#Outdoor Exercise Machine

[mountwoodco1]

Outdoor gym equipment manufacturer

Mountwood Co: Premier Outdoor Gym Equipment Manufacturer in Uttar Pradesh

Introduction to Mountwood Co.

Mountwood Co. stands as a beacon of excellence in the outdoor gym equipment manufacturing industry, particularly within the vibrant state of Uttar Pradesh. As health and fitness have become increasingly central to modern lifestyles, the demand for durable, high-quality outdoor gym equipment has surged. Mountwood Co. has emerged as a leader in this domain, providing innovative and robust solutions to meet this growing need.

Outdoor gym equipment manufacturer

Open gym equipment manufacturer

Sports and Fitness equipment manufacturer

Commitment to Quality and Innovation

At Mountwood Co., our primary focus is on delivering superior quality and innovative designs that cater to diverse fitness needs. We understand that outdoor gym equipment must withstand harsh environmental conditions while offering a safe and effective workout experience. Our products are engineered with these principles in mind, ensuring that every piece of equipment we manufacture meets the highest standards of durability, safety, and functionality.

Wide Range of Products

Mountwood Co. offers an extensive array of outdoor gym equipment, designed to cater to different fitness levels and requirements. From cardio machines such as outdoor treadmills and cycling stations to strength training equipment like pull-up bars and chest press machines, we provide comprehensive solutions for outdoor fitness enthusiasts. Each product is crafted with precision, using high-grade materials that ensure longevity and optimal performance.

Customization and Tailored Solutions

Understanding that every client has unique needs, Mountwood Co. provides customization options to create tailored outdoor gym setups. Whether it’s a community park, a school playground, or a corporate campus, we work closely with our clients to design and implement outdoor gym solutions that align with their specific requirements. Our team of experts is dedicated to turning your vision into reality, ensuring that the equipment fits seamlessly into the designated space and enhances the user experience.

Focus on Safety and Compliance

Safety is at the core of our manufacturing process. We adhere to strict safety standards and regulations, ensuring that all our products are safe for public use. Our outdoor gym equipment is designed to minimize the risk of injury, with features such as non-slip surfaces, ergonomically designed handles, and secure anchoring systems. Additionally, all our products undergo rigorous testing to ensure they can withstand prolonged use and various weather conditions without compromising on safety or functionality.

Sustainable Manufacturing Practices

At Mountwood Co., we are committed to sustainable manufacturing practices. We recognize the importance of preserving our environment, which is why we employ eco-friendly processes and materials wherever possible. From sourcing sustainable raw materials to minimizing waste during production, our practices are designed to reduce our environmental footprint while delivering top-quality products.

Expert Installation and After-Sales Service

We pride ourselves not only on the quality of our products but also on our comprehensive installation and after-sales services. Our team of trained professionals ensures that each piece of equipment is installed correctly and safely, providing you with peace of mind. Furthermore, our after-sales service is designed to support you long after the installation is complete, offering maintenance, repairs, and upgrades to keep your outdoor gym in top condition.

Clientele and Projects

Mountwood Co. has a diverse clientele that includes municipal bodies, educational institutions, residential complexes, and corporate entities. We have successfully completed numerous projects across Uttar Pradesh, each tailored to the specific needs of our clients. Our commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction has earned us a reputation as a trusted partner in the outdoor gym equipment industry.

Why Choose Mountwood Co.?

Choosing Mountwood Co. means investing in quality, durability, and innovation. Our products are designed to offer the best in outdoor fitness, ensuring that users have access to safe, effective, and enjoyable workout options. We are dedicated to exceeding our clients’ expectations, providing solutions that not only meet but exceed industry standards.

Conclusion

Mountwood Co. is more than just an outdoor gym equipment manufacturer; we are a partner in your journey towards health and fitness. Our commitment to quality, safety, and sustainability sets us apart from the competition, making us the go-to choice for outdoor gym equipment in Uttar Pradesh.

[riogrand]

Top Manufacturers of Sports good and gym accessories

Elevate Your Game with RioGrand’s Unrivaled Sports Goods and Gym Accessories

At RioGrand, we take pride in being the epitome of excellence in the realm of sports gear and gym accessories. Our extensive collection is meticulously crafted to cater to the diverse needs of fitness enthusiasts, ranging from professional athletes to gym novices. Dive into the world of premium quality with our range of Wrist Support, Push Up Bar Stand, Push Up Bars Dip Station, Ankle Support, Pull Up Bar Station, Skipping Rope, Chin Up Stand, Tennis Elbow, Elbow Support, Leg Support, Weight Training Straps, Gym Gloves, Sports Gloves, Cricket Bats, and Cricket Balls.

Gym accessories manufacturer

Gym equipment

Sports Accessories

Sports Equipments

Unraveling the Excellence of RioGrand’s Signature Products

1. Wrist Support for Unmatched Stability

Our Wrist Support is designed with precision to provide unparalleled stability during intense workouts. Crafted from high-quality materials, it ensures optimal wrist positioning, reducing the risk of injuries and enhancing performance.

2. Push Up Bar Stand: Redefining Your Workout Experience

Experience a new dimension in push-ups with our innovative Push Up Bar Stand. Engineered for comfort and durability, it not only optimizes your push-up form but also minimizes joint strain. Elevate your fitness routine with RioGrand.

3. Ankle Support: Your Trusty Workout Companion

Say goodbye to ankle discomfort with RioGrand’s advanced Ankle Support. Whether you’re into running, weightlifting, or any other sport, our support ensures stability, allowing you to focus on your performance without worrying about injuries.

4. Pull Up Bar Station: Reach New Heights

RioGrand’s Pull Up Bar Station is a testament to our commitment to excellence. Install it easily at home and embark on a journey of strength building. Durable, adjustable, and designed for maximum comfort, it’s the perfect addition to your workout space.

5. Skipping Rope: Mastering Cardiovascular Fitness

Our Skipping Rope isn’t just a rope; it’s a fitness tool engineered for optimal cardiovascular benefits. Lightweight yet sturdy, it helps you master the art of skipping, making your cardio sessions more effective and enjoyable.

6. Chin Up Stand: Sculpting Your Upper Body

RioGrand’s Chin Up Stand is your go-to equipment for sculpting a powerful upper body. Easy to assemble and built to last, it offers a versatile workout experience, targeting multiple muscle groups for comprehensive results.

7. Tennis Elbow and Elbow Support: Guarding Your Joints

Say farewell to joint discomfort with RioGrand’s specialized Tennis Elbow and Elbow Support. Whether you’re on the tennis court or pushing your limits in the gym, our supports provide the protection and relief you need.

8. Leg Support: Elevating Your Leg Day

RioGrand understands the importance of a solid leg day. Our Leg Support products are designed to provide the stability and compression necessary for effective workouts, ensuring you conquer every squat and lunge with confidence.

9. Weight Training Straps: Lifting Beyond Limits

Take your weightlifting game to new heights with RioGrand’s Weight Training Straps. Engineered for heavy lifting, these straps provide the grip and support needed to push your boundaries and achieve peak performance.

10. Gym Gloves and Sports Gloves: Comfort Meets Performance

Discover the perfect blend of comfort and performance with RioGrand’s range of Gym Gloves and Sports Gloves. Designed to enhance your grip and protect your hands, they’re an essential companion for your fitness journey.

11. Cricket Bats and Balls: Perfecting Your Cricket Game

For cricket enthusiasts, RioGrand offers a stellar collection of Cricket Bats and Cricket Balls. Engineered for precision and power, our cricket gear ensures you play your best game every time you step onto the pitch.

RioGrand: A Trusted Manufacturer Delivering Excellence

As a leading manufacturer in the sports and fitness industry, RioGrand is committed to delivering products that transcend excellence. Each item in our collection undergoes rigorous testing to meet the highest standards of quality and performance.

Elevate Your Game with RioGrand’s Unrivaled Sports Goods

In conclusion, RioGrand stands as a beacon of quality and innovation in the realm of sports goods and gym accessories. Elevate your fitness journey with our meticulously crafted products that not only meet but exceed your expectations. Choose RioGrand for a sporting experience like no other.

[rainyfestivalsweets]

Stuff I did yesterday to move me towards my goals:

Plus a strength "HIIT" workout- which i kinda half assed because I have a new boss who does not approve of them. UGG.

A volume training class in the evening.

Dog walks.

I thought it was a good day. I am trying not to weigh until 9/1/23.

Focusing on healthy habits. Increasing standing time and overall activity & of course, healthy habits.

[happyoffers]

Everfit Electric Treadmill Auto Incline Trainer CM01 40 Level Incline Gym Exercise Running Machine Fitness

Features: High-strength composite running board Sturdy powder-coated steel frame User-centric control panel Bright digital LED display Powerful and energy-efficient motor Anti-slip and wear-resistant running belt 16×8 dot matrix for program training 6 shortcut keys for choosing common training programs 20 speed levels -1% to 40% auto incline Patented Spring Suspension System Safety tether key Soft-grip handlebar Foldable design Smooth wheels for mobility USB and MP3 connection Bluetooth and app connection Speaker output Drink holder Tablet holder

Specifications: Running belt size: 145cm x 46cm Rated voltage: 240V Rated power: 4hp Speed: 0.8-20km/h Weight capacity: 150kg LED screen size: 5-inch Display readouts: Time, speed, incline, distance, calories, pulse Shock absorption system: Patented Spring Suspension System Other functions: Speaker, MP3 and USB connection, Bluetooth and app connection Colour: Black

Package Contents: 1 x Everfit Electric Incline Trainer Treadmill 1 x User Manual 1 x Lubricating Oil

[hometoursandotherstuff]

And, now, it's time for another episode of "The Rich and Tasteless." This is a 2004 mansion in Marietta, GA, 9bds, 7ba. Asking $6.95M. Looks pretty nice, but check out the over-the-top architecture inside.

Not 2 column arches in the entrance, but 4.

Double staircase with lacy iron railings. Look at those Vlad the Impaler decorative spikes.

The sitting room has a very ornate, large fireplace, and b/c it's so ornate, they put a blank picture on the mantle. There's way too much fabric in this home. It's draped everywhere.

Chandeliers everywhere- even on the table. Look at the giant flowers over the table. Not bad, I kinda like them.

This must be the family room for the open concept kitchen/family room.

But, this kitchen looks like no one's ever cooked in it. They've got very ornate cabinetry in light and dark tones. Looks like there's a pantry to the left.

The primary bedroom.

The en-suite features gold-accented cabinetry, a huge chandelier and a big round tub.

Gold tile and marble in the shower.

The closet is claustrophobic. No room to dress, either.

Oh, closets, the stairs, and an elevator.

A gray bath. Check out the silver toilet.

Privileged kids room. (Geez, my parents painted my teeny bedroom pink and thought it was great.)

The child's en-suite has florals or birds on the toilet and sink.

Desolate looking stairs to the lower level.

The home cinema is down here. Disappointingly lackluster. Not even a popcorn machine.

And, the home gym.

A Grecian guest 1/2 bath. Check out the sink.

These stairs come down to the wine cellar.

And, a game table in a room that mimics Tuscany.

The rec room has a pinball machine, but is otherwise so formal.

More exercise equipment and a pingpong table.

This is weird- is it a massage table? What are those chairs doing on a stage?

The Cerulean Blue pool.

Geez, look at the outdoor kitchen. I love the counters.

Guest suite in the poolhouse.

Tennis court. The estate is on 2.20 acres.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/4348-Paper-Mill-Rd-SE-Marietta-GA-30067/14282407_zpid/

[t-top-apologist]

At the end of the day the average civilian wishes to be catered to like an old money steel baron or perhaps one of those chaps from Downton Abbey. The entirety of modern society has come together to enable this, mass-producing cheap facsimiles of fortunes that should rightly either be built on child labor or perhaps serfdom.

Their lawns, taking up what could otherwise be used to grow crops or serve as "outdoor garage space," exist to ape the wide ranging estates meant for the nobility to chase down a fox while adorned in silly jackets. Their houses sport columns and stupid windows meant to imitate three different classical artforms at the same time because of something called "economies of scale." They even have male-centric social clubs meant for parlour games, discussing sports, and dining with friends, in this case franchised out under such names as "Buffalo Wild Wings."

This aping of the upper class continues to the hire of "artisans" to do relatively simple work deemed too complicated to warrant the time of the average citizen. It's not that the jobs are too taxing for your average person, but rather that the market has crystallized around the desire to live like budget royalty. Therefore they take their wafer-thin computers to artisans (now more commonly called "experts" or "Apple geniuses") for repair and have democratized the position of carriagemen to 22 year old dealership lube techs named Ryan who will turn a 15 minute job into a 30 minute endeavor thanks to frequent vape breaks and a brief brush with what the industry refers to as "a misplaced drain bolt."

The mid-40s project manager and mother of 3 is no less competent when changing oil than her grandfather before her who knew what "Valve Lash" is, but what separates the two is a series of wars in the 1900s that required an entire generation of men to become very familiar with operating and repairing machines better than the Germans and Japanese (an exercise that Chrysler would later abandon in favor of the phrase "if you can't beat em, join em").

This conflict ended with a surge of able-bodied men finding themselves returning to their project management jobs (like their granddaughters after them) but armed with captured German weapons and a comprehensive understanding of tubochargers. Just as a line can be drawn from troop drawdowns to political violence, there's a distinct correlations between GIs returning home and the violence with which Ford Flathead V8s were torn apart by inventive supercharging methods paired with landspeed record attempts.

Give a man a racecar and he'll crash it on the salt flats in a day. Teach a man to repair a racecar and it will sit in the garage of his suburban house for a few years in between complete engine rebuilds required by what can only be described as "vaporized piston rods."

Of course this hotrodder generation created the circumstances we live in today, as the market saw their fast cars cobbled together from old prewar hulks and simply stamped out new ones from factory, faster and more convenient for the next generation than building one from scratch. Now the project manager mother of 3 drives a 4wd barge with climate controlled seats boasting more computing power than the moon mission and an emissions-controlled powertrain with more horsepower than her grandfather's jalopy and her fathers factory muscle car combined. And she doesn't care at all.

Yet Amongst the average civilians there walks a rare breed: people who know how to change their own oil. We the chosen move among you silently, bucking the system, operating outside the cultural helplessness and trading in forbidden knowledge in almost-abandoned forum threads (flame wars over conventional vs synthetic).

While we do have a marked air of superiority about this, I can't say I haven't stooped to imitating the rich myself. I've been known to wear a silly jacket from time to time.

[keelt9]

Chapter 8

Masterlist

My morning run was a necessity, especially this morning, of course I was nervous but surprised with the funny thrilling emotions. I heard around the park where I used to run a few boys and girls talking about the unexpected news and making their bets about who could be the not so mysterious girl who is dating Max Vertappen.

Matt’s call makes me stop. “You’re in the middle of a tornado.” I scoffs a different type of <Good morning>

“Hi, how are you?” I heard him laugh. “I know, but there are three girls in the first place.” Those girls who have been spotted with Max were the first bets but just one is practicing archery and then me.

I heard the soft click of the bowstring when you release it, he’s practicing. “You don’t ask but here, you take the lead in the bets.”

I spit the water I just drank. “WHAT?!” He laughs, then the sound of the bowstring, one more time.  

“We’ve been talking, all pretty excited.” The conclusive evidence is the photo of Matt claiming no one could recognize at least you’ll be a fan or know more than the basics of archery.

“And you said it was hard to know.” I walk back home as we keep talking.

In the Rehabilitation Center all seems calm, trying to keep professional as much as they can but you can see in their eyes the excitement, as I cross the reception I see why, Max is here. Not alone, Charles, his sidekick in all this mess is here too.

I tried to act calm but as I walked closer to them I felt a heat rising in my face. Thankfully Anton covers me well, he reaches me and leads me to the other side.

“Not so fast, we have outdoor practice.” Anton smiles, making me turn to the garden where he already set a target and Liam is waiting with all his things set.

The weather was tricky. There was a strong wind for moments, the humidity was high making it hard to find the right grip and technique. 

“There you are, that’s the spot, try again.” Laim said as I take a small breath and tense the bowstring, I feel the wind start getting strong so I make the release. I feel the burning sensation one more time but this time in two parts at the side of my chin and in the middle of my chin.

“Auch.” I touch both parts with my finger and I see the blue tapes of my finger with a dark dot. “I’m bleeding.” 

Liam cleaned the wounds and put on the aid bands. “We can stop.” I shake my head, I’m winning strength stop right now could make me lose it.

“It’s ok, this could hold at least another half an hour, right?” Liam smiles proudly and nods. “Let’s go.”

Said and done, I got better. I found the confidence to hold the position longer waiting for the right moment making a perfect release hitting the 9 multiple times, when I felt the tape start to soak, I stopped.

“Ok, let’s treat these wounds or they could be infected.” Anton said taking me inside the center, where they clean one more time and cover the wound properly. “Take a couple of minutes and we finish with some exercise, all right?” Anton patted my shoulder before taking all the aid kit.

I walk where Max told me they usually do some workout; the rooms that are set up just for them can be used for free. I see people coming out practically covered in sweat but they hold the door so I can enter without a problem.

I walk where I can see big machines, Max’s head is pulled to one side as he is stuck to the seat, his face contorts for the effort he does in his neck, people around him having all eyes on him.

“You must be Y/N.” I jump scared and cover my chest with my hand. “Sorry, sorry, I scare you.” 

I turn around, Charles is with his thermo on his hands cleaning the sweat with a towel from his face. “Charles, nice to meet you.” He extends his hands with a small smile on his face. 

“Hi, yeah, I know you, his tricky teammate, huh?” I shake his hands as he laughs, closing his eyes.

Along the post of Max, Charles innocently posted a story with Max playing padel at the back you can see British flags, that was the last cue for they know Max one more time is in Milton Keynes. 

“I’m so sorry, I’ve heard about the rumors but I thought it was… you know, lies.” He points at Max with his eyes. “But he already explained it to me.” I watch Max as he relaxes and the team takes off all the things around his neck. 

Max is chatting with the team. “You know… He is quiet as hell, it’s extremely weird he does something out of the ordinary, but look at him now, he is watching an archery competition from time to time and read a lot about that, he even tried to explain to me.”

I smile feeling shy now. “Trust me, it’s strangely endearing to see him like this.” I see him. “If you need something, don’t hesitate and ask me, I’ll be happy to help.”

“All right Max, good job, let’s take a break.” One of the men around him said, taking all the stuff from him. 

“Go, I’ll take these guys with me for you to have a couple of minutes.” Charles giggles and calls them.

One by one politely say hi to me, but cover my sight from Max and his from me, so when all goes Max was still sitting red faced, drinking his Red Bull almost choking when he sees me. 

“Omg, hi.” I walk faster and hug him with both of my arms around his neck as his around my waist. “I’m covered in sweat.” He mumbles.

“Oh, and I’m not?” He laughs and turns away, his eyes switch to a worried expression.

Softly he grabs my face and sees in detail the aid bands probably starting to turn red. “Did you hurt?” 

“It’s a burn.” I take his hands between mine. “Feel proud of me, I'm working hard.” He scoffs and kisses my cheek.

“I feel proud…all the time.” He has that smile. I love the one that hides his eyes. “Please, just take care ok?” 

I nod and grab him by the neck to kiss him. “I have to go, they just gave me a couple of minutes.” He kissed me back. “And I… already enjoy the view.” He couldn't hold the laugh.

He stands and walks with me to the door where we found Charles one more time talking with some people, he excused himself and walked back. 

“I hope soon we see you in the paddock.” Both smiles, making me recall the conversion I had with Liam.

Maybe in a couple of weeks I won’t be able to see Max so often, so I must take every chance I get. “Not in the paddock, but I’ll go to Monza.” Max almost spit his drink. “Well if I still found tickets.” I laugh. “I better go.” I look at my cell phone, Liam is waiting. “I’ll call you later, ok?” 

Max grabs me. “Hold on, hold on.” He shook his head. “You mean it?” He has suspicious eyes. “You’ll go?” 

I smirk. “Unless you don't want it.”

“Are you joking?” He grabs my hand. “I’ll love having you there.”

My phone buzzes; I don’t need to look, Liam must be at the border of frustration. “I have to go. “ He nods but just when he’s about to kiss me we hear a couple of voices coming to us; he bluffs and still lets me go.

The last day Max was in Milton Keynes before leaving for the week race, I couldn’t avoid ask myself how am I going to deal with the distance, the relationship, our training, his races and my competitions. However just looking at him and his eyes that always brings me peace are enough to let me know that is something we figure out with the time. 

Sunday night Max called me to tell me that even if be in the terraces he arranges everything so that I can be on time for the race, the only thing I should worry about is having my suitcase ready.

Mia and I were talking Saturday morning on my way to the fabric of Red Bull where Violet is waiting for me, a special favor I asked for. With Violet without notice we already built a friendship.

“It’s ridiculous, come on!” Mia keeps complaining about in this “game” all points to a young archer totally the opposite of what people saw and described Max was.

I giggle as I get down from the cab. “Mia it’s fine, I mean, it doesn’t bother me.” I hear her scoffing.

“Well, they’re blind that’s what I know, and…” She makes a sound of exasperation. “Listen I know you want to have things in private but this starts to feel like you want to hide something.” 

I quiver for a second before walking inside the fabric. “You are two people who know each other and have a lovely feeling growing up, it’s not like you commenting on a crime, for christ sake!” I laughed but Mia’s words already planted a seed. “Sorry, don’t… just don’t listen to me all, right, is your relationship, it’s your decision.” 

“Thanks Mia. And don’t worry, I know what you say because you love me.” I imagine her bluffing, rolling her eyes. “I have to go.”

“Have fun…Oh, if you can, only if you can, bring me an autograph of George, you will be the best sister in the universe!” I see Violet coming out the doors, there is no need to get inside. 

“Bye Mia.” Violet smiled when she saw me.

“Ready?” I nod. “Let’s go, it will be a quick flight but we must be there on time.” 

Monza it’s a whole new world to me, as we get to drive I’m amazed by the architecture, the people, and the weather all seems surreal to me. When we arrive at the track and we get down, Violet starts to give me instructions in case I want to go to the garage by the end of the race.

I heard her for at least 2 minutes but the noise, people coming and going, the press running right to the paddock entrance and the little seed Mia planted on me gave me an idea.

Unbelievable, that's how I can describe the experience. The parade where all the people shout the name of the driver who support the flags and poster of different kinds, the kids with the illusion in their eyes were incredible; the sound of the cars waiting the the green light and the adrenaline that runs every time you are able to see a car relative close, screams for specific type of actions and the claps when the drivers cross the finish line, feels surreal.

1-2 for Max and Checo with Lecrec taking the P3, a good day for Red Bull and Ferrari.

“Max, almost a perfect weekend, a pole position, winning the race, just the practices didn’t go as planned, you seem fresh and clearly set your position for winning one more time the championship. A good sign that amazing things are happening around you.” A reporter asks and he answers with the calm but confidence he has learned in all these years.

“Yeah, the team works hard, I’m pretty focused on what I’m doing when you find the balance and combine things well, the results speak for themselves.” He smiles, the last question wasn’t a question.

“Congratulations one more time Max, a big celebration waiting for you.” Max narrows his eyes but lets it pass. 

I can imagine him with one question “What are they talking about?” He asks as they leave but the girl who has at his left answer. 

So let me rewind for you.

Violet smiles wide open when I tell her my change of opinion, and I laugh when she’s already prepared for the change. 

“This is going to be wild.” She smiles as we change our path to the paddock. Mia is right, private doesn’t mean hide, so what the hell, I can deal with other things later.

Just took us 5 cameras for finally one of the reporters recognized me. I don’t know if it was because of the things on social media or actually knows who I am but after taking a good look at me his eyes turn wide open.

He touches the shoulder of his cameraman before running where Violet and I were walking, I feel my heart race faster and faster.

“Morning Y/N, a surprise to see you here.” I greet them politely but they know what they have to do. “Can we take it as a confirmation?” 

I chuckle and I smile at the camera. “I’m here to support the Red Bull guys.” He chuckles and as we walk he knows just one more thing to say before entering RB facilities. 

“A nice surprise, congratulations.” Violet fights hard for not making a sound and remains with a poker face but as we cross the doors, she jumps over me.

“THAT’S WAS… WOW.” She gained a lot of eyes. “Wait a minute and this is going to buzz every second.” She pointed to her cellphone.

Actually it took more than a couple of minutes, but it does, when the first image appears with the title. “A nice shot.” My cellphone turns crazy too, an endless stream of messages, mentions, tags and a few calls from friends, family, people I met from the tournaments have one question in common. 

<Is that you?> 

I met the people I have to meet all with a polite welcome and smile. I wanted to surprise Max by the end of the race in the crowd but there was already a big fuss around this so I changed and waited for him to finish what he had to do and surprise him in the garage. I don’t take in account that actually someone could ask or say something related to.

In the screen where I watch the full race, a happy Max is running to the garage with a few cameras as he runs to the corridors. I hear the “low whispers” increase and Horner even GP whispers too.

“Get ready.” One of his mechanics said to me and patted my shoulder.

I only had two seconds before Max appeared running, making a faster scanner to the garage. “This way Max.” Horner says, pointing in my direction, he smiles but I run to him first. 

He hugs me, both arms around my torso and lifts me, the photographs of Red Bull in the front line taking good pictures. My arms around his neck let me hide my face.

“Thanks for being here.” He whispers to me before letting me down. “Let’s keep our best angle for us.” He kisses my forehead and hugs me one more time. 

“All right, all right, just authorized people please.” A boy says making the media go to the limits they had just leaving the cameras of Red Bull who stop taking pictures and leave us with a smile on his face. 

“Welcome to the family Y/N.” GP said and let us in our white crystal ball.

The official accounts of Red Bull published the classical congratulation to the team and the photo but in the last slide Max and I appear hugging each other.

<Big result to our bulls. All the arrows in the blue and yellow zone! 🏹>

“This is crazy, congratulations guys.” Checo said to us before leaving the paddock with his family. “Go and have some fun.” Was his last words before closing the door of his van.

“Oh please, no.” Max whispers in a low voice as we walk to his van but he grabs his hand around mine. 

I follow where his eyes are stuck and I see Daniel and Russell walking right to where we are, clearing gossip about something.“Hey Max!” Charles says, raising his hand. “And hi, Y/N, right?” Max bluffs.

“I told you, I’m out, tomorrow we can celebrate.” I got it. Sadly even if I want to go, I have an early flight tomorrow; Liam let me go to the races but the training and session in the week must continue no matter what.

“It’s ok, you can go…” George giggles and shakes his head, Max notices my confusion because he smiles at me softly.

“They just came for gossip and bother.” Max jokes before introducing us properly. “Is that enough?” George and Charles giggling and nodding. 

“What? We need to meet the girl who has been in your mind.” George raises his shoulders. “It’s a pleasure, now, we’re going to stop, and let you enjoy your night.” 

Mia will kill me if she knows I have him closer and doesn't take autographs with me. “Actually, could you give me an autograph?” Max opens his eyes as I take out the marker I carried with me.

“From him?” George nodded and autographed a cap I bought from Mercedes, just in case the miracle didn't happen. 

“Yeah from him.” Daniel laughs at Max's expression.

“For?” George asked and I said the name of Mia. “Ready.” 

“Let’s go Gorge before Mad Max appears.” Daniel jokes and I see Max's expression, completely surprised. 

I giggle and I turn around to face him before they disappear in the cars, I look side to side and kiss him, he gives up after a couple of seconds pulling me closer by my waist.

“I need to talk with Mia.” He rolls his eyes, making me laugh.

By midnight I found videos of me even from my first years in archery, even some points of view I can bet I never saw before. My personal accounts are increasing in followers, and I even received some messages, this is crazy.

Max came out of the bathroom after taking a shower, clearly tired but before he sees it, I want to tell him personally.

“Do you have a minute?” Max choked his head and smiled at me who was in the middle of the bed facing to the wall, with my cellphone in my hands.

“Always.” I press my lips together trying to smile but this is not my favorite topic for a late night talk.

I pat the bed for him to sit, facing each other, I put my cell phone where I already have the video prepared; I put it on and you can see Matt shooting an arrow hitting the small circle. 

“This is the last round of my last competition.” He raises his eyes but down immediately, on the screen it’s my turn I tense the bowstring but easily you can see my nose is scrunchy, my shoulder was killing me at that point.

“At that moment I lost the line of the shoulder, Matt and Laim noticed right away but we… we can’t just stop.” I shot the arrow barely reaching the 9 and the cameras took my face screaming in pain.

<Yes, something is wrong, Y/N; just look at her face, something definitely is not right.> The commentators said, as they focused on Matt one more time but at the back I kept moving my shoulder trying to get rid of the stiffness, if you zoom you would be able to see my teary eyes. 

<Just Y/N need a 7 for winning, otherwise, they lost just for one shot> Max furrowed his eyebrows, clearly bothered. 

“You can barely raise your arm.” I scoff because he quickly notices. “You must be in such pain.” He grabs my hand.

I shot my last arrow, it was like reliving the pain. I remember biting inside my cheeks and tasting an iron, I released the bowstring immediately bending in pain.

<THAT’S A 10, BUT OMG, Y/N IS BENDING IT SEEMS ALL POINT TO BE HER WRIST> Liam and Matt run, you can see him asking questions and grabbing me, my breath was irregular but I tried to calm.

“I'll call a doctor.” Laim said but I grabbed him, faking a smile. “Y/N…”

I stand up straight with a fake smile however enough to convince everyone I’m in pain but happy. Then everything was blurry, I remember going to the tents for a quick check up, where the doctor told me it was a fracture, still he needed more analysis to have a full diagnosis.

“After that I remember I kept praying all the ceremony, <Please let me compete tomorrow please>” Max let my phone to his side. “Marie Anne and Liam tried to leave in calmness, but the reporters were already out the building asking me about my arm, my wrist, if I talk with the team.” 

I close my eyes, as an athlete you are exposed to a lot of things, I always knew that but I have never been so vulnerable and at the same time so scared about not even knowing how I am.

“I feel the cameras just a few centimeters from my face.” Max softly caressed my hand. “For weeks I read in the news, hear in the T.V and listen in the radio the failure the girls had, the responsibility I had along the magnitude of my injury.” 

I looked at him. “I left home because I want to have a full recovery to prove myself that all is false and…” I scoff. “Prove to all, they don't see my best years.” 

Max has soft blue eyes. “And a thousand of miles from home I found you.” I stand so he can stretch his legs and I can sit on the top of them. “I found something so wonderful.” I give him a peek in his forehead. “So full of stubbornness.” He smiles and I kiss the freckle on his cheek. “So proud of who he is.” I kiss the freckle in his lip. “That gives me so much peace.” I kiss his mouth.

“I…I found the most stunning person.” He laughs pulling me closer. “Thank you… for making me feel, and be better.”

He grabs my face for kissing me with so much tenderness, so much love; I put my arms around his neck like if we can be more close, was the lack of air that made us split.

“You thank me? I should thank you. I know you feel uneasy about what could happen when you have to move back home but… I'm always going to find you.” I see straight to his eyes. “The only thing you have to do is have patience and wait. We make this work, count with that.”

I nod to him but when he hugs me I hate to admit it but my father is right in something. 

<You can't live in a crystal ball forever.>

[otherkinnews]

Therian quadrobics popular for children in Finland; two schools ban animal masks

[This article was originally posted on the main blog for Otherkin News, on DreamWidth: https://otherkinnews.dreamwidth.org/94635.html Orion Scribner @frameacloud wrote it on September 14, 2024.]

In Finland, between May and September, newspapers published many articles on therianthropes. The papers are Iltalehti (Evening Newspaper), Ilta-Sanomat (The Evening News), Yle (Finnish Broadcasting Company), and MTV Uutiset (Commercial Television News, no relationship to the MTV channel in America).

These articles show a hobby popularized among children and teens on the social media app TikTok, where therians exercise on all fours (quadrobics), imitating animal movements. With practice, they can jump high and land on their hands, and other challenging feats. Therian quadrobicists hand-make and wear a certain style of upper-face animal masks to express themselves and protect their privacy on the informal video-sharing app. Some other common accessories are a tail made of yarn or fur, fastened to their belt. Some wear sneakers painted to look like paws, or take their shoes off while exercising. They practice making animal vocalizations. The therianthrope community is multi-generational and has existed since 1994, but this set of practices– quadrobics and masks– are a new development among the youngest generation of therians. While some of these young self-described therians say that being an animal is an integral part of who they are, some others firmly say they don’t, and simply enjoy it as a creative hobby, which is another difference from previous generations of therians.

Therian children who express themselves in these ways have been becoming visible in some schools in Finland. Although this hasn’t been a big problem, school officials have started setting boundaries about it to make sure that class won’t be disrupted by students wearing masks or making animal noises. Students need to wear shoes outdoors and take them off inside the school, which means that kids who take off their shoes to play outside will track mud onto the floors, and dirty other children's socks. Before this school year started, the principals of the schools in the cities of Oulu and Joensuu sent messages to parents banning students from these behaviors in class, along with other sorts of costumes and toys. This brought public attention to therians. In the past couple of weeks, the newspapers followed up on that by interviewing teen therians, parents, public figures, locals, and child welfare experts. Aside from a few opinion pieces and some reasonable concerns, nearly all of these express a positive attitude toward therians and give accurate information about what they are. This shows that young quadrobicists have been successful at building a good image for therians, because parents and others who work with children like it when kids do crafts and play outside together.

I don’t know Finnish, so I’m having to access these articles with the help of machine translation. That’s not a proper translation. One challenge I’m aware of is that Finnish doesn’t have the words he or she, so the machine translation alternates between them arbitrarily, with no clue of what would be correct for that person in English. In the following annotated bibliography of the articles, I’ll do my best to figure out a probably correct translation of their titles and give a summary, but be aware that nuances may be confused or lost.

Finnish news articles from earlier this year, before the ban:

Maria Aarnio (May 29, 2024). “‘Käsite oli meille aikuisille aivan uusi’ – millainen ilmiö on nuorten keskuudessa suosittu therian?” (‘The concept was completely new to us adults’ – what kind of therian fad is popular among young people?) MTV Uutiset.https://www.mtvuutiset.fi/artikkeli/kasite-oli-meille-aikuisille-aivan-uusi-millainen-ilmio-on-nuorten-keskuudessa-suosittu-therian/8941648#gs.e0lnr6 Archived September 7, 2024: https://web.archive.org/web/20240907063037/https://www.mtvuutiset.fi/artikkeli/kasite-oli-meille-aikuisille-aivan-uusi-millainen-ilmio-on-nuorten-keskuudessa-suosittu-therian/8941648#gs.e0lnr6

This describes therianthropy and quadrobics, and what parents need to know if their children are interested in them. The article also mentions the word otherhearted.

Samppa Rautio (June 16, 2024; republished on September 5, 2024 in response to the therian ban in schools). “Karhuna ihmiskehossa.” (A bear in a human body.) Ilta-Sanomat.https://www.is.fi/kotimaa/art-2000010677056.html Archived September 10, 2024: https://web.archive.org/web/20240910233804/https://www.is.fi/kotimaa/art-2000010677056.html

This is an interview with a bear therian, age 34. Although the article shows many photos of this person, all have a bear mask on, and it changes the bear’s name to Karoliina for privacy reasons. The bear accurately summarizes many features of therianthropy. The article has remarks about therians from Rasmus Mannerström, Senior Lecturer in Social Psychology at the University of Helsinki, and Michael Bond, author of Fans: A Journey into the Psychology of Belonging. The article also cites a survey of therian mental health, run by Helen Clegg, Rosalyn M Collings, and Elizabeth C Roxburgh. In 2019, the piece by Clegg et al had been published as “Therianthropy: wellbeing, schizotypy, and autism in individuals who self-identify as non-human.” I think it might be partly thanks to this bear and this thoughtful journalist that the later news coverage of therians was well informed and positive.

Finnish news articles from after the ban, in chronological order:

Maija Kansanen (August 20, 2024). “Lapset puhuvat kouluissa kieltä, jota aikuisen voi olla vaikea ymmärtää – Tässä ovat tämän hetken trendit.” (Children speak language in schools that can be difficult for an adult to understand – Here are the trends of the moment.) Helsingen Sanomat.https://www.hs.fi/suomi/art-2000010633508.html Archived September 7, 2024: https://web.archive.org/web/20240907102344/https://www.hs.fi/suomi/art-2000010633508.html

The other articles say this is the first article that reported the ban. The article itself is behind a paywall.

Emilia Saukkonen (August 21, 2024). “Therian-maskit pannaan: Karsikon koulussa oppilaat eivät saa enää käyttää naamioita.” (Therian masks are banned: Students at Karsikko School are no longer allowed to wear masks.) Yle. https://yle.fi/a/74-20106426 Archived September 11, 2024: https://web.archive.org/web/20240911004645/https://yle.fi/a/74-20106426

This article talks about the ban at the school in Oulu. It also summarizes the earlier article that interviewed the bear therian. The school principal says that youth fads come and go, and has no opinion of it as being good or bad. The school can make an exception to the ban if the student welfare staff decides it's important to a child's psychological health.

Jussi Korhonen (September 3, 2024). "Lehdet: Lapset ovat alkaneet identifioitua eläimiksi – Kouluissa aloitettu toimet." (Magazines: Children have started to identify as animals – Actions started in schools.) Iltalehti.https://www.iltalehti.fi/kotimaa/a/1674616c-7c65-4c9f-a56b-810197927309 Archived September 9, 2024: https://web.archive.org/web/20240909091227/https://www.iltalehti.fi/kotimaa/a/1674616c-7c65-4c9f-a56b-810197927309

This talks about the ban at both schools.

Jessica Helaskoski and Catherine Kähkönen (September 3, 2024). “Joensuulaiskoulu kielsi eläimiksi identifioituvien lasten naamiot – therian-ilmiö aiheuttanut ongelmia myös muissa kouluissa.” MTV Uutiset.https://www.mtvuutiset.fi/artikkeli/joensuulaiskoulu-kielsi-elaimiksi-identifioituvien-lasten-naamiot-therian-ilmio-aiheuttanut-ongelmia-myos-muissa-kouluissa/9000934

This talks about the ban at both schools. The school in Joenssu explained that their reason for the ban is that they need to be able to tell who's who, and anyone could be behind an animal mask, so those can't be allowed in class or at recess. The school in Oulu said that their own reason for the ban was that children had brought their play behavior in from recess and misbehaved in class. However, in all these articles about the ban in the Oulu school, it looks unclear to me whether they mean that this had really happened at their own school, or if they had only heard that it was happening at other schools in general.

Samppa Rautio (September 3, 2024). “Oululaiskoulu kieltää therianit – rehtori sai tarpeekseen: ‘Tunnillakin konttaillaan ja mau’utaan.’” (Oulu school bans therians – the principal had enough: ‘Even in class they growl and meow.’) Ilta-Sanomat.https://www.is.fi/perhe/art-2000010670861.html Archived September 9, 2024: https://web.archive.org/web/20240909102458/https://www.is.fi/perhe/art-2000010670861.html

Riku Isokoski (September 4, 2024). “Hämmentävä ilmiö voimistuu lasten keskuudessa – Asiantuntija kertoo, miksi he matkivat eläimiä.” (Confusing phenomenon intensification among children – Expert explains why they mimic animals.) Iltalehti.https://www.iltalehti.fi/kotimaa/a/d561f1f2-b045-4bf9-9035-661b6ce2e61a Archived September 5, 2024: https://web.archive.org/web/20240905015447/https://www.iltalehti.fi/kotimaa/a/d561f1f2-b045-4bf9-9035-661b6ce2e61a

Kaisa Önlen from the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare explains that therianthropy is deeper than a hobby, so will turn out to be a permanent part of the identity for some teens, whereas for some teens, it’s just something they’re trying out for fun. Children need to be allowed to experiment and play to discover who they are in the world.

Jasmin Levo (September 4, 2024). “Näkökulma: Kuinka pitkälle opettajien pitää vielä venyä? Therian-ilmiö on vain jäävuorenhuippu.” (Viewpoint: How far do teachers need to go? The therian phenomenon is just a tip to the iceberg.) Iltalehti.https://www.iltalehti.fi/perheartikkelit/a/f9527a79-095c-4547-8d75-c532f29e6e93 Archived September 9, 2024: https://web.archive.org/web/20240909145615/https://www.iltalehti.fi/perheartikkelit/a/f9527a79-095c-4547-8d75-c532f29e6e93

An opinion article about how children who want to make animal noises in class are only one of many sorts of disruptive behavior in children’s classrooms, comparing this with cell phone use.

Samppa Rautio (September 4, 2024). “Nyt puhuu therianin äiti.” (Now talking to therian's mother.) Ilta-Sanomat.https://www.is.fi/perhe/art-2000010674287.html Archived September 11, 2024: https://web.archive.org/web/20240911041011/https://www.is.fi/perhe/art-2000010674287.html

An interview with a mother about how the ban saddened her child to the point of asking to switch to a nearby school where it wasn’t banned. That mother saw the therian children have a healthy and positive experience together. She was concerned that the schools limit children’s freedom of expression too much, and might start banning nonconformist fashion styles too, such as goths. In contrast, another mother supported the ban. She had seen that her own child’s curiosity about therians had led to places on the internet that weren’t appropriate for children. The child had encountered an adult online with sexual content, and had planned to go to an adult therian meet-up. The mother grounded her child from social media. Her child had also gotten very sore from practicing quadrobics, but not injured.

Lilja Hannila (September 5, 2024). "Näin opettaja saa keskeyttää therianin ”kiisuilun” ilman, että syyllistyy laittomuuksiin: Juristi arvioi Wilma-jyrähdystä." (This allows the teacher to ban therian 'masking' without committing any illegalities: A lawyer will assess the Wilma message.) Iltalehti. https://www.iltalehti.fi/kotimaa/a/46005c9f-b27f-496b-b819-25de3100c47c Archived September 10, 2024: https://web.archive.org/web/20240910091006/https://www.iltalehti.fi/kotimaa/a/46005c9f-b27f-496b-b819-25de3100c47c

It was controversial for the schools to ban masks, because that's a dress code. A lawyer at the Finnish National Board of Education, Laura Francke, explains about school dress codes in general.

Leo Jaakkonen. (September 5, 2024). “Eläinmaskit hämmentävät kouluissa – nyt puhuvat therian-lapset.” (Animal masks confuse schools – now talking about therian children.) MTV Uutiset.https://www.mtvuutiset.fi/artikkeli/elainmaskit-hammentavat-kouluissa-nyt-puhuvat-therian-lapset/9002214

Leo Kirjonen (September 5, 2024). "Paulan 11-vuotias lapsi kuvittelee olevansa kettu: Äiti järkyttyi, kun therian-ilmiö kiellettiin Oulussa." (Paula's 11-year-old child thinks he's a fox: Mother shocked when therian phenomenon was banned in Oulu.) Iltalehti.https://www.iltalehti.fi/kotimaa/a/5b167c83-51d6-45e0-b1fb-008089d45e8d Archived September 7, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240907083332/https://www.iltalehti.fi/kotimaa/a/5b167c83-51d6-45e0-b1fb-008089d45e8d

Jere Silfsten (September 5, 2024). “Therian-huuma näkyy kaupassa – eläinmaskit viedään nyt käsistä.” (Therian masks are now sold in the store – animal masks are getting carried away.) MTV Uutiset.https://www.mtvuutiset.fi/artikkeli/therian-huuma-nakyy-kaupassa-elainmaskit-viedaan-nyt-kasista/9002094 Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240912185250/https://www.mtvuutiset.fi/artikkeli/therian-huuma-nakyy-kaupassa-elainmaskit-viedaan-nyt-kasista/9002094

In the capital city Helsinki, the craft store Sirpa Saviluoto talks about therian animal masks. The store started selling them less than a year ago. The owner hadn't heard of therians before then, but has been learning from parents. Most buyers are primary school children. The store only sells blank masks, not ready-made ones or tails. The owner believes it's important for children to do crafts and make their masks and tails for themselves. The ban brought publicity and now the masks are selling faster than they can keep them in stock.

Heidi Asplund (September 6, 2024). “Kommentti: Aikuiset sekosivat lasten eläinmaskeista – hävetkää!” (Commentary: Adults ban children’s animal masks– shame!) MTV Uutiset.https://www.mtvuutiset.fi/artikkeli/kommentti-aikuiset-sekosivat-lasten-elainmaskeista-havetkaa/9002926

Anna Hopi and Riia Pakkanen (September 6, 2024). “Supernanny Pia Penttalan suorat sanat therian-ilmiöstä: ‘Pitäisi alkaa hätäkellot soimaan.’” (Supernanny Pia Penttala’s direct words about therian phenomenon: ‘There should be an emergency bell ringing.’) https://www.iltalehti.fi/viihdeuutiset/a/feee8339-324e-4787-9be2-0b696ab0d162 Archived September 7, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240907014441/https://www.iltalehti.fi/viihdeuutiset/a/feee8339-324e-4787-9be2-0b696ab0d162

This article interviews several TV celebrities on what they think parents should do if their children say they are therians. These opinions are not well informed about what therians are. They tend toward conjecture about bizarre and unlikely scenarios that haven’t happened.

Mikael Kaivanto (September 6, 2024). “Fazer-kahvilassa viittaus therianeihin? Näin toimitusjohtaja kommentoi.” (In Fazer Cafe, reference to therians? Here's how the CEO commented.) https://www.iltalehti.fi/kotimaa/a/4a80fb39-18e7-4d24-8b31-1b78e367cf61 Archived September 7, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240907013741/https://www.iltalehti.fi/kotimaa/a/4a80fb39-18e7-4d24-8b31-1b78e367cf61

At a certain café in Helsinki, the figures on the restroom signs have animal ears. The CEO explained that the signs have been like this for a long time. It's part of their branding. Despite rumors, it’s not a reference to the recently fashionable hobby.

Mari Kononen (September 6, 2024). “Joensuulais­koulu kielsi therian­maskit.” (Joensuu school bans therian masks.) Ilta-Sanomat.https://www.is.fi/kotimaa/art-2000010681609.html Archived September 11, 2024: https://web.archive.org/web/20240911091135/https://www.is.fi/kotimaa/art-2000010681609.html

The principal of that school explains his reasoning for the ban is that students' faces need to be visible, during recess, too.

Samppa Rautio (September 6, 2024). “Therian-raivo järkyttää – ‘Elämme ihan outoa aikaa.’” (Therian fad shocks: ‘We are living in a strange time.’) Ilta-Sanomat.https://www.is.fi/perhe/art-2000010679079.html Archived September 11, 2024: https://web.archive.org/web/20240911073437/https://www.is.fi/perhe/art-2000010679079.html

The Ombudsman for Children, Elina Pekkarinen, looks at the hostile attitudes that adults have toward therian children. The Ombudsman explains that adults are often annoyed and scandalized by youth and youth fads, because adults want children to conform. She is disgusted at adults who have left comments on the internet saying that the children should be hunted like animals. It’s these adults who she calls strange, because it's terrible for adults to talk about children that way. She describes the therian hobby with approval.

Perrtu Kaupinen (September 7, 2024). "Pääkirjoitus: Lasten pitää saada leikkiä eläimiä, mutta leikkiä on vaarallista kutsua identiteetiksi." (Editorial: Children need to play animals, but it's dangerous to call play an identity.) Iltalehti. https://www.iltalehti.fi/paakirjoitus/a/8cc904b7-1c2c-461b-b9e3-c27313d0c740 Archived September 7, 2024: https://web.archive.org/web/20240907013819/https://www.iltalehti.fi/paakirjoitus/a/8cc904b7-1c2c-461b-b9e3-c27313d0c740

This opinion article says that although the hobby itself is all right, it is disruptive if children try to continue animal behavior during class, and that calling therianthropy an identity makes a joke of the serious issue of gender identity.

Leo Kirjonen (September 7, 2024). "Rehtorit linjaavat therian-oppilaista: 'Emme me ole täällä eläiminä.'" (Principals say of Therian students: 'We are not here as animals.') https://www.iltalehti.fi/kotimaa/a/0d1ee0ed-e26f-4ae7-a3a6-129d6bfdf041 Archived September 7, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240907013152/https://www.iltalehti.fi/kotimaa/a/0d1ee0ed-e26f-4ae7-a3a6-129d6bfdf041

The newspaper asked the officials of schools in different parts of Finland to find out if therian hobbyists were really so widespread as believed. Several schools had no sign of it or hadn't heard of it. All of them agreed that it sounded like a healthy activity for children, as long as the masks aren't scary to other younger children.

Heini Kilpamäki (September 7, 2024). "Seiko, 15, on therian – Nyt hänellä on painavaa sanottavaa trendi-ilmiöstä." (Seiko, 15, on therians – Now they speak up about trending.) Iltalehti. https://www.iltalehti.fi/kotimaa/a/9f9616a8-9886-4540-9302-9b63caf8fb42 Archived September 10, 2024: https://web.archive.org/web/20240910051442/https://www.iltalehti.fi/kotimaa/a/9f9616a8-9886-4540-9302-9b63caf8fb42

This article interviews a teen therian– only by the nickname Seiko, to protect the child’s privacy– and the child’s parent, who explain about what it really means to be a therian and an alterhuman, using those words, and how it’s different from being a furry, and more than a fad or hobby.

Samppa Rautio (September 9, 2024). “Kommentti: Therian-ilmiössä on kyse yksin­kertaisesta, mutta tärkeästä asiasta.” (Commentary: Therian fad is a simple but important issue.) Ilta-Sanomat.https://www.is.fi/kotimaa/art-2000010685958.html

An editor of the newspaper gives the opinion that it’s okay for children to use animal play to combat loneliness and find out who they are. The editor points out that adult therians are as able to behave themselves and speak normally as any other adult.

Heini Kilpamäki (September 11, 2024). “Lapset: Pilalla – Tässä 7 syytä.” Iltalehti.https://www.iltalehti.fi/perheartikkelit/a/aa1b3e49-7a6e-4a1f-a1a3-b47a5e87a3f4

This humor article reminds its readers that therians and TikTok aren’t the first fads that adults said were inappropriate for young students. It gives some familiar examples from previous decades, such as people who had thought Elvis danced in a much too scandalous way.

Sanna Ukkola (September 12, 2024). “Kolumni: Apua, lapseni on susi – Nyt hän vaatii raakaa lihaa kouluruoaksi, mitä teen?” (Column: Help, my child is a wolf – Now he wants raw meat for school food, what do I do?) Iltalehti. https://www.iltalehti.fi/kotimaa/a/29d8700f-9d9a-42df-9b23-ae04e7aada82 Archived September 14, 2024: https://web.archive.org/web/20240914005855/https://www.iltalehti.fi/kotimaa/a/29d8700f-9d9a-42df-9b23-ae04e7aada82

A mean-spirited satirical opinion piece describing bizarre scenarios that have not happened. Despite the title, this is not about someone's own child, and children haven’t been asking for raw meat in school.

[changingplumbob]

Romero Household: Chapter 1, Part 3

Dia de los Muertos is here!

CW: Discussions of death

Marta’s first language is Spanish so she is teaching Keira (and me) some common phrases Spanish words Abuelo/Abuela: Grandfather/Grandmother Barrio: Neighbourhood Buenos días: Good morning Carino: Term of endearment for a loved one Gracias: Thank you Hasta luego: See you later Lo siento: Sorry Mi familia: My family Padre: Father Si: Yes Te amo: I love you

Poor Marta has an awful night with Burning Belly. She drinks green tea while checking out some midnight building show, forever hoping the nausea will die down. When it does she’s able to nap for a few hours. But before long her stomach forces her up and back to the tea and TV. Who is this house flipper person? Marta wants to improve her handiness but she doesn’t think that he looks trustworthy…

Keira: Good morning sweetheart. How did you sleep

Marta: *yawns* in patches but I feel much better now

Keira: That’s great news!

Marta: Oh you must come! I finished the ofrenda last night

The couple head downstairs and Marta excitedly shows Keira where she’s set up the bottles of wine and larger sugar skulls amongst the food she grilled.

Marta: Do you like it

Keira: Of course but I’m hardly an ofrenda expert

Marta pushes herself to tiptoes and kisses Keira on the cheek.

Marta: You will be carino

Keira: Why the sugar skulls?

Marta: Abuela, Abuelo, Padre and Mama each have one of the big ones, their names are carved in them to honour them. Then the four smaller ones on the second level, there’s one each for abuela Maria’s ancestors, abuelo Manuel’s ancestors and the ancestors of Mama’s parents.

Keira: I’m surprised you found someone here who makes them

Marta: The woman has made them for over 60 years

Keira: Wow, no wonder they’re so detailed. Why are we having chimi for breakfast, I thought it was for dinner

Marta: Family tradition carino. Every year Abuelo Manuel would make chimi with Padre. He claimed they were the best in town so he made extra to give away, you know to all the people to busy working to cook. We always had more than we needed by Dia de los Muertos so he would have us feast at breakfast as well as dinner

Keira: That’s cool, gracias for telling me

Keira volunteers to do the dishes and is glad to hear a healthy Marta singing away like normal as she collects their gear for the gym space at the rec center. Marta takes a moment to stop by the ofrenda and talk to her family before they leave.

Marta: Buenos días mi familia. Don’t be mad at me for not having a proper ofrenda in years, por favor. Liam never let… well, he’s gone now so what he stopped me doing is past. But I have Keira now, you’ll meet all her familia tonight. I hope you like them. Te amo, hasta luego

After a few hours at the nearby church service the couple make it to the rec center. It’s pretty quiet here by midday, the couple guess since the weather has less clouds the people in the area must be enjoying outdoors. Keira gets on a workout machine in the corner while Marta finds space to roll out her yoga mat. There’s no room in their unit and the ground outside was too muddy to risk it. Keira watches Marta as she stretches away. She’s always in the zone when doing her yoga, the oversized cat headphones ensuring the only sounds she hears are her beats.

After what seems like hours Marta lies down to finish her routine. Keira takes that as a cue to finish up her own exercise.

Marta: All done carino?

Keira: Si

Marta: *giggles* I guess we need to clean up before we receive your family

Keira: *smiles* Are you proposing what I think you’re proposing

Marta: *innocently* The showers are there to be used are they not

Keira: *laughs* you win

The pair head off to the changing rooms where they lock themselves in a suite and make very good use of the shower. Perks of leaving the house.

The Fosters arrive and are called to eat and share stories of those who are no longer with them.

Kayleigh: Oh Marta dear this looks delicious

Marta: I hope you enjoy it

Samir: Is any of it meat?

Reece: Don’t worry boss, I’ll grab you some chicken

Carson: Please tell me you vacuumed

Marta: Uh, not today lo siento

Carson grumbles but goes and grabs a plate.

Harvey: So how exactly do we do this

Marta: There’s no script. We just share tales of ones we love who are gone that we wish to honour and remember. Who wants to go first

The Fosters all look a bit hesitant so Marta figures she may as well start.

Marta: Let me tell you about my Abuela Maria. She was born back in Mexico. Growing up she was known as the girl who was always falling over. We think she had an inner ear problem but there were not many doctors in her barrio so we don’t know. She would fall over if she went too fast which she would do a lot *laughs* she was a speed loving kid, always had someone to go see

Keira: And she grew up to become a teacher. She emigrated to the Dominican Republic with a group from her college and that’s where she met Marta’s abuelo Manuel. He insisted on walking arm in arm to help her balance but later admitted that was just so he could be close to her

The girls start eating again, clearly having finished the tale.

Charlie: I… I had a great dog called Allie

Keira’s parents and siblings all murmur in agreement. They grew up with Allie and all had affection for her.

Charlie: She was always a good dog. She stuck to me like glue. I remember one time out on a run I twisted my ankle and she stood barking until a car stopped to help me

Carson: I miss her

Charlie: Me to. She’ll always be my first furbaby

Kaori: My grandmother Sachiko was a light in the darkness for me after my parents passed. No matter how angry or sad I got she always made sure I had everything I needed. Her favourite thing to do was garden. She was always out cutting from whatever plants we had and making big bouquets too send to others on the mountain

Harvey: What about your parents Samir

Harvey is obviously just trying to include Samir in the conversation but the large man looks very uncomfortable, having already perched himself on the lone chair by the stairs.

Reece: Actually dad we talked and I’m going to share a bit about his parents if that’s all right

Reece looks to Marta for reassurance and she nods.

Marta: We do not have to remember those only connected by blood, familia is much more than that

Reece: *smiles* So his ommi, Nadia Hadji, gave the best hugs in the whole world. Regardless of if she was in a good mood or not, she always had time for hugs. Samir fell out of a bunch of trees when he was little and when he’d get home his ommi would patch him up. When he was all clean she’d kiss every plaster before giving him a giant squeeze and letting him run off

Marta: That’s lovely

Samir digs into his food trying to ignore the blush in his cheeks.

Reece: His ab, Othman Hadji, loved the woods and the animals that inhabited it. He’s where Samir got his love of nature and he remembers having many adventures with his ab through the woods. Just like I remember having with dad

Harvey smiles and pulls Reece in for a hug.

Kaori: My dad’s the one who taught me how to snowboard. Or rather tried to teach me how to snowbard

Marta: I have so many questions already

Kaori: My dad wasn’t from Mt Komorebi, he was traveling there when he met mum and had never seen snow before

The evening passes with the family sharing stories of all those they have loved and lost over the years. Kaori’s parents Emica and Daiki had a lot of fun around Mt Komorebi which didn’t always impress Kaori’s stern grandfather Shigeru. Of course all the Fosters remember their shock at discovering Sachiko and Shigeru had become enemies, and divorced. Then Shigeru announced he’d married Geeta, a woman none of them knew.

Samir of course had lost his parents and he suspected his grandparents, no one pressed him on the subject. Both Kayleigh and Harvey’s parents were all in the forever save now, Harvey’s dad was there before even Charlie was born. At last the family understand why Harvey is so eager to become a grandparent. The sims were all gone now but as the stories continued to be shared and everyone got full bellies, the room did feel as though there was more life in it than just the sims that had still beating hearts.

Kayleigh: Thank you for including us Marta, it was nice

Marta: Dia de los Muertos is for familia

Kayleigh: Well I’m very glad you’re part of ours. You to Samir

Samir: Hmm? Oh, ah… thanks?

When the parents are out of earshot Keira pops over to her brother and his boyfriend.

Keira: You have to tell me, you must be responsible for that thing on his neck

Samir and Reece blush but while Samir is less than eager to elaborate, Reece is happy to report the hickey is intentional.

To wrap things up we have a couple of group photos and thank everyone for coming.

Previous ... Next

[healthy444]

What are the most effective exercises for weight loss?

When it comes to losing weight, the key is to find exercises that you enjoy and can stick with consistently. Here are some of the most effective exercises for weight loss:

Walking: It's simple, free, and accessible. A brisk walk can burn calories, improve your mood, and be easy on your joints.

Running or Jogging: These are great for burning a lot of calories in a short time. If you're just starting out, you can alternate between jogging and walking.

Cycling: Whether on a stationary bike or riding outside, cycling is excellent for weight loss and also builds leg strength.

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): These short bursts of intense exercise followed by rest periods are incredibly effective for burning calories and boosting metabolism.

Swimming: This full-body workout is gentle on the joints and great for building endurance and muscle while burning calories.

Strength Training: Lifting weights or doing body-weight exercises (like push-ups and squats) helps build muscle, which can increase your resting metabolism and help you burn more calories even when you're not working out.

Group Fitness Classes: Activities like Zumba, kickboxing, or spin classes can be fun and motivating, making it easier to stay consistent.

Yoga and Pilates: While these might not burn as many calories as some high-intensity workouts, they help with flexibility, muscle tone, and stress reduction, all of which support weight loss.

Rowing: This is a fantastic full-body workout that targets multiple muscle groups and burns a significant number of calories. Plus, it’s low-impact.

Jumping Rope: It’s not just for kids! Jumping rope is an excellent cardiovascular exercise that can burn a lot of calories in a short amount of time.

Dance Workouts: From hip-hop to ballroom, dancing is a fun way to get your heart rate up and burn calories without it feeling like a chore.

Hiking: If you enjoy the outdoors, hiking is a great way to combine cardio with strength training (especially if you’re tackling hills).

Stair Climbing: Whether you use a stair machine at the gym or take the stairs whenever possible, this exercise targets your legs and glutes and can really get your heart pumping.

Kickboxing: This high-energy workout helps you burn calories while improving your coordination and building muscle.

Elliptical Trainer: This machine provides a low-impact workout that can help you burn calories and improve your cardiovascular health.

Additional Tips for Maximizing Weight Loss with Exercise:

Consistency is Key: Regular exercise is more important than occasional intense workouts. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week, combined with muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days a week.

Mix it Up: Variety can prevent boredom and target different muscle groups. Combine cardio with strength training and flexibility exercises for a well-rounded routine.

Stay Hydrated: Drinking water before, during, and after workouts helps maintain your energy levels and improves performance.

Monitor Your Progress: Keep track of your workouts and progress. This can help you stay motivated and make necessary adjustments to your routine.

Rest and Recovery: Don’t underestimate the power of rest. Your muscles need time to recover, which helps prevent injuries and improve performance over time.

Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to how your body feels during and after workouts. It's important to push yourself, but not to the point of injury or burnout.

By incorporating a variety of these exercises and tips into your routine, you'll be better equipped to lose weight and improve your overall fitness. Remember, the journey to weight loss is a marathon, not a sprint, so find what works best for you and stick with it!

Remember, the best exercise for weight loss is the one you enjoy and can do regularly. Combining different types of workouts can also keep things interesting and work different parts of your body. And don't forget to pair your exercise routine with a healthy diet for the best results!

[mountwoodco1]

Unveiling the Wishes of Maha Shivratri by Mountwood Co

Introduction

In the vibrant tapestry of cultural celebrations, Maha Shivratri stands as a beacon of spiritual significance. As we delve into the heart of this auspicious occasion, we join hands with Mountwood Co, a distinguished Outdoor Gym Equipment, Sports Flooring, Sports Pole, Swings, Slides, and Outdoor Multiplay Stations Manufacturer. Let us explore the unique wishes extended by Mountwood Co on this Maha Shivratri, weaving together the threads of tradition, joy, and outdoor recreation.

Outdoor gym and fitness equipment manufacturer

Outdoor gym equipment manufacturer

Open gym equipment manufacturer

Sports goods and gym accessories

Maha Shivratri: A Time of Spiritual Reflection

Maha Shivratri, also known as the ‘Great Night of Shiva,’ holds immense cultural and religious importance in Hindu traditions. It marks the convergence of devotion and spiritual awakening, symbolizing the overcoming of darkness and ignorance. Mountwood Co, acknowledging the profound significance of this day, extends heartfelt wishes for inner peace and enlightenment.

Celebrating Outdoors with Mountwood Co

1. Outdoor Gym Equipment: Blending Fitness with Nature

In the spirit of Maha Shivratri, Mountwood Co introduces a range of Outdoor Gym Equipment that seamlessly merges the benefits of exercise with the tranquility of nature. From elliptical machines nestled in lush greenery to open-air yoga platforms, these offerings create a harmonious environment for physical well-being and spiritual rejuvenation.

2. Sports Flooring: Grounding Excellence in Every Step

Mountwood Co’s Sports Flooring solutions resonate with the spirit of Maha Shivratri by providing a stable foundation for sporting activities. Whether it’s a cricket match or a friendly basketball game, the high-quality surfaces enhance the outdoor experience, promoting a sense of camaraderie and joy.

3. Sports Pole: Reaching New Heights of Celebration

Embrace the festive fervor with Mountwood Co’s Sports Pole installations. These dynamic structures not only add an aesthetic touch to outdoor spaces but also symbolize the upward journey of the spirit. Wishing everyone the strength to reach new heights in both physical and spiritual endeavors.

4. Swings and Slides: Joyful Moments in the Lap of Nature

As we celebrate Maha Shivratri, Mountwood Co extends wishes for boundless joy with their meticulously crafted Swings and Slides. Designed to blend seamlessly into natural landscapes, these elements create a playground of happiness, invoking the playful spirit of Lord Shiva.

5. Outdoor Multiplay Stations: Unity in Diversity of Recreation

Dive into a world of diversified recreation with Mountwood Co’s Outdoor Multiplay Stations. These comprehensive setups cater to various age groups and interests, fostering a sense of community and togetherness. The wishes for Maha Shivratri extend to every corner of these vibrant outdoor spaces.

Keywords Integration

In weaving the wishes of Maha Shivratri by Mountwood Co into this narrative, we seamlessly integrate keywords like “wishes of Maha Shivratri by Mountwood Co,” “Outdoor Gym Equipment,” “Sports Flooring,” “Sports Pole,” “Swings,” “Slides,” and “Outdoor Multiplay Stations Manufacturer” to enhance both relevance and readability.

External and Internal Links for Additional Resources

To further enrich your understanding of Mountwood Co’s offerings and the cultural significance of Maha Shivratri, here are some valuable links:

Mountwood Co’s Outdoor Gym Equipment Catalog

Exploring the Tradition of Maha Shivratri

Sports Flooring Benefits and Selection Guide

Conclusion

As we immerse ourselves in the celebratory atmosphere of Maha Shivratri, Mountwood Co extends warm wishes for spiritual enlightenment and outdoor joy. The seamless integration of their products with the festivities showcases a commitment to holistic well-being. May this Maha Shivratri be a tapestry of joy, unity, and outdoor revelry for all.

[lifewithchronicpain]

I got an email from my local shelter with tips for keeping pets safe this holiday. So I just want to spread the word:

July 4th Fireworks can trigger anxiety in pets

Fireworks can cause anxiety in our pets that may last for a long time. Signs of stress include: shaking, drooling, howling or barking, pacing, trying to find a place to hide, and loss of bladder control.

When scared, some dogs may show aggressive behavior, and some may be so scared they run off.

Here are 3 tips to make sure you and your pet are prepared for the holiday:

Make sure that your pet is wearing a collar with identification tags; if they are microchipped, ensure that the contact information is current and correct in case they become lost.

Set your pet up in a quiet, temperature-controlled room with some of their favorite toys; turn on some soft music, a television, or a white noise machine to help drown out the noises caused by fireworks. A room with no windows can also block out the bright lights.

There are medications to help reduce stress and anxiety, so speak with your veterinarian to determine which, if any, medication would be appropriate for your pet.

Additional Summer Safety Tips

Keep your pet safe and healthy by following these important basic guidelines:

Prevention is always your best bet. Whenever possible, leave your pet at home in a cool humidity and temperature-regulated room.

If your pet must be outdoors, find a shady spot with ample air flow to prevent overheating.

Hydration is key, so keep a bowl of cold water accessible at all times.

Limit exercise to the morning or evening hours when temperatures are at their coolest.

Never leave your pet alone in a parked car — even with the air conditioner on or the windows cracked. Remember, when the temperatures rise, it’s Too Hot for Spot®

SOURCE: Animal Rescue League of Boston

[snapthistiger]

exercise 01062024

bike ride to the gym

8 x 10 incline sit ups

3 x 10 pec machine

3 x 10 lat raise

3 x 10 low row

30 minutes on the step mill

3 x 10 cable row

3 x 10 cable press

bike ride home

the gym workers received Hershey kisses

top left = new manual door lock at my Mom's house. my Mom has been wandering outside during the night. my niece is staying with my Mom and has been finding the back door unlocked in the morning, so today i installed one of these manual locks on the front and back door to see if that will help keep my Mom inside at night.

middle = the gym had a polar bear challenge for adults today. i didn't see the notice that it would be today so i missed out. the participants went swimming in the outdoor pool for about 15 minutes and then 45 minutes of warm up activities in the indoor pool. hopefully i can participate next time

bottom = paint squad working in the gym stairway

i converted an old laptop from microsoft windows to linux mint.

hope you have a peaceful afternoon and evening..

[thesims3help]

Sims 3 - Gameplay enhancing mods: Family, Pets, Occults, Celebrities.

A category-based mod post. Mods and links previously featured in our Masterlist. All credits to their rightful owners.

Categories include: family (pregnancy, parenthood, babies, toddlers, children), pets, occults and celebrities mods.

Pregnancy:

Mixed Feelings About Pregnancy .

Pregnancy Progress Controller

More/Less Cheaty Pregnancy Moodlet

Less/More Frequent Male Pregnancy!

Longer or Shorter Pregnancies, Puddles and More! 1.67

Multiple Birth Tuning Mod

Labor Leaks - puddles appear when birth starts!

[SEAS] More Seasons Interactions for Pregnant Sims by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

Pregnancy Woes - more/less nausea and backaches!

Forever or a Day - longer/shorter pregnancy for sims/pets!

Teen Delivery - Teens Can Now Choose WHERE to Have a Baby

Parenting/Family:

User-directed Scolding + Other Punishments

Pick Up Toddler Fixes

Adults can Play Peek-A-Boo & Hug Toddlers

Family Kiss Interactions

All adults can carry children

Adults can Pinch cheek

Toddlers Can Sit on Sims' Laps

Breastfeeding Mod V11 - Updated 19 June by Nona Mena

Babies:

More Baby Interactions

Silent Babies & Toddlers

[PC] Don't Put the Baby Down (Changing Table Mod) by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

Better Sleeping Babies & Toddlers

Newborns Get Zodiac Signs that Match the Current Season

Same Zodiac for Twins and Triplets

Toddlers:

Updated Toddler Interactions

More Toddler Interactions

Make a mess (New Toddler interactions)

Toddlers Can Use Stairs

Toddlers can Ask for Things

Toddlers can Sit on Couches & Lounges

Toddlers can Ride Rocking Rider

Biggest Little Mod for Toddlers

Outdoor Activities for Toddlers

Toddlers Extra Activities

Functional Baby Carrier

Replaced Toddler Crying Animations

Toys are More Fun!

Autonomous Play with Teddy Bear

Makeup Kit (Toddlers + Children)

Toddlers can Pickup Festive Eggs

Toddlers can Catch Butterflies & Pick Flowers

[GEN] Stroller Tweak: No Energy Strolls for Toddlers by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

Read Toddler to Sleep - Fixed Interaction

Napping Mat

Children:

NoStretch Children Can series

Children can care for their lil' siblings

Better Playdates (Sims 3 Playdates)

Working Together is Better! - Homework Tweaks

Tooth Fairy Mod

Child can Use Collection Helper Reward (Tuning) by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

[PC] Children can use Not So Routine Machine, Teleport works 100% by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

Pets:

Pets Don't Eat Plants

Bathe Animals Correctly

Pet Bladder Tweaks

No Autonomous Fill Pet Bowl by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

No/Fewer/Always Extra Days from Gourmet Pet Food by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

No More Pets Autonomously Waking Sims by CyberBob (simlogical.com)

Improved Beloved Pet, and other Animal-Related Traits - 1.63 - 1.67 by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

Improved Relationship Gain with Pets by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

No/Slower Social and Exercise Decay for Pets - 1.63 - 1.67 by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

New Pet Genetics - No More Skinny Clones

Minor Pets Won't Run Away

Dogs collecting shinies fills Destruction motive

Cats stalking for crawlies fills Scratch motive

Horse mod: No Autonomous Exit Box Stall, slower motive decay- 1.63 - 1.67 by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

Improved Beloved Pet, and other Animal-Related Traits - 1.63 - 1.67 by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

Horse mod: Foals Can Nurse on Community Lots by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

Horse mod: No Autonomous Bottle Feed Foal by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

Horse mod: Child and Pregnant Sim Can Mount Horse by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

Horse mod: No Bareback Riding (Tuning) by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

Immediate Interactions for Rails on Horse Jumping Objects (Update to V3) by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

Buy Pets at the Pet Shop! (Scripting Mod) by Sims MX (simlogical.com)

Bloom's Apple Barrels: Let your Horses Feast on Apples! (Updated to V2) by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

Horse mod: Easier Racing and Jumping Challenges (plus Gallop "fix") by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

Horse mod: Easier Riding Challenges by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

Occults:

No More Zombies Generated At Full Moon - 2 Flavors

nraas Hybrid

Enhanced Vampires

Enhanced Fairies

Enhanced Werewolves

Enhanced Mermaids

Enhanced Genies

Enhanced Witches

Enhanced Wands

sHoNi's Mummy Overhaul

Mummy Power Mod

Scarier Ghosts Mod

Plantsim Power Mod

Console –> PC: Karma Powers

Zombies Can't Kill Garden Plants

Normal Lifespan For Occults

Reaction Remover Collection

[SN] No Autonomous Ice Blast Plumbing by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

[SN] No Autonomous Conjure Apple by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

No Fairy Booby Trap Mailbox: 1.50 - 1.67 by Nona Mena (simlogical.com) (Link at the very bottom)

More Alchemy Potions + Potions for Pets

Celebrity:

Testers Wanted: Harder Celebrity Difficulty & More (Late Night)

Harder Fame (TS3SU)

[LN] No Celebrity Level requirements for Film (Acting/Director) Career by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

[chere-indolente-plays]

Here are a happy bunch of occults ready to attend their first Drag show as per @cowplant-snacks's request

I just though it'd be a fun exercise making vanilla modern sims for once so I ended up re-purposing and playing around with some of the occults I created for my simblreen promo shots.

Isadora Hamani

genius / perfectionist / romantic

Althought Isadora loves mixing victorian, edwardian and 1970s influence in her wardrobe and playing up the mystery of her true age (a vampire lady never tells), her latest obsession has been wracking her brain on contemporary computer programming. Nothing screams computer whiz like antique edwardian lace and bell bottoms, don't you agree ?

Philomène Rey

dance machine / bookworm / adventurous

Philomène is just here to enjoy everything life has to offer, be it devouring the latest novels, giving their heart away to whom ever they please, dancing all night, casting spells on the whole town or climbing on top of the world. Preferably whilst excelling at all of the above like a true renaissance sim ought to.

Alma Lempicka

clumsy / insider / active

When Alma is not taking care of all of her precious plants - living her freelance botanist dream - , she's probably busy tending to her numerous social club engagements. Although she could most certainly sustain herself solely on her own plasma fruit crop, she does like a bit of neck drinking here and there. Which is, by the way, the only kind of action this aroace vamp is remotely interested in.

Nova Six

green fiend / loves outdoor / outgoing

Nova just looooves Earth : basking in the scenery, interacting with the local (in all kinds of ways) ... This is the perfect place to relax, become a true zen gourou and even maybe experience that love thing the humans can't seem to stop talking about (maybe with one of the "women" ones ?).

Cleo Davis

high maintenance / party animal / cat lover

Cleo is one fancy ace bitch on her way to learn all the secrets of ancient spellcraft & sorcery and doing so stylishly. Currently on the look out for a fur baby to come back to after her long nights of partying, preferably a black kitty to match her witchy lifestyle but she might settle for a girlfriend instead.

Oscar Grey

snob / art lover / creative

Oscar is very gay for the boys and definitely is not an off brand vampire version of Oscar Wilde, definitely not 👀 ... Obviously, he's a snobbish aesthete from a era gone by and aspires to be a bestselling author as nature intended.

[lunalillyhbhb]

Lea's home

Chapter 6 pt.1

The top floor of Lea's house is occupied by a private gym. It's equipped with everything from treadmills, rowing machines and cycles to weights, bars and dumbbells. It also has a 10 m long pool. It is a pretty nice gym. While I'm not exactly allowed to use it freely as I see fit, I'm not too bothered about it as the owners rarely use the gym facilities. And being on the top floor (a lot of stairs), it's as good as deserted. Almost like it's MY personal gym. Now and then when college ends early, I rush to Lea's house to use the gym quickly before my shift starts.

The only issue is Khushi, the appointed trainer of this residence. Khushi is a muscular woman, with defined facial features and beautiful brown eyes, a straight pierced nose and plump lips. Her long black hair is usually braided and drapes her back like silk on a sculpture. Her flawless brown skin define her lean muscles so prettily, she would make a perfect anatomy model. A long time outdoor and mountain marathon running enthusiast, she has a lean build with long arms and long legs, as well as perfectly sculpted D cup breasts.

Being a trainer, she specializes in all things sports and exercise, and frequently monitors the vitals of the family to keep track of things like body weight, fat percentage, muscle weight, loss/gains.... and most importantly: heart beat and blood pressure.

I just know she must be an excellent candidate to be hooked up.... heart being listened to.... the way she places her hand on her chest when she stands watch... the way it subtly bounces... but I haven't dwelt on it. I rarely use the gym and when I do, I have to make sure Khushi isn't there to rat me out to the owners. As such, I avoid her and rarely interact with her.

What a pity.

Today happens to be one such day, classes ended early and I have 2 hours till my shift starts. I decide to make the best of it and rush over to Lea's place. As the maid I have access to the house schedule. I notice that the gym is due for a cleanup, and there's no classes scheduled. Perfect. I could bring my maid uniform and in-case someone comes in, I could quickly change into my maid uniform and get to work. Simple.

I race up the stairs, open the glass doors to the gym and slip inside. Once in, I spot my favourite cardio activity: the treadmill. I quickly wear my shoes, tie my hair into a messy bun, turn on the machine, and start.

5 mins go bye and my heart has settled on a steady 140 bpm, going strong. I decide to jog for 15 mins as warm up, and hit my biceps today. Suddenly I hear a tussle from the staircase. My body immediately goes into panic mode as I swiftly turn off the machine and run to the changing room. Once inside, I hear footsteps, and quickly attempt to remove my crop top. In my panic I fail to notice the footsteps nearing the changing room. As I slip out of my tights the door barges open. I freeze, heart thudding in my throat. Khushi is staring at me, in my deep cut sports bra and tights halfway removed. She smirks.

"My little kitten, what were you doing in here? Changing clothes?"

She speaks in a sensual yet pleasing tone, capable of pulling everyone's attention to herself. Her loose tank top over black cycle shorts accentuates her curves and muscles even more, she looks incredibly sexy.

"H-hey Khushi, how come you're in today? I am scheduled to clean the gym so I was just changing into my uniform here...."

I pray she buys it.

She doesn't.

"The treadmill was slowing down when i entered, you have anything to do with that? Seeing how we're the only people here... and I definitely didn't use it...."

She knows. Why is she doing this to me? Why's she so strict? Just let me go!

"I'm really sorry Khushi, please don't tell the owners!"

My heart stammers as I scramble to look for an excuse.

"But you know I must my little kitten! The other workers are not allowed to use the equipment without permission and you know this!" she says this in a calm berating voice, as she traces her manicured fingernails across my cheek and down my neck. Her finger subtly rests on my carotid pulse, and I can feel it pushing against her finger with such force, and I know she's feeling it.

Her finger lingers there for a moment longer. I can see her beautiful eyes calculating her next words, and suddenly it lights up. Oh no.

"Ok. I'll help you, I'll keep it a secret......under one condition."

There it is. I'm going to agree to it no matter what, else I loose this haven of a job.

"Yes, anything, tell me what I can do!"

Her whole demeaner changes in a split second, and she's back to her upbeat bubbly self. "You can help me out with my sports medicine thesis! Just follow my instructions to the tee and I'll keep your secret between us.... hell, I'll let you use the gym facilities without getting caught! How's that of a deal, sweet right?"

I want to say yes immediately, so badly, but I know there's a catch. There's something she's not explaining fully. Otherwise, this would be too good to be true.

I sigh resignedly. "Umm..... Ok. Let's do this. What do you need help with?"

She perks up, eyes shining with mischief. "I need to record the cardiovascular changes of the heart before, during and after exercise. This exercise includes and cardio and weight training. Of course, I'll be doing the grunt work and hooked up on monitors, I just need you to tell me how it's beating, the blood pressure, and help me record it properly. I might need to record yours here and there, for baseline if you don't mind."

Yes. YES. This is what I wanted. I've wanted to do this. I've waited for an opportunity like this, and I can't let it slip by.

"YES!" I blurt out, sounding a little too eager for my liking. She smirks in response.

"You can remove your tights, don't change into anything new, It makes movement easier for you."

I got a little shy, but i am in no position to make demands. I see her removing her own shirt and cycle shorts, her sculpted breasts snugly sit in a sports bra with a matching set underwear. I can't believe I get to see all this. My eyes drink in her entirety, memorizing everything about her curves, her hips, the way she walks, everything.

She opens her bag and grabs two sets of steths, attaches one firmly to her mitral valve. She makes her way to me and without asking for permission, she palpates my left breast, moving them around as she sees fit. Finally she settles for my mitral valve as well, and securely attaches the steth. My heart is beating fast, fluttering lightly. I know she felt it. I try not looking at her breasts, try not to locate for any visible palpitation. The steths are connected to a recording device, monitoring both our heart rates. The right arm is connected to a blood pressure cuff, continuously relaying the rise and fall.

Both these devices are also connected to her laptop. Finally after finishing her setup, she looks at me, a sense of hunger in her eyes.

"Watch me closely, please. Keep an eye for my heart." She says, steadily getting on the treadmill and starting her run.

The machine whizzes to life, and she starts stretching her limbs and her eyes sharpen, like a wild cat ready to pounce on its poor prey. I begin recording, keeping an eye out for the changes along the way. Initially her pump starts with a steady 90 bmp with the usual 120/80, breathing steady and deep. Slowly she increases the speed and 10 mins in, she is going fast, almost sprinting. Her heart is pumping amazingly at 190 bpm, with an astonishing 195/110. I envision her arteries working hard, trying to accomodate the mucle forcing blood at such high pressures through them. Khushi is so focused that she remains quiet staring straight ahead. I so badly want to listen to the sound of her organ, but I don't want to do anything that could potentially upset her, lest she revokes her offer.

She stops after 15 mins total, breathing heavily and fast. With her hands clutching her chest and eyes closed, she looks slightly worried. She suddenly looks at me, steps off the treadmill and closes the distance. With a shine in her eyes she grabs my hand and forcefully places it over her sternum. Her sports bra, soaking in sweat, does little to muffle the powerful pump, and I instantly close my eyes as I feel her thump away at 190 bpm, shaking my hand. Her body covered in sweat and her ragged breathing makes it hard for my hand to stay in position but that hardly affects the way her heart pumps forcefully, so beautifully, pushing her chest away from me. Khushi's heart is amazing. My other hand reaches for the headphones which are connected to the steth but she bats my hand away, her lips puckered like she's annoyed. I feel her recovery beats and watch her slowly gain back her breath.

I am completely entranced. My mind starts stripping her and I envision pushing my fingers inside her where I know I can torture her little heart a bit further, pushing it to its boundaries. I wonder what kind of face she'd make.

"Next is the pool!" she quips in her cheerful voice, pulling me out of my trance. She motions for me to bring the setup to the indoor pool and I set it up in the corner, free from potential splashes. I wonder how her heart will react this time. I am desperate to be a part of her, and my mind is filled with unspeakable thoughts. I can't wait for this pool session.