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Meeting Invitation
Meeting Invitation

28 results for love -

    Millie Zemlak Millie_Zemlak
    (NewsUSA) - Cold brew coffee continues to be a hot trend. Recent market research shows an increase in sales of 580 percent between 2011 and 2016 as coffee drinkers have embraced the smooth flavor of cold brew.

    Cold brew is coffee made with cold water. It sounds simple, but making cold brew concentrate from ground coffee at home can be a messy and time-consuming process. Most devices on the market require 12 to 24 hours of steep time at room temperature to brew a coffee concentrate suitable for cold brew coffee, so serving cold brew coffee has traditionally required advance planning. But now a specialized coffee press allows cold brew coffee lovers to get their fix in a couple of minutes.

    By briskly stirring coffee grounds and room temperature water together in the AeroPress coffee maker, you can cut brewing time from many hours to just two minutes. Simply add finely ground coffee and room-temperature water, stir, press, and enjoy a cup of smooth, flavorful cold brew coffee.

    Another advantage of the AeroPress is a quick and easy cleanup. Unlike typical cold brewers, the AeroPress does not leave a large filter full of messy coffee grounds after brewing. It is designed to consolidate the used grounds and filter into a small, neat puck that pops out ready for composting.

    A huge advantage of cold brewing is it can be done where there is that no access to hot water. When traveling, hiking, biking, or doing other activities away from the home kitchen, there is almost always a source of water but often no way to heat it. However with a lightweight, portable AeroPress, it is easy to brew a cup of smooth rich cold brew using tap water in about two minutes.

    Not only does the AeroPress brew delicious hot coffee in addtion to cold brew, but as a multipurpose coffeemaker, it helps cut kitchen clutter by eliminating the need for separate machines.

    Visit aeropress.com for more information about how to enjoy cold brew (or hot) coffee with ease in the comfort of your home.

    Ref: Drinks - in Blogs
    75 0

    Millie Zemlak Millie_Zemlak
    (NewsUSA) - Enhancing a once-in-a-lifetime event, such as a wedding proposal or ceremony, with the right song takes the experience to a whole new level. It adds a personal touch that makes for ongoing memories, as couples have the opportunity to play the song at anniversaries or other special events through the years.

    Just in time for anyone planning to propose on Valentine's Day (or any day), an original song called "The First Time," by Del Henry, makes its debut February 1, 2019, on multiple channels, including iTunes, Amazon Music, Apple Music, Tidal, Spotify, Pandora, YouTube Music, Google Music Store, Shazam, and many more.

    The release of the song coincides with a release of a video. The video version of "The First Time" being released is, in fact, the first time the song was performed live, at a wedding as a gift from the groom to the bride, and her reaction says it all.

    "How can I say, in a most simple way/My living started when you came that day/ How can I tell you when all's said and done/ My Heaven started with you as the one."

    Many couples can relate to these lyrics. The song stands out as an example of the power of music to capture a moment and move an audience, so it is both a personal and a shared experience.

    Many of the guests seen in the video of the song's debut are as emotional as the bride, because the lyrics evoke memories of their own shared lives and ongoing love stories.

    "It's truly a story about how and why couples come to the moment when they want to be together … 'eternally,' says David Shewmaker, the Minister conducting the ceremony.

    "As a Groomsman, I could see Brandon's live performance and saw the audience's response, which was electric and moving. I was hearing the song for the first time too," says Tim Delany, a 23-year-old college graduate.

    Lyrics such as "The first time I felt your eyes touch mine/The first time I felt your smile" can be part of the setting of a proposal on Valentine's Day or any day, but they are equally appropriate for an anniversary, whether a first or a fiftieth, or simply to thank someone for bringing joy to your life.

    Use the song to show your affection for someone who matters to you, share the heartwarming video, and appreciate the skill of 18-year-old musician Brandon D. Henry, who performed "The First Time" for its first time at the recent wedding shown in the video, accompanied by master guitarist Dave Murdy.

    Ref: Concerts - in Blogs
    82 0

    Jacob Holt writelyso
    With a nation surrounded by bodies of water and made up of over 700 individual islands, the Bahamas make up the vast majority of the Caribbean. Plus, with a vast array of attractive beaches and crystal clear shorelines, you will surely be able to soak in the sun. Besides the splendor of the beaches, there are many other sights that are only available in the Bahamas. You will also love that the locals have some level of English so asking for directions will be no problem.

    What's more is that you will find an array of activities available to enjoy. The activities available make the Bahamas a perfect vacation spot for couples, families, or individuals looking to get away for a while. For the adventurer, seeking an adventure in the Bahamas will provide more than what you expect. Plus, with reasonable prices, a Bahamian vacation won't break the bank. As far as prices are concerned, let's take a look at how much it would cost to go on a family vacation to the Bahamas.

    Price for a Family Vacation to the Bahamas

    Just like any other vacation, a trip to the Bahamas involves many things that affect the overall price such as the amount of time being spent in the Bahamas, hotel accommodations, where you are flying from, number of family members, and entertainment expenses. It is also important that you have a bit more spending money for unexpected expenses.

    As you search around online, you may come across several travel sites offering different prices for a Bahama vacation. On average, the price could range from $900 to $950 for a single person. This is not bad when you are staying for at least 3 nights. The price may include your plane tickets, complimentary breakfasts, and hotel charges. You need to keep in mind that a low price such as this may require the departing flight to be from Florida since the route will be shorter than any other state.

    Essentially, all of the costs you experience will be determined by where you fly out from and your length of stay.

    If you plan to be traveling as a family or a group of friends, you may experience an even lower price, which could be based on a group rate. All you have to do is choose which group rate will provide the most benefits. You may also want to keep an eye on the prices as they may often change.

    Cost for a Flight

    Booking a flight to the Bahamas is not necessarily expensive. Of course, the price may depend on the month you plan to go. For fall flights, you may pay hundreds less than a flight in the summer, which is normal when many are traveling.

    Bahama Activities To Enjoy

    The good part about having activities to do is that they all may not cost much or may even be free, such as being on the beach sunbathing. Besides the beach, other fun activities include tours and even snorkeling or parasailing.

    You need to be aware that the price for activities may increase, which may be caused by their ability to provide some great excitement. Below are a few of the activities you can expect to enjoy while vacationing in the Bahamas.

    Taking a Dive in the Lucayan National Park Caves

    With more than 40 acres of caves, the Lucayan National Park provides cave swimming for those who enjoy underwater exploration. Located on Grand Bahama Island, the Lucayan National Park is a prized location for those who love ecology. Prior to your dive, you can enjoy a nice horseback ride or hike among the hardwood forest, the coppice landscaping, and even the mangroves.

    Visit the Straw Market for Souvenir Shopping

    If you are good at bartering, then the Straw Market is a good place to get some souvenirs at a low price. The Straw Market can be found on Bay Street. While there you will come across different vendors selling various items to take back home and enjoy.

    Not only is it acceptable to barter and haggle, but the locals encourage it. No matter what day you feel like going to Straw Market, it will always be open until 8pm.

    Tackle the Atlantis Paradise Island Waterpark

    As you enter the waterpark, you will be amazed at what Aquaventure has to offer. As part of the fun, there are over 140 acres of slides, pools, and rivers that are set among a landscape of Atlantis ruins. If you are a resort guest, then you will have free access to the park. If you want to enjoy a day at Aquaventure, then a day pass is easily obtainable.

    Enjoy Cabbage Beach

    As you continue to explore Paradise Island, you should make your way to the east side to enjoy the clear waters of Cabbage Beach. With two miles worth of beach Cabbage Beach is able to provide nice swimming in clear water.

    While you're walking the beach, check out the huts along the beach. You will see a masseuse waiting to provide a relaxing massage as the waves crash nearby.

    Explore the Pink Sand of Pink Sands Beach

    That's right, the sand of Pink Sand Beach is truly pink in color. This pink is due to the insects containing the pink color in their shells.

    The sand remains pink because of the crushing waves that hit the shells. The waves then mix the sand with the remains, which creates the pink sand. Your feet will also love the sand, which is nice and cool and is perfect for beach walks or soaking up the sun.

    Order a Chilly Daq Shack Beverage

    While taking in the sun and beach, nothing else is better than enjoying a nice chilly beverage while doing it. At the Daq Shack, you will enjoy a wooden hut with open-air that will provide you with the best rum and freshest fruits to create your favorite drinks.

    With many trying to be as authentic as the original Daq Shack, you will be at the original when you goto Cable Beach. The original Daq Shack can be pinpointed by the huge amount of business cards strung throughout the establishment.

    Enjoy a Bite to Eat at Graycliff Hotel

    Who knew you would be among pirates as you dine at Graycliff Hotel. With its rich history, Graycliff has managed to cater many for more than 250 years in the Bahamas.

    Although Graycliff is popular for the cigars, the hotel mansion also boasts a tremendous cellar for various wines and of course, a restaurant worthy of five stars. The food is beyond rich but with a traditional Bahamian flair. With that, you will need to make reservations early, sometimes months in advance, so if you plan a future vacation to the Bahamas, it is best to reserve now.

    Enjoy a Fish Fry Conch

    Once you have enjoyed a nice frozen beverage at the Daq Shack, head over to Fish Fry for a nice conch. Although this dish is the unofficial island favorite, its popularity is beyond proportion. A multitude of vendors are lined up to provide their take on conch as well as rice and plantains.

    Although you can enjoy the Fish Fry any day of the week, Friday and Saturday boast the most fun with an atmosphere filled with rum and music lasting throughout the night.

    Enjoy Spectating Cricket Matches

    Head over to the Cricket Club to enjoy some tasty food and beverages while watching some cricket matches. For the best views, you are best to sit above in the balcony and enjoy the pitch from above. The seating above is great for enjoying a cold beverage as the cool breeze helps you to relax and enjoy the tropical surroundings.

    Head Over to John Watling for some Rum Sampling

    By adding some rum, you´ll enjoy a true Bahama experience that John Watling can provide. With over 20 years of rum production, the distillery filters the rum with coconut and does a good job at it. John Watling sits comfortably on the Buena Vista Estate and boasts two acres of lushness. Access to John Watling distillery is 7 days a week and tastings and tours are also available. Before you leave, make sure to grab their estate cocktails, which are available in half gallon size.

    Test the Stacks at Baha Mar Casino

    With a lot of naturalness surrounding your family vacation, it is nice to escape the family to enjoy some gambling with other adults. With some extra glitz available in Nassau, you can try a hand of cards at the Baha Mar Casino. With a few resorts to spend the night, the Baha Mar Casino connects each property to the others and is highly known as the Caribbean's biggest casino. Make sure to have a drink ready to calm the nerves before hitting the casino floor to face the 110+ tables and more than enough slots that will keep you occupied for the entire night.

    Go Diving in Thunderball Grotto

    Going for a dive just got better as you explore Thunderball Grotto. While in the cave, you will recognize it from a James Bond movie. You will find it near Staniel Cay, and enjoying the pool is a great way to relax and explore while also transporting yurself back to the days of espionage.

    Head to Sandy Toes for some Snorkeling

    Located 30 minutes by boat, you can head to Rose Island to relax at Sandy Toes and enjoy a fresh beverage at its beach bar. At the shoreline of the island, it provides great seclusion that only a tropical island can offer. While you are there yu can head out for some snorkreling or go out running with the pigs that inhabit the island.

    When you are finished with that, enjoy a nice beverage in a hammock to relax the rest of the day.

    Head to Andros for some Barrier Reef Snorkeling

    If you have fins and mask, then you will love getting to use them at Andros along the barrier reef. As one of the largest islands in the world, you will enjoy seeing what marine life await you in the Caribbean. Often referred to as the Big Yard, you will find it mostly uninhabited. This allows the island to remain quiet and tranquil.

    Besides the reef, you will enjoy the vast amount of shipwrecks, blue tangs, scorpionfish, and parrotfish.

    Bahama Seasons

    The seasons in the Bahamas have a high season that starts in December and ends in April and the “winter” is a tropical warm climate. Regardless, many continue to visit regardless of the season and hurricane season does not seem to deter the visitors. To get the most out of your vacation, it is best to avoid the season of Spring Break, which begins in March and ends in April. By avoiding the Spring Break, your family can enjoy what the island has to offer without worrying about drunk college kids.

    Extra Expenses You Can Expect

    Besides the prices for all of the activities you enjoy, you will need to account for the expenses that will be added on top. We are sure that you do not want to just stay in your hotel for the entire time your family is vacationing.

    Knowing that, you also need to know about some other expenses that you may see every day that you remain in the Bahamas. While some may be on top of what you will be paying, some may be added to the overall price you pay. Keep in mind that the prices for each are considered average.

    Your Accommodations

    Many of your accommodations will be covered after you book your family vacation. But you may want to stay in other hotels as you explore the Bahamas. On average, you can expect to pay a daily rate of $65 for a night. Of course, if you need more space, then you will be paying more so do some research prior to booking.

    Dining Expenses

    Having a hotel that serves a free breakfast will save you some money each day you stay there. Luckily, most of the sites that will book your stay include hotels that provide a free continental breakfast. This will provide you with some extras spending money to enjoy other food outside of the hotel.

    When you have a daily budget of around $40, you will easily enjoy the variety of food options available to you. This is great when the majority of the cuisine will be seafood-based. You should be ready for any dish, but in case you need some pointers on what to try, we've listed a few of the most popular that you will enjoy for less than your budget amount.

    Conch - This dish is nationally known and favored by many in the Bahamas. As a mollusk, the seafood is breaded and fried and served along with lemons. No matter where you adventure off to, you will likely see it in every restaurant you visit. A lot of times it is listed as an appetizer, however you may combine it as a main dish.

    Boiled Fish with Grits - This Bahamian dish is served frequently during breakfast. The fish is cooked in a spice broth made up of peppers and onions along with lime juice. A nice serving of grits is then served alongside it.

    Fish Stew - This healthy stew will be found throughout every restaurant regardless of where you are in the country. It combines celery, tomatoes, onions, spices, and of course fish.

    Getting Around

    Getting around by taxi or bus may cost around $20 each day. With water taxis, you could be paying as much as $35 per day.

    Separate Entertainment

    Enjoying a nightlife without the kids can offer nice alone time with your spouse. If you are a night person then going to various bars can put you back $25 for a night of fun. You may also be tipping so throw in a few more dollars for that.

    Ocean Excitement

    Being surrounded by the ocean means you have many opportunities to enjoy the activities that go along with it. You can enjoy kayaking for 4 hours for $65, pay $70 for snorkeling trips, or pay $45 to enjoy a jet ski. For a parasailing adventure, you can expect to pay close to $245 for a group of three.

    Don´t Forget your Souvenirs

    With photos and videos making up the majority of your souvenirs, it is also good to have an item that you purchase from within the Bahamas. With a souvenir being displayed in the house, others can easily ask about it and you can recall the moment you purchased it. On average, the amount you spend may be less than $3.

    So What is the Total Cost

    Taking everything into consideration and including the extras after your ticket and accommodations, you may be easily spending between $1,500 and $2,000 for your families entire vacation. This is not bad considering all that the Bahamas has to offer its visitors.
    44 0

    Millie Zemlak Millie_Zemlak
    (NewsUSA) - It's no surprise that parents today seek books that will delight, engage, and educate their children. However, some parents are seeing gaps in the available options of topics they want to share with their children. To combat this, there is a growing trend of parents who have taken matters into their own hands and turned to self-publishing to fill these holes themselves.

    Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) from Amazon is one self-publishing option that offers editorial freedom and ease of use for busy parents looking to create something that meets their kids' needs.

    KDP success stories include Handeep Dhoot (who writes as "Dr. Dhoot"), a mom with a Ph.D. in chemistry who wanted to introduce her young daughter to STEM topics.

    Dr. Dhoot has self-published the growing Tinker Toddler series of STEM books aimed at young children, including Machine Learning for Babies & Toddlers.

    "Becoming a parent helped me realize the urgency for introducing scientific topics, like STEM, to kids while their brains are still developing. KDP allowed me to self-publish books that portray these ideas in an accurate and digestible way for kids, including my own daughter."

    Gabi Garcia, a long-time school counselor and mom, turned to self-publishing when she saw a lack of books for Spanish-speaking and bilingual children about how to understand their emotions and feelings.

    "It's so important to engage with children early to discuss mindfulness. Self-publishing on KDP empowered me to take all that I'd learned and seen as a school counselor and make it accessible to more children, in both English and Spanish."

    She has published several books on these topics through KDP, including Listening to My Body, published in both English and Spanish. She now writes full-time on mindfulness and social awareness topics for children, parents, and educators.

    Brendan Kelso struggled with dyslexia as a child, but found learning and performing dramatic monologues helpful. He enjoyed Shakespeare, but, like many young readers, found the text hard to understand.

    After a career in engineering, he became a stay-at-home dad and came up with an idea to write versions of Shakespeare's plays that were more accessible to kids. His loveof theater and writing led him to self-publish several works through KDP, starting with Shakespeare's Hamlet for Kids.

    "I have the freedom to spend more time with my family, while pursuing my passion on my own terms with KDP."

    These parents have been able to create the books they couldn't find for kids and found financial success - and sometimes a whole new career - in the process.

    For those parents who are toying with self-publishing, but still have questions, consider this:

    * KDP lets authors set their own prices and retain all rights to their work.

    * As an author, you can publish your book in minutes, and these books are available to a worldwide audience through Kindle online stores in 24-48 hours.

    * You can publish Kindle eBooks and paperbacks in multiple languages.

    Visit kdp.amazon.com for more information about Kindle Direct Publishing.

    Ref: Encouraging - in Blogs
    90 0

    Jason Wilson jason
    1.Nihari,

    Nihari is a delicious meat stew loved by people all over the world,

    for its radiant beautiful aroma, rich savory flavor and tender fall of the bone meat which completely dissolves into your mouth giving you an experience of a lifetime.

    It was originally invented in the 1800s to be consumed as a high energy, rich in nutrition and heavy on stomach dish

    to keep the working-class citizens full all day long and to provide required energy.

    However, in today's era it is eaten for its magical flavor which gives your tongue the flavor it craves!

    The word Nihari comes from an Arabic word “Nahar” which means “Morning” as it was usually enjoyed in the daytime/early morning Its mouthwatering flavor attracted the Mughal Emperors (Nawabs) of that time who ate this delicacy to break their morning fasts.

    It is traditionally served with naan (a fermented bread baked in a clay oven)



    2. Namkeen rosh,

    The word “Namkeen” in Urdu means “salty” As the name suggests it is this simple salty tender piece of meat which may not sound delicious to ‘ocean haters’ but, those who have tasted all confirm that it is indeed Delightful.

    The ingredients only include;

    . Diced Ginger & Garlic

    . Meat (small pieces preferably fatty cuts)

    . And most important Salt which gives this dish its signature taste.

    Now begins the time to wait, to make the meat tender and melt in your mouth. After the meat is done garnish it with some green chilies and ginger (preferably; lengthwise). It is traditionally served with its own broth (yakhnee) and naan. It is quite popular and mostly enjoyed in the northern mountainous regions of the country as it helps the locals stay warm and meet body’s salt requirement.



    3. Chicken tikka,

    Tikka (BBQ chicken generally well charred, spicy and tangy in flavor) is the dream of every meat loving person.

    It is enjoyed all over the sub-continent and the name of United Kingdom is also included in this list. Traditionally small boneless chicken pieces are marinated with traditional species and yoghurt (dahi) to tenderize and break down the meat fibers with vertical cuts all over the chicken to let it completely absorb the flavor. the meat is cooked over open fire (angheeti) OR they are grilled over charcoals.

    The word “Tikka” is a Persian word meaning “bits / pieces” but if we listen to the people who have tried it, we can all agree that it should mean “outstanding flavor” because that's all this dish offers.

    20 0

    Joshua Michael joshua
    Struggling to keep up with endless customer questions? You’re not alone. Businesses are realizing that AI-powered chatbots are no longer just “nice-to-have” tools they’re essential for delivering fast, 24/7 customer support.

    But here’s the real challenge: with so many chatbot platforms out there, how do you know which one fits your business?

    In this guide, I’ll walk you through the 5 best AI chatbot builders in 2025. These tools are not only user-friendly but also designed to help businesses of all sizes automate conversations, save time, and increase customer satisfaction.





    What Makes a Great AI Chatbot Builder?
    Before diving into the list, let’s set some standards. A solid chatbot builder should offer:

    Ease of use – No-code or low-code platforms are best for beginners.
    AI capabilities – Natural Language Processing (NLP) for smarter conversations.
    Integrations – Works seamlessly with CRMs, websites, or apps.
    Scalability – Can grow with your business.
    Analytics – Helps you measure performance and customer interactions.

    If a chatbot builder ticks most of these boxes, it’s worth considering.

    1. ManyChat – Best for Marketing Automation
    manyChat is a go-to chatbot builder if you’re running an online store or want to automate conversations on social media platforms like Facebook Messenger and Instagram.

    Key Features:

    Visual drag-and-drop builder
    Automated workflows for lead generation
    Supports SMS, WhatsApp, and email campaigns
    Integrates with Shopify and HubSpot

    Best For: E-commerce stores and social media marketers who want to convert followers into paying customers.

    2. Intercom – Best for Customer Support
    Intercom is one of the most popular customer communication platforms, and its AI chatbot functionality is top-notch. According to TechCrunch, Intercom has been a pioneer in scaling customer support with conversational AI.

    Key Features:

    AI-powered resolution bot
    Proactive customer engagement
    Powerful integrations with Slack, Salesforce, and Zapier
    Real-time analytics

    Best For: SaaS companies and customer support teams needing advanced automation.

    3. Tidio – Best for Small Businesses
    If you’re just getting started and want something simple yet effective, Tidio is a fantastic option. It combines live chat with AI automation in one platform.

    Key Features:

    Easy to install on WordPress, Shopify, and Wix
    AI bot trained to answer FAQs
    Mobile app for on-the-go support
    Affordable plans

    Best For: Small businesses that want a budget-friendly AI chatbot solution.

    4. Drift – Best for B2B Sales Conversations
    Drift positions itself as a conversational marketing platform, and for good reason. It focuses on creating real-time, personalized chat experiences that drive sales.

    Key Features:

    AI bots qualify leads automatically
    Custom playbooks for B2B sales
    Integration with major CRMs like Salesforce and Marketo
    Personalized chat based on visitor data

    Best For: B2B businesses that rely heavily on lead generation and relationship building.

    5. HubSpot Chatbot Builder – Best All-in-One CRM Integration
    HubSpot offers a free chatbot builder inside its all-in-one CRM. This makes it incredibly useful for businesses already using HubSpot for marketing and sales.

    Key Features:

    No-code chatbot builder
    Automated lead qualification
    Seamless integration with HubSpot CRM
    Free plan with premium upgrades

    Best For: Businesses already in the HubSpot ecosystem who want a cost-effective chatbot solution.

    Final Thoughts
    The right AI chatbot builder depends on your business goals:

    Use ManyChat if you’re focused on social media and e-commerce.
    Choose Intercom for powerful customer support automation.
    Try Tidio if you’re a small business on a budget.
    Go with Drift for B2B lead generation.
    Pick HubSpot for all-in-one CRM integration.

    At the end of the day, the “best” chatbot is the one that fits your audience, budget, and growth strategy. Start small, experiment, and optimize as you go.

    Have you tried any of these chatbot builders before? Share your experience I’d love to hear which one worked best for you!



    3 0

    Millie Zemlak Millie_Zemlak
    (NewsUSA) - Is your dog bad to the bone? Does your sweet Jack Russel guard all doors from intruders -- friends and family included? Or is it your Boxer puppy that won't stop shredding socks and underwear? Some of the cutest pooches have the worst manners. Whether you're at work or just in another room, their mischievous play may lead to anything from home repairs to staggering vet bills.

    Pooches and owners alike can relate to this common problem, and getting the magical, behavioral transformation you've always fantasized about is closer than you think -- pet care authority Camp Bow Wow held a contest, "Bad to The Bone: Camp Bow Wow's Worst Behaved Dog Contest," to discover North America's most ill-mannered dog. The winning pooch received a full year of free services ($3,000 value) at a local Camp or Home Buddies (an in-home care service offered by Camp Bow Wow) of their choice. Most importantly, the winning dog also received free dog training to correct those bad habits.

    If you are a frustrated pet owner who doesn't have time to wait to win a contest like this, here are five dog-training tips straight from the Behavior Buddies experts at Camp Bow Wow to get you started:

    1. Proper exercise is key! A majority of behavior issues stem from a lack of proper exercise. At least one 30-minute walk per day is sufficient for most dogs. Playing in the backyard or in the house does not count as exercise.

    2. Buy a dog backpack for walks. This allows your dog to have a job and adds weight with objects like water bottles or hand weights so the dog expends more energy.

    3. Challenge your dog with brain puzzles. A mentally tired dog will not spend time thinking about how to get in the garbage or waste breath yipping at neighbors.

    4. Take a training class. Getting your dog to respect you is critical to having your dog listen to you.

    5. Send your dog to Camp Bow Wow or hire a Home Buddies Care Giver to take Fido on a walk. A tired dog is a good dog!

    If your beloved Fido is still opening cabinets and devouring furniture, enter him or her in Camp Bow Wow.

    For more information, visit www.campbowwow.com to see the location finder for the nearest Camp Bow Wow or Home Buddies near you.

    Ref: Funny - in Blogs
    76 1

    Tabbie wismer tabb111e
    posting a short story on here... go easy on me!
    ---
    It’s a lot easier to get away with listening to music in class when the teacher doesn’t even realize you’re there. Which is most of the time. Sitting in the back, you can have the Diskman on the desk and everything. They don’t see. Maybe in freshman year they’d care. But a senior with such little time left? They don’t even bother to say hi when you walk in the door. Fine with me, though. I have more on my mind than some teacher who wouldn’t know me from Cynthia in their fourth period.
    I had just pressed play on my music when Brandon walked into class, taking his normal seat next to me– as much as I wished he’d sit somewhere else today. He settled into the seat, the desk almost comically too small for his long, tall frame. He looked over at me with a smile, his blue eyes as vibrant as ever. “Hey, Val,” he greeted.
    I could not share in his enthusiasm. I simply nodded and replied, “Hey,” before turning my attention back to the window.
    “Uh… what’s wrong, man? You seem… sad.” I couldn’t see his face, but he sounded confused, and that probably meant he was doing that ******, pathetic, adorable head tilt he did when he didn’t get something.
    I force myself to look over at him again, shaking my head as if that would convince him. “Nothing, nothing… really.”
    Brandon opened his mouth to reply, but then Carli walked in and that would prove the end of the conversation for now. She took the desk next to him, his eyes lit up as he greeted her, gently pulled the baby pink backpack off of her shoulders and slung an arm around her when she settled in her seat.
    I watched out of the corner of my eye. And I told myself I didn’t care. But I cared. A lot. I turned to stare out the window again, hurt but slightly relieved– at least I didn’t have to explain myself, because now he was preoccupied with his girl. I pressed play on my Diskman again, not caring about whatever the teacher was going to yap about.

    Golden Valley High School was already **** as a school, but it was only amplified fifty times over now by the fact that Brandon had essentially abandoned me for Carli. At least before he would come sit behind the stairway with me during lunch… Now I’m just alone, hoping nobody would spot me. I wasn’t even eating, just hiding from the student body of idiots. By now, usually Brandon would’ve made me head out behind the school while he smoked, but… those days were gone, I guess. He was probably sitting with Carli instead now.
    Suddenly, the light from the windows was blocked, and there stood Carli herself and some of her girl posse. I forced myself to look up and meet her gaze, which was rather taunting.
    And I really couldn’t do much about it. Nobody would believe me. Carli had perfect grades and was up for valedictorian, wore bright clothes, and had the sweet girl act down flat. I didn’t say anything because I simply felt I had nothing to contribute, and I’d just let her do her bragging.
    “Hi, Valencia. I had a question… Do you have a date for the prom?” her grin is wicked, and I know she’s just trying to rub it in, or whatever.
    “I don’t think I’m even gonna go, so what do you care?” I reply, trying to stay cynical and cold, but knowing she’s got the better of me.
    “Oh, that’s a shame. I’m going with Brandon, but you know that already,” followed by Carli’s nerd chic girl gang breaking up into giggles.
    “Awesome. Have fun,” I stand up, slinging my bag over my shoulder, trying to give her the coldest shoulder I possibly can as I walk away.
    To my surprise, they don’t follow me. They continue to laugh and ridicule me in the stairway, but they don’t trail after me. I cross my arms, staring down at my Doc Martens instead of being responsible and looking where I’m going. I start to wonder why he didn’t choose me. I mean, we were a thousand times closer than him and Carli were. Sure, she helped him do calculus homework, and she would call him at LEAST three times a week– often when we were on the phone together– but I understood him better. We spent more time together.
    The bell rang and interrupted my wallowing, and I realized I was supposed to have gone to my history class by now. And I decided that sounded torturous while I was already brooding over my losses, so I decided to go hide. Maybe I’d ditch the rest of the day. It’s not like we had much longer before graduating and getting the **** out of here anyway.
    The halls were mostly empty save for the occasional guy or girl scurrying hurriedly to class. I passed by the various classrooms with my head down, still thinking… until I almost slammed myself into a locker from being so spaced out. That managed to snap me back to reality. I recollected my head, reminding myself that this is the last time and place I need to have a grievous injury.
    Then I heard someone else slam into a locker, and I had to check myself to make sure I hadn’t accidentally hit my head. Reassuring myself I had no cuts or bruises or missing teeth, I looked over to see if I could find the source of the noise, and my eyes might as well have burst out of the sockets to see Brandon and Carli going at it against the shiny red metal doors. Like, tongues shoved down each others’ throats and everything. I wanted to die.
    I concealed myself behind an adjacent wall, but I wasn’t strong enough to resist, and I peeked out at them again. It was cliche, but I had a mix of emotions inside at this– disappointment (because I’m jealous), disgust (because it’s school and they should get a room), exhaustion (because I hadn’t slept more than four hours a night after this entire situation started). I turned back around, becoming one with the wall again as I considered my options. I was ready to walk away until I heard the click-click-clack of heels on the speckled linoleum, and my heart sunk. A teacher.
    But as I caught a glimpse of said teacher– it was Mrs. Chamberlain, my creative writing teacher– I realized I could game this to my advantage. As she passed, she smiled and waved to me.
    “Hello, Valencia,” but before she could continue, I pointed towards the public display. “Hello… uh… there’s a situation.”
    Her brown eyes followed my finger to the couple kissing passionately against the locker, and her jaw genuinely dropped.
    “T-thank you for letting me know, Valencia. I’ll see you in class tomorrow,” and she immediately headed towards the pair. I watched with a barely-restrained mischievous grin on my face, feeling rather vindicated as she chewed the couple out and forced them to follow her to the office. They walked off with an air of absolute shame, and it was enough to console me for a while longer, and I finally turned to walk out.

    I had ditched that hellhole for the rest of the day and headed home. I could take advantage of the fact that nobody was home and wouldn’t be for a while. I had probably watched about four hours of South Park reruns until I heard the doorbell ring. I groaned– I was feeling too lazy to get up– but I hoisted myself off the couch and trudged to the door.
    It was Brandon. My eyes widened, and I wondered if he knew I was behind the makeout incident.
    All I could do was try to be cool. “Hey man,” I greeted him, my disposition nonchalant and almost bored.
    He looked ******, and it almost freaked me out. “I ******’ hate that place, Val,” he answered.
    “Yeah, nice to see you too. I’m good, what about you?” I replied, my voice dripping with sarcasm. A hello would be nice, y'know?
    Normally he would at least crack a smile, but his expression only soured. “I got ******’ detention for a week, dude. ‘Cause that ***** Mrs. Chamberlain caught me and Carli kissing in the hallway during class.”
    I wanted to laugh, because the entire situation still thrilled me, but I choked it down and simply nodded. “****, that *****. Hope you didn’t have any plans.”
    He scoffed and shook his head in irritation before pulling a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket. “I was supposed to help Carli pick out matching outfits for prom tomorrow, but I guess we’ll have to reschedule,” he grumbled while lighting the slender white stick.
    “Bro, you probably shouldn’t smoke on my porch. Not after last time. You almost burned my house down,” I smirked, my tone teasing.
    Brandon rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah, whatever,” though he did move off onto the driveway. I shut the door and followed, my eyes tracing over his baggy jeans and worn out Offspring T-shirt, the combat boots, the backwards hat of some baseball team that I couldn’t be bothered to keep up with.
    He stopped somewhere by the garage and took a drag from the cigarette. “So, Val. I was wondering. If you could take anybody to prom, who would you choose? I feel like I haven’t asked since, like, sophomore year, and I think it would make more sense to ask when prom is, you know, a few weeks away,” he chuckled, the grey smoke filtering out of his nose and mouth as he laughed softly.
    I knew my answer, but he couldn’t, so I gave an alternate answer. “Uh, Billy Corgan. But not current, bald Billy… but, like, Gish-era Billy with the long hair. He was super hot,” I grinned. “Or, if it can include fictional characters, Todd, the, like, ****** video store clerk from Dr. Katz.”
    Brandon laughed again. “Yeah, I know you’re into that. But I meant, like, a real person. Like someone from school or whatever.”
    Now it was my turn to roll my eyes. “Uh, how about nobody? I hate that place and all the people in it.”
    “Oh, come on, Val, nobody? I knew you were picky, but there’s really not a single dude you’re hoping to score a date with at Golden Valley?”
    I shook my head. “Nope, not any of them. They’re all weird. In a bad way.” Technically, I was telling the truth– I wouldn’t go with any of them, but I’d go with him… but that wasn’t an option, I suppose.
    He let out yet another huff of laughter. “Fair enough. I just figured maybe you’d find someone you could put up with for at least a night. Like how I found Carli.”
    Hearing him mention Carli made my smile drop. Before I could think, I responded. “Hm, yeah, well, why aren't you with Carli now? Since you’ve been inseparable lately.”
    His eyebrows raised, probably in surprise at my somewhat bitter tone. “Oh, uh, she had to go home for dinner or whatever.”
    I nodded, accepting this information begrudgingly. “Good to know. So, will you be heading out soon to see her?”
    He nodded. “Yeah, she’s pretty shaken up about this whole incident, so I guess I should go… comfort her and all that.”
    Of course he was ditching me to go check on her. I crossed my arms, trying to play it off as a casual movement. “Yeah, yeah, cool. Guess someone like her isn’t used to a thing like that.” There was a moment of tense silence until I spoke up again, ready to get rid of him. “We should probably get out of the driveway, my mom’ll probably be home soon,” though that was a lie as far as I knew.
    He nodded, dropped the cigarette and stomped it out. “Yeah, I should probably head over to Carli’s anyway… see you later, Val,” he half-smiled with a wave before walking off just as fast as he’d shown up.
    I had taken a few steps toward the front door, but stopped to look back and watch as he walked away, presumably toward Carli’s. I leaned against one of the porch’s columns, my arms crossed as I watched his tall, slender figure grow smaller and smaller into the distance… and I started to feel sort of sad again. I guess the rush of making him and Carli suffer had already worn off. I sighed heavily, walking back inside with a sense of defeat.

    Inside the house, a voicemail awaited me from Mom.
    ‘Hi, Valencia. Just calling to let you know that I’m not gonna be home until tomorrow, since your Aunt Maureen asked if I could watch the dogs for her while she goes to some party over in Greenfield. You know how she is about those dogs… so, please, dear, make sure to eat, and please try not to mope around anymore. If you want money to order or anything, feel free to go into the bedside drawer in my room. Love you, sweetie! See you soon!’
    I picked up the phone, but I didn't call Mom. Instead, I called the only girl I could count on.
    “Hello? Val, is that you?” her voice echoed through the receiver.
    “Aysel, you should come over,” I replied. “My mom isn’t here. Also I kinda need to, like, not be alone right now.”
    “Is this about Brandon?” Aysel sighed. “But yeah. I’ll be there in a minute.”
    “Cool, see you soon…” I trailed off a bit before hanging up the phone.
    The cool thing is that Aysel really was there in about a minute, because she only lived a street over. And as she walked in, wearing the winking kitty cat tee I had helped her pick out at the mall a few months ago, her tanned skin darkened by the house’s dim lighting, I felt a wave of relief cross me. When all else failed, I had Aysel.
    “Yo, Val. So, is this about Brandon or what?” She raised an eyebrow at me, but she had a barely there smile.
    “Yeah… it’s been… a weird day,” I stuttered out.
    Aysel sinks down into the couch. “Tell me… let it out,” she pressed, as discussing the Brandon situation had been commonplace these past couple of weeks.
    “I’m just… ******, I guess,” I flop onto the couch beside her, staring up at the ceiling. “Like, I’ve been the one that’s there, but he still goes for that Carli *****,” I gritted my teeth a bit, growing more irritated. “And today, oh my god, you should’ve seen it, Aysel. They were straight up making out in the hallway. And nobody else was around, I was the only one seeing it until my creative writing teacher came out of nowhere. I was really mad, right? So I snitched on them and she made them go to the office,” I smirked, chuckling darkly. “It was actually pretty awesome.”
    Aysel shared my amusement and laughed loudly. “He deserved it!”
    “Right?! And then he had the audacity to show up here and complain to me after abandoning me for her for days.”
    “He’s an idiot. If I was a man, I’d be terrified of ever losing you.”
    “I really don’t know what I’d do without you. Probably kill myself.”
    Aysel chuckled again. “You cannot kill yourself over this. Don’t let that lanky idiot or that psycho mathlete win.”
    “I wish you were still at Golden Valley. It ****** at least slightly less **** when you were there.”
    “Yeah, well, my dad was pretty ****** after the Mark Johnston incident, so…,” she smirks. “Alternative school for me…”
    “But it was Mark’s fault,” I rolled my eyes, ready to rehash the same drama that we’d been discussing for the past year– but I digressed. “Man, senior year has been so *** without you there. Seriously. All I had was ******’ Brandon and he abadoned my *** for Carli.”
    “Maybe we could hit him with my brother’s car,” she grins.
    “Maybe we could put cyanide in all of his cigarettes.”
    “Maybe we could slash his tires.”
    “Or maybe… we could brainstorm while I order takeout?”

    It was a good night. Aysel knew how to make things better. I had done it when she broke up with that ****** Eric, and now she was comforting me. She stayed over, and we both ended up ditching our respective classes to get breakfast. And, over shared gossip and chocolate chip pancakes, things felt less gloomy. As we discussed our plans for the day– the record store to search for CDs, sitting in my room and pondering life, and of course, no class– I noticed ****** Carli and her right-hand-woman, Tiffany, walking in. I put my fork down, my eyes narrowing.
    Aysel followed my gaze, then scoffed. “Oh look, Miss Congeniality has graced us with her presence,” she rolls her eyes.
    I watched as the pair sat down across the cafe and looked down at the menus. Carli looked like she had been crying, and Tiffany made sure to state over and over again– loudly, mind you– ‘It’s not your fault, girl.’
    “More like it is your fault, girl,” Aysel whispered to me. I half-smiled, staring at them a bit longer before turning back to my plate.
    “Fighting over a guy is ****** usually. Except for this. I think I’m totally valid.”
    “I mean, you are. They’d, like, never spoken until they had calculus together this year, right? And you’ve been into him way longer.” She paused as she cut off another piece of French toast. “Actually, I bet his parents paid him to pick her as a date. You said he originally didn’t want to go at all, right?”
    I nodded. “Yeah, he told me he wasn’t gonna go up until maybe three weeks ago. Maybe he is being paid,” I snickered.
    Aysel shared my laughter. “I mean, it would make sense, considering they never really started hanging out until a few months ago, right? Maybe he’ll use the money to buy you an apology present.”
    I chuckled at the thought. “Yeah, right. A girl can dream, I guess.”

    Hours later, against the warm April sun, my mom confronted me as I sprawled across the couch.
    “C’mon, Val, you have to go to prom. I get that you’re sad about this Brandon thing, but you only get one chance, and you have to take it. What if you regret it later?”
    I shrugged. “I don’t care. I don’t have a date. Plus, why would I really wanna spend more time with these ******** I hate?”
    Mom grimaces slightly at my harsh words. “Because maybe it’ll still be fun…?”
    I simply shook my head.
    “But think about it, sweetheart. You can dress up! And so what if you don’t have a date? Why don’t you bring Aysel?”
    “I dunno,” I shrugged again, feeling completely apathetic to the idea. “I think after Brandon chose Carli, I just don’t care anymore.”
    “Oh, honey, he didn’t ‘choose’ anyone. Just because he’s going to prom with her doesn’t mean he likes her more than you.”
    I let out a small laugh of disbelief. “I think that’s exactly what it means.”
    I hear her sigh with defeat, yet she makes one last attempt to convince me. “You know what, Val? I’ll make you a deal. I’ll take you dress shopping right now. And if you see a dress that you really, genuinely love, no matter the price, I’ll buy it for you– but you have to go to the prom. Deal?”
    Something about this bargain struck a chord, and it’s not like I had anything better to do that night. So, I sat up and looked her in the eye. “Deal.”
    She raised her brows as if surprised her negotiations worked, and a grin crossed her face. “I’ll get my keys.”

    The mall was, surprisingly, not particularly busy for a Friday night, but it still had all the classic elements– the irresistible soft pretzel and Cinnabon scents lacing the air, teenage friend groups representing every and all cliques, moms trying to make their small children cooperate while she picked clothes for them. Pop songs echoed through the wide, store-lined corridors. Mom pulled me into that store that has all the pretty, fancy, shimmery formal dresses, and I was honestly a bit overwhelmed at the sheer amount of options.
    “Go crazy, girlfriend,” Mom encouraged me, sort of pushing me towards one of the racks. Before I could reply, she walked away, settling onto a bench near the storefront. I sighed softly, turning my head towards the various dresses. Digging through my size section, there was so much variety– satin, tulle, cotton, spandex, pink and yellow and white and red and rainbow… and yet none of it was something I wanted to wear. Initially, I felt sort of relieved, because then I didn’t have to go. That’s when I saw the dress.
    It was floor-length, with a red satin material under a black, mesh-type outer layer, adorned with velvet swirl designs and a spaghetti-strapped halter neck.
    “Guess you’ll be going after all,” Mom’s voice echoed behind me, and I could hear the ‘told you so’ smirk in her tone.
    “I- uh… yeah, I guess you’re right…” I huffed out defeatedly, my eyes still glued to the dress.
    “Why don’t you go try it on? Just to make sure it doesn’t need to be altered or anything like that,” Mom smiled softly, taking hold of my arm to lead me towards the small dressing room area.
    Like it was some cheesy high school movie, it was a perfect fit. It accentuated… everything… very nicely. I actually felt sort of pretty. I walked out of the room to show Mom, feeling a bit shy but overall pleased.
    Her face lit up, and from the looks of it, I think she was happier than I was. “Oh, Valencia… you look so beaut—”
    “Woah, Val, you look great!” A deep, familiar voice cut off Mom’s gushing. Imagine my shock to see Brandon standing nearby, carrying what was presumably a tux over his arm. “Seriously, that dress is like… you. In dress form,” he chuckled out awkwardly.
    I cursed internally– this must’ve been the time he and Carli rescheduled their prom shopping to.
    As if Mom wasn’t aware of the entire prom fiasco, she immediately began bombarding Brandon with her attention. “Oh, Brandon! Hi, dear! I haven’t seen you in a little while, how are you?”
    He answered, but I tuned them out. I walked back into the dressing room, and suddenly, despite the dress looking the exact same as it did before, I felt less pretty. If I was pretty, he would’ve asked me to go with him instead of Carli. If I was pretty, he probably would’ve asked me out long before that. If I was pretty, I wouldn’t be here right now.
    I unzipped the dress, hanging it back up on the hanger. I started feeling like I should just tell Mom, ‘Thanks, but no,’ and retreat back into the solitude of home, continuing with my plan to skip prom. But just as I walked back out, Mom scooped up the dress into her arms and immediately headed towards the register. My fate was sealed. I was going, whether I liked it or not.
    Brandon was still there, much to my chagrin. He smiled, and that smile made irritation bubble up in me. As unreasonable as it was, there was something about the fact that I was hurting and he was grinning innocently like nothing had happened that made me want to scream.
    “So… guess you’re coming to prom after all, hm?” His smile morphed into a teasing smirk.
    I crossed my arms, looking over at where Mom was paying for the dress. “Yeah, she’s makin’ me go. I guess if the worst comes to worst, I can Irish goodbye everyone and go somewhere else. Or I could fake being sick.”
    “Yeah, guess so,” he laughed a bit, a light, almost imperceptible laugh. It was more of a huff of air than anything. “Honestly, I think you should go. I mean, I’m going, and I said I wasn’t for the entirety of high school.”
    “Yeah, I know you did… but now you have Carli,” I sighed.
    “Well, fair enough. She’s the one who convinced me to change my mind.”
    “I’m guessing she’s here somewhere?” I gestured vaguely towards the racks of dresses.
    Brandon nodded. “Yeah, she decided on blue for our prom outfits and now she’s freaking out and running around the store to find the right shade of it or whatever.”
    “Cool, cool… I’m sure you’ll look… nice,” I force myself to give him a supportive grin.
    “Thanks, Val. I’m glad you changed your mind about going. It’ll be fun.”
    As the words left his lips, I wondered if he had even listened to anything I had just said. I stared up at him for a minute, and it truly felt like time had paused. I tried to regulate the tension I was feeling before fabricating another fake answer. “…Yeah, it’ll be cool, hopefully.”
    “Brandon!” Carli’s voice called loudly from the other side of the store, and I could see she was holding a slinky, royal blue evening gown up, probably wanting his opinion on it.
    “Be there in a second, okay, babe?” He yelled back to her before shooting me an apologetic look. “Sorry, Val. Gotta go help Carli. See you later, okay?” And before I could open my mouth, he was rushing off to Carli’s side.
    I probably looked ****** standing there, staring after the pair with my mouth agape. It was Mom who finally snapped me back to reality as she walked back towards me, my beautiful prom dress in one of those nice, striped shopping bags. She saw my staring and looked towards Brandon and Carli, then gave me a sympathetic smile. “Oh, honey. He doesn’t know what he’s missing. Let’s go get pizza.”

    The pizza was good. I spilled Pepsi on my pants, but they’re black so it was whatever. I successfully swallowed my tears until we got home, and I finally spilled them into my pillow. I tried to bully my mind; remind myself that crying over a boy was dumb, but it didn’t do the trick like it usually did. After a few minutes of soaking the red silk pillowcase, I looked up to the posters plastered all over the wall, my vision bleary from the tears. Most of them were guys. Guys who were much more accomplished, much more interesting, much more handsome than Brandon. But still I cried. Because, in that moment, what did it matter? He was still my guy, even if that wasn’t factual anymore.
    I jumped when the phone began to ring, and without even really thinking to check, I picked up the receiver.
    “H-hello?” my voice was shaky as I mumbled into the phone, trying to sound as put-together as possible.
    “Hey, Val,” Aysel’s voice spoke up on the other end. “I just got off the phone with Brandon. Said he saw you at the mall,” I could practically hear the smirk on her face. “So I wanted to ask what happened. He didn’t say much about it.”
    I swiped at the tear tracks on my cheeks as if she could see them. “Y-yeah, I saw him. My mom is making me go, so I had to get a dress. And he was there with Carli. He saw me trying on the dress and said I looked good or some ****, then he got all buddy-buddy with my mom,” I responded. “It ******. A lot. I kinda wanted to engage in some self-immolation.”
    Aysel snickered on the other end. “Clearly. I can tell you’re… displeased.”
    “What gave it away? The sniffling? The shake in my voice?”
    “No, that you didn’t totally fly off the handle and start talking five miles a minute at the mention of his name.”
    “Okay, you got me there.”
    “So, you’re being forced to go to prom?”
    “Yep. Mom was all like, ‘you’re gonna regret it when you’re my age,’ or whatever,” I sighed, doing a half-assed imitation of her voice.
    “That *****. Want me to be your makeshit date?”
    “Don’t you mean ‘makeshift?’”
    “No, makeshit. I want to cause problems. I have some unfinished business with Mark Johnston.”
    “Sounds fun. Guess you’re my plus one.”
    “Hey, that rhymed!”
    “Maybe I should start a rap career.”
    “That Carli diss track is going to be legendary.”
    “More like Brandon diss track at this rate. Or both. Something about two birds, one stone.”
    “Should we pull a Carrie and pour pig blood on both of them?”
    “Nah, pigs are too good for that. Maybe just food coloring? Or used tampons.”
    Aysel cackled on the other end. “Yeah, the tampons. Perfect.”
    “Yeah, it’d be satisfying.”
    “When’s the prom, anyway?”
    “Day after tomorrow. Saturday.”
    “And all three of you waited this long to find outfits?”
    “Yeah, well, I wasn’t going, and Brandon and Carli had the whole detention thing, plus apparently she was being really picky about finding the perfect dress.”
    “Guess I’ll just use what I wore to my school’s prom. And that should be indicative of what she’ll be like if he marries her.”
    I snorted a bit with laughter. “You’d think. Sorry for the short notice… but it’ll be sick now that you’re going.”

    Prom came quickly. The thought of it was a little less dreadful with Aysel by my side. She came over, we got ready in my room, playing albums and reminiscing on high school as a whole. We almost twinned, her purple dress heavily complimenting mine. Of course, Mom insisted on several pictures that she’ll probably forget about by next Tuesday. We went to dinner beforehand. Mom insisted we go somewhere nice, so we did– and in the dim, red velvet plastered booth, I was actually sort of happy I went. I looked cute, I was with my best friend, and I wasn’t thinking about Brandon for the time being. We got to eat steak and pasta and those chocolate lava cakes. We probably disturbed the other customers with how much and how loud we laughed. It was the best I had felt since Brandon had decided to go with Carli.
    Prom was being held at some banquet hall not too far from the school. It was moderately upscale, probably appropriate for a high school prom. Some radio hit R&B song with suggestive lyrics that the teachers obviously did not pick up on pumped through speakers inside. Even the rocks-for-brains jocks were dressed up.
    “It’s honestly kinda weird to see everyone looking so… nice,” I mused, trying to make sure Aysel could hear me over the booming music.
    “Yeah, usually they dress like wannabe gangbangers or like they rolled out of bed, so… I’ve gotta give them some credit,” Aysel said, her expression showing genuine awe.
    “Y’know, I’m really not gonna miss these people. At all.”
    “No ****. They’re idiots.”
    Then I spotted Brandon and Carli. They were getting their picture taken in front of one of those typical prom moon things. “Don’t look now…”
    And, despite my words, Aysel turned around to look over at them. “Ha! They look… fashionably challenged.”
    “You think we should go take pictures too? We’d outfashion them for sure.”
    Without a word, Aysel was up and heading for the line. I followed suit, but I was unable to tear my gaze from the couple. They held hands as they walked out of the photo area, giggling and sharing ******, sickly sweet smiles. Now, instead of wanting to die on the spot, I wanted them to die on the spot.
    “Hey, Val, stop pouting and come take a photo,” Aysel waved me over behind the camera. As we posed together, you could see the mixed reactions on the other peoples’ faces– confusion, shock, judgement, disgust, even amusement. It took me a second to realize that we were apparently the first non-couple to take a picture here, and they thought we were genuinely each others’ dates.
    “Ewww, lesbians! Disgusting freaks!” a voice called from the line.
    “Is that MARK JOHNSTON?!” Aysel yelled, and I realized **** was about to go down until a chaperone came over to reprimand him– so I seized the opportunity for us to sneak away and outside.
    The stone steps served as our seating, and only a few other attendees littered the courtyard– mostly kissing couples. Aysel and I watched and made fun of them– maybe it soothed our singleness.
    “Okay, maybe I’m a little glad I went,” I finally admitted. “But not that much. We’d still be having fun somewhere else. But also, I kinda am happy.”
    “I think we’ve made the most of it,” Aysel nodded.
    “Yo, Val! Aysel!” Brandon’s familiar voice called to us from behind.
    “Wow, he knows *********** a moment,” Aysel scoffed, low enough that only I could hear.
    We turned to face him, watching as he sat down by me and lit the tip of his cigarette. “Guess you didn’t play sick.”
    I shook my head. “Nope. I was a big girl and showed up,” I responded with a nice helping of sarcasm.
    Brandon chuckled. “That’s the Val we all love.”
    Even if it was innocuous to him, it stung inside. Love? Then why Carli and not me?
    His eyes made their way over to Aysel, who was absentmindedly checking out her nails. “And I see you brought Aysel. It’s like the group’s back together.”
    “I mean, not quite. There’s no Mark, and I doubt Aysel would ever allow that to happen again,” I smirk, elbowing her arm lightly to emphasise my teasing. She grumbled something about wanting to stab him, which made Brandon giggle.
    “Okay, true. No Mark. But close enough, right?” He took a long drag before offering the cigarette to us. I shook my head, but Aysel reached out and took it, bringing it to her burgundy lips.
    “So… where’s that Carli, Brandon?” Aysel raised an eyebrow, ever the instigator.
    “The bathroom. She went with some of her friends and you know how long that can take,” he grinned before taking the cigarette back from Aysel.
    “Hm. How’s she working for you as a date?” she pushed.
    “Actually…” Brandon trailed off. His tone was unclear, and his emotions sounded mixed. My heart might as well have stopped in its tracks. Is this it? Is this the moment where he decides Carli isn’t for him? Where he realizes it was me all along?
    “Actually…?” Aysel echoed, trying to get him to provide a real answer. I held my breath. I tried to look nonchalant, brushing some hair out of my face, but I could feel my hands shake. I was finally getting my fairytale ending…
    “…pretty good. She’s really sweet. I like her a lot. I’m glad I got to go with her. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m happy she convinced me to come! She’s awesome,” he flashes a smile, and it’s the most genuine I’ve ever seen.
    My heart dropped into my stomach, then into my pelvic floor, then fell out of me entirely. I hoped my face didn’t show too much of my sheer, unadulterated disappointment. What about that happy ending?
    “That’s cool,” Aysel responded with a lack of amusement, and I could pick up that she was about as displeased as me.
    Naturally, he had no idea that we were not thrilled for him. “Thanks, guys. I think I really like her, y’know?”
    “Oh, yeah, I feel ya,” Aysel nods, her voice almost mocking.
    “I should probably go find Carli. I bet she’s out of the bathroom by now, and I don’t want her to miss the slow dance. Catch you two later,” he threw the cigarette into a nearby trashcan like the complete idiot he is, then scurried off like the rat he is back into the banquet hall.
    I normally would’ve cried, but I think by then I was out of tears. I was just… numb. Dull. Void.
    “What a ****,” Aysel huffed. “You good, Val?”
    I looked up from my spaced-out state. “Hm? Oh, yeah… I guess. As good as I can be, I think.”
    “Honestly, Val? I thought you were gonna crack and confess.”
    I shook my head a bunch. “Nope, that’s a secret I’m taking to the grave.”

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    Tiya Sowell tiya1969
    Morning with the Master

    Hey sisters and brothers! Welcome to my weekly devotional where we can share prayers, scriptures and reflection.

    When reading this morning, I came across the story of Athaliah, the first female crowned king who, when her husband and sons died, killed off the rest of her family line (her grandkids) so that she would be the only person left in her lineage and could rule until her death. I don't know about you, but there is nothing more important than my family--and the grandkids are extra special and precious to my very sight! To have that much greed and desire to have not only everyone answer to you, but also be the sole decision maker is completely out of bounds, and extremely ambitious.

    As a Christian woman, I don't want to be the only face that people seek for approval, answers and permission. That is too much weight for any one person to bear and its just unnatural. Who can you love? Who can love you?

    The divine God created the world and everything in it. Can any man or woman follow that? Not one! Can any man or woman have the right answer to EVERY question or concern? Not one! Can any man or woman create a permanent route for peace and understanding? Not one!

    There is a reason we cannot see or touch God. Because we might do like Athaliah and try to eliminate the almighty because of greed and idolatry. He oversees and has the end say to everything we do. That is a safety I can count on if I cannot rely on anything else in this world.

    Let me know your thoughts. Let's talk about it.

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