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watching-pictures-move · 3 years

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Movie Review | Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS (Edmonds, 1975)

This review contains spoilers.

Despite my love of cinema in even its less reputable forms, one genre that I’ve hesitated to dive into is Nazisploitation. Quite frankly, a genre built around milking one of the worst crimes in human history for sordid entertainment value seemed a little too tasteless, even for a wildly undiscriminating viewer such as myself. I’ll admit to even having been bothered by allegedly respectable takes on such material (The Night Porter might be one of my most hated films). Yet, as one does when stuck inside during a raging pandemic with limited ways of keeping oneself occupied, with one’s interest piqued by a viewing of a documentary on the subject (Fascism on a Thread, available on Tubi, the best bang-for-your-buck streaming service in that it’s free and actually has a decent amount of good shit), I figured that perhaps I should give it a chance. (I have previously seen Salon Kitty, although I understand that might be a borderline case with its relatively high production values.) And what better way to get acquainted with the genre than by seeing one of its best known and most notorious entries, Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS? After all, the film opens with text telling us that it’s “based on documented fact” and is dedicated with “ with the hope that these heinous crimes will never happen again.” Perhaps it wouldn’t be as disrespectful as I’d expect?

That sentiment lasts for about as long as the opening text is displayed. We first meet Ilsa as she’s getting it on with a prisoner. After they finish, in a wild overreaction to a lousy lay, she has him castrated in the first of many graphic torture sequences and says she’ll be sending off his dismembered...member to some kind of museum dedicated to Aryan superiority. (Depending on how often she does this, I wonder if she ships them in bulk?) The rest of the movie follows a similar pattern. Lots of admiring nudity of both the female prisoners and the female guards, with Ilsa’s cleavage subjected to an especially loving gaze. Various torture scenes with an undeniable fetishistic element: shaving pubes, insulting the male prisoners’ penis sizes, an electrified dildo. (Less overty fetishistic but still notable: there is a scene of a pressurized chamber containing a busty prisoner played by none other than Russ Meyer regular Uschi Digard.) Ilsa herself is undeniably a dominatrix-type figure, her Nazi uniform practically serving as fetish gear. The atrocities depicted in the film are an extremely objectionable step or two beyond what some might call a good time, posing a kind of challenge to the audience: how low will you sink to enjoy some T&A?

The film does have some sense of arc, driven by two primary developments. One, Ilsa beds an American prisoner who not only is able to bring her to climax but can refrain indefinitely from climaxing himself, which results in her becoming the female equivalent of “whipped”, so to speak. (The two funniest moments in the movie involve the drum-and-fife music that plays after this scene, a cross between “Yankee Doodle Dandy” and “Dixie”, and the shocked reaction of another prisoner upon learning his abilities. The American is also tested later with a threesome.) Two, a visit from a general (during which he is entertained by a naked woman hanging over the table onto a block of ice while he has dinner) who seeks to learn about Ilsa’s progress with her experiments but strongly objects to her “private research” (which doesn’t seem all that different from the rest of her handiwork). At the end of the night, he begs Ilsa for a golden shower, an act which manages to repulse even her (despite, you know, everything she’s done in the movie up to this point). The movie climaxes with a revolt by the prisoners led by the American, featuring some low rent action and a fetishized comeuppance for Ilsa (in lingerie, tied with stockings to her bed), followed immediately by the German army putting down the revolt immediately, a downer ending to an overall pretty dismal affair.

On one hand, Ilsa is undeniably a pretty offensive affair, trying to exploit the Holocaust for schlocky entertainment. On the other hand, it’s pretty hard to really be offended by. The movie, despite the opening text, makes little pretense of dealing with its subject in any serious capacity, meaning that any insult to its real life inspirations doesn’t hold water the way it might in a more serious film about the subject. (The Night Porter filming its concentration camp scenes like softcore is more objectionable than Ilsa doing the same as the former actually expects you to take those scenes seriously while the latter is clearly going for thrills, albeit of an extremely degraded kind.) The film was made fast and on the cheap, shot in under two weeks on the sets of the recently canceled Hogan’s Heroes, but the artless, rudimentary filmmaking gives it a certain stylistic purity. The movie delivers exactly what it promises you, no more, no less, without any attempt to alleviate it with style or class. A certain campy quality results from juxtaposition of the bargain basement production values with the slipping German accents of the cast, so that the movie plays like a sketch comedy where the jokes have been replaced by war crimes. If you think the worst thing a movie can be is boring, this certainly isn’t guilty of that.

And it must be said that as Ilsa, Dyanne Thorne is quite watchable. She definitely looks the part, having landed the role after she showed up to the audition dressed in her uniform from her day job as a chauffeur. She plays the character through enthusiastic teeth gnashing and grimacing, doing justice to her character’s dominating and sadistic qualities. (I understand the director Don Edmonds thought the script was the “worst piece of shit [he] ever read.” If she had a similar low opinion of the project, it doesn’t come off in her performance.) She figured heavily as a talking head in Fascism on a Thread, and from her interviews she comes off as a sweet lady who I’m glad got this moment in the spotlight. I understand she reprised the role in a few sequels (one of which was directed by Jess Franco) which mostly sound less morally objectionable than this one, and I can’t say I’ve ruled out seeing them at some point.

#film #movie review #ilsa she wolf of the ss #don edmonds

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spellnbone · 3 years

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Contrary to what some people think at first sight of his description, Edgar is not someone who rejects emotions. He might be driven by a mind that craves logic, but his heart is a loyal one and contributes to his decisions greatly. Following positive nihilistic philosophies, he knows the importance of love, of loving, and of living in the moment freely. This being said, while he does enjoy a night full of quick-lived romance, he is mainly a terrible serial monogamist.

Age Fourteen - Ainsley

He was in year four when the kids around him began trying things out. Drinking, flirting, kissing. Removed from everyone as he was at that time, he saw no reason to participate, but when he heard that Amelia too had played such games at a recent party, he grew jealous. The two were still in a process of detaching themselves from the other and the idea to be so purposefully excluded from her adventures lit an angry little fire inside of him.

So he stomped up to one of his (very few) friends, Ainsley, who was herself reading a book in a corner at a Ravenclaw party, and prepared a whole speech about why logically it’s of fundamental use to try some of those games yourself, for the sake of both philosophical and physiological development, and then -- never got a single word out. Instead he just pressed a kiss to her mouth.

“Thank you.” “You’re welcome.”

And they never spoke of it again.

Age Fifteen - Tsi / Fabian

It was in a similar line of thinking that Tsi, a Slytherin, chose Edgar to be her boyfriend. They’d been transfig partners for almost three months, working on a project together, and eventually she decided he’d be good for snogging. Seeing how Amelia, too, just had gotten a boyfriend, Edgar wasn’t very hesitant to agree. He thought it rather agreeable that Tsi didn’t care about his opinions or wishes and just told him what to do, when and how, as it at least alleviated any form of awkwardness -- and taught him a lot.

She broke up with him when the Summer holidays came, with the words: “You’re probably gay anyway.” He was a little upset as to how one could possibly come to such a conclusion, and then spent the Summer drunk and making out with Fabian.

Age Seventeen and Eighteen - Wandering Philosophers

After graduation, Dell invited Edgar to join his little group of Wandering Philosophers. If one has ever seen one of those Summer of Love hippie bus drug montages, one can image what this year abroad was like for Edgar. It was perhaps 1971 and not 1967 but that did not stop the excess of free love and free drugs.

By the end of the year, Edgar had made more experiences than his mind cared to remember, had massively changed his opinions on friendship and other people, and had -- somehow managed to find a steady girlfriend?

Age Nineteen - Janis

Said steady girlfriend came with him back to Hastings. It’s not entirely clear what came first, her or the end of Edgar’s travels, but either way, the moment he’d spoken his first I Love You, he knew he wanted her to come to England with him. As he worked for the West Sussexian Wizarding Paper, they rented a small apartment by the sea, and he was the happiest one could be.

She was not. The American Witch often hinted at him how small the world had become, how the routines felt so terribly familiar, how there was no newness anymore -- and he thought she meant it in a positive way. It turned out, she didn’t. When Edgar stumbled upon Ainsley one day, she suggested he’d join the Daily Prophet in London, and when he told this to Janis, her cry of relief was great.

“Yes, please, Edgar, go!” she said, and in between words of reassurance that she did love him, that she just hated the small town life, she was already packing her own bags.

Age Twenty to Twenty-Two - Lucienne

It took a while for Edgar to recover from Janis basically fleeing from him, but it was all the easier now that he’d moved to London and was close to Amelia. The two had barely been in contact since graduation, and while he’d done nothing but smoke weed and discuss heatedly if Camus or Sartre were superior, she’d worked herself up to the top of the Ministry of Magic. He couldn’t be prouder. But as he waited for their very different lifestyles to clash, they only grew closer and closer again.

This process was brusquely interrupted when Edgar met Lucienne. She was an actress from one of the underground Wizarding Theatres he wrote about regularly, and (as he’d written in one of his reviews) she needn’t no spotlight to make her shine. She was a bright firework herself, wherever she went, people turned heads, and Edgar never fully understood what she saw in him, why she picked him.

But it mustn’t have been pity, for she was the one to suggest he move in with her. The fact that their greatest obsession was also their common interest helped. While Edgar joined the Order and had his mind growing clouded with the dangers of this war, Lucienne always managed to remind him of the world’s beauty as well. They could rehearse, discuss and analyse plays for hours and hours without it ever growing boring, and while the city outside grew dark, at least inside their apartment Lucienne’s light illuminated everything brightly.

Age Twenty Three - London

It was in the Fall of his twenty-second year that Edgar witnessed the first death of someone close in the Order. Some even said he’d been the cause for it. It changed something in him. After the funeral he saw Caradoc cry for the first time. Had the two hated each other up until that point, something connected them over the grave of their friend. Edgar brought him home, not to Lucienne, but to Amelia. They told her about the Order and about their loss, and till this day, Edgar is not sure why he chose Amelia to comfort them. Perhaps if he hadn’t, if he’d brought Caradoc to Lucienne (who was, after all, an anti-bloodpurism activist) everything would’ve been different now.

But as it were, he stayed with Amelia for days, perhaps weeks, incapable to face Lucienne again, until, about a month later, she sent him his things. No letter, nothing attached. Just a clear sign: they were over.

This was the only time that he and Amelia shared a flat, and along with the truth of his political endeavours, this truly sealed their relationship with wax. Ever since having been sorted into two different houses at Hogwarts, they’d slowly but surely grown apart, but now it was as though they were in Mexico all over again. They cooked together, went out together, slept together -- that is in the same bed, of course. Sometimes they brought home someone from a pub, but it was never until they fully reached the bedroom that it became apparent for who that person was meant for. Amelia? Edgar? Neither? Both? Either way, the moment the person was gone the next day (or same night -- after all, the Bones twins were quite good at being hostile to unwanted people) they were clinging together again.

It was during this time that Edgar remembered why he’d changed his writing hand from left to right, once upon a time: it was to hold Amelia’s at all times.

Age Twenty-Three to Twenty-Five - Genevieve

(Un)fortunately, there were still moments they had to spend apart, namely at work. And it was during work (visiting a Muggle play on Drury Lane) that Edgar met Genevieve. She was different from anyone he’d ever met. She was of royal blood and knew her manners, spoke of luxuries and her own charities with ease, while at the same time showing no sign of vanity or arrogance. She loved theatre and due to being a Muggle, knew nothing about the war that was slowly but surely devouring Edgar’s mind.

Edgar realised quickly that if he wanted to keep up with her, he needed to leave Amelia. And so it came that only after about three months of dating, Genevieve bought them an apartment and they moved in together. He was enamored by her every move, every word, every sight. He was incapable of reviewing any plays but romances, began writing terrible poetry himself and -- neglected everyone but her. Had Amelia been the center point of his life only half a year ago, he now barely remembered to reply to her letters, and was the war still raging, he struggled to see its somber colours through his pink glasses.

So it came, that when it turned out that Genevieve was no Muggle at all, but a Muggleborn who’d chosen to live amongst Muggles, something changed. On the one hand, he loved her even more, now capable to show her the House of Bones and introduce her to his family, on the other hand he knew what this meant. And indeed, it didn’t take long until her family was attacked by Death Eaters. The family had once upon a time been closely connected with a family from the Sacred 28, but after the Statue of Secrecy had been established, the ties had been cut. However this didn’t change the fact that the family knew of the Wizarding World, being reminded of it ever so often whenever a new magical child was born.

“My family is in danger and I don’t know what to do.” “Have you heard of the Order of the Phoenix?”

It was the first time Edgar told someone about the Order, other than Amelia. But while Genevieve thought he’d now ask her to join the fight (she was eager to), he told her about this pilot project of theirs, about taking in refugees and helping them to flee.

“You want me to leave?” He wanted to say no, because never had he loved someone as earnestly and deeply as her, but he said “Yes,” and she was too noble and dignified to fight. After all, it really was the smartest decision.

Age Twenty-Six - Tsi

Yes, Tsi from Year Five. What happened in between Genevieve and the heartbreak she caused and Tsi, should be of no mystery anymore: Amelia. They didn’t officially live together this time as she had her own boyfriend, but they still very much spent every waking moment together. Eventually the boyfriend left. Neither of them really acknowledged it. What mattered was that Amelia forgave Edgar for leaving her so suddenly, and he promised to never to it again.

About four months later, Tsi found Edgar. She had barely changed. She was still a fierce and stubborn Slytherin, hungry for power and control, and all too earnest about her urges and desires. So Edgar, still nursing his heartbreak, was willing to submit himself to her demands once more. She was so different from Genevieve it was easy to forget her in Tsi’s commands and willful ideas.

It ended abruptly when Edgar learnt she agreed with Voldemort’s ideas.

Age Twenty-Seven - London Again

Once again heartbroken, Edgar found himself with Amelia again as well. But this time she made him promise to never hurt her again properly.

“No one must come between us again.” “No one will, I promise.”

Amelia was by now an affiliate of the Order and because Edgar was almost certain that the Other Side knew his face and name, he didn’t want to put Amelia in danger by living with her. So he got his own apartment, a little thing in Muggle China Town, and on the nights he doesn’t spend with Amelia or working, he does bring people home. He cannot stand sleeping alone anymore, the silence causing his thoughts to spiral terribly.

So it doesn’t really matter who that warm body is, he’s content as long as he can nestle up to it at night. Sometimes it’s a good friend, drunk, like Fabian, who needs a place to crash, and sometimes it’s a stranger, who Edgar makes sure not to learn anything about, out of fear to fall in love again.

#{ it’s rotten work }#m:amelia #m:ainsley #m:fabian #m:caradoc #intro #npc: tsi #npc: gen #npc: lucienne #npc: janis #i mean i say npc but if anyone wants to play one of edgars ex gfs.............#{ wisdom begins in wonder }#also i THINK i did a pretty good job at incorporating timeline and headcanons we discussed but uhhhhh #if i fucked up lemme know and i fix

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stormtrprinstilettos · 5 years

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Fun’s for Free: Chapter 1 - Roger x (fem)Reader

Summary: It’s 1978 and you’re a music journalist assigned to follow Queen on their North American tour. Only problem is the magazine you write for has not been kind to the band in the past, and someone has a hard time letting that go.

In this “episode”: We’re setting the tone here. Consider this a prologue of sorts.

Word Count: ~3.3K

Warnings: language is about all you’re going to encounter this time (wink wink)

Tagging: @sunshine112 @culturefiendtrashqueen (I think you asked to be permatagged! If it wasn’t you, I’m sorry!) If you want on the tag list, let me know!

[A/N: Being that this is fiction, the time of one particular critic quote being used in here is off, but all are verbatim quotes that have been made about both “News of the World” and “Jazz” in a certain publication. Also, this is the “Jazz” tour that happened 5 or 6 months after their European tour for “NOTW.”]

You’re starting to get impatient, tapping your fingers on the conference room table, listening to everyone else discuss their story proposals they’re throwing out to the editor, Mike, before he doles out the new assignments for the month. Working for a music magazine was your dream job, but you quickly realized that it wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. At least for you. You were always assigned the stories no one else wanted to touch – one of the “benefits” to being at the bottom of the proverbial totem pole. You almost felt like you were being taunted every month when you had to sit in on these staff meetings because you knew you’d never get assigned anything you actually wanted to do. Sure, every now and then you’d get a good one, but those were few and far between.

“Y/N,” Mike calls out. “I have a big one for you.” You start to groan inside, trying to figure out what ridiculous venture he was going to send you on this time. He walks behind you and puts his hands on your shoulders, something he always did before giving you bad news. “How does two months away from my bullshit sound?”

You turn and glare at him, dreading what he was going to tell you. “Jesus, Mike, if you want to get rid of me…”

He starts to howl in his laughter. “Never,” he says as he pats one hand on your shoulder. “Why do you always think the worst?”

“Because you always give me the worst,” you chuckle. “So what is it? Sending me to a war zone this time? Clearly it’s something nobody else wants to touch.”

“Well, it does have the potential to be one,” you hear Candice, the assistant editor laugh from across the room.

You glare at Mike with a profound sense of worry and see he’s still laughing. “Oh, it won’t be that bad.” After dismissing everyone else and clearing the room, he sits next to you and gives you a cheesy smile, which only makes your concern grow more. “Calm down. I’m not sending you to Guatemala.”

“Just spit it out, Mike,” you groan as you drop your head into your hands, anticipating the dread he was about to bestow on you.

“England. You have your passport, right?” His stupid smile never left his face, and you start to glare.

“Two months in England?” you ask suspiciously. It sounded almost too good to be true. “What’s the catch?”

“No, just a week in England,” he informs you. “You’re going on a tour.”

“A tour of what?”

“Not a tour of anything. You’re going on tour. You’re writing about a certain big name rock group on their North American tour.”

Your mind starts to race as you look at his cheesy grin, trying to remember what bands are going to be touring here soon, then your mouth drops with dread. “No, Mike. You can’t do this to me.”

“A dream come true, yeah?” he snickers.

“No!” you yell. “After the reviews Barry gave them? Are you fucking kidding me? Send Barry!”

“Barry turned it down,” Candice says. “So did…”

“It doesn’t matter,” Mike interrupts and turns back to you. “I think you’d be perfect for it.”

“Why? Because you’re some sadist who gets off knowing you’re throwing me to a pack of wolves?” You keep trying to protest, but he just sits there with that stupid smile you want to slap right off of him. “How much do you think we’re even going to get out of them? This magazine has been brutal to them.”

“That’s why I want you to go,” he tells you. “Because I think you hate us more than they do.”

“This is going to be a disaster,” you mumble. “But, fine, I’ll do it. I have no choice. I need to pay rent.”

“Great!” Candice exclaims. “You leave in three days. I’ll have your plane ticket for you tomorrow.”

“When is this ‘journalist’ supposed to get here?” Roger grumbles. “I don’t want to be here.”

“You’ll have to face him at some point,” John chuffs. “He’ll be with us the whole tour.”

“She,” Miami corrects. “They’re sending a girl. Y/N something. I never heard of her before”

“Perfect. They can’t even send someone who knows what they’re doing,” Roger groans. “Not that I expect anything less from a magazine that said Genesis was better than us. Fucking Genesis. ‘More listenable and far superior’ is what they said.”

Freddie starts laughing loudly. “You take things too personally. When have any critics liked us?”

“I believe they once called you a Robert Plant knock off, Fred,” Roger reminds him.

Freddie’s laughter just gets louder. “I’ll knock off Robert Plant any day as long as I keep getting the money I do.”

“You can all play nice with whoever she is but I intend to…” Roger is cut off before he can finish.

“If she’s pretty we all know what you intend to do,” John quips.

“Oh fuck off,” Roger groans as he walks away, but not without continuing to yell. “Fascists! They called us a fascist rock band! That was this week!” He keeps yelling but no one is paying him attention anymore.

You’re standing in the doorway, hearing all of this going on, feeling like you’ve just witnessed your death. There is no way you can muster the strength to walk in there and introduce yourself now. “This is going to be a fucking nightmare,” you mumble under your breath.

“Ah, Rog must have read the new review,” you hear someone say behind you. Startled, you quickly turn around and your face is eye level with a chest, which you realize belongs to Brian May once you look up. “You’d think after all this time he wouldn’t get so mad about critics. The rest of us find them funny.” He looks down to you and smiles. “I’m assuming you’re our shadow for the next couple of months,” he says as he holds out his hand. “Brian May, nice to meet you.”

You smile and shake his hand, thankful to know there’s at least one person who won’t want to grind you into mulch. “Y/N Y/L/N, and yes. I’m the shadow.” You turn your head and peek back into the rehearsal room. “Maybe I should come back tomorrow,” you mumble.

“Today’s just fine,” he tells you with his soft, calming voice. “Come on,” he puts his hand on your shoulder and walks you in. All eyes in the room immediately dart to you, and you’ve suddenly been overwhelmed with a great sense of intimidation. “This is Miss Y/L/N. She’s…”

“Ah, the writer,” Miami interjects as he scampers over to to shake your hand. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Jim…”

“Call him ‘Miami,’” you hear Freddie say with a laugh. “He prefers that. What are we supposed to call you?”

“Y/N,” you reply. “Please no ‘Miss’ anything. I hate formalities.”

John walks over to you with a smile on his face and a quiet giggle. “He’ll have a new name for you in a few days.” You give him a smile and shake his hand.

“Come sit, darling. I need to know all about you,” Freddie says as he pats the floor next to him. You glance back at Brian who is giving you an encouraging grin and join Freddie on the floor of the mock stage that’s set up.

For the next 20 minutes you happily answer their questions, and they yours, of course. None of this was on the record, more of an introductory chat with the people you are going to practically be living, eating and sleeping with for the next two months. To say you’re relieved is an understatement. No matter their status in the music world, they were all extremely down to earth and quite charming, so much so that you completely forgot about the scene you witnessed earlier, until…

“You must be the journalist,” you hear Roger hiss with an emphasis on the “t.” No one even noticed him walk over.

You start to stand up and introduce yourself. “Yeah, I’m…” But he stops you.

“Yeah, okay,” he mumbles and walks over to his drum kit. You press your lips together and sit back down, attempting to start your conversation up again, when Roger starts to beat his drums with an obnoxious and incessant pace, seeming to be doing so purposely to annoy you, at least that’s what you gather from the smug look he’s giving you. “Are we here to rehearse or chat up the broad?” he yells.

You roll your eyes and chuckle at his juvenile behavior, as do the others, and walk to the other side of the room to talk to Miami. “Do they ever take a break?” you ask. “They just finished Europe a few months ago.”

All he can do is laugh. “No, they don’t. And it’s exhausting.”

“I saw them in New York last year. They’re phenomenal.” His eyes grow wide with shock. “Just because one of our critics is rough doesn’t mean we all hate them,” you giggle. “I happen to be a fan.”

After three hours – and a lot of wondering as to how they manage to go for hours without passing out – they finish for the day and everyone heads for the door. You’re standing outside, your suitcases at your feet, watching everyone pile into their cars and have no idea what you’re supposed to do or where you’re supposed to be going. The first to leave is Roger, and he does so just as obnoxiously as he beat on his drums earlier, tearing out of the parking lot like he was in a hurry. “You can ride with me,” Brian says from behind. You turn and give him a curious look and he starts to laugh. “We’re going to the house.”

“Oh, I thought I was supposed to go…”

“No, you’re stuck with us,” he smiles and shrugs. “Sorry.”

When he pulls up to the house, you see everyone else walking inside, feeling intimidated all over again for reasons you don’t know. “I can go to a hotel if I’ll be in the way,” you tell him. “I don’t want to intrude or anything.”

“You’re not intruding. We’ll go inside, I’ll help you get your things to your room, then you’re joining us for dinner.” He takes note of your raised eyebrow and right lips and tries to be more reassuring. “And after dinner, Roger and Deaky will probably go to the pub, Fred will do whatever it is he does, Jim will go to bed and…” He stops and laughs. “You’re not intruding.”

You start to rub your eyes with your fingers and join in the laughter. “This is just too much,” you say with a sigh. “I just got thrown into this 4 days ago. Never had the chance to mentally prepare for any of it.” You drop your hands in your lap and give a shy smile. “And it’s not like everyone is exactly happy that I’m here.”

He throws his head back and laughs quietly. You quickly picked up that everything he does is done quietly (even when he was arguing during rehearsal earlier) and that’s why you felt comfortable around him. He wasn’t intimidating at all. “Ignore him,” he tells you. “He isn’t fond of people calling him a fascist.”

“No one called him a fascist,” you laugh. “I surely didn’t call him one. He needs to grow up. I didn’t write any of that crap.”

After getting settled in your room and freshening up, you head out the door to join everyone for dinner. “What are you doing here?” you immediately hear Roger grunt. “Are you going to be everywhere we go? We get no privacy at all?”

“Nice to see you, too,” you groan as you roll your eyes. “And don’t worry, I won’t be everywhere. You’ll have all the privacy you need in the bathroom.”

You start to walk away, but he isn’t done snipping. “That’s a shame. You’d probably have the thrill of your life if you got to watch me shower.”

“Don’t count on it. I’ve seen John Bonham naked. That was a thrill.” You turn and walk away, smirking to yourself. If he wanted to keep being testy with you, you were going to dish it back. You didn’t have the desire or the patience to deal with some arrogant asshole.

You walk into the dining room where you hear everyone talking and wave. “There she is!” Freddie calls out. “Come sit.” You take your seat next to him and exchange your pleasantries with everyone. “We were just discussing where we’re going to put you on the bus.”

“Fuck’s sake, put her with the equipment,” Roger groans as he sits down. “She doesn’t need to be with us every second.”

You slam your hands on the table, finally having had enough of his bullshit. “Look, I don’t know what your problem is, but…”

“She’s riding with us,” John snaps. “If you have a problem with it, you can ride with the equipment.”

Roger’s eyes glare at you, ignoring what John just told him. “My problem is that out of all the so-called journalists we can possibly have with us, they let someone from your piece of shit magazine come along. And you…”

“Stop it, Rog,” Freddie snaps, but he doesn’t.

“… waltz in here like …”

“Ignore him,” Freddie leans over and whispers. “He’s a bitter old hag sometimes.” You can help but giggle, and when Roger sees that, he becomes even more enraged.

But you take Freddie’s advice and ignore him, instead of baiting him like you want to, and decide to focus on Freddie. “What city are you most looking forward to?”

“New Orleans!” he exclaims. “We have a ridiculous party planned for the album release. It’s going to be absolutely salacious.”

The rest of dinner was spent talking to everyone except Roger, who was sitting at the end of the table, silently seething over the fact that everyone was getting along with you, which only encouraged you to be even more chipper than usual. You normally give everyone a chance after meeting them even when you don’t take to them immediately. You’ve dealt with this before – many times in fact – on your other assignments, and those that you got off on the wrong foot with usually always ended up being pretty cool, but you decided hours ago that you didn’t like Roger. You weren’t being fooled into thinking the feeling wasn’t mutual. You don’t know why you weren’t going to give him a chance. It’s not like he was being terrible – you’ve dealt with worse. And his attitude wasn’t nearly the worst you’ve encountered. There was just something about him that grated your nerves and you can’t quite pinpoint what it is. What you do know is that you’re taking great pleasure in knowing your mere presence is bothering him.

“Come to the pub,” John insists as everyone is standing up from the table. You can hear Roger groaning in the background, which, of course, makes you want to go, but you’re insanely tired and just want to go to bed.

“Thanks for the invite, but I’m really tired,” you reply with a smile, before hearing Roger start to mock you. “I had a long trip,” you explain, and his mocking gets louder as he walks to the door to leave. You’re trying hard to ignore him, but it’s hard to do. “You know what? Let’s go,” you tell John. “I could use a drink.” John smiles and throws an arm around your shoulder, walking you out the door.

You made sure you didn’t drink too much, just enough to relax and get a slight buzz. Drinking didn’t make Roger relax, at all, having the opposite effect in fact. It seemed like all he wanted to do was argue with you, and you happily obliged.

“‘More of the same dull pastiche,�� you idiots said,” he spit out. “If you hate our album so much why are you here?” he asked you.

You roll your eyes and grunt. “I didn’t write that. I never even heard the new album.” He starts to sarcastically chuff and tries to say something but you don’t give him the chance. “He hated your last album too, but I…”

“What’s your name anyway?” he asks with slightly furrowed brows. “Wait, are you the one who did that interview with Zeppelin back in…”

You start to laugh. “How do you think I got to see Bonham naked?” You raise your eyebrow and give him a smirk as you take a sip of your drink. John is finding the whole scene amusing and can’t stop laughing.

“Do you make it a habit to see drummers naked? I need to know so I can make sure I’m covered at all times.”

“Nah,” you say before you take a slow drag on your cigarette. “Only those I find impressive, so you don’t have anything to worry about.” You give him a sarcastic wink and take another sip of your drink, making a mental note of the narrowed eyes he’s shooting in your direction.

John starts to choke in his laughing fit and quickly finishes his beer. “I think it’s time to go now,” he says and grabs your arm, pulling you out of your seat and out the door before Roger has the chance to say anything back.

“I have a feeling this is going to be terrible,” you moan to Mike on the phone. “Everyone is lovely, but that fucking drummer…”

He starts to roar with laughter. “You always have issues with the drummers, Y/N. Why?”

“Because they’re all so cocky and carry a grudge against the world,” you sigh. “This one, though. Can you believe he can sit there and rattle off every negative thing that Barry ever wrote? And he’s blaming me for it.” You’re starting to get annoyed just thinking about it. “I’m sure it’ll get better. It’s just not exactly a great first impression. I’ve dealt with worse.”

“Just get us a good article out of all of this and I’ll see you when you’re in New York next month,” Mike chuckles before hanging up the phone. You roll your eyes as you do the same and when you turn around, Roger starts fussing.

“I will have you know that I absolutely carry a grudge. I am very proud of what we’ve done and…”

You hold a hand up telling him to stop. “For someone so worried about privacy, you don’t care about invading the privacy of others,” you snap. “And how many times to I have to tell you that I didn’t write anything negative about you or the band?” He opens his mouth to talk, but you hold your hand up again. “I’m tired. I’m cranky. And your ridiculous whining is now starting to bore me.” His eyes follow you as you walk away, wanting so bad to snip at you, but he can’t. “And stop looking at my ass,” you yell out as you head down the hallway.

When you disappear, and as Roger is standing there speechless, John and Freddie walk up to him, chuckling. “Don’t say a fucking word,” he fusses them. “She’s beautiful, yes, but she’s a nightmare.”

#roger taylor #roger taylor x y/n #roger taylor x fem reader #roger taylor x reader #roger taylor x you #roger taylor fanfiction #roger taylor fic #roger taylor fanfic #roger taylor smut #fun’s for free #my stuff

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paleblazeluminary · 3 years

Text

Hotline Miami Controls For Mac

Available Regions for Activation

Across the globe, except South America and Europe.

Hotline Miami’s unmistakable visual style, a driving soundtrack, and a surreal chain of events will have you question your own thirst for blood while pushing you to.

Afghanistan

Algeria

American Samoa

Angola

Anguilla

Antarctica

Aruba

Australia

Bahrain

Bangladesh

Benin

Bhutan

Botswana

Bouvet Island

British Indian Ocean Territory

British Virgin Islands

Brunei

Burkina Faso

Burundi

Cambodia

Cameroon

Canada

Cape Verde

Caribbean Netherlands

Cayman Islands

Central African Republic

Chad

China

Christmas Island

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Comoros

Congo - Brazzaville

Congo - Kinshasa

Cook Islands

Côte d’Ivoire

Curaçao

Djibouti

Egypt

Equatorial Guinea

Eritrea

Ethiopia

Faroe Islands

Fiji

French Polynesia

French Southern Territories

Gabon

Gambia

Ghana

Gibraltar

Guadeloupe

Guam

Guernsey

Guinea

Guinea-Bissau

Heard & McDonald Islands

Hong Kong SAR China

India

Indonesia

Iran

Iraq

Isle of Man

Israel

Japan

Jersey

Jordan

Kazakhstan

Kenya

Kiribati

Kuwait

Kyrgyzstan

Laos

Lebanon

Lesotho

Liberia

Libya

Macau SAR China

Madagascar

Malawi

Malaysia

Maldives

Mali

Marshall Islands

Martinique

Mauritania

Mauritius

Mayotte

Micronesia

Mongolia

Montserrat

Morocco

Mozambique

Myanmar (Burma)

Namibia

Nauru

Nepal

New Caledonia

New Zealand

Niger

Nigeria

Niue

Norfolk Island

North Korea

Northern Mariana Islands

Oman

Pakistan

Palau

Palestinian Territories

Papua New Guinea

Philippines

Pitcairn Islands

Qatar

Réunion

Russia

Rwanda

Saint Martin

Samoa

São Tomé & Príncipe

Saudi Arabia

Senegal

Seychelles

Sierra Leone

Singapore

Solomon Islands

Somalia

South Africa

South Korea

South Sudan

Sri Lanka

St. Barthélemy

St. Helena

St. Martin

St. Pierre & Miquelon

Sudan

Svalbard & Jan Mayen

Swaziland

Syria

Taiwan

Tajikistan

Tanzania

Thailand

Timor-Leste

Togo

Tokelau

Tonga

Tunisia

Turkmenistan

Turks & Caicos Islands

Tuvalu

U.S. Outlying Islands

U.S. Virgin Islands

Uganda

United Arab Emirates

United States

Uzbekistan

Vanuatu

Vietnam

Wallis & Futuna

Western Sahara

Yemen

Zambia

Zimbabwe

About the game

Hotline Miami Collection contains both legendary games in the neon-soaked, brutally-challenging Hotline Miami series from Dennaton Games. Read more Explore this game’s official site. For Hotline Miami on the PC, a GameFAQs message board topic titled 'What are the default keyboard controls?'

Hotline Miami is an action game loaded with brutal action, heavy shooting and rolling heads. Set in a 1989 alternative Miami, you'll take on the role of a mysterious antihero in a murderous rage against the shadowy underworld guided by your answering machine's voices.

Hotline Miami Download Free

Soon you will find yourself struggling for your control and understanding why you are prone to these acts of violence. Rely on your intelligence to demarcate your way through seemingly impossible situations while you constantly find yourself at a disadvantage among fierce enemies. The action is relentless and every shot is deadly so each move has to be quick and decisive if you want to survive and unravel the evil forces that drive the bloodshed.

The unmistakable visual style of Hotline Miami, plus an engaging soundtrack and a chain of surreal events will take you to the answer to your bloodlust while taking you to the limits of a relentless challenge.

Highlights

Amazing shootouts in neon corridors stained with blood combined with intense and immense soundtrack;

A surreal and brave story in 20 maps;

Amazing battles against a bizarre cast of bosses from Miami's underworld;

35 different weapons: from shotguns and assault rifles to katanas and pipes;

More than 1,000 sprites for a fantastic variety of environments, weapons, elements and enemies;

25 masks of animais to unlock that will hide your identity;

Engaging beats by Sun Araw, Coconuts, M.O.O.N., Jasper Byrne, The Huervo, Perturbator, Scattle, Elliott Berlin and Eirik Suhrke

Extremely difficult achievements that will test your limits.

System Requirements

Minimum

OS:Windows XP, Vista e 7

Storage:250 MB

Processor:1.2 GHz

Memory:512 MB

Graphics:DirectX (32MB)

DirectX:9.0

Recommended

OS:Microsoft® Windows® XP / Vista / 7

Storage:250 MB

Processor:1.4GHz +

Memory:1 GB

Graphics:DirectX (32MB)

DirectX:9.0

Minimum

OS:Mac OS 10.6+

Storage:130 MB

Processor:2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo +

Memory:1 GB

Recommended

OS:Mac OS 10.6+

Storage:130 MB

Processor:2.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo +

Memory:2 GB

Minimum

Storage:130 MB

Processor:1.8 GHz Dual-Core

Memory:512 MB

Release date:2012-10-23

Developer: Dennaton Games

Publisher: Devolver

Game Mode

Single-player

Language

GermanEnglishSpanishFrenchPolishPortuguese (BR)Russian

Name: Hotline Miami

Available on: PC, Mac, Linux, PS3, PS Vita

Reviewed on: PS Vita

Hotline Miami is one of those games where there’s little-to-no story, the controls are fairly basic, and the graphics aren’t realistic – but it manages to be more fun that perhaps most games that feature even just one of those mechanics.

Hotline Miami is a very violent game. Not violent as in ‘a bit of blood here and there’, violent as in you’ll be punching people’s heads off, shooting people, choking people, and even drilling holes in people. This game, while not realistic in many ways, is not for the faint of heart.

Hotline Miami is a top-down beat-em-up type game that progresses through a set of linear missions, which must be unlocked in order.

One day, the unnamed playable character wakes up in a basement, where after a quick tutorial in how to kill people through a variety of methods, the character walks upstairs to a room with three masked men who promptly launch into a cryptic set of messages, before the actual game begins. Each mission plays out with the character receiving a phone call, driving to a location, and killing a whole bunch of henchmen. Each level takes place in a building with many floors, so the character will make their way up each floor until they eventually kill every man in the building. After the character accomplishes this, they walk all the way through the floors of the building, past all the piles of bodies of the men he’s killed, reaches the entrance, hops in his car, and then goes an completes a mundane task, like buying groceries, renting a movie, or going to the local disco to get his groove on – this is (presumably) the 80s after all. These tasks help reiterate how strange the whole set of events is, and even allows some sort of story progression (which is very minimal and I never really followed what was happening – or even why it was happening).

Gameplay is very simple – there is one ‘action’ button that will make you use whatever you’re holding: fists will punch, baseball bats will swing, and guns will fire, all with the press of this one button – it’s very easy to use, especially since the only other controls are moving and controlling the cursor. Whenever you kill or knock out an enemy, they drop their weapon. This is useful for many reasons, namely because the character can only carry one weapon at a time – so if you run out of ammo and need a melee weapon, or you have a melee weapon and want a gun, you’ll need to find whatever enemy has the weapon you’re after. Additionally, the AI in this game will react in many ways to different weapons: if they hear gunshots, they’ll come running. If they see you through a window holding a knife, they’ll shoot you/run at you. This can be used to an advantage to quickly exterminate all the enemies on a floor – a tactic of mine was a gunshot followed by picking up the knife and holding down the ‘action’ button to melee very fast, and then moving close to the door and killing all the enemies very quickly.

It’s little additions like these that make the game that much more stylised and interesting to play through. The other addition that makes the game unique on every playthrough (I played the campaign twice) is the feature of one hit kills for not just you, but your enemies as well (save for the few bosses). Once you die, you start from the start of the floor you were killed on – so sometimes I’d get through almost the entire floor of enemies and then die at the hands of the last one. There are little moments like these in Hotline Miami that just make the game that much more intense, and if you survive, rewarding.

The game also has several collectables; which are masks and puzzle pieces. Masks are masks that your character wears to do their job, all of which save for the starting mask add a perk to the game – one allows you to start with a knife, one gives you another life (but only if you get hit by a gunshot) and another allows for even more gore. There’s a mix of cosmetic masks (like the gore one) and gameplay ones (such as the knife one), which is good. Most masks are unlocked simply through progressing the story, but there are others that must be specifically found in a particular level. The other collectable, puzzle pieces, are found throughout all the levels, and are represented by a small purple square. Collecting these will give a letter, which is used to spell out a sentence. This is used in one of Hotline Miami’s two endings: either the standard one with little info (but still finishing the story) or the ‘complete’ ending, which gives a lot more information (but still doesn’t really make the story any clearer).

I only really have two gripes with this game, and funnily enough they’re almost contradictory: one regards how easy the game is, and the other how hard it is. My first issue is how overpowered some of the weapons are: the knife especially. I found that I was able to pretty much use just knife to kill everyone on a floor, and once I got the mask that let me start with a knife, that was the only mask I used. My other issue is that some parts of the game are incredibly difficult – the difficulty scaling in this game is crazy, it’ll be flowing at one point and then be incredibly difficult the next – I had to use a walkthrough to figure out how to do some parts, and at other parts I only survived thanks to a fluke. Fortunately, there’s only really three parts in the whole game that I remember as being incredibly difficult, and once you realise how to complete them they become so much easier.

Length-wise, there’s about 20 story missions here, and none of them take that long to complete – it’d be possible to finish the game in one sitting of about 3 hours I reckon, but otherwise it doesn’t take that long to complete. There is replay value in the masks and the puzzle pieces/complete ending though.

While there are a few issues regarding the difficult of the game, that doesn’t change how much pure, simple fun Hotline Miami is. It’s simple, intense, and just absolute brilliant.

Positive

Great Fun

Simple Art Style

Simple Gameplay

Great Design Elements (such as the one-hit kills)

Replay Value (masks and puzzle pieces)

Hotline Miami Controls For Macbook

Negative

Hotline Miami Controls For Macbook Pro

Weak Storyline

A Few Overpowered Weapons

A Few Very Difficult Sections

0 notes

riichardwilson · 4 years

Text

5 Honest Truths About Starting A Business

September 12, 2020 7 min read

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

After graduating from college, I’d wake up at six in the morning with one question in mind: Should I go all-in and focus exclusively on entrepreneurship — consequences be damned? Or look for a full-time job that gave me a sense of stability (and allowed me to make rent).

Let me rewind a bit. Back in 1999, while still studying computer science, I came up with my very first software product idea, a free open source membership program for a student website. Needless to say, I was beyond thrilled when this turned out to be an unexpected success.

After receiving positive feedback from users, I decided to release a paid version that soon became lucrative. Just like that, I was an entrepreneur in the making.

Related: 8 Things You Need to Know Before Starting a Business

Friends insisted I follow my dream after graduating and jump in with both feet (a tempting choice for a twenty-something-year-old).

But after all of the back and forth, I ended up deciding against the most seductive choice and listened to my gut instead.

Overnight success stories are overrated

This is not the story you were probably expecting. In the tech industry, you’ve likely read about fearless dreamers who launched their startups against all odds: Those who opted for building businesses from scratch rather than pursue the security of a nine to five job.

I get the allure of these stories. Overnight success isn’t impossible. But this narrative can be misleading when it makes people believe they should start a business before they’re ready.

I’m a fairly risk-averse person. Meaning, I think moderation is king when it comes to most things. So, what did I end up doing all those years ago? (It’s not as exciting as all those founders who went straight to the top of TechCrunch after graduating).

I found a full-time job as a programmer for a New York media company.

Related: How to Conquer Your Fear of Starting a Business

But here’s the thing: I didn’t give up on my dream. Instead, I used my day job to fuel my passion and learned valuable lessons about business and managing teams in the process. Five years later, I felt more prepared and confident to quit my job and to start my own company, JotForm.

Of course, during that time, I had the privilege of finding a job in the first place.

Because of the current crisis, many of us are re-examining different aspects of our lives.

You may be questioning whether you should turn your skills into a business, or maybe you are one of the tens of millions of Americans who have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus recession and were forced to make this decision.

While new opportunities are always exciting, whatever your situation — more than anything, I’d like to advocate for following a grounded approach.

Some real talk about entrepreneurship

In her fascinating article for Harvard Business Review, author Emily Heyward points out that there are a few things to consider before taking that blind leap with your business idea.

“As a founder who works alongside many other founders, I’ve seen firsthand what leads to success, as well as what can go wrong,” Heyward writes. “It’s also never been more competitive. The barriers to entry for starting a new business keep getting lower, as technology becomes more accessible and user friendly.”

Related: Starting a Business Isn’t What You Think. Here’s What to Expect Instead.

This is in no way to discourage you from trying. While Heyward describes the excitement of starting a new venture, she also offers a few guiding principles aspiring entrepreneurs should take to heart.

“However you come to your idea, you should feel like you have no choice but to start this particular business at this moment in time,” she says. In other words, a genuine connection to your idea is key to success.

I couldn’t agree more. As CEO of JotForm, I’d love to share the expert-backed tips and lessons I’ve learned over the years while bootstrapping my company to over seven million users.

Surround yourself with trusted mentors and colleagues

Unlike other entrepreneurs, I ended up deciding against having a co-founder to build my business with. However, this doesn’t mean I didn’t rely on incredibly smart people to help me along the way.

Before you dive headfirst into your idea, make sure you’re surrounding yourself with the right people like mentors and colleagues who are a few steps ahead of where you want to be.

Writing for Entrepreneur, Sheila Eugenio argues that in hard times, having a mentor can help us keep our head high: “The valuable connections, timely advice, occasional checks — together with the spiritual and moral guidance you will gain from having a mentor — will literally leapfrog you to success.”

Focus on value over competition

JotForm is bootstrapped, and we’ve never taken a dime from outside investments. Which is to say, we’re not necessarily the “cool kids” of the startup world.

Here’s my point: There are always going to be competitors more popular than you. Hitting the front page of TechCrunch or playing the comparison game will get you nowhere.

So, what does move the needle forward?

Focus on building value for your customers instead of chasing trends. As Heyward puts it: “It’s not about who’s first, it’s about who does it best, and best these days is the business that delivers the most value to the consumer.”

Keep asking yourself: How can I make the best product possible? How can I keep improving my services?

The bottom line: We reached over seven million users because we chose to listen instead of compare.

Do it with passion or not at all

While there’s no way to know how long this recession will last, considering your role as a founder from the very beginning will go a long way in ensuring where your business ends up.

“People care deeply about who’s behind the companies they’re purchasing from,” Heyward notes. “It’s hard to feel a personal connection to a nameless, faceless corporation, and far more rewarding to support brands that are built by individuals with a compelling story.”

Whatever you do, don’t be generic. Be willing to communicate with your consumers, share your purpose with them, and what’s driving your efforts. Developing an authentic voice and relationship with the people buying your products doesn’t just help you gain traction, it gives your work more meaning.

Perhaps Heyward put it best: “Recognize that the very long, exhilarating, terrifying, exhausting, but oh-so-rewarding journey ahead of you only begins when you fully commit to your vision and take control of your outcome.”

Website Design & SEO Delray Beach by DBL07.co

Delray Beach SEO

source http://www.scpie.org/5-honest-truths-about-starting-a-business/ source https://scpie.tumblr.com/post/629050651405598720

0 notes

scpie · 4 years

Text

5 Honest Truths About Starting A Business

September 12, 2020 7 min read

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

After receiving positive feedback from users, I decided to release a paid version that soon became lucrative. Just like that, I was an entrepreneur in the making.

Related: 8 Things You Need to Know Before Starting a Business

Friends insisted I follow my dream after graduating and jump in with both feet (a tempting choice for a twenty-something-year-old).

But after all of the back and forth, I ended up deciding against the most seductive choice and listened to my gut instead.

Overnight success stories are overrated

I get the allure of these stories. Overnight success isn’t impossible. But this narrative can be misleading when it makes people believe they should start a business before they’re ready.

I found a full-time job as a programmer for a New York media company.

Related: How to Conquer Your Fear of Starting a Business

Of course, during that time, I had the privilege of finding a job in the first place.

Because of the current crisis, many of us are re-examining different aspects of our lives.

While new opportunities are always exciting, whatever your situation — more than anything, I’d like to advocate for following a grounded approach.

Some real talk about entrepreneurship

In her fascinating article for Harvard Business Review, author Emily Heyward points out that there are a few things to consider before taking that blind leap with your business idea.

Related: Starting a Business Isn’t What You Think. Here’s What to Expect Instead.

I couldn’t agree more. As CEO of JotForm, I’d love to share the expert-backed tips and lessons I’ve learned over the years while bootstrapping my company to over seven million users.

Surround yourself with trusted mentors and colleagues

Before you dive headfirst into your idea, make sure you’re surrounding yourself with the right people like mentors and colleagues who are a few steps ahead of where you want to be.

Focus on value over competition

JotForm is bootstrapped, and we’ve never taken a dime from outside investments. Which is to say, we’re not necessarily the “cool kids” of the startup world.

Here’s my point: There are always going to be competitors more popular than you. Hitting the front page of TechCrunch or playing the comparison game will get you nowhere.

So, what does move the needle forward?

Keep asking yourself: How can I make the best product possible? How can I keep improving my services?

The bottom line: We reached over seven million users because we chose to listen instead of compare.

Do it with passion or not at all

While there’s no way to know how long this recession will last, considering your role as a founder from the very beginning will go a long way in ensuring where your business ends up.

Website Design & SEO Delray Beach by DBL07.co

Delray Beach SEO

source http://www.scpie.org/5-honest-truths-about-starting-a-business/

0 notes

laurelkrugerr · 4 years

Text

5 Honest Truths About Starting A Business

September 12, 2020 7 min read

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

After receiving positive feedback from users, I decided to release a paid version that soon became lucrative. Just like that, I was an entrepreneur in the making.

Related: 8 Things You Need to Know Before Starting a Business

Friends insisted I follow my dream after graduating and jump in with both feet (a tempting choice for a twenty-something-year-old).

But after all of the back and forth, I ended up deciding against the most seductive choice and listened to my gut instead.

Overnight success stories are overrated

I get the allure of these stories. Overnight success isn’t impossible. But this narrative can be misleading when it makes people believe they should start a business before they’re ready.

I found a full-time job as a programmer for a New York media company.

Related: How to Conquer Your Fear of Starting a Business

Of course, during that time, I had the privilege of finding a job in the first place.

Because of the current crisis, many of us are re-examining different aspects of our lives.

While new opportunities are always exciting, whatever your situation — more than anything, I’d like to advocate for following a grounded approach.

Some real talk about entrepreneurship

In her fascinating article for Harvard Business Review, author Emily Heyward points out that there are a few things to consider before taking that blind leap with your business idea.

Related: Starting a Business Isn’t What You Think. Here’s What to Expect Instead.

I couldn’t agree more. As CEO of JotForm, I’d love to share the expert-backed tips and lessons I’ve learned over the years while bootstrapping my company to over seven million users.

Surround yourself with trusted mentors and colleagues

Before you dive headfirst into your idea, make sure you’re surrounding yourself with the right people like mentors and colleagues who are a few steps ahead of where you want to be.

Focus on value over competition

JotForm is bootstrapped, and we’ve never taken a dime from outside investments. Which is to say, we’re not necessarily the “cool kids” of the startup world.

Here’s my point: There are always going to be competitors more popular than you. Hitting the front page of TechCrunch or playing the comparison game will get you nowhere.

So, what does move the needle forward?

Keep asking yourself: How can I make the best product possible? How can I keep improving my services?

The bottom line: We reached over seven million users because we chose to listen instead of compare.

Do it with passion or not at all

While there’s no way to know how long this recession will last, considering your role as a founder from the very beginning will go a long way in ensuring where your business ends up.

Website Design & SEO Delray Beach by DBL07.co

Delray Beach SEO

source http://www.scpie.org/5-honest-truths-about-starting-a-business/ source https://scpie1.blogspot.com/2020/09/5-honest-truths-about-starting-business.html

0 notes

nightingveilxo · 7 years

Text

Fic Rec List

My work-in-progress rec list, which starts with Daddy John/Sugar Daddy John/Captain Watson, and then goes from there. (See here for the list page updates: x )

Unless otherwise indicated, fics have an Explicit rating, and John is the Top and/or Dom.

Daddy and Sugar Daddy John Watson

A Sherlock In Pink by TheSherlocked (yes, me) Ch: 3/? Words: 12,839

John Watson is invalided home after his time in Afghanistan, a broken man with no real prospects, and a dwindling bank account. Former colleague Mike Stamford introduces him to the most unusual young man John has ever met, a tea shop owner that looks more like a runway model than anything else, but with a mind like a steel trap. An AU meeting, where John comes back into his own, and Sherlock learns some of the most valuable of life lessons.

Everything You Need by Sexxica Ch: 1 Wods: 6,272

Sherlock is the shy little thing that successful and wealthy Doctor Watson’s dreams are made of. Luckily, Sherlock could really use a Daddy in his life and a good bit of looking after.

Sugar Daddy John (series) by Sexxica Works: 7 Words: 22,504

The very best of Sugar Daddy John and his boy, Sherlock.

To A Tee by lookupkate Ch: 14 Words: 15,321

Sherlock receives a text from an unknown number. The man is under the impression that he needs a sugar daddy. After careful consideration…well, he could be right.

Follow Me Down by 221BeStillMyHeart (HighTimesWithHiddles) Ch: 10 Words: 67,725

Sherlock Holmes is a 23 year old genius working as a forensic analyst at Bart’s hospital. John Watson is a 38 year old army captain just back from war, working as the lead surgeon in the trauma ward. A chance meeting brings them together, and no one is ever the same.

A Kept Man Isn’t A Weak Man by Elphen Ch: 1 Words: 20,429 A/B/O

Sherlock is just out of university, but due to drug habits acquired at said college, Mycroft has cut him off, hoping to put a stop to it that way. Instead, Omega Sherlock struggles doubly, both with his cravings and with finding a job that will not bore him to death and support him financially. Then, when he is on the verge of being completely destitute, he finds several hundred pounds ticking into his account for no apparent reason. He thinks it’s Mycroft, but instead he receives an email from someone who promises to send him more money every fortnight and put him up in a flat rent free, on two conditions; he will stop taking drugs and he will occasionally be asked to be a companion for someone. He does not want to be bought like some toy, but what choice does he have?

A Suitable Stain by vitruvianwatson (keepyoueyesfixedonme) Ch: 1 Words: 7,647

John imagines what they must look like–the young, gorgeous university student, naked as the day he was born, draped over the well-dressed older doctor, the muscles rippling in Sherlock’s back as his slim hips roll that beautiful arse up into the air and back down again, his spine curving beneath John’s hand as he moves it to the small of Sherlock’s back to feel the movement. The hard outline of Sherlock’s cock slides back and forth across John’s body, dampening his clothes with precome, and John moves both hands down to Sherlock’s arse, squeezing and pulling him in harder.

Bespoke by consultingbluebell Ch: 1 Wods: 5728

Sherlock is not at all happy about having to wear a suit for an upcoming party, but he might just change his mind when he meets successful and talented tailor John Watson.

A Little Sugar Never Hurt Anybody by beautifullyheeled Ch: 3/? WIP Words: 11,223

Sherlock’s search for a quiet place to study gave him a whole new learning opportunity.

Breck Verse (series) by orphaned Works: 4 Words: 22,363 (Last story never completed, but doesn’t effect the completion of other stories.)

Dr. Watson, world-renowned cardiac surgeon, accepts an invitation to be keynote speaker at a medical conference in Breckenridge, Colorado, a ski resort town in the Rocky Mountains. He meets a sexy young bartender at the opening dinner then spends the week making his baby happy.

Wrapped Around Your Finger by MojoFlower Ch: 4 Words: 27,308 (There is a bit too much top!lock at the end for my taste, but the beginning is good.)

Virgin!Sherlock, 18 and just out of school, is in Morocco in the early 1900’s to learn about the ways of the world. Dr. John Watson, lately of the British Army and invalided out at age of 36, picks him up in the market place. Lessons (you know what kind) are taught and absorbed. Inspired by the song Wrapped Around Your Finger by The Police. I’d say PWP, except there’s a soupçon of plot, given that it’s a story worked around the lyrics of the song.

Captain John Watson

Command Structure by 221b_hound Ch: 16 Words: 49,034 (I’ve read this one several times.)

Sherlock Holmes returns from his hunt to destroy Moriarty’s network. He comes home to John, and at long last they start this thing between them that couldn’t begin while Moriarty threatened them.

But Sherlock has returned fractured and suffering anxiety attacks. He thinks he needs discipline - the whip - to help him focus and be strong. But his problems are deeper and run back to a childhood of neglect.

John Watson is prepared to be Sherlock’s Captain, but he’s a doctor too. His command style isn’t about pain and subjugation. It’s about care and responsibility: and those concepts go in both directions in Captain Watson’s command structure.

Across Every Universe - Green Eyes at Rainbow Corner by Pmzilla Ch: 17/20 WIP Words: 20,392 Based on a prompt I created about the WWII song Green Eyes

Sherlock Holmes goes undercover as a Naval Lieutenant at American Red Cross Club in London, Rainbow Corner to find out whether the plans for the D-Day Invasion have been compromised by an American Colonel. Whilst investigating, he meets the captivating Capt. John Watson, who finds himself centre stage in both the dance club and Sherlock’s investigation.

Captain, My Captain (Part I of The Stripper Diaries series) by twistedthicket1 Ch: 1 Words: 7,845

Sherlock Holmes walks into a strip club for a case. He winds up leaving with more than he bargained for…

Night Song (Niht Drēam) by Bashfulbunny (Aequoreavictoria) Ch: 15/? WIP Words: 15,579 A/B/O

Battle hardened alpha John’s self-discipline is tested by his overwhelming attraction to Sherlock, a young prisoner-of-war omega in need of his protection and care.

Captain Watson by Sexxica Ch: 1 Words: 5,144

Sherlock is bored and it is driving John insane. Time for Captain Watson to take charge.

Surrender (Part II of the Unwind series) by illwick Ch: 3 Words: 13,506

Sherlock and John take a stab at negotiating a kink. Three rounds of filthy smut ensue. (Includes gunplay)

Library Lock

Collection of Clues by ianavi Ch: 1 Words: 8,922 (I’ve read this one several times.)

There was no sleeping that night. And not due to the awkward stammering in the stacks of the library. Or the phrasing of what felt as a sudden dismissal. All Sherlock could think about was John’s gaze on his neck, lips, reddening cheeks. How heated he felt under that gaze, how alone when John left. He was itching with desperation to not just be looked at but also touched. It was juvenile fantasy. But he was alone in his bedroom, it was past midnight, and he could indulge. He imagined John’s hand reaching to touch his cheek, his fingers brushing his lips. He buried his head into the pillow and groaned. Could John ever see him like that, ever want him?

A Study In Flirting by GubraithianFire Ch: 1 Words: 5,885

Sherlock is the new librarian at the university library. John is bad with pick-up lines.

Careless by lookupkate Ch: 15 Words: 23,652

Sherlock is an eighteen year old student working at a library. John is an army medic sent back to London after an injury. He’s spending a lot of time at the library working on his PhD. Sherlock decides he wants to fuck this mystery student, so he initiates a sexual relationship. He doesn’t really do emotional attachment anyhow, and if he tells John he’s twenty three, what’s the harm? It’s not like he’ll want John to stick around. Right? Right?!?

Sherlock done fucked up.

360.5 by justacookieofacumberbatch (buffyholic) Ch: 6 Words: 18,761

One would think that working as a page at the university library would be relatively peaceful, but what John spies through the gap in the shelves changes his mind.

Arranged Marriage or Domestic Situation

The Bachelor’s Handfasting by Jberry Ch: 20 Words: 20,625 (Sherlock is the smolest gay baby in this one, John is an older widower, and I have probably read this fic a dozen times.)

After her son is caught in a compromising position, Victoria Holmes must make arrangements for a quick marriage between Sherlock Holmes and John Watson.

A Human’s Prize by clearinghouse Ch: 2 Words: 22,232 (Sherlock is a smol merman, John is a bamf!, and I’ve read this one several times.)

Prince John is a well-travelled man of the world, and yet even he is taken aback when a beautiful merman is delivered to the doorstep of the castle. Despite the helpless creature’s fear of him, John resolves to be the best host he can be for his adorable new guest.

Il Traviato by kedgeree Ch: 18 Words: 68,809 (It’s much like Pretty Woman, but Sherlock and John are very in character.)

A down-on-his-luck ex-soldier meets a wealthy businessman in need of a short-term companion

Northwest Passage by Kryptaria Ch: 27 Words: 95,159 (Another I’ve read several times.)

Seven years ago, Captain John Watson of the Canadian Forces Medical Service withdrew from society, seeking a simple, isolated life in the distant northern wilderness of Canada. Though he survives from one day to the next, he doesn’t truly live until someone from his dark past calls in a favor and turns his world upside-down with the introduction of Sherlock Holmes.

“The essentials of their relationship distilled through solitude.” –review by Alicat

Historical AUs (That don’t fit the categories above)

Basically anything by Holly Sykes (Artemis8147)

This Man’s Heart by ellie_hell Ch: 24 Words: 72,991

In the latter part of the 19th century, a peculiar solitary man and an ex-army doctor disfigured at war live in a small village, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes. When they first meet, they have no idea their lives are about to change forever and, over the months, they will form an unusual friendship, discover more about each other and themselves, and maybe fall a little in love along the way.

Against All Odds by ravenscar Ch: 34 Words: 126,088 (Read three times, and the quick summary does not do it justice.)

When a Crusader crosses paths with an enigmatic young Briton in the Holy Land, their lives are changed forever.

Working on the part of the list for A/B/O, D/s, and ACD canon/Granada fics.

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emilyzh2019-blog · 5 years

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Tips For Renting A Car In Ireland

Ireland Driving Guide

Renting a car in Ireland and driving around the country yourself is a wonderful way to experience the Emerald Isle. But here’s some advice about the best way to do it.

When my family and I were planning our genealogy trip to Ireland to learn more about our ancestors, we were initially hesitant about renting a car to explore the country by ourselves.

Ireland has a bit of a reputation for narrow and scary winding roads!

Plus of course, they drive on the other side of the road, so there’s that. But the more we researched, the more we realized renting a car in Ireland would allow us to make our itinerary as imaginative as possible.

I love the freedom of road trips and planning my own travel itineraries. Ireland is such a diverse country that it made sense to rent a car so we could stop anywhere to discover small villages, castles, and go hiking in the mountains at our own pace.

Here are some important tips we learned from our experience renting a car in Ireland, to help you save money and stay safe while driving around the country!

How To Rent A Car In Ireland

Driving in Ireland for Tourists

Should You Rent A Car In Ireland?

Hey, if you love those big group bus tours, by all means, go book one. It’s a decent way to see Ireland if you don’t have a lot of time.

No planning, no driving, just sit back and let someone else do all the work!

But if you’re like me, you prefer the adventure of independent travel.

No set schedule or timetable — driving around Ireland with the freedom to stop anyplace cool you find along the way.

If that’s the kind of traveler you are, renting a car in Ireland is the way to go!

Just keep in mind that some of the backroads in Ireland can be very narrow, and often feel like a single lane (but they’re not). With some practice, you’ll gain confidence on them!

Another nice thing we enjoyed about having a car was the ability to store things in the trunk, stopping off in Irish towns with small daypacks rather than hauling luggage everywhere.

Learning to Drive on the Opposite Side!

Where To Rent Your Car In Ireland

The best site to book your car is Discover Car Hire. They search both local and international car rental companies to help you find the best possible price. This is the easiest way to rent a car in Ireland.

We rented our car from Dublin Airport after spending a few days in the city. Our South West route brought us to Cork on the M8 before moving on to Killarney National Park and then Glengarriff, where my grandmother was born.

After tracking down our family history in this small coastal fishing village, we drove North on the Wild Atlantic Way up to Dingle and the famous Cliffs of Moher, then to Galway, and finally back to Dublin.

However there are many different road trip routes you can choose when driving in Ireland. Other major airports to consider picking up a car are Shannon in the Southwest and Cork in the Southeast.

Crazy Irish Winding Roads!

The Amazing Cliffs of Moher

Car Rental Insurance In Ireland

Some of the rumors about driving in Ireland are true, and the roads are VERY narrow in areas. Especially the backroads outside Ireland’s smaller towns. Don’t worry, I’ll share some tips for dealing with them below.

This is why I highly recommend getting full insurance coverage.

Typically, rental cars in Ireland come with a basic Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), but this isn’t exactly insurance, and only covers the car for up to €1000-3000 EUROS worth of damage.

This is the amount they hold on your credit card until you return the car in one piece. CDW typically does not include tire, cracked windshield, or undercarriage damage either.

While you can often save money booking your car with a credit card that includes car rental insurance, you REALLY must read the fine print, because many people wrongly assume their card covers them in Ireland.

If you get in a wreck driving in Ireland, declined full coverage, and you suddenly learn your credit card doesn’t actually cover the damage — you’re screwed. I can’t tell you how many travel horror stories I’ve heard like this…

It’s why I usually pre-book full coverage online. It’s cheaper than at the counter — and then you won’t have to worry about accidents at all!

The Stunning Cobh Cathedral

How Much Does It Cost To Rent A Car In Ireland?

Renting a car in Ireland is going to cost you around $25-$40 USD a day, depending on the type of car you get. Our 4 door sedan was about $30 per day.

I recommend renting a car with an actual trunk (no hatchbacks) to hide your luggage from prying eyes. It helps to prevent break-ins if thieves can’t see your stuff.

Gas Prices

Gas (petrol) prices in Ireland might seem cheap to Americans, but remember that the rest of the world quotes gas in Liters, not Gallons (1 Gallon = 3.78 Liters). Currently, gas costs about $5.90 per gallon (€1.40 per liter) in Ireland. Diesel cars will often save you some money on gas.

Automatic vs Manual

Automatic cars are more expensive to rent than manual cars (but manuals are more common in Ireland), and you must specify what type you want when booking.

One-Way Rentals

There’s also an additional fee for one-way car rentals, which can vary by company. For example, if you want to drop off the car in a different city than you started from.

Admin Fee

If you opt to use your own credit card insurance, companies will charge you an “admin fee” of about €30 EURO.

Credit Card Fee

I was charged an extra €5 EURO just for using a credit card. Which is strange to me, but typical in Ireland.

Irish Taxes

Car rentals in Ireland have a very high tax rate of 13.6%. Ouch!

Age Requirements For Renting A Car

The minimum age for driving in Ireland is 18 years old, however most car rental companies enforce their own age limit of 21 years old to rent a car. They also charge an additional fee if you’re under 24 years old.

Driving Through the Town of Killarney

Irish Driving Laws Tourists Should Know

The most confusing part of driving in Ireland for most tourists is driving on the left side of the road — with the driver’s seat on the right side of the car.

If you’ve never been to a country that drives on the left, it’s wise to practice a bit in a small town before you head onto the highways of Ireland.

For example, just North of Dublin Airport is the town of Swords. Maybe spend an hour or two getting the hang of driving there before you enter Dublin or onto the main highways.

While challenging at first, especially if driving a manual, you’ll get the hang of it quickly and will be ready to explore Ireland by car in no time!

The speed limit on local roads is generally around 80 km/h while on national highways it’s up to 100 km/h.

International Driver’s License

No, you do not need an international driver’s license to drive in Ireland or rent a car there. Just bring your passport, credit card, and your driver’s license from your home country.

Ross Castle at Sunrise

Helpful Tips For Driving In Ireland

Watch out for sheep! In many smaller towns, local shepherds move their sheep on the roads. You can easily round a sharp bend and find yourself stuck behind a huge flock walking down the road.

Narrow backroads in Ireland don’t have standard break-down lanes as we have in America. There’s often no room for error or pulling over.

Sometimes your side-view mirror will be inches away from stone walls or hedges while passing other cars! It can make driving here nerve-wracking.

Remember to carry some cash for road tolls on Ireland’s major highways. Irish tolls can cost between $1-$3 for a passenger car.

In the countryside, some roads are truly single lane, but with traffic in both directions. In these situations, there are pull-outs so one of you can pull over for the other to pass.

USEFUL TIP: Buy a cheap “learner” sticker (L) sold at gas stations so locals don’t get pissed off at your incompetence on their roads!

The Colorful Town of Glengarriff, Ireland

Advice For Renting A Car In Ireland

You don’t need a rental car for Dublin itself. Parking can be a pain and Dublin is very walkable with excellent public transportation too.

If you’re starting your trip in Dublin, maybe book a rental car when you’re ready to leave the city, for exploring the rest of the country.

Don’t book a car without reading the company reviews. You’ll find plenty of bad reviews for every company (people love to complain online), but try to pick one with the LEAST bad reviews.

You may not always get the make/model/type of car you booked. If they give you a smaller car, or a manual when you asked for an automatic, be pushy and ask for an upgrade.

Inspect your car thoroughly and record video on your smartphone pointing out damage before you leave. This is a backup if they attempt to charge you for damage that was already there.

Pay attention to if your car takes regular petrol or diesel fuel, so you fill up with the correct type at gas stations.

Use Google Maps on your smartphone for directions. Bring your own hands-free adapter and buy an Irish SIM card at the airport.

Enjoy Your Ireland Road Trip!

Exploring the small villages, ancient castles, green mountains, and coastal cliffs of Ireland in a rental car was definitely the right choice for us.

Self-drive road trips get off the beaten track to see things most people miss! ★

Check Car Rental Prices & Availability In Ireland

Packing Guide

Check out my travel gear guide to help you start packing for your trip. Pick up a travel backpack, camera gear, and other useful travel accessories.

Book Your Flight

Find cheap flights on Skyscanner. This is my favorite search engine to find deals on airlines. Also make sure to read how I find the cheapest flights.

Rent A Car

Discover Car Hire is a great site for comparing car prices to find the best deal. They search both local & international rental companies.

Book Accommodation

Booking.com is my favorite hotel search engine. Or rent apartments from locals on Airbnb. Read more about how I book cheap hotels online.

Protect Your Trip

Don’t forget travel insurance! I’m a big fan of World Nomads for short-term trips. Protect yourself from possible injury & theft abroad. Read more about why you should always carry travel insurance.

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