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thejustmaiden · 4 years

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Heyo, fellow Inuyasha fans! Happy Friday! This particular blog will serve as a collection of random thoughts I’ve been mulling over lately. Hope you’ll consider giving it a read. By the way, it’ll specifically pertain to the Sessrin ship. If that’s not something that is of interest to you, then no need to read any further. Whatever happens, I wanted to get this out before the sequel. Alrighty, let’s go!

I’m not sure many of us realize just how much fiction sparks public dialogue and shapes culture. There have been countless studies and research done to prove it, therefore this really isn’t up for debate. What the real question here should be is have we taken the time to fully contemplate and assess just how much fictional experiences are able to change or influence our perspective on real, everyday life? The visual arts are just one of many evolutionary adaptations that serve to give us more insight into one another’s mind. If our outlook on fiction contrasts with said insight, then perhaps some re-evaluating is in order.

Powerful works of literature such as 1984 and the beloved Harry Potter series are just two examples. George Orwell’s book contributed strongly to how readers viewed government and politics during that time, and to this day it’s a book that resonates with many. As much as Harry Potter is cherished all across the world, there are religious and academic institutions that condemn it or have even gone so far as to ban it. I may not agree with the extreme measures taken, but it’s fascinating nonetheless to witness the extent to which fiction can move and mobilize people for a cause.

The takeaway is that indicating fiction doesn’t have the power to create change in our everyday lives is misleading to say the least. So how exactly then can fictional stories that are, after all, completely made up affect society in such profound ways? It all lies in the power of the psychology of fiction. According to cognitive psychologist and novelist, Keith Oatley, who’s been researching the psychological effects of fiction for over a decade, he states that engaging with stories about other people can improve empathy and theory of mind. When we identify with these characters’ struggles, we begin to share their frustration for societal problems that plague them. These types of stories tap into our emotions more so than- believe it or not- nonfiction, and thus their effects inspire us and even have the ability to alter our worldviews.

I’ll be returning to that specific topic a bit later, but moving on for now!

It’s safe to say that I speak on behalf of the majority of antis. That being said, I first want to add that we are aware that sessrin shippers claim to agree that there was nothing inherently romantic that took place between Rin and Sesshomaru during their travels together. The thing is we have trouble believing you guys when you time and time again provide contradictory statements to defend your stance.

Voicing things like, “all signs point to Rin” and “it’s been foreshadowed” sends the exact opposite message of what you supposedly stand for and, if anything, confirms that you’ve had romance on your mind long before it would’ve been acceptable to come out with openly. You can’t just go along with what we say when it’s convenient to your argument and then back it up later with “who else but Rin.” How can the relationship you’re imagining be so obvious if they didn’t hint at it for the whole duration of the original series like we agreed upon? Elaborate on how we could’ve possibly come to such wildly different conclusions when we started AND left off with the same views for and throughout the series.

On top of that, making the excuse that we don’t speak for adult!Rin and that she has the right to make her own decisions once she’s old enough is a weak defense. Firstly, because we haven’t even met her. Secondly, because it’s unfair of you to assert that you know what’s best for Rin and then say we’re not allowed to just because it doesn’t align with your beliefs. I get that you feel protective over her character, but do recall that this adult version of her none of us have actually met yet. We have no idea what kind of woman she’s become, what her dreams or aspirations may be, and whether she’s married or even wants to be. I’m not against the idea of her falling in love, I just don’t think it’ll be with Sesshomaru. I guess I’m also a fan of the idea of her following in Kaede’s footsteps, because if anyone can grow up to be an independent, trusted, and wise leader of the community like her it’s Rin.

To make matters worse, way too many of you continue to celebrate the drama cd and profess that it was sweet that Sesshomaru basically promised he’d wait for Rin all while somehow ignoring the glaring grooming implications. Why do you only see what you want to see and fail to acknowledge that actual child grooming scenarios do in fact play out like this in real life? A high percentage of people who have been victims of grooming can attest to this. If Sessrin does go canon, all the sequel succeeded in doing to avoid the direct correlation with grooming was skip over the more questionable and dodgy portions of it. Take out the time jump, however, and you no longer have a loophole to cover up the scary unmistakable truth, which is that Sessrin and grooming are essentially one in the same.

No one case is identical to another so please don’t come to me with your “but how is it grooming if Sesshomaru didn’t manipulate Rin” refutes. Nobody knows what the hell went on during those years between The Final Act and this upcoming sequel. Based on everything exhibited so far- that is if we decide to recognize the drama cd like so many of you choose to do- Sessrin’s dynamic is eerily reminiscent of real life child grooming. Why else do you think a lot of us fans have a huge problem with it? It’s triggering for a reason.

Let’s be honest, Sesshomaru’s supposed love confession could’ve just been the first of many gestures like it. Who really knows, right? According to you shippers, a major shift in their relationship took place sometime during this critical period none of us got to watch unfold. I’m sure you all have explored the various ways this would’ve gone down in fan fiction and through other creative means of expression. Not to spoil the fun, but all I can’t help but wonder about is just how many of those supposed “cute moments” would’ve been as creepy and cringey as that proposal. Hundreds of thousands (possibly millions?!) of fans would undoubtedly agree with me, too. It seems to me this ain’t due to a mere difference of opinion. Taste is one thing, ethics a whole other.

By the way, in case you didn’t know, groomers don’t necessarily need to plan out every single move in order for their behavior to constitute as grooming. What we should be paying attention to instead is the fact that Sesshomaru made a conscious decision to act on his own selfish desire for a young girl who couldn’t have possibly known in that moment the magnitude of what he was asking of her. Why is it that a vulnerable Rin is put in a position that forces her to be the one responsible for making such a big, life-changing decision for the both of them? Yes, Sesshomaru gave her the choice and, yes, she doesn’t have to make it till later, but why on Earth is he coming to her with this well before a child her age is ready and mature enough to handle it? Even if his intentions are good (broadly speaking of course), his what you shippers probably call “innocent acts” are incidentally coercing Rin into reciprocating his feelings. Whether he planned for that or not, he’s at fault. Period.

That’s one way the power imbalance works. A child wants nothing more than to please the adult they look up to and adore, because they’re impressionable like that. Maybe Rin processes this like she’ll want whatever he wants, so that’s what she trains herself to believe- either right then and there or over time. Plus, if you really think about it, why wouldn’t she trust him if in her eyes he’s been nothing but good to her and that’s all she’s ever really known? (Psst! Charm is integral to the manipulative nature of grooming so it’s deceiving AKA manipulation can come off as praise or flattery.) Bottom line is that Rin is too young to have to think about this kind of deep stuff at all, and Sesshomaru shouldn’t have taken advantage of the power he had/has over her to influence a decision she was by no means prepared to hear about much less decide on. Your headcanons seem to imply that she’ll eventually have to choose though, and Idk about you but I rather not push my own fantasy agenda onto a underage girl regardless of how much I want it. Idc if she’s fictional, it wouldn’t feel right so why would I want to see that? My principals couldn’t ever allow for it.

Even if it wasn’t an official proposal, per se, it’s still disturbing to me that so many of you find joy in the thought of a grown adult male essentially waiting for a young girl HE KNEW to become old enough before pursuing her. I know this drama cd ain’t technically canon, y'all, but since this is literally the only source we have that may foreshadow a potential Sessrin to come, and it’s referenced a lot, I figured it still should be called out for exactly what it is- Grooming: 101!!!!

Just as I demonstrated above, fiction has the ability to make even the most inappropriate and uncomfortable situations be viewed in a favorable light when you put the right spin on it. *cough* Lolicon culture, need I say more? *cough* Despite what you may believe, the strategies fiction utilizes to explain themes/concepts can genuinely lead to how we perceive them, and ultimately to how we come to make sense of a similar event presented to us in real life. Especially if we have no prior experience with any of it and have nothing to compare something to, these perceptions can be dangerous yet still persuasive to certain fans- young ones in particular. The more narrative consistency across stories and different mediums, the more likely they’ll influence social beliefs. Minors don’t possess the same capacity as adults to think critically about the content they consume, and if we aren’t more careful about what we put out there then all of us will continue to face serious repercussions.

This is precisely why it’s crucial we persist in our fight against the rabid phenomenon of glorifying young girls in every sexual context imaginable. Just look at what something as seemingly harmless as fiction has the power to do. The scope of fiction is broad and far-reaching, and it’s about time we stop denying that fact and actually do something about it if we have the means to.

The truth of the matter is that we’re in desperate need of proper education and training programs on this issue in our communities. Families need to ensure their children have access to the necessary resources, but it isn’t just on them. ALL of us gotta do our part and ALL of us should be up for the task. It takes a village, right? If we do not properly discuss and address child sexual abuse (CSA) with our children and in public forums, including the internet, then we’re ultimately accepting incidents of CSA should they arise. Consequently, that also translates to indirectly accepting that the predators among us stay untreated and/or unpunished. That’s how the generational and societal aspect of the abuse can continue, and we must do everything in our power to secure our children’s future. Yes, even when it comes to fiction.

If you still somehow don’t think the Sessrin pairing has anything to do with grooming, allow me to break this down for you one more time:

1. If some of your fellow sessrin shippers say that a relationship like this in real life is harmful, then that should be pretty telling in and of itself.

2. Piggybacking off #1: if your only defense to that is “well it’s just fiction,” then you should ask yourself why you can’t ever come up with better reasons. Same goes for history and culture, so please stop using those to justify this relationship. None of the above can or should be applied since it’s already been established that fiction pervades our lives and vice versa.

3. If fellow shippers who are victims of grooming say they are drawn to Sessrin because it allows them in a way to “take back control” from their abuser so that they can better cope with past traumas, then they’re inadvertently admitting that Sessrin does possess qualities associated with the past child sexual abuse they underwent. AKA Sessrin is relatable for its abusive dynamic.

I have to ask by the way, but why do you get so offended when we don’t support your ship anyway? Is it because we interpret it to be controversial and you don’t like your ship getting a bad rap? Is it because it would be insulting to admit that antis actually have a point in it being problematic and you rather double down instead? Or is it because you’re projecting yourself onto Rin and prefer to not go into detail about why that is? Maybe it’s too personal, or maybe it’s because deep down you’re ashamed. Of course that doesn’t mean you’re bad people, but suppressing these kind of negative emotions can’t be healthy for anyone. A little awareness and self-reflection on your part can benefit not just you but all of us in the long run. Cognitive dissonance can suck, but it’s also part of being human.

I recently came across a comment I’d like to share with you. Unfortunately, this is not the first time nor will it be the last I see the likes of it. Anyway, in it a fan stated how embarrassing it must be being an Anti in this fandom when an episode like “Forever with Lord Sesshomaru” exists. Guys, this shipper and all those who liked their post are showing their true colors. Perpetuating and/or anticipating these sexualized images of young girls is a grave issue in both our society and media alike. I think we can all agree on that, or at least I hope so. It’s remarks like these that prove we still got a long way to go in terms of progress, and if we ever hope to effectively reverse some of our backwards way of thinking. So serious question for ya in regard to this: Why is it too much to ask that grooming be portrayed for what it is? Grooming. To clarify, grooming is bad and needs to be painted in a bad light. It’s as simple as that. If only we could all acknowledge it for what it is, we wouldn’t be in this predicament.

Historical accuracy and cultural differences aside, it appears the crux of the matter between Sessrin shippers and Antis is our acceptance and/or denial of fiction’s influence on real life. If we can’t agree on this, then we’ll never agree on anything else. As mentioned earlier, there is more than enough evidence to support the idea that fiction impacts our lives in extraordinary ways. I, for one, believe in the transformative power of stories. I think they do more for us than many of us give them credit for and/or are inclined to admit.

This is partially why I believe that the majority of sessrin folk are missing the point most of the time. All they do is focus on insignificant and irrelevant information that accomplishes nothing but more gaslighting and strawmanning. Whether it be an intentional or unconscious decision, whatever we argue goes right over their head. All they do is throw around deflections and antagonizing remarks that serve no real purpose other than to make Antis out to be the unreasonable and irrational ones. Making connections between our own lives and our stories is a completely natural and normal occurrence. If those particular shippers insist on denying just how interconnected real life and fiction both are, what that tells me is they’re either out of touch with reality or deliberately choose to be.

Just to be clear, I am of the opinion that most if not all antis aren’t real life predators. If they say they aren’t, I honestly take their word for it. Speaking to Sessrin shipper directly: We know it’s not Sesshomaru you want to be but Rin. No, we’re not calling you pedophiles or groomers. None of us think you are using a fictional ship to attract underage fans to be the Rin in your life or anything of the sort. We are well aware that many of you are self-inserting yourself as Rin, so please don’t feel the need to tell us yourself because that would be stating the obvious.

I learned from a few of you since this sequel was announced that the Sessrin relationship isn’t just a ship but an opportunity for you to confront the person who used and abused you. So there’s two issues with this I’d like to raise. (Sorry if I’m repeating myself, but it’s urgent I stress this again!) This is what I have to say:

If fiction does not affect real life or have the ability to normalize anything as you claim to believe, then why does “fixing” what happened to you via your preferred choice of coping associated with these two characters in the first place? Why bring your past abuse into this at all if at the end of the day it’s “just fiction” and nothing more to you but a source of entertainment?

By confessing that you use Sessrin to cope with your past trauma, you therein reveal that Sessrin does in fact resemble an adult-child relationship with a grooming dynamic. So why then would you want other fans to be exposed to a pairing that brings to mind the very abuse you endured? We’re supposed to stop this toxic cycle- NOT find more ways to manifest and relive it, much less subject other fans to it.

You may think that Sessrin doesn’t fit the textbook definition of what child grooming is, but that’s not to say it doesn’t embody it or that it doesn’t at the very least have traces of it that stand out.

“Antis are miserable people who don’t know how to enjoy a good story. It’s just fiction, stop ruining it for other fans!”

Well, no, it’s not just fiction or just a story. Some of you evidently went and proved that yourself, and without my help, by revealing how you relate Sessrin to your own life and apply it to cope with past abuse. Past abuse or not, as far as I can tell we’re all equally invested in these characters. That speaks volumes and just goes to show that fiction touches our lives in long-lasting ways.

I have something I want to say concerning some of who believe that it’s inconsiderate of antis who have been victims of grooming or another form of child abuse to tell other victims who ship Sessrin how they should cope with their trauma. Now as much as I respect the various means victims discover to deal with their painful pasts, there’s always an appropriate time and a place for these things to occur. We must seek out better ways to safely cope with the abuse we lived through (if any) without running the risk of hurting and endangering others.

There are plenty of fans in other fandoms who don’t try to defend their ships going canon, because they’re able to recognize an unhealthy or toxic pairing when they see one and won’t try to justify it. A Sessrin romance simply does not belong on a show geared towards teens, and I really don’t need to go into detail about why we shouldn’t support it, at least canon-wise. Shipping Sessrin is your right, but if you don’t keep it to yourself and your corner of the fandom then you really shouldn’t be surprised by the opposition. All we ask is you respect that their specific dynamic falls under the category of child grooming (or very close) and should be treated as such in public. The world of fiction may be wider than the world we live in, but that doesn’t always mean “anything goes.” In the creative spaces our minds occupy we must still adhere to the same fundamental and moral guidelines we live by in life. There’s nothing wrong with exploring new terrains and experimenting with ideas, but we must also remember that our stories are all about communicating and connecting with people. So let’s please be more mindful of the sort of messages they’re sending.

Besides, this isn’t only about you and what makes you feel safe, it’s about all of us. I don’t know how much more I can stress that really. How can thoughts endanger our children, you ask? Well, it’s not like we’re suggesting that our thoughts can jump out of our tvs, materialize themselves, and place kids under mind control. The forces behind fiction are a lot more complex and nuanced than a “monkey see, monkey do” approach, so don’t waste any more time trying to describe that to us. You’re taking this argument in the wrong direction.

Take the “violent video games breed killers” theory. I’m afraid you’re misconstruing what we’re saying and then taking it quite too literally. Please stop twisting our words, because nobody on our side is saying that just because you play violent video games that you’ll become a violent person. The Sessrin equivalent of that would be if you ship them then you must be a pedophile or turning into one. *sigh* I know you guys are feeling attacked, but I’m afraid your defensive nature is keeping you from thinking straight. Clearly, there are always exceptions (I’d recommend reading up on the Slender Man case), but Antis aren’t saying you’re one of them.

You see, it’s not so much about the content as it is the notion of the content. Kids and teens who are playing these video games have been informed that killing is wrong, because they grew up learning that early on like the rest of us. No sane person would advocate for violence and nonsensical killing in real life. Since they fully understand the severity of the consequences of killing a person in real life, they are able make a clear distinction between the two. When it comes to killing there is hardly any ambiguity. Sadly, that is far from the truth when it comes to sexualizing girls. It should immediately be perceived as wrong leaving no room for interpretation, and yet here we are still putting up with these inaccurate and demeaning female representations.

Most children who have been groomed don’t realize it till years down the road. If they aren’t ever taught the telltale signs to properly labeling grooming situations, how do you expect them to make sense of and relate to a fictional version? Let’s think of about it from a child’s perspective. Yes, this includes teens who rely pretty heavily on adult guidance and the content we put out there for them. Put yourself in their shoes for a moment and picture that you’ve never had child grooming explained to you (because that’s just the reality for so many unfortunately). Wouldn’t you say it’s possible for them to deduce that what they see on their screens is how they come to discern something in real life, especially if they have little to no experience with it? Perceived realism is plausible, y'all.

What it comes down to in the end is that the ideas and emotions we cultivate behind these stories leave an impression on others. Impressions are capable of influencing the way we see the world, which in turn affects us and beyond just our imagination. The way I look at it, stories contribute to how and why we normalize certain beliefs and trends. If fiction reflects real life like most of us tend to agree, then wouldn’t you say Sessrin is a (in)direct result of this world’s tendency to place young girls in overly sexual or romantic environments? Where do you think fiction draws its inspiration from? Sure, some of it originates from our imagination, but most of what drives us to create these stories is the real world and the people who live in it.

Fiction is meant to mirror reality, but it’s ridiculous to suggest that it’s only a one-way street. That fiction in no way, shape, or form influences our reality? Or that it only works the other way around? With all due respect, that’s simply not true. No productive discourse can be had if we choose to ignore the truth and don’t come together (at least halfway) to tackle the real issues at hand.

Okay, I think I’ll leave it off there! Thanks so much for reading. I expect this to be my last blog on any topic regarding Inuyasha in the near future. As much as I’ve looked forward to answering all of your asks and writing all the blogs I have over these past almost 5 months, I think it’s best if I spend some time away for now. With the sequel fast approaching, I’m doing what I always do: hoping for the best and preparing for the worst. I’ve met some amazing people along the way, that’s for sure. And who knows, maybe you’ll see me active in the tags sooner than we think. Until then, it’s been an absolute pleasure! Enjoy the sequel, all of you. 💜

#inuyasha #hanyo no yashahime #anti sessrin #it's been real y'all #catch ya on the flipside #(which I hope is in a promising sequel 🤞)

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thebestworstidea · 4 years

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Spa Day (Monstrous Roommates)

(on Ao3)

Virgil was vacuuming. He didn’t particularly care for it, but he had pulled entirely too much fluff out of his computer keyboard the night before; so when he woke up late afternoon alone in the apartment, he’d hauled the vacuum out and started at one end, working towards the other.

He’d never known a werewolf before Patton. He’d heard about them of course; vampires tended to be ridiculous snobs and loved to gossip. It was Remy’s accepting attitude not his need to consume all the tea that set him apart from the rest of the - as Logan had put it- “Blood drinking community” but that didn’t mean what he’d heard was necessarily accurate. The point was Virgil had no idea how Patton managed to shed while in human form. Technically they had a waiver on the lease for Logan’s ‘mobility dog’ but the landlord was cranky as fuck about it, and Patton spent most of his time inside the apartment in skin, not fur. This somehow did not stop the apartment from filling up with mounds of fluffy white and brown fur, especially in the spring.

Logan had said the first couple of springs after they’d moved to Florida were especially terrible, and he had tried to keep up by brushing Patton daily, Patton had a picture of himself sitting sheepishly next to a pile of fur that looked as big as he was, which he found hilarious. Logan had offhand commented that being in an entire house of werewolves was worse, and it made Virgil’s head spin. How did they not simply have carpets of felted fur? It was a mystery.

He’d changed the vacuum bag once and was on his second pass through when he heard the front door unlock and made a face. Patton always said he was going to vacuum, but he hated the noise, and even wearing noise canceling headphones, he tended to rush and miss spots in his desire not to be that close to the machine. Virgil shut it off and stuck his head around the corner into the hallway.

“Sup.” he said and blinked, because Logan was by himself, hanging up Patton’s service dog harness and taking his shoes off.

“Good evening, Virgil.” Logan said pleasantly. Virgil drifted over, kissing Logan on the cheek, before settling back on his heels.

“Not that I’m not thrilled to see you, but didn’t Patton go with you today? You had class in that lecture hall with all the stairs, and the horrible acoustics.”

“He did, but Roman met us as we were leaving campus, and said he was stealing Patton for a spa day. I went to the library alone to study afterwards. Are they not back?”

“Nah, I’ve been alone since I woke up. Been vacuuming.”

“Thank you.” Logan ducked down and gave Virgil a kiss which he smiled into, and maybe kissed back a little. They parted and smiled a bit at each other.

“I don’t know enough about spas to know if it’s been a long time or not.” Logan admitted.

“Me neither. I mean, Roman’s talked me into a pedicure, but that’s not, like, a spa experience.” Virgil had to grin remember the horrified expressions on some of the other customer’s faces as they’d come in, though whether it had been for his gothyness, Roman’s skin tone, or their blatant homosexuality was a question for the ages. White women of a certain type were just too much fun to wind up. It had been kinda nice, even if it had taken some real will power to let someone touch his feet. “Should we text him and find out when they’re coming home?”

“Or we could enjoy the quiet.”

They shared a smile, but Virgil shook his head. “I mean, I’m going to finish vacuuming, so I don’t know how quiet it will be.”

“Well the two loudest members of the household are gone, so I expect very, vacuum and all”

They shared another smile at their boyfreinds’ expense.

Virgil had gotten the vacuum back into storage, and was sitting quietly in the kitchen while Logan made dinner, when the door unlocked and Patton stomped in, looking quite out of sorts. It wasn’t very late, not even seven. It looked as though the ‘spa’ had included a haircut, his curls trimmed back to only a gentle tostle at the top.

“Love, please.” Roman begged following him in. “You look wonderful!”

“Logan tell Roman I’m not speaking to him.” Patton sniffed.

“Over a haircut?” Logan asked, bewildered. Patton turned and glared at Roman.

“Patton, darling” Roman said, failing to his knees and taking Patton’s hands. “Tell me how I can earn your forgiveness sooner. I genuinely thought that you’d enjoy it!”

“What happened?” Virgil asked, pulling an earbud out. “How could a spa day piss Patton off?”

“Spa day.” Patton scoffed. There was polish on his nails, but oddly applied.

“It wasn’t a spa day?” Logan asked.

“I will give him that it was a very high quality dog groomer.”

“Oooh.” Logan winced. “Roman, I’m sorry, Patton isn’t speaking to you.”

“You looked like you were having fun!” Roman protested. “You were very good.”

Patton tensed up, his hair shifting on it’s own before he pulled his hands out of Roman’s and going over to hug Virgil hello. Roman fell face first on the vinyl flooring and didn’t move.

“I take it I shouldn’t compliment the shampoo?” Virgil asked, kissing Patton’s cheek in case that sent him into the dog house with Roman.

“It’s for a glossy coat and anti-flea and tick.” Patton mumbled into his shoulder.

“I wonder how long that’ll last?” Virgil said thoughtfully.

“VIRGE!”

“What, you hate ticks, and I hate taking them off you!” Virgil protested, and pulled Patton into a hug before he could pull away, petting the short clipped hair on the back of his head. Relenting Patton sat in his lap. “You look super cute. Considering they cut it while you were a wolf, it translated well.”

“I know.” he mumbled very quietly. Roman hadn’t moved, as though he’d just given up on the world. “It really was very nice.”

“Are you teasing Roman?” Virgil whispered in his ear.

“A little. He bought me the most enormous apology ice cream.”

Virgil sniggered.

“I’m kind of wondering how long I can draw it out. It was a nice thought, even if it was super tacky.”

“You’re a bad man Patton Hart.” Virgil whispered and kissed him on both cheeks. “Do we get to see the whole effect?”

“Fine, since it’s done anyway.” Patton hopped out of Virgil’s lap, and Logan slapped a lid on the pan as Patton changed forms, since that tended to result in an explosion of shed fur. Nothing happened. Patton stood with his fore-paws on Roman’s back, making him moan piteously, and raised one leg, posing. He was substantially less fluffy than usual, close cropped, with a bit of extra fluff left around his face.

“Tahdah!”

“They groomed all the shed out!” Logan said, astounded. “That never would have occurred to me; after the brushing failed.”

“This is so much cooler. Like, 80% cooler for sure.” Patton said.

“What?!” Roman did his best to push himself off the floor, but was weighed down with a great deal of wolf. “You manipulative jackal!” he cried. “You LIKE it.”

Patton lay down on top of him, laughing, and licked the back of Roman’s head.

“Well, technicaly I didn’t say I didn’t. Just that it was tacky to promise me a spa and bring me to a groomer.”

“Logan, tell Patton I’m not talking to him.”

“Why is it always me?” he demanded.

#Willow is writing #sanders side fic #Monster AU #Werewolf Patton #Vampire Virgil #Mummy Roman #pre-main storyline

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tiny012 · 3 years

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1/2 Tanya I need your help, the newest episode of another fandom of mine just aired and like clockwork people are already going off on one of the couples cause in this episode there was flashback scene where the boy as a preteen confesses his love to the other party who's a child. Everyone all over Social Media is starting to call the boy a groomer & a pedo just like they do Mamo even though we never get an exact age for his love interest so no one even knows ho big the damn gap even is.

2/3 People are beginning to spread outlandish lies about the girl's age, saying in current time she's only 16 (even though it's clearly stated she's over 20 though we don't get an exact age) and even when people point out that the scene in the past isn't inappropriate because they're both children/minors these clowns say it doesn't matter because "children can still groom other children"

3/3 Meanwhile they ignore one of the other fandom's ships that has a literal teacher with his middle school student, but an unspecified, but likely small age gap between two minors is the actual grooming? 🤡 They also like to shit on this ship just because the boy fell in love with her through a dream before she was even born, calling it "creepy" not realizing it's supposed to be like a fairytale and yeah, its all the complaints regarding UsaMamo all over again.

I was reading this yesterday and was like “ the fuck”

I’m tried yall.

They are kids!

KIDS

If they are a preteen that means they have to be at least 11 or 12 and the other one maybe like 9 or 10 which they are both kids.

I’m just going to put what I wrote yesterday as a base .

I wish people will stop using the words Pedophile and Child Grooming who haven't pick up a dictionary, read a damn article on Psychology Today , read the DSM Five and read some peer review search articles to fucking understand what those two words entail.

Because calling a CHILD a pedophile for hanging with another child who maybe slightly younger than the other child but not by much in which both of them go to the same school and hang out with each other since they were babies is reaching.

Child Grooming- befriending and establishing an emotional connection with a child, and sometimes the family, to lower the child's inhibitions with the objective of sexual abuse.

Aspects of sexual grooming may include:

targeting the victim,

securing access to and isolating the victim,

gaining the victim’s trust, and

controlling and concealing the relationship.

Grooming may take place in numerous settings:

in-person,

via the Internet,

in institutional settings.

The purpose of grooming is:

to manipulate the perceptions of other adults around the child.

to manipulate the child into becoming a co-operating participant which reduces the likelihood of a disclosure and increases the likelihood that the child will repeatedly return to the offender.

to reduce the likelihood of the child being believed if they do disclose.

to reduce the likelihood of the abuse being detected.

Some of the signs you might see include:

being very secretive about how they're spending their time, including when online

having an older boyfriend or girlfriend

having money or new things like clothes and mobile phones that they can't or won't explain

underage drinking or drug taking

spending more or less time online or on their devices

being upset, withdrawn or distressed

sexualised behaviour, language or an understanding of sex that's not appropriate for their age

spending more time away from home or going missing for periods of time.

Example: A person who becomes very familiar with the child and the child parents that they are able have unlimited access to child in which they befriend the child. They may give the child gifts and start doing or watch inapparatie things with the child. They tell the child it’s “ their little secret” and not to tell anyone. Which the child trust the person but start to feel uncomfortable with them.

You know what a very good example of Child grooming in anime would be?

What Wiseman did to Chibiusa due to the fact they were able to gain her trust and was able to manipulate her using her insecurities of not being loved, feeling inadequate, felling like she never get powers, feeling lonely and feeling like she will never become a lady like her mon against her to create this oversexualize grown up version on herself that thinks she can take whatever she wants with force and with no consequence.. Which did his bidding which is trying to destroy the rest of Crystal Tokyo and take over. He had unlimited access to her due to the fact she was wondering around and he found her. He used his power over her to get what he wanted.

Here’s some articles about it

Here

Cause throwing around because two people are not exactly the same age and one maybe slightly older(2-3) than the other is not pedophilia or child grooming.

Can children groom other children?

Yes Unfortunately it can happen which in that case it is called child on child sexual abuse in which BOTH children need help cause in most cases the child who is doing the abuse can grow up to be a predator.

Here’s a article about that

A PDF about that as well

Also Wikipedia

But throwing around everytime two people are not exactly the same age and one maybe slightly older(2-3) than the other that it is grooming is just such a reach and it’s a disturbing reach.

Get this idealistic notion out your head becasue even if the children are the exact same age grooming can still occur since one of the main components of grooming is having power over the other.

Lets see how can that work if both people are the same age.

Socioeconomic Status

I mean if one child is more well off aka rich than the other child they can use that to their advages to get what they want from the child.

Even Grades

But some people don’t think that way and I’m not going to even go into detail about it..

I just wish people will stop.

#Anonymous

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exo-cosmiclatte · 4 years

Text

Hello, Goodbye - Part 1

Sehun Series #1

Summary: When Oh Sehun, out of the kindness of his heart, decided to stay with a stranger during her final moments on earth, he never thought it would come back to haunt him. Literally. Now he’s stuck with the ghost of a spiteful and bitter stranger until they can both find a way to help her cross over.

Genre: Romance, Drama, Comedy, Supernatural

A/N: Please enjoy!

Part 1

“I kept telling you to double-check your things!” She huffed out in her phone’s receiver, adjusting the strap of the duffel bag she carried on her shoulder. “I told you so even last night!”

“I know! I’m sorry!” Hee Young whined back. “But I forgot I transferred all my hair irons in another bag after I broke my old one last week.”

“How do you forget something like that?!” Looking up at the stoplight, she tapped her foot impatiently against the pavement as she waited for the light to turn red. “You’re lucky I didn’t have any appointment this early in the day.”

“Yes, yes I know I’m lucky.” Her roommate was always so clumsy and forgetful, but at least she was tolerable. “I’ll owe you one I promise!”

“You’ll owe me another.” She clarified, sighing in relief when the light for the pedestrians turned green. “I’ll be there in a bit, wait for me around the corner okay?”

“Of course! Thank you so much for this. I swear it will never happen again.”

“She always says that.” She muttered, ending the call without any farewells, shaking her head as she walked forward across the street. The bag was surprisingly heavy for just a couple of hair irons, but she figured that Hee Young must have stashed something else in there that she didn’t bother to check anymore.

As she was crossing, a couple of students ran past her, roughly pushing her to the side and causing the heavy bag to fall from her grip. “Yah!” She shouted after the teens, rolling her eyes when they didn’t take any note.

The cars in line honked at her, and she irritably waved a hand at them but hastily picked up the bag, moving to walk forward again. She was close. She would have made it. It was only a few leaping steps away.

“MISS LOOK OUT—”

Tires screeched, cars honked, and there was one lady who shrieked like a banshee.

Then pain. White hot searing pain. That was all she felt in that instance.

When consciousness next seeped into her, numbness replaced the pain.

“Miss!” A voice said. It sounded like it was far away from her, but it could have been right beside her too. “Miss, can you hear me? Hey! Open your eyes!”

“Idiot.” she thought to the voice. “My eyes are already open.” But then she blinked, not having realized that she had had them closed all this time.

She was flat on her back; she should have been looking at the sky. But instead there was someone hovering above her. In the back of her hazy thoughts, she noted that it was a very handsome man. Maybe this was an incarnation of death, coming to claim her soul.

But then again, death probably didn’t have his own mobile phone. Death probably wouldn’t be calling for an ambulance either. Death wouldn’t be telling her to open her eyes at all.

He wasn’t death. Not even close.

Page Break

It took a while for her to get a grip of how being a ghost worked. You couldn’t simply touch things on the physical plane. It took a lot of effort and willpower on her part. It took her almost a month from the day she became a conscious specter to start even rattling doorknobs.

3 months from her death day, she could successfully open and shut doors with great effort. In 6 months, she could push glasses off the counter top, cause electronics to malfunction, and cause the lights to fluctuate. 8 months, she could leave cold spots and brush her vict— anchor’s arm and cause goosebumps.

There was a twisted sort of satisfaction she felt whenever he would get up with dark circles, or when she’d watch him fall asleep while working, or when he’d turn pale when he thought he’d caught a glimpse of her in the mirror. It was petty of her, that she knew. But there wasn’t much else for her to do anyway as long as she was stuck with him.

Her anchor, Oh Sehun.

She didn’t have anything against him personally, it was just that he was an easier target for her ire towards whatever higher power decided she would be kept as a ghost indefinitely. When she wasn’t actively trying to make him miserable, she found him to be an interesting person to study.

He was a freelance photographer, working on call for anyone who wanted to book him for an event. He also had the cutest dog, Vivi, the only one who could see her as she pranced around close to him. It freaked Sehun out a lot when his precious pet looked as though it were playing with thin air.

It was a lonely existence for her, despite never straying far from her anchor’s side. No one could hear her, no one could see her, no one but Vivi knew she was there. Even as she actively haunted him, Sehun wasn’t even a companion. Because he wouldn’t be able to respond to anything she says.

“You’re putting too much salt idiot.”

“You really need to let Vivi lay off on the snacks, she’s looking like a dinosaur.”

“Your rent’s overdue for 2 weeks now, the landlord’s gonna come knock your door down if you don’t settle the payment.”

“Oh, that’s a nice picture! You should try taking a picture of the flowers by the bridge!”

“Your mom left a voicemail; she misses you and wants you over for dinner. You should go.”

She was miserable. She couldn’t even sleep the misery away because apparently ghosts never feel tired or sleepy. And not for the first time, did she wish that she had just crossed over. But no, she was stuck because Mr. Goody-Two-Shoes decided to stay with her as she died.

So, for almost a year, she stayed with him. Unseen, unheard, barely felt.

Then 10 months to her death day, things changed.

She had discovered that with a lot of concentrated effort, she could enter his dreams and cause nightmares. She started out just as a face in the periphery of his unconscious world. But eventually she could take center stage and cause nightmares.

After a particularly cruel nightmare (that she honestly felt immensely guilty for as she watched him rush to the bathroom and vomit into the toilet bowl) her anchor had had enough.

She followed him that morning, watching the determined look on his face as he marched down the streets. There was a sense of great purpose and urgency in his strides, strides so quick she wouldn’t have been able to keep up had she still been alive. But once again, ghosts can’t feel fatigue.

“Yah Oh Sehun!” She prattled on even knowing he would never be able to hear her. “Don’t you have to bring Vivi to the groomer later? Where are you going this early?”

As expected, there was no response, so with a long-suffering sigh, she trailed after him.

Eventually he did come to a stop, to a seedy looking house at that. Looking over at the small metal plate attached to the gate, she couldn’t help but let a laugh of disbelief leave her lips.

“You’re going to fricking Shaman?!”

A/N2: I hope you liked it! Leave a message or a comment or something.

#exo #exo fanfiction #exo scenarios #oh sehun #sehun #exo sehun #sehun fanfic #sehun x reader #xiumin #suho #lay #baekhyun #chen #chanyeol #d.o #kai

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robertsnavely · 5 years

Text

New Port Richie Pet Grooming Business For Sale

youtube

BBF – 8940-296287 — Absentee run pet grooming both in store and mobile units, self service pet wash, pet sitting. Family owned and operated for 10+ years, database over 8,000 customers and located in a perfect area with multiple new homes being built and growth to the area. Owner willing to finance qualified buyers.

Annual Sales: $250,000

Owner Benefit: $55,000 (on only 20 hours/week)

Asking Price: $139,000

Cash Down: $75,000

–> Pasco County Business for Sale <–

. 10 Ideas to Expand your Pet Grooming Business

As you consider this pet grooming business for sale, it might be useful to consider some marketing ideas that have worked for others and inquire if this company has ever tried them. (And even if they have, they might work quite differently once you put your own spin on them. Life changes all the time, especially as an area grows. Some things that didn’t work before may well now as the market matures.)

If you are a frequent reader of the blog, some of these concepts will be familiar to you. that’s because I believe that they work in a variety of retail situations, and that it is good to keep in mind the fundamentals, like

Customer referral Program. Give your current customers an incentive to refer their friends. Maybe a discount on a next service, or a perk not usually available. The more fun you make the referral, the easier it is for your customers to follow through. This is the fastest and most enduring way to build a business. don’t forget to have everyone leave you a positive review online!

2. Update and Improve the current website. Most consumes are looking for new businesses on their phones. Is the website mobile-compliant? How is it optimized for search? Does it have the right language and tagging so that the business comes up in “near me” searches and questions about <city name> pet groomers? Plus, a fresh, clean website with large images and snappy copy makes the business seem alive and thriving.

3. Socialize. Marketing online doesn’t stop with just the website. There are social sites that need to be fed. Are you customers on Facebook – then the cute puppy videos and rogues’ gallery of fluffy clean animals needs to be updated there a couple of times a day. If it is Instagram or Twitter or… NBT (the Next Big Thing) you need to be there. The good news here is that this business is both highly visible and extremely appealing!

4. Expand The Menu of Services. See the gift box, er box, on the right hand column. (If you’r eon your mobile, it will be lower down)

5. Network with similarly aligned businesses. Vets, Boarding places, Dog Parks, Adult Ed, etc.

6. Community Events – how can you fit in and add value?

7. Promotional Products that your customer will use to carry your logo around for you.

8. Special contests, Giveaways, Promotions – often seasonally related, but there are all sorts of holidays…and some can create an unusual amount of buzz. Who would have thought that Talk Like a Pirate Day would take off?

9. Frequent Users Plan – aka Customer Loyalty Program. And again, how you reward your customers is entirely up to you. An original idea might be a special treat that the dog likes best, that only you as its groomer knows. Or a varying gift box along the lines of a Bark Box.

10. First Timers Offer. You will see hairdressers offer a coupon or glaze/treatment as an “extra” for first timers. For pet grooming there will be something similar. Consider a skin conditioning or a special treatment that would normally be an up-sell.

The Cost of Starting Your Own Pet Grooming Business

A new pet grooming business can run to $50,000 to get it up and running. This includes the business license, the lease or building and the equipment. If you are hiring people to help or technicians, that is an additional expense, as is the inventory.

Then there’s the cost of making mistakes as you learn what works in the area.

Probably simpler just to buy an existing business, no?

The Pet Grooming Business is Booming

According to Ibis World, an international statistical research consultancy, over 123,900 businesses are currently operating as dog groomers and boarders in the U.S. with an average growth rate of 8%. 218,674 individuals are employed in the grooming industry alone.

The American Pet Products Association publishes statistics annually that estimates 2019 spending at $75.38 billion. This constitutes growth of 264.5% since 2001.

Actual Sales within the U.S. Market in 2018

In 2018, $72.56 billion was spent on our pets in the U.S.

Breakdown: Food $30.32 billion Supplies/OTC Medicine $16.01 billion Vet Care $18.11 billion Live animal purchases $2.01 billion Other Services $6.11 billion

Source: https://www.americanpetproducts.org/press_industrytrends.asp

Don’t most people own a dog?

47% of all pet ownership is of dogs, says the American Pet Products Association.

Source

Stay Nimble

To compete with the ecommerce trends in your sector.

Amazon recently emailed all Prime members trial discounts on all Subscription and Discovery Boxes. Magazine subscription they’ve been doing for a while, but this was the first time I noticed the Pet boxes. There are a lot.

KitNipBox

BarkBox

PawStuck

Bark If You Want Some

PupJoy Dog Day Box

The Dapper Dog

This means there is opportunity here. You can capitalize on it too. What can you put in a box and either deliver or have available when the pet comes in for the next treatment? Or maybe the box is a monthly treat box and gets delivered anyway? After ll you have the van, and most of your customers are local? It simply gives you a way to set your business apart.

Call Dave DeCamella for more information and a Non-Disclosure Agreement to hear more about thisPort Richie Pet Grooming Business for sale.

Source: https://buysellbizfl.com New Port Richie Pet Grooming Business For Sale published first on https://buysellbizfl.com/

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lisafreman · 5 years

Text

New Port Richie Pet Grooming Business For Sale

youtube

Annual Sales: $250,000

Owner Benefit: $55,000 (on only 20 hours/week)

Asking Price: $139,000

Cash Down: $75,000

–> Pasco County Business for Sale <–

. 10 Ideas to Expand your Pet Grooming Business

4. Expand The Menu of Services. See the gift box, er box, on the right hand column. (If you’r eon your mobile, it will be lower down)

5. Network with similarly aligned businesses. Vets, Boarding places, Dog Parks, Adult Ed, etc.

6. Community Events – how can you fit in and add value?

7. Promotional Products that your customer will use to carry your logo around for you.

The Cost of Starting Your Own Pet Grooming Business

Then there’s the cost of making mistakes as you learn what works in the area.

Probably simpler just to buy an existing business, no?

The Pet Grooming Business is Booming

The American Pet Products Association publishes statistics annually that estimates 2019 spending at $75.38 billion. This constitutes growth of 264.5% since 2001.

Actual Sales within the U.S. Market in 2018

In 2018, $72.56 billion was spent on our pets in the U.S.

Breakdown: Food $30.32 billion Supplies/OTC Medicine $16.01 billion Vet Care $18.11 billion Live animal purchases $2.01 billion Other Services $6.11 billion

Source: https://www.americanpetproducts.org/press_industrytrends.asp

Don’t most people own a dog?

47% of all pet ownership is of dogs, says the American Pet Products Association.

Source

Stay Nimble

To compete with the ecommerce trends in your sector.

KitNipBox

BarkBox

PawStuck

Bark If You Want Some

PupJoy Dog Day Box

The Dapper Dog

Call Dave DeCamella for more information and a Non-Disclosure Agreement to hear more about thisPort Richie Pet Grooming Business for sale.

Published first on https://buysellbizfl.com New Port Richie Pet Grooming Business For Sale posted first on https://buysellbizfl.com/

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sunnybimbo · 6 years

Note

WHAT'S UP BABE, can I get uhhhhhhhhhhhhh heith dog groomer au????

t o o t s you dont know what this au did to methank u for blessing me with this 🙏🙏 i love u good heccin night

Keith mumbled softly to the puppy in front of him as she whined when he lifted her paw. She was covered in gentle suds, until she looked more like a fluffy sheep than short-hair pug, but she was scared to death.

“You’re alright, girl.” He gently parted her toes and examined her nails. “I won’t hurt ya.”

He felt more than saw Hunk enter the room, his footsteps vibrating through the metal floor of their van. ‘The Golden Retriever’ was what Hunk had named it, and it made Keith physically recoil everytime he spouted the name off to a potential customer. (He’d be lying, though, if he said it hadn’t made him laugh more than once.)

They were a mobile dog grooming service that was quickly becoming popular with the locals, and Keith was having the time of his life.

He gently scratched behind the puppy’s ears, risking a glance up at Hunk. They’d probably be moving locations soon, after they’d finished this last puppy, and Hunk was doing a run through to make sure everything was put back in place.

When Hunk passed behind Keith, he reached down to ruffle his hair. At Keith’s quiet huff, he dropped to kiss him on the forehead. “Little Lady giving you any trouble?”

“She’s terrified, but she’ll be alright.” Keith began to rinse her with carefully tempered water. “She peed all over me earlier.”

“Aw, gross.” Hunk said, even as he cooed at her. “I’ll get out of here before I scare her even more. Owners will be back in another hour or so.”

“Got it.”

Keith watched from the corner of his eye as Hunk headed towards the front of the van, stopping in the doorway to check off their last customer’s reservation. Because they really were getting popular enough to need reservations sometimes. It was mind-blowing to Keith, really.

What was even more mind-blowing was the fact that, even covered in dog-hair and slobber, Hunk was still unfairly attractive. Keith watched as he, with zero hesitance, lifted the hem of his shirt and wiped sweat from his forehead with it, revealing a strong abdomen hidden by his soft pudge.

And it wasn’t even as if the uniform they had was particularly sexy. Plain, tan slacks with a yellow, collared shirt that had smiling dog faces on them. If anything, it should’ve been dorky on him— yet…

Keith jerked his attention back to the puppy at hand when Hunk absently glanced over, rinsing her tail more thoroughly than necessary.

—

The sun had long ago set when they finish their last pet. Keith spears his fingers through his own sweat-matted hair as he pets the Great Dane waiting patiently beside him. The door to the back of the van lays wide open, to help air out the moist after a long day, and the breeze is orgasmic against his skin. It was getting hotter every day, even as winter approached, and his pit stains regaled as much to the world as he stretched his arms above his head.

The giant dog yawns along with him as they watch the traffic wane with the hour, and Keith trails his fingers along the pink leather collar nestled around his neck. “I know you’re tired of me, buddy. You’ll be home, soon.”

“They’re on their way now.” Hunk says from around the truck. He’s checking the tires, poking at the rear-left one with his toe as he peeks around to eye Keith. “You tired?”

“I could probably sleep for the rest of the year.”

Hunk snorts at him, circling around to join him. The truck dips as he climbs in, and Keith offers him a small smile. Hunk leans over to rest his head against Keith’s shoulder, and he must look incredibly uncomfortable bending himself like that but he sighs contently, so Keith doesn’t mention it.

The sun, orange and golden, peeks at them through the trees that circle the park, painting the ground in waving shadows. He kicks his legs like a pendulum into a gentle rhythm, letting his shoulders relax with a deep sigh that mimics his boyfriend’s.

“We should get a dog.” Hunk says, fatigue leaking into his voice. “Like… adopt one, maybe.”

Keith scratches behind the Dane’s ears. “I thought you would be tired of dogs, since we spend every day with them.”

“We could get a cat, then!”

“Because that’s definitely different.” Keith teases.

A car pulls up beside them— the owners of the pretty Dane— and their conversation is put on pause as Hunk helps them pay and get the dog situated in their SUV.

Keith escapes into their van, busying himself with changing out of his sweaty shirt and into something more comfortable. He ends up stealing one of Hunk’s spares, pressing the soft cotton against his cheek as he listens to the soft crackle of their radio filter through the truck.

Their conversation doesn’t continue until the next day.

They’re parked somewhere in the suburbs, since that’s where they get the most customers, and Hunk is nearby letting a trio of poodles sniff around before they get their bath. Keith is kneeling against the tireguard as he sips off-brand soda, untroubled by the dried mud scraping across his back.

Keith watches Hunk get tangled in the three separate leashes as the dogs get a bit too excited, and he tries not to grin as he watches him get taken down and smothered with kisses.

Hunk seems content laying in the grass for a while, with the soft pooches resting across his belly, so Keith goes to join him. He flops onto the dewey ground, sighing contently as they watch the clouds pass by. He offers a sip of his cream soda to Hunk, who gladly downs the rest of it in one gulp.

“If we get a cat— or a dog, or whatever— would we be able to take care of them?” He asks, out of the blue. “I don’t just want to abandon them all day while we do this.”

“That’s true.” Hunk readily agrees. “We’d probably need one we can bring along. Someone docile enough to play with the other dogs without getting to rowdy.” He muses aloud, ticking off on his fingers. “It’d be an extra responsibility we can’t forget about, ever.”

“You sound like a parent.” Keith smiles, rolling over onto his side to watch him.

“A pet-rent.”

“I hate you.” Nonetheless, Keith dips forward to press a kiss against his cheek and get him untangled so he can start the grooming process.

—

The topic doesn’t get dropped, really. They mention it every so often— the possibility of getting a third member to their little party— but they don’t act. Not when their business, as booming as it is, is so incredibly new and fragile.

Hunk stays as the face of their company. His sunny grin is enough to convince most customers that they’re the right choice, and Keith’s grooming and cuts convince the rest.

One time they’re visited by an owner who’s even more nervous than the dog is at leaving him alone with strangers. So, as a test run, Keith gives the pup a quick bath and shave while the owner watches his every move.

The following review they get doesn’t miss their radar, either. He’s described as ‘curt, but gentle to both customer and pooch’ and that makes him more pleased than it ought to.

But sometimes business is slow. The middle of the week, when no one has time to chase down a mobile grooming service, is usually when they get the most free time, and it’s then that Keith convinces Hunk to climb atop the van and watch the rain with him.

“It’s a free shower.” He said, and Hunk shoots him a look.

“Free car wash, too.”

They get settled, curling up against one another like the most coiled of snakes, and Keith resists pressing a kiss against the crown of Hunk’s head when the latter lays against Keith’s chest.

A soft raindrop drips onto his chin, prompting Keith to reach up and swipe it away with his thumb. He lets his hand stray towards Hunk, combing his fingers through his forelock.

Hunk softly hums at the touch, leaning into it. “Love you.” He mumbles, just as tender as the times he says it against Keith’s bare skin on hot nights where they’re too tired and too content to get up and turn on the fan.

Keith wonders, not for the first time, how different times like this would be if they get a pet. Would they nose their way between them, cold and wet like frozen lightning when Keith least expects it? Or would they be territorial enough to growl at one of them for stealing away their favorite’s attention?

Keith had more experience with the latter, especially with the younger dogs they pick up. They never progressed to fights, especially when Hunk is there to hold one while Keith urges the other into a kennel, but it’s enough of a heart pounding situation to make him hesitate when it comes to getting a pet all his own.

Not to mention, the affection. As much as he loves a good, tight hug from the right person from time to time, it’s often too much for his skin to handle. Every nerve lights like a burned out bulb, ready to explode, but he can’t snap at an animal like he can a person.

He brings up as much to Hunk that morning, but Hunk only tilts his head up at him and presses a kiss against his chin— exactly where the rain had stained. “That’s why there’s two of us. Just toss ‘em to me and I’ll take care of the rest, babe.”

It sounded unfair (and unrealistic, if— for some ungodly reason— the pet decides to choose Keith as his favorite) but it melts him anyway.

—

“What if we lose it while we’re on the road?” Keith asks, once. It feels like a half-baked excuse, but his mind had conjured up better things that made him worry even more than that.

Hunk pauses, the petite comb in his hold nearly getting lost in the thick fur of the purebred pomeranian he was detangling. “The hypothetical cat?”

“Or dog.” Keith says, half out of habit. “Like— we’re on the highway. Our tire bursts, and we have to pull over, and they just… run off.”

Hunk fishes the comb out and pets the dog— Petunia, she was named— as he carefully mulls over his words. When he goes two minutes and stays silent, Keith hesitantly turns to watch him. He’d been washing out one of the baths, but it was easier to let it soak for a while, anyway.

“I didn’t know you were worrying so much about stuff like that.” Hunk admits after a moment, chewing his bottom lip.

Keith helplessly shrugs his shoulders.

They fall silent again, and it’s uncomfortable enough for him to make Keith turn back around to avoid looking at Hunk.

Hunk, of course, knows what he’s doing. He finishes his job, combing and combing until the pomeranian is fluffier than a brand-new towel, and lets Petunia down to set her in a nearby kennel for the moment, before Keith has a chance to find scissors to give her a trim.

“Come sit with me?”

Keith takes Hunk’s offered hand with hardly a thought, and soon is tugged towards the front. They settle into the driver and passenger seats, leather-bound and stitched with their logo on the headrests. Keith leans against the rough material, frayed just slightly around the edges from how often he ran his fingers along the pattern, and kicks his shoes off to cross them comfortably.

Hunk turns the radio down absently, even as he taps his fingers to the beat.

“We don’t have to get a pet.” Hunk starts, first and foremost. “I kind of just threw it out there, but I never meant for it to worry you like this.”

“It makes sense to bring it up.” Keith interrupts. “I mean… it’s our job to take care of pets, more or less.”

Hunk shrugs a shoulder. “It’s not worth it if it makes you stress like that. You know I like you to be happy, always.”

Keith’s heart circles in his chest, smitten at the words. “I don’t mind the idea of getting a pet with you.” He says, before Hunk can get too sappy. “Just worried about the what-ifs.”

Hunk leans against the steering wheel, careful of the horn. “Aren’t you supposed to be the impulsive one?” He teases. Keith smiles back at him.

“Guess I grew up a little.”

Hunk sighs, flopping back into his seat. “You and me both, sweetheart.” Then, “So— no pet.”

“I didn’t say that.” Keith readily argues. “Just… not yet.”

“Maybe if we weren’t mobile.” Hunk hums— and it’s then that Keith notices the sneaky look he has on his face.

He narrows his eyes, but Hunk only grins at him and leans over to press a kiss against his cheek. “Stop stressing about it, Keith. We’ll get one when we’re ready.”

—

About a month later, Hunk surprises Keith with a crisp sheet of paper at breakfast one morning. He beams over a stack of pancakes while Keith skims the words, eyes grown wide by the time he finishes.

“Seriously?”

“Pidge saw a good place for rent— and Shiro put a payment on it before they even told me about it.”

In front of him laid a renter’s agreement— and underneath it a floorplan for their new grooming shop.

“When did this even happen?”

“About three months ago.”

Specifically, one month after Hunk had brought up to Lance how much easier it would be for them to have a not mobile shop. He and Keith griped about it every so often, but they loved their van more than anything.

Speaking of, “What are we going to do about the car, then?”

“We keep it, of course. For those days when the walls are too constricting.”

Keith shoves almost an entire pancake in his mouth as he mulls it over excitedly. “Do we even have enough money for upkeep?”

Hunk gives him an exasperated look. “I went over it with everyone, and it’s all worked out. All I need to know is if you actually do want to go through with it.”

Keith glances up at him, and Hunk is barely concealing his excitement. It’s almost like a dream come true for both of them.

And his answer is pretty obvious.

—

One year after Golden Receiver’s— all Hunk’s doing— is opened, business is flourishing. They hardly have to work in the shop unless it’s around the holidays and their staff is short. On most days, they ride around in their favorite van.

But, somehow, Keith convinces Hunk to take a week off with him. They spend the first day getting to know one another all over again as they laze around the house and beat the autumn humidity with a water fight. On the second day, they celebrate their anniversary with a grand, home cooked dinner and a walk around the very first park they’d serviced when they first started the business.

On the third day, Keith surprises Hunk with a puppy all their own.

#heith #voltron #vld #hunk #keith #jam writes #im surprised at how long this is #like honestly surprised #I THINK I GOT MY GROOVE BACK (again)#LMAO THANK YOU FOR THIS TOOTS I??? ENJOYED IT A LOT!!!!!!!#tootsonnewts #also i finished this at like 2 am so there may be mistakes but im just havin such a grand time

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livinginlandmarketing · 3 years

Link

In late January, Mammoth Mountain was hit with more than 100 inches of snow just as Gov. Gavin Newsom lifted the latest stay-at-home order.

And, while the fresh powder beckoned cooped-up eager skiers and riders, it also was a pivotal lesson in how resort officials would navigate this year’s season amid tight COVID-19 restrictions while still providing a fun place to enjoy the outdoor winter wonderland in the High Sierra. The resort opened on Nov. 13, after the longest off-season in its history.

“It was quite a weekend,” said Stacey Cook, who heads up the mountain’s newly created COVID-19 Enforcement Team. “The storm kept building in the forecast and at the same time, we saw the stay-at-home order being lifted. It was the perfect storm.”

Crowds began forming at the few open lifts across the vast mountain and wait times stretched to as long as 55 minutes. Access to the mountain was limited to IKON pass holders and advance paid ticket sales. By that weekend, resort officials announced the mountain was “sold out.”

“Everyone showed up all at once,” Cook said. “We wanted to make sure we had safe operations and waited until ski patrol finished their avalanche blasts. I don’t know if any communication would have suppressed the guests’ stoke.”

Then, two weeks later, the mountain got some more fresh powder with about 18 more inches. Skiing conditions were much better and the mountain opened a lot sooner. The next fresh snowfall is expected Wednesday, March 10 and the mountain is expected to provide skiing and riding until at least Memorial Day. The summit now has 224 inches and Main Lodge has 184 inches.

To keep its guests safe, Mammoth Mountain has invested $1 million in COVID-19-related resort enhancements. This includes new technologies and sanitization procedures to help with physical distancing and public health and to reduce contact points throughout the resort.

Skiers and boarders wait in lift lines near Canyon Lodge, where COVID-19 restrictions are in place. (Photo by Erika Ritchie, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Skiing in the COVID era

That late January weekend was eye-opening as crowds began forming at the lift lines. Masks are required indoors, in lift lines and on lifts, in gondolas, shuttles, and when social distancing with others outside who are not part of your travel group.

Cook’s team members — dressed in orange vests — were on hand to make sure guests had their noses and mouths covered and that kept a 6-foot distance. Bandanas and gaiters are already part of many skiers or riders’ gear, so that part wasn’t that difficult, officials said.

But, some who tried to grab a sip of a beverage or maybe cool down after an exhilarating run and pulled down their face coverings were quickly and politely addressed.

“A lot of it is observation and talking to guests,” Cook said. “How do we make them believe what we’re doing is necessary? We’re constantly battling the misconception of being outside without a mask is OK.”

Chris Dahl, a lift operator who is on Cook’s team, brought an unusual amount of enthusiasm to the waiting lines at Chair 5. He’s found a way to make COVID-compliance fun by bringing a sort of entertainment to the crowd.

“It’s almost a whole year into the pandemic and I can see a lot of people are pretty tired of it,” said Dahl, of Fullerton, who is working his first season on the mountain. “I take that attitude because it helps make my experience more fun. I think people gravitate towards it because they’re also excited about being on the mountain and they want someone to share the energy with.”

Since the first storm, Dahl said he gets a good level of compliance but sees better cooperation from California residents than those who come to Mammoth from out-of-state.

The lift lines are distanced. For skiers, that isn’t too hard; it means lining up tail-to-tail and, for some, including just about one more foot of separation.

“We do get some people who squeeze up tight,” Cook said.

The late January storm showed Cook and her team how to get ahead of the game. In some cases, that meant opening lifts earlier and getting ahead of any crowds forming by the beginning of the day.

“That weekend, we were never able to get people spaced out.”

The COVID team works with mountain hosts — part-time workers and local volunteers dressed in yellow vests — to advise skiers and riders where to go on the mountain.

Three-step enforcement

While the majority of guests comply with the COVID protocols, Cook said some balk. But, the mountain has a three-step plan for non-compliance. Many times the mistakes are innocent and people have either forgotten or aren’t aware.

“We correct the mistake and we’re nice about it,” Cook said. The second time it happens, we educate them on why it’s important and how we’d like to keep the mountain open. The third time, corrective action is taken; it’s noted in their profile.”

Each guest has a profile whether they are an IKON Pass holder or not. A first warning is noted in the profile. The second time non-compliance happens, their ski pass is turned off for a week. If it happens a third time, the pass is revoked for the season.

Cook said a lot of notes have been made in profiles and more than a dozen passes have been revoked so far this season.

COVID protocols have also affected the Panorama gondola that travels to the summit. It no longer picks passengers up at McCoy Station at mid-mountain. Those who ride must board at Main Lodge where capacity is limited to single households. The Village Gondola — which runs from Canyon Lodge to the Village at Mammoth — limits capacity to 25% with open windows, even in inclement weather. Seating is arranged to ensure a six-foot distance between people from different households.

If you want to get more proficient at taking turns, ski and board lessons are private to ensure only people within a household are placed together.

Mammoth Mountain basking in sunlight after a recent storm. (Photo by Christian Pondella, Mammoth Mountain)

Lodges and après-ski

And, with the restrictions on the mountain, there are similar safety measures being taken at all of the resorts’ lodges.

Hand washing and sanitizing stations are placed throughout lodges at the resort. Places like railings, bathrooms, door handles, tables and chairs are being disinfected regularly.

Guests will miss some of the traditional ski getaway fun like eating hearty breakfasts and lunches inside lodges, having a place to warm up a shivering child with hot cocoa and the ever-popular and expected après-ski at some of the mountains’ bars and restaurants.

While the lodges aren’t open to gather, there is plenty of outdoor seating where visitors can enjoy takeout food and drinks. The mountain also has opportunities for advanced ordering and pickup options through the Mammoth Mobile App. There are also pop-ups on the mountain where guests can pick up drinks and snacks.

At Canyon Lodge, for example, the ever-popular Canyon Beach has been a place to hang out socially distanced while relishing the pure joy of a bluebird ski day. At Main Lodge, there’s plenty of space on the sun decks outside with views to the mountain’s famed Unbound Terrain Parks.

“It’s not the same experience, but it’s still a good experience,” Cook said. “Have a plan to grocery shop or eat lunch in your car. Call and ask questions, look on our website and don’t come unprepared. Our employees don’t want to be the police. This is a place to be kind and enjoy life. Show up with an attitude of fun and patience.”

In Mammoth Lakes, all restaurants are open for outdoor dining, takeout and delivery.

The best place for a fun après-ski is likely your lodging. If you need to stock up for groceries and want to avoid large groups and long lines, avoid times between 3 and 10 p.m., especially on Friday and Saturday.

While COVID may have changed some of the experience, Mammoth’s terrain remains amazing. The wide-open bowls, steep canyons and long groomers are there to welcome eager skiers and boarders back. Here are some of the best ski runs that just may make you feel “normal” again.

A skier is covered in powder on Mammoth Mountain. (Photo by Peter Morning, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area)

EXPERT

Hangman’s Hollow: Perched near the summit of Mammoth and accessed by the gondola, Hangman’s Hollow is an adrenaline junkie’s dream. Large rock faces and drops take you through the “hollow” and into a powdery landing. This run requires skill and bravery.

Climax: Towering just below the gondola, Climax is a steep, daunting run that provides some of the best turns on the mountain. Drop over the edge and get buttery turns. Funnel through a few chutes; then it’s back to wide, fun slashes to the bottom. Don’t fall because you’ll have an audience watching from the gondolas above.

Dropout Chutes: The Dropout Chutes, which take skiers right under Chair 23, are filled with some of the best snow on the mountain because they capture the Mammoth “wind buff.” Skiers and riders pass by large rock formations in a tight chute and then hit wide, long, grin-inducing turns that are hard to beat.

West Bowl: Some of the best “first tracks” on the mountain on a powder day. On an average day, it can be a technical mogul field. Accessed from Face Lift Express, West Bowl requires a slightly technical traverse to drop in; then it’s a wide-open bowl, usually all to yourself.

Paranoid Flats: The “Noids,” as locals call them, may not feature the rocky chutes of some other double black trails, but they are steep, fast and require a little finesse to access. Whether you choose 1, 2, 3 or 4, Paranoids give a run of a lifetime when they’re hit right.

Avalanche Chutes: Off Lincoln Mountain and Chair 22, the “Avy Chutes” are a ton of fun for advanced skiers or riders — especially after a storm. Chair 22 is an option when the top of the mountain is closed. You can get fresh, steep tracks while snow falls. The chutes collect a lot of snow, and a short hike takes you over to a choice of three.

Boarders cruise groomed runs above Canyon Lodge. (Photo by Erika Ritchie, Orange County Register/SCNG)

INTERMEDIATE

Road Runner: Road Runner takes skiers and riders on a scenic 3-mile tour of the backside, all the way back to Main Lodge. The views of the Minaret Range will take your breath away, but don’t get too distracted — there’s a steep dropoff on your side.

Stump Alley: It’s a misleading name. Stump Alley is actually a wide treeless run with tons of space to work on turns. With just enough pitch to pick up some acceleration, you can carve down at full speed and treat yourself to some pulled pork nachos at The Mill at the bottom. This tame blue run has varying conditions and can be confidence-inspiring.

Solitude: Taking you from the top to the bottom of High Five Express, Solitude is fun and wide. If you’re feeling adventurous, the left of the run is lined with trees you can cut between and find hidden pockets of powder. Just make sure you don’t cut through the trees completely, or you’ll find yourself going down the more advanced Face of Five trail. Solitude is the perfect practice for making turns down steeper terrain or to get comfortable picking up downhill speed.

Gold Hill: Starts off at the top of Cloud Nine Express, which is known for having some of the best snow after a storm. Gold Hill definitely provides that for the intermediate skier or rider. It’s a long run with tons of fun side hits, tree runs and powder stashes.

White Bark Ridge: If you’re looking for a relaxed run off the backside of Mammoth, head over to Chair 12 or 13 and take some laps on White Bark Ridge. Shorter than Road Runner, White Bark Ridge provides amazing views and is less of a thigh burner.

A view of The Minarets — a series of jagged peaks — visible from Chair 16 on Mammoth Mountain. (Photo by Erika Ritchie, Orange County Register/SCNG)

BEGINNER

Sesame Street: If you’re at Main Lodge, Sesame Street can be a good place to build confidence on the slopes. It’s an easy run with access to beginner freestyle terrain. Sesame Street has some of the best views of the top of the mountain to give you something to work toward.

School Yard: Out of Canyon Lodge, head to School Yard to learn your heel from your toe turns. School Yard is a long, easy beginner run that is a perfect place for all age levels.

Pumpkin: Out of Eagle Lodge, Pumpkin is a long, mellow run perfect for beginners to get comfortable on the snow. Often with fewer crowds than other beginner runs, Pumpkin has space to learn how to nail your turns.

Wonderland Playground: This is the perfect space to learn and get comfortable in the park, whether you’re new to freestyle terrain or just looking to have some fun. With small jumps, ride-on boxes and rails and an 11-foot halfpipe, this is the place to start your park progression to the big leagues.

St. Moritz: If you’re feeling comfortable on the beginner slopes but aren’t quite ready to make the jump to an intermediate run, check out St. Moritz. Take the Panorama Gondola to McCoy Station and make your way down the wide, mellow beginning of Stump Alley toward the top of Forest Trail. St. Moritz is an advanced beginner run that takes you back to Main Lodge and allows you to gain more confidence on the mountain before hitting intermediate runs.

-on March 05, 2021 at 01:36AM by Erika I. Ritchie

#riversidenews

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eazyeez · 4 years

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Introduction by Saara

Reading 3:

Reading III: The New Materiality of Design

1 Latour, Bruno (2008). ‘‘Where Are the Missing Masses? The Sociology of a Few Mundane Artifacts’’ In Fiona Hackne, Jonathn Glynne and Viv Minto (editors) Proceedings of the 2008 Annual International Conference of the Design History Society – Falmouth, 3-6 September 2009. Universal Publishers. (30 pages)

2 Vossoughian, Nader (2017). Workers of the World, Conform! (6 pages)

3 Bogost, Ian (2009). What is Object-Oriented Ontology? A definition for ordinary folk.

These were by far the most difficult and the least interesting pieces reading for me. The text “Where are the missing masses?” by Latour for me was really annoying and frustrating even. I didn’t get his style of writing, or the “jokes”, or the talk about seatbelts and door groomers, it was all just just a confusing fuzz for me. I even googled the article and tried to find a good review or summary to find if someone got something out of it.

I think that for me the whole issue is problematic. If I kind of start thinking about artefacts and their effect on human beings or artefacts and non human-human - experience, my brain just somehow gets triggered. I don’t know if I want to think about this issue at all, or if I would, what kind of an example I would find interesting enough. At least not the seat belts, doors or street bumps, that’s for sure.

In the test Bruno Latour “explores how artefacts can be deliberately designed to both replace human action and constrain and shape the actions of other humans” yet also finding similarities between human and non-human behaviour.

If I think about my attitude towards artefacts, I find that some, to which Ive become very fond of, feel like they do share some characteristic attributes: I don’t own a car but I do do feel something towards my bike or my SUP board or my snowboard. My husband’s boat which is from the 70’s does feel like a person. It definitely has some “mood swings”, or at least it’s engine does, since it sometimes co-operates, and sometimes not.

When I think about solutions for textile business and its problems, I find that it would be good if a piece of clothing would have emotional value to it. That way we would wear our favourite clothes and repair them until they are not repairable anymore. That goes for some devices, mobile phones, computers etc too.

I don’t know if I got too carried away here but this was actually a thought that rose after this text.

Next, I read “Workers of the World, conform!” which was a bit more interesting than previous one. I found particularly the system of paper sizes and the book “Bauentwurfslehre” published in 1936. In some form there would be still need for this kind of a book still in today, even though I didn’t like the idea of building small chicken coops or other types of “cages” for farm animals, I think it would be interesting to encourage people of today building things for their home and garden.

But does these types of systems really encourage individual thinking and creativity? Maybe not so much, and if I understood right, it was kind of the point in this text. Modern person would actually go to youtube tutorials when looking for guidance. If they find any interesting or useful tips that actually work is another issue.

The third text was about the “OOO” as in object-oriented ontology and its definition. The text was very short, yet informative. Still I had to google this one as well and, as a modern person myself, found several definitions of the word in Youtube as well. The definition is that instead of thinking that objects exist only depending of human experience, they do exists even without it. That way, the existence of human beings and objects are equal.

I’m not so sure if I have an opinion of OOO. For me, the simple concept or idea “existence” is not so interesting. Instead, I find consciousness more interesting. Even if I may characterise my SUP board or my bike, they never reach a level of my dog or even my home plants in my heart. I do not care for the objects thrown into the trash as much as I care for the consequences of the action of throwing things away. I understand that the artefacts do exist, but do they have a consciousness or a soul? No they don’t, so why bother?

All in all, as you can see, I really don’t have much to add to this subject and this is not really my passion issue. It will be interesting to discuss this with other people who might just understand this topic a bit better.

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bspoetryandart · 7 years

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Madame Psychosis

Chapter 2: Homme Is Where the Heart Is

The cottage cantered away, nobly mobile down the strange main street, the artery of Benoit clogged as it was with damp and dirt and dreams drowned in bottles left fossilized like ships for future generations to lament. The overpass uprights towered over the road, a giant concrete pagoda gate to the temple of interstate that had yet to bless this place with holy commerce. Pilings poked from the surface of the murky silty flow of Brown’s Bayou alongside the asphalt, crowns of rusty rebar thorns on their upturned faces waiting to build a bridge to the future, save the people from their lack of shadowy shopping malls and disposable diners. The hotel with its droopy bay window eyes and drapery lids nestled in the shadow of the overpass so close it could lean its tiled head and weathered wood shingle sides against it should a strong wind ever disturb its quiet slumber. A tree taller than the house and older than the town flanked its other side; a single plank swing dangled like vigilante justice from its thickest branch. Cade’s boots sounded hollow on the damp concrete walkway as his feet took him past the town center with its empty shops full of empty windows to the past of the town. A groomer’s shop waited with moldering aprons and accoutrements to grooming, torn vinyl barber chairs, rounded mirror eyes made up with dust and shadows, a pole on which red and white no longer danced but waited for death at the local landfill. The ice cream shop on the corner sat cheerfully vacant, paper hats and spoons scattered gaily on the checkered floor inside. Discarded roller skates and prophylactics waited in puddles of rust colored boredom in the parking lot. The schoolhouse sat quietly, the chains on its doors succeeding in keeping out the children running wild in the overgrown park beside it. Dandelion haired boys chased and tumbled, wrestled denim on denim, skin on skin, skinny-dipping together in the pond comparing the sizes of the frogs they caught while the girls paid them no heed from their tea party as they poured imaginary brews to dollies who looked out past the pins in their eyes at cookies on sad pastel plates. Sweat wet his brow, stained his shirt as he traversed toward the hotel. He paused to wipe his palm as the handle of his case grew slick, set it down and looked up at the sign of the bar before him and its promise of anonymous shade inside. The air around him was damp and murky as old bathwater yet he found his throat suddenly dry. The door swung in and a cool breeze swept out and he found himself amongst tables of townsmen all blank-eyed deep in quiet midday nonversations drinking glasses of beer lighter than the stains on the backs and chests of their shirts. The bar counter was full of empty stools. The bartender turned as he approached leveling elephantine eyes on him, big grey saucers of wisdom for sauced wisdom seekers. “First time to Mississippi? What can I get you?” He pronounced it like Missing-sippi. “I’m returning after an absence of I don’t know how long, seeing as I hadn’t realized I’d left until I woke up somewhere else earlier.” “We all have those days where we find ourselves somewhere we shouldn’t be,” the bartender said, spinning a glass on his palm then pulling a tap eliciting a steady stream of heady brown liquid. “I tend to find my own ceiling staring down at me and I have no idea why it’s there. Or why it’s mine.” “My ceiling here is borrowed like the last. I have yet to open eyes on one of my own.” “May all your ceilings and their cracks and crimes and secrets be someone else’s,” the bartender toasted as he set the beer down on the counter. “What happened to this town?” Cade said and sipped. “Nothing. Ain’t nothing ever happened to Benoit.” “Or in Bolivar either I take it.” “Where’d you hear that, it ain’t true. Just nothing good.” “No happy weddings or cooing babies?” “A child’s just a woman’s way of showing whose balls are in her purse. And church bells toll the same come rain or shine.” �� The bartender picked up a rocks tumbler, dosed it with whiskey, slid it neat across the bar toward his elbow. A shadow fell across him, a presence presented a clean cuticled hand to the glass, lifted it. “Mind if I sit here?” Cade turned to face himself reflecting in dark ovals of glass obscuring a face undeniably attractive, rosy cheeked with thorny stubble on skin the tan amber of the whiskey wetting its lips and moistening the sultry tongue behind them. “Be my guest,” he said, watched the gent unshade his golden eyes as a third manicured hand took the hat from his gleaming black locks, a fourth fingered a cigarette and a fifth flicked a golden lighter and held it up to the end of the butt as it was held up to the now glass vacant lips. The sixth hand carefully brushed wrinkles out of what, besides its inordinate amount of sleeves, was an impeccably tailored suit. “Do you come here often?” Smoke slithered from between his lips curling and forking like a serpent tongue. “It’s my first time in this bar.” “I didn’t mean here the bar.” “Then did you mean the town? Or maybe the county, or the state?” “Not the state but this state.” “If you make more sense the more beer I drink, then I’d welcome a refill,” Cade said, drained his glass. “There are more things that I make than sense,” the gent said, waving to the bartender, “and maybe they’ll make you more- lucid as well.” “If you think a drink will make me more loose as well, you are mistaken.” He picked up his new beer. “I would never dream of taking advantage of you. What Shiva wants unmade is unmade.” “All it seems Shiva wants unmade is my bed.” Shiva smiles. “Perhaps.” The door of Cade’s suite was green wood and bronze fittings, the hole in the lock big and old to fit its skeleton key and round for peeping. The hallway through the hole had the same ivy patterned carpet as the hall without, the same peeling wallpaper, the same wood wainscoting. Inside the door sunlight speckled the floor scattered through the glass blocks of the shower wall of the bathroom to the right. Anemic blue nightlight fogged the kitchenette and its cracked ceramic counter to the left. At the head of the hall a green door opened onto the drapery darkened bedroom. Shiva’s six hands slipped and slided on the sweaty skin sheathed by Cade’s shirt as Cade nibbled his neck, unbuttoned, exposed, made bare the broad expanse between his banks of arms. Shiva shrugged off his jacket and shirt as Cade’s tongue caressed the cleft of his chest. Cade wished for more hands as he groped flesh through the fabric of Shiva’s pants. “You are not afraid?” “Only that I won’t want you to leave.” Shiva pushed him back on the bed, straddled him hard, hands darting to Cade’s and pulling them up over his head pinning them to the pillows. Two hands tugged at the buttons of Cade’s shirt as the others slid beneath and roughly pressed into his back as Shiva’s hips undulated and teased Cade with their hidden glories. Warm lips, tongue, and breath rolled across Cade’s stomach as Shiva rubbed, scratched the skin with his stubble sending shivers shooting up Cade’s spine. Hands pressed against his groin, stroked their way up to the buttons and zippers. Shiva’s head swirled up his torso, a slick saliva trail in its wake as breath by breath inch by inch of Cade grew barer. Those godly golden eyes leveled on Cade’s, held steady as a hand held steady on his length, a thumb rubbed the tip of his other head as Shiva’s mouth opened and closed upon his lips and- It was terrible. Shiva’s tongue groped deep and gagged, left him gasping. It wiggled in his mouth like a catfish in a milk crate, made Cade wish his head were skimming down the street on a motorized mattress. He pulled his arms free, pushed his mouth away and went to speak, but the remaining evidence, the naked deity, sexy god on his lap gave him pause as he catalogued all the exhibits, numbered them and sized and measured, weighed them throbbing in his hands. Thinking better of it, he pulled Shiva’s mouth to his shoulder. “We’ll work on the kissing later.” Cade slipped from the chrysalis of arms on the bed, stepped naked to the bathroom glowing brighter than the afternoon sun covered in kisses and bites and lovely exhaustion. A wash tub waited on an old sewing machine stand, the drain pipe dropping from the center to pierce the floor by the motion incapable foot pedal. He took a garden hose from the makeshift sink and shifted it to a watering can mounted to the wall in the shower. Verdigris pipes with spigots sprouted from fleur de lis wallpaper to feed the snaky hose that slithered and hissed to life as he cranked the lines open. Water bubbled and gurgled in the mounted can, poured from the holes in its nozzle in a thick steady cascade. The shower cleansed Cade, ran down his skin like so many hands had not ten minutes ago as he had engaged in the most intriguing experience of his life. Hands, arms, mouths, hearts had become insubstantial as they had penetrated the deepest cores of each other in a way that soap would never wash away. Could this be love? he thought, and while you and I know that it was he wouldn’t find out quite yet drunk as he was not on beer or whiskey but raw physicality and the consummation of his deepest desires. Can love be quantified in such a way? Can it be so base as to be an unquenchable thirst for the presence of another, to be the want to glut oneself on the fruits of another’s sexuality, to be the need for another to know the darkest places we know not ourselves? Can love be known in a moment, in a meeting of eyes unguarded but in that moment when that slightest chink in the armor of self feels invisible and protected but winds up anything but? Can there be more meaning in that one unbridled orgasm brought about not by the need to fuck but the want to make the other lose themselves in a moment, a spurt, a complete release of creative energy that touches the soul than in a whole lifetime of mechanical lovemaking? The human heart is anything but automatic with no manual available for reference. Satisfied in his sanitation but not his sanity, Cade steps from the shower and takes a towel, wishes it weren’t his hands rubbing the terry across his skin. The thought leaves his body aching as he treads down the hall back to the bedroom. He pushed open the door he hadn’t closed and peered into the dark at the bed, glided into the gloom and grasped the sheets, pulled them away to reveal the body beneath. Or lack thereof. Four arms, each tied off, bound with black leather belts, rested upon the sheets, not a drop of blood spilled from their raw ends where the sinews and bone peered like gristle eyes at him. Cade picked up one, examined it, turned it end on end. Held the hand up to his face where it curled its fingers against his warmth, caressed his cheek. He sat on the bed, arm in hand, running his fingers down its length. He felt the fabric beneath him tug and pull. The other hands gripped the sheets, turned themselves, pulled themselves toward him. Found his flesh and feasted gently, touching him as if he were not alone in the room.

#story #poets on tumblr #chapter 2 #dream #workinprogress #writers on tumblr #Madame Psychosis

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businessbrokerfl · 5 years

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New Port Richie Pet Grooming Business For Sale

youtube

Annual Sales: $250,000

Owner Benefit: $55,000 (on only 20 hours/week)

Asking Price: $139,000

Cash Down: $75,000

–> Pasco County Business for Sale <–

. 10 Ideas to Expand your Pet Grooming Business

4. Expand The Menu of Services. See the gift box, er box, on the right hand column. (If you’r eon your mobile, it will be lower down)

5. Network with similarly aligned businesses. Vets, Boarding places, Dog Parks, Adult Ed, etc.

6. Community Events – how can you fit in and add value?

7. Promotional Products that your customer will use to carry your logo around for you.

The Cost of Starting Your Own Pet Grooming Business

Then there’s the cost of making mistakes as you learn what works in the area.

Probably simpler just to buy an existing business, no?

The Pet Grooming Business is Booming

The American Pet Products Association publishes statistics annually that estimates 2019 spending at $75.38 billion. This constitutes growth of 264.5% since 2001.

Actual Sales within the U.S. Market in 2018

In 2018, $72.56 billion was spent on our pets in the U.S.

Breakdown: Food $30.32 billion Supplies/OTC Medicine $16.01 billion Vet Care $18.11 billion Live animal purchases $2.01 billion Other Services $6.11 billion

Source: https://ift.tt/2ND3BEw

Don’t most people own a dog?

47% of all pet ownership is of dogs, says the American Pet Products Association.

Source

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To compete with the ecommerce trends in your sector.

KitNipBox

BarkBox

PawStuck

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PupJoy Dog Day Box

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Call Dave DeCamella for more information and a Non-Disclosure Agreement to hear more about thisPort Richie Pet Grooming Business for sale.

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#IFTTT #WordPress

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dorothydelgadillo · 6 years

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This Is Exactly How to Plan for a Full Year of Working Abroad

At Skillcrush we believe that learning tech skills is the best way for you to upgrade to a flexible, exciting remote career—one you can do from anywhere in the world. Still, saying you want to travel the world and actually doing it are two very different things. To clear up any lingering worries you might have about how to build the globetrotting career of your dreams, we partnered with our friends over at Remote Year to bring you all the insider info on how to become a total remote work pro. Keep reading for the best tips on everything from what to do with your vehicle to how to file taxes internationally.

The idea of picking up your life and committing to traveling for an entire year may make you feel a variety of different emotions: extreme excitement, paralyzing indecision, a sharp sense of fear—sometimes all in the same moment. ‍ How do you even begin to tackle a project like preparing to travel for a year? There are so many things in your life that you need to tie up: your current lease, your agreement with your employer, that kind-of-sort-of relationship that you just started. They all fall under the category of “need-to-figure-out-asap”, but you just don’t know what steps you need to take to start. ‍ To be fair, traveling for a year is not a decision that should be made lightly. After all, you’re committing to 365 days of travel, not just a week or two on the road. That kind of commitment takes some serious planning and organization, which will undoubtedly result in many Google searches for the answers to the questions that are running through your head.

What do I do with my car if I’m going to travel for a year?

While you’re traveling you’ll rely more on planes, trains, and buses to get around than you will your own car. However, if you currently live in a city that requires you have your own form of transportation (we’re looking at you, Los Angeles) you probably have a few questions about what you should do with that expensive investment. ‍ The obvious first answer is to sell. Fully embrace a minimalist lifestyle while you’re on the road knowing that everything you own is in your luggage. On top of that feeling of freedom that comes when you let go of the things you don’t need, selling your car will line your pockets with some extra cash to take with you on your journey. ‍ If you’re attached to your car, if you’ve given it a name, if you have years worth of memories stored between the seat cushions, or you just aren’t ready to part with it before your trip, consider a long term storage solution. Most cities have storage facilities with spaces large enough to house a car – you’ll just have to think about if you want to be footing a monthly storage bill in addition to your car payment.

‍ What should I do with my apartment when I’m traveling?

Maybe you were hit with an epiphany, a moment when a lightbulb went off in your head telling you that now is the exact right time to travel. The only problem? You’re in the middle of the year-long lease. ‍ It’s never a good idea to break a lease without having a discussion with your landlord! First, try to see if your landlord will allow you to cut your lease a few months short, or sign a new lease that lets you go month-to-month. ‍ If those avenues don’t work out, you can search for a subletter, or use a service like MetroButler or Airbnb. Tap into your network and see if there’s anyone that is searching for a short-term place to live in your city. There are Facebook groups and online communities created for just this purpose. It’s in your best interest to have a responsible subletter, so do your due diligence before signing on the dotted line. Some buildings require the sublessee to pay a fee every month in addition the subletter’s rent, so keep that in mind when you’re budgeting for your year of travel.

‍ How should I handle long-distance relationships?

Dating long-distance is tough, but it can be even tougher across international borders and timezones. Before you take the leap and book your plane ticket, think about whether you’ve done long-distance before as a couple, if you’re good at communicating, and if your relationship is stable enough to overcome the challenge of being apart. This isn’t an aspect of your decision that is black and white – there will be some downsides no matter what you choose to do. ‍ Sit down and have a detailed discussion with your partner about what you’re interested in doing and gauge their feelings. They may want to join you! If you’re traveling with a work and travel program, you can often find a couples’ discount. Traveling together could be just the experience that you need to make your relationship stronger.

‍ How do I take care of my pet while abroad?

One of the most common things that stops people from setting out on a long-term adventure is the fact that they would have to leave their beloved pet behind. We get that. Odie the dog or Loki the cat is your best friend – how could you possibly say goodbye to them for an entire year? ‍ It’s definitely not easy – however, there are ways to make sure that you’re leaving your pet in the best hands possible. ‍ The easiest thing to do is ask your parents, close friends, family members to help you out and take care your pet for a year. If a personal connection isn’t viable, consider asking your groomer if they have a boarding option, or if they know of any local boarding facilities or doggy daycares that could look after your fur baby. Whatever you do, make sure that you’re completely comfortable with your decision before you pack up. Remember – you can always Facetime your furry friend whenever you need a spark of happiness to jumpstart your day. ‍

What should I do for storage while I’m traveling?

Over the years, you’ve probably accumulated enough stuff that your head hurts just thinking about how you’re going to be able to store it all. Your mom’s basement just isn’t big enough. ‍ Here’s one clean, simple idea: sell it, donate it, or toss it. ‍ As humans in the 21st century, we’ve gotten used to wanting things and have put the concept of wanting experiences on the backburner. You’re about to flip that idea on its head and, in the process of doing so, you should remove a lot of those unnecessary things from your inventory. ‍ If it’s an item that has no value to you or anyone else, toss it. Some social media sites offer marketplaces where you can sell any of your belongings to people in your area for a reasonable price. If you can’t find a willing buyer, think about giving your things away to people who could use them, but might not necessarily be able to afford them. We call this radical gifting. You’ll be leaving for your trip with a little less baggage – and a lot of good karma.

‍ How do I file my taxes as a traveler?

Now you’re getting into the logistics! Taxes are an important thing to consider before you start traveling, as it’s good to have a game plan in place before you jump on a plane. You’re going to want to see how your country handles international residency and how you can file your income if you’re going to be working remotely. ‍ Some U.S. tax residents participating in work and travel programs have been able to take advantage of the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (the “FEIE”). Many factors determine whether the FEIE may be applicable in your case, and you should consult a tax professional to see if it’s a fit for your situation. If you do qualify, you could earn back tens of thousands of your tax dollars. ‍ While we see ourselves as experts on all things “work and travel”, we are definitely not tax professionals. We’re unable to give tax advice and nothing that we say should be construed as tax advice or legal advice rendered by Remote Year or anyone employed by or associate with Remote Year. ‍ When it comes to remaining tax compliant, it’s all up to you. Many of our participants have reached out to a trusted tax professional for advice, and we suggest that you do the same if you feel that your tax obligations are unclear.

‍ Do I need a different bank account as a remote worker?

Most banks make it possible for you to make purchases around the world – for a fee. Before you start your year-long adventure, look into what financial services your bank offers without international fees. You may want to consider moving your assets to another location so that you’re not spending more than you need to while you travel. ‍ In addition to your checking accounts, check out your current credit cards. Can you collect mileage points with your current cards? Are their foreign transaction fees? Do you get any travel-related rewards that can make your time on the road a bit easier? Don’t lose out on taking advantage of these perks just because you didn’t want to do the research! ‍ One thing to note: We’re not financial experts. Though we’ve been through it all with the participants of our programs, we’re not in a position to give financial advice, and none of the information that we provide should be misconstrued as such.

‍ Will my phone work when I’m in a different country?

If you head out on your journey with your phone as-is, it probably won’t work for you in a different country. While WiFi is as readily available as air these days, there will be some destinations on your itinerary that will require you to have access to data in order to use cellular services. ‍ There are a few different routes you can go when it comes to your phone. One of the simplest is to purchase a new SIM card in the countries that you’re traveling in. SIM plans are pretty inexpensive and if you run out of data, you can just recharge them. If you’re working and traveling with Remote Year, we can take care of this step for you. We offer local SIM plans so that you can be connected wherever you go. ‍ If you don’t want to have to seek out a local cellular service in every one of your destinations, you can sign a contract with a company like T Mobile that has great rates for international data plans, or use a service like Google Voice or Project Fi so that you can keep your current phone number when you travel. ‍ As you consider whether you should travel for a year, there will certainly be a few obstacles in your way, but don’t let the barriers above stop you from following the path you want to take toward personal growth. There’s always a solution even if it isn’t a simple one. Every time you come up against something that might hold you back, take a deep breath and remember the reason that you want to go on this adventure. That it will all be worth it. Then get out there and make it happen.

from Web Developers World https://skillcrush.com/2018/10/19/how-to-prepare-to-travel-for-a-year/

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eurolinguiste · 7 years

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The holidays are often associated with gift-giving. As someone striving for a more minimalist lifestyle, things (not necessarily gifts) are something that I’ve thought a lot about.

Each year, my parents ask what I’d like to have, and it’s given me the opportunity to think a lot about the things that I either really need or that won’t become clutter once the initial excitement wears off.

One thing is certain – I don’t need or want any more material possessions.

If you’d like less stuff weighing you down or distracting you from the things that matter most – like language study, but you still need gift suggestions to give your friends or family, you might find this list of minimalist language learning gifts useful.

Or, if you’re looking for an excellent gift to give your language loving friend, this list might include exactly what you’re looking for.

1. Experiences, Not Stuff

Experiences are the perfect gift for the minimalist language learner. They don’t take up space, they definitely don’t already own it, and they add value to your life. A few ideas for experiences that you can ask for include:

* A cooking class so that you can learn to make a dish from the area that speaks your language * A fancy or not-so-fancy meal out (bonus points if this is at a restaurant where your language is spoken) * A day tour of some sort if you have a trip coming up – depending on where you’re going, these can be incredibly affordable * A calligraphy course, a painting class, or whatever else you may be interested in learning * Tickets to a food fair or festival * Tickets to a Kpop concert (or whatever in-their-language music event is in town)

2. Consumable Gifts

Are you studying Korean? Ask for a fun foodbox like Snack Fever so that you can try out snacks from the area. Or maybe you’re learning French? In that case, there’s Bon Appetit Box. JapanCrate is an option for Japanese learners. And Try the World is a great opportunity to try foods from different countries each month.

But it doesn’t need to be an entire subscription box. You can also ask for individual items like the Korean Honey Butter chips, Japanese Ramune, a bottle of Italian wine, or a box of Swiss chocolates.

3. The Chance to Sponsor Someone from a Country that Speaks Your Language

There are tons of organizations out there that aim to make an impact. If you don’t want anything for Christmas, then why not give to someone who needs something?

One of my favorites is Kiva. You can ask your friends and family to donate to the organization on your behalf, or ask for a Kiva gift so you can choose who you loan to. The money goes to people who are looking to start a business, go to school, or feed their families interest free.

4. Lessons

What’s one thing you can count on almost any language learner appreciating immensely? Free lessons. Ask family members for an iTalki gift card, or perhaps credit towards whichever other tutoring site you prefer – Lingoci, Lingoda, Baselang, Hanbridge or eChineseLearning.

5. Upgrades

Perhaps you are in need of a new iPod to enjoy all those podcasts you listen to, or a Kindle so that you can carry your language books with you. Maybe your notebook is pretty tattered and getting a new one would spark a little more joy when you take your notes. Take a look at the materials you’re currently using to study a language. Could you benefit from upgrading any of them?

6. Membership

Do you love Memrise but haven’t yet made the jump to the Premium account? Or maybe you love watching videos on YouTube, but would love to skip the ads with a paid membership. Have you used up all your free LingQ credits, but just haven’t been able to buy in to a paid account? There are so many fantastic language learning apps out there and a one year or even three or six month membership could be the perfect gift.

7. Money

As a minimalist, money gives you the freedom to decide where and what you need to invest in when you’re ready to do it. It’s a great strategy if you can’t decide what you need before the gift-buying deadline set by friends and family.

8. An Online Language Course

It’s possible that a cooking or painting class aren’t your thing – even if they teach a style from the country that speaks your language. Perhaps you’d prefer a language related course like Language Learning Accelerator, the Add1Challenge, Benny Lewis’ Conversation Countdown, or Lindsay Dow’s Successful Self Study.

There are a wide variety of fantastic language courses online and many of them would make excellent gifts.

9. Time

Sometimes the best gift a friend or family member could give us is their time. As a new mom, my parents babysitting is a much appreciated gift – especially because it gives me the chance to catchup on my language studies (and gives Little Linguist time with family). I also love lunches or coffee dates with my friends.

10. A Gift Certificate for a Chore That Takes Time to Do or that You Hate Doing

Not enough time in the evenings to study? Ask your significant other for a certificate for them to take over cooking tasks for a week. Maybe it’s the weekend you’d like more study time. When my brother and I were still living at home, he would often gift me car wash certificates. It was a great gift because it saved me the time doing it (I hated having to do it) and saved him money.

Or, if you’d rather not ask your friends to take on your chores or cooking, ask them to gift you a visit from a house cleaning service or mobile pet groomer or credit for Yelp24/Uber Eats to skip making dinner a night or two.

Can you think of any other gifts to add to this list?

Let me know in the comments!

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