#mobile office setup

[zeroloop]

Stampante Termica Portatile da 300 DPI con Connessione Smartphone PhoFuta Q302

PhoFuta Q302 Mini Stampante Termica Portatile , 300DPI Stampante Senza Inchiostro, Supporta la Carta termica US Letter/A4/B5/A5, Connessione WiFi, Bluetooth, USB Alla ricerca di una soluzione di stampa mobile e versatile? La stampante termica portatile PhoFuta Q302 da 300 DPI potrebbe essere la risposta alle tue esigenze. In questa recensione, esploreremo le caratteristiche, le funzionalità e le…

[sibeal]

afternoon at red rocket

[tofupixel]

⭐ So you want to learn pixel art? ⭐

🔹 Part 1 of ??? - The Basics!

Hello, my name is Tofu and I'm a professional pixel artist. I have been supporting myself with freelance pixel art since 2020, when I was let go from my job during the pandemic.

My progress, from 2017 to 2024. IMO the only thing that really matters is time and effort, not some kind of natural talent for art.

This guide will not be comprehensive, as nobody should be expected to read allat. Instead I will lean heavily on my own experience, and share what worked for me, so take everything with a grain of salt. This is a guide, not a tutorial. Cheers!

🔹 Do I need money?

NO!!! Pixel art is one of the most accessible mediums out there.

I still use a mouse because I prefer it to a tablet! You won't be at any disadvantage here if you can't afford the best hardware or software.

Because our canvases are typically very small, you don't need a good PC to run a good brush engine or anything like that.

✨Did you know? One of the most skilled and beloved pixel artists uses MS PAINT! Wow!!

🔹 What software should I use?

Here are some of the most popular programs I see my friends and peers using. Stars show how much I recommend the software for beginners! ⭐

💰 Paid options:

⭐⭐⭐ Aseprite (for PC) - $19.99

This is what I and many other pixel artists use. You may find when applying to jobs that they require some knowledge of Aseprite. Since it has become so popular, companies like that you can swap raw files between artists.

Aseprite is amazingly customizable, with custom skins, scripts and extensions on Itch.io, both free and paid.

If you have ever used any art software before, it has most of the same features and should feel fairly familiar to use. It features a robust animation suite and a tilemap feature, which have saved me thousands of hours of labour in my work. The software is also being updated all the time, and the developers listen to the users. I really recommend Aseprite!

⭐ Photoshop (for PC) - Monthly $$

A decent option for those who already are used to the PS interface. Requires some setup to get it ready for pixel-perfect art, but there are plenty of tutorials for doing so.

Animation is also much more tedious on PS which you may want to consider before investing time!

⭐⭐ ProMotion NG (for PC) - $19.00

An advanced and powerful software which has many features Aseprite does not, including Colour Cycling and animated tiles.

⭐⭐⭐ Pixquare (for iOS) - $7.99 - $19.99 (30% off with code 'tofu'!!)

Probably the best app available for iPad users, in active development, with new features added all the time.

Look! My buddy Jon recommends it highly, and uses it often.

One cool thing about Pixquare is that it takes Aseprite raw files! Many of my friends use it to work on the same project, both in their office and on the go.

⭐ Procreate (for iOS) - $12.99

If you have access to Procreate already, it's a decent option to get used to doing pixel art. It does however require some setup. Artist Pixebo is famously using Procreate, and they have tutorials of their own if you want to learn.

⭐⭐ ReSprite iOS and Android. (free trial, but:) $19.99 premium or $$ monthly

ReSprite is VERY similar in terms of UI to Aseprite, so I can recommend it. They just launched their Android release!

🆓 Free options:

⭐⭐⭐ Libresprite (for PC)

Libresprite is an alternative to Aseprite. It is very, very similar, to the point where documentation for Aseprite will be helpful to Libresprite users.

⭐⭐ Pixilart (for PC and mobile)

A free in-browser app, and also a mobile app! It is tied to the website Pixilart, where artists upload and share their work. A good option for those also looking to get involved in a community.

⭐⭐ Dotpict (for mobile)

Dotpict is similar to Pixilart, with a mobile app tied to a website, but it's a Japanese service. Did you know that in Japanese, pixel art is called 'Dot Art'? Dotpict can be a great way to connect with a different community of pixel artists! They also have prompts and challenges often.

🔹 So I got my software, now what?

◽Nice! Now it's time for the basics of pixel art.

❗ WAIT ❗ Before this section, I want to add a little disclaimer. All of these rules/guidelines can be broken at will, and some 'no-nos' can look amazing when done intentionally.

The pixel-art fundamentals can be exceedingly helpful to new artists, who may feel lost or overwhelmed by choice. But if you feel they restrict you too harshly, don't force yourself! At the end of the day it's your art, and you shouldn't try to contort yourself into what people think a pixel artist 'should be'. What matters is your own artistic expression. 💕👍

◽Phew! With that out of the way...

🔸"The Rules"

There are few hard 'rules' of pixel art, mostly about scaling and exporting. Some of these things will frequently trip up newbies if they aren't aware, and are easy to overlook.

🔹Scaling method

There are a couple ways of scaling your art. The default in most art programs, and the entire internet, is Bi-linear scaling, which usually works out fine for most purposes. But as pixel artists, we need a different method.

Both are scaled up x10. See the difference?

On the left is scaled using Bilinear, and on the right is using Nearest-Neighbor. We love seeing those pixels stay crisp and clean, so we use nearest-neighbor. 

(Most pixel-art programs have nearest-neighbor enabled by default! So this may not apply to you, but it's important to know.)

🔹Mixels

Mixels are when there are different (mixed) pixel sizes in the same image.

Here I have scaled up my art- the left is 200%, and the right is 150%. Yuck!

As we can see, the "pixel" sizes end up different. We generally try to scale our work by multiples of 100 - 200%, 300% etc. rather than 150%. At larger scales however, the minute differences in pixel sizes are hardly noticeable!

Mixels are also sometimes seen when an artist scales up their work, then continues drawing on it with a 1 pixel brush.

Many would say that this is not great looking! This type of pixels can be indicative of a beginner artist. But there are plenty of creative pixel artists out there who mixels intentionally, making something modern and cool.

🔹Saving Your Files

We usually save our still images as .PNGs as they don’t create any JPEG artifacts or loss of quality. It's a little hard to see here, but there are some artifacts, and it looks a little blurry. It also makes the art very hard to work with if we are importing a JPEG.

For animations .GIF is good, but be careful of the 256 colour limit. Try to avoid using too many blending mode layers or gradients when working with animations. If you aren’t careful, your animation could flash afterwards, as the .GIF tries to reduce colours wherever it can. It doesn’t look great!

Here's an old piece from 2021 where I experienced .GIF lossiness, because I used gradients and transparency, resulting in way too many colours.

🔹Pixel Art Fundamentals - Techniques and Jargon

❗❗Confused about Jaggies? Anti-Aliasing? Banding? Dithering? THIS THREAD is for you❗❗

As far as I'm concerned, this is THE tutorial of all time for understanding pixel art. These are techniques created and named by the community of people who actually put the list together, some of the best pixel artists alive currently. Please read it!!

🔸How To Learn

Okay, so you have your software, and you're all ready to start. But maybe you need some more guidance? Try these tutorials and resources! It can be helpful to work along with a tutorial until you build your confidence up.

⭐⭐ Pixel Logic (A Digital Book) - $10 A very comprehensive visual guide book by a very skilled and established artist in the industry. I own a copy myself.

⭐⭐⭐ StudioMiniBoss - free A collection of visual tutorials, by the artist that worked on Celeste! When starting out, if I got stuck, I would go and scour his tutorials and see how he did it.

⭐ Lospec Tutorials - free A very large collection of various tutorials from all over the internet. There is a lot to sift through here if you have the time.

⭐⭐⭐ Cyangmou's Tutorials - free (tipping optional) Cyangmou is one of the most respected and accomplished modern pixel artists, and he has amassed a HUGE collection of free and incredibly well-educated visual tutorials. He also hosts an educational stream every week on Twitch called 'pixelart for beginners'.

⭐⭐⭐ Youtube Tutorials - free There are hundreds, if not thousands of tutorials on YouTube, but it can be tricky to find the good ones. My personal recommendations are MortMort, Brandon, and AdamCYounis- these guys really know what they're talking about!

🔸 How to choose a canvas size

When looking at pixel art turorials, we may see people suggest things like 16x16, 32x32 and 64x64. These are standard sizes for pixel art games with tiles. However, if you're just making a drawing, you don't necessarily need to use a standard canvas size like that.

What I like to think about when choosing a canvas size for my illustrations is 'what features do I think it is important to represent?' And make my canvas as small as possible, while still leaving room for my most important elements.

Imagine I have characters in a scene like this:

I made my canvas as small as possible (232 x 314), but just big enough to represent the features and have them be recognizable (it's Good Omens fanart 😤)!! If I had made it any bigger, I would be working on it for ever, due to how much more foliage I would have to render.

If you want to do an illustration and you're not sure, just start at somewhere around 100x100 - 200x200 and go from there.

It's perfectly okay to crop your canvas, or scale it up, or crunch your art down at any point if you think you need a different size. I do it all the time! It only takes a bit of cleanup to get you back to where you were.

🔸Where To Post

Outside of just regular socials, Twitter, Tumblr, Deviantart, Instagram etc, there are a few places that lean more towards pixel art that you might not have heard of.

⭐ Lospec Lospec is a low-res focused art website. Some pieces get given a 'monthly masterpiece' award. Not incredibly active, but I believe there are more features being added often.

⭐⭐ Pixilart Pixilart is a very popular pixel art community, with an app tied to it. The community tends to lean on the young side, so this is a low-pressure place to post with an relaxed vibe.

⭐⭐ Pixeljoint Pixeljoint is one of the big, old-school pixel art websites. You can only upload your art unscaled (1x) because there is a built-in zoom viewer. It has a bit of a reputation for being elitist (back in the 00s it was), but in my experience it's not like that any more. This is a fine place for a pixel artist to post if they are really interested in learning, and the history. The Hall of Fame has some of the most famous / impressive pixel art pieces that paved the way for the work we are doing today.

⭐⭐⭐ Cafe Dot Cafe Dot is my art server so I'm a little biased here. 🍵 It was created during the recent social media turbulence. We wanted a place to post art with no algorithms, and no NFT or AI chuds. We have a heavy no-self-promotion rule, and are more interested in community than skill or exclusivity. The other thing is that we have some kind of verification system- you must apply to be a Creator before you can post in the Art feed, or use voice. This helps combat the people who just want to self-promo and dip, or cause trouble, as well as weed out AI/NFT people. Until then, you are still welcome to post in any of the threads or channels. There is a lot to do in Cafe Dot. I host events weekly, so check the threads!

⭐⭐/r/pixelart The pixel art subreddit is pretty active! I've also heard some of my friends found work through posting here, so it's worth a try if you're looking. However, it is still Reddit- so if you're sensitive to rude people, or criticism you didn't ask for, you may want to avoid this one. Lol

🔸 Where To Find Work

You need money? I got you! As someone who mostly gets scouted on social media, I can share a few tips with you:

Put your email / portfolio in your bio Recruiters don't have all that much time to find artists, make it as easy as possible for someone to find your important information!

Clean up your profile If your profile feed is all full of memes, most people will just tab out rather than sift through. Doesn't apply as much to Tumblr if you have an art tag people can look at.

Post regularly, and repost Activity beats everything in the social media game. It's like rolling the dice, and the more you post the more chances you have. You have to have no shame, it's all business baby

Outside of just posting regularly and hoping people reach out to you, it can be hard to know where to look. Here are a few places you can sign up to and post around on.

/r/INAT INAT (I Need A Team) is a subreddit for finding a team to work with. You can post your portfolio here, or browse for people who need artists.

/r/GameDevClassifieds Same as above, but specifically for game-related projects.

Remote Game Jobs / Work With Indies Like Indeed but for game jobs. Browse them often, or get email notifications.

VGen VGen is a website specifically for commissions. You need a code from another verified artist before you can upgrade your account and sell, so ask around on social media or ask your friends. Once your account is upgraded, you can make a 'menu' of services people can purchase, and they send you an offer which you are able to accept, decline, or counter.

The evil websites of doom: Fiverr and Upwork I don't recommend them!! They take a big cut of your profit, and the sites are teeming with NFT and AI people hoping to make a quick buck. The site is also extremely oversaturated and competitive, resulting in a race to the bottom (the cheapest, the fastest, doing the most for the least). Imagine the kind of clients who go to these websites, looking for the cheapest option. But if you're really desperate...

🔸 Community

I do really recommend getting involved in a community. Finding like-minded friends can help you stay motivated to keep drawing. One day, those friends you met when you were just starting out may become your peers in the industry. Making friends is a game changer!

Discord servers Nowadays, the forums of old are mostly abandoned, and people split off into many different servers. Cafe Dot, Pixel Art Discord (PAD), and if you can stomach scrolling past all the AI slop, you can browse Discord servers here.

Twitch Streams Twitch has kind of a bad reputation for being home to some of the more edgy gamers online, but the pixel art community is extremely welcoming and inclusive. Some of the people I met on Twitch are my friends to this day, and we've even worked together on different projects! Browse pixel art streams here, or follow some I recommend: NickWoz, JDZombi, CupOhJoe, GrayLure, LumpyTouch, FrankiePixelShow, MortMort, Sodor, NateyCakes, NyuraKim, ShinySeabass, I could go on for ever really... There are a lot of good eggs on Pixel Art Twitch.

🔸 Other Helpful Websites

Palettes Lospec has a huge collection of user-made palettes, for any artist who has trouble choosing their colours, or just wants to try something fun. Rejected Palettes is full of palettes that didn't quite make it onto Lospec, ran by people who believe there are no bad colours.

The Spriters Resource TSR is an incredible website where users can upload spritesheets and tilesets from games. You can browse for your favourite childhood game, and see how they made it! This website has helped me so much in understanding how game assets come together in a scene.

VGMaps Similar to the above, except there are entire maps laid out how they would be played. This is incredible if you have to do level design, or for mocking up a scene for fun.

Game UI Database Not pixel-art specific, but UI is a very challenging part of graphics, so this site can be a game-changer for finding good references!

Retronator A digital newspaper for pixel-art lovers! New game releases, tutorials, and artworks!

Itch.io A website where people can upload, games, assets, tools... An amazing hub for game devs and game fans alike. A few of my favourite tools: Tiled, PICO-8, Pixel Composer, Juice FX, Magic Pencil for Aseprite

🔸 The End?

This is just part 1 for now, so please drop me a follow to see any more guides I release in the future. I plan on doing some writeups on how I choose colours, how to practise, and more!

I'm not an expert by any means, but everything I did to get to where I am is outlined in this guide. Pixel art is my passion, my job and my hobby! I want pixel art to be recognized everywhere as an art-form, a medium of its own outside of game-art or computer graphics!

This guide took me a long time, and took a lot of research and experience. Consider following me or supporting me if you are feeling generous.

And good luck to all the fledgling pixel artists, I hope you'll continue and have fun. I hope my guide helped you, and don't hesitate to send me an ask if you have any questions! 💕

My other tutorials (so far): How to draw Simple Grass for a game Hue Shifting

[nightwriter357]

Smosh summer games: Ships

This is the first part of a Damien Haas x reader series called, you guessed it, Smosh summer games: Ships. This first part is mainly setup and doesn't contain any smut but is still 18+ and the next parts will be very smutty.

Hope you enjoy!

Part 1 - and they were roommates?

Exitment filled the air as you packed the last of your things into your suitcase. Smosh Summer Games is making a comeback and it's shaping up to be one for the books, especially since it's the first one since Anthony's return, and the first one ever for you and many of the other cast members. You felt incredibly lucky to be part of a team where you genuinely enjoyed the company of your colleagues. Not many people could say they looked forward to spending this much time with their coworkers, but for you, it was like a dream come true. If you were honest though, there was one coworker who you were a bit extra excited to see more of.

As you zipped up your bag, you couldn't help but think about him, Damien. Over the past few months, you'd found yourself increasingly attracted to him. He was funny, kind, and always made you feel appreciated even on the days when you weren't feeling good about yourself. The thought of spending time with him, in a more relaxed and domestic setting, made your pulse quicken. Maybe this trip would be the perfect opportunity to see if there was something more between you two. You have a hard time imagining him making the first move, but you can't really see yourself doing it either. Maybe you just need to start dropping some big hints.

You all stood at the office parking lot, the cars were packed, and the cast was ready to hit the road. You hopped into the car with Courtney, Amanda, Angela, Olivia, Chanse, and Tommy. Courtney took charge of the playlist, and soon the car was filled with the nostalgic sounds of the early 2000s.

Courtney pulled out a camera and started vlogging. "Welcome to the 'Gays and Girls' car! We've got Amanda, Angela, Arasha, Olivia, Chanse, Tommy, and y/n. We're on our way to the Smosh Summer Games, and it's going to be epic!"

Amanda turned in her seat, grinning. "So, Court, tell us what we can expect. This is our first time."

Courtney smirked at the camera. "Oh, you're in for a treat. There's always something crazy happening. And, somehow, things always get a bit sexual or spicy," she pushed her hair behind her ear

Arasha raised an eyebrow at the camera. "Sexual? Like how?"

Courtney laughed. "Well like, on the car ride to the first winter games a no-fap rule was introduced. So I can imagine they're already starting to say some wild stuff in the boys' car. It was hilarious watching everyone struggle with it."

Chanse snorted. "Please, those guys have no self-control. I give them two days."

You leaned forward, "but we are going to be sharing rooms right?"

Olivia chimed in, " that's not going to stop those demons, they are nuts."

Tommy raised an eyebrow, "right Olivia, they're nuts.."

You laughed along with the others, your mind drifting back to Damien. You wondered if he would struggle with that. The thought made you blush, and you quickly looked out the window to hide your face.

The vlog cut to the boys' car. Shayne took control of the camera, turning it to face himself, Damien, Spencer, Keith, Noah, and Trevor.

"Welcome to the 'Boner Mobile'!" Shayne announced with a laugh. "We are definitely the cooler car. Right, guys?"

"Absolutely," Damien agreed, leaning in to the shot. "We're on our way to the Smosh Summer Games, and we're going to crush it."

Keith laughed. "Yeah, especially with Anthony back. This is going to be wild."

Spencer, who was driving, glanced at the camera. "You guys better be ready. This year's gonna be intense."

" Why are you so sure about that?" Trevor questioned

Spencer gave a sly smile, " Oh, you will soon see".

Shayne smirked at the camera. "Do you think anyone's gonna stick to the no-fap rule this time?"

The car burst into laughter.

Noah looked at the camera, " It did not work out that well the first time."

Damien chuckled. "Oh man, I can't believe you guys actually did that."

Keith nodded. "Yeah, it was total chaos."

Trevor chimed in, "I'm just excited to see who cracks first."

Damien let out a big sigh, " I'm scared to find out which one of you I'm rooming with."

Spencer laughed, " ooh, I think you're going to be on board"

Shayne leaned back, grinning at the camera. "So anyway, Do you guys remember the wet t-shirt contest we had one year?"

Spencer's eyes lit up. "Oh man, really? That sounds awesome!"

Shayne laughed. "Yeah, except it was the guys who got wet, and the girls were the ones spraying us."

Spencer looked directly in to the camera lens, "you know, I wouldn't mind getting sprayed by a woman."

The car erupted in laughter again, the mood light and full of camaraderie as they continued their journey.

When you finally arrived, you felt a rush of excitement. The air was filled with the scent of the ocean and a cool breeze hit you as you jumped out of the car. You caught sight of Damien getting out of the boys' car, your eyes met briefly, and he flashed you a grin that made your heart skip a beat.

Damien wiped some sweat from his brow, his arm flexing slightly as he did. His silver hair was a bit disheveled, and you found him incredibly sexy in that moment. You quickly looked away, feeling your cheeks heat up. As you grabbed your bag, you couldn't help but steal another glance at him. This time, you noticed the way his shirt clung to his back, highlighting his muscles. You bit your lip, trying to focus on anything else.

As the group gathered on the dock, the anticipation was palpable. You could feel the excitement bubbling over. Everyone was eager to find out what surprises lay ahead.

Spencer stepped forward, a big grin on his face and a whistle hanging around his neck, He looked at the camera, "Welcome, everyone, to the return of the Smosh Summer Games!" he announced, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "And this year, we have a special surprise for you."

With that, Spencer blew the whistle, and from behind a curtain, Anthony and Ian emerged in their costumes. Anthony was dressed as a sailor, complete with a white and blue sailor hat and a striped shirt, while Ian sported a full pirate getup, complete with an eye patch and a plastic parrot on his shoulder.

The cast burst into laughter and applause.

Ian stepped forward, grinning from ear to ear. "That's rrrr-right! This year's theme is 'Ships!' And we're taking it literally."

Anthony nodded. "We'll be living on this massive boat for the duration of the games."

You could feel the excitement and surprise ripple through the group. Chanse raised an eyebrow. "Wait, did you say we're staying on a boat?"

"That's right," Spencer confirmed. "And I'll be your judge this year, making sure everything runs smoothly and fairly."

Courtney couldn't contain her laughter. "This is going to be amazing. I can't believe we're actually doing this."

Tommy added, "I've never even been on a boat this big before. This is going to be wild."

"Let's get started with the team names," Anthony said, stepping forward. "I'll be leading 'The seamen.'"

Ian, with a mischievous glint in his eye, announced, "And I'll be leading 'The leg peggers.'"

The cast erupted into laughter again. Shayne wiped a tear from his eye. "You guys really went all out with the themes this year."

The group erupted in cheers and surprised exclamations. You glanced at the massive boat docked nearby, this was going to be amazing.

"Now, before we pick our teams, let's explore our home for the next few weeks," Ian suggested

Everyone hurried to the boat, eager to explore. As you climbed aboard, you couldn't help but marvel at the sheer size of it. The boat was equipped with everything you could possibly need: a large deck for sunbathing, a cozy common room with couches and beanbags, and a kitchen stocked with snacks and drinks.

You and Courtney found your room, a cozy cabin with bunk beds. "Looks like we're bunking together," she said with a smile.

"Yeah, this is going to be fun," you replied, trying to keep your excitement in check. The room was small but charming, with nautical-themed decor and a porthole window that offered a view of the ocean.

Noah poked his head into your room. "Check out this place! It's like we're on an actual pirate ship."

Keith laughed from down the hall. "I call top bunk in our room!"

Courtney quickly called out. "I call top bunk!", tossing her bag onto the bed.

"Fine by me," you said, setting your bag on the bottom bunk. The room was small but cozy, with just enough space for your things.

After unpacking a few essentials, you and Courtney joined the others to explore the rest of the boat. You passed by Amanda and Angela's' room, where they were already bantering about who got the better bed.

Shayne and Damien were in the kitchen, rummaging through the snack supplies. "This is going to be awesome," Shayne said, holding up a bag of chips.

Damien nodded, "Definitely. This boat is incredible."

Everyone explored the boat some more, checking out the various rooms and common areas. The ship had a large dining hall, a deck with lounge chairs, and even a hot tub.

After a while, Ian and Anthony gathered everyone on the deck. The view of the ocean was breathtaking, and the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement. The cameras were rolling.

Ian clapped his hands, "Alright, now that you've seen the boat, it's time to reveal the twist for this year. In addition to the usual team based games, we'll be competing in pairs for many of the challenges. These pairs have been voted on by the fans, and it's pretty obvious they went with their favorite ships."

Amanda gasped, " Oh my good, so that's why the theme is ships?"

Ian smiled, "exactly, people being shipped on a ship", he winked at the camera

The excitement in the air was palpable as everyone waited to hear who they would be paired with. You couldn't help but glance at Damien, wondering if you would be paired with him. It would make sense, every time you were in a video together someone would comment about the way you were looking at each other. There were countless compilation videos of you too, but then again, there were for many of the other cast as well. The anticipation was almost too much to bear, but you knew that no matter what, this was going to be an unforgettable summer.

Anthony continued, "After our judge announces the ships, Ian and I will pick our teams from those pairs. So take it away Spencer!"

You just noticed Spencer wasn't there. A door swung open and he emerged, dressed in a formal robe, a white wig that could have belonged to a founding father, already sweating.

"Why are you dressed like that man? It's so fucking hot out here" Angela exclaimed upon seeing him.

Spencer proudly declared, "I am the judge" he raised his eye brow "Also did somebody just say I looked hot?"

Chanse squinted his eyes at him, "no".

Trevor put him arm on Spencers shoulder, "I don't think you're supposed to be this kind of judge"

Spencer looked back at him, "Objection."

You tilted your head at him, " I don't think that's.."

Spencer waved his arm around, "overruled."

"Alright everyone, it's time for one of the most anticipated moments: the announcement of the pairs for this year's Smosh Summer Games!" Spencer declared, a grin spreading across his face. "This year, we've taken your favorite ships and made them a reality. Let's see who we got"

You felt a buzz of excitement and curiosity ripple through the group as Spencer began reading the pairs from his list.

"First up," Spencer said, "Courtney and Shayne!"

Courtney let out a cheer and high-fived Shayne. "We're going to crush this!"

Shayne chuckled, putting his arm around her. "Dream team, baby!"

Angelas eyes widened, "that IS so shocking "

"Next, Keith and Noah!"

Keith and Noah grinned at each other, clearly pleased with the pairing. "The dynamic duo is back!" Noah announced, and Keith gave him a playful nudge.

"Amanda and Angela!"

Amanda and Angela exchanged a hug, laughing. "Let's do this girl!" Amanda said, and Angela nodded enthusiastically.

"Tommy and Chanse!"

Tommy and Chanse glanced at each other, smiling. "This is going to be so gay!" Tommy exclaimed.

"And hot" Chanse chimed in.

"And last but not least, Damien and y/n!"

Your heart skipped a beat as Spencer called out your name alongside Damien's. You turned to see Damien smiling at you, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Looks like you drew the short stick," he said, stepping closer.

You smiled back, feeling a mixture of nerves and excitement. "Oh yeah, I was rooting for Shaymien."

He leaned in and whispered in a playfully tone, "I wasn't."

As the ships were announced, the cast mates all seemed pretty pleased with their pairings. Olivia didn't get a partner since it was an uneven number so instead she was going to be like a cheerleader for the games, which she seemed pleased with

"Perfect pairs!" Keith shouted, giving a thumbs-up.

"Can't wait to see how this plays out," Noah added with a grin.

The group gathered around as Ian and Anthony stepped forward in their costumes, ready to pick their teams. Spencer held up his whistle and blew it once more to get everyone's attention.

"Alright, everyone, it's time for our fearless leaders to pick their teams!" Spencer announced. "Ian and Anthony will take turns choosing pairs. Ian, you get first pick."

Ian looked at the assembled pairs, stroking his fake pirate beard for dramatic effect. "For the first pick of the 2024 Smosh Summer Games, Team 'The Leg Peggers' selects... Shayne and Courtney!"

Courtney laughed and nudged Shayne before catching the shirt Ian had thrown to her. "Called it."

Shayne smirked. "Of course I'd be in the peg team. It's destiny."

The group burst into laughter, and Anthony stepped forward, a mock-serious expression on his face. "And for Team 'The Seamen,' I choose two veterans... Keith and Noah!" He tossed them their shirts.

Keith and Noah high-fived each other. "Let's do this!" Keith shouted.

Noah nodded. "We are gonna KILL you guys!"

Keith scrunched his face, "okay, chill man"

Ian surveyed the remaining pairs and made his next choice. "Alright, Team 'The Leg Peggers' selects... Damien and y/n!"

Damien shook Ian's hand, "so happy to be here."

Your heart skipped a beat again as you stepped forward with Damien. You exchanged a glance, both of you smiling and you took each other's hands and held them up proudly. You looked at the shirt that was just handed to you, A cartoon pirate putting his wooden leg into the ass of another pirate, fitting.

Anthony followed up quickly, holding up the shirt for 'the Seamen'. It was a cartoon Sperm with a sailor hat and ascot on, also fitting."'The Seamen' picks, our queens... Amanda and Angela!"

Amanda and Angela cheered and hugged each other. "Yes! I knew I would get semen" Angela exclaimed.

"Angela" Chanse quickly said in response to Angelas comment.

Ian grinned and looked at the final pairs. "And last but not least for 'The Leg Peggers'... Tommy and Chanse!"

Tommy and Chanse stepped forward. "Let's go!" Chanse said.

Anthony finished up with the remaining pair. "And that means Arasha and Trevor are on 'The Seamen'!"

Arasha and Trevor exchanged a fist bump. "I always am" Trevor announced.

With the teams chosen, Spencer blew his whistle again. "Alright, everyone, the teams are set! Get ready for the first challenge of the Smosh Summer Games!"

The crew came in to set up the first game, as the teams gathered on the deck of the boat, the excitement palpable in the air. Ian and Anthony stood at the front, each holding a water balloon. Spencer, still dressed in his formal robe, completely out of sync with the ship theme, stepped up and blew his whistle to get everyone's attention.

"Alright, everyone! Welcome to the return of the Smosh Summer Games!" Spencer announced with a flourish. "And for our first game, we're bringing back a classic with a twist: the Water Balloon Toss Challenge!"

The cast erupted in cheers and laughter, the atmosphere buzzing with energy.

Spencer continued, adjusting his wig, "Here's how it works. You and your partner will stand opposite each other and toss the water balloon back and forth. But there's a twist this year! The contestants are coated in a special lube that you might also remember from a previous summer game, making it slippery and challenging to catch and hold onto those balloons. After each successful catch, you take a step back. If your balloon falls to the ground or breaks, you're out! The last pair standing wins points for their team."

Everyone nodded, as two big barrels of lube got carried in. You dipped your hands in one of them watching the lube drip in between your fingers. You dragged your hands over your arms coating them in lube.

Damien came up behind you, his breath warm against your ear. " Do you really think we need to be that thorough?"

You looked over your shoulder, "oh yeah, you can't just go in dry"

He reached into the bucket from behind you, lube running from his hands to your sides as he pulled his arms back.

"Hey" you turned around " bopping him on the nose with your lubricated finger, " you spilled".

He grabbed your wrists, " can't let you go in dry, y/n" he smiled at you. You felt yourself go a little weak in the knees.

Ian clapped his hands, gathering his team. "Alright, Leg Peggers! Let's show them how we handle slippery situations!"

You turned around to face them. Everyone was lubed up and already strategizing with their partner. Damien let go of your wrists.

Anthony smirked, turning to his team. "Seamen, let's keep those balloons intact!"

You and Damien took your positions, your heart racing with excitement. Damien flashed you a confident grin. "Ready to show them how it's done?"

You smiled back, feeling a flutter in your chest. "Oh, I was born ready."

Shayne and Courtney, Keith and Noah, Amanda and Angela, and the rest of the pairs lined up, ready to start.

"Order in the court. On your mark... get set... toss!" Spencer shouted, blowing his whistle.

The air was soon filled with shouts and laughter as balloons flew back and forth. The first few rounds were easy, but as the pairs stepped further apart and tried to maintain their grip on the slippery balloons, the challenge intensified. Spencer's commentary added to the fun, making everyone laugh with his witty remarks.

Trevor and Arasha were the first to be eliminated, their balloon bursting in a spectacular splash as Trevor slipped and came crashing down on it.

Spencer grinned, "Well, there goes Trevor and Arasha, making a splash in all the wrong ways! Careful, Trevor, or you might slip your way into the ocean next!"

Arasha gave Spencer a look, "was that a threat?"

You and Damien managed to keep your balloon intact, but the lube made it challenging. Each catch required careful coordination, Damien's large hands deftly maneuvering the slippery surface. You admired the way he handled the balloon, his fingers tracing the surface with surprising gentleness despite the slippery surface.

Ian, who was getting increasingly sweaty in his pirate getup, called out, "Come on, Leg Peggers! Don't you dare peg those balloons!"

Anthony, not missing a beat, shouted, "Seamen, keep it together! We can't afford any premature bursts!"

Shayne and Courtney's balloon slipped through Shayne's fingers, drenching him. Spencer laughed, "Looks like Shayne's all wet! Courtney, maybe you should have aimed a little lower!"

Spencer's comments kept flowing. "Remember, folks, it's not about the size of the balloon, it's about not dropping it!"

You and Damien moved further apart, the tension rising. "You're pretty good at this," you called to him, struggling to keep your grip on the balloon.

Damien chuckled. "You haven't seen anything yet."

You laughed, shaking your head. "Big talk, let's see if you can back it up."

Amanda and Angela's coordination was impressive, and it was clear they were in the zone. When you and Damien stepped back for another toss, the balloon slipped through your fingers, breaking upon impact. Splashing you straight in the face.

Spencer blew the whistle, "And there goes y/n and Damien! So close! Looks like y/n's all wet now too!", you rolled your eyes at him and he smiled in response.

Amanda and Angela were the last pair standing, their balloon still intact. They screamed in excitement and hugged each other tightly, water and lube dripping down their arms.

Spencer approched them, "any finishing statements?"

"Slap the bag" Angela said as she slapped the lube covered balloon with her free hand, making lube spay everywhere.

"Angela" Chance said as he wiped his eyes.

Spencer blew the final whistle. "We have our winners! Amanda and Angela for Team Seamen!"

"Great job, Amanda and Angela!" Anthony cheered, clapping for his team.

Damien smiled at you, slightly breathless. "Not bad for our first game."

"Right? the fans did good," you replied, feeling the chemistry between you two intensify.

"Definitely," Damien agreed, his eyes twinkling.

Anthony gathered his team, giving encouraging words and high-fives. "Seamen, we took the first win! Let's keep this momentum going!"

Ian, not to be outdone, rallied his team. "Leg Peggers, we were close! Let's come back and really peg those legs the next game!"

Anthony gave on last look to the camera as he delivered the final line, " That's 'seamen' one, 'Leg peggers' ZERO.

As the excitement from the game began to die down, Spencer, still in his black robe, shouted, "Alright everyone, you're all covered in lube and water. What better way to clean off than to jump into the ocean?"

The suggestion was met with enthusiastic cheers.

"Last one in is a munge!" Shayne yelled, sprinting towards the edge of the deck and leaping into the water with a loud splash.

You laughed, grabbing Damien's hand. "Come on, let's go!"

He grinned, squeezing your hand gently before you both ran and jumped into the cool, refreshing water. The sensation of the ocean washing away the lube was invigorating. You surfaced with a laugh, wiping the water from your eyes.

Damien surfaced beside you, his wet silver hair clinging to his forehead. "That was awesome!"

You splashed him playfully. "I told you we'd have fun!"

Around you, the rest of the cast joined in, jumping off the boat and into the water. Courtney and Shayne were already splashing each other, their playful banter echoing across the waves.

"Take that!" Courtney laughed, splashing Shayne directly in the face.

Shayne retaliated by dunking her briefly under the water. "Gotcha!"

Keith and Noah were trying to wash the stickiness off, but it quickly turned into a water fight.

"Noah, you missed a spot," Keith said, pretending to help but then splashing water all over Noah's face.

Noah laughed, shaking his head. "Oh, it's on now!"

Amanda and Angela were swimming gracefully, occasionally flicking water at each other but mostly just enjoying the coolness of the ocean.

"This feels amazing after being all sticky," Chanse said, floating on her back. Tommy nodded, agreeing.

Trevor and Arasha were trying to clean each other's backs, but their efforts kept resulting in more laughter as they slipped and splashed.

"Hold still!" Arasha giggled, trying to scrub Trevor's shoulder.

"I can't when you're tickling me!" Trevor protested, laughing.

Damien turned to you, his eyes sparkling. "Looks like everyone's having a blast."

You smiled, feeling a warmth spread through you that had nothing to do with the sun. "Yeah, this is perfect."

He reached out, gently wiping a strand of wet hair from your face. "You know, I think I got the best partner."

You felt your whole body tingling at the soft touch of his hand. "I think so too." You scrunched your face in realization of what you just said. " I mean I think you..you know"

He smirked at you, he seemed to enjoy watching you squirm. "Yeah, I think I do"

Anthony and Ian, watching from the deck, exchanged a look. Anthony grinned, "Well, we can't let them have all the fun."

Ian nodded, already removing his pirate hat. "Alright, let's do this!"

The two of them ran towards the edge and jumped in with a synchronized splash, joining the rest of the cast in the water.

Spencer stood at the edge, shaking his head. "I can't go in while wearing this!"

Without missing a beat, Olivia grinned mischievously and gave Spencer a gentle push, sending him tumbling into the water with a surprised yelp.

The entire group erupted into laughter as Spencer surfaced, his robe soaked. "Olivia!" he yelled, but even he couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of the situation as his wig started to float away.

The rest of the cast continued to mess with each other, Shayne had gotten a hold of Spencers wig and started throwing it around. Spencer flashed a playfull pout before joining in. Later the cast climbed back onto the boat, dripping wet and still laughing from their swim. Towels were handed out, and everyone began drying off, sharing jokes and stories about the day's events.

Keith shook his head, chuckling as he dried off his hair. "I can't believe Olivia just pushed Spencer in. That was legendary!"

Spencer, now towel-drying his wig, laughed along. "I guess I had it coming. Should have known better than to stand so close to the edge in my beautiful ensamble!"

Olivia blurted out, " you look like a wet tablecloth".

Chanse laughed, shaking his head. "I'm definitely investing in a waterproof wardrobe next time."

Tommy, grinning, looked at Chanse. "Lubeproof too?"

Angela, bouncing with energy, grabbed you and Amanda by your neck. "Did you see the look on Spencer's face? Priceless!"

Amanda, with a flirty smile, replied, "Yeah, but I think he secretly enjoyed it."

You smiled at Amanda, " Yeah, he's such a munge"

Shayne began cackling, Damien soon followed.

Tommy looked at you questioning, " What the hell is a munge?"

You mouthed at him while shaking your head, " I HAVE NO IDEA."

Courtney wrapped a towel around herself. "You know, like, this was so much fun, and also, the water was so refreshing, and I can't wait for tomorrow because I bet it's going to be even crazier!"

Shayne, drying off with a loud laugh, pointed to Trevor. "Trevor, I swear, you slipping on that deck was the funniest thing I've seen all day."

Trevor flashed a mischievous grin, and shot back, "Hey, at least I didn't belly flop like you did!"

Arasha added, "I can't believe you didn't break the boat, Shayne. Daddy Ian would've been so mad." She gestured to Ian.

Ian chuckled, playing along. "Well, you all survived, so I guess I won't have to ground anyone."

Damien, carefully toweling off, smiled at you. "So, any plans for taking down the competition tomorrow?"

You laughed, shaking your head. "Honestly? I was just trying to keep up with you out there."

He grinned, his eyes twinkling. "Well, you did more than just keep up. We might just be the dark horses in this competition."

Olivia, suddenly chiming in, said with her usual randomness, "Do you think mermaids exist? Like, what if one just showed up right now?"

The group burst into laughter, Noah patted Olivia on the head. "Only you, Olivia, only you."

The group went to their cabins to change before gathering for a casual dinner on the deck. The sunset created a beautiful backdrop as they enjoyed their meal together.

Courtney, seated between Shayne and Olivia, animatedly recounted a previous Smosh Summer Games challenge. "And then, we had to walk on like a million mouse traps. It was so bad, but hilarious!"

Amanda laughed, shaking her head. "I can't wait to see what other crazy games they have planned for us."

Anthony stood up. "Alright, everyone, just a heads-up about tomorrow. We've got some awesome games lined up, and trust me, you won't want to miss them."

Ian nodded, adding, "Also some other shows from back in the day might make a return!" The teams cheered in response.

After dinner, the cast slowly dispersed, making their way back to their rooms. You walked alongside Courtney, feeling the cool night breeze against your skin. Angela and Amanda were chatting animatedly about the day's events, while Shayne and Damien were laughing loudly, recounting the funniest moments.

Courtney nudged you with her elbow, a playful smile on her face. "You know, I think today went pretty well. I'm already looking forward to tomorrow."

You smiled back, nodding. "Yeah, it was a lot of fun."

As you walked through the narrow corridors of the boat, you overheard Olivia talking to Ian, her voice full of wonder. "Ian, do you think if a dolphin and a shark had a baby, it would be able to talk?"

Ian chuckled, shaking his head. "You never know, Olivia."

Olivia noded back at him, "I think so too"

Finally, you and Courtney reached your shared room. The cozy space only had the bunk beds, a small desk, and a porthole that offered a view of the now dark ocean.

Courtney sat on the lower bunk, smiled and then hesitated for a moment. "Sooo, I was thinking it would be nice to actually sleep in the same room as Shayne while we're here. I thought I would be fine with it, but I don't like sleeping without him. Do you think you'd be okay if we like swapped rooms? and you shared with Damien instead? I'll still be here when the cameras are on since we haven't gone public with our relationship yet."

The request didn't really take you by surprise, but you couldn't deny the flutter of excitement at the thought of spending more time with Damien, just the two of you. You smiled, trying to play it cool. "Yeah, I don't mind. That sounds fine."

Courtney's face lit up with relief and gratitude. "Thanks, y/n! You're the best." She quickly gathered her things and gave you a quick hug before heading out the door. "I'll let Damien know."

You sat on the bunk for a moment, your heart racing. The idea of sharing a room with Damien made you both nervous and excited. What should you wear? It should be something a little bit cute but it couldn't look like you were trying to hard, it was also still very warm. After spending some time deliberating, you choose a big t-shirt.

A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door. You opened it to find Damien standing there, looking a bit sheepish.

"Hey, y/n. Courtney said it was cool if I crashed here?" he asked, his eyes meeting yours with a warm, hopeful expression.

You nodded, stepping aside to let him in. "Yeah, no problem at all. Come on in."

Damien entered, carrying his bag. He set it down by the door and looked around the room before his eyes settled back on you. His eyes did a quick scan over your body before he seemed like he tried to blink to get the control of them back. He seemed to hesitate for a moment, then smiled shyly. "I hope this isn't too weird for you. If you're uncomfortable at all, just let me know."

You shook your head, smiling. "It's fine, really. Besides, I think you'll do your best to not make me to uncomfortable."

Damien smiled back, his eyes softening. "Yeah, I think so too."

"I ," you said, sitting down on your bed and leaning back against your pillow. " I have faith you'll be a good roommate."

Damien grinned. "I think you'll at least be a better roommate than Shayne. You know, he demands to be tucked in every night and insists on having his forehead stroked while I sing him a lullaby"

You laughed, shaking your head. "Oh my god, that sounds absolutly horrible! Also, did you know that Courtney burps the alphabet in her sleep. It's impressive but not exactly relaxing."

Damien laughed loudly. "Wow, that sounds challenging, you are such a trooper. What's wrong with those two?"

"Right?" You removed your socks and threw them in you open suitcase. " And we are such good people. Like, we should be treated better"

He nodded along" Oh yeah, absolutely, I bet you're the kind of roommate who gives nighttime foot rubs."

You grinned. "Of course, and I bet you're the type who makes midnight snacks for everyone."

"Obviously, and I bet we both iron our roommates t-shirts every morning" Damien said, still smiling as he opened up his bag.

Just as you were about to respond, Damien pulled off his shirt, revealing his naked chest. You couldn't help but stare for a moment, admiring the way the light played off his muscles. His pale skin contrasting with his dark tattoos. Your thoughts drifted, imagining the feel of his soft skin under your fingers.

Damien noticed your gaze and looked at you with a curious expression. "Hey, you okay?"

You snapped out of it, feeling a blush creep up your cheeks. "Yeah, sorry. Just lost in thought."

Damien smiled softly. "No worries. Just making sure you're comfortable."

You smiled back, still feeling a bit flustered. "Very".

You both settled into your beds, the room quieting down as the initial excitement of the day faded. You stared up at the bottom of Damien's bunk, feeling the urge to keep the conversation going.

"So, what's your guilty pleasure?" you asked, breaking the silence.

Damien laughed. “Oh wow, hmm... Probably birds.”

You laughed, shaking your head. “What? like girls?"

He burst out laughing, " Oh Jesus, No. Like bird, birds. Do you really think I would call women birds?

You giggled, "Okay thank God" you paused for a moment"  I think mine’s just Phil Collins. Specifically because of the Tarzan soundtrack.”

Damien's eyes widened in amusement. "Phil Collins, huh? That's pretty awesome. That soundtrack does go hard, like way harder than it should."

You nodded enthusiastically. "Right? I used to watch Tarzan with my dad all the time. That movie and Shrek. Shrek was like one of the few movies we would watch together. Because, it needed to be like a movie that he would still enjoy, or I would just feel bad but it also had to be one without any awkward sex scenes."

Damien chuckled. "oh yeah, I hated when that happened. I usually tried to make some awkward joke to break the tension."

You raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh really? What kind of joke would you make during a sex scene to make it less awkward?"

Damien laughed, thinking for a moment. "Okay, so imagine the scene is getting super steamy, and I just lean over and say, 'Well, this escalated quickly. Do you think they practiced this beforehand?'"

You burst out laughing. "Oh my god, that would definitely break the tension."

His head popped out from above "You don't think so?"

You shook your head at his, still laughing. " With my dad?"

Damien grinned. "Hey, okay maybe not. What would you say?"

You thought for a moment, then smirked. "I'd probably go with something like, 'I wonder if they have a safe word.'"

Damien laughed loudly. "Nice one! You know, you are much more of a freak than you seem at first glance."

You smirked to yourself, "Oh really, so what was your first impression of me?"

Damien thought for a moment, then smiled. "I remember you making me laugh straight away, and you seemed very confident. And I remember exactly what you were wearing—a yellow sundress with daisies on it."

You blinked in surprise. "You remember what I was wearing? I can't believe you remember that much detail."

Damien chuckled softly. "How could I forget? You looked amazing and made such a strong impression."

You blushed slightly, feeling a warm flutter in your chest. "That's actually really sweet." You felt yourself blush again, happy that he couldn't see your face right now. "That's so many hair colors ago for you"

His voice was soft but filled with sarcasm, "that is how I measure time"

You continued" .. and you were wearing stupid pants"

"Naturally"

"You know, I actually remember thinking you were the confident one. You seemed so sure of yourself and very calm."

He laughed, shaking his head. "Trust me, I didn't feel confident at all. I am also still overthinking that first handshake. Like was it wet? Did I make you wet"

You playfully kicked his mattress from below, giggling. "Yes Damien, you make all the ladies wet with your handshakes"

Damien grinned, once again poking his head back out from the top bunk. "Yeah, you know, that's exactly what I meant" He smiled down at you, " I'm glad we're roommates. This feels like one of those sleepovers you used to go to as a kid. Where you just talk about like, anything, for hours."

You laughed, nodding. "Yeah, it does. Like any minute now, my mom's going to burst in and tell us to shut the fuck up."

Damien laughed, the sound comforting and familiar. "It's nice though. I like talking to you."

You smiled, feeling a blush creep up your cheeks. "I like talking to you too, Damien."

[leonawriter]

Just thinking again of post-canon/college era Futaba and Yusuke renting an apartment together because there's no one else who knows their habits like they do.

Neither of them are good at this! Futaba once sold the rights to a mobile game because she didn't want the hassle of managing it, and Yusuke is very much himself at finances at all. But somehow (with help from their friends) they make it work.

Futaba would live off of instant noodles if she was left to her own devices, and Yusuke would just forget to eat at all - but they can afford to get fresh ingredients, and Futaba's learned how to make Wakaba's curry and Yusuke is almost as good at coffee as Akira, and they've both picked up a few things here and there. They remind each other.

Yusuke gets paints all over the place. There are murals on the walls (they don't know what they'll do about, when it comes to moving to another place. The deposit is gone). There are sketches of the entire team on the walls, and a few print-outs that are a collaborative effort. Futaba's lost more socks to stepping in things she shouldn't have than she'd like to think about, and a few pieces of clothing were permanently changed as a result of one project or another.

There are Featherman figures in odd places of their home, kept carefully. Some are very expensive, and have untold stories of being presents or apology gifts from Yusuke, Akira, Akechi. There's an entire costume displayed in the living room complete with helmet that's show-accurate because it was a gift from one of the actors after they were introduced by Feather Pink.

Yusuke might have his own area for his art (and leave half of it in places it shouldn't be), but Futaba's got the office, which has all of her old setup plus some. Where once she would have had yellow tape saying "keep out," now it says "top secret" for the way she'll work on Shadow Ops projects alongside her personal projects and college work.

It's a mess. They still argue. But it's home.

[salt-baby]

As someone who is currently working in the healthcare field and looking at attended medical school, can you please elaborate on the ableism and doctors post you made? I’d very much like to avoid inadvertently falling into that category.

Somehow this missed my radar, my bad!

It's a difficult question to answer, although it is the right question to be asking.

You can find my other elaborations here and here, which will likely be helpful.

But to address your specific question, when I think about the ableism of practitioners, in some cases it is just bias, but in many it's just your run of the mill ignorance.

It takes experience to work well with disabled people - both because of the heterogeneity of them, and because the disabled experience is so far removed from the able bodied one.

Some people like myself call themselves disabled as an identity they're proud of, some people call themselves disabled but are uncomfortable with their condition to various degrees, and a lot of people would find it offensive for you to call them disabled because they would call themselves chronically ill or not impaired at all.

In your medical practice, "disabled" is going to be a legal term with a set definition, used to distribute benefits. You'll be taught an impairment model of disability, and your first instinct will likely be to try and fix the problem your patient is experiencing.

In a case like mine, that's not a mindset the patient is going to appreciate, as backwards as it sounds. Yes, I'm in a doctor's office to get treated, but the reality is that expert doctors have already evaluated my conditions and done all they can to help me. There's no quick fix - the fantasy of curing a difficult case is impossible with me, but it doesn't stop some young doctors from trying. My disability isn't one illness, but ten, and often what disables me is the environment around me rather than my actual illness (this is called the social model of disability, and that's where you should start studying).

I'm in a doctor's office to find relief from specific symptoms, or for a new problem (secondary to my existing conditions) that has popped up. Some residents have reviewed my entire medical file, and asked about things that weren't followed up on, and there's only so many times I can say "there's nothing we can do about it". Many premeds, when I mention the medications I'm taking, think that there must be some kind of better medication setup for me. Except there isn't, all of my meds are essential, and at this stage of illness, all medications have nasty side effects. I will never get better and will likely live the rest of my life on immunosuppressants and I'm okay with that, but that's very difficult for able bodied people, esp medical practitioners, to accept.

And in many cases, medical practitioners have put their foot in their mouth by just being ignorant. One person working at a rehab hospital asked if I slept in my orthotics - the answer is no, obviously, orthotics are painful to wear (it's also bad form to ask a disabled person about their disability just because you're curious). Someone told me it'll be okay, they used to wear wrist braces too and they're fine now - in reality, their supervisor just told me to consult surgeons, I was recommended casts, and my wrists remain permanently displaced to this day. I lost most of my ability to write. Our issues were not the same.

On another occasion, a premed picked up my orthotics and moved them away from me without asking - those are expensive (2000$ USD) and irreplaceable, and I need them to walk, I'm vulnerable without them. But to others, they wouldn't be aware that those braces are that valuable. Many disabled people, myself included, view mobility aids as an extension of their own body. For all intents and purposes, my orthotics are my "knees". I often compare it to a phone - it'd be really weird to take someone's phone and move it away from them, or even to touch it unannounced in the first place.

The reality of what a disabled life actually looks like is obscure to the vast majority of able bodied people. Let me be clear, I live a happy and satisfying life, where I enjoy my work and my friends and my family. My existence is not a tragedy, and when it's treated like one, it devalues my hard-won happiness in life and what I have to contribute to the world. But at the same time, every hour of every day is impacted by my disability. I have to change how I cook because I struggle with lifting a pot or standing on my feet for too long, my closet has to be adapted for my orthotics and nerve pain, a number of medications have to be kept basically within ten feet of me at all times, and I have to be very careful anytime I eat something I didn't prepare myself.

You may prescribe a medication which you know can cause nausea, and not realize to your patient, that side effect looks like being sick everyday, skipping meals, wearing a mask so a smell doesn't set you off, and not enjoying eating anymore. You may write a script for the test which is medically the correct option, but your patient may be sensitive to the specifics of the procedure (ie, for religious reasons, it may be difficult to strip down to a gown for some of the more involved imaging procedures). Cystometry and other urological procedures especially. I find this is where doctors sometimes inadvertently do harm. The best option for your patient isn't always the best option medically - it's what fits their priorities and improves their quality of life.

Understand that the current culture in medicine, for doctors, is often very callous and frustrated towards their patients. Recently I heard someone express that their patient needed to just accept their disability already and start being compliant with treatment - they had been disabled for three months. It took me a year to feel even remotely settled with becoming disabled, and my disability isn't nearly as severe as that patient's. Do not follow in your colleagues' footsteps.

If you spend the time trying to understand your patients (which may look like reading disability theory papers, memoirs, watching documentaries, possibly even volunteering, talking to some of your seniors with more experience, etc) then you're already miles better than most of your coworkers. Take the time to consider it from your patients point of view, and even though it's not what's in your textbook, appreciate the value of the information your patient brings to the table (their experience, their concerns, their gut feelings), and you've already done what most disabled people are desperately searching for in a practitioner.

The reality of a minority identity, is that for adults who have become accustomed to something like being disabled, it matters a lot more where your heart is than what you actually say. I don't care if someone is politically correct - I care if they're trying. Even if they're not quite there, that effort will pretty much always be seen and appreciated. I'd far rather someone call me "handicapped" but never view me as lesser, rather than someone who falls over themselves to "accommodate my limitations" and never actually intends to accommodate anything. Be sincere, and you can make mistakes, we'll know what the intention was.

Best of luck, my friend.

[trialbystory]

Upward Mobility

Ruby and Maria are meeting Weiss at the office for the first time Maria: Alright Princess, it's quittin' time. Come do something fun with your girls! Ruby: It's date night and you promised me a fancy dessert! Maria: What she said. Weiss: Hey guys! Take, I just need to finish this email then we can go. Maria, flopping onto a big leather couch: I have to hand it to ya, you've got a plush little setup going here in Corpo-land. Surprisingly roomy too. Ruby: Just imagine what it'll be like once she boots her dad out of the top slot and takes over the CEO's office! Maria: Speaking of, you haven't sent us on any jobs against Schneetech in a while. Has there been any progress on your whole Hostile Takeover play? Weiss: What are you talking about? I already ousted my father and executed the takeover. Maria: Hold on, when did this happen exactly? Weiss: A couple weeks ago. It's why I've had to work late so much lately. Luckily the rush is officially over; you have no idea how much I need this date tonight. Ruby: Why didn't you say anything? Weiss: I assumed you'd hear about it. It was all over the news for days. Maria: I don't bother with all that Corpo shit. Ruby: I was too busy working on a side project. Weiss, getting up from her desk: Well I've told you now. Maria: Know what this means, Red? Ruby: Fancier dessert! Weiss: Don't you worry Ruby, I've got something in mind and I'm sure you'll both be more than satisfied...

[south-of-heaven]

dakota kai x fem! reader being featured on her stream?

Company || Dakota Kai x Reader

Summary: Dakota wants company on stream.

The evening sun cast a warm glow through the windows of your shared home, bathing the living room in a soothing light. You were lounging on the couch, scrolling through your phone, when your notifications pinged with a message from Dakota. She was up in her office, currently livestreaming one of her gaming sessions for her fans on OnlyUp.

"Hey babe," her text read, "could use some company. Wanna join me?"

You glanced around the cozy living room, considering the question for a moment. The truth was, you didn't want to miss the chance to spend time with her. With a quick response, you agreed to join her.

Bounding up the stairs two at a time, you reached her office in record time. Dakota's gaming setup was as impressive as ever, and you couldn't help but admire it for a brief moment before making your way toward her. You'd seen her play many times before, and she was undeniably skilled, but you always liked being there in person, cheering her on.

Dakota, engrossed in her game, didn't notice you at first. So you quietly settled on the couch just behind her, ready to provide the company she'd asked for. But as you were about to make yourself comfortable, she turned her head, spotting you out of the corner of her eye.

With a grin, Dakota leaned back in her gaming chair and reached out, grabbing your wrist gently. Before you could react, she tugged you down onto her lap, positioning you so that you faced the computer screen, comfortably seated on her legs.

"Hey, chat," she addressed her livestream audience, her voice carrying a hint of mischief, "look who decided to join us."

Your cheeks flushed as you greeted the chat with a wave, feeling Dakota's arms wrap around you. She continued to play, using her peripheral vision to guide her character through the game. Despite the slight hindrance to her line of sight and mobility, she was determined to keep her promise of spending time with you while providing entertainment for her viewers.

The chat lit up with welcoming messages, and Dakota chatted and laughed along with her fans, occasionally stealing glances at you and pressing soft kisses to your cheek or the top of your head.

As the evening wore on, you couldn't help but be amazed by her multitasking skills. Dakota was fully engaged with her fans while keeping you close, and it made you feel cherished.

Eventually, as the stream came to an end, Dakota set down her controller and turned her attention to you, her bright eyes filled with affection. "Thanks for keeping me company, love," she whispered, leaning in for a sweet kiss.

You smiled, brushing a lock of hair from her face. "'Course, Kota. Anytime, okay."

With your support, both in her gaming and in life, Dakota knew she was a lucky woman, and she couldn't be happier to have you by her side.

[mariacallous]

In April, an unassuming old building in New Delhi’s furniture market housed roughly 30 youngsters. Some were hunched over their laptops crunching data on Excel or analyzing a heat map, while others huddled to discuss strategy. These were engineering graduates, economists, political scientists, and others. There were office chairs, desks, and a couple of white boards.

The entire setup could easily have passed as a startup office, but it wasn’t. This was an election war room.

From there, Sapiens Research founder Rimjhim Gour’s team served as the brains of Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party, or BJP. The party’s senior leadership had entrusted Gour with mobilizing 12.5 million female voters across India, and her team spent their days crunching historical polling trends, using data to pinpoint critical constituencies, browsing WhatsApp for real-time on-ground updates, and shaping electoral strategies to usher in BJP for a third consecutive term.

Gour’s team was successful: Modi was sworn in as the Prime Minister on June 9 after the BJP formed the government through an alliance with 293 seats. India’s general elections happen once in five years, and in 2024, a record-breaking 642 million Indians voted. Of the total voters polled, 312 million were women. This was BJP’s grand experiment: The party wanted to micro-target and mobilize female voters, and hired people like Gour to make it happen—revealing, says Amogh Dhar Sharma, author of the forthcoming book The Backstage of Democracy: India’s Election Campaigns and the People Who Manage Them, “the hidden power of a new technocratic elite that has become critical for parties and politicians to fight elections and win votes in India.”

“In most places [in India], electorates who are registered but not voting are always women,” says Gour, who previously worked as a media strategist at Indian Political Action Committee, the legendary firm widely recognised for propelling Modi to victory in 2014. Dressed in an off-white salwar kameez, with a big pair of round glasses keeping her hair off her face, Gour is suave and confident, and fluently switches between English and Hindi. “That’s when it struck me that if we have to mobilize someone, it has to be women; they make up 50% of the electorate but still haven’t been tapped into completely in a systematic approach.”

Over the past decade, the Indian electioneering landscape has been overhauled by the advent of social media, data-driven insights, and political consultants. “I think the 2024 Indian general election confirms … the inordinate role of campaign professionals in Indian elections,” says Sharma. From call centers being used for “screening” party supporters, to WhatsApp for real-time updates, and a specialized app for reporting and documenting meetings, each tool served a unique purpose in this BJP campaign. “The speed at which these technologies are being embraced by parties and the growing emphasis on them is certainly unique,” says Sharma.

The BJP’s use of technology and social platforms has evolved as politics has, as they have gone from being niche tools to essential infrastructure. The BJP emerged as the highest spender on political ads on Meta platforms this election. If the 2019 election was characterized as the “WhatsApp Election” because of the excessive use of the messaging platform, the 2024 campaign was the “YouTube Election.” It marked an unprecedented use of YouTube influencers by BJP that featured softball questions with political candidates and paid promotions. While rival parties worked to catch up, the BJP still leads the pack with dedicated cyber troops for year-round content creation—and not just during elections.

And the BJP’s decision to hire a dedicated consultant to woo women votes seems like the next step in this broader evolution of using tech.

Historically, women voters lean towards progressive parties. But over the past decade, under Modi’s rule—characterized by what critics describe as creeping authoritarianism due to attacks on civil society, religious polarization, and cracking down on dissent—there has been a noticeable shift, with both the 2014 and 2019 elections recording higher female participation and increased support for the BJP amongst female voters. The BJP had been launching female-friendly welfare schemes including subsidized cooking gas cylinders and maternity leaves, for greater equality. As a result, in 2019, women’s poll participation exceeded men’s for the first time. This time it was about going a step ahead to remind a specific cohort of targeted women about Modi’s policies and nudge them to go out to vote.

Gour’s get-out-the-vote effort, which used a potpourri of apps, data analysts, and personal outreach by party workers, thus represented a convergence of two trends in an attempt to consolidate a women’s vote newly open to the BJP.

For Modi to return to power, BJP had to win 272 of the 534 parliamentary seats. Gour’s young team was focused on 235 seats, which they identified as “critical seats”—areas where the BJP has either won or lost by less than 10% margin of votes in the past. The goal was to identify women self-help groups, or SHGs, in those 235 critical voting areas, and then use BJP’s party workers, or karyakartas, to meet, motivate, and mobilize female voters.

India’s rural SHGs are collectives of 10 or more women who pool their money and support each other through savings; nearly 100 million women are part of SHGs. And women involved with SHGs are already more politically active.

“Often the hardest problem for political parties who want to engage with women and get women to participate in public life is to figure out how to get these women to participate in a political cause,” says Anirvan Chowdhury, a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University who studies the BJP’s attempts to target female voters. “And in a context where politics is often seen as unsuitable for women, reframing politics as seva [selfless service] or using existing institutional frameworks like the SHG structure helps solve that problem.” Because of this sustained effort, there has been a pro-BJP tilt in women’s political preference in many northern states which have a strong history of support for Modi’s BJP, research shows.

For Gour’s Sapiens Research team, the challenge wasn’t merely to locate these self-help groups but to identify potential BJP supporters within these groups—a task that requires data analysis. Ujjawal Agrawal, the program manager at Sapiens Research, spearheaded the initiative of meticulously mapping voter and demographic information to phone numbers of women in “critical” SHGs. Agrawal then mustered the BJP’s in-house network of 20,000 call center operators—run by another Indian Political Action Committee alumnus Diggaj Mogra—to identify BJP sympathizers within the large SHG cohort.

The call centers did so by asking a few pointed questions. One key question was whether the woman would help mobilize 10 other women for the BJP. If she responded positively, she was deemed a supporter. If the SHG member’s response was no, then she would be categorized as a swing voter or non-supporter. For instance, in West Bengal, Agrawal said, 10% of women who were part of the SHG refused to mobilize voters for the BJP. (Interestingly, this approach bears some broad similarities to the Donald Trump campaign’s strategy for this year’s US election.)

Soni Bam is the sort of SHG mobilizer Gour’s team was looking for. She is from the Leparada district in the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh and her eight-member group, called Hiri Molo, is dedicated to making women independent by finding ways to earn and save. But since October 2023, she has been involved in the BJP’s election-related work: going door-to-door explaining women about the elections, and advocating BJP schemes that will help women. She also asks women to attend meetings organized by the BJP workers.

Gour’s team used the 20,000 callers from the BJP’s call center to do 300,000 “screening” calls a day to create the final target list. “We are the brain and call centers are basically your eyes [of political campaigns],” says Gour.

It has become commonplace in India for political parties to set up call centers in the weeks leading up to polling, says Sharma. “These call centers can provide a range of functions—encouraging citizens to update their voter ID card, reminding them of the party’s manifesto promises, gauging their intention to vote, and even soliciting their feedback on the ticket distribution or chief minister nomination process.” But what’s unique, says Sharma, about the BJP is the massive investment in an in-house network of 20,000 call center operations across 350 locations. No other party has a comparable infrastructure for electioneering.

BJP’s central leadership monitored the SHG meetings organized by party workers through the revolutionary SARAL app, which stands for Sangathan Reporting and Analysis. (Sangathan in Hindi means “organization.”) It’s the BJP’s “digital handheld office.” Nearly 4 million BJP party workers use the app monthly, where they can upload party activities and share images of events, and details of people they meet during campaigns. In the months leading up to elections, the BJP ran a campaign on the app called “Shakti Chaupal” to mobilize female voters. It was overseen by Gour’s team.

The tech-savvy team of data analysts at Sapiens’ office in Delhi would then aggregate the trends, and submit weekly or monthly reports on the extent of voter mobilization to party leaders. “If they send us those two photos on a WhatsApp number, it will be difficult for us to monitor,” Agrawal said. “We get clear, systematic data from SARAL.” In the three months leading up to May, an estimated 5000 meetings were conducted, and 5877 party workers helped Sapiens team in mobilization.

In late April, during the first phase of the election, where nearly one-fifth of all parliamentary seats were going to polls, witnessed poor voter turnout. The dip in voter turnout compared to elections in 2019, gripped Gour and the BJP with panic. Early doubts over BJP’s decisive victory surfaced online. Soon, the BJP machinery redoubled outreach activity and notched up demands on state-incharges to address voter apathy.

One crucial battlefield for the BJP was the Kendrapara constituency in the eastern state of Odisha, which has been ruled by the Biju Janata Dal, or BJD, for two decades. Gour’s team was responsible for mobilizing the SHGs in the area. When it came time to vote, Gour’s war room sprang into action. Her team began calling party workers every few hours for updates on the SHGs voting. After that, a round of bot calls were made to the SHG women, since the human call centers were at capacity. At the end of the day, an automated call went out to SHG women, asking if they mobilized, who they mobilized, and if they could share pictures and data.

This process was repeated in constituencies across the country, to great effect: By the end of the election, Gour says, they personally mobilized 12 million women voters.

Despite Gour’s best efforts, though—and positive feedback they received on WhatsApp, SARAL, and call centers—the BJP suffered huge losses in their Hindi-speaking heartland states such as Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. From being the single largest party with 303 seats in 2019, Modi’s BJP was cut down to size with 240 seats, and formed the government by entering into a power-sharing agreement with smaller regional parties.

Consultants like Gour continue to claim the election as a win, with a caveat that while their work contributed to the vote share of the candidates, they were “not the only factor.” Other experts tell WIRED that there were likely additional reasons women came out to vote during this cycle, such as religious polarization and welfare programs such as free food or cash handouts. The ultimate lesson may be about the enduring power of traditional methods.

“No Indian politician,” says Sharma, “can as yet dispense with holding public rallies, road shows, or door-to-door canvassing, which create momentum both for ordinary voters and for party workers themselves.”

[biggestiptv-2024]

Games Olympic 2024 with BiggestIPTV

https://biggestiptv.com/

As the anticipation builds for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, sports enthusiasts around the globe are gearing up to witness history in the making. For those looking to immerse themselves in every moment of this prestigious event, BiggestIPTV emerges as the ultimate solution for streaming all the exhilarating competitions.

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[denimbex1986]

'In Italy, according to American television, the sunlight is always golden, the seas are azure blue, the flora is every shade of green, and the marble statues scattered across city piazzas are always creamy white. Ripley rejects all that. With a chilly, textured black-and-white palette for the boot-shaped country in which con man Tom Ripley (Andrew Scott) reinvents himself, Netflix’s Patricia Highsmith adaptation becomes one of the most conceptual, visually uncompromising TV shows of the year. Steven Zaillian’s version of Ripley is fascinated with the 16th-century Italian Baroque painter Caravaggio, so famed for his use of contrasting light and dark that he spawned stylistic acolytes termed the Caravaggisti. Once the series establishes the comparisons between Tom and the Old Master, it becomes clear that Ripley itself is a kind of Caravaggisti, an experiment in black-and-white that relies on motifs to reflect its central character’s ominous alienation. That approach is thematically appropriate, sure, but it also absolutely rips.

Longtime collaborators Zaillian and cinematographer Robert Elswit engage the eye with reflections, shadows, and patterns, push the limits of the frame with ultrawide compositions and dueling foreground and background images, and go to bat for the discomfiting power of negative space. Every frame of Ripley deepens the series’ emotional disquiet and visual splendor, and Italy has rarely looked this beautiful or cruel. Here, a list of 37 setups, frames, and moments in Ripley that would blow Caravaggio’s mind (and already did mine).

Tom as abstraction, monster, creep? Yes to all! Look at how often Ripley presents him as the the outline of an intruder, dissolving others’ tranquility or secrecy before disappearing into the darkness from whence he came like a specter in the night. The shadows enveloping him as he enters Carlo’s lair of stolen goods is a personal favorite.

“It seemed like everywhere we went there were stairs,” Zaillian said of location-scouting and shooting Ripley. Those flights take on special meaning as Tom moves up and down and up and down in his chase for a comfortable life. The labyrinthine caves of steps he climbs in Atrani to find Dickie isn’t as starkly angular as the apartment staircase he later encounters, but the general idea of Tom needing to move through these spaces to literally and figuratively end up where he wants to be holds, his desire for upward mobility physically rendered over and over Ripley’s eight episodes. And for people who aren’t Tom, the pentagon-shaped stairs Inspector Ravini takes to the morgue for Freddie’s autopsy make it look like he’s descending into Hell.

M.C. Escher’s impact! Ripley’s repetition and refraction — the reality-challenging lines of train-station stairs and post-office boxes, Tom’s reflection in Dickie’s balcony glass doors, the misshapen edges of cobblestone streets — remind us that Tom, trapped within systems of order he’ll need to manipulate in his journey toward becoming a mid-century Narcissus, isn’t who he says he is. The series’ established visual language is so clean and rigid, it’s unsettling when Ripley breaks its own code, as it does when Tom tosses the scarf Marge knit for Dickie over an elevated walkway onto the disjointed stone pattern below. The scarf is an interruption that Tom, and Ripley itself, can’t abide.

Yes, Ripley is in black-and-white. But its gradients are so rich and deep, you can easily imagine the garnet-maroon-scarlet-sangria-rust shades of blood gushing out of Dickie’s and Freddie’s bodies, washed away by Tom in his sink or discarded in his bathtub, and — in the series’ most jarring shot, a rare instance of color — tracked around his apartment building by the cat who knows what Tom’s been up to. The series is also inundated with religious imagery, and there’s a delightfully macabre quality to how Freddie’s body falls with his arms outstretched as if he’s Christ on the cross, a sacrifice Tom has to make to become his desired self.

Italian architecture, it’s neat!

In a series where the main character experiences a sort of epiphany about art, creativity, beauty, and God when looking at the paintings of Caravaggio, the viewer will, of course, have to behold said Caravaggios. Ripley depicts the works, including The Seven Acts of Mercy (ca. 1607), The Martyrdom of Saint Matthew (ca. 1599–1600), David With the Head of Goliath (ca.1605–10), and a replica of 1609’s Nativity With St. Francis and St. Lawrence (the original was stolen in 1969), in a way that reinforces Tom’s own smallness against the large-scale paintings and ancient, holy buildings that house them. He’s a tiny figure absorbing it all, the spaces gigantic around him, the shadows dark and dense. The finale’s flashback to Rome, 1606, where police find Ranuccio Tomassoni’s body and pursue Caravaggio for his murder, is also unbelievably lush with its lighting, particularly in the flickering fire of lanterns and the blood oozing out of Tomassoni’s wounds.

Here’s Ripley taking Caravaggio’s lessons and applying them to itself. Look how the light seemingly appears and disappears out of nowhere, illuminating or darkening its subjects without announcing its source. Tom’s hand, now wearing Dickie’s ring, seemingly floats in shadow, and he glows from within when sitting on the ferry. The light in his imagined face-off against Bokeem Woodbine’s detective streams in from nowhere, an angle later mirrored when Tom hangs up the Picasso he stole from Dickie. An early shower scene in New York City, when Tom is still living at the crummy boardinghouse, gives us both extremes, with the light from the showerhead forming a kind of halo around Tom’s head and the churning water emerging from the shower drain an excess of murk. It’s striking and unnerving, which is basically Ripley’s whole thing.

Tom is always grasping, watching, reaching, his want communicated best in moments that maximize the rule of thirds. Ripley ends by asking us, “Who is Tom?”, and these images, with their visual emptiness and loaded yearning, are an unforgettable answer.'

[engko1]

The Modern Marvel: Exploring the Versatility of Porta Cabins

In the realm of modern architecture and construction, versatility, efficiency, and sustainability are becoming paramount. Among the many innovations rising to meet these demands, one solution stands out: the porta cabin. These compact, portable structures are transforming the landscape of construction, offering a myriad of benefits across various industries and applications.

A Glimpse into Porta Cabins

Porta cabins, also known as modular buildings or portable cabins, are prefabricated structures that can be easily transported and assembled at different locations. Originally conceived as temporary housing or office spaces, these cabins have evolved significantly, now finding application in diverse sectors including construction, education, healthcare, events, and even residential spaces.

The Advantages of Porta Cabins

1. Mobility and Flexibility:

Porta cabins are designed for mobility, making them ideal for temporary or remote projects. Whether it's a construction site office, a classroom in a rural area, or a temporary medical facility during emergencies, these cabins can be swiftly deployed and relocated as needed.

2. Cost-Effectiveness:

Compared to traditional construction methods, porta cabins offer significant cost savings. Their modular design reduces material wastage and labor costs, while their shorter construction time translates to lower overall expenses.

3. Customization Options:

Porta cabins are highly customizable, allowing for tailored solutions to meet specific requirements. From basic office setups to fully-equipped laboratories or classrooms, these structures can be customized with various amenities, furnishings, and layouts.

4. Sustainability:

In an era increasingly concerned with environmental impact, porta cabins offer a sustainable alternative to traditional construction. Their modular design promotes resource efficiency, and many manufacturers use eco-friendly materials and construction practices, reducing both carbon footprint and construction waste.

5. Rapid Deployment:

In emergency situations such as natural disasters or public health crises, the ability to quickly establish infrastructure is critical. Porta cabins provide a rapid solution, offering shelter, medical facilities, or administrative offices in a fraction of the time required for conventional construction.

Applications Across Industries

The versatility of porta cabins enables their use across a wide range of industries and settings:

Prefab Construction Sites: Portable offices, storage units, and restrooms for construction workers.

Prefabricated Education: Temporary classrooms, libraries, or administrative offices for schools and universities.

Prefabricated Healthcare: Emergency medical facilities, clinics, or vaccination centers.

Events: Ticket booths, vendor stalls, or temporary exhibition hall spaces.

Residential: Temporary housing solutions during renovations or for disaster relief efforts.

What is the life expectancy of a porta cabin?

The life expectancy of a porta cabin, also known as a portable cabin or portable office, can vary depending on several factors such as quality of construction, materials used, maintenance, and environmental conditions. Generally, a well-maintained porta cabin can last anywhere from 30 to 50 years or more. Regular maintenance, including inspections for structural integrity, roof leaks, and ensuring the integrity of the flooring, can help extend its lifespan. Additionally, factors such as exposure to extreme weather conditions, frequency of use, and quality of installation can also affect how long a porta cabin remains functional.

What is a porta cabin made of?

A porta cabin, also known as a portable cabin or modular building, is typically constructed using a variety of materials depending on its intended use, durability requirements, and budget constraints. However, the primary materials commonly used in porta cabin construction include:

Steel: Steel frames provide structural integrity and support for the cabin. They offer strength and durability, making the structure robust enough to withstand transportation and installation.

Wood: Wood is often used for the floors, walls, and sometimes even the roofs of porta cabins. It's relatively lightweight, readily available, and offers good insulation properties.

Insulation: To regulate temperature and improve energy efficiency, insulation materials such as fiberglass, foam board, or spray foam are used between the walls and ceilings.

Exterior Cladding: The exterior of porta cabins may be clad in materials such as corrugated steel panels, aluminum, vinyl siding, or fiberglass reinforced panels (FRP). These materials protect the cabin from the elements and enhance its aesthetic appeal.

Interior Finishes: Inside the porta cabin, materials like gypsum board (drywall) are commonly used for walls and ceilings. Flooring materials can vary and may include vinyl, laminate, carpet, or tiles.

Windows and Doors: Windows are typically made of glass, while doors can be made of steel, wood, or fiberglass, depending on security and insulation requirements.

[wannabesewcrafty]

Strategy Session

Fandom: Debris (TV)

Notes: Fill for “34. Playing with their hair to calm them down.” From this list. Started this around 6/19/23 before it languished. Had to rework paragraph order and details in this draft till I felt happy with it.

Frown lines had appeared in between Bryan’s brows, and it was this, more than anything, that told Finola he was upset.

“What is it?” she asked, keeping her voice low in the dark quiet of her kitchen.

He didn’t answer right away, instead continuing to stare down at the papers littering the table before him.

“I just…didn’t think I’d be back here. Planning strategy. It reminds me of my days before the CIA…”

“When you were in…MARSOC?” She pronounced the acronym hesitantly, not sure if she might be pushing him farther than he wanted to go by saying the word.

He scrubbed a hand over his face, and she took his silence as an affirmative.

Bryan had shown up at her doorstep several hours ago with a locked silver briefcase in hand, claiming he needed her help. She had let him in, half-believing his excuse and half-suspecting that he mostly desired her company. Since she hadn’t felt like being alone either, she had let him in and brewed him a pot of coffee and a pot of tea for herself.

After an initial review of the documents he had brought in the briefcase, she had left him to it, determining that the work would first be about moving people and equipment to a Debris site, then how to get any findings from the field to a lab that was inaccessible, mostly due to geographical features.

She had patted him on the shoulder in sympathy with one hand while the other had held her steaming cup of tea. “You’ll figure something out,” she had said.

Now, he slumped forward in his seat, and she rose from the table to stand behind him and take a look at his notes over his shoulder.

He had marked out directions and notational instructions on maps and listed personnel and equipment needed for getting to the Debris site, but the problem appeared to be how to get any samples or other findings from there to the closest lab that was several miles away. Conditions prevented a mobile lab setup near the Debris itself, something Bryan had repeatedly complained about as the night had wore on.

Something else he had done was mess up his hair. After hours spent alternating between running a hand through it and resting his head on the table in frustration or weariness, strands were sticking up every which way. After some internal debate with herself, Finola began to very gingerly smooth the strands back into place.

“What mountain roads there are out there have become impassable without blasting through rock,” Bryan said now, “and we can’t fly over them every time we find something.” He added in a mumble, “Not that either of those things would be approved by the budgeting office in the first place.”

All the while he had been speaking, her fingers had continued to absently card themselves through his hair, and silence fell over them while she finished scanning his notes.

“So? Any breakthroughs?” he asked hopefully, and she smiled but shook her head.

“Sorry, nothing yet.” She glanced down and saw that his mug was empty. “Do you want some more coffee? I can make another pot,” she offered.

He tilted his head back to look up at her, forcing her fingers to bury themselves more deeply into his scalp.

She froze in place at the contact, feeling her face grow warm at having been so obviously caught combing Bryan’s hair. Her lips parted to say something but he spoke before she could.

“Coffee…” he repeated. He bolted from his chair and picked up his phone from the table. “Finola, did I ever tell you you’re a genius?”

“No,” she said with a laugh, grateful she could extricate her hand from his hair and return it to the side of her tea cup without a word about it.

“Well, you are. Thank you.” He squeezed her upper arm in a gesture of gratitude before he stepped into the next room to make his phone call.

“Hey, Brandt,” she heard him say. “Patch in Tom for me. I want to run something by you both.”

He was soon reseated at her kitchen table, reading aloud every so often from the maps and lists he had made up and responding to whatever Tom or Brandt said.

By the time he finished his call thirty minutes later, Finola thought she had figured out his solution.

“Robotics and telecom?” she asked.

Bryan nodded, his worry lines now gone. “Yeah,” he said. “Like making coffee.” He looked pointedly at the coffeemaker on Finola’s counter. “The machine does the work for us. We send in the bots, view results on their scopes and cameras…Brandt says we should be in business, and Tom’s working on getting the equipment and techs that we need.”

“Well, congratulations.” She clinked her tea cup against his refilled coffee mug and took a sip of the fresh herbal tea she had brewed while he had been on the phone. “I had complete confidence in you.”

“Couldn’t have done it without you,” he demurred, bringing his mug to his lips.

[grande-house]

20ft Prefab Modular Expandable Container House Manufacturer

Expandable Container House Advantages

The flexibility of expandable container houses stems from the robust galvanized steel frame, providing both structural strength and customizable options. The exterior walls and interior layout can be tailored to meet specific needs, making these homes suitable for diverse applications and environments.

Quick Construction

One of the standout advantages of expandable container homes is their rapid assembly.

Unlike traditional construction methods, these houses boast swift construction, significantly reducing project durations.

This quick setup proves invaluable in situations demanding prompt deployment, temporary usage, or emergency scenarios.

Cost Savings

The economic benefits of expandable container homes are evident in their lower construction costs.

Leveraging standardized container structures minimizes design and manufacturing complexities, resulting in financial savings.

Furthermore, the efficient erection process reduces labor costs, making these homes not just a practical choice but also an economically sound one.

Energy Saving and Environmental Protection

Expandable container houses are designed with a focus on sustainability.

The incorporation of wall insulation enhances energy efficiency, reducing overall energy consumption.

The reuse of containers aligns with principles of sustainable development, minimizing construction waste and contributing to environmental preservation.

Mobility and Easy Disassembly

Noteworthy for their mobility, expandable container houses can be effortlessly relocated to different sites as needed.

This characteristic makes them ideal for those who value adaptability and change.

Moreover, the ease of disassembly and reassembly facilitates reuse, ensuring sustainability over time.

High Space Utilization Efficiency

The design of expandable container houses prioritizes space utilization efficiency.

Within the confines of a forty-foot high container, one to two houses can be flexibly accommodated.

This careful consideration of layout ensures that even in limited spaces, container homes maximize functionality.

Resistance to Natural Disasters

Safety is a key consideration in the design of expandable container houses.

Elements such as resistance to natural disasters, including snow accumulation, are factored in to enhance the stability and safety of these homes during adverse conditions.

This focus on resilience ensures that individuals residing in expandable container homes have a secure and protected living space.

Multipurpose Use

Thanks to their high degree of customizability, expandable container houses find application in various contexts.

From temporary accommodation to offices, commercial spaces, and industrial uses, these homes prove to be versatile solutions catering to diverse needs.

The adaptability of expandable container homes makes them suitable for a changing world where the use of space needs to be dynamic and responsive to evolving requirements.

When seeking a reliable 20ft prefab modular expandable container house manufacturer, it's crucial to prioritize flexibility and quality. Our homes, crafted from galvanized steel, ensure structural strength and customization options. With a focus on quick construction, cost savings, and energy efficiency, our solutions stand out in the market.

In Conclusion

Expandable container homes present a revolution in modern living, combining flexibility, rapid construction, cost efficiency, and environmental responsibility. The galvanized steel framework provides a solid foundation for customization, allowing for diverse applications. Their quick assembly is a boon in time-sensitive scenarios, while cost savings and energy efficiency make them economically and environmentally sound choices.

[horce-divorce]

We don't really have a deadline to leave other than "sometime when the weather is nicer," but generally speaking we have about 2 months to either find a new car or fix our setup for the summer. If we can't swap it out we'll still be okay out there, it's just so exhausting to have to move our stuff around constantly to make it fit inside a Murano. We can NOT stealth camp with this setup, it's boondocking only, which makes things a lot more complex, and we can't even really fit all of the supplies we actually need with us in there at all times. We also can't take anyone else in the car with us when we've got it set up for camp, which can make things weird in a pinch at times, too.

I've posted this before, but here's a couple pics of what we're working with: the whole house from the outside, and the view from our bed when its set up. I could probably keep doing this indefinitely if it was just me, but with both of us and all our supplies in here it's pretty tricky.

I've never sold a car before, and I know mine is NOT worth the full blue book value, but if I could get even 1/4 of it I'm pretty sure we could buy an equally used van with that. But I also have never bought a car bc my dad passed this one down to me... I know you need to, like, check the frame for rust, among other things? but idk how to identify other big deal breakers.

Anyway... saw the notif for ~60 days and I just got ponderous. I'm working on some posts for Ko-Fi right now as well, thinking about what kind of art and other incentives I'll be able to keep offering from camp this summer.

I've been trying to post more on Insta, too, as much as I hate it... I've sworn off all other social media and I don't really want my tumblr attached to my IRL stuff as much as possible (i know it already is to a certain degree, i just try to keep things tidy), so I guess Insta is where I'll be for now, unless a worthy successor to DeviantArt shows up. I suppose I could make a side/art blog too, but I already have one for photography and like, mehhh Idk.

In any case, I'm very grateful not to be out there now. Here's some pics from the last few days. Michigan is getting even more snow than here because of the lake effect.

We're hopeful of coming back here next winter as well... it'd be nice to be able to stay here long term. Our friend shares our dream of being able to bring the cats here and reunite them with Bel, but it's ultimately not up to them, so we're not sure if or when that might ever come to pass.

For now, the one thing that's for sure is that we need to be able to stay mobile, and we need more space in the car. But I do think that keeping up our usual lifestyle like this is feasible. We've both been making art here, and we do it out at camp more than anywhere else. If I can figure out a good sub tier structure for ko-fi and have subscriber stuff go out once a month instead of going to the post office every time I get an order, that would be way easier. And having some money coming in would mean ebegging less. I haven't looked into air fairs/fests yet either but maybe I can sell some art there too. But again, we either have to have a bigger vehicle or some kind of home base for all of it to work. It's tricky, but no moreso than trying to get housing.

I accidentally added a poll and I'm not copypasting this entire draft to get rid of it omg. End of post