#Field Service Platform

[daintilyultimateslayer]

field service management software

Solutions and Capabilities for Power Transmission & Distribution

Maintenance of Transmission & Distribustion Network Infrastructure

Asset Management: Transmission Tower Inspection

The Power T&D industry relies heavily on maintaining a vast network of infrastructure, from power plants to substations and distribution lines. Etaprise FSM software can play a crucial role in optimizing field operations, enhancing safety, and improving customer service in this sector. Here are some specific use cases:

Maintenance and Repair:

Manage work orders for diverse tasks: Schedule and track work orders for maintenance, repair, and inspection of substations, transformers, transmission lines, and other T&D assets.

Optimize scheduling and dispatching: Consider factors like technician skills, location, weather, and equipment availability for efficient scheduling and dispatching of field crews.

Mobile workforce management: Equip technicians with mobile apps for accessing work orders, capturing data, reporting updates, and communicating with supervisors in real-time.

Inventory management: Track and manage spare parts inventory across warehouses and field locations, ensuring timely availability and minimizing stockouts.

Predictive maintenance: Leverage sensor data and analytics to predict potential equipment failures and schedule preventive maintenance, minimizing downtime and costs.

Outage Management and Restoration:

Real-time outage tracking: Monitor and track outages in real-time, identify affected areas, and prioritize restoration efforts.

Crew deployment and communication: Quickly dispatch crews to outage locations, facilitate communication between teams, and update customers on restoration progress.

Damage assessment and repair: Utilize mobile apps for damage assessment, reporting, and capturing photos/videos, streamlining repair processes.

Incident reporting and analysis: Track and analyze outage incidents to identify root causes and improve future preparedness and response.

Smart Grid Integration:

Integration with sensors and IoT devices: Integrate Etaprise FSM software with sensors and IoT devices across the grid for real-time monitoring of equipment health and performance.

Predictive maintenance based on sensor data: Utilize sensor data to predict equipment failures and schedule preventive maintenance proactively, enhancing grid reliability.

Automated outage detection and response: Automate outage detection based on sensor data and trigger pre-defined response workflows, minimizing outage duration and impact.

Data-driven decision making: Leverage data from sensors and Etaprise FSM software to optimize asset management, resource allocation, and grid operations.

Customer Service and Meter Management:

Manage customer service requests: Efficiently handle customer service requests related to outages, meter readings, billing issues, and new service connections.

Schedule and track meter installations and repairs: Dispatch technicians, track progress, and update customers on the status of meter installations and repairs.

Remote meter reading and data collection: Utilize mobile apps and smart meters for remote meter reading and data collection, improving efficiency and accuracy.

Customer communication and engagement: Provide customers with real-time outage updates, estimated restoration times, and self-service options through mobile apps and web portals.

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Field service management Software features for Power Transmission & Distribution

Discover the features of Etaprise. Click on any feature below to learn more about it.

Customer Management

Customer 360

Know your customers like never before with Etaprise's unified customer view

Estimates & Quotes

Generate accurate estimates and quotes in seconds, empowering informed decisions and winning more service deals.

Contracts

Simplify complex service agreements and streamline workflows with our contract management features.

AI driven Lead Generation

Etaprise leverages AI to find ideal customers struggling with field service issues, automatically generating qualified leads for your business.

Appointment management

Etaprise streamlines your field service with effortless appointment booking, scheduling, and dispatch for on-time customer satisfaction.

Customer Asset Management

Etaprise empowers field service with Customer Asset Management, unifying customer insights and asset data for proactive service and deeper relationships.

Work order management

Etaprise streamlines your field service with effortless work order creation, assignment, and tracking.

AI Based Scheduling & Dispatch

Optimize field technician schedules and dispatches with AI-powered automation for your Enterprise.

Triage

Prioritize service tickets based on urgency and impact for efficient resolution in Enterprise field service software.

Inventory Management

Etaprise keeps your field service technicians equipped with the right parts, at the right time, every time.

Dispatch Board

Etaprise's Dispatch Board visualizes field service operations in real-time, empowering efficient task assignment and resource optimization.

Job Notifications & Technician Tracking

Stay informed and in control with real-time job notifications and technician location tracking.

Back Office Operations

Field Operations

Work order Tracking

Etaprise empowers field teams with real-time work order visibility, from creation to completion.

Leave & Expense Management

Streamline field service operations with efficient leave & expense tracking within your enterprise software.

AR based Remote Assistance

Enabling remote experts to guide on-site technicians in real-time using Augmented Reality

Knowledge AI

Uses AI to chat with any documents. Just upload, Ask and uncover insights

Field Parts Request

Field service technicians request replacement parts directly from the system for on-site repairs.

Automated Time & attendance management

Streamline field service with automated time & attendance tracking for accurate payroll and efficient scheduling.

Company Profile

Manage your organization's details, including contact information, Address, Bank Details, License and certifications etc.

Employee Profile

Manage your Employess details, including contact information, Address, Payroll Details, License and certifications, Skills etc.

License & Certification management

Simplify compliance and boost technician productivity with centralized License & Certification Management.

Payroll management

Streamline employee pay with automated payroll calculations.

Financials - Invoice & Payments

Manage invoices, payments, and customer finances seamlessly with our Etaprise field service solution.

Vendor Management

Streamline partnerships, track performance, and optimize costs with Etaprise's built-in vendor management for seamless field service.

Manage Company Process

Dashboard & Reporting

Service Performance Dashboard

Track all your service performances all in one place.

Business Performance Dashboard

Keepys you informed about the overall Business performance of your organization.

Technician Dashboard

Track each technician performance individually.

Dispatcher Dashboard

Etaprise field service management software's Dispatcher Dashboard offers a centralized view of all ongoing jobs and technician activity for efficient dispatching and real-time insights.

Financial Performance Dashboard

Track your company's financial information here.

Planning & forecasting Dashboard

Plan and forecast field service activities with real-time insights from our Dashboard & Reporting module.

Vehicle Profile

Manage your entire vehicle fleet – from profiles to performance – in one centralized location with Etaprise field service software.

Vehicle Service History

Track vehicle maintenance and repairs for efficient fleet operations.

Geofence

Maintain field team compliance and optimize routes with geofenced work zones.

Live Tracking

Etaprise streamlines field service with live vehicle tracking for optimized routes, real-time visibility, and improved efficiency.

Renewal Reminder

Keeps your fleet rolling with automated maintenance renewal reminders, preventing downtime and costly oversights

Fuel History

Gain complete visibility into your vehicles' usage and fuel efficiency

Enhanced Reliability and Uptime

Reduced outage duration by 15-20%

Improved asset uptime by 5-10%

Reduced unplanned maintenance costs by 10-15%

Improved grid stability and reliability

Increased Efficiency and Productivity

Reduced work order completion time by 10-15%

Improved technician utilization by 10-15%

Reduced administrative tasks by 20-30%

Improved collaboration between field crews and back-office teams 

Enhanced Safety and Compliance

Reduced safety incidents by 10-15% 

Streamlined regulatory compliance management

Reduced compliance risks and audit-related costs

Enhanced workforce safety with real-time communication and tracking

Cost Savings and Improved Bottom Line

Reduced overall field service costs by 10-20%

Lowered travel time and fuel consumption by 10-15%

Reduced inventory carrying costs by 10-15%

Reduced reliance on overtime by 10-15%

Data-Driven Decision Making and Customer Satisfaction

Improved data-driven decisions

Enhanced customer service 

Reduced customer churn by 5-10%

Enterprise

Construction & Engineering Services

Industrial Manufacturing

Medical Device Manufacturing

Oil & Gas

Power Transmission & Distribution

Telecommunications

Residential

Appliance Repair Services

Carpet Cleaning Services

Chimney & Fireplace Services

Electrician Services

Garage Door 

Handyman Business

Home Cleaning Services

HVAC

Landscaping

Pest Control Services

Plumbing

Pool Services

Roofing Services

Security Services

Septic Tank Cleaning Services

Water Treatment Services

Features

AI Based Scheduling and Dispatch

Appointments

Asset Management

Contract Management

Customer 360

Estimates & Quotes

Inventory Management

Knowledge AI

License & Certification Management

Invoice & Payments

Remote Assistance

Triage

Workorder management

Contact Us

2010 El Camino Real # 1139, Santa Clara, CA 95050.

T: +1 669 777 5279

E: info@etaprise.com

[fluffytheocelot]

honestly homophobic of netflix to remove the interactive with the julethief canon events in it

AND ON THE DAY CARMEN ESCAPES VILE NO LESS 😒

rip To Steal or Not To Steal. you had the entire fandom in a chokehold over that ending <3

[fieldserviceautomation]

Streamlining Facility Operations with CAFM (Computer Aided Facility Management)

In the digital era, businesses are increasingly turning to advanced tools like CAFM (Computer Aided Facility Management) to manage their physical assets, space allocation, maintenance schedules, and workforce operations more efficiently. CAFM is not just software—it’s a transformative solution that empowers facility managers to automate, analyze, and optimize every aspect of building and infrastructure management.

At the forefront of this transformation is FIESA.app, an innovative CAFM software designed to meet the complex needs of modern facility management teams. With intuitive dashboards, powerful analytics, mobile access, and seamless integration capabilities, FIESA enables organizations to take full control of their maintenance activities, asset lifecycle, service requests, and compliance processes—all in real time.

Whether you manage a single building or a vast network of facilities, CAFM technology can dramatically reduce operational costs, improve asset longevity, enhance workplace safety, and ensure regulatory compliance. FIESA makes this even more effective by offering automation, preventive maintenance alerts, technician tracking, and intelligent scheduling features—helping facility managers shift from reactive to proactive operations.

FIESA’s CAFM platform is ideal for industries like real estate, healthcare, manufacturing, hospitality, and corporate offices. By digitizing manual processes and providing a centralized platform for data-driven decision-making, CAFM helps businesses unlock new levels of efficiency and sustainability.

If you’re searching for a comprehensive, scalable, and user-friendly CAFM solution, FIESA stands out as a powerful choice. Explore how our software can redefine the way you manage your facilities—making your operations smarter, faster, and future-ready.

Learn more about FIESA and experience the future of facility management today.

[sognos]

The Power Platform is a suite of tools developed by Microsoft to empower organisations to analyse data, build solutions, automate processes, and create virtual agents.

[wahinnovations08]

Maximize Efficiency with Expert Salesforce Lightning Services

Get our expert Salesforce Lightning services to increase the performance of your organization. Apply customized solutions to improve operations and get maximum productivity. Visit Wahinnoavtions now for expert Salesforce services - https://www.wahinnovations.com/salesforce-lightning-services/

[thealchemistbae]

How to Make F*ck You Money Using Your 8th House💸

Let's talk about F you money...the kind of money that buys freedom, power, peace, and the ability to say "no" without guilt. The kind of money that screams main character energy. And guess what? Your 8th house holds the key.

The 8H in astrology rules over shared resources, passive income, investments, inheritance, $ex work, shadow work, transformation, power dynamics, and yes...BIG MONEY. Think generational wealth, not just what's in your checking account.

Disclaimer: This post is for entertainment purposes only.

thealchemistbae © do not copy, redistribute, or edit my content.

If you enjoyed this post, you can leave me a tip via PayPal at goddessguapa@gmail.com or via Venmo @goddessguapa. Thank you.

Step 1: What Sign is on Your 8th House Cusp?

This shows the vibe of how you handle money from others, investments, and power. Here's the tea:

Aries -> You get big money by taking bold risks, being first, and having a boss b*tch attitude. Crypto? Only if you're first. Entrepreneurship? Yes ma'am.

Taurus -> You attract wealth through luxury, patience, and beauty. Real estate, slow investments, sugar baby vibes. Rich auntie/uncle energy.

Gemini -> You get paid to talk, think, or write. Digital assets, intellectual property, courses, or content that keeps paying you forever.

Cancer -> Wealth from family, real estate, and emotional labor. Generational wealth, healing work, or investing in homey assets.

Leo -> Fame, visibility, and charisma = money. Your presence alone is profitable. Passive income through fans, royalties, and performance.

Virgo -> You monetize your skills, routines, and healing abilities. Systems, services, editing, health and wellness work, and digital products.

Libra -> You attract wealth through beauty, relationships, and luxury. Partnerships, sugar daddies, aesthetic businesses, or passive fashion income.

Scorpio -> Powerhouse. You were born for F you money. Wealth through mystery, sex work, investments, and deep transformation. You can flip pain into profit.

Sagittarius -> Money through teaching, publishing, and going global. Travel content, spiritual coaching, or international biz? Goldmine.

Capricorn -> You build wealth over time. Passive income from systems, institutions, or your own empire. Think CEO bag.

Aquarius -> You make money through innovation and being ahead of your time. Tech, astrology, community platforms. Viral = income.

Pisces: Dreamy dollars. You remake money in mysterious or spiritual ways. Art, music, dreams, healing, even OnlyFans.

Step 2: What Planets Are in Your 8th House? (Your Superpowers)

Each planet here tells you how you make that boss-level, passive, transformative money.

Sun: Your power and identity are tied to your ability to accumulate and manage wealth. You're meant to live off royalties or investments. Your legacy pays your bills.

Moon: You intuitively attract wealth. Cyclical income. You can profit from nurturing, healing, or female dominated spaces. Wealth may come through family or emotional work.

Mercury: You write, speak, or strategize your way to money. Stock tips, intellectual property, or sharing taboo knowledge. You make $$$ from secrets.

Venus: You're literally made to attract luxury and resources. Sugar baby potential, creative investments, passive income from beauty or love-based businesses.

Mars: You hustle for that money. Sex work, bold business moves, and aggressive investing can be major wins. You thrive in high stakes financial spaces.

Jupiter: F*ck you money is your birthright. You naturally expand and attract wealth often through spiritual wisdom, teaching, or blessings from others.

Saturn: You build wealth slowly, but it's unshakeable. Passive income through discipline, real estate, legacy building, or authority in your field.

Uranus: Sudden windfalls, viral moments, and unconventional income streams. You were born to break the rules and still get paid. Internet wealth = chef's kiss.

Neptune: Spiritual, artistic, or mystery money. Think music royalties, dreams turned into passive profit or even hidden/inherited wealth. Trust your intuition.

Pluto: You're a financial powerhouse. You attract wealth through transformation, shadow work, or high stakes environments. Sex, death, taxes? You run it.

North Node: Your destiny is to become wealthy through other people's money, deep transformation, or taboo topics. Follow the path of power.

South Node: You've already mastered wealth in a past life; now you're learning to share it or evolve past it. Don't cling to scarcity.

Chiron: You've been wounded by money, sex, or power...but healing these wounds makes you RICH. You can guide others through their darkness and get paid for it.

Your 8th house is your wealth witch zone. It's not your salary...it's what keeps the money coming while you sleep. Use your placements to tap into wealth that's bigger than you, tied to transformation, and often a lil taboo.

You don't just make F you money; you embody it.

Want a custom money astro reading? Slide in my DMs for prices.

Subscribe to Patreon: ⬇️⬇️

[rajkhateek]

[txttletale]

what did you mean by "... produces ptsd on an industrial scale"? just trying to understand, thank u!

content moderation for platforms like facebook and tiktok employs thousands of people, sometimes in the usa but more commonly in the global south (so they can be paid less) to sit at computers and view hundreds of flagged posts a day, including graphic violence and csem, for awful wages, under ridiculously stringent conditions. this results in many, many of the people who work in this field developing PTSD -- and of course they are not given adequate treatment of support, one article cites facebook giving its moderaties nine minutes of 'wellness time' for employees to recover if they see something traumatic.

here's some articles on the topic that can give you a good overview of what working conditions in this field are like, but warning, there's pretty graphic descriptions of violence, animal abuse, and child sexual abuse in these articles, as well as frank discussion of suicidal ideation:

Nearby, in a shopping mall, I meet a young woman who I'll call Maria. She's on her lunch break from an outsourcing firm, where she works on a team that moderates photos and videos for the cloud storage service of a major US technology company. Maria is a quality-assurance representative, which means her duties include double-checking the work of the dozens of agents on her team to make sure they catch everything. This requires her to view many videos that have been flagged by moderators “I get really affected by bestiality with children,” she says. “I have to stop. I have to stop for a moment and loosen up, maybe go to Starbucks and have a coffee.” She laughs at the absurd juxtaposition of a horrific sex crime and an overpriced latte.

For Carlos, a former TikTok moderator, it was a video of child sexual abuse that gave him nightmares. The video showed a girl of five or six years old, he said [...] It hit him particularly hard, he said, because he’s a father himself. He hit pause, went outside for a cigarette, then returned to the queue of videos a few minutes later.

Randy also left after about a year. Like Chloe, he had been traumatized by a video of a stabbing. The victim had been about his age, and he remembers hearing the man crying for his mother as he died. “Every day I see that,” Randy says, “I have a genuine fear over knives. I like cooking — getting back into the kitchen and being around the knives is really hard for me.”

[orsonblogger]

WEX Completes Acquisition Of Payzer

WEX, a global commerce platform, has successfully completed its acquisition of Payzer, a cloud-based field service management software provider. This acquisition is a strategic move to bolster WEX's offerings to its Mobility customers, which include approximately 150,000 field service management companies. Melissa Smith, Chair and CEO of WEX, expressed enthusiasm for the deal and extended a warm welcome to the Payzer team. The goal of this acquisition is to introduce a new, scalable, and integrated business management software solution, catering to the diverse needs of these businesses. The definitive agreement for this acquisition was initially announced on October 26, 2023. WEX's commitment to simplifying and streamlining business operations is further reinforced by this acquisition, which marks a significant step in their journey to provide comprehensive services and support to businesses globally, especially those operating in the field service management sector.

Read More - https://www.techdogs.com/tech-news/business-wire/wex-completes-acquisition-of-payzer

[astrologydray]

Ruler of the 2nd through the houses

when you track the ruler of the 2nd house through the houses, you’re looking at how you make money, where your values lie, what you prioritize, and what brings you a sense of security and self-worth.

1st House 🏡:

I am the resource.

Your body, presence, or identity is a source of value. You might attract wealth through personal branding, entrepreneurship, or just being YOU. Confidence = currency. You naturally radiate value, but must learn to own it.

2nd House 🏡:

Born to build.

This is a powerful placement for money, stability, and long-term growth. You naturally know how to build wealth and manage your resources. You’re probably very grounded and value quality over quantity. Shadow side hoarding, fear of change, or stubbornness.

3rd House 🏡:

Money through the mind.

Your voice, ideas, or communication skills are your goldmine. You might make money through writing, teaching, media, or even tech. You value curiosity, mental stimulation, and versatility. Prone to having scattered energy or difficulty monetizing ideas. Your Strength = quick thinking, adaptability, networking = resource magnet.

4th House 🏡:

Home is the foundation of wealth.

You could inherit money, make money through property, or work from home. Emotional security and family support directly affect your money flow. Your values are deeply rooted in your upbringing.

5th House 🏡:

Creative currency.

You attract money through self-expression, creativity, pleasure, or even romance. Think artists, performers, designers — or people who monetize their passions. You value joy, fun, and being seen. Shadow side here = risky money behavior; tying worth to external validation.

6th House 🏡:

Work = worth.

You build wealth slowly and steadily through dedicated effort, skill development, and service. You might work in healing, wellness, administration, or service industries. You value discipline and reliability. Overworking or tying self-worth to productivity may be a problem for you. Relax and give urself grace.

7th House 🏡:

Money through others.

Your values and income may come through partnerships, collaborations, or clients. Business and romantic relationships affect your money deeply. You value harmony, balance, and reciprocity. Be careful of falling into financial dependency or people-pleasing around money.

8th House 🏡:

The wealth alchemist.

You’re drawn to shared resources, investments, and transformative wealth. You might make money through occult work, finance, psychology, or sex-related fields. Power, trust, and depth play a big role in your money story.

9th House 🏡:

Expand to receive.

You attract abundance through travel, teaching, spirituality, law, or publishing. You value freedom, knowledge, and growth. Belief systems around wealth are HUGE here — mindset is everything.

10th House 🏡:

Public success = personal wealth.

You may gain money and security through career, status, or reputation. You value ambition, recognition, and doing something that matters. This placement often pushes you toward visible leadership or high positions.

11th House 🏡:

Money through the collective.

You earn through networks, innovation, tech, or social causes. Think online businesses, group work, or digital platforms. You value progress, originality, and future-oriented thinking. Be careful of being overreliance on external validation or digital platforms. Your unique ideas, group alignment, big-picture wealth building is where it’s at.

12th House 🏡:

Mystical money flow.

This is the most non-linear placement. You may make money through spiritual work, healing, art, or behind-the-scenes roles. Money may come and go mysteriously, and your values are more ethereal than material.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

How lock-in hurts design

Berliners: Otherland has added a second date (Jan 28) for my book-talk after the first one sold out - book now!

If you've ever read about design, you've probably encountered the idea of "paving the desire path." A "desire path" is an erosion path created by people departing from the official walkway and taking their own route. The story goes that smart campus planners don't fight the desire paths laid down by students; they pave them, formalizing the route that their constituents have voted for with their feet.

Desire paths aren't always great (Wikipedia notes that "desire paths sometimes cut through sensitive habitats and exclusion zones, threatening wildlife and park security"), but in the context of design, a desire path is a way that users communicate with designers, creating a feedback loop between those two groups. The designers make a product, the users use it in ways that surprise the designer, and the designer integrates all that into a new revision of the product.

This method is widely heralded as a means of "co-innovating" between users and companies. Designers who practice the method are lauded for their humility, their willingness to learn from their users. Tech history is strewn with examples of successful paved desire-paths.

Take John Deere. While today the company is notorious for its war on its customers (via its opposition to right to repair), Deere was once a leader in co-innovation, dispatching roving field engineers to visit farms and learn how farmers had modified their tractors. The best of these modifications would then be worked into the next round of tractor designs, in a virtuous cycle:

https://securityledger.com/2019/03/opinion-my-grandfathers-john-deere-would-support-our-right-to-repair/

But this pattern is even more pronounced in the digital world, because it's much easier to update a digital service than it is to update all the tractors in the field, especially if that service is cloud-based, meaning you can modify the back-end everyone is instantly updated. The most celebrated example of this co-creation is Twitter, whose users created a host of its core features.

Retweets, for example, were a user creation. Users who saw something they liked on the service would type "RT" and paste the text and the link into a new tweet composition window. Same for quote-tweets: users copied the URL for a tweet and pasted it in below their own commentary. Twitter designers observed this user innovation and formalized it, turning it into part of Twitter's core feature-set.

Companies are obsessed with discovering digital desire paths. They pay fortunes for analytics software to produce maps of how their users interact with their services, run focus groups, even embed sneaky screen-recording software into their web-pages:

https://www.wired.com/story/the-dark-side-of-replay-sessions-that-record-your-every-move-online/

This relentless surveillance of users is pursued in the name of making things better for them: let us spy on you and we'll figure out where your pain-points and friction are coming from, and remove those. We all win!

But this impulse is a world apart from the humility and respect implied by co-innovation. The constant, nonconsensual observation of users has more to do with controlling users than learning from them.

That is, after all, the ethos of modern technology: the more control a company can exert over its users ,the more value it can transfer from those users to its shareholders. That's the key to enshittification, the ubiquitous platform decay that has degraded virtually all the technology we use, making it worse every day:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/02/19/twiddler/

When you are seeking to control users, the desire paths they create are all too frequently a means to wrestling control back from you. Take advertising: every time a service makes its ads more obnoxious and invasive, it creates an incentive for its users to search for "how do I install an ad-blocker":

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2019/07/adblocking-how-about-nah

More than half of all web-users have installed ad-blockers. It's the largest consumer boycott in human history:

https://doc.searls.com/2023/11/11/how-is-the-worlds-biggest-boycott-doing/

But zero app users have installed ad-blockers, because reverse-engineering an app requires that you bypass its encryption, triggering liability under Section 1201 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. This law provides for a $500,000 fine and a 5-year prison sentence for "circumvention" of access controls:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/01/12/youre-holding-it-wrong/#if-dishwashers-were-iphones

Beyond that, modifying an app creates liability under copyright, trademark, patent, trade secrets, noncompete, nondisclosure and so on. It's what Jay Freeman calls "felony contempt of business model":

https://locusmag.com/2020/09/cory-doctorow-ip/

This is why services are so horny to drive you to install their app rather using their websites: they are trying to get you to do something that, given your druthers, you would prefer not to do. They want to force you to exit through the gift shop, you want to carve a desire path straight to the parking lot. Apps let them mobilize the law to literally criminalize those desire paths.

An app is just a web-page wrapped in enough IP to make it a felony to block ads in it (or do anything else that wrestles value back from a company). Apps are web-pages where everything not forbidden is mandatory.

Seen in this light, an app is a way to wage war on desire paths, to abandon the cooperative model for co-innovation in favor of the adversarial model of user control and extraction.

Corporate apologists like to claim that the proliferation of apps proves that users like them. Neoliberal economists love the idea that business as usual represents a "revealed preference." This is an intellectually unserious tautology: "you do this, so you must like it":

https://boingboing.net/2024/01/22/hp-ceo-says-customers-are-a-bad-investment-unless-they-can-be-made-to-buy-companys-drm-ink-cartridges.html

Calling an action where no alternatives are permissible a "preference" or a "choice" is a cheap trick – especially when considered against the "preferences" that reveal themselves when a real choice is possible. Take commercial surveillance: when Apple gave Ios users a choice about being spied on – a one-click opt of of app-based surveillance – 96% of users choice no spying:

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2021/05/96-of-us-users-opt-out-of-app-tracking-in-ios-14-5-analytics-find/

But then Apple started spying on those very same users that had opted out of spying by Facebook and other Apple competitors:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/11/14/luxury-surveillance/#liar-liar

Neoclassical economists aren't just obsessed with revealed preferences – they also love to bandy about the idea of "moral hazard": economic arrangements that tempt people to be dishonest. This is typically applied to the public ("consumers" in the contemptuous parlance of econospeak). But apps are pure moral hazard – for corporations. The ability to prohibit desire paths – and literally imprison rivals who help your users thwart those prohibitions – is too tempting for companies to resist.

The fact that the majority of web users block ads reveals a strong preference for not being spied on ("users just want relevant ads" is such an obvious lie that doesn't merit any serious discussion):

https://www.iccl.ie/news/82-of-the-irish-public-wants-big-techs-toxic-algorithms-switched-off/

Giant companies attained their scale by learning from their users, not by thwarting them. The person using technology always knows something about what they need to do and how they want to do it that the designers can never anticipate. This is especially true of people who are unlike those designers – people who live on the other side of the world, or the other side of the economic divide, or whose bodies don't work the way that the designers' bodies do:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/10/20/benevolent-dictators/#felony-contempt-of-business-model

Apps – and other technologies that are locked down so their users can be locked in – are the height of technological arrogance. They embody a belief that users are to be told, not heard. If a user wants to do something that the designer didn't anticipate, that's the user's fault:

https://www.wired.com/2010/06/iphone-4-holding-it-wrong/

Corporate enthusiasm for prohibiting you from reconfiguring the tools you use to suit your needs is a declaration of the end of history. "Sure," John Deere execs say, "we once learned from farmers by observing how they modified their tractors. But today's farmers are so much stupider and we are so much smarter that we have nothing to learn from them anymore."

Spying on your users to control them is a poor substitute asking your users their permission to learn from them. Without technological self-determination, preferences can't be revealed. Without the right to seize the means of computation, the desire paths never emerge, leaving designers in the dark about what users really want.

Our policymakers swear loyalty to "innovation" but when corporations ask for the right to decide who can innovate and how, they fall all over themselves to create laws that let companies punish users for the crime of contempt of business-model.

I'm Kickstarting the audiobook for The Bezzle, the sequel to Red Team Blues, narrated by @wilwheaton! You can pre-order the audiobook and ebook, DRM free, as well as the hardcover, signed or unsigned. There's also bundles with Red Team Blues in ebook, audio or paperback.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/01/24/everything-not-mandatory/#is-prohibited

Image: Belem (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Desire_path_%2819811581366%29.jpg

CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en

[daintilyultimateslayer]

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[aeth-eris]

★ how to maximize profits via 2nd house ★

aries in the 2nd house can maximize profits by capitalizing on their entrepreneurial drive and competitive spirit. aries benefits from fast-paced, high-energy ventures where they can lead and make quick decisions. they might excel by launching a fitness training program, offering personal coaching services, or starting a motivational brand that sells products like athletic apparel, energy drinks, or performance gear. aries could also find success with subscription boxes focused on high-adrenaline hobbies like hiking, martial arts, or adventure sports. by embracing ventures that allow them to innovate quickly and take the lead, aries can build profitable businesses that leverage their passion and high energy.

taurus in the 2nd house is well-suited for steady financial growth through high-quality, long-term investments and products. they thrive in businesses that emphasize luxury, beauty, and quality, such as a high-end skincare line, organic foods business, or eco-friendly clothing brand. taurus could also consider starting a boutique furniture store that sells artisan-crafted or vintage items, as they appreciate products with enduring value. with their talent for creating a comforting atmosphere, taurus might excel with a bed and breakfast, a spa, or a wellness center that offers relaxation services. taurus maximizes profits by focusing on products that prioritize quality and offer a luxurious experience, appealing to clients who value longevity and craftsmanship.

gemini in the 2nd house can boost profits by tapping into their adaptability and communication skills, especially in diverse, mentally stimulating fields. they could thrive by starting a digital marketing agency, offering copywriting or editing services, or launching an online course platform that covers a wide range of topics to cater to curious minds. with their natural social skills, gemini could also excel in creating a networking app or social media consulting service. offering services like translation, podcasting, or even freelance journalism can keep income flowing, as gemini is well-suited to manage multiple streams of revenue. their knack for curiosity-driven ventures and networking makes them ideal for businesses that involve idea-sharing, quick adaptability, and community engagement.

cancer in the 2nd house can increase earnings by focusing on nurturing and emotionally resonant businesses that bring comfort to others. they might start a home-cooked meal delivery service, a childcare center, or a family-focused event planning service that organizes intimate gatherings like birthdays and reunions. cancer could also do well in real estate, particularly with home staging or property management that emphasizes creating warm, inviting spaces. they could excel in interior decorating, especially with a focus on cozy, family-oriented spaces, or start a handcrafted candle or blanket line. by building businesses that revolve around care, comfort, and family, cancer can create loyal clients and establish long-term success through emotional connections.

leo in the 2nd house maximizes profits by showcasing their creativity and leadership, often excelling in businesses that allow them to stand out and build a brand. leo could find success with a personal brand consultancy, fashion line, or luxury event planning business. they might enjoy launching a social media channel focused on lifestyle or self-improvement, where they can attract sponsorships or sell branded merchandise. leo also thrives in roles where they can influence and inspire others, so they might consider starting a motivational speaking business, an acting or dance academy, or a high-end boutique. with their flair for self-expression, leo profits best when they create high-quality, visually captivating products and services that let their star power shine through.

virgo in the 2nd house finds financial success through practical, detail-oriented services that provide high value and efficiency. they excel in businesses that involve organization, health, and precision, such as financial consulting, tax preparation, or a personal organizing service. virgo might also thrive with a nutrition or wellness coaching business, offering tailored health plans or holistic products like herbal supplements or self-care kits. a digital bookkeeping service, copyediting business, or virtual assistant agency could also bring them steady profits, as virgo’s meticulous nature appeals to clients who seek reliability and structure. by focusing on services that emphasize quality and organization, virgo builds a reputation for excellence that attracts a steady client base.

libra in the 2nd house can increase earnings by leveraging their skills in diplomacy, aesthetics, and partnerships. they could start a wedding planning business, a floral design company, or a luxury lifestyle brand that sells carefully curated home décor items. libra would also excel in public relations consulting or brand management roles, where they can help clients present a refined, balanced image. creating a high-end art gallery, a boutique law firm, or a relationship coaching service could also align well with libra’s skills. libra thrives in partnership-focused ventures, so building collaborative business models or co-founding a business with others can also enhance their profitability and bring a sense of harmony to their financial life.

scorpio in the 2nd house maximizes profits by tapping into their ability to handle intensity and complexity, often succeeding in fields like finance, psychology, and research. scorpio could build wealth by creating a private investigation firm, a psychotherapy practice, or a financial planning service specializing in wealth management or estate planning. they might also thrive in real estate investment, particularly with properties that need transformation, such as flipping houses or managing rental properties. scorpio may also excel in businesses related to holistic healing, offering reiki or shadow work coaching. by focusing on industries that require trust, depth, and resilience, scorpio can attract clients who value privacy and are willing to invest in transformational services.

sagittarius in the 2nd house can increase profits by embracing their love for adventure, growth, and education. they could launch a travel agency specializing in unique cultural experiences, a language learning platform, or a motivational speaking business that offers courses and workshops. sagittarius could also thrive by creating a publishing company focused on philosophical or inspirational content or starting a tour guiding business for international destinations. their enthusiasm for knowledge makes them great at teaching, so they might consider offering online courses or starting a coaching business in a field they’re passionate about. by aligning with growth-oriented ventures, sagittarius can attract an audience that values inspiration and big-picture thinking.

capricorn in the 2nd house maximizes profits through disciplined, long-term planning and a practical approach to business. they’re well-suited for businesses like a corporate consulting firm, project management agency, or investment portfolio service. capricorn could also do well in real estate development, particularly with rental properties or commercial buildings. they might find success by starting a financial advisory firm or creating a luxury goods company focused on high-end, timeless products like leather goods or fine jewelry. by aligning with industries that reward patience and professionalism, capricorn can build a solid financial foundation and enjoy steady growth, often seeing long-term success through conservative but reliable investments.

aquarius in the 2nd house can increase profits by focusing on innovation, technology, and humanitarian ventures. they might launch a tech startup, a renewable energy company, or a social media platform that prioritizes community and ethical interaction. aquarius could also find success with a nonprofit organization focused on social justice, an eco-friendly product line, or a collaborative workspace for creatives and freelancers. their futuristic mindset makes them perfect for ventures in artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, or virtual reality. by aligning their finances with progressive and forward-thinking industries, aquarius can attract clients and customers who value innovation and social impact.

pisces in the 2nd house maximizes profits by leaning into their creativity, compassion, and spirituality. they may thrive in a music or art therapy practice, a spiritual coaching business, or a holistic wellness center that offers services like yoga, meditation, and crystal healing. pisces could also succeed by creating a boutique art studio, a dream journal line, or a subscription service for wellness products like essential oils, herbal teas, and calming rituals. they’re drawn to businesses that help others heal or connect with their inner selves, so they may also find success in fields like astrology, psychic readings, or intuitive counseling. by aligning with businesses that emphasize emotional well-being and creativity, pisces can build a profitable venture that resonates deeply with clients who seek personal and spiritual growth.

[wide-nose-and-wonderful]

SINNERS.

Pairing: Sammie x Black Fem Reader!

Warnings/Type: Semi Hurt/ Extra Comfort, Fluffy Bubble Gum type of feelings because it's Preacher Boy, enough said, ONE SHOT!

Summary: Sammie was a sensation! All the church going congregation that Sunday thought so. Then how come you were the only one that didn't seem to give him the proper applause?

Word count: 3,187 / Whomever comes across this work, enjoy.

The air, which shimmered with oppressive heat all day, began to surrender, though a thick, humid warmth persisted, clinging to everything like a damp shroud. 

Your heated body tempted you to lift the bottoms of your skirts, so that the fabric sat high on your brown burning thighs. 

You would suffer through. 

No alternative destination existed, as far as you knew. 

No other place could be as beautiful at this particular time of day. 

Golden glow shining down on the endless row of Mississippi’s cotton, like trees in an intricate African dance in the fields of a homeland you would only experience by story. 

The Divine’s fingers stretched long over his crafted earth as painter to canvas. You became more thankful for such moments. Moments in which you could observe in reverence and give praise without prompting or cue from the old preacher’s sermon on Sunday morning.

Out here reminded you of singers in all white robes. Voices thick with history and hope. Promises of freedom and change. Ways to find some kind of peace. Only, in the little church, they remain confined, gated between the four walls. 

Out here, movement proved easier for dancing. 

God’s creation swallowed you up.  

You reached high, fingers finding the rough texture before you let go. 

Some things weren’t meant to be experienced, just admired. 

Did that logic apply to him also? 

The quiet out in the fields soothed a heart that ached, but the crickets provided hopeful hymns that kept you alive and awake while the earth beneath the blanket you laid stayed soft and welcoming. A gaze toward the heavens that sat above, and you offered a grin. You only found comfort in the idea of meeting heartbreak under God’s watchful eye, right in the heart of his masterpiece. 

You tempted yourself to wait for the climax of the day’s end. Brave yourself to walk back home on the dark dirt road. Sharing the same burden, the same silence, you wouldn’t bother yourself with consequence, nor your father’s disapproval and the inevitable questions upon your return that weighed.

Or maybe you wouldn’t. Go back. 

Even now, the performance Sammie gave earlier that morning wouldn’t leave your mind. His own father Jedidiah, had a brow damp with the passion of his message and a smile toward the first pew where his wife sat by time his sermon concluded and he’d began to introduce his oldest son’s solo. 

“You will be there at service this morn, won’t ya.”

“Course. You singing today aint ya’. I wouldn’t miss it. Look for me. I’ll be in my best dress. Front row.” 

You remembered the muted confidence that stayed on him when he walked the short distance to the platform. Hair combed better than usual, and the cleanest face you saw on him in a while as he settled in place, adjusting the guitar. He wasn’t scared. No implication of nerves was found on him as your eyes looked and searched. 

Then the hush that fell over the Sanctuary made your heart leap with anticipation. Waiting and longing. The cords were simple. Clean. A Melody instantly recognizable. His voice came up afterward, following in a deep but clear purity.   

Eyes closed, you hung on to the song, desperately. Even as the tears began to pinch the sides of your lids. Your heart ached with a deep, bone tired ache trying to forget Sammie, Preacher Boy. 

The oncoming footsteps broke your memory. 

You shot up from your place on the ground, eyes wild, still damp and searching for where the sound came from, a little annoyed and exposed in emotion and skin. You pulled at your dress instantly and let it cover your legs dismissing the partial cool. 

Cotton fields spread out on either side while Sammie walked toward you, coat and hat, the guitar he couldn’t seem to part with. 

“There you are.” 

His words carried like dust. 

Strained, your lips held tight together. Words up and locked as he got closer. You concerned yourself more with whether you were dreaming or awake. Maybe in a memory, or making a new one.

“Sammie. How you find me out here?” 

He chuckled. It added to the deepness of his voice. 

“What you mean?” 

You got up. When you did, there he stood, a lopsided grin on him.

“It's almost sundown.” 

With a step back you turned to face the dying light. 

“Thought you’d be back home.” 

You folded your arms, dropped your head to look at a place on the blanket beneath your bare feet.  

“Ya’ mama probably wonderin’ after you by now.” You said, sucking in some air.

“Ma mama got her own business need tendin’. We not talkin’ bout her tho’. Been lookin’ for ya’. Where you run off to after service?” 

He gave a casual push of his Guitar to create more space.

“I needed to take a walk. So I took one.”

“All day.” 

A short breath left you. You turned to face him. 

“No Sammie, not all day. I went home and helped as usual to make sure we’d have things ready for sup tonight. Did some washin’. Lots actually. You already know how Sunday be like. Then I walked again and ended up here. Before I knew it, there my day went.” 

Sammie’s fingers ran over the guitar strings. The lopsided grin shifted into a smile. 

“So. You ain't think ta’ wait on me?” 

You let go of a sigh. 

“Sammie, now what got you thinkin’ I need to wait for ya?” 

“Cause this morning, said you would.” 

“Yeah well. Forgot to, I guess.” 

Sammie took a step back, raised a finger and pointed at you.

“No see, now you lyin’.’”

“Not lyin' Sammie. Cuz I ain't got nothin’ ta lie about. If you don't mind. Just wanna be alone with ma’ thoughts while the rest of this day remains.”

You plopped back down on the blanket gazing in the direction of the sun.

“So you mad at me.”

His voice caused you to swallow down. It came behind you concerned, yet full of power and poise all at once.

You shook your head. 

“No. Why would I be mad at you. Just wanted some time off on my own is all. Got nothin’ to do wit’ being mad.”

You didn’t notice until his shoulder bumped yours that he'd sat down. He lifted the guitar strap over his head and put it to the side, laying it on the longer freed up end of the blanket you’d spread out.

“Yeah,” He murmured, bumping your shoulder once more. “You mad. Like the bonnet tho’. You tryna keep the sun out ya’ face. Not much of the day left.” 

You grabbed on a sting, loosening the tie as your coiled hair began to rise underneath. With a greater pull the bonnet came off. Sammie peered in the same direction you had. When the gold faded, it would stretch out bruised in a horizon of purple, a burning orange that would eventually descend entirely into a desperate crimson. 

Suddenly, you didn’t want the day to fade. 

“Whatever's wrong. You never said a word to me bout’ it. Then again, I always found you was one of them girls that liked to keep secrets. Even from me.” 

You looked at him. One of your brows rose higher than the other hoping he’d go into greater detail by what he meant. Sammie’s smile had found him, and this time he laid down with it making your eyes follow his motion. Hands up and behind his head, the same way you had when the sun sat a bit higher and you’d looked toward heaven. 

Now Sammie had found that same heaven too. 

“It’s been the two of us since way back when we used to chase chickens in the backyard.” 

He chuckled. 

This memory was far different from the one you had of service that morning. A later memory from the past, more innocent and unblemished. 

“Still remember how you cried when ma’ grandma told you it wasn't a good idea to have a chicken as a friend. Said it never ended well. Short lived, exact words. The tears didn't stay on you tho’ when it was all said and done. You seemed to have a funny way of changing yo’ mind bout’ things. Told me afterwards that it was the best damn bird you’d ever ate.” 

The two of you shared a laugh, only to leave an uncomfortable stillness behind after it faded against the thick air. 

“Sammie.”

“Huh.” 

You lifted your head.

“Play me a song. You know. The one I like.”

A grin swept his lips. 

“Yes Ma’am.”

He grabbed the guitar and put the band back over his shoulder, fitting his fingers over the strings. 

A little grin managed to edge over your lips. Maybe he never parted with the damn thing because you didn't let him. 

“Come on now. Let's go do somethin’ else. Catch frogs, pick dandelions, anything. I'm sick of foolin’ wit this thing….” 

“No, no. You promised. Sides how you gon’ be any good without practice. Only musicians done that proly ones done’ gon’ and sold they soul. Not you though, preacher boy.” 

“Sold they soul? Ya’ mama know how you talkin'.”

He began, and the song clung to him. Sammie’s voice grew higher with each line. At the same time his fingers picked the melody with gentle precision. Notes ascended. This wasn’t just singing. He was telling a story. 

You sat perfectly still, captivated. A tear rolled down your cheek by the middle of the song, and then the air shifted. It became heavy, not with heat, but with emotion and reverence. Suddenly you were back in the church watching Sammie as your fellow neighbors congratulated his performance. You went to speak your own praises when you stopped. The prettiest girl, according to all the local boys, approached Sammie. He smiled at her and she smiled back at him. Right then, your best dress didn’t measure up. 

You let out a loud sob and sucked it back as your shoulders bounced with feeling beyond the music. Tears came in abundance, more and more until it became hard to wipe them all away. 

Sammie stopped singing and looked at you. His eyes wide with worry.

“Hey hey come on now, don’t do that.”

He scooted closer, reached out and sat a hand on your back. 

“Can’t help it.” You shrugged. “Always gets me cryin’ without fail. You somethin’ special Sammie. Something so so special,” you sniffed. “Damn fool not to know that before,” you whispered in an attempt to calm your whimpering.

The air still held tight to the melody when you heard Sammie from behind.

“I love ya.”

You nodded. “I know,” you said with a brief chuckle. “Really, you been like a brother to me since we been knowin’ each other so long now. Since we was kids.” 

You wiped your eyes and finally shifted your position on the blanket so that you faced him, legs crossed, posture not all the way straight. Sammie shook his head. A slow shake that left his eyes focused and  stayed on you, staring. 

“Nah’. I don’t mean like that,” he clarified.

“Well. What you mean?” You asked to rub the side of one of your arms. “Like what?”

Sammie chuckled, he sat back momentarily, but did not make eye contact. “Well uh. That was part of the reason I wanted you to wait for me. Needed to ask you somethin.” 

“Ask me somethin. What?” 

“I love ya like….”

Sammie leaned in, and in a breathless moment, everything fell away. His lips met yours, soft and hesitant at first as he whispered, “Love like the way a man love his woman. Like how ma’ daddy love my momma.” 

Warmth came rushing through your chest. Heart souring at his confession while you floated.  

He pressed his lips a second time, more confident when you hadn’t retracted, a kiss sweet and perfect, like the first drop of rain at the start of spring. 

When You both parted, his eyes searched your’s. The only time you’d seen him nervous.  

 “I wanted to ask you to be mine.” 

The beating inside your chest went on faster than ever, but calmed just as quickly leaving you dizzy. The tension in your shoulders had subsided. You kissed him back, fingers lightly touching his arm. “Oh, Sammie.” You lifted a hand and drew it over his shoulder to rest, closing the space so that both your foreheads touched. 

“You love me like that to, don’t ya…like you need ta' be wit me.”

You nodded. “But where’s this coming from? I wouldn’t have thought…” 

“Thing is. just been waitin’ on you.” 

A slight tilt of the heat had you puzzled by his words. 

“Waitin’ on me?”

Sammie provided a single nod, matched with a short grin. “Waitin’ on ya,” he repeated. “You one way this day and a different way the next. Maybe that’s all women in some ways. I was nervous you just thought us friends. Like you would never see me more then that boy chasing’ chickens wit ya.” 

“I was jealous…”

His eyes settled on yours. Your gaze fell. You swallowed down. 

“At the church house earlier. I was so mad I couldn’t even clap for ya’. When I saw how Betty Johnson was talkin’ to ya after service finished. How you laughed. I knew I was in trouble. I mean I always knew my feelings for ya. Been a long time. This morning was different though. Got good at putting them behind me. But not today. Today, I felt like I was close to losing ya’ for good. Woulda been my fault too, cuz I never said nothin’. Maybe God heard my prayer out here then. And it didn’t get caught up in all these cotton trees. That’s what I thought when you showed up. Ya’ gran daddy’s hat. Guitar at ya side. Handsome. And a man.” 

Sammie reached a hand and placed it on one of your cheeks letting his thumb provide a comfortable motion of caress.  

“Well you ma’ girl now. Don’t worry yourself bout' Betty no more.” 

You placed a hand over his.

“I don’t think I need to, now.” 

Your eyes must have lit up like stars. You smiled at him, almost bashful. What he said hadn't been lost on you. 

“Ya’ girl. And you serious?” 

“Very serious.”

He shifted, pulling you closer until you were straddling him. Your lips hovering just above his. The kiss was slow to begin. An exploration of each other’s mouth. It deepened, becoming more and more urgent. 

Sammie’s hands roamed down your back, molding you to him. He trailed kisses down your jawline. They moved until they found an area. Kisses that came in light at first, until they began to leave a trail of fire in their wake. You didn’t fight the moan as he’d discovered a sensitive area behind your ear. It gave Sammie more encouragement. 

Your lips parted as you enjoyed the tingling sensation that filled you up. He moved lower, his lips brushing against the smooth of your neck. He sucked delicately at first, before he added more pressure. You let out a gasp, this small involuntary sound that had your back arched. In a quick motion, you pat at his shoulder. 

“Come on, Preacher Boy,” you murmured in a hurried tone. “You gon’ mark me all up. Spose my daddy sees.” 

“Hm.” He kissed the spot one more time before sitting back. “Seems like we should get ourselves married then.”

“Married? Sammie,” you gave a small laugh. “Now you talkin’ that crazy talk. We too young.”

Sammie smacked his teeth. 

“How you figure? I seen younger than us.”

You scrunch your nose only to focus on a cotton tree. One of Sammie’s fingers comes under your chin. You looked back at him. His eyes were different. Low, focused and with an air of seriousness to them, although he kept a smirk that held you in place.

“What. You think I’m scared of yo’ daddy? That I won’t ask for ya’ hand.” He lifted his head, proud and confident. “I’d make a good husband too. He know it. Jedidiah’s boy. I’d treat you like a lady. I’m good in the field, not cotton pickin’ either. Moe’ like tilling the land. Tending to it, keeping it healthy.” 

You had a smile on your face. 

“Like Abraham, from the Bible or sum’?”

“Yeah, like that. Biblical baby.” 

“You so silly,” you giggled. 

“And, hey. Figured we buy ourselves our own farm, so it’s ours, that way no one can tell us how we run it. Nobody.” 

“A farm is expensive.” You purse your lips. “How we gon’ get that kinda money, Sammie?”  

“I’ll work up and save for it.” He rubbed his chin, a grin growing as an ideal sprung up. “Maybe call up ma’ cousins. Might have some work for me.” 

You waved your hand. 

“Oh no. Don’t you go calling ya’ crazy ol’ cousins. Leave Smoke and Stack right where they be. Doing whatever they doin.” You leaned forward, sneaking a kiss before searching his eyes. “No, you stay here with me, preacher boy. Will get us that farm if you have your mind set on it. Together, all on our own. You and me.” 

“I like how that sound.”

Sammie sighed and stood to his feet, brushing off his pants. 

“Come on now. Let me get ya’ home. set a good example for myself.” 

You nodded and stood, grabbing both the blanket and your bonnet as you slipped on your shoes. When you turned back to Sammie, he had the guitar held out in your direction. Using his free hand, he took the blanket from you.  

“What ya doin?” 

“You wanna walk the whole way. Have yo’ feet aching come mornin?”

You grinned when you realized what he meant. It had been quite some time since you could remember him giving you a back ride.

“Guess. Not. Okay then.” 

“Now here, hold the guitar. Don’t drop ma’ guitar now. You keep it save ya hear.” 

“I’m not gon’ drop ya guitar. Hush up.”

You took hold of the instrument and put the band over your head and moved it around so that it sat over your back. Sammie bent enough for you to make a quick jump that had your arms around his neck, and his arms under your legs. 

You watched the sun dip below the tree line from over Sammie’s shoulder. The white bolls, bright and promising like angels lit by fire, were now scattered ghosts of twilight swaying this way and that with the short breeze that had not subsided. The light faded fast, pulling the edges of the field into a blur. The individual plants merged into a single dark mass. For the second time, God’s creation would swallow you up. Only now, Sammie Preacher Boy was with you, for what you prayed, would be a good long while.

END.

A/N: What can I say. Preacher Boy got a hold on ya' girl and I had to write something for the sexy lil' blues singer. This story came as a random thought, but I'm glad I did it. This one's for you Sammie Sam Sam girlies out there!

PLEASE DO NOT COPY OR CLAIM ANY OF MY WRITING. -Wide Nose And Wonderful /Mrs. Saint Writes.

[vague-humanoid]

On August 8, 2024, Eman Abdelhadi, a sociologist and an Assistant Professor at the University of Chicago, posted a seemingly uncontroversial missive on the X platform. “Oh Kamala is NOT ready for Chicago. But don’t worry; we’re ready for her.” Abdelhadi and thousands of other people are protesting the Democratic National Convention. For some reason this mild statement was offensive to the group who call themselves the KHive. They are Kamala Harris cult followers who will fight anyone who says or does anything that is out of alignment with their idolatry.

The KHive sprung into action upon seeing the post, accusing Abdelhadi of violent threats and vowing to punish her for daring to confront Kamala. “That’s a direct threat,” opined one misguided member of the mob. “The @FBI and @SecretService need to look into her. Definitely sounds like a threat,” said another who felt compelled to tag the agencies in question. While another confessed to the dirtiest deed of all, actual snitching. “I reported it/her and flagged FBI Secret Service and FBI Chicago Field office don’t play with #KHive ,” boasted a KHive fanatic known as @blckburn . She and others made good on their threats because the FBI did in fact contact Dr. Abdelhadi, who was able to secure legal representation before her interaction with that agency.

We are living in strange times when Black people tattle their hurt political feelings to the FBI in order to silence someone whose opinion they do not like. This is the same FBI that surveilled Martin Luther King and told him to commit suicide. This is the same FBI that murdered Fred Hampton. This is the same FBI whose director, J. Edgar Hoover , declared the Black Panther Party to be “the greatest threat to the internal security of the country” and whose Counter Intelligence Program killed BPP members, sent others to prison, and in so doing destroyed the liberation movement. Yet here we are, in an upside down world where Black people turn to the feds because their beloved neo-liberal imperialist might face a protest.

[glitchyrobo]

Ceres-class Missile Battleship

spaceship =>

(description & fiction under the break!)

Video Description

Several views of a large, long, and slightly bulky Terran warship in space. The ship has repeating triangle motifs in with various paneled textures throughout. Near the pointed front the nameplate of the ship is visible, reading 'CNS Temeraire'. The long front hull has a flat section on the top, covered in massive missile launch bays. Amidships, several armor plates, painted bright red with the Jovian Eagle in gold, protect the armored hab rings and a series of tubes. Aft, the radiators glow brightly as the engine burns hot. Embedded heat pipes run from the tip of the engine to the radiators

The first view is of the ship from above and in front, showing a dramatic angle. Several 'running lights' blink down the length as navigation lights flash

The second view is located to the side, looking forward, again showing the various lights

The third view is focused on the engine, showing it powering on to 100% thrust, then beyond. As it powers on the heat pipes glow in sequence

The fourth and final view repeats the engine power on sequence but from further, allowing the viewer to also see the coolant vents venting coolant

Excerpt from History of Pre-Domestication Terran Warships (3rd Revision), §685.8: Late Terran Accord & Pacification Program Era Battleships (Guided Projectile), Eltrin Yne, Forty-Seventh Bloom, xe/xem, Elly Yne, Twenty-Sixth Floret, et al.

Designed in 2521 CE (33 BT) by a consortium of Jovian shipbuilding corporations and first commissioned in 2526, the Ceres-class missile battleship was envisioned as a platform to launch massed missile strikes against enemy fleets while providing enhanced point defense and electronic warfare. At 750 meters in length and nearly 100 meters at its widest extent, this class represented one of the largest mass-produced spaceframes fielded by the Cosmic Navy.

Over the course of its service history, the class had numerous revisions. Most notably, the type-3 revision in 2539 (2521-CERES-III) which added coolant vents ahead of the hab rings, reducing their size in the process. The vents were positioned forward of the hab rings to expel hot coolant from over-driven point defense domes and electronic warfare equipment rather than the main engines, though they had a limited ability to expel engine coolant in extreme emergencies. These coolant vents essentially functioned as expendable liquid droplet radiators, which may have led to the development of more practical liquid radiators, had domestication been delayed. (See also §359, Speculation on Terran Shipcraft Development)

While there were no major engagements which featured a Ceres functioning in this intended role, classified TCN documents obtained after the fall of Terra stated that one of the primary goals of the class was to counter contemporary corporate navies, which largely consisted of small anti-piracy vessels, should a coalition of corporations ever come into direct conflict with the Accord.

However, the most significant hostile force that the Accord encountered prior to pacification were various pirate flotillas, which would generally consist of smaller, older, and less militarized vessels. While in a direct engagement a Ceres-class or other contemporary Accord capital ships would easily destroy such vessels, smaller ships were quite capable of outmaneuvering and escaping their would-be-predators.

At the start of the Terran Pacification program, there were 157 Ceres-class vessels active. After the signing of the treaty, only a handful of these ships refused armistice, as the amount of logistical support that the Ceres required to function effectively and the implausibility of that support without the Terran core sectors dissuaded overt feralism. Several dozen of the surviving vessels now serve as museum ships across Terran Protectorate space.