was NOT okay, and I’d contact a trainer immediately. Husband murmurs over and over “he didn’t do anything to deserve this, he’s just a little guy, he was just minding his business” etc etc. wife is silent. My friends didn’t look me in the eye. I noticed this and asked if they hated me, they said absolutely not, and gave us hugs goodbye.
We rush home to cooper. My partner googled how to give a dog a physical, and I palpated him all over. He was shaking and scared but so happy to see his Mama. No broken bones, no obvious soreness (to my surprise), no internal bleeding, no blood in the eyes or mouth. Gum color was good. He was walking fine. I called his vet and explained he had a fall (was still processing) and they told me to bring him in if the soreness was worse than a couple days or if he threw up/ had the runs. Had neither. He was sore, the second day, limping a little for a little over a day and was back to his normal, playful self. He was given dog pain med and monitored closely.
It was that night I realized my front door camera caught most of the incident (damn you 30 second recording intervals) but, I have it on video and my friends are unaware of this fact.
Now, in the weeks since the incident, I have checked in with the wife how she was doing, how the puppy was doing. He did great! Healed up after 5 days and she posted a photo of him on social media on that 5th day. Didn’t see a mark. Not once did she ask about cooper. I also haven’t heard anything from her husband. He likes to send me things on social media. Radio silence. I’ve partnered with a dog trainer & I find myself getting frustrated because it is I who really needs the training. Our 3rd session is this week of 6 sessions. I’ll continue working with Cooper so this never happens again. Cooper normally sleeps at the foot of the bed but he’s been hiding beneath it. He aggressively jumped and barked at a neighbor walking his dog the other day. Cooper. Does. Not. Do. That. On top of that, I’ve been having nightmares about someone coming after cooper. My partner had to tell me to stop watching the security cam videos over and over- so it’s been about a week since I’ve watched them. My sleep has been affected so I find myself staying up ungodly late to play video games just so I don’t have to sleep and have more nightmares. Usually when I’m so exhausted I’m nauseous, I don’t dream.
My question is this. What are my next steps? I’m concerned that the Husband loses his job. They just bought their house and can’t afford it on her salary. Also, where I live, precincts are so desperate for staff, they might just slap him on the wrist and let him continue working. My ultimate dreaded conclusion is, I lose the wife. The wife is my ride or die. She was there through my heartbreaks, my family issues, helped me move like 5 times, and I’ve known her forever. She’s a spectacular human being. She shows up when nobody else does. Her husband treats her well (to my knowledge) and he has never made me feel unsafe or uncomfortable in the 8.5 years I’ve known him, but lately (last year or so) he’s shown a pattern of behavior of his anger issues. The Wife stopped being friends with her other bestie Lucy because Lucy told her that Cop Husband was goofing around at a party and hit her against a wall maybe? (I forget the details). I didn’t attend this party because I don’t like Lucy much and the party was at her house. Lucy has been known to exaggerate, be a show off, put on a false front, and the fakeness gives me the ick. We stopped being friends in 2016 but we were cordial when we saw each other at the Husband’s Academy graduation. I’m pretty sure she doesn’t like me either lol. Wife didn’t see this happen, & was told by her husband that it was a miscommunication & ultimately sided with her husband. There were other things that ended that friendship like alleged drg activity and the fact that Lucy dates a drg dealer but that’s neither here nor there. I am considering reaching out to Lucy.
My dad advised to ask Husband how he felt his reaction was in the moment. Gauge his response FRESH and base my next steps on that. If he atones and apologizes, I’m going to urge him to take an anger management class + talking to a counselor. I do believe people can change, and because of my long friendship with him, I want to try to be a friend first. I 1000% will keep the video. If he feels his actions justified, I’m taking the videos to his leadership and potentially filing a report for animal abuse. Come what may.
It sucks that the dogs got into this but it boils down to how humans react. I accepted my responsibility for Cooper. While I did need a moment to snap into action, I have taken all the steps necessary to repair this and have received none back.
I’m upset and ANGRY that he’s the only one supposedly trained in de-escalation. Also, while he was off duty, I’ve known the guy almost a decade and I’m 90% sure he was packing heat as well. So anyway. Advice on what I can do/ should do going forward would be helpful. Or how I could have handled things differently.
submitted by milkinmytoast to Advice [link] [comments]
I (30F) am the very lucky steward of a handsome 75-pound male Labrador, Cooper. Cooper has been with me since he was 8 weeks old, i trained him myself. When he was a puppy, a small dog bit him in the face, forever making him wary and cautious of other dogs regardless of size. I’ve tried working with him on it but didn’t work with him enough. Cooper is 6 now, and he’s getting more and more cantankerous with other pups. I still bring him to breweries and the like, we play first so he’s able to relax better. Cooper can sit, stay, wait, speak,but he’s reactive at the doorbell, other dogs and has nipped dogs to establish boundaries. (This behavior is not encouraged and even punished) He’s great with humans, babies and toddlers, and tolerant of cats. He just doesn’t like other dogs.
Two weeks ago, my friends (married couple, 30F and her husband 36M) got a new puppy! He’s their second dog. They brought only the puppy to my house to meet me and my partner. They’ve known Cooper the whole time I’ve had him. He’s been to their house for 4th of July, dinner parties, birthdays, etc. The husband is a bit clean-freaky and insists I wipe my dog’s paws every time he comes into their house; even after quick potty breaks in their back yard. I’m respectful, it’s a nice house, baby wipes cost $2. Sure.
Back to the incident. In my yard, the puppy was curious approached him head on. Cooper growled and nipped this poor puppy on the head and he started to scream and yelp… and bleed. Head wound. 🩸 Now, the next few points all happened in 30-60 seconds. There were 4 humans present. Myself, my partner, the husband and the wife, and the 2 dogs.
- The moment the puppy yelps, the husband grabs Cooper by the neck and throws him violently to the ground. Then he rushes him before he can get up and punched Cooper repeatedly. The husband lifts weights at the gym daily. He’s tall, very strong, and so large he has to twist his arms differently because they’re so big. Cooper’s trying to scurry away on the grass and the husband just follows him, punching him keeping him on the ground. Whole thing lasts 10 seconds.
- Simultaneously, the wife picks up her crying puppy and starts to weep “[My nickname], he’s bleeding. Oh my god he’s bleeding! Oh god! It’s okay baby, it’s okay baby…”
- My partner and I both freeze. Immediately I think OK, who needs my attention first? Is that Blood? Ok, blood it is. So I turn to walk in the house to grab a towel for this puppy and it occurs to me the cop is not stopping. I yell “[Husband], ENOUGH!” Then he finally stops and I recall Cooper into the house. He scurries inside and hides under my bed.
- Immediately the husband turns to his wife and sees her crying, shirt covered in blood. He goes ballistic. Follows me into the house, screams at me and cusses. I’m going to substitute the F word for Flower and the S word for Salt.
- “Flower your dog, what the flower was that? How could this Flowering happen? Cheese and Rice, [my nickname], holy Salt! JFC, you better get your flowering credit card because you’re flowering paying for this. FLOWER!!!!!”
My partner and I back at my house gather their other belongings and my wallet and a clean shirt for my friend. We take a minute to breathe, I weep, try to check on cooper but partner said he looked ok, and we had to leave. We get to the emergency vet. I see my friends. Wife’s shirt is stained with blood and they’re both quiet. Holding their napping, pain medicated puppy. His head wound was cleaned up (single soft tissue puncture, no stitches) and he was sent home with a cone, pain pills, antibiotics, and I paid the $450 bill. I apologized profusely, told them that Cooper’s behavior was NOT okay, and I’d contact a trainer immediately. Husband murmurs over and over “he didn’t do anything to deserve this, he’s just a little guy, he was just minding his business” etc etc. wife is silent. My friends didn’t look me in the eye. I noticed this and asked if they hated me, they said absolutely not, and gave us hugs goodbye.
We rush home to cooper. My partner googled how to give a dog a physical, and I palpated him all over. He was shaking and scared but so happy to see his Mama. No broken bones, no obvious soreness (to my surprise), no internal bleeding, no blood in the eyes or mouth. Gum color was good. He was walking fine. I called his vet and explained he had a fall (was still processing) and they told me to bring him in if the soreness was worse than a couple days or if he threw up/ had the runs. Had neither. He was sore, the second day, limping a little for a little over a day and was back to his normal, playful self. He was given dog pain med and monitored closely.
It was that night I realized my front door camera caught most of the incident (damn you 30 second recording intervals) but, I have it on video and my friends are unaware of this fact.
Now, in the weeks since the incident, I have checked in with the wife how she was doing, how the puppy was doing. He did great! Healed up after 5 days and she posted a photo of him on social media on that 5th day. Didn’t see a mark. Not once did she ask about cooper. I also haven’t heard anything from her husband. He likes to send me things on social media. Radio silence. I’ve partnered with a dog trainer & I find myself getting frustrated because it is I who really needs the training. Our 3rd session is this week of 6 sessions. I’ll continue working with Cooper so this never happens again. Cooper normally sleeps at the foot of the bed but he’s been hiding beneath it. He aggressively jumped and barked at a neighbor walking his dog the other day. Cooper. Does. Not. Do. That. On top of that, I’ve been having nightmares about someone coming after cooper. My partner had to tell me to stop watching the security cam videos over and over- so it’s been about a week since I’ve watched them. My sleep has been affected so I find myself staying up ungodly late to play video games just so I don’t have to sleep and have more nightmares. Usually when I’m so exhausted I’m nauseous, I don’t dream.
My question is this. What are my next steps? I’m concerned that the Husband loses his job. They just bought their house and can’t afford it on her salary. Also, where I live, precincts are so desperate for staff, they might just slap him on the wrist and let him continue working. My ultimate dreaded conclusion is, I lose the wife. The wife is my ride or die. She was there through my heartbreaks, my family issues, helped me move like 5 times, and I’ve known her forever. She’s a spectacular human being. She shows up when nobody else does. Her husband treats her well (to my knowledge) and he has never made me feel unsafe or uncomfortable in the 8.5 years I’ve known him, but lately (last year or so) he’s shown a pattern of behavior of his anger issues. The Wife stopped being friends with her other bestie Lucy because Lucy told her that Cop Husband was goofing around at a party and hit her against a wall maybe? (I forget the details). I didn’t attend this party because I don’t like Lucy much and the party was at her house. Lucy has been known to exaggerate, be a show off, put on a false front, and the fakeness gives me the ick. We stopped being friends in 2016 but we were cordial when we saw each other at the Husband’s Academy graduation. I’m pretty sure she doesn’t like me either lol. Wife didn’t see this happen, & was told by her husband that it was a miscommunication & ultimately sided with her husband. There were other things that ended that friendship like alleged drg activity and the fact that Lucy dates a drg dealer but that’s neither here nor there. I am considering reaching out to Lucy.
My dad advised to ask Husband how he felt his reaction was in the moment. Gauge his response FRESH and base my next steps on that. If he atones and apologizes, I’m going to urge him to take an anger management class + talking to a counselor. I do believe people can change, and because of my long friendship with him, I want to try to be a friend first. I 1000% will keep the video. If he feels his actions justified, I’m taking the videos to his leadership and potentially filing a report for animal abuse. Come what may.
It sucks that the dogs got into this but it boils down to how humans react. I accepted my responsibility for Cooper. While I did need a moment to snap into action, I have taken all the steps necessary to repair this and have received none back.
I’m upset and ANGRY that he’s the only one supposedly trained in de-escalation. Also, while he was off duty, I’ve known the guy almost a decade and I’m 90% sure he was packing heat as well. So anyway. Advice on what I can do/ should do going forward would be helpful. Or how I could have handled things differently.
2024.06.11 00:10 Mountain_Counter929 🔮Making Aliens based off Every Pokemon Type combination (Psychic)
Psychic/Normal: Lab Rat (Lab Mouse that can detect and locate anything )
Species: Animutarae Musculus
Planet: Splissengenetic
Appearance
Psychic/Grass: Ultimate Bioburst(See Original in Grass Types)
Appearance
Appearance
Appearance
Psychic/Elctric: Yonous Nemetri predator of the Neurocnidarian (See Nervezzz in Electric Types)
Appearance
Psychic/Flying: Horavore the nemetrix predator of the Areali (See Unadfo in Flying Types)
Psychic/Ice: Ultimate Snow Heads (See original in Ice Name)
Appearance
Appearance
Psychic/Rock: Ultimate Caststone (See Original in Rock Types)
Appearance
Appearance
Psychic/Fighting: Ultimate Muscle Memory (See Original in Fighting Types)
Appearance
Species: Placebean Planet: Psychotaushen
Appearance
Psychic/Ghost: Mind Hopper (Goofy Mind Swapping Frog Skeleton)
Species: Spectanura
Planet: Kaneesus
Appearance
Psychic/Dragon: Psygancic (Lovecraftian Dragon)
Species: Acshh’huppie
Planet: Carfletrov
Appearance:
Psychic/Steel: Dial Driver (Time and space traveler MCU-like time rules ) Species: Chronobile
Planet: Cycrone
Appearance
Fighting/Dark: Desevil (Genie Devil Monkey’s Paw)
Species: Yadjin
Planet: No Planet of Origin
Appearance
Fighting/Fairy: Emojo (Wonderland themed Mantis from Marvel)
Species: Lysergian
Planet: Troulapin
Appearance
submitted by Mountain_Counter929 to Ben10 [link] [comments]
Species: Animutarae Musculus
Planet: Splissengenetic
Appearance
- White Mouse-based
- Large Rectangular Object growing out of back
- Black-opal eyes
- Enhanced Intelligence
- Enhanced Memory
- Able to locate the exact distance of objects in mind
- Able to Detect every the component and composition in nearby objects
- This Includes Emotion Detection from speech
- Omnilingual
- While able to detect components of an object, doesn’t automatically mean they know what the components are/what the object is.
- Small Size/Fragile Body
Psychic/Grass: Ultimate Bioburst(See Original in Grass Types)
Appearance
- Cosmic Latte Glowing Color
- Universe Spiral Symbol On Stomach
- Lack of plant/animal features on body
- Able to absorb multiple objects within a “biosphere”, and can absorb up to the entire Universe
- Objects Inside will experience regular time until the end of the universe, which will take place in seconds to outside observers
- Will instill an end to universe
- Afterwards will blast the biosphere with larger range and force equivalent to the Big Bang
- Rapidly and perfectly recreates the objects absorbed during impact, relocating them as their original state when absorbed
- Levitation
- Stronger Body
- Takes more concentration and time to absorb objects into biosphere
- Needs more mass to create biosphere
- Living organisms do not re-evolve, and are recreated exactly as they were before absorption
Appearance
- Visible body outline
- Body switches between glowing like a red sun or having skin consisting of a dark space themed texture with multiple mini stars, and planets along the surface.
- Able to control Rotation of planets and planetoids
- By extent, able to control the season and climate of current planet
- Gains the ability to accelerate or slow growth/metabolism of living organisms
- Loses ability to emit solar flares
- Can’t control solar heat directly
- Unable to emphasize biological solar light
- Noticeably Slower
Appearance
- Komodo dragon-based body
- One eye in the center
- Square Protrusible Jaws with four giant fangs
- Black Leather Skin
- Metal-like Chitin growing on Head and Limbs
- Long Retractible Claws
- Spear like-tail
- Temperature based vision
- Sharp Claws
- Superheated Breath
- Voice Mimicry
- Able to launch eggs from tail
- Vacuum Adaptation
- Able to move at high speeds in space
- Limited Flight
- Eggs thrive in the pocket dimension shared by Psyoniarti, eventually hatching and consuming the species from inside
Psychic/Elctric: Yonous Nemetri predator of the Neurocnidarian (See Nervezzz in Electric Types)
Appearance
- Varies due to species
- Unique glowing parts of body
- Unique for each species of Anatomo
- Shapeshifting
- In the case of the Neurocnidarian:
- Nervous System activity hypnotizes prey, eventually absorbs the energy/consciousness inside self
Psychic/Flying: Horavore the nemetrix predator of the Areali (See Unadfo in Flying Types)
- Pure Black
- Round stone-like body
- Three-fold mouth
- Multiple Sharp teeth
- Larger than a planet
- Invisibility
- Camouflaged Skin
- Intangibility
- High speed consumption of planets in second time
- Able to sense the entirety of a planet
Psychic/Ice: Ultimate Snow Heads (See original in Ice Name)
Appearance
- Multiple minds the size and appearance of snowflakes
- Clustered in a large clouds able to be cover a city
- Bodies able to live in different states of matter and refold themselves into ice
- Extreme Heat resistance
- Multiple bodies cools down temp of objects around it by snowing on them to quickly freeze their targets
- Able to completely control frozen targets, even animate frozen objects
- Heat can release control of targets
- Unable to freeze targets in a non-solid form
- Takes a while falling and controlling targets, limited movement while snowing, can’t chase targets for a long distance control like base
Appearance
- Cicada Based Body and swings
- Long Trilobite Like-tail
- Buzzsaw like Jaws
- Flight
- Material consumption
- Burrowing
- Regenerates when remnants interact with psychic energy created by the Murncy
- Able to resurrect and call other Phanticada from buried remnants in a long radius
Psychic/Rock: Ultimate Caststone (See Original in Rock Types)
Appearance
- Vines on Body
- Wood-Like Appendages
- Large Wizard-Like Cloak
- Metal Attachments for Helmet and Gauntlets
- Digital Screen-Like eyes
- Omnilingual
- Knowledge of all Magical Languages
- Instaneously learns any new magical language
- Able to enchant texts of any language on any material
- Like Turning a regular book into a spell book
- Able to remove text off any material
- Objects with removed texts cannot have text replaced
- Enchants objects to hold/expell the magic from enchanted texts
- Able to manipulate perception of speech/writing of targets in a city wide radius
- Enhanced Magical Capabilities
- Needs magical texts physically to be read to perform spells
- Can’t remove or enchant texts off of digital objects
- Needs to learn a consistent code
- Spells varies depending on the material the text is removed and the text removed
- Generally the older the object and the more texts/languages used the more powerful the spell
- Doesn’t initially start out with runes/texts on body
- Enchantment on texts can be exhausted
- Loses text/characters when knocked out
- Gathered text comes back to their origin
- Less durable and weaker than original form
Appearance
- Red and Cyan Coloring
- Small frog based body
- Extendable tongue
- Leaping
- Color Changing Skin
- Regenerates when remnants interact with psychic energy created by the Murncy
- Discretely implants large transparent venomous orb in prey’s body via tongue
- Able to sense location of orb
- Orb is not rendered an immediate danger and isn’t expelled out of the prey’s body
- Orb slowly rises or decreases in temperature over time causes the prey’s body to slowly adapt and expend effort into resisting the changing temperature
- At it’s highest/lowest temperature the orb will immediately freeze or burn the prey’s body in a drastic and sudden change that the target’s body can’t adapt to fast enough, quickly killing the target
Psychic/Fighting: Ultimate Muscle Memory (See Original in Fighting Types)
Appearance
- Stronger layers of Muscle over body
- Head becomes a more bulbous brain shape with less
- Circle-shaped markings on body
- Bright Cyan Color
- Near omniscience intellect
- Applies knowledge to navigate environment and react with near precognition-like skills
- Able to open skin up to expose brain and senses everything on a world-wide radius, gaining complete knowledge on everything it senses
- Brain vulnerable when exposed
- Cannot see or speak
- Limited hearing
- Can only sense new objects in depth by exposing brain
- Brain takes a few seconds to learn as opposes to the base form’s constant learning from sight
Species: Placebean Planet: Psychotaushen
Appearance
- Humanoid Body
- Scaled
- Snake eyes and tongue
- Purple and Black coloring
- Long Forked whip-like tail.
- Short Horns
- Neutrotoxin Saliva
- Large amounts of saliva is spewed when talking
- Spit is generally odorless and colorless
- Omnilingual
- Neurotoxin on skin causes the victim to believe physiological effects said by (Species).
- Examples being “You gain a Rash when touching Wood” “The Ground makes you slow” “My Stare can but you to sleep” Things that effect the target’s body and mind.
- Voice able to trigger neurotoxins even through technology
- Can even simulate death.
- Even affects target that know of the poison.
- Examples being “You gain a Rash when touching Wood” “The Ground makes you slow” “My Stare can but you to sleep” Things that effect the target’s body and mind.
- All effects are reversed once toxins are removed
- Toxins are removed after time
- Usually can only create one or two effects at a time depending on how physiologically demanding the effect is
- Effects can be ignored by force of will
- Effects are ignored by species too unintelligent to understand effects
- Psychological effects usually require an audio trigger, and can’t be immediate
- Effects cannot be physiologically impossible
Psychic/Ghost: Mind Hopper (Goofy Mind Swapping Frog Skeleton)
Species: Spectanura
Planet: Kaneesus
Appearance
- Legged tadpole based body
- Translucent Skull like head
- Human Spine for a tail
- Two bent legs akin to a Human Skeletons
- Invisibility
- Leaping
- Able to implant tail inside target’s head
- Mind reading.
- Memory Reading
- Mind Swapping with target
- Able to remove and encase brain/mind from target and hold onto body
- Able to swap the encased minds of target with another target
- Specific knowledge on how to swap minds with other Spectanura.
- Mindswap targets usually poorly operate body, and can’t go invisible.
- Can only hold one mind at a time, and can’t voluntarily let go of absorbed mind
- Targets may be able to swap minds with a connected Spectarua depending on knowledge and training
- Mindswap reverts to normal after omnitrix transformation
Psychic/Dragon: Psygancic (Lovecraftian Dragon)
Species: Acshh’huppie
Planet: Carfletrov
Appearance:
- Large Dragon body
- Multiple spider-like eyes
- Tentacles growing from body
- Enlarged head
- Disorganized Body dhspr
- Gigantic Size
- Gigantic Body
- Gargantuan Strength
- Flight
- Vacuum Adaptation
- Acidic Breath
- Untouchable body on another plane of existence
- Able to make eye contact on selected targets
- Telepathy
- Mind Control, Possession, Induced Illusions of targets made eye contact with it
- Able to project images of self stronger from bodies of possessed targets
- Able to make contact with those deeply under its influence or close by that target
- Can’t normally make bodily contact with targets out of its plane of existence
- Total possession/control of target is a gradual process
- Targets can fight influence out of its head
Psychic/Steel: Dial Driver (Time and space traveler MCU-like time rules ) Species: Chronobile
Planet: Cycrone
Appearance
- Single wheel like-limb in center for legs
- Light blue body and head
- See through organ holding a space based liquid
- Large pupils
- Vacuum Adaptation
- Unaging
- High rolling speed (Comparable to a motorcycle)
- Able to teleport into a specific time and place by using specialized internal fuel
- Can transport others, by excreting fuel on objects
- Fuel requires energy
- Their “time-line” is not affected by time travel
- Interactions made after returning from a previous time will not have happened, nor would future effects from returning to a future time will happen.
- Fuel can be depleted, leaving the
stranded on their point in time until fuel is replenished which can take years or centuries
Fighting/Dark: Desevil (Genie Devil Monkey’s Paw)
Species: Yadjin
Planet: No Planet of Origin
Appearance
- Gorilla Body
- Goat Head
- Usually wears Golden Bracelets
- Smoke Based Bottom tied to an object (Usually a lamp or bottle)
- Shapeshifting
- Reality Manipulation/Wish Granting
- Able to Reach levels equivalent to a Celestialsapien
- Relic Shelter
- Immortality
- Can only grant one wish per person
- Can only reach high levels of Reality Manipulating when given a wish
- Must grant the wish on a technical term
- Wish must be manipulated to cause distress/misfortune onto the user
- Malevolent personality
- Restraint to the object their connected to
Fighting/Fairy: Emojo (Wonderland themed Mantis from Marvel)
Species: Lysergian
Planet: Troulapin
Appearance
- Swirl Tie-die pattern rainbow fur
- Mushroom-like cap
- Long caterpillar like body
- Furry Cat-like head
- Masked pattern on head
- Empath abilities
- Emotional Manipulation
- Emotional Sensing
- Light Hypnosis
- Telepathy
- Able to induce hallucinations or a state of delirium in targets
- A bit mentally slow
- Low Camouflage
- Lower Athleticism
2024.06.10 23:43 funkymoves91 Refinishing oak countertop. Used various cleaning and primer products, and now I've got some lighter spots that don't go away.
Hi woodworking community !
As said in the title, I'm refinishing an oak countertop because it was previously done badly and lot's of dark water spots/tannin spots were appearing.
I completely sanded the old finish with 100 and then 240 grit sandpaper. I then wanted to remove the darkest tannin spots (mainly around the sink and induction stove openings) and used some Rubio Tanin Remover. After removing it with some towels, I let things dry and re-sanded with 240 grit paper.
When I started applying my two-part finish (From "Anova Bois", a french company), I started with the anti-tannin primer (PAT400), and I already noticed than on the areas where I had previously used the Rubio Tannin remover, something weird was happening because it looked transparent everywhere on the wood, expect in those spots where it was milky before drying. I thought that then applying a first coat of varnish (VPT500) would reduce the difference in tone, but it didn't change anything, I still have some lighter spots, and it looks like there is none of the lacker's "glossy feel" on those spots as well.
Photos : https://imgur.com/a/MFkU6W8
I now don't know what to do. Should I sand everything down again ? What then ? Should I apply the Rubio Tannin Remover everywhere, wipe it off, dry, re-sand, and then re-apply my two-part finish ? Or do something else ? Or should I just apply more finish and it will go away ? Is the wood just "dryed out" in those spots, and it needs more varnish ? (I doubt it but what do I know)
submitted by funkymoves91 to woodworking [link] [comments]
As said in the title, I'm refinishing an oak countertop because it was previously done badly and lot's of dark water spots/tannin spots were appearing.
I completely sanded the old finish with 100 and then 240 grit sandpaper. I then wanted to remove the darkest tannin spots (mainly around the sink and induction stove openings) and used some Rubio Tanin Remover. After removing it with some towels, I let things dry and re-sanded with 240 grit paper.
When I started applying my two-part finish (From "Anova Bois", a french company), I started with the anti-tannin primer (PAT400), and I already noticed than on the areas where I had previously used the Rubio Tannin remover, something weird was happening because it looked transparent everywhere on the wood, expect in those spots where it was milky before drying. I thought that then applying a first coat of varnish (VPT500) would reduce the difference in tone, but it didn't change anything, I still have some lighter spots, and it looks like there is none of the lacker's "glossy feel" on those spots as well.
Photos : https://imgur.com/a/MFkU6W8
I now don't know what to do. Should I sand everything down again ? What then ? Should I apply the Rubio Tannin Remover everywhere, wipe it off, dry, re-sand, and then re-apply my two-part finish ? Or do something else ? Or should I just apply more finish and it will go away ? Is the wood just "dryed out" in those spots, and it needs more varnish ? (I doubt it but what do I know)
2024.06.10 23:17 StoriesAreLife Can a 16" RH loom handle bigger projects (shawls, blankets, clothing...)?
Hi folks! Pretty much what it says on the tin. I got a "weaving starter kit" from the Woolery last year, which included a 16" Ashford SampleIt loom. It's a lovely portable little thing and very nice to work with, but… I'm beginning to think I made a mistake and should have sprung for a 20" or 24" loom, because when I'm poking around online or in books looking for cool stuff to make, so often the patterns call for a minimum 20" weaving width! (Here's a tote bag that just popped up the other day: https://woolery.com/our-blog?p=rigid-heddle-plaid-tote-project .) I did a scarf as a test project, and it came out pretty cool-looking, but I don't really need many scarves/have that many people to give scarves to. (Dishtowels are a similar problem.) What I always daydream about is making stuff like shawls/wraps or vests I can wear or something.
So… advice for scaling projects to the smaller loom? Or maybe learning doubleweave and adapting for that? Or, should I just throw in the towel (and another $300) and upgrade to a larger loom?
Thanks :)
submitted by StoriesAreLife to weaving [link] [comments]
So… advice for scaling projects to the smaller loom? Or maybe learning doubleweave and adapting for that? Or, should I just throw in the towel (and another $300) and upgrade to a larger loom?
Thanks :)
2024.06.10 22:19 bumersmasturbate1010 How much do I stink based off my fav albums/eps
 | submitted by bumersmasturbate1010 to Topster [link] [comments] |
2024.06.10 22:16 Chak-Ek YOU KNOW YOU’RE A GREAT DANE OWNER WHEN…
The sound of running water makes you jump up and yell, "OUTSIDE!"
You tell your dog to sit, and he backs up until he finds a chair.
It takes 3 people to get your dog on the scale at the vets.
You walk your dog and everyone knows him by name, but you have no idea who these people are.
You can carry on a conversation with a dog's muzzle firmly in your crotch.
You own a dog capable of pulling someone from a porta john.
Your dog can hide an entire tennis ball (among other things) fully inside his lips and give you that innocent look that says, "What? I'm not eating anything!”
You carry a tape measure with you when shopping for a new vehicle.
You keep at least one color-coded "drool towel" in every room of your house.
After banishing you, the snoring in your bedroom still keeps your wife awake.
You are hiking with a friend who later suggests that you ought to have an environmental impact statement done on your dog.
Visitors enter the house holding their privates protectively.
You toss your dog a ball and cringe when he almost hits his head on the top of the doorway.
You take your dog for a ride and he rests his head on your arm, causing you to make random right turns.
You have given up on water dishes and you just use the bathtub.
Your two dogs decide to play in the house, and they end up pulling the ceiling fan down -- for the second time.
You have to move over when brushing your teeth because your dog wants a drink.
You show a picture of your dogs and kids together, and the first person you point out is the dog.
While stopped at a stop light, everyone stares as your car rocks back and forth because your dog is panting out the window.
You go to vacuum your car and most of the fur is up there on the ceiling.
You avoid the dogs on your way out the door, so they won't cover you with hair.
You've learned to force a smile when asked "do you have a saddle for that thing?"
The monthly dog budget exceeds your home mortgage payment.
Your veterinarian has been able to put in a swimming pool, build a large home, buy jet skis and a private jet.
You have had to train your dog not to lick dishes, and the dishes are in the sink.
The donuts you put on top of the refrigerator are gone when you get home and your dog has powdered sugar on his nose.
Your dog can see what you're cooking, and he tries to assist you in the preparation.
You're holding him straddled between your legs when the doorbell rings; you take a short (but fast!) ride straight to the door.
The pizza delivery people tell you to meet them at the end of the sidewalk.
Your dog stands in your lap and reaches over you to stick his head in the drive-through window at MacDonald's and nearly gives the cashier a heart attack when she turns around to give you your change.
You purchase a large screen TV and you still can't see the program when he stands in front the television.
After surgery, your bored pup decides to get up and cruise around the vet's office—pulling rolling IV stand behind him.
Your friends refer to your dog as the "Great Pain".
Your birdbath doubles as a water dish.
You are still buying vans long after the kids have graduated from college.
You're known at the local Home Depot hardware store as "the guy with the Dog Project".
You walk your dog and people cross the street to avoid you.
Every knick-knack in the house resides above the 5 foot mark
You hand out slobber cloths to your guests when they arrive.
You purchased an extra sofa just for the dogs
Your dog knows how to open the bathroom door (but he never closes it)
You have to explain to a guest why she just sat down on a wet toilet seat
You are covered with bruises and no one calls the police
Someone is following too closely and you want them to back off so you have your dog stand up – they drop back 10 car lengths
You got a speeding ticket because your dog's foot was on the accelerator
Guests tell your dog to "sit," and he/she immediately sits – on them
The pet food distributor delivers directly to your home and the dog food is delivered by 3/4 ton vehicles
You show pictures of yourself next to your dog and people say "you were sitting down, right?"
Your dog uses your old station wagon as his dog house because he's figured out how to open the door and let himself in for a nap
You wish someone would make a rawhide bone that would last more than 5 minutes. Your dog agrees, and he starts in on the pillars supporting your porch
You have to explain to the insurance adjuster that those holes in your home's pillars are not termite damage
You walk your dog and someone asks you, "Is that a Dalmatian on steroids?"
Regular doggie nail clippers don't make it through one paw. You use side cutter and a dremel tool
You look at the 18" feed stands they sell in the wholesale catalogs and wonder when they are going to get smart and make a 30" version
You stay out of the woods during hunting season, and you buy your dog an orange vest to wear whenever he goes outside
When other dogs see your dog, they are confused as to just what exactly "it" is
You have considered x-rays or lost a toenail after the dog stepped on your foot
You tell company to "watch out for land mines" before going into your backyard
You go to a feed store you visited just once (last year) and they remember you
You can walk your dog comfortably... holding his collar
You have not been able to navigate through your house in a straight line for years
You have had to explain to your dentist how your teeth get knocked loose (your dog raised his head too fast)
You have no window screens left intact on your house
Your T-shirt has paw prints on the shoulders
Your cats prefer to eat their meals on the top of the fridge
You build a fence to contain your dog, and suddenly you can't see your neighbor's house
Your dog can palm a basketball – in his mouth
Your friends stop dropping over to visit
Your dog can eat a large pig's ear in under 3 minutes
The neighborhood kids sneak up to the gate on their way home from school and say "See? I told you
You use a snow shovel for a pooper scooper
You replace your full wave waterbed mattress for a motionless mattress because when the dog turns three times before laying down, it is like being on a North Sea fishing boat in winter.
You’re showering and suddenly your dog joins you... for a drink
Your puppy's newest toy is your daughter's 8-pound bowling ball
You walk through the house at 2 a.m. to let him out and you accidentally kick his giant bone – you go to the hospital for stitches on your big toe
You really can blame rude noises on the dog
The mailman rings the doorbell, runs to his truck, and waits for you to come to the curb to give you your mail
Your dog backs up out of small rooms
submitted by Chak-Ek to greatdanes [link] [comments]
You tell your dog to sit, and he backs up until he finds a chair.
It takes 3 people to get your dog on the scale at the vets.
You walk your dog and everyone knows him by name, but you have no idea who these people are.
You can carry on a conversation with a dog's muzzle firmly in your crotch.
You own a dog capable of pulling someone from a porta john.
Your dog can hide an entire tennis ball (among other things) fully inside his lips and give you that innocent look that says, "What? I'm not eating anything!”
You carry a tape measure with you when shopping for a new vehicle.
You keep at least one color-coded "drool towel" in every room of your house.
After banishing you, the snoring in your bedroom still keeps your wife awake.
You are hiking with a friend who later suggests that you ought to have an environmental impact statement done on your dog.
Visitors enter the house holding their privates protectively.
You toss your dog a ball and cringe when he almost hits his head on the top of the doorway.
You take your dog for a ride and he rests his head on your arm, causing you to make random right turns.
You have given up on water dishes and you just use the bathtub.
Your two dogs decide to play in the house, and they end up pulling the ceiling fan down -- for the second time.
You have to move over when brushing your teeth because your dog wants a drink.
You show a picture of your dogs and kids together, and the first person you point out is the dog.
While stopped at a stop light, everyone stares as your car rocks back and forth because your dog is panting out the window.
You go to vacuum your car and most of the fur is up there on the ceiling.
You avoid the dogs on your way out the door, so they won't cover you with hair.
You've learned to force a smile when asked "do you have a saddle for that thing?"
The monthly dog budget exceeds your home mortgage payment.
Your veterinarian has been able to put in a swimming pool, build a large home, buy jet skis and a private jet.
You have had to train your dog not to lick dishes, and the dishes are in the sink.
The donuts you put on top of the refrigerator are gone when you get home and your dog has powdered sugar on his nose.
Your dog can see what you're cooking, and he tries to assist you in the preparation.
You're holding him straddled between your legs when the doorbell rings; you take a short (but fast!) ride straight to the door.
The pizza delivery people tell you to meet them at the end of the sidewalk.
Your dog stands in your lap and reaches over you to stick his head in the drive-through window at MacDonald's and nearly gives the cashier a heart attack when she turns around to give you your change.
You purchase a large screen TV and you still can't see the program when he stands in front the television.
After surgery, your bored pup decides to get up and cruise around the vet's office—pulling rolling IV stand behind him.
Your friends refer to your dog as the "Great Pain".
Your birdbath doubles as a water dish.
You are still buying vans long after the kids have graduated from college.
You're known at the local Home Depot hardware store as "the guy with the Dog Project".
You walk your dog and people cross the street to avoid you.
Every knick-knack in the house resides above the 5 foot mark
You hand out slobber cloths to your guests when they arrive.
You purchased an extra sofa just for the dogs
Your dog knows how to open the bathroom door (but he never closes it)
You have to explain to a guest why she just sat down on a wet toilet seat
You are covered with bruises and no one calls the police
Someone is following too closely and you want them to back off so you have your dog stand up – they drop back 10 car lengths
You got a speeding ticket because your dog's foot was on the accelerator
Guests tell your dog to "sit," and he/she immediately sits – on them
The pet food distributor delivers directly to your home and the dog food is delivered by 3/4 ton vehicles
You show pictures of yourself next to your dog and people say "you were sitting down, right?"
Your dog uses your old station wagon as his dog house because he's figured out how to open the door and let himself in for a nap
You wish someone would make a rawhide bone that would last more than 5 minutes. Your dog agrees, and he starts in on the pillars supporting your porch
You have to explain to the insurance adjuster that those holes in your home's pillars are not termite damage
You walk your dog and someone asks you, "Is that a Dalmatian on steroids?"
Regular doggie nail clippers don't make it through one paw. You use side cutter and a dremel tool
You look at the 18" feed stands they sell in the wholesale catalogs and wonder when they are going to get smart and make a 30" version
You stay out of the woods during hunting season, and you buy your dog an orange vest to wear whenever he goes outside
When other dogs see your dog, they are confused as to just what exactly "it" is
You have considered x-rays or lost a toenail after the dog stepped on your foot
You tell company to "watch out for land mines" before going into your backyard
You go to a feed store you visited just once (last year) and they remember you
You can walk your dog comfortably... holding his collar
You have not been able to navigate through your house in a straight line for years
You have had to explain to your dentist how your teeth get knocked loose (your dog raised his head too fast)
You have no window screens left intact on your house
Your T-shirt has paw prints on the shoulders
Your cats prefer to eat their meals on the top of the fridge
You build a fence to contain your dog, and suddenly you can't see your neighbor's house
Your dog can palm a basketball – in his mouth
Your friends stop dropping over to visit
Your dog can eat a large pig's ear in under 3 minutes
The neighborhood kids sneak up to the gate on their way home from school and say "See? I told you
You use a snow shovel for a pooper scooper
You replace your full wave waterbed mattress for a motionless mattress because when the dog turns three times before laying down, it is like being on a North Sea fishing boat in winter.
You’re showering and suddenly your dog joins you... for a drink
Your puppy's newest toy is your daughter's 8-pound bowling ball
You walk through the house at 2 a.m. to let him out and you accidentally kick his giant bone – you go to the hospital for stitches on your big toe
You really can blame rude noises on the dog
The mailman rings the doorbell, runs to his truck, and waits for you to come to the curb to give you your mail
Your dog backs up out of small rooms
2024.06.10 21:37 Potential-Yard-2643 So I put my tools and storage for a couple years and now they look like this.
 | No mind you there’s no rust. Heavily coated them with oil and I put paper towels down saturated in oil and that worked. They are in the bottom of a machinist tool cabinet like you might get it Lowes or Home Depot. I guess I shouldn’t complain since nothing is rusting. It’s just the wood has organic growth on it. submitted by Potential-Yard-2643 to handtools [link] [comments] |
2024.06.10 20:49 luxactoR [STORE] 27 Unique Items (Blue Gems - Katowice 2014 & more)
Trade URL
🔥Feel free to join my steam group Send Offer - building a hub with collectors & traders.
submitted by luxactoR to Csgotrading [link] [comments]
🔥Feel free to join my steam group Send Offer - building a hub with collectors & traders.
| Type | Name | FV | Info | Tradable | B/O ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 💎 | ★ Karambit Case Hardened (BS) | 0.83 | #463 - red eye pattern | Yes | 12345 |
| 💎 | ★ StatTrak™ M9 Bayonet Case Hardened (FT) | 0.16 | #503 - tier 1 pattern with scar | Yes | 5555 |
| 💎 | ★ Karambit Case Hardened (WW) | 0.42 | #670 - blue ring & blue playside | Yes | 4444 |
| 💎 | ★ Bayonet Case Hardened (WW) | 0.42 | #321 - p4 | Yes | 2499 |
| 💎 | ★ Hydra Gloves Case Hardened (BS) | 0.77 | #829 - p1 | Yes | 938 |
| 🙌 | ★ Specialist Gloves Crimson Web (FT) | 0.22 | #89 - tier1 pattern with clean E | 5/17/2024 | 499 |
| 💛 | StatTrak™ AK-47 Slate (FN) | 0.00004 | x4 vox holo kato15 on super low float ak (1/2) | Yes | 3999 |
| 💛 | M4A1-S Cyrex (FN) | 0.04 | ibuypower holo kato14 above mag + x2 crown foil | Yes | 3333 |
| 💛 | AK-47 Fire Serpent (FT) | 0.18 | vox holo kato14 on wood + crown foil next position | Yes | 3333 |
| 💛 | AWP Asiimov (FT) | 0.29 | titan holo kato14 on the scope | Yes | 3125 |
| 💛 | AK-47 Black Laminate (FT) | 0.35 | x4 kato14 (ibuypower holo on wood, titan, lgb holo, reason) | Yes | 2599 |
| 💛 | StatTrak™ M4A4 In Living Color (FN) | 0.042000 | x4 dignitas holo col14 (1/1) | Yes | 2499 |
| 💛 | USP-S Stainless (WW) | 0.43 | titan holo kato14 above handle & x2 titan holo kato15 | Yes | 2499 |
| 💛 | StatTrak™ AWP Electric Hive (FN) | 0.03 | dignitas holo col14 on the scope + x3 holo kato14 (vp, dignitas, mystik) | Yes | 1666 |
| 💛 | AK-47 Case Hardened (FT) | 0.37 | ibuypower holo kato14 above trigger | Yes | 1449 |
| 💛 | StatTrak™ AK-47 Slate (FN) | 0.01 | x4 fnatic holo dh14 | Yes | 749 |
| 💛 | AK-47 The Empress (WW) | 0.39 | x4 gold krakow17 (dosia, pashabiceps, x2 nbk) | Yes | 669 |
| 💛 | StatTrak™ AK-47 Phantom Disruptor (FN) | 0.05 | x4 navi holo dh14 (1/1) | Yes | 549 |
| 💛 | AK-47 Fuel Injector (FN) | 0.06 | x2 flammable Foil (wood and back) | Yes | 549 |
| 💛 | AWP Redline (MW) | 0.11 | titan kato14 on the scope | Yes | 369 |
| 💛 | USP-S Overgrowth (FN) | 0.06 | crown foil above handle (rare combo) | Yes | 279 |
| 💛 | P250 Mehndi (FN) | 0.04 | x4 kato14 (vp, mousesports, fnatic mystik) | Yes | 222 |
| 💛 | StatTrak™ M4A4 Faded Zebra (BS) | 0.78 | high float - x4 kato14 (3dmax, vox, ldlc, complexity) | Yes | 199 |
| 💛 | Souvenir UMP-45 Urban DDPAT (FT) | 0.35 | titan foil kato14 | Yes | 169 |
| 💛 | StatTrak™ AK-47 Red Laminate (WW) | 0.38 | harp of war holo next to wood | Yes | 149 |
| 💛 | StatTrak™ Desert Eagle Conspiracy (FN) | 0.03 | x4 liquid mlg16 | Yes | 36 |
| 💛 | AWP Worm God (MW) | 0.11 | x3 kato15 (envyus holo on scope * x2 clg) | Yes | 22 |
2024.06.10 20:49 luxactoR [STORE] 27 Unique Items (Blue Gems - Katowice 2014 & more)
Trade URL
🔥Feel free to join my steam group Send Offer - building a hub with collectors & traders.
submitted by luxactoR to GlobalOffensiveTrade [link] [comments]
🔥Feel free to join my steam group Send Offer - building a hub with collectors & traders.
| Type | Name | FV | Info | Tradable | B/O ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 💎 | ★ Karambit Case Hardened (BS) | 0.83 | #463 - red eye pattern | Yes | 12345 |
| 💎 | ★ StatTrak™ M9 Bayonet Case Hardened (FT) | 0.16 | #503 - tier 1 pattern with scar | Yes | 5555 |
| 💎 | ★ Karambit Case Hardened (WW) | 0.42 | #670 - blue ring & blue playside | Yes | 4444 |
| 💎 | ★ Bayonet Case Hardened (WW) | 0.42 | #321 - p4 | Yes | 2499 |
| 💎 | ★ Hydra Gloves Case Hardened (BS) | 0.77 | #829 - p1 | Yes | 938 |
| 🙌 | ★ Specialist Gloves Crimson Web (FT) | 0.22 | #89 - tier1 pattern with clean E | 5/17/2024 | 499 |
| 💛 | StatTrak™ AK-47 Slate (FN) | 0.00004 | x4 vox holo kato15 on super low float ak (1/2) | Yes | 3999 |
| 💛 | M4A1-S Cyrex (FN) | 0.04 | ibuypower holo kato14 above mag + x2 crown foil | Yes | 3333 |
| 💛 | AK-47 Fire Serpent (FT) | 0.18 | vox holo kato14 on wood + crown foil next position | Yes | 3333 |
| 💛 | AWP Asiimov (FT) | 0.29 | titan holo kato14 on the scope | Yes | 3125 |
| 💛 | AK-47 Black Laminate (FT) | 0.35 | x4 kato14 (ibuypower holo on wood, titan, lgb holo, reason) | Yes | 2599 |
| 💛 | StatTrak™ M4A4 In Living Color (FN) | 0.042000 | x4 dignitas holo col14 (1/1) | Yes | 2499 |
| 💛 | USP-S Stainless (WW) | 0.43 | titan holo kato14 above handle & x2 titan holo kato15 | Yes | 2499 |
| 💛 | StatTrak™ AWP Electric Hive (FN) | 0.03 | dignitas holo col14 on the scope + x3 holo kato14 (vp, dignitas, mystik) | Yes | 1666 |
| 💛 | AK-47 Case Hardened (FT) | 0.37 | ibuypower holo kato14 above trigger | Yes | 1449 |
| 💛 | StatTrak™ AK-47 Slate (FN) | 0.01 | x4 fnatic holo dh14 | Yes | 749 |
| 💛 | AK-47 The Empress (WW) | 0.39 | x4 gold krakow17 (dosia, pashabiceps, x2 nbk) | Yes | 669 |
| 💛 | StatTrak™ AK-47 Phantom Disruptor (FN) | 0.05 | x4 navi holo dh14 (1/1) | Yes | 549 |
| 💛 | AK-47 Fuel Injector (FN) | 0.06 | x2 flammable Foil (wood and back) | Yes | 549 |
| 💛 | AWP Redline (MW) | 0.11 | titan kato14 on the scope | Yes | 369 |
| 💛 | USP-S Overgrowth (FN) | 0.06 | crown foil above handle (rare combo) | Yes | 279 |
| 💛 | P250 Mehndi (FN) | 0.04 | x4 kato14 (vp, mousesports, fnatic mystik) | Yes | 222 |
| 💛 | StatTrak™ M4A4 Faded Zebra (BS) | 0.78 | high float - x4 kato14 (3dmax, vox, ldlc, complexity) | Yes | 199 |
| 💛 | Souvenir UMP-45 Urban DDPAT (FT) | 0.35 | titan foil kato14 | Yes | 169 |
| 💛 | StatTrak™ AK-47 Red Laminate (WW) | 0.38 | harp of war holo next to wood | Yes | 149 |
| 💛 | StatTrak™ Desert Eagle Conspiracy (FN) | 0.03 | x4 liquid mlg16 | Yes | 36 |
| 💛 | AWP Worm God (MW) | 0.11 | x3 kato15 (envyus holo on scope * x2 clg) | Yes | 22 |
2024.06.10 20:06 FailPhoenix86 My Summer (and Everyday) Go-To's for POTS
[A gift from my BFF <3]
Hello, fellow gravity-averse people :) As the summer heat is amping up here in the Eastern US, I've been seeing a lot of posts asking about products to help get through the warmest months, and others asking for ideas for products that might help on a daily basis.
Please bear in mind I am not a doctor, I have zero medical training whatsoever and I am writing as a person with hyperandrogenic POTS who is sharing what has worked for me, personally, in hopes it may offer some ideas that help bring others some relief. I am not endorsed, associated, or compensated by any of these products in any way. Use all products at your own discretion and consult a doctor before adding new supplements or other ingestibles to your diet.
This is not an exhaustive list, and you may find your own preferences and what works for you to be different than what is listed below.
Items I'm Using This Summer:
1) Ice vest: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CJCQZPT4/ Any ice vest is going to have some weight to it, but the way the freezing gel is sewn in with a quilted pattern makes it much more comfortable. I compared ice vests at 3 different price points, and found this to be the best deal for the money, personally.
2) Ice neck tube: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C1NKQ1PQ/ I used this while doing therapeutic horseback riding and LOVED it. It was still partly frozen after my session, and I found wearing it like a headband or even holding it against my face afterward was really soothing. It did not "ice burn" my skin like other frozen things have. You can get an insulated case for it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CLNJNXLL
3) First Aid Cold Packs (punch to activate) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07V2QD5G7/ I carry one of these in my purse in case I need cold NOW.
4) Cooling towels https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073F1TBM I found these to be soothing--less intense and less cold than ice, but easy to refresh by running under cold water.
5) Sheer compression stockings https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072TYSQ6T/ These are easier to snag and get runs than thicker socks, but you may find they breathe a lot more.
6) Freezing feet, even in summer? Foot warmer pouch! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KKC86CY I have one under my desk, and one at the foot of my bed.
7) Uber Comfort https://www.uber.com/us/en/ride/uber-comfort/ This option is more pricey than regular Uber, but you can specifically request a "cool" ride temperature through the app. As someone who has almost passed out in a hot Uber many times, I prefer this option.
8) Uber XL / Lyft XL These options allow for a bigger vehicle that may more easily accommodate a wheelchair.
Items I Use Year Round:
1) Shower seat https://www.amazon.com/Ez2care-Adjustable-Lightweight-Shower-inches/dp/B072FDC9CY/ Why stand when you can sit?
2) I use this as a foot bath/soak in the shower: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AVWE6O8 Sometimes my feet get cold since I can't tolerate hot showers, so I put this by my feet and let the warm water from my shower fill it up. I can turn the drain with my toes, so no need to bend down to drain it.
3) Squatty Potty! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ESKVN7W/ Love it. Goes great with non-skid bath mats.
4) Under desk foot rest https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C2KL4B1H/
5) Memory foam seat cushion and back rest: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B461LR97 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IJNJAZ0
6) Portable super lightweight foldable foot rest: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YD414YB It's not quite as tall as I like, but it helps elevate my legs. I had an aisle seat at the theater last month with no seat in front of me--I brought it and propped up my legs!
7) Zoomer power chair: https://www.zingerchair.com/zoomer-chai I bought one of these second-hand, and it's been a total game changer. Lightest chair on the market, folds, weighs 40lbs. Not for the faint of wallet, though--this was a huge purchase.
8) Wheelchair bag: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EJYZ4KS
9) Folding cane: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005IWADBQ
10) Apple Watch https://www.apple.com/watch/ Another pricey thing, unfortunately. I find it really helpful in tracking my heart rate and sleep, and I'm able to screencap the heart data and share with my POTS specialists.
11) Pocket pulse ox https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HSAG8BE I used this before I got my watch.
12) Trolley Dolley cart with folding seat https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D8DW40Y I used this before I got my wheelchair
13) Rollator walker with seat https://www.amazon.com/Medline-Aluminum-Rollator-Folding-Mobility/dp/B00B8F1H9O/ I used this before I got my wheelchair
14) Liquid IV electrolyte drinks https://www.liquid-iv.com/ I drink 1 sugar-free drink per day.
15) Propel water https://www.propelwater.com/ Available in bottles and powder packets
16) Vitassium SaltStick https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B7SFQSCJ
17) EXTRA SALT pretzels https://www.walmart.com/ip/Unique-Pretzels-Extra-Salt-Splits-Pretzels-11-Oz/34328849 Thanks to someone on this sub <3
18) Mid-low range price compression socks https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GNZ8B9Y These work for me personally.
19) Grabber tool https://www.amazon.com/Pack-Grabber-Reacher-Elderly-Foldable-Extension/dp/B07Z681CFH/ Because bending down sucks.
20) Shower grab bars HIGHLY recommend getting industrial strength ones and having them professionally installed. If you live in an apartment, your complex may have a clause for "Reasonable Accommodations" and may install them at little to no cost. Don't risk your safety on those suction-cup ones.
21) Medical ID bracelet (nickel-free for me) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QXWB86R Available in so many different styles from sellers, including silicone
22) Acupressure hook https://www.amazon.com/QFlex-Massage-Self-Massage-Easy-Use/dp/B00QMWWHUG/ I use this for coathanger pain by means of loosening up my rhomboid/trapezeus muscle area. Probably not great for highly pain sensitive people.
Stay cool and stay safe <3
submitted by FailPhoenix86 to POTS [link] [comments]
Hello, fellow gravity-averse people :) As the summer heat is amping up here in the Eastern US, I've been seeing a lot of posts asking about products to help get through the warmest months, and others asking for ideas for products that might help on a daily basis.
Please bear in mind I am not a doctor, I have zero medical training whatsoever and I am writing as a person with hyperandrogenic POTS who is sharing what has worked for me, personally, in hopes it may offer some ideas that help bring others some relief. I am not endorsed, associated, or compensated by any of these products in any way. Use all products at your own discretion and consult a doctor before adding new supplements or other ingestibles to your diet.
This is not an exhaustive list, and you may find your own preferences and what works for you to be different than what is listed below.
Items I'm Using This Summer:
1) Ice vest: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CJCQZPT4/ Any ice vest is going to have some weight to it, but the way the freezing gel is sewn in with a quilted pattern makes it much more comfortable. I compared ice vests at 3 different price points, and found this to be the best deal for the money, personally.
2) Ice neck tube: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C1NKQ1PQ/ I used this while doing therapeutic horseback riding and LOVED it. It was still partly frozen after my session, and I found wearing it like a headband or even holding it against my face afterward was really soothing. It did not "ice burn" my skin like other frozen things have. You can get an insulated case for it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CLNJNXLL
3) First Aid Cold Packs (punch to activate) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07V2QD5G7/ I carry one of these in my purse in case I need cold NOW.
4) Cooling towels https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073F1TBM I found these to be soothing--less intense and less cold than ice, but easy to refresh by running under cold water.
5) Sheer compression stockings https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072TYSQ6T/ These are easier to snag and get runs than thicker socks, but you may find they breathe a lot more.
6) Freezing feet, even in summer? Foot warmer pouch! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KKC86CY I have one under my desk, and one at the foot of my bed.
7) Uber Comfort https://www.uber.com/us/en/ride/uber-comfort/ This option is more pricey than regular Uber, but you can specifically request a "cool" ride temperature through the app. As someone who has almost passed out in a hot Uber many times, I prefer this option.
8) Uber XL / Lyft XL These options allow for a bigger vehicle that may more easily accommodate a wheelchair.
Items I Use Year Round:
1) Shower seat https://www.amazon.com/Ez2care-Adjustable-Lightweight-Shower-inches/dp/B072FDC9CY/ Why stand when you can sit?
2) I use this as a foot bath/soak in the shower: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AVWE6O8 Sometimes my feet get cold since I can't tolerate hot showers, so I put this by my feet and let the warm water from my shower fill it up. I can turn the drain with my toes, so no need to bend down to drain it.
3) Squatty Potty! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ESKVN7W/ Love it. Goes great with non-skid bath mats.
4) Under desk foot rest https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C2KL4B1H/
5) Memory foam seat cushion and back rest: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B461LR97 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IJNJAZ0
6) Portable super lightweight foldable foot rest: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YD414YB It's not quite as tall as I like, but it helps elevate my legs. I had an aisle seat at the theater last month with no seat in front of me--I brought it and propped up my legs!
7) Zoomer power chair: https://www.zingerchair.com/zoomer-chai I bought one of these second-hand, and it's been a total game changer. Lightest chair on the market, folds, weighs 40lbs. Not for the faint of wallet, though--this was a huge purchase.
8) Wheelchair bag: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EJYZ4KS
9) Folding cane: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005IWADBQ
10) Apple Watch https://www.apple.com/watch/ Another pricey thing, unfortunately. I find it really helpful in tracking my heart rate and sleep, and I'm able to screencap the heart data and share with my POTS specialists.
11) Pocket pulse ox https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HSAG8BE I used this before I got my watch.
12) Trolley Dolley cart with folding seat https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D8DW40Y I used this before I got my wheelchair
13) Rollator walker with seat https://www.amazon.com/Medline-Aluminum-Rollator-Folding-Mobility/dp/B00B8F1H9O/ I used this before I got my wheelchair
14) Liquid IV electrolyte drinks https://www.liquid-iv.com/ I drink 1 sugar-free drink per day.
15) Propel water https://www.propelwater.com/ Available in bottles and powder packets
16) Vitassium SaltStick https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B7SFQSCJ
17) EXTRA SALT pretzels https://www.walmart.com/ip/Unique-Pretzels-Extra-Salt-Splits-Pretzels-11-Oz/34328849 Thanks to someone on this sub <3
18) Mid-low range price compression socks https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GNZ8B9Y These work for me personally.
19) Grabber tool https://www.amazon.com/Pack-Grabber-Reacher-Elderly-Foldable-Extension/dp/B07Z681CFH/ Because bending down sucks.
20) Shower grab bars HIGHLY recommend getting industrial strength ones and having them professionally installed. If you live in an apartment, your complex may have a clause for "Reasonable Accommodations" and may install them at little to no cost. Don't risk your safety on those suction-cup ones.
21) Medical ID bracelet (nickel-free for me) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QXWB86R Available in so many different styles from sellers, including silicone
22) Acupressure hook https://www.amazon.com/QFlex-Massage-Self-Massage-Easy-Use/dp/B00QMWWHUG/ I use this for coathanger pain by means of loosening up my rhomboid/trapezeus muscle area. Probably not great for highly pain sensitive people.
Stay cool and stay safe <3
2024.06.10 19:50 cirsium-alexandrii Teapot Cozy
 | This is the second thing I've ever crocheted, and the first thing I'm pretty happy with. First was a cozy for my own coffee mug, which doesn't look great, but it's functional and for me so I don't care too much. This one is for my wife for the teapot that she inherited from her grandmother. Easy to take on and off and nicer for insulating than the tea towel we were using before. submitted by cirsium-alexandrii to crochet [link] [comments] One thing I'm unsure of; every time I chain the first stitch in a new row for a dc, it doesn't hold flush with the rest of the stitches and I get a little gap at alternating ends of each row. It's not the worst thing visually IMO because it's at least a consistent pattern, but I'd be grateful for some insight as to why it's happening and how I can fix it. Overall, though, I'm pretty happy with it. Definitely starting at a crawl in terms of the difficulty of the undertaking but I think it turned out nice. |
2024.06.10 19:23 ionutdezi So looking back at this i'm noticing some new passives so this got me asking, what other passives could Victory Road have in it's full release?
 | submitted by ionutdezi to inazumaeleven [link] [comments] |
2024.06.10 18:48 LawyerVet36 The Rest Of Saturday
I realize this is really long and don't blame anyone if you want to skip parts. A lot happened after the morning got derailed. Some good, some that didn't feel so good, but no one else was assaulted and no more family drama hit on Saturday, I'll save what happened Sunday for my post about Sunday - which was a pretty interesting day but the post shouldn't be as long as this day's was...
*** Saturday Continued **\*
I figured we all needed a break from the day’s drama and asked Mark and Sam if they could stay and have lunch with us. Both agreed, Mark said he wanted to go over the security plan that John was putting together, and Sam didn’t want to leave Emily just yet.
I remembered that right after Emily was born, Sam would hold her at every family gathering, staring at her and playing with her little hands. Even though it had been 17 years since she’d last seen Emily, she is still protective of her.
Rather than eat at the conference table, we went to a fairly new gourmet burger place nearby. I asked John to join us at the table for lunch, and he reluctantly agreed. I had seen Mark on the phone on the way over, and by the time we got there, a police car was parked out front.
Emily called her mom on the way to eat and confirmed that she was out and home. She told her mom about her summer job and let her know she’d hopefully see her later today, but that she might spend the night at a friend’s place again. Debbie asked her to find out if I minded if she came by later today or tomorrow. Emily covered her phone with her hand and relayed the question. I told Emily to let her know that one of us would call her, and if we couldn’t meet this weekend, we definitely would on Monday.
I heard Emily tell her mom she might be working tomorrow too and realized that she was right. Things were moving quickly, and I doubted we’d be sitting around relaxing anytime soon.
We got to the restaurant and walked in. The servers pulled a couple of tables together since, even though there were only five of us, both Mark and John took up a lot of room. I noticed that both of them took seats facing the door. We ordered drinks and took a couple of minutes to go over the menu before I asked John to share his plans.
“Well, given the messages and the fact that someone has already been hurt, I think we’re going to want to make some immediate improvements to the security. I’ve already sent messages to our security team to be prepared to install alarms and cameras at both properties; they’ll be on-site tomorrow at the latest. I’ll need complete access to both buildings.”
I remembered that I still needed to get keys from JA, I’d had some exploring to do. The three-story building was constructed sometime around the turn of the century (last century, not this one) and had seen a variety of uses in its 100+ year history. It sat on a corner lot downtown and extended a good bit of the way down the block. Several of the businesses that occupied the first floor had been there for decades, supporting multiple generations of residents. When the downtown was dying in the 70s and 80s, a lot of the occupants moved out, with only the retail offices remaining open, and even those barely made it through those times.
Like most of the buildings back then, it was deep, around 70 feet from the front of the building on Main Street to the alley in back, it was also significantly longer than most, with 100 feet of Main Street frontage and 70 feet on the side street. It acted as an anchor for the downtown for decades. In addition to the retail spaces on the first floor and my office, there was also a bar and restaurant that catered to the professionals in the area and the weekend crowd. I’m not a big drinker, but it was convenient to have a spot to go when I wanted to relax at the end of the day.
The corner of the building housed the lobby and opened to the hallway dividing the storefronts from the storage areas behind them. There was an elevator going up to the second and third floors, although a keycard was required to get to go to the top floor. The staircase was right next to the elevators, which I chose to use the elevator ninety percent of the time.
Once you got to the second floor there was a small lobby with doors heading off in three different directions. One was to my apartment, one directly across from mine, which I assume was a mirror of my space, and then a set of double oak doors going to the backside of the building.
When Joe built the apartment space out he left the wood beams and exposed interior brickwork. A series of tall, evenly spaced windows dominated one wall, letting in a ton of light. The floor plan essentially consists of a great room that houses a kitchen, utility room with washer and dryer, my bedroom and bathroom (which are both quite large), a study, a half bath, and a second bedroom and full bath.
I never measured it, but I think it’s easily 1800 square feet of space with a mostly open floor plan and a ton of light. For a single guy, it feels massive, and the great room lets Charlie and Cooper hang around without it ever feeling crowded (the bed is another story). On the rare occasion I invite anyone up, they’re amazed by the space, having had no idea it was even here.
“We’ll be installing cameras in all common areas and along the rooflines. On Monday or Tuesday, we’ll upgrade the security for lobby access. There is already keycard access on the elevator, but we need to make some changes to limit access to the second floor now as well.
Joe’s place is a little more complex, we’ll be getting upgraded internet installed and a network of wired cameras around the property. We’ll also be installing perimeter motion sensors in the woods. It’s not feasible to cover the acreage with cameras this quickly, but we can at least ensure no one enters the property without us knowing. Finally, remotely deployed drones will be ready to put eyes wherever we don’t have cameras in the event of a motion alert.”
Good lord, I thought… This is going to be at least $50K by the time we get done, and I bet I don’t even get to play with the drones.
“We’ll get copies of the surveys and look at fencing options…” That immediately grabbed my attention. “No fences!” I quickly said. “I’m sorry, John, I know that might make the most sense, but we’re going to have to do this without fences.”
“Understood. Are you okay with a low wall on the road frontage and gates for the driveways? I really need to have some way of controlling vehicle traffic; it will create a safer environment for you and the protection team.”
John’s delivery of a gentle reminder that this wasn’t just about me, that life was going to be different, was needed. I nodded. “Of course, thanks, John. I’d like to preserve the woods as I’ve always known them if we can, but not at a risk to your team. Let me know if we get to that point.”
John nodded. “I appreciate that, it’s our job to find the balance between your security and your happiness.” He paused before continuing, “We’ll go ahead and get work on the system designs for both buildings. We’ll need you or someone from the firm on-site when we’re doing the interior work.”
“One last thing, we’ll be providing you with a GPS tracker and panic button. It can be worn around your neck. We can do the same thing with a smartwatch, but we’d prefer you to also carry the tracker if you don’t have any objections.”
“That’s fine,” I said. “I’ll call JA to get the other keys to my place today, but let’s make Joe’s house the priority since it’s been broken into twice now.“ Emily looked uncomfortable again, but I winked at her, and that made her smile a little bit.
“You good with all this, Mark?” I asked.
“Yep, I just wanted to know what the plan was, and to get John to pay for my lunch since he’s landed himself this fat contract,” Mark said, laughing.
John laughed back and said, “Done! But I’ll take you to lunch anytime, I can always write it off as a recruiting expense. You know I pay a lot better than the city!”
Sam had been quiet the entire time, taking it all in. I asked her what she was thinking, and she just said, “Oh, nothing, we can talk about it later.” I didn’t love that answer. I knew this was already a lot and was afraid it was getting to be too much. I nodded and forced a smile that I was sure didn’t meet my eyes.
I turned to Emily and asked her how her first day had gone so far. She was quick to respond, “It hasn’t been dull!” She had a smile on her face that DID meet her eyes. I couldn’t help but think that the younger you are, the more you’re likely to find things like this exciting, since life hadn’t quite gotten exciting enough on its own. At least I knew I could count on some enthusiasm over what was sure to be an interesting summer.
The rest of lunch was small talk, with Mark and John catching up and Emily telling Sam about school and asking what it was like to leave the valley and live on the West Coast. I just sat and enjoyed my burger as much as I could.
Emily ordered a milkshake to go while the rest of us finished our burgers. John, true to his word, paid the check, and we all walked back to my office. The girls headed into the conference room, but Mark held me back.
“Thanks for an interesting day so far, Alex. You know this really wasn’t what I was expecting when we met for breakfast,” Mark laughed as I was trying to figure out what to say. “I’m pulling your leg; this is going to make for an interesting summer.”
My head snapped around to look at him. “I was JUST thinking that!”
We both laughed for a second before he got serious again.
“Look, keep your eyes open and your head on a swivel. I know Michael is your brother, but he’s not a good guy. He’s been on and off our radar for a while. Your dad has gotten him out of trouble way more often than he deserved. Michael hasn’t gotten smarter with age.” Mark paused for a second. “Don’t underestimate him or his kids.”
I had forgotten about my nephews. Mark was right—they were worse than Michael. With them, there was no pretense of even trying to stay on the right side of the law. If they somehow got pulled into this, that was a whole 'nother level of trouble. I thanked him for reminding me and told him I’d mention it to John and get him to pull their background reports.
“Don’t worry about it. I’m having their arrest records pulled and sent over. It will save him filing a FOIA request, and I can fill him in on some of my experiences with them,” Mark said.
I couldn’t help but wonder just how much trouble they were causing the community, but I decided to get with John later and get a better idea of who we might be dealing with, if Michael did in fact drag them into the situation, or if he already had.
“Thanks again, Mark. I owe you big time. I’ll hit you up a little later and tell you how it goes with Sam.” Mark turned and said goodbye to Emily, Sam, and John, shaking John’s hand as he stepped away, telling him to look for an email shortly.
I asked John if we had anything else to cover, and he said no, that he’d be posted in the lobby of my office.
Turning to Emily, I asked her to get all the notes together on the calls, particularly the client calls. We’d be following up with clients on Monday. I wouldn’t be taking on any more cases or clients for the foreseeable future, so I’d need to get some names for Emily to start referring people to when they called in.
I stepped into my office to call JA about keys, and Sam walked in behind me, closing the door. “Uh oh,” I thought. I leaned up against my desk, bracing for what was coming. She asked me how I was doing, and I was honest. I told her it was a lot to deal with right now, that the breaking and entering and attack on the guard was a complete shock. This is basically how I remember the conversation that followed:
“I know, Alex. You realize this isn’t going to get easier anytime soon? For God’s sake, we just spent the last hour detailing security measures for multiple properties and discussing likely threats to your safety. All that and you haven’t even started dealing with the actual estate and the responsibilities that will come with it,” Sam said with a mix of exasperation and sympathy.
I figured it was time to tell Sam about the other part of the will: the establishment of the Community Foundation and the Russell Family Trust, both of which would be my responsibility to oversee—a total of $50 million in funds to manage, disperse, and direct. I explained Joe’s vision, as much as I understood it without diving into the journals, and told her I’d probably have to get started on the groundwork in the next week or so.
Sam’s eyes widened. “Fuck Alex, Joe really must have thought you could leap tall buildings with everything he’s put on you without any warning.”
Privately, I agreed. I still didn’t understand why Joe handled things this way, but I wasn’t ready to condemn him either. I needed time and perspective to better understand his plan.
“Alex,” Sam started and paused. (“This isn’t good,” flashed through my brain.) “I’m so glad we reconnected, and I feel like so many of the feelings we had for each other when we were younger are still there,” (“Here comes the but,”) “but I don’t see how we can do a new relationship justice with all you’ve got going on.”
“Well, this sucks,” I thought, but I knew she was right. This was going to be enough of a transition without trying to also navigate a serious, committed relationship. I'm honestly glad we had this conversation now as opposed to a month from now.
She continued, “I spent the last 18 years grinding it out in school, residency, and a fellowship to get to this point. I’m committed to my career, and even though I think there is room for an ‘us,’ I don’t think there is room for an ‘us,’ a bodyguard,” (I hated that word) “a family feud, enemies, a foundation, a trust, a complex estate to understand, and a substantial business to manage.”
“I’m not sure there is room for all that in your life, even without trying to build a new relationship. You’re going to need all the friends and support you can get.” As usual, she was right. I didn’t like it, and I wouldn’t have said it myself, but I knew she wasn’t wrong.
“I’d like to be part of that support, and for us to get to know each other as friends again, without the expectations of a romantic relationship. I want to be there for you while you’re building this new life. I want to be your friend first and I want you to be mine. I’m going to need support some days too. I’m basically new in town after 18 years away, and my job isn’t always a cakewalk. There are going to be days that I need a whiskey after work, and you’ve got a great bar downstairs.” Her smile made me feel better about the situation as she continued.
“So, here’s my proposal. Let’s start this as friends, just like we did in elementary school. We’ll be there for each other and know we can talk about anything we need to. We can have a drink, and we can spend time together without expectations of anything more than just friendship.”
“If we’re meant to be together, it will work out that way. If not, then we can at least be godparents for each other’s kids someday.” She looked like she was finished, and a little anxious as she waited for my response.
Sam was more mature than I was when we were in high school, and nothing had changed in the 18 years since.
“I know you’re right, Sam. If it weren’t for this situation, I’d have all the bandwidth in the world for ‘us,’ but as it is, I realize something is going to suffer if we try and do this now. All of this, including us, is too important to risk doing any of it half-assed.”
I could see how relieved she was, and honestly, I felt it a little bit too, like a pressure I didn’t even realize was there had been lifted. I relaxed a little and hugged her. As soon as I did, I knew this was the right thing to do; I just felt it.
With over a week’s worth of hindsight, I know now that our feelings for each other from high school had never been properly resolved. Trying to restart a relationship based on stolen kisses in the hall between classes and exploring what romance meant in the back seat of a car by the river was a bad idea. We had made promises to each other back then before we even knew what those promises meant. Maybe we were destined to be together, but if so, we’d find out as the people we are now, not the kids we used to be.
“So, does this mean I might see you out on dates?” I asked.
“Yep, and I might see you on them too, although I think it’s more likely I’ll see you than you’ll see me. I’m not going to be looking for anyone. I think this move, my new job, and being your friend is going to take up a lot of my time. However, if I think it would be fun to go out with someone and I’ve got time to do so, I will. You need to do the same thing.”
I nodded again. There was no point in arguing; she was still right.
“One more thing, I’m going to be spending time with Emily. She’s going through a lot; it’s not my place to go into details. She promised she’d share with you when she’s ready. Here’s what you do need to know: she needs your friendship, she’s excited about this job, and she’s more than capable of being a good ‘junior assistant.’”
At this point, Sam fixed me with that stare of hers. “Also, she needs a place to stay for a few weeks. DO NOT ask me why, or her, for that matter. I haven’t seen your place, do you have room for a 19-year-old, well-behaved young lady that was editor of the school paper, president of the debate club, and one-tenth of a point away from being valedictorian?”
“Holy crap,” I thought. With friends like Sam, I might just find myself taking direction as much as I’m making decisions.
“She’s welcome to stay with me. I’ll probably end up at Joe’s place some nights anyway. Do you want to check out the apartment and tell me what you think?” I asked. "I'm probably going to need to get her a bed, and maybe some furniture."
“Not the reason I thought I’d be going to your apartment for the first time, but sure. Let me see if it’s any better than these offices,” she said.
“Ouch, that hurts!” I laughed. “Ok, give me a minute to call JA and tell him I need keys ASAP for the rest of this building, and then we’ll head up.”
I called JA and told him what was going on. He already knew about the attack on the guard, of course, and evidently, John had also contacted him and told him we needed to get into the rest of the building to install security systems. He said a courier was meeting someone at his office and picking up the master keys.
“Alex, there is more to that building than you know. I was going to go over this with you when we met on Monday, but it doesn’t really matter, and under the circumstances, it’s more important to get this done. Everything on the second and third floors is part of your uncle’s estate. I’ll explain it all later. I hope you find it as interesting as he did.” I thanked him, and we hung up.
“Ok, let’s head up to check out the apartment. There is a courier on his way with the keys to the rest of the building, so we might get to see more than just the apartment if you have time.”
“Sounds good. I do have some things to do later, but I’m good for now. Let’s see your man cave.”
Leaving the office, I stuck my head in the conference room and told Emily we were heading upstairs for a minute and to keep working. I asked if I had had any more calls, and she said just more of the same—that she’d taken messages and told people that you’d call back when you had time. If it was a client, she told them someone would call them Monday. She said she was working on a schedule based on 20-minute calls.
I told her to begin scheduling calls at 8:00 and to cut them off at 10:30, that we’d be opening the office early so we could close before noon and then get as much done at JA’s office as possible next week. Closing the door to the conference room behind me, Sam and I walked out to the lobby where I let John know the the courier was going to be coming with the keys shortly and thanked him for calling JA.
Sam and I took the stairs up and I opened the door to the apartment. I could tell it wasn’t what Sam had been expecting. “This is amazing! How big is this place?”
“I really don’t know, I think it feels larger than it is because the only walls are around the bedrooms, the study, the utility room, and the bathrooms.”
Sam stuck her head in the second bedroom “This will be fine as soon as you empty it out. She’ll need to get a bed, bedroom furniture, TV, etc. You’ll also need towels for her bathroom.”
Opening my refrigerator she did a quick inventory, I had 4 beers, a leftover pizza, some eggs, milk, yogurt, and a carton of OJ. Thinking about it, I wouldn’t recommend drinking the milk but I kept that to myself. “You need actual food here. Give her a card and tell her to go shopping, I’ll give her a list of the basics. After opening a couple more cabinets she shook her head “Never mind, I’ll take her shopping myself, you apparently only have one plate and it looks like you stole your glasses from the bar downstairs!”
For the record: I did NOT steal them. I once mentioned to the manager that I liked how heavy they were and how nice they looked and she gave me a set since I eat there regularly.
“Also, you might be able to do 100% of your cooking in a single skillet, but she won’t.”
That wasn’t fair either, I have a small pot I used to make soup. One skillet, one pot, who needs more than that??
Her cursory inventory complete she put her hands on her hips and scanned the apartment once more. “Just give me a card, I’ll handle everything. If we run out of room on your card I’ll take care of it and you can just pay me back.” She saw me flinch and said to me with a serious tone.
“Alex, you don’t have to be reckless with your money but aren’t going to fly under the radar like Joe did. Hell, he asked you to run a foundation, which means raising money and schmoozing. You might as well start getting used to the new normal.” She paused until I nodded in agreement “Do you have a particular style of decor you like or don’t like?”
“I like things clean and modern with a little bit of a nod to history, but usually I just let “cheap” win.”
Well, brace yourself. You can have clean and modern but cheap isn’t going to cut it. Especially if I’m going to put my name on it. I’ll try and keep it under $25K but no promises, this dorm furniture is going to go. You have the nicest apartment in the area. Let’s make sure we do it justice.”
I felt my eye twitch, $25K??? I hadn’t paid that much for a car until I finally splurged on my truck. Reaching into my pocket I pulled out my card and handed it to Sam who had a mischievous smile.
“Oh good, I love shopping with other people’s money.” She pulled out her phone and took a series of pictures, panoramas, and videos as she paced off the space to get a rough idea of the dimensions.
“Ok, I’ve seen enough. I’ll try to have a bed here by tonight, If not Emily can sleep on the sofa. I’m going to steal her for the rest of the day today and probably tomorrow if you’re ok with it?”
“Uh, sure. She can take the phone with her and just make sure she stays on top of the calls.”
Sam tucked the card in her pocket. “Great, she may also need a couple of work outfits. Is there any furniture that’s sentimental?”
I looked around, my eyes fell on photos of friends from the military, a folded flag, a shadow box, and a few keepsakes. Sam’s smile softened and she laid her hand on my arm. “Don’t worry Alex, it’s still your place, I’ll honor your friends and your past. We’re not getting rid of you or them. I promise you’ll love it.”
“Oh my gosh, I almost forgot your bedroom. Let’s take a quick look in there.” I pointed to a large hanging barn door. Sam walked over and slid it open. Stepping inside. She took one look at the to the master bedroom and bath and turned around, closing the door behind her as she walked back into the great room. “Forget it, no way it’s going to be under $25K, everything in this place has to go.”
“Sam, I didn’t spend $3000 on all the furniture and stuff in here, I don’t see how it can cost $25,000 to replace it.”
Sam laughed, “Oh, you’ll see, don’t you worry. Do you have a preference for mattress firmness?”
I don’t think I’ve ever even bothered to try different mattresses but I remembered staying on some that I thought were too soft. “Firm, I guess?” Sam nodded and went back to the list she’d been making on her phone.
About that time the door rang, John had sent the courier up. I thanked him for bringing it so quickly on a Saturday and signed for the envelope.
It contained several access cards and half a dozen keys. I asked Sam if she needed anything else. She said she was all so we left the apartment and I started trying keys across the hall. The second one I tried unlocked the door. Swinging it open I saw a mirror image of my apartment, maybe a little larger since this side of the building extended further down the street from the corner. It was unfurnished but gleaming new appliances could be seen in the kitchen and the same open floor plan, uncluttered by thrift store furniture.
Seeing the empty space made remember the possibilities I thought existed before I filled my apartment up with a mix of hand-me-downs and consignment finds. I found myself looking forward to seeing the space when Sam got done.
We wandered around for another minute or two, checking out the view from the windows and commenting on what a great location this was before leaving and locking the door behind us.
That left the double doors and the third floor. I knew Sam was hoping to get Emily settled in to a bed tonight so I decided to save that for another time.
Checking my phone, I saw it was nearly 2:00. We’d been poking around for over half an hour and Emily was just sitting downstairs waiting. “Oh boy, we’d better get downstairs. Did you want to take Emily shopping still?”
“Absolutely, and you need to see if actually wants to stay with you for a while. Let’s go talk to her.”
We took the stairs back down and went into my office. Emily was just getting off the phone, looking annoyed when we walked in.
“Everything ok?” I asked.
“Oh, it’s nothing really, just calls from people wanting to talk to you about borrowing money, making investments, or asking for donations. You also got calls from people we’re not related to.”
Sam and I both laughed. I told her we’d catch up on messages later but that I wanted to talk to her about where she was staying. She evidently had plans to stay a friend’s place for a while until she figured things out.
“I have another option, if you’re interested. I have a second bedroom upstairs if you’d like to stay here. You’ll have a lot more privacy and be right above your work. I’ll be splitting my time between here and Joe’s place for a while, so you’ll probably have the apartment to yourself occasionally.” I thought for a second, “Only rule is no more than three friends over at a time. Five is a party.”
“Oh my God! Really? That would be amazing, and that means I can have all my friends over at the same time! I go for quality over quantity!”
Sam grabbed her purse off the table. “Then that settles it, but you and I have some shopping to do. Let’s go – we need to get you a bed and some bedroom furniture plus Alex lives like he’s in a college dorm. We may not get everything done today, but we can get a start.” Emily grabbed her bag and they left before 2:30, waving goodbye and promising to call when they were on the way back.
I realized then that for the first time since the reading I was alone. No one was expecting me to call. I didn’t have to be somewhere in an hour. It was just me… well, me, two dogs, and John, but mostly just me.
I went upstairs with the dogs following behind. Grabbing a beer out of the fridge, I cleared out the extra bedroom to make room for Emily. I mostly used it to store my kayak, bicycle, and other sports stuff. Those all found their way into the great room, with the exception of the kayak, which I moved into the study.
With the bedroom empty, along with my beer, I grabbed the dogs’ leashes, and we went downstairs to go for a walk. Groups of folks were strolling the downtown sidewalks, checking out the shops and stopping into the beer and wine bars that had popped up over the last few years. Charlie and Cooper got plenty of pets as we strolled, and I finally had time to clear my head.
Eventually, I stopped at a wine bar where a guy was playing acoustic guitar, covering Simon & Garfunkel and doing a pretty good job of it. Sitting on the patio for the next couple of hours, I chatted with several friends that walked up to offer condolences or just say hi, while the pups soaked up all the attention they wanted.
It was almost 6 pm when my phone rang. It was Sam, letting me know they were on their way back and would be there in about thirty minutes with new beds for both Emily and me, along with furniture for Emily’s room. She said she didn’t see anything appropriate for my room but wanted to go ahead and replace the mattress.
I asked if I needed to do anything to get ready, and she assured me that all I needed to do was open the door. She mentioned that two guys in a delivery truck were going to take care of everything. I was shocked that she had pulled this off so fast and asked her how she did it.
“Evidently, when a last-minute sale for over $8,000 comes through the door at the end of the day on a Saturday, you find a way to make the delivery,” she replied.
Now, I was shocked for a different reason, but I just thanked her for arranging everything and said I’d meet them back there.
We had an easy walk back to the apartment. I got there about 15 minutes before they said they’d arrive. I had stripped the bed and pulled out new sheets to remake it when Sam and Emily came in the front door.
Sam checked to confirm that the second bedroom was empty and saw me setting out sheets. 'What are those for?' she asked. I told her I figured I should put fresh sheets on the new mattress.
'Look, Alex, just do me a favor: grab all the sheets in the house and bring them out here, then go downstairs and have a drink and dinner. Emily and I are going to order in; we’ll take care of everything else.' She paused and thought before finishing, 'We might join you for dessert, but we’re going to be busy around here for a while.”
I laughed; I’m sharp enough to know when I’m not wanted. Grabbing my tablet, I walked downstairs and told John I was going to eat around the corner. I asked him if he thought the girls were okay here by themselves, and he said he’d given a panic button to Emily earlier that afternoon when they left. He’d be right around the corner with me in the unlikely event they needed anything.
I walked out the door and turned right; just a few steps was all it took to put me at the front door of The Sluice. Stepping inside, I was greeted by the familiar warm glow of vintage-style lighting reflecting off the copper ceilings twelve feet overhead. The long, polished wooden bar stretches across one side of the room, backed by an array of mirrors and stained glass that date back to the early days of the building. The bar itself is a masterpiece, made from rich, dark wood said to have been milled from black walnut cut in the valley over 100 years ago. It had been meticulously restored to its former glory. Behind the bar, shelves stocked with an impressive selection of spirits and wines create a dazzling display of colors and shapes.
All around the restaurant were tasteful nods to the period when gold mining was the focus of our community. Rustic wooden beams and exposed brick walls provide a sturdy and authentic backdrop, while vintage mining tools like pickaxes, sluice boxes, and gold pans are artfully displayed throughout the space. I’ve been down here many times as folks new to the area ask about the theme, unaware of the gold rush that took place here long before the one in California.
I moved to the bar where I ordered a local lager and flipped open the menu, not for any good reason, I already knew what I was going to order. The bartender, Emma, brought my lager over, and I ordered their 12 oz New York strip medium rare, choosing that over their prime rib only because I wanted to give the girls all the time they needed, and prime rib would come out too quickly.
By the time I finished dinner, it was nearly 8 pm, John had left and been replace by Craig. I texted Sam and asked if I could come back up. She said only if I brought chocolate cake. That sounded reasonable, so I ordered three slices and ice cream to go, paid the check, and finished my beer while waiting for the deserts to come out. Less than ten minutes later I was climbing the stairs back to my apartment, cake and ice cream in hand.
Walking inside, I could hear the dryer running and noticed that both girls were in my bedroom. Up against the wall, they were making up a king-size bed. I’d never had anything larger than a queen, and the size difference was striking.
Seeing me walk in, they excitedly instructed me to lie down and tell them what I thought. Sinking onto the mattress, I said I’d never felt anything like it before. It was by far the most comfortable mattress I’d ever felt. Both were excited to hear that, and frankly, I would have been happy to lie down and sleep, but Emily wanted me to see her room.
I forced myself to get up and follow them. I must have underestimated the size of the room because Sam had elected to go with a king-size bed in here as well, and it easily accommodated the large mattress. The bed frame, dresser, nightstand, and floor mirror all had a Scandinavian feel and were done in white.
A desk with a glass top and rolling chair was up against a wall, and a comfortable reading chair sat in the adjacent corner. Pulling everything together was a light-colored rug with rose tones (in the days since Emily moved in, I once called it pink and was corrected). The bed hadn’t been made yet, but a white comforter sat on top of the mattress.
I was in awe. It had been less than five hours, and at least one room in my apartment now looked like a home. Both girls must have been able to read my expression because I got a big hug and thank you from Emily, who was clearly happy to see my approval, and a warm smile from Sam.
Going to the kitchen to retrieve the cake and ice cream, I realized that not only did I not have dishes, but I also didn’t have a proper place for three people to sit, just a small table that I’d eat at if I wasn’t eating on the sofa.
To be honest, I could have paid to properly furnish my apartment when I moved in. My law practice was doing quite well for a one-man show, between it and my benefits from the military, I had saved up a considerable nest egg for someone my age. I once again thought to myself that I couldn’t wait to see what the rest of the place would look like when they were done.
The girls ended up sitting on the sofa to eat, while I took the only recliner, and we used the to-go containers as bowls. They talked about all the things they had seen and made plans to go back out the next day. Sam suggested that in the morning, since there was no food in the house, Emily and I go to breakfast and then make a run to Emily’s place to pick up some more clothes. She had only packed for a weekend at her friend’s house.
Sam told Emily she’d come back around noon to pick her up and drive back to the city to see if they could find everything else Sam wanted to replace my current furniture.
Sam asked if I’d have time to get the grocery shopping done if she made a list. I assured her that I could handle it and that there would be food in the house by the time they got back.
About that time, the buzzer went off on the dryer. Emily’s new sheets were ready to go on the bed, and they went to grab them.
I picked up the now-empty “dishes” and threw them away. Grabbing the dogs’ leashes, I took them outside one last time, saying hi to Craig as I walked Cooper and Charlie across the street to the square.
The sidewalks were still full, with the after-dinner crowd moving from bar to bar, and the square was well-lit and lively. It was nice to see the downtown so full of life. When I was in high school, it was relatively dead by 6 pm.
When I got back upstairs, Emily’s bed had been made, and Sam was gathering her things to go. “I’ll see you both tomorrow around noon. I’ll bring your list, Alex.” Sam gave Alex and I both a hug before heading downstairs. It was well after 9 o’clock, which normally wouldn’t be the end of a night for me, but I was dead tired.
I told Emily she was welcome to stay up but that I was going to bed and asked her to turn off the lights when she finally decided to turn in.
She ran over and hugged me. “Thank you for everything, Alex. I really didn’t know what I was going to do. You have no idea what this means to me.” I hugged her back and told her this summer was going to be a real adventure for both of us.
I realized that I was glad she was there, not just because I wanted to help her out but because having her there would push me to leave a routine that had become way too comfortable. Having someone around also meant I wouldn’t spend every evening alone, worrying about how I was going to handle what Joe had put in front of me.
Seeing me heading to bed, Cooper jumped up to follow me. I noticed that Charlie stayed on the sofa where he had been lying next to Emily. I figured he’d follow later if he wanted to and left the door cracked for him to slide through later and got ready for bed.
Once again, it had been a crazy day. I was recapping it in my head as I lay down on my new bed.
The last thing I remember was thinking, “this is the most comfortable mattress I’ve ever slept on.”
In hindsight, the next day (Sunday), was a great day. There were some complications and some fallout from Saturday but overall I think it was the best day since Joe died. I'm working on journaling it now and cleaning it up to post it. Thanks for your continued interest in what's been going on.
submitted by LawyerVet36 to InTheValley [link] [comments]
*** Saturday Continued **\*
I figured we all needed a break from the day’s drama and asked Mark and Sam if they could stay and have lunch with us. Both agreed, Mark said he wanted to go over the security plan that John was putting together, and Sam didn’t want to leave Emily just yet.
I remembered that right after Emily was born, Sam would hold her at every family gathering, staring at her and playing with her little hands. Even though it had been 17 years since she’d last seen Emily, she is still protective of her.
Rather than eat at the conference table, we went to a fairly new gourmet burger place nearby. I asked John to join us at the table for lunch, and he reluctantly agreed. I had seen Mark on the phone on the way over, and by the time we got there, a police car was parked out front.
Emily called her mom on the way to eat and confirmed that she was out and home. She told her mom about her summer job and let her know she’d hopefully see her later today, but that she might spend the night at a friend’s place again. Debbie asked her to find out if I minded if she came by later today or tomorrow. Emily covered her phone with her hand and relayed the question. I told Emily to let her know that one of us would call her, and if we couldn’t meet this weekend, we definitely would on Monday.
I heard Emily tell her mom she might be working tomorrow too and realized that she was right. Things were moving quickly, and I doubted we’d be sitting around relaxing anytime soon.
We got to the restaurant and walked in. The servers pulled a couple of tables together since, even though there were only five of us, both Mark and John took up a lot of room. I noticed that both of them took seats facing the door. We ordered drinks and took a couple of minutes to go over the menu before I asked John to share his plans.
“Well, given the messages and the fact that someone has already been hurt, I think we’re going to want to make some immediate improvements to the security. I’ve already sent messages to our security team to be prepared to install alarms and cameras at both properties; they’ll be on-site tomorrow at the latest. I’ll need complete access to both buildings.”
I remembered that I still needed to get keys from JA, I’d had some exploring to do. The three-story building was constructed sometime around the turn of the century (last century, not this one) and had seen a variety of uses in its 100+ year history. It sat on a corner lot downtown and extended a good bit of the way down the block. Several of the businesses that occupied the first floor had been there for decades, supporting multiple generations of residents. When the downtown was dying in the 70s and 80s, a lot of the occupants moved out, with only the retail offices remaining open, and even those barely made it through those times.
Like most of the buildings back then, it was deep, around 70 feet from the front of the building on Main Street to the alley in back, it was also significantly longer than most, with 100 feet of Main Street frontage and 70 feet on the side street. It acted as an anchor for the downtown for decades. In addition to the retail spaces on the first floor and my office, there was also a bar and restaurant that catered to the professionals in the area and the weekend crowd. I’m not a big drinker, but it was convenient to have a spot to go when I wanted to relax at the end of the day.
The corner of the building housed the lobby and opened to the hallway dividing the storefronts from the storage areas behind them. There was an elevator going up to the second and third floors, although a keycard was required to get to go to the top floor. The staircase was right next to the elevators, which I chose to use the elevator ninety percent of the time.
Once you got to the second floor there was a small lobby with doors heading off in three different directions. One was to my apartment, one directly across from mine, which I assume was a mirror of my space, and then a set of double oak doors going to the backside of the building.
When Joe built the apartment space out he left the wood beams and exposed interior brickwork. A series of tall, evenly spaced windows dominated one wall, letting in a ton of light. The floor plan essentially consists of a great room that houses a kitchen, utility room with washer and dryer, my bedroom and bathroom (which are both quite large), a study, a half bath, and a second bedroom and full bath.
I never measured it, but I think it’s easily 1800 square feet of space with a mostly open floor plan and a ton of light. For a single guy, it feels massive, and the great room lets Charlie and Cooper hang around without it ever feeling crowded (the bed is another story). On the rare occasion I invite anyone up, they’re amazed by the space, having had no idea it was even here.
“We’ll be installing cameras in all common areas and along the rooflines. On Monday or Tuesday, we’ll upgrade the security for lobby access. There is already keycard access on the elevator, but we need to make some changes to limit access to the second floor now as well.
Joe’s place is a little more complex, we’ll be getting upgraded internet installed and a network of wired cameras around the property. We’ll also be installing perimeter motion sensors in the woods. It’s not feasible to cover the acreage with cameras this quickly, but we can at least ensure no one enters the property without us knowing. Finally, remotely deployed drones will be ready to put eyes wherever we don’t have cameras in the event of a motion alert.”
Good lord, I thought… This is going to be at least $50K by the time we get done, and I bet I don’t even get to play with the drones.
“We’ll get copies of the surveys and look at fencing options…” That immediately grabbed my attention. “No fences!” I quickly said. “I’m sorry, John, I know that might make the most sense, but we’re going to have to do this without fences.”
“Understood. Are you okay with a low wall on the road frontage and gates for the driveways? I really need to have some way of controlling vehicle traffic; it will create a safer environment for you and the protection team.”
John’s delivery of a gentle reminder that this wasn’t just about me, that life was going to be different, was needed. I nodded. “Of course, thanks, John. I’d like to preserve the woods as I’ve always known them if we can, but not at a risk to your team. Let me know if we get to that point.”
John nodded. “I appreciate that, it’s our job to find the balance between your security and your happiness.” He paused before continuing, “We’ll go ahead and get work on the system designs for both buildings. We’ll need you or someone from the firm on-site when we’re doing the interior work.”
“One last thing, we’ll be providing you with a GPS tracker and panic button. It can be worn around your neck. We can do the same thing with a smartwatch, but we’d prefer you to also carry the tracker if you don’t have any objections.”
“That’s fine,” I said. “I’ll call JA to get the other keys to my place today, but let’s make Joe’s house the priority since it’s been broken into twice now.“ Emily looked uncomfortable again, but I winked at her, and that made her smile a little bit.
“You good with all this, Mark?” I asked.
“Yep, I just wanted to know what the plan was, and to get John to pay for my lunch since he’s landed himself this fat contract,” Mark said, laughing.
John laughed back and said, “Done! But I’ll take you to lunch anytime, I can always write it off as a recruiting expense. You know I pay a lot better than the city!”
Sam had been quiet the entire time, taking it all in. I asked her what she was thinking, and she just said, “Oh, nothing, we can talk about it later.” I didn’t love that answer. I knew this was already a lot and was afraid it was getting to be too much. I nodded and forced a smile that I was sure didn’t meet my eyes.
I turned to Emily and asked her how her first day had gone so far. She was quick to respond, “It hasn’t been dull!” She had a smile on her face that DID meet her eyes. I couldn’t help but think that the younger you are, the more you’re likely to find things like this exciting, since life hadn’t quite gotten exciting enough on its own. At least I knew I could count on some enthusiasm over what was sure to be an interesting summer.
The rest of lunch was small talk, with Mark and John catching up and Emily telling Sam about school and asking what it was like to leave the valley and live on the West Coast. I just sat and enjoyed my burger as much as I could.
Emily ordered a milkshake to go while the rest of us finished our burgers. John, true to his word, paid the check, and we all walked back to my office. The girls headed into the conference room, but Mark held me back.
“Thanks for an interesting day so far, Alex. You know this really wasn’t what I was expecting when we met for breakfast,” Mark laughed as I was trying to figure out what to say. “I’m pulling your leg; this is going to make for an interesting summer.”
My head snapped around to look at him. “I was JUST thinking that!”
We both laughed for a second before he got serious again.
“Look, keep your eyes open and your head on a swivel. I know Michael is your brother, but he’s not a good guy. He’s been on and off our radar for a while. Your dad has gotten him out of trouble way more often than he deserved. Michael hasn’t gotten smarter with age.” Mark paused for a second. “Don’t underestimate him or his kids.”
I had forgotten about my nephews. Mark was right—they were worse than Michael. With them, there was no pretense of even trying to stay on the right side of the law. If they somehow got pulled into this, that was a whole 'nother level of trouble. I thanked him for reminding me and told him I’d mention it to John and get him to pull their background reports.
“Don’t worry about it. I’m having their arrest records pulled and sent over. It will save him filing a FOIA request, and I can fill him in on some of my experiences with them,” Mark said.
I couldn’t help but wonder just how much trouble they were causing the community, but I decided to get with John later and get a better idea of who we might be dealing with, if Michael did in fact drag them into the situation, or if he already had.
“Thanks again, Mark. I owe you big time. I’ll hit you up a little later and tell you how it goes with Sam.” Mark turned and said goodbye to Emily, Sam, and John, shaking John’s hand as he stepped away, telling him to look for an email shortly.
I asked John if we had anything else to cover, and he said no, that he’d be posted in the lobby of my office.
Turning to Emily, I asked her to get all the notes together on the calls, particularly the client calls. We’d be following up with clients on Monday. I wouldn’t be taking on any more cases or clients for the foreseeable future, so I’d need to get some names for Emily to start referring people to when they called in.
I stepped into my office to call JA about keys, and Sam walked in behind me, closing the door. “Uh oh,” I thought. I leaned up against my desk, bracing for what was coming. She asked me how I was doing, and I was honest. I told her it was a lot to deal with right now, that the breaking and entering and attack on the guard was a complete shock. This is basically how I remember the conversation that followed:
“I know, Alex. You realize this isn’t going to get easier anytime soon? For God’s sake, we just spent the last hour detailing security measures for multiple properties and discussing likely threats to your safety. All that and you haven’t even started dealing with the actual estate and the responsibilities that will come with it,” Sam said with a mix of exasperation and sympathy.
I figured it was time to tell Sam about the other part of the will: the establishment of the Community Foundation and the Russell Family Trust, both of which would be my responsibility to oversee—a total of $50 million in funds to manage, disperse, and direct. I explained Joe’s vision, as much as I understood it without diving into the journals, and told her I’d probably have to get started on the groundwork in the next week or so.
Sam’s eyes widened. “Fuck Alex, Joe really must have thought you could leap tall buildings with everything he’s put on you without any warning.”
Privately, I agreed. I still didn’t understand why Joe handled things this way, but I wasn’t ready to condemn him either. I needed time and perspective to better understand his plan.
“Alex,” Sam started and paused. (“This isn’t good,” flashed through my brain.) “I’m so glad we reconnected, and I feel like so many of the feelings we had for each other when we were younger are still there,” (“Here comes the but,”) “but I don’t see how we can do a new relationship justice with all you’ve got going on.”
“Well, this sucks,” I thought, but I knew she was right. This was going to be enough of a transition without trying to also navigate a serious, committed relationship. I'm honestly glad we had this conversation now as opposed to a month from now.
She continued, “I spent the last 18 years grinding it out in school, residency, and a fellowship to get to this point. I’m committed to my career, and even though I think there is room for an ‘us,’ I don’t think there is room for an ‘us,’ a bodyguard,” (I hated that word) “a family feud, enemies, a foundation, a trust, a complex estate to understand, and a substantial business to manage.”
“I’m not sure there is room for all that in your life, even without trying to build a new relationship. You’re going to need all the friends and support you can get.” As usual, she was right. I didn’t like it, and I wouldn’t have said it myself, but I knew she wasn’t wrong.
“I’d like to be part of that support, and for us to get to know each other as friends again, without the expectations of a romantic relationship. I want to be there for you while you’re building this new life. I want to be your friend first and I want you to be mine. I’m going to need support some days too. I’m basically new in town after 18 years away, and my job isn’t always a cakewalk. There are going to be days that I need a whiskey after work, and you’ve got a great bar downstairs.” Her smile made me feel better about the situation as she continued.
“So, here’s my proposal. Let’s start this as friends, just like we did in elementary school. We’ll be there for each other and know we can talk about anything we need to. We can have a drink, and we can spend time together without expectations of anything more than just friendship.”
“If we’re meant to be together, it will work out that way. If not, then we can at least be godparents for each other’s kids someday.” She looked like she was finished, and a little anxious as she waited for my response.
Sam was more mature than I was when we were in high school, and nothing had changed in the 18 years since.
“I know you’re right, Sam. If it weren’t for this situation, I’d have all the bandwidth in the world for ‘us,’ but as it is, I realize something is going to suffer if we try and do this now. All of this, including us, is too important to risk doing any of it half-assed.”
I could see how relieved she was, and honestly, I felt it a little bit too, like a pressure I didn’t even realize was there had been lifted. I relaxed a little and hugged her. As soon as I did, I knew this was the right thing to do; I just felt it.
With over a week’s worth of hindsight, I know now that our feelings for each other from high school had never been properly resolved. Trying to restart a relationship based on stolen kisses in the hall between classes and exploring what romance meant in the back seat of a car by the river was a bad idea. We had made promises to each other back then before we even knew what those promises meant. Maybe we were destined to be together, but if so, we’d find out as the people we are now, not the kids we used to be.
“So, does this mean I might see you out on dates?” I asked.
“Yep, and I might see you on them too, although I think it’s more likely I’ll see you than you’ll see me. I’m not going to be looking for anyone. I think this move, my new job, and being your friend is going to take up a lot of my time. However, if I think it would be fun to go out with someone and I’ve got time to do so, I will. You need to do the same thing.”
I nodded again. There was no point in arguing; she was still right.
“One more thing, I’m going to be spending time with Emily. She’s going through a lot; it’s not my place to go into details. She promised she’d share with you when she’s ready. Here’s what you do need to know: she needs your friendship, she’s excited about this job, and she’s more than capable of being a good ‘junior assistant.’”
At this point, Sam fixed me with that stare of hers. “Also, she needs a place to stay for a few weeks. DO NOT ask me why, or her, for that matter. I haven’t seen your place, do you have room for a 19-year-old, well-behaved young lady that was editor of the school paper, president of the debate club, and one-tenth of a point away from being valedictorian?”
“Holy crap,” I thought. With friends like Sam, I might just find myself taking direction as much as I’m making decisions.
“She’s welcome to stay with me. I’ll probably end up at Joe’s place some nights anyway. Do you want to check out the apartment and tell me what you think?” I asked. "I'm probably going to need to get her a bed, and maybe some furniture."
“Not the reason I thought I’d be going to your apartment for the first time, but sure. Let me see if it’s any better than these offices,” she said.
“Ouch, that hurts!” I laughed. “Ok, give me a minute to call JA and tell him I need keys ASAP for the rest of this building, and then we’ll head up.”
I called JA and told him what was going on. He already knew about the attack on the guard, of course, and evidently, John had also contacted him and told him we needed to get into the rest of the building to install security systems. He said a courier was meeting someone at his office and picking up the master keys.
“Alex, there is more to that building than you know. I was going to go over this with you when we met on Monday, but it doesn’t really matter, and under the circumstances, it’s more important to get this done. Everything on the second and third floors is part of your uncle’s estate. I’ll explain it all later. I hope you find it as interesting as he did.” I thanked him, and we hung up.
“Ok, let’s head up to check out the apartment. There is a courier on his way with the keys to the rest of the building, so we might get to see more than just the apartment if you have time.”
“Sounds good. I do have some things to do later, but I’m good for now. Let’s see your man cave.”
Leaving the office, I stuck my head in the conference room and told Emily we were heading upstairs for a minute and to keep working. I asked if I had had any more calls, and she said just more of the same—that she’d taken messages and told people that you’d call back when you had time. If it was a client, she told them someone would call them Monday. She said she was working on a schedule based on 20-minute calls.
I told her to begin scheduling calls at 8:00 and to cut them off at 10:30, that we’d be opening the office early so we could close before noon and then get as much done at JA’s office as possible next week. Closing the door to the conference room behind me, Sam and I walked out to the lobby where I let John know the the courier was going to be coming with the keys shortly and thanked him for calling JA.
Sam and I took the stairs up and I opened the door to the apartment. I could tell it wasn’t what Sam had been expecting. “This is amazing! How big is this place?”
“I really don’t know, I think it feels larger than it is because the only walls are around the bedrooms, the study, the utility room, and the bathrooms.”
Sam stuck her head in the second bedroom “This will be fine as soon as you empty it out. She’ll need to get a bed, bedroom furniture, TV, etc. You’ll also need towels for her bathroom.”
Opening my refrigerator she did a quick inventory, I had 4 beers, a leftover pizza, some eggs, milk, yogurt, and a carton of OJ. Thinking about it, I wouldn’t recommend drinking the milk but I kept that to myself. “You need actual food here. Give her a card and tell her to go shopping, I’ll give her a list of the basics. After opening a couple more cabinets she shook her head “Never mind, I’ll take her shopping myself, you apparently only have one plate and it looks like you stole your glasses from the bar downstairs!”
For the record: I did NOT steal them. I once mentioned to the manager that I liked how heavy they were and how nice they looked and she gave me a set since I eat there regularly.
“Also, you might be able to do 100% of your cooking in a single skillet, but she won’t.”
That wasn’t fair either, I have a small pot I used to make soup. One skillet, one pot, who needs more than that??
Her cursory inventory complete she put her hands on her hips and scanned the apartment once more. “Just give me a card, I’ll handle everything. If we run out of room on your card I’ll take care of it and you can just pay me back.” She saw me flinch and said to me with a serious tone.
“Alex, you don’t have to be reckless with your money but aren’t going to fly under the radar like Joe did. Hell, he asked you to run a foundation, which means raising money and schmoozing. You might as well start getting used to the new normal.” She paused until I nodded in agreement “Do you have a particular style of decor you like or don’t like?”
“I like things clean and modern with a little bit of a nod to history, but usually I just let “cheap” win.”
Well, brace yourself. You can have clean and modern but cheap isn’t going to cut it. Especially if I’m going to put my name on it. I’ll try and keep it under $25K but no promises, this dorm furniture is going to go. You have the nicest apartment in the area. Let’s make sure we do it justice.”
I felt my eye twitch, $25K??? I hadn’t paid that much for a car until I finally splurged on my truck. Reaching into my pocket I pulled out my card and handed it to Sam who had a mischievous smile.
“Oh good, I love shopping with other people’s money.” She pulled out her phone and took a series of pictures, panoramas, and videos as she paced off the space to get a rough idea of the dimensions.
“Ok, I’ve seen enough. I’ll try to have a bed here by tonight, If not Emily can sleep on the sofa. I’m going to steal her for the rest of the day today and probably tomorrow if you’re ok with it?”
“Uh, sure. She can take the phone with her and just make sure she stays on top of the calls.”
Sam tucked the card in her pocket. “Great, she may also need a couple of work outfits. Is there any furniture that’s sentimental?”
I looked around, my eyes fell on photos of friends from the military, a folded flag, a shadow box, and a few keepsakes. Sam’s smile softened and she laid her hand on my arm. “Don’t worry Alex, it’s still your place, I’ll honor your friends and your past. We’re not getting rid of you or them. I promise you’ll love it.”
“Oh my gosh, I almost forgot your bedroom. Let’s take a quick look in there.” I pointed to a large hanging barn door. Sam walked over and slid it open. Stepping inside. She took one look at the to the master bedroom and bath and turned around, closing the door behind her as she walked back into the great room. “Forget it, no way it’s going to be under $25K, everything in this place has to go.”
“Sam, I didn’t spend $3000 on all the furniture and stuff in here, I don’t see how it can cost $25,000 to replace it.”
Sam laughed, “Oh, you’ll see, don’t you worry. Do you have a preference for mattress firmness?”
I don’t think I’ve ever even bothered to try different mattresses but I remembered staying on some that I thought were too soft. “Firm, I guess?” Sam nodded and went back to the list she’d been making on her phone.
About that time the door rang, John had sent the courier up. I thanked him for bringing it so quickly on a Saturday and signed for the envelope.
It contained several access cards and half a dozen keys. I asked Sam if she needed anything else. She said she was all so we left the apartment and I started trying keys across the hall. The second one I tried unlocked the door. Swinging it open I saw a mirror image of my apartment, maybe a little larger since this side of the building extended further down the street from the corner. It was unfurnished but gleaming new appliances could be seen in the kitchen and the same open floor plan, uncluttered by thrift store furniture.
Seeing the empty space made remember the possibilities I thought existed before I filled my apartment up with a mix of hand-me-downs and consignment finds. I found myself looking forward to seeing the space when Sam got done.
We wandered around for another minute or two, checking out the view from the windows and commenting on what a great location this was before leaving and locking the door behind us.
That left the double doors and the third floor. I knew Sam was hoping to get Emily settled in to a bed tonight so I decided to save that for another time.
Checking my phone, I saw it was nearly 2:00. We’d been poking around for over half an hour and Emily was just sitting downstairs waiting. “Oh boy, we’d better get downstairs. Did you want to take Emily shopping still?”
“Absolutely, and you need to see if actually wants to stay with you for a while. Let’s go talk to her.”
We took the stairs back down and went into my office. Emily was just getting off the phone, looking annoyed when we walked in.
“Everything ok?” I asked.
“Oh, it’s nothing really, just calls from people wanting to talk to you about borrowing money, making investments, or asking for donations. You also got calls from people we’re not related to.”
Sam and I both laughed. I told her we’d catch up on messages later but that I wanted to talk to her about where she was staying. She evidently had plans to stay a friend’s place for a while until she figured things out.
“I have another option, if you’re interested. I have a second bedroom upstairs if you’d like to stay here. You’ll have a lot more privacy and be right above your work. I’ll be splitting my time between here and Joe’s place for a while, so you’ll probably have the apartment to yourself occasionally.” I thought for a second, “Only rule is no more than three friends over at a time. Five is a party.”
“Oh my God! Really? That would be amazing, and that means I can have all my friends over at the same time! I go for quality over quantity!”
Sam grabbed her purse off the table. “Then that settles it, but you and I have some shopping to do. Let’s go – we need to get you a bed and some bedroom furniture plus Alex lives like he’s in a college dorm. We may not get everything done today, but we can get a start.” Emily grabbed her bag and they left before 2:30, waving goodbye and promising to call when they were on the way back.
I realized then that for the first time since the reading I was alone. No one was expecting me to call. I didn’t have to be somewhere in an hour. It was just me… well, me, two dogs, and John, but mostly just me.
I went upstairs with the dogs following behind. Grabbing a beer out of the fridge, I cleared out the extra bedroom to make room for Emily. I mostly used it to store my kayak, bicycle, and other sports stuff. Those all found their way into the great room, with the exception of the kayak, which I moved into the study.
With the bedroom empty, along with my beer, I grabbed the dogs’ leashes, and we went downstairs to go for a walk. Groups of folks were strolling the downtown sidewalks, checking out the shops and stopping into the beer and wine bars that had popped up over the last few years. Charlie and Cooper got plenty of pets as we strolled, and I finally had time to clear my head.
Eventually, I stopped at a wine bar where a guy was playing acoustic guitar, covering Simon & Garfunkel and doing a pretty good job of it. Sitting on the patio for the next couple of hours, I chatted with several friends that walked up to offer condolences or just say hi, while the pups soaked up all the attention they wanted.
It was almost 6 pm when my phone rang. It was Sam, letting me know they were on their way back and would be there in about thirty minutes with new beds for both Emily and me, along with furniture for Emily’s room. She said she didn’t see anything appropriate for my room but wanted to go ahead and replace the mattress.
I asked if I needed to do anything to get ready, and she assured me that all I needed to do was open the door. She mentioned that two guys in a delivery truck were going to take care of everything. I was shocked that she had pulled this off so fast and asked her how she did it.
“Evidently, when a last-minute sale for over $8,000 comes through the door at the end of the day on a Saturday, you find a way to make the delivery,” she replied.
Now, I was shocked for a different reason, but I just thanked her for arranging everything and said I’d meet them back there.
We had an easy walk back to the apartment. I got there about 15 minutes before they said they’d arrive. I had stripped the bed and pulled out new sheets to remake it when Sam and Emily came in the front door.
Sam checked to confirm that the second bedroom was empty and saw me setting out sheets. 'What are those for?' she asked. I told her I figured I should put fresh sheets on the new mattress.
'Look, Alex, just do me a favor: grab all the sheets in the house and bring them out here, then go downstairs and have a drink and dinner. Emily and I are going to order in; we’ll take care of everything else.' She paused and thought before finishing, 'We might join you for dessert, but we’re going to be busy around here for a while.”
I laughed; I’m sharp enough to know when I’m not wanted. Grabbing my tablet, I walked downstairs and told John I was going to eat around the corner. I asked him if he thought the girls were okay here by themselves, and he said he’d given a panic button to Emily earlier that afternoon when they left. He’d be right around the corner with me in the unlikely event they needed anything.
I walked out the door and turned right; just a few steps was all it took to put me at the front door of The Sluice. Stepping inside, I was greeted by the familiar warm glow of vintage-style lighting reflecting off the copper ceilings twelve feet overhead. The long, polished wooden bar stretches across one side of the room, backed by an array of mirrors and stained glass that date back to the early days of the building. The bar itself is a masterpiece, made from rich, dark wood said to have been milled from black walnut cut in the valley over 100 years ago. It had been meticulously restored to its former glory. Behind the bar, shelves stocked with an impressive selection of spirits and wines create a dazzling display of colors and shapes.
All around the restaurant were tasteful nods to the period when gold mining was the focus of our community. Rustic wooden beams and exposed brick walls provide a sturdy and authentic backdrop, while vintage mining tools like pickaxes, sluice boxes, and gold pans are artfully displayed throughout the space. I’ve been down here many times as folks new to the area ask about the theme, unaware of the gold rush that took place here long before the one in California.
I moved to the bar where I ordered a local lager and flipped open the menu, not for any good reason, I already knew what I was going to order. The bartender, Emma, brought my lager over, and I ordered their 12 oz New York strip medium rare, choosing that over their prime rib only because I wanted to give the girls all the time they needed, and prime rib would come out too quickly.
By the time I finished dinner, it was nearly 8 pm, John had left and been replace by Craig. I texted Sam and asked if I could come back up. She said only if I brought chocolate cake. That sounded reasonable, so I ordered three slices and ice cream to go, paid the check, and finished my beer while waiting for the deserts to come out. Less than ten minutes later I was climbing the stairs back to my apartment, cake and ice cream in hand.
Walking inside, I could hear the dryer running and noticed that both girls were in my bedroom. Up against the wall, they were making up a king-size bed. I’d never had anything larger than a queen, and the size difference was striking.
Seeing me walk in, they excitedly instructed me to lie down and tell them what I thought. Sinking onto the mattress, I said I’d never felt anything like it before. It was by far the most comfortable mattress I’d ever felt. Both were excited to hear that, and frankly, I would have been happy to lie down and sleep, but Emily wanted me to see her room.
I forced myself to get up and follow them. I must have underestimated the size of the room because Sam had elected to go with a king-size bed in here as well, and it easily accommodated the large mattress. The bed frame, dresser, nightstand, and floor mirror all had a Scandinavian feel and were done in white.
A desk with a glass top and rolling chair was up against a wall, and a comfortable reading chair sat in the adjacent corner. Pulling everything together was a light-colored rug with rose tones (in the days since Emily moved in, I once called it pink and was corrected). The bed hadn’t been made yet, but a white comforter sat on top of the mattress.
I was in awe. It had been less than five hours, and at least one room in my apartment now looked like a home. Both girls must have been able to read my expression because I got a big hug and thank you from Emily, who was clearly happy to see my approval, and a warm smile from Sam.
Going to the kitchen to retrieve the cake and ice cream, I realized that not only did I not have dishes, but I also didn’t have a proper place for three people to sit, just a small table that I’d eat at if I wasn’t eating on the sofa.
To be honest, I could have paid to properly furnish my apartment when I moved in. My law practice was doing quite well for a one-man show, between it and my benefits from the military, I had saved up a considerable nest egg for someone my age. I once again thought to myself that I couldn’t wait to see what the rest of the place would look like when they were done.
The girls ended up sitting on the sofa to eat, while I took the only recliner, and we used the to-go containers as bowls. They talked about all the things they had seen and made plans to go back out the next day. Sam suggested that in the morning, since there was no food in the house, Emily and I go to breakfast and then make a run to Emily’s place to pick up some more clothes. She had only packed for a weekend at her friend’s house.
Sam told Emily she’d come back around noon to pick her up and drive back to the city to see if they could find everything else Sam wanted to replace my current furniture.
Sam asked if I’d have time to get the grocery shopping done if she made a list. I assured her that I could handle it and that there would be food in the house by the time they got back.
About that time, the buzzer went off on the dryer. Emily’s new sheets were ready to go on the bed, and they went to grab them.
I picked up the now-empty “dishes” and threw them away. Grabbing the dogs’ leashes, I took them outside one last time, saying hi to Craig as I walked Cooper and Charlie across the street to the square.
The sidewalks were still full, with the after-dinner crowd moving from bar to bar, and the square was well-lit and lively. It was nice to see the downtown so full of life. When I was in high school, it was relatively dead by 6 pm.
When I got back upstairs, Emily’s bed had been made, and Sam was gathering her things to go. “I’ll see you both tomorrow around noon. I’ll bring your list, Alex.” Sam gave Alex and I both a hug before heading downstairs. It was well after 9 o’clock, which normally wouldn’t be the end of a night for me, but I was dead tired.
I told Emily she was welcome to stay up but that I was going to bed and asked her to turn off the lights when she finally decided to turn in.
She ran over and hugged me. “Thank you for everything, Alex. I really didn’t know what I was going to do. You have no idea what this means to me.” I hugged her back and told her this summer was going to be a real adventure for both of us.
I realized that I was glad she was there, not just because I wanted to help her out but because having her there would push me to leave a routine that had become way too comfortable. Having someone around also meant I wouldn’t spend every evening alone, worrying about how I was going to handle what Joe had put in front of me.
Seeing me heading to bed, Cooper jumped up to follow me. I noticed that Charlie stayed on the sofa where he had been lying next to Emily. I figured he’d follow later if he wanted to and left the door cracked for him to slide through later and got ready for bed.
Once again, it had been a crazy day. I was recapping it in my head as I lay down on my new bed.
The last thing I remember was thinking, “this is the most comfortable mattress I’ve ever slept on.”
In hindsight, the next day (Sunday), was a great day. There were some complications and some fallout from Saturday but overall I think it was the best day since Joe died. I'm working on journaling it now and cleaning it up to post it. Thanks for your continued interest in what's been going on.
2024.06.10 18:13 luxactoR [STORE] 27 Unique Items (Blue Gems - Katowice 2014 & more)
Trade URL
🔥Feel free to join my steam group Send Offer - building a hub with collectors & traders.
submitted by luxactoR to Csgotrading [link] [comments]
🔥Feel free to join my steam group Send Offer - building a hub with collectors & traders.
| Type | Name | FV | Info | Tradable | B/O ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 💎 | ★ Karambit Case Hardened (BS) | 0.83 | #463 - red eye pattern | Yes | 12345 |
| 💎 | ★ StatTrak™ M9 Bayonet Case Hardened (FT) | 0.16 | #503 - tier 1 pattern with scar | Yes | 5555 |
| 💎 | ★ Karambit Case Hardened (WW) | 0.42 | #670 - blue ring & blue playside | Yes | 4444 |
| 💎 | ★ Bayonet Case Hardened (WW) | 0.42 | #321 - p4 | Yes | 2499 |
| 💎 | ★ Hydra Gloves Case Hardened (BS) | 0.77 | #829 - p1 | Yes | 938 |
| 🙌 | ★ Specialist Gloves Crimson Web (FT) | 0.22 | #89 - tier1 pattern with clean E | 5/17/2024 | 499 |
| 💛 | StatTrak™ AK-47 Slate (FN) | 0.00004 | x4 vox holo kato15 on super low float ak (1/2) | Yes | 3999 |
| 💛 | M4A1-S Cyrex (FN) | 0.04 | ibuypower holo kato14 above mag + x2 crown foil | Yes | 3333 |
| 💛 | AK-47 Fire Serpent (FT) | 0.18 | vox holo kato14 on wood + crown foil next position | Yes | 3333 |
| 💛 | AWP Asiimov (FT) | 0.29 | titan holo kato14 on the scope | Yes | 3125 |
| 💛 | AK-47 Black Laminate (FT) | 0.35 | x4 kato14 (ibuypower holo on wood, titan, lgb holo, reason) | Yes | 2599 |
| 💛 | StatTrak™ M4A4 In Living Color (FN) | 0.042000 | x4 dignitas holo col14 (1/1) | Yes | 2499 |
| 💛 | USP-S Stainless (WW) | 0.43 | titan holo kato14 above handle & x2 titan holo kato15 | Yes | 2499 |
| 💛 | StatTrak™ AWP Electric Hive (FN) | 0.03 | dignitas holo col14 on the scope + x3 holo kato14 (vp, dignitas, mystik) | Yes | 1666 |
| 💛 | AK-47 Case Hardened (FT) | 0.37 | ibuypower holo kato14 above trigger | Yes | 1449 |
| 💛 | StatTrak™ AK-47 Slate (FN) | 0.01 | x4 fnatic holo dh14 | Yes | 749 |
| 💛 | AK-47 The Empress (WW) | 0.39 | x4 gold krakow17 (dosia, pashabiceps, x2 nbk) | Yes | 669 |
| 💛 | StatTrak™ AK-47 Phantom Disruptor (FN) | 0.05 | x4 navi holo dh14 (1/1) | Yes | 549 |
| 💛 | AK-47 Fuel Injector (FN) | 0.06 | x2 flammable Foil (wood and back) | Yes | 549 |
| 💛 | AWP Redline (MW) | 0.11 | titan kato14 on the scope | Yes | 369 |
| 💛 | USP-S Overgrowth (FN) | 0.06 | crown foil above handle (rare combo) | Yes | 279 |
| 💛 | P250 Mehndi (FN) | 0.04 | x4 kato14 (vp, mousesports, fnatic mystik) | Yes | 222 |
| 💛 | StatTrak™ M4A4 Faded Zebra (BS) | 0.78 | high float - x4 kato14 (3dmax, vox, ldlc, complexity) | Yes | 199 |
| 💛 | Souvenir UMP-45 Urban DDPAT (FT) | 0.35 | titan foil kato14 | Yes | 169 |
| 💛 | StatTrak™ AK-47 Red Laminate (WW) | 0.38 | harp of war holo next to wood | Yes | 149 |
| 💛 | StatTrak™ Desert Eagle Conspiracy (FN) | 0.03 | x4 liquid mlg16 | Yes | 36 |
| 💛 | AWP Worm God (MW) | 0.11 | x3 kato15 (envyus holo on scope * x2 clg) | Yes | 22 |
2024.06.10 18:13 luxactoR [STORE] 27 Unique Items (Blue Gems - Katowice 2014 & more)
Trade URL
🔥Feel free to join my steam group Send Offer - building a hub with collectors & traders.
submitted by luxactoR to GlobalOffensiveTrade [link] [comments]
🔥Feel free to join my steam group Send Offer - building a hub with collectors & traders.
| Type | Name | FV | Info | Tradable | B/O ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 💎 | ★ Karambit Case Hardened (BS) | 0.83 | #463 - red eye pattern | Yes | 12345 |
| 💎 | ★ StatTrak™ M9 Bayonet Case Hardened (FT) | 0.16 | #503 - tier 1 pattern with scar | Yes | 5555 |
| 💎 | ★ Karambit Case Hardened (WW) | 0.42 | #670 - blue ring & blue playside | Yes | 4444 |
| 💎 | ★ Bayonet Case Hardened (WW) | 0.42 | #321 - p4 | Yes | 2499 |
| 💎 | ★ Hydra Gloves Case Hardened (BS) | 0.77 | #829 - p1 | Yes | 938 |
| 🙌 | ★ Specialist Gloves Crimson Web (FT) | 0.22 | #89 - tier1 pattern with clean E | 5/17/2024 | 499 |
| 💛 | StatTrak™ AK-47 Slate (FN) | 0.00004 | x4 vox holo kato15 on super low float ak (1/2) | Yes | 3999 |
| 💛 | M4A1-S Cyrex (FN) | 0.04 | ibuypower holo kato14 above mag + x2 crown foil | Yes | 3333 |
| 💛 | AK-47 Fire Serpent (FT) | 0.18 | vox holo kato14 on wood + crown foil next position | Yes | 3333 |
| 💛 | AWP Asiimov (FT) | 0.29 | titan holo kato14 on the scope | Yes | 3125 |
| 💛 | AK-47 Black Laminate (FT) | 0.35 | x4 kato14 (ibuypower holo on wood, titan, lgb holo, reason) | Yes | 2599 |
| 💛 | StatTrak™ M4A4 In Living Color (FN) | 0.042000 | x4 dignitas holo col14 (1/1) | Yes | 2499 |
| 💛 | USP-S Stainless (WW) | 0.43 | titan holo kato14 above handle & x2 titan holo kato15 | Yes | 2499 |
| 💛 | StatTrak™ AWP Electric Hive (FN) | 0.03 | dignitas holo col14 on the scope + x3 holo kato14 (vp, dignitas, mystik) | Yes | 1666 |
| 💛 | AK-47 Case Hardened (FT) | 0.37 | ibuypower holo kato14 above trigger | Yes | 1449 |
| 💛 | StatTrak™ AK-47 Slate (FN) | 0.01 | x4 fnatic holo dh14 | Yes | 749 |
| 💛 | AK-47 The Empress (WW) | 0.39 | x4 gold krakow17 (dosia, pashabiceps, x2 nbk) | Yes | 669 |
| 💛 | StatTrak™ AK-47 Phantom Disruptor (FN) | 0.05 | x4 navi holo dh14 (1/1) | Yes | 549 |
| 💛 | AK-47 Fuel Injector (FN) | 0.06 | x2 flammable Foil (wood and back) | Yes | 549 |
| 💛 | AWP Redline (MW) | 0.11 | titan kato14 on the scope | Yes | 369 |
| 💛 | USP-S Overgrowth (FN) | 0.06 | crown foil above handle (rare combo) | Yes | 279 |
| 💛 | P250 Mehndi (FN) | 0.04 | x4 kato14 (vp, mousesports, fnatic mystik) | Yes | 222 |
| 💛 | StatTrak™ M4A4 Faded Zebra (BS) | 0.78 | high float - x4 kato14 (3dmax, vox, ldlc, complexity) | Yes | 199 |
| 💛 | Souvenir UMP-45 Urban DDPAT (FT) | 0.35 | titan foil kato14 | Yes | 169 |
| 💛 | StatTrak™ AK-47 Red Laminate (WW) | 0.38 | harp of war holo next to wood | Yes | 149 |
| 💛 | StatTrak™ Desert Eagle Conspiracy (FN) | 0.03 | x4 liquid mlg16 | Yes | 36 |
| 💛 | AWP Worm God (MW) | 0.11 | x3 kato15 (envyus holo on scope * x2 clg) | Yes | 22 |