#I exist as a square peg in a world of round holes- i can handle weirding a bathroom

[payloadofgeckos]

I have a funny little personal life hack. If something functional but unexciting is aesthetically interesting to me, I will be more likely to consistently use it. If a space has interior design that makes me smile, I will be more likely to keep it clean and organized.

Since this discovery, I've been making my living spaces (especially my studio) very interesting. My bathroom though has been difficult, because my budget is low, but also because the base room is SO GODDAMNED BORING. Cheapest shower stall that would fit, generic (but super functional and easy to clean) sink and vanity set. Landlord Beige. I shared it in a maximalism group on reddit, requesting diy or budget buy suggestions for next steps to make it actually fun.

Let's just say... there really is no greater motivator than spite.

What I had when I asked for help sunday evening + the determination switch flipper. Two little elements I'd already had in place that I enjoy. What I have now (mostly "shopped" from my stash of varied art supplies- I did buy new towels, a laundry basket, and 3 fun colorful and textural and Very Shaped glass vases from thrift). And then an ugly phone mockup of the concept for the walls. I'm going to paint a mural with BFPs, Big Fuckin Peonies.

[barnabytremayne]

Inferiority Complex: Navigating the Maze of Self-Doubt

A rewrite of an early essay.

Ah, the ol' inferiority complex—a lifelong subscription to the "Am I Good Enough?" newsletter. It's like being in a never-ending thumb war with your own psyche. You've got these decent qualities—like, you're not terrible at Scrabble, and you can microwave a Hot Pocket without burning down the kitchen—but somehow, they're never enough. It's like your brain's a snarky Yelp reviewer: "Three stars—room for improvement."

For me, this feeling of inadequacy is like a clingy roommate who overstays their welcome. It's not just about flunking the "I'm Enough" exam; it's about feeling like you're missing a crucial page from the manual of life. And it's not picky—it'll haunt you at work, in relationships, even during that awkward moment when you're trying to parallel park.

Comparison? Oh, it's our favourite pastime. We measure ourselves against others like we're in a perpetual "Who's Got the Best Existence?" contest. Spoiler alert: We always lose. It's like playing Monopoly with Jeff Bezos—no matter how many hotels you build on Baltic Avenue, he's still got a spaceship.

And it's not just one thing. It's a tangled mess of emotions, like earphones in your pocket after a vigorous dance-off. You're not just "not good enough" at your job; you're also "not good enough" at being photogenic, at making small talk, at remembering to water your succulents. It's a cosmic conspiracy—the universe whispering, "Hey, buddy, you're missing a few screws."

Now, let's sprinkle some extra complexity on this inferiority sundae. Being autistic? That's like playing life on Expert Mode. Social cues? Ha! We're decoding hieroglyphics. We're the square pegs in a world of round holes, trying to fit in while secretly wondering if we're from a different planet.

And mental health? Buckle up. Depression and anxiety are like those uninvited party guests who crash your self-esteem soirée. Depression's the DJ, spinning sad tunes, and anxiety's the bartender, serving up "What If?" cocktails. Suddenly, you're doubting your ability to adult. "Can I handle taxes? Can I adult? Can I even microwave that Hot Pocket?"

Relationships? Oh boy. We're convinced our partners will wake up one day, squint at us, and say, "Wait, you're not the person I ordered." We're like emotional impostor syndrome. "Sure, they love me now, but just wait till they see my sock drawer organisation skills."

Career? It's a tightrope walk over a pit of self-doubt. "Am I smart enough? Talented enough? Can I adult AND microwave Hot Pockets?" We hesitate to chase our passions, fearing we'll trip and fall into the abyss of "Not Good Enough."

But here's the twist: I'm learning. I'm kinder to myself now. I've got a mental Post-it note that says, "Hey, cut yourself some slack." I focus on the good stuff—like that supportive partner who thinks we're the bee's knees (even if we're more like the bee's ankles).

And therapy? It's my secret weapon. I sit in those comfy chairs, spill my emotional guts, and learn strategies. I'm like an emotional MacGyver, cobbling together coping mechanisms with duct tape and hope.

So, fellow complex-havers, let's embrace our quirks. Let's microwave those Hot Pockets and remember: We're enough—even if we're still figuring out how to parallel park. 🚗🌟

[ayejayque]

Management explained

Management exists in every country of the world. That makes this a universal spectacle. The term management is very popular and is widely used across the board. Almost all organizations including but not limited to political, business social, and social are bound by management. This is because management aids and directs the assorted efforts towards a defined purpose. Harold Koontz says, “Management is the art of getting things done through and with the people in formally organized groups. It is the art of creating an environment in which people can perform and individuals and can co-operate towards attainment of group goals”. F.W. Taylor refers to it in a different word. He says, “Management is an art of knowing what to do when to do it and to ensure the best and cheapest way was followed.” Management is a purposeful activity. It helps gel the group effort. This effort is focused on the attainment of certain pre-determined targets. This is a process that helps to work with and through others to objectively achieve all organizational goals. This is done by efficiently using the depleting resources of the organization. It is the science of efficiently and effectively using scarce and limited resources in this world of constant change. All organizations are different. So, the organizational goals of all the companies will differ from one company to another. Hence, for one company the onus could be on the launch of new products by using market and marketing surveys, while for the other the main area of focus might be the quest for maximizing profits and minimizing costs. The heart of management is in creating an internal environment. It is in the hands of the management to put into good use, the assorted phases and stages of production. So the onus is on the responsibility of management to forge a suitable environment that is helpful to maximize the efforts. This will enable the staff to handle their tasks and jobs professionally and successfully. The inventory including the raw materials remains in the control of the management. So, is the resolve of wages and salaries for employees, as well as the design of rules & regulations manual, etc. Hence, we can safely say that proper and effective management has two parts. They are being effective as well as efficient. When we talk about being effective, it means performing the designated task. This could be like putting and fitting all square pegs in the square holes and similarly round pegs in the round holes. When we talk about being efficient, it is about doing the task in the correct manner, and at the least possible cost, and that too with minimum wastage of resources. Management can be defined in detail in the following categories: - Management can be a process - Management can be an activity - Management can be a discipline - Management can be a group - Management can be a science - Management can be an art - Management can be a profession I would like to emphasize that whether you are part of any organization or not, management helps you in everyday life as well. Let us understand this entirely and put it to good use. Read the full article

[shannrussell-blog1]

A few extra poles in your camp kit opens up a world of shelter opportunities. You can extend the awnings on your existing tent (most tents have some sort of entry flap that can be extended this way), build a sheltered outdoor dining space, block out the wind or create shade on hot days.

You may also be looking to replace damaged poles or parts. If this is the first time you’ve looked into the range of tent poles, you may be a little befuddled over which ones will suit your needs.

Good thing is that unless you have a very specific need, most poles are going to serve the same purpose. The choice really comes down to which material you want, and what length you need.

There are a few different types of poles available, each with their own use for your camping set up. 

Upright Poles

These are available in a myriad of brands, sizes and functions. But, at the end of the day, they all pretty much do the same thing… support your camping shelter.

We carry round tent poles rather than square as they are friendly on fabrics, are easy to handle and are compatible with numerous other fittings that allow you to add to your shelter.

They come in both steel and alloy materials and generally have a ‘spigot’ atop the pole. A ‘spigot’ is the pointy end that fits through the eyelets of your tent or tarp, or through the end cap of a ridge or spreader pole.

Most of these are adjustable, with the alloy poles generally featuring either a twist lock, or cam lock mechanism The steel poles usually having a wing or ‘T’ nut lock. There are some kits that have fixed length poles that simply fold down into 3 sections.

Some brands produce their own pole kits to suit their tents. But for the most part, there are all interchangeable with the only variants being the material and the adjustable lengths.

Alloy Poles with a spigot on one end are ideal for supporting your shelter. 

Ridge or spreader poles

A ridge pole enables you to create a rigid peak on your awning or tarp to enable efficient water run-off rather than having it pool in sagging sections of your shelter. These are almost always used in conjunction with two upright poles to create a frame that will support your shelter. The spigot ends of the upright poles fit through the holes at each end of these ridge poles.

As with upright poles, spreader poles come in various lengths right up to almost four metres in length and are also available in both alloy with twist lock extension, and steel with wing or ‘T’ nut adjustment.

The alloy poles generally have plastic end inserts which are a little kinder on tent fabrics than the flat ends of steel poles. Similarly, as with the upright poles – we only carry the round range. This is because they’re compatible with numerous optional fittings and spare parts.

Put a peak in your awning or tarp to prevent water pooling with a Ridge Pole. 

Adjustable C-Clip Poles

These are much like the previously mentioned spreader poles, only they feature a nylon ‘C’ clip at each end rather than the eyelet for pole spigots.

They are only more of an addition to a shelter structure rather than a necessity. You would usually only purchase them if you find that you need to minimise the sag of a shelter��s roof or to brace a wind break or side wall.

The addition of these poles increases structural integrity by creating a horizontal brace across the middle of two upright, or in between two ridge poles. The C-clip fits 22.2mm diameter poles and is made of durable nylon which provides a secure grip.

C-Clip poles are great for minimising any sagging on the roof of your tent or shelter. 

Lightweight Alloy poles

High-end dome tents and most lightweight hiking tents have flexible alloy poles. These are lighter and a little more reliable than their fibreglass counterparts. As with anything, there are varying qualities. DAC and Easton are known to produce the best quality lightweight alloy poles.

Mid-range hiking tents and swags come with unbranded alloy poles. But we have had good feedback on their performance in the past.

The downside of these poles is that you cannot buy a universal repair section. In almost all cases you’ll need to source a new pole set or a specific pole section from the manufacturer.

This being said, with proper care and consideration, these poles are hard to break and are reliable in the field.

Fibreglass poles

If you’ve broken a fibreglass tent pole on a dome tent, then you don’t need to buy a new pole set to set things right again. In fact, in most cases fibreglass dome tent poles are not sold as a set. Instead, replacement pole sections are available.

These pole sections usually come in a pack of four and are available in a variety of diameters and brands. There’s no need to match the pole brand with your tent. You just need to find the correct diameter, then make sure you have a hacksaw to trim it to length.

These fibreglass poles come in varying qualities. The basic versions are usually black, while the better quality poles come with an extra wrap over the fibreglass to prevent it from splintering and add durability. The poles with this wrap can usually be identified by a printed pattern or brighter colour on the outside.

The AOS Swag pole kit allows your swag to be freestanding. A fibreglass pole kit will have your dome tent up and running again.

Specialty poles

There are a number of poles that are made for a specific purpose. However there is no reason why they wouldn’t be useful for other specific purposes.

The Oztrail Swag Pole Plus Kit, for example, is designed for the Oztrail swag range to turn them into freestanding shelters. But, there is no reason why it couldn’t be used as a ridge or spreader pole in instances where spigot ends are required.

And the AOS Swag Pole Kit, while designed for the apex swags from AOS, are just as useful for setting up a hootchie or tarp shelter, or for any swag or compact tent awning.

Steel or Alloy

Personally, on account of the weight-saving, I prefer alloy. I’ve never had a good quality alloy pole fail me. In some instances though, I would exercise caution. For example, in bad weather I’ll take down all but the necessary forms of shelter until the weather passes to be on the safe side.

Same with transporting alloy poles. You might want to make sure that they’re not rattling around in the back of your 4×4. The main downside of alloy poles is that once bent, they’re not terribly conducive to being bent back into place. Basically, the more they are bent back and forward, the weaker they get.

A steel pole weighs more. But for this extra weight you get a practically indestructible pole that can be hammered, bent and shaped back into place should any damage occur… and they’re cheaper.

Alloy Ridge Poles will be a bit lighter compared to steel, so they’re great for weight-conscious campers. 

Don’t forget to add some guy ropes

The best way to add stability to your shelter is to add more anchor points. You do this by increasing the number of guy ropes and peg out points.

Adding

Don’t forget to bring those extra guy ropes and pegs for securing your shelter in the elements. 

The pole is only as good as the pegs holding it upright

There’s no point in having sturdy poles and plenty of guy ropes only to use the short and thin pegs that are included with many shelters. Make sure you add a handful of pegs that are specific to the location and ground conditions you will be camping on.

Check out this guide to help choose pegs to keep your camp set up grounded, so you can enjoy a sturdy set up for the whole of your trip.

What are the essentials poles that you have on hand for putting together your ultimate campsite? 

The post Tent Poles – What You Need to Know appeared first on Snowys Blog.

[angelazfoodforyoursoul-blog]

Uncle Verdicas (Part One)

Never would she again make the mistakes of her past.  She vowed it would never happen again. ��Yet, here she was creating the same set of issues in her life as always happened.  Why couldn't she just for once stick to her set of rules.  She made herself so damn mad that she couldn't even find the time to create health and well being in her own life, but she could make everyone else feel compatible in their own world.  Sonovabitch.  Adrien stomped her foot as if she were putting out a fire.

Maggie left Adrien sitting at the diner.  She hoped that her friend would cheer up.  After all the self talk and late nights Maggie spent on the phone with Adrien concluding each mistake she made in her life Adrien seem to beat herself up worse as life went on.  When would she realize life is not something which fits perfectly in a tiny box with a fine ribbon.  Maggie continued to try to make Adrien understand not everything was her fault life just happens.

Maggie got up to brush her teeth when she saw a faint shadow flit across her bathroom mirror.  "What the hell?"  Maggie opened her bathroom door flipping on the light she screamed when she saw her own reflection, she had herself geared up she scared herself.   Laughing, Maggie brushed her teeth and jumped into bed.   She wanted to catch the end of her favorite show before Mathew got him and switched it to sports.

Adrien had just finished her second glass of wine when she heard her doorbell ring.  Odd, she wasn't expecting anyone, yet she found herself moving towards her door to answer it.  Usually she was highly cautious, but it had thrown her off to hear the bell so late she hadn't thought about it.   Reachng for the knob she felt excited, as if something wonderfully adventurous was about to happen to her, she almost tore the door open out of anticipation of what was on the other side.

She reached for the door handle, she twisted the knob and felt a tingling shock.  Opening the door she found a funny looking little man standing on the other side of the door.  He had a black shiny box with a red ribbon.

"Madame, are you Adrien Reynolds?"  He had a chocolate smooth english accent.

Adrien blushed, "Yes, I am Adrien Reynolds."

The man held out the package towards Adrien, "This is for you."  He did not offer any more information about the box.

"I...ummm, who is it from?"  I turned it over in my hands as if my some magical force information would pop into my head concerning the box.

"I do not know ma'am, I was instructed by my boss to deliver it to you tonite.  If you will sign here I can leave you to your evening." He presented a clip board, Adrien wasn't even sure where he pulled it out of .

Adrien looked up to talk to the guy who gave her the box, he was gone.  It was like the box fell out of the sky.  Confused, Adrien went back into her house, shutting the door she wandered back into the living room.  Sitting on the couch Adrien ran her hand over top of he red ribbon, she tried to force herself to open it, but she wasn't sure if she should.  All of a sudden she had the urge to rip it open.  She pulled the ribbon off quickly and opened the box.  Out fell a golden key and a note.  Confused she held the key in one hand and the note in the other.  "What in the hell?" Adrien set the key in her lap and opened the note.

Dearest Adrien,

You don't know me, but I knew your mother and father.  They asked me to pass this key on to you at your 25th birthday.  

Your mother and father had to so much left unsaid in their lives that in the event of their death they wanted you to know everything about who they were and why they died.

Their deaths were not in vain, they died protecting you from things worse than the boogeyman, as mortal children would say.  The golden key included with this note belongs to a house @ 449 1/2 Vialong lane.  This was their, your home.  It has been preserved today as it was the day you left 24 years ago.  In it is all the answers to you life.

If you need me, you just have to call me.  Say my name out loud three times and I will hear you.  My name is Verdicas, and I am your mothers Uncle.

With Love,

Uncle Verdicas.

Adrien wasn't sure what to think, was this really happening or was it a joke?  Her mother and father died in a tragic car accident when she was a year old.  She was sent to live with her paternal grandparents .  Her parents death was never talked about at her grandparents.  She had very few pictures of her mum and dads, she didn't even know they still had a house.  Her grandparents never said anything about it.

She was going to call Maggie in the morning to see if she wanted to go explore this house with her.  Adrien was kink of excited.  Since her fathers parents passed away Adrien had no family left.   She went to bed that night with butterflies in her stomach, what could possibly be in her past, or her parents past that would have been kept from her all of her life.

Adrien and Maggie set out to find 449 1/2 Vialong drive.  It wasn't easy to find, it was tucked way back on a road that almost seemed to not exist.  Adrien drove up to the house, while Maggie still nagged her about why she would go to a house based on a mysterious note and a key.  Adrien couldn't hear her, she was too excited and scared to listen.

The house was more like a two story mansion, the grounds were huge, there was even a horse pen and a running river not far off from the house.  Adrien felt her stomach drop.  This couldn't be her's, this was to magnificent.  Her parents never had money, nor did her grandparents, so how did this grand estate exist until her 25th birthday.  She had so many questions, but no one to ask, then she remember the note. Uncle Verdicas, Uncle Verdicas,  Uncle Verdicas.  Adrien Spoke the words.  Maggie asked her who she was talking to.  Adrien felt a rush of wind pass by her, and then she saw him standing beside Maggie.  A very lovely gentleman with a dark gray suit on, golden cufflinks, a maroon/grey striped tie.

"Hello? Uncle Verdicas?"  Adrien felt funny calling him Uncle, she had never met him or knew  he even existed.

Verdicas walked toward Adrien, "Ahh my dear girl, you look just like your mother.  You are simply beautiful.  Now what can I do for you?  I am sure you must have many questions."  Verdicas walked toward the house.

Adrien looked at Maggie shrugging her shoulders she followed Verdicas into the house.  Verdicas held his hand out for the key in Adriens hand.  "I hope you are ready for what is inside Adrien my dear.  What lies beyond this door is not how you are accustomed to living, or how you were raised by your baptist grandparents.  I know they were lovely people, but they would have never approved of the way your mother and father lived, nor your mothers family history.  With that being said Verdicas opened the door and they all stepped inside the foyer.

Adrien could only stare in wonder, the house was framed with cherry oak, it was everywhere.  So beautiful, and it smelled like sunshine inside the house.  Adrien saw her family pictures on the wall, her mother and father looked so happy together, they were so young, in love.  She even saw her baby pictures, the ones which had been missing from her life.  Her grandparents had pictures of her from the age of 1.5, but nothing to mark her existence before that.  Adrien turned to Verdicas, " if everything is still intact from when I lived here before, do I? Is there a room for me? or mine? "

Verdicas looked at her and smiled.  "Yes Adrien, go to the top of the stairs and your room is the second on the left, everything is as it was the night you went to go live with your grandparents.  Nothing has been moved from the moment you were sent to your grandparents.

Adrien slowly walked up the stairs until she stood in front of her old room.  Her name was lettered on her door, she ran her fingers over the bold wooden letters.  They were handpainted in beautiful vibrant colors.  Her hand rested on the doorknob, it was an old brass knob, very old.  She twisted until she heard a click, opening the door she smelled soft scents of lavender.  She opened the door all the way, she stepped inside.  It was like coming home, a feeling she had not had in a very long time.  All her life she felt odd, as if she were a round peg in a square hole.

Adrien saw a brass crib with canopy, it was pink, her bedding still lay inside.  She ran her hand over the crib, hoping memories would absorb through her fingertips.  She saw a small white table with chairs, a tea set sat on top with stuffed animals filling each chair.  There was a high chest of drawers, Adrien opened each one, there were tiny pink, yellow, blue dresses and other clothes she once wore.  Hot tears slid down her cheeks.  She saw her name sewn on a few of her shirts.  It was like this whole part of her life she existed she was never allowed to know.  Her room was sunny yellow.  Verdicas stood behind her, he picked up the picture of a happy smiling family.  "Adrien they loved you very much, so much so, they were willing to die to protect you."  Verdicas felt sad.

"Who was my mother? What happened to them?  Really happened to them?" Adrien needed to know what was happening, or happened she just needed answers to all the riddles.

Verdicas took her by the hand and led her down to the kitchen to make some tea.  The kitchen was well stocked for being abandoned for so long.  Maggie wrapped her arms around Adrien, she wasn't sure what to say, or what she should say.

"Sit, sit, lets have some tea and food before I tell you everything you want to hear."  Verdicas set the table, and proceeded to make food for all three of them.

TO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW.......

COPYRIGHT 8/26/2017 by Angela Truman