#Sheet Lamination Machine

[vmscareaid]

Hot and Cold Laminator Machines: Which One is Right for You?

Lamination is a process that has become indispensable for both businesses and individuals. Whether it’s preserving important documents, creating professional ID cards, or crafting vibrant displays, lamination ensures longevity, durability, and a polished finish. When exploring lamination solutions, one key question arises: Hot or Cold Laminator Machine. Which one should you choose?

While both options serve the same purpose, they differ in functionality, applications, and suitability for specific needs. This blog will delve into the differences between hot and cold laminator machines, their benefits, and how to decide which one fits your requirements.

1. What is a Laminator Machine?

A laminator machine applies a protective layer of plastic film to documents, photographs, and other materials to safeguard them from wear and tear, moisture, and fading. The process enhances durability and gives materials a professional appearance.

Laminators are broadly classified into hot laminators and cold laminators, each catering to distinct purposes and preferences.

2. Hot Laminator Machines: How They Work

Hot laminators use heat and pressure to seal lamination film onto materials. The film is coated with adhesive that activates when heated, bonding securely to the document.

Advantages of Hot Laminators:

Stronger Seal: The heat-activated adhesive creates a more durable bond, making the lamination resistant to peeling or damage.

Glossy Finish: Hot laminators produce a clear, polished finish, enhancing the visual appeal of materials.

Cost-Effective: Lamination pouches for hot laminators are generally more affordable than cold laminator films.

Best Uses:

Certificates and diplomas.

Photographs and artwork.

Signage and posters.

Considerations:

Requires warm-up time before use.

Not suitable for heat-sensitive materials like wax-based prints or certain types of photographs.

3. Cold Laminator Machines: How They Work

Cold laminators use pressure-sensitive adhesive to bond the lamination film to the document. These machines do not rely on heat, making them ideal for materials that could be damaged by high temperatures.

Advantages of Cold Laminators:

Safe for Heat-Sensitive Materials: Perfect for lamination needs involving delicate items like thermal prints or old photographs.

No Warm-Up Time: Instant readiness saves time, especially for quick or high-volume tasks.

Eco-Friendly Options: Many cold laminators use recyclable films, aligning with sustainable practices.

Best Uses:

Heat-sensitive documents (e.g., thermal receipts).

Stickers and decals.

Materials with uneven surfaces.

Considerations:

Cold lamination films are often more expensive.

The bond may not be as strong as heat-sealed lamination, especially for items exposed to heavy handling.

4. Key Differences Between Hot and Cold Laminators

5. Factors to Consider When Choosing a Laminator

A. Type of Materials

If you’re laminating photographs, thermal receipts, or items that can warp under heat, a cold laminator is the safer option.

For standard documents, posters, and ID cards, hot laminators are a better fit.

B. Volume of Work

Businesses with frequent, high-volume lamination needs may prefer a hot laminator for its efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Cold laminators are ideal for occasional use or specialized tasks requiring immediate readiness.

C. Budget

Hot laminators are typically more economical, both in terms of the machine and the lamination film.

Cold laminators might involve a higher initial cost but offer unique benefits for niche applications.

D. Desired Finish

Choose hot laminators for a sleek, professional look.

Opt for cold laminators if you prioritize preserving delicate textures or original details.

6. Innovations in Laminator Machines

The laminator market has seen significant advancements, offering users modern features for enhanced convenience:

Dual-Function Machines: Some laminators now combine hot and cold capabilities, allowing users to switch modes as needed.

Eco-Friendly Films: Increasing demand for recyclable and biodegradable lamination films supports sustainability.

Touchscreen Controls: Newer models feature user-friendly interfaces for precise settings.

7. Maintenance Tips for Laminator Machines

To ensure your laminator performs optimally and lasts longer, follow these maintenance practices:

Clean Rollers Regularly: Residue from adhesive can accumulate, affecting performance.

Use the Correct Film: Always match the film type and size to your Laminator machine specifications.

Avoid Overloading: Exceeding the machine’s capacity can cause jams or damage.

8. Final Verdict: Which Laminator Should You Choose?

The choice between a hot and cold laminator ultimately depends on your specific needs. Here’s a quick summary:

Choose Hot Laminators if: You handle standard materials, prefer cost-effective solutions, and need a durable, polished finish.

Choose Cold Laminators if: You work with heat-sensitive materials, need immediate use, or prioritize eco-friendly options.

For those who require versatility, a dual-function laminator offers the best of both worlds, catering to a wide range of projects.

Conclusion

Hot and cold laminator machines are both invaluable tools that cater to different lamination needs. Whether you’re a business owner, educator, or hobbyist, understanding the strengths and limitations of each type ensures you make an informed decision. By investing in the right laminator, you can protect your documents, enhance presentations, and even spark creativity with unique projects. Embrace the power of lamination today and elevate your work to new levels of professionalism and durability!

[bamsara]

Hello! I was wondering what company you use for your sticker sheets? I bough one from your Ko-Fi shop and really like the quality, and the pricing you were able to sell at is waaaaaay more reasonable compared to any of the companies I've seen and used myself. Is it a POD company, or a mass purchase of them to sell on your own?

Thank you for your time if you're able to respond!

I'm really glad you like the quality, because I actually make them by hand at home! (Please forgive the lighting, my bedroom is my office lmao.)

I don't use a company (and Idk what a POD company is sorry!) but making them at home gives a lot more freedom of stock, just be wary it can be very time consuming depending on how many you need to make.

I've had other people ask before, so here's a rundown of how I make my stickers at home: At most you'll need:

Printer

Sticker paper (this is the type that I use)

Laminator and lamination paper (the lamination paper that I use.) You can also use adhesive non-heat lamination paper if you don't have a laminator, gives you the same result, just be careful of bubbles. You will get double your worth out of a pack because we are splitting the pouches to cover two sticker sheets.

Your choice of a sticker cutting machine or just using scissors.

First, I use Cricut's software to print out the sticker sheet with the guidelines around the corners so the machine can read it. If you do NOT have a Cricut machine, open up your art program, make a canvas of 2550x3300 and fill it up with your sticker design with some cutting space between them. This the 8.5x11 size for the sticker page.

I usually have bleed selected so the cut comes out cleaner. Tip for non-Cricut users below: Increase the border around your sticker design to fake the 'bleed' effect for a cleaner cut.

These are the print settings I use for my printer. I use the 'use system dialogue' to make sure I can adjust the settings otherwise it prints out low quality by default. Make sure if you're using the above paper that you have 'matte' selected, and 'best quality' selected, these aren't usually selected by default.

So you have your sticker sheet printed! Next is the lamination part. I use a hot laminator that was gifted to me, but there is no-heat types of lamination you can peel and stick on yourself if that's not an option.

(This is for protection and makes the colors pop, but if you prefer your stickers matte, you can skip to the cutting process.)

Important for Cricut users or those planning to get a Cricut: You're going to cut the lamination page to cover the stickers while also not covering the guidelines in the corners. First, take your lamination page and lay it over the sheet, take marker/pen and mark were the edges of your stickers are, and cut off the excess:

(I save the scrap to use for smaller stickers or bonuses later on)

After you've cut out your lamination rectangle, separate the two layers and lay one down on your sticker sheet over your stickers with matte side down, shiny side up. (Save the other sheet for another sticker page)

The gloss of the lamination will prevent the machine from reading the guidelines, so be careful not to lay it over them. It also helps to cut the corners afterwards to prevent accidentally interfering with the guidelines.

Now put that bad boy in the laminator! (Or self seal if you are using non-heat adhesive lamination)

Congrats! You now have a laminated page full of stickers.

For non-cricut/folks cutting them out by hand: this is the part where you start going ham on the page with scisscors. Have fun~

Cutting machine: I put the page on a cutting mat and keep it aligned in the corner, and feed it into the machine. For laminated pages I go between 'cardstock' and 'poster board' so that it cuts all the way through without any issues, but for non-laminated pages or thinner pages, I stick for 'vinyl' and 'light card stock'. Kinda test around.

Now I smash that go button:

You have a sticker now!

The pros of making stickers at home is that you save some cost, and you have more control of your stock and how soon you can make new designs. (I can't really afford to factory produce my stickers anyway)

However, this can be a very time consuming, tedious process especially if you have to make a lot of them. There is also a LOT chance for some errors (misprints, miscuts, lamination bubbles, ect) that will leave you with B-grade or otherwise not-so-perfect or damaged stickers. (Little note, if you have page mess up in printing and can't be fed into the cricut machine, you can still laminate it and cut it out by hand too.)

I have to do a lot of sticker cutting by hand, so if you don't have a cricut don't stress too much about it. I have an entire drawer filled to the top of miscuts/misprints. I keep them because I don't want to be wasteful, so maybe one day they'll find another home. Sucks for my hand though.

But yeah! This is how I make my stickers at home! Hope this is helpful to anyone curious

[sillysiluriforme]

Planes pass by overhead in a milky tea green sky direction Charle de gaul airport.

She hasn’t been grounded for this long in 4 years now, not since the hospital. She tries to think about Zoey and her grubby little hands. The way she looks up at her. Her babbling.

It’s all futile, her third sex-on-the beach has rendered her brain mushy and uncooperative. She used to hate being drunk. She still does, so it’s particularly perplexing she finds herself inebriated so often.

A pair of perfect manicured fingernails grazes her shoulder.

“Audreeeeeey…” comes Emilie’s pitch perfect practiced whine.

“I’m talking to you !” She ends her sentence on a higher note, indicating playfulness. Her bronze skin, dusted with crystals of pool droplets, sparkles in the light of the terrace- curtsy of her fresh perfect tan.

She furrows her brows through Audrey’s sunglasses. The green of her eyes is exacerbated, almost comical. Like the warning label on a bottle of helium.

“Whaddidyasay ?” The slurred words slither out of her mouth like drool. Why do people even drink ?

She puffs up her cheek and readjusts her hold on the sleeping toddler in her arms clover- Chloe. Chloe, after her mother in law- not that she’d ever met her- Some gold digging cover girl with a strong stomach and very little shame, from what she gathered.

Maybe that’s what her Andre wants for her at the end of the day. A well-to-do husband, some kids, a big house and as little shame as possible… he’s boring like that.

“ Here I was getting sentimental and you just ignore me, how could you be so cruel ?”

Chloe doesn’t stir in her arms, somehow, despite the brat normally sleeping as sleep as light as a feather. The mass of perfect honey colored curls go up and down as she photogenically lays her restful little head on Emilie’s chest. It’s like she’s doing it on purpose.

Audrey, working at half the speed she usually would, languidly blinks at her. No point in playing her verbal games. Emilie always wins.

She sighs with all the gusto of a mistress of the silver screen and repeats herself.

“I was saying I used to wish I had met you younger.”

“…” the congealed remains of her mostly-fruit-juice-cocktails have seeped into the crevices of her synapses, the coughing machine chugs along. “Why ?” She says flatly, without too much interest.

“I didn’t know you actually had curly hair till the day we all moved out, did I ever tell you that ?”

Audrey goes to push her sunglasses up her forehead almost pokes herself in the eye.

“What did you think I was doing when I woke up earlier than you everyday?”

The perfect hand lurches like a snake to grasp her arm, like otherwise she’d run off and miss hearing her out. “You’re missing the point.” Audrey’s eyes roll in their sockets from the snake to the grass-green eyes.

“You wouldn’t let me in, ever, not of your own will.” Her mouth curves down and her brows curve up. “It… hurt me.” Her voice wobbles in a controlled manner not unlike a prop laminated metal sheet. “My first friend- my best friend, trapping me at arm’s length… so during lectures I’d try to imagine you,”

“And me…” and there’s something she manages to catch for an instant. Something soft and fidgety held in her gaze. “As schoolgirls- sometimes even younger, already friends, shared secrets and make believe memories.”

And with a sharp snap it’s gone, cold and still forever. Emilie’s gaze rises past Audrey, as it often does when she goes on a tangent. Her fingers tangle in the little girl’s curls.

“I missed you, you know. It’s not the same without you here. Im so happy you’re home now.” Glossy pink lips plucker into a heart shaped smile. The perfect snake coils through perfect yellow swirls to unearth Chloe’s sun kissed forehead before planting her lips on the unmarked surface. The glittering pink stain stands alone like a flagpole in no man’s land.

Audrey’s foot catches the leg of her deckchair and narrowly misses eating shit on the sharp white tiles when she stands up. Emilie still reaches out like it’d help in any way.

“I want another glass.”

[iyoonjh]

Beyond Plus Ultra! – The anatomy of falling in love

Chapter 16: From Dungeon to Deck Chair: The Fellowship of the Beach

wc: 2082 words

The apartment smelled like pizza, bad decisions, and the faint threat of Monster Mango Punch.

Soobin sat cross-legged on the carpet, pencil tucked behind one ear, a character sheet half-filled beside him, and a bowl of pretzel sticks within reach. Beomgyu had a bandana tied around his forehead for “battle energy,” Hueningkai was double-fisting Capri Suns like a sugar-fueled druid, and Taehyun—eternal Dungeon Master and occasional monk—sat at the head of the table with a mini fog machine and actual laminated maps.

“I cast Charm on the goblin guard,” Beomgyu declared, holding up a sparkly d20. “And then I ask him if he’s emotionally fulfilled in his job.”

“I’m going to scream,” Taehyun said, pinching the bridge of his nose. “You’re trying to seduce the goblin again?”

“I’m trying to connect with him,” Beomgyu shot back. “Consentually. And with vibes.”

Sunghoon was perched on the edge of the couch in a hoodie two sizes too big, the sleeves swallowed his hands completely, giving him the appearance of a moody High Elf who’d been hexed into eternal comfort. He held a spell card up in front of him with the seriousness of a Shakespearean lead about to deliver a monologue in Act III of a drama no one else had read.

“By the celestial light of the twin moons,” he intoned, squinting dramatically, “I summon the sacred winds of Elarion—wait, wait, do I add my modifier to this?”

“Yes, but only if you’re not holding a cursed item,” Taehyun said without looking up.

“I’m literally holding a cursed item,” Sunghoon sighed. 

Beside him, Heeseung sat cross-legged with perfect posture, playing a kazoo version of The Lord of the Rings theme song like it was his druid-bardic duty. He was wearing a DIY cloak made from an old blanket and had penciled a tiny mustache onto his upper lip with eyeliner.

“I’m adding ambiance,” he said cheerfully, ignoring Yeonjun’s fourth aggressive glance.

“I will snap that kazoo in half like a breadstick,” Yeonjun hissed, glaring at him from across the table.

Yeonjun himself was the most overdressed person in the room—tight black jeans, silver rings on every finger, and a velvet choker that absolutely did not match his wizard robe but somehow still worked. He had two sets of dice laid out on a silk cloth like a tarot reading and a single tealight candle flickering dramatically beside his character sheet.

“You don't understand the mood,” he said when Taehyun asked if the candle was really necessary. “Besides, my dice roll better when they feel respected.”

Hueningkai was lying on his stomach across a bean bag, sketching an anatomically incorrect dragon with sunglasses on the back of a pizza box. He kept muttering things like “do goblins wear shoes?” and “how much emotional trauma can one elf carry before he becomes a bard?” Every few minutes, he’d gasp, snap his fingers, and write down notes for his future webcomic.

“Did you know octopuses have three hearts?” he said suddenly, looking up. “Imagine breaking all three. That’s so dramatic. I want to play a sea creature who just got ghosted by a mermaid and now he haunts tide pools.”

Leehan sat cross-legged by the window, furiously scribbling in a weathered field journal labeled Tidal Lore: Volume II. He wore a “Support Your Local Fish” T-shirt under a faded zip-up and had five different highlighters spread around him like a ritual circle. Occasionally, he’d whisper something to himself and nod solemnly, as if communing with the spirit of Poseidon.

It was chaos. Beautiful, stupid chaos.

Soobin had barely spoken in the last ten minutes. Not because he wasn’t having fun—he was, truly—but because his phone kept lighting up with new messages. From Y/N.

He couldn’t stop smiling.

That, of course, was his first mistake.

“Okay.” Yeonjun narrowed his eyes across the room like a hawk with better fashion sense. “Why is Soobin smiling like he just got kissed under a rainbow?”

Soobin blinked, thumb still hovering over his screen. “What?”

“Bro’s been checking his phone every six seconds,” Hueningkai said through a mouthful of gummy worms. “You’re glowing. Like, that glow people get when they are pregnant. It’s alarming.”

“I am not—” Soobin started.

“HE’S SOFT-LEANING,” Beomgyu gasped, pointing. “That’s the ‘I’m flirting with my crush and pretending I’m not panicking’ posture. Boobie, know your worth my boy.”

Sunghoon leaned forward. “Did Y/N text you?”

Soobin hesitated. And in that half-second of hesitation, the room exploded.

“Oh my GOD,” Heeseung howled. “She did!”

“Okay spill” Taehyun demanded, slamming his dice bag on the table with the weight of a federal agent.

Soobin sighed, but he couldn’t fight the grin crawling up his face. “Okay, fine. She invited me. Well, us.”

A beat. A pause so sharp you could hear the dramatic swell of nerdy destiny approaching.

“To…?” Hueningkai asked.

“Jake’s beach house,” Soobin said. “This weekend.”

The room erupted.

“WE’VE BEEN CHOSEN!” Beomgyu shouted, throwing his arms into the air like he was being knighted.

“We beat the social game,” Yeonjun said in awe. “We’re getting a beach episode.”

“I’ve been preparing for this moment my whole life,” Heeseung whispered, dramatically clutching his character sheet to his chest.

Sunghoon rolled off the couch entirely.

“I can’t go to a beach,” he groaned from the floor. “I’ll burn. I’ll melt. I’m pale and emotionally fragile.”

“I don’t own a swimsuit that’s not from middle school,” Hueningkai added. “It has Charizard on it.”

“BRING IT,” said Beomgyu immediately. “I’m wearing my sailor moon rash guard. We go down together.”

Leehan looked up from his sketchpad, completely serene. “Do you think I’ll be able to identify local tidepool species from the balcony?”

“Leehan,” Yeonjun said gently, “please do not give the crabs names again.”

“I only named five.”

“They followed him back to the Airbnb,” Taehyun muttered.

“THEY UNDERSTOOD ME.”

“Can we focus?” Soobin said, cheeks warm, eyes wide. “She invited us. That means we have to—like—be normal like we were at the party.”

Beomgyu laughed so hard he choked. “Yeah, right. Bro, you summoned a ghost in the last campaign by accident and apologized to it for interrupting her grave nap.”

“I’m just saying,” Soobin said, flustered, “this trip is kind of a big deal.”

“Because of Y/N,” Taehyun smirked.

“Because of—shut up. SHUT UP IMMEDIATELY.”

Yeonjun tossed a chip at him. “Just admit you’re already imagining a slow-motion beach kiss while a ukulele plays in the distance.”

“I—”

“And then you trip on seaweed and try to play it cool but she has to help you up,” Hueningkai added.

“And then you say something like ‘You’re prettier than the moonlight on the tide’ and we all die,” Beomgyu finished.

Soobin covered his face with both hands. “I hate all of you.”

“No, no,” Yeonjun said, leaning forward with a sparkle in his eye that could only mean chaos. “Important question. Who’s going?”

Soobin peeked out between his fingers. “I don’t know. Y/N said her whole group. Probably Jake, Jungwon, Yunjin, Sunoo, Jay—”

Yeonjun’s head snapped toward him. “Jay?”

“Oh god,” Soobin mumbled.

“JAY,” Yeonjun repeated, gripping the back of the chair. “My nemesis. My forever enemy. My beige counterpart. I must prepare.”

“Your what now?” Taehyun asked flatly.

“Listen,” Yeonjun said, standing up as if that would make his next sentence make sense. “We’ve spoken, like, three times ever. But every time he says something, I feel personally attacked. At the party he called my necklace ‘dramatic.’ Dramatic! It was a minimalist silver dagger!”

“He said in a fun way, he was trying to be social with you’” Beomgyu added helpfully.

“And yet,” Yeonjun said with a finger in the air, “Yunjin laughed.”

“Ah,” Heeseung said. “There it is.”

Yeonjun flopped dramatically back onto the couch. “If she’s there, I have to look good.”

“I saw a guy on instagram selling a cologne he promised to be aphrodisiac” Sunghoon offered from the floor. 

“And that's a pyramid scheme” Leehan told him.

“I’ll bring backup necklaces,” Yeonjun muttered to himself. “Statement pieces. Ones that scream ‘I'm in a band and also collect knives.’”

“You're in a band with Hueningkai” Heeseung mocked.

“Why do your accessories have backstories?” Soobin asked.

“They’re part of my lore.”

Meanwhile, Hueningkai, who had been very quiet until now, looked up with wide eyes. “What if we see dolphins?”

Everyone paused.

“I mean, yeah,” Soobin said slowly. “That could happen.”

“No. Like, what if they’re watching us?” Hueningkai whispered. “From just below the surface. Judging our land-walking rituals. Like, ‘look at these fools and their SPF 30.’”

Beomgyu gasped. “Kai. Have you been reading dolphin conspiracy blogs again?”

“I haven’t stopped,” he replied solemnly. “Also, fun fact: dolphins are one of the few non-human species that can recognize themselves in a mirror. So I’m gonna bring one to the beach. Just in case.”

“So what?” Heeseung asked, grinning. “You’re gonna walk up to the water, hold up a mirror, and wait to vibe-check the ocean?”

“Yes,” Hueningkai said without hesitation. “And if they wink at me, we’ll know. We’ll know.”

“You know what?” Taehyun muttered. “I’m not even gonna stop you. I want to see how that plays out.”

“Can I help?” Leehan asked, folding his crab journal closed with reverence. “I can chart dolphin reactions based on lunar phase and water clarity.”

“You’re all unhinged,” Soobin said, somehow fondly.

“Wait,” Yeonjun interjected, suddenly serious. “What are you wearing?”

Soobin blinked. “What?”

“To the beach. You’re the romantic lead now, remember?” Yeonjun leaned forward again, eyes gleaming, Heeseung shook his head. “You need to serve something soft. Boyfriend at golden hour. Wind in your hair, gaze full of longing.”

“He can wear that light blue hoodie,” Sunghoon offered. “It's very boyfriendable”

“Oh my god, I’m not—” Soobin buried his face again, this time in the nearest pillow.

“We are styling you for your beach romance,” Yeonjun said proudly. “This is our Clueless montage. I will not be denied.”

“Just don’t let him wear that one shirt,” Beomgyu said. “You know. The cursed one.”

Soobin looked up. “What cursed shirt?”

“The minions one.”

“I like that shirt.”

“We know,” everyone said in unison.

And then—

A beat of silence.

Soft. Happy. The kind of pause that felt like a smile exhaled into the air, filling up all the little spaces between them. Outside, the hum of late-night traffic drifted past Taehyun’s apartment windows. Inside, the glow from the string lights made everything look golden, like this wasn’t just another weekend but the beginning of something else entirely.

The map on the table was still spread open. The dice lay scattered, untouched for once. And around the room—this warm, weird, chaotic room—sat seven boys who had started this campaign as just friends and had somehow become their own little universe.

Taehyun looked around, his gaze quiet but steady, a knowing softness in his eyes. “You know…” he said, voice low, like anything louder might scare the feeling away, “I think we’re gonna have a good time.”

He wasn’t talking about D&D anymore. And everyone knew it.

Because this wasn’t just a trip. It was them, getting to be part of something. Getting invited. Getting chosen.

It was walking into a party and not standing in the corner.

It was laughing too loud and being laughed with, not at.

It was the quiet victory of being seen—the kind that doesn’t need a trophy or a big speech, just a look across the couch and a shared bag of snacks and someone saying, “You’re coming too.”

Soobin hugged the pillow tighter to his chest. He didn’t say anything right away. Just let the feeling sink in—the one that made his chest ache in the nicest way. The one that said this was all real.

And in his head, looping like a secret, was the image of Y/N’s smile.

That look she gave him whenever she teased him.

He hadn’t even told her how he felt yet.

But he would.

God, he would.

And maybe, when he got there, and the sun was setting, and she was looking at him like that again—

Maybe he’d finally kiss her without a dog interrupting.

And if not?

Well.

At least he’d have his friends. His party. His chaos.

And a beach full of crabs, apparently.

Not bad, for a bunch of kids who used to watch from the sidelines.

Not bad at all.

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profiles: d&d saturday mass group | bling bling losers

author's note: SURPRISE! updating twice this week! hope you guys like it and look foward to the next chapter! as always, let's chat, please tell me what do you guys think in the comments ( i do not think aquarius are dumb, i'm an aquarius moon and we are elite). ALSO what do you guys think it's gonna happen at this beach trip? hehe thank you so much again <3

taglist: @heejamas @mingyustar @wintereals @mimimiloomeelomi @wonderstrucktae @delirioastral @gomdoleemyson @i03jae @irishspringing @bunniwords @kirbrary @sirenla @saladgirl @beomieeeeeeeeeeees @uvyuri @imlonelydontsendhelp @haechology @sanriwoozzz @stormy1408 @soobinieswife @ijustwannareadstuff20 @soobskz @jkeydiary @imnotsureokay @nyanzzn @lostgirlysstuff @lilbrorufr @beomgyusluver@lveegsoi@pagesoobinie @catpjimin @t-102 @sh0dor1 @i-am-not-dal @bbeomgyucafe @damn-u-min-yoongi @https-yeonjun @booksxandxlace @kookssecret

[shesgaymichaelscott]

I really enjoy your writing! xx

THANK YOUU 🥹💕 the support makes me feel so loved, especially when i'm in my head/anxious!! i'm sharing another chapter from sweet cheeks 1) bc why not but really 2) bc i'm feral for jealous/bottom!melissa hehehe

Melissa Schemmenti x OC (Lilia Greenley)

(jealous mel {new teacher comes in hot}, teasing, smut, melissa may or may not get bent over her desk🤭)

Word Count: 2.7k

~

The first day back in January hit like a snowball to the face.

Lilia barely had one foot in the building before she was hit with a chorus of overlapping voices—kids screaming about winter break, staff grumbling about being awake before 10 a.m., and Ava skating past on her Heelys with a cup of whipped cream she was calling coffee.

Melissa was already holding court by the copier, arguing with the ancient machine like it owed her money. "You had two weeks to fix yourself, and you wait 'til now to jam again?"

"New year, same copier," Jacob said as he passed by with an armful of laminated activity sheets and a sense of fragile optimism.

Lilia laughed and leaned against the wall, breath puffing in the chilly air still trapped in the hallway. She clutched her to-go coffee in both hands like it was keeping her alive.

Barbara breezed in with an air of grace and only a hint of chaos in her eyes. "Children are still on vacation time," she announced. "I am spiritually unprepared for their volume today."

Lilia made her way to her classroom, only to find a sticky note taped to her door in Ava's handwriting:

"Welcome back, Room 204. Time to CRAM for those state tests. Also: if anyone left any snacks in their desk before break, don't eat them. They are now legally part of the ecosystem."

Inside, her students were buzzing, more hyper than usual and full of winter break stories, but surprisingly... sweet.

"Miss G!" one of her students called. "Is it true you're practically engaged to Miss Schemmenti now?"

Lilia blinked. "What?"

Another kid chimed in. "My cousin is in third grade and she said her friend's sister's aunt works here and saw you two kiss at the holiday party!"

Lilia flushed but grinned, setting her coffee down. "That is... very detailed secondhand information."

"Are you gonna get married?" a girl asked, starry-eyed.

"She already gave her a necklace," another boy pointed out. "That's serious."

Lilia tried to redirect, but the damage was done. They were off and running—half her students turning into gossip hounds, the other half drawing hearts around "Miss G + Miss S" in their notebooks. Honestly? She didn't mind.

She stole away during her planning period to sneak down the hall and peek into Melissa's classroom.

Melissa clocked her immediately and smirked. "You miss me already, Greenley?"

"Always," Lilia grinned, slipping inside. "You surviving?"

"Barely," Melissa muttered, nodding toward a kid who was currently stacking chairs for no apparent reason. "But my motivation is about five-foot-five, walks like a Disney princess, and sleeps in my bed, so I'm pushing through."

Lilia flushed, heart flipping even though she lived with this woman now. She wandered over, catching Melissa's hand and squeezing it. Just a little.

"I forgot how exhausting the first day back is," Lilia muttered, forehead pressed to Melissa's shoulder.

Melissa snorted and pulled her close. "I didn't. That's why I threatened to fake an ankle sprain."

By midweek, the dust of back-to-school chaos was just starting to settle—papers were finally in folders, the copier was (mostly) cooperating, and kids were sliding back into their routines with the sluggishness of molasses. Lilia was perched on her stool in front of the whiteboard when Ava strutted into her classroom mid-lesson, sunglasses on, sipping from what appeared to be a mimosa in a travel mug.

Behind her stood a woman Lilia hadn't seen before.

"New blood!" Ava announced, like she was introducing a contestant on The Bachelor. "This here is Miss Soraya Delgado. Fourth grade. Be nice to her, or don't—I'll still get paid."

Lilia blinked, sliding off her stool with a friendly smile. "Hi! I'm Lilia Greenley, eighth grade. Welcome to the chaos."

Soraya smiled back—and it was definitely the kind that lingered. Warm. Curious. Maybe a little flirty. "It's lovely to meet you. I've heard about you already."

"Oh?" Lilia tilted her head.

"Only good things. Mostly that your classroom has the best vibe and the cutest Halloween decorations." Her eyes sparkled as she added, "They left out how beautiful you are, though."

Lilia flushed. "Um—thank you. That's—"

A chair screeched in the hallway. Melissa appeared in the doorway two seconds later, eyes immediately locked on Soraya.

"Oh hey, babe," Lilia greeted, relief flashing through her smile. "This is Soraya. She's the new fourth-grade teacher."

Melissa's smile was tight. "Nice to meet you."

Soraya smiled with no awareness of the small lightning storm now crackling under Melissa's skin. "You must be Melissa. I've also heard about you."

"Bet you have," Melissa said coolly.

Ava popped her head back in, clearly thriving. "Oh good, all my favorite drama magnets in one room."

After the school day ended, the group found themselves loitering in the lounge—Lilia pouring tea, Jacob recapping his class's chaotic reenactment of the Boston Tea Party, and Janine buzzing in with end-of-day energy.

"Okay," Jacob said, watching Melissa stalk past the lounge window for the third time in ten minutes, "either she's pacing out a football play or she's jealous."

Janine turned. "Did something happen?"

Lilia sighed, fiddling with her tea. "The new teacher—Soraya—she... might've flirted with me earlier?"

Jacob screeched. "WHAT?! Did Melissa see?!"

"She walked in mid-flirt," Lilia said. "And hasn't stopped hovering since."

Barbara entered the lounge at that moment, taking one look at Melissa peeking into Lilia's classroom again and sighing. "Lord give me strength."

"I think it's cute," Janine said. "Melissa being all territorial."

"Until someone gets shoved in the parking lot," Jacob muttered.

Melissa eventually cornered Lilia in the library while she was shelving donated books.

"You like her?" she asked bluntly, arms crossed.

Lilia blinked. "Are we... in high school right now?"

Melissa scowled.

"Mel," Lilia said gently, walking over and wrapping her arms around her girlfriend's waist. "You are the only woman I've ever wanted to live with, wake up to, build a life with. No one else even makes the radar."

Melissa softened a little but still grumbled, "She called you beautiful."

"You call me beautiful and feed me in bed. She's not competition."

Melissa let out a sigh. "I know. I just... you're the best damn thing in my life. Can't help it."

"I know." Lilia kissed her cheek. "And you're mine."

⸻

The next day, Soraya appeared in Lilia's doorway before first period like clockwork, holding two coffee cups and wearing a soft gray sweater that clung a little too well to her figure. She smiled with that same lingering warmth.

"Thought you could use a little caffeine reinforcement," she said, offering the second cup.

Lilia accepted it with a sheepish smile. "Oh! You're gonna spoil me."

"That's the goal," Soraya winked. "Plus, I had to repay you for helping me find the supply closet yesterday. I was starting to think Abbott had some kind of Narnia layout."

Before Lilia could answer, a throat cleared sharply behind them.

Melissa. Again.

She was holding a stack of copied worksheets and very obviously not looking at Soraya. "Lils, did you take the red pen from my desk again? I can't find it."

"You mean the one in your back pocket?" Lilia said, hiding a smile.

Melissa blinked, reached back, and swore softly. "Right. Never mind."

Soraya chuckled softly and offered Melissa a friendly smile. "Nice seeing you again."

"Mm." Melissa walked off without responding, her jaw clenched tight.

Five minutes later, she was pacing in her own classroom, muttering under her breath about the "new teacher energy" and "unprofessional flirting" when Ava strutted in, Jacob trailing close behind.

"Okay," Ava said, sunglasses already pushed to the top of her head. "You need a sedative or a drink."

Jacob added, "Or both. We can mix it. Call it a jealousita."

"I'm not jealous," Melissa snapped, slamming a drawer closed. "I'm just observant. That woman has been in Lilia's room every day this week."

"She's new," Jacob said. "She's trying to make friends."

"With her lips?!"

Ava cackled. "Girl. You're like three seconds away from rolling up in a leather jacket and pissing a circle around Lilia."

Melissa glared. "I should've never let her wear that green sweater today. She's unfair."

"And you're unwell," Jacob muttered. "But we support."

Back in Lilia's room, one of her students leaned over with a knowing smirk. "Ms. Greenley, Ms. Schemmenti glared at your door again. That's like the third time."

"She does that," Lilia said, sipping the coffee Soraya gave her and suppressing a laugh. "It means she loves me."

By lunch, Melissa had cornered Jacob behind the vending machines.

"I don't like her," she said simply.

"You don't even know her."

"I don't need to. Her intentions are obvious."

Jacob squinted. "Is this jealousy hot for Lilia?"

Melissa paused. "Unfortunately."

The staff room was loud with microwave beeping, clinking mugs, and the usual lunchtime chaos. Soraya had just breezed in, complimenting Janine's hair and sliding into the seat across from Lilia with a flirtatious grin and a salad she definitely didn't plan on eating.

"So," she said, lightly brushing her fingers against Lilia's arm as she reached for a napkin. "Any plans this weekend? You seem like a winter hike type. Or maybe brunch and a bookstore?"

Jacob's eyebrows shot up so fast they practically hit his hairline. Melissa, on the other side of the table, paused mid-bite of her sandwich. Her jaw tensed.

Lilia, ever sweet, gave a soft laugh. "I'm actually pretty booked. But that sounds nice."

Soraya gave her a lingering look before standing and tossing her lunch remains in the trash. "Well, if you ever change your mind... door's always open. Literally—I teach across the hall." She winked, then headed out with a sway of her hips and a casual wave.

The second the door swung shut behind her, Melissa stood up, slammed her sandwich down on her plate, and stormed over to Lilia.

Everyone went dead silent.

Melissa leaned down, bracing both hands on either side of Lilia's chair, her voice low but heated as she said, "You're mine. Just so we're all clear. She's cute or whatever, but I'm the one who gets to take you home, undress you, and hear all those little noises you make when I kiss your neck."

Lilia's eyes widened, cheeks flushing immediately. Barbara nearly choked on her tea. Janine froze with a spoon halfway to her mouth. Ava whispered, "Finally."

"Oh my God," Jacob whispered. "This is the best day of my life."

Melissa didn't break eye contact as she added, "So if Miss New Hire wants to play friendly? Fine. But she lays one more finger on you, and I'll remind her exactly how serious I am about you. Got it?"

Lilia blinked, her mouth dry. "Yes, ma'am."

Melissa kissed her. In front of everyone. Full, possessive, slow enough to make Ava holler and Barbara mutter something about "good heavens."

When she finally pulled away, Melissa smirked. "Good girl." Then sat back down like nothing happened.

"Uhh—so, anyway, these budget cuts—"

Jacob screams, "No. We are not moving on like that didn't just happen!"

"Can we all clap? Because that was art." Ava applauds and bows to Melissa.

Lilia just sat there, dazed and red-faced, her heart beating out of her chest and her coffee forgotten.

And Melissa? She was finally satisfied—for now.

⸻

Melissa barely had time to settle her class back into their afternoon routine before there was a soft knock at the door. A familiar head peeked in—Lilia, glowing from lunch, eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Sorry to interrupt," she said sweetly, stepping inside with a folder in her hand. "I just had to drop something off for Miss Schemmenti."

Melissa sat straighter in her desk chair, already suspicious. "You did, huh?"

The kids—her precious, nosy, too-smart-for-their-own-good second graders—lit up.

"Miss Greenley!!" "You guys live together now, right?!" "Are you gonna get married?!" "I like your shoes." "Do you sleep in the same bed? My moms do." "Are you gonna stay forever?!"

Lilia laughed, soft and easy, perching on the edge of Melissa's desk. "Well, I hope so. I really like it here."

Melissa just stared at her, a slow, sharp smirk forming. Lilia in her classroom, surrounded by her kids, looking effortlessly gorgeous? That was dangerous.

"Alright, alright," Melissa said, waving her hand. "Y'all got math to finish. Stop flirting with my girlfriend."

"You flirted first!" a kid yelled.

Lilia leaned closer, lips near Melissa's ear. "I'll pick you up after school. You might want to lock your door."

Melissa swallowed, hard. "You're playing a dangerous game, baby."

Lilia smiled. "I know."

⸻

The bell had barely rung when Melissa's classroom door clicked shut again, this time with purpose. She didn't even have time to spin around before Lilia was already on her—backing her gently against the chalkboard, eyes bright with heat and mischief.

"So," Lilia whispered, pressing a slow kiss beneath Melissa's jaw, "you wanna make sure the whole school knows I'm yours?"

Melissa gave a low groan, her hands gripping Lilia's waist. "Not complaining, are you?"

"Oh, not even close." Lilia's voice dropped, sultry and breathy as she kissed behind Melissa's ear. "But now it's my turn to remind you who you belong to."

Melissa's knees actually went weak.

Lilia smirked as she slowly undid the top two buttons of Melissa's blouse. "You're mine too, Mel. Don't think I forgot that little show at lunch."

Melissa tried to bite back a moan. "You planning to make good on this revenge of yours?"

"Oh, baby," Lilia whispered, lips grazing Melissa's throat, "I'm just getting started."

Melissa backed up until her legs hit the edge of her desk, letting herself be guided with zero resistance. Lilia tasted like peppermint tea and sweet revenge, and she was not holding back.

"You think you can just whisper things to me in front of my kids like that?" Melissa murmured against her lips, hands sliding under the hem of Lilia's sweater.

Lilia just grinned, tugging Melissa's blouse open further, exposing the curve of her collarbone and the lace of her bra. "I think I can do whatever I want when my girlfriend's the hottest woman in the building."

"You're in trouble."

"I'm your trouble."

Lilia spun Melissa around, pressing her down over the desk gently, lips at the nape of her neck, fingers teasing along her waistband. "You wanted to remind everyone I'm yours?" she whispered. "Let me remind you why you keep coming home to me."

Melissa groaned low in her throat, grabbing onto the edge of her desk as Lilia dragged her teeth just barely down her shoulder, slow and possessive. "You're evil."

"You love it."

Hands slipped under her skirt, up her thighs, moving with intention. Melissa sucked in a breath as Lilia teased her, slow and deliberate, knowing exactly how to drive her crazy.

"You gonna be good for me?" Lilia asked, her voice pure heat. "Let me take care of you right here? Right now?"

Melissa's hands were already roaming beneath Lilia's blouse, tugging at the hem, desperate and impatient. But Lilia was in control now, pressing her thigh between Melissa's legs and watching her melt into the contact.

"You were jealous today," Lilia whispered, brushing her lips against Melissa's neck. "Watching Soraya flirt. Watching me smile back."

Melissa scoffed, low and dangerous. "Don't even say her name."

Lilia smirked. "Possessive looks good on you."

"You're mine," Melissa muttered through gritted teeth, grabbing Lilia's face for a messy, searing kiss. "Don't forget it."

Lilia bit her bottom lip, grinning as she leaned in. "Prove it."

She turned Melissa around before she could speak, bent her over the desk, and pressed in behind her with a dominance that made Melissa gasp. The desk creaked under the pressure, and somewhere in the back of her mind Melissa thought they really needed to reinforce it—but then Lilia rocked against her in just the right way, and every thought evaporated.

It was messy. Hands gripping the desk. Whispers that sounded more like growls. Lilia's name gasped into the air like prayer. Melissa had never been good at giving up control—but Lilia made it feel like worship.

"So good for me, aren't you baby?" Lilia curls her fingers inside of Melissa's dripping heat. Her back arches and her toes curl, the telltale sign that she's close. "C'mon, Mel. Come all over my fingers while I fuck you into your desk."

"God, Lils...Fuck!" Melissa clenches around Lilia's hand, her juices leaking down her thigh.

While Melissa came down, they stayed there for a second—foreheads pressed together, breath tangled, the hum of the empty school vibrating around them like static.

Melissa was the first to laugh, breathless and raw. "You really are trouble."

Lilia nuzzled her neck, smug and sweet. "Only for you."

⸻

By the time Friday rolled around, Soraya had figured out the vibe—especially after Melissa slung her arm around Lilia's waist in the middle of a faculty meeting and kissed her temple without breaking her stare when Soraya walked in.

"I'm so glad you two are happy," Soraya said later to Lilia, amused. "And that your girlfriend is scarily good at sending messages without saying a word."

Lilia laughed. "Yeah, that's kind of her thing."

[crippledgiraff]

Would you look at that? It's already #Orctober !!! We've got a bunch of new stickers, a bunch of old favorites, and a bunch of fun bundles!!!

You remember these lads!? A deep throwback, we've got these sexy boyz available as a sticker sheet!

We've got this seasonal maniacal mech from @diceyjune!

I know you want a cute little goff grot girlfriend! Well we've got a new one from @kabewski !

We've got @qsycomplainsalot's Rebel Grots back and better than ever! (They're on clear vinyl now!)

Don't forget, it's not just #Orctober, it's also #SpookySeason! And we've got this wicked cool sheet of a whole Skeleton Army from @qsy.bsky.social !

🎺You know who likes Checks? Orkz like checks! Ska likes Checks! @wib.bsky.social likes Checks!🎺

Pay tribute to Big Daddy Ed Roth with these absolutely bitchin' Rat Rod stickers!

And of course, don't forget about Kristina's adorable orcs!

We've got these and plenty more! Check 'em out! Orctober's fun but the winter holidays are just around the corner!

[forecast-draws]

Troubleshooting my cut machine and playing around with laminate sheets 🎉

[noctivagant-ghost]

The job was simple: Monitor the woman in Room 6. She’s been asleep for 42 days.

(an r/nosleep style story)

I took the job because I needed quiet.

I had just moved back into the city after a really bad year - breakup, job loss, a fire that took half of what I owned. I was couch surfing when I saw the listing. Overnight shift. Private sleep study. No experience necessary, just basic data entry and the ability to stay awake. I figured I’d get some peace, maybe save up enough to afford rent somewhere that didn’t smell like damp carpet and stale weed.

The company was called SomnoTech. I Googled them. Not much came up. One old article in a university medical journal talking about “experimental treatments in chronic sleep disorder recovery,” and a barebones website with a contact form. The building I was sent to looked more like an office for defunct insurance than a lab. Beige, windowless, buzzed me in through two locked doors. Everything inside was silent and clean. No logos. Just halls that didn’t echo.

They gave me a laminated badge and walked me to Observation Room 6. It had one long window, a chair, three monitors, and a clipboard. That was it. Beyond the glass: a white-walled room, padded corners, one hospital-style bed with a woman laying perfectly still on it. Wires across her scalp. Pulse oximeter. Blood pressure cuff. Breathing tubes. The usual. The kind of image you’d see in a medical drama.

Her name was Marla. That’s all they told me.

“She’s not in a coma,” the lead technician - Dr. Ellis - said. “She’s asleep.”

I asked how long.

He said, “Forty-two days.”

That was when I almost walked out. But the pay was too good, and I told myself it was harmless. Just keep a log. Note her REM cycles. Don’t go in the room.

They emphasized that. Over and over.

Never enter the room.

I asked what would happen if she woke up.

Dr. Ellis paused for too long before he answered,

“That’s… not expected.”

That first night, nothing happened.

She lay still, vitals normal. Every couple hours her eyes flickered beneath the lids. Standard REM activity. Once, around 2:30 a.m., her hand twitched. I logged everything. I didn’t sleep, didn’t even look away much. Just sat and stared, drank vending machine coffee, and listened to the soft beep of monitors that never changed.

It wasn’t until the third shift that she moved.

Not much. Just shifted in bed. Rolled slightly. Her breathing deepened. That’s when I noticed something strange - the audio feed picked up sound from her room, but it was... too clean. No background noise. No rustle of sheets. Just her breathing.

Then she said something. A whisper.

I hit replay.

She’d said a name.

My name.

My full name.

No one else at SomnoTech knew it. I’d used an alias on the application, something I did out of habit after a few years of gig jobs. But what she said - what she mouthed - was my real name.

The one I haven’t used since I left home.

I showed the recording to Dr. Ellis.

He watched it, twice, without expression.

“It’s likely a coincidence,” he said. “The dreaming brain replays fragments of memory. She may have seen you on the way in.”

“She’s been asleep for six weeks.”

“She’s responding. That’s good. Keep documenting.”

He walked out before I could ask anything else.

The next few nights, I tried to convince myself it was nothing. I told myself it was a coincidence. That it didn’t mean anything. But she kept saying it.

Night after night. Just my name. Sometimes fast, sometimes slow. No sound - just the shape of it, over and over. Her mouth moving in that same rhythm. I stopped drinking the coffee. Started staying stone-cold sober for every shift.

On the 23rd day, everything changed.

At exactly 3:07 a.m., Marla sat up in bed. Her eyes were still closed. She turned her head, slowly, toward the camera in the top corner of the ceiling. And then, without hesitation, she pointed at it. At me.

I didn’t move. Didn’t breathe. Just stared as she pointed, waited five long seconds, then laid back down. 

I radioed it in.

“She’s dreaming about you,” the tech on call said. “That means it’s working.”

“What’s working?”

No response.

When I arrived the next night, I was given a new form to sign. It was labeled ‘Phase Two Observation Protocol.’

Most of it was boilerplate NDA language, but two lines stuck out:

Observer must not leave the premises until Phase Two is complete.

Observer must report all subjective experiences, including dreams, during or between shifts.

They were asking me to log my own sleep. When I pointed out that I wasn’t supposed to be sleeping on shift, the night tech said,

“You’ll understand soon.”

Marla began crying on Day 31. At first, it was soft. Then sobs - raw, broken, painful. Her vitals didn’t spike. Brain activity remained stable. But the sound of her grief came through the speaker like it was close. Not recorded. Not filtered. Like she was in the room with me.

I started sleeping in two-hour blocks. I couldn’t stay awake anymore. My body was shutting down. 

And then the dreams came.

First night: I’m standing in the hallway of the lab. Only it’s longer. The walls are too narrow, the ceiling too low. At the end of the hallway, there’s a door. Behind it, whispering.

Second night: Marla is sitting in the chair I use. Writing something. Every time I try to speak, she looks up and smiles. Her eyes are still closed.

Third night: I’m in the observation room, but the monitors show me, sleeping. Marla’s bed is empty.

I started documenting the dreams. Every detail. I showed them to Dr. Ellis. He didn’t even blink.

“You’re syncing,” he said.

“Syncing with what?”

He just said, “The bridge needs a guide.”

I stopped asking questions. I stopped pushing. I didn’t have much choice.

I started working double shifts. Eighteen hours on, six off. I slept at the facility. They put me in a bunkroom in a hallway I’d never seen. I thought it was just exhaustion, but when I tried to leave the building after that shift, my badge was deactivated. The front doors stayed locked. I went back to the observation room.

Marla was sitting up in bed, hands on her face, still crying. She’d been crying for nine days straight.

I didn’t eat. Didn’t sleep. I started taking the pills they left by the coffee machine. They didn’t help. My vision blurred. My hands shook. Every time I looked in the mirror, I saw bags under my eyes, my face pale and gaunt.

I wasn’t there anymore. I was just in the room. Staring. Always staring.

And then Marla opened her eyes. Just for a moment, just a fraction of an inch, but they were open. Not white, not rolled back. She was looking at me. Her pupils were there. Focused. She held my gaze for a breath, then closed them.

I tried to call Dr. Ellis. My radio didn’t work anymore. The lights went out. The only thing left was the audio feed. Her soft crying. And then, she said my name again.

That’s when I noticed.

My clipboard was empty. Every log, every note, every dream I’d written down - gone. I grabbed for the stack of old forms from the drawer under the monitor. They weren’t there. Not even the signature pages. Just hundreds of blank sheets.

I looked up at the monitors. The leftmost screen was blank. I hadn’t noticed it. Was it always like that? It was dark. No vitals. No video. Just a black screen with a single white label - my name.

Marla pointed at it. The crying stopped.

She stood up and walked to the window. I felt cold. My blood slowed. My heart pounded in my ears. Then she reached out and touched the glass. And for the first time, the audio picked up more than her breath. It picked up mine.

I backed away. But there was nowhere to go. The door was locked. Marla stared at me through the window, and her expression changed. Her brow furrowed. Her mouth opened. I watched the shape of a question form on her lips.

Suddenly, I was in the room. Not the observation room. Her room.

My hand touched the bed. Cold sheets. The air smelled sterile. There was one window. No monitors. I was on the other side of the glass. I was in the bed.

I looked over the edge of the mattress and saw myself. I was sitting in the observation chair. Writing on a clipboard. My eyes were open but blank. The rightmost monitor showed vitals, but they weren’t Marla’s. They were mine. My breathing, my heart rate.

And on the leftmost monitor, just darkness.

Marla stood in front of the window in the observation room and pointed at me. She mouthed something over and over again. Not my name. Not this time. I couldn’t understand it. I tried to get up. To reach for her. But I couldn’t move.

She took one step back and turned toward the door. I heard it open. Someone walked in, someone I couldn’t see. Marla said something else and then walked out. The audio feed stayed active. I heard footsteps. A new set of footsteps, heavier, slower, dragging. And then a new voice. It wasn’t Marla’s. It was mine.

I tried to scream. The audio feed went dead.

The next time I woke up, the observation room was dark. The silence was too deep. It felt like the building had been abandoned for years.

I pulled the blanket off me. My legs were weak. My mouth tasted of copper. I stood up, slowly. The air was freezing. My breath came out in clouds. The window was dark. All the lights were off.

But when I looked at the ground, I saw I wasn’t standing on the floor. I was standing on glass. 

And on the other side - a new girl in the chair. 

Only, she wasn’t looking up at me.

She was looking at me - straight on - as if her world tilted at a different angle. As if she were seated upright in a room that existed sideways beneath mine. Her gaze didn’t drift. Her neck didn’t crane. She met my eyes like we were sitting across from each other, not separated by gravity and glass. 

I dropped to my knees, pressing my hands to the pane. 

She watched me. Pale, shaking, eyes wide with fear. She looked like she’d been crying. Like she’d seen something she didn’t understand.

I recognized myself in her face, but it wasn’t me. It couldn’t be.

Because behind her, on the far side of the darkened room, there was a figure standing in the corner.

It was me. The other me. The one that sat in the chair. Its eyes were open, and it was smiling. And on its lap: an empty clipboard, waiting to be filled.

********************************************************************************

It’s been four months since I arrived at SomnoTech. I haven’t slept in three. I’ve written all of this down. I’m not sure how many times. I don’t know how much is real.

The girl in the chair doesn’t look at me anymore. She stopped crying. She stopped moving. She’s becoming like the other one. The smiling one. The one in the dark. The one who’s waiting for its turn.

I don’t want to know what comes next. I don’t think anyone does. But it doesn’t matter what we want. All that matters is what it wants. And it’s getting closer. I can hear it in the walls. I can feel it in my skin. I can see it in the reflection.

And once that happens, there’s only one thing left. One final step. One last phase.

This isn’t a dream. It’s not even a nightmare.

It’s the thing waiting after.

And we’re already in it.

We’re all already asleep.

And we don’t even know it yet.

[cyclament]

Stickers | Multifandom (see below)

~November 1 - 3, 2024

Nov 1 - Printing + Laminating

Nov 2/3 - Cutting

Nov 3 - More Laminating + Cutting

Printer Ink + Matte Vinyl on Sticker Paper

Stickers I made for Anifest. The final end to this long sticker journey!

There are 20 total designs:

Beetlejuice | Sandworm

Hellboy | Angel of Death, Hellboy

Alien | Xenomorph

Pan's Labyrinth | The Pale Man

Hollow Knight | Grimm, The Knight

Omori | Basil, Omori, Something

Arcane | Jinx

Hazbin Hotel | Alastor, Lucifer, Alastor's Minions, Husk

Hades | Zagreus

Coraline | Coraline Doll, Cocoa Beetle

The Amazing Digital Circus | Pomni, Jax, Gangle

I wanted to print the stickers on my mother's colour printer, but the colours and the black were slightly offset so I used my uni's printer service.

Applying the vinyl was tricky (messed up a few times), but once I learned the tricks it went by pretty smoothly. I did half of the vinyl application in the makerspace, and the other half at home on the 3rd.

I also wanted to use the makerspace's silhouette cutter thing to cut out the stickers, but I didn't know you had to run the paper through that machine before printing out the sticker design for it to work. Thus began the saga of cutting them out by hand.

Cutting it wasn't tooooo bad. It was just monotonous work so I could talk w people/watch something while doing it (watched Terrifier with my family while cutting most of them which worked because I don't really looking at pure gore). It did make my hand hurt like a bitch after a while, though.

I only ended up cutting like half of them anyways. My plan was to cut them by demand if needed during the artist alley.

There were quite a few defects by the end (mainly because of the vinyl, but there was a printing error for one of the sheets), and I ended up putting those stickers on my waterbottle. Me and my friend also tested their waterproof-ability by scrubbing at said stickers on my waterbottle with a soapy sponge. Needless to say the vinyl works really well!!

[alex-fictus]

Not a suggestion, more a question - how do you make your stickers? Your art inspired me to make stickers but I don’t know where to start!!

Ooh Tutorial Time! I have a small rundown of my process here. (I’ve got a video here, but I’ve had an update in my materials. Also this got a little away from me, I hope this helps and lemme know if there’s anything I need to elaborate on!)

---  Materials:  Printer - Epson Ecotank 8500 Cutters - Silhouette Cameo 4s (I’ve got 2 at the moment) Paper - Zicoto Glossy Vinyl Laminates - Glossy and Holo Star Laminate (Both Self Adhesive) Misc    Off Brand Sticker Cutter mats     Ruler Squeegee with extra microfiber wrap    Sports glove tack spray or sewing basting spray

Printer - Aim for a photographic printer at the minimum. General print quality, color variety, and paper handling will make sure your prints are the highest possible quality. They’re a little more expensive, but my last printer lasted 4 years with frequent weekly printing. The ecotank is nice, it’s more visual that the ink is actually disappearing than the pre-filled cartridges lol.  Cutter - I’ve only used Silhouette, but I’ve heard to stay clear of Cricut due to general cut unreliability and lack of customer service assistance. I’ve also heard great things about the Siser Juliet cutter from mutuals. In order to use 2 machines at the same time, I had to purchase the Business license ( p sure it was a one time $50 purchase, but I can work twice as fast). If you want to cut by hand, check out what kind of ergonomic scissors you can find. Classic scissors over time can really screw up your hands, especially when you’re making fine cuts. 

Printing and Sizing - The Silhouette Studio resizes your stickers without many issues with quality changes. This does kinda depend on the base size of your files. I always make my stickers on a canvas 3000x2000 pixels and 300 dpi. I wouldn’t go any lower than 100 dpi for print, and no larger than 500 dpi, but you can always test this out.

Paper - I enjoy the luster of the paper I linked above, there’s almost a pearlescent quality to it. If you’d like a different quality, I recommend still sticking with glossy vinyl for your paper. Laminates on matte sticker paper have had a lot of trapped air underneath for me and it tended to be more likely to bleed in contact with water despite being laminated.

Laminate - If you’re just doing paper finish stickers, you can skip this step :)

Laminate them to make them more water and scratch resistant. The laminates I’ve listed are all self adhesive. There are also heat adhesive laminates, which require a heat laminator. I haven’t experimented much with heated laminates. Mine are best rated for hand wash, though they can go through the dishwasher a few times.  When laminating your sticker sheet, be sure to not cover your registration marks. When your cutter tries to read over them and the surface is really reflective, it can cause the machine to read improperly (and it’s worse with the holographics lol). Either precut your laminates like I do in the video I linked above, or you can use matte tape over your laminate to dull the sheen. If you accidentally cover your registration marks, the matte tape is a lifesaver.  Self laminating takes some muscle memory to not get bubbles trapped under the laminate, but a wide squeegee and firm pressure helps make sure you get as few bubbles as possible.  Mats - Your cutter will come with a few, but I find that my off-brand ones are just as good and less expensive. I prefer low-tack, but there comes a time when the tack is absolutely gone, and I have 10+ mats just sitting around. That’s where the Sports Glove spray or Sewing basting spray comes in! After washing them (soap and water, then dry for a few hours), I hit them with a few coats of spray. Right now I’m using Pow’r Tac Grip Spray. It’s just ok, but this leaves less residue on the back of my stickers than the Basting Spray I used to use. I retack every month or so, but that’s more bc I’d prefer the mats to be less sticky than risk ripping my backing sheets. 

----

If there’s anything you’d still like to know, please let me know!! 

[vmscareaid]

Choosing the Right Thermal Lamination Machine: A Comprehensive Guide

Lamination machines are a valuable tool for protecting documents, enhancing presentations, and preserving important materials. A thermal lamination machine uses heat to bond layers of plastic film over a sheet, ensuring a smooth, professional, and durable finish. Whether you're laminating office documents, ID cards, or printed materials for personal use, the right machine can make all the difference. This guide explores the features, benefits, and types of thermal laminators while highlighting key considerations like lamination machine price and the differences between thermal and cold lamination machines.

What is a Thermal Lamination Machine?

A thermal lamination machine is a device that uses heat-activated adhesive to apply a protective plastic film over paper or similar materials. The film is typically available in sheets or rolls, and the machine heats the adhesive to create a durable, protective layer that is resistant to water, tearing, and wear.

Thermal laminators are widely used in offices, schools, and personal projects due to their reliability and high-quality results. These machines are often preferred for their ability to laminate a wide range of items, from certificates and menus to business cards and signs.

Key Features of a Thermal Lamination Machine

Heat Activation: The primary function of a thermal laminator is its use of heat to bond plastic film onto documents. It ensures a professional, long-lasting finish that protects against wear and tear.

Sheet Laminators: Most thermal laminators are designed to work with laminator sheets, which are pre-cut to standard sizes like A4, A3, and legal sizes. These sheets come with pre-applied adhesive that activates when heated by the machine.

Speed and Versatility: Modern thermal laminators are faster and more versatile than ever before. They can handle a variety of materials and thicknesses, allowing for both thin, flexible lamination as well as thicker, more rigid protective layers.

Automatic Shutoff: For safety and energy efficiency, many machines feature automatic shutoff capabilities, turning off after periods of inactivity to prevent overheating.

Thermal vs. Cold Lamination Machine

Before deciding on a thermal laminator, it’s important to understand the difference between thermal and cold lamination machines. While thermal laminators use heat, cold lamination machines use pressure to bond the film to the material. Here's a quick comparison:

Thermal Laminator: Offers a higher-quality, more durable finish. It works best for flat, smooth surfaces and is ideal for documents, photos, and printed materials. However, thermal lamination is not recommended for heat-sensitive materials like inkjet prints or certain types of paper.

Cold Lamination Machine: Uses pressure-sensitive adhesive to laminate materials without heat. It’s better for heat-sensitive materials and offers more flexibility, but the end product may not be as durable as with thermal lamination.

Why Choose a Thermal Lamination Machine?

High-Quality Results: Thermal laminators produce a sleek, polished finish that is resistant to moisture, dust, and general wear. This makes them ideal for laminating important documents that need to stand the test of time.

Durability: Unlike cold lamination, thermal lamination creates a bond that is much stronger, giving the laminated document a longer lifespan. This is crucial for frequently used items like menus, signs, or educational materials.

Versatile Usage: Thermal laminators can handle a variety of materials and applications. From photographs and business cards to educational materials and posters, thermal lamination enhances the durability and appearance of almost any printed item.

Affordability: Although thermal lamination machines can vary in price, they offer excellent value over time due to their long-lasting results. The lamination machine price depends on factors like brand, size, and features, but investing in a quality machine is worth it for both professional and personal use.

Factors to Consider When Buying a Thermal Laminator

Lamination Machine Price: Pricing is always a significant consideration. The cost of a thermal laminator can vary depending on its size, features, and brand. While smaller, portable machines may be more affordable, larger machines are necessary for handling bigger projects.

Sheet Compatibility: Ensure that the laminator can work with the appropriate lamination sheets. Most standard machines can handle A4 sheets, but if you frequently laminate larger documents or posters, you may want to consider a machine that accommodates larger formats like A3.

Thickness Capacity: Lamination thickness is measured in mils (thousandths of an inch). For everyday use, a machine that handles 3 to 5 mil thick laminating pouches is sufficient. For heavy-duty laminations, such as signs or frequently handled materials, a machine that accommodates thicker pouches (up to 10 mils) may be necessary.

Speed: Some thermal laminators take time to heat up and process materials. If you're working in a fast-paced environment or need to laminate a large number of sheets, investing in a machine with a faster warm-up and processing time can save you a lot of time and frustration.

Portability: Smaller, portable laminators are ideal for occasional use or small spaces. These are also great for those who need a portable cash counting machine. However, if you have larger-scale lamination needs, opt for a machine with higher capacity and durability.

Tips for Using a Thermal Lamination Machine

Preheat Properly: Always allow your machine to preheat fully before starting the lamination process. This ensures that the adhesive is evenly distributed across the film for a smooth finish.

Use the Right Sheets: Depending on the material you’re laminating, different thicknesses of laminator sheets are available. For delicate materials, choose thinner sheets, while thicker sheets provide greater protection for heavier materials.

Regular Maintenance: Clean the rollers regularly to avoid film buildup, which can cause jams or uneven lamination. Many machines come with maintenance kits to ensure longevity.

Conclusion

A thermal lamination machine is an excellent investment for those who need to protect important documents, create professional presentations, or simply enhance the appearance of printed materials. With a variety of features, sizes, and price points available, there's a laminator to suit every need. By understanding the difference between thermal and cold lamination machines, considering key factors like lamination machine price and sheet compatibility, and knowing how to use and maintain the machine effectively, you can get the most out of your investment. Whether for professional, educational, or personal use, a thermal laminator is a versatile and practical tool for protecting and preserving your documents.

[mysticgeekzartz]

For those of you who wondered how I made my stickers

So how I made my stickers I did not make them in a website like canva or anything like that or got them printed I actually made them all by myself with a few things that I got off Amazon So first you need to get a good sticker paper or the one that you can afford I spent like $25 for a pack of 100 glossy sheets and it was called printable vinyl sticker paper for inkjet printer

This is the brand I use I think you can use whatever brand but use what is best for you You can use mat you can use glossy I use glossy because I like shiny stickers and it makes them pop when I put sparkles on them

Next you will need to have a printer I have an HP inkjet printer also before you get your sticker paper make sure you know what type of printer you have Because some certain types of printers do not support certain types of sticker paper because it can jam the printer and maybe even break your printer so make sure you check that this print paper works for your printer

This right here is my printer that I normally use Just a basic ink jet but also make sure that your printer also supports colored ink as well because if not you're just going to have a bunch of black and white stickers

Then have a drawing program whether that is procreate, fire alpaca, Adobe, CSP, both Paint tool sai's, ect. Whatever drawing program you like to use Just make sure that you can make it transparent in the background when you are ready So you can export it to a different type of program if you decide to do it that way I don't do it that way I actually print it through my drawing program also another tidbit do not use colors that are overly bright especially for using the type of glossy paper I use I learned from experience overly bright colors will make it look washed out and it will not pop so try to make sure you use medium to darks if you can and add lots of shading also make sure you have your line art dark as well so it can show the image well as well I just know from mistakes I've made in the past It's all trial and error my friends

Next how I do it as I make my stickers waterproof I use mod podge I used to spray on stuff I use the gloss spray on I don't use the mat because I don't like Matte stickers And I bought mine off of Amazon for about 10 bucks but it does last me a while except for the times I had a big sticker order then I used a lot more of it but yeah all you need is like a quick little coat I like to make it as my "save" button So my image does not get scratched up and scuffed up because with my type of sticker paper if I'm not careful the image will get all scuffed up which is why I spray so I can preserve the image.

This is the one I use It's lasted me for a good amount of projects also you only need like one or two coats like light coats don't go too heavy-handed or it can make your paper curl and that's something that you do not want and if it does curl put a heavy book on it for a few minutes and it should straighten up enough for you to put the laminate on also make sure you're in a well ventilated area if you are going to spray I recommend doing it outside but if you have to do it inside open a window make sure it's well ventilated and wear a mask You do not want to be breathing in this

Speaking of laminate That's what I use next I use sparkly laminate after the spray has dried and everything I put laminate on it since I do not have a laminate machine or anything I do everything by hand which is not easy to put laminate by hand laminate sheets are like these sticker sheets I use The ones I use are called Cosrk premium holographic laminate sheets And I bought those on Amazon for about 10 bucks each but it does come with a lot of laminate sheets in different styles in one pack You just choose which styles you prefer also it says this in the description but some people tend to forget you cannot print on these laminate sheets It will jack your printer up these are meant to put over an image not to print on an image there was a lot of reviews that said that it didn't work on their printer and I'm like yeah because you didn't use the product right lol So if you do get this product please make sure that you do not print on it it will really mess up your printer

Here's a brand an example of how the laminate looks like also another tip Make sure you keep it in a cool area If the area is way too warm they will curl up and if they do that make sure you just place a heavy book on it and hopefully it flattens out enough which comes on to putting it on the stickers this is a very delicate process because you can mess it up real easily if you are not careful especially if you do not have a machine to help you put the laminate on So I gently pull the laminate off Make sure there's no air bubbles or anything and if you do get air bubbles there are like tools to help get air bubbles out I don't know what the thing is called I think it's like a scraper I don't have that because I get frustrated with it and plus I learned enough to not get bubbles on my stuff anymore but I know what helps is I quickly gently put it on over it like quickly and gently Don't even press it down and then I quickly put a heavy book on it and usually that has worked for me like for a few minutes I put a heavy book on it and then the laminate is straight it barely has any bubbles and that's just the method it works out for me If you have another method try it out

And now for the final which is to put another coat of spray on there to make sure they're waterproof and protected I recommend putting about two coats like the last time light coats And then let him wait for a few seconds until they're not tacky anymore and then once they're all dried up you just cut them out since I don't have a cutter I cut them by hand which is not the easiest either especially if it's a unique shape but I try to cut him the best as I can I'm hopefully one day I can get a sticker cutter but until that day comes I'm going to do everything by hand lol So I hope that answers some of y'all's questions about how I make stickers If you have any more questions don't be afraid to ask me I will be more than happy to help out as you can only say so much on a blog post lol

Here's some sticker examples of the process lol also a little bit of fan art with those stickers And my graphic design skills

[hasufin]

Modification

I want to share a little project I've been working on this past week. It may seem like nothing, but it was a lot of work and a big pain until I got it done.

Back when my spouse and I moved into our current house, I immediately recognized a dearth of counter space in the kitchen. We resolved this by purchasing a buffet table from Ikea. The table in question was a "Norden" model, which they have since discontinued. Simple enough table, a bit over a meter long and maybe a third that in depth, two drawers and two additional shelves. Great for holding kitchen appliances on top and storage below.

The first thing I did was add locking casters to the bottom so I could move it around easily. That's been a big bonus, as it makes cleaning much easier. I also put some hooks on the ends to hang my cast iron pans.

The problem arose I guess about three years ago when I upgraded to a commercial-grade espresso machine. The Gaggia was okay, but the Expobar is in a completely different class. And that's GREAT for good coffee. For a tabletop that's made of laminated particle board? Not so much.

Now, I had been aware of this problem for a while. I'd tried to ameliorate it by putting a silicone baking mat on top of that side of the table; that slowed down the deterioration, but did not stop it. It was also a daily annoyance, as the espresso machine moved a bit when I torqued the portafilter in place and it would get bunched up. About once a week I would have to lift the espresso machine and move things back.

This came to a head two weeks ago when I took the espresso machine in for some repairs and had to face that the tabletop was ruined. My initial thought was to get a replacement top from Ikea and then put maybe a piece of stone countertop in where the espresso machine sits.

This ran into two problems. First, as I mentioned before, this particular item is discontinued. Ikea will honor the warranty, and the Ikea rep tried pretty hard to make that work, but the reality is I got it too long ago and whatever abuse it's undergone is my problem; they don't sell the parts for it anymore.

Second, stone countertops are EXPENSIVE. While I just want what might be considered scrap, it was still going to be a lot of money, and I was not able to find a source.

Eventually I want to replace the entire thing with something I build myself, and I have some ideas for that. However, right now I have neither the time nor skill to make that happen. I was going to have to replace the top myself.

Since I didn't want to pay for stone, I opted for metal. I ordered a 4'x2' sheet of metal from McMaster and proceeded to prep the top. I sanded down the areas which were bubbling up and roughed up the rest of the surface.

Then, once the metal arrived I used my angle grinder to cut it to width and round the sharp corners. I had this notion that I might bend it over the top and maybe nail it down, or see if I could knurl the edges. However, while I think that was maybe possible, to do it well would have called for tools I don't have and skills I generally lack. The steel was 0.03" thick rolled mild steel. While that's not exactly a knife's edge, and you can touch it without cutting yourself, it's not exactly safe. And although I got much better with the angle grinder in the process (I had a grinder and hardly ever used it), the cut edges were a but uneven. So, I ordered some rubber edging.

In the meantime, I put the metal on the buffet table and prepared it.

I opted for a matte finish, since I would need better buffing tools than I have to get a mirror finish, and matte is easier to maintain than brushed. Since it's mild steel - which rusts easily - I sealed it with a spray lacquer.

Today, the rubber edging finally arrived. This is the same stuff you have on the edges of your car door. I glued it in place, except for one small section which is removable so I can easily clean detritus like coffee grounds off the table top. I also added two receivers to hold the feet of the espresso machine so it doesn't move when I put in the portafilter.

And, behold!

The result looks almost nothing like the original buffet table from Ikea. Someday I'll make something better, but whatever I make will be strongly informed by this, which has been heavily modified to fit my use case.

[ackee]

This is not fetish gear reccs (and I'm sorry) but I have been dying to tell you I had a dream about you a couple weeks back now. I was at a fair, and you had a small stand/booth set up. And I went up to your stand and basically, you had this laminated sheet of paper and one of your ocs on it (specifically Deuce) and you would ask a question and the person playing would move the little cutout of him to whatever they thought was the answer. It was like, a game to get to know your ocs? You weren't handing out BIG prizes for winning, it looked like simple things (think like, what you might get out of a quarter machine).

That was basically the entire dream! I only got to play the game very briefly before I woke up :(. But you were super excited I stopped by your little set-up to play!

AWWW honestly? a mecore thing to do. just a month or two ago i was thinking about how fun it'd be to table at a con one day if traversion and/or strapped got big enough.. this is so cute hehe..

[tarisilmarwen]

RobStar Week 2023, Day 2 - Carnival/Amusement Park

(Shhh, I know I'm late.)

---

Kory glanced aside at Dick knowingly as he switched the turn signal on, moving them towards the right lane of the highway.

He took his eyes off the road briefly, sending her a conspiratorial wink.

Grinning, Kory waited until they were about half a mile away from their exit, before calling back to the two children in the backseat, both slumped over and staring glumly out their windows, disappointed over the end of their trip.

"Mar'i? Jake? Can you look out the window to your right and tell me what you see?" she asked them, failing to hide the mischievous sparkle in her green eyes.

Mar'i was on the right side, and lifted her head from her chin curiously, sending a puzzled squint out the window as the sign for the exit came up.

They knew the moment she'd realized because an ear-splitting excited squeal at an unholy decible shook the car.

"IT'S WETZLEYWOOOOOORLD!" Mar'i shouted, fists clenched, bouncing in her seat.

"What's Wetzleyworld?" asked Jake, leaning over and straining to see.

"Oh my gosh, Jake, it's so fun! We came once when you and I were little, I think you were two, it's the most awesomest, funnest, coolest place ever!" She squealed again, the seatbelt straining to contain her as she floated a half-inch above her seat. "It's got bumper cars and rock climbing and rollercoasters and a Ferris wheel and-"

Dick and Kory smiled at each other from the front seats, pleased at having kept the impromptu visit a surprise for their little ones.

"Hope they still have the Whirl-a-Gig Tower," Dick commented, sliding the car neatly into the exit lane.

"Oh yes, that one was one of my favorites as well," Kory agreed, nodding. Her eyes pinched suddenly, skin wrinkling between her brows. "Did you hear they tore down the Sonic Splashdown?"

He glanced askance at her. "No!" he said, dismayed and in disbelief. "Aww man, we loved that one. It was the perfect cooldown ride for summer."

"I hear they have revamped it with a newer style. It will still be a water ride just... not as big," she hastened to inform him, not quite able to hide her own disappointment.

Dick gave a grumbling sigh. "Guess it can't be helped." He checked over with her, pulling them up to a stoplight. "You've got all our passes?"

She nodded, slipping her hand into the canvas bag in her lap and producing them, four slightly folded sheets of paper. "Indeed. We need to present these at the front gates, which will gain us admittance, and then we must report to the Customer Service booth to gain the laminated badges."

He reached over and squeezed her hand, warmly affectionate. "Thanks for handling that, Star," he told her gratefully. "I know it was a lot to handle on short notice."

Kory flipped a bit of her hair back proudly. "It was nothing," she declared. "I rather enjoyed talking to the service representative; she was very nice and helpful and is expecting a third child in May."

Dick chuckled. Leave it to his Starfire to make friends with a total stranger.

The light flipped to green and he released the brake, taking the turn into the drive that led to the main entrance.

***

The crowds were impressive, several groups of students, families, and youth groups in matching shirts scattered here and there, and dozens of individual families milling around as well. The noise of their talking was matched only by the noise of the amenities, roaring coasters rattling on their tracks, vendors hawking for players at the prize booths, popcorn and cotton candy machines going full steam. The park's kindly mascot, Wetzley the Walrus, twinkled round black eyes out from plushies, billboards, and signage.

Mar'i was already begging for a giant pink flamingo prize hanging above the baseball toss. Dick paid the extra fee and let Kory have the honors, watching her wind up and let a rip with just a touch of her alien strength.

Just a touch was all it took, toppling the whole stack of weighted bottles with a magnificent clatter. Kory beamed as the attendant handed her the flamingo, and Dick felt a rush of nostalgia and adoration; His wife had wanted the same stuffed prize years and years ago when they'd first come here, on what was technically their first date. Technically because they had still been in that weird awkward stage of, "We're just friends, we don't totally like each other at all, but I still really care about impressing you."

The asshole who had prevented him from even taking a turn at the game was no longer working that particular booth, he was satisfied to see.

Mar'i was making grabby hands with her fingers. "Can I hold it? Can I? Can I?"

Kory frowned. "I do not believe that is a good idea, Mar'i. It it much larger than you are, and we do not want to attract attention."

"Awwww!" Mar'i groaned in disappointment, dropping her hands.

"Besides," Dick said, coming up closer, "we're going to have them reserve it at the front for us. That way it won't get wet or dirty before we take it home."

Mar'i mumbled but accepted that logic. Jake, meanwhile, had spotted the carousel.

"MOMMY!" he squealed, pointed excitedly. "DADDY! THEY HAVE A SEAHORSE!"

"Yeah?" Dick responded, leaning down with hands on his knees, matching his son's excitement.

"Yes, see!"

"Well we'd better go ride it then," he urged, taking the flamingo as Kory passed it to him, handing it in turn to the park runner who had just been summoned to fetch the large prize to the front for safekeeping.

Jake was off like a rocket, his sister three steps behind him.

"Do not get too far ahead!" Kory called in worried warning, trying to keep up.

***

When all the coasters had been ridden at least once—and some of them twice—multiple snacks consumed, both children's faces painted with bright designs—Mar'i had gotten a swirling gold and silver configuration called Azure Princess and Jake had gotten the tusks and beady eyes of the ever-ubiquitous Wetzley—and everyone's calves and feet were thoroughly exhausted Dick finally called an end to the day.

Mar'i trudged along sleepily at his side, while Kory held a dozing Jake, his little arms draped around her shoulders.

"I am glad we could share this with them again," Kory said, as they made their way through the exit gate, picking up their flamingo on the way. She smiled in a way that made his heart flip inside him. "This is still my favorite place to come with you," she said, voice soft.

His cheeks heated and like that he was mentally fifteen again, gaping in awe at how pretty she was, how vibrant and full of life and endless enthusiasm.

"Yeah," was all he could say to agree.

Their hands found each other's as they walked across the parking lot, son and daughter and flamingo in tow, the orange light of sunset splashing across the sky.

[no-stupid-questions-official]

i laminated something and a small part of the edge is open. not from peeling, it just didnt seal. it was a small thing i laminated and i cut it out of the larger sheet, but when i cut it i guess i cut into an unsealed part of the plastic and now its open slightly.

would it be safe to run it through the laminator a second time? not using another sheet of plastic to laminate it, but just running the currently laminated item through the machine.

-