#apply for barcode

[gay-ppl-real]

The Co-Op has decided I'm underqualified to work at their shop without having given me a chance to send them my CV LMFAO

[em1i2a3]

can you do bob x reader where he sees us interacting with a child and it makes him want to be a father so bad?

It’s You I’m Thinking Of

Pairing: Bob/Robert Reynolds/ The Sentry/The Void x Thunderbolt!Fem!Reader

Summary: Valentina organizes a PR event for the Thunderbolts and during the event Bob realizes that he may want more out of life than just saving the world.

Warnings: Semi-Spoilers for Thunderbolts because of Bob’s involvement and because some events are mentioned in passing. Fluff, a hint of Angst and an Established Relationship is at the forefront here.

Author's Note: Surprise, it’s double update day…Because I had this in my drafts and forgot to post it…YIKES. I found this to be so fluffy and cute to write! Thank you so much for the request! I loved writing this a lot!

Word Count: 3,805

Valentina had called it a “Visibility Effort,” which–as far as Bob was concerned–was just a polished way of saying: “I need people to stop thinking you guys are monsters, so go smile for the cameras and pretend you guys didn’t almost destroy New York City a year ago.”

The Thunderbolts had only just begun to scrape their way back into the public’s good graces after the Void. If grace could even be applied to a team that, not long ago, had been seen as volatile assets in containment rather than heroes in recovery. But Valentina didn’t care about semantics–she cared about optics. And what better way to scrub down their image than to host a carefully staged, feel-good community day in a public park–complete with banners, press kits, and security briefings disguised as media rundowns.

The day before, you and the rest of the team had been sweating under the sun, assembling the layout from the ground up. Tent poles groaned in the wind, tarps snapped against knuckles, and the oversized bouncy castle–more akin to a pop-up cathedral–took three hours to stabilize. It loomed over the field like a surreal monument to liability.

By sundown, the park had been transformed.

Face-painting booths stretched along the paved path like an art market in miniature, each tent hung with paper lanterns and garlands of plastic ivy. A ring toss area had been set up beside a small prize table, its wares still barcoded and smelling faintly of plastic and lemon cleaner. Further down, a row of food trucks idled along the lot’s edge, the air thick with fried batter and roasted peanuts, preparing for the next day. A banner, bold and hopeful, rippled above the main walkway: THUNDERBOLTS COMMUNITY GIVEBACK DAY!

The park was bustling before noon the next day.

Children darted between booths with faces half-painted and shoes untied. Parents loitered on benches, plastic cups of lemonade in hand, cautiously optimistic about letting their kids near a group of enhanced individuals who, six months ago, were being referred to as national liabilities. Still, smiles came easier than expected. The air smelled like kettle corn, sun-warmed vinyl, and freshly cut grass.

Valentina had positioned her pawns with precision, each member of the team slotted into a role meant to soften their image–familiar, friendly, safe.

Yelena was stationed at the face-painting table. She didn’t argue when she was assigned to it, though she rolled her eyes hard enough that everyone could basically hear it. Now, seated with a paintbrush balanced between her fingers, she looked…Focused. Delicate even. She painted dragons, daisies, and one incredibly accurate depiction of Bucky’s old Winter Soldier face paint layout. She didn’t say much unless spoken to, but the kids flocked to her. Her bluntness came off as hilarious to them. Her gentleness? Earned in silence.

Walker manned the obstacle course–one of the only areas Valentina trusted him not to overcomplicate. With his sleeves rolled up and clipboard tucked under his arm, he barked out encouragements that sounded suspiciously like bootcamp commands. But he was patient. He let kids redo the course as many times as they wanted. And when one boy tripped near the finish line, Walker helped him up without hesitation and whispered something that made the kid’s chest puff with pride.

Ava floated between stations like an unofficial supervisor. She had no designated role, but her presence was felt and it was heavy. She hovered near the cotton candy vendor long enough to be offered a free sample, then spent ten minutes helping a little girl reattach the wheel to her toy stroller. Ava didn’t smile often, but she kept her sunglasses off today. It mattered more than anyone would admit.

Alexei had placed himself right in the center of the park’s open lawn, surrounded by children wielding foam swords. He was absolutely in his element. Towering, loud, enthusiastic. He let them “ambush” him over and over again, dramatically collapsing onto the grass as they tackled him, crying out in mock defeat with every fall. When one kid asked if he was Santa, Alexei laughed so hard he nearly swallowed a whistle. He’d fashioned a red Thunderbolts cap to resemble something almost festive. No one stopped him.

Bucky was at the photo booth. Not because Valentina assigned it to him–but because he asked. Quietly. Just once. And when she raised a brow, he explained:

“Kids like the arm. Makes them feel like they’re meeting a real superhero.”

No one argued with that.

He stood beside the printed backdrop of a Thunderbolts mural, his vibranium arm resting lightly at his side. At first, only a few families came by. Then word got around. By midday, there was a line curling around the booth. Bucky posed with toddlers who clung to his leg, tweens who wanted to see if he could lift them with his arm alone, and teens who just wanted proof they’d stood next to him. He let them. All of them.

And you–you’d been running the craft tent since the gates opened. Low folding tables filled with paper crowns, pipe cleaners, sticker sheets, and markers with their caps long lost to time. You moved between projects with practiced ease, coaxing confidence out of even the shyest children. One girl in a purple tutu had stuck to your side all morning, proudly referring to you as “Miss Thunderbolt” like it was an official title.

Bob on the other hand…Wasn’t assigned a booth.

Valentina had called it a “strategic decision”–which meant don’t scare the kids. She hadn’t said it outright, of course, but Bob understood the subtext. The others had made peace with their reputations, learned how to bend their edges into something palatable. Bob’s problem wasn’t sharpness. It was scale. People didn’t look at him and see a man. They saw The Void. A storm in a body. The thing that turned Manhattan’s sky black almost a year ago. Or they saw him as Golden Boy Sentry, which he rarely presented himself as now because all of that was dormant since the incident, so he was just Bob, and unfortunately nobody was really interested in just Bob.

Except you of course.

You had grown extremely close to him throughout the time he was recovering from the incident. You would stay back from missions just to keep him company, and within those small moments, the two of you grew a bond and became inseparable.

It wasn’t dramatic. There was no big declaration, no kiss in the rain, no sweeping hand grab before battle. It was subtle–gentle, even. A shared quiet. The way you waited for him to speak on his own terms. The way you handed him warm drinks without comment and sat beside him on the floor of his room during the worst days, and just held him or smoothed his hair down. The way you always reached for his hand under the table when Valentina debriefed the team about “public image,” like you were grounding yourself in him, not the other way around.

It started with one date. A walk. A drink from the local coffee shop that you used two straws for. A movie you barely paid attention to because Bob had cried halfway through and apologized for it, and you’d told him, “I’d rather watch you feel something than watch the movie anyway.”

Now it had been nearly a year.

A quiet year. A healing one. A year where Bob–somehow–had begun to believe that maybe he wasn’t made just for disaster. Maybe he was allowed to want softness. Warmth. You.

So he stayed near you now, just like he always did. Even in the middle of this pastel-bright circus of a public relations stunt, even with the buzzing press cameras and the thunder of kids’ shoes over packed grass–he stood a few feet behind your tent. Watching quietly like he always did.

You didn’t need him to be part of the event. You didn’t ask him to engage. You just wanted him to be close and hover around you. And every so often, you’d glance over your shoulder and give him a little smile–soft, unhurried, like a tether that reminded him that he was still on your mind.

That’s what he was doing when it happened.

You were helping a child–maybe four, maybe five–cut out the outline of a star from glitter paper. She was sitting in your lap, legs swinging off the edge of the bench, her small fingers clumsy around the safety scissors. You guided her hands with your own, gentle and patient, your chin tucked down as you murmured something too soft for him to hear. The girl giggled. You smiled. And Bob felt something in his chest fracture.

It bloomed sharp and sudden, like a crack in glass that spiderwebbed behind his ribs before he could stop it. A low, aching pressure that pulsed under his skin and settled into his throat. He couldn’t look away from you. From the way the little girl leaned back against your chest, utterly content, while you helped her snip the edges of her glittery star. Your voice was low, your hand steady on hers, and when she got frustrated, you smiled and told her it was perfect just the way it was.

And the little girl–she believed you.

Bob watched her beam like she’d just won a medal, then twist to throw her arms around your neck. You hugged her back instinctively, without missing a beat, without needing to think about it.

And just like that, Bob saw it.

Not as a fantasy. Not as a warm, fuzzy, distant dream.

He saw you. Sitting in a living room. Soft lamplight across your shoulders. A child curled into your lap with a crayon clutched in one hand and a juice box in the other. Your hair a mess from the day, a blanket half-draped over both of you. And him in the doorway. Holding a book in his hand that he’d forgotten to read, too caught up in the simple, breathtaking fact that this was his life. That somehow, impossibly, he’d made it here.

His throat tightened.

The thought came quietly, like breath fogging glass:

He wanted this.

He wanted you. A child. A family. Not someday, not maybe. Just–yes. He wanted tiny shoes in the hallway. A swing set in a yard. A sleepy voice calling him Dad. He wanted your laughter in a kitchen filled with baby wipes and half-assembled toys. He wanted something that was his and yours and no one else’s.

But right on the heels of that beautiful, terrifying longing came something cold and heavy.

Fear.

He swallowed, hard.

His father’s voice echoed somewhere in the dark part of his memory–low, sharp, filled with the kind of disgust that was harder to forget than fists. He could still hear the way the floor creaked before a bad night. The sting of being told he was nothing. How love only showed up with bruises attached.

Bob’s stomach twisted.

What if I turn into him? He thought.

He didn’t think he would. He knew–rationally–that he wasn’t the same. He didn’t drink. He didn’t shout. He couldn’t even raise his voice without wincing at the echo. He loved gently. He loved softly. But fear didn’t care about facts. It sunk into his lungs anyway.

What if something in him broke? What if the Void came back and he couldn’t stop it? What if one day he opened his eyes and the sky was black again, and the only thing he’d ever loved was looking up at him, afraid?

He could never live with that.

Never.

And yet–

You turned slightly, and caught Bob’s eyes across the grass. You smiled at him–something so simple, so safe–and in that moment, the fear didn’t disappear, but it softened.

Because you weren’t afraid of him.

You’d never been.

Even on the days he didn’t like himself, you liked him. Even when he flinched at his own reflection, you reached for his hand and rested your chin on his shoulder. You didn’t see The Void. You didn’t see the Sentry. You just saw Bob–the man who carried your snacks in his hoodie pocket just in case you got hungry when you went out, who still got bashful when you looked at him for too long, who curled into you at night like you were the only thing that had ever made sense in his life.

Bob’s hand gripped the edge of the canopy pole beside him, just to ground himself.

He wanted to go to you right then and there just to say it. To whisper something clumsy like, “I want to build a life with you. A whole one. With glue-stained paper crowns and messy bedrooms and bedtime songs.”

But he stayed still.

Too scared to break the moment.

Too scared it might not be his to want.

—————————

Later, when the event was winding down, and the sky had shifted to gold and mauve and soft watercolor blues, Bob found you sitting on the grass alone near the now-abandoned craft table, peeling dried glue off your fingers and watching a few leftover kids chase bubbles across the park. He moved towards you slowly, and his looming presence immediately got your attention.

You stopped picking at the glue on your fingers and looked up at him instantly.

”Well, hey stranger.” Bob gave a quiet huff of a laugh at the greeting and smiled down at you, shoving his hands into his hoodie pockets, “You gonna sit down or are you going to just stand there and stare?” You joked, patting the patch of open grass beside you. He hesitated for a second before lowering himself beside you, knees folding awkwardly in the grass. You watched him for a moment, then leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek–light, and lingering, your lips warm against the wind-chilled skin just below his eye.

“I haven’t been able to do that all day,” You said softly, almost teasing, but the affection behind it was unmistakable.

Before Bob could even respond, you leaned in and pressed another kiss to the corner of his jaw, then to his temple, and then one right between his brows where they had scrunched up, each kiss softer and slower than the last.

By the time you pulled back, Bob’s cheeks were as red as a rose, and they had become warm, and his smile had curled wide and helpless across his face, because to him your affections were always welcome.

”Y-You’re gonna make me explode,” He mumbled, voice thick with love as he turned to hide his burning face against the shoulder of his hoodie, “This is h-how I die.” He stumbled, looking over at you with those big blue eyes you couldn’t help but stare into every night.

“Death by affection sounds like a dream to me.” You laughed, slipping your hand up to cup his cheek, to turn his face towards yours so he was looking at you directly.

“Y-You know I’m a fragile m-man.” You snorted at his comment.

”I know Sentry is dormant but you’re technically the strongest person on Earth.” You said, giving him a knowing look. “I don’t think you’re fragile.” Bob gave a breathy little laugh, his pupils blown out from how close you were.

”Y-Yeah, well…D-Don’t flatter me too much…You’ll make me f-fall in love with you or s-something.” You raised your brows at him, seeing his cheeks go an even deeper red, “I-I mean–more. Like…More in love with you.” You smiled, so warmly it made his breath catch in his throat, you could hear it.

”Almost a year in,” You whispered, brushing your nose gently against his, “And you still get all flustered with me…I love it.”

And you kissed him–gently, fully, your mouth warm and sure on his. Bob melted. His whole body slackened like your kiss had pulled all the tension right out of him. He groaned quietly and let himself fall back into the grass with a helpless thump, hoodie riding up slightly at the hem, his eyes fluttering closed like he was physically overwhelmed. You laughed lightly and laid down beside him, turning your head so you were looking at him and all his glory, feeling his hand find yours, lacing his fingers between yours instantly.

The sky above you was dimming into deeper blues now, streaked with soft brushstrokes of pink and violet. The hum of the event had finally died out completely. You could still hear the occasional giggle of a child somewhere off in the distance, but for the most part, it felt like you two were the last ones left in the park. Like the whole day had been waiting to exhale.

Bob stared up at the clouds for a moment, before letting out a small sigh.

”C-Can I ask you something…Kind of b-big?” Your eyes studied him for a moment, tracing the way his brows furrowed gently, like he was already halfway to apologizing for whatever he was about to say. Like he was bracing himself to ruin something just by saying it.

“Of course,” You replied, your voice just above a whisper, slowly growing more and more concerned with each moment that passed in silence.

Bob just kept looking up at the sky like the words were written somewhere in the clouds and he just had to find them. His thumb rubbed slow circles against your knuckles.

”Have you ever thought about…Us?” He swallowed, “I mean–not just us, b-but more like…A family.” You raised your eyebrows slowly, turning onto your side so you could face him fully, still holding his hand, waiting for him to elaborate.

“I–I watched you today,” He whispered. “With that little girl in your lap. And it didn’t feel far away…It didn’t feel like someone else’s life. It felt like something I could…Want.”

Your heart gave a soft, aching pull at that.

“I want it,” He admitted, voice trembling. “I want it so bad it scares me. You, a kid–us. A home. Not perfect. Not polished. Just ours. Something warm. Something safe.”

You reached up and gently tucked a strand of his hair behind his ear, your fingertips trailing along his temple. He leaned into the touch like it soothed something he couldn’t name.

“I want that too,” You said. “Not tomorrow. Not next week. But one day. When things are a little quieter, when the world doesn’t need us to carry it. I want that with you, Bob.” He nodded, like he was trying to let the hope settle in–but his eyes were still stormy at the edges.

“But what if…” He swallowed. “What if I’m not good at it? What if I…Mess it up l–like I always do? What if I hurt them? What if something in me snaps and I—”

“Hey,” You cut in gently, reaching up to cradle his cheek. “Look at me.”

He did, reluctantly, his blue eyes wide and full of unshed fear, tears filling up in the corners threatening to spill at any moment.

“You’re not like your father at all Bob, you’re not him.” You said, your voice steady and firm.

”Y-You don’t know that,” He whispered, his eyes glancing away at you, making you chase his gaze a bit so he could look at you.

”I do know that…Because I know you. Because I’ve watched you fall asleep holding my hand. Because you carry two different granola bar options in your hoodie pocket in case I want a choice. Because you always refill the toothpaste without me asking. Because when I’m upset, you don’t try to fix it–you just stay with me. Quietly. Constantly.” Bob blinked, his lip trembling ever so slightly.

“You don’t lash out, Bob. You lean in,” You said. “You don’t shut down. You open up, even when it scares you. You feel everything so deeply, and you never make anyone pay for it.” His brow furrowed and he looked down, overwhelmed, like he didn’t know what to do with the weight of that truth.

You brought his hand up to your lips and pressed a kiss to his knuckles, then whispered into the space between you:

“You already take care of me in a thousand tiny ways. You love gently. That’s why I trust you with my soul.”

He let out a shaky breath, and the hand that held yours tightened just a little more. He nodded faintly, like he was still catching up to the truth you’d handed him–like he wasn’t sure if he deserved it, but he was holding it anyway.

You reached up, your thumb brushing delicately at the corners of his eyes, wiping away the tears that had gathered without pressure or embarrassment. Just care.

“You cry so pretty, you know that?” You whispered, a little playful, attempting to lift the mood just a bit.

Bob let out a short, breathy laugh–surprised and soft. “Th-That’s not a real thing.”

“It is when you do it,” You smiled, leaning closer, your voice light but laced with everything you meant. “You’re beautiful when you feel things.”

He looked at you like you’d just handed him a future and told him it already belonged to him. Like no one had ever said that to him before–and he wasn’t sure he’d ever recover from it.

You leaned in and kissed him, slow and sure, lips pressed to his like you had time. Like you weren’t afraid to show him just how loved he was.

And when you pulled back, your forehead stayed pressed against his, your breath brushing his lips as you whispered:

“You’d be the safest place a little soul could ever grow.”

Bob let out another shaky breath, and this time he smiled–full, unguarded, like something inside him had just settled for the first time.

“Only if it’s with you,” He said quietly.

You nodded, your fingers lacing tighter with his.

“Then we’ll build it,” You whispered. “Slow and messy and ours.”

And beneath a darkening sky painted with stars and leftover laughter, you lay together in the grass, your future unfolding between your palms like something sacred.

Just warm.

Just real.

Just home.

[phoenixortheflame]

Bound: The Favourites: A @mallstars Anthology

Typeset and bound by: me, @phoenixortheflame. Featuring art by: @basiatlu, @appleslightning, @reliand, @itsphantasmagoria, @faiell

Here's a little tidbit you should know about me: The first Drarry I ever read was Save the Date by mallstars. I had listened to a few before that, but the first one I actually downloaded to my e-reader and read front to back was STD.

It captivated me. It made me feel things. And it kicked off a record-breaking year of reading nearly 3 million words of Drarry fanfic.

Needless to say, I have a soft spot for mall and their work. And I'd seen a lot of binds of "Save the Date" and "Cut From the Sky," but not their other works. So.. enter the anthology.

I'm a big science fiction fan, so my designs kept skewing that genre. It didn't help that @basiatlu made this epic artwork, which she created in collaboration with mall for their sci-fi AU piece, Blood Orange.

I had already decided on a colour palette: orange, purple, and lavender (don't ask me why), and Bosh was an absolute legend to offer to adjust the colours of her original art to match. (Ty, Bosh!)

It was my first time using printable canvas as a wrap cover, and though there were a few, "oh, fuck" moments, ultimately it turned out really well, and I'll absolutely be doing it again.

I had planned not to do a dust jacket and instead apply the fic titles and anthology title directly onto the canvas with HTV. But then I got scared as shit that I would melt the canvas, and so I chose to leave the cover blank - and, honestly? - I'm super happy I did, because it really showcases the art.

Speaking of art... the typeset is brimming with it. From top-left we have art from @appleslightning, @reliand, @itsphantasmagoria, and @faiell.

The rest of the typeset is heavily influenced by science fiction aesthetic, as you can see with the fonts and my frankly excessive use of gradients. (Take a guess at how many ink cartridges I blew through.)

And the colour palette continued through to the bind itself in the end papers, as well as the end bands and speckled edges, which I achieved using acrylic ink and a toothbrush (thanks to @maleekamolscreates for holding my hand through the process!)

As always, I added a cheeky barcode.

I literally cannot help myself.

It's a line from one of my favourite mallstars one-shots, Birthright, in which Draco is a kleptomaniac. It's romantic! Really!

Also on the dust jacket flap is a buncha nice stuff people have said about mall and their work. (Looking at you, @fastbrother, @smehur, @desertforestfic, @tripably, @garagepaperback, @kk1smet.)

I hope you love it, mall!

[iceingms]

Whb iceberg.

We start from curiosities, data that we can realize at first sight and descend to the murky ones. I clarify that I will also attach non-canon theories.

• In hell, a hundred years have passed since Solomon disappeared, while, on earth, since 931 BC.

• Not only Solomon, but also God and Lilith.

• Satan has a barcode on his arm, and sleep with his eyes open.

• Death does not exist in Paradise Lost, because of Gamigin.

• Beel left Abyssos since Solomon's disappearance.

• Orias will never stop consuming souls. Youth is never eternal, and by obtaining Levi's soul, it would only stop it for a while.

• Satan has confirmed that he has lost his home.

• Angels can also be humanized.

(Theory)

• Ark Academy and whb are connected.

• Solomon also had to drink human semen to stay in hell.

• Demons are infertile. Except for kings, because they have enough power not to use Lilith.

• All six deadly sins are needed to defeat Lucifer.

• Demons and angels can change shape. It influence their emotions.

• Bael tries to be a copy of Beel. He must follow the shape-shifting, from hair dyeing to limb mutilation, because he made a deal.

• Minhyeok is no longer human. Due to Mc's deal with Satan, nothing can kill him while it is in effect.

(Theory)

• Gamigin and Serenade will never see each other again. Since they reside in different realities.

(Theory)

• Beel wants to eat Mc.

(Theory)

• Morax's skill. Absorbs wounds, even if they are fatal.

• Beel has eaten angels.

• Solomon can possess the bodies where his soul resides.

• In hell, crimes of all kinds can be committed, without being punished. This also applies in heaven.

• Bael's comic. He almost died for impersonating Beel. Still can't explain what happened.

• Solomon has all the filias. Even the most questionable ones.

• Angels have orgies.

• Christmas cards. It's sexual abuse.

• Leviathan is the first, and the one who has forced Mc the most to have sex.

• Beel has died thousands of times because of angels.

• Death lines. Canonically they die in battle.

• The Glassyalabolas filia.

• Solomon knows what happened to Lilith and God.

• Fruit of the tree of knowledge.

• God and Lilith are dead.

(Theory)

• The real Gamigin committed suicide.

• Ronove is going to take the fingers from Mc's corpse.

• Leviathan was going to end Solomon's lineage.

• Kamikaze angels.

• Jjok was abandoned in the forest to die.

• Buer, Morax and Marbas have died hundreds of times.

• Satan has anger problems that can kill Mc.

• Mammon and Valefor could kill Mc by accident if they apply the wrong force.

• Angelification is so painful that it breaks a demon's mind.

• Mc has a high probability of dying if ignores where may or not be in Paradise Lost. This implies that Lucifer can kill anyone with just a voice command.

• Demons were the first to experiment with angels.

• The massacres of the angels. This includes the demonic, angelic race and the near extinction of dragons.

• Andre's past. (He carried his twin's head for days.)

• The archangels will never get the punishment they deserve.

• Leviathan and Orias' constant abuse on the farm.

⛧✃✃✃⛧✁✁✁⛧✃✃✃⛧✁✁✁⛧

Does anyone else have any interesting or shady data?

It took me a day to gather information in my head, but that's it! I appreciate knowing that the shape-shifting is different, between angels, and Beel's camp.

Edit: Yeah, as soon as I realize my man is a walking red flag, it's confirmed that Levi baby never tries to have a forceful response from Mc, or tries to get her to ask him first.

[fuck-customers]

Customer came in to return a perfume.

- without the box aka no barcode or sku

- with a receipt for two lotions

I finally found the transaction via her credit card and a barcode from a box I ran to grab, and it was long past the thirty day return policy (which is WITH RECEIPT only anyway, so I was already trying to stretch/break policy for her) so could only do it as an exchange, but could apply it toward anything in the store. She was NOT happy with me, because she kept going off about how awful our perfumes all are and how this had been our last chance to redeem ourselves but we'd failed. And she's PISSED that it's exchange only and going off about how many of our perfumes she's tried and they're ALL awful.

And I'm like look I CANT give u a refund it's been over thirty days and there's no receipt (cue her waving the receipt for the LOTIONS in my face again) so I can't give a refund, only an exchange. Sighing and having a go at me and trying to guilt me about how long the line was isn't going to change anything.

Like I get that it sucks but also like. If you've been having bad experiences with our perfumes either stop buying them or keep the receipt??!

Posted by admin Rodney

[justabrick]

Cold wind of France

Bunch of loosely connected Mistral thoughts under cut:

So I've been wondering about Mistral's mannerisms and appearance. She looks like a Femme Fatale with capital "f", and yet we don't actually see her really utilize her charms to influence anybody. Sure, Dolzaev was simping, but it seems that it came through because of Mistral's general appearance, rather than her active effort of seducing him. After all, in his own words, Mistral's never told him anything along the lines of "I love you". Quite the opposite, the one interaction between them we see involves him pointing a gun at her angrily. My personal headcanon is that she's been killing either his men or prisoners for shits and giggles.

Another thing to consider is that all lyrics pertaining to love and other typical femme fatale activities have specifically been cut from "A Stranger I remain"

An excerpt:

So don't let me become the one you love

'Cause I'll just take your blood and use you up

Now this is deep into overanalysis territory, but hang on. If this in particular has been slashed, then it may mean that this doesn't really apply to Mistral. She's manipulative, sure, but the one time she could have used her charm to get what she wants she instead opts to use different means entirely. She didn't try to charm Khamsin into doing something dumb to get him killed, manipulating a UG was her chosen tactic.

And speaking of UGs, it seems that Mistral is Desperado's designated AI wrangler in general, and not only the tripods. There has to be a reason Sundowner pawned off Bladewolf to her, and her preference for the company of robots must be why.

So, looks like a Femme Fatale, has the mannerisms of one, but doesn't seduce anybody and seems to prefer to surround herself with a company immune to being swayed by lust or love.

You know...

I think Mistral is overcompensating more than anything else.

Think of it, she's been a soldier her entire adult life, most likely had to try and blend into the crowd by suppressing her femininity. Just another faceless figure hidden under a balaclava and a bulletproof vest, fighting for somebody else's ideals.

And by joining Desperado she's finally gained an opportunity to express an identity of her own. It means both the ideals, and the appearance.

I'll point it out here again. Those huge... tracts of land are at least partially fake.

So picture this, the moment cyborg tech freed her from a need for armor and combat fatigues, she went

Give me humongous melons

And proceeded to let them out in all their bouncy glory without any support even during fights. Add the built-in stilettos, dyed hair, eyeshadow, bbgirl pastel pink frosted lip, the way she walks and what we have is a woman simply indulging in all the girly fun she's been deprived of.

Men being distracted and falling for her is only a byproduct, she's doing all this for herself most and foremost. In most of those Bladewolf cutscenes she has no audience that would be affected by her theatrics, and yet she keeps up the exaggerated cat walk, seductive leg crossing and whatever this is

You can tell she's loving every moment fr.

And one small headcanon I have that is only vaguely related to the above is that the reason for her asymmetric hairstyle is the barcode on the left side of her forehead that she doesn't find particularly aesthetically pleasing. All other extensively augmented Desperado cyborgs have one, so she should as well.

[see-arcane]

Welp. Been a minute. Overdue for an update.

So.

The Depressing Bit

Going to go ahead and rip off the band-aids quick.

First off, I passed my one-year laidoffiversary a couple weeks back. Still no new job despite applying every day of the week for the past year. A lot of dead-end interviews. Three times as many scams and I don’t dare guess how many entirely false job openings posted by companies who were never hiring in the first place, but wanted the positions out in the open to scare their actual employees with the threat of being easily replaced and to look good to investors with the illusion of growth. So there’s that.

Then, while doing my taxes, I came to a fun little revelation.

You know my novella The Vampyres, ala eBook and paperback? Had its birthday last year, March 15th. As I plugged in my earnings from that book from Draft 2 Digital’s doc, I discovered I'd made a grand total of $278 from it over the course of 2024. Cool.

I paid $275 to purchase the ISBNs (International Standard Book Numbers) for the eBook and paperback respectively, and a barcode. Which would mean that I made approximately $3 in profit from The Vampyres after a year.

Except I also spent $25 on a ‘change token’ with Draft 2 Digital because I had to make an alteration to the book's interior.

Meaning I spent $300 total on self-publishing this book. And have so far made back $275 of it.

…

Still glad I did it. Still glad a few folks might someday come across it and enjoy the read. But it’s…yeah. Kind of a glum revelation with March 2025 coming up.

Still job hunting. Still writing. Still hoping and going.

Anyway.

New Stuff

Ko-Fi

Added a couple new options in with the doodles and fancier art bits if you want to take a gander.

Substack (For Now)

While I’ve been posting my chapter updates on my Substack for a bit, and my stuff is still going up there for the foreseeable future, I’m going to start shopping around for an alternative platform. Not a big fan of how Substack is apparently buddying up to Elongated Muskrat and his specific idea of ‘freedom of speech.’ The main things I’m looking for is a lack of price tag and easy usability. I’ll let everyone know if/when I make the switch to something better.

StoryGraph

The Vampyres is on StoryGraph (and so am I). I’d appreciate you leaving any reviews on there rather than Goodreads, the latter being one of Amazon’s Bezos Babies. Really, nice reviews anyplace where books are picked up will help, but do consider a hop to StoryGraph in particular.

Merchandise

One of my New Year’s Resolutions is finally setting up shop with a little merch. I want to make stationery and possibly some novelty mugs* as things to start with. I’m browsing around for a good manufacturer and shipping combo option while trying to 100% avoid Shopify or affiliated sites. Not real keen on them being fine with selling Nazi and MAGA merch. (Frankly not keen on how dodging Nazi infiltration has become a rote part of trying to ~Sell Myself~, but here we are.)

I’ll post prospective product pics once I have something solid. Cross your fingers for me.

*The mugs are mostly for me as I have a devastating addiction to charming drinkware. But I guess you guys can have some too.

???

I don’t really have anything salient to put here. I’m mostly just grateful to all my friends out there in the Internet abyss for sticking around and making all this feel a little less lonely. Thank you.

[beardedmrbean]

Facing fierce backlash for what critics condemned as the sexualization of children in their early teens, the producers of South Korea's "Under15" K-Pop audition show canceled the series shortly before its scheduled premiere on Monday evening.

In a statement on March 28, the Crea Studio production company said: "After deep consideration, we have decided that it will be best to cancel the scheduled broadcast and focus on protecting the participants and reorganizing the program."

"Moving forward, we will do our best to produce the program in a way that ensures the essence of the show is not damaged while making sure the sincerity of the participants is properly delivered," it added.

Given the anger aimed at Maeil Broadcasting Network (MBN) immediately after it released the first teasers for the new series, media analysts say the producers had little choice but to apply the brakes.

The show was marketed as a "K-Pop prodigy discovery initiative" and closely followed 59 young girls — all aged 15 or younger — as they competed to become the industry's next star.

"Promoting younger artists is not, of course, new in the entertainment industry," said Chuyun Oh, assistant professor of dance theory at San Diego State University and author of the book "K-Pop Dance."

Controversy over marketing children

"But one of the reasons this program has attracted controversy is that it explicitly advocates the girls' age, as the title implies, as a source of marketing," she told DW.

"Some of the audience — TV and online — are not happy about the show, including parents and teachers," Oh added.

"Their major concern is that the participants are minors but their dance, including movement, costume, facial expressions and so on are too mature as the girls would be replicating the choreography of the original K-Pop girl groups."

K-Pop frequently attracts criticism from some quarters over lyrics, moves or performances that are overly graphic.

For example, K-Pop star Jennie Kim was effectively canceled in South Korea after a particularly raunchy performance on HBO's series "The Idol." In another instance, CU, a singer with DimePiece, experienced a wardrobe malfunction during a live performance in 2017 and revealed too much.

For some in conservative South Korea, the sexualization of girls in their early teens on "Under15" was too much — and made worse by the girls' ages being highlighted on promotional posters in a barcode design that critics said reduced the girls to objects.

'Packaged and sold'

"It is not just a question of the sexuality of these girls being promoted that is causing problems, but the idea that they are products being packaged and sold," said David Tizzard, an assistant professor of education at Seoul Women's University and a columnist for a Korean daily focusing on social affairs.

"When it is adults that are being packaged in this way, then it is less of a problem," he added. "But because they are young, this is much more sensitive," he told DW.

He emphasizes, however, that using "sex to sell" is not new in South Korea or anywhere else in the world.

"BoA, sometimes called the 'Queen of K-Pop,' was 13 when she started out. But how old was Michael Jackson when he started performing? Or Britney Spears?" he asked.

"It could be argued that we live in a society that is a paradox of freedom at the same time that it is hyper moralistic."

Part of the problem for the producers of "Under15," he suggested, has been unfortunate timing.

In early March, media reports emerged that actor Kim Soo-hyun, 37, had dated actress Kim Sae-ron when she was 15 and a minor.

Kim Sae-ron was one of the most promising young performers in South Korea but she died by suicide in February at the age of 24.

Her parents have gone public with accusations that Kim Soo-hyun groomed their daughter, triggering a fierce backlash against the previously popular actor.

Kim Soo-hyun gave a tearful press conference of his own on Monday, confirming that the two had dated but claimed their relationship had only started after Kim Sae-ron had legally become an adult.

"I cannot admit something that I did not do," Kim told massed ranks of the media in Seoul. "I feel sorry that the late actress is not able to rest in peace."

'Entertainment industry is fascinated by youth'

Tizzard said Korean society "has been rocked by the suicide of Kim Sae-ron and now all the allegations that Kim Soo-hyun was dating her when she was still a minor, which perhaps puts what is happening with 'Under15' into greater context.

"People are hyper-sensitive about under-age girls in the K-Pop industry right now."

However, given that there will always be demand for the next fresh face on the K-Pop scene, there is little doubt that the industry will act to supply it.

"As anyone can imagine, the entertainment industry, from fashion to film, is fascinated by youth," said Oh. "K-pop is no exception as the younger they are, the more youthful their bodies are. And because K-pop is driven by dance performances, a physical activity, youth plays an even more significant role in boosting artists' charm, and therefore, their commercial value in the capitalist market."

*Editor's note: If you are suffering from serious emotional strain or suicidal thoughts, do not hesitate to seek professional help. You can find information on where to find such help, no matter where you live in the world, at www.befrienders.org.

[nareshkumartech]

The Evolution of Secure ID Features in Canadian Licenses

Canadian driver’s licenses have come a long way from being simple paper documents to highly sophisticated forms of identification. Today, they serve not just as proof of driving privileges but also as trusted government-issued IDs for everything from boarding a plane to opening a bank account. One of the key reasons they are so widely accepted is the constant evolution of security features built into them. Let’s take a look at how Canadian licenses have evolved to become some of the most secure forms of ID in the world.

1. Early Days: Basic Paper Licenses

In the early days, Canadian licenses were simple paper documents that included basic information: name, address, date of birth, and a photograph (sometimes stapled separately!). Security was minimal, making licenses easy to forge. At that time, the main concern was just proving that the holder was legally allowed to drive — not preventing identity theft or fraud.

However, as technology advanced and cases of fraud increased, governments realized the need for more sophisticated licenses.

2. Introduction of Plastic Cards and Photos

By the late 20th century, provinces began issuing plastic (PVC) cards with embedded photographs and magnetic strips. This change greatly improved durability and made it harder to tamper with licenses. Adding photographs was a major step toward making the license a true piece of personal identification, as it allowed authorities and businesses to visually verify the holder’s identity.

3. Holograms, Microprinting, and Barcodes

To combat forgery, licenses began to feature holographic overlays, microprinting, and 2D barcodes that store critical information digitally. Holograms, visible when tilted under light, are very difficult to replicate. Microprinting — tiny text only readable with magnification — added another layer of hidden security. Barcodes allowed fast electronic scanning by police and government agencies, making it easier to verify the validity of a license on the spot.

4. Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (EDLs)

Some provinces, such as Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec, introduced Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (EDLs). These contain radio-frequency identification (RFID) chips to allow secure land and sea border crossings between Canada and the U.S. An EDL functions both as a driver’s license and a limited travel document, meeting specific international security standards.

5. Smart Technology and Future Innovations

Today, discussions are underway about digital driver’s licenses — licenses you can store on your smartphone with enhanced encryption to prevent misuse. Provinces like Quebec and Ontario are exploring pilot programs for digital ID systems that would tie your license into a broader network of secure government services. Biometric authentication (such as facial recognition) is also being explored to further bolster license security in the future.

The evolution of secure ID features in Canadian licenses shows a commitment to protecting personal identity while enabling smooth access to government and private services. As new technologies emerge, you can expect even more innovation in the years ahead.

Want to stay ahead and understand everything about Canadian licensing? Whether you're applying for your first license or updating an existing one, LicensePrep.ca is your go-to source for detailed guides, practice tests, and the latest updates on ID requirements across Canada!

[bengiyo]

Dead Friend Forever Ep 5 Stray Thoughts

Last time, Fluke pulled the gun on the rest of them, possibly shot Top, and told their help that they no longer needed it before disabling the radio. Por bled out after Top removed the tree branch from his stomach. They believe Top may have been the masked murderer based on him having the motorbike. Jin dislocated his arm and may be trapped somewhere with Phee.

Looks like we’ve begun the flashback section. This is a good choice, because I was very burnt out on the cabin section. Three hours with those boys is enough.

Well, at least we get to see Us act again.

Finally, Barcode appears. I missed baby boy.

I appreciate that we know this whole project won’t end well. I don’t have to hope these terrible boys won’t be terrible to Non.

Curious what changes to make them start calling him by his name if they’re so insistent on calling him “Greasy.”

Oof, looks like things are not going great at home for Non’s family. Seems they can’t afford to take care of themselves and an older kid.

Why did Non get upset at the mention of New? Seems like the dad and Non aren’t in a bad place.

Did he just wipe his hand on Top after touching Non? I do not feel bad for your impending death, Por.

Non is also smart.

“Make sure Barcode smiles when he’s applying the sunblock. Even if he’s character is dour as all hell, we gotta get our ad in.”

Have we figured out what medicines Non is taking?

Interesting. Tee is getting pushed around by his loan shark uncle because he needs money for his dad’s medicine.

Did the judges react to Por’s family name or something?

Are these boys really salty that the guy who wrote their goddamn pitch is here to see the result? This is worrisomely representative of how some projects get made. This is partly why so many movies suck now.

Oh ho! Por’s dad is a politician as well. His death is going to be very bad for them if any of them survive.

They’ve had the camera for less than four hours and Top already broke it.

Looking forward to these guys somehow blaming this fuck up on Non…

Well, that didn’t take long. Is Tee going to spin this around to later convince Non to unlock that bank account for him?

Who brings a $5,500 camera to school in the first damn place? If Non is the killer, these fuckers will have earned it.

Baby boy, hang in there!

I want you all to know that I despise every iQIYI app and interface. This episode has crashed on me repeatedly and now the sub timing has desynced by at least seven seconds.

There it is. Tee, I hate you.

Goddamn! I am over these boys. I gotta watch them torment this boy for multiple episodes before he vanishes or dies?

[daeyeol4you]

The Chay Rewatch Ep. 4

As part of my KP Rewatch, I’m going to be commenting on each episode and analyzing the different Chay scenes. He’s my favorite character, and I thought I’d put down my thoughts (as well as timestamps for his scenes) as a fun way to express that.

Ep 1 & 2, Ep 3

This one is gonna be two-parter because Tumblr has character limits, please look at the reblog for part 2

Episode 4 - The Chay Drought ends, KimChay begins

Gang we are finally back to seeing Chay outside of the previously on segment

Y’all when I tell you I was so excited for this episode

I’m so intrigued by what Porsche says in the sauna. Nampueng why the hell did you say that to baby Porsche? It does develop her character beyond the silent attic wife trapped by Korn though. Clearly, growing up as an adopted child in the mafia world hardened her enough that she felt okay saying this to a child.

Also her saying this about Chay is very telling. Porsche is the heir, the one trapped by parental expectations in a world he doesn’t like (like Kinn???). He has the responsibility to bear whatever he has to in order for Chay to be free. Chay was always meant to be outside of the mafia narrative and escape in a way Nampueng knew her first born never could. Or maybe she wanted to raise a fighter and a strategist, who knows.

Time: 26:00 – 31:19 – Return of the Best Boi

Our longest Chay scene yet, this scene is so long and I kept pausing it to write down every thought in my head.

Chay, I thought we’d never see you again

Sidenote, what’s the name of the friend Chay is with? I think the fandom named him Ohm? Because I’ve seen that name used in fanfics

 “We’ve got a kind graduate that will share his experience with us.” – I know this may be a translation thing, but isn’t Kim still a student at this university? We see him on campus later on in the series getting ragged on for not going to classes, so did the MC actually mean senior? Or maybe he graduated and then is doing his master’s at the same school?

Also, very glad we somewhat got an age on Kim since if he’s a graduate or a senior that puts him in the 21-24 age range, and since Chay is looking at schools to apply to, he’s probably 18/19 age range (yes I know Barcode was younger than that at the time of filming, but Jeff is definitely older than 21-24 so I’m not going to go by actor age). Not the worst age difference, but definitely one that exists.

Chay’s Outfit: Chay immediately stands out in the crowd with his baby blue school uniform and khaki pants. Almost every other student is wearing a very, very pale pink or blue shirt with dark shorts or skirts. The viewer is immediately capable of picking out Chay among the crowd and keeping an eye on him, a hard thing for costuming to achieve when the scene is meant to be a bunch of students all dressed nearly the same. Also, Chay’s school crest says BOC International and he doesn’t have his name sewn onto his shirt like the rest of the students (I’m assuming those are names, if I’m wrong please correct me)

“Who’s that?” “It’s Wik. How could you not know?” – Chay babes, please don’t attack your bestie like that.

Chay’s friend not knowing who Wik is when Chay literally has a whole obsessive fanboy thing going on, very interesting. I understand this is to tell the audience who Wik is, but it also says a lot about Chay’s relationship with his friends. Chay is really good at hiding things when he wants to, we see that throughout the series. The only person he doesn’t really hide anything from is Kim, and that’s honestly partially because Chay has the self-confidence of a god and Kim likes ferreting out secrets.

“I want to study here because of him.” – Oh Chay, you cute little delulu stalker. I know this gets ignored because there are so many other, bigger red flags in this story, but Chay deadass stalks Kim. And no joke, Kim falls for him because of it and later stalks him back. Soulmate behavior I guess. Chay’s red flag is a high school story red flag instead of a mafia storyline red flag so it gets buried. And Chay’s friend 100% sees that. Bro nods his head while internally going damn the delulu runs deep in this one.

Kim’s Wik Outfit: The brown leather jacket with the red lining and silver studs, the insane amount of silver jewelry, the white pants! This is such an outfit. The tendrils of hair artfully hanging in his face. Good shit. Did I stare at Jeff’s hands to see if he was wearing his family ring? Yes, and I won’t be taking questions about it.

“I’ve realized that you’re my good memory. The empty calendar is now full of your name.” “Your laughter that makes me feel like it’s Friday.” - Now I want to dissect this song because this song foreshadows the KimChay relationship so hard, and you don’t really pay much attention to it during your initial viewing because obviously the viewer first time round has no idea what kind of angst KimChay is headed for. Why Don’t You Stay gets all of the praise (obviously she’s the work horse of this drama) while this song gets crumbs. Kim singing this song in front of the person he’s going to fall in love with, who turns into the one good thing in his life, who’s ‘tutoring sessions’ (i.e. the two spy missions and medley of dates afterward) take over his calendar, and who’s laughter makes his heart warm (and 100% haunts him after he makes Chay cry)

I’m really interested in how big of a star Wik is. Chay’s friend doesn’t know him, but he’s obviously popular enough that his university (probably in exchange for some extra credit since Kim skips so much) has him as a headliner for their open house. He even draws a good-sized crowd who seem very knowledgeable about his work not just randoms who are touring the school like Chay’s friend.

I’m sorry bowl cut, drumstick boy has the best reactions throughout this scene. During Wik’s performance, dude is rocking out, and his exuberant thumbs up to what Wik says kills me. He may not be as wild as Chay, but bro is a big Wik fan so I support him. In comparison, Chay is very calm and quiet while watching his idol. He only shows his emotions when he can’t answer the questions and rants about Wik’s MVs.

Kim comes off so cold throughout this scene. The look on his face after he finishes his bit and the MC comes back on stage is dead inside. He is done. He does not want to be here. He wants to go write some songs and add pictures to his conspiracy board. I’m not saying that Kim dislikes performing and being Wik, no. I just think Kim likes the music more than he likes the performance. The public persona of Wik definitely helps him stay away from Korn’s machinations, but I think if Kim could have his music without the people aspect of being a musician he would in a heartbeat. But he puts up with it to stay away from his father.

Chay knowing all of the answers and correcting people. The looks he give the people who answer instead of him is as close to murderous as he gets in this series. If not for the laws of this land and the fact that Porsche doesn’t let him have a knife, he would have stabbed a bitch.

Anyways, there’s my obsessive fan boy! I am not joking when I say Kim fell for him because of his obsessive stalker tendencies. And his friend hyping him up, saying he’ll get the next question, and even trying to get the MC to pick Chay when literally less than an hour ago he had no idea who Wik was or the scale of Chay’s obsession. Need me a friend like that.

Speaking of, the absolute change in Kim’s expression when Chay goes on his little tangent. Bro deadass finally had some life in his eyes. He is shook and falling in love all at the same time. MC has to nudge Kim to get him out of his heart eyes moment.

I maintain that if Kim hadn’t gone all Kimlock Holmes about Porchay being Porsche’s brother he still would have obsessed over the cute boy who has the same obsessive red flag as him. KimChay are freaks who love a bit of stalking.

Bowl Cut’s “Even I didn’t know that. Who the hell are you?” – bro does Wik only have obsessive fans? Also yes, fear Chay’s power Bowl Cut Boy.

I am not gonna lie Barcode towering over people around him is so funny to me. He is baby, but that baby is six feet tall.

Chay is so happy when Kim offers to give him something else!!

[weirdbooksifoundatwork]

More new DVD processing. I have to unpack hundreds of DVDs, open the cases, take the paper cover out and apply a bunch of stickers on it: barcode, sticker marking it property of the library, etc. One of the most crucial ones is the rating sticker, which all fictional visual media are required to have.

Fun fact: a bunch of movies and most TV shows come in ‘unrated’ and I need to ask the A/V guy to look up the ratings or, failing that, look up the content warnings on independent parental review websites and make his own determination. ‘Unrated’ can mean a bunch of things. A lot of independent movies come in unrated, and a lot of horror films seem to do it deliberately. Our Rule of Thumb is that if it’s got a bloody clown on the cover it’s probably an ‘R’

But every single Hallmark movie also comes unrated. Very silly to consider “Love in the Great Smoky Mountains: a National Park Romance” belonging to the same category as “Terrifier 2”, but such is the case.

We gave this one a ‘G’.

[fuck-customers]

Genuinely wish I could just tell customers "oh too bad, guess you don't get a coupon, then if you'retoo stupid to follow directions" when they refuse to follow my extremely simple step-by-step instructions on how to acquire coupons.

The steps, for reference:

1. Go to the app store and download the [store name] app

2. After you download the store app, you are required to set up an account with your email and set a password for the account. You will not be able to access any discounts at all unless you do this. (Yes it sucks, but I did not design the shit app)

3. After you've downloaded the app and made an account, go to the "coupons" page, which can be accessed through the button on the bottom middle of the app screen.

4. Scroll down to see all of the different coupons available today and show the cashier the one(s) that apply to your purchase. Or, simply show the cashier the screen and they will scroll through and scan all applicable coupons.

Or, alternatively:

1. Go to the store website on your browser-firefox, chrome, etc, which is <storename>.com

2. There will be 3 lines on the top left corner, tap that to open the menu.

3. At the top of the menu is a link that says "coupons and discounts" in red. Tap the "coupons" link.

4. After opening that menu, there will be another menu. Tap the top link that says "coupons"

5. Scroll down until you see a barcode. The coupon with the barcode is the only applicable in-store coupon. The rest are online only or require you to download the app.

6. Show cashier the screen so they can scan the coupons.

Every fucking day, there's multiple braindead mouth-breathers who can't follow these EXTREMELY simple instructions. And this is about word-for-word what I tell them to do. I had a braindead moron open her fucking CALCULATOR when I told her to open her browser and got mad at ME because it obviously didn't do shit. I spell out the website letter-by-letter and morons still fuck it up somehow and spell it wrong and end up on seedy websites. The majority of these idiots can't even get to their browser successfully.

It's genuinely difficult to tell whether this is weaponized incompetence or if they're that fucking stupid. At this point, if I give a customer these instructions and they still fuck it up, I just say "oh, I guess there's no coupons today 🤷‍♀️. Your total is $x.xx"

Posted by admin Rodney

[parthivilabelsandpapers]

"Everything You Need to Know About Thermal Paper: A Guide by Parthivi Labels and Paper"

Welcome to the ultimate guide to thermal paper, brought to you by Parthivi Labels and Paper! Whether you're a business owner, a printer, or someone interested in the world of labels and receipts, thermal paper plays an important role in many industries. Let’s dive into what thermal paper is, its uses, and why choosing the right type of thermal paper is essential for your business.

What is Thermal Paper?

Thermal paper is a special type of paper that is coated with a chemical layer that changes color when exposed to heat. Unlike regular paper, thermal paper doesn't require ink or toner for printing. Instead, a thermal printer applies heat to the surface of the paper, causing it to react and form the text or images.

Thermal paper is commonly used in receipt printers, barcode labels, and point of sale (POS) systems due to its convenience and cost-effectiveness.

Types of Thermal Paper

At Parthivi Labels and Paper, we offer a variety of thermal paper products to meet the diverse needs of our clients. Here's a breakdown of the different types of thermal paper:

Standard Thermal Paper

Used in most receipt printers and POS systems.

Ideal for short-term use as it tends to fade over time when exposed to light or heat.

Top coated Thermal Paper

Has an additional coating to protect the print from fading.

Ideal for applications that require longer-lasting prints like shipping labels and tickets.

Black Thermal Paper

Features a black color as opposed to the standard white or cream.

Often used in specialty printing like high-end tickets or custom receipts.

Eco-friendly Thermal Paper

Coated without harmful chemicals like BPA.

A great option for businesses aiming to reduce their environmental impact.

Why is Thermal Paper So Popular?

Thermal paper is widely used in various industries for several reasons:

Efficiency: Thermal printers are fast and require no ink, making them cheaper to maintain.

Cost-Effective: The simplicity of thermal printing cuts down on the costs of ink cartridges, toners, and ribbons.

Durability: Thermal paper prints are resistant to smudging, and the print quality remains clear under normal use (though it can fade if exposed to excessive light or heat).

Space-Saving: With no ink or toner cartridges, thermal printers are often more compact, making them ideal for smaller spaces.

How Does Thermal Paperwork?

Thermal paper has a special heat-sensitive coating that reacts when exposed to the heat generated by a thermal printer’s print head. As the print head heats up specific areas of the paper, the chemicals in the coating turn black, creating the printed image or text.

Tips for Choosing the Right Thermal Paper

When selecting thermal paper for your business, it's important to consider the following factors:

Printer Compatibility: Ensure that the thermal paper rolls fit your printer’s specifications (e.g., size, diameter).

Print Duration: If you need prints that last longer, opt for top-coated thermal paper or eco-friendly options.

Environmental Considerations: Look for BPA-free thermal paper if sustainability is important to your business.

At Parthivi Labels and Paper, we specialize in high-quality, BPA-free thermal paper options that are perfect for businesses aiming to reduce their environmental footprint without compromising quality.

How to Store Thermal Paper

Proper storage is essential to maintain the quality of your thermal paper. To keep your paper in the best condition:

Store rolls in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, heat, and moisture.

Avoid exposure to chemicals like cleaning agents or oils.

Keep thermal paper rolls in their original packaging until you're ready to use them.

Conclusion: Why Choose Parthivi Labels and Paper?

At Parthivi Labels and Paper, we are committed to providing top-quality thermal paper solutions that meet the needs of various industries. From receipt paper to custom labels, we have the products that can help your business run smoothly. Plus, our eco-friendly and BPA-free thermal papers are a great choice for businesses looking to make sustainable choices.

Ready to get started? Visit our website today and discover our range of high-quality thermal paper products that can help streamline your business operations. https://www.parthivilabelsandpapers.in/

Explore our full range of thermal paper products at Parthivi Labels and Paper. Reach out today to learn more or get personalized recommendations for your business!

#ThermalPaper #Labels #Receipts #Printing #BusinessSupplies #BPAFree #Sustainability #ParthiviLabels

[charmre]

Was telling my sister how I unintentionally was a difficult customer @ Target today, woe is me!!!

I basically was trying to get a discount on something and thought it would just automatically apply without me needing to do anything, like it did before in the past. But it didn't, so I asked for help, and the help person goes, "oh you need a Target Circle rewards membership barcode to scan and then you can access the discount."

And I was like basically sooo fucking lost like NONE of these words are in the bible!!!

And then it was a whole thing of like trying to get me set up for an account, but I already had a Target account, but then it didn't recognize my phone number, so then finally I tried my email, and then the app just like wouldn't load

And this poor helper had to like take me out of line and walk me through trying to figure this out and I was accidentally hitting all of the wrong buttons and I just

I DIE

[onyxisnotuniqueenough]

i have 35 followers on this account.

and while 35 is not a lot, this is the most amount of people i can reach. i should have been doing this sooner but have been FUCKING STUPID about it and have kept silent about it on tumblr to maintain some kind of semblance of escapism for myself here. but my escapism doesn't matter. can palestinians enjoy the luxury of escaping their situation right now? are they LITERALLY able to escape the bombing. nevermind escape, survive any of the tactics pulled by israel to ensure their genocide?

there's a sense of guilt looming over my head telling me that i should be doing more, but in truth, there is not much i can do to help. telling me that i shouldn't take for granted the roof over my head, the safety of my loved ones, food, water, electricity, the ability to literally communicate with the outside world. so let me do the best i can and spread the message with as many people i can.

if you're also wondering what you can do to help, here are some things i am doing and am in the process of doing :

- follow news about gaza through livestreams from the outside : multiple sources have provided access to a livestream of what's going on in gaza. israel has cut off all communication and electricity in gaza and i have a pit in my stomach telling me that they just want no eyes on them for whatever they want to do. all we can do is watch from afar. stay updated.

- watch tiktoks from people who have signed up for the creativity fund on tiktok or similar stuff on other platforms : if you're not able to donate yourself, you can find lots of creators on tiktok using their 5 seconds of YOUR watchtime to donate to help palestine.

- continue sharing, promoting, and "liking" content about palestine : israel is literally doing its best to keep us and palestinians in the dark, metaphorically and literally, from what's happening and what they're planning to do. raise palestinian voices, help them grow, share their stories. everything is forever on the internet ? great. take advantage of that. sharing is a way to ensure that all information we have on the situation stays alive and can't be shadowbanned or deleted or anything. the more people palestinian voices reach, the harder it would be to silence them. it also makes it accessible to anyone and everyone to see the horrors committed by the state of israel, and debunk any fucking idiotic shit their twitter accounts is trying to spew with their photoshopped cartons of milk, their very false infographics and their general flow of lies and propaganda.

- if you can, email or contact your elected representatives. they're...well...supposed to represent you, and their position is more advantaged to get something done. here's a video on tiktok that i found explaining the importance of emails (specifically in canada, bit i'm sure it applies to other places too) :

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMjsax5Qj/

- boycott brands that support or fund israel. now first, let me tell you : the 729 or 871 you find at the beginning of a barcode is not a certain sign the product has been manufactured in israel. this has been debunked since the origin of this lie in 2021 :

https://factcheck.afp.com/social-media-posts-share-misleading-claim-barcode-prefixes-can-show-if-product-made-israel

https://www.google.com/amp/s/thelogicalindian.com/amp/fact-check/barcode-israel-28806

if you have a doubt, fact-check whatever company owns the product to buy, it only takes a few clicks.

second, if you think that boycotting is useless because you're just a grain of sand in the universe : that's absolutely not true. humanity is just a bunch of grains of sand. humanity is a COLLECTIVE. stop thinking your actions don't have an impact. they absolutely do. that's how we've been capable of making such an imapct on companies' stock already!

you probably already know about Starbucks, McDonalds, and Disney. Here are some more companies and brands to stop giving your money to :

- HP : Hewlett Packard helps run the biometric ID system that Israel uses to restrict Palestinian movement.

- Siemens : is complicit in apartheid Israel’s illegal settlement enterprise through its planned construction of the EuroAsia Interconnector. This will link Israel’s electricity grid with Europe’s, allowing illegal settlements on stolen Palestinian land to benefit from Israel-EU trade of electricity produced from fossil gas.

- Puma : Puma sponsors the Israel Football Association, which includes teams in Israel’s illegal settlements on occupied Palestinian land.

- Sodastream (has been bought by Pepsico) : Soda Steam is actively complicit in Israel's policy of displacing the indigenous Bedouin-Palestinian citizens of Israel in the Naqab (Negev). SodaStream have a long history of mistreatment of and discrimination against Palestinian workers.

- Ahava : Ahava cosmetics has its production site, visitor center and main store in an illegal Israeli settlement.

- Sabra : Sabra hummus is a joint venture between PepsiCo and the Strauss Group, an Israeli food company that provides financial support to the Israeli army.

these are the first results that popped up with a simple google search, but that's not all. There's also L'oréal, Garnier, Nestlé, and so many more. it's hard to keep track of all of them and jaw-dropping to see just how many of them are involved and actively supporting Israel.

here are some more links for brands and companies to boycott :

https://bdsmovement.net/get-involved/what-to-boycott

https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/ethicalcampaigns/boycotts

multiple instagram and tiktok pages also

if you've already purchased products from them, obviously, don't throw them away. If any product from one of these companies is absolutely essential or if you don't have any other viable choice, it's understandable. Do your best, and whatever effort you make on your scale is helpful. This is also an opportunity to support local shops and businesses, diy your own beauty products, cook more on your own, and instead of directing your money towards genocide, you could direct to donating to aid-to-palestine charities or literally to your pocket. but honestly, the idea of a 70+year ethnic cleansing and literal genocide should be enough.

- now this seems like the most obvious one so that's why it's the last bullet point : donate to charities that support palestine, sign petitions, etc.

there is footage out there of thousands of trucks that cannot cross palestine/"israel" borders because. well. of israel. these trucks contain food, water and hygiene products that donations were supposed to provide. this is heartbreaking that the help you hoped to provide couldn't reach the people it was supposed to reach. if you're thinking your donation is useless, well, i get it. i am having trouble even saying anything about that, because I myself am worried that it could be useless. But you have to stay hopeful, cause that's all most of us have right now. I would say to absolutely continue donating whatever you can to charities that support palestine, that provide water, food, shelter, and emergency medical care. You have to hope that it'll somehow reach them. You have to hope that it'll somehow stop.

At the time of writing, voting results at the UN General Assembly show a margin of 120!! to 14 (and 45 abstinents) for a ceasefire and immediate humanitarian truce between Palestine and israel. And now while that might seem like amazing news, let's remember that the General Assembly is for non-binding resolutions. FOR A BINDING RESOLUTION, the decision must be made by the Security Council. I'm not gonna explain everything, but the permanent members of the UN Security Council are fucking it over. here's full context :

Also, the letter tO THANK Biden that countless celebrities ??? disappointing too. some names on that list really surprised me, and i'm disappointed that people i have supprted in the past have turned around and thanked biden for supporting a genocide. it's so stupid and disappointing.

of course, feel free to tell me if i've cited the wrong sources, if i've missed something, or have said false info in anyway.

i'd also like to add that arab palestinians are not the only victims and that countless innocent jewish people have also been affected by the genocide. that the press vest has meant norhing so far. and that israel is not looking that closely into who they're killing. as Daniel Hagari said, Israel's method is "destruction, not accuracy."

MY HEART GOES OUT TO ANY VICTIM IN GAZA. IN PALESTINE.

BTW : I am not open to conversation with zionists or pro-israels. keep your anon asks very very very far away from me. i will not lend a ❤️listening ear❤️ to someone who ignores or defends genocide, and i don't see anything wrong with ignoring that kind of rhetoric. fuck you.