#ok but if you have no name products in your local grocery store get them they're fantastic

[i-assign-things-baked-goods]

cabby from inanimate insanity !! /nf

she deserves so much more love than she gets !!!! she has no friends :( and !! she has memory issues so that’s cool yknow,,

her vibes are fantastic. she's so No-Name Brand Pretzel Sticks /pos

[saladbroth]

ok for the one sentence story starter thingymathing

"shopping is what I call my number one hobby"

ceejie!! thank you so much for this, this whole thing got away from me, like, massively askdshfg i honestly have no idea what happened but i hope you like it!!

(send me a first sentence and i'll write a short fic for it :)) )

“Shopping is what I call my number one hobby,” Reggie says and smiles proudly. Alex sighs behind him. “It’s really not.”

Willie looks between the both of them with an amused smile and Reggie’s standing close enough to hear Alex’s breath hitch just the tiniest bit. He’s pathetic, really and Reggie would make fun of him if the two of them weren’t in basically the exact same situation.

“You don’t know that,” Reggie protests, turning around to Alex who shoots him an incredulous look. Reggie knows what he just said is a bit dumb, but in all fairness he can’t really think all that reasonably anyways, and especially not when it’s nearing one in the morning and they’ve both had a fair amount to drink.

“Yes I do,” Alex protests. “We’re literally best friends, you idiot. We’re in a band. You hate shopping.”

“Yeah but he doesn’t know that,” Reggie hisses back, then turns to Willie who looks like he’s holding back laughter. “Well now he does.”

Willie does. “Now he does indeed, but I already knew that before you guys said anything. Hobby shoppers are usually coupon addicts as well, and I’ve never seen either of you with one.”

Reggie regards him for a moment, then nods. “I didn’t even know there was something like a coupon addict.”

“They’re awful,” a voice behind them says and Reggie whirls around fast enough to lose his balance. Alex, the asshole, doesn’t make any move to catch him but Bobby does, steadying him with a hand on his arm. Reggie doesn’t even have it in him to glare at Alex, heat crawling up the back of his neck.

Thing is, both him and Alex may have tiny crushes on the employees of their local non-chain grocery store. Maybe not so tiny crushes considering they come here basically every day and they decided to come here after getting drunk with Luke. And considering they know both their names and they both know their names back.

But it really isn’t Reggie’s fault that Bobby is tall and broad and has super pretty hair and eyes and a nice smile and a deep voice and good humour and that they talk to Reggie because this store is somehow always empty when Reggie comes in.

Plus, it’s totally understandable that Alex can’t take his eyes off Willie because Willie is pretty with the long hair and bright smile, and also they ran Alex over with a shopping cart train in the parking lot once, which basically made Alex fall in love, heaven knows why.

So yeah. Really it’s the store’s fault for hiring insanely attractive people who are down to talk to customers on late night shifts.

Reggie clears his throat. “They are?”

Bobby nods, keeping his hand on Reggie’s arm. “They buy a fuckton of product which normally would be good because we’d make big profit but then they pull out their coupons and it always takes ages to process them and they have so much stuff that usually it’s at least one hour until we’re done.”

“And they’re all incredibly entitled,” Willie adds. “Last week one of our regular couponers had some that were expired and we’re not allowed to apply these codes and she threw a fit because she had to pay thirty dollars instead of fifteen.”

“Ew.” Alex pulls a face, and Reggie nods in agreement. Willie laughs and Reggie would make fun of Alex for his face going red immediately if Bobby didn’t chuckle next to him. Because damn, he knows he’s not sober and that magnifies the effect but Bobby’s laugh really is something else.

“God, I hate customers,” Bobby mumbles and Willie agrees. “They’re awful.”

The two of them must notice the deer in the headlights look Alex and Reggie share because Willie immediately rushes to add on. “Not you guys though, you’re pretty cool.”

“Yeah,” Bobby agrees. “You don’t complain and you look at signs yourself instead of asking where the cereal is when it literally says that on the fucking aisle.”

Reggie grins. They come here a lot, they do, but Alex and him have never attempted to talk to Willie or Bobby via feigning to neep help because Alex’s anxiety is too bad for that and Reggie feels bad for it. They just sort of looked at other stuff to start conversations over.

He’s trying to forget the one time he asked Bobby if they come here often, but to be fair Bobby’d worn a tight long sleeved shirt and Reggie’s had a crush on Luke and his arms a few years ago for a reason.

Alex cards a hand through his hair then looks around and sighs. “I forgot what we were here for.”

“Water!” Reggie exclaims. “We wanted water and then you wanted to get ice cream or something for dinner.”

“Ice cream is not dinner,” Bobby says. “And it’s almost two in the morning.”

“Dinner is a state of mind,” Reggie says and Alex nods wisely. “We regularly have ice cream dinners. Or microwave popcorn. It’s hard to have real food when your idiot bandmate makes you practice until the middle of the night and then immediately passes out so you can’t cook.”

Reggie nods and turns to look at Bobby’s who’s got a worried crease between his brows now. “You should come to our next gig, I promise we’re really good.”

“You too,” Alex follows up, leaning closer to Willie. “If you want to, of course. Only then. Sorry, this is probably really unprofessional and you shouldn’t date- I mean go on a date with customers. Not that it’s a date if you don’t want it to be, but if you do but-”

“I’d love to,” Willie interrupts with one of their bright smiles which shuts Alex up immediately.

“This isn’t some agency, we can date customers all we like,” Bobby says at the same time and Reggie nearly chokes on his own spit. “What?”

Bobby looks sheepish all of a sudden and Reggie’s not sure if he’s imagining it or if they’re actually blushing a little. “I mean, if you’d like that to be a date I wouldn’t mind it.”

“Holy shit.” Reggie says. “Yeah, of course.”

Bobby smiles and squeezes Reggie’s arm a bit. He shares a wide eyed look with Alex, because really, neither of them expected at all that the night would go like this. Willie pushes a bit of hair out of their face.

“Just remind us to take you guys out for proper dinner at some point.”

[legendaryobservationpuppy]

The Most Effective FRESH DOG FOOD DELIVERY IMO: HEALTH AND CONVENIENCE FROM THE FARMER'S DOG

At an occasion years ago, I talked with somebody who was a quite pet-savvy person. We spoke about dog food, as well as I mentioned adding fresh veggies-- carrots, beans, peas, etc.-- to the young boys' food. She looked aghast. "I don't feed my dogs individuals food," she said. "I don't want to transform them into beggars."

OK, the habits issue apart, when she stated "people food," I could not assist yet question: Well, what is dog food made of otherwise ... food? A minimum of, shouldn't it be constructed from food, genuine food, like the kind individuals eat? If a bag of kibble states it has carrots in it, exactly how's that various from providing your dog a carrot?

The discussion seemed ridiculous to me, and now, say thanks to benefits, it's come cycle ...

THE FARMER'S DOG FOOD REVIEW

WHY FRESH DOG FOOD?

This is the large, underlying concern: Why feed your dog fresh dog food?

At the end of the day, food is food is food is food. What makes one meal different from another eventually comes down to just how it's made, right? Take the carrot example. Boiling and also steaming both prepare the carrots, however steaming protects its nutrients while steaming sheds 60% or more of the carrot's nutrients. Eating a raw carrot may not be best, either, though due to the fact that study shows that some food preparation techniques may really boost the carrot's antioxidant power. Basically, a steamed carrot is a carrot, a boiled carrot is a carrot, a raw carrot is a carrot, a dehydrated carrot extruded right into kibble form is still a carrot ... however they're not all nutritionally equivalent. I believe we can all settle on that, as well as I believe we can all concur that there's absolutely nothing grosser than a boiled carrot. (Actually, perhaps steamed asparagus is grosser?).

Anyway.

If you're mosting likely to eat food, which of course you are, and also if you're going to feed your dog food, which of course you are, wouldn't you want it to be the most nutritionally-rich food readily available? Obviously you do! We all do! And the advantage to our dogs is that they don't have to pick between, claim, a smoked poultry bust vs. drive-thru chicken nuggets because we make the decisions on their behalf. So, it stands to factor that if we know fresh food is best, as well as we're in position to make a decision the most effective food to feed our puppies, we 'd wish to go fresh, yeah?

There are a TON of fresh foods hitting the market (more on that particular in a minute), however we've found The Farmer's Dog to fit our way of living, spending plan, and Coop's belly peculiarities.

Backing up one fast action: When I wrote about The Farmer's Dog previously, we switched foods after getting the results of Cooper's allergic reaction examination. At the time, I really did not write a complete review due to the fact that I wasn't certain how handy it would be given that I was so focused on food allergic reactions. We were so pumped to find a recipe that really did not include a single allergen from Coop's list, and also while he's restricted to among the three solutions for that extremely reason, it's made measurable, obvious distinctions in his stubborn belly. I wanted to sing that from the roofs! However, SO numerous of you have actually connected with details concerns I really did not answer in that blog post that I believed I would certainly draw them together in a full evaluation nevertheless!

Note: Because I assume turning proteins is so very vital, we're still rotating in The Honest Kitchen due to the fact that 2 of the three solutions from The Farmer's Dog do include irritants on Coop's list.

The other large point is that our food manufacturing system is deeply flawed. Romaine lettuce, any person? I'm certain you've all seen the congeries as well as gobs of dog food remembers as a result of tainted active ingredients, too. Actually, there's a significant one underway as I kind this: FDA Alerts Pet Owners concerning Potentially Toxic Levels of Vitamin D in Several Dry Pet Foods.

It's critically essential to me that we're feeding Cooper a food where the active ingredients are properly sourced as well as the production is smaller range for much better quality assurance. I fully recognize that no food manufacturing system is excellent. For that, we would certainly have to expand as well as make our very own, which allowed's be straightforward, isn't taking place.

THE VERY BEST FRESH DOG FOOD DELIVERY.

I assume we can all concur that fresh food is the method to go, however that's not without a substantial list of pros vs disadvantages when it concerns pet food. It's not like you can stroll right into the produce area of your local pet store and also pick up a fresh dish, ya understand? Let's take a look at a few of the evident advantages and disadvantages of fresh dog food as well as fresh dog food delivery services:.

Price: Equal parts PRO/CON. I enter into this carefully below re: The Farmer's Dog, yet these services are definitely more costly than getting an average store bag of kibble (though there are several superior kibbles that are similar or even more costly). I do assume it's worth taking a look at the expense of health-related issues from fast food vs. wholesome foods. However you men understand me: I'm NOT somebody that says in a covering declaration kibble is bad. It's not. Although I advocate genuine, whole food, these solutions could not fit your budget plan. #noshame It's my viewpoint that The Farmer's Dog is priced at a reasonable worth. It's most definitely a stretch if you've been feeding normal kibble, however not if you've been feeding premium or, as we were, a dried alternative like The Honest Kitchen.

Packaging: PRO! Alright, you guys. You know I'm consumed with searching for green remedies to every animal care problem. Well, The Farmer's Dog can be found in recyclable packaging AND the insulation is corn starch that you liquify in your kitchen area sink! The brand is dedicated to sustainability, as well, so you can trust that their production techniques are gentler on the setting.

Website/ordering: CON. You can not see the formulas till you create an account. I feel like that's a disappointment for those people that have dogs that are SO sensitive to active ingredients that we can't choose till we see every last active ingredient.

Ease: PRO! Extra on this below, yet having the food automatically shipped is a life saver.

Small-batch manufacturing: PRO! For all the factors mentioned above. And also each packet comes identified particularly for Cooper.

THE FARMER'S DOG VS OLLIE (OR NOMNOM NOW, PETPLATE, ETC.).

Fresh food + shipment is the future, y' all.

Hopefully by now you're on board with the fresh food item, yet shipment?

OK, so I know that you're busy. I'm hectic, you're active, we're all essentially extended so thin it's difficult to maintain. Grocery store pick-up has actually changed my life! I truthfully can't stand entering into the shop-- really, grocery buying is my single most despised chore-- so buying online then driving over and having a person tons it right into my auto is, in my opinion, the best invention of my life time.

At the very least it was.

Till ... Delivery!

Distribution is the next wave of convenience foods, which is SO much better than "comfort" foods like McDonald's or microwave meals since you can pick all your very own healthy and balanced foods and have them given your doorstep. My neighbors, who have 5 youngsters, obtain their groceries provided, and also I'm certain it's altered their lives right! Well, that's just how I really feel regarding fresh food distribution for my pets. I think more people are demanding delivery for more and more things (I have 3 different apps on my phone for takeout/delivery services ...) so you can expect to see tons of fresh dog food shipment brands appear to fulfill that requirement.

After my previous article, I got a lots of inquiries regarding exactly how The Farmer's Dog compares to Ollie. Truthfully? We've never attempted Ollie. I did Google a bunch of the brand names that are currently around, and also almost everything I read placed The Farmer's Dog towards the top for convenience, expense, and also alternatives. Right here's a testimonial from a food blog site I like if you want to check out some particular contrasts.

Just How Much DOES THE FARMER'S DOG COST?

It varies. It depends on the dimension as well as age of your dog as well as his or her everyday calorie requirements. Let's say you enjoy a sedentary pug. Well, your price is going to be reduced-- and also appropriately so!-- than my high-energy, perma-pup Am Staff mix. He needs a great deal of calories in the day to stay up to date with his skittering as well as cat chasing!

That said, they do supply arrangements to do the dish as a mattress topper, which I believe would be an ahhhhhmazing means to blend whole foods right into a kibble or dehydrated diet plan in a cost-effective method.

My recommendations? Try it at 50% off as well as see. It's either going to work wonders for your dog as well as his diet plan (which I truly do think it will certainly) or it will not! But, it can't hurt to try, specifically at such a reduced cost.

ALL-TIME LOW LINE.

At the end of the day, every person wants to do what's finest for their pup. That's it. All of us do the best we can with the criteria we have. No, this isn't mosting likely to be for everyone. It might not be a square meal option for you, either, yet the topper situation might work. Or, possibly you're ready to dive into something brand-new. Everybody's doing their ideal, and as long as you're caring your pet dogs, you're doing terrific. If part of that includes attempting The Farmer's Dog fresh dog food shipment service, I would certainly enjoy to assist you start with a discount: Click below to try it for 50% off!

What rocks have I left unturned? I attempted to answer the inquiries I had obtained via email as well as DM, but in case I missed something, or if an additional question cropped up for you as you were reading this, please leave them in the remarks! I 'd love to supply as much info as feasible, and if I do not understand the solution, I'm always satisfied to connect to the business to find the right information!

[thecockandcarrot]

Convenient Universal Timing

I was hangry at myself this morning for not being an early rising productive human. Like anyone who hasn't finished putting together their upcoming art exhibit would be. Don't get me wrong I woke up at a decent time and made a delicious smoothie. Or sometimes, I tell myself it's delicious because I'm too broke to dump out all the organic ingredients I use.

So after rummaging through the fridge, for the third time, I decided I would make a run to the local upscale grocery store (Contradicting?…Slightly). You know! Because deep down inside after years of programming from stupid, hopeless romantic movies. I longed to casually bump into my soulmate while out and about, seamlessly starting a conversation that leads to a coffee date and, ultimately, marriage. Within a one and half hour time frame of course. Self-centered and shallow? Most definitely.

Side note: I wonder if there's any correlation between sexual orientation and pre-pubescent/young adolescent males growing up watching romantic movies. In which the main character falls in love with a man. Anyone? 

Anyways, let's get back to the main biscuit and gravy of this post. 

LAW OF ATTRACTION. Did you see that coming? Me neither this morning! When I was dumbstruck by an experience I had at the grocery store that I had some time to reflect on while munching down on my bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich. 

Sir Kensington's "Special Sauce," not all that great by the way, if you happen to find yourself in sauce aisle at Wegmans. 

I really hope they aren't studying the shopping habits of people in grocery stores. Because if they did, they would probably wonder why the heck I shop like I am visiting from another country. I swear I have no actual route I follow. It's as if I am subconsciously throwing together recipes in my head as I am wandering around. Taking things off the shelf, then trekking back to the other side of the store to put things back. A MESS. Well, not really, at least I have the decency to put my items back where grabbed them from. 

This morning though, I was in the aisle where I picked up the bottle of Sir Kensington's Special Sauce when I overhead a couple looking for the store brand organic ketchup. The woman hastily said, "I don't get it, it's not where the ketchup and mustard is, and it's not with the other sauces!" The husband seemed uninterested and a bit exhausted of this marathon ketchup babbling. So I lingered a bit looking over in her direction. Part of me was trying to see if I could locate it for her, and the other part of me wanted to point out the limited ingredients brand I use. I couldn't remember if it was organic or not, and the label was obscured from where I was standing. Still, deep down inside, I really wanted to recommend it to her.

So I slipped into my fantasy world, as I usually do, to summarize different scenarios with different outcomes based on my intuition. I concluded that because I wasn't one hundred percent sure if the ketchup was organic or not, I wasn't going to interject. I had this gut feeling the woman would respond by contorting her face in disgust. And in a condescending tone utter "That's not organic!" out of her paper-thin lips. 

To which I would respond, "Ok, Karen! I get it, sorry for opening my mouth. Do you want me to get the manager?" Then roll my eyes and walk away. She definitely had “can I speak to the manager” vibes fuming out of her. 

So I strolled away and continued zig-zagging through the store. I really needed almond milk creamer, so of course, I made my way through the coffee aisle to pick up a bag of ground beans. I also needed to grab one of my co-worker's favorite powdered creamer for our mini under desk coffee station. Which, as it turned out, they didn't carry. 

It happened again! I became acutely aware of a nearby conversation. I overheard a woman and her boyfriend debating or not if they should purchase a bottle of KITU coffee with MCG oil, which stands for medium-chain triglycerides. I really wanted to jump in and say, "YES! Buy it!" And dive into facts about the use of MCG's and how beneficial it has been for me. Just as I began my 10,000 reels of possible outcomes, they walked away. 

So I asked myself, "Why did you get so excited to help in those last to instances?" 

"Why did you feel the need to interject your existence into the lives of four complete strangers?"

"What are you needing?" 

"Human connection!" I instinctively yelled out in my mind. As my eyes simultaneously enlarged and I half smiled at the level of self-awareness I had at that very moment. 

*You develop a sense of gratitude for therapy when you are witness to the evolution of your own internal dialogue and emotional maturity.*

That moment lasted all but two seconds, and I proceeded to finish my own personal marathon in the grocery store. I was making my way down the frozen aisle reasonably quickly because I didn't want to make any more stops and I need to get home to get some painting in. As I neared the end of the frozen section, I heard a small, frail voice mumble something from my eight o'clock. I halted. Looked back and saw a petite woman in her late sixties or seventies with her forearms almost pressed against her chest and hands curved inwardly. I walked up to her and asked if she needed assistance with anything? She very sheepishly said something, but I managed to hear her say broccoli and cheese. So I looked up and grabbed her the frozen box of broccoli and cheese. 

I also grabbed a couple boxes of frozen corn at her request. Her cart was nowhere in sight, so I helped her arrange the boxes in her arms so that they would not fall out on to the floor. She was attempting to explain that her arthritis made it very difficult for her to grab anything. I reassured her there was no need to explain anything I was happy to be of service to her. I did offer to walk the items back to her cart, but she assured me she could manage and that her husband was around the corner. There was an air of concern imprinted in my head, but I trusted her confidence. 

As I rolled my cart away, I went into self-reflection mode. To the onlooker, I may appear to be staring directly at them or look utterly oblivious to my surroundings. Nothing exists around me when I am in this mental space as I try to connect the dots of an entire experience I am attempting to draw meaning from. So there I was, walking through my own parallel mental dimension, and I came to a simple conclusion.

In both instances, before helping the women grab items, the need I wanted to fulfill was more than human connection. I believe I had a spontaneous need to be of service to someone. One could argue that maybe my subconscious foresaw that moment and was drawn by this unexpected call for help, which was initially masked by hungry stricken grocery run.  

That possibly, I had an emotional response but constrained myself in the two situations that led up to the moment; that actually required me to take action.

Like a mini-mission from the universe. Testing my ability to really listen and become a silent witness to the data mine streaming all around me. What we call reality or human experience. 

Is recognizing this moment a result of me turning off all music and T.V.? Which is a challenge I imposed on myself for my upcoming art exhibit. Contrary to the name "Under the Influence," this is very much the space this exhibit explores. Being under the influence of silence. Silence from all external visual and auditory stimulations that we are accustomed to overdosing ourselves with daily. Had I jumped in the shower, blasted music, ran out of the house to run errands skipping breakfast altogether like I usually do. Would I have responded to this call for help? Maybe, it wasn't even a call for help I responded to, but just an ordinary grocery with convenient universal timing. 

Is human connection the gift of silence? Or a link to a more insightful version of myself? Does muting mainstream stimulation strengthen a sixth sense we are naturally born with? 

I am intrigued, to say the least, and I am looking forward to painting this evening. What I am most appreciative of is that this interaction with a complete stranger motivated me to dive into self-reflection and write about my experience. I have been trying to gather the strength and energy to sit down and write a blog post like I used to do regularly but always found an excuse not to.

So, to the universe and the women who asked me to help her this morning. Thank you.

[purplesurveys]

609

What has been the most annoying thing about your day so far? I had a blood test done for my dog last Friday and they still haven’t updated me about the availability of the results. They really shouldn’t have said “Wait within the day or tomorrow” if they weren’t going to be able to deliver their promise up to THREE days later because it’s just giving me more anxiety.  Is your computer running slow today? (Mine is, and it's annoying!!!!) No. I don’t do a lot of things with mine and it’s especially relaxed now that school’s out for Christmas and the programs I usually have on are now closed. Do you own a romper? Yes, I have a couple. Do you have a smartphone or a dumb phone, or no phone? I have a...smartphone, I guess. What popular social media platforms AREN'T you on? Instagram.

Have you ever spilled nail polish? I don’t think I have, no. What was the last thing you were stressed about? Well, since you got me talking about my dog’s blood test, then that. I’ll also be stressing over my Incomplete marks throughout the holiday break. What does your computer's slow-loading cursor look like? I don’t get it – like what shows up when my laptop kinda lags? It shows me the Mac rainbow pinwheel. Do you prefer Microsoft Word or Pages? I use Google Docs to write class notes and to work on anything acads-related. I used to use Pages, then I realized it didn’t suit me so I moved on to Microsoft OneNote, then it just traumatized me after I tried using it for my notes in Econ class which I barely passed – so I just moved on to GDocs. Would you rather have a trampoline or swimming pool? Swimming pool. I have little use for a trampoline. Are you angry at someone right now? Myself, as always. Do you ever dream of getting revenge? It’s an occasional thought just so I feel satisfied but it never gets into specifics. Do you have the same favorite colors you had when you were a kid? Mmm no. My favorite as a kid was purple, because it was my great-grandma’s favorite and a lot of her stuff was purple. When she passed, I saw it less and less and I phased it out as my favorite color. What do you like to put in your tea? I don’t like tea. What do you like to put in smoothies? There’s one smoothie that I admittedly do like; it’s called the Breakfast Smoothie from Go Salads but I dunno what’s in it so let me look it up real quick – ok so I just checked Zomato, and it consists of apple, banana, cinnamon, oats, coco sugar, chia seeds, greens, and soy milk. I don’t make smoothies myself but if I absolutely had no choice, I’d get that specific kind. Do your stuffed animals have names? I don’t even own any stuffed toys. What was the name of the first porcelien doll you got? I never had one. What would you like to paint on a rock? I’ve never thought about painting on a rock. Do you own any tapestries, and if so, what's on it/them? Nope. Do you sell any products? If so, what? No, I don’t. Am really not the business-y/entrepreneurial type, lmao. If not, do you want to start a business? See above. Have your parents ever crushed your dreams? No, they have always been accepting and supportive. Bonus points to my dad for not laughing in my face when I told him I wanted to be a runway model back when I was 12 because I WOULD HAVE. Do you own anything cheetah print? I have a hand-me-down tank top with a cheetah print but I only wear that around the house. Do you know how to knit? No, I never learned how to. We were taught knitting and crocheting in home ec but I have a very hard time learning if it’s hands-on (which also explains why I can’t do origami), so I was never able to catch up with my classmates and never got to submit final projects either. Have you ever made a collage for your bedroom wall? I did like a lettering thing of a quote made up of cut-up magazine pages when I was in high school, but I’m not sure if that counts as a collage. Do you make DIY projects and gifts? No, because I’m terrible at anything DIY. Would you ever get a tattoo? I would but it would take A LOT of courage, crying, and getting over my fear of needles lmao. Is your computer slow? Nope. The one time it noticeably lagged was when I downloaded The Sims 4 and started playing it. I quickly realized it isn’t a gaming laptop though so I had the program deleted almost immediately. What types of churches do you find really boring? All of them. Would you ever start a small group in your home? Uh, like a cult? No, that’s pretty weird. Do you have an inspiration board? No, I don’t. What do you take when your back hurts? I don’t take anything, I just change my position to one where my back won’t feel as strained. Does your back hurt right now? Not so much at the moment. What color are your nails painted? THEY AREN’TTTTTT Are you wearing a romper? I don’t wear rompers around the house lmao. Do you have a colored teddy bear? Nope. On what day is your local grocery store the busiest? I’m guessing Sunday, since everyone usually goes out on Sundays anyway. What day do you usually go grocery shopping? My mom does hers on the weekends.  Do you prefer to shop online or in stores? In stores tbh because I get to see the products before thinking about buying them, but I won’t deny that online shopping is also a lot more convenient. Do you like shopping? Looking through shelves and hangers can be overwhelming for me so no not really, but it does feel good when I’ve already bought everything I want/need haha. Do you own any band t-shirts? Just one.

Do you have an annoying neighbor? They have annoying kids, but no I don’t have issues with the neighbors. Do you have a dream? Sure. Do you own a pair of Lularoe leggings? No. Would you ever wear leggings as pants? I have before. Owls or peacocks? Peacocks, I guess? Lions or horses? Lions. Do you like getting caught in the rain without an umbrella? No. Can you still fit into kid's clothes? Kid’s clothes are hella small so I highly doubt it, but I do have a rather petite figure. Would you rather wear orange or black? Black. Is your kitchen floor black and white checkered? It isn’t. Do you own bar stools? We don’t. Who have you been told you look like? I’ve been told I look and speak like Frankie Pangilinan lmao. I also had a high school classmate who liked telling me I look like Lucy Hale but I haaaaaaardly see the resemblance. What color are your doorknobs? Gold. Do you feel like you are waiting for life to start? Now more than ever, yeah. What devotional do you read, if any? Do you own a bobblehead? Not since I was a kid. What do you make wishes on? Just candles. Do you own pastel-colored jeggings? I don’t own jeggings at all. Are you in physical pain right now? Not anymore since I got my teeth treated. So relieving. Are you in emotional distress right now? Always during the holiday season. What color nail polishes do you think are best for summer? I don’t care. What's the best natural pain reliever? Dogs and good food. Do you like trees? I’m not particularly obsessed but I do care for them, if that’s what you’re asking. Do you own a flashlight? Yeah, I have one in my car that doubles as a taser. What is your city known for? Rice cakes, a waterfall, its resorts, and being on a mountain. What is your state known for? Rizal isn’t particularly known for anything other than being near Metro Manila and large chunks of it being atop a mountain lol. What is your country known for? A murderous president, being in the news for hurricanes and floods, beaches like Palawan and Boracay, and balut, which so many people are pussies about. Do you have a church home? I don’t even know what that means. If the local mailman sent you a facebook friend request, would you accept? No. What's your favorite Paramore song? OMG ARE YOU KIDDING HAVE YOU READ THIS TUMBLR Do you like the song "Fake Happy"? YES Do you tan easily? A bit, yeah. Do you own plaid pants? Nope. What did your first Barbie doll look like? I don’t remember because I didn’t really like playing with Barbies. Do you like scrambled eggs? Love them. They’re my favorite kind of eggs, along with omelets. Have you ever made a recipe you found in a magazine? Nope. Have you ever done a craft that you saw in a magazine? I probably did as a kid. What kind of business would you most like to start? Food, most likely. Are you bitter about anything? Aren’t we all. What is your favorite nail polish color? I don’t caaaaare. What is your favorite color for cars? White. What is your favorite color for bridesmaid dresses? Something muted, like dirty white or cream or beige. I don’t want a lot of flashy colors in my wedding. What is your favorite color in general? Right now it’s pastel pink. Do you look good in black? Yes. Do you ever wear orange? Rarely. Do you have a twin? No. If you had a twin, what would he or she be named? I don’t have a clue.

[redriotess]

Don't fall for the "Free hearts and tickets!!" Scam

This is a long post. It is meant to help you understand why hacking tools and heart/ticket generators do not work. To get the TL;DR version, scroll down to the paperclip.

We've used our last bit of money to pay the electric bill and now there's nothing left over to buy a small pack of hearts. But our favorite route just came out and come hell or high water, we WILL be playing that route with heart options to read about sexy times.

We decide to do some online searching because the Lovestruck app is a piece of software and software can be hacked!!

Next thing we know, we come upon a promise of endless tickets and hearts!!

All we have to do is use this online tool!

No downloading necessary! We can have as many as 999,999,999 hearts in under 5 minutes!

We test out this tool and realize that for some reason it doesn't work. Huh. Weird. Ok. Forget it. There is a whole row to try! The next one just says fill out a survey and we'll instantly have 10,000 hearts added to our account!

Happily, we answer our 2 question survey, fill out our email, phone number, and mailing address?

Hm, ok. Whatever.

We get a pop-up that says: "You are super close to your reward, just answer this one last question!" What's one more question?

Click.

We're asked to enter our email one more time, you know, for verification purposes. Another pop-up appears asking us to select two free prizes!!

Awesome! We get free hearts and two free prizes! We select our prizes. Where should they ship our brand spanking new frying pan and magazine subscription that we never knew we needed? We enter our mailing address, phone number, email...

Another pop-up. "CONGRATULATIONS! Enter this sweepstake to win an all-inclusive vacation to Hawaii for two!!! Just enter your email and phone number!"

Forty-five minutes later we close out all the pop-ups and try to get back to our original window. WTF?? Where did it go? Where are our 10,000 hearts?? Nowhere of course. "But thanks for your information!"

Meh. Let's try this other link.

Oh, snap! This one comes with a YouTube video SHOWING us that it works!! We watch the video, we SEE it with our very own eyes. The guy on the video obtains 100,000 hearts and 50,000 tickets!!

This is it! This is the winning lottery ticket!

We click the link under the video, which redirects us to the "tool". We follow the steps to a T. Why isn't it working? We did EXACTLY what the guy did in the video.

Let's contact the guy! He can help us. We email him, explaining exactly what we did. He gets back to us right away and tries to troubleshoot with us. After a couple of back and forth emails, he tells us: "It must just be your phone. Sorry, I can't help you."

We decide to give up. We resign ourselves to reading our favorite route without sexy time. Life sucks.

...

Two weeks later we come home to a mailbox overflowing with sweepstakes, advertisements and letters from strange companies.

Ignoring the pile of junk, we decide to check our email. 1,478 new messages including an urgent message informing us that due to recent political conflict in central Africa, the secret Rwandan treasure with a monetary value of 100,000,000 US DOLLARS must be immediately transferred to a bank in the United States of America. WE have been found to be the only surviving heir of King Kigeli V Ndahindurwa. Prince Emmanuel Bushayija has been found to be unfit and therefore we must reply to this email immediately providing our name, mailing address, phone number, bank name, account information and last four of our social so that the money can be transferred quickly and safely. We must also provide a small fee of $6,000 to aid in the transfer. But what's $6,000 when we are going to receive $100,000,000.

The next email states that we are wanted by the IRS for tax fraud and must send a payment IMMEDIATELY or go to federal prison. We can send the payment of $10,000 via Western Union to a location in the Ukraine where the IRS has recently relocated.

...

Given this incredibly long post, you should realize by now how these heart generating tools work. They don't. They are there to gather your information or send you on an infinite loop of surveys.

📎 So why aren't there hacking tools? Well, for one thing, they are unethical and take away from the paychecks of the artists, writers, production team, programmers, etc for the game we all love. Outside of that, the biggest reason these tools don't work is that the game is server side. Have you tried playing Lovestruck in airplane mode or without internet connection before? It doesn't work, right?

Your account is part of a database that rests within the Voltage server. When you purchase a pack of hearts, they are added to your account on the SERVER side. The hearts are not stored on your phone memory or locally in the Lovestruck app.

This is also the reason why you can't just add a bunch of hearts in. You'd have to hack your way into the Voltage server, find your account and manually enter the amount of hearts and tickets that you desire. To hack into a server is not an easy task. If you did manage to succeed, Voltage would be able to see any changes that were made on the server and roll these changes back. In other words, you'd just lose all the hearts that you dishonestly gained. Server breaches are flagged almost immediately and have shutdown safeguards in place.

Hoping to breach a server, find your account, add hearts and then read an entire route is close to impossible. You also risk losing your entire account by being banned.

To sum things up, stay away from these hacking tools and empty promises of unlimited hearts and tickets. The only legitimate way to acquire hearts is by buying them, participating in the weekend challenges and winning them through the daily puzzle system.

And if you think about it, why would you want to cheat the system? By buying hearts, you are supporting the fantastic team that is creating these amazing stories FOR YOU. Remember, they have electric bills, mortgages and groceries to pay for too.

I know this was a long read.

I hope that those who have read this entire article have learned a little something.

If nothing else, take-home points:

1. if it's too good to be true, then it probably is.

2. don't support cheating, support the hard work of the Lovestruck team.

I wonder whatever happened to that frying pan...

[nickgerlich]

In A Ten-Minute Heartbeat

The race to erase the time lag between order and delivery is intensifying. Obviously, there is an asymptote—zero minutes—which means that, at least hypothetically, the fastest you could ever order and get delivery would be the same as going to the store to buy it and take it home. But even then, this asymptote has limitations of its own, meaning the time it takes to actually go to the store.

Ever since the arrival of e-commerce, delivery time has been a bone of contention. A similar argument can be made about mail order, which dates to the first mail order company—started by Aaron Montgomery—in 1872. You just can’t be in dire need of something and expect to get it in a timely fashion when you do your shopping in any form other than face-to-face.

Except maybe now. Sure, Amazon’s Whole Foods has offered two-hour delivery in selected markets. But that’s slow compared to the grocery delivery revolution happening in India these days. Start-up companies like Zepto are promising 10 minutes flat, from time of placing the order to delivery at your door.

That’s fast. Heck, I can’t even drive to my local Walmart in 10 minutes, much less shop and then return home.

Zepto was launched by two 19-year-old Stanford dropouts. From late-2020 to December 2021, their valuation had grown to $570 million. It continues to expand through India’s largest cities, but has competitors all vying for a piece of what amounts to a $620 billion market.

Delivery times so short depend on key critical factors: wicked driving skills on scooters, navigation, perhaps a little law-breaking en route, and use of “dark stores.” OK, you probably get the first three, but what’s a dark store, you ask?

It amounts to a traditional BAM grocery locking its doors to the general public, but the products are all displayed similar to how they were previously. Essentially, it is an order-picking warehouse, and has been used stateside for both curbside pickup and delivery. Zepto depends on dark stores so that associates can scurry through the aisles assembling orders, and then placing them in the backpacks of daredevils willing to take on the traffic of Mumbai, a city of 21 million people.

Which then raises the other important question: Would something like this work in any place other than the most densely-populated cities? In a word: No. I suspect that even Evel Knievel on a scooter couldn’t handle more than a mile from the dark store, unless he staged some long-distance jumps. If you’ve ever experienced Asian traffic, you know what I mean. It makes Dallas rush hour look like a Sunday morning.

Which means that Zepto needs to have many dark stores spread throughout an urban area in order to survive. Once you factor in competitors doing the same thing, suddenly the shopping landscape starts to change. In an age when faster equals better, though, it is a model suddenly in prime time.

Even the name Zepto is perfect. A “zepto” is a unit of metric measure, specifically, 10**-21 power, or 1000**-7 power. Numerically, it is 0.000000000000000000001. If ever a company name were coined to represent speed, this would be it.

Heck, I’m good if Walmart+ can deliver my groceries in a couple of hours, which often includes heavy bags of pet food. No motor scooters there, I’m afraid. About the only way I could ever imagine needing 10-minute delivery would be if I am cooking a curry and discover I need some spices right then, or the meal will fall flat.

Besides, I’m not so sure we could ever handle an influx of kamikaze scooter riders out here in West Texas. There would be people placing bets on how long—a Zepto, perhaps—before one winds up tangling with a big old pickup.

I think I’ll just go to the store myself today, thank you very much, but I can do it pretty fast too. I’ve got better things to do.

Dr “Make It Snappy“ Gerlich

Audio Blog

[rankertopgoogle]

Online shopping

Iswex.shop

 Sell secretly stage

In the event that you are searching for a stage to sell secretly, you can decide on eBay, private merchants additionally get an opportunity on Amazon. Etsy is nearly too known. There are, notwithstanding, additional fascinating gateways. We have inspected for you what there is for secretly selling on stages.

 Fairmondo: sell secretly on a stage for earth cognizant individuals

To sell secretly on a stage for reasonable exchange and the naturally cognizant, you can pick Fairmondo. Business vendors are likewise wanted here, however to sell secretly on this stage, you save the posting and deals expenses. Getting, parting with and trading is additionally conceivable here. Clients can likewise sell secretly on the stage and afterward give the returns to a decent goal. Business sellers pay a business commission.

 Shpock: sell secretly on a stage like a swap meet

All that works for nothing except for a couple of extra capacities. The name Shpock signifies "Shop in your pocket" since it is an application. The quickest method for selling secretly on this stage is to snap a picture of the merchandise and post the photograph, including the message and cost. Invested individuals can send messages straight away through the application. On account of GPS, it is feasible to put the offers locally.

 reBuy: secretly sell utilized gadgets on one stage

The reBuy entrance works in utilized gadgets, which dealers can send in for nothing from a buy worth of 10 euros. The gateway administrators then, at that point, investigate them. You can sell your hardware secretly on this stage; however you process the buy straightforwardly with the entrance in light of the fact that the specialists there can evaluate what the gadgets are truly worth. In the wake of checking, they then, at that point, sell them on. Assuming they are presently not usable, the buy doesn't occur, which involves a chargeable re-visitation of the vender or removal at the merchant's cost.

 Zoxs: Sell computer games secretly on this stage

Zoxs acknowledges the computer games for nothing (delivering because of the merchant), a payout as credit brings a reward of 10%. This gateway additionally controls the merchandise intently and doesn't address extremely high buy costs. Zoxs not just acknowledges computer games, which was once the first concentration, yet in addition cell phones, PCs and control center.

 Selling books and attire secretly on the Momox stage

Momox, which is likewise accessible as an application (iOS and Android), additionally empowers the products to be sent in for nothing and spotlights on attire and books, yet presently additionally acknowledges CDs, DVDs and games. Since Momox itself goes about as a purchaser, the merchandise don't need to be captured and shown. Basically sending them sufficiently is.

 Selling previous most loved garments secretly on the Vinted stage

Vinded isn't totally free, however it is prescribed to each and every individual who has a full closet and presently sells what used to be adored secretly on a stage that affectionately deals with them. As a merchant, you can make a virtual closet that contains every one of the things you need to sell, which is clear with the Vinted application. The entryway furnishes the venders with a virtual wallet wherein the business continues land, which would then be able to be handily moved to their own record. This seems OK to the extent that ladies specifically sell utilized garments secretly on a stage and accordingly utilize their Vinted account over and over.

 Head honcho eBay

We need to momentarily discuss eBay in light of the fact that every one of the individuals who are selling something secretly on a stage interestingly think about this conventional vendor. It enjoys many benefits and complex capacities, and the articles are normally handily found by means of web search tools (Google and Co.). In this way, you ought to likewise investigate for your private deals.

  Coop grocery store Sweden

The posse behind the ransomware REvil did an assault on the US IT supplier Kaseya on Friday, July 2, 2021. The digital assault constrained the conclusion of 800 parts of the Swedish grocery store chain Coop.

Last Friday, digital lawbreakers completed a modern assault on organizations all over the planet. 200 organizations were impacted. As indicated by the network protection firm Huntress Labs, the programmers essentially designated IT organizations in the US, over all Kaseya. Then, at that point, they could get to the organizations that utilization the VSA programming and that spread over their organizations. Accordingly the store Coop Sweden chose to close its branches.

 Coop Sweden, survivor of enormous IT disturbances

One of the shut Swedish Coop branches has set up a sign showing that the store has been impacted by an enormous PC breakdown. As per a representative for Coop Sweden, they didn't utilize Kaseya's product straightforwardly on their frameworks. Be that as it may, one of their providers did and the remote update instrument for their registers was impacted. So they chose to close adequately early and just open on Sundays.

"The whole checkout framework at our checkouts and self-checkout does not work anymore, so we want time to restart the framework.”A representative for Coop Sweden.

As indicated by Kaseya's examination, the Russia - subsidiary REvil ransomware posse is behind the break. He figured out how to seize the innovative administration programming of the Coop grocery store. This law thusly forestalled the utilization of his assets and no installment could be made.

 Activate different organizations to counter the assault.

This case stresses numerous web clients in light of the fact that digital hoodlums show their mastery in hacking. Thus, Kaseya distributed on its site that it was researching this digital assault. Likewise, the UK's National Cyber ​​Security Center is focused on attempting to comprehend the effect of the assault.

"Ransomware is a becoming worldwide digital danger and all organizations need to make a quick move to relieve the danger and heed our guidance on the best way to go to solid guarded lengths to secure their organizations.”

 And All Other Service:-

1.       Online shopping portal

2.      Online shopping

3.      Online shopping seiten

 More Information: - https://iswex.shop/en/

[spellcastersjudgement]

Jaden nd bastion for that domestic ask thing? >:3c

THE OTP YES i have so many feelings and everyone needs to hear me sob over the nerd baby and his superhero 

also that icon is the content i look for on this hellsite well done 

who is the big spoon/little spoon Jaden is the little spoon!! he prefers being the big spoon tbh he likes curling up against bastions fuckin ripped back but jaden always falls asleep first because he has to get this twelve hours or else he will be a grumpy boy but bastion?? bastion stays up all night drinking coffee and doing god knows what bc he’s the type of guy thats like ‘hey jaden im gonna go read a bit before i got to bed’ and then he fuckin stays up all night because he has no self control lmao so when it’s like 3am and he’s finally put down his book or finished dicking around on the computer he finally gets in bed and he doesnt want to wake up his husband (yes theyre married in my mind ok im love them) so he just lays down and pulls the human kuriboh to his chest and falls asleep 

what is their favorite non-sexual activity the standard answer is Card Games but besides dool masters they like to go on drives and look at stars and talk abt whatever. bastion is a chemical engineer and jaden’s his professional duelist trophy husband so they dont get to be together as much as they want bc jaden’s tournament schedule so when they’re together they gotta make it count u know so bastion will pick jaden up from the airport and they’ll just start driving out of the city talking about DM or what bastion’s been up to or whatever’s going through jaden’s mind (an enigma lmao) and then when there are no more streetlights to make it difficult to see the stars they’ll pull over and lay on the hood and cuddle and keep talking. it’s like 4am before they finally go home and since they’re going to sleep at the same time jaden finally gets his chance to be the big spoon 

who uses all the hot water in the morning getting jaden to shower is a fucking struggle he’s like a cat. living in the slifer dorm made him accustomed to being a generally gross person in general so he lives off dry shampoo and body spray so he doesn’t smell like hassleberry after a workout so that leaves bastion to take all of the water because he showers every morning after his run and insists on h is hair being perfect and well taken care of. like the guy has at least five different hair care products in the shower at all times while jaden, even though he’s dumb thick rich, buys that 3-in-1 crap he and syrus used to make stretch for a month back in college. jaden is also known to stick his kuriboh hair under the sink and shake it out like a dog because he is a gross boy that usually gets up about ten minutes before he has to leave so there’s no time for an actual shower and we’ve gotten away from the actual question but the tldr is bastion stands under the hot water he’s got one of those mirrors to shave in the shower while he’s doing his deep conditioning treatment and has a pore strip on his nose for beautiful ™ skin 

what they order from take out this one ties in a lot to my sageshipping BrOTP headcanons (on god there needs to be a brotp ask so i can scream to the world my love for bastion/alexis friendship) but the bit of background is that bastion and alexis would always order from this indian place that was open real late at night when they were in grad school together (no delivery at duel academy cause its an island u know) so it has a special place in his heart. jaden is a wimp when it comes to spice but since bastion loves it they order it anyway and the people that deliver the food know to make it wimpy baby spicy for jaden so he doesn’t end up sweating half his body weight up and crapping out lava four hours later 

what is the most trivial thing they fight over oh god they dont fight a lot because they love and appreciate each other’s eccentricities but if they’re going to fight its going to be over who’s doing the driving. they both love cars, bastion likes taking it apart and modifying them and whatnot and jaden likes the aesthetique (though his aesthetique is painting flames on a corolla jaden u lil shit smh) and they both like to go fast so when they go out they bitch abt who gets to drive. bastion tells jaden he doesnt appreciate the feel of the machine and jaden says bastion drives like a fucking old man so they end up settling the matter with rousing game of rock paper scissors 

who does most of the cleaning NEITHER OH MY GOD theyre both total slobs. bastion’s desk and home office is covered in his notebooks and duel monster cards, his walls covered with god knows what (formulas, dates, to-do lists, grocery lists) the guy just grabs the sharpie and starts writing because he’s afraid of forgetting something if he doesnt get it down right then. jaden lives in filth he has three day old bowls of cereal at his desk and uses used napkins as tissues he is certifiably NASTY. anyway they hire a housekeeper to make sure the entire house doesnt fall into disarray and she’s like their surrogate mother making sure they eat more than takeout and coffee and making sure the house smells nice. they call her Mama Cheryl (good middle aged mom name) and she’s the embarrassing mom at jadens local tournaments the kind that prints out huge pictures of his face and wears shirts with Neos on them and cheers for her boy v loudly. again we’re away from the question but i have a lot of headcanons abt this i’ll probs put in my dissertation lol 

what has a season pass in their DVR hmmm this is an interesting one…i like to think jaden loves crime shows because they’re heroes and he likes watching the good guys ™ win in the end. his favorite show is psych (which u all should watch its hilarious) but since that ended a while ago he’s been in to criminal minds and SVU because he likes watching the really diabolical criminals get caught. bastion never knew his mans was into such dark stuff until he opened the season pass thingy and got quite the heart attack because he thought jaden was all butterflies and flowers and funny stuff but bastion had to learn the duality of man the hard way. bastion doesn’t watch television that much but his guilty pleasure is vikings on the history channel and stuff on the discovery channel because he loves learning what a nerd 

who controls the netflix queue jaden is the one that likes to watch netflix the most but i wouldnt say he’s in control per se. they’re usually down for watching what each other likes but in the end jaden will sometimes end up superseding bastion because dammit bas we are not watching a documentary about the dead sea scrolls you dont even believe in god and bastions like fine youre cute we can watch Castle (even though thats not on netflix but i wish it were) 

who calls up the super/landlord when the heat’s not working jaden. jaden all the way. bastion brings up a a wikihow article about how to fix the hvac system and he’s like I CAN FIX THIS and jadens like ily babe but you work with chemicals not with this kind of thing ur gonna break it like the time u tried to fix the sink and fuckin clogged the shit out of it we are calling Cheryl and Cheryl’s like jaden im a housekeeper call someone who actually does this for a living. anyway while theyre waiting for the professionals to get there bastion tries to demonstrate he knows what he’s doing he is smort by writing the steps and shit on the wall and jadens like youre so cute but no dont touch the heating system. he has to distract his lil nerd by asking him about what deck he should use for his next tournament or what the probability of drawing three polymerizations on the first turn is and bastion loves talking about math so jaden keeps asking questions until the system is fixed (he doesnt remember much of bastions mathematical explanations but bastion looks so cute with his eyes all bright and shiny talking about statistics) 

who leaves their stuff around BOTH they are slobs. jadens a bit worse if we’re being honest because while bastion leaves his papers and cards around schmaden schmuki leaves his underwear and food and cups in the living room and is prone to stripping off his clothes for one reason or another and just laying on the couch watching ESPN with his goddamn pants on the floor and saying they were constricting his knees or some shit when bastion asks why he feels the need to be half naked all the time. bastion had his own room in college so he doesnt quite understand why jadens comfortable just answering the door with a trail of clothing behind him because most people that dont know him assume he’s been getting bizzay but nah he just be Like That

who remembers to buy the milk jaden do because he drinks milk in his coffee. bastion drinks it black so if theres no milk its like eh whatever but jaden is a mess without his caffeine and he hates how bitter and gross it is when theres no milk in it so even if jaden’s not the one going to the grocery store he’ll write it on the wall so bastion will remember it because his mans dont check his texts that often but anything on that wall he fuckin remembers and jaden doesnt understand why he be Like That 

who remembers anniversaries both! they are dumb thick in love with each other and they like to plan little things to do for the anniversary of their first date, when they made it official, their wedding, etc. jaden is much more extravagant and will do something like jump on the bed until bastion wakes up and then drag him out for breakfast and get atticus to sing a really off-key renditions of classic love songs and bastion blushes so hard and its so cute it should be criminal lmao. bastion will get jaden a cute little gift like one of those pictures where the artist takes a photo and paints it so they can hang it on their wall. or bastion will fine tune his duel disk or get him a new card for his deck. they are in big gay love and i love them so much 

thanks for this ask on god i just wrote 1800 words of tutorship feels i have a problem lol 

[johnboothus]

Next Round: Sarah Jessica Parker Navigates Wine Entrepreneurship

On this episode of “Next Round,” host Adam Teeter chats with television icon and now-wine producer Sarah Jessica Parker. The two discuss all things Invivo x SJP. Listeners will learn how Parker entered the wine industry, specifically with her partnership with Invivo. Also, Parker details her budding experience with wine before she started producing her own.

In addition, Parker explains how her partnership with Invivo is so fulfilling. Listeners will learn why Parker is involved throughout the entire process of producing wine, which calls back to her television days. Finally, Parker shares an update on the revival of “Sex and the City.”

Listen Online

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Listen on Spotify

Or Check out the Conversation Here

Adam Teeter: From VinePair’s New York City headquarters, I’m Adam Teeter, and today we are talking with Sarah Jessica Parker. Sarah Jessica, thank you so much for joining me.

Sarah Jessica Parker: Thank you, Adam! Thank you for having me.

A: It’s really exciting to have you on the podcast and to have someone who has recently released a wine. Your wines have been in the market for two years, now?

SJP: I think it has, yes. I’m sure I’m not alone in saying that I’ve lost time a bit. Sincerely, I have. I’m not able to point to an event and tell you exactly what month it happened anymore, but I would think two years sounds about right and wouldn’t be controversial.

A: That’s perfect. SJP launched two years ago. Can you talk to me a little bit about the project, how it came to be and how you got involved?

SJP: Sure. About three years ago, I got a phone call from my agent sharing with me that there were two gentlemen in New Zealand who were curious about collaborating on a wine with me. I was as mystified as you probably are and couldn’t understand why anybody would want to work with me on something that is so seemingly complicated and is such a serious business. Yet, I was curious and got on the phone with them and they obviously enlightened me and elaborated on their inquiry. I was really intrigued. It turned out wonderfully, coincidentally, that we were already consumers of their brand. We have a home in Ireland, and our grocery store Supervalu, is where we purchase our wines, and we have been buying Invivo Wines for probably as long as they’ve been in business. We’re not just buying them in duress, but choosing to go back time and time again to our local Supervalu and purchase Invivo Wines because we really like them. We had this very exciting phone call. I still nonetheless was confounded. They came to New York, we met, we sat down, we started tasting wine. I shared with them my hesitance, which was based solely on just feeling ill-equipped and not knowledgeable about a business that’s real. For many people, generations of families are involved. I think the most important thing for me about any new business venture in which I feel ill-equipped is finding out how much someone’s willing to let me learn and how involved they’ll let me be. Will they be willing to share their information, talent, and experience, so that I can be more of a worthy partner? They have and they continue to. It’s just been such a wonderful, surprising, exciting, joyful experience. I’m incredibly fond of Tim and Rob and first of all, they are swell guys, but they’re also very good at what they do. I respect them professionally and personally. It’s been an absolutely lovely experience.

A: Awesome. Now, that we know a little about how the brand started, I want to take a step back and talk for a bit about why you chose this venture in the first place. Prior to doing this project with them, I know you were a wine drinker. What wines were you drinking? Do you have any memories of wines in the past or wine experiences that you’d had prior to the project?

SJP: Yes. I started drinking wine probably later than many. I didn’t really understand it. I felt I didn’t know enough to even order it at a restaurant.

A: I think everyone feels that way.

SJP: I got very embarrassed. I would rely on one person who we all assumed had all the information. That would dictate what we were drinking. I always stood at aisles in wine stores. Absolutely stock-still, never knowing what to do. I was seduced by labels and I couldn’t go back to the wine merchant and say to him or her, “I’m sorry, can you help me? I’m looking for what I think maybe this is and we’re going to eat this.” I came to it late, but because I’ve had the privilege of traveling so much for work, at the end of so many days when you’re traveling, especially to countries outside of our own, in my case, they eventually involve dinners and drinks. The more I traveled and the more I was reliant upon local servers in European capital cities, smaller towns, communities, and villages, the more I learned about wine and the more I loved it. I grew to love it because I was experiencing it more often than not. Local wine, table wine, understanding what wine meant in a more whole way. It became something that I really love, which my husband and I loved. When we traveled for pleasure, we would always try to get information from whatever restaurant we were eating out at. What wines were they excited about? What were the great local wines? We were constantly trying to peel labels off bottles and come home and find them in this country. Obviously in this country, we have incredible wines and we have super-knowledgeable servers who love sharing their affection for wine. I think we felt more comfortable. We also were more comfortable with the pure pleasure of enjoyment and not worrying so much about being knowledgeable or an authority. As I said, traveling, a huge part of that experience is culture, but also food and wine.

A: When you were drinking wine, for the most part, was it always with food?

SJP: Yeah, it took me a long time to think of wine as something that can stand on its own. If I saw someone having a glass of wine at 4 in the afternoon, that just baffled me. How did you arrive at that? What was the process? There was no cheese next to you. There’s no oyster. There is no carved meat. Now here I am, 4 o’clock, having a glass of wine. I totally get it.

A: Very cool. When Tim and Rob approached you and you started thinking about it, what was the process of creating the first wines? The first one I know was a Sauvignon Blanc, correct? Were you a big Sauvignon Blanc drinker at the time and were you a big New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc drinker?

SJP: OK, so here’s the thing. I was not and I’ve been very candid about this, and I’ll tell you why. And maybe this is typical of an American consumer who isn’t educated. Chardonnay always seemed easy and understandable to me. It made sense. It didn’t challenge me. Upon a sip, I could understand it. It told me who it was and what it was. Of course, I didn’t know anything about Sauvignon Blanc. I’m probably all wrong and prepared for lots of comments from people who were like, “She’s an idiot.” Sauvignon Blanc seemed more complicated. It seemed like it could be more things. It could have more elasticity. It didn’t sit with certain rigid boundaries around it. Even though I suspected that it would be more right for what I was ordering, I panicked about it.

There is one person I know who always ordered Sauvignon Blanc, and I was so grateful to be in his company because he did it with such ease and he knew about it. When I had it and he ordered it, I liked it, but it intimidated me. I also knew that New Zealand is producing — especially the Marlborough region — some of the best Sauvignon Blanc in the world. I was drawn to it, but I didn’t know where to begin. That was one of the things that terrified me most about this collaboration, is that I felt so undeserving of this endeavor and exercise. Among the many wonderful things that have come of it is I’ve learned about the glory of Sauvignon Blanc and what it can be and how hospitable it is to ideas. It doesn’t have to be high and pointy. It doesn’t have to be thin. It can be more full-figured. How do you honor what is called a Sauvignon Blanc and those grapes and still make it your own? That’s what we were able to do in the blending process, which was incredible. It was terrifying at first. Then, it was a eureka moment. I asked, how much can I push this? How much flexibility do we have? I don’t want to destroy the institution. And we arrived at something that was really exciting to Rob, who’s the winemaker at Invivo. He is an incredibly talented person who also was willing to push back and stand by the things that were important to him, which is also what you want in a partnership. He was so excited about the blend. We did the blending in New York. He went back to New Zealand and did what they do there. They did some unconventional things, which they don’t typically do with a Sauvignon Blanc. Then, the bottle arrived and I was so nervous to open it and taste it because I had a feeling that things can change, right? Things can change in the process and then it’s on the airplane and then it’s traveling and then there’s temperature and then there’s a bottle and then there’s the glass and then there’s sunlight. Would it still be that magical experience, that liquid gold that we felt we had arrived at? I didn’t want to open it because I didn’t want to be disappointed. I can’t even tell you how exciting I was when I chilled it and then opened it. I was actually all by myself. There was a little bit of heaven that came out of that bottle.

A: That’s very cool. It’s interesting to hear share your point about Chardonnay, that it felt more accessible to you at the time, because I think now that’s become Sauvignon Blanc for so many drinkers. It is the white wine that everyone feels comfortable with in orders. I’m curious, you talked a little bit about the blending process. There are lots of people who put their name on products, but what’s interesting is you’ve really gotten involved. I’d like to talk about that a bit. Was that really important to you from the beginning? Besides the blending, how else have you been involved in the creation of the wine?

SJP: I have a fundamental approach to any professional practice or initiative endeavor. I don’t know how to not be involved. It’s just the way that I work, I feel honor-bound by the opportunity and the process. I don’t feel entirely principled about putting my name on something in a casual way. For better or worse, I have to be held accountable. Not only that, I’m much more comfortable and capable of talking about a project when I’ve actually been involved. When I understand what it is to blend grapes and try to arrive at something and play by the rules and understand the rules and when can I bend the rules? That’s been the way I’ve worked as a producer. It’s been the way I worked in fragrance. It’s been the way I worked in my shoe business. I’m just better for being in the conversation down to what I call splitting the atom. Tim and Rob said they wanted that from me. I don’t know what they really expected.

A: Or knew what they were going to get.

SJP: Yeah, correct. But we’re better partners. I’m better with more information than less. I can talk to you about an experience, I can share genuine enthusiasm versus a mercenary approach. For example, I’ll do this, then I’ll talk about it, and then perhaps I’ll make money. I don’t feel that’s the best way for me to work. I’m always involved. I’m involved in all the marketing ideas. I’m involved in the label. I’m involved in the color of the paint. That’s my actual finger on the label.

A: Oh, cool.

SJP: I’m involved in all of it because I have a relationship with anybody who pays any attention to me and they’ve been good enough to invite me into their home for a lot of years. I want to take that relationship seriously. I don’t want to trade on their graciousness, kindness, and the hospitality they’ve shown me for a lot of years. It’s just the way I function. By the way, it doesn’t make all of it easy because that means I’m involved and that means lots of conversations, emails, phone calls, Zoom calls, looking at images, making notes, going back and forth, and making adjustments. Yet, I’m better for it.

A: Very cool. So the Sauvignon Blanc has been out for two years. I know now there’s a rosé, which I want to talk about as well. Was the plan always to expand the line beyond the Sauvignon Blanc?

SJP: In the best possible world, we would have the opportunity. We didn’t know how the 2019 would be received, especially because we were going a little bit rogue, not just arbitrarily so but trying to create something we really loved. I think our intentions were to have a business that grew and continue to offer exciting liquid from a bottle that you felt proud of and wanted to drink ourselves. I think after that 2019 was received well, and also the customer really loved it, we felt more emboldened to do this 2020. But definitely felt more confident in pursuing the rosé. It was really important to Tim and Rob. They’re businessmen and they’re looking at a business that needs to grow. You can’t just hang your hat on one and the grapes are gone. You’ve got to start over again. I think we wanted to, but you don’t know what reception you’re going to get. You can’t count on maturing, but we certainly wanted to and it’s been fantastic.

A: Were you a big rosé drinker before launching the rosé?

SJP: Yes, much more so than I had been a Sauvignon Blanc drinker.

A: Interesting. Because of that, did you have a clear picture in your mind of the type of rosé you wanted because you had been more of a rosé drinker? What was that if you did?

SJP: Yes. As I’ve described, Sauvignon Blanc offered a certain specific terror. Rosé offered a different terror, only because I did know it. We’ve all had great rosés and we’ve all had rosés that disappoint us or actually feel like they’re hostile toward us. I knew that and wanted to make sure I did it right. With my friends, I don’t know about your friends, but they drink rosé all summer. They’re waiting for that moment.

A: I feel like people who love it drink it almost year-long at this point.

SJP: Yes, exactly. I wanted to create something that obviously satisfied that seasonal feeling, but I also wanted it to be a rosé that you could drink anywhere at any time and recreate those feelings. Once again, we wanted to make it in Provence because of that history and because of the knowledge of those particular vineyards, people who have them run them, and the generations of families that have done it. That’s where we started. Once again, this is going to sound familiar, but I wanted a rosé that wasn’t too cloying, but wasn’t better than me — you know, sometimes a rosé is so tight.

A: I know exactly what you’re talking about.

SJP: It’s almost like it’s superior to the drinker. I wanted sophistication and complexity, but I didn’t want it to push me away. Does that make sense?

A: Totally makes sense, 100 percent.

SJP: And I feel we did it.

A: So was that blending also done in New York?

SJP: That one was hard because it was the dead of winter in the middle of a snowstorm. I have to say that I haven’t yet been able to travel to Tim and Rob in New Zealand. Obviously, that’s something I’m desperate to do but when they come, not only do they bring these vials of grapes, but they also have stories of every single vineyard, and you become very wrapped up in every family’s story or every vineyard story. It becomes very painful to not end up with a blend from a vineyard whose story is very compelling, exciting, heartbreaking, and triumphant. As I’m picking, I say, “Oh, no, we didn’t pick that guy, but he’s the guy that did this and that.” That’s also a big part of it, the storytelling and the history of where these grapes are coming from.

A: Now that the brand’s been in the market for two years, where would you like to see the brand go? Sometimes I talk to people who come into wine from other industries and they want their George Clooney moment, let’s call it, where other people want to have it in their family for generations. This is what they’re going to give to their kids. Have you thought about that?

SJP: Well, fortunately, I don’t because it’s within the house of Invivo, which is Tim and Rob, and this exciting, growing business of theirs. Personally, I really love where we are and the business that I get to be part of. I know they’re growing, and I can imagine that they’re becoming people that are interesting to other larger houses. However, I would like to be able to work the way we work and not think about our valuation in the world, more so what are we offering customers? How do we stay involved the way we like to be involved? How does it stay intimate and personal? Obviously, we want the wine to be a success financially because they’ve put so much of their lives into it and they’ve done it all on their own, which is deeply impressive and very moving. But I think personal experiences are often just as important. Perhaps that might have something to do with our success. I think people know that this is personal and we care a great deal about every wine drinker’s experience. I would like it if we can grow within the home that it occupies.

A: It’s important for me to point out that the reason you’re saying these things, which I should have asked earlier, you are on the board at Invivo, part of your involvement is actually part of the entire company. I think that makes a lot more sense to listeners to understand why you’d like to see the entire company grow, which is really awesome. I do have one last question that my staff will kill me if I don’t ask, is that everyone’s very excited about the announcement of “Sex and the City” coming back. Will any of your wines make an appearance?

SJP: Listen, Adam, this is such a weird world for me because I’ve never been good at trading on that relationship. I don’t know that I exist in Carrie Bradshaw’s world. Like literally, I don’t think I exist. I just feel like you cross lines when you do that. The minute I think you start cross-promoting, there’s something that feels ugly to me. It feels like I’m exploiting something that’s really important to people. As much as I would like to feature Invivo wines on the set and background — that may not be in my apartment, but in Charlotte’s or Miranda’s — I just feel like it’s unethical, so probably not. I’m sure Rob and Tim hate hearing that, but I feel like viewers will feel exploited, taken advantage of in some way. I have to be more principled about it. Does that make sense?

A: Totally makes sense. And I love the answer. Actually, I think it makes a ton of sense. It’s why so many of us love you. Thank you so much. This has been a really interesting conversation.

SJP: Next time longer, I hope.

A: Yes, for sure. You can find the wines nationally, right?

SJP: That’s right. And I don’t know if anyone may or may not be on Instagram, they can go to @invivoxsjp. The really amazing thing that Tim and Rob have done on social media is if you go to @invivoxsjp on Instagram, there is a system of going to our website and typing in your zip code and you can find your local wine merchants. You can find restaurants that are serving the wine and lots of ways to get your hands on it.

A: Amazing. Well, thank you so much again for taking the time to chat with me. I really appreciate it.

SJP: Thank you, Adam. It was really lovely talking to you!

Thanks so much for listening to the VinePair podcast. If you love this show as much as we love making it, then please leave us a rating or review on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever it is you get your podcasts. It really helps everyone else discover the show.

Now for the credits, VinePair is produced and recorded in New York City and in Seattle, Wash., by myself and Zach Geballe, who does all the editing and loves to get the credit. Also, I would love to give a special shout-out to my VinePair co-founder, Josh Malin, for helping make all this possible, and also to Keith Beavers, VinePair tasting director, who is additionally a producer on the show. I also want to, of course, thank every other member of the VinePair team who is instrumental in all of the ideas that go into making the show every week. Thanks so much for listening and we’ll see you again.

Ed. note: This episode has been edited for length and clarity.

The article Next Round: Sarah Jessica Parker Navigates Wine Entrepreneurship appeared first on VinePair.

Via https://vinepair.com/articles/next-round-sarah-jessica-parker/

source https://vinology1.weebly.com/blog/next-round-sarah-jessica-parker-navigates-wine-entrepreneurship

[wineanddinosaur]

Next Round: Sarah Jessica Parker Navigates Wine Entrepreneurship

On this episode of “Next Round,” host Adam Teeter chats with television icon and now-wine producer Sarah Jessica Parker. The two discuss all things Invivo x SJP. Listeners will learn how Parker entered the wine industry, specifically with her partnership with Invivo. Also, Parker details her budding experience with wine before she started producing her own.

In addition, Parker explains how her partnership with Invivo is so fulfilling. Listeners will learn why Parker is involved throughout the entire process of producing wine, which calls back to her television days. Finally, Parker shares an update on the revival of “Sex and the City.”

Listen Online

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Listen on Spotify

Or Check out the Conversation Here

Adam Teeter: From VinePair’s New York City headquarters, I’m Adam Teeter, and today we are talking with Sarah Jessica Parker. Sarah Jessica, thank you so much for joining me.

Sarah Jessica Parker: Thank you, Adam! Thank you for having me.

A: It’s really exciting to have you on the podcast and to have someone who has recently released a wine. Your wines have been in the market for two years, now?

SJP: I think it has, yes. I’m sure I’m not alone in saying that I’ve lost time a bit. Sincerely, I have. I’m not able to point to an event and tell you exactly what month it happened anymore, but I would think two years sounds about right and wouldn’t be controversial.

A: That’s perfect. SJP launched two years ago. Can you talk to me a little bit about the project, how it came to be and how you got involved?

SJP: Sure. About three years ago, I got a phone call from my agent sharing with me that there were two gentlemen in New Zealand who were curious about collaborating on a wine with me. I was as mystified as you probably are and couldn’t understand why anybody would want to work with me on something that is so seemingly complicated and is such a serious business. Yet, I was curious and got on the phone with them and they obviously enlightened me and elaborated on their inquiry. I was really intrigued. It turned out wonderfully, coincidentally, that we were already consumers of their brand. We have a home in Ireland, and our grocery store Supervalu, is where we purchase our wines, and we have been buying Invivo Wines for probably as long as they’ve been in business. We’re not just buying them in duress, but choosing to go back time and time again to our local Supervalu and purchase Invivo Wines because we really like them. We had this very exciting phone call. I still nonetheless was confounded. They came to New York, we met, we sat down, we started tasting wine. I shared with them my hesitance, which was based solely on just feeling ill-equipped and not knowledgeable about a business that’s real. For many people, generations of families are involved. I think the most important thing for me about any new business venture in which I feel ill-equipped is finding out how much someone’s willing to let me learn and how involved they’ll let me be. Will they be willing to share their information, talent, and experience, so that I can be more of a worthy partner? They have and they continue to. It’s just been such a wonderful, surprising, exciting, joyful experience. I’m incredibly fond of Tim and Rob and first of all, they are swell guys, but they’re also very good at what they do. I respect them professionally and personally. It’s been an absolutely lovely experience.

A: Awesome. Now, that we know a little about how the brand started, I want to take a step back and talk for a bit about why you chose this venture in the first place. Prior to doing this project with them, I know you were a wine drinker. What wines were you drinking? Do you have any memories of wines in the past or wine experiences that you’d had prior to the project?

SJP: Yes. I started drinking wine probably later than many. I didn’t really understand it. I felt I didn’t know enough to even order it at a restaurant.

A: I think everyone feels that way.

SJP: I got very embarrassed. I would rely on one person who we all assumed had all the information. That would dictate what we were drinking. I always stood at aisles in wine stores. Absolutely stock-still, never knowing what to do. I was seduced by labels and I couldn’t go back to the wine merchant and say to him or her, “I’m sorry, can you help me? I’m looking for what I think maybe this is and we’re going to eat this.” I came to it late, but because I’ve had the privilege of traveling so much for work, at the end of so many days when you’re traveling, especially to countries outside of our own, in my case, they eventually involve dinners and drinks. The more I traveled and the more I was reliant upon local servers in European capital cities, smaller towns, communities, and villages, the more I learned about wine and the more I loved it. I grew to love it because I was experiencing it more often than not. Local wine, table wine, understanding what wine meant in a more whole way. It became something that I really love, which my husband and I loved. When we traveled for pleasure, we would always try to get information from whatever restaurant we were eating out at. What wines were they excited about? What were the great local wines? We were constantly trying to peel labels off bottles and come home and find them in this country. Obviously in this country, we have incredible wines and we have super-knowledgeable servers who love sharing their affection for wine. I think we felt more comfortable. We also were more comfortable with the pure pleasure of enjoyment and not worrying so much about being knowledgeable or an authority. As I said, traveling, a huge part of that experience is culture, but also food and wine.

A: When you were drinking wine, for the most part, was it always with food?

SJP: Yeah, it took me a long time to think of wine as something that can stand on its own. If I saw someone having a glass of wine at 4 in the afternoon, that just baffled me. How did you arrive at that? What was the process? There was no cheese next to you. There’s no oyster. There is no carved meat. Now here I am, 4 o’clock, having a glass of wine. I totally get it.

A: Very cool. When Tim and Rob approached you and you started thinking about it, what was the process of creating the first wines? The first one I know was a Sauvignon Blanc, correct? Were you a big Sauvignon Blanc drinker at the time and were you a big New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc drinker?

SJP: OK, so here’s the thing. I was not and I’ve been very candid about this, and I’ll tell you why. And maybe this is typical of an American consumer who isn’t educated. Chardonnay always seemed easy and understandable to me. It made sense. It didn’t challenge me. Upon a sip, I could understand it. It told me who it was and what it was. Of course, I didn’t know anything about Sauvignon Blanc. I’m probably all wrong and prepared for lots of comments from people who were like, “She’s an idiot.” Sauvignon Blanc seemed more complicated. It seemed like it could be more things. It could have more elasticity. It didn’t sit with certain rigid boundaries around it. Even though I suspected that it would be more right for what I was ordering, I panicked about it.

There is one person I know who always ordered Sauvignon Blanc, and I was so grateful to be in his company because he did it with such ease and he knew about it. When I had it and he ordered it, I liked it, but it intimidated me. I also knew that New Zealand is producing — especially the Marlborough region — some of the best Sauvignon Blanc in the world. I was drawn to it, but I didn’t know where to begin. That was one of the things that terrified me most about this collaboration, is that I felt so undeserving of this endeavor and exercise. Among the many wonderful things that have come of it is I’ve learned about the glory of Sauvignon Blanc and what it can be and how hospitable it is to ideas. It doesn’t have to be high and pointy. It doesn’t have to be thin. It can be more full-figured. How do you honor what is called a Sauvignon Blanc and those grapes and still make it your own? That’s what we were able to do in the blending process, which was incredible. It was terrifying at first. Then, it was a eureka moment. I asked, how much can I push this? How much flexibility do we have? I don’t want to destroy the institution. And we arrived at something that was really exciting to Rob, who’s the winemaker at Invivo. He is an incredibly talented person who also was willing to push back and stand by the things that were important to him, which is also what you want in a partnership. He was so excited about the blend. We did the blending in New York. He went back to New Zealand and did what they do there. They did some unconventional things, which they don’t typically do with a Sauvignon Blanc. Then, the bottle arrived and I was so nervous to open it and taste it because I had a feeling that things can change, right? Things can change in the process and then it’s on the airplane and then it’s traveling and then there’s temperature and then there’s a bottle and then there’s the glass and then there’s sunlight. Would it still be that magical experience, that liquid gold that we felt we had arrived at? I didn’t want to open it because I didn’t want to be disappointed. I can’t even tell you how exciting I was when I chilled it and then opened it. I was actually all by myself. There was a little bit of heaven that came out of that bottle.

A: That’s very cool. It’s interesting to hear share your point about Chardonnay, that it felt more accessible to you at the time, because I think now that’s become Sauvignon Blanc for so many drinkers. It is the white wine that everyone feels comfortable with in orders. I’m curious, you talked a little bit about the blending process. There are lots of people who put their name on products, but what’s interesting is you’ve really gotten involved. I’d like to talk about that a bit. Was that really important to you from the beginning? Besides the blending, how else have you been involved in the creation of the wine?

SJP: I have a fundamental approach to any professional practice or initiative endeavor. I don’t know how to not be involved. It’s just the way that I work, I feel honor-bound by the opportunity and the process. I don’t feel entirely principled about putting my name on something in a casual way. For better or worse, I have to be held accountable. Not only that, I’m much more comfortable and capable of talking about a project when I’ve actually been involved. When I understand what it is to blend grapes and try to arrive at something and play by the rules and understand the rules and when can I bend the rules? That’s been the way I’ve worked as a producer. It’s been the way I worked in fragrance. It’s been the way I worked in my shoe business. I’m just better for being in the conversation down to what I call splitting the atom. Tim and Rob said they wanted that from me. I don’t know what they really expected.

A: Or knew what they were going to get.

SJP: Yeah, correct. But we’re better partners. I’m better with more information than less. I can talk to you about an experience, I can share genuine enthusiasm versus a mercenary approach. For example, I’ll do this, then I’ll talk about it, and then perhaps I’ll make money. I don’t feel that’s the best way for me to work. I’m always involved. I’m involved in all the marketing ideas. I’m involved in the label. I’m involved in the color of the paint. That’s my actual finger on the label.

A: Oh, cool.

SJP: I’m involved in all of it because I have a relationship with anybody who pays any attention to me and they’ve been good enough to invite me into their home for a lot of years. I want to take that relationship seriously. I don’t want to trade on their graciousness, kindness, and the hospitality they’ve shown me for a lot of years. It’s just the way I function. By the way, it doesn’t make all of it easy because that means I’m involved and that means lots of conversations, emails, phone calls, Zoom calls, looking at images, making notes, going back and forth, and making adjustments. Yet, I’m better for it.

A: Very cool. So the Sauvignon Blanc has been out for two years. I know now there’s a rosé, which I want to talk about as well. Was the plan always to expand the line beyond the Sauvignon Blanc?

SJP: In the best possible world, we would have the opportunity. We didn’t know how the 2019 would be received, especially because we were going a little bit rogue, not just arbitrarily so but trying to create something we really loved. I think our intentions were to have a business that grew and continue to offer exciting liquid from a bottle that you felt proud of and wanted to drink ourselves. I think after that 2019 was received well, and also the customer really loved it, we felt more emboldened to do this 2020. But definitely felt more confident in pursuing the rosé. It was really important to Tim and Rob. They’re businessmen and they’re looking at a business that needs to grow. You can’t just hang your hat on one and the grapes are gone. You’ve got to start over again. I think we wanted to, but you don’t know what reception you’re going to get. You can’t count on maturing, but we certainly wanted to and it’s been fantastic.

A: Were you a big rosé drinker before launching the rosé?

SJP: Yes, much more so than I had been a Sauvignon Blanc drinker.

A: Interesting. Because of that, did you have a clear picture in your mind of the type of rosé you wanted because you had been more of a rosé drinker? What was that if you did?

SJP: Yes. As I’ve described, Sauvignon Blanc offered a certain specific terror. Rosé offered a different terror, only because I did know it. We’ve all had great rosés and we’ve all had rosés that disappoint us or actually feel like they’re hostile toward us. I knew that and wanted to make sure I did it right. With my friends, I don’t know about your friends, but they drink rosé all summer. They’re waiting for that moment.

A: I feel like people who love it drink it almost year-long at this point.

SJP: Yes, exactly. I wanted to create something that obviously satisfied that seasonal feeling, but I also wanted it to be a rosé that you could drink anywhere at any time and recreate those feelings. Once again, we wanted to make it in Provence because of that history and because of the knowledge of those particular vineyards, people who have them run them, and the generations of families that have done it. That’s where we started. Once again, this is going to sound familiar, but I wanted a rosé that wasn’t too cloying, but wasn’t better than me — you know, sometimes a rosé is so tight.

A: I know exactly what you’re talking about.

SJP: It’s almost like it’s superior to the drinker. I wanted sophistication and complexity, but I didn’t want it to push me away. Does that make sense?

A: Totally makes sense, 100 percent.

SJP: And I feel we did it.

A: So was that blending also done in New York?

SJP: That one was hard because it was the dead of winter in the middle of a snowstorm. I have to say that I haven’t yet been able to travel to Tim and Rob in New Zealand. Obviously, that’s something I’m desperate to do but when they come, not only do they bring these vials of grapes, but they also have stories of every single vineyard, and you become very wrapped up in every family’s story or every vineyard story. It becomes very painful to not end up with a blend from a vineyard whose story is very compelling, exciting, heartbreaking, and triumphant. As I’m picking, I say, “Oh, no, we didn’t pick that guy, but he’s the guy that did this and that.” That’s also a big part of it, the storytelling and the history of where these grapes are coming from.

A: Now that the brand’s been in the market for two years, where would you like to see the brand go? Sometimes I talk to people who come into wine from other industries and they want their George Clooney moment, let’s call it, where other people want to have it in their family for generations. This is what they’re going to give to their kids. Have you thought about that?

SJP: Well, fortunately, I don’t because it’s within the house of Invivo, which is Tim and Rob, and this exciting, growing business of theirs. Personally, I really love where we are and the business that I get to be part of. I know they’re growing, and I can imagine that they’re becoming people that are interesting to other larger houses. However, I would like to be able to work the way we work and not think about our valuation in the world, more so what are we offering customers? How do we stay involved the way we like to be involved? How does it stay intimate and personal? Obviously, we want the wine to be a success financially because they’ve put so much of their lives into it and they’ve done it all on their own, which is deeply impressive and very moving. But I think personal experiences are often just as important. Perhaps that might have something to do with our success. I think people know that this is personal and we care a great deal about every wine drinker’s experience. I would like it if we can grow within the home that it occupies.

A: It’s important for me to point out that the reason you’re saying these things, which I should have asked earlier, you are on the board at Invivo, part of your involvement is actually part of the entire company. I think that makes a lot more sense to listeners to understand why you’d like to see the entire company grow, which is really awesome. I do have one last question that my staff will kill me if I don’t ask, is that everyone’s very excited about the announcement of “Sex and the City” coming back. Will any of your wines make an appearance?

SJP: Listen, Adam, this is such a weird world for me because I’ve never been good at trading on that relationship. I don’t know that I exist in Carrie Bradshaw’s world. Like literally, I don’t think I exist. I just feel like you cross lines when you do that. The minute I think you start cross-promoting, there’s something that feels ugly to me. It feels like I’m exploiting something that’s really important to people. As much as I would like to feature Invivo wines on the set and background — that may not be in my apartment, but in Charlotte’s or Miranda’s — I just feel like it’s unethical, so probably not. I’m sure Rob and Tim hate hearing that, but I feel like viewers will feel exploited, taken advantage of in some way. I have to be more principled about it. Does that make sense?

A: Totally makes sense. And I love the answer. Actually, I think it makes a ton of sense. It’s why so many of us love you. Thank you so much. This has been a really interesting conversation.

SJP: Next time longer, I hope.

A: Yes, for sure. You can find the wines nationally, right?

SJP: That’s right. And I don’t know if anyone may or may not be on Instagram, they can go to @invivoxsjp. The really amazing thing that Tim and Rob have done on social media is if you go to @invivoxsjp on Instagram, there is a system of going to our website and typing in your zip code and you can find your local wine merchants. You can find restaurants that are serving the wine and lots of ways to get your hands on it.

A: Amazing. Well, thank you so much again for taking the time to chat with me. I really appreciate it.

SJP: Thank you, Adam. It was really lovely talking to you!

Thanks so much for listening to the VinePair podcast. If you love this show as much as we love making it, then please leave us a rating or review on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever it is you get your podcasts. It really helps everyone else discover the show.

Now for the credits, VinePair is produced and recorded in New York City and in Seattle, Wash., by myself and Zach Geballe, who does all the editing and loves to get the credit. Also, I would love to give a special shout-out to my VinePair co-founder, Josh Malin, for helping make all this possible, and also to Keith Beavers, VinePair tasting director, who is additionally a producer on the show. I also want to, of course, thank every other member of the VinePair team who is instrumental in all of the ideas that go into making the show every week. Thanks so much for listening and we’ll see you again.

Ed. note: This episode has been edited for length and clarity.

The article Next Round: Sarah Jessica Parker Navigates Wine Entrepreneurship appeared first on VinePair.

source https://vinepair.com/articles/next-round-sarah-jessica-parker/

[theshatteredrose]

The Treasure Seeker: Saga 1 - Chapter 3 (Etrian Odyssey 5 Fanfiction)

AN: Despite the seemingly endless string of headaches and minor annoyances this week, I managed to get this chapter done. I’m wondering if I should post pictures of my characters so that my readers would get a clearer idea of who looks like what. And because the pictures are pretty :D You tell me; it doesn’t bother me either way. Anyway, hope you enjoy reading and do let me know what you think of it so far. Any encouragement will be greatly appreciated~

Wattpad | AO3 | FFNet

~*~*~*~*~*~

Chapter 3:

After a restful night’s sleep, Drayce awoke early in the morning and made his way down stairs. Unsurprisingly, Ashton was already up and had partially made breakfast. Though Ashton was indeed a scholar, he was also quite the caretaker. He honestly had to be as his father’s trusted understudy. Treasure hunters and archaeologists were rather notorious for getting caught up in their work.

Opting for a couple of moon apples to munch on, sat at one end of the dining table and looked over the mission registration form Ramus had issued to him yesterday. The premise of the first mission seemed easy enough; draw a map and grab a soil and sapling sample. Oh, and come back in one piece. An important one.

Though it sounded easy, Drayce knew better than to think it would be a walk in the park. The mission, after all, was pivotal in ensuring that only those who can handle what the labyrinth might offer continue on to become explorers. The council wanted to ensure that rookie adventures knew what they were getting themselves in. And, hopefully, lower the potential deathrate.

Those who fail were better off looking for another career.

Although, Drayce was fairly certain that many would-be explorers wouldn’t give up that easily. He remembered Grampa telling him tales of ‘rouge’ explorers, as he called them. Loners who wouldn’t abide by the rules of anyone. Sometimes not even their own rules.

The guards were in place to guarantee that only registered explorers entered the labyrinth. But they couldn’t be everywhere at once and with the labyrinth so large, it was impossible to know all possible entrances or escape routes. And there was nothing stopping the dumbasses from literally scaling the thing to get inside.

In any case, Drayce was determined to do the right thing; complete the first mission and be registered as an explorer.

He could potentially do whatever he wanted after that.

And it was going to be so much fun.

The sound of a chair scrapping against the floor pulled Drayce from his thoughts and he lifted his head up in time to see Blayke take a seat on the other side of the table directly opposite him.

“So what’s on the agenda today?” he asked as he took a bite out of a simple roll of bread with jam on top.

“Hm. Not completely sure, to be honest,” Drayce replied as he dropped the papers he was reading onto the table in front of him. “I was thinking of visiting the guildmaster and registering, but wouldn’t it be better to find a few members first? At least enough to form a party of five?”

“Sounds reasonable,” Blayke muttered around his breakfast as he cast an idle gaze upon the paper work. “The hard part will be finding the right kind of explorer to join our guild. We can’t just have anyone. You have a royal mission, after all.”

Drayce tapped his chin in thought for a moment. “Very true.”

Ashton dropped himself down onto a chair at the end of the table closest to where Drayce and Blayke were sat. “You might want to keep that hidden initially.”

Drayce arched an eyebrow at the green-haired man. “Are you worried about opportunistic explorers thinking they’ll be on easy street?” he questioned.

“Exactly,” Ashton replied before he launched into a quick explanation. “With you being hired by Prince Ramus himself, others might use you to get to him. Or try to use you to get to the Lost Treasures first.”

That made sense. Finding treasure was easier if you had someone else doing all the hard works instead. Surely, though, other explorers would have their full attention on keeping themselves alive, right? He didn’t want to think badly of other people.

Still, it was best to be safe than sorry.

“A lot of these explorers probably aren’t aware of the legends of the Lost Treasures, but you have a point nonetheless,” Drayce conceded.

Blayke finished off his breakfast before he folded his arms across his chest and leaned back into his chair. “That will make finding the right kind of guildmate harder,” he muttered. “Especially since we’re new to the city as well.”

Well, a challenge was only a challenge if you saw it as one, right? That was what Grandpa used to say a lot.

“Don’t forget your connections,” Ashton suddenly piped up with a knowing smile on his lips. “I know a fellow scholar that might be useful to you. He’s an expert in reading ancient texts. I can introduce you to him, if you like. I’m sure he would be greatly beneficial for when you start looking for the Lost Treasures.”

“Sounds perfect,” Drayce said, perking up a little inside at the thought of meeting and perhaps befriending someone who was as interested in myths and legends as he was.

“He also has a brother who might be able to join your guild,” Ashton added, his smile not wavering for a second. “A warlock, I believe. Quite adapt at Mana Detect.”

“Sounds even better!”

Ashton laughed heartedly for a moment. “I’ll arrange a meeting for you guys later,” he said. “But first, you should visit the market place. A few vendors there are quite knowledgeable in the materials found in the first and second floors. And while you’re there, you can buy some food to stock up the kitchen. Can’t entice potential guildmembers to join your guild with an empty kitchen.”

And one couldn’t go exploring or adventuring on an empty stomach, either.

“Fair enough,” Drayce said as he placed his hands atop of the table and pushed himself to his feet.

Across from him, Blayke did the same. “No coffee, though.”

“Why no coffee?” Drayce asked as he arched a questioning eyebrow.

Blayke levelled him with a very stern and somehow shrewd look. “Because when you start your real research, you tend to forget to sleep and drink gallons of coffee to help with your ‘productiveness’.”

Drayce was, naturally, rather indignant. “What? Dude, I so do not do that.”

Blayke’s expression grew agitated as he stepped away from the table and proceeded to head back upstairs to get ready. “That’s an outright lie. I can’t believe you said with a straight face.”

Drayce followed him, he, too, intent on getting ready. “Ok, rude.”

But as per usual, Blayke ignored him and the two of them got themselves ready for a day out grocery shopping.

… … … … …

Locating and travelling to Iorys’ market district wasn’t at all a difficult process. It was thankfully rather close to the guildhouse, allowing for quick and easy shopping whenever they needed it.

Despite it being soon after breakfast, the district was bustling with open vendors and busy shoppers. Of both locals and explorers, it seemed. A few stores appeared to be that of well established businesses, including blacksmithing facilities, while others were more akin to those of travelling vendors who were free to come and go as they pleased.

The store that caught Drayce’s eye was that of a seemingly newly erected building. An open store front with a blacksmith furnace located at the back. And the apparent owner of the store was a young brounii with quite an eccentric outfit of fine firs, feathers, and jewellery. It was actually the large green emerald he had pinned to his chest that caught Drayce’s eye. Obviously the man knew his jewels.

“Welcome!” the brounii cheerfully greeted as Drayce approached, with Blayke trailing behind him and eyeing their surrounding cautiously. “Ah, you’re a pair of new faces. Come to explore the labyrinth?”

“Planning on it,” Drayce answered honestly. “We just arrived yesterday, though. Still plotting our first trek.” He cocked his hip out to the side and planted his hand on it. “Any advice for us rookies?”

“Only to keep a close eye on your surroundings,” the shopkeeper answered swiftly as a friendly smile spread across his lips. “You never know what hidden treasure you might find!”

“Another one?” Blayke was heard muttering behind Drayce, but he was promptly ignored.

“Ah, a treasure man, huh?” Drayce asked as he felt his own grin grow.

“Well, of course. What Brounii isn’t?” The brounii then let out a peculiar but rather adorable laugh, one that seemed to come easy from him. “Anyway, the name’s Syrik.”

The brounii now known as Syrik threw out his hand for Drayce to shake, to which Drayce promptly did. He was in turn about to introduce himself and Blayke, but was interrupted by Syrik continuing to speak.

“To be honest with you, I only arrived to Iorys a few weeks ago myself,” Syrik explained as he released his surprisingly tight grip on Drayce’s hand. “When I heard that they were re-opening the labyrinth to explorers, I nearly fell over myself in my haste to get here. Being a traveling merchant is fine and all, but it makes perfect sense to set up a store here. The labyrinth just has to be filled with mysterious treasures and rare materials, after all.”

Drayce nodded his head in complete understanding. “Ah, a man after my own heart. I come from a long line of treasure hunters and archaeologists. So I know exactly what you mean.”

Syrik eyes widened before they all but sparkled with excitement. “Then that means…you’ll be able to find rare and high quality materials!” he said as he laughed good-naturedly.

Drayce couldn’t help but laugh as well before an idea struck him. “Tell you what; I’m not greedy. Should I find anything worthwhile, I’ll sell it to you.” He then offered his hand out to Syrik in hopes of sealing the deal. “Well?”

“You’ve got yourself a deal!” Syrik eagerly responded as he shook Drayce’s hand rather enthusiastically. “Looking forward to working with you.”

“You, too,” Drayce replied with a grin before he straightened himself up and tapped his finger against his temple. “I haven’t introduced myself yet, have I? My name is Drayce and this is my partner in crime, Blayke.”

Blayke barely had enough time to utter out a greeting in return before Syrik spoke up. “Nice to meet ya both!”

Syrik was certainly an energetic and enthusiastic shopkeeper, wasn’t he? Drayce was more than certain that they were going to get along just fine.

He was about to ask Syrik what kind of ‘treasures’ he was to expect on the first floor when Blayke grasped him by the shoulder and gave him a little push.

“Come on,” he said with a slight scowl on his face. “The kitchen won’t stock itself.”

“Right right,” Drayce answered passively, mildly wondering why Blayke looked more agitated than usual. “Catch you later, Syrik.”

“Come visit again soon~!”

… … … … …

With their arms filled with shopping bags of their much needed food supplies, Drayce and Blayke made their way back to the Crescentia. They seemed to have gotten everything on the shopping list Ashton gave them and hopefully by the time they return, a meeting with that fellow scholar Ashton had mentioned had been arranged. Or at least in the works.

“I quite like the market place,” Drayce commented cheerfully as they turned a corner and took to a slight incline that led directly to their guildhouse.

“That honestly doesn’t surprise me,” Blayke commented. “That place is filled with stores offering novelty trinkets and shit.” He then unexpectedly nudged Drayce with his shoulder. “And, dude, stop telling everyone you’re a treasure hunter.”

“What’s wrong with it?” Drayce asked as he turned to look at the fencer. “No one knows why I’m here or what treasure I’m looking for. Besides, it’ll be nice to be able to geek out with someone else who likes treasures, too.”

Blayke looked both agitated and defiant for a moment before he sighed and shook his head as a genuine expression of worry appeared on his face. “Look, I’m just worried, ok?” he admitted. “What Ashton said this morning is true. Whether they know why you’re here or not, you might be targeted by other guilds looking to get rich quick.”

Ah, so that was the reason for the scowl. He was taking Ashton’s warning to heart.

“Fine, fine,” Drayce said in a surrendering manner, not wanting to argue with Blayke’s obvious concern for him. “I’ll take your concern and worry into consideration and be more careful, ok?”

Blayke seemed satisfied by that for the time being and they both fell into a comfortable silence.

But as they drew closer to the Crescentia, Drayce noticed a young Therian on the other side of the street. They appear to be that of a male, with hair that appeared to be that of both light purple and light blue, and was wearing pastel clothing that was similar to that of rovers. His ears were that of canine variety and were the same pastel yet vibrant colours as his hair. The white wolf with a stunning blue design upon its forehead also gave the indication that he was indeed classed as a rover.

Aside from his wolf companion and a small bag on his back, he appeared to be alone.

Drayce didn’t realise that he had stopped walking and was all but staring at the kid until Blayke kicked him lightly in the shins. “What are you staring at?” he asked.

“That kid,” Drayce said, not taking his eyes off of the pastel rover. “He doesn’t look right.”

“What do you mean?”

Drayce carefully studied the kid’s movements, his brow furrowing slightly. “He’s shuffling his feet and his arms aren’t swinging by his sides. His head is also down as if he can only concentrate on the path in front of him. His wolf companion is right at his heel, his tail down and slightly between his legs.”

“…And?”

“I think he’s sick,” Drayce said simply as stepped off of the curb and made his way to the other side of the street where the younger rover was.

“Wait a second,” Blayke muttered as he moved to follow him.

Balancing his shopping bags into one arm, Drayce approached the rover rather cautiously. “Ah, hey there?” he called out to him, surprised when the kid immediately stopped walking but failed to turn around and look at him.

But his wolf companion did. Blue eyes turned to look at him before quickly glancing back at the silent Therian. This continued a couple more times before a soft whimper was heard.

Drayce felt concerned and he lifted his hand hesitantly. “You-?”

Before Drayce could ask if he was alright and if he needed any help, the kid suddenly fell to his knees before slumping forward haphazardly on the ground.

“Shit!” Instinctively, Drayce dropped his shopping bag and tried to reach out to him. But he had to pull himself back when the wolf immediately lunged forward and stood over the young rover’s unmoving form.

An understandable reaction, but Drayce couldn’t see if the kid was breathing with a protective wolf growling at him.

“Easy now,” Drayce said as he crouched down to be at the same eye level before he reached out a hand toward the wolf. He made no attempt to pat him or touch him in anyway. He just lifted his hand, hoping that the wolf would find him non-threatening and perhaps by sniffing his hand, allow him to check on the kid. “I’m not a bad guy, promise.”

What felt like a solid five minutes of tension, but was probably a minute max, the wolf slowly stretched out his neck and sniffed at his hand. Drayce made sure to stay perfect still while the wolf took in his scent.

And when the wolf nudged at his hand with his nose, Drayce felt relieved.

“See?” Drayce said as he gently patted the side of the wolf’s muzzle. “I won’t hurt either of you.”

The wolf seemed to understand him as he uttered a low whimper and removed his protective stance on his master.

Quickly, but carefully, Drayce rolled the rover onto his side and carefully slipped an arm under his shoulders to pull him into a sitting position. The kid was thankfully breathing, but it was laboured, coming out in short puffs and near-silent whimpers. His eyes were clamped shut and his face was creased into a look of pain. But most noticeable was how red his face was and how sweaty he appeared to be.

“What’s wrong with him?” Blayke asked as he cautiously crept closer, eyeing off the wolf as he did so.

“A fever,” Drayce said before he slipped an arm under the rover’s knees and all too easily picked him up. “Let’s take him back to the guildhouse. Sorry, but could you get the groceries?”

“Yeah, sure,” Blayke said as he shifted his bags to one arm.

But as he reached out to grab the bags that Drayce had dropped, the white wolf unexpectedly beat him to it. The wolf snared a couple of the bags with his mouth and picked them up easily. It was either something he was trained to do, or it was the wolf’s way of wanting to help somehow.

Drayce liked to think it was the latter.

“Let’s go, Doggo,” Drayce said.

They had been thankfully close to the Crescentia before the incident. They were also lucky that the front door had been left slightly ajar in preparation of them returning with their arms full of food and other groceries.

Keeping a firm grip on the young Therian in his arms, Drayce pushed open one of the doors with his shoulder and hastily stepped inside. “Hey, Ashton!”

“Welcome back,” Ashton responded before he stepped out of the dining room with a broom on his shoulder. “I’ve just finished the kitchen and-”

He stopped mid-sentence when his gaze fell upon the rover resting fitfully in Drayce’s arms. A look of confusion as well as concern appeared on his face. “What in the world?” he asked as he ventured closer.

“He fainted on the sidewalk in front of us,” Drayce explained quickly. “I couldn’t leave him.”

Ashton looked at the kid before shifting his gaze up at Drayce. His eyebrow was arched, yet he didn’t seem all that surprised. “Let’s see,” he said instead as he returned his attention back to the unknown rover. “He’s unconscious. He’s also burning up. Place him in the seating room while I’ll get a bed ready.”

“Sure,” Drayce said as he turned on his heel and quickly made his way to the large seating room.

The white sheets that protected the furniture from dust had thankfully been removed, so Drayce carefully placed the still unconscious rover onto a couch and laid his head upon a pillow. The pillow was a light blue, and alarmingly, the flush to the kid’s cheeks stood out harshly.

“He doesn’t look good,” Blayke said as he, along with the white wolf, entered the room. He was carrying a bowl of water and a cloth, thankfully.

And as Blayke placed down the bowl of water onto a nearby coffee table, the wolf companion immediately sat by the couch in front of his master, his nose gently nudging at his hand. He then uttered a small whimper, one akin to that of concern and confusion as he gently licked at the kid’s hand.

The wolf was a loyal companion and could heal the physical wounds of others through licking them. But unfortunately, the kid was ill with a fever. Either from infection or a virus. He needed medicine. And rather quickly, too.

“I think he needs a botanist,” Blayke said after a few moments of silence.

“Yeah, you’re right,” Drayce said as he lifted his gaze from the kid and turned in the direction of the front door. “I better go find one.”

Blayke was naturally going to protest, to ask him where he was thinking of finding a botanist when Ashton entered the room.

“I might know someone,” he unexpectedly said with a small but knowing grin. “He’s called a Botanical Genius, but a little picky when it comes to guilds or explorers he likes. He gets invitations to join a guild daily, but turned them all down.”

All very interesting, but that didn’t matter at the moment.

“Right now I’m not looking for a guildmate,” Drayce said. “This kid needs help. Surely he would agree to help him, right?”

Ashton continued to smile, as if he had expected such a response. “Here,” he said as he handed Drayce a slip of paper with an address on it. “This is where you can find him. But, whatever you do, do not mention his height. Or lack thereof.” 

Quickly grabbing the address, Drayce arched a questioning eyebrow but decided not to ask. “I’ll be back soon, ok? Watch the kid for me.”

[arplis]

Arplis - News: New Yorkers share their ‘silver linings’ during these tough times

Photo by Rehan Syed on Unsplash Times are tough in New York, but New Yorkers are even tougher. Though we’re facing a lot of challenges right now, one way to get through it is to try to find a “silver lining.” Here at 6sqft, we thought all of us in NYC could use some positivity, so we asked our fellow New Yorkers to share their personal silver linings. From 3D printing face masks to spending more time with family to stepping it up in the kitchen to witnessing communities coming together, here are some of the things that are providing some light in these dark times. Helping hands Bjarke Ingels, Founder and Creative Director, BIG: One thing that we find intriguing out of this situation is the idea of distributed just-in-time manufacturing capabilities. In response to the acute and escalating need for PPE here in New York City, we had the possibility to mobilize our 3D printing and modelmaking capabilities to make nearly 5,000 face masks per week for the medical forces on the front lines at Mount Sinai Hospital and Weill Cornell Medicine. Just like computers went from business machines to PC’s to handheld devices – the internet went from institutional to businesses and internet cafes to cable and wireless – and perhaps manufacturing is in the process to move from purpose-built factories to general capabilities and eventually to the maker hub on the block or the PF Personal Fabricator. Out of the massive urgency and shortcomings of the traditional provisions and supply chain during the COVID-19 outbreak, the silver lining here is perhaps in revealing the flexible making capacity that resides in so many places you don’t normally associate with the manufacturing industry, like architecture and design studios. Our BIG NYC Model Shop has been spearheading our 3D printing efforts these past days, adapting the open-source face shield design by Erik Cederberg of 3DVerkstan to be optimized for high-volume print production. As with distributed computing, perhaps distributed manufacturing has potentials we haven’t even thought of yet. The cloud of the material world – that allows instant and omnipresent translation from data to matter. [You can download the public 3D print files here] Amanda Davis, Project Manager, NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project: I’m really thankful that I’ve been able to turn my love of sewing into a way to help others during this pandemic. I’ve been sewing masks and surgical gowns for the medical community, as well as masks for my family. It’s one way of staying connected to people as I stay inside, with the added benefit of keeping my mind active and focused! Scott Wiener, founder of Scott’s Pizza Tours and Slice Out Hunger: I’m definitely exploring some things I’d never thought about in terms of reaching people via scheduled live video and things like that. Through the Pizza vs. Pandemic campaign, I’ve definitely seen that people are not interested in sitting back thinking they’re useless they are stepping up and doing their part to help from home! Photographers James and Karla Murray: We have been documenting small, independently-owned businesses in NYC for well over 25 years, trying to help raise awareness of their necessity as they truly are the lifeblood of the various neighborhoods of New York City. We are proud to say that during the current state of emergency, many small businesses, including East Village Pizza and Sauce Pizzeria in our own neighborhood of the East Village, have stepped up to help support local hospital workers who are working overtime battling COVID-19 by donating free pizza to them. These pizzerias are asking the public to donate pies in their name and they will match every donation with an additional pie. We can’t think of a better way of New Yorkers coming together during this difficult time. Adam Henick, Co-Founder Current Real Estate Advisors: There are so many ways to help right now and my team is sharing how people can make a difference, such as through contributions to organizations like Invisible Hands, donating blood, or simply ordering from your favorite local restaurants and buying gift cards to support small business. Jordan Brill, Partner, Magnum Real Estate Group: It’s beautiful and uplifting to watch so many people from many diverse backgrounds and life circumstances band together and offer help in any way they can… the 7pm collective cheer for our healthcare workers gives me goosebumps. It’s emblematic of the heart and soul of this great city and proof that even a crisis of this magnitude won’t kill our spirit. We have seen our residents collect PRP equipment, provide meals for building staff, raise money for local establishments like the Taste of Tribeca Community Fund, and volunteer their time delivering groceries to those who are at high risk. Coming together Melissa Mark-Viverito, former NYC Council Speaker and current congressional candidate: COVID-19 has exposed what thousands of Bronxites already knew – we live in a country where systemic oppression made us vulnerable far before the coronavirus outbreak even happened. The silver lining here is that in exposing this reality, we are given the opportunity to push for change that will create a more just and equitable society. We must seize this moment to finally pass Healthcare for All, a Green New Deal, and a Homes Guarantee. Roger Clark, NY1 news reporter: I think the city as a whole has come together and realized there are a lot of our fellow New Yorkers we take for granted, essential workers who can’t do their jobs remotely and are putting their lives on the line to take care of us during this pandemic. Jessica Lappin, President, Alliance for Downtown New York: The last few weeks have certainly been difficult, yet we’ve really witnessed the resilience of Lower Manhattan. As a community, Downtowners have lived through our share of tragedies and crises, and every time I’m astounded by how quickly people in the neighborhood step up, come together and find new ways to support one another. This week alone we’ve seen firefighters applauding health-care workers, restaurants donating food, and individuals delivering goods for their most vulnerable neighbors. My silver lining is to see so clearly that we’re part of such a strong community, one that knows that we are all in this together. Elaine Masci, real estate agent with Halstead: As a real estate agent who grew up in Manhattan, I’m very well aware of the horrific living conditions many New Yorkers are subjected to. I believe that this virus has brought to the public’s attention the dangerous realities people who live in public housing face daily. I can only hope that this pandemic forces Albany and the Mayor’s hand to finally make fundamental changes in how these buildings are managed by holding NYCHA officials accountable for their inaction. Elizabeth Goldstein, President, The Municipal Art Society of New York: I live on one of the streets that was closed to traffic… On Sunday morning, it connected with the local farmers market, stretched out way beyond normal to put great distance between the vendors and to set up orderly lines. I feel so delighted to see the vendors I, and my neighbors, rely on and to hear they are alright. These are not friends, per se, but my regular interactions make them a part of my world and I worry for them. How is the economy treating them? Are their families okay? And like many of us, this quiet, what should be a normal transaction, suddenly takes on new meaning. It connects me even more tightly to this web of people and their businesses and their bravery for bringing me food every week, despite the changed life we are all living. More time with loved ones Eliza Blank, CEO and founder of The Sill: My personal silver lining is more time with my family. Since we started working from home, I’ve been able to spend time with my daughter throughout the day, instead of just in the mornings and evenings. It’s been such a treat to have lunch together and go on walks. I’ve already had to buy her new pants since we started staying at home because she’s grown so tall — what a wild way to track the time! Nick Gray, founder of Museum Hack: They say pray for the couples who have never lived together before. Well, we’re doing OK. My girlfriend is a second-grade special education teacher. I work remotely, and her classes are now online. We’ve never lived or worked together before. This experience has brought us closer together. I know that we’ll come out of it stronger as a couple with a better understanding of each other. Dana Rubinstein, senior reporter at Politico: Unlike the nurses and doctors and grocery store workers and train conductors and delivery workers and funeral directors putting themselves in actual danger every day to help New York City through this mind-boggling crisis, I have the distinct, unearned privilege of being able to work from home. That comes with guilt, but it also comes with a bounty of silver linings, primary among them the time I get to spend with my three-year-old daughter and husband that I would have otherwise spent in the office, or commuting. My cooking skills have improved dramatically, too. Granted, they had nowhere to go but up. Elana Friedman, Chief Marketing Officer, AKA Hotel Residences:  For me, the silver lining is spending more time with my kids and husband. When my kids were younger, my husband would make these outrageous breakfast dishes for them, which he has been able to start doing again with being home. We call it Daddy’s Diner! I believe we will come out of this with an appreciation and understanding for each family member’s “whole person,” and that this will be a moment in time that families and communities will always share. Michelle Young, founder of Untapped New York: On a personal level, spending more time with my 2.5-year-old daughter Charlotte has been amazing (and challenging, of course). We laugh a lot, have meltdowns, and laugh some more. I get to see her grow and learn new things every day in a much more intimate way, and the time I get to spend with her feels like a blessing in this strange and unprecedented time. I’ve also been playing cello and recording pieces to post on social media, making use of the musical training I had as a child at Juilliard! I have daily Facetime calls with my parents and my 90-year-old grandmother who are hunkering down on Long Island (although my dad still works as a doctor out at the Stony Brook-area hospitals, which has its risks). I’ve caught up with friends I hadn’t spoken to in a while, and I’m seeing heroic work by friends who work in the medical field. My close friend group of about 20 people does a weekly Sunday brunch over Google Hangout and text messages fly between us all day long. Andrew Berman, Executive Director, Village Preservation: I appreciate how much less crowded streets around Times Square are, which can sometimes be intolerably packed with people. Working from home and seeing more of my partner, who is of course now also working from home, is also a wonderful upside. Having plenty of time to binge watch TV shows and movies I have always wanted to see is an advantage, though I fear I may run out of those soon. Warren Webster, CEO, Atlas Obscura: Self-isolating in New York City isn’t easy. Isolation flies in the face of many of the reasons we all live here. But there are silver linings. Despite not seeing each other in person, many of my most important, life-long relationships with friends and family have actually grown stronger. We’re making an effort to talk or FaceTime and we value each others’ virtual company. I’m also reacquainting myself with my kitchen — with mixed results! Zack Elias, Rental Manager at DJK Residential: I am enjoying spending time with my wife and daughter, and my colleagues and I are keeping in touch throughout the day by sending funny, positive messages to help keep our spirits high. That is important through all of this. Also, the morning coffee is just better at home. Adam Meshberg, Founder and Principal of Meshberg Group:  This time has allowed my wife and me to parent mindfully, and the kids have developed a higher level of respect, while we’ve gained a level of control, which oftentimes isn’t there as working parents. Normally, because our time is limited when we’re with them, we give them what they want. We’ve had the chance to play teacher, friend while disciplining and teaching them even the simple acts of kindness this world needs. Gabe Hernandez, principal at Design Republic: A considerable silver lining I found in my personal life is reconnecting with my older siblings. We were never close for various reasons. Partly because of our age difference, and growing up relatively poor with parents who did their best in providing great family values but because of their multiple responsibilities could not teach my siblings to behave appropriately in our early years. Long story short, I was not close with them for many years; because of COVID I have felt the need to set aside our differences and reconnect because each day is too fragile and we are all vulnerable to this pandemic. We are setting aside our differences and actually want to reengage. Taking time for ourselves Jean Brownhill, founder of Sweeten: In the past few weeks, I’ve been cooking for myself more than I ever have in my life. If there was a silver lining to this “stay-at-home” time is that I’ve gotten over whatever fear I had about cooking. My new favorite search term is “What’s the replacement for XX?” I’m totally not precious about it anymore. No ricotta cheese while planning to make lasagne? No problem, farmers cheese works too. Life is precious, cooking isn’t. After this is all over, I know I’ll carry this attitude forward with me, and I’m thankful for that. David West, Founding Partner of Hill West Architects: Before the pandemic, my basement flooded, forcing us to gut the room. My very personal silver lining is that I’m able to use my craft—architecture—to rebuild the cellar any way that I want. For me, that’s building out a personal wine cellar. I’m grateful that I get to spend the time that I would have otherwise been commuting on a project that combines two of my passions, architecture and wine. Now, I’ll get to enjoy the finished project much sooner than I otherwise would have (although if this lasts much longer, I may not have much wine left to stock it!). Greg Young, co-founder of The Bowery Boys: I live between a couple industrial areas of Brooklyn, places that are rather drab and uninteresting compared to the thousands of other truly amazing streets in New York City. During our shelter-in-place moment here, I’ve taken daily walks to clear my head, get some exercise, and walk my dog. These industrial areas have actually been ideal places for walks and I can stay away from possibly busier thoroughfares at this time. Some days I never see another person. And in walking these industrial blocks, I’ve realized that they aren’t uninteresting at ALL. In fact, a routine block of two-story warehouses can sometimes give you an interesting view of New York City history — whether a converted older structure or even older signage that has survived over the year. You can also find places where urban life meets up with nature. In Red Hook, I saw a family of raccoons under a rusted old truck in an empty lot! I know not all of us live by streets that are vacant. (Believe me, I’ve never considered this “fortunate” until now!) But I suspect if you plan your route, you can find less crowded streets if you want to get some open air. And if you do, DON’T RUSH! Appreciate the architecture and how the city has developed in your neighborhood. When we all get past this thing together, you might find that you appreciate the place where you live even more. Paul Massey, CEO, B6 Real Estate Advisors: My personal silver lining, aside from spending great time with my grown children who are all here with us, is that I’ve been able to focus on exercising (running and boxing) in a more disciplined and enjoyable way. New business outlooks  Mark Stumer, Founding Principal of Mojo Stumer: I have seen during this period how precious the human experience is, especially with my staff, and just how important the interaction of us working together as a team truly is. I miss my staff just walking into my office and those wonderful interruptions. I will never again complain that I have no privacy in my office! Michelle Young, founder of Untapped New York: As for my work as the founder of Untapped New York, my husband who is the CEO and I are learning how to adapt quickly while working only half days each. In just a few weeks, I brushed up on video editing and learned how to record and edit podcasts as part of the virtual experiences we’ve added to our membership program, Untapped New York Insiders. The challenges brought forth by coronavirus for our business also provided opportunities to do the initiatives that have long been on our to-do list, so in a way, I feel that I have achieved things despite being unable to explore New York City in the ways that I used to. Andrew Berman, Executive Director, Village Preservation: As non-essential construction and the land use review process in New York has been placed on pause, I’ve been able to spend more of my work time on research and writing, which is always deeply satisfying.  I’m finally becoming well-versed in Zoom and hope that in the future more meetings will be done that way, saving us all time and money and cutting down on our carbon footprint from travel. That so much less fossil fuel is being used during this time is also an upside to the current terrible situation. Tom Cooper, real estate agent at Compass: The biggest personal silver lining for me was being able to get a board interview and closing done via FaceTime and electronic document submission. The closing would have been impossible without the assertiveness and creativity of Richard Barentblatt of Guardhill Financial (he handled the mortgage for my buyers) and the Law Offices of Sam Eber, which represented my buyers in their purchase. It was proven that the often time-consuming and frequently logistically difficult consummation of a transaction can be done in a more streamlined, efficient way than the cumbersome way NYC transactions have happened up until now. I hope this streamlined approach continues far beyond the end of the Coronavirus crisis, now that it’s been proven it can be done. Josh Schuster, Managing Principal of Silverback Development: Having been displaced from our office and routines it quickly became apparent that our team was galvanized by the need to work together to create not only a remote office, but to move our projects forward with as little disruption as possible. These circumstances have led us to recognize and empathize with each team member in a manner that typically gets checked at the proverbial “office door” under normal circumstances.  It has made us more sensitive to each other as people and, in some ways, forced us to be more efficient, and better communicators. #CityLiving #People #Features

Arplis - News source https://arplis.com/blogs/news/new-yorkers-share-their-silver-linings-during-these-tough-times

[birchleo1-blog]

Boise is the next Portland? More like New York City. Bodegas are opening Downtown - Idaho Statesman

As a card-carrying Boisean, I did two things when I heard that JD’s Bodega had opened Downtown across from City Hall.

First, I Googled “bodega.” Then, I started cussing.

Bodegas are a longtime fixture of New York City, where there are thousands. “Bodega” is a Spanish word that has come to refer to a small grocery or corner convenience store. But a bodega, according to New York website StreetEasy, is “a lot more than that.”

Swell. If there’s one thing Idahoans do not want, it is more. Of anything. Especially from out of state. (OK, a few more “I Don’t Care How They Do It In California” bumper stickers. Those are funny.)

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But as I stand here scratching the resident cat at JD’s Bodega, 161 N. Capitol Blvd., I’m realizing something. Embracing part of East Coast culture actually might help preserve the Boise that we love. Or even recapture some of the small-town charm that’s already been lost.

JD’s Bodega owner Josh Davis, who grew up in Boise, is betting on it.

He hands me a local Dawson Taylor coffee and pulls up a chair near the front of the store. It’s one of three new Boise businesses calling themselves bodegas.

“I think places like this are what’s going to keep Boise having its own unique identity,” Davis, 46, says. “Although this is called a bodega — and for Boise residents, that may seem from the outside like it’s big city moving in — really, I’m trying to capture what Boise’s about, and trying to identify what Boise’s version of a bodega is.”

JD’s is not open 24 hours like a New York bodega. But it’s open late on Fridays and Saturdays. Downtown residents can grab Chapstick, lottery tickets, laundry detergent or a frozen pizza until 2 a.m. Bargoers wanting the party to last all night can pick up beer on their way home.

JD’s Bodega owner Josh Davis plans to develop the store’s outdoor patio area this spring. In the future, he also hopes to be able to allow customers to consume alcohol on the premises.

Arthur Balluff

Unlike a genuine Big Apple bodega, there is no kitty at JD’s. That cat I’m petting? It’s a stuffed toy perched in a Christmas tree. Store clerk Holly Miller — identified as “Den Mother“ on her name tag — hides the fake feline in a new spot each day. “Unfortunately, the health department here doesn’t allow us to have a cat,” Davis explains. “We don’t have a mice problem, so they kind of frown upon animals inside the store.”

Like a real New York bodega, JD’s takes pride in making customers feel like family. That’s where it’s excelled during its first three months.

Tiffany McGill, 36, works next door at Chase bank. She usually buys a drink or candy at JD’s. “Honestly, I go there every day just to talk to them,” she admits. “We chat. I can stand there for hours. Like last night, I was there from 6:15 to 8:30 just running my mouth!”

“They get to know you. They know your kids, your grandkids, your dog’s name. ... Holly’s like, ‘How’s Corey?’ — that’s my son. And if I don’t come over, she comes over to the bank, and she’s like, ‘Hey, I’m just making sure you’re OK!’ ”

McGill grew up on the East Coast, so she’s been educating Boiseans about JD’s Bodega. “They would come into the bank and say, ‘What is a bodega? Is that a clothing spot?’ I would say, ‘No, it’s a cute little corner grocery store. You can get your groceries and sit down and talk to them like they’re family.’ ”

Not all bodegas are alike. The Benchmark Bodega, which appeared shortly after JD’s at 3302 W. Overland Road, is more of a specialty shop with coffee, tea, beer, wine, spices and gifts. Bodega Boise, which is on track to open Downtown by late February at 1007 W. Main St., will be similar to JD’s but with more emphasis on groceries, co-owner Taylor Hunt says.

JD’s Bodega carries a mix of convenience store items and locally made products.

Arthur Balluff

Josh Davis had never heard of a bodega until a couple of years ago. But he saw a need Downtown for a small market or convenience store. After doing a bodega reconnaissance mission in New York — and visiting similar mom-and-pop shops in Seattle and Portland — he formed a uniquely Idaho vision.

“We’re not New York City. And we’re not trying to be a New York bodega,” Davis says. “... As this town gets bigger, how do we maintain and hold the culture of what Boise is? And so you walk in here — it does not look like a New York bodega. It kind of looks like my bedroom when I was growing up.”

You’ll notice skateboard decor at JD’s. Davis is president of the Boise Skateboard Association. He knows about volunteer work. He helped raise money to get the Rhodes Skate Park built. JD’s Bodega is a business, but it’s also altruistic on a certain level.

“The reason why I wanted to do something Downtown, is because I grew up here,” he says. “I’m deeply vested in this community.”

Davis hopes Boiseans feel similarly about his bodega. Boise-made products are a fundamental part of JD’s. Not hungry for a typical convenience-store burrito? Grab a hot, fresh, Main Street Deli breakfast sandwich instead. Or something from Zeppole Baking Co.

Jody Gorton, 40, a brand analyst Downtown at nearby AppDetex, appreciates the fact that there are tables at JD’s Bodega. Grab some free popcorn. Look out the window at City Hall. An inviting outdoor patio is coming this spring, too.

“If you need to kill some time, you can sit, have a cup of coffee, read the paper, or sit with your laptop for 20 minutes,” Gorton says. “I think people are so terrified of change, but I think it’s definitely a positive for Downtown.”

Davis already sees the concept resonating.

When JD’s held its grand opening Nov. 1, during Day of the Dead celebration, a customer asked if they wanted to use her ceremonial altar display from home. “So she brought in this whole thing,” Davis says.

“We’re already getting people buying in,” he says proudly. “They feel like this is their store. This is their community.”

Source: https://www.idahostatesman.com/entertainment/ent-columns-blogs/words-deeds/article222601685.html

[purplesurveys]

1203

survey by vyvyan86

Section 1 – Who were you?

Think back as far as you can. What is the first memory you have? This gets asked a loooooot in surveys and I’ve answered this many times, but my earliest memory is of me waking up in a Winnie the Pooh tent with my sister when I was 3 and she was 1. Our parents took us ‘camping’ which was really nothing more than a tent set up in their room.

What is something you remember enjoying very much as a small child? Reading took up pretty much my entire personality. I was always found with one no matter where I was and it was all I received as presents since my relatives and my parents’ friends knew how much I liked to read at a young age. Shame that hobby’s gone now.

How old were you, when you made your very first friend? I was in kindergarten and I was 4.

Are you still friends with this person today? No, she transferred schools in the first grade and I’ve never kept contact with her since.

Was there a story somebody read or told you that has stuck with you? I loved the book Tikki Tikki Tembo and reread it so many times. The main character’s long name is definitely filed in my head under, ‘things I unnecessarily memorize by heart.’

What is something you get an immense feeling of nostalgia from? Shows or movies from my childhood, like Lizzie McGuire and High School Musical.

As a child, were you a sore loser or a sore winner? I was a sore loser and have still retained elements of it to this day.

Did you go through the "naked phase"? No, I was really shy to be seen naked and even when I was still at that age where someone else had to give me a bath, I already felt conscious and would cover myself up.

Which television shows do you watch the most as a child? When I was a KID kid, I liked watching Hi-5, LazyTown, Art Attack, and Spongebob. As I got older (but still a kid), I took a liking to watching shows meant for older audiences even though I couldn’t always understand the jokes or plots, like Drake and Josh, Zoey 101, Suite Life, etc.

Did you play with siblings, neighbourhood kids or by yourself? I was able to experience all of these.

Is there something you really miss from your childhood today? It’s really just the smaller list of things to worry about. And smaller problems, overall.

Section 2 – Likes and interests

Would you ever like to try competitive pinball playing? No. I don’t even enjoy playing pinball casually, so I don’t see myself taking it up on a competitive level.

Do you knit, crochet or cross stitch? I’ve dabbled in embroidery, if that counts. It’s nice that there are kits available online that already have templates that I’ll just have to trace, since I’m not very creative myself and am not capable of making any artwork from scratch.

Have you ever, or would you like to attend a gaming or comic convention? Yessssss. I’m not a big fan of either, but those conventions have always looked like a ton of fun and I would most likely go so I can view exhibits and look at everyone’s cool cosplays.

What's your opinion on online multiplayer games? I don’t have an opinion on them; I don’t play them, but I don’t have a reason to actively dislike them, either.

Do you like to go cycling? If so, where? I am interested in cycling but I don’t even know how to ride a bike. I know of some friends who’ve been able to bike all the way to Tagaytay and it makes me sooooooooo envious.

Have you ever tried woodturning? If not, would you like to? Maybe not that particular method but I do find wood carving relaxing and would like to try it out sometime.

Do you enjoy drawing? If so, what do you usually draw? I can’t draw at all.

Have you ever attended a painting class? If so, what did you create? I haven’t attended a class but I’ve dabbled in painting, in general – again, mostly through painting kits that already have templates and that already supply me with the colors I need. I’ve never finished any of the images though.

How about a creative writing course? If so, did you get any feedback? I hate creative writing.

What is your favourite form of exercise? The rare times I do work out, I go for HIIT or Tabata exercises.

Section 3 – People

Who is the most important person in your life (besides yourself)? There isn’t one at the moment; I’m really just focusing on myself.

Do people generally approach you easily? I would say it’s 50/50. I’ve heard some people say they find me aloof, while others have no problem coming to me.

Do you get along with people well? If not, what's the problem? Yeah, I would say so. I don’t have bad blood with anyone and if I do it’s always because they’ve already something I didn’t like and I’ve made it a point to ignore them on purpose.

Do you enjoy being in crowds or do you prefer your own company? I can do with both. I treasure my alone time, but I also like being with people and would start to feel sad if I feel like I’ve been isolated for too long.

Which one of your friends have you known the longest? Angela.

Do you find it easy to make friends now? If not, what makes it difficult? I mean I’m in a very active fandom again, for one lol. I think that’s the biggest factor. It’s been SO much easier to find people who are into the same group and strike up conversations with them.

What is something about people that annoys you? I know too many people who always go the extra mile to bash on things that people are into, even though those interests never hurt anyone. It sucks. If you don’t like it just don’t talk about it? Don’t rain on people’s parade.

What is something about people that you really like? When they come together during crises.

If you live alone, what would be your criteria for a roommate? I’d appreciate someone who wasn’t too talkative. Obviously it’s ok to talk, but they don’t have to have a conversation with me every time we’re together. I feel as if I’d quickly grow annoyed with someone who was clingy or too extroverted. Some nice bonuses: If we have the same interests and/or if they know how to cook – I can balance the latter out by doing all the other needed chores.

How about criteria for a spouse, if you're single? I feel like I’m scraping the bottom of the barrel here due to my horrible previous experience...but I’d really just appreciate someone who I know is committed to the relationship and will be willing to go through the ups and downs with me.

In general, what's your attitude towards people? I like to believe everyone is kind unless they give me a reason they aren’t.

Section 4 – Habits

What is something you do every day without fail? Vape.

What is your typical breakfast? Coffee or water, whichever I have time to prepare.

Which article of clothing do you like to wear the most? I stay at home these days because of the c-word, but I mostly wear tank tops these days because the weather is unbelievable.

Is there a TV show you watch habitually? It used to be Friends but I haven’t gone back to it in a while – I haven’t even watched the reunion special yet :/  It also used to be 2 Days 1 Night but I’ve since placed that at the backseat when I started getting into BTS last month. 

Where do you usually spend most of your day? In my room since that’s where I work.

Is there a product that you do not want to run out of? Vape pods and 3-in-1 coffee sachets.

What is your preferred mode of transport? My own car.

Do you usually have something playing in the background when you're home? These days I put on a work-themed playlist to keep me company during my shift but if I have to do something that’s thinking-intensive, like writing a press release, I have to switch it off.

Where do you usually get your groceries? I don’t really purchase groceries just yet. My parents switch up the stores they buy from every time.

How often do you go to your local park? We don’t have one.

Which of your hobbies do you indulge in most often? BTS...hahahahaha

Section 5 – Favourites and dislikes

What is your favourite fruit? I don’t like fruits.

How about your favourite berry? I also don’t like berries.

Which food do you highly dislike? Fruits.

What is your favourite song, and why? I don’t have an all-time favorite song but at the moment I would say it’s Butterfly by BTS.

What is a movie you cannot stand? Me Before You was money well-wasted.

Which trait in a person do you find most appealing? Not really a trait but I’m always fascinated to know about people’s hobbies, since I believe it’s able to tell me a lot about them.

Which trait puts you instantly off? How they think about certain socio-political issues.

Who is an actor/actress who you dislike so much you can't watch them? Amber Heard.

What colour are your favourite shoes? All my favorite shoes are white.

What is a smell that disgusts you to no end? Sinigang or rotten eggs and rice.

Which door handle/door knob do you like the most in your home? ??? This is random haha? Door knobs are pretty nasty to begin with, so I’ll just take a pass for this one.

Section 6 – Culture

What is something very typical to the culture of your home country? We’re very hospitable and would do anything to make you feel at home, whether it’s feeding you until feel like throwing up or giving you Tupperware upon Tupperware of leftovers that you can take home so that you won’t have to cook for a few days.

Do you enjoy art? If so, which form of art is the most enjoyable? Yes, I like looking at art and going to museums and exhibits is one of my favorite things to do. As for forms of art, I like paintings the most.

What is something about another country's culture you don't understand? I guess the one where tipping is viewed as an insult. 

Do you ever attend the theater? If so, which play did you see last? No, not really my type of art.

How about the opera or the ballet? I love watching ballet shows, but I would quickly grow bored with an opera.

Which dance troupe do you enjoy, if any? None.

Do you attend concerts or gigs? If so, which band did you see last? Only if I really really REALLY like the artist/group. I last saw Paramore.

Are you interested in foreign food? I love them and would be open to trying absolutely anything.

If so, which country's cuisine do you enjoy the most? It’s always a three-way tie among Indian, Thai, and Malaysian.

Do you enjoy stand-up comedy? If so, who is your favourite comic? No.

Do you contribute to culture in some way? If so, how? Not as much as I would want to. I do share some culture-related things on social media to raise awareness for them, especially if I find them fascinating; but I don’t exactly craft anything myself.

Section 7 – Charity

Do you volunteer your time to anything charitable? If so, what? There’s a local organization for stray/injured dogs and cats that I donate to. I’d love to put in some volunteer hours as well but I just don’t have the time. :(

Do you donate money to any charities? If so, which ones? ^ Oh, I guess I should’ve answered that here haha.

If you have pets, are any of them rescues from shelters? Arlee was.

Do you donate your old clothes, linen etc. to charitable organizations? I think my mom sometimes does that with our old clothes but she usually gives them away as hand-me-downs to other relatives.

If someone you know is in need, is it in your nature to offer help? Yes.

Have you ever donated Christmas presents to children of poor families? Not on my own volition but we did this in school before.

Have you ever had to rely on other people's charity? Not that I remember.

How do you feel about donating to charities endorsed by celebrities? I don’t mind it but I think it ultimately depends on the charity that they endorse. For instance I’ve read a lot of problematic sentiments about Susan G. Komen so I always disapprove whenever WWE does their yearly breast cancer awareness thing with them.

Is there a charity you absolutely never ever will not trust? PETA as an annoying one, for one.

Have you ever donated to a cause that had a person going door to door? I don’t think so.

In general, what is your opinion on charity? I support it wholeheartedly if the cause is genuine and not just a money-making scheme or if they are hyper-reactive about certain things.

Section 8 – Entertainment

Which was the very first video game you remember playing? That’s a good question that I don’t actually remember the answer to. Maybe Duck Hunt? I have very vague memories of waking up at my grandma’s place in Tondo and using the Nintendo gun thingy.

Which was the very first film you remember watching? Stuart Little 2.

What is your go-to form of entertainment? These days, BTS content.

Do you have a large collection of DVDs/Blu-Rays? Hahahaha I haven’t bought a DVD in nearly a decade. We haven’t thrown any of our DVDs out so I guess in a sense we still have a collection, but we never pop them on anymore as my family and I usually consume our entertainment online now.

How about music albums? I also haven’t bought an album in the same period of time but I’m starting again because of BTS. I've placed orders for their first five albums/mini-albums and they’re supposed to arrive in the country by July or August, so I can’t wait for that.

Do you prefer to have your music on vinyls, tapes, CDs or digital? CDs or digital would do.

When and where do you like to entertain yourself usually? Either in my room or in the living room, where the big TV is.

Do you ever binge watch shows? If so, what are you binging now? I’ve started on Hwarang but it’s not super bingewatch-worthy, mostly because of how slow I find the pacing to be. Good show, though.

What kinds of books do you like to read, if any? Autobiographies/memoirs.

Is there a book series you're currently collecting? Nope.

Is entertainment something you prefer to enjoy alone or with someone else? It’s always better with somebody else, to be honest.

Section 9 – Internet

Do you always have access to the Internet, wherever you go? If not, why? If I have data on my phone, then yeah.

Which website do you frequent the most? Google Suite, if it counts.

Which search engine do you prefer and trust the most? Google.

What do you use the Internet the most for? Working, lol.

Do you judge people who have their phones out all the time? If so, why? No, I’m indifferent about it. I’m pretty attached to my phone too so I get it.

If your connection goes down, what do you do? Turn on my data and continue on with my surfing, albeit feel slightly agitated.

Is there something you wish you could do online that isn't possible yet? I actually feel like there’s always already a website or service for anything I need to do on the internet, which is super convenient. Just last week Kata shared with me a website that’s instantly able to turn any photo into a transparent PNG file, which was awesome to discover.

Do you remember the first time you used the Internet? When was it? Yeah, the first website I ever went to was Friendster in like 2007, at a neighbor’s house that doubled as a small internet cafe.

What was a website you used to frequent that doesn't exist anymore? Multiply.

Do/Did you ever have your own website? No.

Isn't it great how much knowledge and info we have at our fingertips? Sure, but honestly I’m more scared than amazed at how much info is out there, and how much we don’t know is actually out there.

Section 10 – And finally...

What is something you consider to be highly controversial? Bad takes on socio-political issues, like refusing to acknowledge someone’s preferred pronouns or continuing to use someone’s deadname.

What kinds of jokes do you like the best? Idk, it doesn’t take a lot to make me laugh.

Is there a person who makes you laugh effortlessly? These days it’s Jimin lol.

Which part of your body do you like the least? My teeth.

What's something random, out of context you remember from your past? I don’t really feel like racking through my head rn hahaha sorry.

Do you wear shoes indoors? Not in Asia you won’t.

What's the silliest thing you've worn on your body in public? A princess dress I had to wear around for like 10 minutes as ‘punishment’ at a school fair.

What's the most important thing in your life right now? My job and doing well at it.

What is the most distant point on the planet that you've been from home? South Korea. I haven’t gone too far yet.

Do you enjoy trivia games? If so, which one's your favourite? I love trivia games and I’d join pretty much any of them.

Are you more logical or emotional? Emotional before, but I believe it’s more logical now

[plogan721]

Let the flood gates begin

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links within the post, I may receive a commission for your click and purchase. You do not have to make a purchase to enjoy this post, I only highlight products to help with the cost of running the blog, and I only post links to products relevant to the topic in that post and to companies I use and trust.”

Please Note:  I started writing this blogpost in pen and paper.  You know, the old-fashioned way of writing.  I got the idea from an episode from Star Trek: Voyager where one of my favorite captains, Captain Janeway was sick of technology, after dealing with species 842 and the Borg.  This was the episode that introduced Jeri Ryan as Seven of Nine, a former Borg drone brought back by to her human self by The doctor, authorized by Captain Janeway.  Captain Janeway decided to take to writing her captain’s log by this method.  It is a practice that we should all do in the wake of this pandemic.  To me, even though you are seeing my post in digital form, it was a way of getting back to things in a natural way. 

Photo by Pixabay

This was the week when my city reopened for retail.  Today was the day I ventured out to a new norm of new rules (other than what was already in place).  As I drove, doing my errands of depositing money in my business checking account and going to a grocery store that carried a Starbucks kiosk, because the Starbucks down the street lied about being open, I was thinking, “was it all worth being quarantined for the past 2 ½ months?”  The only difference was Columbus, Ohio all of sudden looked like a Japanese prefecture, with mask-wearing people out and about in the 70° plus weather.  This is something that the Japanese and other Asians are used to doing, not Americans. 

Americans are used to having the freedom to do whatever we want to do, and how we want to do it.  If it puts us in jail, so be it.  When we get out, some of us will try it again until someone ignores us, then it becomes a norm.  If we have to protest, that is fine, it makes an interesting news story locally and/or nationally.

I am not sure how I feel about it.  

OK, let me explain….

Since this whole Covid-19 started, I have been squeamish about a few things and those are:

What is my new norm?

How is the country supposed to work now that there is the new little bug that can wipe us out, especially in places like the city where I live and places that I love, like the Caribbean and Walt Disney World.

What is my new norm?

I have been a quiet person all my life.  I get it from my mom.  So, I do not mind being isolated during this time period.  My only problem at first was wearing the mask and gloves, and I get it.  I had no problem putting them on, the problem comes because my hands are the same size as a child. There are people who cannot be around others because of their immune system and they are the elderly and the young.  I have 6 people I have to respect that.  My parents and aunt all have pre-existing conditions and they are elderly.  I have a niece who will be 3 months old next week, I have a friend who also has a pre-existing condition and a pastor who has a pre-existing condition.  I also have to watch it because I have high blood pressure and I am pre-diabetic. Depending on the doctor, I either have diabetics, or it can come at any time.  Either way, I have to watch my diet and my weight.  Thank you, Corona for giving me the sense of ignoring those two things.  I am much better at doing that now.

Also my new norm:  My business.  I could tell you that I have the easiest job I could ever have, but like most businesses, there is the struggle of getting gigs.  There is a struggle of getting money for this business.  I also could say that I like the stimulus package for small or even home businesses.  I do not have a small business, I have a home business, and as a home business owner, we often get lumped in with small businesses.  What Is a home business?  It is a business that is operated out of the home and if you do have any employees, it is usually an assistant.  Your revenue is lower than a small business.  A good year is when a person is able to earn $1,000 plus per month. 

Why offer help to small businesses if big businesses get approved?

Well, to be honest, the EIDLE and the PPP portion of the first stimulus package has done nothing for me and my business because of companies like Potbelly and The Lakers basketball team, who should not have been allowed to apply in the first place, nor their applications should never been approved.  Potbelly has returned the money and I believe so has The Lakers.  That still does not help P. Lynne Designs. I applied twice.  The first application was on Go Alice, while the second application was on the SBA.gov site. I have not heard back, and I doubt I will at this point.  I do not have any employees.  This is just to maintain the business of one, and for growth.  The government did not handle this process very well.  I chucked as “I am getting no help as usual” and went about my day. Update:  Last night, I was able to file for unemployment, a right that was not given to people like freelance writers and freelance graphic designers, which I am.  I pray and hope they approve it.

So let us go back to what I was talking about

THE RETAIL STORES

I do not mind the retail stores being open.  Personally, I will not be going in the very beginning.  Actually, I am having fun online ordering.  I do not have to worry about donning on a mask, fighting crowds, not finding what I want. In fact, I ordered a mystery Die cut bag from Tonic Studios at 3 am this morning.  That is how much fun I am having to order online.  Yes, I can always order online, then pick up at the store like Walmart. 

Amazon has been my store of the hour, and ever since I was told by my governor that even pickup was impossible in the craft stores in my state, I said “okay”, and started ordering online.   Ordering online is natural for me anyway, so it did not bother me that I could not go to any of my stores, except Ikea.  That is another story for another day.

I have been to two grocery stores since lockdown.  One was for last-minute stuff as I found out just today that the second store only allows me to do pickup ordering if the order was over $30.  The reason:  Cat food.  Well my nephew came through with the cat food, so now I do not have to buy that.

It is best if all stores keep in mind a level of safety.   My feeling is this since I do have pre-existing conditions, as well as my parents, I do not want to spread the super germs.  I am calling Corona that until we find a vaccination for it

My hardest hit yet, Walt Disney World

I am having the hardest time with a Disney Vacation.  Last May, I booked a stay for 12 at The Bay Lake Towers at The Contemporary Resort (its official name) for the time of December 15-20, 2019, with all the bells and whistles as this might be the last vacation with my parents, who are in their 80s. 

This was a well-meaning trip as two things went wrong from the start:  how to pay for a $30,627.00 trip that included a 3-bedroom villa, tickets to the parks, and a deluxe dining plan, and how to tell a Disney-hating father that we were going to the “land of the mouse” times 4 (The Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and The Animal Kingdom theme parks).  It would not be a requirement for my parents to go into the parks unless they wanted to.  In years past (1998, 2004, and Disneyland in 2007 respectively), my father stayed at the resort or drove around the property, Orlando, and surrounding cities (Cape Canaveral, Kissimmee, and Tampa are close by).  This time, my mom, who loves the parks will join him if she wants to.  She is not too keen on using a riding scooter.

We were going to drive down instead of flying.  We were coming back home that Sunday so that my siblings and my nephew and niece can get back to work by that Monday before Christmas.  The kids (Nephews (age 12 and 9) and niece (11)) was being pulled out of school.  Ohio has a funny winter break schedule where they are out either the day before Christmas eve or a couple of days before Christmas.  Either way, it would have been fun.  I pulled the plug on that trip on October 15th, one month before our last cancelation date of November 15th.  I did not cry because I was going to call them the day after Christmas with a new date of December 12-19, 2020.

Well with Ms. ‘Rona on the prowl, and for the first time ever since Walt Disney opened Disneyland in 1955, all the parks were close, due her not wanting to play fair, I decided to see what Disney is going to do with the guidelines that they and the State of Florida government, as well as the federal government, was going to say about a reopening date.  For the moment, Disney reopened Shanghai Disneyland Monday, Disney Springs, Walt Disney World’s shopping area is reopening on May 20th, and Walt Disney World is excepting bookings starting July 1 (it has been delayed from June 1st). 

I do not want a vacation in 2020.  I feel like it is too soon to book a vacation and go in 2020.  So, I have decided to wait until December 15-19, 2021 to take the trip.  This all depends on two things:  the health of my parents and the health of our savings.  There is one more factor and I am not depending on whether I do or do not do for this vacation and that is to get another Disney Vacation Club membership.  This will affect how we pay for this trip.  Naturally, this membership is a timeshare, and I have spoken about timeshares before on this blog. That is a talk for my yet to be created a new blog, which will be Disney-related.  I took all the travel stuff off of my blog, Home Prep because it is not related.

Some good has come out of all this…

My stories are not all bad, in fact, some of them quite funny.

Last week, a friend had a birthday.  She announces it each year 6 days in advance.  This year was no different.  What I love about Facebook is the ability to have people donate to your favorite charity in loo of presents for your birthday.  I am going to do one, I am not sure where yet.  July 21 has not gotten here yet.

Anyway, her sister and mother thought that since Ms. ‘Rona decided to cancel my friend’s plans, a surprise drive-by birthday salute was in order.  Can I tell you that I do not know how to do one, LOL?

First, I told her mother that I was coming by via Facebook invite.  I have seen lineups, so I thought that I was going to meet at her mother’s house, and we would fall in line to go to my friend’s apartment.  After all, it was a surprise.  Since I am one of those people who would show up late to her own wedding if given a chance, I decided to arrive early so my friend’s mother cannot say that I was late.  So, I drove to the house at 4:46 and I did not see any cars.  “Good, I am the first one,” I thought, so I went the next street over to turn around.  Okay, next thing I knew, I saw my friend’s daughter, who is 3, then my friend.  I thought, “Oh, Crap”, and I drove off to my parent’s house who live around the corner.   This drive-by was at 5, so I killed some time at my parent’s house and went back over there.  It turned out to be an “individual” happy birthday, as my friend and her mother sat there while people drove by, wishing her a happy birthday.  It turned out great, and this goofy person now know the proper drive by, LOL.

Business Dealings….

I was able to get some things done for my business while on lockdown.  I was approved for an affiliate that I have been wanting since 2017.  You know how much I love Erin Condren products, so you will be seeing more affiliate links from that company.  As always, I only support companies that I love and believe in, and you are not obligated to make a purchase, but it would be nice for the support.  It is a way to put money back into my business.  Some of these companies with affiliates, like Erin Condren, Cricut, and Amazon may have links that will help you save money as well.  So in that case, if you need the product, it is good to help out a blog and save money at the same time. 

I am also working on some things that will help improve this blog, including the infamous blog move.

Even though I was down and out during this period of time, I am fine now and living a new norm.  For the moment, my state is wrapping being on lockdown.  This is the reason for this title.   Let the flood gates open!!! Well, I am over my limit.  Be well and safe.  Wear a mask, and I will talk to you later.

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