#pen tab patches

[nocternalrandomness]

If you know...you know...

[dognonsense]

so im brand new to the punk scene and way of doing things and i really dont know where to start. I want to decorate my jacket with patches and pins and stuff but i dont really know how to do that. Do you have any tips?

epic! for patches first step is to source the materials you need for it!

youll want to get fabric thats thick and not too stretchy. Denim is the strongest fabric for patches. But ive never made one from that. I would cut up old clothes i didnt wear or take clothing that was going to landfill for fabric.

Now i go to a fabric store that takes all the excess from the main stores and sell its for cheap which is great for saving money.

for making patches for individual use its easy to make a simple stencil with cardstock or thin cardboard, think cereal box, draw on ur design. then use a pen knife to cut of ur stencil, then put it over fabric, then ull want to be using a sponge to apply fabric paint in the holes. Then you can clean up with fine paintbrush when ur done.

Another technique is you can free hand paint directly onto the fabric. If the fabric isnt sturdy, giving it a base coat of paint before doing your design can make it easier to paint on.

leave edge space at the side of ur patches more than you think you would need, so that you can fold the hems when sewing your patches down. This helps keep the patch together as when unhemmed the fabric edge is exposed and falls apart over time.

you can use dental floss or embroidery floss as alternatives to sewing thread. Dental floss is popular because it is sturdy, cheap, and easy to use, as well as u can burn the end of it if u run out of thread to finish. embroidery floss is fun because you can use different fun colors which adds characters and style. The stitches are also thicker and more visible.

you can make pins using a bottle cap, can tabs, and safety pin and paint! You paint the bottle cap to have ur design. U can sand it down to make it smoother to paint. then you put the tab in the back side of the bottle cap. Then slide the safety pin into the can tab with the pinning on bit facing outward, then flatter the sides of the bottle cap to encase the tab into place. This is a common diy if you google it images will come up for sure.

[neysastudies]

18–25/60 Productivity Challenge

These past few days have been slower and more restful, which I really needed. I continued reading A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara during my downtime.

We also took a trip to London with my aunt’s family, and I finally made it to Muji (pic!) — I bought some pens, notebooks, and little things that made me genuinely happy. I know buying stationery isn’t direct productivity, but honestly, I love working with things that make me feel happy, and stationery is definitely one of them. It gives me extra motivation!

While we were in Camden Town, I also found some super cute iron-on patches (pic), and we visited the famous Notting Hill Bookshop where I picked up some lovely bookmarks (some of them will be gifts!) and adorable fantasy-themed journal tabs (pic).

One of my favorite things while staying here in the UK is visiting secondhand shops; you can find real treasures! (See pic — found some great books recently.)

Lately, I’m drawn more and more to reading about psychology. Since my PhD research is about perception, I love using this time to educate myself a little deeper on related topics.

Wishing you a lovely Saturday too!🎈🤗

[kajtekmakesthings]

Building a better hi-viz vest:

I wear a hi-viz vest 5 days a week for something like 4 months every year. They're mandatory for the entirety of the Bard on the Beach build and strike, which means I live in the thing through rainy early spring, hot late spring/early summer, and the rapid shift from warm and dry September to rainy and cold October.

My first Bard season, I had a cheap mesh one. It was cool on hot days, but otherwise sucked. The two pockets were as perforated as the rest of it and barely usable because any weight in them stretched the whole vest uncomfortably. When I left it in my cubby with a snack wrapper in the pocket and a mouse chewed right through the fabric, I didn't even bother patching the hole. It wasn't worth the effort.

This past season, I picked up a sturdier surveyor's vest with a ton of pockets.

I loved the general layout, and having a heavier garment that could handle carrying a good amount of snacks, tools, and other essentials without becoming uncomfortable was worth sacrificing ventilation. I was really happy for the first month, and still liked it well enough by late fall.

Minor annoyances piled up over the season: the velcro in the small chest pockets scraped my hands raw if I had to reach into them too often; the radio pocket's strap was bulky and loose; the pen pocket had poorly-sized slots and I dropped things every time I leaned forward; the cheap, sloppy construction failed to hold up to hundreds of hours of outdoor wear. It was clear that this vest was a decent facsimile of a well-designed, well-made work vest, but what I actually wanted was the real thing.

So I've started making my own. I'm using the almost-good-enough surveyor's vest as a starting point, redesigning the features that don't work, and building the whole thing out of much better materials, with better techniques.

This is my first time self-drafting a pattern. I'm glad I started with an incredibly simple garment and an existing shape I could copy. It's been challenging and fun just getting the patterning done.

I started by copying the surveyor's vest's two main shapes (rear panel and front panel) onto some kraft paper I'd saved from a parcel.

The weird tabs on the side and the extra rectangles on the bottom are fold-over lining segments I'd planned to use to reinforce high-wear areas of the interior with the heavier exterior fabric. I'm currently leaning towards cutting them off and sewing them to the lining before sandwiching the layers together, as I suspect the cleaner fold-over seams aren't worth all the extra work. We'll see how they make it into the final product.

For fabric, I grabbed:

Black bull denim for the exterior (this is a new-to-me weave that uses a heavier 3-to-1 twill weave than regular denim, and is dyed a uniform colour instead of having a dyed warp and white weft)

Blue linen for the lining (I splurged on a 100% flax handkerchief linen, since at least some of the lining will be sitting against bare skin on really hot days)

Fluorescent yellow waterproof nylon for the fluorescent component of the hi-viz stripes (I don't care about the waterproofing, but this type of nylon is what you get in work rain pants and jackets, and it's generally easy to keep clean and has good abrasion resistance)

2" wide Iron-on 3M reflective striping for the retroreflective component of the hi-viz stripes

This is also the first time I've had to follow federal safety regulations while designing a project. I'm using this guide to make sure I'm getting the hi-viz components right:

I'm also generally sticking to the design on the original surveyor's vest, since I know it conforms to the relevant standards.

While I was buying fabric, I found a bunch of gridded freezer paper in the sale bin for $1/dozen sheets. I grabbed it after a cursory google turned up a bunch of folks talking about how great it is for pattern-making.

I transferred my original rough patterns from the kraft paper to the freezer paper, using the grid to tidy things up and make them symmetrical.

The cool thing about freezer paper (and butcher paper, which I'm pretty sure is the same thing) is that it has a plastic coating on one side. You can draw on the other side, cut out a pattern, and then place it plastic-side-down on your fabric and iron over it. The heat melts the plastic just enough to have it stick gently to your fabric.

This makes it much easier to cut pattern pieces out of the fabric, because the pattern can't shift around and you don't get the distortion that can come with pinning. I switched to using a rotary cutter to cut out patttern shapes earlier this year (thanks, quilting!), and that plays very well with the freezer paper because my quilting ruler lays flat over it without being thrown off my pins.

I was able to measure and cut a clean and even seam allowance all around the pattern and then peel off the freezer paper without leaving any residue behind. It's reusable (I've already used the front panel piece twice), and honestly feels like a magic trick.

I'm now using it to pattern all of the pockets for the two front panels.

That's the next big chunk of the project, with a planned 4 pockets on the left side and 3 on the right. I'll be lining all of them for comfort and durability, and incorporating the fluorescent and reflective stripes directly into their construction.

So far, this is a fun and challenging off-season project. I'm really glad I don't actually need to use it until mid-March. The lack of deadline means that I can let myself get fully absorbed in the process and all of the things I'm experimenting with as I slowly pull it together.

[i-am-still-bb]

Fast Car - After - December 2022

A/N: Pre-reunion, post-Brass knuckles

Rating: T Words: 2074

--

The wind that came off of Lake Michigan was miserable in December and stayed that way until nearly April. But that meant that the walks down by the lake were empty except for a few joggers, dog walkers, and Kili. 

He had not planned for this.

—

He had been wandering side streets one freezing evening the week before Christmas. He did not want to go home. And the less often he was where he was expected to be the better he felt. The empty streets at the very least meant that he was not being followed at the moment. It was raining off and on, pissing down freezing ice pellets that numbed his face, his fingers, and any other bit of exposed flesh. He had ducked into a doorway when a coughing attack descended upon him so he could pull his scarf out from under his jacket without it getting wet.

That was the downside of walking around and in public places at all hours.

He had spent much of the last two months fighting off some sort of cold. 

This one had settled in his chest, rattling wherever he tried to take a deep breath, but his lungs were clear, he had been checked. 

Wearing the face mask at work did make him feel a bit safer, a bit less recognizable. 

Hidden there in the shadow of the recessed entrance he spotted a small group of men exiting a bar across the street, a bar that he had not even noticed because its sign had no lighting whatsoever and there were no luminous beer brand signs in the windows. The men were laughing, taking the piss out of one of the group. But, more important to Kili, was what they were wearing. Their hair was alternatively long or buzzed, distinctive beards to just a bit of stubble, but they were all wearing leather jackets or vests with patches over their winter jackets. 

His feet were moving before he consciously decided what he was doing.

Warm air heavy with the scent of vape pens (some clearly weed pens) rushed past him when he opened the door to the bar. It was so warm that he was sweating almost instantly in his hat, scarf, and jacket. The lights were low and the music was loud.

“Can I get you something?” the bartender asked gruffly, interrupting Kili’s loitering gaze.

“Uh…” Kili stepped up the the bar and rested his elbows on it to squint at the chalkboard menu that had not been updated or even rewritten in many months, “Whatever’s dark on tap?”

“Guinness.”

Kili nodded, pulling his hat off. “That’ll do.”]

A glass was pulled from beneath the counter and a glass full of thick dark beer was placed on the scarred bar top. 

“Tab or cashing out?” 

“Cash out.” Kili pulled a wadded bundle of small bills from his front pocket. He tried to use cash for anything that would tie him to a location. He had no reason to think that they had access to that sort of information, but it made him feel safer. 

Card and receipt and beer in hand he looked for a seat. A seat at the bar was too exposed. Anyone could walk up behind him. He preferred a corner where he could see the door, or at least see whoever had entered shortly after they did so. 

The pleather seat was sticky either with spilled drinks or deterioration with age, but it was a corner booth and it was empty so he wasn’t about to look for another. From the dark corner he was able to survey the other patrons. There were a handful of others who looked like the group that he had seen exiting the bar. His receipt helpfully told him that the place was called O’Leary’s. They were talking loudly among one another. Two were carrying on a loud game of darts and bitching about the music that was playing. 

“If you hate it so much pay a fucking dollar and pick your own!” the bartender snapped without warning after a particularly loud and course complaint. 

“Nah, David, I don’t want to mess up your carefully chosen playlist,” one laughed as a Lady GaGa song came on.

“It’s just an online station.”

“Sure it is,” another teased.

“Fuckers,” David retorted. “You just don’t want to put on what you really want to listen to.”

A cheerful jeer. “And what would that be?”

“Miley Cyrus,” David replies confidently to their jeers and denials. “Hey, hey!” He holds his hands up. “Prove me wrong.”

A couple of guys start fishing around for loose change and dollar bills to feed into the jukebox. David smiles and goes back to cleaning something behind the bar and the guys find something else to talk about other than the poor musical choices. 

Kili watched and sipped his beer. He went out with guys from work sometimes, but he had forgotten how this felt even though he was entirely on the outside. They didn’t know his name, they didn’t even know he was there in all likelihood. But he got to be part of their group, part of a community that he had not stopped missing even if he purposefully avoided situations where it would come up. 

He fiddles with his phone, scrolling some, reading some, and some mindless swiping just to look busy and not like he was too engaged with the activities of the other people present. 

David appeared at the edge of Kili’s table. “Will you be having another? Or just sitting here?”

“Another of the same.”

David grunted, returning a few minutes later with the beer and the card reader.

As it got later more people arrived and the bar got louder.

Kili was thinking about leaving, worried that he was going to get noticed in a way that he did not want.  

A man with short gray hair slid into the booth. “You having a good time?”

Kili fumbled his phone, unsure what to do with his hands at the sudden interruption of his thoughts and solitude. “Me?” 

“No, the fifteen ladies behind you.”

Kili looked over his shoulder.

A sigh. “You.”

Kili shrugged. “The beer’s cold.”

“The beer’s cold in a lot of places.”

“I was thirsty and it was convenient.”

“Hmmm,” the man hums with a nod. 

“Are you meeting somewhere here?”

“What? No.”

“You aren’t really the kind of guy who would hang out here for long unless they have a reason.” He looked pointedly at Kili’s clothes. 

Kili looked down and instantly saw what the man was alluding to. He was wearing a Patagonia nano puffer, khaki pants, a scarf with cashmere (a gift from Ari and Tauriel a few years before). His only nods to any history of an alternative lifestyle were the small silver hoop in his ear, a leftover from when he took out his industrial piercing during the spring of his junior year and his boots. But those boots were not biker boots or even combat boots. They had even been properly weather proofed in October, no water marks or stains here. He did not stand out when he went to work. Most places he blended in, escaping notice; but here he stood out. Here he stuck out; here it was clear that he did not belong. 

A breath passed. Then another.

“So, what are you doing here?”

Kili met the man’s steady gaze. And he was reminded of sitting in his favorite professor’s office and asking for help the first, second, and more times. He remembered sitting in Thorin’s blue truck when he was about 12 after he broke his arm. Thought of the vague memory of his mother stroking his hair, holding him, and telling him that he was going to be okay. 

So he told this man the story. 

All of the details. 

“I think we should probably introduce ourselves, since we seem to have jumped right into it,” he held out a hand. “I’m Don.”

Kili took Don’s hand, but he hesitated with his name. Unsure of if that was information that he should be sharing. Beecause what if Don was just a plant, what if Don was working for those guys, what if…

“Kid, you’ve shared info about your sex life. I think your name is a bit less private.” Don raised his eyebrows.

On the other side of the bar there was a clatter of dishes and a burst of laughter and teasing.

Kili exhaled. “I guess you’re right—”

“I usually am.”

Kili snorted. “My name’s Kili.”

Don sat back in the booth crossing his arms. He settled in, his gaze fixed on Kili, who still sat a little stiffly, overly aware that he stood out. “So, Kili, it seems like you could use some help.”

—

So here Kili was. On the shore of Lake Michigan with a small bundle of cash zipped into the pocket of his jacket. Don had some suggestions for Kili, but changing his name and fleeing the country had felt a bit drastic for the current state of affairs. He wanted to blame the decision on  impaired judgment for his cold, cold meds, and beer.  But that would ignore the fact that he had decided to show up today with the money. It would not acknowledge that he had been thinking about that very option even before Don mentioned it, but there were some logistical problems that got in the way; problems that Don had provided a solution to. 

Kili selected an empty bench and sat down, not bothering to brush away the dusting of snow and ice. He sat on the edge of the bunch, hands stuffed in pockets, legs outstretched, and waited. 

He watched the cold waves. He shifted to regain feeling in his legs and butt occasionally. 

“Hey kid.”

Kili looked up to see Don standing over him. 

“Aren’t you cold?” he asked. Don was not even wearing a hat. His jacket hung open revealing a faded black sweatshirt. 

Don shrugged. He stiffly sat down on the bench, using the curving metal arm of the to ease himself down. “So how’ve you been?” He fished around in his pockets before pulling out a cigarette and lighter. 

It was Kili’s turn to shrug.

“Anymore thugs?”

“Not in the past week,” Kili admitted. He didn’t add that he did not know how much longer he would be able to do this. He was exhausted in all the ways that a person could be tired. He justed wanted to sleep and never wake up, not because he didn’t want to be alive, but because he was that tired. 

Don exhaled and nodded. He replaced the lighter in his pocket. When he withdrew his hand he brought out a dark handkerchief and put it on the bench between them. “That’s good.

“I was worried that it was going to be too cold to meet today. I saw on the news that they’re expecting a Polar Vortex or some such shit.”

“I saw that too,” Kili said. He felt terribly obvious taking the bundle of cash that was wrapped up in a plastic bag, from his pocket and putting it between them before picking up the darker and heavier bundle and putting it in his coat pocket. “Hopefully it can hold off for another few days, until after Christmas.” Kili closed his fingers around the bundle. It was cold. And hard.

They chatted a bit longer about the weather and a sports team that Kili could not recall even as he walked back to his apartment from the lake shore. And then they parted ways. 

Kili’s fingers were numb with cold by the time he made it home. He locked the door and adjusted the angle of the blinds that he kept drawn most of the time that he was home now. Bue before he did that he put the dark bundle on the marble countertop of the kitchen’s island. He knew better, but he could have sworn it was alive for as aware of its presence as he was. 

Once that was all done and he had a cup of hot chocolate at hand, his fingers tingling as feeling returned, Kili turned his attention to the bundle. He gingerly picked at the fabric knot until the halves slide apart, the soft fabric parting to reveal the sleek black metal of the gun’s barrel and it’s textured plastic grip. 

--

Everything @silvermoon-scrolls @metztlilua @I-am-pinkie @dubhlachen

[bryan360]

Fintie Slim Case for my Samsung Galaxy Tab E 9.6 - Full Item Review

Time for another round of bringing today’s review on April 2024. I’m thankful enough after getting through some secret art trade errands later, but for awhile working some art projects in secret like always. For now though, it’s time to focus on bringing this before saving two item reveals later. This here’s my new slim tablet case branded from Fintie. You’ll probably remember back where I’d had the first branded one from last year. This time, it’s for my Samsung Tab E device that may surprise you. Never thought I’d brought back with this older tablet for so long, but mostly few years back where I’d had to turn off due to an unfortunate incident for its USB charging cable. (Link Here)

I don’t wanted to running off its battery life if I’d continued to use it afterwards. Well lucky for me, the wait is finally over as I’m planning to save for my next review soon.

⬆️ (1st to 3rd Images) (March. 27th, 2024 from 5:20 to 5:21 A.M.; two days ago after receiving my slim tablet case from my mom.)

I’d unboxed from its packaging, but sure bring back that time for my first Fintie tablet case unboxing we’d ordered by mistake last year. Let’s just say I learned a lesson not to rush in before ordering the wrong item with my mom. At least now I have with the JETech tablet case(s) for my 5th gen iPad later….twice. 😅

(Link Here #2)

(Link Here #3)

(Link Here #4)

Thankfully after careful consideration through Amazon.com searches, I found the right size for my old Samsung tablet to fit in; hopefully.

⬆️ (4th to 7th images; from 5:23 to 5:25 A.M.) (Edited)

Continuing on with my first iPad Air tablet case from Fintie, I just wanted to make a quick comparison between with the slim tablet case to give it a better look. Seems that the iPad Air case was bigger than the slim case I’d topped with. Though no surprise for having their different designs that were made for specific tablet sizes. Having said that, at least I’d gotten this shown unless if I can have my own iPad Air to bring; whether or not for this year later.

⬆️ (8th and 16th Images; from 5:27 to 5:30 A.M.) (Edited)

Just before I can move forward, I wanted to bring my previous tablet case for this review. Unfortunately, this is exactly where I'm about to move on after with my previous tablet case showing its age. if you wanted to refresher your memories, this is my ProCase Galaxy Tab E 9.6 Case I'd had with me since Oct. 21st, 2020. I've talk about it throughout my previous review that trying to secure my android tablet for recent years. It does came with its own stylus pen, but rarely use even after covered up in the first half segment. 🤷

(Link Here #5)

(Link Here #6)

However as of 2024, it's time for my ProCase tablet case for retirement. Despite having to hold on; at least while with my Samsung tablet device temporarily turned off for so long. Though being said, it finally to show its age as I took photos with my 5th gen iPad. There's even some tape I'd tried to patch on the top; from the inside as I opened the case itself. As much it was disappointing to see, but that’s exactly where I’m saving my new tablet case already. At least knowing it’ll be kept safe into my drawers as my choice. Not before I can use it for another comparison later though.

⬆️ (17th to 22nd Images; from 5:32 to 5:34 A.M.) (Four edits; two separate own images)

Now we’re getting into my new slim tablet case a closer look. It’s gonna be different than what I did with my ProCase tablet case; after years of using. I’d even check around with its slim back shell design to the magnetic clip-on every time of open and closes. It doesn’t have sleep/wake function with my Samsung tablet, but at least does secure to protect its touchscreen I was thinking of. 🤔

Having said that, it was a nice slim case to show. 🙂👍

⬆️ (23rd to 28th Images; from 5:35 to 5:37 A.M.) (Four edits; two separate own images)

I went on making another comparison with my ProCase tablet case afterwards. It was pretty obvious both cases had made with different materials and fitting sizes when inserting my android tablet. Though my new slim case well be slightly lighter, but alongside with its hard shell design as I’d mentioned before. Not bad, however it seems my older case was a bit bigger than the slim case in my opinion.

⬆️ (29th to 37th Images; from 5:40 to 5:44 A.M.) (Four edits; five separate own images)

I’m now finally set up with my android tablet into this new slim case that you’d been waiting for. As expected, it fits neatly as I’d hoped that it was advertised. It also do in angles to make like a keyboard stand for typing; except while my android tablet turned off for now. Looks good still.

My Experience/Overall Thoughts: ⬇️

I’m very good after owning this new slim case that I wanted it for my old android tablet. I’m gonna miss with my previous tablet case that did the job of secure years later. With this new one though, at least its something I can get used to.

Hope you guys like my full review I’d worked on. It took days to get there from the beginning, but at least I’d tried my best of giving thoughts for my new slim case. Of course I’m not done as I’m saving my next review with two items to reveal. For now though, it’s finally break time for me. 🙂👍 Link down for more details with the Fintie Slim Case Tablet if you’re interested. ⬇️

Also….

‼️(NO COPYING OR PLAGIARIZING FROM ME AND ONE OF MY CLOSEST FRIEND’S WORK! THAT INCLUDES OUR CHARACTERS, DESIGNS, STUFF, ETC. IMPOSTERS AND SEXBOTS ARE NOT WELCOME TO FOLLOW MY BLOG WHATSOEVER! 😡 That will be all….I mean it.)‼️

Tagged: @murumokirby360 @shadowredfeline @alexander1301 @rafacaz4lisam2k4 @paektu

[atplblog]

Price: [price_with_discount] (as of [price_update_date] - Details) [ad_1] From the manufacturer [Productivity Max]: This Variant of Tab M11 Includes Lenovo Pen In the Box [Productivity Max]: This Variant of Tab M11 Includes Lenovo Pen In the Box [Huge Storage]: 8 GB RAM, 128 GB ROM (microSD support of up to 1 TB) [Awesome Display] : 11 Inch, Refresh Rate: 90Hz, 72% NTSC, 400 nits brightness [Operating System]: Android 13 (Expect 2 OS Upgrades, Security Patches available until January 2028) [Loud Audio]: Quad Speakers, optimized with Dolby Atmos [Front Camera]: 8.0 MP, f/2.0, 78° FoV (field of view) fixed focus with face unlock, Video Recording 1080P@30fps [Rear Camera]: 13.0 MP, f/2.2, 80° FoV, Video Recording at 1080p@30fps [Certifications]: IP52 (Dust and Water Resistant), TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light [Warranty]: 1 Year Comprehensive Warranty by the Manufacturer [ad_2]

[blogofmastermind]

“Diabetes Hacks That’ll Make Your Life Easier (And Maybe a Little Funnier)”

Managing diabetes can feel like a full-time job, but why not use a little creativity to lighten the load? From clever hacks to hilarious life lessons, here are some tips that’ll make your diabetes management feel less like a chore and more like an adventure. Let’s dive in!

1. The Juice Box Hack

Low blood sugar emergencies? Forget expensive glucose tabs. Juice boxes are your best friend!

Why they��re awesome: Pre-portioned, portable, and they make you feel like a kid again. Bonus points if you sip it with the intensity of someone solving a life-or-death riddle (because, technically, you are).

Pro Tip: Keep a few in your car, bedside drawer, or that “junk drawer” everyone has.

2. Use Alarms Wisely

Set alarms for medication, glucose checks, and meal reminders. But here’s the trick:

Name them something fun, like “Feed Me, Human” or “Check Thy Sugar, Oh Glucose Overlord.”

It turns mundane tasks into something that at least makes you smile.

Bonus: If anyone sees your phone, they’ll think you’re living in a quirky sci-fi movie.

3. Insulin Carrier Creativity

Insulin pens and vials need to stay cool, but fancy cases can be pricey. Enter: DIY solutions.

An insulated lunch bag? Perfect.

A sock filled with ice packs? Why not!

Your kid’s old thermos? Stylish AND resourceful.

Who needs designer cases when you’ve got innovation?

4. Sneaky Carb Counting Tricks

Counting carbs can be overwhelming, but here’s a cheat:

Use apps like MyFitnessPal or Carb Manager.

Memorize “common carbs” for quick mental math (slice of bread = 15g, small apple = 20g).

And if you’re unsure? Channel your inner mathematician and guess with confidence.

If anyone asks, you’re not “estimating carbs”—you’re conducting culinary math experiments.

5. Be Prepared for the “Food Police”

At some point, someone will say:

“Should you be eating that?”

Or the classic: “Wait, aren’t you diabetic?”

Your response?

Level 1: A calm, educational explanation.

Level 2: “I’ll eat this cupcake if you eat that awkward silence you just created.”

6. Turn Exercise into Fun

Exercise doesn’t have to be boring.

Dance like nobody’s watching (except your glucose monitor).

Play games like tag or Frisbee with the kids.

Use fitness trackers to “gamify” your steps—who says diabetes can’t make you a competitive athlete?

Remember, every step helps keep those sugars in check. Plus, it’s harder for cookies to catch you if you’re always moving.

7. Diabetes Fashion: Own It

From CGM patches to insulin pump clips, diabetes gear can actually be stylish.

Check out online shops for colorful patches, covers, and accessories.

Or, if you’re crafty, DIY your own! Decorate your pump like it’s the hottest new accessory on the runway.

Why blend in when you can turn heads?

8. The “Emergency Snack Stash” Hack

Store snacks everywhere. Seriously, everywhere:

In your desk drawer.

In your car’s glove compartment.

Even in your significant other’s bag (just warn them before they reach for your emergency granola bar).

Trust me, you’ll thank yourself the next time your glucose dips during a road trip or movie night.

9. Learn to Laugh at the Mishaps

Dropped your insulin pen cap under the fridge? Had your pump tubing catch on a doorknob for the 10th time? Blood sugar rollercoaster for no apparent reason?

Laugh it off! Diabetes loves to throw curveballs, but you’re strong enough to handle them—and to laugh at the absurdity along the way.

10. Build Your Diabetes Squad

Surround yourself with people who get it. Whether it’s online diabetes communities, local support groups, or that one friend who always carries snacks, having a squad makes all the difference.

Plus, they’ll totally appreciate your jokes about “pancreas malfunctions” and “carb detective skills.”

Closing Thoughts

Diabetes may try to complicate your life, but with a little ingenuity and humor, you can outsmart it every time. Remember, it’s not just about managing diabetes—it’s about living your life to the fullest (and with a smile).

Got a diabetes hack or funny story to share? Drop it in the comments—we love learning from each other!

[digitalterminal]

Lenovo Launches Tab Plus with Eight JBL Speakers in India

Lenovo recently launched its new Lenovo Tab Plus in India, a tablet crafted for a rich multimedia experience, with a highlight feature of eight JBL speakers, making it an impressive choice for entertainment enthusiasts. Priced competitively, the Tab Plus is targeted at users who want a versatile device for both work and leisure. Available through major outlets and online retailers like Flipkart, the Lenovo Tab Plus is expected to attract customers seeking a combination of powerful audio, display quality, and practical functionality.

The Lenovo Tab Plus is powered by the MediaTek Helio G99 processor and runs on Android 14, with Lenovo committing to two years of OS updates and four years of security patches. Users can choose between 128GB or 256GB of built-in storage, expandable through a microSD slot. Lenovo has also integrated several user-friendly features, such as a privacy dashboard to manage permissions and an IP52 rating, making it resistant to dust and water.

In terms of design, the tablet offers an 11.5-inch 2K display with a 90Hz refresh rate, designed for a smooth visual experience. The 400-nit brightness enhances visibility, while the TÜV Rheinland certification ensures reduced eye strain, making it ideal for extended usage. An immersive reading mode adjusts screen color to resemble book pages, improving reading comfort. Standby Mode, activated when the tablet is idle, adds extra convenience, as it turns the tablet into a digital photo frame or clock.

The device’s standout feature is its audio quality. With eight JBL speakers – four tweeters and four subwoofers – delivering a Dolby Atmos-enhanced sound, the Lenovo Tab Plus offers a 26W output. This high-quality audio system is especially beneficial for users who stream video content or listen to music frequently.

Additionally, Lenovo supports the device with optional accessories like the Lenovo Tab Pen Plus and a durable cover, making it a versatile option for note-taking and drawing enthusiasts. The tablet’s 8MP front and rear cameras provide reliable options for video calls and photography. For extended usage, its 8,600mAh battery with 45W fast charging promises up to 12 hours of video streaming.

The Lenovo Tab Plus caters to users looking for performance, durability, and a premium multimedia experience at an accessible price point. It’s now available through Lenovo’s website and other e-commerce sites, with additional insights and detailed specifications accessible through resources like GSMArena.

 

[officerdougeiffel]

these are little things from my personal experience, not really essentials but could be useful

1. can tabs are so versatile. you can make light weight chains and pins out of them very easily (as well as other stuff like chain mail)

for chains, stack 3 or 4 (depends on how stiff of a chain you want) tabs of the same shape (I prefer the ones with a round, wide end instead of the thin little oval), cut another tab at the center of the smallest end and slide it onto the stack and fold the ends closed. repeat until you have 4 and then start stacking onto those. I reccomend following a video tutorial there are plenty on the internet

for pins, all you need is a pop tab, metal bottle cap and a safety pin. for the tab gently in the middle and place in the back of the cap. bend the edges of the cap down to secure the tab. slide the pin through the tab holes and boom pin done. you can also paint these for cool designs (I have most of my band pins made this way) there's also tutorial for these online

both of these need a wires cutter or pliers but those are easily buyable (or borrowable) from the hardware store I got mine for like 2 euro a piece

2. want to draw neat patches but have shaky hands/have trouble painting ?

ive found my beat method to be taking a piece of paper, finding your design on a computer, tracing the design onto the paper with a pencil and then drawing over the design again when you place it on your fabric. if you press hard enough onto your paper, itll leave graphite lines on your fabric which you can trace over

i usually use those acrylic paint pens for my patches since I have shaky hands (and the knock off poscas cost about the same as a bottle of acrylic in my crafts store) but you can always borrow supplies from friends or the shops. just one note is that you need to layer paint pens quite a lot depending on your fabric. I usually go for 4-5 layers for strong opaque colour

3. need jump rings/clasps/earring hooks/small chains/most types of jewelery supplies?

you can get almost all of those things by tearing apart old jewelery. i get mine mostly from my mother or my friends but you can also probably find ultra cheap stuff at the thrift or the dumpster or wherever you get old unwanted jewelery. it is a bit fiddly but really useful if you don't have access to buying these specific things since in my experience theyre always sold at crafts shops or online. again to take apart jewelery you need pliers but again, just invest or borrow. pliers are a life saver for diy projects

and save the beads ! you may think you wont use them but often you can reuse beads for simple rings, bracelets, necklaces, pins or some embroidered patches if you want to have some shine, sparkle or colour on your jacket

also by asking for old jewelery you might simply get something you like and can incorporate into your outfits. I got my favourite pairs of chokers from my mom cleaning out her drawers

I'm seeing a lot of people say that punk fashion is expensive and inaccessible, which is very wrong. here is a list of some ways you can make punk fashion easier, cheaper and more accessible for you, since that's... kinda the whole point.

others are encouraged to add onto this!! (just don't recommend corporations like amazon. not cool.)

1. patches!! you don't need to buy them. DIY patches are not ugly or boring. in fact, they are encouraged here!! DIY, in my opinion, is always the best thing to do when it is an option and is safe to do so.

2. speaking of DIY, spikes!! you can make them!!

cut the top and bottom off of an empty can. cut down the middle of the cylinder and flatten it, so it's just a flat rectangle of metal.

cut out a shape that is kind of a third of a circle, but around 3/4 of the curved edge is taken up by triangle shapes. (I'm not very good at describing, so here's a badly drawn picture)

roll it into a cone, leaving the 4 triangles sticking out at the bottom. this bit is optional, but you can fill it with hot glue to make it more sturdy, just be careful touching the hot metal. I tend to hold the cone by one of the triangles with a bit of fabric wrapped around my fingers for this bit. cut 4 small holes in your fabric in this kind of shape:

and put the spiky bits of triangle through the holes. fold the triangles in on themselves to secure the spike in place. boom. spike obtained. this is one I made and attached to a little piece of fabric to test this method out:

3. battle vests!! (like the base jackets). the best places to buy these are charity shops and second hand websites in my opinion, but if anyone else knows any better options, please reblog with those!!

a good trick I find works well on eBay is to filter search results to your country (or state? can you do that in the US? idk) so that a: fast delivery because local, and b: all the sellers of everything that shows up are in YOUR TIME ZONE.

why is this important? when people sell something for really cheap, it goes FAST. check eBay at like, 2am or something. all the scalpers in your area are asleep. grab the cheap stuff while they can't.

4. sewing!! want patches, but can't sew for whatever reason? I've heard of a lot of people with joint conditions like arthritis complain about the inaccessibility of patch stuff, and that does sound extremely annoying, however:

safety pins!! while they are still a little fiddly, they're much less work so you don't have to fiddle about for long. if you can, you could even ask a friend to help, since it doesn't take long at all I'm sure someone will be willing to help out!! (I know I would, but that's just me, and I love this kind of thing). safety pins on clothes are also widely considered to be a symbol of solidarity, so if anything, you're adding some extra love and meaning to your patch pants/battle jacket.

if that's still too fiddly, fabric glue is always an option. unfortunately this means you won't be able to remove/reposition patches, at least without leaving a massive patch of residue, but if you're ok with that then fabric glue is probably your best bet.

for people who prefer sewing: as for where to get the thread, I've heard a lot of people recommending dental floss, as it's apparently much cheaper and works just as well. I haven't tried this myself so can't confirm that, but I thought I'd share it regardless.

5. where to get fabric!! old clothes. rip em up. you don't need any kind of fancy fabric from the craft store. my patches are made of old jeans that I grew out of.

don't have any old clothes and you don't want to waste any good ones? I'm not sure about other countries, but in the UK, as long as you're not on private property (trespassing), dumpster diving is perfectly legal.

I definitely ;) do NOT encourage ;) trespassing rich people's land ;) to steal from their dumpsters ;)

or tbh it doesn't matter too much how rich the person is, since it's all going to landfill anyway. if it's in the bin, it's free game, but you didn't hear that from me. ;)

please add onto this where you can!! and if I missed something or got anything wrong, add that on too!!

[digidarshini]

Explanation of the LG Monitor

Samsung tablets are highly popular devices known for their quality displays, powerful performance, and versatility. Samsung offers a variety of tablets across different price ranges and feature sets, making them ideal for users who need a portable, touch-friendly device for tasks like work, study, entertainment, or creativity. Here’s an overview of Samsung tablets and their main features:

1. Diverse Range of Models

Samsung’s tablet lineup includes various models suited for different needs. Major series include the Galaxy Tab S (high-end, powerful features), Galaxy Tab A (affordable, everyday use), and Galaxy Tab Active (rugged, built for tough environments).

Each series targets specific types of users, whether for multimedia, productivity, or durability, making it easy for users to find a model that fits their requirements and budget.

2. Display Quality

Samsung tablets are well-known for their vibrant, high-resolution displays. The Galaxy Tab S series features Super AMOLED screens with rich colors, deep contrasts, and high brightness, which makes them excellent for watching videos, gaming, and creative tasks.

High-resolution displays and great color accuracy make Samsung tablets a popular choice among artists, photographers, and content creators, especially those who use them with the Samsung S Pen for digital drawing or editing.

3. Performance Options

Samsung tablets offer a range of processors, from efficient mid-range options in the Galaxy Tab A series to powerful chipsets in the Galaxy Tab S series, like the Qualcomm Snapdragon or Samsung’s own Exynos processors.

Galaxy Tab S models come with generous RAM and storage options, suitable for multitasking, gaming, and running demanding applications smoothly. For everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, and light productivity, the Galaxy Tab A series is more than sufficient.

4. S Pen Support

Many Samsung tablets, especially in the Galaxy Tab S series, come with or support the Samsung S Pen, a stylus that enables precise writing, drawing, and editing. This makes Samsung tablets a great choice for artists, designers, and note-takers.

The S Pen is highly responsive, with low latency, and supports pressure sensitivity, offering a near-natural writing and drawing experience, making it ideal for creative and professional use.

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Samsung tablets are designed to be sleek, lightweight, and easy to carry, with thin profiles and minimal bezels for a modern look.

The Galaxy Tab Active series is specifically designed for durability, featuring rugged builds with water and dust resistance, and is suitable for fieldwork or outdoor environments.

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Samsung tablets are known for their good battery life, often lasting through a full day of moderate use. The Galaxy Tab S models, in particular, are optimized for extended use, making them suitable for travel, long workdays, or binge-watching.

Many Samsung tablets also come with fast-charging capabilities, allowing users to quickly recharge their devices and get back to work or play without much downtime.

7. Multitasking and Productivity Features

Samsung tablets offer robust multitasking features like Samsung DeX, which turns the tablet into a desktop-like experience, making it easier to use for work tasks such as word processing, presentations, and more.

Galaxy Tab S models support split-screen and multi-window modes, which allow users to run multiple apps side by side, making them highly productive for work, study, and research.

8. Software and Ecosystem Integration

Samsung tablets run on Android with Samsung’s One UI, which is optimized for large screens and provides an easy-to-navigate interface. Samsung frequently updates its tablets, adding new features and security patches.

Samsung tablets work well within the Samsung ecosystem, allowing easy integration with other Samsung devices like smartphones, smartwatches, and even TVs. Features like Quick Share and Samsung Flow enable seamless data sharing and connectivity between Samsung devices.

Popular Samsung Tablet Series

Galaxy Tab S: Premium tablets with high-end displays, powerful performance, and S Pen support, ideal for productivity, creativity, and entertainment.

Galaxy Tab A: Budget-friendly tablets designed for everyday use, including streaming, browsing, and basic productivity.

Galaxy Tab Active: Rugged tablets with added durability, water resistance, and secure grips, suited for professionals in tough environments.

In summary, Samsung tablets are known for their display quality, range of models, and productivity features like S Pen and Samsung DeX. They’re popular among users who need a versatile device for work, creativity, or entertainment and offer seamless integration within the Samsung ecosystem.

[iridescentanamika]

I hear people talk about how punk clothing is expensive, how you don’t have enough money to buy docs so obv you aren’t a real punk, how you can’t buy pins anywhere, how punk jewelry is sooo expensive BULLSHIT

The backbone of punk is diy. Punk is messy, punk is making the best of what you have. Nothing is more punk than making your own beauty with the shit you find scattered about

Wanna have docs? Buy some knock offs for 20 bucks and add some spikes no one will care

Want patches? Embroider on some old fabric. Use paint, bleach, markers, whatever you have. If that’s not good enough, buy from small businesses when you can

Want pins? Make em. Use safety pins and a bottle cap and you got a pin. Just paint something on, if you don’t have paint, I’ve used white out and pens just do whatever. Also fr just um borrow from any big shitty chain store, not from small businesses tho

Want jewelry? Pliers are your best friend. Fix broken jewelry with em, use chains u found to make something. I’ve used a hanging plant wire to make a barbed wire bracelet with nothing but pliers. Just fuck around. Buy from small businesses and again, big shitty chains are fair game

Want spikes and cool metal shit? Literally just take any metal like literally anything and stick it to your clothes. Safety pins, can tabs (esp monster ones bc fun colors) lighter caps, make spikes out of cans, take chains outta the recycle bin

Punk is the most accessible subculture. Punk was made by people with no money, and anyone who tells you you need fancy shit to be punk ain’t a real punk. Punk is about fucking around with the idea of what you should be, so just have fun! There are literally no rules!

[radioactivedotcom]

retro days set [buy cc conversions]

finally took the preview pic... only took me a week lmao. this was just supposed to be me converting cute stuff but ig for me cute=retro. idk either. there’s a few items that go over 10k polycount, it’s all listed under the cut. nothing over 20k tho. i’ve done my best but literally some models were at like 120k soooo... lmao.

all lods!!

bgc

nothing is functional except like the couch

find them by typing [RDC] in the search bar

credits for 3D models&textures can be found in the description boxes

recolors are super very welcome!! (and yes you can totally include the mesh, just give proper credits and NO PAYWALL)

enjoy~~

– 40 packages –

through here for all my s4 downloads

tag me if you use!

download: ALL or PICK-N-CHOOSE

––– links not working? try right-clicking and opening in a new tab!

thanks to all cc creators!

~ and have fun ~

{•̴͈ ˔̇ •̴͈}

polygon count and other info under the cut!

80s candies set 1&2: >1k polygons // clutter // it’s in 2 separate packages but if you put them on the same spot, they match up together

bike: 6.5k polygons // misc deco

candy machine: 16k polygons // misc appliances&clutter // w/ deco slots

cassettes: >1k polygons // clutter // w/ deco slot

ceramic pot: 4k polygons // plant // w/ deco slot

ceramic pot plant: 12k polygons // plant

foosball table: 9k polygons // activity (indoor)&deco misc // w/ deco slots

gudetama alarm clock: 1.5k polygons // electronics (clock)

hello kitty dial phone: 10k polygons // misc electronics

hello kitty thermos: 5.5k polygons // clutter

juice box grouped: 5k polygons // clutter

juice box lone: 2.5k polygons // clutter

llama pot: 4.5k polygons // plant

lockers clutter (not pictured): 3k polygons // misc storage

lockers: 2.5k polygons // misc storage // w/ deco slots

messy tack board: >1k polygons // wall sculpture

mug with pens: >1k polygons // clutter

naruto frog wallet: 5.5k polygons // clutter

notebook drawing: 1k polygons // clutter

old couch: functional!! // >1k polygons // loveseat

old patched up phone: 2 swatches // 4k polygons // misc electronics

origami paper crane: 4 swatches // >1k polygons // clutter

paint clutter: 10k polygons // misc deco

pineapple: 5.5k polygons // plant

potted cactus: 3.5 polygons // plant

rockola jukebox: 18k polygons // electronics (audio)

small fridge: 10k polygons // misc appliances // w/ deco slots

stylized desk lamp: 3.5k polygons // clutter

teddy bear: 3.5k polygons // clutter&kid toy

tiger handheld games console: 3.5 polygons // misc electronics

toilet paper pack: 1.5k polygons // deco misc // w/ deco slots (so you can stack the packs!)

toy maze: 7.5k polygons // clutter&kid toy

tv set: 10k polygons // misc electronics // w/ deco slots

vintage radio: 2k polygons // electronics (audio) // w/ deco slots

vintage television: 8k polygons // misc electronics // w/ deco slots

walkie talkie: 1k polygons // clutter&misc deco

walkman headphones: 2 swatches // 6.5k polygons // clutter

walkmanNcassette: 6k polygons // clutter / w/ deco slots (for the headphones! just put them on the same spot)

wooden kit figure: 8k polygons // clutter

[fight4me]

Okay I'm leaving this here now while I'm thinking about it, since I just finished reading your new fic and I'm curious:

Have you got any particular or random headcanons on Maru?

Yes! I actually have more Maru headcannons than I thought. And I probably have a few more that I forgot.

●Is California born and raised.

●I believe his mom is Japanese/American and named Mary and his dad is an American named Dean.

●A little bit about those two: they met in college, Mary was in a nursing program and Dean was working on his business degree. They got married super young while still in college, and pretty soon after that had Maru. Mary put her schooling on hold for the time being, and pursued it again when Maru was old enough for pre-k. Meanwhile Dean got a desk job at an office- everything he thought he wanted. Until one day he realized he hated it- and that the windows were dirty. He left that day and started his own window washing business.

●Mary finished up school by the time Maru was six and started working at a hospital.

●He had a childhood best friend who sadly had to move away to be closer to her Abuela around this time. She was really into astronomy and space and wanted to be an astronaut. Before she moved away she taught Maru about the stars and taught him some basic Spanish. Eventually she did become an astronaut. The two stayed lifelong pen-pals.

●Maru got named after his mom. 'Maru' is kind of similar sounding to 'Mary', plus it's a nod to his Japanese heritage.

●He was a very active child. His parents kinda had a hard time keeping up with him. *also keep in mind his parents are very young parents* but nevertheless, they took it in stride.

●If it turned on, he was taking it apart. Small kitchen appliances were his most frequent victims, especially toasters. But he could put it back together. *usually*

●Loves poptarts. Cinnamon and blueberry are his favorites.

●As far as appearances go, Maru is a carbon copy of his dad. Splitting image.

●One day after school he witnessed his dad be rescued by a helicopter. Dean's window washing equipment falled and essentially... he was hanging on for dear life. However, Maru saw a well orchestrated rescue, from the roles the rescue vehicles on the ground played to the ones in the air. Ever since then he had a respect for helicopters and that was what eventually led him to work with them.

●In middle school he brought an extra apple in his lunch to the meanest ground-vehicle in school for one reason: His dad knew how to weld and that was a skill Maru wanted.

●His parents had another kid when he was in high school. A sister named Imogene. She looks a lot like Maru, but thankfully, for the sanity of Maru's parents, is a lot more chill.

●When he met Nick, he picked up on a lot more Spanish. But he didn't let anyone know he knew some. Sometimes Nick would go off script and say something off the wall in Spanish and Maru would be struggling not to burst out laughing. Nowadays at Piston Peak, secretly knowing Spanish helps him keep tabs on Backout.

●For living in apartments all his life, up until the point of Piston Peak, he adapted to nature very quickly. He's actually pretty in tune with nature. (Not Windlifter level in-tune, but, still.)

Slightly more chaotic headcannons that are most likely humanized:

●He enjoys it when Patch plays Taylor Swift's song Best Day. Especially if it's in autumn. "Cause now I know how the leaves change in the fall." Reminds him of the serenity of the park. However...

●He doesn't exactly enjoy Taylor's newer stuff. It makes his age start showing. It annoys him, he starts yelling and throwing tools. The smokejumpers have figured out exactly to push his buttons. In random situations they'll ask him, "why?" then answer, "Because she's dead!" and proceed to mock him by singing Look What You Made Me Do. (I think this scenario would also be hilarious if they were in their WoC forms.)

●Humanized Maru has broken his nose several times. Just doing stuff around the shop. He always goes to Cabbie to have him reset it. (Why does Cabbie know how to deal with broken noses? I have no idea.) As a result of having broke his nose several times his face looks a little... strange at times. But he's Maru and we all still love him for it :)

Whoa so... that was a lot. I hope I didn't bore anyone to death.

[atplblog]

Price: [price_with_discount] (as of [price_update_date] - Details) [ad_1] From the manufacturer This Variant does not have Pen in the Box. Lenovo Pen Plus is compatible with Tab M11 and it needs to be bought separately. [Seamless Connectivity]: Wi-fi Connectivity only. [Huge Storage]: 4 GB RAM, 128 GB ROM (microSD support of up to 1 TB) [Awesome Display] : 11 Inch, Refresh Rate: 90Hz, 72% NTSC, 400 nits brightness [Operating System]: Android 13 (Expect 2 OS Upgrades, Security Patches available until January 2028) [Loud Audio]: Quad Speakers, optimized with Dolby Atmos [Front Camera]: 8.0 MP, f/2.0, 78° FoV (field of view) fixed focus with face unlock, Video Recording 1080P@30fps [Rear Camera]: 13.0 MP, f/2.2, 80° FoV, Video Recording at 1080p@30fps [Certifications]: IP52 (Dust and Water Resistant), TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light [Warranty]: 1 Year Comprehensive Warranty by the Manufacturer [ad_2]

[edupunkn00b]

It Could Always Be Worse, Ch. 4: The Sun Did Not Shine

Butterfly universe version of Happily Ever After, Ch. 4: The Sun Did Not Shine.

Prev - The Sun Did Not Shine - Next - All - [ AO3 ]

WC: 1826 - Rated: T - CW: self-harm, arguing, hospital, suicidal ideation, self-deprecation, verbal abuse (by OC)

"The sun did not shine. It was too wet to play. So we sat in the house All that cold, cold wet day." - Dr. Seuss, The Cat in the Hat (1957)

Logan hunched over the case file in front of him, re-reading the statement. He made another note on the yellow legal pad to his left, then stuck another little removable tab at the appropriate portion of the plaintiff's statement. He grit his teeth, shaking his head at the memory of the judge refusing to refer to his client as anything but 'The Victim." She's not a victim. She's prosecuting her attacker. She's not a victim.

Taking a deep breath and slowly letting it out, Logan tried to refocus on the materials in front of him. Ruminating on the last pre-trial hearing would not help his client. He picked up his pen, right finger slowly scanning through the dense print.

Na, na na, na, na na na

Virgil's ringtone erupted from Logan's phone. Logan picked it up immediately. He had configured his phone so that the ringer would only sound if someone on his starred contact list called twice, otherwise, it would buzz silently. All the boys knew the best way to reach Logan when he was at work was to call the receptionist's line. He quickly thumbed the phone on, his voice a half-octave higher than usual, "Virgil? Virgil, are you okay?"

"Dad?" Virgil's voice was quiet and it was hard to hear over the background noise of the call. Where is he? Virgil had stayed home from school that day, telling Logan that he had a headache and thought he might be feeling nauseous. His school had a terrible culture of 'presenteeism,' where kids would often show up for school with masks or hospital-grade anti-emitrol patches. Logan had been relieved that Virgil was taking his health seriously enough to stay home when he felt ill.

"Dad, can you come get me?" Logan pressed the phone against his ear. That was definitely the sound of a espresso machine. "Please."

He didn't know why, but alarm bells rang in Logan's head. He closed his laptop, stacking the case file and his notepad on top, shoving all three into his satchel. "Of course, Virge, where are you?"

"I'm at a Starbucks near the marina. You know the one by the pier." What the hell was Virgil doing there?

"Yeah, yeah of course I know it." Logan shook his head, pulling the strap for his bag over his head, letting the strap cross his chest. He switched off the light in his office and headed down to the head attorney's office desk. "Hang on just one sec, okay, Virge?" He knocked lightly on the door, waiting for his boss to look up before speaking. "Hey, um Janus, I have a family emergency and will be out the rest of the day. I'm not due in court until Monday. I—" Logan took a deep breath, "I am sorry to leave so suddenly, but, um, it's my son."

Janus looked up, brow furrowed, "Yes, yes, of course, do what you need to do, Croft." Logan flinched slightly, not feeling like this was the time to correct him again. "We'll still be here when you're back." He looked back down at his computer screen for a moment, then looked up at Logan again, "Good luck with whatever it is. I hope the family is okay."

"Thanks, Janus. If I need more than a day, I will call you." Janus waved him off, going back to his work. Logan rushed out of the office, bringing his phone back up to his ear. He could hear Virgil sniffing over the line, like he was crying. The background noise had changed and Logan could hear fewer voices and more traffic sounds.

"Okay, Virge, I'm on my way." He rushed to the stairs, running down two at a time to the garage, not trusting the elevators to be any faster at this time of day. "Virge, it sounds different now... where are you?"

"I'm... I'm outside." Virgil started crying. "Dad... Dad, I went—" His crying got louder and Logan gripped the phone tightly, pressing it against his ear, struggling to hear him over the background noise in the garage, over the line, over his tears. "I went to go buy blades."

Logan held his breath for a moment then slowly said, voice catching, "Virge, are you still outside that same Starbucks?" Logan could just barely make out Virgil's hummed yes over the sound of his cries. "Virge, just stay right there, do you hear me? Stay right there. I'm on my way."

Logan got to his minivan, fumbling his keys and dropping them as his hands shook. He covered the mouth piece on the phone for just a moment as a strangled cry escaped his own throat. Pressing his lips together he breathed in through his nose then slowly exhaled. He uncovered the mouthpiece "Okay, Virge, I'm getting in the car. I'm going to stay on the phone with you until I get to you, okay?"

Virgil murmured faintly, "Okay."

Taking one more shaky breath, Logan replied, "Okay. Okay, I'm putting you on speaker so I can put down the phone." He tapped at the phone, setting it into the little hands-free holder he'd hooked up last year. "Can you hear me?" Logan asked, increasing the volume on his phone.

"Yeah," Virgil's voice was a little stronger but he was still crying.

"Okay, I'm going to narrate as I drive, just like when you were little, okay?"

"Uh-huh."

"Okay, I'm leaving the parking garage and turning right..."

Forty-five minutes later, just as Logan's phone was flashing an angry red low-battery signal, he parked in front of the Starbucks by the Kirkland marina. Virgil sat on a bench, under a patio umbrella, hood drawn down over his forehead, hands shoved in his hoodie pockets, earphones plugged in his ears.

Logan got out of the minivan and ran through the rain to the bench where he cowered under cover. He sat next to his son. He reached out to rest a hand on his shoulder but Virgil shook him off. Logan bit the inside of his cheek, keeping an iron grip of control over his features. Virgil looked at him, "Can we just go?"

Logan nodded, standing up, pressing his hands against his shaking legs. "Let's get in the car." Then climbed inside and Logan started the engine, adjusting the heater and blowers to point warm air against Virgil's soaking wet sneakers and pant legs. Starbucks' patio umbrella had done a decent job of keeping the top half of his body dry, but the rest of him had gotten soaked in the rain.

"Virge, I think we need to take you to a hospital."

Virgil was quiet for a long while, the only sound in the car was the air rushing through the blowers and the periodic rub-rub-squeak of the windshield wipers. "Yeah." He chewed on his thumbnail, looking out the window at the soggy street. "Yeah, that's what Matt had to do."

”Okay." Logan took a deep breath, slowing letting it out as he backed out of the parking stall and turned onto the road, headed back toward Seattle and Children's Hospital. "We'll call Mom once we get there, okay?" Virgil nodded, continuing to stare out the window as they drove in silence.

"So what caused this?" Kelly leaned over the small table separating Logan and Kelly on one side and Virgil's evaluating clinician on the other. "Could it be," she glanced at Logan, then looked up at the clinician with big eyes, "Could it be because of, well, the family breaking apart?" Kelly said the last part in a little whisper.

Logan shifted in his seat, folding and refolding his hands in his lap, as the clinician flipped through his interview notes from his evaluation with Virgil. He frowned, looking at what he had written. Kelly patted Logan's knee, speaking more to the clinician than to Logan, "Of course, Logan, this isn't all your fault, right, Dr. Nale?

Kelly looked into Dr.Nale's eyes, nodding her head with a little pout on her lips. Dr. Nale cleared his throat and leaned forward in his seat, gesturing to the clipboard in his hand. "Ye—yes, of course not. We're not here to place blame or point fingers, but to find out how best to help Virgil." Dr. Nale looked between the two of them. Kelly smiled sadly at him as Logan bit the inside of his cheek to fight the tremor in his jaw. "Now, as a first step, we need to get Virgil stabilized to a point where he's no longer in imminent risk...."

Kelly stood outside Virgil's room while he slept. Logan approached carrying two cups of water. Extending one toward her, he murmured her name.

”What do you want?" she hissed quietly without looking at him. A nurse passed and she smiled and nodded at the passing staff before turning to face Logan. He remained silent, holding out the cup. The water trembled slightly in the cup. "Jesus, Logan, don't look at me like that. It's not my fault you snuck up on me like that." She took the water, mumbling a quick thanks. Logan turned to face Virgil's room, carefully lifting the cup to his lips, spilling only a tiny drop on his tie. He looked down, grateful the spot didn't show against the dark floral pattern.

Logan cleared his throat, gripping the cup tightly in his hands, trying to keep their shaking unnoticeable. "Thank you for what you said in the consultation room."

Kelly looked at him out of the corner of her eye, scowling lightly. She shook her head. "What are you talking about.?"

Logan bit his lip for a moment, taking another sip of his water. "Wh-what you said about... about—"

Kelly spoke quietly, eyes focused on Virgil's room. "About how this is all because you decided to leave and break up our family? Because you couldn't just man up and be a father and a husband?"

Logan's breath hitched. He tried to cover it by taking another sip, draining the last of the water inside.

"Virgil tried to kill himself while he was home with you." Kelly's voice was calm, and quiet, and cut Logan to the bone. "What part of this is not your fault?"

He remained silent, bringing the empty cup to his lips as though to take another sip, hiding his trembling lips. Fuck, Logan, man up. You swore you'd never let her see you cry again. Cut this shit out now. He took another shaky breath concentrating on the texture of the cup in his hands.

Kelly finally looked at him, lips pursed and eyes narrowed. Logan kept his eyes trained on the cup in his hands. "Oh, so you're playing the 'ignoring me' game. Okay, fine. Look, I've got to call my office. Why don't you take care of his admittance and then we'll see if you're ready to talk like an adult." She turned and walked toward the exit without waiting for a response.