#calendar blocking to make time for side hustle

[vrankup]

what is add scheduling? |vrankup|

Yo, folks! it's your best digital marketing agency in dwarka , vrankup. Let's dive into a topic that's all about leveling up your game

Now, imagine this, you're the captain of your own ship, sailing through the stormy sea of life. That ship? It's your schedule, my friend! ADHD scheduling is like charting a course for that ship, helping you steer through the choppy waters of your day with finesse. It's all about figuring out how your unique ADHD brain works and crafting a plan that works with it, not against it.

So, how do we go about this ADHD scheduling business? Well, grab your compass, 'cause we're about to explore the key elements that make this scheduling strategy a game-changer:

The Visual Vibe: Think about it – we ADHD champs are visual creatures. We thrive on colors, patterns, and things that catch our eye. So, start by jazzing up your schedule with some visual flair. Grab those neon sticky notes or fire up that color-coded calendar app. When your schedule looks like a party, you'll be more inclined to join in!

Chunking and Blocking: Imagine you've got a pizza, and you're slicing it into manageable slices. That's what chunking is all about – breaking your day into bite-sized chunks. Then, imagine each chunk is a time block. You set a timer, hustle hard on a task, and then, bam, break time! This method keeps your ADHD brain engaged and ready to conquer the next task like a champ.

Mission Prioritization: Let's face it, not all tasks are created equal. Some are the rockstars of your to-do list, while others are just backup dancers. ADHD scheduling helps you spot those rockstars and give them the spotlight they deserve. You allocate specific time slots for these important tasks, making sure they shine.

Flex It Out: We're not robots, and life loves throwing curveballs. That's why flexibility is your secret weapon. Your ADHD schedule should have a side dish of flexibility, so you're ready to tackle unexpected plot twists without breaking a sweat.

Routine Fuel: Consistency is your best friend. Regularly check in on your schedule, tweak it, and make it work for you. A well-oiled ADHD schedule machine keeps things rolling smoothly, so you're not left juggling tasks like a circus performer.

Passion Power: You know that thing you absolutely love doing? Yeah, I'm talking about your hobbies, interests, and passions. Your ADHD schedule isn't just about work – it's about making time for the stuff that sets your soul on fire. So, go ahead, sprinkle in some passion projects and watch your motivation skyrocket!

Baby Steps to Victory: Big tasks can be like those giant sandwiches you can't fit in your mouth. It's just too much! That's where task breakdown comes in. Slice those mammoth tasks into bite-sized pieces, and suddenly, they're way more manageable. It's like conquering a sandwich one bite at a time.

Now, let's talk about the sweet rewards of mastering ADHD scheduling:

Laser Focus: Say goodbye to distractions! ADHD scheduling is your trusty shield against those sneaky attention-stealers. When you've got a schedule to guide you, staying on track becomes a piece of cake.

Chill Vibes: We've all been there – racing against the clock, heart racing, stress levels through the roof. Well, guess what? ADHD scheduling helps you keep calm and carry on. That sense of order and predictability? It's a stress-busting superhero.

Time Whisperer: Taming the time monster is no easy feat, but with ADHD scheduling, you're the boss. Those time blocks and timers? They're like your magical time-traveling tools, helping you master the art of estimating how long tasks take.

Organization Ninja: Remembering stuff? Staying organized? It's all part of the ADHD scheduling package deal. You'll be acing deadlines, remembering appointments, and keeping track of all the moving parts in your life.

Confidence Boost: Knocking out tasks like a superhero sidekick brings a serious confidence boost. Every checkmark on your schedule is a reminder that you've got this, ADHD and all.

But hey, let's keep it real. ADHD scheduling isn't always a walk in the park. Procrastination might still sneak up on you, routines might sometimes feel like a straightjacket, and you might accidentally overstuff your schedule like a Thanksgiving turkey. But fear not! You've got a toolkit of strategies to tackle these challenges head-on:

Zen Vibes: Take a breather and reflect on how your ADHD schedule is treating you. Regular check-ins help you fine-tune your approach and keep things fresh.

Mindfulness Magic: Ever tried mindfulness and meditation? They're like the Jedi mind tricks of the ADHD world. They can help you rein in impulses, stay present, and ride out the stormy seas of distraction.

Buddy System: Don't be shy to rope in a buddy, a family member, or even an ADHD coach. Having someone in your corner can keep you accountable and cheering you on.

Pro Help: When the going gets tough, don't hesitate to call in the pros. A mental health professional or an ADHD coach can whip up personalized strategies that work like a charm.

So, there you have it – a whirlwind tour of the dazzling world of ADHD scheduling. It's all about embracing your ADHD quirks, crafting a schedule that vibes with your brain, and conquering your days like the superstar you are. Remember, it's not about perfection – it's about progress, one colorful time block at a time. So, gear up, fellow ADHD warriors, and let the scheduling adventure begin!

[mentalhealthconnectsblog]

Recharge Mode: How to Rest Without Feeling Guilty

Why We Feel Guilty for Resting

In a culture obsessed with hustle, rest is often mistaken for laziness. Productivity is glorified, burnout is normalized, and the phrase “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” is celebrated. But here’s the truth: rest is not a luxury—it’s a biological and emotional necessity.

Yet, many of us experience guilt when we slow down. Why?

Because society equates doing with worth. If you’re not working, responding to emails, or ticking off tasks, you may feel like you're falling behind or not contributing enough.

But ask yourself this: Is exhaustion really the badge of honor you want to wear?

The Science Behind Rest and Recovery

Keyword: benefits of rest for mental health

Rest isn’t just about physical recovery—it’s how your brain processes emotions, stores memories, and resets your stress response.

Without proper rest, your body remains in “fight or flight” mode, leading to:

Increased cortisol (stress hormone)

Poor decision-making

Mental fatigue

Higher risk of anxiety and depression

On the flip side, quality rest improves:

✅ Focus and creativity ✅ Emotional regulation ✅ Immune function ✅ Long-term productivity

Signs You’re Overdue for a Recharge

Keyword: signs you need rest

You feel mentally foggy, even after sleep

You’re irritable over minor things

You're procrastinating, even on simple tasks

You feel drained no matter how much caffeine you consume

Joyless over things you used to love

If you nodded at more than one, your body is waving a white flag.

How to Rest Without Feeling Guilty

✅ 1. Redefine What Rest Means

Keyword: redefine rest

Rest isn’t just sleeping or lying down. It includes any intentional pause that restores your energy. This could be:

Taking a walk without your phone

Reading for pleasure

Listening to music

Journaling or meditating

Doing absolutely nothing

Rest is productive when it renews your capacity to live.

✅ 2. Schedule It Like a Priority

We calendar meetings, workouts, and deadlines—but rest? That’s usually an afterthought.

Block rest time in your schedule just like any important task. Give it the same respect you give to work appointments. If you don’t plan your rest, burnout will plan it for you.

✅ 3. Silence the Inner Critic

Keyword: stop feeling guilty for resting

That voice saying, “You should be doing more”? Challenge it.

Try reframing with affirmations like:

“Rest is how I stay strong.”

“I deserve breaks, not just burnout.”

“Doing nothing is doing something important.”

✅ 4. Start with Micro-Rests

Keyword: micro-breaks for mental health

If full days of rest feel impossible, start with 5–10 minute breaks every hour. Step outside, close your eyes, stretch, breathe.

These short pauses reboot your nervous system, helping you return to work with more clarity and calm.

✅ 5. Embrace Joy Without Productivity

Not everything needs a goal. You can dance without tracking steps, paint without selling art, nap without “earning” it.

Rest doesn’t have to justify itself.

FAQ: Rest, Guilt & Mental Health

2. How can I rest when my to-do list is never-ending?

Your tasks will always exist. You can’t pour from an empty cup—resting now helps you complete those tasks with greater energy and focus.

3. Is rest the same as being lazy?

No. Laziness is apathy—rest is intentional care. Knowing when to pause is a sign of self-awareness, not weakness.

Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need to Earn Rest

Keyword: mental recharge strategies

You are not a machine. Even machines need downtime.

Guilt-free rest allows your mind and body to recover, your creativity to flourish, and your spirit to stay whole.

You already deserve rest—because you are human.

[pbdropshipping]

Is Dropshipping Suitable for Students? Time Management and Profit Strategies

Dropshipping is a no-inventory e-commerce model that appeals to students due to its low start-up costs and flexibility. However, managing academic commitments alongside business operations requires strong organizational skills and a clear strategy. This article explores the compatibility of students with dropshipping, offering insights into time management and profit strategies to help students succeed.

Why Dropshipping Fits Well with Students

1. Low Initial Investment Most students operate with limited budgets, and dropshipping's low start-up cost aligns perfectly with this constraint. With dropshipping, students don't need to stock inventory, which minimizes financial risks. Platforms like Shopify offer affordable plans, allowing students to start their online store for a minimal fee. Additionally, marketing expenses can be scaled flexibly, beginning with free social media promotions and gradually increasing investments as profits grow.

2. Strong Learning Ability Students excel at learning and adapting, which is crucial for mastering the technical and operational aspects of dropshipping. From setting up a Shopify store to optimizing product pages and implementing SEO strategies, students can leverage their natural aptitude for learning. Furthermore, as digital natives, they are well-versed in using platforms like TikTok and Instagram to create engaging content, a skill that is invaluable for attracting traffic. Their proficiency in research also enables them to find useful resources, tutorials, and communities to refine their dropshipping knowledge.

3. Flexibility Despite academic commitments, students often have flexible schedules with ample breaks and after-school hours, making dropshipping an ideal side hustle. They can utilize spare time to manage their store, handle customer inquiries, and run marketing campaigns. Dropshipping requires minimal daily effort—often just 1-2 hours—which allows students to balance their business with studies effectively.

Time Management: Balancing Academics and Business

1. Create a Detailed Schedule Effective time management is crucial for students who want to balance dropshipping with their studies. By breaking the day into dedicated blocks for academics and business, students can avoid conflicts and ensure both areas receive attention. For instance, mornings can be reserved for classes, afternoons for store updates, and evenings for customer service. Prioritizing tasks ensures academic responsibilities remain on top. Tools like Trello, Notion, or Google Calendar can help students plan and track their daily schedules, making time management more structured and efficient.

2. Leverage Automation Tools Automation tools can significantly reduce the workload for students with limited time. For example, Shopify plugins like Oberlo or DSers enable automatic product imports and order fulfillment, saving hours of manual labor. Social media tools like Hootsuite and Buffer can schedule posts in advance, ensuring a consistent online presence without daily effort. For customer service, automated chatbots or pre-set email responses can handle common inquiries, allowing students to focus on critical areas such as marketing and strategy.

3. Focus on Core Tasks With limited time, students must concentrate on activities that drive the most value, such as product research, marketing, and customer retention. Low-value tasks like data entry or repetitive design work can be outsourced to freelancers via platforms like Fiverr or Upwork. Streamlining operations, such as partnering with reliable suppliers to minimize order issues, can also reduce time spent on troubleshooting. By dedicating their efforts to essential tasks, students can ensure their business thrives without overburdening their schedule.

Profit Strategies: Maximizing Revenue as a Student

1. Target a Niche Market Selecting a specific niche is key to standing out in the competitive dropshipping landscape. For students, focusing on niches like campus supplies, trendy gadgets, or eco-friendly products can resonate well with peers and other young consumers. A well-chosen niche reduces competition and allows for targeted marketing efforts. Tools like Google Trends and social media analytics can help identify emerging trends and consumer preferences, ensuring that the products chosen have strong market potential.

2. Low-Cost Marketing Students with limited budgets can capitalize on free or affordable marketing strategies. Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram offer tremendous opportunities for organic growth. Students can create engaging short videos or posts that showcase their products in real-life scenarios, attracting attention without significant financial investment. Personal networks also play a role; word-of-mouth among friends and classmates can help establish an initial customer base and generate buzz.

3. Test Products and Gather Market Feedback One of the greatest advantages of dropshipping is the ability to test multiple products without significant upfront costs. Students can experiment with various items through small-scale ad campaigns, analyzing metrics like conversion rates to identify the best performers. Gathering customer feedback further refines product selection and improves the overall shopping experience. Seasonal trends, such as back-to-school supplies or holiday gifts, offer additional opportunities for short-term revenue spikes.

4. Expand Revenue Streams Beyond selling products, students can diversify their income by exploring other avenues. Affiliate marketing allows them to earn commissions by promoting tools or platforms relevant to dropshipping. Students with proven success in the field can monetize their knowledge by creating tutorials or online courses for beginners. Collaboration with micro-influencers (KOCs) or other dropshipping merchants can also boost sales and enhance brand visibility through cross-promotion.

Conclusion

Dropshipping offers students a low-cost, flexible way to gain entrepreneurial experience and financial independence. While it requires effective time management and strategic planning, the model allows students to balance their academic commitments with building a thriving business. By targeting niche markets, optimizing their schedules, and leveraging low-cost marketing strategies, students can establish a successful dropshipping venture without compromising their studies.

[arianaclock]

Unveiling the ArianaClock: Your Gateway to Time Management Mastery

In the fast-paced hustle and bustle of modern life, managing time effectively has become more than a skill—it's practically an art form. Enter ArianaClock, a revolutionary time management tool that's poised to transform the way you approach your daily routine. But what exactly is ArianaClock, and how can it revolutionize your productivity? Let's dive in and explore the wonders of this innovative timekeeping companion.

Understanding ArianaClock: A Beacon of Efficiency

What sets ArianaClock apart?

ArianaClock isn't your run-of-the-mill timekeeping app—it's a multifaceted productivity powerhouse designed to streamline your day and amplify your efficiency. Here's what makes it stand out from the crowd:

Intuitive Interface: Say goodbye to clunky, confusing interfaces. ArianaClock boasts a sleek, user-friendly design that makes navigating its features a breeze.

Customizable Features: With ArianaClock, you're in the driver's seat. Tailor the app to suit your unique preferences and workflow, whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, a busy parent, or a student juggling multiple commitments.

Seamless Integration: ArianaClock seamlessly integrates with your favorite productivity tools, from calendars to task managers, ensuring a smooth, synchronized experience across all your devices.

Data-driven Insights: Gain valuable insights into your time usage patterns and productivity habits with ArianaClock's comprehensive analytics. Armed with this knowledge, you'll be empowered to make informed decisions and optimize your workflow for maximum results.

How does ArianaClock work its magic?

At its core, ArianaClock operates on the principle of mindful time management. By breaking your day down into manageable segments and setting clear priorities, ArianaClock helps you stay focused, motivated, and on track to achieve your goals. Here's how it works:

Time Blocking: Harness the power of time blocking to allocate dedicated blocks of time to specific tasks or projects. Whether it's tackling that looming deadline or carving out time for self-care, ArianaClock makes it easy to prioritize what matters most.

Pomodoro Technique: Embrace the Pomodoro Technique—a proven method for enhancing focus and productivity. With ArianaClock's built-in Pomodoro timer, you can work in focused bursts, interspersed with short breaks to recharge and refocus.

Goal Setting: Set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals and track your progress with ArianaClock's goal-setting feature. Whether you're aiming to boost your productivity, cultivate healthier habits, or master a new skill, ArianaClock provides the tools you need to turn your aspirations into reality.

Embracing the ArianaClock Lifestyle: A Journey to Success

Why should you make ArianaClock your timekeeping companion?

In a world inundated with distractions and demands on our attention, mastering the art of time management is non-negotiable. Here's why ArianaClock deserves a prime spot in your productivity arsenal:

Efficiency Amplified: With ArianaClock by your side, you'll bid farewell to procrastination and hello to peak productivity. By harnessing the power of strategic time management techniques, you'll accomplish more in less time, leaving you with ample opportunities to pursue your passions and enjoy life's little pleasures.

Stress Reduction: Say goodbye to the overwhelm of an endless to-do list. ArianaClock empowers you to approach your day with clarity and purpose, minimizing stress and maximizing satisfaction. By breaking tasks down into bite-sized chunks and tackling them one at a time, you'll feel more in control and less overwhelmed by the demands of modern life.

Work-Life Balance: Achieving harmony between work, leisure, and personal pursuits is the ultimate goal—and ArianaClock is here to help you strike that delicate balance. By prioritizing your time and energy, you'll reclaim precious moments for self-care, relaxation, and quality time with loved ones, ensuring a well-rounded and fulfilling lifestyle.

Ready to unlock your full potential with ArianaClock?

Embark on a journey to time management mastery with ArianaClock as your trusted guide. Whether you're striving for professional success, personal growth, or simply a greater sense of balance and fulfillment, ArianaClock empowers you to take control of your time and transform your life one productive moment at a time.

So why wait? Seize the day and embrace the ArianaClock lifestyle today. Your future self will thank you for it.

Conclusion: Time to Seize the Day

In a world where time is both a precious commodity and a formidable adversary, mastering the art of time management is the key to unlocking your full potential. With ArianaClock as your steadfast companion, you'll embark on a journey of self-discovery, growth, and achievement. So don't let another moment slip away—embrace the power of ArianaClock and seize the day like never before. Your future self will thank you for it.

[josephinebeintema-blog]

Watch “Time Blocking | Calendar Blocking | how time blocking helps authors” on YouTube

[footprintsinthesxnd]

Love Through the Pages | Chapter 1

Masterlist

Synopsis: Bob Floyd isn’t the man you typically find in a love story. His awkward mannerism and unusual ways don’t make him the typical heart throb, but Bob certainly has his charms. He finds love in an unexpected place when he finds a hidden message in a book that changes his life for ever. He meets the girl of his dreams but true love is not always an easy road and can they survive the ups and downs that life throws at them.

Warnings: 18+, potential slow burn, mentions of injuries and hospitals, language, smut, 18+. No specific warnings for this chapter.

Bob Floyd had never really been much of a reader as a child. Of course, he’d read books from school or something his Gran bought him for Christmas but if you asked Bob what his favourite book was he’d never have been able to tell you. It’s not that he didn’t like reading. He wasn’t an avid reader but the idea of sitting in a cosy corner with his nose stuck in a book didn’t disgust him, he just never seemed to be able to settle. He was either always working, spending time with his family or hanging out with his friends and there just weren’t enough hours in the day. So yes Bob wasn’t a reader, until now.

It had all started as a very mundane Monday. Bob yawned as he walked across town, trying to keep himself awake long enough to get to work. Jake, his roommate, had kept him up all last night complaining about his now ex-boyfriend and as much as Bob loved and supported Jake in all his endeavours, he also valued his sleep. Jake was a school teacher and lucky for him it was half term. So as Bob set off to work, Jake was still passed out cold on the sofa. He pulled at the sleeves of his coat, irritated that they had once again slipped above his wrist. It was going to be one of those days. Bob crossed the road and made his way into the office block. The corridors were long and brightly lit. Most people would squint as they walked them, but not Bob, he’d become so used to the glaring lights that he walked along with ease until he reached his desk outside his boss’ office. It was 06:30 am and the office was tranquil, free of disturbance from ringing phones, loud voices and the general hustle and bustle of the business. Bob took a moment to slump down into the squeaking desk chair that he occupied, relishing in the silence. He had about an hour before his boss would storm into the office and demand something of him but for now, he was safe.

Pushing the metal spectacles up onto the bridge of his nose, he frowned down at the paperwork in front of him, piles of unsigned documents, leaflets, and pitch ideas. Bob shuffled the papers around into piles, you couldn’t exactly call it organized but it was better than it had been. Bob decided on organized chaos as he sat forward in his chair and logged on to his bulky desktop computer. The calendar appeared at the side of the screen showing the long list of the day's events. Bob wouldn’t need to be present for any of the meetings, which he was glad about. He hated having a desk job but it paid the bills and kept a roof over his head, so begrudgingly he did it. He clicked the mouse and looked through his emails, most of which he forwarded to his boss regarding meetings or staffing changes but one caught his eye, it was from a local magazine supporting local businesses. Bob scrolled aimlessly through the online pages, his eyes darting over new housing development, a new bakery, and several new clothing stores until his eyes caught sight of a new bookshop. It was a small advertisement stating the address with a little cartoon book next to it. Jake was always telling him that he needed to get stuck into a good book.

“When you’re reading you can be anyone, anywhere, doing anything. You can escape reality, Bob.” Bob made a mental note to tell Jake about it later.

Checking the clock, Bob noticed it was nearly 07:15. “Oh shit!” Bob jumped up from his desk and dashed down the corridor to the staff room. He slammed the door shut before rushing over to the coffee machine and turning it on. The machine hummed to life, filling the room with a droning noise as Bob rummaged in the cupboard for a mug. He made the coffee as fast as if his life depended on it, and honestly, it did. Several other people had arrived now and the staff room was buzzing with life as Bob made his way back down the corridor, balancing two steaming mugs on a tray. He placed his drink on the desk, sloshing some coffee over the paperwork and cursing as he did. He scurried into his boss’office, placing the mug gently onto the counter and sighing with relief. Tucking the tray under his arm, he pushed open the glass doors just in time to see his boss marching down the corridor towards him, a stern look on his face. Mr Cain was a harsh businessman with a wealth of experience and money. He was ex-army and had built his way up from the bottom and it showed because he was good at what he did but to Bob, he was a living nightmare. He was bald and his face streaked with wrinkles, thin lips that always sat in a straight line and a glare that made grown men quiver in their boots. People often called him ‘The Hammer’ because he would knock out anyone who stood in his way. Bob gulped as he sulked back behind his desk. Mr Cain marched past him and into his office, slamming the glass door behind him. Bob let out the breath he’d been holding and flopped down into his chair when he heard that dreaded noise. “FLOYD! MY OFFICE NOW!”

Tag list: @callsign-phoenix @imjess-themess @blue-aconite @averyhotchner @mayhem24-7forever @green-socks @alexxavicry @a-reader-and-a-writer @topguncortez @maggiescarborough @callsignmaverick5 @ssprayberrythings @smoothdogsgirl @xoxabs88xox @luckyladycreator2 @abaker74 @elenavampire21 @classyunknownlover @okiegirl24 @sunlightmurdock

[wordynerdygurl]

A Wonderful Christmastime

Author’s Note:  Well Hello All!  I hope that you’re all taking care of yourselves and staying well!  My tag-list is open and you know I love the validation of reblogs, shares, tags and adds!! I have been working on a larger OC story which has kept my from my Loki writings, but I entered a challenge posted by @toomanystoriessolittletime​ for the Christmas holiday.  If you aren’t following, please do as she’s got a great little Advent Calendar of seasonal stories for you!  One a day through the month of December!  

I chose a prompt based off of my least favorite Christmas song.  Ever.  Like in the history of humanity.  Like, my family torture me with it because of how much I dislike it.  This story is a chance to take a little lighthearted revenge on Sir Paul McCartney and also, hopefully, help you all enjoy a Wonderful Christmastime!   Also, isn’t this gif the cutest thing in the world?  My thanks to the OP and creator for it... it’s amazing and I love Christmas Loki!! Pairing:  Female Reader x Loki

Summary:  Everyone has a favorite holiday song... when Loki learns which one you dislike, he uses it to his advantage. Warnings:  Christmas holiday mentions, SMUT, Oral (F receiving) and MF Sex, also, the over use of a certain song that makes me, personally, crazy!

This was it.  That perfect moment when all of the holiday hustle was behind you.  Nothing to buy, nothing to ship, nothing to wrap, nothing to bake.  It was all over.  You had made it through another Christmas Eve.

Your well decorated tree sat in the corner, presents tucked below for you and Loki in the morning.  The frittata was resting in the fridge along with the two bottles of Prosecco you planned to have with brunch.  Hell, it was the holidays, after all.

But that was for tomorrow.

Tonight you were relaxing after an afternoon of family Christmas fun.  Nieces and nephews, piles of shredded paper, stacks of snacks and so much laughter your belly muscles were sore.  And through it all Loki had been a champ! Holding your hand, rubbing the small of your back, pulling out your chair; Loki had put the other partners to shame.  Whether he was telling bawdy but tasteful jokes to the men who drank cheap beer around the TV, sharing hair care tips with your sister’s oldest girl or whispering with your mom in the kitchen, he was always where he needed to be.  For the first time in ages, you had been able to enjoy the day fully, and you knew Loki was the reason why. After getting home, trading your dress and boots for comfy shorts and a sweatshirt, you padded into the living room.  Loki was there, sitting cross legged, digging through your bag of swag.  He had put seasonal music on in the background while munching through a plate of Auntie’s sugar cookies, two well poured goblets of red wine waiting to be had at his side.  God, he was good. “Is one of those for me?”  You couldn’t help smiling.  Loki, looking like a little kid, over excited and surrounded by all the trapping of Christmas just felt so precious. It took him a moment to reply as he was solely focused on the handmade puzzle box your mother had crafted for all the guys this year, “Hmm?  Yes… one’s for you…�� Kissing the top of his head, careful not to dislodge his Rudolf blinking antler headband, a gift to Loki from your youngest nephew, you moved towards the couch.  Sipping from your glass of wine, snuggled under the softest chenille blanket your sister-in-law could find, you sighed contentedly.  Victory over the holiday season felt amazing.  Now all that was left on your to-do list was eating, drinking, and enjoying alone time with Loki until New Year’s.  Suddenly exhausted, you felt the lovely warm drag of drowsiness and snuggled deeper into the sofa.  Shuttering your tired eyes, you listened as Loki stood up, off to hunt up some more food, no doubt.  Visions of sugarplums danced in your head as you started to succumb to a sweet slumber. That’s when you heard it.  

“The moon is right, The spirit’s up, We’re here tonight and that’s enough…” Groaning, wide awake now, you sat up with a shout, “Loki?!”  Like magic his raven head popped around the doorframe, his reindeer antlers askew, a candy cane hanging out of his mouth, “Yes?”

“Um… question:  What are we listening to?” Stepping back into the living room, his new holiday flannel shirt open at the neck, Loki leaned over you, husking playfully,  “Music.  At least, that’s what I believe you Midgardians call it.” “Ha ha.  Yes, I know it’s music, but this particular song?”  You couldn’t keep the tartness from your tone as you pressed your nose into the handsome one on Loki’s face. Pausing, listening intently, Loki cocked his head to the side.  Singing along, his bells jingling, “Simply having a Wonderful Christmastime!” “Ugh.  That’s what I was afraid of!”  Flinging a hand over your eyes, you grumbled, burrowing back into the cozy couch as a means of blocking out the obnoxious noise of the worst holiday song in the history of humanity. Making himself comfortable at your feet, pouring himself another glass of vino, “I like it.  It’s simple.  Direct.  What are you doing?  Me?  I’m simply having a wonderful Christmastime!” From deep in the cushions, muffled but forceful, you pleaded, “Make it stop!  Please!” “What for?  It is still Christmastime, is it not?  And we are enjoying a wonderful time, aren’t we?” Turning back to face him, a Scrooge-like scowl on your suddenly serious face, “I’ll do anything to get you to turn that off.” That got his attention, “Anything?”  Sitting up quickly, you reached for your blanket only to feel Loki snatching it out of your grasp, “You said anything, darling.” Tugging on the plush fabric, practically pouting, “You’re not going to take my new fluffy blankie, are you?” “Oh no.  That’s not nearly enough to stop me from playing my favorite Christmas carol.”

“It’s your favorite, now?  Loki, you just heard it.” Waving your gripes away, pinning you under his arms and under your blanket, “I love it.  It’s my favorite.  You can’t mess with perfection.”

You wiggled, trying to free an arm or a hand, anything to help defend yourself from Loki’s soft, but effective attack, "Perfection?  Loki, it's awful."

"I disagree.  But…”  Brushing a gentle kiss to your captive lips, making you melt into his warm touch, Loki made sure to keep you immobile.  Unraveling under his ardent attention, you gave up fighting, focusing on Loki’s roving hands through the protective layer of your new throw.  

Lost in his lips, you ignored the wretched recording still spinning, until sitting back with a sly smile Loki continued, “Regardless of my newly acquired antlers, I am a reasonable man.  I'm willing to hear your side of things.  Convince me, dove."

Looking up at him through your lashes, licking over your bottom lip that tasted of Loki's peppermint, it took you a moment to refocus on your argument.  Sighing doggedly, “It’s just garbage.  Too sweet, too synth-pop.  It’s plastic.  There’s no substance to it.”

At least Loki did you the service of considering your answer.  He paused, listening to the offending tune, starting to hum along once more.  “I don’t know.  It sounds like church bells ringing.  And I like when the kids start singing!”

“You couldn't.  Those are two of the worst things about it!  There’s not a single redeemable factor in it’s trite,  super saccharine, four minute run time.”  Agitated now and edging into anger, your voice kept rising, spurned on by the inability to get away from Loki’s plush prison, “Also, get off me!” “Can’t do it.  But-” nuzzling into your neck, tasting along the tendon there, “-I can replay this song.”  “That’s it!”  Fury tinted your words as you tried harder than ever to break free of your fleece prison but Loki was brick heavy, unmovable, and impossibly giddy at your predicament.  All things which only added fuel to your fire.  Wriggling like mad, struggling to kick a foot free, you squirmed desperately for leverage.  His response?  A deep chuckle, “Is that all you’ve got, darling?”  Laying those long, lanky bones on top of you, holding down the throw’s corners in a way that made fighting futile, Loki smirked at your distress, “I still don’t see why you hate it so much.  It is a simple song because we’re simply having a wonderful Christmastime!  It’s in the title after all.” With cheeks hot from exertion, fully frustrated and forced to listen to Paul McCartney’s bland holiday ballad start a second time, you nearly shrieked, "I hate it, Loki!  Loathe it, really!  The lyrics are basic, the keyboard is tinny, and Sir Paul is better than that!” “Is that all?” “No!  It's even worse when someone else sings it, like those kids from Glee or an up and coming Country artist making their first holiday record!"

Beneath the blanket your chest rose and fell with bothered breaths.  From rubbing against the couch your hair stuck up in odd angles and you could feel heat rising off your neck.  How had you gone from almost asleep to a blanket related battle royale?  Loki, taking advantage of your confinement, kissed your forehead sweetly, and the change in tactic caught you off guard.  His lips grazed the tip of your nose as you huffed out a pout, eager to see where his mischief making would lead.  Pressing his forehead to yours, that deep sonorous voice whispering lowly for your ears alone, "Not a compelling enough argument for me to turn it off, I'm afraid." And to your holiday horror the song in question started again.  Grousing, "Don’t play it again!  Please!  I’m begging you!” “Already begging darling?”  Thick with mocking, Loki slotted himself between your thighs, keeping you from fighting back with any power. Whining full out now, poking out your bottom lip, “Come on!  Please, let me up and turn this off!” “Why, of course, my pearl.”  With no effort on his part, Loki scooped you up, blankie and all, pulling you tightly to his chest.  Gripping your bottom, his fingers firm through the cotton of your pj pants, he squeezed hard enough for you to yelp. “Hey!”  But that’s all you managed before his talented tongue invaded your mouth.  Now the only thing you could hear was the shaky exhale of your shared sighs and your own needy mewls when Loki started to withdraw.

Godly hands drew your thick and comfy sweatshirt over your head, leaving you bare against the cuddly softness of your new blanket, a perfect dichotomy to the heated hardness of Loki’s chest.  With your arms finally free you tangled your hands in the long tresses of your lover, distracted from the awful music by his groan, “Easy darling.” But now that the tables were tipped in your favor, you had no intention of going easy on Loki.  Not after his antics tonight, not a chance.  Tugging hard enough for him to wince, you ground against his lap with a nip to his neck, “Turn it off then.”

“Now, why would I do that?  Aren’t we still enjoying a Wonderful Christmastime?” Bouncing in his lap, purposefully teasing your mischief maker with a smirk, “We were until you let this terrible song play!” Laughing heartily, Loki stroked over your bare shoulder, one hand resting on your waist and the other cupping your cheek.  “If I wanted to, my darling, I could change your mind.  I could make you adore this song.” “Is that so, Odinson?  I doubt it.”

“Doubt me?  On this, Christmas Eve!  When you know the feelin’s here that only comes once a year?” A confident nod was all he got for an answer.  In a flash you were laying on the soft rug, your legs wrapped over Loki’s and your new blanket tossed to the side.  Fiery kisses to your chest and neck led him to the shell of your ear where he hummed hungrily, “The moon is right, the spirits up…” Enjoying his mouth but not his music, you shoved against his shoulders, panting, “Don’t sing, just kiss me.” Licking into your mouth, Loki’s tongue obliged your need as his hands skated over the curve of your hip, breaking your kiss to croon, “We’re here tonight, dove… and that’s enough.”

“Loki… please stop…”  You fisted his shirt, pulling at the buttons until his muscular torso was under your fingers, strong and solid.  Pushing the plaid cotton off his shoulders, you let your nails drag over Loki’s naked back as you shifted your hips, subtlety be damned. He took the hint.  Nipping a trail over your tummy, Loki kept his eyes on yours as he shucked your shorts, snorting, “No panties?  Naughty!” “If that’s naughty, Loki, then what you’re doing to me is positively evil.” That made your lover grin, his eyebrows lifting in a wickedly Grinchy smile before caressing the inner skin of your thigh with his clever mouth.  Slithering closer to your center, sweeping his tongue in swirls, you couldn’t help the excited shiver he created.  It was enough to block out the terrible song now that you had something more arousing to hold your attention. Using those long, deft fingers, Loki parted your folds with a murmured moan, “You’re so wet, darling.  Maybe you like this song more than you let on?” A curse for him and his rotten taste in Christmas music died in your throat as Loki connected to your sacred skin through a carnal kiss.  Those strong forearms ensured that your knees stayed open wide as his tongue tasted, teasing your clenching cleft, humming with appreciation at your body’s response.  Circling your clit, sucking gently before changing direction and licking your lower lips once more, Loki had you teetering on the cliff of climax in minutes.

Your stomach tensed, ready for release.  Delicious waves of orgasmic bliss were pulsing through you, needing just a touch more friction, a little more pressure in order to crash over you.  Gasping out incoherent whimpers, fingers ruffling Loki’s dark hair, you can’t fight the neediness that he’s created in you. It just feels so incredible, something Loki knows you’re enjoying, “Like that, darling?” Passion clouds your vision as your desire crests, unfulfilled, “You know I do, Loki…” Fingers slide sensually through your slit, his bright eyes on you, “How much?  How much do you like it?” Shaking your head, still foggy with needs unmet, “So much, baby.  I love making love to you so much.” Bumping against your swollen bud, pressing down firmly, Loki begins using his hands to entice you towards ecstasy.  Two fingers enter you easily, delightful, sure, but not as filling as Loki’s hard member.  Reaching for him, you want to lose yourself in loving and being loved by your space god, “Sing for me, dove.” Beseeching you breathlessly, Loki’s hand stills, keeping you at the fringe of falling apart.  Waiting for your reply impatiently he asks again, “Sing, please.” “A song?” His reply is a shake of his dark head.  Slowly, smoothly, Loki withdraws his fingers, only to press them into your yielding flesh once more, “Yes, my darling.  Sing my favorite song!”

Sucking a bruise onto your inner thigh, those fingers of his spreading your walls, the exquisite pressure on your straining clitoris.  Any one of these distractions would have been hard to concentrate through.  Experiencing them all together?  Overwhelming.

And that’s the excuse you would use to explain what happened next.  “The party’s on… The feeling’s here…” As soon as the words left your lips, Loki’s attention resumed in earnest, “That’s it, dove!�� Keep going!” “That only comes, this time of year… Ah!  Loki!” Loki watched you lustily.  Your eyes half closed, legs splayed lewdly, a nervous grin on your face.  He never wanted you more.  Slipping out of his jeans, wasting no time, Loki guided his hardened cock into you with a satisfying sigh. Your response to his abundance?  “Oh shit, Loki!  Yes!”  Snapping his hips against your pelvis, iron banded arms clinging to you, Loki stuttered, “I don’t hear you singing!” “We’re simply having a Wonderful Christmastime!”  How many times did you repeat the chorus?  Hard to say.  It became a mantra.  A thing to chant in time with everyone of Loki’s deliberate and deep thrusts. This time, when you felt the familiar stirring of your satisfaction, Loki didn’t stop you.  Encouraging you with a soulful kiss, his stroke surging in time with Paul McCartney’s crooning, you came apart in each other’s arms with a smile.  The song started again and you couldn’t stop the giggles from bursting out of you, “What’s so funny, dove?” “You said you could make me like this terrible, horrible, awful song.” Sitting up and taking you with him, Loki chuckled as he kissed your hand, “Hey, don’t make fun of the best holiday song I have ever heard.”  Pulling your new blanket around the both of you, “I still hate it, but-”

“But?”, his eyebrow arched in surprise, waiting for you to continue.

“But I don’t hate it as much.” Tucking a strand of hair behind your ear, playfully ribbing you, “Do I have to force you into having another Wonderful Christmastime?” Biting your bottom lip, you returned the favor by sweeping a stray lock of Loki’s black hair over his shoulder, “Babe, you could make crazy, insane love to me each day and every night… and-” “And?”  Kissing Loki lightly on the nose, you stood up on shaky legs and started towards the hallway.  At the entry way you turned back letting the blanket fall to the floor, “-And Wonderful Christmastime would still suck.”  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To My Many Minxes:  @toomanystoriessolittletime @vodka-and-some-sass @just-random-obsessions @brokenthelovely @lots-of-loki @thefallenbibliophilequote @scrumptious-finicky-illusion @iamverity @mizfit2 @sammy-jo1977 @wolfsmom1 @jessiejunebug @iluvsumbucky @unadulteratedwizardlove @procrastinatinglikeabitch @shxdowofdarkness @nonsensicalobsessions @ahintofkiwistrawberry @alexakeyloveloki @rorybutnotgilmore @crystalizedcaramel @lokislittlecorner @capcapcapsicle @jamielea81 @caffiend-queen @otakumultimuse-hiddlewhore @jenjen8675309 @that-one-person @roguewraith

[steve0discusses]

Yugioh S4 Ep7: Mai Gets a Day Job (Killing People For Sport)

So, I looked at the calendar and realized, if  I don’t get this post up this week then you’ll only have one update from me for the whole of November since I’m leaving for over a week again. :/ So I’m just gonna get right to the good stuff because it has taken just a crazy amount of time to get to episode 7.  How great would it be if I also got to episode 8. Real great, right?

So lets do this, I can do this, I can write a recap without getting insanely distracted, watch me do it: This episode starts with Tristan sticking to the fatal flaw of his character sheet and seeing listed at the very top “low key toilet obsession.”

Ah Tristan.

And when you think “well, OK, they’re stuck by some historic Mesas, this is fine,” suddenly they are beset by the world’s most random biker gang of like 20 full grown adults/biker assassins.

And it’s not super clear if their driver died out there in the Arizona desert, or if he just put on a different outfit and joined this gang, but it won’t matter because like...it’s a filler arc in Yugioh so there’s gonna be some deaths.

This season seems to change genre like every 10 minutes, and so for right now we are in a Mad Max post-apocalyptic territory and PS every one of these bikers uses a lead pipe?

I feel like this is way more violent than a gun???

(read more under the cut)

And so, out the horizon comes another biker, like a masked cowboy on horseback, except she shoots these things instead of bullets.

These are trained assassins, by the way, just completely incapacitated by paper.

I just love the marketing team working alongside of this show that’s like “and what else can Yugioh cards do? destroy biker gangs. That’s right, one single card will absolutely destroy a biker!” and the writing staff was like “yeah, we can work that in. That totally works in universe, you don't even know.”

It’s Mai! Back from murdering the hell out of Pegasus, I guess she decided to ninja these 20 bikers, and did it so devastatingly, that they somehow blew up a motorcycle next to a live fuel tank? Like we’re talking Oliver Queen precision throwing here and like...

...Mai’s only been gone like a year right???

And so, seeing that this card is a harpy, which I dunno...doesn’t seem like it’s all that rare in comparison to a Blue Eyes or a God Card or I dunno any of the other signature cards we’ve heard about, Joey immediately recognizes Mai. Despite the fact that everything she is doing right now is completely out of character, and despite the fact that they are in freakin California.

RIP to all 20 of the people in that gang of bikers, because no one followed this limo away from the scene--everyone was, I assume, hella dead.

Youknow, I never expected Mai to kill more people than Bakura. I would have predicted Joey before Mai. I would have predicted Rebecca before Mai. Literally anyone else on this show before Mai.

Seto, crawling out of this oversized castle that I guess...is back on the real estate market now...decides that the irresistible pull of dragons printed on paper cards is stronger than listening to his brother’s needs to put down the damn cards and make a contractually obligated theme park.

I mean Mokuba kept him off the cards for nearly a whole year. What a healthy year that was for Seto.

Back in Arizona, apparently they didn’t make it more than a mile before Tristan busted the car. Not really clear why or how this happened, but they’ve decided to argue with eachother about it despite the fact one of them is clearly magical and does not really need to eat or drink or even maybe sleep?

Like we’ve seen Bakura basically survive off of one plate of tacos and 2 pints of blood, so just make Pharaoh push the car all the way back to California. Or just make Pharaoh use his millennium AIM to call up His tomb keepers and be like “Marik, we need a lift.” or maybe summon a very real monster because that’s a thing now?

Course this would rely on Pharaoh remembering that he has superpowers, which, somehow after 4 seasons, he always forgets how to use the moment he uses them. It’s like reverse Sailor Moon--Usagi tends to level up her Super powers, Pharaoh kind of tosses them out of the window and goes “oops” and becomes more and more mortal every single season.

So instead of magic they will just use Tea.

Amazing how none of them are really willing to date Tea seriously but they will acknowledge, out of the four of them, Tea is the best looking. So their strategy, bear with me, wasn’t to use the fact they’re children to get help from adults driving by, instead, the boys hid behind a rock so they could really make sure they were getting a hella pervy truck driver that would only stop for a single teenage girl stuck in the desert.

Only this group of kids would be like “Hey lets make sure the guy who picks us up is statistically most likely to be a serial killer” and then, weirdly enough, this horndog pedo truck driver ended up being the only person who didn’t try to kill them this entire episode.

So, lets go back to SF but coming from the north side...which makes no sense...but then again, they put Mesas in Napa County.

So last episode I assumed Rex and Weevil were dropped off in Oakland, but Rex informs us this episode that they are in “the worst part of town”

Where they get robbed twice, only to be saved by Duke Devlin, who I guess just lives here now because maybe it’s the only place he can afford in this expensive as hell city? Maybe he isn’t bothered by the crime-rate after that week he spent on Kaiba’s blimp/Seaquest mmo adventure?

Anyway, for some reason Duke--who is a game shop owner/developer by day--is wandering around the Tenderloin as a vigilante and saving people by throwing dice at them as some sort of side hustle and this is never discussed at all.

I would watch that spinoff series. Religiously.

Fun fact, there is definitely sketchy and bad parts of the Tenderloin you will know not to go to (you can smell it actually), but like a third of it is part of the best shopping district in the city and we used to just shop there unsupervised when I was a kid. It has an Anthropologie.

Not saying the parts that are bad aren’t bad. Whenever I drive through the non-shopping parts, I see at least one super sketch thing making me thankful I’m in the car. But I just don't know how Rex and Weevil managed to get robbed twice in one day. Just go five blocks in literally any direction.

Bro and I were like...HOW did this shot happened from this angle on the freeway...and then I only just now realized it. Something I forgot about because it’s from my parent’s generation...maybe the animators weren’t aware that the Embarcadero fell down after Loma Prieta?

So this was the SF landscape before the quake of 89′ (Which I have no memory of since I was a baby when this happened)

and after 89.

Like maybe the animators they had on this team remembered an SF from their youth that had a huge iconic raised street wrapping all the way around one part of it and just...never got the memo that an Earthquake made the entire thing fall down?

Either way, Duke is either driving these two directly out of SF, or he is driving them into 1988 and is taking a lovely drive on the Old Embarcadero, an experience which does not exist anymore, and which makes a lot more sense since Duke has to be somewhat near downtown, going by the skyscrapers and the vicinity to the Tenderloin.

Man. In the Yugioh Universe, Loma Preita just never actually happened. How is that factoid alone not the weirdest part of this episode?

(I am so glad Serenity is not here now that Duke’s back)

Welcome back to the show Duke, glad you’re bringing...Rex and Weevil...

To be fair, Duke has absolutely no idea who is and isn’t Yugi’s friends. Duke just kind of shows up and pretends like he’s part of the gang, and the gang has lost so much brain matter from all the cards and all the dark magic, they just assume he’s been here the whole time.

So at first I was like “this has to be a pun on Industrial Light and Magic” since there’s virtually no other film studios in the city--but ILM moved to SF 3-4 years after this season came out. So it’s just a weird coincidence, I guess. Or maybe it’s just a really uninspired name?

And so Mai, who I guess has been just waiting on this ledge for 8 hours decides to drop in.

Mai has evolved a lot since S1.

But, although Mai is just...straight up evil now, at least we get to see it taken out on Pegasus who, as far as this show is concerned, is a pretty evil bastard.

A pretty evil bastard who took like 3-4 episodes to beat in S1 but Mai could just do it off-screen.

It’s just funny that the entire time on the island Pegasus was probably pretty sure everyone there was trying to kill him EXCEPT for Mai and then the moment his back is turned he’s like “oh whaaaat?”

Like Bandit Keith is already in America. But rather than use Bandit Keith for this, lets use Mai to give Joey something to angst about. We can’t put her in a coma again--so lets instead get her vaguely possessed. Although seriously, if someone I liked did this to me I think I’d be over that crush really fast.

And then, speaking of Bandit Keith, we get to have a Greek Chorus this duel from the minibosses. Valon and the other guy with the handlebar-muttonchops.

I looked up “where does Valon’s accent come from” and literally there is no consensus, as far as I know.

And that’s where this episode ends.

Now I’m gonna go out of town for a week and then will need another week to make more of these so I’ll be on another hiatus. Holding out if I’ll maybe bring a laptop or something to where I’m going so I can type out recaps when I’m bored.

The problem is having the uhhhhh photoshop to do the caps. I can’t bear to do this in MS Paint because hell will freeze over before I lose all of my actions and hotkeys I made specifically to reduce the time it takes to make these. But we shall see.

anyway, if you want to see these from the beginning, click here.

[notwhelmedyet]

Is 'Ratchet has a nice day' a sufficient writing prompt?

yes, of course! This ficlet is called Still Waters and I’ll probably throw it on ao3 tomorrow after I edit it / after work bc I really like it. Post-war, post-LL, inexplicable happy ending with a deeply dreamlike feeling. Married Dratchet, bc that’s my speed.

The space between patients was a good one. Sunlight came into the corridor through the skylights above and soaked into his plating, doors of the examination rooms built thick and insulated so the air hung still. Ratchet let himself sit in the bench while he read through the notes on his next patient, warmth from the solar radiation loosening up his aching joints.

When he got to the examination room, his assistant was still there, bouncing on his heels as music warbled out of the speakers they’d rigged up in the corners of the room. The patient was hooked up to as many readouts as was feasible, but was still swinging his legs in time with the beat.

“Oh, hey Ratch,” Beacon said with a lazy salute. “Got you a Cybercrosis case. Skywave, this is Doctor Ratchet, he’ll be handling your case while I assist.”

Skywave smiled a little pinched smile at Ratchet. A couple years wasn’t near long enough for anyone to get used to the idea of Cybercrosis being easily curable. Ratchet could understand, still had to catch himself on the diagnosis every time. But Skywave wasn’t far along and the cure they’d been improving ever since Luna I was a perfect fit for him. Ratchet got him settled and set up in the energon filtration system, and made sure Beacon had scheduled up the follow-up appointment while he walked him through the theory of the cure. Beacon was a promising medic, Ratchet hoped he’d stick around after his apprenticeship was over. His students kept leaving to found hospitals all over the galaxy and it’d be good to have a helping hand around the clinic.

After Skywave’s appointment, Ratchet excused himself to take his mid-shift break. He was partway through a book Nautica had recommended him and he was hoping to finish it before they saw each other next. The book had a nice audio narrator, so he took a walk around the neighborhood while he listened, grabbed a few things from one of the corner store where they didn’t mind if you kept your audio feed running and limited your interactions to the business essentials. The air was swirling with sweet scents from the snack stands Drift could never resist. Ratchet didn’t feel hungry yet, so he just let all of that soak into his chemoreceptors and imagined how they’d taste.

After break, he observed Beacon on some simple cases, fixing broken limbs, replacing parts, cleaning and upgrading. It was a quiet day at the clinic, the way Ratchet liked them. He took a call from the local hospital, looking to see when he could act as lead for a fairly complicated surgery, spark chamber embrittlement. Ratchet put them on his calendar for the day after next after checking to make sure the patient wasn’t reaching the terminal stages yet. Then he had to call up First Aid and see if he still had those old case files on the embrittlement surgeries they’d attended over together. Ratchet had them somewhere, but he was still at the “dump all the files in a pile“ stage of his ongoing file organization project. He’d get to it eventually.

The night nurse, Latency, came in a few minutes early and they caught up on a few administrative things they’d been meaning to talk about. Beacon headed out while their heads were still together, going over their supply ordering calendar. Ratchet was reminded of the time with a jolt and stood up out of his seat midsentence. “I forgot—”

Latency grinned and waved him off. “Go! We can talk this over tomorrow.”

Ratchet nodded and made his way out through the waiting room, where a few patients were filling out forms with the help of Latency’s apprentice, whose name Ratchet still hadn’t memorized. They all paused to wave him goodnight as he hustled through. He stepped out into the cool blue night air, brushing invisible specks off his plating as he went. He checked his chrono and realized it wasn’t nearly as late as he’d imagined, barely two minutes over his habitual departure time. He chuckled, shaking his head at himself. Getting all flustered about being two minutes late, some things never changed.

“Hey there, handsome. You waiting for someone?” A mech strode down the walkway, hands resting loosely on his hips and a sharp-toothed smile playing on his face.

Ratchet groaned and reached out to grab Drift by the wrist and pull him close. “You’re ridiculous,” he said, smiling into the crook of Drift’s neck where Drift wouldn’t be able to see it. Drift threw his arms around Ratchet’s back, fingers tracing gentle circles on his plating.

Drift hummed agreeably. “Sure am,” he said. “You ready to go? Need anything from home?”

“I’m good,” Ratchet said.

They stood there for a long moment, nobody willing to step back first. Eventually, Drift pulled away, trailing a hand over Ratchet’s arm to catch his hand and he did. Ratchet squeezed back and smiled at Drift. Under the white streetlights, Drift’s plating practically glowed, whole and perfect. Drift caught him staring and ducked his head, biting at his lower lip in that old habit of his.

“How was your day?” Ratchet asked, starting them down the street. The storefronts on this block were bright at night, panels of light across the walkway guiding them towards the rail hub.

“It was good,” Drift said. “I like teaching, you know. It’s good.”

Ratchet liked Drift teaching too, better than the days he worked the perimeter of the city scouring the wilderness for dangerous creatures or orbital security. Drift was untethered, you couldn’t expect him to be content doing the same thing every day like Ratchet did. It was enough to ask him to stay planetside with Ratchet.

“I’d love to see you teach sometime,” Ratchet said.

“You could take a day off any time,” Drift said. “Beacon could fill in, or call up one of your old students. Or even just close the clinic for the day; it’s not like there aren’t other hospitals.”

“I’ll have to think about it,” Ratchet said. The train pulled up and slid to a silent halt, doors opening into the brightly lit space. Drift and Ratchet crowded together in the back, nearly in each other’s laps, Drift’s head tilted back against Ratchet’s chest as they talked over the day and the little things that had filled it. The space filled up as they went along, packed to bursting when they hit the shore and Drift and Ratchet squeezed their way out onto the beach. There was already a crowd and music going, lights spotted along the shoreline and the moon bright above. Drift pinged out for them and immediately set out through the crowd to meet up with their friends.

Ratchet spotted Thunderclash first, a head and shoulders above the crowd even if Rung hadn’t been riding on his shoulders, laughing away. Thunders spotted Ratchet and Drift and beamed at them. The rest of the crew parted like the sea and folded them in, surrounded by a mass of patting hands and careening conversations. Someone pushed a drink in Ratchet’s hand and Thunderclash offered up a toast.

They hung close by Thunderclash, Ratchet and Drift each with one arm slung around the other’s waist as they chatted and sipped new mixes Swerve had dreamed up. Thunderclash drew out a few stories, forming worlds with his hands as he went. Eventually Rodimus rolled up, fashionably late as always. The music had picked up a driving rhythm and Rodimus came over already half dancing.

“Ratch, can I steal your conjunx for a song?” Rodimus said with a laugh, overcharged slur to his words. Ratchet rolled his optics and waved Drift on, watching as the two speedsters scooted out into the crowd of dancers. The two friends grinned at each other and twirled until they were lost in the crowd. They came back a few songs later, Rodimus clinging to Drift’s back like a sucker as Drift lurched, half collapsing under Rodimus’s weight and his uncontrollable giggles. Drift dumped him out on the sand and flopped on the ground, watching Ratchet from across the crowd.

Ratchet made his apologies to Thunders and went to his conjunx, still lying on the ground in a pose he probably thought was alluring, covered in sand. “Having fun down there?” He asked, crossing his arms across his chest.

“Tons of fun,” Drift agreed. “You should pick me up, I’m tired.”

“Nah,” Ratchet said. “That’s just you trying to trick me into getting dragged into a sand wrestle with you and Rod. I know your tricks.”

“See?” Rodimus said. “I told you, he’s onto us!”

Drift pouted. “You’re no fun, Ratch.”

“I just don’t want sand in my hip joints again. Once was plenty. Twice was excessive.”

Drift shrugged, not contrite at all. With a quick roll back onto his shoulders, he threw himself back onto his feet and offered Rodimus a hand up before pressing himself up against Ratchet’s side again, sand gritty between their plating. Rodimus hooked his thumb over his shoulder, mouthing something that looked like “Finding Magnus,” as he backed into the crowd. “It’s a beautiful night,” Drift said.

“Yeah, it is,” Ratchet agreed.

“Thanks for coming out with me.”

“Of course,” Ratchet said. “How’s our favorite terror?”

“Roddy’s great,” Drift said. “He wants to take me asteroid surfing again.”

“Of course he does,” Ratchet said. “You going?”

“Said I had to check with you, I wasn’t sure if it’d conflict with our plan for the anniversary trip.”

Ratchet tipped his helm against Drift’s and rested a moment. “We’ll check when we get home. You want to find a spot to watch the show?”

They ended up sitting out on the pier, waves lapping up against their ankles. The shore was packed, mechs shoulder to shoulder as they watched the night sky. Ratchet had completely lost sight of the rest of the crew in the thick of it.

The first firework split the sky with a shockwave that sent waves slapping against the pier. Drift startled, but he was smiling when Ratchet looked over. The next explosion wasn’t any quieter, and Ratchet lowered his audial sensitivity with a wince. Fireworks were a lot louder up close, when you shot them off in atmosphere. Drift jumped again at the third blast and someone banged their knee against the back of Ratchet’s head.

He turned to Drift to ask but Drift was already speaking. “Do you want—”

“—to go home?”

He snorted and crouched on the pier, scooping Drift up into his arms as he stood. Drift wriggled and started laughing, throwing his arms around Ratchet’s neck like he thought a medic frame wasn’t capable of lifting a lightweight speedster like him. Ratchet didn’t complain, about that or the sand. The other spectators on the pier gave them dirty looks as Ratchet picked his way back to the shore. Frag them. The lightshow happened every year and went for hours, they weren’t missing anything. Ratchet didn’t set Drift down till they were back at the rail station for fear of losing him in the crowd. From up there the crowd was a shifting chaos of bioights in the dark but the explosions were still strut-shakingly loud.

On the train home they sat in seats across from one another, alone in the railcar. “I can’t believe we bailed on our first date in months,” Drift said.

“It was my fault. I just don’t like being surrounded by that many people,” Ratchet said. “Sorry if I ruined your evening.”

“Don’t lie, I know you left because I wasn’t enjoying it.” Drift smiled, a little sad. “I thought it’d be easier.”

“We’ll catch the second half at home,” Ratchet said. “We’ll get up on the roof and watch, you can bring those ridiculous snacks you like.”

“Best of both worlds,” Drift said. He swapped over to the seat next to Ratchet and cozied up against his side. They’d be home in a few minutes, and Ratchet would manage to forget the keycode again. They’d wander through their hab with the lights off and bump into everything and each other gathering up snacks and blankets and whatever else Drift suddenly needed desperately. They’d curl up under the stars together and they’d be home and everything would be good.

Primus, what a life he’d lived.

[blackberryhills]

Celebrate Onam with Blackberry hills, a four-star resort in Munnar

Onam, the official festival of Kerala marks the prosperity and happiness of the harvest season.

Without any divergence. People from all over Kerala observe Onam with great joy.

It is widely seen that each household, educational institution, government, or other non-government firm celebrates with great delight.

Onam is around the corner. It is the time to rejoice.

Please pause a moment.

Let me introduce myself.

I am blackberry hill, one of the best resorts in Munnar

In the charming hills of Munnar, resort, I can offer you beautiful gardens and the tempting scent of rich tea. Nature has been created to stay forever, bringing peace, comfort, and quietness to your life.

Beautiful right?

This Onam, I have something special for you.

families, business people, friends, and relatives

Come on!!

Let’s look at how the Onam celebration at blackberry hills is different

Onam celebration at blackberry hills

I have already informed you about my surroundings.

Then we can go for, what can I offer you.

In other words. Let’s discuss what an Onam celebration at a resort might look like.

If you block my calendar on the day of Onam.

Come straight to blackberry hills.

Then you will receive it in grandeur and there you can experience a bundle of activities and fill your memory bag full.

Onam special programs in a four-star resort in Munnar

Rangoli contest

Rangoli is an art of decoration drawn on the floor or the entrances of homes. It is thought to bring good luck, and prosperity to the house and in the family, and to welcome guests. It serves as a gateway to your home or office.

Here is the rangoli contest at blackberry hills, we will give you the opportunity to have fun with your loved ones.

This Onam, you can watch which group is bringing more prosperity.

Boat making contest

Vallam Kali, the traditional boat race held in Kerala, is an event that attracts thousands of spectators and participants. It is a form of canoe racing in which paddled war canoes are used. The race takes place in the season of the harvest festival Onam.

Let’s commemorate the history of Vallam kali by making boats and go back to our memory lane where we made paper boats on those rainy days in our childhood.

Drawing contest

Let’s conduct a drawing contest and everyone participate and have a stroke on the paper.

Tug of war

Tug of war is a fun, exciting sport that pits two teams against each other. They pull on opposite ends of a rope with the goal being to bring the rope a certain distance in one direction against the force of their opposing team’s pull.

Pot breaking

Blindfolded players are always looking for some fun. Break the pots with this game. Do not hit sides. A timing game is important.

Laughter! Giggles and more fun are on the way. Let’s hit it!!

A traditional Sadhya with 18 Dishes

Sadya is a special traditional meal that reflects the spirit of the season. Made with seasonal vegetables such as yam, cucumber, ash gourd, and so on, it should be enjoyed with family and friends on this auspicious festival of Onam. It steals the show!!

Campfire with Music

Campfires are a popular feature of camping. They provide light, heat, and warmth and add a certain ambiance to campfire ceremonies.

Yes, here at Blackberry hills, a luxury family resort in Munnar We are celebrating the Onam festival with traditional arts and culture, dance, and music. Come on, this occasion to enjoy all your favorite traditions from Kerala.

It is ideal for getaways, couples’ retreats, and group celebrations. Walking through our garden and viewing the captivating greenery from all its corners is a blissful experience indeed.

Here you can relax with your loved ones on one of our hammocks or simply have a quiet chat with friends or family over lunch or breakfast.

There are many recreational options that can be enjoyed including cycling, trekking, nature observation, and much more! Blackberry hill is also suitable for clients who would like to stay away from the hustle and bustle of cities

[josephinebeintema-blog]

Watch “Time Blocking | Calendar Blocking | how time blocking helps authors” on YouTube

[thedeskside]

5 Tips to Take on Freelance PR Work (When You Already Have a Job)

Don’t be fooled, freelancing with a full-time job is the same thing as working two jobs. Sure, your second job is more flexible and can mostly be done in your pjs, but you’re still working.

 A full-time job may be enough to get you by financially, but sometimes we need to pursue our own passion projects: in comes your side hustle. You’re getting some experience and working on something you love, so what could go wrong?

There’s nothing simple about a juggling act. And more often than not, you may find yourself overwhelmed with your newfound professional bounty. With a few guidelines to help you out, you won’t have to worry about your sanity getting lost in the shuffle.

1. Create home “office hours” for your freelance projects

Great, you leave the office by 5pm and get home by 5:30pm, now what? Map out your time. Maybe you get off early on Fridays, so they’re optimal to get freelance tasks done. Or you can squeeze in two hours to finalize a press release before you begin your Netflix binge.

It’s important to know the amount of time you can block out for your freelance work so that you don’t end up using your weekends to catch up on a project rather than catch up on your sleep. I block out certain hours after work in my calendar for the week, and give my client the total before the weekend so that they know exactly how much time I’m able to devote to their brand. The more you keep a client in the loop, the less emails and calls they’ll send your way, trust me.

2. Beware of overbooking yourself

So you clocked in the full 40 hours in the office, and your freelance client has an upcoming event that same weekend, that may keep you up late a few nights. No need to panic; one or two hectic weeks here and there is just a normal part of having a career. However, finishing a crazy full-time workweek, staying up until 1am every night writing some marketing content, and having to down three coffees and Red Bulls a day just to get by is not normal—and completely unhealthy.

Burnout is the last thing you need when you want to make your side hustle work out in your favor. Remember why you’re doing this! Freelancing isn’t just a way to get some more money in the bank, but it’s also a way to unleash your creativity while doing something you love.

Do not let your love for something fade because you’ve been overworking yourself. Get your control back by limiting the projects you work on, and getting real about the amount of time you are able to commit to your bonus endeavors.

3. Prioritize your 9-5

Never, ever attempt to get away with doing freelance work at your day job. The two should always be kept separate. Feel free to use your commute and lunch hour wisely, but other than that you’re asking for trouble if you’re working on an outside project during your nine-to-five.

You should also check your job at the door. Meaning, leave work at work and get into freelance mode when you get to your home office desk. When I get home, I turn off all notifications for my regular job, as well as personal pings. I want to ensure that the time I spend on my freelance projects is devoted to those clients alone. Don’t forget, your freelance clients deserve your full-time style focus.

4. Find a support network

Freelancing is similar to being an entrepreneur—you’re your own boss, and you have your own skillset that you’re sharing with others in exchange for money and/or experience. Entrepreneurs are urged to invest in themselves, and you should too!

Skillshare is a super-affordable way to learn new creative skills, or strengthen your current ones. For a small monthly fee, you get full-access to classes like ‘Introduction to HTML’, and ‘the Golden Secrets to Hand Lettering’. There are also tons of books as well that you could bite into for some help like PR Couture’s very own ‘Ready to Launch: The PR Couture Guide To Breaking Into Fashion PR’, or Tara Gentile’s ‘Quiet Power Strategy’ to help keep the creative juices flowing.

Want something to feed off on for free? I’m a total podcast junky! Tons of well-known experts have their own podcasts, and interview other industry pros that are constantly dishing out tips and tricks we could all use. I get some of my best ideas and business hacks from podcasts. Smart Creative Women with Monica Lee, She Percolates, and Soulful PR Podcast with Janet Murray are just a few incredible podcasts to add to your queue. I love having them on in the background while I catch up on my emails in the morning.

5. Know your end game

Working two jobs at full throttle is only sustainable in the short term. Have an action plan with a clear outcome in place. Is your goal to eventually turn your after-hours work into a full-time income? What numbers either financial or in terms of clients/projects do you need to hit to make that realistic. If you plan on staying full-time and only taking on extra projects when you feel like it – how can you best support yourself during the busy times – and take advantage of project-free months. Having a clear vision and outcome will help you keep your bearings when the going gets especially tough.

This is an original story that I wrote for PR Couture.

[theleatherbarebear]

Happy last week of Summer (or rather full week) as we receive some heat waves and humidity times 89,000 in parts of the world, but most especially in LA this weekend…. *runs to the freezer section of literally any grocery store*…  how are you staying cool?

Maybe with some of these Stan Vegan Wine Lush Summer/Beat the Heat picks:

White Claw Spiked Sparkling Seltzer

12 pk of variety fun ($14.99 before tax) – or just a 6pk of Blackberry aka my top flavor – usually under $10-$12 w/ tax

Kung Fu Girl Riesling – by Charles Smith

balanced to perfection the right amount of dry to sweet ratio making it a pallet pleasure and Wine Enthusiast BOSS!!! Always under $15

The Bruery Mischief – Hoppy Belgian-Style Ale

an 8.5% giant of hops, spice and fruit embellished notes.

Booch Craft Hard Kombucha

7% ABV – probiotics and pro-pleasure principle (APPLE LIME JASMINE FTW)

Hopefully you’ll give some a shot or maybe you already have…

It’s the third Sunday Funday of September aka September 15, 2019 aka National Online Learning Day as well as Creme De Menthe Day … check out my buddy’s Insta…

Stephen aka  Potions.and.Spirits

He’s a wiz at so many cool cocktails… and I’m sure he can recommend a creme de menthe (mint liqueur) recipe to knock your… whatever is too hot to be wearing off… among so many other adult beverage recipes…

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the last 3 months since my last entry #NationalOnlineLearningDay … it’s you have to constantly think outside the box…. You have to be dare I say incorrigible:

perhaps by partaking in some incorrigible sips of riesling via Washington State winery Pacific Rim…. known for their incredible line of Rieslings ranging from Sweet to Dry… all sustainable… all delectable:

  Thanks for the repost ❤ ❤ you Columbia Valley Wonder

Basically what I’m getting at beside reasonable everyday succulent wine, trendy craft brews, tres cool cocktail recipes from my old roommate/college buddy/one of my favorite queer human beings/friend/guy I made out with for a short film (“it was art”) is that … Sweet beats heat!

And nothing is sweeter than J-Lo’s performance in my favorite feel good, act like a boss, side hustle appreciation movie of the summer with equally sweet Miss Constance Wu (Fresh Off The Boat, Crazy Rich Asians) as the fellow leading lady in Hustlers (Now Playing).

Caught this movie opening weekend (this one) and it popped off with a packed AMC theater [cheers for A-List stubs…. for this being my third movie of the week…  Good Boys (raunchy rated R with a pg-13 cast for epic comedy gold) being one and IT: Chapter II (chilling on levels beyond horror… dealing with domestic violence, bullying, homophobia, horror and abuse) being my other O.O]. Hustlers opens with some incredible music (the soundtrack is fire aka good)… dancing in my seat next to my friend Christina Duran Guevara… I pulled out my canned wine… I earned it and also paid for it prior to showing up to the theater so stop judging me so hard…. (I did recycled after the movie… my wine in a can brought to you by Underwood Pinot Noir… as well as a chill in my fridge prior to the movie and the lovely people of Trader Joes as well as Kroger/Ralph’s fame… *note Underwood is also available at many many places, but only the red/pinot noir is vegan friendly*)

BACK to our feature presentation….

My eyes were glued to the screen the entire time…. Hustlers has a lot of heart and at it’s core is about the bonds of friendship and sisterhood amongst those life long friends you make in adulthood. Based on a true story/events… Constance Wu plays Destiny a girl just trying to take care of herself and her grandma, yet is failing to do so because she lacks that control factor that Romona (aka Jenny from the Block) seems to have down to a tea in almost every way. They meet at a Gentlemen’s Club… Romana being a vet captures Destiny’s eye as a mentor… J-Lo giving the pole dance of her LIFE #FiftyAndThriving… the friendship blossoms as Lopez is a nurturing friend even as a hustler she cares too much and this gets her into a lot of trouble… Keke Palmer aka Mercedes , Lili Reinhart/Annabelle, Cardi B, Lizzo, Madeline Brewer… and so many female superstars round out this cast and group and tell a story that really draws you in to empathize with how far you’ll go, overstep, displace and grow when it comes to getting by especially for family.

As J-Lo puts it towards the end as I paraphrase… the world is a strip club and we’re all just trying to dance in it… someone else pulls are strings and we help them profit by giving our best performance… sometimes you get a chance on the pole and it pays off… sometimes you fall flat… and if you play by your own rules you still have to play the game…

See Hustlers asap and tell me what you think as well as your summer choice drink or drinks you’ve tried.

Helpful Links:

AMC Theaters -A-List Stubs – https://www.amctheatres.com/

Barnivore – http://www.barnivore.com/

National Day Calendar – https://nationaldaycalendar.com/latest-posts/

Pacific Rim Wines 

https://www.facebook.com/pacificrimwine

https://www.instagram.com/pacificrimwine/

http://pacificrimwinery.com/

Potions.and.Spirits – https://www.instagram.com/potions.and.spirits/

Speciality Wine & Spirit Stores/Shops – https://www.missionliquor.com/ (LA County Exclusive)

Underwood Wine – https://shop.unionwinecompany.com/products/underwood-in-a-can-pinot-noir

DON’T FORGET TO FOLLOW ME

FOR FRIENDSHIP, RECOMMENDS & REVIEWS:

FACEBOOK –  INSTAGRAM – TWITTER  – YELP 

YOUTUBE (being updated stay tuned)

Your Vegan Wine Lush (aka Hottesome)

Riesling Rules: Hustlers, Kung Fu & Pacific Rim Happy last week of Summer (or rather full week) as we receive some heat waves and humidity times 89,000 in parts of the world, but most especially in LA this weekend....

[dlpindiacom-blog]

Can Sabbatical Help You Find a Direction in Your Career? | DLP India

Are you daydreaming about the healthy work-life balance in your life? Maybe it’s high time to block date on your calendar to revive your soul, explore new directions in your life and make more space in your busy office life to pursue a career shift by temporarily opting out of your 9-to-5 job and going on a career sabbatical.

Episodic jobs, an increased competition, a feeling of getting stuck in the wrong career path, and the lack of skills has made “sabbatical programs” increasingly popular nowadays. Thus, many people are opting for long-term career breaks (paid/unpaid) approved by their employers to do some brain accounting. In today’s fast-paced corporate culture, sabbaticals have become the unsung heroes of the career paths because they provide an opportunity to focus on career development and personal enrichment.

Read Also: Top Reasons to Start a Side-Gig 

Various myths are associated with sabbaticals like:

Only people working for an organization for a long time (7-10 years) are eligible for a sabbatical.

Sabbaticals must be always job-related activities or research.

Almost all the sabbaticals are paid.

Sabbaticals must be always planned either between high school and college or after at least 7 years of work experience.

Taking a sabbatical can articulate complex circumstances and you need to over justify yourself when you come back.

Sabbatical is a solo effort (that could be paid or unpaid) meant to get a renewed perspective by going away from the daily hustle-bustle of workplace and attain something great in the right frame of mind. It is an ideal way to experience positive emotions and achieve a renewed sense of self-awareness because nobody wants to live and die like a worker bee. Embarking on a sabbatical may open the door to revelations in the form of different work opportunities, networking and leadership skills that may change your entire life.

Such types of structured career breaks are definitely a great step towards achieving a good work-life balance. Arranging a sabbatical from work is like opening a window of opportunity. It allows you to make some much-needed (quality) time for your passions and set off to fulfill a lifelong dream. They allow you to create a psychologically healthier work-life balance and come back rejuvenated with a stronger commitment and a clear perspective. After spending time away from the workplace, you return as an incredible ROI with lots of motivation and a renewed focus, which is surely beneficial for both – you and your organization.

Read Also: Have an Idea? Become an Entrepreneur 

How to Plan a Sabbatical in Your Current Job?

Pursuing a sabbatical for you can be a daunting task and required a lot of proper planning. Given below are some useful tips on how to make it happen for you and find a new direction in your career:

Invest a good amount of time in “Research” by finding out what interests and passions motivate you to go on the long-term planned break. Ask yourself how the sabbatical is going to help in your personal and professional development. Also, you must spend time in brainstorming how to manage your financial burdens when you’ll be on sabbatical.

Proper planning is indispensable and gets you on the right side of this battle. Decide carefully the length of your sabbatical and how to budget the same if you’re planning to pursue a new career or learn a new skill. Do not forget to delegate all your job responsibilities to the right person while you’re on an extended career break.

Right execution will increase the chances of success and you may reap the benefit. It is important to document your sabbatical experience carefully and come back at the workplace with a great story about what you learned or the new skills you acquired. Make sure your break experience will provide the insightful perspectives backed by the inspiring and of course, well-founded reasons for why you were on a career break, and why have you opted to join back.

“You cannot swim for new horizons until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.” Stepping onto the long-term career break is difficult, but you must always remember that it is not more difficult than getting stuck in a situation where you’re not happy. “There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.”

Read Also: 5 Common Career Mistakes and What You Can Learn From Them

[hippoland]

When is the best time to pitch an investor?

I was moderating a VC panel a couple of weeks back, and we talked about the best way to get an investor’s attention.  One of the panelists said, “Well, the worst way is to bombard me at an event.”  And the more I thought about it, the more I disagree.  

When I was an entrepreneur, I don’t think I had any sense just how busy most investors are.  I guess I just thought they all sit in cushy chairs all day and sip tea and hang out at the Rosewood on Sand Hill.  (ok, maybe some investors do)  

But certainly new VCs are not doing this.  They have to hustle for every deal.  They have to hustle to fundraise for their current or next fund.  So how do you get on an investor’s radar?  

Here’s a snapshot of my day-in-a-life:

I average 6-10 meetings per day (typically 20-30 min mtgs); incl both mtgs with current and future portfolio cos

I block off 4+ hours a day for emailing with founders

I do roadshow events / speak at conferences on average 2-5 days per mo on the road, 1 day locally

Right now, my work inbox has 

80 import ant unanswered emails

276 back-and-forth email threads with prospective founders

1500+ emails that will just never even get opened because the subject line isn’t interesting

My personal inbox isn’t any better unfortunately

This isn’t to say, “Oh I’m so busy / I’m holier or more important than thou”.  But, I’m trying to paint a picture of what channels are too competitive to get attention in and which channels have opportunities.  I imagine that this is similar for many other investors.  

Based off this, if I were pitching myself, here are some takeaways:

1) The best place to pitch an investor is when there is unstructured time:

If you are at a conference or an event, investors actually have a LOT of downtime.  They have blocked on their calendars to be at an event for x amount of time.  But, aside from their speaking slot or panel or whatnot, they are more or less available!   

Now, a lot of investors don’t stay for the whole event, but if they are speaking, you can bet they will show up for that part at least.  And, so your opportunity is to find them before or after their talks.  Have you ever seen an investor on his/her phone emailing or texting people in the corner of a room?  That is your opportunity to jump in and do an elevator pitch.  Be polite / friendly, and you won’t be interrupting.  

A strong elevator pitch will cover something unique about you / your story / any KPIs or metrics you may have / why what you’re doing is important.  Most elevator pitches are really weak.  In part, it’s because they all sound the same and often are too long or rambly.  Also, an elevator pitch does not mean you just talk at someone.  An elevator pitch is a dialogue, but it’s a short one where you need to cover enough interesting points in order to get a meeting.  If the investor is intrigued, you may end up having a much longer conversation at the conference itself.  My longest conversations with entrepreneurs have been at events, and many of the portfolio companies I’ve championed over the last two years have been startups I’ve met at events.

Make sure that there is a strong next step after meeting with an investor.  A weak next step is “Email me.”  You don’t want to end up in someone’s inbox.  A strong next step is a confirmed meeting — it could be at a specific time at the event itself or later on.  But, it should be locked down or at least you should be in touch with an investor’s EA.  

2) Cutting through an email inbox is tough

Everyone’s inboxes are busy.  But if you must go the email-route, here’s how.

In some ways, this is why people say strong referrals are a great way to meet with investors.  This is true — if the referral is really strong.  But most of the time, referrals are weak or are just ok.  For example, people I’ve met once or twice before do not make good referrals for me.  You’re much better off emailing cold.  Furthermore, there are even some people’s referrals who are negative signaling to me!  On the flip side, there are some fellow investors’ referrals I would hop on immediately.  The issue, as an entrepreneur, is that you don’t know where your mutual connection lies in an investor’s eyes.  And your referrer doesn’t know where he/she stands either.

The best thing you can do is to try to get a warm referral (see link) but in parallel send a cold-email.  It won’t hurt.  Sending someone an email twice isn’t going to be weird.  I probably wouldn’t even notice if someone emailed me 3x.  

If you cold-email an investor, whatever you do, that first email must be compelling enough to be moved into a concrete meeting slot.  Asking someone for 15 minutes of his/her time while providing zero context on your business is a good way to get archived immediately.  Why?  Because even though it seems like it’s just 15 minutes of time for a call, that’s what thousands — I kid you not — of other entrepreneurs are asking for at the exact same time.  

3) Make the most of whatever structured time you have

Once you have a concrete meeting time, no matter how short, you must have a pitch that is appropriate for that time period.  Most of my first structured meetings with people are 20 minutes.  This is pretty short.  And, a lot of people try to push for longer meetings.  No matter how much time you have, you should have a pitch that can fit that time slot.  You should have pitches for:

30s

5 minutes

20 minutes

45 minutes

The goals for each of these blocks are obviously very different.  You’re not going to get investment dollars on a 30s pitch.  The 30s pitch is to gauge if it’s worthwhile to move you to a longer pitch.  

Similarly, I favor 20 minute conversations as a starting point, because it’s enough time for a concise, direct entrepreneur to outline:

Team backgrounds / mission / why they are doing this

Problem they are solving

Brief solution + differentiation

Notable KPIs

High level unit metrics

etc.

The best entrepreneurs I’ve met can cover all of this in 20 minutes and more and still have time to spare.  Part of this is that they have thought deeply about what points are important and make sure to cover all of those points while avoiding long meaningless tangents.  

This means that you’ll need to pace the conversation accordingly.  If 10 minutes have gone by in a 20 minute meeting and we’ve only talked about your team, that is not good.  You must drive the conversation to cover everything you want us to cover — i.e. whatever is needed to push me to the next step — in whatever allotted time.  We won’t be able to schedule another time if we don’t cover everything unless that first meeting is compelling enough.  As an entrepreneur, it’s your job to make sure to cover everything that is compelling to get to that next step.

By the time the call is over, you should know concretely what the next steps are.  If you don’t, make sure to ask and push.  

Fundraising is a nebulous process that I aim to make more transparent.  To learn more secrets and tips, subscribe to my newsletter.  

[thesewomenrulemyworld]

options trading explained Arkansas

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Grasping Options TradingOptions trading makes me think of the magnetic toy blocks my kids play with. You can arrange them in any which way, depending on what you�re trying to achieve. What I mean is, there are endless combinations of strategies you can set up depending on your view of the market. If you think the market is trending higher, you�ll use one set of strategies. If you�re unsure of which way the stock will move, but think there�ll be a decent move in either direction, there are strategies for that. And if you think the market is in a downtrend, just use those strategies! And these strategies have some pretty cool names: iron condor, bull call spread, calendar straddle, and iron butterfly. Okay, so that all sounds fancy pancy, but what is an actual stock option?�Simply put, a stock option contract gives the holder the right to buy or sell a set number of shares for a pre-determined price over a defined time frame. �Investopedia. comIt�s pretty straight forward. You can think of it as an insurance policy. If you�re a portfolio manager, managing someone�s retirement money, then you may think its a good idea to protect your portfolio against a significant drop.

options trading brokers Arkansas For the next two years, I read through some pretty heavy and dry material while taking extensive notes.

And so I dedicated my time and effort, transforming my experiences into a side hustle that would provide personal and financial rewards. Most importantly, outside of an office setting. I read somewhere that the wealthiest individuals have seven separate streams of income. Our household currently has four, and I plan on ramping that up to seven. I�m gonna keep hustlin to see which of my skillsets I can leverage into income streams. You can do the same. �I�d rather hustle 24/7 than slave 9 to 5. �UnknownThat�s how I feel and maybe you do too. How I Made $5,000 Trading Options In Under 2 MonthsTips to get started and what to avoidYou can make far more money trading options than buying and holding onto stocks. You can utilize options trading strategies that complement your portfolio, protect yourself from downside, or straight up gamble depending on how you utilize options. However, options trading isn�t for the faint of heart. Just as you can make astronomical gains, you can also take on heavy losses if you don�t invest with the right approach. Success in options trading is a combination of skill and luck. Skill puts you in the position for massive gains and luck allows those massive gains to materialize under your timeline. In this article, I�ll talk about some of the trades I did, what to do, and what to avoid. Selling Covered Calls Is The Best Way To Get StartedFor a while, I resisted buying options because I saw it as gambling. And yes, you can buy options in a way that makes it pure gambling, but that doesn�t apply to all bought options (we�ll talk about buying options later). My introduction to options was selling them. When you sell options, you collect a premium rather than you paying up to buy the option. You become the seller rather than the buyer and get paid accordingly. Selling covered calls and cash secured puts has allowed me to earn returns that crush what I used to make back in my dividend investing days. I talked more about selling covered calls versus dividend investing in this article:Dividend Stocks VS Covered Calls For IncomeWhich one comes out on top?To set up a covered call, you need 100 shares of a stock. You then set a strike price for that covered call. The closer the strike price is to the current price, the more you�ll earn in premiums. Setting out a further expiration date also increases your premiums. The only catch is that you cap your short-term gains. While you can�t lose money with this strategy unless the value of the underlying stock decreases (same scenario as someone who buys and holds without selling covered calls), you do cap your upside. If you set a strike price of $20 and the stock goes up to $25, you have to sell your shares at $20 each rather than at $25 each. If you bought at $15, you still get some considerable upside, but you can miss out on additional gains. There isn�t a chance of losing all of your money with a covered call strategy if you use the strategy on good stocks. That�s why I recommend starting here.

options trading course manhattan Arkansas If the stock price isn�t likely to hit the strike price of your put, you can sell the put early to protect yourself from some of those losses.

The risk with selling shares is that the stock price can surge and you�ll miss out on the ride. Options Income Is Not ConsistentYou can maintain a consistent range selling covered calls and cash secured puts, but you�ll never make consistent income through buying options. Sometimes you can strike it big with one of your options while at other times most of them can expire worthless. If you continue to do your research, you will spot additional opportunities. That�s the skill part. Luck eventually follows hard work, but make sure you only nibble on options so your losses don�t have a disastrous affect on your portfolio. 7 Option Trading Strategies Every Trader Should KnowTrading options has exploded in popularity over the last couple of decades, and option trading in particular has become a major force in contemporary finance. The ability to create sophisticated and nuanced trading positions using options and other derivatives is incomparable when contrasted with traditional securities trading. Out of the many advanced trading techniques used by option traders, there are 7 strategies that stand out above the rest:Long Call and PutsBull Call SpreadBear Put SpreadStraddleStrangleButterflyCovered CallThese top 7 option strategies should be a mainstay of every option trader�s playbook, and they should understand their application intimately. Long Call and Long Put Option StrategiesLong calls and long puts are simply positions taken in an underlying security using options instead of the actual security. A long call uses call options to bet on an increase in the price of the underlying security, while a long put uses put options to bet on a decrease in the price of the underlying security. Option traders use these simple strategies when they are confident in the direction and intensity of an upcoming price change. Because options cost only a small premium compared to the potential increase in their value as a result of large changes in the price of the underlying security, the long calls and puts are the best technique for maximizing profits in the relatively rare cases where a trader has such confidence in forecasting upcoming price changes. The risk of long calls and long puts is that the price fails to move far enough in the right direction, and the options expire worthless or fail to cover the full cost of the premiums, resulting in a trading loss on the position. Bull Call SpreadA bull call spread involves the purchase of call options at one strike price and the writing of the same number of call options with the same expiration date but a moderately higher strike price. The profit from a bull call spread is maximized when the price of the security reaches slightly under the strike price of the written options, so that the written options expire worthless while the purchased options can be exercised for the maximum value within the window of the written options expiring worthless. The downside in a bull call spread is protected when both options expire worthless, but the premium gained from the written options helps to reduce the loss from the premium paid for the purchased options. Bull call spreads are used when a trader has confidence in the direction of an upcoming price change, but not in its intensity. If a trader foresees only a small increase in the price of a security, then they can capitalize on that small increase by purchasing call options while also limiting any potential downside and reducing the cost of the premiums paid by writing options at a higher strike price that is unlikely to be reached. The downside to the bull call spread is, of course, that any potential upside beyond the projected price increase is limited due to the corresponding increase in the cost to cover the written call options. Bear Put SpreadA bear put spread is the exact opposite of a bull call spread, where the trader purchases put options and also sells the same number of put options with the same expiry date but a moderately lower strike price. The profit from a bear put spread is maximized when the price of the underlying security reaches slightly above the strike price of the written put options, which means that the written options expire worthless while the value of the purchased options is maximized within the window of the written options expiring without value. The downside to a bear put spread is limited to the premium paid for the purchased options less the premium gained from the written options, which occurs when both of the options expire worthless. Traders use the bear put spread when they want to bet on a moderate decline in the price of a security. The premiums gained from the written options help to offset any potential losses if the security fails to fall in price significantly, and they are added to the profits if the price falls within the window of the written options expiring without value. However, the upside to a bear put spread is limited by the cost of the written options increasing as the security continues to fall in value past the written put options� strike price.

telegram options trading alerts Arkansas And when volatility is higher, the premium received for selling options increases, thereby allowing me to collect extra premium on each roll.

And if you think the market is in a downtrend, just use those strategies! And these strategies have some pretty cool names: iron condor, bull call spread, calendar straddle, and iron butterfly. Okay, so that all sounds fancy pancy, but what is an actual stock option?�Simply put, a stock option contract gives the holder the right to buy or sell a set number of shares for a pre-determined price over a defined time frame. �Investopedia. comIt�s pretty straight forward. You can think of it as an insurance policy. If you�re a portfolio manager, managing someone�s retirement money, then you may think its a good idea to protect your portfolio against a significant drop. If the S&P 500 is trading at around 3,000, then perhaps you�ll want to protect against a decline of more than 20%. This protection can be achieved by purchasing options contracts at the price of 2,400 (20% below the current market). What�s remarkable is that you or I can be the one selling the options contract in that example. All we need to do is place a sell order on an options exchange. What threw me off initially was learning how trading options for income is no different from being an insurance salesman. Many options traders consider themselves to be in the insurance industry. I was in awe as I read the book: The Option Traders Hedge Fund. The central premise from the author is how an options trader is a one-person insurance company, operating a solo business. The insurance business is summed up in a few bullet points:Calculating the risk for insurance policies soldReceiving adequate premiums for those insurance policiesPurchasing �re-insurance� to protect against tail-end risks like natural disasters, e. g.

options trading advice service Arkansas The profit from the butterfly position would be maximized at $40.

You then set a strike price for that covered call.

trading stock options Arkansas The way to make a consistent income is to be selling the options contracts rather than buying them.

Long StraddleA straddle option trade will profit when the price of the security changes enough in either direction to compensate for the cost of both the call options� and put options� premiums.

best service for options trading Arkansas Straddles can offer relatively low cost access to substantial profits with little downside risk, which is merely that the price change is not significant enough to cover the cost of both premiums.

If the S&P 500 is trading at around 3,000, then perhaps you�ll want to protect against a decline of more than 20%. This protection can be achieved by purchasing options contracts at the price of 2,400 (20% below the current market). What�s remarkable is that you or I can be the one selling the options contract in that example. All we need to do is place a sell order on an options exchange. What threw me off initially was learning how trading options for income is no different from being an insurance salesman. Many options traders consider themselves to be in the insurance industry. I was in awe as I read the book: The Option Traders Hedge Fund. The central premise from the author is how an options trader is a one-person insurance company, operating a solo business. The insurance business is summed up in a few bullet points:Calculating the risk for insurance policies soldReceiving adequate premiums for those insurance policiesPurchasing �re-insurance� to protect against tail-end risks like natural disasters, e. g. , flooding. Investing the cash pile accumulated from selling the insuranceAnd this is precisely what an options trader does. So let�s get into the weeds. Diving Into the DetailsOptions, like insurance policies, have a contract period. They can range anywhere from a week to multiple years until the policy expires. The reality, though, is that over 90% of options contracts expire worthlessly. The way to make a consistent income is to be selling the options contracts rather than buying them. The strategy that has become the bread and butter of what I do is called a credit put spread. In a nutshell, I sell the holder of a stock an insurance policy to allow him to sell me his shares slightly below the current market price (called a �put option�), in case the stock price plummets. I then use a small portion of that premium received to buy a re-insurance policy for myself to sell out of those shares at an even lower price. It�s easiest to understand via an example:The price of Nike stock is US$ 100. I sell a short-term, two-week insurance policy to a holder of Nike shares to protect his investment at $95 (5% below the current price). If the share price of Nike falls below $95 during this period, he can sell his shares to me at the agreed price of $95. In this example, he has paid me $1 for this insurance. I might then go out and buy a re-insurance policy for $0. 2 and protect myself at $90 (10% below the market).

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