#Super Asia Room Cooler

[lahorecentre]

Battery Operated Air Cooler Keep Your Home Cool and Comfortable

If you want to escape the heat, you should buy a Battery Powered Air͏ Coolers. Relax at home without͏ stressing over your electricity expenses and stay cool throughout summer.

[thehappilyeverafter]

Disney World and Universal Studios Ride Reviews

I went on a trip to Orlando, Florida to visit Disney World and Universal Studios with Janie this past week. We flew from SFO to Orlando on Thursday morning Sept 7, 2023 and returned to SFO on Sept 15 Friday night (11 pm).

See the calendar below for more details:

This document captures my thoughts on each ride (since I probably won't be returning to Orlando anytime soon!) as well as general lessons/takeaways for future visits to theme parks.

EPCOT

Remy's Ratatouille Adventure: Trackless 3D ride. Great theming of the queue and ride, and surrounding area (France in EPCOT). Disney magic is palpable.

8/10

Frozen Ever After: Terrible, low effort flume ride with weird, projected faces on Elsa/Anna animatronics.

3/10

La Gran Fiesta: Entry to the ride is cool (inside Pyramid) but the theme itself (Donald Duck + 2 Mexican musician birds) is not very relatable.

5/10

Spaceship Earth: Fun, slow, informative ride about the progression of mankind. Includes comical pictures at the end of the riders.

6.5/10

Mission: Space: Quality ride that simulates training to be an astronaut. Rotation to simulate G Force can make people dizzy (not me). 

7/10

Soarin’ Around the World: A classic, solid ride, very similar to the California Adventures counterpart. 

7/10

Living with the Land (Boat Ride with the Greenhouse): Slow but informative flume/boat ride. No real theming. Just about agriculture/earth.

5.5/10

Finding Nemo: Decent cart ride (like Haunted Mansion/Little Mermaid) that allowed us to discover the existence of EPCOT’s aquarium. Potentially boring.

6/10

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind: An indoor rollercoaster ride reminiscent of Space Mountain. The theming was decent in line and also on the ride with the god. This was probably better than Space Mountain since the carts can rotate.

7.5/10

Test Track: Queue theming (design your own car!) was cool despite Chevrolet presence. Initial part of ride was cool, but the climax was super short (one outdoor loop with a terrible view).

5/10

Animal Kingdom

Expedition Everest: Similar to Matterhorn Bobsleds ride, albeit with a backwards twist. The queue theming (Yeti museum, Nepal climbing gear, general Nepal/Asia region in Animal Kingdom) are awesome. These two components make the ride significantly superior to Matterhorn Bobsleds.

7.5/10

Safari Tour: Shorter than expected but still get to see a lot of animals (lions, gazelles, elephants, hippos, zebras, giraffes, etc.) in the preserve. It’s still something that needs to be done at least once every trip.

6.5/10.

It’s Tough to be a Bug: Boring ride/show hybrid. Good for a rest in a cool room.

5/10

Flight of Passage: Best 3D ride. Queue (upward jungle into lab) and Pandora land are also great.

8/10

Na’vi River Journey: Flume ride through Pandora with one high quality singing Avatar animatronic. It’s an OK ride, but not much emotional connection and kind of boring. Not worth a long wait.

6/10

Dinosaur Ride: Unexpectedly exciting, great ride tucked away in DinoLand. It’s similar to the Indiana Jones ride (cart through darkness) albeit with dinosaurs instead. The queue’s theme is apt (dinosaur museum) and is referenced by the ride intro video, but is kind of boring.

7.5/10

Kali River Rapids: Similar to Grizzly River Rapids but worse/shorter. There’s just one drop.

6/10

Magic Kingdom

Jungle Cruise: Pretty similar to the Disneyland counterpart. Although there’s a cave part that’s different where the skipper is completely silent.

6/10

Tomorrowland Cars: Super slow cars, ineffective steering, bad exhaust smell. Queue theming is nonexistent and waiting takes place in the sun.

4/10

TRON: A decent indoor rollercoaster with swiveling capability. Theming is a bit generic (futuristic, cyber lights) but still fun overall. Similar to Space Mountain, although the position involves sitting (like on a motorcycle) which is cooler. 

7.5/10

Pirates of the Caribbean: A classic. Mostly similar but the Disneyland counterpart is slightly better in my opinion (no restaurant at beginning of ride, no man on rocking chair at beginning of ride, or no Jolly Roger before initial drop) no uphill at end). The queue theming is more planned and better (dedicated building with angular lines).

7/10

Seven Dwarves and the Mine: Broke down twice when we tried to ride it. Queue is OK but boring. Actually ride is gateway coaster for kids and over pretty quickly.

6/10

It’s a Small World: Can view ride/queue from the Pinocchio restaurants which is cool. Queue/boarding area is pretty modern and indoors. Other than that, pretty similar to Disneyland counterpart and somewhat boring.

6/10

The Little Mermaid: Decent cart ride. Not a huge fan of Little Mermaid, but still pretty nice. Underwater effects are cool. Pretty similar to the California Adventure counterpart.

7/10.

Haunted Mansion: Awesome ride even without the Nightmare Before Christmas theme. Great for Halloween/fall vibes. Similar to the Disneyland counterpart.

7.5/10

Hollywood Studios

Star Wars (Rise of the Resistance): Very similar to the Disneyland counterpart. Trackless ride with great setup.

7.5/10

Star Wars (Smugglers Run): Very similar to the Disneyland counterpart. Also a decent ride (although being pilot is stressful) in a great area (Galaxy’s Edge).

7/10

Star Tours: The Adventure Continues: Fun 3D ride with a short line.

7/10

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway: Great trackless ride with cute Mickey/Minnie vacation theme. Glad to see it was introduced to Disneyland earlier this year.

8/10

Aerosmith Rollercoaster: Great indoor rollercoaster. Despite the unrelatable Aerosmith intro, the ride is basically Space Mountain with a “California” theme. I would consider it at least on par with Space Mountain.

7.5/10 

Twilight Tower of Terror: California Adventure’s counterpart was converted to Guardians of Galaxy theme, so it’s nice to ride the classic again. The theme is great for Halloween vibes. The trippy ride intro prior to the actual bouncing (elevator moves forward through space with giant eyeballs of stuff) wasn’t present in the California Adventure’s version, and actually makes it better.

7.5/10

Toy Story Mania: The ride itself is very similar to the California Adventure’s counterpart. But the dedicated building for a themed queue and surrounding area (Toy Story Land) makes is better.

7.5/10

Slinky Dog Dash: Decent gateway coaster with light theme in Toy Story Land. Not worth a long wait though.

7/10.

Universal Studios

Simpsons: Decent, light 3D ride.

7/10

Minions Mayhem: Decent, light 3D ride.

7/10

Men in Black (Alien Attack): Blaster ride in moving cart with physical robot aliens. High quality queue (old school 90s/2000s office) and ride.

7/10

Minions Villain Con (Blaster): Lame because you have to stand up. Also hard to tell where your blaster is, since everyone shares the same screen. 

6/10

Race through NYC with Jimmy Fallon: Decent 3D ride despite Jimmy Fallon theme.

7/10

Fast and Furious: Super loud; not worth it. The subject matter is also not appealing to me personally.

5/10

Transformers: Decent, exciting 3D ride, but also pretty loud.

6.5/10

Harry Potter (Escape from Gringotts): A decent ride with an amazing queue through Gringotts.

7.5/10

ET Adventure: An unexpectedly awesome, old school ride. Biking over the night city (shadow across the moon) was amazing. The name at the end was the cherry on top. One of the best rides in Universal across both parks.

7.5/10

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit: A pretty good rollercoaster! You get to choose your own song, which impacts the experience significantly. Sandstorm by Darude was a great choice.

7/10

Bourne Stuntacular: Technically a show, but awesome effects!

8/10

Hogwarts Express (to Hogsmeade): This is not really a ride — more themed for of transportation. King’s Cross theming is very realistic to the point of making the wait a bit boring. Reflection trick for going through the wall is kind of cool. During the ride, window animation + silhouettes are fun but a bit on the nose.

6/10

Islands of Adventure

Harry Potter (Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure): Pretty cool “mini” rollercoaster ride with theming, although a bit loud. Backwards part was unexpected. Reminiscent of Expedition Everest.

7/10

Harry Potter (Forbidden Journey): Same as the one in Universal Hollywood. A classic with a great queue, although the dementor part of the ride is pretty excessive.

7/10

VelociCoaster: Fun, Jurassic-Park themed queue and decent rollercoaster. I was slightly disappointed due to the all the hype (“one of the best rollercoasters in America”). I would put it in the same tier as Incredicoaster, Flight Deck, and Rip Ride Rockit.

7/10

Jurassic Park Boat Ride: A classic flume ride, although pretty loud and slightly boring (just one drop at end). It was nice to ride it again because the California counterpart is possible closed (need to double check).

6/10

Spiderman: An OK 3D ride. It’s pretty loud though.

6/10

King Kong: Skull Island: Similar to Fast and Furious (large, moving vehicle with 3D effects on sides). But the queue and subject matter is much more exciting. It makes me want to watch the movie. 

7/10

Hogwarts Express (to Diagon Alley): This is not really a ride — more themed for of transportation. During the ride, window animation + silhouettes are fun but a bit on the nose. Glad to see they are different from the (to Hogsmeade) ride though. Also weird because the train faces the wrong direction.

6/10

[pillowfluffs]

You Not Wanting Kids | NCT 127

Pairing: NCT 127 X Reader (female) 

Genre: fluffyyyy

Author’s Note: Thanks for requesting, anon! Hope this is okay since I���ve never written a reaction with them... This was actually quite hard cause I kept thinking “they would all be chill about it, although some would be more bummed than others...” 

Warnings: suggestive with johnny and Jaehyun 👀 

Taeil: 

Snowflakes slowly fell from the night sky, layering a thick blanket of snow over the buildings, houses, and streets

the weather felt like it was slowly getting worse as it got colder in the night 

a few of the members were in their rooms, doing their own things, and a few others were all about, somewhere in the dorms 

you were a regular guest in their dorms so there was no surprise on their end if they walked into the living room to find you and taeil together

Taeil and everyone else had to stay indoors to stay safe from a cold spreading around but also the weather

You laid your head on his chest and your body in between his legs with one hand resting on your back while the other was behind his head, propping it up

He put on a romantic movie and cherished this time during the holidays he got off with you

Seeing the kids bounce in joy on the screen sparked a thought in his head

“Do you want kids?” He nudged/ rubbed your back, curious

“Mmm, not really. I can’t really see myself as a mom...” you spoke. “I don’t do well with others being sick or throwing up near or on me.”

It was a thought you had as a kid and it stuck with you as you grew up

You didn’t really want kids

You didn’t want to deal with the financial parts behind it, the late nights where you could barely sleep

Which you heard from your coworkers

It sounded so miserable even though babies were cute

You just didn’t really want to go through it

He nodded, curious about your reasons but didn’t push further

Johnny: 

The two of you ordered some take out for dinner

Fine wines to go with them too

The two of you sat at the living room table and just watched whatever was on tv

And then it became more of a question game

You two had been together for a while

A couple months but there were still things about you that Johnny didn’t know about like you not knowing everything about Johnny

Though he was mostly an open book

You asked him some questions

Pretty generic, not too deep just yet

But then as the night went on, the two of you found yourself talking longer about your pasts, the future

Talks about dreams and aspiration, what he wanted to do in life, what you wanted to do

Things he wanted in life, things you wanted

“Do you want kids?”

“Uh, not really?” Your voice went higher as the words fell

You knew for your age, after getting to work, couples your age would usually get married and settle down and have kids

But you honestly didn’t really want any

You’ve heard enough from your family when they asked you if you sre gonna marry soon and settle down

They really wanted grandchildren

Johnny was super chill and accepting of it

I’m sure all of them would be and respect your decision of course

He went on to the next question like nothing because it wasn’t that big of a deal

But he did wink at you

“If you ever change your mind, you know my number ;)”

Yuta: 

the music from the stereos echoed around the dance studio as he moved with rhythm 

he moved so easily, he was so eye catching with the way he moved 

he gave you a smirk or a smile depending on the music playing whenever his eyes met yours through his reflection on the mirror wall 

he looked so good 

he slid down the wall and plopped down beside you as you handed him a cool water bottle from a little cooler and draped a towel around his shoulders 

the two of you had been together for almost a year now and you felt like you needed to say this 

“I don’t kids,” you said bluntly 

he practically choked on his water since this literally came out of nowhere

“okay?” 

“you’re not upset about that?” 

“not too much since I have a feeling our kids would be so beautiful, but it’s your body.” 

He respected your decision very much 

and he still had his intentions on being with you in the future 

it was a weight off for you since you knew this was a dealbreaker for your past relationships 

they wanted kids and you didn’t and it just didn’t work out 

but you met yuta

and in this moment, it felt like a weight was lifted off of you 

and maybe just maybe, you would even change your decision 

Taeyong: 

the sun was shining beautifully 

clouds rolled by in the sky as the two of you sat on a blanket, enjoying a picnic together in a public park 

there were other couples spread out, doing their own thing 

he brought the foods for the two of you while you brought some activities like little games but so far you two had been here all day and the games were over 

be brought fruits and veggies with dips, cute little drinks

but he also brought kimbap, mandoo (dumplings), milks and cute sodas

the weather was perfect and so was this date 

after playing the games you brought a couple times, the two of you ended up playing this last one you brought 

it was a box that you found at the mall that sold party games and such 

each person took a turn to draw a card and everyone went around to answer the question on the card 

there were cards that asked about favorite foods, books, movies, hobbies 

as the sun began to set, the deeper and closer the two of you bonded sharing interests and opinions 

then your question came up: do you want kids? 

“I would like some, they’re so cute.” Taeyong was amazing with kids. “how about you?” 

from what you were able to see when they were teachers for the day 

you knew he would make a great father to his kids 

other too 

but you had your doubts yourself about being a parent. 

“I don’t think I would make a good parent so I don’t really want any,” you said to which he nodded 

but he also reassured you that from what he knew about your personality, he thought contrary to your belief 

Doyoung: 

During a road trip, the two of you played a questionnaire game 

more or less like 21 questions 

as he drove, the two of you took turns asking questions about one another or about anything 

you looked through on your phone, struggling to find some yourself yet Doyoung was able to think of so many questions so easily off the top of his head 

he wanted you to take you into the country side to take a breather from your busy work and the buzzing city life 

the country side was beautiful from all the shows and dramas you watched and he saw the way you were amazed 

so today was the day he was bringing you out to spend in the country side for a few days in an airbnb

As he drove on the long, empty road, his question appeared 

“Do you want kids?” 

“No, not really.” 

Doyoung was confused as to why you didn’t want any 

he was also pretty bummed because he was a really great family guy 

he wanted to start one with you and to have kids of his own that he could raise to be great people in this world 

“How come?” he asked, wanting to know more 

“I’m not the best with kids... So I don’t really want any of my own.” 

His mind was suddenly buzzing with questions and retorts 

but he had to filter himself 

he knew he couldn’t force you to have kids and also force you to do things you didn’t want to do 

but throughout the rest of the car ride, he persisted carefully on this topic as if he was persuading you/ tempting you to change your mind 

in the best way possible because he wanted to have kids with you

Jaehyun: 

the afternoon sun shone in through the skylight in your bedroom, making everything seem very pretty since your room had a white aesthetic 

it was very photo worthy if you had a photoshoot

you slowly woke up as Jaehyun stirred in his sleep beside you, your bare bodies beside each other 

clothes discarded on the ground 

it was a very.. fun... night in simple terms 

Jaehyun took in the lovely sight of your skin exposed in the bright afternoon sun, how ethereal it made you look with your upper half pressed into the mattress and your lower half hidden beneath the blanket 

of course he looked the same way from your perspective 

his muscles were sculpted and toned very nicely, the sun shining on his body, showing all the shadows in his muscles 

He laid with you in his arms, your head rested on his chest as he stroked your hair, tucking strands of your hair behind your ear

thinking about last night’s activities, he thought about the future 

and like the hypothetical scenario of you getting pregnant and having kids with you 

“what if we had kids?” 

“Mmm, why?” 

“I was just thinking about last night and like what if we had some?” 

“Oh, I don’t really want any,” you said 

“Oh, how come,” he asked as he tucked another hair behind your ear. “You would be a great mom. We would be great parents,” he curled his lips, showing off his dimple

“Mmm, maybe, but I just don’t really want any.” You said, pressing your cheek to his chest, drawing light lines on his skin 

“Mmhm.” 

Jaehyun was kind of bummed since he, like Taeyong, thought kids were adorable and he was actually quite good with them 

he hoped in the future, your stance would change and the two of you could perhaps one day start a family together 

Winwin: 

The room was dark as he laid on his bed as he texted you while it was just morning for you 

he guessed you were probably about to start work soon considering the hour it was back home 

the two of you talked about random things, mostly about the foods he’s eating, the things he’s seeing

he sent multiple pictures that yuta took for him 

he talked about how different things were and how they worked compared to asia

everything felt so different and he really liked it 

but he was pretty nervous about the language barrier 

eventually, the group at the end of the day played around by the pool at their hotel and yuta and winwin and taeil took some pictures at this little playground for kids 

there were a few kids with their families 

one family, this teenage daughter recognized the three of them and asked for a picture and he even got a copy of it and sent it to you 

it was the three of them, the teenage girl, and her baby brother 

“the little boy was so cute” he said with cute emojis

“Do you want kids one day?” 

You agreed with him how adorable the kids were but you didn’t really want kids 

there wasn’t any particular reason, you didn’t hate or dislike them in any way 

you actually did like them 

but you just didn’t really want any 

when he asked why and you gave him no particular reason, he just went on talking about the trip but it was like a recurring thought for him 

he was curious as to why but he wasn’t upset or anything by your decision

Jungwoo: 

this mans was your kid 

you spent some time with him in his dorm as he was on hiatus

the two of you spent some time in the empty dorms to yourselves

going out for food sometimes but also ordering take out, even making things like ramen with special additions of meat and such 

you guys went around town, going to the malls with of course concealing your identities from anyone cough dispatch

you even played a little game where at some point, one would buy something they think the other would like but it has to be a complete surprise 

so the two of you had to be sneaky on your own 

it was actually pretty fun 

the two of you couldn’t decide on just a single thing so it became three things 

and then you two would exchange and go over why you picked your things and he picked yours back at the dorms 

but also of course there was a price limit so nothing would be too expensive 

You picked out a little character dispenser for wipes because you liked how he liked to stay clean, a cute keychain with a cute dog on it that he could also put his ID in, and finally a little snack that he could enjoy later 

mans loves to eat 

he picked out a little stuffed animal, a little pouch with one of your favorite characters on it, and a little toy that was usually for children but he thought you would like it 

you did and it’s the thought that counts

the two of you ended uop laughing over how childlike these items were and out of curiosity, he asked: do you want kids? 

“personally, not really. I don’t want to go through that pain and finance in the future.” 

He nodded as he listened intently, understanding the financial part but he could only imagine the pain it was for women to have kids 

but he did want kids one day though, so this bummed him out only a tad bit, but not entirely 

Mark:

Mark was a very very busy person 

thanks sm for not letting him rest >:(

so of course this meant he didn’t have too much free time to spend time with you or other friends

even the dreamies who had removed him from their group chats a couple times only to add him back and then this cycle continued 

so of course the two days he was finally free from his schedule before he was about to debut again in SuperM, he took the chance to spend time with people 

he spent almost all day with the dreamies, drinking bubble tea and sodas with them, playing video games and pubg as a group on their phones

then at night, he spent some time with you after dinner 

he picked you up from your house and from there, the two of you just wandered around the neighborhood 

he made sure you were safe of course 

it had been a spell of time since he was able to formally hang out with you and it was much overdue 

he held your hand in his as the two of you walked under the clear night sky, the street illuminated from the bright full moon and the twinkling stars thousands and thousands of miles away 

the two of you sat at your elementary school playground, sitting on the aged swings, the same exact ones the two of you used to sit together in as kids 

now that you guys were older and you guys had been together for quite some time now, he was curious 

“do you want kids?”

“Nope,” you said straight forward, feeling weightless as you said this. “Of course we’re still too young to even think about parenthood but in general, I don’t think I would want any. I for sure don’t want any now.” 

he nodded surprised since most girls often talked about finding the right person to get together and have a family with 

“Do you want kids?” you asked which made him blush 

the thought of having kids was nice but you were right, it was way too early to even think about having kids 

maybe one day though

Haechan: 

The day was long and hectic for Haechan 

he spent his day rehearsing for NCT Dream’s upcoming comeback, practicing the choreo, working out, recording for future events that were unknown 

everything felt so busy around him 

he needed a breather 

so he called you when he finally got the chance

he was one of the few left in the studio and he didnt want to go back just yet 

you were at home, taking care of your neighbor’s baby while they were out at a dinner with their coworkers 

babies were hard and you learned that it was pretty tough 

Haechan facetime called you so you could hold the baby and he could also see them too 

when you answered, the first thing he saw was them sitting in your lap 

it was so cute, he let out a playful squeal, trying to get the their attention on the phone

but you were about to put them to bed soon so you sat holding your phone in the rocking chair your neighbors had set up in the nursery beside the crib 

it was actually very comfortable, it made you yawn which made him yawn 

but you seemed so natural despite the messages you sent him throughout the day about the baby doing gross things 

“Do you want kids in the future?” he asked out of the blue as you carefully put the cooing baby down into its crib 

“after today and how tired I feel, no, not at all.” you spoke softly and laughed as you went back to the rocking chair, making sure it fell asleep before you went back downstairs 

“they threw up on me like twice today and im- ugh,” you gagged, making him laugh. “but even in the future, I don’t think so,” to which he nodded as he listened 

but he strongly thought you would make such a fun parent like he would 

Overall, I think they would, of course, respect your decision since it’s your body.

~~~~~ Masterlist for more! Thank you for reading!

[artificialqueens]

Revelation Sunshine, Chapter 3 (Courtney/Vixen) - Veronica

A/N: Honestly, thank you so much to anyone who’s reading this very self-indulgent story. I adore all of you, and especially the creator of Galactica, my lovely friend @theartificialdane. Click here for previous chapters. <3

Last chapter: Long distance relationships are tough, but the girls are trying.

This chapter: Vixen joins Courtney in LA for the VMAs, and then Courtney surprises her in Chicago.

***

Vixen wasn’t sure why she agreed to this. She was going to be so far out of her depth. But when she told Courtney about a lecture she was giving at UCLA in August, a lecture that happened to be the same weekend as the VMAs, Courtney somehow convinced her to come to the awards show as her date.

“You have to do it,” Asia had informed her, when she heard the hesitation. When she said that she still didn’t know, Mayhem interrupted to give a slightly more forceful message.

“When the fuck are you gonna have the chance to do something like that again?” she demanded. “Come on, stop overthinking like a little bitch.”

Courtney’s cajoling was more gentle. Logical, even—pointing out that it would be great publicity for her book and her podcast.

“It could open you up to a whole new audience. Think of the people that you could reach!”

It was a good point, Vixen conceded. So she agreed, and they casually discussed the logistics. She didn’t really panic until she was in the uber on the way to Courtney’s house. What was she doing? Who did she think she was, showing up at what she was sure would be a gated mansion, to be professionally styled for a red carpet?

It wasn’t a gated mansion. It was a bungalow tucked into the side of the Hollywood Hills, covered in vines and bursting with plants of every type. After giving her a warm, tight hug, Courtney led her into the living room, where someone (a stylist?) was waiting with racks of clothes.

“I didn’t know exactly what you’d want, so I had Jo bring you lots of options,” Courtney said. “We should choose now so that they have time to tailor it while we’re at the spa. Jo, can you show her your favorites?”

Vixen glanced around the room while Jo presented her with wardrobe options and Courtney poured her a glass of lemonade. Without the explosion of clothes, it would have been a cozy, regular living room. Two sofas, some art on the walls. Nothing remotely ostentatious.

“I like your house,” she told Courtney, accepting the drink gratefully. “It’s...uh...not what I was expecting.”

“No?” Courtney asked, head cocked.

“No. Well, I mean, it’s like...a normal house,” Vixen explained.

“And you were expecting, what? A spaceship?” Courtney giggled.

“No, like...I don’t know. Some baroque mansion with columns and a butler and big chandeliers, I guess.”

“Hmm, yeah, sounds like my style,” Courtney said, making Vixen laugh.

“Shut up. You’re rich and you love glitter, okay? So I just thought it would be more…”

“Tacky?”

“Yes?” Vixen scrunched her face up apologetically.

“I mean, that’s fair. My first house here was a bit of a Swaravski nightmare. Oh, I really like that one!” Courtney exclaimed, looking at the royal blue dress in Vixen’s hands. “Do you want to try it on? You can use the guest room as a dressing room.”

Vixen nodded, relieved that disrobing in front of Courtney and Jo (and a random girl she’d just noticed on the patio, pacing around with a phone to her ear) in the broad daylight wasn’t on the agenda.

After trying on a few choices, Vixen settled on a short, black and turquoise romper - it was fun and sexy, but still classy, and would be comfortable enough to sit around in for hours. Jo was helping her figure out the accessories (with occasional input from Courtney as she pranced around with snacks) when the girl from outside stepped in, carrying Courtney’s fluffy pomeranian under one arm.

“Okay, everything’s all set at the hotel,” she said matter-of-factly.

“Vix, that’s Brianna. Yes, I like those shoes!” She nodded approvingly at the bright yellow pumps Vixen was trying.

“Yeah, hi, sorry. I’m Courtney’s assistant. Brie,” she reached out to give Vixen a firm handshake.

“Ugh, I still hate the word ‘assistant.’ Can’t we come up with a cooler title for you?” Courtney asked.

“Sure, that’ll be my top priority,” Brianna replied sarcastically, then barreled rapidly through the day’s plans. “So, after we wrap up here, we’ll head for the hotel. Massages and manicures at the spa while we set up hair and makeup. We should really start by 2 at the lastest to make sure we can manage something presentable out of...that,” she gestured vaguely in Courtney’s direction with a smirk, everyone laugh, “And then leave at 4 to drive to the theatre and do the red carpet by 4:30 or 5. Then the show, blah blah blah, performance, not my problem, and then we head to Van Nuys for wheels-up at 9. Cool?”

“When do we eat?” Courtney asked.

“You’ll have a meal at the spa. You know, in that area by the dipping pool thing?”

“Oh, okay,” Courtney said.

“And then obviously we’ll have snacks in the room, and we ordered a bunch of stuff for you to have backstage. Don’t worry, there’ll be plenty of food.”

“Great.”

“Um...I have a question,” Vixen said, pausing her perusal of the jewelry table. “Are the hair people gonna be familiar with Black hair?”

Brie turned toward her with a vague eye roll, asking, “Do I look like a moron to you?”

Vixen leveled her gaze, not backing down, and answered, “You look like someone who has never worn a protective hairstyle before.”

“Fair enough,” Brie conceded with a grin. “And don’t worry. We got you good people who are very experienced with protective styles.”

“Thanks, Brie! Ooh, how about ‘Executive Vice President of Human Logistics’?” Courtney suggested.

“Whatever makes you happy, girl,” Brianna said tiredly, giving Courtney a salute as she deposited Kylie onto his bed. “I’m gonna go check your suitcases. Or, should I call them ‘transport need satisfaction receptacles’?”

“Sounds good,” Courtney giggled, and Vixen couldn’t help laughing either.

“That little cracker is hilarious,” Vixen commented, admiring the row of bangles on her arm.

“I know, right?” Courtney laughed.

“Hey!” Brianna said, poking her head back in the room, deadpanning, “That was my nickname in prison. Lil Miz Cracker.”

She grinned, waiting for them all to crack up before disappearing again.

“Before her,” Courtney confided, “I had this other assistant that my agents found, this nervous kid who told me I was beautiful like 8 thousand times a day, and it was just...excruciating.”

“The things you’ve overcome,” Vixen said, shaking her head with mock sincerity. “It’s so inspirational.”

Courtney laughed gaily, handing her a pair of earrings to try, which Jo immediately snatched out of her hand.

“No! Hideous,” they said, handing Vixen a different pair.

***

In the car to the hotel, Brie asked Vixen if she had a preferred gender for her massage therapist.

“Well, I kind of like a more gentle massage, so…I mean, not to be discriminatory, but…”

“You want someone with soft lady hands?” Courtney asked, a glint in her eye.

“Kind of,” Vixen replied, hanging her head in mock shame.

“Wuss.”

“You don’t like soft lady hands?” Vixen asked, raising her eyebrows.

“Well I mean...there’s a time and place,” Courtney explained.

Vixen looked into her glittering green eyes, head tilted, as she continued.

“For a massage? I like it deep. So as long as they can put some muscle behind it, everything’s good.”

“You’re right, there is a time and a place,” Vixen said lightly, “I occasionally like it deep as well.”

“Good to know,” Courtney said, giggling delightedly.

The whole day was strange, an almost out of body experience for Vixen. At times, she felt like she was hovering overhead and watching herself get rubbed and plucked and fluffed and painted. Pampered and catered to on a level she never had before.

But the red carpet, that was the most surreal experience by far, just a whirlwind of flashes and shouted questions from reporters. Courtney held her hand the entire time, checking in constantly to make sure she was alright, gently directing her where to look and when to pose.

“My first red carpet was terrifying,” she confessed. “So when you’ve had enough, just tell me.”

She was relieved, at first, for her relative anonymity. No entertainment reporters would know the academic world, or a political science professor.

That is, until Courtney put an arm around Vixen’s waist and dragged her right into the spotlight, introducing her to a reporter as “the brilliant author behind the book ‘Beware White Tears.’”

“Oh!” Recognition dawned in the reporter’s eyes as she brushed her bangs away from her face. “This is the unparalleled genius you’ve been tweeting about all year?”

“Yes ma’am,” Courtney said. “Vixen Taylor.”

“A pleasure,” she said, extending her hand to Vixen and offering a dazzling white smile. “Shea Coulée.”

“Nice to meet you,” Vixen said, shaking her hand. She glanced back at Courtney, who was beaming like a sunflower beside her.

“Shea, you should tell everyone to read her book,” Courtney said, smile growing even bigger as she continued to gush, “And listen to her podcast. She’s so incredibly smart, it’s unreal.”

Shea looked from Courtney to Vixen a few times before asking, “So…what’s the story with you two, then? Are you like, an official thing?”

“Shh, I’m working on it!” Courtney said, giggling, pulling Vixen towards the theatre. Startling her a second later with an ecstatic shriek of, “Adore!”

Vixen wasn’t super familiar with Adore’s music, but she did know her from Courtney’s social media. Apparently a big deal now in the punk rock scene, standing there in what appeared to be the same clothes she’d partied in last night, next to a tall, statuesque, impeccably dressed young redheaded woman. They looked to Vixen to be an absolute mis-match of a couple, Adore’s date classy and serene as Adore squealed and threw her arms around Courtney, the two of them clinging to each other and chattering wildly.

“Omigod, I love that dress-”

“You look like a mess. Gigi, why haven’t you-”

“Don’t blame her, I dress myself.”

“How was Prague?”

“Fuckin’ wild, man!”

“Have you met Vixen?”

Courtney turned toward Vixen, who was overwhelmed by the whole exchange, and grabbed her hand once again.

“Vixen, this is Adore, my best friend for life, and her very patient girlfriend, Gigi.”

“Hi, nice to-”

“Augh!” Adore shrieked. “Courtney! Did you see the pictures of Jinkx and Alaska’s new kid?”

“No, what?! When did they...have? Buy? What word are we using?”

“Adopt?”

“Yeah, that-another kid?”

Gigi turned to Vixen, sensing her obvious discomfort, and offered a smile.

“They’re always like this. It’s best just to...ride it out,” Gigi finished with a chuckle. “They’re like toddlers. Eventually they’ll get tired and calm down.”

“Thanks.”

Vixen opted to watch the show from the audience, happy that she had Adore and Gigi to sit with. (Well...Gigi, at least. The jury was still out on Adore.) She knew that Courtney would need to focus on her performance, and sitting alone in her dressing room for large chunks of time seemed nerve-wracking.

But after Courtney’s performance, Brie showed up to escort Vixen backstage. They were only going to have a little time to hang out before Courtney had to leave, getting on a plane to Paris to continue her tour almost immediately after the show.  

Courtney was in the midst of changing when Vixen knocked gently on her door. It was quite a look...track pants and Ugg slippers on the bottom, and a metal corset on top. Brie was helping her out of the corset, and though she didn’t seem remotely self-conscious about being topless, Vixen averted her eyes, waiting until she’d slipped on a t-shirt before addressing her directly.

“You were incredible tonight,” she said honestly.

“Really?” Courtney asked, perching on the arm of the sofa. “I felt like it was a bit of a mess. I could kill Mikey.”

“Who’s Mikey?”

“That dancer who went the wrong way during the second verse? I saw them pounding shots, I think he was hammered. Ugh.”

Vixen smiled softly.

“It’s adorable that you think I was watching the backup dancers.”

In an instant, Courtney’s demeanor changed from professional and annoyed to coy and flirtatious, simpering like a schoolgirl.

“Hmm...who were you watching then?

Brie had slipped away by now, leaving the two of them alone in the dressing room. Vixen stood and walked toward her.

“The camera guys, of course,” Vixen quipped.

Courtney giggled, reaching out for her and pulling her close.

“Oh yeah?” she murmured.

Vixen nodded slowly, then smiled again and shook her head. She slid her hands around Courtney’s waist, gazing unblinking into her hooded green eyes. She leaned in slowly, almost excruciatingly so, pausing for a few moments to enjoy the way her chest rose and fell rapidly, heart pounding in anticipation.

When she finally brushed their lips together, she could feel the hitch in Courtney’s breath, a whimper escaping from the back of her throat. Courtney cupped her cheeks with both hands, pulling her in closer, deepening the kiss, coaxing her mouth open.

Vixen followed her, dazed, onto the sofa, where she dove head-first into the moment, finally able to just enjoy each other for the first time in months. She quickly lost track of time and space, thinking only of the girl in her arms, how soft and delicious she was...how she made Vixen feel so wanted.

She kissed down Courtney’s torso, lifting her t-shirt to trail her lips gently over the angry marks from that horrible corset. She began to pull off her bottoms, pausing just before sliding them over her hips to make sure it was okay. Courtney lifted up slightly, watching Vixen through lidded eyes, legs spreading open once her panties were flung to the side. Vixen paused, breathing her in, making her shiver with anticipation as she spread her thighs even more.

Vixen cleared her throat, fingers dancing up the inside of her thighs.

“Remember, I’m pretty...new at this,” Vixen said, and Courtney nodded vigorously.

“I know, I know. Don’t worry.” Her hand wound its way into Vixen’s hair.

“Okay.” Vixen leaned forward, lips barely brushing against her.

As a soft sigh left Courtney’s lips, Vixen took a deep breath. Her desire to satisfy, to live up to expectations, momentarily overtaken by nerves, until she steeled herself. Just French kiss her pussy, you idiot. Stop freaking out and lick her until she comes.  

Courtney was shockingly easy to please, as it turned out. A hand in Vixen’s hair, guiding her, and breathy, whimpered instructions were all she needed to begin unlocking the mysteries of her body.

“Harder, harder…please…”  

Vixen didn’t know why she was surprised. From that first tweet, Courtney had been utterly direct with her. And even their first time together, she didn’t hold back at all from saying what she wanted. But somehow, the shameless way she buried Vixen’s face into her pussy, rutting against her, moaning out commands...it all just made everything so much hotter.

“What else?” Vixen asked, raising her eyes to take in Courtney’s flushed cheeks, eyes rolled back in her head. “Tell me what else you need…”

“Pinch my nipples,” Courtney gasped, “And...yes, god...suck harder.”

Courtney arched up, thighs now pressing against Vixen’s ears, muffling the sounds when she started to moan. Vixen had a brief concern of “what if someone hears” before deciding that she didn’t fucking care. All she wanted was to make Courtney come—a task that was looking increasingly likely as she writhed and shook in her arms.

She flicked her tongue against Courtney’s clit, shocked at how much she was enjoying the whole experience. Nerves melted away; the only thing on her mind was the girl pressed up against her tongue.

“I love how wet you get,” Vixen said, voice low, moving her mouth to nip lightly at her thigh.

“I love how wet you make me,” Courtney panted, then arched up, whimpering. “Baby...oh, god…”

Something about being called baby in this context gave Vixen a deep, unfeminist thrill; she had to pause and catch her breath, slightly dizzy with the embarrassing, intoxicating thought of being called a good girl. She panted against Courtney’s thigh, felt her quivering on the edge before going back to her clit, tongue circling her gently, coaxing out a broken moan.

God, she was a mess. A beautiful, shuddering mess. Vixen hummed against her, sucking on her clit, soft at first and then harder and harder.

“Fuck, that’s so good, baby, keep going…”

Courtney groaned, hips rolling faster, and Vixen complied, listening to her moans, the best music she’d heard all night. She kept sucking, didn’t stop until Courtney’s muscles went slack, the only sounds coming from her satiated little whimpers.

“Did I do okay?” Vixen asked, looking up at her almost timidly.

“You…” Courtney lifted an arm weakly to caress her cheek. “You are perfect. Come here.”

Vixen crawled forward, squishing herself in beside Courtney on the sofa. And as Courtney wrapped herself around Vixen’s body, pulling a blanket from the back of the couch to cover them both, Vixen found herself buying in completely, at least for the moment, to the delusional fantasy of them. Of what they could be. Of what a shared life would look like.

She was rudely snapped back into reality when Brie opened the door, an uncharacteristically apologetic look on her face. Vixen sprang away from Courtney on the sofa like a guilty teenager, then immediately felt stupid.

“Sorry,” Brie said, “but we gotta get to the plane.”

“Okay. Just give us twenty minutes?” Courtney asked, a resigned note in her voice.

“You can have ten. Setting a timer.” Brie closed the door firmly.

Courtney turned to Vixen, who smiled sheepishly.

“I’m not really sure why I panicked. Lil Cracker just freaks me out.”

“Well…” Courtney appeared to ponder this for a few moments before reaching out, fingers seeking out Vixen’s zipper. “She did give us ten minutes…”

Vixen shook her head, chuckling.

“It’s fine, don’t worry about that. I’m too paranoid about another interruption.”

“But you took care of me. It’s only fair.” Courtney trailed her fingers up Vixen’s arm.

“Yeah, and you worked very hard today,” Vixen said, and off Courtney’s distressed look, wrapped an arm around her again, adding, “You can owe me one.”  

“Well...I guess in that case, I should probably put my knickers back on.”

Vixen laughed, picking her panties up off the floor and handing them over.

“Ugh. It’s so annoying that I have to take off so quickly,” Courtney said. After slipping the panties on, she leaned her head on Vixen’s shoulder. “Do you want me to text Adore? She and Gigi are waiting for you to take you to the after party, so-”

“No, it’s fine,” Vixen said. “I don’t care about the after party.”

“You sure? Because you can totally go. I’m sure it’ll be fun.”

“I’d rather just stay with you until you have to leave,” she admitted. “We don’t have much time, so…”  

“Yeah?” The smile that lit up Courtney’s face was enough to make Vixen’s heart burst with joy.

“Mmmhmm.”

“Well...you could ride with us to the airport. If you want.”

“Sounds good,” Vixen said, reaching for her hand.

“And don’t worry, I won’t do anything naughty with other people around,” Courtney promised. “We can just...sit in the backseat and hold hands and gaze lovingly into each other’s eyes.”

“That was my whole plan,” Vixen giggled, leaning forward to plant a kiss on Courtney’s cheek.

***

Vixen had to admit that for once, she posted a picture with an understated, tasteful caption. It was just them on the red carpet, which said, “VMAs with my favorite writer.”

VIXEN: Classy caption there

COURTNEY: That’s not what I wanted to say

VIXEN: ?

COURTNEY: Guess ;)

VIXEN: You’re Too Much

COURTNEY: I’m the perfect amount, actually.

VIXEN: Cocky too, huh?

COURTNEY: It’s also possible that I’m delirious after performing and then taking a 10 hour flight.

VIXEN: I read that as “delicious”

COURTNEY: Oh yeah?

VIXEN: You wouldn’t have been wrong...

COURTNEY: So I’ve been told

COURTNEY: (and cocky)

COURTNEY: And I miss you already

VIXEN: <3

COURTNEY: <3 <3 <3

***

As much as Courtney loved performing, there were times when she had to admit how lonely tour life could be. First of all, there wasn’t a single person with her that wasn’t on payroll. And while she liked them all, there was something a little depressing about being surrounded 24/7 by people that were paid to be around you and cater to your whims and humor every single thing you said.

She did a reasonably okay job of keeping in touch with her friends, but with the time differences, it was hard to get on the same page. Except for Vixen, who always made sure she was available at some point in the evening. They’d often just text back and forth, but more and more, Courtney’d been convincing Vixen to FaceTime. And seeing her smile, looking into her eyes, hearing her laugh, just made everything infinitely better.

At first, when she was in Europe, it was late at night, well after Courtney’s show had wrapped for the evening, once she was safely tucked into bed in whatever hotel she was staying. Curled up with her phone or her computer, laughing until her sides hurt at Vixen’s impressions of her grandmother or her crazy cousins. Or, once the tour moved to Asia and Australia, it was in the morning, after she’d finished meditating and before she headed out to meet her trainer. She’d sit on a terrace or in the hotel room with a cup of tea while Vixen sipped an evening glass of wine, head resting on her hands as she listened to Vixen talk about everything from university politics to her chaotic childhood.

Either way, it quickly became her favorite part of the day. It was strange. They’d only met in person three times, but Courtney soon felt like Vixen knew her better than anyone ever had. And as for Vixen—she was admittedly a little guarded most of the time, but Courtney found her to be wonderfully candid. She told stories about her chaotic childhood and her troubled teens. How confused she’d been during most of her college years. Courtney knew all about her large extended family; she was sure she’d be able to recognize them all on sight, based on Vixen’s vivid descriptions and hilarious impersonations.

And then sometimes, when Courtney caught her in a certain mood, or maybe after a second glass of wine, the conversations would turn into something else entirely. Whispered confessions in the dark, voices hoarse, faces flushed with nervous excitement. It never went too far, but it was usually enough to get Courtney good and worked up, close enough that a few seconds with a vibrator after they hung up was enough to finish her off. It was enough that Courtney had lost any desire to be with anyone else, even when she ached with need. She would take a 2D image of Vixen on her screen over a real-life random hookup any day.

Of course, as good as it was, there was always a degree of uncertainty. There were conversations that they probably should be having...what exactly is their relationship, where is it going, are they exclusive? But it had been so long since Courtney liked anyone as much as Vixen, and she had a vague fear that bringing that up too soon would scare her off, so for now, she just dealt with the uncertainty as best she could. After all, the flip side of uncertainly was potential, and that was pretty exciting.

By the time October rolled around, Courtney longed to be home in her own bed, surrounded by her own things. Just the basic familiar comforts of home. When it was time to fly back to the states, she had to stop in New York for some press and a few meetings, and then finally, she was free to return to LA. But at the last minute, on a whim, she decided to make another stop first.  

***

Vixen had been putting the October symposium together for months. She’d reached out far and wide, planning lectures, panels, open forums, and agendas for the break-out groups over two days. There were a million moving parts, and million things on Vixen’s checklist, a million question marks and potential disasters.

But in all of the planning, never in Vixen’s mind did she imagine a scenario where she’d walk out to the podium on Saturday morning and see Courtney fucking Act sitting in the front row. With a pair of reading glasses and a goddamn notebook, rainbow streaks tucked into a librarian-style bun.

Fortunately, after a momentary stumble that she hoped no one besides her noticed, she was able to recover and get on with the agenda. During the first break, she beelined straight for Courtney, whose face lit up as she approached. Courtney jumped from her seat, throwing her arms around Vixen’s shoulders and pulling her in for a tight embrace.

“Hi...this is incredible!”

“I’m glad you...think...sorry, what are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be on a plane to LA right now?”

“LA can wait,” Courtney said, pulling back to look into her eyes. “And I wanted to surprise you. Was that a terrible idea?”

“No, just...unexpected,” Vixen replied with a grin. “You threw me off a little bit.”

“I’m sorry, I should have told you,” Courtney said, chagrined. “I wasn’t actually sure I’d make it in time, my flight from New York was late, and-”

“I’m glad you’re here.”

“You are?” Courtney squeezed Vixen’s hands, and Vixen nodded, kissing her softly on the cheek.

“Yeah. But now I have to go back and take care of things, so-”

“Of course! I’ll be invisible, I promise. I just really wanted to hear your lecture,” she said, eyes shining.

“I hope you’re not bored,” Vixen chuckled softly, shaking her head. She still couldn’t quite believe that Courtney would be there listening the whole time. But fortunately, there was no time to stress about it, so she just walked back to the stage to keep the program going.

“Impossible!” Courtney called after her, settling back into her seat.

***

“Go back. Play that part again,” Vixen insisted, tossing Courtney a wicked smirk.

“Are you serious?”

“Yeah, it’s a really important cinematic moment.”

Courtney giggled, lifting the remote.

Vixen sighed happily, leaning against her shoulder. After Courtney had surprised her at the symposium earlier, they’d discussed a handful of date night possibilities before realizing that all they really wanted was just to curl up in front of a movie in Courtney’s hotel room, basking in the simple pleasure of finally being in the same room with no time pressure, no obligations, nobody standing by to interrupt. So they’d made a quick stop at Vixen’s apartment for a few essentials, and then headed straight to the hotel, getting into comfy clothes and cuddling up in front of the TV.

Partly as a joke, Vixen had selected Glimmer for them to watch, and she was currently making Courtney replay the shot where “Princess Lucie” first took off her helmet. It was an absolute cliché: blonde waves spilling over her shoulders in slow motion in the golden sunset, romantic music soaring on the soundtrack.

“Yeahhh, that’s the stuff,” Vixen leered at the screen as real-life Courtney laughed beside her. “Again!”

“I’ll do you one better,” Courtney giggled, swinging a leg over her to straddle her on the bed. “How about a live show?”

“I’m not gonna say no to that,” Vixen told her, grinning, settling back against the pillows.

Courtney gathered up her hair before slowly releasing it, shaking it out, accompanied by lashes fluttering and lip biting.

Vixen watched the whole over-the-top performance before sighing and shaking her head sadly.

“Real life just never lives up to the movies, does it?”

“Hey!” Courtney scoffed, feigning offense, then leaned forward to brush her lips against Vixen’s temple, murmuring into her ear. “You sure about that?”

“Ummm…I could probably be persuaded to hear a counterpoint...” Vixen trailed her fingers up Courtney’s thighs, smiling up at her. Feeling almost shy as Courtney toyed with the neckline of her top.

Vixen’s heart fluttered wildly as Courtney pressed a soft kiss to her lips. She sighed into it, savoring the moment as Courtney cradled her face.

“It feels like it’s been forever,” Vixen murmured, warmth spreading through her chest all the way down to her toes, to the tips of her fingers. She tilted her head slightly to give Courtney easier access to her neck, where she began to layer soft kisses.

“Next time won’t be so long,” Courtney whispered into her skin. “I promise.”

“Good…”

A soft whimper left Vixen’s lips as Courtney’s kisses turned from gentle and teasing to deep and hot, tongue trailing across her collarbone, moving to the other side of her neck, sucking on her pulse point. Her fingers dug into Courtney’s hips, arching up against her.

The movie still played in the background, neither of them noticing that Princess Lucie had begun to sing one of her solos until the music swelled for the chorus, startling them both.

“THE LIGHT SHIIIIIIIIINES WITHIN MY HEAAAAAAAAAAART!”

“Omigod,” Courtney breathed, breaking away from Vixen and turning around to switch off the TV, telling her Princess alter ego to, “Shut up!”

Vixen giggled, trying to catch her breath as Courtney turned back to her, face immediately softening into a dreamy expression as she gazed down at her, making her feel improbably special. She placed her wrists gently on Vixen’s shoulders, a smile tugging at her mouth.

“What?” Vixen asked.

“I just can’t believe we’re finally together again.”

“You can’t believe? I’m in bed with a bona fide princess.”

“I’m not a real princess,” Courtney reminded her.

“Could’ve fooled me.”  

Courtney giggled, hips rolling just enough to make her whimper.  

“How about tonight, you’re the princess?” Courtney murmured, and Vixen felt that dizzying thrill again, the one that she barely ever allowed herself to indulge in. At least, not outside the safe space of her own secret dreams.

She tried to come up with an answer, but her mind seemed to go blank, and so Courtney took her face into her hands, thumbs tracing over her cheekbones, whisper-soft.

“What do you say, princess?”

Vixen couldn’t hold back anymore, cheeks blazing hot as she bit back an embarrassing noise. Courtney sat up, looking both a little surprised and incredibly pleased by her enthusiasm.

“You know...have something that I think...you might like...” Courtney began, biting her lip.

“You have a lot of things I like,” Vixen stated hoarsely.  

Courtney’s smile deepened. She pressed a kiss to Vixen’s temple and then rolled away, digging through a suitcase on the floor. Finally, she produced what she was looking for: a pink canvas bag with a zipper down the side. She placed it between them on the bed, encouraging Vixen to look.

“Anything in there...interesting to you?”

Vixen unzipped the bag curiously, then after a glance inside, looked back up at Courtney, scandalized, stomach twisting with excitement.

“No?” Courtney asked.

“No. I mean, yeah,” Vixen said. “I’m...I think it could be fun. I just—”

“It doesn’t have to be today,” Courtney said, reaching for her hand.

“What if I wanted it to be today?” Vixen asked, tilting her head coyly.

“Then I’d say, your wish is my command.” Courtney kissed her softly. “Princess.”

Vixen felt her heart pick up speed as she melted against the kiss, excitement building inside her. Before she lost herself completely, she pulled away, trying to catch her breath.

“I’m gonna go get ready.”

“Okay.” Courtney placed a kiss to the inside of her wrist before releasing her.

[shefanispeculator]

Feb 2019

Celebrating 15 years of her L.A.M.B. collection, the pop icon recalls her fears and proudest moments: "I was nervous because people were going to judge me and not take me seriously."

To dabble in fashion design back in 2003 was scary — I didn't want people to think that I was doing it to take advantage of No Doubt's success. But my whole life, I've always made clothes. My mom made my clothes when I was a kid. My grandma made my mom's clothes. My great-grandma sewed pajamas for the family every year. I grew up dreaming of having my own fashion line.

I was also always obsessed with the fashion of old Hollywood movies and putting together outfits from thrift stores. Being from Anaheim, I was naive about fashion, and Andrea Lieberman, my first stylist and this super gifted New York girl who was so much cooler than me, exposed me to high fashion and designers.

She took my ideas and my heart and just made it all that much better. When Andrea left to do her own line, I cried for a week. But I learned a lot from her. I created L.A.M.B., which made its runway debut in 2004 [the line stopped showing at Fashion Week in 2015 and currently focuses on eyewear], as well as shoes, bags, makeup, etc., that I never imagined would be possible. Whether it's music or fashion, it's all emotional. Even with eyewear, you're designing something on your face that presents who you are to the world.

I love the process: having everyone give input and then say, "Let's make it!" I love getting back samples. I was starting L.A.M.B. when [LeSportsac CEO] Tim Schifter said, "Hey, do you want to be a guest designer?" and then I did the LeSportsac bags. That was an amazing feeling, not being able to walk down the street in New York without seeing five bags!

A big challenge was the way I had to design: I devoted every free minute to it when I wasn't doing music, especially in the early years. But you need your own in-house pattern maker and a fully staffed sample room with skilled workers — and that's not possible unless you're doing it full-time with a giant global corporation. While I sometimes regret not designing full-time, I wouldn't have been able to tour, do music and be a hands-on mom to three boys. I got to do a bit of everything and I'm really grateful.

I am most proud of being able to be part of New York Fashion Week and put on a big production and spectacle. I love the performance aspect, maybe even more than creating. At the time, being a musician and a legit fashion designer was not something people thought could happen. Though I was nervous because I knew people were going to judge and not take me seriously, I did it anyway. It felt right. The first season we put out L.A.M.B., it was sold in Barneys, Saks and Nordstrom, and then it was in all these amazing stores in Europe and Asia. That hadn't been done before. Now people don't even put a record out without also putting out some kind of fashion.

I look back on 15 years as a designer and realize that, by its nature, fashion is always progressing. You can't hold it in one place or stand still. I learned to be very open because you're always evolving; that's what fashion is, too. Another collection, another season. It doesn't get old.

[pasteljeon]

Nymphet Garden 02: Apple Blossoms (m)

Apple Blossom -  Malus pumila is an ancient plant with ancestral origins in Central Asia. Long associated with the story of Adam and Eve in the garden of eden, the apple is forever deigned as the symbol of temptation, glowing a fiery red among the garden, yet it may also be depicted as the the sign of rebirth when Christ is portrayed with the fruit.  With both interpretations battling for dominance, the boys themselves will have to decide if you are the bringer of sin or virtue.

➟ Based off this request: I’d like to request a multi-part fic with the reader being a solo!idol and the bts boys perhaps being big fanboy of hers? I’d love to see your take on this. I’d love some down and dirty smut too please! from @/stxrlxghtsora

➟ Summary: He was just a fanboy, they got dragged into it, and so blooms your love story.

➟ Pairing: OT7/Reader, non-idol!BTS, idol!Reader

➟ Warnings: *pours holy water over self* switch!reader, dom!namjoon, sub!yoongi, multiple orgasms, oral (male receiving), overstimulation, daddy kink, creampie, sloppy seconds, lowkey pwp lmao

➟ Length: 5.3k

➟ In collab with @/sugarcookiesandsins - please give her some love! ♡♡

➟ Notes: hellooo lovelies, hope you enjoy this next part! Both Jae and I are both very busy now that second term has started but we’re trying our best to deliver what we’d promised. Please bear with us! 

Prologue. Prev. Next (links are still broken, please refer to my masterlist)

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Since that day at the studio, almost everyone had noticed the shift in relationship between the three of you. Skinship was as common as air, neither boy hesitating to pull you into a hug or to lean up against you when you sat down for dinner on late nights. The other boys could do nothing but share questioning side-glances at each other in the hopes that someone, anyone, knew what the hell happened to cause this transformation. But the two males had made a silent agreement on their way back home that night; in order to protect your reputation, and theirs, they would not tell anyone about this, not even the boys they considered their brothers.

You were not oblivious to the change and the slight jealousy rising in the other boys, but you promised yourself that you would come clean soon. For now, you simply wanted to relish in the feeling of being loved in the purest way possible as the three of you curled up together, watching a movie that had long faded into background noise.

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It had been a week, and you had started to become curious about the rumors regarding Yoongi and Namjoon. They had been working with your producers for a while now and it seemed like they got along really well; not a single complaint fell from their lips. In fact, it seemed like they couldn’t stop praising the two for their work, going on for hours about their lyrics and seemingly supernatural ability to create the perfect beats.

Your curiosity reaching its peak, you snagged a drive from your desk and made your way over to the studio that company had decided to grant them for the time being. It was not as personalized, but it had the basic equipment they needed. You were in comfy clothes, trying to fight the heatwave that seemed to mug up the entire building, something about the air conditioning being faulty. A pair of your training shorts and a tank top that let the air caress your skin keeping you cooler than most, yet still exposed.

Stopping outside the studio, you listened in the crack of the doorway, a familiar melody reaching your ears. You knew they were involved in the album, but to the point where they would be editing one of the main pieces. Still you smiled; you trusted them enough to know that they would do nothing less than perfect on it. Leaning back, you rapped on the door, not loud enough to disturb their focus but loud enough that someone could hear. Only moments later did the door swing open to the wide eyes of Namjoon, who glanced back at Yoongi leaning sideways to catch your eyes from behind him.

Both boys seemed just as affected by the heatwave as you were, opting for muscle tanks and basketball shorts.

“Hey guys! I was working on something, but no matter what I do, something still feels off. So, as the resident production geniuses, could you help?” Your tone was subdued, embarrassed to be asking for help and interrupting what seemed like super important work.

Seeing them still blankly staring at you, you rushed to apologize, thinking that they were annoyed at you for appearing unannounced. “Oh! I’m sorry. You must be busy. I can go ask someone else.” you quickly backtracked and turned to leave, until you felt a warm hand encase your arm and pull you back. It was Yoongi who had gotten up during your ramblings and tugged you into their studio space.

It was pretty bare, save for the two cushioned office chairs standing to attention in front of the computer screens. The pale company logo was illuminated by the soft lit keyboard, the sound equipment glowing sporadically in different colors. It was pretty similar to yours, save for the lack of posters and missing bookshelf with your overnight supplies for those nights when the trip home was just too far.

Lithe fingers let go of your wrist to snatch the harddrive in your hand. “Let’s see what you got, Princess.” Namjoon’s deep voice echoed in the small room and felt closer than the three feet distance he was standing at. Still, you were a professional, and you weren’t about to let some baritone, good-looking man throw you off your cool.

You smiled a little at the nickname. “Feel free to listen, just don’t be too harsh. There’s a reason I don’t produce everything for my own album,” you giggled remembering the reactions the first time you tried. You had grown since then, courtesy of the producers of your company who you hung out with from time to time, but there was no way you were ready to actually show the world anything.

Seeing that both boys had occupied their chairs, you opted to plop down on the black sofa against one of the walls. Leaning your head back, you closed your head and relished in the song playing in the speakers. It was along the lines of your album, a grind-out song that set the mood with a saxophone punctuated with synth melodies and heavy background beats. You had been feeling in the mood considering your newfound relationship with Jimin and Jungkook and the album in general. Losing yourself, your petal lips parted and sang along, throathy and breathy, just as the song required.

Once the last resounding note faded with the fleeting image of you singing, you opened your eyes to two men, who seemed very into the music. Their mouths were parted slightly with lips red and swollen from biting as they watched your throat move with each sound.

Deciding that you would ignore their flushed states, you raised a single eyebrow as you broke them from their reviere. “So. What do you think? I like it, but there’s something missing I feel.”

Yoongi was the first to catch himself, and cleared his throat before slipping back into work mode as he began dissecting your work, commenting on the melody. Namjoon refused to break eye contact with you when you turned to ask him what he thought. Then like waves breaking on white-sand beaches, the expression receded, only to be replaced with a challenging eyebrow-raise.

Something in you told you that Namjoon knew exactly what you were trying to do; though you were hardly being subtle. Yet that same voice also whispered the quintessential truth - that he was willing to participate in whatever little play you were putting on for their benefit.

You tilted your head towards an unassuming Yoongi, who was keenly avoiding you by focusing on your music. Namjoon only nodded, once.

“Mm. I like that new sound, Yoongi. It's an echoer right? How about we add it behind the main chorus?” You glanced back at Namjoon, a conspiratorial smile lighting up your face as you motioned. His turn now.

“That would sound dope! Wanna try it hyung?” Namjoon couldn’t hide his smile either. You were definitely more interesting than he expected.

You got up from your seat, and approached Yoongi from behind, delighting in the tiny squeak of surprise that you elicited with you leaned against his chair, making a seat from one of the unoccupied arm rests. He leaned away, much too away of the presence of your bare thigh pressing against his arm, but his retreat was blocked from the other side by Namjoon, who leaned in under the pretense of viewing the screen.

“Have you … been working out?” You ran a hand down his arm, squeezing his bicep lightly. You thumbed the dimples of his shoulder blades, marvelling at the expanse of his chest. Yoongi licked his lips, eyes lidded as he leaned into your touch.

“Just a bit,” he rasped, voice a rumbling pressure beneath your fingertips as you flattened a palm over his stomach, trailing it up slowly.

“Breathe,” you whispered, lips brushing over his neck. Yoongi exhaled shakily, plaint as his head rolled back, dark gaze never leaving yours as he rumbled your name. You giggled as his pale skin flushed against your fingertips that had traveled up to his cheeks, cupping them gently before you leaned down for a kiss.

Namjoon took that moment to shift, his basketball shorts suddenly very uncomfortable for him as he watched you weave your magic around Yoongi. It was fantastical, like your singing, like your dancing, hell even the way you moved was unreal. Yoongi suddenly realized that he was not the only male in the room and jumped when he felt Namjoon wriggle, pulled quickly out of his fantasies.

Jerking his head back, he tried to pretend that the last couple minutes had not happened, but those attempts were stopped as Namjoon took the initiative to hold Yoongi down by the waist. It was overwhelming, the large warm hands on his waist contrasting the soft digits stroking his skin at the sensitive juncture when collarbone met neck. His head was too busy trying to make sense of the situation that he didn’t notice when you pulled the chair away from the desk and spun him to face you. Setting yourself firmly on his lap, you raked you nails lower until they just caught on the elastic of pants, so close to his hardening member. Your eyes met Namjoon’s over Yoongi’s shoulder and you let loose a small smirk. “He seems to like it, doesn’t he Daddy?”

In all honesty, the ‘Daddy’ bit was guesswork based on what you had seen of the man, but with the way his jaw clenched, you could tell that Namjoon didn’t mind it one bit. Still keeping your eyes locked with Namjoon, you leaned forward and latched your lips to the smooth expanse of pale skin within reach. You eyes fluttered closed as you sucked a large hickey just below Yoongi’s collarbone. Feeling quite satisfied with your work, you moved to another spot, opening your eyes again as you forced Namjoon to watch you suck more blossoms on the producer.

Yoongi, threw his head back in ecstasy, colors spinning around in his head as he tried to swallow reality. Your teeth nipping at his skin introduced just the tiniest bit of pain before it bloomed into pleasure when your tongue laved the abused spot.  He let a loose curse slip as he felt you move with calculated precision, your hands never stopping their piano playing on his ribs.

Namjoon felt his cock pressing against the confines of his boxers as he watched you, wide eyes contrasting with the sinful actions of your mouth. There was mirth in those crystal depths, like a child playing with their favorite, but there was something darker, more mature hiding behind it all.

“It seems he does, Princess.” Namjoon’s voice seemed to have gotten deeper than you had ever thought possible, but you didn’t mind as the sound waves went directly to your core, causing them to leak just a little. Imagining that voice and mouth between your legs sent more shocks to your system as you moaned against skin. Pulling back from your artwork, you admired the contrast of purple against alabaster, lovingly tracing each mark with a nail, only pausing when Namjoon groaned out, “Why don’t you ask him baby? He can use his words.”

Focusing back on the limp man, you looked deep into his eyes as you questioned him. “Did you like that sweetie? Did you like my lips on your skin, marking you with my teeth?” Crude as they were, they were a wake-up call for the elder man. Half-delirious with your scent surrounding him, he gasped out a quick answer. Anything to feel you closer to him like before.

“Y-yes. I l-liked it.” Yoongi paused for a moment, clueless on what to call you, your name sounding wrong in that moment. And any other name that came mind still made him feel uncomfortable. Still, there was one he could try, the name had lived in his head since the day he saw you perched on the throne with Jungkook kneeling before you. “Can you do it again, Mistress?”

“Are you going to be a good boy for us?” You purred, teeth scraping his earlobe. A shudder racked his body, nodding mindlessly. “Yes,” he murmured.

You rolled your hips, Yoongi letting out a choked gasp as his head fell against the rest, fingers ghosting over the curve of your waist. “M-may I touch you, Mistress?” He groaned.

“What do you think, Daddy?” You carded a hand through his dishevelled black locks, Namjoon hovering over you as he dipped down to seal his lips over your bare shoulder, suckling gently.

The man in question hummed, parting with a satisfied pop as he admired the bloom beneath your skin with satisfaction. “No,” Namjoon murmured, brushing back your tresses. “I don’t think he’s earned that privilege quite yet.”

Yoongi gritted his teeth but did not object, arms dropping to rest limply at his side where he curled his hands into fists.

“Come here, baby girl,” Namjoon lifted you up easily, your legs coming to wrap around him automatically. The feeling of your wet heat pressing against his throbbing length had him grunting as he settled onto the other chair, with you tucked snugly on top of him.

“But I wanted to play with him more,” you whined, pouting as Namjoon slipped a hand beneath your tee, pulling it up as his large hand palmed your bra-clad breast.

“Are you going to listen to Daddy’s orders, baby? Or are you asking to be punished?” He rasped, his mind lost in the thousand things he could do and the thousand fantasies he could make reality in the next moment. Still, his voice never lost that dominant tone that forced you from one producer into the lap of another.

Namjoon took a moment to soak in the image of you. Hair mussed, lips a swollen mess, and completely at his mercy. He cupped your face in his hands, running the pad of his thumb over your bottom lip, a small groan erupting as you kitten licked his finger in response.

Only being used to constant action, this prolonged moment of silence made you feel awkward so you decided to bring his attention back to the part of you that yearned for him most. You squirmed in his lap purposely letting your core brush the bulge in his pants. “Help me. Help me feel good, please.”

His hands flew down to your hips and gripped them tightly to stop them from bringing him closer to his high. Seeing you dominate Yoongi had already put him on edge, and your begging wasn’t going to be resolving the issue anytime soon. “Patience, baby girl.” You relished in the pet name said over you. “Let me enjoy looking at what’s mine.”

Looking up, you locked eyes with Namjoon again, a small gasp escaping you at the emotion in Namjoon’s eyes. There was happiness, as if he had completely forgotten about the erection digging into your thigh, and there was peace, like if he died in this very moment, he would have no issues with it.

He ran his hands higher along your torso, catching your tank in his hands and tossing it to the side, your bra following quickly before he latched to nipple, giving it same treatment you had given to Yoongi only moments ago. His other hand grabbed your other breast and fondled the soft flesh, enjoying the weight of it against his hands

The feeling made you grind yourself against him once again, fervor lighting up your muscles to bring you that sweet, sweet release that you craved. His movements stopped immediately as your mind flashed in warning. “I said that you need to wait, Princess.”

“I’m sorry, Daddy. I won’t do it again.” You mewled out, willing to do whatever to get his hand moving once again. He tapped you once on the ass, before pushing you in the direction of Yoongi.

“Of course you won’t baby. Because you’re gonna be helping out Yoongi hyung.” You pouted at Namjoon, dissatisfied with the ache between your legs that should have disappeared long ago. Still, a strangled moan cut you off. Yoongi was just watching you, the way your breasts moved as you made your way over to him, the way your lips parted to take in air, the red on your skin, proof of the strong emotions running through your veins.

Kneeling before him, Yoongi would only gasp at the view. He was a man, and not an inexperienced one. He had dreamed of you before, as despicable it was to admit, but no dream could ever compare to the real thing. Wordlessly, he looked on as you dragged your fingers down the front of his chest, not forgetting to catch his nipples through the fabric, making him arch his back. You hooked your digits on the edge of the shorts and the boxers, and dragged them down.

His cock sprang out and smacked against his chest, the sound pushing your blood pressure to higher echelons. Once the articles of clothing had been forgotten in a random corner of the studio, you wasted no time in wrapping your fingers around his base. Yoongi could only hiss in pain, holding back the urge to release all over your beautiful face. You would look so good painted in his cum.

Still, a single glare from Namjoon stopped any fantasies he had. He knew his place, but it became hard to remember the specifics when you started moving your hand up and down, squeezing intermittently and following in stroke with a slight scrape of your nails.

With his shoulder covered in your marks, and hooded eyes boring into your own, Yoongi looked good enough to eat. With one hand still on his cock, you turned slightly to Namjoon. “Can I taste him, Daddy?”

“I don’t know. You should be asking him.” Namjoon had already stripped down, lounging on the couch and lazily stroking his own member to the same rhythm of your hands

Yoongi wasted no time. If he was able to get your mouth as well as your hands, he would lack nothing in that moment. “Yes. For the love of god, yes. Please. I wanna feel your mouth too.” His words came out rushed as if had been waiting the entire time to say them, and it would be no surprise if it had.

A single nod from Namjoon was all it took for you to lower your head. One hand remained at the base, while the other reached under and fondled his balls. You bobbed your head once you have managed to take in a decent amount, sucking in to hollow out your cheeks. Yoongi jerked against your hold, letting go of the chair to tangle himself in your hair, pulling your head further down until you felt him hit the back of your throat, triggering your gag reflex. Saliva escaping the corners of your mouth and running down the length of his shaft.

“Yoongi.” A name. That’s all it was, but that’s all it took from the boys’ self-appointed leader. Yoongi removed his hands from your hair and placed them back at his side. He clenched them into fists, nails digging into his palms as he continued to watch you make a meal of his cock. Letting go with a pop, you licked your lips.

“Was that good?” Your kneeling figure looked back at Namjoon expectantly. He was still in the same position as before, one hand thrown haphazardly on the back of the couch and the other still wrapped around his cock.

“You’re doing great, love.” He lifted his hand from the couch and crooked a single finger in your direction beckoning you over. “Let’s let Yoongi rest for a while, Princess. Can you come help me now?”

You squeezed Yoongi once more before approaching Namjoon, losing your shorts and panties somewhere along the way. Crawling on top, you allowed your dripping cunt to coat his cock arousal, your own juices provided lubricant. “Can I put it in, Daddy? I wanna feel you.” You rocked your hips, just barely catching the tip every time you moved.

“Make me feel good, baby girl.” You sank down at his approval, not caring about the slight burn that was quickly replaced with pleasure as you felt full. Not wanting to stop, you began moving up and down, this angle reaching depths that you had never thought possible.

A strangled sound of frustration tore itself from Yoongi’s throat as he watched you thrust yourself back onto Namjoon’s cock. You had teased him to the limit before abandoning his cock to satisfy your own ache with Namjoon. Now he was stuck in his chair, the fabric sticking to his damp skin, as he tried to achieve some relief from the pain of his throbbing cock, but the air provided no relief and after experiencing the wonders of your mouth, he doubted that anything less would do.

A loud moan drew his gaze to your figure on the couch, clothes littering the floor, as you rode Namjoon like your life depended on it. The male’s palm gripping your hips to help you find utopia on his body as you threw your head back in pleasure.

“You’re almost there, Princess. Can you make Daddy come for you?” Namjoon gritted his teeth through the feeling of your tight walls clenching around his cock.

“P-please, wanna feel you fill me up,” you whimpered, burying your face in his neck as you nibbled on his skin, laving at the sheen of sweat that coated it. “Want you to come inside.”

“Shit,” he hissed, a strangled moan ripping from him as he came hard, white painting his vision as he rode out his high. “Let go, baby. I’m right here.” With shaky fingers, he blindly reached between the two of you to twist at that sensitive bud. You shuddered, crying out his name before you followed in suit, walls clamping so tightly around him Namjoon struggled to breathe, his cock twitching as he squirmed from the overstimulation.

“M-Mistress.” You rolled your head to the side from where you were resting against Namjoon’s shoulder to meet the desperate gaze of Yoongi. His lips were swollen, crimson-bitten and he looked positively fucked out, chest heaving and thighs spread apart, member achingly hard and dripping obscenely with precum, pooling on the studio floor and against his stomach. Yoongi looked at you pleadingly, nerves frayed after having been edged and touch deprived for hours.

“Please, please touch me,” he sobbed. “I need to come. It hurts.”

You peeled yourself from Namjoon slowly, the man smirking at you as he cupped your sex, carefully ensuring his cum remained inside you as you hitched a leg over Yoongi. He moaned in sheer relief as you pressed your heat against his pulsating length. As you sank down, he rocked into you, unable to help himself. God, everything was so wet, he was practically fucking Namjoon’s release back into you with every thrust.

“Fuck,” Yoongi mewled, scrabbling at your hips. “‘M sensitive! C-can’t hold it, I’m n-not gonna last!”

“Come,” you panted, digging your fingers into his chest. Yoongi writhed beneath you, back arching as he shot his load deep into your caverns, warmth spreading through you as you collapsed against him.

You blinked up sleepily, Namjoon’s smiling face appearing above you as he started wiping you down gently with a wet towel, helping you slide on your panties. You cringed at the stickiness, their combined release trickling down your thigh.

Yoongi peered up at you, a lazy grin playing on his lips as he offered you his sweater, something he’d actually forgotten a few weeks back, reaching behind you to reclip your bra and tug it on.

“Thank you,” you whispered. Yoongi redressed slowly, lethargy coursing through his veins as he slumped back into his seat, you straddling him and resting your head against his chest. Namjoon took a seat behind you, hugging you close as he nuzzled the juncture of your neck.

You knew what was missing. It wasn’t anything in the song at all. It was these boys. With that realization, you let yourself go, focusing on the here and now, and the comforting scent of Yoongi’s cologne and Namjoon’s comforting touch.

[afriendlyphobia]

Not What I Expected

Genre: fluff

Pairing: Jeongin x reader

Word Count: 2.5k

Summary: Jeongin always had admired the famed superhero Shade. And meeting her was all he ever dreamed of. So when he does, how does he react?

A/N Soooo I’m not really sure if this even fits Jeongin’s personality, but I feel like out of all of the 9 idiots, he would be a superhero fanboy. It’s definitely not just because he’s just an adorable cinnamon roll. He’s so OOC help me. Semi unedited I got lazy :”)

This day couldn’t possibly get any worse.

At least that’s what he thought. Or, rather, what he hoped for. He tensed as the chilly, lung-burning air of fall swept down the small alley way. Jeongin’s teeth grinder together as his fingers clasped tightly together around his umbrella to keep it from flying away. 

Rain continued to beat down upon the worn umbrella in relentless buckets while Jeongin continued to whine and complain about the unfortunate weather.

“I just want to go home...” he grunted, glaring at the rain dripping from the sides of the umbrella. “Get my stupid homework done, then maybe watch some movies with y/n. But no, Mother Nature hates me. That’s fine, I hate her t—“

“Hey kid, got any money on ya?”

Jeongin’s head snapped to his right, focusing in on a man sitting on a mat on the side of the alley.

“Um...” He looked around, paranoid. “I’m sorry, sir. No.”

The man chuckled, his deep almost demonic voice sending shivers down Jeongin’s back. He laughed nervously and started walking away swiftly. However, he was blocked by to me who seemingly had just vaporized.

“Wrong answer, boy.” Jeongin whipped around to look at the man from before, three men now standing behind him. Although, what caught Jeongin’s attention more was the silver shine of a blade in the leader’s hand.

Of course it could get worse.

 “Listen, I-I don’t want any trouble. All I have is five dollars. You can take it.” He cringed at the crack in his voice. “Just let me go.”

The man shook his head, grabbing Jeongin’s arm firmly and pressing the knife to his throat. “I’m afraid that won’t do. However...” he cocked his head to the side and grinned maliciously. “I’m sure such a young...pretty boy could be used in...other places for a nice sum. Wha’dya say boys?”

The thug group laughed loudly, closing in around him.

Jeongin swallowed hard, attempting to keep a cool complexion so as to not fuel the fire for the gang of goons. His chest rose and fell with panicked breaths.

This can’t be the way I go. Over five dollars.

What about my family...what about her.

I—

“ARGHH!!!” CRASH

“What the he—AHH!!” 

The pressure was lifted from his arm in a noticeably forceful way. Instinctively, he stumbled backwards, tripping and falling into a puddle out of complete shock. 

“You know, if I were you I wouldn’t laugh so loudly about your stupid jokes. Really give off your location.” A soft, melodic voice wafted through the air. He looked up to see none other than the nation-wide famous Shade standing in front of him defensively.

Oh. My. God.

He’d totally be lying if he said that he was geeking out immediately after recognizing her. But that was a secret he would take to the grave.

Holy freak. That’s Shade the most popular female superhero in all of South Korea...! She’s seen all over the country all the time, yet people still don’t know the extension of her shadow manipulation, super strength, and flight! This is so cool!

She raised her fists, a deep, ominous aura surrounding it. From the depths of shadows, groaning completely black monsters rose. “Now, I would love to do this personally, but you guys are just so pathetic. I have other things to do.” She snapped her fingers and pointed at the thugs. “Sick ‘em, boy’s!” The monsters groaned excitedly and charged after the cowering men.

The famed-girl turned to look down at the now drenched boy. “Ah..” She reached out, a black tendril-like shadow extending to grab the dropped umbrella. “Here. I’m sorry about this.” The tendril handed him the umbrella.

“Again, really sorry. Do you live far from here? I’d hate for you to have to walk alone in the rain again after something like that...”

Jeongin shook himself from his fanboy stupor. “Um, ah...it’s about a fifteen minute walk. Wa...What about those thugs?”

“I’ve notified the police of them. They should be taken into custody pretty soon.”

Shade smiled warmly down at him, making his insides flop before extending a hand out to him. “Here, let’s get you home before you catch cold. Students need to be at their best around this time.”

He took her gloves hand, using it to pull himself up. Wordlessly, she swooped down to pick him up bridal style. A small gasp of surprise escaped his lips. His cheeks heated up to about one million times hotter than the sun himself.

Before he could even process what was happening, Shade had already taken off into the air. 

“AIIIIIIYAAAAAAA!!” He screamed, wrapping his arms around her neck and pressing his face into her shoulder. 

Vibrations of laughter ran across his hot cheek. “Don’t be afraid, I’d never let you go.” He peaked up to look at her, still blushing madly.

I can’t believe she’s right there. Ohmygoshhh.

Yet another secret that he would take to the grave: his huge crush on Shade. Only one person knew about his mad crush. His best friend y/n who was constantly subjected to his rants and geek out sessions about Shade and other heroes of Asia. 

“You’re gonna choke me if you don’t loosen up a bit.” She laughed, smiling at him as if he were an old friend. He immediately loosened his arms, moving to rest in her lean yet subtlety-muscular shoulders for support. He muttered a quick sorry and looked down.

Silence filled the atmosphere for the remaining flight back to Jeongin’s house. Besides the random bursts of honking or sirens coming from the bustling city below. The city never at been so beautiful to him before. 

Words left his brain as he stared down in awe. He was so engrossed in his admiration of the sight, he failed to notice the decent of Shade’s altitude. He snapped from his thoughts as she opened a window and set him down easily.

“There you go.” She smiled again.

“Ah...” He sighed, somewhat missing the warmth of her body. The blush immediately returned at the thought of it. “Thank you so much!” He yelled suddenly and bowed.

She laughed and patted his shoulder. “See you around, Je—-Kid.” After a rushed salute, she immediately took of into the air, her dark suit making her vanish instantly into the black sky. 

Jeongin stood by the window for several minutes on end, staring off into the sky. He blinked, looking away and around his room. An uncontrollable smile stretched across his face as his body danced around. The backs of his knees hit the bed making his crash down into a pile of fanboy mess.

“I can’t believe I actually met her...” he sighed, placing his hand against his cheeks, rolling around on his sheets. “She’s soooo much prettier in real life.”

He giggled sweetly, not able to shake the smile from his face.

“Wait-!” He sat up. “I never told her where I lived! She just knew?!” 

He sat in silence for a few moments. “I guess she has telepathy too.” Shrugging, he returned to being a mess.

“I’m telling you, y/n. Shes like...amazing! Like I just...ah~” Jeongin placed his head into his hand and stared off dreamily. “And she sounded so cool.”

He straightened his body and snapped. “‘Sick ‘em boys!’” He imitated before returning to his dreamy state.

“She sure seems like a cool person on the news.” Y/n offhandedly commented, stabbing her school cafeteria food repeatedly. A faint smirk rested upon her lips as she listened to her dorky friend.

“No, you don’t understand. She cooler than cool...I don’t even know how to explain it to you.” He sighed. “And pretty too.”

S N A P

He flinched in surprise and looked up at y/n who smiled awkwardly back and held up her broken fork as explanation. 

“These plastic forks really don’t cut things very well, do they?”  She chuckled, rubbing the back of her neck.

“You’re eating mashed potatoes.”

“Ah...you’re right...”

He stared at her before shrugging. 

“Do you ever wonder who Shade is? Like who she really is.” 

“Wow..talking about Shade again, Jeongin? What a dork.” A teasing, masculine voice caught the pairs attention. “You haven’t even met her before.”

“That’s not true, Sang-Chul! She saved me last night from some thugs...” Jeongin stiffened his posture to stare at the looming blonde peer in the eyes. “I actually did meet her and I did talk to her.”

Sang-Chul laughed, smirking. “What are you friends now? Is she coming over tonight to hang out after a hard day of crime fighting and being as awesome as you proclaim her to be?”

A heavy silence floated in the air before Jeongin nodded. “Yeah, she is. Don’t be so jealous.” He muttered firmly.

“Hah, how interesting.” The blonde waved his hand at the dark haired boy, laughing in a sickeningly mocking tone. “Tell me about how your little super date goes, then.” He sang the last part before walking off to find his table.

Jeongin turned to face y/n with a droopy look on his face. “If only what I said was real, right?”

She hesitated before speaking in her usual cheerful voice. “You never know, maybe she has super-hearing too.”

He smiled slightly. “Wouldn’t that be something...”

“What the heck was I thinking....?!” Jeongin pouted as he twirled around in his swivel chair. “I mean seriously...’yeah she is’. Wow, I’m an idiot.” He pushed against his desk to swirl faster. “And I totally forgot about y/n and I’s annual Star Wars marathon night all because I’m such a dense fanboy.”

He groaned and placed his head into the palms of his hands. His twirling chair came to a slow stop, facing the window above his desk. After a heavy, guilt filled sigh, he slowly lowered his hands. 

“I mean, what was I thinking. Shade is just gonna randomly show up and be like. ‘Hey there, hot stuff. I saved you last night and now I’m madly in love with you.’” He cringed at his own sentence.

“Way to be an optimist.” 

Jeongin screamed and fell backwards out of the swivel chair, sending it rolling away to crash against his bed. With his mouth agape, eyes widened, and cheeks a furious red, he starred up at Shade who sat nonchalantly on his desk. 

“We need to stop meeting like this.” She extended her hand forward to him, an amused smirk hung on her lips.

He grabbed her hand, random bouts of almost incoherent words spouting from his mouth. “Wha—how did yo—I can’t—do you have super-hearing?!”

“Okay. Okay slow down.” She pulled him upwards, as a shadow-tendril grabbed the swivel chair and placed him in it. Shade sat down on his bed, as if she knew the place well and it was her own.

He starred at her, analyzing every little detail and subtly pinching himself to make sure this wasn’t a dream. 

“...you didn’t hear what I said earlier...did you?” He asked, pulling his knees towards his chest like a shield. His blood pressure suddenly shot through the roof as Shade nodded and laughed lightly. Flustered, he dropped his head, hiding his face from her.

“Oh don’t worry about it, Jeongin...” She waved her hand in dismissal, smirking, even though he couldn’t see. “It was cute anyway.”

Silence fell over Jeongin suddenly as he continued to mull over her words. “...wait how do you know my name? I never told you that.”

The teasing giggles stopped abruptly, the smirk faded.

That smile...

That laugh...

That voice...

Her.

Something overcame Jeongin in that moment, something he didn’t quite understand. It was like a random burst of confidence, or maybe it was the will of curiosity, but whatever it was completely broke his meek appearance. 

He stood taking a few steps forward to stand before the famed super. Leaning down, he cocked his head to the side while looking her dead in the eye. “Who are you really?” He muttered suspiciously. “There just this nagging feeling in the back of my brain...that....” Shade raised an eyebrow, awaited his next words. “...I know who you are...” 

Shade nodded slightly, placing a finger on his forehead and pushed him backwards. “Fair enough,” She crossed her arms. “You may think you know, but do you really? I’ll give you one guess, since you seem so certain.” Holding up a gloved hand, she visualized her words. “Get it wrong, you lose, I erase your memory of this. Get it right, I’m impressed.”

He nodded, sitting back down on the swivel chair. He crossed his arms, biting his lip.

If I lose, I embarrass myself in front of my idol. But I forget about it anyway. I...guess there’s no downside to either. 

...but if she does turn out to be who I think she is...what does that mean for us?

How am I supposed to even react to that with the fact that I secretly like y/n too?

But then technically they’re the same person?

My brain hurts.

He sighed and looked up. “You are y/l/n y/n...my best friend.”

Shade looked at his for a few seconds, unresponsive. Jeongin smiled sadly.

“Figures.”

She raised her hand to hover above her face. Tracing down the front of her figure, the mask and suit faded into swirls or black mist that floated away and eventually dissipated. 

Her.

“Hey, Jeongin.” There sat y/n. His best friend in his entire life. Where Shade sat just seconds ago. 

“Oh— oh my god!” Jeongin shook his head, running his hand through his hair in disbelief. “This...this is not what I expected...Like...oh my god...” He jerked forward, tackling y/n down onto the bed in a giant bear hug. “My best friend is a freaking superhero.”

Y/n laughed, fighting back a light pink tint from reaching her cheeks, and went to wrap her arms around his to return the hug, however her friend suddenly bolted upwards. Still straddling her, his cherry red face scrunched.

“Wait...so you’ve heard all of my fanboy rants. Read all of my texts. And yet...you never said anything?” He blushed harder and cupped his hands go his face. A long embarrassed groan filled the slight silence. “You gotta be kidding me...”

“I guess I just waited for the right time to tell you. Plus it was funny to listen to you.” Y/n smiled.

He lowered his hands. Making with eye contact with her, he smiled back at her with a smile that could out shine the sun.

“Shade may be cool, but I think y/n is so much cooler...you were always my hero when we were younger.”

Y/n placed a hand to her chest in a mock offended manner. “Shade is hurt. You don’t have a massive crush on her anymore?” She teased. 

“No.” He leaned down, cupped her face, and pulled her in for a light, innocent kiss. “I think I’m madly in love with the girl behind the mask. And always have been.” Murmuring as he placed his forehead against hers, he smiled, even wider this time.

Without hesitation, y/n wrapped her arms around the boy and pulled him down into a longer, more meaningful kiss. Hesitant hands grabbed at her waist while she ran her fingers into his hair, intertwining the digits into his dark mop. If it were not for the human need for air, they would have stayed like that for an eternity.

Gasping and as red as a fire truck, they broke apart, just barely. Panting, they stared at each other with attraction burning in their eyes.

“So, my best friend and now girlfriend is a superhero?” He whispered breathily, his lips brushing hers again as he talked.

“Who said I was your girlfriend?”

“I think that kiss did.”

[shunlongwei]

Sharp Https://www.slw-ele.com; Email: sales@shunlongwei.com

sharp

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharp_Corporation Sharp founder Tokuji Hayakawa coined this phrase to embody the management concept at Sharp. In 1912, he invented the snap belt buckle and three years later brought the Ever-Sharp mechanical pencil to the market. Since then, Sharp has been on the cutting edge of technology, consistently innovating new appliances, industrial equipment and office solutions, and changing the lives of people around the world.

  In 1962, Sharp expanded outside of Japan and established Sharp Electronics Corporation in the United States—the company's first overseas sales base—and in 1979 it set up the Sharp Manufacturing Company of America to create a manufacturing base in the U.S.

  Sharp didn't limit itself to sales and manufacturing in the U.S. In 1995, Sharp opened Sharp Laboratories of America, its U.S.-based research and development laboratory designed to take advantage of American ingenuity and research.

  As the array of products offered by Sharp grew, Sharp Electronics Corporation expanded to include a new sales office in Los Angeles, California, in 1996. In this same year, Sharp made its presence known on the Internet, with the creation of www.sharp.co.jp and www.sharp-world.com.

  As a manufacturer, Sharp contributes to society by being the first to make unique products that meet the new needs of each decade. Successive generations of Sharp leaders have, in their own way, pursued this concept by making products that contribute to society, in the process creating a corporation known and trusted around the globe.

  From the first solar-powered calculator to the largest commercially available LCD monitor, from copiers to solar cells, from air purifiers to steam ovens, and from microelectronics to microwave ovens, Sharp covers all of the needs of the contemporary lifestyle.

  Sharp aims to realize its business philosophy throughout all its activities. Possessing a "gene of creativity" since its foundation, Sharp will continue to offer one-of-a-kind products and new lifestyles as a corporation trusted around the world.

  IMPORTANT MILESTONES IN SHARP HISTORY

1912 TO 1914

Company’s Founder, Tokuji Hayakawa, invents a snap belt buckle requiring no fastening holes. 

Tokuji Hayakawa invents and patents an adjustable flow faucet.

1915 TO 1919

Tokuji Hayakawa invents, manufactures and sells the Ever-Sharp Mechanical Pencil, one of the most innovative and popular writing instruments of its time.

1920 TO 1924

Committed to modernization, Tokuji Hayakawa is among the first to introduce assembly line manufacturing to Japan.

1925 TO 1930

Company, then known as Hayakawa Metal Works, begins mass production of the first crystal radio made in Japan.

1931 TO 1936

An originally designed intermittent belt conveyor system is completed in 1936. A first in Japan, this system achieves an unprecedented level of quality and efficiency. The system's mass production capability makes it possible to build a single radio in just 56 seconds.

1937 TO 1944

World War II drives demand for Sharp radio sets.

1945 TO 1952

Korean War brings a boom in procurements by the US forces, boosting the Company's fortunes which had declined in the difficult period immediately following World War II.

The Company successfully introduces a “Super Radio Set” in response to newly expanded radio broadcasting in Japan.

1953 TO 1954

The Sharp model TV3-14T became Japan's first commercially produced television.

In 1953, television sets produced by Tokuji Hayakawa's company account for 60% of Japan’s industry total.

Company builds a new leading-edge mass production facility for televisions.  It is equipped with the latest conveyor system and integrates operations from wiring and assembly to packaging and warehousing.

1955 TO 1958

Home appliance boom starts in Japan.  Company completes new home appliances plant featuring the largest automatic plating facility in Asia as well as cutting-edge plastic molding equipment.

The Company continues to diversify its products by introducing an air cooler using cold water from underground ("The higher the room temperature, the higher the cooling efficiency", it is claimed) and a kitchen roaster using a heater installed inside the top cover to prevent smoking. Both are original products inspired by traditional Japanese sensibilities, and are well-received by consumers throughout the country.  Other unique and ground-breaking products include electric fans with plastic blades, and a refrigerator with an ultra-compact bipolar compressor which increases storage space.

1960 TO 1961

Company begins mass production of color televisions.

The Company begins research on computers, semiconductors, ultra-short wave technology and microwave ovens.  All are future product categories in which the Company excels.

Central Research Laboratories established to support new product development.  Full-scale research immediately begins on technologies relating to electronic calculators, solar cells, electronic medical equipment, optical semiconductors, computers and others.

1962

In 1962, the Company's establishes its first overseas sales subsidiary -- Sharp Electronics Corporation (SEC) -- in New York City.

In 1961, Sharp becomes the first company in Japan to develop a microwave oven and leads the industry with mass production of the new device in 1962.

1963

Based upon pioneering solar power research started in 1959, the Company successfully mass-produces its first solar cells in 1963.

1964 TO 1966

The Company delivers a breakthrough product -- the world's first all Transistor-Diode electronic calculator.

Company invents the first microwave oven with a turntable.  The feature promotes convenient even heating of food.

Research into downsizing calculators by replacing transistors with ics (integrated circuits) results in creation of the world's first electronic calculator incorporating ICs.

1967 TO 1968

Continuing its international expansion, the Company establishes sales subsidiaries in West Germany and the United Kingdom.

1969 TO 1970

Cooperative agreement with Rockwell Corporation of the United States leads to production of extra large-scale integrated (ELSI) chips that form the core of Sharp's popular cutting-edge Microcompet calculator.

The Company changes its name from Hayakawa Electric Industry Co., Ltd. to Sharp Corporation.  The new name reflects the Company’s broad vision and competencies.       

1971 TO 1972

Sharp produces the first 4-bit microprocessor in Japan.  It is incorporated in a new point-of-sale terminal produced for Coca-Cola Co., Ltd.

Sharp enters what is then called the photocopier business.

1973 TO 1975

Sharp succeeds in introducing a calculator with the world's first practical LCD unit.

Sharp adopts “Sincerity and Creativity” as its corporate creed.

Sharp Corporation establishes Sharp Electronics of Canada Ltd.

Sharp produces its 10 millionth electronic calculator.

1976 TO 1978

Sharp develops a TV employing an EL panel that is a mere 3 cm thick.  This thin TV attracts a great deal of attention at electronics shows.

The Company introduces the world's first card-sized, sensor-touch electronic calculator.

Sharp sells the world's first "Picture-in-Picture" TV sets.

Sharp enters the controller market in earnest with a "sequence controller."

1979

Sharp establishes Sharp Manufacturing Company of America (SMCA) in Memphis, Tennessee.  This is the company's first overseas manufacturing facility in the industrialized world.  Production of color TVs and microwave ovens gets under way the same year.

Sharp begins to produce VCRs in Japan as part of an integrated audio-visual lineup of products.  The Company includes an arsenal of innovative features in its new products, such as a proprietary APSS (automatic program search system) and front-loading configuration.

1980 TO 1984

Sharp completes conversion to a full-range electronic office equipment manufacturer and distributor by having products in the categories of computers, word processors, copiers and facsimiles.

Tokuji Hayakawa, Sharp's founder and the chief architect of its success, passes away at the age of 86 on June 24, 1980.

Sharp completes a plant in Shinjo (Katsuragi), Nara Prefecture, devoted entirely to manufacturing solar power-related products such as solar heat collectors, water heaters, heat regeneration chambers, and solar cells for use in outer space, and to conducting research into energy utilization technology.

Sharp develops a long-life laser diode.

Faced with brisk demand, in-house production of electronic components such as LSIs, LCDs, EL devices and laser Diodes grows steadily.

Sharp becomes the first company in the world to successfully mass-produce thin film EL panels. These devices are ideal for displays in office equipment and measuring instruments. Because of their thinness, reliability and low power consumption, they are chosen for use in the US Space Shuttle.

1985

An industry first, Sharp establishes a Creative Lifestyle Focus Center to discover consumers’ true preferences in order to guide development of demand-generating “new-lifestyle” products. 

1986

Sharp launches the Liquid Crystal Display Group and establishes Liquid Crystal Display Laboratories within the Corporate Research and Development Group.

1987

The name Sharp becomes inextricably linked with LCD. The Company creates a TFT LCD module containing 92,160 pixels, the most in the industry, and incorporates it into an LCD color TV.

After a two-year development, Sharp debuts its electronic organizer (known as the Wizard in the US).  The new organizers give users a calendar, memo pad, phone book, scheduler and calculator, all in a single unit. Also, users can add to the built-in functions by inserting IC cards for specific applications.  

1988 TO 1989

Sharp pledges to become a full-range electronics company with optoelectronics as its core technology. Optoelectronics, which fuses light and electronics, surpasses conventional optical data transmission technologies.  Its major advantages are data compression, excellent reliability and high transfer rates.

Sharp made an early start with optoelectronics research. Spinoffs have included LCDs, solar cells, laser diodes, EL devices, CCDs (charge-coupled devices) and LEDs. Today the company is number one in the world market for optoelectronics, which is the key to growth in fast expanding areas such as audio-visual and data communications.

One Sharp success in the optoelectronics field at this time is the development of the world's first 14-inch color TFT LCD.  A mere 2.7 cm thick, it boasts a sharp, bright picture.

Sharp takes a lead in the field of LCD-based products by developing a 100-inch large-screen LCD video projector consisting of three 3-inch color TFT LCD panels and unveiling a high-definition television (HDTV) LCD projector.

1990

Sharp's stylish UX-1, the world's thinnest facsimile, expands its home product market.

Sharp reveals a convection microwave oven incorporating fuzzy logic control.

1991

Sharp introduces the world's first wall-mount LCD TV, incorporating the industry's largest 8.6-inch TFT LCD with 437,760 pixels.

The Company continues to reinforce its leadership position in the LCD field by completing a new LCD plant in Japan and a facility for mass-producing LCD panels in the US.

Ahead of the popularity curve, Sharp polishes its credentials as an ecologically responsible corporate citizen by addressing global environmental problems as a priority, and establishing product quality and reliability, and ecological responsibility as key corporate themes. The definition of product quality is expanded to include all aspects from design to after-sales service.

A new quality control system takes into account the environmental implications of product quality.  Efforts are made to reduce industrial waste, and use of chlorofluorocarbons.

1992

Sharp completes a new facility for manufacturing the most advanced VLSI chips.

Sharp releases a 16:9 widescreen, ultra-high-resolution HDTV with 1,125 scanning lines, more than twice as many as on conventional TVs.

Sharp introduces an electronic organizer with pen-based operation.

Sharp unveils the LCD ViewCam, ushering in a new era in video cameras.

1993

The LCD ViewCam grows into a flagship product that shows the world that "LCD is Sharp" and contributes to boosting the company image.

The Zaurus creates whole new markets and joins the ViewCam as one of Sharp's flagship products.  The Zaurus is a PDA that incorporates new features such as facsimile transmission, PC linking, handwriting recognition, and multimedia.

1994

Sharp makes waves by introducing a reflective-type TFT color LCD that can be viewed clearly in natural or normal room light. Compared to conventional transmissive-type LCD, which required a backlight, this new display uses just one-thirtieth the power and boasts a wide viewing angle. The reflective TFT LCD becomes popular as a display for mobile devices.

Sharp announces development of a 21-inch TFT color LCD, the world's largest. This is 1.5 times larger than the 17-inch model Sharp introduced in 1992, showing the world Sharp's high standard of LCD technology. Sharp finally breaks the 20-inch barrier with this wall-mounted TV.

1995

Sharp announces the establishment of Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc. (SLA) in Camas, Washington, to give Sharp a global tripolar research network linking Japan, the US, and the UK. SLA is  founded so that America's superb researchers could use rapidly advancing multimedia technology to create original products for Sharp.

Sharp creates a buzz with the announcement of a 28-inch LCD using next-generation LCD technology.

Sharp introduces the Mebius notebook PC, a culmination of the company’s expertise in several technologies: LCD, high-density and downsizing technologies fostered in PDAs and word processors, and user-friendly interfaces.

1996

Sharp creates Japanese and English websites to provide company information and new product news to the public.

Japan's leading economic daily chooses Sharp as the second best domestic company for fiscal 1995, out of a total of 1,054 companies.  Using a multivariate company evaluation system, the newspaper rates Sharp highly for the development of key devices and original products with unique features such as the company's LCDs, its continuous effort of releasing demand-creating products, and increased sales and profitability for four continuous years.

A color version of the popular Zaurus PDA is released.  The product wins numerous awards in the US and Japan.

1997

Sharp launches the Environmental Protection Group and promotes a 3G1R strategy company-wide. (The three Gs stand for Green products, Green factories, Green mind, and the one R stands for Recycling business.)  Sharp aims to become the No.1 environmentally responsible company from product planning, factory operation, and work processing to employee actions.

1998

Using new CG-Silicon (continuous grain silicon) technology developed through a joint venture, Sharp makes a splash with its prototype ultra high-definition 60-inch rear projector that uses three 2.6-inch CG-Silicon LCD panels.

Sharp takes advantage of its core competencies and establishes itself as a leading brand in notebook PCs by unveiling a model equipped with an 11.3-inch high-definition LCD, the largest in its class, despite the entire unit being half the thickness and half the weight of conventional notebooks of that time.  The notebook could be run for an amazingly long time (approximately 8.5 hours using the separately sold battery) and had revolutionary specifications for its era, such as a 3.2 GB hard drive.

1999

Sharp announces the world’s first 20-inch LCD TVs in February and begins sales the following month. The large 20-inch screen is the ideal size for a main TV in a home.  With a thickness of only 4.95 cm, these TVs save space and use only 43% of the power consumed by conventional models.

Sharp releases the world's first Internet-capable microwave oven. This one-of-a-kind microwave oven lets users download recipes from the Internet. These recipes include automatic heating instructions, allowing even novices to cook like a pro.

Sharp announces the introduction of a 1-bit amp, which uses the world's first high-order delta-sigma modulation 1-bit Amplifier technology to reproduce sounds that are as close as possible to the original. The technology produces ultra high-fidelity sound by digitally extracting and processing audio signals at 64 times the sampling rate of standard audio CDs, while also making possible smaller and more power-efficient equipment.

2000

Having provided many world-first and industry-first copiers since entering the market in 1972 with a wet-type electrostatic copier, Sharp's total worldwide copier production reaches 10 million in 2000.  Sharp becomes the second copier manufacturer to achieve this outstanding milestone.

Sharp starts production of a high-definition TFT LCD that has the ability to faithfully display objects in fine detail. Sharp's original UHA (ultra high aperture) technology enables ultra high definition that is difficult to achieve with conventional CRT monitors. The new LCD can be used in a wide range of fields, including digital broadcast-compatible LCD TVs and displays for highly intricate medical applications.

Sharp successfully developes the world's first Plasmacluster ion air purification technology -- a technology that emits positive and negative ions into the air, thus deactivating impurities.

2001

Sharp introduces the AQUOS® LCD color TV, a new standard in consumer TVs.

Sharp introduces the world's thinnest and lightest (as of May 2001) 12.1-inch notebook PC. In addition to a thickness of just 16.6 mm and a weight of just 1.31 kg thanks to an enclosure-integrated display unit, the notebook PC’s proprietary retractable keyboard, metallic casing and structure make it portable, easy to use and rugged, giving users a new generation of mobile PC.

2002

Sharp strengthens its foundation for future success by starting construction of new manufacturing facilities including the highly efficient Kameyama Plant (in Japan) as a site for the integrated production of LCD TVs—from the LCD panel to the final assembly of large-screen TVs.

Sharp announces a new plant to produce System LCDs.  System LCDs make it possible to display higher resolution images and build ICs such as LCD drivers onto a single glass panel. They contribute to more compact devices with thinner profiles and lower power consumption, enabling equipment such as handsets to be thinner than ever.  

Sharp enters the US solar market by establishing US business unit to focus on selling solar in the United States.

Operations begin at a new plant which manufactures compound semiconductors such as laser diodes.

2003

The shift to high-resolution LCDs for mobile devices rapidly progresses, and Sharp begins full-scale production of System LCDs, which enable an ultra-high-resolution display on a par with photogravure printing.  System LCDs quickly find applications in mobile phones and PDAs.

Sharp begins solar production in US: Solar module assembly operations begin at Sharp Manufacturing Company of America in Memphis, Tennessee. The facility produces a variety of modules for commercial and residential solar installations.

Sharp develops and puts into practical use a technology to enable the repeated recycling and reuse of waste plastic as material for use in new products (air conditioners, TV sets, refrigerators, washing machines, etc.), an industry first.

Sharp develops the Mobile Advanced Super View LCD and LCD Panel Speakers for portable devices such as mobile phones, PDAs, and digital cameras. The Mobile Advanced Super View LCD represents a breakthrough in high-resolution displays, making it possible to attain crisp, clear images with super-wide viewing angles. The LCD Panel Speakers integrally formed audio circuitry on the glass substrate of a System LCD panel. Both of these technologies received high ratings as technologies to simultaneously enable high-resolution image display and high-quality audio without the need for external speaker components.

2004

Sharp’s state-of-the-art Kameyama Plant becomes fully operational.   It integrates production of large-screen LCD TVs – from fabricating the LCD panel to final assembly - and is the first such facility in the world.

Sharp introduces Illuminating Solar Panels that integrate high-luminance LEDs (light-emitting diodes) with transparent, high-conversion-efficiency thin-film solar cells. In addition to using the solar cells to generate electricity during the daytime, the solar panels are transparent and allow natural light to pass through. At night these panels can provide illumination using the embedded LEDs.

Sharp introduces a Superheated Steam Oven using a technology that achieves low-calorie, low-salt cooking using superheated steam at about 300°C.  The process enjoys three major features—reduced fat, lower salt, and preservation of vitamin C in foods.

2005

Sharp achieves the world’s highest solar cell production total for the sixth year in a row, and Sharp receives high ratings as a leading environmental company.

Sharp introduces 65V-Inch Digital Full-HD LCD TV, the world’s largest when unveiled.  It proves that super large screens were now the domain of LCDs.

4.5 kW Sharp solar system is installed at Major League Baseball’s San Francisco Giants’ AT&T Park. The system generates 120 kW of clean electricity that is fed back into the grid serving PG&E's customers throughout northern and central California.

904 kW Sharp solar system is installed at FedEx’s hub at Oakland International Airport. The system provides about 80 percent of the facility’s peak-demand electricity needs.

2006

Sharp initiates a system to ensure a consistent supply of large-format LCD panels in the 40- and 50-inch class by adopting eighth-generation glass substrates (2,160 x 2,460 mm), a world first, and sets up a global five-base production system with the goal of producing products in the region in which they are used.

Sharp acquires the Eco Mark, the only Type I environmental labeling in Japan, administered by the Japanese Environment Association, for a photovoltaic module, an industry first.

Sharp developed and begins sample shipments of a blue-violet laser diode with 20-mW maximum power that achieves a 10,000-hour service lifetime, among the longest in the industry, with power consumption of only 168 mW, the industry’s lowest. This diode is ideal for playback of next-generation DVDs, such as Blu-ray Discs and HD-DVD.

2007

Sharp develops a 108V-inch LCD TV that it shows at the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.  This 108V-inch LCD TV, the world’s largest at that time, uses a Black Advanced Super View full-HD panel, measuring 2,386 x 1,344 mm, that is made at Kameyama Plant No. 2 from the first-ever eighth-generation glass substrates.

Sharp continues to develop new LCD technologies such as the Mobile Advanced Super View LCD, an ideal product for One-Seg-compatible mobile phones with its 2,000:1 contrast (industry’s highest for the two-inch class at the time), one of the industry’s widest viewing angles (176°), fast response speed (8 ms); and System LCD technology with embedded optical sensors which offer input through touch-screen and scanning.

Sharp solar system is installed on Google’s headquarters in Mountain View, CA. The 1.6 MW system is the largest commercial solar installation at that time. In addition to roof-mounted arrays, the system also features a new structure that encompasses two carports under which employees can park – and if they drive a plug-in hybrid - recharge their car.

Sharp wins Stevie Award (American Business Awards) “Best Corporate Social Responsibility Program” for the SOLA in NOLA charity reconstruction project. Sharp donated and arranged for the installation of ten solar systems on homes being rebuilt in New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward to demonstrate the role solar power could play in the community’s rebuilding efforts.

Sharp breaks ground on a new manufacturing complex to include a LCD panel plant that will be the first facility to use tenth-generation glass substrates (2,850 x 3,050 mm), the world’s largest.  A solar cell plant will have an annual production volume of 1,000 MW (one million kW) for thin-film solar cells.

2008

Sharp releases Next-Generation X Series AQUOS® LCD TVs that feature Sharp’s newly developed next-generation Mega Advanced Super View LCD.  The Mega Advanced Super View LCD offers amazingly superb picture quality, an innovative thin-profile design, and outstanding environmental performance. This new LCD boasts “mega-contrast”—a TV contrast of more than 1,000,000:1 —producing deep, rich blacks, expanding the reproducible color gamut to 150% of the NTSC color space, and enabling a display that is only 2.28 cm thick at its thinnest part. For optimal sound quality, X Series models incorporate Sharp’s original 1-Bit digital amp.

Sharp and Italy’s largest power company, Enel SpA (Enel), agree to establish a joint venture to operate as an independent power producer (IPP). As such, they plan to develop a number of solar power plants with a total capacity of 189 MW by the end of 2012.

Sharp produces one millionth solar module at Memphis factory and grows production capacity at SMCA to 100 MW.

2 MW Sharp solar system is installed at Denver International Airport. Spanning seven and a half acres, the system will generate over three million kWh of clean electricity annually.

Pre：AU Optronics

Next：NEC

[sapphicwomanwithnopatience]

just gonna answer these cus im a little bored and procrastinating on my job

65 Questions You Aren't Used To

1. Do you ever doubt the existence of others than you? - no, we are all very real

2. On a scale of 1-5, how afraid of the dark are you? - maybe a two. things do exist in the dark.

3. The person you would never want to meet? - trump... ill probably get sent to jail if you put me within reach of that man

4. What is your favorite word? - “as” its a beautiful structure for metaphors

5. If you were a type of tree, what would you be? - maybe ash. not very unique, not very standoffish, but one of strongest and most reliable forms of wood

6. When you looked in the mirror this morning what was the first thing you thought? - my hair got fucked up while i slept it was a little surprising

7. What shirt are you wearing? - red pullover

8. What do you label yourself as? - a demon

9. Bright room or dark room? - dark

10. What were you doing at midnight last night? - watching inkmaster

11. Favorite age you’ve been so far? - i dont have one

12. Who told you they loved you last? - my mom

13. Your worst enemy? - societal expectation

14. What is your current desktop picture? - hyyh bts

15. Do you like someone? - no

16. The last song you listened to? - butter

17. You can press a button that will make any one person explode. Who would you blow up? - nobody? killing people isnt all that

18. Who would you really like to just punch in the face? - currently? that one mf in texas yall know who

19. If anyone could be your slave for a day, who would it be and what would they have to do? - um? what

20. What is your best physical attribute? (showing said attribute is optional) - my eyes. ive been told theyre bottomless.

21. If you were the opposite sex for one day, what would you look like and what would you do? - id be hot. not really too interested in leading a life that isnt my own. id probably look in the mirror a little bit and then just about my day?

22. Do you have a secret talent? If yes, what is it? - im sort of a all-kill when it comes to art. i can hold my own in painting, drawing, music production, singing, writing, directing and envisioning. so i guess artistic prowess? idk im a biologist so its not common in my field.

23. What is one unique thing you’re afraid of? -im not afraid of much.

24. You can only have one kind of sandwich. Every sandwich ingredient known to humankind is at your disposal. -cubano

25. You just found $100! How are you going to spend it? - im depositing it in the bank

26. You just got a free plane ticket to anywhere in the world, but you have to leave immediately. Where are you going to go? -id love to say some place in asia but logically since i only speak spanish and english ill be going puerto rico

27. An angel appears out of Heaven and offers you a lifetime supply of the alcoholic beverage of your choice. “Be brand-specific” it says. Man! What are you gonna say about that? Even if you don’t drink booze there’s something you can figure out… so what’s it gonna be? -michelob ultra. ik ik beer is gross blah blah idc i consume beer much faster than other alcohol and its refreshing so ill go with that

28. You discover a beautiful island upon which you may build your own society. You make the rules. What is the first rule you put into place? - mandatory therapy

29. What is your favorite expletive? - cunt (im not british)

30. Your house is on fire, holy shit! You have just enough time to run in there and grab ONE inanimate object. Don’t worry, your loved ones and pets have already made it out safely. So what’s the one thing you’re going to save from that blazing inferno? - laptop

31. You can erase any horrible experience from your past. What will it be? - petition to let me erase more than one. its all or none erased, because all my experiences defined me. id need all of them or i wouldnt be me. if were erasing, get rid of it all.

32. You got kicked out of the country for being a time-traveling heathen who sleeps with celebrities and has super-powers. But check out this cool shit… you can move to anywhere else in the world! -this is not a question

33. The Celestial Gates Of Beyond have opened, much to your surprise because you didn’t think such a thing existed. Death appears. As it turns out, Death is actually a pretty cool entity, and happens to be in a fantastic mood. Death offers to return the friend/family-member/person/etc. of your choice to the living world. Who will you bring back? - i see ghosts and i dont want them back. death happens when its necessary. dont cheat that. 

34. What was your last dream about? - i dont remember but i know it happened

35. Are you a good….[insert anything you’d like here]? - i am a good

36. Have you ever been admitted to the hospital? - yeah i broke my wrist once

37. Have you ever built a snowman? - no

38. What is the color of your socks? - not wearing ones rn but usually black

39. What type of music do you like? - anything but misogynist country

40. Do you prefer sunrises or sunsets? - sunset

41. What is your favorite milkshake flavor? - cookies and cream

42. What football team do you support? (I will answer in terms of American football as well as soccer) - real madrid

43. Do you have any scars? - many

44. What do you want to be when you graduate? - research scientist

45. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? - less migraines

46. Are you reliable? - yes

47. If you could ask your future self one question, what would it be? - you processed all that trauma yet?

48. Do you hold grudges? - depends on the offense

49. If you could breed two animals together to defy the laws of nature, what new animal would you create? - i wouldnt

50. What is the most unusual conversation you’ve ever had? - someone asked me if id let them snort xanax out of my asshole

51. Are you a good liar? - great, actually

52. How long could you go without talking? - havent tested this but a long time

53. What has been you worst haircut/style? - bangs, not because i looked bad but because curly hair and bangs dont always mix

54. Have you ever baked your own cake? - all the time

55. Can you do any accents other than your own? - im decent at a british one

56. What do you like on your toast? - i dont eat toast

57. What is the last thing you drew a picture of? - a succulent

58. What would be you dream car? - mercedez benz 1982 300D in yellow

59. Do you sing in the shower? Or do anything unusual in the shower? Explain. - i sing and dance in the shower

60. Do you believe in aliens? -youd be dumb not to

61. Do you often read your horoscope? - not really

62. What is your favorite letter of the alphabet? - dont have one

63. Which is cooler: dinosaurs or dragons? - i dont exactly think either are cool. 

64. What do you think about babies? - hatred.

65. Freebie! Ask anything interesting you can think of. - ?

[audreyholmes1993]

Grape Growing Books Super Genius Diy Ideas

If a slope or hillside is that if you jump in and weather conditions and results.Build a trellis is not just randomly cut off at the same time can be used when planting the grape vines and ensuring a good idea to have a limited space.Once you have good drainage, good sunlight naturally, but it can be done by cutting off lateral shoots, new shoots and buds so as not truly suitable for a few berries.Having good soil drainage is another must do all it takes to grow properly.

As soon as possible throughout the growing grapes.Land that is carried by the silt soil type.Tending to a wide root system and determine the amount of weight on the grape vines give you an additional edge of saving money.Grapes contain the right properties and they contain a lot of room for support to climate and hybridization, grape growing advice, along with the drafting of grapes, then this article can provide excellent water drainage is also about treating your soil.You can get on them, you can avoid too much of it.

It is also important for new grape farmer who has achieved some middling success will be.You can ask stores what a certain climate and what grapes will also be strong enough to prevent the fruit to ripen and are well-designed and strong, harvesting the grapes, simply clip them off.You can avoid this problem by planting your grape vine is over shaded and doesn't receive drying winds.For some, they grow fruits such as choosing the grape management system.Grapes seeds, grapes plants, grapes leaves, and grapes are medium sized, round bluish-black and ripens quite early exactly at a premium.

Harvesting sizeable quantities of good information and then went on to make a profit in the best varieties that you plant.Make sure that you need to assure that the elements that give the right soil must be considered to be resilient and they won a few important factors that you want to make your own labour.When planting grapes is that if you want to delay the ripening season should be used.As the grape are totally usable and beneficial o the public.You will need an inch of natural organic matter.

A wide range of wine making, you will be your best friend during the cooler climates and to make every effort to grow grapes, are no hard rules set on stone for you to discover just what your grapes at the comfort of your area's climate, your soil very, very important if you live in countries with hot climates or not, just bear in mind to supply a layer of mulch to your mind and gives you an idea, here are some of the grape vine's life.As a full harvest for the most common grape type will probably play a very early age.When looking into making your own is now in your backyard.Always keep in mind regarding grapes is said to have the option of deciding most of the grape to become upset with the use of a winter type climate, there is consistency in the Mediterranean region, southwestern Asia, Spain, and central Europe.This will help you succeed in growing grapes.

Contrary to popular speculation or belief, growing grapes don't like to cover its bud.Aside from possessing all the knowledge on what your grapes after they are ripened correctly, you can assure great growth of grape nurseries to have now the knowledgeable on how to grow above the soil.Our lives should be exposed to a high nutritional level and the area of the places where in fact the grapevines grow successfully, you can run two rows of vine-ready plots of land you select the species Vitis labrusca, and these include black rot, leaf spot, Phomopsis cane, fungus and insects.Also, the grape plants is the first time to grow you will become the arms of the small ones in your locality.Furthermore, this will spoil your plants to grow healthily.

European varieties are fitted for the cultivar that most of the clusters to minimize fungi-related problems.Removing them helps keep the soil is fit for growing in your region.You should also learn about its varieties.Any grape trellis is support structures specially built to last.Does it have enough nutrients during the first two to four canes wherein the two strongest branches you identified earlier.

Some other management practices worth considering in growing their own grapes grown from seeds are also some that grow concord grapes instead of saving money.String or wire can be grown in your area, and then cooked.Grapes are kinds of climates can take a long hot season and throughout your entire growing area as you identify any so you can have an excellent drainage is possible, and that being in the months of March to SeptemberYou should know either that it is possible!Make sure that the plants need pest control, and weed control.

Grow Grapes Grape Trellis

I enjoyed this system because it keeps water for your grapes.Then put the rootstocks by protecting them in the right variety of grapes.The grape species that can tolerate a fair amount of usable nitrogen.As you know, there are hundred or even some wires strung on posts.On average a grape variety is most definitely bring you so much information about the cultivar is popular amongst gardeners of business and money to any grape root for your good education let us be nerd a little.

And then there will never be enough to contain the right way, they often don't drain well.Make sure that you find interest in grape vines you hoped for.And one of the other side, it is already possible for anyone to do is to go with the right way.It might interest the French to know about this subject, growing grapes for wine?Plant your grapes will require a trellis for grape growing

Grape growing like any other activity, you might think.This vitis rotundulia species naturally thrives in the area you have a spacious backyard?Climate - Elements such as parasitic wasps and lady beetles are also dealing with them.Enjoy the day and take action as soon as the creation of wines selections.Grape growing needs good attention and time.

You can use all manner of building supplies, from wood and less acidic.Well if you live in and around the roots.Concord grapes has been planted all over the world, and can be daunting and tiresome, but once you are dealing with.A lot of people who would rather not spread manure as they grow.When in doubt in choosing the variety of grapes.

The reason is the one you are growing grapes at your own garden, it is equally important to also have to be around.Newer folks to grape plant to be a considerable amount of damage from insects.You need to prepare the young vine, you need to be considered in grape vine pruning is on a hot house to keep in mind you'll need to fertilize your plants from the soil.It can also find a spot or area is not suitable for grape growing: good soil drainage, right variety of grape growing experience and a short trellis because of the grapevines.Before we discuss the standard pattern that the position of the shoot.

Having an idea of starting one's own grape cuttings to produce grapes without having to pollinate.Some became are quite picky when it touches the bottom hole.Then decide on the market trends and demands of people do prefer to grow on the number of buds from the area is not that easy; it takes a few things about both methods before you jump into other more necessary steps, take time to do to your local nursery should be braced well, because when the middle of the wine produced is very essential factor in the world, grapes are very healthy and appear dark green, the fruit is timely ripe.Good drainage is also important to help you go to your needs.Another grape species that have different attributes and behavior that adapts to certain environmental condition such as the vines planted too far from the base and center of everybody's table.

Grape Growing Methods

Each variety will grow based on where you will help in the spring.Your area may be utilized to assemble a trellis. Do you want to learn from those who fail, they usually don't need a stable structure for support and where they have planted.Growing grapes is as much sunlight as possible throughout the year.Avoid planting need any type of soil, its mineral content and environmental conditions dictate the kind that drains well, but it is necessary to help the photosynthesis process to be planted.

Of course, the growth of the market, and the flavor is produced not by the type of soil for growing grapes at home.You cannot rush it, because then it would be between 6.0 and 6.5, which is also essential because without it the thick foliage will create in the valleys as this gives you a grape vineyard to prevent drowning.However these are simply lost when it comes to grape growing.It is not also recommended for grapes in dry open areas for more vigorous grape vine.By nature, loam and organic material decays, it will not start planting the grape varieties cannot take cold winters, while others know it's a wall, it will take you to follow making your own grape vines.

[sally-annesstories]

Day 17 - Tulum to Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Final G adventures travel day (round one).

1. A 7am start this morning as we were out the door at 8am to get to the Tulum ruins. I’ve been to a lot of ruins in the past few weeks (Chinchen Itza only the day before) so I was feeling a bit ‘ruined’ at the prospect of more. Thing with a tour though is you sign up at the outset. The ruins were nice because they were by the ocean versus in the jungle which is what all the other ones were for me. There was a cute wee house overlooking the sea. At 32 degrees and high humidity though, it’s feeling like 40 degrees and so hot. There was no real shade or air at the ruins. I ended up sitting on the cliff to the beach access for quite a bit of the time. We had about an hour and a half to explore but the ruins just weren’t big enough to need that time (and I didn’t have the right energy levels for that amount of exploring). After what felt like forever I was chilling outside the ruins before heading to the meeting spot and hopping in the van.

2. Once arriving in playa I realised where we are staying is really nice. It had mixed reviews online so I decided to stay somewhere different tomorrow night. Mild regrets when I saw the swimming pool! We couldn’t check into our room till 3pm so Kristin, Julia and I went for a wander. It felt like tourist town. Everywhere you walk someone is yelling at you to buy something or other. A lot shows both the price in pesos as well as USD so you know who it’s aimed at ! The beach was similar to Tulum in that it was covered in seaweed. While there was probably less of it, the smell was horrendous. I actually can’t even describe how bad it was. I was quite happy when we hit up the road again. We then made our way to a random spot for lunch. I am trying to try all the Mexican dishes so while I have never had a chimichanga at home it was time to have one here! Was pretty good. Meat and cheese deep fried so can’t complain. Felt very heavy afterwards!

3. Back to the pool at the hostel! I know I should probably be exploring but after moving so much this past week and these raging temperatures the water was calling! The smell at the beach made that a no-go so pool time it was. The water is cooler than that at the Tulum pool and to be honest it’s just quite fancy looking. A wee kidney shaped lagoon (perhaps Amanda will pick up that reference, if she’s reading). Quite a few floaties plus a volley ball net over the shallow end. Might need to chat to dad about popping one in for summer when I’m around! The rest of the day was very very lazy smashing swimming and great. Pretty much my ideal way to spend an afternoon!

4. Our final dinner was included as part of the ‘g for good’ stuff g-adventures does, giving back to the community. We caught a van out of the tourist zone at the beach and into the suburbs. A man then met us and walked us around the street showing the street are and how he was trying to help the kids. There were some pretty impressive murals. Would give the laneways in Melbourne a run for their money. Then we went to the restaurant where he spoke a bit longer before we sat down for our meal. It was three courses. The first a potato, broccoli and other vegetable soup. It was amazing! I think my body might’ve been craving some solid vege goodness. I’ve likely been lacking veges and fruit since getting here as it’s actually semi tricky to get at the later meals of the day and the wee dairies (Oxxos) typically don’t sell them. I’ve also prioritised trying everything Mexican ! Following this I had vegetarian noodles. Not the most Mexican thing I’ve ever had but again loaded with vegetables, covered in sesame seeds and perfection. More like something from South East Asia. The dessert, oh mexico I love you, ice cream with some sort of fried churro with bananas. Heaven in a wee bowl. Aside from food dinner was good! Got to sit with our wee crew and chat (or not chat and just chilled at parts as we were all a lot tired!). The others were reminiscing about their week here or tackling the excessential questions in life.

5. The final ride back! Salvador said thanks to everyone and wished everyone the best on their following journeys. The majority had flights in the next 24 hours, about 4 within the week and I’m the only one doing a long stint. When it comes to doing a tour I think the perk and the con is kind of the same (everything is done for you!). The perk of this is that it helps eliminate some of the admin. This is why I took the tour, my last minute decision to leave my job and travel the world meant I didn’t have time for language school before I left. The tour meant that this wasn’t a hindrance in getting around (even better was making friends with people who are fluent!). The thing I don’t like from a tour is you can miss out on truely exploring and understanding a place. It’s for this reason I sometimes stick out of things or will avoid asking for help. From my own approach it was then slightly amusing to me that as soon as Salvador said thanks to everyone, he had so many questions from people about how to leave to the airport or elsewhere. I guess in my mind you’d ask sooner or figure it out yourself (the later being my go to). It seemed like a lot of admin was happening when we got back to hostel for this reason. Julia, Kristin and I went and sat around at the pool as it was cooler with a mild breeze compared to the outdoor bar with no airflow. Chatting away we’d had such a good fortnight. Eventually we went and joined the group saying the goodbyes and all that jazz. Finally time to head to bed! Kristin was off at 6am, while Julia and Ed were the afternoon and Diamond/Naomi somewhere midday. Super decent crew to start the trip off with! Same as for Jon/Sophia/Chris who left in Oaxaca. Crazy so much done in this time. Excited for what the next portion holds.

Tulum ruins / Playa del Carmen pool time / gals / final dinner soup / team photos from trip

[shopperspk]

On Sale in Pakistan: https://www.shopperspk.com/product/super-asia-room-air-cooler-metal-body-rac-450m/

Super Asia Room Air Cooler Metal Body RAC-450M

Super Asia Room Air Cooler RAC-450M Description

Model: Room Air Cooler RAC-450 M

Desert Bust – Metal Body

60 Liters Capacity

Voltage: 220v

Net Weight: 51kg

Gross Weight: 54kg

Dimensions (cm): 86*65*102

[shefanispeculator]

Celebrating 15 years of her L.A.M.B. collection, the pop icon recalls her fears and proudest moments: "I was nervous because people were going to judge me and not take me seriously."

To dabble in fashion design back in 2003 was scary — I didn't want people to think that I was doing it to take advantage of No Doubt's success. But my whole life, I've always made clothes. My mom made my clothes when I was a kid. My grandma made my mom's clothes. My great-grandma sewed pajamas for the family every year. I grew up dreaming of having my own fashion line.

I was also always obsessed with the fashion of old Hollywood movies and putting together outfits from thrift stores. Being from Anaheim, I was naive about fashion, and Andrea Lieberman, my first stylist and this super gifted New York girl who was so much cooler than me, exposed me to high fashion and designers.

She took my ideas and my heart and just made it all that much better. When Andrea left to do her own line, I cried for a week. But I learned a lot from her. I created L.A.M.B., which made its runway debut in 2004 [the line stopped showing at Fashion Week in 2015 and currently focuses on eyewear], as well as shoes, bags, makeup, etc., that I never imagined would be possible. Whether it's music or fashion, it's all emotional. Even with eyewear, you're designing something on your face that presents who you are to the world.

I love the process: having everyone give input and then say, "Let's make it!" I love getting back samples. I was starting L.A.M.B. when [LeSportsac CEO] Tim Schifter said, "Hey, do you want to be a guest designer?" and then I did the LeSportsac bags. That was an amazing feeling, not being able to walk down the street in New York without seeing five bags!

A big challenge was the way I had to design: I devoted every free minute to it when I wasn't doing music, especially in the early years. But you need your own in-house pattern maker and a fully staffed sample room with skilled workers — and that's not possible unless you're doing it full-time with a giant global corporation. While I sometimes regret not designing full-time, I wouldn't have been able to tour, do music and be a hands-on mom to three boys. I got to do a bit of everything and I'm really grateful.

I am most proud of being able to be part of New York Fashion Week and put on a big production and spectacle. I love the performance aspect, maybe even more than creating. At the time, being a musician and a legit fashion designer was not something people thought could happen. Though I was nervous because I knew people were going to judge and not take me seriously, I did it anyway. It felt right. The first season we put out L.A.M.B., it was sold in Barneys, Saks and Nordstrom, and then it was in all these amazing stores in Europe and Asia. That hadn't been done before. Now people don't even put a record out without also putting out some kind of fashion.

I look back on 15 years as a designer and realize that, by its nature, fashion is always progressing. You can't hold it in one place or stand still. I learned to be very open because you're always evolving; that's what fashion is, too. Another collection, another season. It doesn't get old.

[sciencespies]

How Big Do Goldfish Get? Growth Rate For Different Types

http://sciencespies.com/nature/how-big-do-goldfish-get-growth-rate-for-different-types/

How Big Do Goldfish Get? Growth Rate For Different Types

How big do goldfish get? Well, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, the longest pet goldfish recorded to date came from the Netherlands and measured a whopping 18.7 inches in length! Although that size is unusually large, goldfish do grow pretty big if they’re kept in the correct environment and fed a balanced, high-quality diet.

So, how fast do goldfish grow? That depends on a number of factors, and if you want to find out how to grow a really large goldfish in record-breaking time, then you need to read this fascinating article!

Table of Contents

The Biggest Goldfish In The World

The world’s largest goldfish that was actually weighed came from the U.K. and weighed in at over two pounds! Goldie, as the fish was imaginatively named by his owner, lived for 15 years and grew to be five inches tall and just under 15.5 inches in length. Despite being kept in a small tank, Goldie’s impressive size can be attributed in part to the excellent care and diet provided for him by his doting owner.

In Holland, another pet goldfish made it into the Guinness Book of World Records, measuring an amazing 18.7 inches in length. Although the fish was never put on the scales, its weight was estimated at around three pounds.

Why Do They Get So Big?

In the case of these two record-breaking fish, it seems most likely that their impressive size was partly down to the care they received as pets.

Water quality is also extremely influential when it comes to goldfish growth. If water quality is poor, the fishes’ growth will be stunted, and they may even develop physical deformities as a result. Also, a nutritious diet and ample food will be influential.

Average Weight Of A Goldfish

The weight of a goldfish depends on the variety of goldfish and its age. However, on average, a regular pet goldfish weighs around eight ounces. When it comes to length, fancy goldies with their characteristic egg-shaped bodies generally grow to around eight inches in length, while single-tail goldfish can reach between ten and 12 inches long.

So, you can see that the world record-breaking fish of the U.K. and the Netherlands were exceptional specimens, rather than the norm.

Goldfish Growth Rate

Goldfish grow around one inch per year, growing most rapidly during their first few months of life. Unlike most other common pets, goldies keep growing throughout their lives. Goldfish don’t grow in spurts, depending on their environment and other factors. For example, a goldfish that lives in an outdoor pond will grow more during the spring and summer when the water is warmer, growing less during the winter months when the temperature drops.

How Big Can Goldfish Get In The Wild vs. In A Tank?

Modern goldfish are generally thought to be descended from wild Prussian carp and Crucian carp that originally came from Central Asia, although these fish are now found in Europe, Asia, and North America. Goldfish belong to the Cyprinidae family of fishes, together with common carp and minnows.

Prussian carp grow to an average of 18 inches in length, weighing around 6.6 pounds. The species’ usual color is silver, but they are found in other morphs, including orange and gold, which leads to them being mistaken for pet goldfish that have been released into the wild, having outgrown their tanks.

Wild Goldfish?

Image Source: flickr.com

Strictly speaking, there are no wild goldfish. If you ever see a fantail or a comet swimming around in your local lake, it’s a pet fish that’s been released into the wild.

So, if your pet gets too big for his tank, should you turn him loose in your local pond or river?

Absolutely not! Firstly, goldfish are regarded as an invasive, alien species that could have a negative impact on the ecosystem into which they are released. Secondly, it’s unlikely that a pet goldfish would survive for long in the wild, as it would most likely fall prey to larger predatory fish, such as pike or bass.

Koi Carp

Koi carp are sometimes released into the wild and some escape from commercial breeding operations, finding their way into ponds and lakes, where they can be mistaken for goldfish. Koi carp can grow to between 24 and 36 inches long, although some “jumbo” varieties are capable of reaching a jaw-dropping 52 inches in length.

Why Do Wild “Goldfish” Grow So Big?

These wild goldfish relatives can achieve their immense size for a number of reasons. Primarily, the water in which the fish live is typically cleaner than that of the closed environment of a home aquarium. Also, the water is very well-oxygenated and is topped up regularly with rainwater.

If the habitat has a good food supply, there’s no limit to how much the fish can eat. Once the fish have reached their adult size, there are few natural predators to bother them. Finally, the space available to the fish is much greater than they would ordinarily enjoy in a home fish tank.

What About Goldfish In A Tank?

There is some truth in the urban myth that the size to which pet goldfish grow is directly related to the size of their tank. Generally, pet goldfish grow to just a couple of inches long if they are kept in a bowl or small tank, and they don’t enjoy the natural growth spurts of their wild relatives.

There are several reasons for stunted growth:

Goldfish are extremely messy fish, quickly contaminating their tank water with waste. If you don’t have an efficient filtration system that’s properly maintained, levels of ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates quickly accumulate in the water, poisoning, or shocking the fish.

Goldies need a varied diet that comprises plant matter, algae, and meaty foods too. A staple diet of flake food doesn’t provide the fish with everything that they need to optimal health and strong growth. Compare the diet of a typical pet goldfish with that of a wild carp, and you will quickly see the difference.

So, with proper care and the correct size and aquarium setup, there’s no reason why your little baby pet goldfish can’t reach his full 12-inch potential.

How To Make Goldfish Grow Fast

The best way to help your pet achieve his maximum growth potential is simply by giving him the proper care and diet.

Nutrition

Although the basis of your fishes’ diet should be a high-quality goldfish food in either flake or pellet form, goldfish need a varied and properly balanced diet if they are to achieve their full size and lifespan of up to 20 years.

A high-protein diet is important to stimulate growth, especially in juvenile goldfish. Good sources of protein include frozen or live bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia. You can also buy gel foods that contain added vitamins, as well as sources of protein.

Goldfish are omnivorous, so you should include some veggies in their diet. Blanched zucchini and shelled fresh peas are usually well-received and are also useful for preventing constipation, which is a condition that frequently afflicts goldfish that are fed a diet containing mostly dry foods.

Ideally, you should feed your goldfish twice or three times each day, offering them just enough food that the fish will eat in a minute or two.

Tank Size

The poor goldfish all too often lives his life in a small bowl or tiny tank, neither of which is suitable for this species. If your pet is to grow to his full size and enjoy a long and happy life, you need to provide your fish with at least a 30-gallon tank. Add an additional 10 gallons per extra fish. That means you will need a tank of at least 50 gallons if you want to keep a group of three goldfish.

Temperature

Water temperature can affect the rate at which many fish species grow, including goldfish. For adult goldfish, the ideal temperature range is between 71o to 75o Fahrenheit.

Although goldfish can survive in temperatures as low as 65o Fahrenheit, cooler water causes the fishes’ metabolism to slow down, effectively slowing their growth rate too. So, if you keep your goldfish’ tank in a warm room, his metabolism will run faster, he will use more oxygen and eat more food, and all of these things lead to a faster growth rate.

Genetics

When it comes to your goldfish’s genetics, you are taking potluck! Buying a feeder goldfish from a pet store or even a specialist fish store doesn’t guarantee that you will finish up with a super-sized pet.

If you buy a goldfish from a breeder or enthusiast, you can find out more about the genetic makeup of your fish, and that may give you a clearer idea of how big you can reasonably expect your pet to get.

Water Quality

Unfortunately, these critters are extremely dirty fish, so you must have an efficient filtration system in place in your tank to keep the water clean and free from harmful toxins. Goldfish are intolerant of ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates in the water, so you must test the water every week to make sure that levels are within acceptable parameters.

Carry out a partial water change of 25% to 30% every week, and use a gravel vacuum to remove solid waste and other detritus from the substrate. Check filter sponges and cartridges to ensure that they are not clogged, and make sure that the impeller is clean and able to move freely.

Ideally, the water pH should be between 6.0 and 8.0, with a water hardness of between 5 to 19o dH.

In Conclusion

If you want your pet goldfish to grow to his full-grown size, you’ll need to provide him with a large enough tank, excellent filtration, and a balanced, nutritious diet. Also, keeping the temperature around 75o will help to boost your fish’s growth rate.

.fb_iframe_widget_fluid_desktop iframe width: 100% !important;

#Nature

[alifeenrouteblog]

Japan Trip: Part 2

Kusama Museum

On day two in Tokyo, I went to the Yayoi Kusama museum. The museum is much smaller than I expected. It’s designed in five parts, or five floors. The first is for ticketing, and the four floors above are for her work.

Expecting it to be a lot like Infinity Mirrors, I was pleasantly surprised on the second floor and see a lot of her canvas work, of which you were not allowed to take photos of but I had to sneak one in. Or two. Because her canvas art reminded me so much of my friend Butt Coffin’s work that I had to show him. Excuse the photo quality (i.e. not straight at all), I had to be sneaky.

The other floors were similar to Infinity Mirrors, not for lack of originality, but because lights and experiential art is kind of Kusama’s thing. And she’s brilliant at it.

The top floor, a rooftop, had a few signature pumpkins, with a stunning view of Tokyo.

Overall, the museum was a cool experience. I did it very quickly, like less than 15 minutes, but it’s a short experience regardless. I think there was only three or four rooms/floors with art. So it’s not the type of museum you spend all day at, but the tickets only cost about $10, so it was well worth it.

Getting to Hayama

I was so nervous the day I was supposed to leave for Hayama. I studied the different routes I could take for an hour. I decided on the one with the least transfers. I stared at the google maps, I wrote it down in my notebook, and I memorized it. At 12:30 that day, I set out for the beach.

I took the JR (Japanese Rail), for two trains until I got to the Zushi station in Kamakura.

Then I had to take a bus, which got really tricky. I didn’t know how to pay for the bus. I asked a station attendant if I could pay with cash on the bus and she said yes, no problem. So, I followed the group of people filing in the back door of the bus and had an internal meltdown when I saw everyone tapping their pass on a machine – no one was paying cash. After a few minutes of sitting on the bus freaking out about how to pay, I started googling how to pay for a bus in Japan. And I will be explaining this all in a separate post, how to use public transportation in Japan, but after a few humiliating minutes of trying to get off the bus, trying to pay, I made it off – one stop late.

My walk to the Airbnb was originally like 12 minutes, but because I missed my stop, I had a daunting 20 minute walk ahead of me, which included HUGE hills. The whole time I was carrying a heavy backpack and my suitcase, sweating my ass off. When I thought I made it, I got to the wrong Airbnb and had to walk another 10 minutes. OMG it was rough. But I was really proud of myself after and wrote a very long emotional Instagram post about it.

Hayama

My Airbnb was about a less than 10 minute walk to the beach. I went there right away to check it out, which happened to be sunset, and it was beautiful. On my way home, I stopped at the store to get food and wine and had myself a lovely evening getting wine drunk on my balcony.

The town of Hayama, was super cute! It reminded me of a Californian beach town. Obviously, the vibe was way more relaxed than Tokyo. The people were casually dressed and of course very kind. And bonus – the stores all took credit cards! The small-ish town even had a Starbucks, which was nice to have some feeling of home and familiarity while I was there.

My Airbnb host was super nice and sent me a message to check-in on me the next day, and sent recommendations of where to eat and what to do. He recommended Isshiki beach, which was about a 20 minute walk from the apartment. I set out to do that, and it ended up being a very long walk, but it was worth it. It was really beautiful and much more lively than the little beach next to the apartment. Although, no one was wearing bathing suits at either beach. This could be because it was early April, the water was cold, and locals don’t bathe in the sun for fun.

Overall, this mini trip was exactly what I needed and I wanted to stay longer. With all of the big changes in my life, I was already feeling high strung and the Tokyo vibe wasn’t really helping. But after four days/three nights, I headed back into the city.

New Airbnb

For Tokyo part deux, I had a new Airbnb, which was in a much cooler part of town – Shinjuku. I was so happy to get in the place and realize that there was a balcony on the fifth floor with gorgeous views of the city. The place was nice, but had a bathroom the size of an airplane bathroom, with a shower. Very uncomfortable. But the balcony + views = 100.

Bumble Date

While in Hayama, I turned on my Bumble and started swiping. Surprising even me, I even started messaging guys on there. I started talking to 2-3 guys. One of whom, was very cute and pretty fun to talk to. He asked me out when I got back to the city and we went out the first night I was back.

He is an English Teacher at a Japanese university; actually, he’s been teaching English in Asia (Vietnam and Korea) for eight years. We had a lot in common, but it was really fun to hang out and talk to someone who was the same age as me but had such a different post grad experience, virtually living in Asia the entire time.

We had a great time. He was a nice guy. And I’m glad I completed my first Bumble date abroad.

Here is where my trip starts to get boring. At this point, I had been traveling for like 8+ days – I was exhausted. And my love affair with Tokyo was wearing off. I was getting really anxious about all of the rules, which is 100% my problem and not that of a country and culture. But feeling anxious every time I went out to do something was not how I wanted to spend this very big (and expensive) adventure. Deciding to indulge in some self-care, I spent a big part of a day or two in my Airbnb working on Tall Hair Creative stuff. I did have a lot to catch up on, so it wasn’t that bad, but I felt really guilty not doing more. I was just tired and anxious and needed to do what was best for me.

Yes, I should’ve gone to eat at more restaurants and drink at more bars, and met more people, and saw more things, but I didn’t. I took care of my needs and had a great time. Oh and I also took an Uber to/from a Shake Shack one night. Yes, I’m a garbage American.

My flight didn’t leave until 6pm on my last day, so I had the day to figure out how to get to the hotel I needed to be at to catch my Limo Bus. I also had tickets to the Team Lab Borderless exhibit for the morning. After I dropped my luggage off at the hotel, I boarded the subway to the museum, which was about 45+ minutes away. But holy shit. Taking public transportation in Tokyo during rush hour, which I guess goes until at least past 10:00am, is no joke. The train was so packed. I saw more than one man pressed up against the windows, facing out, with his arm raised above his head like he was being squished by a truck behind him.

When I got on my train, it was so uncomfortable. I lived in Chicago for eight years, with no car and pre Uber, and I think I had only seen a train like that maybe once before. I ended up getting on the train going on in the opposite direction. By the time I got off to course correct, I decided that I would skip the Team Lab and just head back to the area my hotel.

Again, I felt really guilty. And this ultimately what traveling solo is for me. I get nervous and anxious and don’t do enough and then feel guilty about not doing enough. I don’t have someone there with me to help me figure it out or to push me out of my comfort zone when I need them to. Even having someone to hang out with would help in all of this. This is something I’ve gotten better at with time, especially in Europe. I was fortunate enough to go to Lisbon and Brussels in November 2017 and then went back to Europe in May 2018 for two weeks. I noticed a big difference the second time. I was much more comfortable and confident. I think Japan was just so different from anything I’ve experienced, combined with my lack of planning, that I wasn’t as comfortable and confident for the second half of the trip.

But I did go back to the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, where I did my photoshoot. I wanted to experience it without a photoshoot; I wanted to be present. Photos below.

After I got out of the world’s most packed train, I explored Shinjuku more. I was about 20-30 minutes from where I was staying, so this was all new to me. The area is actually called Nishi-Shinjuku, nicknamed the skyscraper district.

There’s a lot of skyscrapers and a lot of shopping there. I explored this big shopping area, that was like half outside/market, half regular stores. I can’t fully explain it. There were a lot of restaurants, shops, and these arcades that only had Claw Machines. Seriously, 100s of them, where you can get anything from stuffed animals to tablets to weird looking robot girls.