#she's fine she's getting the covid vaccine w my cousin

[larryincottagecore]

since im using this blog as a diary bc that's the kind of person i am apparently i just woke up from a fucking horrible nightmare where my aunt died and the whole dream was basically the aftermath and it felt so real i think i want to vomit? i woke up crying and it's not early by any means but I've been waking up at like 14:00 pm for days and rn it's 10 am so like it's fucking early and my aunt hasn't responded to my texts and im kinda freaking out im so tired

[mistytpednaem]

i'mmmm pretty bummed about christmas!

(covid talk, not me tho; also death mention but it's not covid-related)

so, Family Tradition dictates we spend christmas with my mom's side of the family and new year's with my dad's side, or vice-versa, alternating each year. last year, for the Obvious Reasons, none of this happened and we just stayed home

but hey! 2021! things are a little better! one of the highest vaccination rates in the entire world! christmas is on my mom's side this year, with my aunt (+ uncle + cousin, whom I see pretty often) and my uncle (+ aunt + 2 baby cousins, whom I haven't seen a whole lot of this whole time because they are easily the most careful people in the family)! what could possibly go wrong!

so there was a covid outbreak at the 2nd babiest cousin's school (ok she's like 6 but that's Still Baby), and both she and her mom tested positive.

this was a few days ago and things were still kind of... up in the air a bit? they have to quarantine, of course; their pediatrician said the babiest cousin should stay with them too, and my uncle was away when his happened and is currently staying with his in-laws. and the quarantine period should be ending before christmas, so... who knows, right?

except uhhh my uncle called this morning and since babiest cousin will have to quarantine for 10 days AFTER her mom & sister's quarantine periods are over, it is straight up not happening.

so yeah! i'm pretty bummed! even though i am 28 years old and it's not like christmas has been what it used to be for years now! i guess i just... wanted?? a close-to-normal christmas again? but it's going to be awfully lonely instead!

and speaking of lonely!!!!!

on my dad's side of the family! my aunt had brought up the possibility of spending christmas or at least part of it with them! because! my grandmother passed away suddenly this summer (did I even mention this on tumblr, july was a fucking blur for me. i forgot to declare my income and i have to pay a fine next month lmao), and, you know, it's going to be the first christmas without her and that's fucking rough!

but of course the Full Christmas fell through because it's not the year for that, and the, i don't know, Christmas Lunch or w/e isn't happening because... i'm not sure?? my dad said it'd be cumbersome or something stupid like that??? so, like, my aunt said "oh it's ok we'll just schedule a get-together some other time" but like! like!!!!!

WELP!!! at least i got that off my chest

[meganskane]

wait omg u had covid? are you ok? what was it like? did it just feel like a rly shitty cold? im so fascinated by this sorry if u dnt wanna talk about it <3

yeah i did!! and yeah i’m fine :) my entire family got it on new years, like when i mean everyone i mean EVERRYOOONEE.

we all had different symptoms to it, when i had it i felt like i had a really bad cold, i had the chills and just had the worst stomach ache? i couldn’t sleep for shit 😂 my younger cousin who lives with me, her entire body was in pain, she was felt like ass and couldn’t smell or taste (i feel like she got it the worst?) and my grandma didn’t have any symptoms.

this was me ↴ once they called and said we all had it

but overall it was absolute shit, so whoever reads this wear your masks and get vaccinated if you can <3 i still have to make my appointment w/ my aunt to get it done but i’ll be getting it soon hopefully 😳

[survey--s]

128.

survey by joybucket

What's something you believe in that others are skeptical of?   Aliens. Not in the sense of little green men in spaceships, but I absolutely believe there are other life-forms out there. I think it’s so arrogant when people assume we must be “it”. The universe is huge and I very much doubt we’re the best it has to offer, lol.

What was the last YouTube video you watched that you found entertaining?   The last thing I watched was a TV show called Kim’s Rude Awakenings.

Do you own a Snuggie?   I have no idea what that is, so I’m going to go with no.

What are three things you love about winter?   Snow, winter clothes and blankets.

Do you like where there's snow?   I do so long as it’s proper snow - I hate wet slush or black ice, but proper white powdery snow is lovely. Sadly, we pretty much never get it, lol.

What's been the best thing about your day so far?   Uh, I haven’t done much so far today. The best thing was probably not having to go out in the pissing down rain? lol. Also, Archie’s eyes are clearing up which is also good as I really don’t want to pay for another vet trip.

Do you set goals for yourself each week/month/year?   No, just because I don’t think life really works like that, and I kind of feel that you set a goal but life keeps getting in the way, you’re going to get discouraged.

Are you sitting by a window right now?   No, our sofa is kind of in the middle of the room.

What are you allergic to?   I have no allergies, luckily.

What did the last pizza you ate have on it?   Mozzarella, tomatoes, mixed peppers and onions.

Have you ever had a supernatural experience?   No. I don’t believe in things like that.

What are three of the most disgusting foods on the planet, in your opinion?   Bananas (whole, they’re fine mashed or baked in bread, for example), eggs and cooked spinach.

Do you have good neighbors right now?   They’re fine enough. We don’t really have anything to do with each other.

Would you ever get a tattoo?   I have a tattoo.

Do you know anyone un-related to you that has your same last name?   Actually, no.

Name five geographical locations that start with W.   Wales, Wyoming, Warsaw, Wisconsin and Washington.

Do you know anyone who is truly evil?   No, I don’t really believe in evil in that sense. I believe people can do evil things but I don’t really know if I believe that anyone can actually be 100% evil.

Have you ever practiced self-hypnosis?   No.

What is one thing you always wanted as a child but never got?   A tamagotchi.

Do you like your natural hair color?   I do now, yeah, but I always found it really dull when I was growing up.

How old were you when you found your first gray hair (if applicable)?   I’m 33 now and I’ve never seen any grey hairs.

When was the last time you watched a sunrise?   Friday. 

What was the cause of the worst physical pain you've ever experienced?   Period pain. I get it so badly I’ve passed out and vomited numerous times over the years. Medication helps but it’s not foolproof. It’s really miserable and my COVID booster has made it even worse. Ugh.

Is there anyone in your family who is colorblind, that you know of?   My granddad was colourblind.

What is one thing you want to do before you die?   Travel the world.

Have you had COVID?   Probably, but if I have, I had it very mildly (or was asymptomatic) and I’ve never taken a COVID test.

Have you had the COVID vaccine?   Yes, all three doses.

Do you know anyone who's died of COVID?   No.

Who of your friends is pregnant right now?   I can’t think of anyone who is pregnant right now.

Who was the last friend of yours to have a baby?   My cousin had a baby last month - well, December now - a little boy.

Name five people you know (or know of) that have died in car accidents.   Well, this is a bit of a miserable question, lol. Personally I only know one person - a girl I went to school with. She was drink driving and smashed her car into a tree and died on impact.

How many people do you have that you trust 100%?   My parents and my husband, plus Stefi, so four, I guess.

List five things that make you happy.   Sleep, dogs, sunshine, good food and warm blankets.

Are you a Christian?   Nope.

Do you have a sock drawer?   My top dresser drawer has socks and underwear in it.

What is the name of your favorite book character?   Alice or Richard, depending on which book we’re referring to.

What does your middle name rhyme with?   Batherine? lol.

What is your favorite thing about yourself?   I don’t really have a favourite thing.

What are a few rumors that you've heard about yourself?   There was a rumour going round at school that I gave my ex-boyfriend a blowjob on school property. Total bullshit, of course.

What is your ancestry?   Scottish, Spanish and Seychellois.

Name three people you've met who have the same favorite color as you.   I don’t really ask people their favourite colour.

What was your favorite class in high school?   History.

What is the silliest school team mascot you have heard of?   We don’t have mascots here.

Have you ever had a toxic friend that pretended to be your friend, when they weren't? Sure.

[preciousmetals0]

Econ Disaster; Tobacco Grows Vaccines Faster?

Econ Disaster; Tobacco Grows Vaccines Faster?:

Would You Like to Know More?

Are you doing your part, citizen?

Yesterday, the White House laid it all on the line. By staying the course on social distancing, we can do more than create a thousand points of light … We can save 2.2 million Americans.

That’s 2 million dreams for the world we’re gonna make! (Excuse me while I break out into song… I think of what the world could be, a vision of the one I see!) Yeah, the quarantine is starting to get to me, why do you ask?

That’s a message of hope if ever I’ve heard one. And we’ll need all the positivity we can get.

The U.S. economy is in trouble … with a capital “T.” When I’m mixing up quotes from George H. W. Bush, The Greatest Showman and Starship Troopers … you know we’ve got trouble.

The leading edge of the coronavirus’ impact on the economy is just starting to arrive — and it looks bad:

The ADP Moody’s Analytics National Employment Report found that private employers shed 27,000 jobs in March. It was the first payroll decline in two and a half years. What’s more, the data also didn’t include last week’s record — 3.28 million unemployment claims.

The March Institute for Supply Management manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) plunged to 44.5%. Readings below 50% indicate economic contraction.

According to the Department of Commerce, construction spending fell 1.3% in February, indicating weakness before the impact of COVID-19 in March.

The Takeaway:

We’re no strangers to the coronavirus. You know the rules and so do I. (So do I…)

Market commitment’s not what I’m thinking of. Great Stuff knows the game and we’re gonna play it…

Despite the market’s massive head fake in the last week of March, the Dow still experienced its worst first-quarter performance in its 123-year existence. That includes the 2008 financial crisis and the Great Depression.

And, yes, that rally off the March 23 low was a head fake. Wall Street still has no idea how bad the COVID-19 situation will get in the U.S. and investors are only now getting a look at the true impact from initial economic indicators.

In the immortal words of George W. Bush: “…fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can’t get fooled again.”

That’s why Great Stuff didn’t tell you to buy into the rally.

It’s why we told you to hold gold, bonds and currencies.

It’s like social distancing or sheltering in place for your portfolio.

Preserving your wealth and investment capital — that is your hope … your light at the end of the tunnel.

We won’t let you get fooled again. That’s why we only recommend maintaining investments in well run and well capitalized companies — ones we know will come through storm stronger than before.

Now, how do you find said well-run companies?

Three rules. That’s all you need.

That’s all that an expert like Charles Mizrahi needs, anyway, to find which stocks are diamonds in the rough and which are pure, untouchable garbage. In fact, Charles just recorded a video that explains all three rules to find which stocks are solid enough to weather the storm.

Click here now to learn more.

The Good: Can You Hear Me Now?

So, you want to know what a well-run and well-capitalized company looks like?

Well, Great Stuff has you covered.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) has it all: stable revenue streams, a 4.6% dividend yield, a strong balance sheet, cutting-edge 5G technology and a consumer base that’s not adversely affected by the pandemic.

How do you like them apples?

What’s more, Goldman Sachs analyst Brett Feldman agrees (no relation to, Corey … I don’t think). Feldman upgraded Verizon to “conviction buy” from just a regular old “buy” rating this morning, citing practically all of the reasons listed above. He left out 5G technology, which we think is a key driver … but no one’s perfect.

Feldman did cut his price target from $65 to $61 in light of VZ’s recent 12% decline, but he remains quite bullish on the company. Verizon’s “services are relatively non-discretionary and will see less of an impact from potential drops in consumer and business spending,” Feldman told clients.

The only reason why VZ isn’t a Great Stuff Pick right now is that the market has some downside from here, and we think you might get a better price in the next week or so. (See, we’re always looking out for you!)

The Bad: Shale Be Comin’ Round the Mountain…

OK, let’s be honest, she’s not comin’ round the mountain anytime soon … at least not for oil companies.

Case in point: BP PLC (NYSE: BP) provided an update to investors, calling the current market the “most brutal environment for oil and gas businesses in decades.”

At least BP didn’t sugarcoat it, right?

BP went on to detail a 25% cut in spending for 2020, including a $1 billion drop in spending on its U.S. shale business. The company also announced that it will take a $1 billion impairment charge in the first quarter due to weak oil demand.

Now, BP will likely come through the current oil market crash just fine. It’s done so before, according to CEO Bernard Looney (hee hee … Looney).

The real takeaway from BP’s announcement is the awful predicament for U.S. shale oil producers. BP is cutting production by 70,000 barrels per day as part of its spending cuts. But large oil companies like BP are well capitalized and can withstand current conditions, albeit, their share prices will take a hit.

Smaller shale oil companies will not be as fortunate.

The Ugly: Wacky Tobaccy

I’m still unconvinced that this last story isn’t an April Fools’ Day joke. But it was reported by Reuters, Bloomberg and MarketWatch, so…

British American Tobacco PLC (NYSE: BTI) announced today that it’s working on a COVID-19 vaccine. Yes, the maker of Lucky Strikes and Camel cigarettes is making a vaccine for respiratory infections. Oh, the irony!

Utilizing “tobacco plant technology,” BTI’s Kentucky BioProcessing division reportedly analyzed the coronavirus’s genetic sequence, developed an antigen and placed that in tobacco plants to develop a vaccine. I’m pretty sure this is how all sci-fi horror and thriller movies start.

BTI’s tobacco-based vaccine is already in preclinical testing. If those tests go well, the company says it can deliver between 1 million and 3 million doses a week.

On one hand, this is really good news on the COVID-19 battle front — if the vaccine works. I mean, if we can grow cures for viruses in tobacco, Kentucky could save the world! (Can I smoke the vaccine?)

On the other hand, when tobacco producers develop vaccines for respiratory infections, I can’t help but think we’ve jumped the shark on vaccine speculation in the market.

Today, I want to hear from all the buyers out there. Yes, I’ve seen your emails come in — I know you’re out there, buying up a frenzy!

I commend your bravery in the face of market peril. Yes, while Great Stuff has recommended to stick with safe havens, we know that irrational markets can make even the most stoic investor, well, irrational at times.

Not to mention, for a shrewd value investor out there, it’s raining deals and bargains.

So, where are you discount-hunting these days? What sector, trend or market are investors missing out on? Let us know in today’s poll:

Great Stuff: What’s Shaking in Stimulus-ville

As Tim M. highlighted in an email last week, “Biggest thing in the relief package is the loans for small businesses to cover their entire payroll for 2 ½ months.”

Yes, small businesses saw a rare victory with the recent stimulus bill. They might not make out like Wall Street bandits, but the real relief in the relief package hits deep in every local market … in every local community … in every state nationwide.

First off, thanks for writing in, Tim!

I don’t have to tell you that it’s a tough time for any business owner, large or small. But the flexibility with business loans to help out payrolls, why, it brings a smile to this cynic’s face. (Mostly because those small business loans are going to help save my local micro brewery!)

Remember what I mentioned above: With the right facilities and capabilities … with right blend of creativity and rational … a well-run business can get by.

(Not sure how to tell a diamond in the rough from a dud in the scruff? You might want to click here pronto!)

Now, it’s not just small businesses like your local brewery and the donut shop down the street that are struggling to pull through. (I swear, a world without local craft beer isn’t a world worth living in.)

Think — The U.S. just had a decade plus of startup after startup wanting to be the “Uber of this” or the “Netflix of that.” So, it’s a tough time in the private funding tank, too, as Shark Tank investor Barbara Corcoran told Yahoo Finance this week.

“The smart ones are shifting their models, they are getting more creative,” “…but the great majority of investments I made, I don’t expect them to make it honestly through this trough…”

One of Corcoran’s “smart ones” includes Cousins Maine Lobster, a food truck turned delivery mobile.

Imagine walking out of your isolation chamber, mystified by the drive-by aromas of lobster trucks rolling through the block. (No wonder Domino’s Pizza Inc. (NYSE: DPZ) is seeing sales drop. I mean, lobster pizza? Your move, Domino’s.)

For me, this is the light at the end of the tunnel. (No, not delivery seafood … perish the thought.)

After we make it through this crisis … when we “get our life back again” … prepare for the roaring comeback of the American small business. The hardworking, passionate American spirit will not die … it’ll just get creative.

On-the-spot innovation — It’s the American thing to do.

Until next time, be Great!

Joseph Hargett

Editor, Great Stuff

[goldira01]

Would You Like to Know More?

Are you doing your part, citizen?

Yesterday, the White House laid it all on the line. By staying the course on social distancing, we can do more than create a thousand points of light … We can save 2.2 million Americans.

That’s 2 million dreams for the world we’re gonna make! (Excuse me while I break out into song… I think of what the world could be, a vision of the one I see!) Yeah, the quarantine is starting to get to me, why do you ask?

That’s a message of hope if ever I’ve heard one. And we’ll need all the positivity we can get.

The U.S. economy is in trouble … with a capital “T.” When I’m mixing up quotes from George H. W. Bush, The Greatest Showman and Starship Troopers … you know we’ve got trouble.

The leading edge of the coronavirus’ impact on the economy is just starting to arrive — and it looks bad:

The ADP Moody’s Analytics National Employment Report found that private employers shed 27,000 jobs in March. It was the first payroll decline in two and a half years. What’s more, the data also didn’t include last week’s record — 3.28 million unemployment claims.

The March Institute for Supply Management manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) plunged to 44.5%. Readings below 50% indicate economic contraction.

According to the Department of Commerce, construction spending fell 1.3% in February, indicating weakness before the impact of COVID-19 in March.

The Takeaway:

We’re no strangers to the coronavirus. You know the rules and so do I. (So do I…)

Market commitment’s not what I’m thinking of. Great Stuff knows the game and we’re gonna play it…

Despite the market’s massive head fake in the last week of March, the Dow still experienced its worst first-quarter performance in its 123-year existence. That includes the 2008 financial crisis and the Great Depression.

And, yes, that rally off the March 23 low was a head fake. Wall Street still has no idea how bad the COVID-19 situation will get in the U.S. and investors are only now getting a look at the true impact from initial economic indicators.

In the immortal words of George W. Bush: “…fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can’t get fooled again.”

That’s why Great Stuff didn’t tell you to buy into the rally.

It’s why we told you to hold gold, bonds and currencies.

It’s like social distancing or sheltering in place for your portfolio.

Preserving your wealth and investment capital — that is your hope … your light at the end of the tunnel.

We won’t let you get fooled again. That’s why we only recommend maintaining investments in well run and well capitalized companies — ones we know will come through storm stronger than before.

Now, how do you find said well-run companies?

Three rules. That’s all you need.

That’s all that an expert like Charles Mizrahi needs, anyway, to find which stocks are diamonds in the rough and which are pure, untouchable garbage. In fact, Charles just recorded a video that explains all three rules to find which stocks are solid enough to weather the storm.

Click here now to learn more.

The Good: Can You Hear Me Now?

So, you want to know what a well-run and well-capitalized company looks like?

Well, Great Stuff has you covered.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) has it all: stable revenue streams, a 4.6% dividend yield, a strong balance sheet, cutting-edge 5G technology and a consumer base that’s not adversely affected by the pandemic.

How do you like them apples?

What’s more, Goldman Sachs analyst Brett Feldman agrees (no relation to, Corey … I don’t think). Feldman upgraded Verizon to “conviction buy” from just a regular old “buy” rating this morning, citing practically all of the reasons listed above. He left out 5G technology, which we think is a key driver … but no one’s perfect.

Feldman did cut his price target from $65 to $61 in light of VZ’s recent 12% decline, but he remains quite bullish on the company. Verizon’s “services are relatively non-discretionary and will see less of an impact from potential drops in consumer and business spending,” Feldman told clients.

The only reason why VZ isn’t a Great Stuff Pick right now is that the market has some downside from here, and we think you might get a better price in the next week or so. (See, we’re always looking out for you!)

The Bad: Shale Be Comin’ Round the Mountain…

OK, let’s be honest, she’s not comin’ round the mountain anytime soon … at least not for oil companies.

Case in point: BP PLC (NYSE: BP) provided an update to investors, calling the current market the “most brutal environment for oil and gas businesses in decades.”

At least BP didn’t sugarcoat it, right?

BP went on to detail a 25% cut in spending for 2020, including a $1 billion drop in spending on its U.S. shale business. The company also announced that it will take a $1 billion impairment charge in the first quarter due to weak oil demand.

Now, BP will likely come through the current oil market crash just fine. It’s done so before, according to CEO Bernard Looney (hee hee … Looney).

The real takeaway from BP’s announcement is the awful predicament for U.S. shale oil producers. BP is cutting production by 70,000 barrels per day as part of its spending cuts. But large oil companies like BP are well capitalized and can withstand current conditions, albeit, their share prices will take a hit.

Smaller shale oil companies will not be as fortunate.

The Ugly: Wacky Tobaccy

I’m still unconvinced that this last story isn’t an April Fools’ Day joke. But it was reported by Reuters, Bloomberg and MarketWatch, so…

British American Tobacco PLC (NYSE: BTI) announced today that it’s working on a COVID-19 vaccine. Yes, the maker of Lucky Strikes and Camel cigarettes is making a vaccine for respiratory infections. Oh, the irony!

Utilizing “tobacco plant technology,” BTI’s Kentucky BioProcessing division reportedly analyzed the coronavirus’s genetic sequence, developed an antigen and placed that in tobacco plants to develop a vaccine. I’m pretty sure this is how all sci-fi horror and thriller movies start.

BTI’s tobacco-based vaccine is already in preclinical testing. If those tests go well, the company says it can deliver between 1 million and 3 million doses a week.

On one hand, this is really good news on the COVID-19 battle front — if the vaccine works. I mean, if we can grow cures for viruses in tobacco, Kentucky could save the world! (Can I smoke the vaccine?)

On the other hand, when tobacco producers develop vaccines for respiratory infections, I can’t help but think we’ve jumped the shark on vaccine speculation in the market.

Today, I want to hear from all the buyers out there. Yes, I’ve seen your emails come in — I know you’re out there, buying up a frenzy!

I commend your bravery in the face of market peril. Yes, while Great Stuff has recommended to stick with safe havens, we know that irrational markets can make even the most stoic investor, well, irrational at times.

Not to mention, for a shrewd value investor out there, it’s raining deals and bargains.

So, where are you discount-hunting these days? What sector, trend or market are investors missing out on? Let us know in today’s poll:

Great Stuff: What’s Shaking in Stimulus-ville

As Tim M. highlighted in an email last week, “Biggest thing in the relief package is the loans for small businesses to cover their entire payroll for 2 1/2 months.”

Yes, small businesses saw a rare victory with the recent stimulus bill. They might not make out like Wall Street bandits, but the real relief in the relief package hits deep in every local market … in every local community … in every state nationwide.

First off, thanks for writing in, Tim!

I don’t have to tell you that it’s a tough time for any business owner, large or small. But the flexibility with business loans to help out payrolls, why, it brings a smile to this cynic’s face. (Mostly because those small business loans are going to help save my local micro brewery!)

Remember what I mentioned above: With the right facilities and capabilities … with right blend of creativity and rational … a well-run business can get by.

(Not sure how to tell a diamond in the rough from a dud in the scruff? You might want to click here pronto!)

Now, it’s not just small businesses like your local brewery and the donut shop down the street that are struggling to pull through. (I swear, a world without local craft beer isn’t a world worth living in.)

Think — The U.S. just had a decade plus of startup after startup wanting to be the “Uber of this” or the “Netflix of that.” So, it’s a tough time in the private funding tank, too, as Shark Tank investor Barbara Corcoran told Yahoo Finance this week.

“The smart ones are shifting their models, they are getting more creative,” “…but the great majority of investments I made, I don’t expect them to make it honestly through this trough…”

One of Corcoran’s “smart ones” includes Cousins Maine Lobster, a food truck turned delivery mobile.

Imagine walking out of your isolation chamber, mystified by the drive-by aromas of lobster trucks rolling through the block. (No wonder Domino’s Pizza Inc. (NYSE: DPZ) is seeing sales drop. I mean, lobster pizza? Your move, Domino’s.)

For me, this is the light at the end of the tunnel. (No, not delivery seafood … perish the thought.)

After we make it through this crisis … when we “get our life back again” … prepare for the roaring comeback of the American small business. The hardworking, passionate American spirit will not die … it’ll just get creative.

On-the-spot innovation — It’s the American thing to do.

Until next time, be Great!

Joseph Hargett

Editor, Great Stuff