#Three Simple Tips to Help You Fix Anything

[thatsbelievable]

[dodgeballstuckonthegymceiling]

Hello! I am craving angst, so I was wondering if you'd be willing to write the Welcome Home cast with a human reader who's been fatality injured, or dying in some form?

Id love it for Specifically Wally and/or Eddie, whichever you are most comfortable with of course!

Feel free to ignore this, if you please. Either way, I hope you have a good day, afternoon or night. 💚

Angst time! Didn't outright kill the reader, but the neighbors think you might die. Ended up doing a fair bit of research about poisoning for this. Left my main source at the end!

If you like my work, please consider commissioning me or leaving a tip on Ko-fi (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶)

Frank, Wally, Eddie, Barnaby and Julie & Reader who got poisoned

★ Its not impossible. Lots of things could go wrong. If you eat something spoiled or stored improperly you could get sick. Some plants growing around Home might be poisons, even if they look edible.

★ It was an accident, just a simple mistake. Frank was making a salad with fresh vegetables scorched from his very own garden. Rhubarb was added. While the stalks are safe for you to eat, the leaves can be toxic. He didn't know that.

★ Three hours latter and you find yourself vomiting into a trash can. Trembling as waves of nausea hit you. Several neighbors have crowded around you, concerned. The feeling of your stomach cramp is similar to being stabbed in the gut.

★ You hear the sound of Eddies voice. But cant to make out what he said. Someone, probably Julie, places a hand on your back. An attempt to comfort you. What followed only lasted two days. But nobody could forget the pain you went through.

Frank

★ Frank looks mortified, gripping his notebook a little too tight. flipping through it like he can somehow fix this. The paper in his hands crinkling slightly. “I didn’t know! I should’ve checked!” But he hadn't. And now he's convinced you might perish.

★ Eddie had to help him calm down. Placing a hand on his shoulder and telling him that you'll be fine. Even though Eddie was shaken up himself, he managed to stop Frank from spiraling. "They're gonna be okay. We got help. You cant go blaming yourself, now..."

★ Once the worst is over, he apologizes about ten times. Maybe more. No matter what you say he'll still feel a little responsible. Each day you don't feel well, he brings you a new bouquet. So you have something nice to look at while recovering.

Wally

★ He kneels beside you as the worst of it takes its course. The usual smile on his face is strained, and it almost slips. Almost. Wally doesn't speak, ask questions, or says anything to comfort you. What would he even say? Nothing like this has happened before!

★ You spend a few nights with him in Home, so the sentient building can keep an eye on you. In the night he sleeps next to you. Listening to your heartbeat. It's a reminder that you'll be okay. That you're still alive.

Eddie

★ He was the first to find you. Walking into a sight he hopes never to see again. Eddie keeps his voice steady, but his hands are not. "Hey, hey, you're gonna be alright." He says like a promise. "Hold on. Let me go get Frank!"

★ If he's not helping you with something, he's fiddling with his hands. Too nervous to sit still. How could he? You hates seeing you in pain. It makes him feel helpless. If you need anything, anything at all, he'll get it for you.

★ Eddie stays around. Just to be sure you have everything you need. Even if you just need company. Trying to keep you in good spirits "See? you'll be right as rain in no time!" Also, he makes you take it easy for awhile.

Barnaby

★ For the first time in forever, he refrains from making jokes. From teasing anyone or pushing franks buttons. The poor guy is dealing with enough right now. Barnaby is the calmest out of everyone, though it's just a brave face. Internally, he's freaking out

★ When everything calms down he finally cracks a joke. You're not doing great, but its an improvement to earlier. "You had me worried there, kid." Voice lighter than it was before. He's really glad you'll be okay.

Julie

★ While you empty your stomach into the trash can, she stands beside you. And pulls your hair away from your face. She's never seen you like this before. Until now, she didn't think you could cry. But here you are. Trembling and broken in a way she cant fix. And she hates it.

★ She yelled at the rhubarb growing in Franks garden. Upset that they made you so sick. "What's the big idea!?! Shame on you!" Julie shouts. Voice loud, sharp, and laced with betrayal. She'll never trust rhubarb again.

Score:

[amongemeraldclouds]

not being romantic

Jess Mariano may be cute, possibly charming, but he is most definitely annoying. He certainly can’t hold a candle to your secret pen pal who’s smart, loves books, and aspires to be an author. Or can he?

Jess Mariano x f!Reader

Warning: no use of y/n, mostly fluff, some angst, cursing, suggestiveness. This fic is set after he left Stars Hollow.

✿ Masterlist | 3.3k words

The cafe buzzed with the rush of customers lined up for their afternoon caffeine fix. Coffee machines droned on churning coffee as sunlight streamed through the windows and the smell of baked goods wafted through the air.

You smirked at Jess Mariano before you called the customer to hand them their drink. You proceeded to add another point to your scoreboard, waving your arm for emphasis. He rolled his eyes at your dramatics and hurried up, adding whipped cream to the drink he was preparing. 

Everything was always a game with him. Who could get the highest amount of tips? Who could guess the new customer's coffee order? Who could make the most convincing foreign accent?

Today’s game was: who could make the fastest coffee order?

“You’ve gotten better,” he observed as you grabbed a cup for the next customer. “Aren’t you glad to have had an incredible instructor like me?”

You scoffed, “more like an incredible loser if you don’t hurry up with that order. Just because you taught me, doesn’t mean I’d go easy on you, Mariano,” you taunt, narrowing your eyes for emphasis.

He shook his head with a smile, “I expected nothing less from you.” He made his way to the other end of the counter to call the customer and handed them their drink.  

Another busy shift flew by and before you knew it, it was time to close down the cafe.

You grabbed the scoreboard, beaming with pride. “I won! You can now call me the Queen of Speed, Barista Extraordinaire. Bow down before your queen.”

Jess looked up from where he was wiping the counter with a flat expression. “I’ll call you the Queen of Clean if you help me with these last few tables?”

You frowned at him and stuck your tongue out, of course he had a whole arsenal of retorts with him at any given moment. You grabbed the towel and disinfectant spray from behind the counter and moved to wipe down the tables. “You’re no fun, but I’ll let it slide since you now owe me a favor.”

“As long as I don’t have to help you dispose of a body then it’s fine,” he replied, eyebrow raised. 

You rolled your eyes, “if I ever need to dispose a body, it would probably be yours.”

“Are you confessing to something you’ll commit? I don’t think that’s very wise.”

“I’m not planning anything,” you sighed, pinching your nose. The conversation was getting more and more off topic by the second. “You, however, will be the dea*h of me.”

“I’ll add you to the waitlist,” he nodded as he set aside the towel and grabbed the key, ready to close for the evening. Of course that wasn't the first time that line was directed at him.

“You’re just trying to avoid what you owe me. Stop deflecting, Mariano,” you accused, heading towards him to return the cleaning materials. “I need your help with my toaster, it stopped working and I can’t afford to get it fixed or replaced. Can you help me with that?”

“Of course, anything for the Queen of Speed,” he replied.

“You forgot Barista Extraordinaire,” you added helpfully.

Jess just shook his head as if to say, I can’t win with you. He fought the smile that threatened to break across his features. Perhaps you too had your own arsenal of comebacks.

With the final turn of the key, the door swung in and you and Jess headed into your tiny apartment. It was a studio that’s three steps away from the kitchen, five steps away from the bathroom, and ten steps away from the bed. You liked to keep it simple, minimalistic. It definitely had nothing to do with the cheap rent.

“Welcome to my apartment. It’s not much but it’s home,” you said, gesturing around the place.

“It’s cozy and it’s very you,” he remarked.

You folded your arms and stared at him, “I can’t tell if that’s an insult or a compliment.”

“Let me see. Second hand furniture, potted plants around the area, and the artwork looks similar to your napkin doodles. Don’t think I didn’t notice them. It’s a mosaic of different things, but you managed to tie it all together and make it work. It’s just like you to make good out of a potentially bad situation,” he observed.

“Slow down there or you’ll end up hosting shows about house tours,” you teased. “And hey, I’ll take the compliment. Who knew Jess Mariano could be nice?”

He shrugged, “I just call it like I see it.”

You took the three steps necessary to reach the kitchen. “Here’s the troublemaker, by the way. Not you, well, aside from you,” you amended and pointed to the toaster. “Not sure what’s wrong, it just stopped working.”  

He approached you and it struck you just how small the kitchen was, certainly not big enough for two. When you turned to speak to him, all the words left your mind as you realized you’re only inches away from him. Heat crept up your cheeks and you blinked.

Jess smirked at your reaction, keenly aware of the effect he had to you. That cocky bastard. He leaned in a bit closer and your breath hitched. “You know, if you just wanted me over at your place, there’s a lot of other fun things I can help you with.” You scrunched your nose and took a step back, immediately transported to the area you considered your bedroom. “If that’s your way of confessing your feelings for me, it’s not very romantic at all. Thought you’d have more game than that, Mariano,” you hedged.

“Oh, that’s because I’m not trying to be romantic. If I were trying....” he said, taking a step forward, closing the distance you tried to place between you. He brushed the hair away from your cheek, the touch so unexpectedly tender coming from Jess. You took in how soft his lips looked up close.

When he touched the side of your face, your attention returned to his soulful eyes. “...I’d do something like this,” he concluded, his breath against your lips like the ghost of a kiss. That’s all it took for him to steal the breath from your lungs.

You’re disoriented when cool air greets you again as he took a step back and the only trace left is the fading warmth from where his hand caressed your cheek. “But like I said, I’m not trying to be romantic,” he shrugged.

You cleared your throat, brushing off the lingering heat of the interaction. You ignored the pang of disappointment that hit you. Besides, someone else already had your heart, this was nothing but a silly little crush. “Well can you please try to fix my toaster?” you asked, trying to stay on topic as always.

“Sure, I have tools at home. I can take it with me and bring it back when I’m done.”

You nodded, “okay thank you. Let me just grab a bag you can carry it in.”

He scanned the room while you opened the cabinet to grab a reusable bag.

“Why do you have lots of mail?” He asked, thumbing through the pile of opened envelopes on your kitchen counter.

You mulled over the question, unsure how much you wanted to share with Jess Mariano and risk a round of his teasing. Then again, you could handle Jess. “Well, there’s this guy I really like. We send each other letters. If you really want to know what romantic is, Mariano, it’s hand written letters. No one bothers to write them anymore. There’s something sweet and sincere about it.”

“Who’s the lucky guy?”

“I’m not really sure. I got his first letter from the bookstore I frequent, the employee handed it to me and I asked him to hand back my reply. We just kept going from there, I think the mystery just adds to the romance.”

Jess shot you a worried look. “You mean to say, you’re corresponding with a complete stranger? For all you know he’s hiding his identity because he’s a stalker or a serial killer.”

“Please, he is not. He is smart, funny, and he’s writing a book. I just don’t feel like he’s that type of person.”

“You’re going off this based on your feelings? I don’t think that’s wise or safe.”

“Jess, it’s fine. There’s nothing to worry about,” you replied, having had enough of him for the day. After handing him the bag with the broken toaster, you shoved him towards the door and out from your apartment, wishing him a good night.  

“That was quick,” you said as you headed out of the cafe and walked towards Jess’ apartment to retrieve your now functional toaster.

Jess shrugged, “it was no big deal, just had a few loose screws to reattach. Speaking of loose screws, how about that imaginary boyfriend of yours? Finally decide to reveal himself?” 

You sighed, Jess had been on your case the whole week since you told him about your mysterious crush. Needless to say, you regretted telling him about it. “No, but he hasn’t written to me recently,” you pondered. “He must be busy writing his book.”

“Or planning your untimely demise,” he retorts.

“Jess, I swear,” you grit your teeth, “I’ll be planning your untimely demise if you don’t drop it. Why do you care so much? Are you jealous? Is that what this is about?”

“Well I’m trying to look out for a coworker, why does this have to be about me? But hey, I’ll drop it,” he relented. “Besides, I won today so you owe me a favor.”

You groaned, but don’t say anything further. He won fair and square, you were ready to accept your fate.

Jess continued, “My uncle sent some food last night and I have a lot more than I can finish myself. Help me with that before you leave with your toaster?”

“Jess Mariano,” you narrowed your eyes at him, “are you asking me out for dinner?”   

“No,” he quickly said and then caught himself. “We’re not going out, we’re dining in. Besides if I were being romantic, I might bring you flowers, pick you up, take you somewhere nice. So this,” he said, pointing between him and you, “is not me being romantic.”

“And there goes Mr. Defensive,” you smirked. Of course he was not being romantic, not to you. He had a hundred and one ways to tease and annoy you but never to charm you. Still, you couldn’t help the way it killed you just a little inside.

“I swear if you tell me this is where the magic happens, I will smack your head,” you deadpan as Jess opened the door to his apartment.

“Why does that turn me on?” He teased. Your face twisted in confusion and disgust and Jess laughed triumphantly, having drawn out a reaction from you. You had no idea you were adorable, he thought.

“Just welcome to my home then,” he said. 

You stepped in, admiring his cozy space. You imagined a messy home with leftover containers and soda cans strewn about reeking of old laundry and faded furniture. You had little to no expectations at all.

Instead what greeted you was a small space, similar to yours. The bed was made, blanket tucked in neat corners and the furniture, while undoubtedly secondhand, was well maintained. If anything, the mismatched pillows against the pale blue sofa and the sanded down wooden table gave it personality. It smelled like subtle household cleaners and carried the scent that is so distinctly Jess, a mixture of soap and sweat, plus a hint of cologne he would never admit to wearing.

“It’s very you,” you remarked, “and I don’t mean that as a bad thing.”

He shrugged, handing you your toaster, “I’ll take it as a compliment.”

“Thanks again for the toaster. Now there’s only one troublemaker here in this room,” you quipped as you move towards his kitchen to help him set the dinner table.

“That’s definitely you,” he replied, handing you the plates and utensils while he moved to heat up the food from the fridge. “Hand me the glasses over there?” He asked, pointing to the drawers on the opposite end.

You nodded, setting down the plates on the table and headed towards the drawer. “Well, I’ll let it slide just this time because you’re feeding me and I can’t say no to free food. Thank you Jess,” you said, a small hint of affection blooming in your chest.

You opened the first drawer and found only papers. You were about to close it to check the next drawer when the familiar edge of stationery caught your eye. It was exactly the type of paper you smiled at for hours on end, trying to memorize each word. Curiosity got the better of you and you lifted a half written letter to your eyes. A half written letter addressed to you.

A storm of emotions struck you then: confusion, hurt, and anger. All this time. The boy who weaseled his way into your heart, who called you cute in his first letter and wanted to get to know you. Who charmed you into the romantic idea of secret identities like spies undercover. Who shared your love for books and had the best recommendations that made you feel seen like no one ever has. Who spoke about his love for writing with a passion that inspired you. 

All this time it was Jess Mariano.

All this time it was a lie.

Just another one of his games.

“What about those gla—” he stopped mid-sentence when he turned back and saw you reading his letter.

“Fuck,” he exhaled softly as heat crept into his cheeks.

You looked at him, fire burning in your eyes. “Is that all you have to say, Mr. Fantastic Writer?” You huffed, trying to quell the tears that threatened to choke you. 

Jess opened his mouth and closed it, wanting to say a million words and failing. You watched the war raging in his head.

“Well then indeed, fuck!” You exclaimed in frustration. “And fuck you too. I know you love your games Jess, but you can’t just go around playing with other people’s feelings.”

You retreat and grabbed your things, shaking your head. “God, I feel like such a fool.”

You threw the door behind you and was a few steps away when you realized you left your toaster. Shame and betrayal marched with you as you opened his door again and found him still frozen where you left him.

“I’m just here for my toaster, which I actually need. Unlike you, I don’t need anything from you, Jess. I’ve read and heard enough,” you said, your voice wavered at the end and tears spilled down your cheeks.

You turned away from embarrassment, toaster in hand, and ran the rest of the way home. He didn’t deserve to hear your sobbing. He didn’t even deserve any of your tears. He was just a stupid boy that your stupid heart fell for. No big deal.

The next week passed in a blur. Unable to switch shifts with anyone else, you called in sick at the cafe and lived life between your university, the library, and your apartment. Never mind that you needed the pay, you could drown in instant noodles for all you cared. It didn’t matter anyway. A broken heart never cared for a full stomach.

That Friday, you were about to call it a night when the doorbell rang. The was odd, you thought, you weren’t expecting anyone. 

“You’ve got the wrong—” you stopped mid-sentence when you saw the last person you ever wanted to see, Jess Mariano holding a bouquet of flowers and books. If it were any other day, it might have sent butterflies to your stomach. Now all it did was fan the flames of your anger because it was much easier to be angry than hurt.

You slammed the door close but Jess stopped it with his outstretched arm. “Are you trying to get yourself injured?” You accused and you hated it, how much you still cared.

“Please, I just need to talk,” he said, pain and sincerity etched in his handsome face.

You sighed and let him in, not wanting to cause a scene at the hallway. “You have five minutes,” you held up your hand for emphasis.

“Fine, five minutes,” he breathed, steeling himself. "Here’s a story for you: I met this girl working at a cafe. She’s smart and quick witted, she never runs out of comebacks. Her smile makes my day and I needed to see more of it so I came up with these games. And damn it, I looked forward to going to work every day because of her.

There was a nagging at the back of my mind to get to know her better. I wanted her to get to know me too, but I have a track record of screwing things up so I sent a letter. Just one couldn’t hurt, right?

Clearly, I underestimated her. One letter was never going to be enough. I loved hearing about her dreams, her stories, the inside jokes we created along the way. Without meaning to, I fell for her. I fell for you. It was never a game for me, all of it was real. Is still real.

When I heard you liked your secret pen pal too, I didn’t know if I should reveal myself or just disappear, let you forget me. Of course, I screwed things up again. I’m so sorry, I never meant to hurt you but clearly I have. Would you give me a second chance? I’m not good at this but I want to try."

He’s breathless by the time he ends his speech and you take a moment as the words settled in. No wonder he discouraged your interest in your secret pen pal, which also turned out to be him.

You sighed, “you really screwed it up.” Your heart broke all over again only to come back whole together because he did like you. All those silly gestures he brushed off really did mean something. And the boy you loved through letters and your cafe crush turned out to be the same person.

You pondered his question. The way he went about it was all wrong, but a second chance might be worth a shot. “Fine, we can start over, but you’ll have to make it up to me. You owe me unlimited favors.”

“I'll fix all the toasters you need,” he said, presenting you with the bouquet of flowers and books.

“Oh you’ll have to do more than that. I have a broken bulb on the ceiling, the heater needs fixing, and the microwave will definitely break tomorrow,” you taunted him, accepting his bouquet nevertheless.

He just smiled, “I have a lot to make up for, but I’ll do it for you.” He moved closer to you, bringing the bouquet to rest on the kitchen counter, so he can wrap his arms around you. “You’re worth it,” he whispered in your ear and you hugged him back, fighting off the delicious chill that ran through your back from his words. Being in his arms felt so right.

“You like me,” you sing, teasing him like a child and you enjoy the way his chest rumbles against you as he laughs.

“Don’t let it get to your head,” he said, kissing your cheek. “Besides, you like me back.”

You removed yourself from his hug, already missing his warm embrace. “I never said I liked you,” you teased. 

Mock hurt danced across his features, “what’s not to like?”

You laughed at his arrogance, the need to touch him overwhelming everything else. “Fine,” you relented, “we can call it even.”

You closed the distance this time, “just to be clear, this is you being romantic?”

He smirked, wrapping his arms around your waist again. “Yes, this is me being romantic and I will show you so much more,” he said, bringing his lips to yours with a thousand unsaid promises you were about to discover.

✿ Masterlist

Author's note:

✿ When I came across a Jess Mariano fic, I just knew I had to write one too. Jess and his sarcastic ass in a (sort of) rivals to lovers trope, heck yes. ✿ Thanks to my lovely wife @pizzaapeteer for encouraging me to write this all those weeks ago ♡ ✿ Published this fic from a cafe, very on brand for the story.

[concerningwolves]

Tips and troubleshooting for scene breaks & transitions

First, understand the terminology:

A scene is essentially a small section of your larger piece where specific characters perform actions in a specific place, but the definition can be a little loose. A new scene happens when the focus changes to new characters, a new place, a new conflict/event, or any combination thereof. If you strictly follow this definition, the first chapter and a half of Northern Lights by Philip Pullman counts as one scene: It takes place mostly within a single room (save for showing us how Lyra gets into that room as the scene’s introduction), and explores the interactions between one set of characters. It ends when the focus of the narrative “cuts” to some different characters partway through chapter two.

A scene break is mostly a formatting term. It visually indicates a break in the narrative flow. This is often represented by an extra blank space between lines, or by fancier options like an asterisk(s), an asterism (⁂) or special characters or symbols. Sometimes, writers use both – there is an extra blank space between paragraphs in the first scene of Northern Lights because the narration is interrupted by Lyra falling asleep, but the actual scene break where the focus jumps to new characters in a new setting is indicated by three asterisks.

A transition is the “connective tissue”, so to speak, that connects the next scene to the one before it. This can include explaining how characters got from point A to B, indicating the passage of time, or establishing a new setting, or a mixture of these. Some transition methods are simple, little more than a phrase or sentence like “Work was unusually quiet that afternoon”; others require a paragraph or two.

And now for the advice:

In your first or early drafts:

Move on → Seriously. Hit enter twice for your double line break or use an end-of-scene style or put in your three asterisks or other fancy scene divider. Start writing your new scene on the new line. If you want to you can come back and fix it later in other drafts/revisions, but if the scene transition is stopping you from writing, move on to the next scene.

Square brackets (the writers’ beloved) → You probably know the square brackets trick, but if you don’t, it’s where you stick something that’ll require more thought inside square brackets, like [TOWN NAME], and then move on to the actual writing; the square brackets (or another character/punctuation that you don’t use otherwise) are then easy to find later with your word processor’s find tool. Put in [scene break]/[scene transition] or  summarise anything that you envision happening “off page” between scenes. Fix it later.

Okay, so now you’ve come back to the scene breaks at a later stage of drafting or revisions, and you’re not happy with them. Consider...

Move on – now with a little extra padding → Have you come back to a scene break from an earlier draft to find it still feels too sudden? You probably need a simple phrase or a sentence that will help readers to reorientate themselves to a new place or time, or to turn their attention to some new characters. A quick “Later that day...” or “After a week of travelling...” or “They arrived at grandma’s house without any further mishaps.” can often smooth the path for you.

Backfill it! → Establish what is currently happening or focus in on the new characters in the first sentence or two, then quickly summarise how events reached that point. Pullman opens the second scene of Northern Lights by telling us that “The Master the Librarian were old friends and allies…” (focuses on the new characters), and then briefly explains that after the events of the previous scene, they strolled down to the Master’s study to have a drink and sit by the fire, as they often do after something difficult has happened (links to the previous scene + tells readers important information about the characters). This takes about two sentences before he jumps straight into the scene’s current events.

Does the transition between scenes still feel too jarring? Is there information missing? Then the next points may help:

Montage it! → Not every event or series of events in a story needs its own clearly defined scene separated by a scene break. It is perfectly acceptable to summarise stuff – think of this like a montage. Different montages show different things, but they all serve as a way to pack events into a small amount of time. In The Two Towers you get that sequence of Gimli, Legolas and Aragorn running across the fields of Rohan in pursuit of Merry and Pippin. In writing, that might look something like “For hours they moved across the planes, never dropping below a swift jog as they chased the ever-cooling trail. From time to time, Aragorn would stop and study the tracks in the earth and then rise, looking more grim than ever, and the pursuit began anew […and so on].” (I realise there’s actually an example of this in the book but I don’t have the text to hand, so I made my own)

To expand on that example: the “montage” approach is more appropriate here than a simple scene break with some backfilling because it, a) demonstrates the loyalty of the fellowship to one another, b) gives a sense of the weariness and monotony of the passing time, which reinforces how determined the characters are, and c) highlights their different roles and strengths, e.g., reminds the audience of Aragorn’s skills gained from being a Ranger. You just wouldn’t get the same impact from an abrupt scene break with a little padding or backfilling.

Still stuck? Then try…

Look back → If you’re struggling to move onto the next scene and none of the above help, the problem might be because of something in the previous scene(s). For me, this is maybe like eight times out of ten a logistical problem (e.g., “How to get characters from point A to point B?” / “is the Plot-Relevant Item in the right place?”) that can be solved by tweaking the events that came before.

Add a new scene → Are you finding that you need to add a lot of backfilling or padding to link your scene with the previous? Does too much happen to be compressed into a montage-style transition? Are there certain off-page events that might actually be important or helpful to show on page? Then try adding in a new scene between the two that you want to connect.  

(Chapter) break it up → Either rearrange the way that scenes are broken up across chapters, or just add a new chapter break instead of a scene break. If nothing else, getting that scene onto a fresh page (literally and metaphorically) can help you look at things in different way.

And if all else fails, try turning the writing off then on again. Or talking to a rubber duck.

[tiki-was-here]

Nacho Varga x “Adult” Streamer Reader

Word Count: Idk but it’s short

This was supposed to be a full fic but now I feel like it’s a poorly constructed character study to help get me back into the groove of writing. Last time I took a break I didn’t write for two whole years so let’s hope I stay focused

Ignacio Varga had money, sure. Power, to an extent. But none of it ever felt like his. He wasn't running things, he was just surviving. Day in, day out, playing puppet to men with guns and crooked grins. His father’s disappointment sat heavy on his chest, eating at the one part of him that hadn’t been swallowed up by this life.

It had been three days since the girls left. Or maybe five. He couldn’t tell anymore. They smoked too much, laughed too loud, but they didn’t ask questions—exactly the kind of distractions Nacho needed.

The condo was dark. A single lamp flickered in the corner, casting long shadows across the bare floor. Nacho sat in front of his laptop at the kitchen counter, shirtless, a bottle of something half-empty near his elbow.

He didn’t even know what he was looking for anymore. Porn didn’t hit the way it used to. It was all static now—moaning, forced grins and pixelated skin. An ad for a cam site popped up and he clicked it without even thinking. Getting a virus would be the least of his worries right now.

One particular stream caught his eye. Simple lighting. Clean room. You were there, talking to the camera, laughing softly at something someone had typed in chat before leaning closer to read another. Something about you made him click.

The preview was a minute long. It was mostly just you talking to people who'd probably been watching you for a while, sipping from something from a cup. He waited for the inevitable moment where you'd lean forward, offer a smirk, whisper something filthy, but it never came. Maybe that’s why he didn’t click away.

Then the timer ran out and a message popped up prompting him to create an account if he wanted to keep watching.

A few minutes later, his card was charged, and he was back in your stream.

Normally, Nacho didn’t give things like this more than a passing glance. But tonight, the silence was louder than usual, and something about the quiet in your voice,maybe the soft cadence of it, the way your eyes seemed to be filled with a light he hadnt seen in a long time,hooked into the place inside him he usually kept hidden.

He started planning his nights around your schedule, started tipping more. Sometimes two hundred, sometimes five. He didn’t ask for anything special in return, just wanted to hear you talk. To see that look on your face when you read his name.You always smiled when you saw it.

That fucking smile.

He never used the cam option of course. Not even when he’d worked up the courage to buy a private session with you. Safety played a big part in his decision, but in truth he didn’t want you to see how tired and worn he looked.

He caught himself thinking about you during runs. Counting time until your next stream. Checking his phone in the middle of deals. His house started collecting unopened takeout containers and dust, because he didn’t care to leave the laptop for long. He bought better headphones. Cleared his schedule on the nights you were on.

It felt good,safe.

It made him feel like someone was looking at him—not Nacho —but Ignacio. The scared kid who used to help his dad fix cars in a tiny garage that smelled like oil and metal. The kid who the world had aged faster than it should have.

But nothing good ever lasted long in Nacho’s world.

A call came one night while you were telling a story about your day. He let it ring twice before muting it. But then it rang again. And again. And again.

Nacho sighed and picked it up.

“Varga. Where the fuck you been?”

He didn't answer, just let out a scoff of slight annoyance.

“Got a drop. Tonight. You in or not?”

Nacho stared at the screen. You were laughing now, eyes crinkling just right, holding your drink up like a toast to the chat. He wanted to stay. God, he wanted to stay.

But that wasn’t how it worked. You could buy time in this life, but not freedom.

“Yeah,” he said. “I’m in.”

[honeybeeofficial]

Im obsessed with your horseshoe crab bag and wanna make my own but dont have any leather working experience or knowledge, did you have a pattern you followed or did you just free hand it? also what would you recommend to someone wanting to try leather crafts for a first time?

I'll answer both this and a related question from @chaoticspaces:

hey! I’m in love with your crab bag. you mentioned you’ve never worked with leather; do you have any tips on where/how to start learning? or did you just wing it? I must preface that I’m a beginner at any sort of crafting and will have to learn the building blocks first but damn, people can just MAKE that kinda shit? I’ll learn to sew for that.

So it must be acknowledged that I am a fairly experienced crafter, I grew up sewing and sculpting and origami-ing and all sorts of crafty things. Meaning that although the horseshoe crab is my first experience in leatherworking, it's building off of existing crafting skills and experience thinking through how materials behave and how shapes interact. I say this as a preface not to discourage anyone from diving in, but rather so anyone who's newer to crafting can go in with a bit of perspective and not get discouraged if they don't get the hang of it right away! Be patient with yourself and keep pursuing the skills you want to develop.

With that out of the way, here's a (slightly abbreviated, but still Long) walk through what my process was like for drafting the pattern and learning how to work with leather!

Drafting the pattern

I started by looking up pictures of horseshoe crabs and doing a simple drawing of one from the top and from the side to get a sense of the shapes.

Then I broke it down into sections to make things easier on myself. Reducing things to basic shapes (crescent, box, wedge, cone, etc) is a good way to start making sense of a more complex form.

To make it work in three dimensions, I'd sketch what I think the shapes should probably be; cut out a mini version in paper; tape it together; go "hmm, that's not right," and adjust the sketch; repeat until I get roughly the form I'm looking for.

Once I had a general shape that worked, I recreated those pieces on paper again, this time full-size. That involved a lot of math to make sure all the proportions scaled accurately. Then I cut out those pieces and taped them together and adjusted any basic proportions again to fix anything that I scaled wrong.

At that point, I had a shape that read fairly well as horseshoe crab, and that would have been fine. However, I wanted things to curve and flare and be more organic, which is where a lot of the trickier adjustments come in. Using paper prototypes allowed me to work quickly and make changes easily. To exaggerate a curve, I'd cut the tape "seam", bend the paper into the desired shape, and then add or remove material from the adjoining sides until that curve stayed in place when re-taped. Each piece of the pattern is responsible for helping its neighbors stay in place.

After I got my paper prototype to a point I was happy with, I got some cheap sheets of kids' craft foam and made another prototype in that, but stitched instead of taped, in order to test the pattern as thoroughly as possible without having to use my actual leather for it.

---

Learning basic leatherworking

Youtube! I searched things like "introduction to leatherworking," "leatherworking techniques for beginners," "how to attach two pieces of leather," etc. There are a bunch of videos that show very detailed but not-too-lengthy examples of basic techniques.

Once I had seen a few examples and made a list of the basic tools I would need to get started, I went out and got myself some tools and scrap leather to experiment with. I watched some more videos showing how to use my tools, and followed along with them

Some of the techniques I looked up to start:

How to use an adjustable groover, stitching chisel, beveler, and wood slicker

Saddle stitching

Box stitching

Butt stitching (Yeah, I know)

How to set rivets in leather

What kind of leather dye/what kind of leather conditioner to use

I spent some time testing techniques, even ones I didn't need for this project, because the more time you spend with your material and tools, the more you'll understand how they work and how to get them to do what you want. I have a bunch of scraps lying around that just have random burnished edges, wonky rivets, stitches that don't go anywhere, etc.

I also found it helpful to look through leatherworking subreddits and follow leather crafters on instagram and look through what they're doing for inspiration, tips & tricks, and to see how they handle unusual shapes. Those subreddits can also be a good resource for finding existing answers to questions you have, or asking questions yourself.

[dontyouworrydaddy]

Loving you is really hard

Simon Riley x fem! Reader

warning: angst and no happy ending hihi :)

summary: Simon loves you. He really does. But he doesn’t know how to show you his love…

‿︵‿︵ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ・❉・ ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ‿︵‿︵

Simon stood in the dimly lit room, his eyes fixed on the figure before him. It was you standing in front of him. For months now, he had grappled with emotions he had long buried, emotions that threatened to consume him entirely. Love was a battlefield, and Simon was on the front lines, fighting a war he was unsure he could win.

It had all begun with stolen glances and lingering touches with whispered words of affection shared in the dead of night. Simon was a man of few words, and showing his love was a battle for himself and you. But he had tried, oh, how he had tried to let you know how much you meant to him. But however, you never felt it…

Yet, as days turn into months, he found himself unable to say those three simple words that had the power to change everything. "I love you." They hung on the tip of his tongue, like a secret waiting to be told, but each time he attempted to speak them, his voice failed him. And you were never mad at him for it. If only, you were understanding. But you’re human too and with no reassurance, not only through words but also actions, you can’t help but think he is slowly falling out of love with you.

One evening, after a particularly tense mission, the tension between you and Simon had reached its breaking point. The argument had started over something unnecessary, but it had spiraled into something much deeper. Hurtful words were exchanged, and you found yourself saying the words that had been weighing on your heart for so long.

"Loving you is really hard Simon! Whenever I try and show you my love you push me away. And when I‘m searching for yours, I don’t feel anything! Do you even love me? Or is it just me?" The admission was out before you could stop it, and the room fell into an uneasy silence. Simon's stormy blue eyes bore into yours, a mixture of guilt, pain, and regret reflecting in them. You could see the pain in his expression, the desire to say the words he had been holding back for so long.

But still, he said nothing. The silence stretched on, heavy and suffocating.

It was a silence that spoke volumes, a silence that shattered your heart into a million pieces. You turned away, tears welling up in your eyes, and left the room, leaving Simon alone with his unspoken feelings.

You kind of wished he followed you and stopped you from going away. But dreams will always stay just dreams…

In the days that followed, the distance between you and Simon grew. He withdrew into himself, burying his emotions deeper than ever before. And you too, found it hard to bridge the gap that had formed between you. It was as if a wall had been erected, a wall built from unspoken words and unacknowledged feelings. This was too much for you heart and you wonder how long you can hold on this way.

The mission's dangers seemed a welcome distraction from the pain that had settled for Simon. You threw yourself into your work, seeking solace in the hospital as a doctor. And Simon, he became even more cold, his mask of indifference firmly in place.

You both knew that something precious had been lost. The love that had once burned so brightly between you is dimmin, its warmth replaced by a chilling emptiness. There was no happy ending in sight, only the painful realization that some battles couldn't be won.

Simon continued to serve his country, a soldier on the front lines, battling not only the enemies he faced in the field but also the voices that haunted his head. And you, you moved on with your life, searching for a love that was easier to hold onto.

But deep down, in the quiet moments when the world fell away, you both knew that a part of you would always belong to each other, that love, no matter how hard, would forever be a part of your story. A story that only had an endless ache that lingered in the spaces between your hearts.

And when you lie in your bed when it’s dark outside, you want your old Simon back home.

[alienducky]

Fire Emblem Three Houses Crochet Wyvern - attempt 1

I finally finished it! It's taken me since the end of March 2022 (on and off, I got sidetracked making Alligator Loki for a while) but my prototype wyvern is done

Wyvern is 123.5 inches / 10foot 3.5 inches / 313.69cm wingtip to wingtip, and 56 inches / 4 foot 6 inches / 142.24cm nose to tail tip, and roughly 6 lbs / 2.72 kg ish. So a chunky baby He was made out of aran weight yarn using a 5mm hook and for the most part is Tunisian knit stitch. His toes were done in Tunisian simple stitch, and I think I did his teeth in normal rounds?

And now I do a cut to save everyone's feeds from all the pictures I'm going to share ^_^

(For reference, here are two photos of the wyvern from in game)

First, a few more angles on wyvern, and then I'll point out things I want to change for the next one

He's a handsome lad, and very recognisable for what he's meant to be!

But he also could be improved. A lot

Example 1, I lined up wyverns nose and tail tip against the in game 3d model to see how close he was to being accurate. And, er. yeah.

To give myself credit, when I first started this back in March 2022, I was working out lengths and widths and general sizing from screenshots taken from examining units in Three Houses, where I traced the outline onto a sheet of paper to measure things and perspective makes things AWKWARD, ok? (As is having brain farts and not remembering that the ruler had metric on the other side of it, but shush, let's not mention that bit)

So the biggest thing to fix will be the scaling, if I can. I can definitely make the tail longer, the head shorter and thinner, the chest between the wings thinner, the wing sockets bulkier, and thanking all the stars, the wings get to be smaller too. By a LOT

The other major thing I want to do different/better is how the ridges along his back from nose to tail tip work.

While they do work on wyvern, they don't look as great as I think they potentially can? So I'm going to be doing double layers of crochet, sort of, to help give the sticky up bit of the overlapping ridges more definition, and hopefully make them look like the slightly thicker scaling they're meant to be. It'll also help to smooth them out, so they won't have the weird dips where I've joined one to the next

I'm going to do the wings differently too, because what I did with these ones was quite frankly awful? I cut each wing segment into individual pieces to then hem and flip inside out to over sew the visible edges, and then hemmed up the sides that went inside the struts to then sew the crocheted parts to the fabric. So the fabric was the cheese to the crochet bread in this awful, awful sandwich situation. I am also never, ever buying anything that is even vaguely silky or satiny or slippery ever again for anything

For the next one I'll keep the two pieces of wing fabric as one big piece, since the top and bottom of the wing membranes are actually slightly different colours if you look closely, but I'm going to cheat and use some of that iron on hemming tape stuff to fill the inside of the fabric after I've done all the outer hemming and over sewing so it'll kind of look like all the veins and stuff that the membranes have? So the fabric hopefully won't slip around so much, so will be easier to sew, and keeping it as one big piece means there's less change of me messing up the positioning of the struts on the panels because the wings on this one aren't equal despite my best efforts

Next is Claude's white wyvern, but it'll be made with DK yarn and either a 3.5 or 4mm hook, so it will (hopefully) come out significantly smaller than this one. And that one is going to get plastic boning/skeleton in it, so it'll be poseable!!!

[annwrites24]

Organized by @dindjarindiaries for December 2024!

Pairing: Din Djarin x f!reader

Rating: M, but all my content and my blog are 18+ only

Word count: 1088

Tags (All parts): fluff, some angst, developing relationship, mentions of loss of parents, second person POV, no use of y/n, hints of smut if you squint.

A/N: late again, but I offer lots of extra fluffy things as an apology.

Day Twenty-Five: Holiday

Din is watching you play with Grogu in the snow; it continued to fall well into the night, and now the white powder drifts are nearly tall enough to swallow the child whole if he loses his balance. Despite this, he is unafraid as he squeals and chases after you as you jog away, shrieking and laughing and feigning horror whenever he gets close to catching up with you. Din watches as Grogu finally tags you and you fall into the snow on your back, giggling as Grogu crawls over you.

Alright, you win. You got me, you laugh, and then you set Grogu down. He immediately falls back and starts working on a snow angel, giggling as he flails his arms in the snow. You get up and make your way over to Din, pulling up one of the stumps of uncut wood next to him so you can sit down.

He’s having a good time. He can finally enjoy the weather a little, Din says softly, and you nod enthusiastically. With your cheeks flushed and eyes shining in the cold, he thinks you might be the sweetest thing you’ve ever seen, and he’s grateful for the hundredth time that his helmet hides the way he’s blushing.

When do you need to leave? you ask quietly, and although Din can tell you are trying your hard to be tactful, he thinks you sound a little disappointed. He sighs, and your brow furrows. He doesn’t want you to worry, but the weather, the travel, the problems with his ship… each has taken its toll. He’s tired. He wants to rest, but can’t bring himself to do so.

I don’t know. I’m tired, he blurts out, and then feels immediately guilty about the way your eyes go wide and how concerned you look. I’ll fix up the ship soon, he continues, but you’re already shaking your head at him.

You deserve a chance to rest, Din, you insist softly, and Din feels his resolve crumble the second you say his name. He’ll do anything you ask, follow any command you issue if you use that gentle tone. And it’s an unexpected relief to hear he has permission to take the rest he needs, so he nods.

Alright. I’ll stay today and fix the ship tomorrow. We can leave tomorrow night.

Din has never gone so long without thinking about his next job, his next quarry. But it’s been hours since the damage to the Razor Crest, and the time pressure of his contracts has crossed his mind. He’s always early with his deliveries, and in all likelihood, he will still be early, even with the delay. However, resting in the middle of a job is still a foreign idea. It should be causing him anxiety. It should be making his chest hurt and his breathing shallow.

But instead, Din is relaxed. Grogu plays in the snow all morning, only letting you force him back inside for some weak tea when the tips of his ears and cheeks turn pink. You manage to get both of them in by the fire to warm up, and to Din’s surprise, you reveal a host of activities intended to keep all three of you busy inside. Din spends the afternoon sitting on the floor with his son in his lap, patiently helping him cut paper into snowflakes and thread popcorn on a line.

It takes a little convincing, but eventually, Din convinces you to let him make dinner while you rest by the fire. He likes preparing food; the cutting and preparation put his mind at ease, and are almost a form of meditation. And a small part of him clings to any sense of usefulness that isn’t tied to his ability to fight and kill.

You praise him dramatically as you eat, thanking him for the simple soup. Din thinks you’re exaggerating, but he feels a surge of pride when you both finish quickly and ask for more. Full and happy, Grogu plays on the floor with his little silver ball, and Din watches you roll it back and forth with him for hours. When Grogu starts yawning, you scoop him up and help him snuggle into bed, humming softly as you move. When you return, Din’s heart starts to pound as you join him in his chair and tuck your body next to his.

How are you feeling, you ask him softly, and Din has to clear his throat before he replies.

Good. Better. Comfortable, he adds under his breath, but you catch him and laugh softly.

I’m exhausted, you pretend to complain. Grogu has so much energy; I don’t know how you keep up with him on your own.

Not very well, Din admits. He got into a lot of trouble. He squeezes your shoulder, and you lay one arm over his stomach and squeeze back in response. Din glances down; in the low fire light, he can see you’re starting to fall asleep. We should go to bed.

You’re probably right, you agree, and yawn on cue, making Din chuckle.

He helps you to your feet, and you excuse yourself to the bathroom to wash up while Din removes his armour. He doesn’t even second guess it anymore; he sleeps without it when he’s sleeping with you. When he’s finished stacking it neatly at the end of the bed, save for his helmet, he perches on the edge and waits nervously until you return.

You sleep in a shirt of his that he lent you when you first joined him on his ship. He loves that you still wear it, and you seem comfortable and happy, even though it doesn’t fit; you’re smaller than he is. You smile shyly at him when you reappear, and he has to resist the urge to tackle you onto the bed. Instead, he pulls you gently onto the mattress and lets you get comfortable with your back to him before he reaches up to pull his helmet off. He settles in and wraps his arms around you, pulling you closer. He gently kisses the back of your neck and shoulders, trying to demonstrate his gratitude for what you’ve done for him. But it’s not enough.

Thank you for making me stay here today, he says softly, and you take his hand and kiss it before pulling it around yourself again.

I’m glad you did. You sigh contentedly, and Din can feel himself starting to fall asleep, but not before you add, goodnight, Din.

Find my other fics on AO3! Header art by me. I do not give permission for any of my work, whole or in part, to be fed into any AI generative program under any circumstances.

[blueberrybeomgyu]

hey i recently started using tumblr and i LOVEEE UR WORK and ur blog and i was wondering if u have any tips on starting one? and how to make it aesthetic like yours! on ao3 i didnt really have to make anything cute but on tumblr i feel like i have to !! and i want to but i just dont know how and urs is so CUTEEE

HIII THANK YOU SO MUCH SWEETIE!!

in terms of starting one, it might be helpful to start with small things like random thoughts or drabbles you've come up with! if you already post on ao3 that's a really good foot up, i'd say tumblr is a lot less formal in the sense that every thing does not have to be a fully written fanfic.

consider connecting with people, even something small like shooting an ask and introducing yourself may help you make friends! making friends is really important because then you have someone to support, someone to support you, and someone to bounce ideas off of! it's lots of fun, just be careful since there might be people on the internet who don't have your best interest in mind.

make sure to tag your post if you want it to reach many people, for bnd the tags i often use are boynextdoor hard thoughts and boynextdoor hard hours, i try to keep it simple but you can add as many tags as you want, just make sure they correlate with your post!

always write for yourself, no one else!! it's your blog, try to remember it's just for fun.

in terms of aesthetic, you can add to/fix up your theme as you go, so def dont try to make it perfect from the start. it took me a long time to get my layout together and can i be honest with you...i'm a thief...i took inspiration from so many different blogs like kiwi and bunny. i'd say def look around at what other people have done and take inspo from that!!

you can make your theme anything you want!! since my name is berry i kinda just went off of that and did a fruit theme. i find the photos for my theme on pinterest, but i try not to use photos of people's faces on my smut posts out of respect.

i'd say try to think up a theme and like two or three of your favorite colors for the layout!! if you can't think of a theme, you can also just find a few photos that have the same color scheme and go off of that.

you also don't have to add photos if you don't want to and you could leave your pfp and header hidden (keep in mind that your pfp will still show up when you interact with posts). you could do a photo of an idol, or a character, or literally anything as your pfp!!

if you dont wanna add photos on your pinned, for example, another alternative is adding dividers/borders. you can look these up on tumblr, people make a ton of them, just make sure to credit where you got it from!!

i use a lot of symbols from websites such at this one or this one

just put important things on your page like your preferred name, who you write for, your blog rules (what you will and wont tolerate), how old you are, if your asks/requests are open, etc.

pls lmk if you have any more questions, i'd be honored to help and to be moots when you get your blog started!!

[skell3]

So I wrote something for RP.

TMA Multiverse stuff. Jan is Jan Fairchild, avatar of the Vast... And yet Gertrude still manages to get her hands on him to stop the Buried ritual.

TW: sick/getting sick, brief mention of dismemberment

MAG 97 Spoilers

To The Pit

“I need your assistance with something.”

The coffee shop buzzed around the two of them seated in a corner spot, where one Gertrude Robinson had her back to the wall and eyes to the nearest window. Jan Kilbride– Fairchild sat across from her and contemplated his drink nervously. This woman makes him nervous, had made him nervous from the moment she set eyes on him. Maybe that was a sign he shouldn’t have agreed to meet with her.

“...something?” Jan ventures, peeking up again. Today his eyes were deep and a little gray, as the sky was covered in clouds and- fortunately for him- it wasn’t raining. Yet. He would like it to not rain at all, to not deal with that and his hearing aids, but this was London and he had to go without them or stay inside more often than not.

“Yes, well… something important. I believe someone has told you about rituals?” Gertrude was being cryptic, and Jan half wanted to back out already. But she also seemed… how to put it? He sort-of wanted to help her out, just a little bit. The fact that he let out a soft breath when she made a noise of approval at his nodding was a big indicator of something. She was scary, and he did not want to be on her bad side.

“Mm… yeah. Mike mentioned them once- I think. And then Simon and I were discussing them, and that’s why we had the, uh. Meeting,” Jan explained. The meeting that went on among all of the so-called ‘heads’ of each of the fears currently experiencing difficulty with the Stranger and all its children. Never-mind the ‘time shift’ that everyone was experiencing, and the need to gather more information on that. “Is there a… ritual going on now? Or about to? Is that what you need help with?”

Jan tapped his fingertips against the side of his tea mug and waited, watching the old woman look out the window. When she turned her gaze on him, he couldn’t help but reach up to fix his beanie to attempt to look a tiny bit more presentable. His messy blond hair tucked under that would just have to remain hidden for that to be anywhere close to truth. Then Gertrude smiled, to herself, and he gave a nervous smile in return.

“The Buried are up to something, and I need one of the Vast to come assist me in shutting it down.” She made it sound so simple. One of the Vast- that’s definitely him. And a Buried ritual could be… well. Bad. Especially bad for the Vast, if it succeeded. He gets downright dizzy if he even tries to go down to one of the tube stations of the London Underground, so if the world went Buried…

“What would you have me do?” Jan asks, hopefully helpfully. He doesn’t ask the ‘Why me?’ question he has on the tip of his tongue, because it probably doesn’t matter, does it? If she just needs one of the Vast, any of them will do, and honestly he’s probably the least busy at the moment. Gertrude smiles at him again, and this time he smiles more comfortably back. He wants to help. Going to the meeting with Simon had proven his eagerness to be useful to the others, and now that he was part of the Fairchilds… Well, he would want to protect his family, right?

“Come to America with me. We’ll investigate the ritual site, then interrupt them with your presence.” Gertrude sets her cup down and turns it on its saucer briefly. “I’ve already got tickets and a car booked. Would take us… I don’t know, two days? Three, max.” She really does make it sound so simple, and she seems pleased as Jan seems more interested in the idea. He has been wanting to see how he fares with flying, and… to America?

“Should I- um. Do I have time to pack anything?” Jan’s only a tiny bit nervous that she had said she already has tickets, and his smile fades when she shakes her head.

“No, we’ve got about two hours to get to the airport. But we can pick some things up for you after we head out.” Her hand reaches over the table to pat at his arm, and she knows he’ll agree to come, at this point. “Don’t fret, Jan. I’ve got everything taken care of.”

Jan isn’t entirely sure what he got himself into, here. Gertrude was a cranky traveler at best, and while the flight was alright, he felt too… confined. It gave him a headache and he was sick by the time they landed in the US. It took them about an hour to get the rental car, and so far, they haven’t picked anything up for him to change into. The flight had provided a toothbrush and all but his mouth was still tasting a bit sour and he wished he had a chance to clean up.

“Now, you’ll be able to roll down your window here, but try not to do it too much, alright?” The car wasn’t particularly large, and Jan knows he’s going to feel like he’s being packed into a sardine tin riding in that thing. But he was too tired and already too unwell to really argue, so he nodded and loaded into the passenger side. The seat slid back and tipped back to give him as much space as he could manage, and it was that way he was able to get a tiny bit of rest.

It was dark by the time Jan came around again, and they were definitely still driving. Sitting his seat up, he groaned a bit at the motion sickness that came with it and immediately rolled down the window. The stink of farmlands hit him then, but at least he could get some air on his face to not get sick again. “Where are we? Weren’t we going to hit a hotel?” Details were… sketchy, to say the least.

“We’ll hit one once we get there. We’re short on time.” Gertrude has her window cracked, a cigarette between her lips as she drives a fair amount above the speed limit.

“I thought you had this… planned out? Timed?” Jan ventures to ask, then wishes he didn’t for the look he got. Making a quiet, anxious noise, he opted to look out his window and try to get some fresher air. He had agreed to help, so he was here to help, but he couldn’t help but feel like something wasn’t right. Maybe the ritual was happening sooner than she had anticipated?

Fortunately for him, they have to stop for gas and Jan gets the chance to stretch his legs and feel less confined. It does wonders for him, though he’s still jet-lagged and jet-sick and carsick and all the kinds of things one meant for the vastness of the universe would experience being tucked away in essentially differently-sized boxes. They ate dinner at a diner in town and headed out again, and Jan opted to try and sleep some more. Conserve his energy since he’s not entirely sure Gertrude would let him go ‘feed’ on some poor unsuspecting souls who have a fear of drifting into the unknown.

It took the better part of the evening for the duo to make it to their destination. Bucoda, Washington… Not someplace Jan had ever heard of, but the scenery was lovely and he was getting some clearer air than he’d ever had in the city. The sky had a small smattering of clouds, the sunrise had been beautiful to watch. Scenic and enjoyable if he weren’t still riding in the car wishing he didn’t feel the urge to retch every couple hours. The last one was only half an hour ago, and Gertrude had grudgingly stopped to let him do so before handing him a bottle of water to sip from. It helped, but only a little.

The car slowed as they pulled into the sleepy little town, and then off to the side so that Gertrude could consult her map. Jan wanted to ask if he could get out and stretch, but she seemed… on edge. Was he imagining things, or did she keep glancing up and over at him as if she expected him to disappear. He wasn’t too sure, so he stayed put and kept glancing out his open window, checking the place out.

“You’ll do just about anything to help your… family, won’t you?” Her words drew Jan out of a daze, and he looked back to Gertrude with furrowed brows.

“Well… yes? Simon’s helped me out considerably… Even helped me achieve my dream. So I think I would probably do just about anything to repay him and the family for taking me in. He doesn’t like her short ‘hmm’ of a response, and he checks his phone. While he had mentioned going out of town for a bit to Simon, Manuela and Mike… he hadn’t been entirely sure of where, and hadn’t had any time to get a new sim card for it to work abroad. So here he is without the ability to ask anyone anything, and he feels so incredibly daft that he hadn’t done so beforehand.

“You won’t get much out here as far as signal goes, even if you did swap that over,” Gertrude confirms Jan’s thoughts and he sighs and tucks it away. “You can use mine when we’re done here.”

“Can’t I use it before? Just to update everyone? I forgot to when we landed.” He was too sick to even think about it, and he would’ve never have guessed that maybe she anticipated that.

“Can’t. I need to take it to the store to get it swapped. But we’re close, and it shouldn’t take too long. We need to get this done first.” Gertrude’s voice was stern, and Jan winced but nodded. She did say they were short on time, so… maybe it really was happening soon. He didn’t feel too different where they were now.

“Should I… be able to tell where it is?” Being Vast and all, sometimes he gets bad vibes from some people and he half suspects they might be Buried or otherwise.

“You might, but… I think I've got it.” The map gets closed up and the car pulls forward as they continue on their trip. Jan goes from feeling just carsick to worse. Much worse. Gertrude seems to notice but she doesn't slow down or pull over for him, she just keeps on going. “Get used to it, kid,” she digs out a fresh cigarette as they wait at a traffic light. “We're not quite there yet so it's going to get worse. This is the hard part.”

The hard part? Jan swallows hard and tries laying back in the seat again, but it only seems to make him feel worse. He doesn't even see the pit until they pull up to it, and by then he wasn't sure it was safe for him to move. With tears in his eyes and his hand clasped around a pendant at his throat, he feels a tiny bit worried he's not going to be able to handle this. That he won't be able to help at all. The feeling of that trinket in his hand helps soothe him, reminds him of Manuela and has felt like her being there with him the whole time, but it does not ease him out of the sickness.

They arrive at the Pit relatively early in the day, sun shining bright and the whole town nothing but quiet. Jan swears he heard a car go by but he doesn't recall it, stuck in the passenger seat because if he moves he is going to throw up. Gertrude got out of the car a little while ago, looking down and out over the thing with equal measures of distaste and cigarette smoke. What a situation this was, and she didn't think she had anything to do the job with until she spotted a large shovel nearby. That will have to do.

“Jan, I need you to come out of the car now.” Gertrude's voice has shifted to something smoother and more coaxing. “You can throw up wherever, I don't think anyone here will mind.” If there was anyone left. Jan made a noise in his throat but didn't move immediately. When he did, it was first to wipe tears from his face, and then it was to slowly open the car door. Each movement was difficult, as if he was somehow moving through soil. It takes him a moment realize his connection to the Vast is muted here.

“I d-don’t… I don't know if I can do this, Ms. Robinson.” It was a statement that Jan knew was a little too late given that they were here now, and they were short on time. The ground seemed to shake beneath him once he finally got out of the car, and for a long few moments he thought it wasn't just him. When he realized it was just his own legs, he stumbled away and landed on hands and knees to be sick in the dirt. Fortunately for him, he didn't see what was in that pit, nor would he ever. The town was quiet for a reason.

“Unfortunately, we don't have time to deal with that right now.” Gertrude has the shovel now and she tests it's weight in her hands. Looking over, she knows that if she doesn't do this now, she may never get the chance. So we without much feelings to it, she went over behind where Jan was getting sick and struck him with the shovel to the back of his head. He goes down quickly, and she sighs.

*I'm sorry, Jan, but you just being here won't be enough. I had hoped but now I need to do what I came here to do. Thank you for your help.”

It took a lot longer than anticipated to get Jan’s body hacked into enough pieces for it all to fit into the hole at the base of the pit. Gertrude was covered in blood and dirt before she even managed to stuff him down in there. She had noticed a pendant when she beheaded him and had made a mental note to find it when she was done, but as she stuffed the last of him in there, the earth heaved and the Buried complained and she had to get out of there. In the car, out of town… just out of there.

By the time she made it to her hotel, she was exhausted and frustrated that it had to go that way, because she knew that she wasn't going to be welcomed by some when she made it back to London. But Gertrude did what she had to do, and made her observations as best as she could first before making her decisions after. The Sunken Sky would not come to them all, and they should be relieved of that. But something was nagging at her about the whole thing, and she couldn't quite place the apprehension she had when she flew back home and tucked back into her apartment.

It was only then that she remembered the pendant, but it was much too late. Bucoda, Washington was now a pile of dirt on the map after an earthquake struck it, and that pendant was likely long gone now.

[finn-m-corvex]

Hey! I'm a really big fan of your art and I have a question. Do you have a certain process for drawing hands? I've been trying to get better at it since forever and maybe you have some tips bc yours are awesome for a beginner :D

:O THANK YOU SO MUCH! Hands are like one of my only artistic talents that I just had beforehand so I'm more than happy to show you my process! I have no official training by the way, everything I'm telling you is just stuff that I've learned from drawing them and observing them.

This is a simple sketch that is eventually going to turn into something for Taddy, but it will do for right now! I'm going to walk you through how I sketched this.

First step: ALWAYS ALWAYS START with the outline of the three big fingers. These determine the proportions of the rest of the hand. Where you might be getting tripped up is trying to draw the whole pointer finger first, and you should not do that. Doing one finger and then another one messes with the proportions; it's much easier to fix three lines than it is to redraw the whole finger. Make sure you curve for the knuckles!

Second step: In this picture, only the index finger and thumb are fully visible, but if the others were to be visible this is where you would draw the rest of them. You should have three distinct sections, and those sections should be CURVED. Your fingertips have a very unique curve to them and it can take a few tries to get it right.

Third step: the thumb. I hate doing the thumb. This one might take you a bit because the thumb is always smaller than people think it is. The tip of the thumb should come out to just below the first joint in your index finger. The line going across the back of the hand should always be over the one coming down from the fingers. Your thumb is also not flat; it curves inwards and then back out as it goes down to your wrist. It should only have two sections!

Fourth step: the pinkie and the "back" of the hand. PINKIES SUCK EVEN MORE THAN THUMBS! I normally choose hand positions that don't feature the pinky because I hate drawing it. But cheat sheet: the pinky never extends past the second joint of your ring finger! Your pinky still has three sections, just smaller than the rest, so the second joint of your pinky is roughly level with the first joint of your ring finger. The "back" of your hand also has a slight bump to it: the pinky curves out and then it curves back in at the wrist. The transition from back of hand to wrist isn't supposed to be smooth like it is from the thumb.

Fifth step: knuckles! This one can be ignored if your art style doesn't do knuckles. I choose to do little v-shapes like that or just bumpy lines whenever I feel like being extra, but they're always pointing downwards and they're bigger than you think!

Some extra details that might be helpful:

A bunch of the stuff above I already mentioned, but for the ones I haven't mentioned...

-The skeleton lines you drew at the beginning should always curve away from the thumb. Not by a lot, just a little!

-The top joints for the three fingers are roughly equal with the index and ring, but the middle finger top joint is higher up. The second joints are all roughly level with each other

-Middle is tallest, than index, than ring and finally pinky. The thumb is shorter than the pinky

I think that's it? I've never really done an art tutorial before so let me know if I need to explain anything else! This was pretty fun though :D

[haberdashing]

because now I’m curious. self proclaimed air quality nerd, what recommendations have you for CO (and/or CO2) detectors?

...I will admit that I don't actually know a ton about the science here, but I definitely did my research into air quality monitors, and the things they monitor, before getting my own.

This... might be more detailed than you need, and it's less recommending specific monitors and more an overview of air quality in general, but I figure it doesn't hurt to err on the side of details.

First off, you need to figure out what substances you're looking for. Carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), radon, ozone, particulate matter (at various sizes), the catch-all category volatile organic compounds (VOCs)... probably other things, but those are the main ones. Frustratingly, you can't get them all in the same monitor. If there's one in particular you're especially concerned about, you can get a dedicated monitor for that; otherwise, you can probably pick two, three, maybe four of the things on the list if you're lucky. At worst, you can mix and match, but then you're the person with multiple air quality monitors in your home, lol.

This is my thought process about each of those categories and what's worth monitoring:

You need a carbon monoxide (CO) detector in your house, just like you need a smoke detector. Similar logic for both: they're not super common things to have an issue with, but you really don't want to need one and not have one. Simple carbon monoxide detectors along the lines of smoke detectors--where you're not really looking at the levels or necessarily looking to catch low-level chronic stuff, you just want it in case there's a Situation on your hands--are pretty inexpensive and easy to find. If you don't have one, get one.

If you're more worried about low-level carbon monoxide exposure, you can get a more detailed monitor for that too. Probably not necessary unless you have reason to worry about it. But if you're worried about leaky or badly-vented appliances, chimney/fireplace issues, car exhaust, anything like that, better to know than to find out the hard way.

The tips to avoid CO poisoning: make sure your appliances and the vents for the gas used by 'em are in working order, and get them checked out if anything's unusual. Keep fireplaces and chimneys clean. Don't run your car in your garage for any length of time, and definitely have the garage door open whenever it's running. Don't use gas appliances to heat your house, even if the heat's out. Don't use outdoor equipment indoors. And if you think you might have a problem, leave the area and get it checked out right away.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) mostly comes from people (or animals) breathing. Not gonna kill you aside from a few highly unlikely scenarios, but if there's a lot of people breathing in a small space, it can get to the point where it makes thinking harder, maybe causes headaches. We don't have a ton of research on what that does long-term, or even how much of an issue it really is short-term when it's not at those rare acute levels. I covered this a bit in the earlier post.

If you think there might be a lot of CO2 building up in your place, you can get a monitor, but just getting the air moving can make a big difference, too. Open a window. Turn your fan on high. Make sure your vents are moving air around in your place, that nothing's blocking 'em. Plants take in the carbon dioxide, so they can help some too, though that's hardly a quick or easy fix.

Radon's an environmental risk, not a personal one. It leaks out from the soil all around you. Either it's in the area or it's not. A one-off test can be all you need to know that much, but if the levels are high, monitoring them is a good idea.

Radon's a worry in the long-term, not the short-term. Chronic exposure causes respiratory issues, including lung cancer. If it's an issue, ventilate your house like with carbon dioxide, seal up cracks in the floors and walls, and think about calling in an expert. And if you've already got respiratory issues, or if you're a smoker, taking care of this is that much more important.

Ozone... is something I keep forgetting about personally, but it is relevant here. Unlike most of the others, ozone does have a smell to it, but olfactory fatigue means you probably shouldn't rely on just that for safety if you're concerned. Like radon, it's more of an environmental risk, unless you're using an ozone generator or something. (Pro tip: don't do that. Or if you must, at least check your ventilation first.) Also like radon, it causes respiratory issues with chronic exposure, and it's worse if you've already got respiratory issues.

AirNow lets you check levels in your neighborhood if you're in the US. I don't know international equivalents but I bet they're out there. If you can use AirNow or a similar source, I doubt a separate air monitor for it is really needed unless there's an ongoing problem, or if you're using stuff that'll generate ozone inside. (Again, ozone generators aren't a great idea. Laser printers and copiers let some out too, but it's probably not an issue unless there's a ton of machinery in a small, unventilated space.)

Particulate matter is anything that's in the air. Dust, dirt, smoke, soot, anything floating around in there. Different air monitors will track different sizes of particles (PM10, PM2.5, PM1)--the smaller ones can get deeper into your lungs and other parts of your body where you don't want 'em. Particulate matter can irritate your eyes and lungs, make asthma flare up, make some other problems worse too. If that sounds familiar, that's because this is a big one with those wildfires we've been dealing with. Smoke gets in your eyes, gets in your lungs, makes life annoying. But it's finer smoke than the kind regular smoke detectors will sense.

Honestly, these days, it makes sense to have some sort of particulate matter detector if you're concerned or interested, just as a heads-up. While opening windows is usually good for air quality, it's exactly the wrong move when the outside air's filled with wildfire smoke. It'd help if you've been smoking inside, though, or if your home's dusty, and those are particulate matter issues too. If it's bad in the area, break out your mask again. The masks you used for Covid will help here too.

Volatile organic compounds... sounds vague, and is pretty vague. It covers a whole bunch of types of air pollutants, including big names like benzene and formaldehyde, but also a lot of more obscure stuff. You find them in paints, solvents, pesticides, air fresheners, even cleaning supplies. Which seems a little backwards, that freshening the air and cleaning your home can create pollutants, but it's true. They can also come from furniture, carpets, and construction materials, especially stuff that's brand new.

Since there's so much lumped in here, the details of what they can do vary wildly. Eye and lung irritation can happen here, and also headaches, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, all those fun vague symptoms. Again, ventilation is the key here, especially when there's a specific issue--you just repainted your kitchen, you renovated your whole second floor, you had to break out the heavy-duty cleaning supplies after your pets made a serious mess, etc. And don't buy any of those things they come from in bulk and let them sit around in your house until you need them some years down the line. Just get rid of those old paint cans. Probably not a huge issue unless you have some specific reason to think otherwise, though, and if there's a specific chemical you're concerned about, you can look into measuring that more specifically.

Finances matter when you're looking at air quality monitors, naturally. The really good air quality monitors, especially with several different things being monitored at once, are a few hundred bucks each. If you don't have a ton of money and aren't really that concerned, there are lower-end ones too.

Some are portable so you can bring them places, especially if they're measuring one specific thing, so you can be that fun guy who brings the carbon dioxide detector to the party if you want. But if you just want to keep track of your home or surrounding area, that's not necessary. If you really get into this stuff, some monitors come with apps and connect to other devices and fun things like that.

I won't really get into specifics of different air quality monitors; it depends what you're looking for and what your budget is, and Googling "best air quality monitors" or "best (insert specific air issue) monitor" will give you some good information there.

But I'll provide my own air quality monitor as an example of how this can apply to a specific person's life, and hopefully it doesn't come off too much like a plug.

For a while I've been struggling with some vague health symptoms: fatigue, headaches, trouble focusing. Obviously there are a lot of things that aren't air quality that can cause that, and I don't have known respiratory issues or any other reason to think I'm especially sensitive to these things, but I wanted to cover the air quality angle of things too, just in case. And I was willing to plop some money down on this, but not quite the full several hundred dollars of the most high-end ones.

We've already got a basic carbon monoxide detector in the house, never had the alarm go off, no real reason to think our appliances might be having issues there. But my room was recently painted, and we've had some recent renovations in the house besides that, so VOCs were on my radar.

I went with a Qingping brand air monitor for about $130. It tracks particulate matter (PM2.5), VOCs, and CO2, as well as temperature and humidity. There's some simple green/yellow/red color coding, not a lot of frills, it's small but not exactly portable, but it covers a fair bit of ground while being cheaper than a lot of the higher-end, big-brand stuff.

I wasn't really planning on using the CO2 tracking much, but it turns out my room's great at keeping air in and not letting it out, and after a night where several pets have been sharing the bed with me, the levels can get on the high end. (I've seen levels higher than 2500 ppm a number of times--for reference, that's the high end of some of those studies I shared in the earlier post, so it could definitely be interfering with my sleep and concentration when I hang out there!) But turning on the fan or cracking a window generally gets levels down. I'm thinking about having someone clean our ducts, too--it hasn't been done in the over 30 years my parents have owned this house, and that could be part of the reason my room's so bad about keeping air in it.

VOCs, on the other hand, were a lot of why I got the monitor, but haven't been a major issue, except right after my room got painted or right after our house cleaners stop by. They tend to stay in the vague yellow range, where it's not great but not horrible, and aside from house cleaning and that one time my room got painted, I can't easily tie this to anything in particular going to cause it.

Particulate matter... I used to joke that it was just a good way of knowing whether my parents have smoked pot inside lately. (It's legal here and I'm not judging, and it never caused really dangerous levels of PM or stuck around long, but I could definitely see the spike when it happened.) Then the Canadian wildfires hit, and. Well. Now it helps me know when to close the windows to keep the wildfire smoke out. And reminds me that there's a reason my eyes were watering when I took that walk outside.

As a snapshot of the current data here: PM2.5 is up to 104 μg/m3, which is orange-red on the monitor--we did cook breakfast inside a few hours ago, which might've made some smoke, and I think my parents let a lot of outside air in when they were coming and going a few minutes ago, and it's definitely a day where the Canadian wildfire smoke traveled down here and made itself a problem. Might skip my daily walk today with that in mind. VOCs are 2.072 mg/m2, or yellow on the monitor... but I never really know what to do with that information, honestly, since it's such a big category with so many possible sources. CO2 is 1173 ppm, or yellow--I've got pets in the room with me, but the fan's keeping air moving, though it's still not down as low as I'd like it.

I'm enough of an air quality nerd that I've actually made a spreadsheet where I log my chronic headaches and the VOCs and CO2 levels at the time of the log. (Not PM--that's not usually a headache thing, I don't think, and it wasn't an ongoing concern here pre-wildfires.) It looks like there's a bit of a correlation there, but not a huge one, and it might still be too early to know for sure. I've also got a cheap digital barometer and log the air pressure in there, too. I've always suspected my headaches came with the storms, and that does seem to be supported by the data, with lower air pressure leading to worse headaches.

And actually, come to think of it, I might go look into one of those one-off tests for radon. A neighbor mentioned having issues with it in her house, I don't think we ever had it checked since moving in, and it's definitely something I want to know about, especially with my dad's asthma.

I do check AirNow now and then, and actually we've got one of those smart home devices (not my choice) which has AQI (air quality index--basic overall air quality tracker, generally focused on particulate matter and ozone outside) listed on it right with the weather, and I generally check that before heading out for a walk or anything else where I'll be spending a good chunk of time outside.

So... hopefully somewhere in there is information that'll help you, anon!

[sparkgaragedoorssanta]

Essential Garage Door Care Tips Every Santa Clarita Homeowner Should Follow

Your garage door is one of the most frequently used parts of your home. It opens and closes multiple times a day, shielding your vehicle and belongings while offering a secure entry to your house. Yet, like many household systems, garage doors often go unnoticed—until something goes wrong. Regular maintenance and smart care can help you avoid unexpected breakdowns and costly repairs.

Whether you’ve recently installed a new garage door or you’ve been using the same one for years, following a few essential tips can extend its lifespan and keep it running smoothly. Here’s a comprehensive guide every Santa Clarita homeowner should follow to ensure their garage door stays in excellent shape year-round.

1. Inspect Your Garage Door Monthly

A simple visual inspection once a month can catch early signs of wear and tear before they turn into serious problems. Look for:

Rust or corrosion on springs, hinges, or cables

Cracks or warping in the panels

Loose bolts or screws

Fraying cables or worn-out rollers

Operate the door a few times and listen for unusual sounds. Grinding, squeaking, or scraping noises can indicate something is off. If you hear anything unusual, it may be time to schedule a Garage Door Service to prevent further damage.

2. Test the Balance of the Door

An unbalanced garage door puts strain on the opener and other components. To test the balance:

Disconnect the opener by pulling the release handle (usually a red cord).

Manually lift the door halfway and let go.

If the door stays in place, it’s balanced. If it falls or rises, the springs might need adjustment. This is not a DIY fix. Contact a professional for Garage Door Repair Santa Clarita to handle the springs safely.

3. Lubricate Moving Parts Regularly

Proper lubrication can add years to your garage door’s lifespan. Every three to six months, apply a garage door-specific lubricant to:

Hinges

Springs

Rollers

Tracks (but only lightly, if at all)

Avoid using WD-40. It’s a cleaner, not a lubricant. Choose silicone or lithium-based sprays for the best results.

4. Tighten Up Hardware

Because garage doors go up and down multiple times daily, they experience a lot of vibration. Over time, this can loosen nuts, bolts, and brackets. Use a socket wrench to tighten these parts:

Roller brackets

Track brackets

Bolts on the opener system

Regularly tightening these parts keeps the door stable and safe.

5. Clean and Check the Tracks

Tracks guide the garage door rollers. If dirt, debris, or rust build up, your door might not open or close properly. Inspect the tracks on both sides and:

Wipe them down with a damp cloth

Remove debris

Check for bends or warps

If you notice severe damage, don’t attempt to fix it yourself. Call a technician offering Garage Door Repair in Santa Clarita to realign or replace the track.

6. Replace Weatherstripping When Needed

Weatherstripping at the bottom of the door helps keep out water, dirt, and pests while maintaining your home’s energy efficiency. Over time, it can crack, wear out, or detach. Inspect it regularly and:

Replace if it's brittle, cracked, or missing

Use a rubber or vinyl strip for long-lasting protection

Installing new weatherstripping is a relatively easy DIY task, but if you're unsure, a local Garage Door Service provider can assist.

7. Test the Auto-Reverse Safety Feature

Modern garage doors come with an auto-reverse function to prevent accidents. This feature should be tested every couple of months:

Mechanical Test:

Place a small object (like a roll of paper towels) in the door’s path.

Close the door. It should reverse immediately when it touches the object.

Photo Eye Sensor Test:

Use your hand to break the beam of the sensor while the door is closing.

The door should stop and reverse.

If either test fails, contact a professional right away. Safety features are crucial, especially if you have kids or pets.

8. Keep the Door Clean and Painted

Garage doors are exposed to the elements daily. Cleaning and painting your door not only boosts curb appeal but also protects it from rust and weather damage.

Wash with mild soap and water

Rinse and dry completely

Touch up paint as needed

Repaint wooden doors every few years

Cleaning also gives you a chance to inspect for surface damage you might miss otherwise.

9. Don’t Neglect the Opener

Garage door openers need care too. Check the following every few months:

Battery in the remote control – Replace as needed.

LED lights or backup batteries – Ensure they're functional.

Chain or belt drive – Inspect for tension and lubrication.

Safety sensors – Keep them aligned and clean.

Most modern openers need very little maintenance, but a quick inspection now and then ensures you won’t get stuck outside in the rain.

10. Schedule Annual Professional Maintenance

Even if everything seems to be working fine, it’s wise to schedule a professional Garage Door Service once a year. A trained technician can:

Adjust and lubricate components

Test the safety systems

Inspect and replace worn parts

Ensure everything is running efficiently

Preventive maintenance saves you money by avoiding costly emergency repairs and keeps your door functioning reliably.

11. Recognize the Signs That You Need a Repair

Despite your best efforts, garage doors can still break down. Some signs that it’s time to call for Garage Door Repair Santa Clarita include:

Door doesn’t open or close completely

Makes loud or unusual noises

Jerky or slow movement

Sagging door sections

Door comes off its tracks

When these issues arise, it’s best to avoid DIY fixes and let experienced professionals handle the problem.

12. Safety First: Don’t DIY Everything

Some garage door maintenance tasks are simple and safe for homeowners, like lubricating parts or tightening bolts. But other jobs—especially those involving springs, cables, and high-tension parts—should be left to trained professionals.

Attempting repairs on your own could lead to injury or further damage to the system. If you're unsure, always contact a trusted technician for assistance.

Conclusion

Taking good care of your garage door isn’t just about convenience—it’s about safety, security, and long-term savings. With just a bit of regular attention and maintenance, you can keep your garage door services running smoothly for years to come.

From testing the balance to lubricating the rollers, each of these simple steps plays an important role in ensuring the functionality and safety of your garage door. When issues arise that are beyond your scope, don’t hesitate to reach out for expert help.

For dependable and professional Garage Door Service or Garage Door Repair in Santa Clarita, trust the experienced team at Spark Garage Door Repair Santa Clarita. With expert technicians and a commitment to quality, they’re here to keep your garage door in top shape—so you don’t have to worry about a thing.

Spark Garage Door Repair Santa Clarita 22777 Lyons Ave #201, Santa Clarita, CA 91321, United States (661) 485-4280 https://sparkgaragedoorssantaclarita.com/

[marcomarconii]

10 Nutrition Rules I Follow (No Diet Needed) 📝

➡️ Diets are temporary fixes that leave you feeling deprived. But if you want long-term results, it’s all about habits. Here are 10 simple nutrition rules that changed everything for me.

1️⃣ Eat Real Food, Not Labels

➡️ If it comes in a box with a long ingredient list, it’s probably not the best choice. Eat whole foods like fruits, veggies, lean proteins, and whole grains. Your body knows how to process real food way better than anything artificial.

💡Shop the perimeter of the grocery store. That’s where you’ll find whole foods. Avoid the middle aisles where most processed foods are.

2️⃣ Protein With Every Meal

➡️ Protein isn’t just for muscle growth. It keeps you full and satisfied. Including it in every meal means fewer cravings and more energy throughout the day.

💡Add a source of protein to every meal, like eggs, chicken, tofu, or Greek yogurt. It makes a big difference in keeping hunger at bay.

3️⃣ Hydrate Like Your Life Depends On It (Because It Does)

➡️ Dehydration often shows up as hunger. Drinking water consistently keeps you energized, improves your workouts, and reduces unnecessary snacking.

💡Carry a water bottle with you always. Aim for at least 8 cups of water a day, more if you’re active.

4️⃣ Don’t Fear Carbs (Choose The Right Ones)

➡️ Carbs fuel your body, but not all carbs are created equal. Swap refined carbs like white bread for complex carbs like oats, sweet potatoes, and quinoa.

💡Switch to whole-grain bread or brown rice. Complex carbs keep you fuller and give you steady energy.

5️⃣ Fill Half Your Plate With Veggies

➡️ Veggies are low in calories and high in fiber, so you can eat more of them and keep your calorie intake in check. Plus, they’re packed with vitamins and minerals.

💡Make half of every meal vegetables—steamed, roasted, or fresh. It helps you stay full without overeating.

6️⃣ Eat Mindfully

➡️ Slow down and enjoy your food. When you eat mindfully, you’re more in tune with your body’s hunger cues and less likely to overeat.

💡Put your fork down between bites and avoid distractions like TV. It helps you enjoy your meal and recognize when you’re full.

7️⃣ Balance is Key—Follow The 80/20 Rule

➡️ You don’t have to eat ideally all the time. Eating well 80% of the time and enjoying treats 20% of the time makes your nutrition sustainable and life a lot more enjoyable.

💡Allow yourself to enjoy your favorite foods in moderation. Plan a treat or two a week without guilt.

8️⃣ Cook at Home as Much as Possible

➡️ Home-cooked meals are always healthier than takeout. You control the ingredients and portions and can avoid hidden sugars or unhealthy fats.

💡Prep simple, easy-to-cook meals on Sundays. Even cooking two to three times a week makes a big difference.

9️⃣ Listen To Your Body, Not The Clock

➡️ Forget the old “3 meals a day” rule. Eat when you’re hungry and stop when you’re full. Learning to listen to your body is key to not overeating.

💡Rate your hunger on a scale of 1-10 before eating. Eat when you’re genuinely hungry, not out of boredom.

🔟 Don’t Drink Your Calories

➡️ Sugary drinks are the sneakiest source of extra calories. Soda, sweetened coffee, and even juices can add hundreds of unnecessary calories to your daily diet.

💡Swap sugary drinks for water, herbal tea, or black coffee. Your waistline will thank you.

➡️ Nutrition isn’t about strict diets or feeling deprived. It’s about creating small, lasting habits that support your health and help you reach your goals.

📌 P.S. Know someone struggling with nutrition? Repost this to help them make healthy changes♻️ For more nutrition tips, check my weekly newsletter here: https://marcomarconii.kit.com/eac0f41c6a 📬

[blograkeshlove]

3 Tips that Helped Me Improve my Maths Quickly as a Student

Back in middle school there was a time when I struggled a lot with mathematics. For months I felt like I could not do anything about it when finally things started getting better.

Here are three tips that helped me improve my maths quickly as a student:

I started taking private maths classes from a home tutor near me from Home Tutor Kolkata tutoring agency.

I got a lot of help from a few people like my tutor and a few friends for this point to happen. Basically, I need to get over maths anxiety and I could only do that after I stopped equating maths and my report card with my intelligence. I gradually started enjoying the subject.

Practise the sums regularly but not as a drill or a chore. Instead fix an attainable goal and approach your workload as an exercise that you enjoy.

As simple as it sounds, this is what helped me improve my maths. Last but not least, I have to mention my tutor again because without their support I could never have been able to  do so well.