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sgtbradfords · 4 years

Note

“Is that my shirt?” For a Chenford prompt! Love your writing♥️

Thank you for the prompt anon! I hope this does the prompt justice 😉

Send me a prompt from this list!

When Lucy Chen woke up that morning it wasn’t to the sound of her alarm, no. It was to the sound of a fist banging on her front door before Jackson West barged into the room.

“Chen! Let’s go, we’re going to be late!” She heard as she startled awake, sitting up.

“Shit!” She yelled throwing back the covers as she stumbled out of the bed, her body wavering as her feet hit the floor.

“What happened?” Jackson asked from the doorway as Lucy began to run around her room.

“I don’t know! I think my phone died last night while I was on the phone with-“ she began telling him as she threw on the first articles of acceptable clothing she could find. “Can I borrow your charger in the car?”

“Sure. But hurry we're going to be late.”

“Thanks roomie!” she yelled as he walked out.

Lucy hurriedly finished getting dressed, throwing on a pair of flats to go with her outfit before grabbing her duffle bag, keys and phone before running out of the apartment. She took the stairs down, two at a time, towards the main floor, swinging the metal door that separates the inside from the outside as she sprinted to Jackson’s waiting car.

“This is not how I wanted to start my Friday!” she huffed to her roommate and friend as she shut the door, buckling quickly as they headed out onto the street.

Jackson held out his right hand, a wrapped breakfast bar laid in his palm. “I grabbed you breakfast.”

Lucy took it, unwrapping and taking a bite as she plugged up her phone. “Thank you.” She said between another bite.

“So, who were you talking to so late last night that caused your phone to die?”

Lucy grimaced. “You caught that huh?”

Jackson nodded. “If you’re not ready to talk about it, that’s ok. But at least tell me you ran a background check on him.”

She snorted. “I did and I promise that his intentions are sound.”

“His intentions?” Jackson questioned, looking over his sunglasses to the girl in the passenger seat. “And just what is that supposed to mean?”

“It means that it’s kind of serious.” She shrugged. “We’ve been on a few dates. He’s been to mine, I’ve been to his. He even FaceTimed my parents once.”

“He’s met your parents? And just how long has this-“

Jackson began to ask as Lucy’s phone charging in the cup holder began chiming. She picked it up, scrolling through her missed messages.

“Huh. That’s weird.”

“What?”

“I got a message from Grey telling me to plain clothes it today. Wonder what that’s all about.”

“Special assignment maybe? We are P2s now.”

Lucy furrowed her brow as she fired off a text message before she began fixing her hair into a bun. “Maybe, I guess we’ll find out during roll call.”

They made idle conversation going down the road as Lucy fixed her light make-up, Jackson steering the car into the parking lot, parking in their normal spot. “Hey, did you finish that report about the robbery from yesterday?”

Lucy grabbed her things, exiting the car. “Yeah, I need to thank Nolan for the backup. If he didn’t show when he did, I would hate to think what could have happened.”

They enter the department, Lucy telling Jackson about the two men who tried to rob the convenience store granny before they went their separate ways to the locker rooms.

Lucy placed her bag into her locker, grabbing her badge, holstering her gun, and double checking her ankle holster before she pocketed her knife.

“Hey, good catch yesterday with the Gardner Twins. They’re regulars, always in and out of jail but I heard that the old woman held her own?” Nyla congratulated as she adjusted the duty belt she just put on.

Lucy laughed, heading for the door. “Yeah, when I pulled up on scene, she had one held at gun point and the other at cane point which would have been nothing if it wasn’t for the blade sticking out of it.”

“Sounds like that is one grandma not to be messed with.”

“Definitely not, she had brass knuckles and pepper spray in her purse too.” Lucy told Nyla as they entered the meeting room, both taking their respective seats with the others at their tables in the back.

Angela Lopez walked in, sitting down beside Lucy. “Morning.”

“Morning.”

Angela turned around to Nyla, asking a question before she turned back around to the front. “Nice shirt.”

“Than-“ Lucy began saying as she looked down, stopping her words in their tracks. ‘Oh no.’ her mind repeated frantically. In her haste to get dressed she didn’t pay attention to the shirt she put on, sure she knew the olive green color, knew it would match her dark washed jeans but ‘I should have looked in the mirror.’ was really a statement she needed stamped on her forehead.

“Morning.” Tim said as he sat down in the chair next to Nyla. “You get a special assignment or something?” he asked, looking at his former rookie.

Lucy was still amidst her internal conflict. ‘Should I go change? How could I have been so stupid, this is what I get for not laying my clothes out last night.’

“Boot!” Tim said sternly, his voice a tone he hasn’t used on her in a while, pulling her out of her stupor.

“I’m sorry, did you ask something?”

“Yeah, what’s with the plain clothes?”

Lucy shrugged. “Grey told me to dress down.”

“And that means wearing your boyfriend’s shirt?” snorted Angela as she took a sip of her coffee.

Lucy panicked. “Oh this? This isn’t my boyfriend’s, it’s Jackson’s.”

“Jackson was in the Army?” Angela smirked, pointing out the green shirt with black lettering.

“No, it’s Sterling’s. He wore it on that military movie he made a few years ago.”

Angela looked at her incredulously before glancing at Nyla and Tim who was watching the interaction with great intent. “Uh-huh.”

“Alright let’s settle down and get to it…” Sergeant Grey said as he took his place behind the podium.

“What’d I miss?” Jackson asked as he quickly sat down in the other chair opposite of Lucy.

“My funeral.” She mumbled.

Jackson turned slightly “What?”

“Nothing.” She said quickly as Grey glared the two down.

Thirty minutes later Sergeant Grey had given Lucy her assignment, assisting the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives undercover at a local bar that was serving alcohol to minors.

“Hey, wait for me.” Said the voice of her former training officer behind her. She slowed her steps, allowing him to join her. “You want a ride?”

“Sure. You set?”

Tim motioned his head towards the garage bay, “Let’s go.”

Lucy may have been the most under qualified of all the female officers in the department to go undercover, but she had what the ATF was looking for and everyone has to start somewhere. She felt a sense of relief when Sergeant Grey partnered her with Tim for the day, the newly appointed Sergeant providing backup in case things went sideways.

“So, what’s your cover again?” Tim asked. He would be parked nearby, listening in with another ATF field agent as Lucy went on a ‘date’ with one of their agents while two others attempted to get served alcohol.

Lucy read the paper in her hand, the information vague besides the location of the bar and who they would be meeting with outside of the bar.

Tim nodded. “Did you bring another shirt?”

“No, Grey didn’t tell me anything other than to wear plain clothes, which I didn’t see till I had already left my apartment.”

“Isn’t that my shirt?” he asked, smirking.

“Apparently I feel asleep talking to someone on the phone last night and never plugged it up, which caused my phone to die, so my alarm to never went off and Jackson had to wake me up. I was in a bit of a rush this morning getting dressed and thought I was putting on my olive swing top.” She glared.

“I’m not complaining, you look better in it anyways.”

“Yeah, well I’m pretty sure Angela knows it’s yours.”

Tim shrugged “She’s a Detective for a reason. It was cute you know.”

“What was cute?”

“Hearing you snore.”

Lucy opened her mouth “I do not snore!”

“You do.” He laughed. “I can’t believe I never noticed it before last night.”

“I was tired, yesterday was a long day. Besides, it’s probably nothing compared to the logs that you saw at night.”

Tim looked at her before agreeing with what she said. “I’m not going to deny that. But at least my feet don’t feel like blocks of ice.”

“I can’t help that my feet stay cold! I don’t like wearing socks to bed.”

“Lucy, I don’t mind being your personal heater but maybe it wouldn’t hurt to keep an extra blanket or two next to the beds.”

Lucy thought for a moment as she pulled her hair out of its hold, tousling the brown waves. “Fine.”

“Or we could just make it bed, as in singular.” He offered as he parked the shop next to the curb.

“Is that your way of asking me to move in with you?”

“I don’t know, is it? We've been together almost a year, we're both in a good place right now and half of your closet is in my bedroom closet." He reminded her as he grabbed the handheld radio mounted to the dash.”7-Adam-19 show us out for special assignment.”

“7-Adam-19 10-4.”

“You don’t have to answer now, we can talk about more after shift.” He told her as he stepped out of the car. “You ready?” he asked as Lucy nodded her head, moving towards the small group of people on the sidewalk. “Let’s knock ‘em dead boot. Agent Edwards? Sergeant Tim Bradford this is Officer Lucy Chen, glad we could assist you today.”

#the rookie fic #tim bradford x lucy chen #chenford fic #chenford fanfic #fanfic #chenford

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manumigoya · 4 years

Text

A regular guy’s experience with a military graded phone and why you might want one

The Ulefone Armor 7 Pro is a smartphone designed for adventurers, construction workers and people who are routinely exposed to conditions that would endanger most modern devices. I’m not any of those things, but I still think it was the right choice for me, and it might just suit you too.

What use has a normal guy like me for a phone built to withstand such extreme conditions? I’m no couch potato, I regularly ride my bike to work and back, enjoy the occasional trekking and camping trip and walk around my city a fair bit. Even so, that is a far cry from the kind of person this phone was designed for.

After all, the Ulefone Armor X7 Pro has a IP-68 and a MIL-STD-810G rating, which means it can literally survive for a day buried under a meter of concrete, withstand half an hour under 1.5 meters of water, its completely sealed to dust or sand, and a bunch of other characteristics you can read about here. Essentially, it’s build to last.

About this review

This article is not intended to be a thorough technical review of the phone, but rather a list of reasons why I think it might suit you even if you are not the intended target for it. Therefore I will only go through some of the most important specs, highlighting what I personally consider relevant.

If you wish to know the full technical details you can visit the official Ulefone site or search for a traditional review. If you wish to skip to my conclusion, where I explain why this is also a great phone for normal users, scroll to the end.

Ulefone Armor 7 Pro specs

CPU: Mediatek Helio A20 1.8GHz

RAM: 4Gb

Storage: 32Gb (expandable)

OS: Android 10

Screen: 5’’

Back Camera: 13Mbx

Front Camera: 5Mpx

Battery: 4000 mAh

Size: 150 x 78,9 x 14,6 mm

Has NFC

Micro-usb charging

Okay, now that we listed the technical details, let’s consider what each of them brings to the table and how the final product behaves.

Slow and steady

If you are looking for a fast snappy phone with which you can simultaneously scroll through Instagram, watch a video with picture in picture mode, and have a graphic intensive game waiting for you in the background, this isn’t it. Nor is this the price range you should be aiming at.

The Armor Mediatek Helio A20 processor, with a frequency of 1.8GHz, isn’t anything to write home about. And the 4GB of RAM, though an improvement on previous models, pales in comparison to what even mid-range phones pack these days.

And you know what? That’s actually perfectly fine. The purpose of this phone isn’t to win any race, but rather to get the job done. And that it does.

I need my phone to perform what has become over the years a pretty basic list of tasks: social media, document editing, internet browsing, music and video streaming, taking some pics, and basic photo and video editing.

The Ulefone Armor 7 Pro is able to do any of those tasks without issues, even when I need to open two or three apps in the background. Yes, it does get a bit slow or even freezes for a couple of seconds from time to time, but not enough for it to interrupt my experience.

Battery life

Back when smartphones were a new thing, we used to complain about their battery life bitterly. Habituated to our old not so bright devices whose batteries lasted for days, we felt that the tradeoff wasn’t always worth it. Yes, we were now the proud owners of mind-boggling phones that could perform amazing tasks for us. But use them for a couple of hours and you better find somewhere to charge them (and have the time to wait for that to be done).

Luckily, smartphones are getting better at this by the iteration. With its 4000mAh battery, the Ulefone Armor 7 Pro is just another contender in the race for autonomy.

According to my digital wellbeing app, I’ve been using it an average of four and a half hours per day. That’s a lot. It actually puts me in the top 20% of screen time, but being excited for my new gadget and having to do this review I feel a bit justified.

Even so, I usually have at least 30% of the battery left when I finish my day, if not more. And, on the occasions I don’t use it as much, I can go two days without having to think about charging.

At a time when we are seeing affordable phones with 5000mAh of battery that can last up to three days without charge and that have better performance, the Armor X7 Pro’s battery life certainly won’t make any headlines, but it’s still a great perk for the price.

The Ulefone X7 Pro camera

As I said, one of the tasks I need my phone to perform on a daily basis is taking pictures. With a 13 megapixels main camera, a 5 megapixel front camera, and pro, night and underwater modes, the Armor X7 Pro it’s barely able to keep up with today’s standards.

I know, I know, nobody is buying it to start a photography career. But still, I was expecting a bit more, even from those low specs. Truth be told, the night mode usually just ruins the colors in most pictures and the pro mode feels terribly lacking. I still haven’t tried the underwater mode.

The first picture is taken on normal mode, the second with night mode. This kind of open dimly light landscape is the only instance where I found the night mode actually improved the result.

Pro tip: make sure to disable the Ulefone watermark, as I clearly didn’t.

Normal mode:

With night mode:

If your only purpose is to take casual photos for your personal social media, then the Armor X7 Pro will do the trick, but anything more than that and you will need to look somewhere else.

Other details and utilities

There’s a lot to say about this phone. From its unique set of apps to its thick rubber encasing. But, for the sake of brevity, I’ll just go through some of the features that I have noticed more in its daily usage.

Custom button

After using Motorola -and it’s amazing gestures- for years, I was afraid I would have too much of a hard time getting used to another brand. Luckily the Ulefone Armor X7 Pro comes with a custom key on its left side that can be programmed to do up to three different tasks. I have it set just to two: opening the camera and the flashlight. Simple, but incredibly useful.

NFC

A surprising number of middle-range phones lack this feature. But not the Armor X7 Pro, and I’m incredibly grateful for it.

Headphone Jack lids

In order to withstand an hour under 1.2 meters of water, the phone is completely sealed off. That includes the headphone jack, the charger plug, and the sim tray, which are all protected by thick rubber lids. Unfortunately, said lids are difficult to open without the dedicated tool Ulefone includes in the package.

This tool, while useful, is rather small and prone to getting lost. I have resorted to knives, forks, screwdrivers, and other such tools to open them, including my own nails (which I do not recommend).

Sadly, on a couple of occasions where my nails were trimmed and I had nothing pointy with me, I could open the headphone jack at all and resigned myself to just listening to the surroundings.

Though I understand the importance of this protection, I wish Ulefone had thought about some way of opening these lids without that tool. Or maybe even a way to carry it in the phone itself without fear of losing it.

Speakers

Oh my god are they loud! I really haven’t used my wireless speakers since I have this phone. Of course, it doesn’t have the same quality or sound level, but it’s more than enough for most situations.

Why I recommend the Ulefone Armor X7 Pro

Simply put, this is a phone for people that don’t want to worry at all about their phones. Which isn’t a new concept at all. The market for minimalist phones is growing as people realize that some device’s specs are so good they end up getting into the way of life.

And, while the Armor X7 Pro probably wasn’t designed with this in mind, it achieves it in an awesome and unique way.

First of all, its specs are good enough for the vast majority of tasks people normally need their phones to perform, while at the same time not being so appealing that they demand your constant attention.

Use it normally and you’ll have no problems, use it intensely and its shortcomings will start to annoy you. It might not be ideal, but it’s a great way to reduce your screen time (at least when you don’t have to write a review about it).

On the other hand, its ridiculous resistance to water, falls, pressure, and temperature, makes it so I don’t have to worry about breaking the thing. I’m not a particularly clumsy person, but I have been known to break a phone or two, so this is important to me.

Now, with the Armor X7 Pro, I just leave my phone anywhere, with almost no worries about its safety. If it can go through the 29 tests needed to get the MIL-STD-810G certification, It can withstand a fall while I’m riding my bike, the playful (and sticky) hands of my nephews, or having a pint of beer accidentally poured over it on a Friday night.

As long as it doesn’t get stolen, it will probably be with me for however long I want it to.

And I got all of this for just over a 100 euros on eBay -you can get it cheaper in Banggood, if you are willing to wait a bit longer. Really, I don’t think theres another phone that can deliver all of this by that price.

#phone reviews #ulefone #mobile phones #review

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scones-and-texting-and-murder · 7 years

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Your Move

Written for the lovely @jojodacrow and part of a collection of art and fics created in her honor entitled (of course) BOOM: Penises. Check them all out!

(ao3 2450 words)

Dean had never spent all that much time in the coffee shop across from his apartment building before now. It’s always been there, convenient and open late, but when he still lived with Lisa it was just a place he walked past on his way home or maybe stopped by for coffee and muffins on a lazy weekend morning.

It was there, handy when he needed it, but otherwise he didn’t give it a lot of thought. Maybe he took it for granted, to use the words Lisa had flung at him the day they’d finally called it quits.

Now that she’s moved out, Dean finds himself in the cozy coffee shop a lot. He likes to set up in the end seat of the little counter that overlooks the espresso maker. There’s an outlet right there to plug in his laptop and Charlie, the barista, seems to sense when he wants to chat and when he needs his coffee cup slid to him without a word.

God knows he could make coffee for a whole lot cheaper up in his apartment. Lisa had thoughtfully left their coffeemaker since Matt already had one, but even though he knows they are better off apart, better as friends than anything else, he still hates coming home to an empty apartment. Many days, the coffee shop serves as a buffer between his busy day at work and the loneliness at home. It's a respite, almost like a rest stop, where he can sit and gather himself and, if he's honest about it, kill a couple of those long hours before he can call it a night.

Maybe it will be easier when she retrieves the last of her belongings from the space they'd shared.

Dean had methodically collected her things from closets and shelves and drawers. He’d had to shut off a piece of his brain so he wouldn’t get wrapped up in remembering the beach town where she’d bought that sweater or how her old umbrella stuck and she always had to ask Dean to close it for her. He packed her things into boxes which he stacked in the second bedroom, putting them safely out of sight behind a closed door. She said she didn’t need their bedding, but he’d stripped it off anyhow and washed it before boxing it up as well. He’d gotten himself a plain set of sheets and a solid blue comforter and he has vague plans to rearrange the bedroom so it no longer looks like a sadder, emptier version of theirs, but so far he hasn’t mustered the energy to do that.

Sam offered to come help his brother, to keep him company as he sorted all of this out. He even offered to let Dean move in with him and his wife Eileen, a gesture that Dean appreciates but firmly refuses. Dean doesn’t need to make his old life disappear. He just needs some time to get used to the way things are now.

It stings that Lisa has found someone new, but he’s not heartbroken by it. He loves her enough to want what’s best for her and he knows that he was never going to be there for her in the way that she needed. But he’s not meant for living alone. He needs someone to cook for and someone to hold tightly during the long, cold winter nights. Knowing Dean well, Sam keeps encouraging him to move on. Hell, so does Lisa, for that matter. He wants to move on, but trying again with someone new feels like climbing a mountain. He thinks he could manage it, though, if he could just get his feet underneath him and take those first few steps. Right now he’s stuck in some sort of liminal space, still living with their belongings but without her.

It’ll be easier once she picks up the rest of her things.

In the meantime, the coffee shop helps. He can stop in there when he isn’t quite ready to face the apartment alone or he can come down in the evenings after he’s fed himself and washed his sad, single plate. Even if he doesn’t talk to anyone but Charlie, he can feel like he’s a part of something simply by not being closed up in his apartment.

Today, he needs every bit of familiarity and comfort the coffee shop holds for him. He needs the chime of the bell when he opens the door and the hissing sound of the espresso maker. He needs to settle in at the end of the counter with a hot cup of coffee and his laptop and let the hum of conversation surround him. But today when he comes in, there’s someone sitting in his seat.

Cas looks up when he hears a loud sigh. A man has entered the coffee shop and approached the counter where Cas sits. With an oddly resentful look at Cas, who is merely sitting with his book and his cup of tea, the man drops heavily onto another stool, leaving an empty seat between them. Cas can see right away that he’s a nice-looking man, in fact, that may be a bit of an understatement as Cas finds his gaze lingering on the man’s face. He looks a little harried, though, fidgeting in his seat before sighing again and opening up his computer.

Cas goes back to reading his book, only half-conscious of the typing and clicking from his neighbor. A few minutes later another loud sigh catches his attention and he looks up to find the man shifting over to the stool next to him.

“Could I…?”

From where he sits, Cas can see the warning pop-up on the man’s screen, flashing red with a low-battery alert. The man jiggles something and Cas realizes he’s holding his charging cord and gesturing toward the outlet on the wall.

“Of course.” Cas leans back as the man reaches across him to plug in his charger. From this close, Cas can see he has freckles scattered across his skin. It also gives him a vantage point to admire how the henley he’s wearing clings to him, showing off nicely rounded muscles. He jostles Cas’s tea cup with said muscled arm and there’s a brief, awkward scuffle as Cas tries to right it before it spills.

Apparently this is Castiel’s fault because the man heaves another sigh. “I usually sit there.”

Tea cup rebalanced, Cas spares him a long look. Apparently he’s one of those guys used to getting what he wants simply by being attractive. “I wasn’t aware there were assigned seats.”

The response he gets is not at all the cocky attitude he’s expecting. Instead, the man lowers his eyes and runs a hand through his hair. “No, of course not. Sorry. Just not having my best day.”

He goes back to his computer and Cas goes back to his book. It’s a little distracting having him sitting so close. Not to mention the annoying way the cord trails across Cas’s place at the counter, especially when he realizes that the guy has gone to all that trouble to plug in his laptop and now he isn’t typing anything. A quick glance up shows he isn’t even looking at the screen, his eyes instead fixed somewhere out the big front window that faces the street.

Cas feels the strangest urge to ask him if everything is alright but before he can, the redheaded barista approaches, greeting him with a bright smile. “Hey, man.”

“Hi, Charlie.”

“The usual?”

Cas wonders what it would feel like to be the kind of person who frequents a place, showing up often enough that a friendly barista would anticipate his order. He knows he should spend more time out and about, getting to know people other than his co-workers, but the thought of it intimidates and exhausts him. Still, to be such a regular, a familiar face, a fixture somewhere other than his own living room couch...there’s something appealing about it.

“Yeah,” Mr. I-Have-A-Usual says, then quickly corrects himself. “No, wait. I’ll have the pumpkin spice with an extra shot and extra whip.”

Wondering how that differs from his regular order, Cas glances up to find Charlie staring with narrowed eyes at the guy. “What’s up with you?”

He doesn’t mean to eavesdrop, but they’re having this discussion right next to him.

The man slams his laptop shut. “Lisa’s picking up the last of her stuff this afternoon. She and Matt are up there now.”

Cas pretends to read but he’s been on the same page for quite some time, scanning the words without taking any of them in. Nevertheless, he flips a page. Totally not eavesdropping.

Charlie’s voice is sympathetic as she begins to prepare his order. “Sorry, dude. That’s rough.”

Resting his chin in his hand the man says, “Yeah, well, I’m gonna sit here and drown my sorrows in sugar and caffeine.”

Cas bites his lip to keep from smiling at that. It’s nice, though, that a guy this attractive isn’t railing about how he’s been done wrong or how he can do better.

“I mean…” Charlie ventures, once she’s presented him with his cup. “It’s not like you’re still pining for her.”

“I’m not,” he agrees. “We’re better off as friends.” He takes a sip of his coffee and, out of the corner of his eye, Cas can see him lick a bit of whipped cream from his upper lip. “I’m tired of getting that sad look from her, though, like I haven’t moved on.”

Charlie polishes the steam wand with a cloth. “Have you moved on?”

“I’m moving on. Ish.” He fiddles with the cup a little bit, running the pad of one finger along the rim. “I just don’t have a lot of time to, you know, get out and meet people.”

Looking around exaggeratedly, Charlie points out the obvious. “You’re out right now.”

“Yeah, but...this doesn’t count.”

Cas can’t help his smile this time. Charlie catches his eye before he can pretend to be absorbed in his book and smiles back. “More hot water?” she offers, and Cas slides his cup toward her.

While she goes to get him a refill, Cas feels eyes on him and turns to see the man looking at him. He can’t quite read the look on his face. The man isn’t glaring or inquisitive he just looks...thoughtful.

“I didn’t mean to overhear,” Cas starts, then clears his throat. “It can be hard to meet people.”

There’s a long moment when Cas worries he’s overstepped, but the man nods his agreement.

“I’m not really one for the club scene,” he says. “My brother wants me to go on one of those online sites but...that’s not really me.”

“I think our brothers would get along well,” Cas says with a laugh. “I know mine is looking out for me but…”

“Gotta do it on your own terms,” he finishes.

“Yeah.” Cas smiles his thanks at Charlie when she returns with his tea.

The other man holds out his mug. “Here’s to not meeting people.”

Carefully, so as not to spill the hot liquid, Cas toasts with his mug. “Amen.”

The man stops with his coffee halfway to his mouth. “Shit.”

Charlie and Cas both follow his gaze. A couple is crossing the street, holding hands. The woman has shiny dark hair and she’s smiling at her tall, handsome companion.

“That’s them?” So much for pretending he hadn’t been listening.

“Yeah. They’re gonna come over here and make big, pitiful eyes at me.” The man sets his mug down despondently.

“Because you haven’t ‘moved on’?” Cas makes actual finger quotes before he can stop himself.

They’re getting closer now, clearly approaching the coffee shop door.

“Well,” Charlie says, “I’d pretend to be your girlfriend but Lisa already knows I don’t swing that way.”

Impulsively, Cas puts a hand on the man’s shoulder. It’s just as firm as he imagined it would be. Startled by the sudden touch, he turns in confusion, looking first at Cas’s hand, then at his face, eyes lingering on his mouth. Cas gives a questioning lift of his eyebrows and receives the faintest nod in response. In the next moment Cas is leaning over and kissing him. He hears a soft noise of surprise from Charlie, and then there’s nothing but the man’s mouth, soft plush lips against his own and the whisper of stubble on stubble. The kiss deepens and Cas realizes the man has put a hand to Cas’s face, cupping his jaw gently with his warm palm.

“Hey.” A female voice causes them to pull apart. Lisa is standing there and Cas catches his breath as he gets a good look at her. She’s pretty, bright dark eyes looking between the two of them with a hint of amused curiosity.

“Oh hey, Lis,” the man says. He licks his lips slowly like he’s still tasting Cas. Come to think of it, Cas can taste cinnamon and sugar and the sharpness of coffee. He wipes a hand over his own tingling mouth.

“Were you going to introduce me?” She’s got one eyebrow arched and Cas can see instantly why this guy likes her.

“Uh…”

Cas gets to his feet to shake her hand. “I’m Cas. You must be Lisa.”

“I am. And you are apparently a well-kept secret. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Well, you know.” The man has gone a little pink. It’s a good look on him.

Lisa reaches to pull him into a hug, smiling at Cas over his shoulder. “I’m happy for you.”

The four of them stand there chatting for a few moments longer and Cas can’t resist placing a hand at the small of the man’s back. Casually, the man reaches back and Cas goes to remove his hand as subtly as possible but instead he finds their fingers threaded together. Cas tries to make appropriate small talk but he’s distracted by the way his heart is pounding and the confident grip of the hand in his.

When Lisa and Matt leave, Cas looks down at their joined hands. When he raises his eyes, the man is looking at him, his green eyes wide and curious. After a moment of stilted silence, they separate and sit back down.

“Uh, thanks. You didn’t have to do that but that was cool. And um nice. It was nice.” He’s full on blushing now and rubbing a hand at the back of his neck.

“It was very nice,” Cas confirms, and then something occurs to him. “What’s your name?”

“I’m Dean. Dean Winchester.”

Cas smiles. “Hello, Dean.”

#deancas #destiel #fake dating #fake out make out #my writing

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squeemcsquee · 7 years

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Prose and Cons: Convention Day Bag

I said I was going to do this before Wizard World Peoria...well, that got cancelled, so I loafed around and procrastinated. Whoops.

Anyway, this is a subject that many have touched on. If my list doesn’t suit your needs, I will link to a few other takes on the subject at the end.

Now, there are two kinds of day bags that I tend to carry around: I have a sturdy, decently-sized, beat-up backpack or a messenger bag.

CHOOSING A BAG

You want a bag that will last you through the weekend, with everything you need for your enjoyment.

Here are some factors to consider:

1) Con size: Smaller cons will probably have less loot in the dealer’s room that you want to haul away, and might be quiet enough you can run back to your room or to a nearby restaurant for a bite to eat without missing much. Larger cons...not so much.

2) Compatibility with your outfit: This year at ACen, my cosplay had wings. I wasn’t able to wear my usual bag as a result. Take the limitations of your cosplay into consideration when choosing a bag. If you aren’t cosplaying, then you probably won’t have as much to worry about, but you still want to be able to put the bag on or remove it easily. 3) Comfort: A bag that is compatible with your cosplay isn’t always the most comfortable. I learned that this year, actually. The messenger bag I wore as part of my Twilight Sparkle cosplay is great for smaller cons...but not larger cons, when I’m more likely to be running around with it all day. My shoulders got super sore, super quick - with my wings, I couldn’t wear the strap across my chest, which was part of it.

4) Bag size: Remember - the bigger the bag, the more it holds - and the more it gets in the way. The smaller the bag, the more chance you can’t take everything you want/need. PACKING YOUR BAG

This is my personal list of what I would consider essential for a con. Your own experiences may differ - and that’s okay!

1) Wallet - Whether you plan to spend money or not, having your wallet is what I would consider a must at most cons. There is always the chance you will need your ID, or you have to get extra food or drink, or cover a travel expense you weren’t planning on.

2) Con Badge - If it isn’t around your neck or clipped to your costume, make sure it is in your bag. You can be asked at any time to show it.

3) Phone - For most people, their phone is their clock, their camera, their communication device, game device, music player, e-reader, etc. Maybe you have the digital copy of the convention guidebook on your phone. Maybe you like using the Apple Pay or Google Wallet or whatever payment methods.

Maybe you don’t have a smartphone and your phone is just a phone. You still need it.

4) Snack - Have a snack of some kind handy, just in case your meals aren’t quite as regular as you originally hoped. I would recommend trail mix, granola bars, or similar - something that will have some staying power.

5) Small water bottle - Most cons have water around somewhere. But if you can’t find it, or the cups have run out, or the convention center is charging an arm and a leg...if you have your own, you’re set. Heck, worst case scenario, at least you can fill it up at the bathroom sink!

6) Con Guide - A lot of cons offer digital guides and that is super awesome. But if your phone dies, it’s nice to have the physical copy on hand, just in case.

7) Multi-end charging cable with plug - Yes, with the plug. I have had my portable battery run low before, so it’s nice to have an option if it fails me completely before I can recharge it. Sure, wall outlets are at a premium, but at the cons I’ve been to, I’ve been able find at least one while in a panel. Just make sure to sit near any device you have charging, so you can keep an eye on it!

8) Portable battery - Because wall outlets are at a premium

9) Something to help you pass the time in lines - Even the most outgoing people I know sometimes prefer to just do their own thing while in a line. Whether it’s a 3DS, a fidget device, a Kindle, a manga volume...have something that lets you kill a little time.

10) Small notebook & pen - Because you never know when you might hear about an awesome game or show to check out or need to write someone’s social media stuff down...and your phone has died.

Additional: I recommend a camera, if you have a non-smart phone, or a smart phone with poor camera quality. Remember to have spare batteries or a charger on hand for this.

I also recommend a folder, or artist portfolio, or something on hand to keep your lovely Artist Alley prints from getting damaged.

Finally, I also carry a small, folded tote bage in my main bag. This way, if I really binge too much on Artist Alley or Dealer’s Room items, I have a spare bag handy for anything that won’t fit in my regular day bag.

And that is that! For now. I may have more to say in the future. Sorry for the delay on this!

If you want other opinions, check the following articles from these sources:

L.A.Weekly

Lifehacker

Nerdophiles

I have seen a couple of videos out there as well that I’ll mostly likely add to this at a later date.

#prose and cons #packing #convention bag #con survival

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justanotherinterludeff · 7 years

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Wild, wild, wild When I’m with you, all I get is wild thoughts Wild, wild, wild When I’m with you, all I get is wild thoughts

DJ Khaled ft. Rihanna

I tapped my acrylic nail against the desk repeated, looking down at my phone every so often. It was 12:36 and my professor was officially her time limit. If it was a regular day, I wouldn’t mind the extra time to finish taking my notes. But today was the last day and all she was doing was thanking us for taking her course and how much she enjoyed having all of us as students.

I wish we could say the same. She was crazy. The way she graded almost caused a lot of us to fail. I thank the Lord I came out with a ‘B.’ Anyways, she needed to hurry it up. I didn’t have work today, so the fact that I could go home and not worry about school for a couple weeks had me happy and in a great mood. But she was messing it up.

“Well, if all hearts and minds are clear, everyone is free to go.” She announced. I sighed and said my goodbyes to the few people that I did speak to during the semester. I exited the room and plugged my earphones, instantly Kehlani’s voice drowned the hustle and bustle of the hallways.

I fished around in my bag trying to find my keys as Kehlani sang about how much of a good woman she was for a man not to appreciate her. It was probably one of my favorite songs on the album because I could relate. I wasn’t gonna ever settle for a man I knew I was way too good for.

I found my keys and stuck them in my back pocket before texting Amari and Adrienne, letting them know I was finally out of class. Amari and Adrienne were… a thing now? I was guessing at least. They were having sex with each other and only each other. It was weird as hell to me.

They liked each other, had sex, slept at each other’s house from time to time… but they weren’t together. They both admitted to me, separately of course, that they just wanted sex from each other. But I felt, deep down, that was some bullshit. They were growing feelings more and more for each other every time they spent time together, had sex, and were in each other’s presence.

Considering I hadn’t seen them since them since about a week and a half ago at the party, we were gonna try to link up either today or later this week. Adrienne and were going to the nail salon sometime today, and I would get to see my bestfriend this weekend.

I texted Adrienne and let her know I would be going home for a little, and then I’d meet her after she got off work at 3. It was hot as hell outside, and I thanked God for my choice of high waisted jeans, crop top and sandal combo. I slid in my car, and made sure to set the air condition on high before pulling off.

Before heading straight home, I decided to stop at Chipotle. A chicken bowl was calling my name. I found a parking space, and got out quickly, still keeping my headphones in my ear. This time Tee Grizzley was in my ear talking about how niggas had been praying for his downfall. I really don’t know who I thought I was listening to music like this.

I ran my hand over my hair making sure I looked alright before swinging the door open. I joined the semi-long line and pulled m phone from my pocket to pass the time. I was strolling through my Instagram feed when I felt someone touch my arm. I pulled one of my earphones and turned to see Jelani.

“What’s up Z?” He through his arm around my shoulder and pulled me in for a hug. “Hey.” I replied softly. He let me go and I settled back into my spot in line. “I ain’t seen you since the pool party, where you been at?” “School.” I shrugged. Our conversation was dry, due to me, but that was because Jelani could take someone’s ears off if you’d let him. Also, he was thirsty as hell.

“So, what’s up with me and you?” He smirked. See? I rolled my eyes. “The same as always, Jelani. Nothing.” I moved up a few steps in line. “Here you go, being stuck up again.” He chuckled. I rolled my eyes and instead of giving him the attention I knew he wanted so bad, I slipped my earphone back in my ear and picked another song.

When it was my turn to order, I turned my music down, and told the employee what I wanted in my bowl. I made sure to get guacamole on the side to eat with my chips. I couldn’t wait to get home. I skipped getting a drink, I needed to be drinking more water anyways. I paid for my meal, and left without saying goodbye to Jelani.

Getting home took no longer than ten minutes. I kicked my shoes off in the living room, sat my food down on the coffee table, and went to the kitchen to grab a water bottle. When I returned to the living room, I pulled my jeans off, sat and crossed my legs before turning on the TV. I reached for my guac and chips first, before dipping into my bowl.

While I snacked, I watched Omarion and Marques Houston get down in You Got Served. I watched as Liyah introduced her bestfriend, ‘ And that’s with two “L"s. You gotta accentuate the "L"s. You know, let it roll off your tongue.’” I recited from memory. BET played this movie way too often for me not to know it.

Once I was stuffed, I put the rest in the fridge and made sure to grab a blanket from the closet in the hall. I got comfortable on the couch and I wasn’t too sure, when I closed my eyes.

I woke up disoriented and my head was pounding. Someone was at my front door, knocking like the police. I didn’t know what day it was. What time it was. Nothing. I noticed the sun had went down, and I was confused as hell. My eyes adjusted to the darkness and I stopped the time on the cable box. 9:59 pm. There was no way I sleep for a whole seven hours.

Someone was still knocking at the door. I groaned and wrapped the blanket around myself and slowly made my way over to the door. I didn’t even bother to look through the peephole. I swung it open and was surprised to see Bryson.

I hadn’t seen him since the pool party. And even then, we didn’t speak to each other. Despite him saving me and removing that creep form the party, I hadn’t said one word to him. It was just so awkward, at least on my part. After it was all said and done, I wanted to. But, he looked like he was back to enjoying himself and not even thinking about me so, I just kept quiet.

No matter if we were speaking or not, I always took it upon myself to take him in. He had his iPhone to his ear, his grill was in, donning an all black ensemble with a denim jacket. It made no sense how attractive he was.

“Yeah, I’m looking at her right now.” He spoke to whoever was on the phone. I cocked my brow. Who was he talking to? “Alright, hold on.” He handed the phone over to me. “Hello?” I answered. “Zemora! What the fuck?!” I recognized Naomi’s voice. “Everyone has been calling your phone all day! What happened to you? Are you okay?”

“What? I’ve been at home all day. I just woke up.” I ushered Bryson in the house while I searched for my phone. It was on the coffee table, and when I picked it up and tried to unlock it, I noticed it was dead. “Adrienne called me asking for you cause y’all were supposed to be going somewhere today. She said she texted and you never answered. Called a million times and you never answered. She said she even came by and no one answered the door.”

My eyes bulged, I could not have been this tired. “I was staying at Kai’s tonight and I was gonna come check, but my brother said he was in the area and said he’d drop by to check. Thank God you’re okay.” “I’m sorry I had y’all worried. My phone died and I didn’t even know. Thank you for checking on me.” I said.

“It’s nothing, Z. Seriously, just make sure you keep your phone charged.” “Okay, mom.” I laughed. “Tell Adrienne I’m fine, okay? I gotta charge my phone and then I’ll text her.” “Okay. Good night love.” “Good night.” I replied before the call ended. I handed the phone back over to Bryson.

“Thank you for checking on me.” I said. “No problem.” He nodded. Without saying another word, he stood to his feet and was making his way to the door. “Bryson.” I called out to him. “Yeah?” “Um, are you busy right now? Can we talk?” “Uh,” He started. He rubbed his hand over his head for a second. “I got something I gotta deal with right now, yeah.”

“Oh.. okay then.” I replied disappointed. “Yeah.” He replied dryly. I followed him to the door, ready to lock it. But, he stopped once he was about to step out. “I don’t know what time imma be done, but I can come back when I’m done. Cool?” Seeing that I knew I wouldn’t be going back to sleep anytime soon, I had no problem with it. “Yeah, that’s fine.” I nodded. “Alright, I’ll be back then. Charge your phone before my sister send the police over here.” He laughed before stepping out.

I took the time that he was gone to try to find something for this headache, after putting my phone on the charger of course. I popped some ibuprofen and also took a nice, hot, long shower. I felt refreshed when I stepped out. I pulled my hair into a ponytail, and made sure to moisturize my skin. I opted for something comfortable to wear for the rest of the night.

I was clean, comfortable, and now I just needed some tea. I retreated to the kitchen and heated some water up quickly. While I was scanning my cabinets for the different boxes of teas that I had, my phone vibrated repeatedly on the counter.

“Adrienne, I am so sorry!” “Z, I don’t wanna hear that bullshit. You scared me! I thought someone kidnapped your ass!” She huffed into the phone. “I knowww! I’m sorry. Thank you for checking on me.Are you busy tomorrow? We can go before work.” “Um, I’m busy tomorrow. Amari and I are going on a date.” I could tell she was grinning from her voice.

“Like a date date?” I questioned while turning off my kettle. “Yeah.” She giggled like a school girl. “Ohhh, sounds like y’all about to get real serious.” Amari asking Dri on a real date? Yeah, he was really feeling her. “You think so?” She asked shyly. “I mean, y’all already had sex, what’s left?” I laughed.

“True. Mm, and Lord knows he be putting in work! Oh! I forgot to tell you how he made me squirt the other night! Bitch, he-” “Adrienne! I don’t wanna know about that!” I stopped her mid rant. She kissed her teeth, “I swear I can’t wait until your celibate ass starts having sex again. Then we can share stories and shit.”

“I don’t ever wanna hear about how Amari fucks you.” I rolled my eyes. That must have tickled her because she fell out in uncontrollable laughter. “Hearing you curse has to be the funniest shit ever.” She cackled. “Leave me alone, Dri. I-” A buzzing sound filled my ears and I pulled my phone away from my ear.

Bryson: I hope you not sleep

I let a small giggle leave my lips before responding quickly. “Um, who is texting us this late?” Adrienne inquired. “Bryson.” I answered quickly. “Bryson? Naomi’s Bryson? The one you had a crush on? Ah shit! Y’all talking again?” She asked. “I don’t even know Dri. He’s coming by in a little bit to talk about everything.”

“Talk? Talk? Sis… It’s 1:34 am. Ain’t no talking going on around these hours. You about to get some penisssss!” I fell out laughing as she cackled on the other end. “I’m so serious Z! my mama always said there was nothing open beside legs at this hour.” She reasoned. “Well, all me and Bryson are gonna do is talk. It’s not going that far.” I told her.

I pulled a spoon out the drawer before washing it off quickly. I found myself checking how I looked in the reflection on the silver spoon I picked out from the draw either way.

I lowkey couldn’t help myself. Something about him made me tingle. In all the right places. And no matter if we talked or not, I always found myself thinking about him. How pretty his lips were, how deep his voice was, how buff he was getting lately, how fine he was. I was so attracted to him. And the fact that we were speaking was doing something to me.

Although we already spoke about what happened the night of the house warming, I felt like we still had more to talk about. More so how I was doing way too much even though he didn’t owe me any kind of loyalty. We weren’t even talking like that so I had no right to be mad. But even with knowing all this, I couldn’t help myself. I was already so attached to him it was ridiculous.

A knock sounded at the door and I knew it was him. “He’s here Dri. Let me call you back later.” “Go get that dick bitch!” She yelled over the phone. I shook my head and ended the call. With all the denying I was doing with Adrienne, I could only hope my body followed my mind through this whole talk.

I opened the door for him, and he stepped in smelling like weed. “What’s up?” He greeted, while I noticed the red solo cup in his hand. I shut the door behind him and followed as he led the way to the living room. He took a seat on the couch while I went to fetch my mug of tea from the kitchen. When I emerged, I noticed the jacket he was wearing when he walked in was now slightly folded and draped over the top of the couch.

He had to have been hitting the gym these past couple weeks. Not that he was scrawny before, but now, his muscles were literally bulking out of his shirt. I swallowed hard. “So what you wanted to talk about?” He asked as I made my way to the couch. I put my mug on the coffee table and sat a on the other side of the couch.

“Um, I just wanted to.. to say thank you for what you did at the party. You didn’t have to help me out and I appreciate that.” I said. He nodded, “It ain’t no problem. He ain’t have no reason to grab on you like that.” “Right, right.” I agreed awkwardly.

There was a whole minute and a half of silence before he cleared his throat. “So, where you been at? I ain’t seen you in a minute.” He asked. “I’ve been here.” I shrugged. “All I been doing is going to work and school. Where have you been?” “Just working.” He shrugged. He held a sexy smirk on his face.

“Working or avoiding me?” I asked. “Nah, I should be asking you that.” He chuckled. “You ain’t been wanting to see me since that little accident with Cici. Straight up avoiding a nigga.” He laughed. Cici? I was guessing that was the girl’s name. “True.” I shrugged. There wasn’t any use in lying now.

“And that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I think I was doing wayyy too much with that whole situation. Honestly, you didn’t even need to come over here and explain yourself that night. You didn’t-” “Nah, I needed to. Me and you had a little thing going on, and yeah it wasn’t serious but it was something. Shit looked crazier than it was and you needed to know what happened.” He explained.

I was still stuck on the fact that he liked me.

“Look, I don’t get into people too often, but a nigga is attracted to you and I can’t help it. Everything about you is sexy. You smart, you funny, you independent. And the fact that you got a pretty face and a fat ass is a bonus.” He said. I bent over in laugh. That and I was hiding my blush.

“Come here.” He tapped my foot. I scooted closer to him still leaving a little space in between us, but that wasn’t enough for him. He damn near picked me up and placed me on his right beside him. “I don’t know what the hell it is about you, but you drawing me in. And I barely know shit about you.” I was still blushing.

“You just gonna sit here smiling or you gonna say something?” He smirked. I hid my face in my hands and giggling. “What do you wanna know?” I asked after I composed myself. “Whatever you wanna tell me.” He answered.

We started out with birthdays. His was August 15th, which made him a Leo. Hm, an alpha male. I could see it. I wanted to smack myself for even knowing that. Adrienne had been filling my ear with astrology talk and even though I never paid any attention to it, I was soaking up some of the information.

Favorite colors followed after, then it was favorite foods, music, things we hated, and things we loved the most. His daughter’s name was the first thing off his lips. I thought it was the cutest thing ever. He literally lit up as he told me all about Leilani. Deep down, I wanted to ask about her mom because I really wasn’t with the baby mama drama, but I knew better so I held off.

“She’s my whole heart, man. I swear I can’t thank God enough everyday for her. And the fact that she acts just like me is a bonus.” He smiled, letting me see his pearly whites. “Yeah, she is a little cutie, just like her daddy.” “You flirting with me Z? Better stop before you make a nigga blush.”

He had me giggling, before pushing his shoulder playfully. He chuckled before reaching for his red solo cup. “Hennessy?” I questioned. He nodded, “Want some?” “Nope. Not really a drinker.” I let him know. “You smoke?” He asked. I shook my head. “Oh, so you a real good girl then huh?” I rolled my eyes.

“You mind if I light up then?” He asked. “Nah, go ahead.” I reached for my mug of tea and could instantly feel his eyes all over my behind. “Pictures last longer.” I quipped. He only chuckled as in returned to my upright position. The sound of his lighter went off next. We talked about some more stuff while he finished the blunt, and I could feel myself getting a contact. I was around Amari enough to know what that felt like.

“You a virgin?” I spit some of my tea out. He was cracking up. “Excuse me?” I managed to say. He kissed his teeth, “What? That’s too bold?” “No, it was just… random? We were talking about colors and now we’re discussing if my cherry has been popped or not?” “Has it?” “Does it matter?” He smirked, “It hasn’t.”

He was laughing again. “That’s funny?” “My bad, I ain’t laughing at you. Ain’t nothing wrong with being a virgin. So, what is it? You saving yourself for marriage?” He asked. “I’m not saving myself Bryson, I’m not a virgin.” Another smirk. “What?” I questioned the look on his face.

“Nothing, nothing.” He smiled. He put the roach out and took another sip of his drink, I was still staring at him. “What?” He asked. I gave him a look that said, “Speak your mind.”

“A nigga was just trying to figure you out. You ain’t a virgin, so that means you one of them quiet freaks.” This time, it was me who was cracking up. “I bet you into some kinky shit.” I was rolling. He figured this out by what? Looking at me? Bryson was really a trip. “Guess you’ll never know.” I shrugged. Instead of replying, he just sent me another smirk.

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eddiejpoplar · 6 years

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Quick Take: 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

EL SEGUNDO, California — Since coming to work here at Automobile, we of the #Noboringcars mantra, I’ve been getting an education on what constitutes a not-boring car. The easy answer is a vehicle that’s a blast to drive, but it can also apply to a one that is intriguing from a technological or even a styling perspective. So while, yes, the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander plug-in hybrid we had in for a drive sure looks the boring part, taken as a whole it’s not quite what it appears to be at first glance.

Among other things, the Outlander is among the first PHEVs on the market with a 480-volt fast-charge port—roughly equivalent to installing an escalator in your front stoop. That’s a pretty impressive piece of tech from any automaker. The Outlander PHEV is also the nicest thing going in Mitsubishi’s lineup and relatively competitive for its segment. It’s nicely sized, comfortable, well-thought-out, and, in top-of-the-line GT spec, respectably plush.

Mitsubishi has been selling the Outlander PHEV in Japan since early 2013, and it has been promising a North American arrival “next year” ever since. Five years later, it’s finally here. The delay may well be attributed to its success elsewhere: Despite the brand being one stop from Nowheresville in the U.S., the Outlander PHEV is the world’s best-selling plug-in hybrid SUV, according to Mitsubishi.

It’s also a decent value, particularly as far as plug-in hybrids go. The Outlander PHEV starts just over $36,000, which not much more than Ford’s plug-in Fusion Energi sedan and just short of half the price of the plug-in Volvo XC90. Kia’s Niro PHEV starts at $28k, but it’s more of a small hatchback than an SUV. Chrysler’s seven-seat Pacifica Hybrid plug-in lists for some $5,000 more than the Outlander.

Because it has a plug, the Outlander PHEV is eligible for a $5,836 Federal tax credit. That’s not a deduction; it’s a discount off the tax you owe, which brings the Outlander PHEV’s out-of-pocket price down to $30,279, about three grand more than a Toyota RAV4 hybrid of the non-plug-in variety. State incentives can make the Mitsubishi even cheaper.

In terms of its overall hybrid technology, the Outlander, like other Mitsubishi offerings, isn’t quite front-of-pack. Its battery-only range is 22 miles, more than the get-me-through-the-center-of-town Audi A3 E-Tron but less than half of the Honda Clarity PHEV or Chevrolet Volt. I blame the Outlander PHEV’s age and its success in Europe, where city-center restrictions on non-electric vehicles make shorter ranges more sensible.

On the flip side, the Outlander PHEV gives you a lot of control over how you use that charge. In default mode, the Outlander makes the choice for you, prioritizing electric power for low-speed driving and switching on the gas engine when power demands are high. EV mode forces the Outlander to run all-electric, provided the juice is available, while Battery Save mode causes it to run like a conventional hybrid, holding the battery charge for when you need it. There’s also an EV Charge mode, which uses the engine to juice up the battery to extend the car’s electric-only range, but doing so is far less efficient (and costly) than plugging it in. You’d be hard pressed to find another PHEV that offers more control over operation, and quite a few that offer less (I’m looking at you, Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid).

Like most PHEVs, the Outlander can use a 240-volt Level 2 EV charger, though charging times are a bit long-ish at 3.5 hours. The Outlander can be trickle-charged from a 120-volt outlet in eight hours, which is slow but suitable for overnight charging.

And then there’s the 480-volt fast-charging port, which uses the same CHAdeMO adapter as the Nissan Leaf. Mitsubishi claims an 80 percent charge in about 25 minutes. In my experience, CHAdeMO is fast to start and slow to top off, and that’s an advantage. Here in Los Angeles, where the Department of Water and Power has free CHAdeMOs at its substations, I plugged in the Outlander and popped off across the street to the grocery store. Fifteen minutes later I had 15 miles of charge (not to mention that night’s dinner). I’ll take that.

Once the battery runs low, the Outlander PHEV operates like a regular hybrid, favoring electric power for low-speed operation. The EPA gives the Outlander a 25 mpg combined rating, but I saw 28 mpg in my own mixed driving. I’ll take that, too.

For daily-driving duties, the Outlander is unfailingly pleasant in the way of most small- and mid-size SUVs. The driving dynamics, while notable for an absence of enjoyment, are also notable for an absence of annoyances. Visibility is good, the side-view mirrors are nice and big, and the cabin is easy to get into and out of. The back seat deserves kudos, not just for its space, but for the fact that Mitsubishi has engineered a proper folding mechanism, with headrests that flop down and a seat-bottom cushion that flips forward, proving you with a flat and continuous load floor. There’s plenty of cargo space with all seats in place, and Mitsubishi has mercifully declined to cram a third row into the Outlander PHEV (as they do in the regular gas-powered Outlander), so there’s no need for me to complain about that. There’s also a ridiculously long 5 year/60,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, which has nothing to do with interior space, but I had to mention it somewhere.

Complaints? The small (11.3 gallon) fuel tank means frequent fill-ups. Even with a fully-charged battery, Mitsubishi claims a range of just 310 miles, and that means a lot of stopping to tank up on long trips. The powertrain is a bit jerky at creep-forward speeds, and there’s no optional navigation system. Mitsubishi expects you to use Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which come standard—that’s all well and good until you have no signal or data.

Then there’s the “Park” button, which is hidden behind the transmission shifter where it’s awkward to reach. Senior editor Nelson Ireson, who also spent some time in the Outlander, was outraged by that: “It’s as if the ergonomics were designed by aliens, not particularly advanced ones, but with intelligence comparable to our own.” He also thought the gas engine sounded like 10,000 sewing machines being run through a meat grinder. Still, even Ireson grudgingly agreed that the Outlander had few serious bad habits: “Aside from the engine, ergonomics, steering, and styling, it’s fine,” he said. I’d go further and submit that the Outlander PHEV is quiet (at least when the engine’s not running) comfortable, and reasonably posh.

And it has a plug. A very big one.

If it sounds like we’re damning the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV with faint praise, well, that’s fine. It’s an SUV, not a Lamborghini, and while there are certainly more exciting crossovers to drive, there aren’t many in its price range or competitive set. The Outlander PHEV’s short-ish battery range means the average buyer will likely be using fuel on a day-to-day basis, while Honda Clarity PHEV, Chevrolet Volt, and Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid owners are much more likely to do all of their driving on battery only.

That said, even if the Outlander Hybrid can’t eliminate the need for gasoline, it can greatly reduce it. That’s a good thing—and, if you ask me, a not-boring thing as well.

2018 Mitsibushi Outlander PHEV S-AWC GT Specifications

ON SALE Now PRICE $41,235/$41,930 (base/as tested) ENGINE 2.0L DOHC 16-valve I-4/117 hp @ 4,500 rpm, 137 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm plus A/C synchronous permanent magnet motor/60kW, 101 lb-ft (front) and A/C synchronous permanent magnet motor/60kW, 144 lb-ft (rear) TRANSMISSION Power split (front), single-speed (rear) LAYOUT 4-door, 5-passenger, front-engine, AWD crossover EPA MILEAGE 25 mpg combined (gasoline), 74 mpge combined (gasoline + battery) L x W x H 184.8 x 70.8 x 67.3 in WHEELBASE 105.1 in WEIGHT 4,178 lb 0-60 MPH 8.5 sec (est) BATTERY Lithium ion, 12.0 kWh

The post Quick Take: 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV appeared first on Automobile Magazine.

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jonathanbelloblog · 6 years

Text

Quick Take: 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

And it has a plug. A very big one.

That said, even if the Outlander Hybrid can’t eliminate the need for gasoline, it can greatly reduce it. That’s a good thing—and, if you ask me, a not-boring thing as well.

2018 Mitsibushi Outlander PHEV S-AWC GT Specifications

The post Quick Take: 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV appeared first on Automobile Magazine.

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jesusvasser · 6 years

Text

Quick Take: 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

And it has a plug. A very big one.

That said, even if the Outlander Hybrid can’t eliminate the need for gasoline, it can greatly reduce it. That’s a good thing—and, if you ask me, a not-boring thing as well.

2018 Mitsibushi Outlander PHEV S-AWC GT Specifications

The post Quick Take: 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV appeared first on Automobile Magazine.

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toomanysurveys9 · 7 years

Text

1. Air Conditioning: At what level or temperature is it on today? it’s not on. it’s too cold to be on.

2. Pet: Where does your pet sleep at night? usually in the living room somewhere. probably with lilli and rose.

3. Laptop: Is it in your lap, on the table, or somewhere else? Is it plugged in/charging? it’s on my lap, and it just got off the charger.

4. Cell phone: Name a person that you only use your cell phone to talk to (no texting or otherwise)? the doctor.

5. Pillows: How many pillows do you actually use while sleeping (not just on your bed)? one. 6. Candles: What is your favorite scent that you own? How often do you light it? the vanilla scent. i rarely light any candles because jake gives me shit when i do.

7. Cigarettes: Who in your house smokes? no one.

8. Couch: How many people could sit comfortably on it? depends how big the people are. but about fourish.

9. Glasses: Who wears glasses in your house? Are they near-sighted or far-sighted? almost everyone is supposed to. there’s a mix of both.

10. Toothpaste: What brand do you use/like best? i don’t really care but i usually use crest or colgate.

11. Pencils: Do you prefer using regular or mechanical pencils? i usually use mechanical pencils.

12. Coffee mug: What kind of hot beverage do you drink the most? hot chocolate.

13. Television: What is your favorite television channel? What are the best shows that air on it? i usually watch food network or cooking channel. or usa. there’s a few shows i kinda watch.

14. Chapstick: Do you get chapped lips a lot? When was the last time you had them? not a lot, no. and probably last winter, if that.

15. Musical instrument: What instrument is your favourte and who plays it? If it’s you, what is your favorite song to play on it? guitar and my uncle sam can.

16. Trashcan: Whose responsibility is it to take out the trash at your house? anyone. except my grandparents, 4 and 5 year old sisters, and wyatt of course.

17. Plants: What kind of plants do you have in your house? How often are they watered? i don’t know what kind they are. they are vanessa’s (jacob’s mom). and we never water them sooo....

18. Hair dyer: Who in your family has the longest hair? How long is yours? now, probably my sister, erin. mine is slightly past my boobs.

19. Chocolate: What kind is better: milk, dark, or white? i prefer milk.

20. Shoes: The last time you went out, what shoes did you wear? moccasin type ones.

21. DVD player: What do you have more of, VHS tapes or DVDs? dvds for sure.

22. Insects: When you find an unwanted insect inside of your house do you kill it, take it outside, or leave it alone? depends. but they usually end up killed.

23. Razor: What are all the areas of your body that you shave? everywhere.

24. Webcam: When you go on webcam, who do you chat with the most? Do you use any specific sites or programs? i don’t use the webcam. although i do have a skype meeting with a recruiter for a job in china (english teacher) on the 29th.

25. Refrigerator/freezer: Does yours have an automatic ice cube maker? Do you prefer cubed or crushed ice? it’s not ours, but no, it doesn’t. i guess i prefer more crushed though.

26. Sunscreen: What SPF do you use? typically 50.

27. Sibling: Do you get along with your sibling(s)? If you have more than one, which one are you closest to? i have five younger siblings. i guess i’m closer to my brother... we’ve been hanging out a lot.

28. Cereal: What kind of cereal is in your house right now? Is it your favorite? If not, what is? honey nut cheerios, fruit loops, and lucky charms.

29. Pain relievers: What kind of pain reliever do you use when you have a headache? tylenol. it’s the only one i can take really since i’m breastfeeding.

30. Monopoly: When you play Monopoly, what game piece do you choose to use for going around the board? the dog is my favorite. but if i can’t be that one, i usually choose the thimble.

31. Bookshelf: What books (if any) have you read more than once? that is a long list. such as willow, the mortal instruments series, and the relentless series.

32. Deck of cards: What is your favorite card game? uhm. cards against humanity i guess.

33. Umbrella: Do you mind walking in the rain without one? as long as it’s not raining super hard.

34. Mood ring: What mood(s) are you in right now? i’m mostly.. okay i guess.

35. Hoodie: Do you prefer the kind with or without the zipper? without.

36. Calendar: What is the picture of on your calendar for this month? we don’t have a calendar.

37. Pajamas: What do you usually wear to sleep in? Are you comfortable falling asleep in jeans? i usually fall asleep in bra and underwear or pajama pants. just depends on how hot it is. and i used to be able to sleep in jeans. i can’t anymore though.

38. Backpack: Are you in school this year? If so, what grade are you in? i’m not in school. thank god.

39. Alarm clock: What time do you have to get up tomorrow morning? no particular time. just whenever wy wakes up.

40. Jewelry box: What is your most expensive piece of jewelry? If it was a gift, who got it for you? my wedding set from jake.

41. Game console: What is your favorite video game to play by yourself? crash bandicoot. 42. Mirror: How many times a day do you tend to look in the mirror? rarely.

43. Basement: Is your basement used just for storage, or is it used as another room? we live in vanessa’s trailer. there isn’t a basement.

44. Sports jersey: What professional teams do you and/or your family root for? my family roots for 49ers and notre dame.

45. Dictionary: What was the last new word that you learned? What does it mean? i don’t remember.

#survey #surveys #personal #question #questions #random

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cleancutpage · 7 years

Text

I’m Charged Up

This post originally appeared on Marketplace Advertiser, QuantumListing Blog and is republished with permission. Find out how to syndicate your content with theBrokerList.

EVs, Plug-In Hybrids, and Commercial Real Estate

I’m charged up. Got a Bolt. No, I’m not saying I am going somewhere. That would have been “Gotta bolt” or “Got to bolt.” Do people even say that anymore? No, what I mean is that I just got a Chevrolet Bolt EV a week ago. I’d been driving a Toyota Prius for ten years, and it is a terrific car. It has 190,000 miles on it and has no signs of dropping dead anytime soon. We swapped out our Suburban which was coming to the end of its lease because we only have one child left at home, as opposed to the four we had when we got it. We don’t need something that big anymore.

So far, I am really enjoying the Bolt. It handles great, has fantastic acceleration, it’s comfortable, and has tons of cool features that weren’t available in my Prius. I will admit that for years I’ve had low-grade Tesla envy. There were two things that kept me from getting one, though. The first was the cost, and the second was “range anxiety,” the concern that I would not have enough juice in the battery to make it back home. The Bolt solved both of those concerns for me. Its cost is about two thirds to half of a comparably equipped Tesla Model S and it has a range of 238 miles on a full charge, although as you can see in the picture to the left, it shows a 261 mile potential range. I did need to install a Level 2 charger at home which provides twenty five miles of range an hour, though, otherwise you only get about four or five miles of range per hour of charging on a regular outlet.

This post, however is not a car review. It is real estate related. Driving an EV has newly sensitized me to the general lack of public charging facilities in the New York suburbs. In my town, there are three, all located at the train station. Some of the adjoining towns have none, and these are pretty affluent communities.

On the same day I picked up my Bolt, I got an email from my gym with a survey in it. I’ve been going to this gym for 17 years, it’s a nice place, and there is a great sense of community among its members. The last question on the survey gave you an opportunity to say what you would like to see added to the gym. My suggestion was EV charging stations. The assistant manager just wrote back the following: “Thanks for your continued feedback and loyalty to the club. I don’t think we have had anyone ask about the charging stations, its something to consider down the road. Please let us know how else we can help you be successful with your exercise program.”

And here’s my response back to him:

“Thanks for getting back to me. You might want to think about it sooner than later. Here are a few reasons why:

1) EVs are here to stay now. More people will be buying them and leasing them as new less expensive models come to market.

2) You’ve got a new competitor in Lifetime Fitness coming to Chappaqua, and even if they don’t have them, the neighboring Whole Foods will! Saw Mill Club does not offer EV charging.

3) It will enhance Club Fit’s green cred.

4) You don’t have to provide the electricity for free. Most charging stations require payment, done through a mobile system. Check out ChargePoint or EVGo.

5) Club Fit could be the first public EV charging stations in all of Briarcliff. Ossining only has two located on 9A behind the Village building and Chappaqua only has 3 at the train station.

6) Good management knows what their customers want before their customers do.”

I also had the opportunity to talk with one of my town council members over the weekend. As mentioned above, we have three public chargers at the train station, and during the week, you need a town parking permit to use them. I suggested to the councilwoman that the Town Board look into providing EV charging in all of the public parking lots, and use its influence to have chargers installed in the town’s shopping centers and gas stations. As EVs and plug-in hybrids continue to gain traction, their accessibility will be another metric by which homebuyers judge a community before purchasing. She replied that she thought it was a good idea the board and planning department would look into it, and also see if any public grants were available.

These reasons mentioned above are something every owner of commercial real estate, multifamily real estate and every municipality should take into consideration when deciding whether they should add EV charging stations. And, it’s not just EVs they need to accommodate, but also plug-in hybrids, which almost every major car company now offers. Office, retail and multi-family real estate are going through periods of major disruption. Corporate downsizing, telecommuting or co-working have all had an impact on office vacancy rates in most markets. If the CEO is driving an EV and your building doesn’t have a charging station, chances are she’s going to pick a different property. Online retail and accelerating home delivery times are creating havoc in occupancy at malls and community shopping centers. When someone’s charging their car at your shopping center, they are probably going to be spending an hour there. Don’t you think your tenants want customers to have another reason to shop and hang around your shopping center? When millennials who own or want to own an EV or plug-in hybrid drives up to apartment building and it doesn’t have a charging station, they’ll pick one that does. Potential tenants or customers often have choices among comparable properties, and having charging stations at your apartment building, office building or shopping center may give you the edge you need.

Because of its tougher emissions laws, California is way ahead of most of the country in providing a robust charging infrastructure. A look at ChargePoint’s maps of Los Angeles or Silicon Valley show hundreds of public stations in dozens of locations. No doubt that is where the rest of the country will ultimately get. But if I were an owner of an office building or shopping center anywhere in the country, I would not hesitate a minute to add charging stations. It’s a relatively inexpensive amenity to add, and you can actually get paid for it.

Sure, it’s a lot sexier to talk about self-driving cars and their impact on real estate, but EVs and plug-in hybrids are already here and more are going to be hitting the street really, really soon. Why wait to install EV chargers? Tesla has hundreds of thousands of orders for its Model 3, Chevrolet can make 50,000 Bolts a year, Nissan’s new Leaf will get 150 miles on a charge, Volvo will soon only be selling electric only or hybrid cars. EVs are not going away. Become an advocate in your community for EV charging stations before you run out of juice!

RSS Feed provided by theBrokerList Blog - Are you on theBrokerList for commercial real estate (cre)? and I’m Charged Up was written by David Perlmutter.

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rollinbrigittenv8 · 7 years

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What’s Inside A Full-Time Traveler’s Suitcase

Wandering Earl

It turns out that a full-time traveler doesn’t really need much stuff.

One pair of ripped socks. Boxer shorts with a tear in the back (oh my, these are old). A yellow t-shirt with all kinds of Vietnamese soup stains on the front. Two small tin boxes I bought for no reason at an antique shop in India earlier this year. And a blue belt that I hadn’t seen in about 14 months.

That’s a quick glimpse of some of the stuff I just found when I gutted my suitcase this morning in preparation for this post.

In fact, I think it’s the first time I’ve taken absolutely everything out in about two years.

Did I say suitcase? Yes I did.

After spending my first 16 years or so as a full-time traveler using my trusty Kelty Redwing 44 liter backpack, I’ve now spent a good portion of the past 2 years traveling around with my Eagle Creek Load Warrior 42 liter rolling suitcase.

Have I gone mad? Perhaps.

All I know is that this little sturdy suitcase, which is indeed smaller than my Kelty backpack, helps me keep things more organized, it’s super easy to pull along wherever I go and it’s still compact enough to take as a carry-on. And as I get older, that all seems slightly more appealing than carrying my stuff on my back.

I still love my backpack but for the travel I do now, a 42-liter rolling suitcase suits my needs.

What I Pack as a Full-Time Traveler

After 18 years of travel, one might think that my possessions have gone through a series of transformations based on my travel style or needs. Well, apart from some more advanced technology that I carry today, things really aren’t too different now than from 1999 or 2003 and so on.

I’m not sure if I should be happy, embarrassed or sad about that.

Anyway, here is the complete list…

The Main Bag

3 pairs of shorts (one gray, one blue, one orange as I spend significant amounts of time in hot weather)

1 swimsuit (if there’s a beach nearby, I’m going…I actually had 2 swimsuits but some coconut oil leaked through my daypack last month and caused the red material of the bag to stain the swimsuit, so that one had to go)

2 pairs of jeans (1 blue, 1 black…I’ve tried wearing actual pants but always prefer my jeans in the end)

9 t-shirts (might sound like more than I need, but this full-time traveler spills a lot of soup on his t-shirts so I always need backups)

1 button down short sleeve shirt (I love this shirt but only really wear it when I need to look a tad more dressed up, which isn’t too often actually)

1 button down long sleeve shirt (I’ve been carrying this one around for the past 1.5 years and haven’t worn it once)

1 sweater (a recent purchase from when I was in Sweden last month and it was quite cold outside…haven’t used it since)

1 navy zipper hoodie (I wear this ALL the time…in fact, I probably should wash it soon)

Travel towel (I don’t know…about twice per year I find myself dripping with water and without a proper towel around…that’s when this thin travel towel comes to the rescue)

7 pairs of socks (you can’t wear flip-flops in European cities during the summer, you’ve got to put on some socks and shoes!)

8 underwear (yup, I do wear underwear and only one has a hole in it, I think)

1 pair of sandals (after spending many years only wearing Crocs Modi Flips or Hurley Phantom Free flip-flops, I recently purchased a pair of Sole sandals…oops, big mistake and when I get back to the US in a couple of weeks, I’ll be going back to one of my favorites)

1 pair of New Balance shoes (I’m a New Balance person – they’re comfortable, durable and they have an “N” for “nomad” on the side)

Sarong (the one thing I know I’ve carried with me from day 1 as a full-time traveler…it plays so many roles – sheet, beach blanket, bag, sweat rag, clothing, etc)

Amazon basics laundry bag (super sturdy, rolls up into nothing and well, pretty much does what you’d expect)

Shoe brush (with only 1 pair of shoes, they can get dirty, so from time to time I give them a scrub down…unfortunately, it doesn’t help remove the car oil stains that I somehow got on my shoes)

Bar of soap (some guesthouses/hotels/hostels/apartments don’t provide soap and I’ve realized this way too many times after getting under the water in the shower…so, I carry my own just in case)

Ohuhu toiletry bag (the best one I’ve found by far…fits everything, remains compact and is super easy to clean…why I need to carry around 3 things of deodorant is a different story)

Philips electric toothbrush (last year I made the switch to an electric toothbrush and naturally, it was a great decision… here’s a tip for travelers though…I went with Philips because it can be charged anywhere overseas…the ones from Braun require a voltage converter)

Contact lenses and contact lens solution (kind of a necessity)

Bag of money (not as exciting as that sounds…just a pile of currency from countries I think I might visit again soon…or just a pile of money that is getting dirtier and smellier as time goes on)

Small medicine pack (ibuprofen, Claritin, paracetamol…actually, I can’t find this thing right now so I might have lost it)

2 tiny tin boxes (no idea what I’m going to do with these things, probably just carry them around for a few years)

The Small Bag

In terms of a small bag, a couple of years ago I made the switch to a Timbuk2 messenger bag. For me, it’s more comfortable and holds everything I need in a more organized manner. And it’s red, which apparently nobody wants, because it was on sale for about 50% off the regular price.

Here’s what’s inside:

MacBook Pro laptop (can’t travel/work without it, and after 5 years, it’s still going strong)

Kindle (lately I haven’t been reading as much as I wish but do you have any book recommendations?)

Samsung Galaxy S7 (it’s my phone and my camera these days)

Credit card holders (I don’t use a wallet…I stuff money and the cards I need each day into my pocket…what I don’t need, I keep in these two things…no idea why I don’t use a different system…any good travel wallet recommendations?)

Pouch for SIM cards (when I saw this felt pouch in a tiny store in Karakol, Kyrgyzstan a few years ago, I thought to myself, “That would be a perfect SIM card holder”…well, not quite like that but I liked the pouch and that’s what it has become)

Symphonized NRG 3.0 earbuds (My Symphonized earbuds are one of my best ever gear purchases…for $25, the sound quality is simply awesome and as a bonus, I actually just used them last night as ear plugs due to the barking dogs and naying horses outside the window – don’t ask)

Business cards (Ah yes…I’ve been carrying around a couple of hundred business cards since 2012 and have probably handed out a grand total of 9)

ButterFox electronic gear case (it all fits inside – chargers, wireless mouse, small HDMI cable, plug adapters, laptop screen cleaner and these colorful little rubber twisty tie things that I thought would be useful but which I’ve never used)

And finally, I also carry around…

Passport (completely worn out, partly torn and with three extra sets of pages inside, two of which are sewn in and one which is taped in…talk about suspicious)

Yellow Fever certificate (only needed to use this once but good to have)

Sunglasses (for the first 35 years of my life, I never wore sunglasses but the last 5 years, I’ve worn them almost every day)

Pen (high-quality little pen I bought at a random pen shop in Singapore about 4 years ago)

USB stick (no idea what’s on this thing)

That’s everything!

Total weight:

Suitcase – 11 kg / 24 lbs Daypack – 5 kg / 13 lbs

And while all of the above might sound like a significant amount of stuff, here’s what it all looks like when nicely packed up:

Final Notes on Packing Carry on or checked luggage?

My current setup, whether with the backpack or suitcase, can always be taken as a carry-on. I usually take it as a carry-on if I am flying direct. If I have a layover somewhere, I check my backpack or suitcase simply because I don’t like to lug it around the airport. But I’ve never had any issues with size or weight when taking it as a carry-on, including on many budget airlines in Europe, Asia and Africa.

The good and the bad of packing light

Pros: My life fits into one small bag. It’s pretty simple, everything I need as a full-time traveler is right there and I can pack up and go in minutes if I’m being chased by local authorities …um, or I just suddenly decide to head to a new destination. There is also a sense of freedom involved with having such few possessions and having that ability to move around the globe so easily without having to think of what to do with excess stuff.

Cons: On the other hand, sometimes I wouldn’t mind some extra stuff. Another shirt or another pair of shoes, for example. I don’t need them but when you’re on the road for this long, some added variety wouldn’t hurt. Also, whenever I see something that I’d like to purchase, something that would look great in my home, I have to remind myself that I’m a full-time traveler that lives out of my suitcase and that there is no room in there for cool Moroccan lamps or a hand-woven Pakistani carpet.

Packing cubes

A friend and I have been going back and forth recently about the benefits of packing cubes. He sees a ton of benefits. I see zero benefits. I know they’re a popular thing but when a bag is all packed up with packing cubes, to me it just looks like my suitcase when it is all packed up, except that there are these cubes that now need to be opened in order for me to reach my stuff. Why have that extra step?

Is the above really all I own?

Pretty much, yes. I do have one box in a closet at my mom’s place that is filled with some extra clothes and a few gifts I’ve purchased for myself while traveling but I haven’t looked at it in a long time. It’s probably full of bugs. Apart from that, all of my possessions are literally in my suitcase and messenger bag.

So, the question is, could you live out of a suitcase? How do you pack, or think you’d pack, for your travels?

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jesusvasser · 6 years

Text

Quick Take: 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

And it has a plug. A very big one.

That said, even if the Outlander Hybrid can’t eliminate the need for gasoline, it can greatly reduce it. That’s a good thing—and, if you ask me, a not-boring thing as well.

2018 Mitsibushi Outlander PHEV S-AWC GT Specifications

The post Quick Take: 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV appeared first on Automobile Magazine.

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cleancutpage · 7 years

Text

I’m Charged Up

This post originally appeared on Marketplace Advertiser, QuantumListing Blog and is republished with permission. Find out how to syndicate your content with theBrokerList.

EVs, Plug-In Hybrids, and Commercial Real Estate

And here’s my response back to him:

“Thanks for getting back to me. You might want to think about it sooner than later. Here are a few reasons why:

1) EVs are here to stay now. More people will be buying them and leasing them as new less expensive models come to market.

2) You’ve got a new competitor in Lifetime Fitness coming to Chappaqua, and even if they don’t have them, the neighboring Whole Foods will! Saw Mill Club does not offer EV charging.

3) It will enhance Club Fit’s green cred.

4) You don’t have to provide the electricity for free. Most charging stations require payment, done through a mobile system. Check out ChargePoint or EVGo.

5) Club Fit could be the first public EV charging stations in all of Briarcliff. Ossining only has two located on 9A behind the Village building and Chappaqua only has 3 at the train station.

6) Good management knows what their customers want before their customers do.”

RSS Feed provided by theBrokerList Blog - Are you on theBrokerList for commercial real estate (cre)? and I’m Charged Up was written by David Perlmutter.

I’m Charged Up published first on http://ift.tt/2hkHhkP

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cleancutpage · 7 years

Text

I’m Charged Up

This post originally appeared on Marketplace Advertiser, QuantumListing Blog and is republished with permission. Find out how to syndicate your content with theBrokerList.

EVs, Plug-In Hybrids, and Commercial Real Estate

And here’s my response back to him:

“Thanks for getting back to me. You might want to think about it sooner than later. Here are a few reasons why:

1) EVs are here to stay now. More people will be buying them and leasing them as new less expensive models come to market.

2) You’ve got a new competitor in Lifetime Fitness coming to Chappaqua, and even if they don’t have them, the neighboring Whole Foods will! Saw Mill Club does not offer EV charging.

3) It will enhance Club Fit’s green cred.

4) You don’t have to provide the electricity for free. Most charging stations require payment, done through a mobile system. Check out ChargePoint or EVGo.

5) Club Fit could be the first public EV charging stations in all of Briarcliff. Ossining only has two located on 9A behind the Village building and Chappaqua only has 3 at the train station.

6) Good management knows what their customers want before their customers do.”

RSS Feed provided by theBrokerList Blog - Are you on theBrokerList for commercial real estate (cre)? and I’m Charged Up was written by David Perlmutter.

I’m Charged Up published first on http://ift.tt/2hkHhkP

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