#Reliable Invoicing

[bobalexnolan]

Streamlining Business Operations with Smart Invoicing Tools

As a small business owner, managing daily tasks efficiently has always been a top priority for me. One of the most time-consuming aspects of running my business used to be invoicing. It felt like a constant struggle to create professional invoices, keep track of payments, and stay organized. But recently, I came across a tool that has completely transformed the way I handle invoicing.

This tool is incredibly easy to use, and it has streamlined my entire billing process. Now, I can create professional invoices in just a few clicks, track payments effortlessly, and even automate recurring payments. What used to take hours is now completed in minutes, giving me more time to focus on what truly matters—growing my business and connecting with customers.

Having the right tools to simplify operations is a game-changer for any business, whether you’re just starting out or are already established. Tools like these not only save time but also reduce stress, helping you stay organised and productive.

If invoicing has ever been a challenge for you, I highly recommend exploring software that can make the process efficient and hassle-free. It’s made a huge difference for me, and I believe it can do the same for you!

[anaishammes]

Simplifying My Business Operations with the Right Tools

As the owner of Anais Fashions, I know firsthand how demanding it can be to manage a small business. Between curating stylish collections, connecting with customers, and handling daily operations, there’s always a lot on my plate. One of the biggest challenges I faced was managing invoices efficiently—it used to take up so much of my time.

Recently, I started using a tool designed to simplify invoicing, and it’s been a total game-changer for my business. It allows me to create professional invoices quickly and track payments seamlessly, which has helped me stay organized and stress-free. Not only does it save me time, but it also ensures my records are accurate and up to date, which is crucial for a business like mine.

As someone who loves sharing tips and good experiences, I want to encourage fellow small business owners to explore tools that can make their lives easier. Whether it’s for invoicing, inventory, or customer management, the right tools can free up your time so you can focus on growing your business and doing what you love. Running a business is hard work, but smart solutions can make it a whole lot easier!

[mostlysignssomeportents]

“The Fagin figure leading Elon Musk’s merry band of pubescent sovereignty pickpockets”

This week only, Barnes and Noble is offering 25% off pre-orders of my forthcoming novel Picks and Shovels. ENDS TODAY!.

While we truly live in an age of ascendant monsters who have hijacked our country, our economy, and our imaginations, there is one consolation: the small cohort of brilliant, driven writers who have these monsters' number, and will share it with us. Writers like Maureen Tkacik:

https://prospect.org/topics/maureen-tkacik/

Journalists like Wired's Vittoria Elliott, Leah Feiger, and Tim Marchman are absolutely crushing it when it comes to Musk's DOGE coup:

https://www.wired.com/author/vittoria-elliott/

And Nathan Tankus is doing incredible work all on his own, just blasting out scoop after scoop:

https://www.crisesnotes.com/

But for me, it was Tkacik – as usual – in the pages of The American Prospect who pulled it all together in a way that finally made it make sense, transforming the blitzkreig Muskian chaos into a recognizable playbook. While most of the coverage of Musk's wrecking crew has focused on the broccoli-haired Gen Z brownshirts who are wilding through the server rooms at giant, critical government agencies, Tkacik homes in on their boss, Tom Krause, whom she memorably dubs "the Fagin figure leading Elon Musk’s merry band of pubescent sovereignty pickpockets" (I told you she was a great writer!):

https://prospect.org/power/2025-02-06-private-equity-hatchet-man-leading-lost-boys-of-doge/

Krause is a private equity looter. He's the guy who basically invented the playbook for PE takeovers of large tech companies, from Broadcom to Citrix to VMWare, converting their businesses from selling things to renting them out, loading them up with junk fees, slashing quality, jacking up prices over and over, and firing everyone who was good at their jobs. He is a master enshittifier, an enshittification ninja.

Krause has an unerring instinct for making people miserable while making money. He oversaw the merger of Citrix and VMWare, creating a ghastly company called The Cloud Software Group, which sold remote working tools. Despite this, of his first official acts was to order all of his employees to stop working remotely. But then, after forcing his workers to drag their butts into work, move back across the country, etc, he reversed himself because he figured out he could sell off all of the company's office space for a tidy profit.

Krause canceled employee benefits, like thank you days for managers who pulled a lot of unpaid overtime, or bonuses for workers who upgraded their credentials. He also ended the company's practice of handing out swag as small gifts to workers, and then stiffed the company that made the swag, wontpaying a $437,574.97 invoice for all the tchotchkes the company had ordered. That's not the only supplier Krause stiffed: FinLync, a fintech company with a three-year contract with Krause's company, also had to sue to get paid.

Krause's isn't a canny operator who roots out waste: he's a guy who tears out all the wiring and then grudgingly restores the minimum needed to keep the machine running (no wonder Musk loves him, this is the Twitter playbook). As Tkacik reports, Krause fucked up the customer service and reliability systems that served Citrix's extremely large, corporate customers – the giant businesses that cut huge monthly checks to Citrix, whose CIOs received daily sales calls from his competitors.

Workers who serviced these customers, like disabled Air Force veteran David Morgan, who worked with big public agencies, were fired on one hour's notice, just before their stock options vested. The giant public agency customers he'd serviced later called him to complain that the only people they could get on the phone were subcontractors in Indian call centers who lacked the knowledge and authority to resolve their problems.

Last month, Citrix fired all of its customer support engineers. Citrix's military customers are being illegally routed to offshore customer support teams who are prohibited from working with the US military.

Citrix/VMWare isn't an exception. The carnage at these companies is indistinguishable from the wreck Krause made of Broadcom. In all these cases, Krause was parachuted in by private equity bosses, and he destroyed something useful to extract a giant, one-time profit, leaving behind a husk that no longer provides value to its customers or its employees.

This is the DOGE playbook. It's all about plunder: take something that was patiently, carefully built up over generations and burn it to the ground, warming yourself in the pyre, leaving nothing behind but ash. This is what private equity plunderers have been doing to the world's "advanced" economies since the Reagan years. They did it to airlines, family restaurants, funeral homes, dog groomers, toy stores, pharma, palliative care, dialysis, hospital beds, groceries, cars, and the internet.

Trump's a plunderer. He was elected by the plunderer class – like the crypto bros who want to run wild, transforming workers' carefully shepherded retirement savings into useless shitcoins, while the crypto bros run off with their perfectly cromulent "fiat" money. Musk is the apotheosis of this mindset, a guy who claims credit for other peoples' productive and useful businesses, replacing real engineering with financial engineering. Musk and Krause, they're like two peas in a pod.

That's why – according to anonymous DOGE employees cited by Tckacik – DOGE managers are hired for their capacity for cruelty: "The criteria for DOGE is how many you have fired, how much you enjoy firing people, and how little you care about the impact on peoples well being…No wonder Tom Krause was tapped for this. He’s their dream employee!"

The fact that Krause isn't well known outside of plunderer circles is absolutely a feature for him, not a bug. Scammers like Krause want to be admitted to polite society. This is why the Sacklers – the opioid crime family that kicked off the Oxy pandemic that's murdered more than 800,000 Americans so far – were so aggressive about keeping their association with their family business, Purdue Pharma, a secret. The Sacklers only wanted to be associated with the art galleries and museums they put their names over, and their lawyers threatened journalists for writing about their lives as billionaire drug pushers (I got one of those threats).

There's plenty of good reasons to be anonymous – if you're a whistleblower, say. But if you ever encounter a corporate executive who insists on anonymity, that's a wild danger sign. Take Pixsy, the scam "copyleft trolls" whose business depends on baiting people into making small errors when using images licensed under very early versions of the Creative Common licenses, and then threatening to sue them unless they pay hundreds or thousands of dollars:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/01/24/a-bug-in-early-creative-commons-licenses-has-enabled-a-new-breed-of-superpredator/

Kain Jones, the CEO of Pixsy, tried to threaten me under the EU's GDPR for revealing the names of the scammer on his payroll who sent me a legal threat, and the executive who ran the scam for his business (I say he tried to threaten me because I helped lobby for the GDPR and I know for a fact that this isn't a GDPR violation):

https://pluralistic.net/2022/02/13/an-open-letter-to-pixsy-ceo-kain-jones-who-keeps-sending-me-legal-threats/

These people understand that they are in the business of ripping people off, causing them grave and wholly unjust financial injury. They value their secrecy because they are in the business of making strangers righteously furious, and they understand that one of these strangers might just show up in their lives someday to confront them about their transgressions.

This is why Unitedhealthcare freaked out so hard about Luigi Mangione's assassination of CEO Brian Thompson – that's not how the game is supposed to be played. The people who sit in on executive row, destroying your lives, are supposed to be wholly insulated from the consequences of their actions. You're not supposed to know who they are, you're not supposed to be able to find them – of course.

But even more importantly, you're not supposed to be angry at them. They pose as mere software agents in an immortal colony organism called a Limited Liability Corporation, bound by the iron law of shareholder supremacy to destroy your life while getting very, very rich. It's not supposed to be personal. That's why Unitedhealthcare is threatening to sue a doctor who was yanked out of surgery on a cancer patient to be berated by a UHC rep for ordering a hospital stay for her patient:

https://gizmodo.com/unitedhealthcare-is-mad-about-in-luigi-we-trust-comments-under-a-doctors-viral-post-2000560543

UHC is angry that this surgeon, Austin's Dr Elisabeth Potter, went Tiktok-viral with her true story of how how chaotic and depraved and uncaring UHC is. UHC execs fear that Mangione made it personal, that he obliterated the accountability sink of the corporation and put the blame squarely where it belongs – on the (mostly) men at the top who make this call.

This is a point Adam Conover made in his latest Factually podcast, where he interviewed Propublica's T Christian Miller and Patrick Rucker:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_5tDXRw8kg

Miller and Rucker published a blockbuster investigative report into Cigna's Evocore, a secret company that offers claims-denials as a service to America's biggest health insurers:

https://www.propublica.org/article/evicore-health-insurance-denials-cigna-unitedhealthcare-aetna-prior-authorizations

If you're the CEO of a health insurance company and you don't like how much you're paying out for MRIs or cancer treatment, you tell Evocore (which processes all your claim authorizations) and they turn a virtual dial that starts to reduce the number of MRIs your customers are allowed to have. This dial increases the likelihood that a claim or pre-authorization will be denied, which, in turn, makes doctors less willing to order them (even if they're medically necessary) and makes patients more likely to pay for them out of pocket.

Towards the end of the conversation, Miller and Rucker talk about how the rank-and-file people at an insurer don't get involved with the industry to murder people in order to enrich their shareholders. They genuinely want to help people. But executive row is different: those very wealthy people do believe their job is to kill people to save money, and get richer. Those people are personally to blame for the systemic problem. They are the ones who design and operate the system.

That's why naming the people who are personally responsible for these immoral, vicious acts is so important. That's why it's important that Wired and Propublica are unmasking the "pubescent sovereignty pickpockets" who are raiding the federal government under Krause's leadership:

https://projects.propublica.org/elon-musk-doge-tracker/

These people are committing grave crimes against the nation and its people. They should be known for this. It should follow them for the rest of their lives. It should be the lead in their obituaries. People who are introduced to them at parties should have a flash of recognition, hastily end the handshake, then turn on their heels and race to the bathroom to scrub their hands. For the rest of their lives.

Naming these people isn't enough to stop the plunder, but it helps. Yesterday, Marko Elez, the 25 year old avowed "eugenicist" who wanted to "normalize Indian hate" and could not be "[paid] to marry outside of my ethnicity," was shown the door. He's off the job. For the rest of his life, he will be the broccoli-haired brownshirt who got fired for his asinine, racist shitposting:

https://www.npr.org/2025/02/06/nx-s1-5289337/elon-musk-doge-treasury

After Krause's identity as the chief wrecker at DOGE was revealed, the brilliant Anna Merlan (author of Republic of Lies, the best book on conspiratorialism), wrote that "Now the whole country gets the experience of what it’s like when private equity buys the place you work":

https://bsky.app/profile/annamerlan.bsky.social/post/3lhepjkudcs2t

That's exactly it. We are witnessing a private equity-style plunder of the entire US government – of the USA itself. No one is better poised to write about this than Tkacik, because no one has private equity's number like Tkacik does:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/06/02/plunderers/#farben

Ironically, all this came down just as Trump announced that he was going to finally get rid of private equity's scammiest trick, the "carried interest" loophole that lets PE bosses (and, to a lesser extent, hedge fund managers) avoid billions in personal taxes:

https://archive.is/yKhvD

"Carried interest" has nothing to do with the interest rate – it's a law that was designed for 16th century sea captains who had an "interest" in the cargo they "carried":

https://pluralistic.net/2021/04/29/writers-must-be-paid/#carried-interest

Trump campaigned on killing this loophole in 2017, but Congress stopped him, after a lobbying blitz by the looter industry. It's possible that he genuinely wants to get rid of the carried interest loophole – he's nothing if not idiosyncratic, as the residents of Greenland can attest:

https://prospect.org/world/2025-02-07-letter-between-friendly-nations/

Even if he succeeds, looters and the "investor class" will get a huge giveaway under Trump, in the form of more tax giveaways and the dismantling of labor and environmental regulation. But it's far more likely that he won't succeed. Rather – as Yves Smith writes for Naked Capitalism – he'll do what he did with the Canada and Mexico tariffs: make a tiny, unimportant change and then lie and say he had done something revolutionary:

https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2025/02/is-trump-serious-about-trying-to-close-the-private-equity-carried-interest-loophole.html

This has been a shitty month, and it's not gonna get better for a while. On my dark days, I worry that it won't get better during my lifetime. But at least we have people like Tkacik to chronicle it, explain it, put it in context. She's amazing, a whirlwind. The same day that her report on Krause dropped, the Prospect published another must-read piece by her, digging deep into Alex Jones's convoluted bankruptcy gambit:

https://prospect.org/justice/2025-02-06-crisis-actors-alex-jones-bankruptcy/

It lays bare the wild world of elite bankruptcy court, another critical conduit for protecting the immoral rich from their victims. The fact that Tkacik can explain both Krause and the elite bankruptcy system on the same day is beyond impressive.

We've got a lot of work ahead of ourselves. The people in charge of this system – whose names you must learn and never forget – aren't going to go easily. But at least we know who they are. We know what they're doing. We know how the scam works. It's not a flurry of incomprehensible actions – it's a playbook that killed Red Lobster, Toys R Us, and Sears. We don't have to follow that playbook.

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

https://pluralistic.net/2025/02/07/broccoli-hair-brownshirts/#shameless

[wistfulcynic]

the inn is a metaphor

They are terrible at running an inn. 

In the beginning. 

They don’t know the first goddamn thing about the hospitality industry. Or carpentry, plumbing, invoicing, logistics. Anything, really. They know nothing. 

They learn. 

There’s a lot of trial, even more error. But by the first time the Revenge returns for a visit they have something. A roof that doesn’t leak. Un-rotted floorboards. Nooks and crannies free from feral beasts of any kind. Zero spiders. Twin armchairs in front of the fire and a bed just big enough for the two of them. It’s a start. 

The Revenge comes bearing gifts. Wee John has knitted them some afghans and Frenchie sewed an enormous quilt, which takes pride of place on the bed. They’ve towed in another ship as well, a wreck whose timber they all pitch in to rebuild into an extension and some outbuildings. Roach helps them plant a kitchen garden and a medicinal one. 

Jackie gives them business advice and contacts for her old suppliers. Lucius has a guestbook for them, with marginalia he drew himself. Some of it at least is appropriate for guests to see. The rest…

“Are you planning to have guests who’ll faint at the sight of a cock?” Lucius inquires innocently. “Because I’ll be honest with you, that seems unlikely.” 

The idea of guests of any kind is still a long way off, but they’re getting there. They can envision it now, and not just as a wild fantasy they spin each other at night as they lie entwined with sweat cooling on their skin. They have actual plans, concrete ones, and a decent understanding of how to realise them. 

They get to work. 

Jackie’s contacts prove invaluable. Soon they have a liquor supplier, deals with local butchers, bakers, candlestick-makers, and even a reliable fisherman to give them first dibs on his haul. 

(It’s not Pop-Pop.) 

A few survivors of Zheng’s old crew hire on as housekeeping and kitchen staff. The soup is phenomenal. Ed learns how to make it and how to cook a fish without burning it. They have fresh-smelling towels, expertly folded. They have guest rooms, and soon they have guests. 

It’s an adjustment, having new people in their space. Some of the guests are gawkers, eager for a piece of Blackbeard and the Gentleman Pirate. They reserve the right to refuse service to anyone, namely those particular assholes. But other guests are much more pleasant. Locals looking for a bit of a mini-break, people from nearby islands wanting a getaway, even the occasional European who doesn’t know who they are. 

The guests are mostly happy with their stay. There’s excellent soup and decent fish, fresh linens and great views. The walls could be a bit thicker, perhaps, for everyone’s comfort, but the hosts are always most apologetic in the morning and offer copious marmalade in exchange for good reviews. 

The Revenge returns frequently, each time with some new trinkets and finery for their former co-captains. In exchange, they host bonfires on the beach with music and dancing and wine, until they all fall asleep together in a pile, so like the old days on the ship that Stede watches them in the soft light of the embers with tears in his eyes. 

“All right, love?” Ed asks him. He slips an arm around Stede’s waist. Stede tugs him in until Ed’s head is nestled against his shoulder. He strokes Ed’s hair. Ed sighs and snuggles closer. 

“I’m all right,” Stede says. “A bit nostalgic is all.” 

“You miss it.” 

“I miss the crew. I wish they could visit more often. I suppose I miss the sea, though of course it’s right there in front of us. But I’m happy, Ed. I have no regrets.” 

“Really?” The whisper of doubt in Ed’s voice has Stede pulling back to look down at his dear face. 

“Yes really! Do you doubt it?” 

“Kind of.” Ed shrugs. “It’s easier for me, I think. I was ready to be done with it, Stede. Desperate to do anything else but be Blackbeard. But you—you had just got started. You could be out there now with the crew, pirating away. You could be famous. You could—” 

“Ed Teach, you listen to me.” Stede’s got his Captain Voice on now and the sound of it has Ed’s stomach turning cartwheels, his dick leaping to attention. “I don’t care about any of that. I only wanted to be a pirate for the freedom. To escape my old life. But I have a life now that I would never want to escape. Do you know why?” 

Ed shakes his head. 

“Because I chose it. I chose you. I love you and I would be happy anywhere you were.” He cups Ed’s cheek in his palm and kisses his forehead, his nose, his lips. Ed moans and presses closer but Stede pulls back, just far enough to whisper, “You make Stede happy.” 

They spend that night alone in the inn, no guests, far enough from the beach that when they serve breakfast to the crew the next morning not a single smirk or smart remark is sent their way. 

They wave goodbye to their friends that evening and stand together on their porch to watch the ship sail off into the sunset. Stede turns to Ed with a smile. “New guests checking in tomorrow,” he says. “We should probably fix the creak in the door hinge of Room 1.” 

“I’ll do it,” says Ed, “if you polish the candlesticks. Fuckin’ polish makes my nose itch.” 

“Deal,” says Stede. He turns to head inside. “What’ll we have for dinner?” 

“Got a nice turbot we could roast.” 

“Ooh, fab.” 

The inn’s front door closes behind them. 

It’s still a bit rickety, their inn. It’s old, it creaks, it springs leaks from time to time. It’s hard work, keeping it going. But they are devoted to the task. Whatever it takes, they will see their inn thrive. 

It’s what makes them happy. 

[wheelsgoroundincircles]

1971 Dodge Hemi Super Bee

The Ultimate Muscle Car of its Time

When it comes to legendary American muscle cars, the 1971 Dodge Hemi Super Bee stands out as an iconic symbol of power, speed, and style. Despite the challenges faced by the performance era during that time, this rare gem emerged as one of the most exceptional vehicles of its generation. In this article, we delve into the remarkable features and unique attributes that make the 1971 Dodge Hemi Super Bee a prized possession for muscle car enthusiasts.

Rarity and Authenticity

In the realm of automotive rarities, the 1971 Dodge Hemi Super Bee holds a special place. Among the limited production numbers, this particular model is one of only nine factory 4-speed Hemi Super Bees manufactured in 1971. What further adds to its allure is the fact that it was sold new through Mr. Norm’s Grand Spaulding Dodge franchise in Chicago. Documentation is key to verifying its authenticity, and this Super Bee comes with an extensive array of records, including the window sticker, invoice, retail order form, Bill of Sale, shipping document, and record envelope. This comprehensive documentation adds an extra layer of credibility to the vehicle’s rich history.

1971 Dodge Hemi Super Bee

Unparalleled Options and Performance

As one of the most highly optioned 1971 Hemi Super Bees known to exist, this Dodge masterpiece offers an array of features that elevate its status to a league of its own. Let’s explore some of the standout elements that define its exceptional performance:

Engine and Transmission

At the heart of this Super Bee lies the mighty matching-numbers 426 Hemi V-8 engine. Equipped with dual 4-barrel carburetors and hemispherical cylinder heads, this powerplant delivers raw power and exhilarating acceleration. What sets Chrysler apart from its competitors is its unwavering commitment to performance, as evidenced by the unchanged 10.25 compression, forged internals, and the adoption of a hydraulic camshaft. Paired with the A34 Super Track Pak, which includes the 18-spline Hemi A833 4-speed manual transmission and a 4.10-geared Sure-Grip Dana 60 differential, this Super Bee offers an unrivaled driving experience.

1971 Dodge Hemi Super Bee

Braking and Cooling

Safety and reliability are paramount in any high-performance vehicle, and the 1971 Dodge Hemi Super Bee doesn’t disappoint. It features power brakes with front discs, ensuring quick and efficient stopping power when needed. Additionally, the car is equipped with extreme cooling equipment, a vital component for optimal performance during intense driving conditions.

Exterior and Interior Styling

The exterior of the 1971 Dodge Hemi Super Bee is a sight to behold. Adorned in EV2 Hemi Orange with striking black striping, it exudes an aura of power and aggression. The premium optional concealed headlamps add a touch of refinement to its overall appearance. Other notable exterior elements include hood pins, color-keyed racing mirrors, and front and rear spoilers, accentuating its muscular and aerodynamic design.

1971 Dodge Hemi Super Bee

1971 Dodge Hemi Super Bee

Inside the cabin, the Super Bee offers a comfortable and stylish environment. The black vinyl bench seat interior provides a classic and timeless look, while the Hurst Pistol Grip shifter adds a touch of sportiness. The car is also equipped with a pushbutton Multi-Plex AM/FM radio, a Rallye dash cluster with a tachometer, and woodgrain-style trim, all contributing to an enhanced driving experience.

Wheels and Tires

Completing the Super Bee’s striking aesthetics are the premium Rallye wheels and Goodyear G60-15 Polyglas GT tires. These wheels not only enhance the car’s appearance but also provide excellent traction and handling capabilities, ensuring an exhilarating ride on the road.

Conclusion

In the realm of American muscle cars, the 1971 Dodge Hemi Super Bee holds a special place. Its rarity, authenticity, and exceptional performance make it a highly sought-after collector’s item. As the only year that the ‘Bee was built on the Charger platform, this Super Bee stands as a testament to Dodge’s commitment to creating top-of-the-line vehicles that capture the spirit of the muscle car era. Whether you’re a die-hard enthusiast or simply appreciate automotive excellence, the 1971 Dodge Hemi Super Bee is a masterpiece that continues to inspire and captivate generations of car enthusiasts.

[stickynotelovers-art]

ART COMMISSIONS ARE CLOSED FOR NOW!!

[EDIT 2: I reworded some of the payment info because I misunderstood how paypal's invoicing works]

[EDIT: Thank you @/snipersiniora for your feedback and suggestions! Hopefully this is more clear and covers any questions/concerns people could have.]

Art commissions are now live! I'm doing something simple because I've never truly done this before and I want to start with something I think I can accomplish without much issue.

Prices are based off how much time I believe I need to complete a commission. $10 for sketches because I think I can finish it in an hour without issue. If I feel that this isn't enough time per sketch, I may increase it.

I'm still going to sell stuff on Redbubble, but it's not very reliable when it comes to receiving any type of revenue. You get paid once you hit a sales milestone and I have stuff priced pretty low and with how the website works I would have to charge a lot higher to really get somewhere with that.

I also will still answer asks and take requests, the commissions are just meant for me to see if this is something I'd like to pursue and if people wish to support me in such a way.

Thank you for your consideration if you choose to do so and thank you everyone for enjoying my art!

[dandelion-wings]

New Jarch celebration ask! In your Favonius Stables AU, what does a day in Jean's life look like? Dare I ask... how many horses disrespect the fences and break out of their enclosure each day?

Thank you for asking! :D

For context, the Favonius Stables is a quite large boarding and lesson barn. I'm basing it on several I've been at over the years, but at the same time all but the first have been run by my boss, so IDK if there's anything here that's specifically characteristic of her and not barns in general. XD

Jean is the barn manager (Varka insisted on knocking "assistant" off her title several years ago; he's already the owner, he says, and he doesn't actually want to manage anyway) and Kaeya is the informal assistant manager in turn, which I mention because he's pretty integral to Jean's daily life. They both live in apartments above the barn (there's two of them and then Varka's house, on-site, where Razor lives and takes care of the Too Many Dogs dogs in Varka's absence, which stresses Jean out enormously because they're? responsible? for this unclaimed kid who is getting "alternative schooling" from Lisa and does not appear to exist in any formal records or system? Varka refuses to explain anything and so she just makes sure Razor gets food and his shots), and thus are both reliably on-call for barn emergencies. Jean is a morning person and Kaeya is a night owl, which is useful overlap!

As the morning person, on weekdays she gets up, feeds, and puts the horses out, a process which Kaeya usually wakes up during and comes down to help with about halfway through. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, they clean the stalls together, with breaks for lessons for a couple of older ladies who prefer to come out early. Jean does Alice's lessons personally, usually while Kaeya does Klee's (Klee can come during regular schooltimes because she is also getting "alternative schooling," some of which involves Alice just leaving her at the barn for the day. Jean hates this but Varka says it's fine, so all she can do is hope it's one of the days her big brother is with her), but Kaeya does most of the others.

Once stalls are clean there's all the other regular work of a barn: checking and repairing fences, stalls, etc., ordering and picking up and unloading feed and hay, maintenance on farm machinery.... There's always something broken that needs to be dealt with, that's just how it works. The farrier comes on Fridays noon to three (they have enough horses they cycle them through), there's regular vet visits (and emergency vet visits) and such, and in between all of that she has accounts and invoices and such to deal with.

Eula arrives mid-afternoon (she has a morning job) and does most of the "training" riding, though there are a few particular boarders who insist on Jean. Lisa also arrives in early afternoon and collars Razor, and Klee if she's there, for daily schoolwork.

After school lets out, the kids descend! Eula and Kaeya will be doing back-to-back lessons for the rest of the afternoon and the early evening. Tuesdays and Thursdays are Noelle's nights to do stalls; Jean will usually help her, because there's a lot of them to do, and Noelle will protest but is too polite to stop her. Jean is the "face" of the barn to prospective boarders and students, so she often has tours and such scheduled at this time, too.

Lisa finishes up with Razor around five, which for her and Jean is dinnertime, at which point Jean more-or-less clocks out unless it's an emergency (or she sees something she has to deal with, which Lisa does her best to circumvent). Kaeya finishes up lessons earlier than Eula because he does evening feeding and turnout (with Noelle's help on Tuesdays and Thursdays), and keeps an eye on everything until everyone else is gone, because Jean would do it herself otherwise.

Weekend mornings are Amber's to work, and she is a lot fiercer than Noelle about stopping Jean from helping her. On weekends Lisa (who has a part-time job with a local university) is also there to distract her; this is when Lisa might get her and Eula to go on a trail ride with her, or drag her off the barn entirely. Eula does weekend evenings. As long as Kaeya is on-site when she's off the property, Jean will let herself be dragged off for actual recreational activities! So actually she has a better work-life balance than in the KoF. XD

(She and Kaeya both have some trauma over leaving stables unattended. The Dawn Winery Stables burned down while everyone, including the staff, were up at the actual winery for Diluc's birthday, and she and Kaeya were the ones restraining Diluc after Crepus bolted into the stable.)

During the summer kids will be there all day and things are adjusted accordingly; it does mean a bit of a break for her, because those who want to ride more while school is out are usually very eager to work that extra horse time off.

As for horses disrespecting the fences:

DODOCO, ALL DAY, EVERY DAY. There is no Pony Jail that can hold him. Legitimately the only trick is to always have hay available where you want him to be.

Midnight is a little less bad but when she sees something she wants to do she's very clever.

Spin is a jumper and treats fences as suggestions; fortunately, she also has Manners and does what is Correct unless the temptation is overwhelming.

Boreas likewise is a jumper who treats fences as suggestions, and does not have Manners; since he is a stud, he is thus in Horse Penitentiary, which is usually more effective than Pony Jail unless the mares are in season, during which he goes on night turnout to prevent accidents. There has nonetheless been one little Boreas-Spin baby when Varka did not properly secure him while the mares were out, for which he apologized deeply but was not ever forgiven. (Eula trained that colt up beautifully and did make a profit, but she still doesn't appreciate the time she spent unable to ride Spin).

Dandy is also a stud, but is Extremely Polite and also not a jumper, so he does not need to live in Horse Penitentiary.

As befit their names, Blossom is a gentlewoman, and Bunny is a gentleman. They never break out unless another horse has done it first and they're just following.

Kaeya always CLAIMS he let Waltz out by accident. No one has actually SEEN Waltz disrespect a fence. And yet....

[deconstructed-paradise]

An audio file is attached. Bits are too staticky to make out, as if censored.

Hi. I’m… sorry about last night. 

Mm. Bad timing. 

Did you have a good time?

I don’t want to talk about it. 

I’m sorry. I hope that wasn’t my fault. 

Can we talk about the stuff you did in the basement instead?

….I’m sorry. 

I don’t care. I just— I want to know if it’s being addressed. If the Pokémon there are being set free. 

Ah. Well. Yes, most of them. Not… not the Type: Null, though. Those were considered too dangerous by Interpol, so they’re being left in stasis. 

Wha— that isn’t right! I’ve seen what happens to them when you raise them right, they aren’t like the Beasts! 

That’s just the way things are. 

You always say that! I’m sick of it! Maybe I want to change things for the better instead of accepting it!

I’m sorry. If… if you want to change that. Then you would need to find trainers for the remaining specimens. Someone both strong and kind, like Champion Cynthia. They’d need at least one friendship evolution, plus proof that they can handle difficult Pokémon— something like a garchomp.

Well, Selene and I are headed to the Battle Tree anyways. Maybe we can find someone!

If you’d like. Just… this isn’t your responsibility. It isn’t urgent, either. 

It feels like my responsibility. 

It’s not. I promise. 

….the rest of them. In the basement. 

Wicke took care of them, I think. Distributed them to other organizations, to be released into the wild or into shelters depending on the case. You can ask her for the paper trail if you like. 

I think I’ll pass. It’s… it’s exhausting.

I’m sorry. I’m sorry I interrupted—

No, it’s— I needed to hear that. I needed to hear you were sorry. I just… I don’t know how to handle everything that’s happening. And Selene and I got into another fight, and I’m just so tired. 

Another— no, it’s fine, I’ll drop it. 

Please do.

You look tired, sweetheart.

I am. But I have to be the mature one now. You won’t do it. Selene won’t do it. So it has to be me. 

What about Professor Burnet?

Busy. She’s trying to apply for a research grant. 

Tell her to send the invoice to me instead. I’ll fund her research, at least for now.

Wh— I thought you hated her?

…. I am self aware enough to recognize when I’m being petty— stop looking at me like that, it’s the truth. You need adults you can rely on, and… I’m sorry I can’t be that. 

I’m sorry I can’t be reliable for you either. 

Wh— what do you mean?

You know what I mean. When dad vanished, suddenly it… never mind. 

Do you… want to leave?

I don’t know. It’s getting late. Selene could give me a ride, but I don’t want to talk to her right now. 

I don’t want to keep you trapped here. 

Tch. That’s a first. 

…I know. 

Can I stay the night? I was just thinking about how you used to invite me onto your bed and we’d sit and talk…

I’m sorry. They don’t allow visitors to stay overnight. 

Oh. Right.

I’m sorry. I would if I could. But I don’t want you to… I don’t want you to be here because you have no other choice. I want you to be here because you want to be here. 

….is that what I’m doing?

You said you couldn’t talk to the two people you normally spend time with. 

I’m tired of being passed around like an unwanted object. We have no friends, mom. No support system. No idea how to make it in the real world. And I can’t even blame you for that because you’re messed up just as bad. 

I know. 

And I shouldn’t have these thoughts! Like I’m trying to pick my own mother apart to figure out why she’s like this, like if I could just find the exact wounds and fix them, maybe she would love me properly! But I’d still be angry because who, who would love me enough to—

[The audio abruptly cuts off.]

[daleeltrading]

How the Right Supplier Can Improve Your Panel Assembly Workflow

In the competitive world of electrical panel manufacturing, time, consistency, and precision are everything. A well-organized panel assembly workflow can be the difference between hitting deadlines and losing contracts. But one often-overlooked factor in achieving operational efficiency is this:

The right supplier isn’t just a vendor — they’re a strategic partner. In this blog, we’ll break down how the right supplier can directly enhance your panel assembly workflow, reduce friction in operations, and elevate your entire production process.

1. Ensuring Reliable Component Availability

Panel assembly often stalls because of component shortages. When you’re missing critical parts — like circuit breakers, contactors, or terminal blocks — your line goes idle.

A dependable supplier:

· Maintains ready stock of high-demand components

· Offers real-time inventory updates

· Provides just-in-time (JIT) delivery

This ensures your team always has what it needs, minimizing production downtime and keeping your project timelines on track.

Impact: Faster production starts, fewer delays, better throughput.

2. Simplifying the Procurement Process

Juggling multiple vendors for various panel parts creates complexity — multiple orders, invoices, and deliveries. It eats up time your team could spend on value-added tasks.

A smart supplier partner:

· Consolidates a wide range of panel components

· Offers bundled BOM support

· Provides a single point of contact for all orders

This streamlined approach reduces your procurement overhead, lowers admin costs, and frees up your internal resources.

Impact: Faster ordering, reduced paperwork, smoother coordination.

3. Improving Product Selection and Compatibility

Choosing the wrong component — even slightly incompatible — can lead to rework, panel redesign, or even failures in the field. That’s a major risk to quality and your brand.

A technically capable supplier:

· Understands your electrical panel design and specs

· Guides you on compatible, compliant components

· Helps you select cost-effective alternatives when needed

With expert support, your team avoids costly errors and gets it right the first time.

Impact: Better accuracy, fewer mistakes, higher quality output.

4. Reducing Lead Times Through Local Sourcing

Global supply chains can be unreliable — delays at ports, shipping bottlenecks, and customs hold-ups all hurt your workflow.

A locally positioned supplier:

· Sources and stocks components closer to your facility

· Offers same-day or next-day delivery

· Bypasses import-related delays

This leads to shorter lead times, more predictable schedules, and the ability to react quickly to urgent needs.

Impact: Agile production schedules, improved customer responsiveness.

5. Supporting Scalable Growth

As your panel-building business grows, your workflow complexity increases. You’ll need a supplier that can scale with you.

A growth-ready supplier:

· Keeps track of your recurring BOM patterns

· Prepares for larger, scheduled orders

· Offers credit terms or inventory reserves for long-term customers

Instead of being reactive, you can plan your production proactively — without worrying about supply issues.

Impact: Smooth scaling, reduced bottlenecks, confident expansion.

6. Providing Value-Added Services

Beyond just selling products, great suppliers offer services that make your workflow leaner:

· Pre-kitting: All components bundled per job

· Labeling and part tagging

· Custom panel parts or DIN rail assemblies

· Training on new product integration

These extras can shave hours off assembly time and improve jobsite or factory efficiency.

Impact: Leaner processes, faster panel builds, lower labor costs.

Conclusion: Suppliers Are Part of Your Workflow Strategy

Your workflow is only as strong as its weakest link — and for many panel builders, that weak link is a slow or unreliable supplier.

At Daleel Trading, we go beyond supplying components. We

Stock what you need

Deliver when you need it

Support you with technical know-how

And grow with your business

The right supplier doesn’t just deliver products — they deliver productivity.

Ready to streamline your panel assembly workflow?

Contact Daleel Trading today to discover how we can simplify your sourcing, boost your efficiency, and help you build better panels — faster.

[godbirdart]

Commissions Open!

Taking on a few slots!! 🎉

limited slots; NOT first come, first serve

form will remain open until 6PM MDT August 28

turnaround ETA is roughly 3 - 4 months, depending on complexity / quantity

invoices are due within ten days of issue

ALL applicants will be emailed after close letting them know if their form was chosen or not

This will likely be my last commission opening until winter 2023.

>> PRICE GUIDE <<

>> ORDER FORM <<

if you have questions, the most reliable way to get in touch with me is at godbirdart@gmail.com

[littleststarfighter]

You don't have to answer this at all, just wanted to give some perspective/info from someone who's been doing illustration commissions for about 15 years: in my opinion, it's always better to work backwards from an hourly rate rather than doing value-based pricing.

When working with private individuals as clients, US$30-50/hr is pretty standard for custom freelance stuff depending on experience, but since you're new to commissions I'd recommend offering a discount for the first few slots (both to get things moving, and also to give yourself lower-stakes "training" until you get used to the process—sometimes your workflow will change in ways you didn't expect under the conditions).

Personally, I prefer to offer a fixed quote based on my hourly rate, because that gets any kind of sticker shock out of the way. I estimate the amount of time it'll take me, add ~10% as a buffer, and apply my hourly rate. The fixed quote also gives me a little freedom not to stress out if it's taking more or less time than anticipated; I just make a note for my next quote and adjust accordingly.

The hourly rate might seem high to you, as it often does to people who are used to more traditional salary structures. But keep in mind that as a freelancer, you're also your own admin support: you don't bill for time spent emailing, researching, invoicing, etc. Tax can also get a bit complicated if you start doing a lot of freelance work.

My own base (non-commercial) rate is US$60/hr, because I've been doing this for a very long time. Frankly, the reason I have a lot of long-term repeat clients who pay my rate is because I communicate well and deliver on time. I set out a timeline up front with scheduled check-ins at various stages, and then I stick to that timeline no matter what. As someone who's also hired many freelance artists in the past, I know that reliability will win over genius every single time.

Speaking of timelines, ALWAYS be specific about the number and scope of revisions you offer. Depending on the project, I might phrase it as "2 rounds of revisions, with up to 1 hour of work per round" or similar. I bill anything beyond that scope at a higher hourly rate, usually about US$90/hr, billed by the half-hour. This also gives you leverage to say "Sure, I can add a whole new character and completely change the background; that will take about X hours which will put us into hourly billing territory at X rate." Either they'll back down or you'll be well compensated for the trouble, and most importantly (from a client services perspective) you've not told them no, you've given them options and reminded them what they've already agreed to.

In terms of payment plans, I normally require 50% up front (non-refundable) and 50% on final delivery. Since you haven't yet built up a rep as a commission artist, I recommend a lower up-front rate (maybe 20-30%). I do strongly advise getting SOMETHING up front to lock clients in and make sure they can't completely ditch if something happens. Plus, refusing to pay a small deposit is a major red flag.

I offer a 5% discount for complete payment up front, because it's honestly worth that 5% just to not have to deal with chasing people down and sending invoice reminders and whatnot.

I'm sorry to hear you've been going through such a tough time, and I hope this was helpful and not too overwhelming; it's just stuff I wish someone had told me when I was first starting out, and I think it's important for working artists to share info about business practices. I wasn't strict about a lot of things back then (like number of revisions), and it always ended up coming back to bite me. It might seem counter-intuitive, but I promise that thinking through and setting a lot of rules/boundaries up front will save you a lot of stress and trouble in the end.

I seriously want to thank you for this. It's incredibly informative not just for me but I'm sure other start out artists too. You've gone over things that I'd have no idea to do, thank you.

I'm certainly looking into how to pay tax as being in the UK I've never had to work that out before as we have it done for us in most jobs. So that would have been something I'd have forgotten about and it's not something you want to miss. I definitely have to time myself working as I don't know how long I take as I've never thought about that either. I just know I'm slow. It's interesting to see what you'd charge hourly as I see a lot of fan commissions having a low fixed rate depending on what you offer.  So definitely have to look whether to offer that or like you suggest a more freelance rate of pay. I'll admit US$30-50/hr made me gasp but that's because I'm used to working for UK minimum wage (roughly $13 a hr) so that seems a lot to me. Gives me something to think about. Though I worry about pricing people out to begin with what with being quite slow and a nobody. And yes! Never forget about getting a deposit. I learnt that the bad way decades ago when I did try to do a commission and was never paid. That's what made me nervous to even begin as I can be a pushover. So need to be more strict in what I can offer and of course revise too.

Seriously thank you this is so helpful. Like you say there's so much people don't share about getting into freelance and commission work. Getting that step up, even if it's me doing it, is something I've no idea how to even start on. I get people saying why aren't you working in art? But my answer is always 'how?' It's something no one's told me about. How to sell yourself and your work. Even commission work confused me. So please don't worry this is beyond helpful and I'm very grateful for you taking your time to help me. It's been a very rough few months but I'm trying to stay positive. This may help me while I find work. Much love, Lucy 💖

[octocon]

Transparency Report (August 2024)

Hi, everyone! My apologies for being late, but here's our official Transparency Report for August 2024!

Summary

I (Atlas) took a long-needed personal break from the project for a good chunk of August after working tirelessly to launch the platform the month prior. However, I was still working enough behind-the-scenes to get v1.2 out on September 1st! This was immediately followed by our second major downtime event due to an unavoidable incident with our hosting provider, but the platform was fully recovered within ~12 hours. We also launched the Octocommune, a sister-community to the project (feel free to join if you haven't already! It's where all of our general chats have gone).

As of now, our full attention is being turned towards preparing a private beta for iOS. This is largely blocked by my financial ability to acquire the hardware necessary to develop for the platform, as well as to launch a business surrounding the project. Speaking of…

My personal situation

Many of you know this, but for this project's entire existence, I've been an unemployed high school dropout. Octocon largely served as a way to occupy my time while I spent the rest getting a GED and tirelessly searching for a full-time job. After months of searching, I'm elated to announce that I've finally landed one! I should be starting within the next few weeks.

Updates will almost certainly slow down compared to our initial launch, as I won't have nearly as much time to dedicate to the project anymore. I deeply apologize for this, but I need to put my own financial stability first! I can't make any promises as to how much time will be dedicated to developing new features going forward, but I can promise at the very least that the platform will be kept stable and safe in its current state. That said, I'm still very passionate for the project, so I'll do my best to pump new features out as my mental health allows!

Forms

I've attached documents to the corresponding message on our Discord server detailing our income, expenses, and total savings, as well as a receipt of our server hosting invoice.

Note: Server hosting costs greatly increased as we used our new financial freedom following the Patreon launch to spin up servers in South America and Africa, improve the reliability of our databases, and future-proof the platform for the foreseeable future. Roughly half of our previous Patreon supporters canceled or downgraded their subscription (which is completely ok!), which resulted in our costs overshooting our income by $49.04. This deficit was paid out of our own pocket, and was not deducted from our emergency savings. It's important to note that these costs shouldn't be increasing for a very long time!

[scbhagat]

GST Accountants in Delhi by SC Bhagat & Co.

Are you looking for trusted GST accountants in Delhi to manage your tax compliance and GST filings seamlessly? Look no further than SC Bhagat & Co., a renowned chartered accountancy firm with decades of experience in delivering precise, professional, and timely GST solutions for businesses of all sizes.

Why GST Accounting Matters

Since the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India, businesses have had to adapt to a unified indirect tax regime. Navigating the GST system involves multiple tasks including:

GST registration

Timely GST return filings (GSTR-1, GSTR-3B, GSTR-9, etc.)

Input Tax Credit (ITC) reconciliation

E-way bill and e-invoice compliance

GST audit and annual return preparation

Dealing with notices from GST authorities

To handle all these effectively, having a reliable and knowledgeable GST accountant becomes crucial.

GST Services Offered by SC Bhagat & Co.

At SC Bhagat & Co., we provide end-to-end GST services tailored to your business requirements. Our experienced team of GST accountants in Delhi ensures that your compliance is error-free, timely, and in line with the latest amendments.

1. GST Registration & Advisory

We help new businesses get GST registration quickly and offer consulting on applicable tax structures.

2. Monthly/Quarterly GST Filing

Our team ensures accurate and timely submission of GSTR-1, GSTR-3B, and other applicable forms to avoid penalties.

3. Input Tax Credit (ITC) Optimization

We conduct ITC audits and help you maximize your credit claims with proper reconciliation.

4. GST Audit & Annual Return

We assist with GSTR-9 and GSTR-9C filings and conduct GST audits as per legal mandates.

5. Handling GST Notices

Have you received a GST notice? Our team responds to GST queries and notices with complete documentation support.

6. Industry-Specific GST Solutions

Whether you're in e-commerce, manufacturing, real estate, or services—our accountants are equipped with domain-specific GST knowledge.

Why Choose SC Bhagat & Co.?

✔ Over 20 Years of Experience ✔ Registered Chartered Accountants with In-Depth GST Knowledge ✔ PAN-India Clientele ✔ Transparent Pricing & Customized Packages ✔ Dedicated Support for SMEs and Startups

We pride ourselves on providing accurate, timely, and ethical GST accounting services in Delhi. Our goal is to help you stay compliant while you focus on growing your business.

Who Needs GST Accounting Services?

Startups and new businesses

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

E-commerce sellers

Exporters & Importers

Service providers with interstate operations

Any business with GST obligations

Get in Touch with the Best GST Accountants in Delhi

If you’re seeking reliable GST accountants in Delhi, connect with SC Bhagat & Co. for a free consultation. Whether you need help with monthly filings, audits, or notice handling, we ensure hassle-free compliance and peace of mind.

Let SC Bhagat & Co. be your trusted partner for GST compliance!

FAQs

Q1: Do I need a GST accountant even if I file returns online myself? Yes. A professional accountant ensures accuracy, maximizes your ITC, and avoids legal penalties.

Q2: How often do I need to file GST returns? Generally, GST returns are filed monthly (GSTR-1, GSTR-3B) and annually (GSTR-9, GSTR-9C).

Q3: What happens if I miss a GST return deadline? You may face interest and late fees. Our accountants help you stay on track and avoid such situations.

Boost your tax compliance and save time with SC Bhagat & Co.—the top GST accountants in Delhi.

[airportlimorental]

How to Hire an Airport Limo: 10 Tips for First-Time Users

Whether planning a summer vacation, flying out for a destination wedding, or returning home after a business trip, navigating the airport transfer can be stressful, especially in a bustling city like Toronto. That’s where a Toronto airport limousine rental becomes your best ally: a luxurious, reliable, and surprisingly affordable way to upgrade your travel experience.

Here’s your go-to Ultimate Guide for booking the best airport limo service in Toronto and making the most of your ride. We’ve broken it down into must-know tips, questions to ask, and common mistakes to avoid—whether you’re a first-time user or someone looking to switch to a better provider.

Why Should I Book My Toronto Airport Limo Early?

Summer is the peak season in Toronto—not just for tourism, but also for events like weddings, anniversaries, proms, and family vacations. Limo bookings, particularly for Toronto Pearson and Billy Bishop Airports, fill up quickly.

Pro Tip: To guarantee availability and get the vehicle you prefer, it’s best to book your Pearson Airport limo service 48 to 72 hours ahead of time.

What Types of Limo Vehicles Can I Rent?

Choose a vehicle based on your group size, luggage needs, and occasion:

Couples: Luxury sedans or black car service.

Families: SUV, executive van, or minivan limo.

Large Groups: Stretch limousine, party bus, or shuttle van.

Ask for photos or check the provider’s website gallery. Double-check the trunk capacity and legroom in advance to prevent any unexpected issues.

Is the Limo Company Licensed and Insured?

Always check:

Are the vehicles commercially insured?

Are drivers licensed chauffeurs?

Are background checks and drug testing required?

Does the vehicle come equipped with essential safety features like GPS, a fire extinguisher, and a first-aid kit?

Only choose a licensed limo provider in Toronto that meets local and provincial safety standards.

What Does the Price Include? Flat Rate or Hidden Charges?

Pricing structures vary across Toronto limousine services. Some offer flat-rate limo rentals, while others charge per hour or include surcharges.

Ask if your quote includes:

Fuel surcharge.

Parking and waiting time.

Pearson or Billy Bishop airport pickup fees.

Driver gratuity.

Late-night or weekend surcharges.

Be sure to request a clear, itemized invoice within 24 hours of completing your trip. Hidden fees are a red flag.

Does the Chauffeur Have Experience in Toronto Traffic?

Your driver can make or break your ride. A professional airport chauffeur in Toronto should:

Be trained in airport procedures.

Know traffic patterns and detours.

Be punctual, polite, and dressed in formal attire.

Respect your privacy and assist with luggage.

Many airport limo services in Toronto offer real-time flight tracking and automatic rescheduling in case of delays.

How Good Is Customer Support?

Imagine your flight lands late and you can’t reach anyone.

Look for limo companies that offer:

24/7 phone and live chat support.

Real-time updates via SMS or email.

On-call dispatch teams for emergencies.

What’s the Cancellation or Refund Policy?

Plans change. Weather delays happen. Ask these before you book:

What’s the cancellation window?

Is there a fee?

Will I get a refund or only a credit?

Many Toronto airport limousine providers allow cancellations up to 24 hours in advance, while others charge within a shorter timeframe.

Do I Need to Tip My Limo Driver in Toronto?

In 2025, tipping norms in Toronto vary:

Most riders tip 15–20%.

Some services automatically include gratuity in the bill, especially for pre-booked rides.

Check in advance to avoid double tipping.

Where Can I Read Verified Limo Reviews?

Customer reviews are essential for choosing the best limo service in Toronto. Search on:

Google Business Profiles

Yelp

Tripadvisor

Look for patterns in complaints and whether the company responds professionally to negative reviews. Accountability is a good sign.

First-Time Airport Limo Mistakes to Avoid

Here are the top mistakes travelers make when booking a Toronto airport limo:

Booking last minute during high season.

Choosing a vehicle without confirming luggage capacity.

Assuming all fees are included in the quote.

Not confirming the pick-up location at Pearson or Billy Bishop.

Forgetting to provide the flight number for tracking.

Final Thoughts: Should You Hire a Toronto Airport Limo?

Absolutely. A professional airport limo rental in Toronto ensures a smooth, stylish, and stress-free ride, whether you’re catching a flight or coming home.

Ask the right questions, avoid the common traps, and choose a limo provider that values transparency, safety, and customer care.

Ready to ride in comfort and class?

Book your Toronto airport limo now.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are airport limousines still worth it compared to Uber or Lyft in 2025?

Yes, for travelers who value comfort, reliability, and fixed pricing, airport limousines are a better choice, especially during peak seasons when ride-share prices surge and wait times increase. Many also prefer limos for their professional chauffeurs, flight tracking, and premium experience.

2. How early should I book an airport limo during busy travel months?

It’s best to book your limo at least 24–48 hours in advance during summer months or long weekends. This ensures availability, better vehicle selection, and helps you avoid last-minute premium charges.

3. What’s included in a standard airport limousine service in Toronto?

Standard services typically include:

30–60 minutes of free wait time

Luggage assistance

Bottled water

Real-time flight tracking

Some providers may charge extra for child seats, additional stops, or late-night pickups.

4. How much should I tip a limo driver in Canada in 2025?

The standard tip is 10% to 15% of the fare, though many customers now give 15% to 20% for exceptional service, especially if the chauffeur helps with bags or handles delays professionally.

5. What types of airport limos are available for families or group travel?

Options include:

Executive sedans (up to 3 passengers)

Luxury SUVs (up to 6 passengers + ample luggage)

Stretch limos (for special occasions)

Passenger vans or shuttles (for 8+ passengers)

Always confirm luggage capacity before booking for group or family trips.

6. Can I cancel or reschedule an airport limo if my flight changes?

Most top services offer flexible cancellation or rescheduling, especially if flight delays are involved. Look for services with free cancellations up to 2–4 hours before pickup, and always inform them if your flight number or arrival time changes.

[hopnw]

Hands On Painting: Bringing Color and Craftsmanship to Washougal Homes

Nestled along the banks of the Columbia River, Washougal is a small town with a big heart—and its homes and businesses deserve to reflect that charm. Whether it’s a historic Craftsman house on D Street or a modern office space near the Port, one name is becoming increasingly synonymous with transformation and quality: Hands On Painting.

For homeowners and business owners searching for reliable painters in Washougal, this local business offers more than just a fresh coat of paint. With a commitment to craftsmanship, professionalism, and community values, Hands On Painting is redefining what it means to hire painters in a town that takes pride in its scenic surroundings and tight-knit neighborhoods.

A Local Company with Deep Roots Washougal isn’t just where Hands On Painting does business—it’s home. That means every job isn’t just another invoice; it’s part of building and maintaining the aesthetic of the community. As a locally owned and operated business, the team at Hands On Painting understands the unique weather conditions and architectural styles that characterize the region.

The Pacific Northwest presents unique challenges for painting—humidity, rain, and the occasional freeze-thaw cycle can wreak havoc on poorly applied paint jobs. That’s why Hands On Painting uses only top-tier materials suited to the local climate and employs time-tested techniques to ensure longevity.

Residential Painting Done Right Homeowners in Washougal know that their houses are more than just structures—they’re sanctuaries. Hands On Painting treats every home project with the care and respect it deserves. Whether it’s refreshing an aging exterior, updating an outdated interior palette, or restoring historic wood trim, the company approaches each job with precision and attention to detail.

Their process begins with a consultation that’s more like a conversation than a sales pitch. You’ll talk about your vision, your budget, and your timeline—and they’ll listen. From there, they offer detailed estimates, transparent communication, and flexible scheduling to minimize disruption.

And when it’s time to paint? You can count on spotless prep work, clean lines, and thorough clean-up. Their crews are known for treating every home like their own.

Commercial Painting With Curb Appeal in Mind First impressions matter, especially in business. Hands On Painting works with local business owners to ensure that their commercial spaces reflect the quality and professionalism of the services they provide. From storefronts and offices to restaurants and industrial spaces, the company delivers eye-catching results that stand the test of time.

They understand that business owners don’t have time for endless delays or unexpected messes. That’s why their crews are punctual, efficient, and accustomed to working around open hours and foot traffic when needed.

Need a color consultation to match your branding? They’ve got you covered. Want zero-VOC paint to meet environmental or health guidelines? No problem. Hands On Painting brings flexibility and customization to every commercial project.

More Than Just Paint: A Full-Service Approach Hands On Painting isn’t just about brushes and rollers. Their services also include drywall repair, wallpaper removal, wood staining, pressure washing, and minor carpentry. These value-added options allow them to take on even the most complex painting jobs without calling in outside contractors. For homeowners looking to prep their house for sale or businesses undergoing a full renovation, this comprehensive approach can save time and money.

Trusted by Washougal Residents Word-of-mouth is gold in a town like Washougal, and Hands On Painting has earned its reputation the old-fashioned way—through satisfied customers. Their online reviews reflect a consistent pattern: reliability, professionalism, and impressive results.

“I hired Hands On Painting to repaint the entire exterior of my 1950s bungalow,” one local homeowner wrote. “They not only transformed the look of my home, but they also repaired areas of dry rot and helped me choose a color that blended perfectly with the neighborhood.”

It’s that blend of aesthetic expertise and practical skill that sets them apart from other painters in Washougal.

Supporting the Community They Serve Hands On Painting believes in giving back to the community that supports them. Whether it's sponsoring local youth sports teams, donating services to non-profit events, or participating in neighborhood clean-up efforts, the company goes beyond business to be a part of Washougal’s future.

Ready for a Refresh? If you’re searching for painters in Washougal who bring skill, integrity, and a personal touch to every project, Hands On Painting should be your first call. From the first brushstroke to the final walkthrough, they make sure your space looks not just new—but better than ever.

Contact Hands On Painting today for a free estimate and discover how a little color can go a long way in transforming your home or business.

[tewwor]

NEW VERSE — JIE & CORPORATE BUSINESS ( UNDERCOVER OPTIONAL )

** is this a legit verse? yes, and it’s available for anyone to interact with. started out as an undercover bit, but now… idk i think frank is just an entire persona and au. so undercover is optional! please only like if you want a small starter from this ridiculous verse ❣️

Name: Frank Chen

Position: Senior Accountant, not client facing

Hobbies: Gym, golf, foodie, collecting stress balls, breaking every single piece of technology in his office, ping pong tournaments

Attire: Business casual — blue tinted transitional glasses****, work polos, button ups, slacks, brown or black belt, at least 1-2 pens in his shirt pocket, no fun socks, sometimes wears a tie

Strengths: Excel whiz, punctual, always meets deadlines, detail orientated, works overtime, knows everyone ( not by choice ), turns soooo hot when he takes his glasses off, surprisingly reliable and a good mentor with technical skills

Weaknesses: Extremely short temper, too blunt, the source of strong smelling food in the break room, would eat someone else’s lunch from the fridge out of spite, has to be forced to take PTO, very clear anger management issues, was literally put into an office as timeout, bad at simple maths

Likes: Spicy food, exercising, hot tea, silence, morning meditation, making invoice templates, training, napping in his car

Dislikes: Most technology, people taking his glasses, procrastination, inbox with over 10 unread emails, work gossip, big lunch get togethers with the accounting group

Misc.: Webcam is never angled right during meetings, he doesn’t get why a lot of people want to talk to him ( he’s hot, some people are into… The glasses.. ), paces when in meetings, doesn’t listen to anything when working and wishes everything was 100% quiet