#fire patches for sale

[netpropatches]

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[oopsiedaisydeer]

ꜰɪʀᴇ ᴀʟᴀʀᴍ

…𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦'𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘤𝘬 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦, 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘶𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘦'𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦-𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥

slow burn, mutual pining, office romance, romantic tension, miscommunication, jealousy, unresolved feelings, longing, subtle angst, yearning

introducing dotty, my nickname for officecrush!reader!!

word count - 1.1k

The phone rings around 10:47 a.m, just as she’s reaching for her mug of lukewarm coffee. She answers it out of habit, eyes still half on her inbox. The voice on the other end is sweet and chipper.

“Hey, Dotty! It’s Sophie. Can you patch me through to Matt?”

She pauses, fingers hovering over the phone system. Sophie. Of course.

The sales girl Matt drove home once. More than once.

She glances over at his office through the glass wall. He’s wearing that light blue button-up he looks good in, sleeves rolled up like usual, hair fluffed from running his hand through it a thousand times already. She wonders if Sophie notices things like that too. If she compliments him. A part of her hopes she does, another wants to puke at the thought.

“Sure thing!” she says quickly, throat a little dry. She transfers the call before Sophie can say anything else. She knows it’s not a big deal. They’re just grabbing lunch. Still, something about it itches under her skin.

Dotty tries not to look over again, but out of the corner of her eye, she catches the moment he answers. He leans back slightly, smiling at whatever Sophie is saying. It’s not like the smiles he gives her, or maybe it is. She can’t really tell right now.

She hadn’t even realised he was still seeing her. That thought sinks in slowly, heavier than she expected.

By noon, she’s knee-deep in spreadsheets and trying to forget the way Matt laughed on that call. She’s focused, mostly, until the fire alarm goes off. Sharp, sudden, and way too loud.

Everyone groans. Someone makes a joke about burned popcorn again. Dotty quietly grabs her phone and stands up with the rest of her colleagues as she files out into the stairwell.

Matt catches up with her halfway down the stairs.

“Another drill? Or is this the real thing this time?”

She shrugs. “Depends. Did you bring your lunch?”

He laughs softly. “Nah, I'm grabbing food with a friend.”

A friend? Oh. Right. Sophie.

Outside, the whole team is standing around in loose clusters in the parking lot. The sky is overcast, but the fresh air is nice. She’s standing a bit off to the side, talking quietly with one of the marketing girls, keeping mostly to herself. Matt drifts over and stands beside her. Not saying anything. Just there.

A few people start a game to pass the time. “Three movies you'd bring to a desert island?”

Someone says Pitch Perfect.

Matt snorts audibly. “Seriously? You want an a capella drama while you're dying of heatstroke?”

She laughs before she can stop herself. “Honestly, I kind of like that movie. I used to watch it with my mum all the time.”

Matt turns to her, mock betrayal in his eyes. “Dotty... you didn’t strike me as a Barden Bella.”

She smirks. “It's comforting. Sue me.”

“Comforting,” he echoes. “Right. Next you’re gonna say you like Twilight.”

She looks at him sideways. “As a comedy, or…?”

He blinks. “I don’t even know you.”

The group splits naturally into smaller clusters, accounting and sales huddled together by the curb, admin and HR under the tree near the backlot. Most of the guys from the office, including Matt, wander off a bit, leaning against the building’s brick wall, where someone pulls out a cigarette and starts the next game.

“Alright,” someone says. “Who would you do?”

Matt huffs out a laugh. “Really? We’re doing this now?”

“Come on, it's tradition.”

Names get tossed out fast. Amanda, someone says. Priya. Then…

“Dotty. Easy.”

Matt’s eyebrows lift slightly, but he stays quiet, listening.

More than one person agrees.

“She’s got that quiet thing going on, y’know? Shy.”

Matt’s jaw shifts subtly. His gaze drifts toward where Dotty stands, halfway across the lot. She’s got her arms crossed over her chest, hair pulled up in that half up half down style she always does when she’s trying not to overheat. She’s talking to another girl, nodding gently, smiling at something that was said.

Someone elbows him. “What about you, Matt?”

He takes a second to think, mouth suddenly dry. He manages a smirk, then says simplfy. “The corporate’s rep.”

A round of laughter follows, but he doesn't laugh. Not really.

He keeps looking over.

When it’s the girls' turn, the game naturally drifting over, everyone starts throwing out Matt’s name like it’s obvious. She instinctively shrinks back a little, hoping they skip over her.

“Matt. Definitely Matt.”

She keeps her eyes on the ground, fiddling with the edge of her sleeve, toeing at a crack in the pavement.

“Dotty, you gonna say Luke or what?” someone teases.

She looks up, startled. "Huh?"

The girls giggle. “Your fiancé, silly.”

“Right,” she says quickly, swallowing the heat in her cheeks.

But she wasn’t thinking about Luke. His name hadn’t even popped into her head.

Luke shows up right then, slipping through the crowd to her side. He leans in, pressing a brief kiss to her cheek. His hand rests a little too firmly on her lower back.

“You good? Didn’t think this thing would take so long.”

“Yeah,” she says, voice a little smaller than usual.

He scans the crowd, then mutters, “Figures they'd let everyone goof off instead of just sending us back in.”

She gives a small nod, but doesn’t say anything. His grip lingers before he walks off to join the guys. The girls fall quiet for a beat.

One of them finally says, “He’s cute. Kind of intense.”

Dotty doesn’t answer. She’s still watching where Luke walked off, then shifts her gaze, just slightly, to Matt.

That’s when Sophie shows up, a little breathless, clearly looking for Matt. He walks over to her easily, like they do this all the time. She slips into the circle with everyone else, looping her arm lightly through Matt’s.

“Did I miss something fun?”

“We’re talking desert island movies,” someone says.

Sophie grins. “Easy. Pitch Perfect.”

She glances at Matt. He’s laughing, but it sounds different now. Not performative. Just... soft.

Dotty turns away, swallowing around the lump in her throat. The sky’s starting to clear above them, a little sun breaking through. Someone says they’ll probably be allowed back in soon.

She tucks a piece of hair behind her ear, gaze drifting over to the trees swaying gently in the breeze.

She looks back at Matt, whose eyes meet hers. For a second, she thinks he might say something.

And for a second, Matt forgets Sophie’s arm around his. He forgets the game, the parking lot, even his lunch plans. He just sees her. The way her eyes drop. The way she looks away, like she doesn’t want him to know she’d been looking.

By the time he shifts forward, she’s already turned away, facing her fiancé. And so he moves. Lets it be. 

Dotty blinks, and he’s already walking away. Sophie beside him, laughter trailing behind like a ribbon in the breeze.

Dotty doesn’t look away.

She just stays there, quietly watching, as Luke swings his arm around her shoulder.

@bernardsbendystraws for the dividers ꨄ

a/n: lacy oh lacyyyyyy

theoffice!au taglist: @mattsstarlet @throatgoat4u @sturnsrecord @applecidersturniolo @certainfestivalnerdshepherd @sosasturns @ifwdominicfike @sturns-mermaid @sturnberries @mattscherries @mattsturnsgirlie @snoopychris @hjvi @loverboysturn @backwardshatnick @priscillaog @ribbonlovergirl @irmantez @corspebridedelrey @pretty-random-writer @ilovebirds17 @snoopymatt @princesspeach0-0 @blahbel668 @marysongohmy @sturnl0ve @heavenlybunnies11 @chris-hallelujah @courta13 @sweetshuga @pair-of-pantaloons @st7rnioioss @mattswifeyy @bluestriips @marialovessturniolo @matts-girlfriend @wtvrnvrmnd @sturnslutz @chrislova @chrisslut04 @mi-co-uk @sturniolotoast @ed1tssturnn @stellasbookshelf comment to be added!

[alythekitten]

My art for the BNHAOnCall zine~!

Fire fighter station after a rescue, Bakugou is busy patching Kirishima up, while the rest of the gang makes fun of "how many he was on mission" 🤣💕

Leftover sales are still open, check it out until you can, on Twitter and Big Cartel ~#BNHAOnCall

[cepheustarot]

What awaits you in May?

Attention! This reading is for entertainment purposes only. This tarot reading does not give a 100% guarantee that all the described situations will occur or being ultimate truth. You build your own life and destiny and only you know yourself best.

✧ Masterlist ✧ Paid readings

Pick a pile. Choose one or more pictures. Trust your intuition.

Pile 1: At the beginning of the month, you may have an unforeseen situation, force majeure, which will change your plans, which were supposed to be implemented in may but because of this situation the implementation will either be postponed or you will change your decision and do it differently. As I see it, for the most part you planned these plans together with other people, your family or friends but someone could change their mind at the last moment and refuse to participate or a strong quarrel may arise with someone. Naturally, you will be nervous because of unforeseen circumstances, thoughts may arise "why not give it all up, give up this idea" but as the cards show, it is better not to abandon the implementation here but to look for an alternative, since in the end everything will turn out much better than you imagined! 

Also, this month the chance to change jobs or occupation / try a new hobby will be quite high as you will receive a good offer from a company or employer with good working conditions and a good salary/ rate per hour. However, your current employers may stop you, because they are afraid of losing you, you are a valuable employee for them and this can create small problems when you are fired. Also, if you are in business, your sales will increase significantly this month, you can make profitable deals with someone, invest profitably in some business.  If you are studying, then you will also succeed this month but it is important to make an effort here since you may have strict teachers who are very picky about the answers or you can write tests where one mistake can lead to the loss of many points, so be careful! 

Also this month, there is a high chance to meet a new person who will later become a good friend for you or, if you are looking for a relationship, will become a good partner. As I see it, you will spend a lot of time with each other, you will get to know each other, create joint memories, in general, you will be very comfortable and good next to this person. If you are already in a relationship, then this month is a good opportunity to strengthen your bond or resolve problems between you, establish a relationship and get closer, spend time together. You can also spend a lot of time with your family this month, in particular with your siblings.

Pile 2: At the beginning of the month, your problem which lasted for a long time will be able to be solved, you will finally be able to find a way out of the situation and thanks to this you will feel so relieved, weight has finally fallen off your shoulders, you will have a slight feeling of freedom, you can feel so confident as if you won the most difficult competition and took the prize! It can be anything, getting rid of debts, solving psychological problems, solving financial problems, overcoming a crisis, resolving a conflict with people — in general, something that has been burdening you for a long time. You may also have felt depressed and tired lately, felt like your mood was sad most of the time, it might be difficult for you to enjoy some little things and your condition will improve significantly this month. Here, in general, the rough patch will end, luck and happiness will accompany you in your life! 

I also see that this month you will have the opportunity to change something in your life that will help you feel better, here the emphasis is that you would like to get rid of the past, of the memories that burden you: you can change your appearance, your style,change of scenery and go somewhere for a while or move altogether, change your social circle, hobbies, change your job / occupation, change the interior of the apartment, you can add decor, you can discover new places in the city, find new people, you can also change inside yourself, change your views — anything can happen here that can improve your mood and well-being. 

This month you will also make new plans, goals and work on their implementation, here I see that you will definitely succeed since this will be something very important to you, you will be burning with the idea and strive to achieve what you would like, probably this motivation came to you after improving your well-being and it's very cool! Here you can study something a lot, try to figure out a topic, consult with others, improve your skills, even if you start something new, you will be accompanied by success and luck!

Pile 3: This month you may feel tired from the oversaturation of events in your life, from an overabundance of emotions, from being with people often, and here I see you can feel how your social battery has "run out". You will distance yourself from people for a while, spend time alone or with only a small number of people but in any case you focus on yourself and taking care of yourself. You can take a vacation at work or take a break, spend time doing things that bring you pleasure that calm you down and do not strain you, you will pamper yourself here and do what you want. You can also get tired of the hustle and hustle and go to some quiet place for you, often visit your favorite places and “places of power" that fill you internally. 

And although I said that you will spend most of your time alone with yourself, I also do not exclude that you will want to meet with your inner circle, your loved ones may also meet  and offer to go on a trip to small towns, you can spend time outside the city but away from the hustle and bustle. And if you agree then this trip will also be able to fill you with internal resources, improve your well-being, you will feel how your fatigue gradually passes and your head is free of obsessive thoughts. 

At the end of the month, a situation will occur that will take you out of your inner balance: it will be unexpected, you will be required to quickly resolve the situation or do something in the shortest possible time, make a choice and naturally this can infuriate you. This may be related to work, for example, your boss will require you to do something urgently, make changes to the work, it may also be related to the family, there will be a heated dispute between family members and you will have to take someone's side, since it is difficult to remain indifferent in this case. In any case, it won't last long, you will get a grip and quickly resolve the problems that have overtaken you so you shouldn't worry too much about it.

Thank you for reading! I will be glad of any feedback 🖤

[bananawafers]

mha boys as fall date ideas 🍂

(pt. 2)

izuku midorya ~ pumpkin patch 🎃

• insists on carrying your heavy pumpkin for you!

• picks the weird looking pumpkin because he wants to give it a chance to look special (damn you sweet boy)

• asks permission to hold your hand

• loves looking at the neat little halloween decorations that are for sale everywhere

• gets genuinely jump scared by an animatronic decoration

• leaves the pumpkin patch with 500 new pictures in his camera roll of the two of you

shoto todoroki ~ baking together 🥧🍎

• makes sure everything is perfect and tidy in his kitchen before you come over

• “…sorry about the mess.” (there is a single grain of salt on the counter)

• lights candles with his quirk as an attempt to be romantic

• he enjoys spending peaceful time with you, you can tell he’s so content as he goes through the motions

• why is he an extremely talented baker

• little physical acts of affection!!! him grabbing your waist gently when he needs to reach something in front of you, brushing flour off your face, or simply being shoulder to shoulder with you

• also uses his quirk to start a fire for you to cuddle next to afterwards <3

hitoshi shinso ~ stargazing 🌌

• tries to be all nonchalant but you can tell he’s a little nervous

• brings extra jacket for you aw

• “you’re freezing, just take it.”

• when you get to your spot and lay down the blanket, he would sit first, maybe tugging the edges of the blanket or smoothing it out

• stretches his legs out and leans back a little, resting on his elbows

• “it’s a lot easier to see the stars if you’re actually lying down, you know.”

• he’s not the type to initiate physical affection, but! he does cute little things like casually adjusting the blanket so that you’re fully covered, or shifting a bit so that you’re closer

• doesn’t know how to properly say goodbye so he kisses you on the cheek

let me know who else you want to see! I’ve got some good ideas for pt3 hehe

[olenvasynyt]

Random Lucien headcanons, let’s go!

1. Lucien’s favorite alcoholic drink is whiskey. He likes old-fashioned, Summer-style whiskey lemonade, whiskey sours, Autumn-style hot toddy with cinnamon and honey, in his coffee, etc

2. He has insomnia and struggles to fall asleep. Probably gets 4-5 hours a sleep on a good day.

3. Is a big morning person: will call 8 am “sleeping in”. (Day Court heir rises with the sun!)

4. He is very fashionable (of course, we all know this) but he loves wearing mismatched socks. He has the biggest assortment of socks ever, including the fancy dress socks, hiking socks, fuzzy sleeping socks, and socks so old he sews patches in them

5. Knows how to sew and is pretty good at it. LoA taught him embroidery and he’ll embroider random leaves on his clothes when he’s bored.

6. Collects trinkets and always has a random assortment of things in his pocket: a cool stone he found; a key he stole from his brother and refuses to give it back after 200 years; a gem that popped off his knife handle; a rabbit’s foot, etc. He’s a lil crow for sure

7. Loves sleeping in hammocks. One of his go-tos when he goes camping by himself

8. Can juggle. Yes, I know, but picture him shirtless with his hair draping over his bare chest, his muscled arms moving elegantly as he juggles 5 flaming balls of fire 7 feet above his head…

9. Could not sit still as a kid. He was always running around and fiddling with stuff, kicking his feet when he sits, etc

10. Has his ears pierced (tbh I headcanon that most fae have their ears pierced. Fancy, excessive is a High Fae fashion)

11. Loves interior design. Constantly argues with Vassa about how to decorate the manor they occupy in the human lands; he HATES her taste

11.5. Modern headcanon: Lucien loves thrifting and always looks for vintage furniture, wall decor, etc at second-hand stops and estate sales.

12. Never liked hunting as a kid (family hunts were always torture for him) but he grew to appreciate it as a survival skill, as well as a way to enjoy and respect nature.

13. Was raised to worship the Mother, but disliked how his father’s court used it to oppress people. Lady of Autumn is religious and taught him the kind and true side of religion. The Mother and the Cauldron became a way for him to connect with his mother, especially after he ran from Autumn and couldn’t see her.

14. His love language is gifts (obviously) but also physical touch. He loves giving massages and can warm up his hands with fire magic to give heated massages for cold feet, hands, etc. He is clingy and loves to hold hands and cuddle.

[a-griffin-in-the-sky]

Someone said there are rules for being punk and I had to laugh.Punk isn’t about rules it’s about refusing them!

Anarchy doesn’t mean chaos. It means trusting people to govern themselves. It means no kings, no cops, no masters, not "follow this checklist or else." 🤓☝️

Punk is not a outfit, or music,It’s a mindset.

Here is my mindset:

Be Yourself, Even If It’s Ugly

DIY or Die

Question Power

Stay Loud for the Voiceless

Don’t Be a Bigot

Community Over Clout

Fuck respectability

Keep the Fire Alive

Solidarity over status

Resist commodification

Fuck conformity

Don't be an asshole

Evolve or rot.

Now then, let me just get comfy cause im about to toss a brick at some people.

Be Yourself, Even If It’s Ugly

Beauty standards are a scam built to keep you chasing a version of yourself that doesn’t even exist. You are not a product. You are not a before-and-after. You are not a smooth surface for strangers to approve of.

No amount of makeup, no amount of plastic surgery, no amount of "fixing" will cure the quiet, gnawing disgust that the world planted in you as a kid.

Own your sharpness. Own your rage. Own the fact that you’re here and breathing and not here to be palatable. Be ugly. Be loud. Be real.

DIY or Die

As the landfills pile up and consumerism rots everything from the inside out, get creative.

You don’t need new shit. You don’t need fast fashion or soulless plastic or another dopamine-click delivery. Every item you could ever want? It’s already here. Forgotten. Buried and waiting.

Dumpster dive. Thrift store. Yard sale. Trade with your friends. Rip it apart, patch it up, make it yours!

Make it yourself,or don’t have it at all.

Question Power

Anything that’s ever been sold to you as new, progressive, the right way to do things you need to stop and study the pattern. You need to know history. You need to know who benefits, who bleeds, who’s silenced under the noise of “progress.” Power doesn’t wear a crown anymore. It wears lab coats, logos, and smiling PR.

Interrogate everything. Especially the things that make you feel safe. Especially the things that call themselves truth.

Stay Loud for the Voiceless

There are people who have it worse than me. I can’t speak for them but I can scream to get the world’s attention. I can clear the space. I can hold the door. I can say look, listen, and don’t you dare look away.

I’ll use whatever privilege I have,voice, platform, safety,to amplify the ones who’ve been silenced, ignored, erased. Because it’s not about being a savior. It’s about knowing when to shut up and pass the mic.

Don’t Be a Bigot

Someone stubbornly stuck to beliefs or opinions especially when those beliefs hurt or hate people just for who they are.

Bigotry is closed minds, locked doors, and walls built on fear.Don’t be that person and don’t let yourself slip into that mind set. Keep your mind open and listen hard, but never lose sight of your own truth.

Community Over Clout

Influencers and TikTok stars? Sorry to say they aren’t your friends.

You need to step back from parasocial relationships. Those screens and followers don’t hold your back when shit hits the fan.

We live in a capitalist world where money rules. But your survival, your real life,matters more than likes or trends.

Keep your real friends close. Build a community

Fuck respectability

When did being polite to the assholes who want to take away your rights ever get you anywhere? It’s time to get in their faces and tell them loud and clear: you’re not going anywhere. You’re not going to disappear or stay quiet. Be stubborn. Be loud. Be rude to those who want to see you fail. Because sometimes survival means refusing to play nice with the people trying to erase you.

Keep the fire alive.

Hate to say it, but one person alone can’t change the system. We get burned out, exhausted by the weight of it all. So don’t try to carry it all yourself—spread the word. Slap stickers, put up posters, share free resources. Build each other up, because it’s together that we’ll take the system down.

Solidarity over status.

There are no kings here only leaders. And leaders aren’t assholes who drain your pockets or boss you around. No, a real leader makes sure everyone has each other’s backs. They don’t waste time worrying about how they look they focus on building solidarity.

Resist commodification.

Yeah, this one’s tricky because I’m in a financial bind myself. We all need money to survive, and that’s exactly how the system keeps us tired, trapped, and playing their game.

But here’s the thing: keep your eyes open. So you know when you’re being sold out. Stay sharp and use things like tip jars or DIY ways to keep your independence without selling your soul.

Fuck conformity.

There’s no right way to be a person. Any rule telling you to do this or that is bullshit. Sorry, but there’s no “right way” to be a woman, a punk, or even an asshole. The status quo is tied to money and power follow the trail, and you’ll find it.

So tear up the rulebook, smash the mold, and be exactly who you are, no apologies.

Don’t be an asshole.

Compassion is punk. If you’re rude just to be rude just to play the “edgy devil’s advocate” card you suck.

Sorry to say it, but being mean for no reason doesn’t make you punk, it just makes you an jerk. Real punk fights the system and fight for each other. Kindness isn’t weakness; it’s rebellion!

Evolve or rot.

Only an idiot thinks they know everything. If you ever believe your way is the right way 100%, then you’re probably stuck in a cult sorry, not sorry.

Nuance is real, always keep an open mind, but hold tight to your core values. Growing beyond your old opinions doesn’t make you a poser; it makes you smart. Stay sharp, stay flexible, and keep evolving.

This mindset isn’t set in stone it’s more of a living, breathing guide that grows with me. I’ll change it, break it, rebuild it, because the system we’re up against is designed to crush us.

But we don’t have to let it win. We resist, we fight, and most importantly, we build each other up. Keep your fire burning, stay true to yourself, and never back down.

Oh, and of course, never forget to listen to a little punk music while you’re at it Teehee

Also, sorry not sorry, but men can’t be true punks. You’re all part of the system that keeps us suppressed,and benefits you, so shut up and let the women talk 🤓🖕

[burgerlkingofthewilddelivery]

Lament, Mourn and Despair over the fire sales we're having this summer... for Every Customer Must Buy the new Whopper of the Wild Hunt. Enjoy the Explosive tastiness of our Patches Of Chicken Strips, or indulge yourself in the Smackdown of flavours that is our Chicken Snackbox. We also have an offer up for a limited time only: bring me Heathcliff's corpse to recieve a free Chocolate Sundae. Yes, you heard me right - FREE Chocolate Sundae, all for the low low price of Heathcliff's severed head. ...I can't believe I had to write all that out of my own volition. I'm just the delivery lad, why do I have to come up with all this shite...? Whatever. As long as I don't have to go back to that homeless shelter for the purpose of staying there, I'll be more than willing to work minimum wage. I'm the delivery guy, if you somehow didn't figure that out. Don't ask about my horse - he's sensitive. Dullahan is a special little boy and he deserves a little burger, but my BITCH WIFE DECIDED TO BAN HIM FROM THE STORE. "OOhhhh Heathcliff!!!! It's unhygienic!!!!" FUCK YOU I WASH HIM EVERY DAY. DNI if you're: - Heathcliff - A police officer - Heathcliff - The twats from McDonalds - Heathcliff - A worker of the local Homeless Shelter - I'LL KILL YOU - HEATHCLIFF - I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU - A horse hater - The guy who called me "Queefclit". - The unidentifiable CREATURE that licked me. I hope you can pay for my therapy.

[unclosetedrickmaniac]

What war didn't break chapter two

There are things you carry with you long after the battlefield. For me, it was the silence. The kind that creeps into your bones and settles there, makes a home behind your ribs. I wasn’t expecting it to be louder here in this hellish town.

The morning after I met her—Cecilia—I woke to birds squawking outside my window and a rooster that had no damn respect for sleeping hours. My back ached from that government-issued mattress, and I missed my cot in Kandahar. At least it didn’t smell like mothballs and Vicks.

I put on my uniform anyway. Habit. Pressed slacks, boots shined, shirt tucked. There was no one to impress anymore, but the discipline kept my hands from shaking.

Down at Mabel’s, Cecilia was already there.

She sat with one boot up on the bench seat, flipping through a feed catalog like it was the morning paper. A mug of coffee steamed in her hands, and her hair—tied in a careless braid—caught the sunlight like gold thread.

She didn’t look up when I walked in. But she spoke.

“You Army boys always this quiet, or did someone steal your tongue?”

I raised a brow. “Didn’t realize we were expected to make conversation before caffeine.”

“Sounds like an excuse.” She still didn’t look at me.

I slid into the booth across from her without asking. Her eyes lifted, slow as molasses.

“Lieutenant General,” she said like it was a joke. “A bit fancy for these parts.”

“Just call me Frank,” I muttered.

She smirked. “Frank,” she repeated, testing the sound. “Well, Frank, you’re sittin’ in my seat.”

I didn’t move.

She didn’t ask again.

Instead, she leaned back, sipped her coffee, and stared out the window like she had better things to do than argue with a man too old and too broken for flirty banter.

But there was a ghost of a smile on her lips.

The next few weeks passed like honey dripping from the comb—slow, sweet, and sticky in a way I wasn’t sure I liked. There were reports to file, soldiers to supervise, and protocols to run through. But this wasn’t a warzone. This was a sleepy little patch of nowhere, and my rank felt ridiculous next to porch swings and church bake sales.

I saw Cecilia everywhere.

She was always moving. Hauling bags of feed over her shoulder like they weighed nothing, bartering over prices at the general store, fixing a busted fence post behind the diner with her sleeves rolled up and a hammer in hand. The town treated her like kin, but not in the way they babied others. They respected her. Feared her, even.

Still, she never avoided me.

Sometimes she nodded in passing. Once, she left a peach cobbler on my porch with a note: For when your coffee ain’t strong enough to keep the nightmares out.

I didn’t tell her she was right.

One night, the power went out during a storm.

It didn’t roll in quiet like a whisper; it cracked open the sky like a gunshot. Lightning spiderwebbed across the dark like fire in the veins of heaven, and the thunder came so fast behind it that the walls of the old farmhouse shook like they remembered war too.

I killed the lights when they started to flicker—no use fighting what was coming—and opened the front door just in time to see rain crash down in heavy sheets. It pelted the earth in a fury, turning dirt roads to mud and leaves to mulch. Wind ripped through the trees like it had unfinished business, snapping a branch off the old oak in the side yard with a loud, splintering crack. I felt it in my chest.

The kind of storm that didn’t just drench the world—it peeled it apart.

I sat out on the porch in my sweatpants and undershirt, a bottle of half-drunk bourbon in one hand and a cigarette I didn’t plan to light in the other. The air was heavy with ozone, that sharp metallic tang that came just before the worst of it. The old porch light had died an hour ago, and without it, the night looked blacker than oil.

I didn’t mind.

I’d known storms like this in Kandahar. Not of rain, but of sand and violence. They used to say the sky over there could turn red when the desert got angry. Here, the sky was purple and green, like a bruise that stretched from horizon to horizon. But somehow, it felt just as dangerous. Just as familiar.

I didn’t flinch when the screen door banged open again, the wind slamming it against the siding. 

Didn’t move when thunder growled low like a beast in the dark.

But I sure as hell moved when I heard her voice.

“You gonna sit there and get struck, or you just enjoy broodin’ in lightning storms?”

I looked up, and there she was.

Cecilia, standing at the edge of the porch with her flashlight pointed toward the ground, her boots splattered with mud and her hair clinging to her face like vines. She was soaked through, wearing an oversized denim jacket that had seen better decades and holding an old AM radio in her other hand.

“Damn,” I muttered, standing. “What the hell are you doing out here?”

“Making sure you hadn’t blown away or gone and gotten yourself electrocuted,” she said, stepping up onto the porch with practiced ease, like she belonged there.

“You walked here in that?”

She shrugged, teeth chattering slightly despite the stubborn set of her jaw. “Storms don’t scare me.”

“They should,” I muttered, watching another bolt of lightning tear through the treeline like a knife.

She smirked. “Been through worse.”

She brushed past me and dropped the radio on the porch table, then kicked off her boots with a wet squelch. Her socks were mismatched—one striped, one plain white—and soaked to the bone. Her braid was falling out, strands of blonde curling around her face like ivy.

“You always barge into people’s porches in the middle of a biblical downpour?” I asked.

“Only when they look like they’re tryin’ to drink their ghosts away.” She nodded toward the bourbon bottle in my hand.

I didn’t answer. Just handed it to her. She took a long pull and hissed as it went down.

“That’s awful,” she said, coughing slightly.

“Didn’t stop you.”

“Nope.”

She fiddled with the radio dial for a few seconds, static giving way to faint country music. Patsy Cline’s voice cut through the air, warm and haunted.

Crazy... crazy for feelin' so lonely...

We sat in silence for a while, the kind of silence that says more than words. The storm roared around us, but somehow the porch felt like the eye of it. Safe. Still.

After a moment, she whispered, "Storms like these... they used to bring the worst outta my daddy."

I looked at her.

She didn’t meet my eyes. Just stared out at the rain, her voice steady but quiet.

“Mama would light candles and try to keep the lights off so he wouldn’t notice her cryin'. But he always noticed. I remember the sound of thunder mixing with the sound of him yellin', breakin' things. Me and my brother, we used to hide in the closet, hold our breath until it stopped."

I didn't speak. Just let her talk.

"Funny thing is," she said, taking another drink, "the thunder doesn’t scare me. But the quiet after? That still gets me. That hush where you’re waitin' to see if someone’s still breathin', still bleedin'."

I reached over, covering her hand with mine.

She didn’t pull away.

The thunder rolled again, and she leaned against me, our shoulders touching lightly.

And for the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel like I was waiting for the next explosion.

The following Sunday, the town held a church picnic. Against all logic, I went.

I stood under an oak tree on the edge of the gathering like a misplaced ghost, unsure what the hell I was doing there. Kids ran around with balloons, women in sundresses laughed over potato salad, and old men smoked cigars like it was the Depression again.

Cecilia was there, barefoot in the grass, spinning a little girl around by the hands.

The child squealed with laughter, and Cecilia looked—different. Softer. Her braid had fallen loose, framing her face in golden waves, and her eyes shone with something I couldn’t name.

The girl called her “Aunt Cece.”

Something in me twisted.

She spotted me eventually and walked over, dragging a paper plate of ribs and coleslaw.

“You look like you’re fixin’ to escape,” she said.

“Was thinking about it.”

“Too late,” she grinned. “You’ve been claimed.”

And then, she handed me the plate.

That night, I opened the box labeled “Benson – Personal.”

It had photos. My ex-wife, back when we still smiled. My daughter, little and laughing with ice cream on her nose. My old medals, the ones they gave me for surviving what better men hadn’t.

And a folded letter. Unsent. Addressed to no one.

If you're reading this, it means I finally stopped pretending that nothing hurts anymore…

I didn’t finish it. I shoved the lid back on and pushed the box under the bed like it might stay buried.

But her name—it was already written in my head.

There came a morning when I found her crying behind the feed shop.

I’d stopped by to ask about hay bales—the Army was organizing some kind of charity event, and they wanted it to feel “local.” I never did figure out what that meant, but I went anyway.

I found her sitting on a stack of old pallets, her face in her hands.

“Cecilia?”

She didn’t startle. Just wiped her cheeks and said, “He died this morning.”

“Who?”

“My brother. He was sick a long time. Didn’t want nobody knowin’. Kept sayin’ he didn’t want pity.”

I sat beside her, the wood digging into my back.

“I’m sorry,” I said.

She nodded, and for the first time, didn’t have a witty comeback. Her silence hit me harder than any bullet I’d ever taken.

“I used to think I’d never cry again,” I said. “Not after the war. But grief… it doesn’t ask for permission.”

She looked at me then, eyes raw and open.

“I’m so damn tired, Frank.”

“I know,” I whispered. “Me too.”

We didn’t kiss that day.

But we sat there until the sun sank low and the cicadas started their nightly chorus. And when I walked her home, she didn’t let go of my hand the whole way there.

I don’t know when I started thinking of her voice as the sound I wanted to wake up to. Maybe it was in the diner, maybe it was in the storm, or maybe it was right then, walking beside her through the stillness of grief, that I realized something, 

I wasn’t just surviving anymore.

[thesims4blogger]

The Sims 4: Official Laundry List (January 7th, 2025)

EA has started 2025 for The Sims 4 with a new Laundry List, with bugs that will be corrected on an upcoming patch.

The Sims Direct Communications account on Twitter/X has confirmed the update is coming next week. You can read the whole blog post below.

Sul Sul Simmers!

Welcome to The Sims 4 Laundry List, where we share the top community concerns we’re currently investigating and aim to resolve in an upcoming patch later this month.

In our continued commitment to resolving technical challenges, our team uses this list to highlight community-focused fixes that will be included in the update. This list marks our fifth release in this series, which aims to continue to improve the gameplay experience for our players by addressing issues most frequently reported by the community through AnswersHQ.

While some issues may not be listed, they may still be in the process of being addressed. Some topics can require an extended investigation on our end, so even though these fixes may be in active review, it’s not a guarantee that we’ll have an immediate fix for it in the upcoming patch.  As with each new patch, please remember to remove any external game mods and custom content if you are experiencing issues as the first step in troubleshooting, as they may conflict with the updates. Thank you for your reports and happy Simming!

Here’s the list of community concerns we’re investigating for the upcoming game update:

Base Game:

[AHQ] Fixed cases of really high Bills where Lot Taxes would not only count the property value, but also add value from anything in inventories.

[AHQ] Inspired Sim will no longer mix drinks excessively.

[AHQ] ‘Try for baby’ in the shower will now fill the Hygiene motive.

[AHQ] Outgoing and Socially Awkward traits cannot be selected together. If one is selected, the other will appear greyed out and cannot be chosen.

[AHQ] Female frame facial hair on Male Sims will no longer disappear.

[AHQ] Shoes are now replaced with barefoot when a Styled Look with barefoot is applied.

[AHQ] Neon signs no longer break due to rain.

[AHQ] Water puddle VFX animation will no longer appear on the ground floor when a Sim is swimming on the second floor.

[AHQ] Sim no longer has the option to give the toddler fertilizer as food from inventory.

Affecting Multiple Packs

[AHQ] Thumbnails of Guidry and Temperance are visible in the relationship panel, Sims profile, and Manage Household panel.

[AHQ] Knitting now counts towards Arts & Crafts for Scouting.

[AHQ] Sims’ weight and muscle levels are now properly affected by Bike Riding, Horse Riding, Rock Climbing, and ‘Jog Here’ activities.

[AHQ] Sim can now set the waffle/pizza oven/stand mixer for sale in a retail store.

Cats & Dogs

[AHQ] Cats and dogs with the fire obsession perk are far less obsessed with the fireplace.

[AHQ] Sims no longer gain fitness skill when cleaning the litter box.

City Living

[AHQ] ‘Play with emotion’ interaction is now greyed out when the piano keyboard breaks.

Cottage Living

[AHQ] Sims can now use Hot Pot with the Simple Living Lot Challenge.

Crystal Creations

[AHQ] Last Exception error will no longer trigger when a ring is placed on the Mystical Moonlight Crystal Grid and the household is reloaded.

[AHQ] Option to order Crystals is now available on the computer.

Discover University

[AHQ] Sim with the Gym Rat trait will no longer lose hygiene while juggling a soccer ball.

[AHQ] Frequency of getting electrocuted from Robotic Workstation has been considerably reduced.

Eco Lifestyle

[AHQ] Roaches are removed from the dumpster after a Sim successfully performs the ‘Try to clear roaches’ action.

For Rent

[AHQ] A serving of Vegetable Chili from the Pressure Cooker will no longer turn into 8 servings.

Get Together

Clubs are now under the default section under the social groups interface.

Growing Together

[AHQ] Fixed an issue where some Life Milestones wouldn’t be achieved when the Sim is off-lot, including Milestones for a toddler Sim’s movement skill.

High School Years

[AHQ] When Sims switch from an outfit created in Thriftea to a regular outfit, they no longer revert back to the Thriftea outfit when showering/bathing.

[AHQ] Notification badges are no longer displayed when the phone is in silent mode and Social Bunny has notifications turned off.

Horse Ranch

[AHQ] ‘Drink an Aged Nectar’ Want now fulfills when Sim drinks an Aged Nectar bottle.

My First Pets Stuff

[AHQ] In new saves, Sim will no longer receive the ‘Baby whisked away’ moodlet and The Sims Notification System will not suggest that Rattigan passed away when Rattigan is still

Snowy Escape

[AHQ] Seaweed Ramen recipe is now available from the fridge cooking menu.

Sim’s Hygiene Motive will now increase when using a Hot Spring.

Spa Day

[AHQ] Applied Pedicure will no longer vanish when a Manicure is requested.

[netpropatches]

http://netpropatches.com/military_patches.php

Military Patches For Sale

Discover high-quality Military Patches For Sale at Netpropatches! Whether you're looking for standard patches military or want to design your own custom military patches, we’ve got you covered. Perfect for uniforms, collections, or gifts—our patches combine durability with detailed craftsmanship. Shop now to showcase pride and tradition with every stitch. #MilitaryPatches #CustomPatches #Netpropatches

[p5x-theories]

Mio’s Confidant

(last updated 4/19/25!)

This post documents the fully filled-in information on Mio Natsukawa gained through progressing her Confidant! It contains things that could be considered spoilers for her Confidant, as part of the information is a summary of its story.

Mio is available in the evening most days, when it isn’t rainy. Her Confidant is tied to the Guts social stat, and level 17 Guts is required to fully complete it.

Her Confidant also requires changing a heart in Mementos.

Favorite Presents

(An asterisk (*) marks the special presents added with (and unlocked through) Miyu Sahara’s Confidant, which are liked by all Confidants currently in the game.)

Sports Protective Gear Wearable protective gear used during sports. The black and pink color scheme has won the Fashion Design Award at the Sports Equipment Awards.

Mini Table Cactus This small potted cactus is a good table decoration.

Super Noisy Alarm Clock An alarm clock that is very difficult to turn off, dedicated to waking up those who tend to stay in bed.

Limited-Edition Hamburger Plush This stuffed animal is designed after the appearance of a popular hamburger. Due to its limited sale, it’s hard to get.

Limited-Edition Keychain* This keychain has a unique shape, and is well-made, but there weren’t many of it produced. It has a certain collector’s value.

Bulk Snacks Value Pack* A combo pack containing a variety of traditional snacks that will remind people of the taste of childhood.

Advanced Essential Oil Combination* A value-for-money set of essential oils, with multiple functions to help you relax your mind and body.

Chestnut Cake* Fragrant chestnut cake with mild sweetness to suit most people’s tastes.

Musical Snow Globe* A snow globe that plays music, and can be shaken gently to make snow fall inside.

Desktop Incense Machine* A household incense machine that is small in size, so it can be placed anywhere.

Handicraft Home Furnishings Plant-themed indoor decorations, suitable for people who like crafts.

High-End Sports Watch A sports watch with heart rate monitoring and timing functions, which can help wearers better manage their time and health.

Everyday Burn Treatment Set Contains a combination pack of common everyday burn care necessities, such as burn patches, burn medicines, and scar creams.

Full Protection Insulation Clip This safety clip is insulated and thickened all over, allowing it to effectively deal with short circuits and leakage.

Fire Truck Model This fire truck model is very finely crafted, and the ladder and fire hose on it can both be unfolded.

Large Jellyfish Plush A large jellyfish plush made of special materials and stuffing, making it very comfortable to hold in your arms.

Personal Information

Pre-Version 4.0:

Birthday: November 9th Zodiac Sign: Scorpio Age: 24 years old Height: 166 cm Weight: Within the average range Interests: Online shopping, collecting firefighting tools Features: Good sense of smell and strong intuition

Version 4.0:

Birthday: November 9 Blood Type: A Age: 24 years old Profession: Firefighter Height: 166cm Weight: I have more muscle, so I bet I weigh more than you Favorite Food: Prunes, wafers Interests: Watching documentaries from overseas Features: I can run pretty fast

Story

Character Details A female firefighter working at the Zoshigaya Fire Department. Although she looks a bit cold on the outside, she reveals strong emotions when faced with a fire.

Personal Data 1 On the way home, I helped prevent a "fire" with a woman who was passing by... Though it ended up being a false alarm, the woman, named Natsukawa, was indeed extremely sensitive to and obsessed with fire. After pretending to be her cousin to help her deal with inquiries from her fellow firefighter, I got to know this strange woman...

Personal Data 2 I met with Natsukawa again, who was still patrolling Zoshigaya even after getting off work. Natsukawa apologized again about the false alarm last time... Because there seem to have been a number of fires with an unknown cause in Zoshigaya recently, Natsukawa agreed to work with me to find the arsonist. Since I was willing to continue pretending to be her relative, Natsukawa told me that she lost her mother and younger brother to a fire when she was a child, and this is why she's extremely sensitive to the smell of smoke, and loses sight of herself whenever faced with a fire.

Personal Data 3 Natsukawa and I continued to investigate the fires in Zoshigaya. This was the seventh fire now. While investigating, we ran into Natsukawa's senior at the fire department. Because Natsukawa acted on her own, he warned her once again not to act recklessly like she usually does, with no regard for her own safety, if she encounters a fire. Afterward, Natsukawa and I agreed that if I want to patrol, I have to do it with her, and never go alone.

Personal Data 4 While on patrol, Natsukawa and I promptly extinguished a suspicious pile of burning magazines. Natsukawa once again was reminded of the fire in which her mother and brother died. The firefighters at that time gave priority to rescuing the young Natsukawa before the fire spread further- the trauma from this incident still affects her mental state, and she can't let it go.

Personal Data 5 Natsukawa suspected that a pedestrian we passed by while on patrol was the arsonist, but was distracted from the matter because she smelled smoke from a fire. In order to recall the appearance of the arsonist, she ordered all kinds of weird things from online shopping websites, and tried them with me... Finally, we found a clue in Natsukawa's firefighting activity log.

Personal Data 6 After several attempts, Natsukawa finally identified the name and address of the arsonist setting the fires in Zoshigaya. After a period of surveillance, we followed the culprit and stopped him just in time, before he could set another fire. We also took photographic evidence of his arson with our phones. We didn't expect that his motive was simply to relieve stress... In the end, we handed the arsonist over to the police. Natsukawa expressed her gratitude to me.

Personal Data 7 Since we caught the arsonist, Natsukawa and I have just been taking walks in Zoshigaya. We arrived at the house that caused that false alarm that first time- this time there was a real fire. Natsukawa became strange again, and rushed into the burning building alone... After the fire, Natsukawa got inexplicably angry when her senior firefighters praised her... After we parted, Ruferu pointed out that she's been acting oddly.

Personal Data 8 Natsukawa was finally willing to open up about why she rushes into fires. It turns out that deep in her heart, she'd never forgiven herself, and it was as if another her kept whispering in her ear... Because of her survivor's guilt, she kept running into the most dangerous fires, hoping that she could die while saving people... After, she hugged me and cried bitterly...

Personal Data 9 After dealing with her Shadow in Mementos, Natsukawa finally forgave herself. She admitted that she had been projecting her brother onto me, but really might have just been hoping that I'd forgive her on her brother's behalf... After we talked more, Natsukawa said that she'd move forward while holding her important memories of her mother and her brother in her heart, and also that she wanted to visit her father, who resigned from his own job as a firefighter after that fire.

Personal Data 10 When Natsukawa talked with her father, they found out they had both actually been burdened with guilt toward each other, and harbored great pain, since that day... After this conversation between father and daughter, they were finally able to support each other and move on as a normal family. Natsukawa plans to continue working as a firefighter in the future, but she won't rush in recklessly anymore. She wants to protect the area where I live in her own way.

Voice Lines

Japanese VA: Shion Wakayama | Chinese VA: Xue Liu

(As I can only add up to ten audio files per post, I’ll only include the Japanese lines below! Feel free to ask for the Chinese ones, though.)

Mio Natsukawa. I'm a firefighter working at the Zoshigaya Fire Department.

I... When it comes to myself, I have a lot of questions. But you were willing to cover for me, and I seriously appreciate that.

I just... don't want anyone else to be lost to a fire. That's why... I can't rest until I've done everything I can to help.

You're a strange kid, you know. You seem cool-headed, but it turns out you're nosy, too... Otherwise, why would you bother with someone like me?

They're all great firefighters, and my seniors. I might get scolded by them now, but they don't give up on problematic team members like me.

Again and again, I've dreamed about that fire. In my dreams, my mom and Kakeru are engulfed in flames, and ask me to come with them... But don't worry, I won't have that dream anymore. After all, you helped bring me out of the fire.

To be honest, from the start, I think I've seen the image of my little brother... of Kakeru in you. That's why someone with no people skills, like me, can get along with you. But, now... you've helped me so much, the situation has reversed, hasn't it? I can't call you my little brother anymore.

Confidant-Specific Bonuses

Rank 1 Firewire Mall: Unlocks the "Online Shopping" function; unlocks purchase of items in Shibuya through Online Shopping.

Rank 5 Safe Supply: Unlocks purchase of items in Zoshigaya through Online Shopping.

Rank 7 Supply Network: Unlocks purchase of items in Yongen-Jaya through Online Shopping.

Rank 11 Pipeline Expansion: Unlocks purchase of items in Kichijoji through Online Shopping.

Rank 13 Logistics Support: Unlocks purchase of items in Shinjuku through Online Shopping.

Rank 17 Warehousing Base: Unlocks purchase of items in Akihabara through Online Shopping.

[sjerzgirl]

🛰️ So let me get this straight: A decorated Space Force commander stationed at a NATO base in Greenland—yes, the icy, Danish, not-for-sale Greenland—gets fired for doing what military officers are supposedly trained to do: tell the truth, defend our allies, and honor their oath to the Constitution. Her crime? Sending an email saying Denmark is our friend after Vice President JD Vance waddled through Pituffik Base like a mall cop trying to annex the food court.

That’s it. That’s the whole scandal. Col. Susan Meyers dared to say, “Hey, maybe we shouldn’t invade a NATO ally because the president had a real estate seizure in his dreams,” and for that, she’s out. Gone. Labeled unfit to lead by an administration that thinks “nonpartisan conduct” means licking Trump’s boots until the polish runs out.

This isn’t leadership. This is North Korea with nukes and a Space Force patch.

And it gets worse. This firing isn’t a fluke. It’s part of a purge—a mass firing of senior military leaders, especially women—because apparently, the only thing more terrifying to this administration than the rule of law is female competence. They’re axing everyone who’s not goose-stepping to the MAGA drumbeat. You know who’s left? Yes-men and power-hungry sycophants with QAnon bumper stickers and Confederate flag boxers.

We are watching the militarization of delusion in real-time. Trump wants Greenland not because it’s strategic—though sure, he’ll say that—but because in his dementia-addled fantasyland, he thinks it’s a Flex Seal deal away from becoming Trump Resort: Ice Edition. JD Vance shows up, mutters some Manifest Destiny cosplay, and suddenly we’re threatening Denmark—DENMARK—with military force. A country that literally shares Legos and wind turbines with us.

And let’s be honest: this isn’t about Greenland. It’s about control. It’s about making every corner of the government—from the generals to the janitors—scared to tell the truth. If you so much as blink out of sync with the official lie, you’re purged, blacklisted, and publicly humiliated. This is what autocracies do. Replace experts with loyalists. Replace facts with slogans. Replace diplomacy with “my territory now.”

You think this ends with Greenland? Wake up. The message is crystal clear: Obey or be eliminated. It’s not just coming for the military. It’s coming for the media, the judiciary, you.

So if you’re wondering what the hell happened to America—this. This is what happened.

#FiredForFacts

#SpaceForcePurge

#GreenlandIsNotForSale

#MAGAAnnexationPlan

#AuthoritarianCreep

#ObeyOrBePurged

#EngageTheEnraged

#DenmarkDeservesBetter

#MilitaryIntegrityMatters

#ThisIsNotNormal

[dangerousthingobservation]

RARE USAF Convair F-106 Delta Dart Fighter Interceptor Patch Cold War Century

RARE USAF Convair F-106 Delta Dart Fighter Interceptor Patch Cold War Century. This patch is an exact copy of the one Convair awarded to its test pilots and USAF pilots early in the F-106 program. The F-106 all-weather delta wing interceptor was developed from the Convair F-102 Delta Dagger. RARE, beautifully detailed 4" Convair F-106 Delta Dart patch. This patch is an exact copy of the one Convair awarded to its test pilots and USAF pilots early in the F-106 program.  I have yet to see an original for sale and it would certainly cost you hundreds of dollars if you were to find one.  Convair also produced an F-102 version of this patch which is a near mirror copy except for the name obviously and the relatively small differences between the two planes such as the exhaust, intakes, etc.  I also have the F-102 version in my eBay store.   The F-106 all-weather delta wing interceptor was developed from the Convair F-102 Delta Dagger. Originally designated F-102B, it was redesignated F-106 because it had extensive structural changes and a more powerful engine. The first F-106A flew on December 26, 1956, and deliveries to the Air Force began in July 1959. Production ended in late 1960 after 277 F-106As and 63 F-106Bs had been built. The F-106 used a Hughes MA-1 electronic guidance and fire control system. After takeoff, the MA-1 could be given control of the aircraft to fly it to the proper altitude and attack position where it could then fire the Genie and/or Falcon missiles, break off the attack run and return the aircraft to the vicinity of its base. The pilot would take control back for the landing (USAF Museum Fact Sheet).  It was the last of the Century Series fighters unless you count North American's F-107.

[handeaux]

A Journalist Named Invisible Green Captured Cincinnati’s 1850s Foibles For Posterity

In 1856, a curious volume appeared for sale in the bookshop of Moore, Wilstach, Keys & Overend on Cincinnati’s Fourth Street. The title of the book was “Green Peas Picked from The Patch of Invisible Green, Esq.” and contained 64 stories of various lengths and topics, mostly concerning the less-privileged classes of the Queen City. The publisher, Livermore & Rudd of New York City, enticed readers by emphasizing the author’s entertaining style and accurate portrayal of plebian existence:

“His happy manner of hitting off the foibles, holding up to contempt the vices, and enlisting the better feelings in favor of the often undeserved miseries of those in the lower walks of city life, have made ‘Invisible’ hosts of friends in all parts of the country and their number has been largely increased by the frequency with which his shorter sketches have ‘gone the rounds of the press.’ To the lovers of true humor we can recommend this volume.”

Although the author’s actual name appears nowhere in this book, everyone in Cincinnati knew that “Invisible Green” was, in fact, William G. Crippen, who at that time served as local editor and later editor-in-chief of the Cincinnati Daily Times. During that decade, “Invisible Green” was also known as a particular shade of paint or fabric that would blend in with natural foliage.

William Crippen was a Cincinnati native, born in 1820. His father was a blacksmith. As a teenager, William apprenticed to a printer and spent several years as a “devil,” the nickname given to printshop factotums.

Crippen married a local girl named Eleanor Crossley and fathered three children. He eventually landed a position in the pressroom of the Cincinnati Daily Times and began sending dispatches to out-of-town newspapers. The publisher of the Cincinnati Times noticed that his printer was getting published elsewhere and gave him some local assignments as a sort of audition. Crippen acquired his nom de plume around 1850 through his embarrassingly accurate reportage from Cincinnati’s City Council. According to a memory published many years later in the Cincinnati Commercial Gazette [22 April 1894]:

“Reporters were not at that time allowed in the City Council Chamber while Council was in session. Crippen sat in the lobby one day during a very important meeting, and having a remarkably retentive memory, kept track of the proceedings and wrote them out almost verbatim when he arrived at the Times office. Many inquiries were made for the author, who signed himself ‘Invisible,’ without avail, until it was suggested to Uncle Joe Ross, a prominent member of Council, after whom the first fire engine was named, that William Crippen was the writer. ‘What! That lob?,’ said he in surprise. ‘I thought he was too green for that.’ Crippen heard of the compliment that had been passed on him, and the next time the report of a Council meeting was given the article was signed, ‘Invisible Green.’”

Crippen’s memory was legendary. He would commonly listen to a fifteen-minute conversation and repeat it back to the participants, word for word.

A dive into “Green Peas” provides a good review of Crippen’s interests and inclinations. He was very much a proponent of temperance and often filed stories of the most maudlin and bathetic flavor to illustrate the evils of demon rum: drunken harlots unloading deathbed confessions, orphan children starving as their wastrel fathers chased the flowing bowl, once-wealthy businessmen reduced to penury by their unholy thirst for booze. At times, he dropped all pretense of telling a story and offered up an editorial rant:

“Invisible never experienced ‘a drunk.’ His brain, fortunately or unfortunately, was never fuddled with the fumes of distilled extracts, and he has no idea of a drunken man's feelings. What charm there is in intoxication is a query he has put to many, but as yet has never received a satisfactory answer.”

Crippen enjoyed forays into ethnic dialects. In the 1850s, that portion of town north of the canal had begun to earn its reputation as “Over the Rhine” as Germans fleeing the European revolutions of 1848 sought freer air in the New World. The new “Dutchmen” were frequent subjects for Crippen’s reportage, allowing him to replicate the German accent to humorous effect. He enjoyed mimicking the rustic mannerisms of Hoosier rubes and also explored the patois of African American and Irish residents but always in such a manner that the basic humanity of his subjects came through.

Almost as intense as his loathing for whiskey, Crippen had no tolerance at all for women’s equality and his few excursions into that topic betray a decidedly antagonistic bile that is absent from almost all his other profiles. In his mind, apparently, women who considered themselves equal to men were deluded harridans parasitizing their milquetoast husbands.

In addition to intimate profiles of the unlucky and bereft, Crippen volunteered for a few of the era’s “stunt” stories, notably a nearly fatal 1855 balloon ride from Cincinnati into the heart of a thunderstorm.

Although usually set at very identifiable Cincinnati locations, Crippen’s columns were picked up by newspapers around the country. With the outbreak of the Civil War, Crippen took to the road, following Union armies throughout the South and filing very detailed and often unflattering reports from the field. The Army brass were incensed, but the soldiers and their families at home appreciated the candid and unvarnished information. So well-known was Crippen that his arrival in camp usually resulted in a mention by competing reporters. Here is the Cincinnati Press from 23 December 1861:

“I met ‘Invisible Green, Esq.’ of the Times, here yesterday. He looks remarkably well, notwithstanding his hard fare on salt pork and hard biscuit.”

Because of Crippen, detailed descriptions of some of Cincinnati’s legendary slums have survived, including Gas Alley in the West End and Charcoal Alley behind Saint Xavier Church. He was in many ways a predecessor to the legendary Lafcadio Hearn in shining a light on those aspects of Cincinnati life that the local papers, given to unquestioned boosterism, tended to ignore.

Crippen contracted an unspecified but painful illness in late 1862 and suffered for several months before dying at his home in Cincinnati in May of 1863. He was universally mourned, with every newspaper in the city reporting his demise. Crippen’s colleagues at the Times [25 May 1863] provided the most telling of all tributes, by affirming that he was that rarest of individuals – the beloved journalist:

“Those only who are intimate with the aggravations of newspaper life, can fully know the force of the remark when we say, that during a close connection of twenty years, not the slightest disagreement ever existed between himself and those whom he was most immediately connected in a journalistic capacity; and while they mourn his loss, they bear with them at this hour the fond recollection, that from the past no single thought can arise to cause one feeling of regret.”

Invisible Green, aka William G. Crippen, is buried in Wesleyan Cemetery in Northside.

[cuprohastes]

Quitting an interview.

I just talked to a guy who claimed to have a job. The first red flag was he said it was a job working for a charity doing sales.

That usually means called calling people and harassing them for payments or making donations via direct debit.

A lot of times these jobs aren't salaried, they're all 100% commission.

The second red flag was the first thing he asked was what laptop that I had?

To which my response was, I don't work for anybody who can't provide hardware.

When you do one of these jobs and they want you to use your own personal equipment, it means they're not planning to put any effort in. And what they're going to do is they're going to install management software on your own personal computer.

The safeguards to prevent line managers snooping around and having a look through your photos, files, background processes, and so on are practically zero. I have heard in the past of people who got fired from these jobs because they were running a download in the background. For example patching a steam game on their own personal computer using their own Internet connection. Somehow the team leader who was snooping around out of boredom saw this and find them on the spot.

Once during one of these sketchy calls, I said I would provide security by running their management software in a virtual machine, and they hung up.

They really do not like it when somebody understands what they're up to. Mostly because it makes it harder for them when they finagle away not to pay you.