#Home Renovation Services in New York
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Kitchen And Home Makeover For Good Food And Good Mood
Kitchen! It is the starting point of the journey to your heart via your tummy. Your culinary experience has a lot to do with the environment you work in. Elevating your culinary art means remodelling your current kitchen, giving it a makeover for better food, better mood and a better lifestyle.
Why Remodel Your Kitchen Or Home?
One opts for smart and integrated technologies in this generation, especially in a fast moving city like NYC where you have to move faster with the bustling crowd. A smarter and updated kitchen can make your cooking easier, tastier and healthier. Around half (45%) of the house owners are modifying and remodelling their kitchens according to their needs and lifestyle.
Kitchen Remodeling in NYC tops the list of renovations among house owners. Whether it is the countertops or the sinks to wash your dishes easily, everything can have a facelift. Kitchen remodelling is a means of updating your way of making and having meals in this fast paced lifestyle.
76% of homeowners went on to upgrade their homes in the recent years. Best Home Improvement in NYC will make your lives easier by creating a living space that resonates with your essence and aspirations.
Home repair services is in great demand as it not only improves your way of living but the resale value of your house also increases by an average of 56% as per statistical reports. So, whether you want to live in a better home for yourself or put it up in the market for sale, the Home Repair Services in NYC is one of the best options available.
The kitchen is the most important room in your house. It might as well be called the heart of the house. After a long day at work, we spend the most hours of our week in our kitchen. So, updating it, as per our lifestyle and our need is much needed.
Renovating your kitchen or your home doesn’t particularly mean you need to completely alter the room. 70% of owners do not change the dimensions but go for a new layout, larger countertops, a second sink or other sustainable materials.
If you are in NYC and want to update your culinary space or any other room of your house then you need not worry because our team of experts at AJRIN CONSTRUCTION INC. can come up with innovative and sophisticated ideas as per your taste and provide the best of services while collaborating with our clients. We take pride in 100% customer satisfaction and the right solution for all your demands, with a wide range of products and services ranging from manual labor to taking care of your plumbing.
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I'm working on furniture in my apartment and honestly my white collar job hasn't prepared me for this. Can you make me the best handyman around? Wouldn't mind repaying the favor.
You're sitting at breakfast. The white collar freshly starched. The tie knot perfectly tied. The New York Times in front of you on the table next to the smoothie bowl and green tea. The sun is shining outside, it could be another hot day. Good thing your day is fully air-conditioned from your home to your car ride to your office.
"Zmiana planu. Odbierz nas z motelu za pół godziny." What is this strange text message? And who the hell is Kacper? Before you drive off, you need to take a shit. You pick up the New York Post and go to the bathroom. Fuck, that stinks. Must have been yesterday's borscht. Another huge fart, a quick sip of coffee. Then you have to go. Kacper and the others are waiting.
"Tomczyk Craftsman Services of all kinds" is written on the battered pickup truck in your driveway. The air conditioning is broken. And you could also clear out the garbage. But there's no time for that now. Yes, you're the boss, but the idea of the tie was silly. You loosen the knot with your calloused hands and throw the tie into the passenger footwell. Sweat stains form under your armpits. And on your chest. Damn, it's going to be hot today.
Jakub, Kacper, Filip and Szymon are already waiting outside the cheap motel with tools and materials. You load everything up and off you go to the construction site. The boys stink. You roll down your window. The breeze feels good on your bare chest. The radio plays loud Polish hip-hop. The boys are roaring along. Filip in the passenger seat lights a cigarette. You take it out of his mouth. Damn, that was necessary.
You're proud of yourself and your crew. You are hard-working craftsmen. And damn good at your job. The fact that you can afford a house in the suburbs is your sign that you've made it. Yeah, it's a nasty neighborhood. But once you've finished renovating the house next door and the boys have moved in, things will get better. After work today, you'll set up your furniture together. And then you'll fire up the barbecue in your garden. You've even prepared a little firework display. A point of honor on 03 May!
Pic found @tradiem8s
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“Few places in Jerusalem speak of the larger conflict being waged over the city more than the apartment of 68-year-old Nora Ghaith-Sub Laban,” avers the Associated Press’ Isabel DeBre today (“As a lengthy legal battle ends, a Palestinian family braces for eviction from Jerusalem home“).
Whether or not that is true, what is plainly apparent is that the Associated Press’ repeated failure to accurately cover the Sub Laban story speaks of a larger problem plaguing media coverage of Israeli-Palestinian affairs.
In 2015, the leading news service depicted the Sub Laban’s real estate saga as a story of Israeli dispossession and displacement of Palestinians. “They (Israelis) are trying to uproot us from Jerusalem, they are stealing the houses, the trees and the stones of the city,” AP’s Karin Laub and Mohammed Daraghmeh quoted Nora Sub Laban at the time.
Initially, the 2015 article did not contain a single word about the family’s failure to return to the rented home following lengthy renovations completed in 2001, an absence which jeopardized their status as “protected tenants.” Only after CAMERA contacted editors did AP add a paragraph about the court’s critical finding that the family did not reside in the home for years after 2001, which was the determining factor in the court’s ruling against the Sub Labans’ claim.
At the time, research by CAMERA’s Gideon Shaviv revealed:
The magistrate court (34656-11-10) in a decision upheld by the district court (28083-12-14) found that the family had not returned to the apartment in 2001. According to the court from 2001-2010 (when the property was transferred to the trust) the family did not live in the apartment. From 2010 until 2014, they had only “pretended” to live in the apartment. This decision was based on the following evidence:
Additionally, a private investigator testified that he had interviewed neighbors and none of them knew the Sub-Labans.
The court found in 2014 that the Sub-Labans have been living with their extended family in another apartment for 30 years, since 1984. The article references the period of 1984 to 2001, stating “Throughout this period, the family rented an apartment elsewhere in the city.” But it does not mention that the family continued to live elsewhere for more than a dozen additional years.
A significant CAMERA-prompted 2016 New York Times editor’s note addressing, in part, the Sub Laban case, stated:
In response to 2015 communication from CAMERA, AP added the following information, buried deep in the 22nd and 23rd paragraphs:
Last year, a magistrate court approved the eviction order. The court’s decision was based on a finding that the apartment had remained empty between 2001 and 2010, saying there was little to no use of water or electricity during that time.
The family says the ruling relied heavily on settler testimony, and that it lived in the building throughout the period. Sub-Laban said the home was empty at times because he and his siblings went to university in Jordan and their parents would come to visit, but that otherwise the house was in constant use and the family paid rent. He said there were problems with utilities and that they sometimes had to rely on a neighbor to get water.
Yet even this moderate improvement ignores the fact that the court’s finding about the empty apartment applied not only from 2001 to 2010, but also to the period of 2010 to 2014, when the family was found to have fraudulently staged their residence. The family’s response that the court “relied heavily on settler testimony” does not address the fact that they failed to bring any witnesses to testify on their behalf.
Fast forward to today’s coverage, which completely ignores even the incomplete information about the court’s findings regarding the more limited 2001 to 2010 absence. Signaling deteriorating coverage, DeBre now maintains: “As Muslims of the same Muslim Quarter apartment for seven decades, Nora’s family gained the status of protected tenants, putting Israeli law on their side.”
Ignoring the already underreported absence of 2001 to 2010 which AP belatedly cited in 2015, today AP now notes only trips abroad in 2019, stating:
Most recently, the Kollel Galicia endowment argued in 2019 that Nora’s absence form her house that year could clear the way for their eviction.
Nor said the house was empty at times in 2019 because she was hospitalized with a back injury and later recovered in the houses of her adult children, whom Israeli authorities had previously expelled from the Old City apartment.
In a separate reprise of AP’s substantive shortcomings in 2015 coverage, DeBre’s article errs:
“It’s Jewish property and they want it back,” [Arieh King] said. “The (Ghaith-Sub Labans) don’t have any right to this property.”
There is no equivalent right in Israel for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who fled or were forced from their homes during the war surrounding Israel’s establishment to return to lost properties.
First, DeBre is falsely invoking the Israeli Property Law. Since the Sub Labans did not own the property in question, even by their own admission, the Israeli Property Law, which is relevant only in cases of ownership, is completely irrelevant to the Sub Labans’ case.
Second, the claim about disparity in reclaiming property rights is completely disingenuous. Jews who, in 1948, lost their land now under Palestinian control equally have no right to return to their lost properties. For instance, as CAMERA’s colleague Alex Safian has noted, the Dheisheh refugee camp is built on Jewish-owned land and the original Jewish owners have no hope of returning to their lost property.
Moreover, if AP is interested in probing disparity in property rights, it should examine how Palestinian Arabs who lost land in Israel’s establishment in 1948 are entitled to compensation, while no such consideration was ever extended to the 850,000 Jews who fled or were forced out of Arab lands, leaving behind all of their property, businesses and assets.
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Elevate Your Living Space with Expert Residential Interior Design in Scarsdale, NY
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Nightshade
Chapter 1: The Tigers Stripes
OC Intro | Chapter 2
Hi! So sorry for the extra long wait for literally everything. 😂 I was getting back on track after the holiday and then immediately got sick so I’ve been struggling to edit and whatnot. But, I’ve been feeling better so hopefully I’ll be able to hop back into the swing of things. Thank you all for your patience and I hope you enjoy the first chapter! 🥰
Aldo credit for restaurant name used goes to @anastacia-lynn. They've got their own Sweetbitter fic that is amazing so far, so go check it out! ❤
TW: Mentions of cancer treatments & hospitalization, language, drinking, vague mentions of drugs.
This city was the most beautiful when it was bathed in rain. Something about seeing the lights distorted by the heavy drops of liquid, the colors reflecting in the puddles and pools that formed on the pavement, just made New York seem so ethereal. I’d lived here most of my life, moved around a few times when I was younger but I always seemed to end up back in the city. It was hardly perfect, always loud and busy with that big city smell, but it was home. Though it’d been difficult to get by most of the time, the opportunities the city had to offer kept me and my brother rooted here, for the time being at least.
“How’s the weather today?” A weak voice asked from behind me. The faint beeping of the machines pulled me back to the small, sterile room. Through the hospital window the city looked smaller, much less like the ethereal place I’d been imagining in my daydream and more like a cage of buildings and strangers and noise.
“Rainy,” I answered, turning around to offer the man in the hospital bed a smile. Half conscious and buried under a pile of thin white hospital blankets my brother smiled back at me.
Peter shook his head and chuckled. "That'll be fun for you to get home in."
Rolling my eyes I sat down in the chair beside him. "I'm sure I'll manage."
"You've been through worse," he agreed, looking back at the older TV, hospitals didn't exactly have the best options when it came to entertainment, but I supposed we were lucky to have a room with a TV at all.
Time moved so sporadically it was odd to think of just how long we’d been in this place… staring at the same old TVs, but coming across old episodes of Pete's favorite renovation shows always managed to remind me. It had been four years since our dad died. Three since I dropped out of college and come home. Two since Peter was diagnosed with leukemia and one since he'd started being in the hospital more than out of it. Life hadn't been easy, even with the modest savings both of us had and our dad's half of a fairly well off bar. Peter and I never admitted it, but losing Dad was a tipping point of bad. Ever since it happened we both were just thrown to the chaos of life, chaos this city thrived in, and told we could either sink or swim. Lately we’d been sinking, but that was all about to change.
I held the small card in my hands, running the edge of my finger over the slight indentations of the writing in black pen. 22West was one of the most upscale restaurants in this city. It was a place I was well familiar with and so it was rather easy getting an interview with the manager.
Howard smiled widely as he greeted me at the door with a firm handshake. “Lena. It’s good to see you! Right this way, we’ll be speaking in my office.”
Most other potential employees would have been interviewed in the main area, but I wasn’t exactly like most people applying for a job here so Howard happily led me past the bar and towards his office. I could feel peoples eyes on me as they continued setting up for the long night of service and was thankful when the office door closed behind us.
“The place looks great, Howard.”
“Thank you,” he said as he sat down. “I have to say, I was surprised you called and more surprised when you asked me for a job.”
I shrugged. “It’s been a while since I had a steady job and I kinda need the money right now.”
Howard’s kind smile faded as he fussed with his pocket square, clearly anxious about bringing up this next part. “I heard about your brother's condition, I’m sorry you’re both going through so much.”
“Where did you hear about him?” I asked, only to receive a pointed look. With a scoff I nodded. “I should have guessed.”
“But, a job. I’m afraid I don’t have any server positions open currently.”
“I’ll take anything Howard. Fuck, I’ll even do dish.”
He laughed and shook his head. “I think we can do a bit better than that. You have the skill for any of our positions, why don’t we just play the field a bit?”
“Play the field?” I asked with a laugh. “When did you start getting into sports talk?”
“It’s a recent development, one I am finding I’m not very good at.”
“So, you want me to just find what needs done and jump in?”
Howard nodded. “Yes. You’ll mostly be back in the kitchen, but if there’s an opening up front I’ll be the first to offer it to you.”
“I think I can handle that. When do I start?”
That had been a week ago and now tonight was the night, the beginning of the real test. "What time do you need to go?"
I looked up at my brother's pale face, his tired eyes moving from the TV to look over at me. "Not for another hour."
"You should head home. You know, shower and and fix your hair, all that fun shit."
"And leave you here all by your lonesome?" I asked rubbing the rainbow beanie covering his patchy head. "Never."
"Lena," he sighed with a smile. "Go. I'll be fine on my own for a night."
"Seriously, Pete, I'm good."
"You're freaking out." He stated. I hid many things well, but never from him. "This is a lot, everything considered… You want this, Me, you've wanted this for years before all this shit."
He wasn't wrong. He hardly ever was. Finally I looked at him and nodded. "Fine, but call me if you need me. Please?"
He ruffled my hair. "Promise. Now get out of here. And tell Isaac I said hi!"
I pressed a quick kiss to his head and hopped out of the chair, grabbing my coat and bag before making my way to the nurses station. Lisa, one of the regular nurses on my brother's rotation, smiled at me. "Finally taking a breather?"
"Got work to get to now." I gestured to his room. "If anything happens, call me?"
"Of course," she assured me with a light squeeze of my hand. "Now relax Lena, and have a good night!"
I laughed as I started off toward the elevator. "I doubt it'll be any worse than usual."
Rain slid down the windows of the cab as we slowly made our way through New York traffic to my apartment building. It was sort of an in between place at this point. I rarely stayed there longer than a night or two when Peter was in the hospital and even when he was out I usually stayed at his place, just in case he needed me. I paid the cabbie and ran up the steps, trying not to get drenched in rain. I waved to the landlord as I passed by and quickly unlocked my door, wincing at the loud creaking noise it made when it opened. The pungent smell of dust and vague cleaning materials filled my nose instantly, making my head swirl with the suddenness of it. I tossed my bag onto the couch and hung my leather jacket carefully off the back of it, my fingers tracing the worn stitched on letters as I moved to my bedroom and quickly stripped to shower.
The hot water took a minute to kick in, but once I stood beneath the blistering spray of it my tense muscles finally began to loosen. Sleeping on hospital pull outs or in their old chairs was never comfortable, and my body certainly felt it. I tried not to think about the worst case scenario that tonight could turn into as I dried my hair and rummaged through my clothes for the appropriate attire that the high scale restaurant demanded. Not thinking something was difficult when you were about to walk face first into it, wearing clothes that fit too well and left no room to hide among the fine fabrics.
I didn't look like me, I decided when I looked into the mirror to pull my hair back. I looked like someone else… Someone that I might have been a long time ago but now… I shook my head and took a deep breath. There’s no time to turn back now. I reminded myself. Wrapping my leather jacket around my shoulders, breathing in the faint cologne and musk of alcohol and smoke, I let the nervous doubt fade. Peter was right, I wanted this… I'd studied and worked for something similar once. It was time to sink or swim, and I sure as hell wasn't going to sink now.
*
Jake hated the rain. He hated the way it smelt, hated how it lingered on every sidewalk and street, hated how it soaked through his clothes making him feel even more smothered than he normally did. He rode his bike quickly through the alleyway and nodded to his coworkers as they all huddled near the door smoking. Scott smirked at him and tilted his head to gesture to his pants. “Not the best weather for riding.”
“No shit,” he replied, grumpily as he swung the bike over his shoulder and shoved his way past them into the kitchen. Prep was in full swing, white coats weaving around him and yelling profanities and complaints as he passed by. Normally he’d slow down, take his time to really piss the cooks off with his big bike and sarcastic attitude, but he wasn’t in the mood for it today. Instead he walked up the stairs quietly and plopped his bike into the spot he always did, stripping in the back room and throwing his locker door open.
Light footsteps echoed behind him as he tossed his wet clothes inside and grabbed his work attire. The steps stopped beside the door and a soft sigh, one he knew far too well, filled the room. “You’re early today.”
Jake gave her a quick glance. Simone was ready for work, of course she was, her blonde hair tucked neatly into the ponytail and her clothes pristine, not a wrinkle in sight. It was her stiff face that made him roll his eyes and return his attention to his task. “You’re the one always on my ass for being late.”
“I’m just making an observation, Jake,” she replied, voice soft but he could pick up on the scolding in her tone.
“Well fuck off and go observe someone else.”
Simone set a hand onto his shoulder, the action one that should have made him melt… that had always made him before, but today made his body stiffen. “I’m worried about you. Ever since… You’ve been acting differently.”
The knot that had settled into Jake's stomach tightened as he shook her hand off. “I’m fine.”
Her silence was cold, bringing an uncomfortable shiver up his spine. "Is this about Tess?"
At the mention of her name Jake felt a rush of emotions fill him. Frustration, regret, anger. He looked at Simone and laughed. "Jesus, not everything is about that."
"Jake-"
“I said I’m fine.” He snapped. The silence was deafening for a moment before he sighed. “I’m fine, Simone.”
She nodded, a sadness filling her eyes that made him open his mouth to apologize, but she spoke first. “I know that things have been strained between us since she… Left, and I know you’re probably angry with me for my part in it." She shook her head, clearly frustrated. "I’m just looking out for you, like I always have and always will.”
“I’m not angry with you. She went behind both our backs and tried to get you fired. What happened it's on her. I'm just…” If he were to tell the truth Jake didn’t know what he was anymore. It had been simple before, all of it. He would work this uptight job, he’d keep his coworkers at arms length, he’d be with Simone if she that was what she wanted and if not he’d find some stranger to pass the time with, he’d get fucked up and go home and then do it all over again. It had been enough for him before and then something had happened. Something had changed. He sighed and buttoned up his shirt. “I’m just tired.”
Simone merely watched him for a moment before she, wordlessly, helped him with his tie. She smiled at him and stroked her hand across his cheek. “You can always talk to me. You know that right?”
“Of course I do.” He answered, leaning into her touch, hoping to feel the comfort and calm it usually brought him.
Jake watched her walk away, the knot growing as she vanished from sight. He felt nothing. No matter how much he drank or smoked, no matter how much attention Simone or anyone else gave him it never changed. He was numb. Numb to the city that once entertained him, numb to the things he once took some small measure of pleasure in and most of all numb to the reality of what it meant. He slammed his locker shut and ran his hands through his hair with a sigh. Pull yourself together.
Nicky greeted him as he slid behind the bar and grabbed a rack of glasses to clean. “Ready for a long night?”
He shrugged, putting on his normal unbothered uninterested front. “Always am."
“Well, if the gossip floating around today is true it's going to be real interesting.”
“Howard got more bullshit up his sleeve?” He questioned with a huff.
“Don’t know how much of it will turn out as bullshit, but we’re getting a new friend today.”
Jake’s hands paused in their movements as he glanced up at Nicky with a raised brow and a smirk. “New friend? He actually hired someone then?”
Nicky nodded. “Remember that girl from last week?”
"The one he took to his office?"
"Yeah. He said she was more than qualified."
He hummed quietly as the quick glance he’d gotten of her replayed in his mind. He hadn't really had a chance to get a good look at her, but those that did, Sasha mostly, raved about how she looked like fun. “She must've been real impressive for him to hire her on the spot,” Jake joked. “What time does she get in?”
Nicky looked at his watch. “Any minute now.”
“This’ll be fun,” he replied, with a grin. Maybe that was all he needed to get rid of whatever his fucking problem was, something fresh and fun to toy around with. The kitchen doors opened and a flash of red filled his vision as the unfamiliar figure slid out into the open, pausing by the bar to look around. She was short, wearing professional looking attire, but the way she held herself was different… interesting. Her head turned and their eyes locked.
Most people would have looked nervous, scared even, on their first day in such a prestigious place, but not her. There was no hint of fear in her glimmering green eyes, nothing at all save for a mild annoyance he assumed was directed at him. She looked bored. Jake’s smirk widened as he watched her turn away from them and walk toward the noise of the rowdy family meal. This was exactly what he needed.
*
Isaac leaned up against the wall in the half covered alley, making light conversation with a few of his coworkers, as I approached. He looked away from them and smiled widely, opening his arms and practically swallowing me in them. “Lena! Took you long enough! I’ve been waiting forever.”
“Sorry,” I answered. “Had to dig these shitty clothes out of my closet.”
He chuckled, dark curls of hair twisting out from beneath his bandana. “Well you look fantastic!”
I gave him a look and rolled my eyes. “I look like a washed up pianist or something.”
Isaac bit his bottom lip to hold back his loud chuckle. “I think you look more like an unsuccessful magician but maybe that's just me."
“Shut up.” I swatted his shoulder and followed him inside, forcing my breath to remain deep and even as the familiar excited chaos of the kitchen raged around me.
It had been years since I’d heard the clamoring of voices and the sharpness of the knives and felt the heat of the industrial ovens and stovetops in full swing. I’d missed it far more than I thought. Isaac led me to the back room and knocked on one of the lockers with a smile. “This one's yours.”
Examining the empty space I tossed my bag inside and carefully shrugged off my jacket, hanging it up. “Where’s my shirt?”
“Howard has it.” I raised my brow at him, earning a quick shrug. “Don’t ask me why, I never know what he’s got going on in his head.”
“Great,” I muttered, closing the locker and turning on my heel, running into a solid body. Every inch of me tensed at the feel of an unfamiliar hand grabbing my arm.
“Careful,” the man said, steadying me. I looked at him, perhaps a bit too coldly, noting his neat brown hair and his wide dark eyes as he held his hands up innocently and gestured to the locker beside mine. “Sorry, I was just trying to squeeze behind you.”
I forced out a hot breath and shook my head. “It’s fine, you just startled me.”
He held his hand out to me with a smile. “I’m Will.”
“Lena.” I replied, shaking his hand firmly. “You Howards manager trainee?”
“Is it that obvious?”
“I’ve been trained to identify management,” I replied with a modest shrug.
He chuckled and nodded to Isaac. “She your trail?”
The burly man laughed loudly and shook his head. “Nope.”
Will's eyebrows scrunched together as he looked back at me with a tilt of his head. “Wait, you're not trailing anyone?”
“No, at least I don’t believe I am.”
He scratched the back of his neck. “Okay, well I… uh… I guess I can show you around, help you learn the ropes?”
I offered him a pat on the arm. “I’m good, but thank you for the offer. Do you know where Howard is?”
“He’s, uh, downstairs overseeing the family meal.”
“Thanks Will,” I said, sliding past him. “I look forward to working with you.”
I made my way through the kitchen and out the doors leading into the lobby. Everything looked so elegant and at the same time so boring. Nothing had changed about the posh space, not the tablecloths or the chairs or the glassware. It was all frozen in time, everything but the flowers. My eyes settled onto them for a moment, taking note of the tiny speck of new before I turned my head toward the bar, or more specifically the pair of blue eyes burning into me from behind it.
The man was tall, lean with messy dark hair and a cocky grin. He was attractive and he obviously knew it judging by the way his eyes unflinchingly took me in. I should have expected at least one cocky bartender, I thought to myself as I turned away from him and followed the noise deeper into the lobby. A long table was surrounded by the staff, all of them chattering over their plates of food telling jokes and bitching about how tonight was going to go. Everyone was too preoccupied to notice me, everyone but one woman.
Her eyes watched me closely, the plainness of her face revealing nothing outwardly while also telling me everything I needed to know about her. She would be a problem. Her blonde hair shifted as she tilted her head to the side, observant eyes trying to gather as much information on me as they could. She made herself look occupied by swirling the glass of her wine, looking at the liquid for a moment before looking back up at me with a soft smile. Soft and kindly as she appeared I knew better than to fall into such an obvious trap.
"Oooh, what's this?" A thickly accented voice cooed, pulling my attention away from the scrutinizing gaze of the blonde woman. The man was tall, bald with a long face and wide grin, two women moving to stand beside him, studying me with a similar look. "A baby tiger looking to earn her stripes?"
"This one already has stripes," Howard stated, moving toward the group quickly and handing me a neatly packed shirt. The group murmured among themselves, eyes darting between me and each other as Howard pulled a chair out for me and told them to take their seats.
The bartenders wandered back and took seats at the table where plates had already been made for them. The dark haired man sat beside the blonde woman and they shared a few hushed whispers before his blue eyes settled onto me and that shit eating grin returned. I rolled my eyes and focused on Howard as he began the quaint little meeting. A cocky bartender and a competitive shrew. Fucking great.
“It's good to see so many of you looking prepared for another night of excellent service." Howard regarded the group with a sarcastic look as he folded his hands behind his back.
"Is tonight not some kind of special occasion?" The light voice echoed from the blonde woman as she took a gentle inhale of the wine before taking a modest sip with a smile. "I highly doubt you'd bring out such an extravagant bottle for nothing."
"Excellent observation, Simone. It's a welcoming gift from the owner." Shit. Howard smiled down at me and poured me a glass of the rich crimson liquid. "As you are no doubt aware, we have a new member to the family. I trust we'll all be putting our best foot forward to show Ms. Harrow how things are around here."
I smiled politely, quickly examining the wine before taking a drink. "Thank you, Howard. I trust you’ll pass along my thanks to the owner as well for such a gracious welcome."
The woman, Simone, hummed quietly. "A bottle of 2002 Château Lafite Rothschild is quite a gift. I don't think I remember anyone else getting something so… Generous."
Yep. She was definitely going to be a problem. "2000 Château Lafite Rothschild. The 2002 is more acidic than this, fruity but a hair bitter. The temperature of the season resulted in riper grapes and thus the richness of this particular vintage."
"You know your wine," she said with a smile.
"I know enough," I replied with a modest smile. "There's always more to learn."
Howard cleared his throat and resumed control of the gathering, but Simone never took her eyes off me, not even when her companion turned to whisper something to her. I didn't let it bother me, not when I had bigger fish to fry. If the owner knew I was here, then there was a higher chance this whole thing could lead to far more horrifying individuals learning about my newfound job. It wouldn't come to that though, not if she kept her lips sealed, which she would… She'd give me that much respect.
After he’d finished his speech Howard set a hand on my shoulder and I could feel Simone’s eyes drinking the action in. “You’ll be in the kitchen tonight.”
“What does your chef think of that?” I asked cautiously, the last thing I wanted was to piss off the kitchen.
“He’s not exactly… excited, but I’m certain he’ll come around once he sees you in action.”
“That’s a risky play.” I smiled to myself. “It’s a good thing I’m so pleasant to be around.”
Howard only smiled as he turned to attend to his duties before opening, leaving me sitting at the table with the rest of the staff as they all murmured to themselves. I kept my head down, listening to the conversations going on around me before the man from earlier moved from his seat and dropped his dishes in front of me. I looked up at the now smug and smiling face giggling down at me. The Russian slid from his tongue smoothly, naturally, “Wash these, dish bitch.”
I looked back down as his friends piled their dishes on top of his, clearly amused by his antics. With a soft hum I finished the wine in my glass and stood, grabbing the dishes as I did, smiling at the stranger. “Since you asked so nicely.” The crude amusement dropped from his face the second he heard my reply in his native tongue. I gave him a pat on the cheek as I passed. “I’m a bitch with lots of tricks.”
As I walked toward the kitchen I could hear the loud ruckus of shock and awe behind me as the bald man reacted to the little I’d given him. The kitchen doors swung open, revealing Howard speaking to a very angry looking asian man whom I could only assume was the chef. I slid past them and toward the back jumping into washing the dishes I’d been carrying. The young man beside me regarded me with wide eyes as he held his hands out for the pile. “I can wash these.”
There were plenty of dishes already sitting in the sink, a pile that would only grow when everyone else decided to clean up after themselves. “Between the two of us this will go by quickly.” I smiled, diving into the dish pile. “Are you fast?”
“Fast?” He asked, nervously curious as he began tensely working beside me.
“At washing.”
The man chuckled and shrugged his shoulders. “I guess.”
“Want to race?”
He nodded and for a few blissful minutes of nothing but simple dish washing and a low stakes wager I felt a spark, old and long dwindling, pulse to life in my chest. I’d really missed this. Being part of a kitchen wasn't unlike being part of a family, and though I had a family, blood and not, a part of me had been longing for this specific kind of closeness.
When there were only a few dishes left the man held his wet hand to me. “I’m Santos.”
“Lena,” I replied, stacking my last dish and shaking his hand. “It’s been a pleasure washing dishes with you.”
“Thank you,” he said quietly. “You didn’t have to help, but you did and I…” he smiled. “Just thanks.”
I bumped his shoulder with mine. “We’re a team, aren’t we? Teammates help each other out, even when they don’t have to.”
“So, you gonna be back here often or are you one of the servers?”
Looking back at the still pissed off chef I sighed. “Guess I should go find that out, huh?”
He glanced at the chef and made a face. “Good luck.”
Moving through the bustling kitchen I stood across the table from the chef and smiled. “I’m-”
“I don’t give a shit who you are,” he said, harshly. “Howard is insane if he thinks I’m just going to let you hop on the line and fuck up my shit. Are you even qualified to work in a kitchen?”
“I am,” I assured him, straightening my back. “You can put me on vegetables or something low risk until you think I can handle it but I promise I’m not here to slow down service, Chef.”
The man hummed, watching me closely with narrow eyes before he nodded to an open station. “You start there, but don’t get too comfortable because I’ll be watching. One mistake and you’re out.”
“Yes, Chef.” I moved to take my place, examining the workstation and the knives to make sure they were sharp and ready for the long night of fast paced service ahead. I took a deep breath, anticipation settling into my gut. Time to swim.
*
Jake was paying far more attention to his surroundings than he usually did. On a normal night he’d only really pay attention to the bar and the suckers that sat at it looking to drown their sorrows or be wowed by some flashing handwork and a decent drink. Anything beyond the long counter of bottles and ice was practically dead to him, but tonight was not a normal night, not anymore. Jake watched the kitchen doors, his head turning every time they opened hoping to see that flash of red hair and that bored face, but he never did.
Nicky chuckled at him the fifth time he turned. “She’s in the kitchen tonight.”
“Oh yeah?” Jake asked softly. “She on dish?”
“Line,” Nicky replied, meeting his expression of disbelief with a nod. “Apparently she’s killing it too.”
Jake smiled, serving his drink and moving past Nicky toward the kitchen doors. “This I gotta see. Cover me?”
“You got it.”
This girl was either a great liar or she was more experienced with the environment than he thought. He slid into the kitchen, quietly moving out of the way of servers and a few cooks as he moved to get a view of the redhead. She was chopping vegetables at an intensely quick speed, head down and eyes focused on her task. Scott watched her closely for a minute with a slightly impressed expression as she interacted with the rest of the kitchen with ease. This girl was absolutely in her element here and it only made Jake’s curiosity peak more.
When Scott barked some order at her she began moving toward him, an opportunity finally presenting itself. He let her slide past, keeping his head down as he slid directly behind her forcing her to turn into him when she moved to return to her work. Green eyes burned up at him as she stepped away from his chest with a low, surprised noise. “You should be more careful about where you walk, Lana.”
She responded quietly, “It’s Lena.”
“Right,” he said, taking a step forward, pushing her back into one of the counters as he slid past. “Sorry, it’s a hard name.”
He couldn’t see her face as he moved back toward the bar with some random rag, but he could feel her eyes follow him out the door. For the first time in weeks he felt alive, this Lena would do the trick. He’d have some fun and life would go back to normal. Soon the heat from her eyes faded under a new, colder gaze. Simone watched him from across the lobby, her face set in the expected smile and softness of a server, but her eyes held something Jake couldn’t quite place. Not jealousy, not anger… concern maybe.
*
The night dragged on for hours, and with each passing one Scott, the chef, pushed me harder and harder in an obvious test of my skill and limitations. As the service began to slow he settled in beside me, plating the last dishes with finesse and ease. “It seems I underestimated you.”
“I don’t blame you,” I admitted. “New additions to a well functioning kitchen are always a bit hard to navigate.”
“Where’d you study?”
I shrugged. “A bit of everywhere, I was part of an… extensive program.”
He nodded, the not answer one he thankfully chose to ignore. “Why here? With your skill you could easily find a place with a higher position available.”
“I didn’t finish my schooling,” I said. “Most places hiring for back of house positions want the whole shebang of experience.”
“Why’d you drop out?”
A lump caught in my throat as I sighed. “My dad died.”
Scott paused in his plating to look over at me with a knowing look. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be, he lived a good life.” I smiled, fond memories filling my mind for a moment. “But, after he died there was a lot of stuff to work out and I just didn’t have time for both.”
“Well, I don't really know you, so I can’t really say much about your character or work ethics, but you didn't suck tonight.”
I laughed and nodded. “High praise, Chef. You gonna let me stick around then?”
“Eh, why not?” He teased before turning to the rest of the kitchen. “Alright everyone, that’s the last plate. Let’s close it down!”
I cleaned my station quickly, sliding back into place beside Santos and silently washing beside him. Isaac eventually joined us, leaning beside the sink and making light conversation while we worked. “You staying for drinks?”
“Fuck no,” I scoffed looking at him with a raised brow. “The last thing I need tonight is to play twenty questions with people.”
“Oh come on, Lena! Live a little!” Isaac smirked. “Tell her Santos!”
The man beside me shrugged, clearly shy. “I mean they open the bar up. You can get some pretty decent drinks.”
“Decent drinks,” Isaac agreed. “Come on. Please?”
“Not tonight, Isaac.” I wiped the water off my hands.
My friend whined but nodded. “Tomorrow?”
“Maybe.”
“I’m taking that as a yes!”
Santos and I walked to the back room together, changing in relative silence before he cleared his throat and offered his hand to me. “Have a good night, Lena.”
I shook it. “You too, Santos. See you tomorrow?”
“See you tomorrow.”
It was easy to sneak out the back door and grab a cab back to the hospital. Usually they didn’t let people in, but given the particular circumstance the nurses let me pass with smiles. “How’d tonight go?”
Lisa grinned. “I was gonna ask you that. He had a good night, though he’s being an absolute pain about resting.”
“Figures,” I joked.
“How was your first day?”
“Good,” I said simply. “Work is work.”
“Don’t I know it honey.” She gave my shoulder a squeeze as she passed. “Try and get that brother of yours to sleep!”
I smiled. “On it Lis!” The room was dark, save the light from the TV, still playing renovation shows, and the dim lights from the city outside. Peter sat up in his bed, eyes tiredly watching the TV as he repositioned his pillows. I knocked on the wall, alerting him to my presence. “Lisa’s pretty pissed at you for being up.”
Peter smiled. “She’s told me as much.” He patted the bed next to him, scooting over to make room for me. “How was work?”
“It was fine,” I said as I moved to join him in the bed. “The place hasn’t changed at all.”
“Figures. Maddie’s always been a bit set in her ways.”
“She knows I’m working there,” I said quietly.
Peter only nodded. “She is the owner, if anyone was gonna know it’d be her.”
“Yeah, she made a big show of it this morning.”
“Give ya and expensive bottle?”
“Oh yeah.”
He chuckled. “I bet everyone loved that. Did you make any new friends?”
I made a gagging noise. “New friends? Fuck no!”
Peter rolled his eyes and looked at me. “You gotta start being more friendly or you’ll be stuck playing scrabble with me every night.”
“I like scrabble.”
“You know what I mean,” he insisted.
“I've got friends, Pete.” I answered. “Prue and Quin, Isaac and Ozzy and all the others.”
“Work friends, Lena. People you can relate to about your fancy new job.”
“It’s not that fancy.”
Peter flicked my forehead. “Not the point dumbass. Just, try to make friends okay?”
I rubbed the now throbbing spot on my head. “Why are you so adamant about me getting all buddy buddy with people?”
“You’re gonna need connections in a place like 22West. I know it and so do you. It’s not the most cutthroat you’ve dealt with, but it’s still a competitive environment with plenty of people out to assume control.”
My mind flashed to Simone and her mumbling companion. “Point taken. I’ll try to be even more friendly tomorrow.”
“That’s all I ask.” He sighed, finally relaxing into the stiff mattress. “Now, how was your day?”
I smiled. "You were right. I did enjoy it a little bit."
He chuckled. "A little bit? Yeah right! Tell me about it, I'm all ears, little sis."
We only talked for a while longer before Peter dozed off beside me. Lisa poked her head in and gave me a thumbs up. As I lay beside my brother, watching the old episodes of his favorite shows I couldn’t help but smile. It was nice, being back in the swing of a kitchen… nice being reminded that life was more than hospitals and treatments and fear. I snuggled deeper into Peter's side, pulling his blankets up higher and closing my eyes. “Sweet dreams, Pete.”
*
The next day began much like the others. I stayed next to Peter for a while then I went home and freshened up before heading to the restaurant. This time when I entered people greeted me, the cooks were still not totally sold on the newcomer but they recognized me as someone that could at least do the job. Santos gave me a friendly wave as he prepped for a long night of dishes and grime and Scott gave me a nod as I passed by and headed up the stairs to get changed. A post it note was stuck onto my locker with Howards familiar and over the top handwriting telling me to help prep front of house this morning.
I donned the shirt and quickly made my way down to the lobby, ignoring the way everyone still stared at me as I polished glasses and began setting up the salt shakers at the tables, polishing each pair before moving to the next. Soft footsteps moved swiftly behind me and the tall blonde woman, Simone, reached over and grabbed one of the shakers to polish it. The stiff silence sent a chill of anticipation up my spine, but eventually she spoke, “You seem to be quite familiar with the intricacies of this place.”
A classic probe for information, I thought to myself as I remained focused on my task. “I have experience with this line of work.”
“Yes, Howard’s told me as much.” Her eyes narrowed slightly. “What confuses me is why you’re here at all. We aren’t short staffed and truthfully Howard only interviews people for the fun of it. It’s rare that he actually hires someone, even more so that they’re hired on with no trails.”
“If you’re going to ask me what makes me special you’ll be sorely disappointed.” I replied with a soft laugh. “I’m not special at all. I’m just like everyone else that works here.”
Simone shook her head. “I don’t think you give yourself enough credit. Howard and the owner have expressed some kind of gratitude for you being here, that means something.”
“I know what it means,” I assured her.
“Then perhaps you could enlighten me?” Her tone was sweet, almost sickly so as she tilted her head at me.
I sighed. “Listen, I understand that my sudden appearance has disturbed the normal day to day of this place. People are bound to have questions, but I am not bound to answer them. I don't know you and honestly I am not exactly feeling inclined to pour my heart out to you and let you in on my deep dark secrets. I’m here to do the job I was hired to do, that’s it.”
She smiled, a gesture that was now clearly tense. “I’m just trying to figure you out.”
“You don’t need to figure me out to do your job.” I replied. “And I don’t need to be coddled to do mine.”
“Alright then,” she said calmly, coldly.
“Thank you for your help,” I said as I took the now empty tray back to the kitchen and set it down on the counter.
The alley was not exactly the most comforting spot to sit in, but I needed a breather and it seemed like the quietest place. Simone wasn’t unique, she was actually incredibly textbook when it came to places like this. She banked on her knowledge and position in the hierarchy of the restaurant to get her what she wanted. What that was would be more unique to her rather than some generalized whole, but given what little I could gather from her in our short conversations she was looking for control. The only question that remained was why. Control for comfort or control for power?
"Tiger!" The bald man from yesterday sang, as he stepped out into the alley with an already lit cigarette, the two women from yesterday following him close behind. "I’ve finally cornered you! Did you think you could just speak Russian at me and disappear?"
“I was hoping.”
“You speak Russian?!” He shook me with a manic giggle.
"Among other languages," I replied in Russian.
His face lit up and he put a hand over his heart. "It feels like I am home again! You sound like my mother!"
I grinned. "A compliment I hope?"
"Absolutely!" he said, waving his cigarette dramatically. "My mother is the best person in the whole world!"
“Still think I’m a bitch?”
“Oh I’m certain you are,” he laughed. “I am Sasha.”
“I'm Lena.”
He shook his head, blowing a puff of smoke out of his pursed lips. “Too plain!” He pointed to me with his middle finger and smiled. “You are Tiger Bitch now.”
I laughed and shrugged. “Beats dish bitch I guess.”
Sasha wrapped an arm around my shoulder and gestured to the two women smoking beside him. “These lovelies are Ari and Heather.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” I said, offering up my hand.
The first woman, Heather, shook it with a kind smile. Her tight curls bounced as she shifted on her feet. “You sure know how to make an entrance.”
The second laughed. “I will never forget the look on Simone’s face when you told her to fuck off.”
“She didn’t say that,” Heather said quietly.
“No, but we all knew that's what she wanted to say,” Ari argued. “Simone certainly read between the lines.”
I breathed out a soft sigh. “I’m guessing she’s not going to just let that go and leave me alone now?”
They all laughed and Sasha shook his head. “No, she’ll likely pester you twice as much now to try and get her little know it all prissy claws into you.”
“Great, that’s just what I need.”
“Oh don’t pout Tiger Bitch,” he cooed, stroking my hair. “If I had to bet on anyone being able to go toe to toe with her, it’d be you.”
“You just want to see a fight.”
He shrugged, mischief shining in his eyes. “I’m Russian. We always enjoy a good fight.”
Heather rolled her eyes. “It’d hardly be a fight. Simone has too much of a hold on things here. Sorry new girl, but I doubt you’d make a dent.”
“I think she’d get a few good hits in at least,” Ari added, digging into her pockets. “Need a pick me up?”
“No thanks,” I answered, the now distant memories of the rush whatever pills she had on her burning in my mind. “I’ve kicked shit like that.”
Ari groaned. “God you’re just like Sasha!”
“You’re sober?” I asked the bald man beside me as he snubbed out his cigarette.
“I am!”
“It’s only been like three months!” Heather reminded him.
He slapped her arm. “It still counts! How long have you been sober Tiger?”
“A while.”
Sasha hummed, examining my face closely. “You look like the type with some really fucked up past.”
I smiled. “Takes one to know one right?”
“You’re a cunt. I love it.”
Will’s head popped out of the back door and he sighed. “There you all are. Service starts in thirty minutes, let's get a move on.”
“Bossy bossy!” Sasha hissed, embracing Will in a tight hug. “Loosen up a bit or you’ll end up like Howard!”
“Or worse, Simone,” Ari said with a snicker.
Will rolled his eyes. “Well at least they’re not wasting time smoking and gossiping.”
“You love to gossip,” Heather chided as she moved past him.
“Not when we have service to prep for.” Will sighed at the crowd and nodded to me. “Don’t let these idiots get you into trouble.”
Each of them made offended noises as we moved through the back hall toward the lobby. “Thanks for the heads up, they seem like real rabble rousers.”
Scott had the kitchen in full swing by the time I’d washed my hands and gotten ready to hop into whatever position Scott wanted me in. He nodded to me. “You’re with me tonight, newbie. Try to keep up.”
I smiled. Finally something somewhat challenging. “Yes Chef.”
It was amazing how it had been years since I'd spent this much time in the fast paced chaos that was a professional kitchen yet my mind and body still remembered every step, every skill and ingredient that it needed to. All those years of study, all the years of sweat and tears and pain that I survived just to have this second chance of sorts… It was all made worth it when that tiny spark began to burn brighter in my chest. It was worth it as I finally began to feel how much I loved this. That was why I was here. Sure, I needed to start making steady money again, but I could do that anywhere… I wanted to be here, wanted to find this passion again.
The night was busy, just like the one before and likely the one to follow, but I kept up with the rush of food and orders and plating. I kept pace with Scott, who never outright praised my work, but looked over everything I did with an approving him. This was where I belonged, a hot and crazy kitchen putting my eager and skilled hands onto the food and sending it out to a crowded lobby of rich assholes willing to blow hundreds of dollars on anything we have them.
As soon as everything was cleaned up I snuck away to my locker, changing into a more comfortable T-shirt and holding my jacket tightly. My fingers ran over the peeling letters. Jack & Ozzy's. I smiled to myself. "Hope you're proud of me big man."
"There you are!" Isaac shouted from the doorway as he stormed towards me. "I was promised drinks."
"I made no such promise!" I reminded him as I pulled my jacket on. "You convinced yourself of my acceptance."
He shrugged. "Same thing. Come on, you're staying for at least one drink."
I signed and let him tug me into step beside him. "One drink. Then I'm outta here."
"Yeah yeah," he mocked. "Could you lighten up just a little?"
"Never." I smirked. "That'd make your life way too easy."
*
The first night Jake had been… Disappointed. It wasn't often he stuck around too long after service, he had far better places to be of course, but he did. All to see the new girl. He wasn't desperate, not in any sense of the word, if he wanted he could go to a random bar and pick up any girl he wanted. But he wanted this one. He wanted to get that bored look to twist into something more fun, wanted to pull that red hair into his hands, wanted to see just how much she'd give up.
When she hadn't come out with the cook that seemed to be closest to her he felt an irrational sense of frustration rise up into his chest. She'd not even bothered to show up, not even bothered to grace the waiting crowd with answers to their endless questions. It was impressive, or it would have been if he hadn't been so pissed off. He had to spend that whole night listening to them talk about her, the cook giving away nothing to any that asked. Even Simone couldn't seem to stop talking about her. This girl… Lena, was something else and Jake was fucking curious.
So when she slid out of the kitchen doors with the cook on her arm he smiled. He stayed off to the side, observing her as she sat down beside Sasha and gave the group her attention. Simone had already left with Howard like she always did and so now was the perfect time to see what the redhead was really made of. He pushed himself away from the dark corner and moved around the bar, giving Nicky a pat on the shoulder as he passed.
He practically shoved her cook friend out of the way and leaned toward her with a flirty grin. "What's your drink?"
*
I looked up into those pretty, shallow, eyes of his with a scoff. Who the hell does he think he is? He leaned forward, the chain around his neck almost dangling as he grew closer. I shrugged, giving him my best set of doe eyes. "What can you make?"
That smug, self assured smirk grew wider. "Anything you want."
"I'll just take something simple."
From behind him Isaac rolled his eyes at me. "Something simple then."
Sasha downed his drink and slid his glass toward the man with a smile, "Make me one too Jakey."
I leaned forward against the bar, if a game was what he was looking for I'd play. It'd been a long time since I'd seen a man like him humbled. "Jake? That's your name?"
He looked up at me, self assured and smug still, but his pupils flared when I spoke his name. "Yeah."
"Where'd you learn how to mix drinks?"
"Here and there. It's all about time and practice," he said coolly. "Most people struggle more with the attitude than the actual drink making."
"But not you?"
That smile grew. "Nah, I was born for this shit."
"Hmm."
“What?” The man asked, the cocky look on his face twisting into a challenge.
“I dunno, I just don't think it’s as impressive as you say it is,” I clarified sweetly.
"Maybe not, but this takes a lot of skill, and a bit of charm for good measure. Plus you gotta be good with your hands.” He winked at me.
I resisted the urge to laugh. "You think quite highly of your skills.”
The bartender beside him rolled his eyes and served Sasha another drink. "You can say that again."
The flamboyant Jake simply continued. “I'm very good at my job.”
"How good?"
His eyes flashed to mine, drinking in the shy body language I'd molded. "Is it a show you're hoping to get by batting those lashes of yours?"
I hummed softly. “I'm just curious. Maybe we could make a bet.”
“A bet?”
I stood from my seat, Isaac shaking his head in the corner as he fought against his laughter. I moved around to join them behind the bar and looked up at Jake with a fake look of innocent curiosity. “You make a drink, I’ll watch and then I’ll make it the same way, maybe even better.”
The challenge shined in his eyes as he leaned down closer to me. It was obvious he expected me to back up, to yield at least for a moment, because when I didn’t his smile faltered for a split second. “What will this prove?"
"How complicated bartending can be, and how good you are at it."
"What do I get when I win?”
“Fifty bucks.”
“A fifty dollar drink?” He questioned with an amused noise as he mulled the offer over.
Sasha rolled his eyes. “I’m bored! Take the bet and give us a show!”
Everyone else cheered and Jake’s smile widened as he stood up straighter. “Better pay attention, I won’t slow it down for you.”
“I think I’ll manage,” I assured him, leaning against the bar and turning my eyes to his hands as he gathered up his materials and got to work.
He was a skilled bartender, the fluid movements of his hands reminded me of Ozzy in his prime. Jake’s technique had an extra flare of elegance that I could only assume he’d adopted while working here to give the rich guests a bit of an extra show. His hands curled around each ingredient he used, every drink and garnish being added to the cocktail with finesse and precision. The drink itself was one I’d made a hundred times, the technique was simple enough to replicate. I looked up at him as he shook the drink with a wide grin and a quick wink before he poured it into the glass and added the final touches.
He picked it up and handed it to me, far too cocky and overconfident. “You want to just give me the money and save yourself the embarrassment?”
I took a sip of the drink, light and fruity with a decadent aroma. “Not a chance.”
Jake chuckled and moved around the bar, sitting in my vacated seat beside Sasha. I smiled at him, sliding my jacket off the shoulders, slow and deliberately timed. His eyes shamelessly rolled down my body, fixing on the tiger tattoo on my arm with a curious smirk. Isaac gave my shoulder a squeeze as he moved past with a quick and quiet, “Try not to embarrass him too bad.”
This was going to be fun.
***
Jake settled in his seat, fixing his attention on the new girl. His curiosity rolled around in him like an ever growing ball the more she spoke. Howard had hired her on the spot, something that happened, well, never, and judging by the way she confidently jumped into the fast paced position she knew what she was doing. Still, with all that restaurant knowledge she seemed to have, she was just as innocent and easy to win over as the other women before her. This was his turf and he certainly had an easy win in the bag.
He watched her slowly remove her jacket, knowing full well the play she was throwing out, but still he looked anyway. She was attractive, soft looking skin and big doe eyes, certainly the type he was used to drawing in for some fun. The tiger tattoo was a bit surprising, bold against her skin and large enough that it was certain to be seen. She gathered the same ingredients together, and then flashed him a smile, her eyes shifting from the slightly bored and innocent to confident and fierce in a blink.
As soon as she started to make the drink he was shocked. The way she moved was mesmerizing, everything deliberate and sensual, drawing everyone's attention and praise with complete ease. She was fast, hands moving through the steps with unfaltering grace and what she lacked in finesse she made up for in her charisma and flare. This was not her first time making a drink.
“I think this is what they call a hussle,” Scott observed with a laugh as he settled into the seat beside him.
Sasha was overjoyed. “Oh I like this bitch more and more every minute!”
Once she began shaking the drink Jake couldn’t help but glance at the way her tits bounced beneath her deep cut T-shirt, and when he managed to tear his eyes away from them he was met with a wide grin and a playful wink. Fuck. He thought as an unfamiliar feeling washed over him. Sure he was impressed with her, but it was more than that… something that he hadn’t felt in a long time, a spark that could easily turn into a wildfire if he left it uncontrolled and that was something he absolutely refused to allow.
She slid the drink across the bar to him, leaning over to give him a generous view down her shirt. Jake silently took a drink, the sweetness of the cocktail washing over his tongue in an instant. Fucking… She held her hand out, batting her eyelashes as she waited. “I believe I’m owed a crisp fifty dollar bill.”
He fished it out of his jacket and shook his head with an amused scoff. “Where’d you learn how to do all that?”
With a modest shrug she folded the bill delicately as she replied, “I'm a woman of many talents.”
"And mysteries."
"Especially mysteries."She smiled again bright and mischievous, placing the money between her teeth as she pulled her jacket back on.
God damn. “It’s hardly fair to hussle a coworker on your second day.”
“Yeah, or maybe you just need to be more careful about who you bet, Jerk.” He chuckled at her use of his own words against him.
“It’s Jake.”
She clicked her tongue and held his money in between her fingers. “Right. Sorry, it’s a tough name.” The audacity of this woman… He was impressed, infuriated as well but impressed. She turned to Isaac as he walked back out of the kitchen and waved the cash around. “Dinners on me tonight. Or, I guess, it’s on the master bartender.”
Isaac shook his head. “You gotta stop hustling people you delinquent.”
"If you're gonna be uptight about it I'll share dinner with another delinquent."
Sasha's hand shot up. "Please, Tiger Bitch! I am a delinquent, take me in and let me suckle at your victorious teets!"
The new girl rolled her eyes but grabbed Sasha by the jacket and pulled him with her out the front door. Isaac hurried after them. "Wait, I take it back! Please buy me dinner!"
Jake looked down at the drink in front of him and scoffed. "Fuckin bitch."
Nicky laughed. "Never thought I'd see the day a woman kicked you down a peg. I think I'm starting to like the new girl."
"She certainly makes things interesting."
"Heading home?"
"Later," Jake said, downing the rest of the drink and standing. "I gotta brush up on my tiger taming."
Nicky shook his head as he began cleaning the bar up. "I hope she tears you up."
"Me too."
#sweetbitter jake#sweetbitter jake x oc#jake sweetbitter#sweetbitter simone#sweetbitter#sweetbitter sasha#sweetbitter howard#sweet bitter#jake x lena#nightshade
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Kicking Up Dust - Part 1
Bucky Barnes x Reader
Warnings: None in this chapter. Slow burn to NSFW
A/N: Takes place after 'Falcon and the Winter Soldier' with one major exception - Steve Rogers is not dead. He stepped down. This is in line with my Crossroads story. There will also be a parallel Steve story coming.
ONE
New York City felt busier and more crowded than you’d ever known it. Perhaps the construction sites on every other block and the mass of detours made it worse. People walked shoulder to shoulder on the sidewalks, which was better than stand still of the cars. No matter the reason, you weren’t particularly happy to be back.
The lobby of Stark Tower underwent renovations, too. A subdue black granite memorial stood in the center of the mass entry hall to those lost in the battle with Thanos. You paused briefly, to look it over. Easily fifteen feet tall, the monolith had gravitas and restraint. It was nothing like some of the flashy tributes elsewhere else.
Also new to the lobby was a large glass and steel sign for the Integration Initiative. The foundation created by Pepper Potts and Steve Rogers to help people returning from the blip. They worked with the various governments and organizations unhappy with the Global Repatriotization Council. The organization also issued grants to organizations that help individuals rebuild their lives, relocation and rehoming, new career training, and even mental health services.
“May I help you?” A young man behind a marble reception desk smiled.
“Yes,” You returned the smile and handed him a business card. “I have a 10 o’clock with Ms. Potts.”
“Thank you.” He checked the computer and pulled out a visitor badge. “Kimberly will be down in just a moment to take you up. Please wear this where it’s visible at all times.”
“Thanks.” You stepped to the waiting area. Before long a woman called your name. She introduced herself before leading you to the elevators. On the seventy-second floor, you were taken to a huge office. Pepper called your name before you even entered. “Hi!” You met her halfway across the office and welcomed her hug.
“How have you been?” She motioned for you to sit.
“Busy. How about you?”
“Same. It’s weird being back here, but it’s what makes the most sense right now with all the work we’re doing. Plus, it allows Morgan to be here with me.”
“That’s good. I love the video you sent me of her cooking.” You chuckled.
“She’s got Tony’s mad-scientist thing going on when she’s cooking, doesn’t she?” Pepper grinned. “What’s the cause of the visit?”
You’d known Pepper for years, having provided her with antiques and art for Stark’s properties. Since the snap, though, you’d taken on a new endeavor. Combining your love of restoring old things, and your love of decorating, you started a company that restores large old homes and reapportions them for multi-family dwellings for those needing to reestablish their lives. It was work helped with grants from the Pepper’s company.
“I found something that I think is important.” You pulled out an old leather-bound journal and handed it to her. You saw her eyebrow rise as she read the owners name and a date written in beautiful script on the first page. “There’s a ton more.”
“Wait right there.” She got up and left the room.
A few minutes later she returned. On her heels walked Steve Rogers, reading the journal. You’d never met him in person, but the sight of him in jeans and sweater was new. So was the neatly trimmed beard. He looked, normal, relaxed even.
Pepper introduced you. Steve took your hand and lowered himself into the chair beside you. Held the journal, reverently. “Where did you find this?”
“A house in Connecticut, outside Danbury. It’s an old Victorian I just purchased and started to clear out for renovation. It’s been boarded up for 23 years. I did a little homework, and the last owner was listed as Wilbur Lewis. He inherited it 83 years ago. But I don’t think he’s the one who lived there, or if he did it wasn’t for long. I think his wife’s younger brother, Archie Peterson lived there, along with his wife.”
“Rebecca Barnes...”
Bucky ignored the phone again. He could hear it ringing where it lay buried in the pocket of yesterday’s jeans, somewhere in the corner of his bedroom. It’s been going off all morning, but he didn’t want to talk to anyone. It’d been a bad night.
His nightmares were getting better. They weren’t as frequent since the whole business with Sam. Spending some time with his family down south and having a decent dose of normalcy helped. Still, they occasionally snuck up and bit him in the ass. When it happened, he was not fit for civilized company.
When the knock came at his door and he heard Steve’s even voice call his name, Bucky grimaced. It had been Steve calling. Now he felt guilty, too.
“Yeah, coming.” Standing, he straightened his sweatpants. He kicked the blankets and pillow into the corner, as he snagged a discarded tee shirt to put on. He opened the door without a greeting. Only old habits kept the surprise from his face. Steve wasn’t alone. He should have heard more than one set of footsteps. He really was distracted.
“Buck.”
“Steve.”
“You gonna invite us in or are we just going to stand in the hall?” Steve smirked.
“Oh, sorry.” Bucky stepped back, suddenly self-conscious of his barren apartment. The wood floor and high ceilings made the place appealing. However, he never could bring himself to do the normal things; to buy furniture or make it a home.
Steve bought the bed and had it delivered, even though Bucky rarely slept on it. Sam showed up with beer and the television one night. He found a little table and lamp that just needed a few screws tightened out by the dumpster. The blankets and pillow got picked up a corner store. Bucky didn’t even have the necessities by most people’s standards.
“Bucky,” Steve leaned against the wall by the door. “I want you to meet Y/N. She’s a friend of Pepper’s and does work under one of the Initiative’s grants. She found something you need to see.”
“Hi.” He shook your hand, scowling.
You got the distinct feeling this man did not like surprises. He looked so hard, so tired. The person standing before you bore no resemblance to the man described in Rebecca’s writings. “Sergeant Barnes,” You began.
“Bucky’s fine.” He frowned.
Nodding, you continued. “Over the last few years I’ve been remodeling large estates, converting them into homes for people who need a new start. A few weeks ago, I purchased a 7000 square foot Victorian estate that has been boarded up for more than twenty years. Thankfully, it’s a stone clad beauty and it stayed mostly sealed up.” You took a deep breath, seeing his growing impatience.
“I found a lot inside. Everything, actually. It’s just like the former owners left it before they died. I think it was,” You shook your head. “No, um, I know it was, your sister and her husband.”
His jaw went slack. With wide eyes he turned to Steve.
“I told you they fell off the radar in the fifties.” Steve shrugged “We found out that Becca’s husband testified against those gangsters, and they burned down the shop. After that there was nothing. No trace. Looks like they moved to Connecticut.”
“You’re serious?” Bucky breathed.
“Yeah.” You handed him the journal you brought. “I flagged a page there. It’s a few days after her wedding. She mentions you specifically. She got married on June 9, 1951.”
Bucky opened the book gently and read. After a moment, he covered his mouth with his left hand and looked up at Steve with so much emotion that you marveled that such a face could be so hard just moments before.
“Yeah.” Steve chuckled and squeezed his friend’s shoulder. “There’s more. She said there’s a library of stuff. A whole house of stuff to go through.”
“I feel strange going through it all by myself, and it’s way too much to just pack up.” You interjected. “I get that we don’t know each other, but we have friends in common. People I trust, trust you.” Bucky’s head swiveled to you. You offered a warm smile. “So, I want to invite you up. Come and stay a while, go through everything. Decide what you want to take.”
Bucky looked incredulous at you, so you continued with a shrug. “I bought the house to update it and remodel it. Everything that’s in it, though, belonged to your sister. Something there might be able to give you back a little bit of your family.”
“Go, Buck.” Steve gave his pal a gentle shake. “At the very least, you might find a chair or something to put in this miserable joint.”
Bucky huffed, not quite a laugh, but his eyes brightened. “Yeah, okay. I’ll go.”
TAG LIST: Please note if you wish to be added or removed, please message me.
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Sound Blanket Curtain Quilted Absorber Quilted Acoustic Barrier Quilted Acoustic Barrier
SoundBlanketCurtain is a manufacturer who focuses on insulated curtains and other acoustic materials production more than 10 years now with low MOQ, an experienced R&D team, complete production lines, and unequalled responsiveness. SoundBlanketCurtain is now the top-volume Chinese source of acoustic panels and its accessories. We try to provide the client with the best solution with the highest QUALITY design, production, and service.
In the past few years, our products have been sold to home builders, diverse property companies, real estate firms, and other customers and have been well received. ConstructionServiceR is a multi-faceted construction company that provides concrete foundations, custom construction, alterations and general contracting services in western Maine. CCZX is a branding and design agency that works with ambitious organizations with a long history to help them connect with changing audiences. RenovationSMProject is an Architect Studio located in Dublin, which specializes in home renovation, expansion, and is interested in energy renovation projects. ILDPP offers real estate services to buyers and sellers of houses, condominiums, foreclosed houses and properties in Naples and Southwest Florida. FKQQ specializes in providing inspection, testing, demolition and construction services for residential and commercial properties in and around Binghamton, New York.
We have established good business relationships with businessmen in Ukraine, France, Indonesia, India, Vanuatu, Costa Rica, Ireland, Libya, South Korea, United Kingdom, Cameroon, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, and other countries and regions.
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Harry and Meghan finally got what they deserve — a chorus of royally loud boos By Maureen Callahan June 3, 2022 7:52pm -- New York Post
Harry and Meghan met with loud boos in first royal event in 2 years
That smug smile, at long last, has been wiped off Meghan’s face. Actual tears, not her usual crocodile variety, welled up. She was visibly unnerved.
Makes sense. Like all malignant narcissists, Meghan is only capable of feeling sorry for herself. Lest we forget Meghan, the grand duchess, standing among impoverished, starving African children and griping — to a broadcast interviewer! — “Not many people have asked me if I’m OK.”
May I be among the first to ask: So, Meghan, how are you feeling now?
After two years of accusing the British royal family of everything from wishing Meghan would kill herself to being racist toward her unborn baby to being held literal prisoner by royal staffers to accusing Kate Middleton of making Meghan cry — while branding themselves as eco-warrior-humanitarian-mental-health-experts, motto, for real, “Be kind” — these two get their comeuppance.
It’s exquisite.
Turns out the royals know a bit about mental health and manipulators themselves, because they’ve deployed the only tactic that works: the gray rock. It’s like dealing with toddlers having tantrums — you just ignore, ignore, ignore until they tire themselves out.
The royals have played the long game, brilliantly putting the Sussexes in a no-win situation: Decline their invite and look mean, petty and vengeful, slighting the ailing queen on her historic jubilee. Accept and get the coldest of shoulders before an audience of billions.
Get the message now, kids?
How gratifying to see H&M shuffled off to the cheap seats in the second row, across the aisle from Charles and Camilla, William and Kate, none of whom cast a glance their way. How elegantly the BRF has slid in the knife: no official portraits with the queen, no appearance on the balcony, no access to any royals of consequence in public.
The message is as clear as Meghan’s blood diamonds — you know, the ones the Duchess of Woke wore, a gift from MBS after the brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. (Bygones!)
Harry and Meghan are royals now in name only.
Hey, they always said they just wanted to be regular people, right?
H&M weren’t even in attendance at the buffet luncheon after Friday’s service. Will and Kate were, though.
Instead, those two slunk off to Frogmore Cottage, that dump they spent millions in taxpayer funds renovating before fleeing to Montecito.
One can imagine Harry and Meghan frantically doom-scrolling through their media coverage while drowning their sorrows in kale juice and victimhood, plotting how they might commodify this latest injustice.
After all, they’ll need the money. Charles stopped paying the bills over a year ago. Spotify isn’t happy. Neither is Netflix. George Clooney, Oprah — even Gayle won’t take their calls.
Even worse, this jubilee weekend was supposed to give Harry tons of material for his big tell-all memoir. All he’s going home with is a sad view from the second row.
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The Importance of Asbestos Testing Services
Asbestos testing and sampling should be carried out whenever building materials appear to be deteriorating or prior to any construction or remodeling projects which could disturb them, as exposure to asbestos fibers poses serious health risks, including mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Asbestos-testing labs should be licensed and insured for accurate results, capable of testing crumbly, solid materials as well as dust samples with either polarized light microscopy or transmission electron microscopy techniques.
Certification
Asbestos is a fibrous and heat-resistant mineral commonly found in building materials. If improperly removed or handled, asbestos exposure may lead to lung diseases and other health concerns if not handled safely - thus making the decision to hire an accredited asbestos inspector essential.
Certified professionals complete training courses managed by third-party accreditors to obtain their credentials and obtain certifications to perform asbestos testing services in various settings.
An asbestos professional typically collects samples of suspicious materials during an inspection and sends them off for lab analysis, taking between several days and several weeks depending on the material type being tested for. Rush and emergency turnaround services are also available at additional costs.
New York City requires any construction, demolition or renovation project that disturbs ACMs to undergo an asbestos survey (ACP-5). Even simple projects like painting or demolishing walls may necessitate this inspection before receiving approval from the Department of Buildings.
Experience
Before undertaking any home renovation project, it is vitally important to hire a certified asbestos inspector. They can test for asbestos in areas like acoustic ceiling sprays, floor tiles, linoleums, insulation materials, drywall/joint compounds and roofing materials - among others.
AHERA accredited inspectors are specially trained to locate, identify and estimate quantities of asbestos-containing material (ACM). They provide thorough reports detailing their findings as well as create abatement plans to address any concerns discovered during inspections.
Asbestos testing should involve examining both solid and friable samples; typically laboratories will need at least one teaspoon of dust.
Naturally occurring asbestos found in rocks and soil poses no immediate health threat, provided it remains undisturbed. When disturbed during construction or demolition activities, asbestos fibers can be released into the air and inhaled by workers and residents in close proximity. A professional asbestos inspection firm should always be able to deliver accurate results, guaranteeing that an area inspected is safe before beginning work or demolition activities in it.
Licensing
Asbestos is a dangerous substance that poses serious health risks when disturbed. Not only can asbestos lead to lung cancer, but also mesothelioma and lung diseases like asbestosis. Therefore, testing for asbestos prior to renovation or demolition work must take place for both occupants and workers' safety.
Asbestos testing should be part of any construction or renovation activity which disturbs building materials such as floor tiles, drywall, pipes, insulation or fire-proofing materials. Furthermore, an asbestos test is strongly advised before purchasing an old home that could contain ACM.
Contractors, project monitors and professional service firms who perform activities that disturb friable asbestos must obtain a license before engaging in such activities. To do so, applicants must complete either an initial or renewal individual licensing package along with State Form 48741. Furthermore, documentation from an EPA/PA approved training course must also be provided before an onsite inspection can take place and an approval issued.
Insurance
Asbestos can be found in older homes built before the mid-1980s. Due to its durability and resistance to fire, asbestos was often utilized for vinyl floor tiles, roofing shingles, wall insulation materials and insulation materials. When these items become damaged they release microscopic asbestos fibers into the air which may eventually lead to serious health conditions such as mesothelioma or lung cancer.
Homeowners insurance typically does not cover the costs associated with asbestos inspection, testing and removal; however, this expense could be covered as part of a claim for property damage due to sudden events like storm-related roof or foundation damage, fire or theft.
When selecting an asbestos testing service, be sure that they possess both standard liability and workers' compensation insurance policies as well as adequate professional liability protection to guard against damages caused by errors of judgment or professional opinions.
Asbestos Testing Adelaide
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The Top Current Trends in Las Vegas Real Estate
Las Vegas, Nevada is known for its world-renowned entertainment, casinos, and hospitality industries. However, in recent years, the city has also become an attractive real estate market due to its growing economy and diverse population. In this post, we’ll explore the top current trends in Las Vegas real estate that anyone looking to invest or buy a property in the area should know.
Increased demand for single-family homes
The pandemic has prompted buyers to seek larger and more comfortable living spaces, and Las Vegas is no exception. Single-family homes have seen a spike in demand, as people look for privacy, home offices, and outdoor amenities. According to the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors (GLVAR), single-family home sales rose by 8.7% in 2020, with an average sales price of $354,000. As a result, these properties are now selling much faster, and buyers may find themselves in bidding wars.
Booming luxury market
The luxury real estate market in Las Vegas has seen significant growth in recent years, with high-end buyers seeking luxury villas, penthouses, and homes in exclusive areas. According to the GLVAR, luxury home sales increased by 46.8% in 2020, with the average sales price reaching $1,350,000. Luxury buyers are looking for modern amenities, exclusive locations, and personalized services, combining the comfort of home with upscale experiences.
Growth in commercial real estate
Las Vegas has always had a strong commercial real estate market due to its tourism and hospitality industries, but new industries like tech and healthcare have been driving demand as well. According to CBRE, office vacancy rates in Vegas have dropped for the fourth consecutive quarter in 2021, with tech and financial firms accounting for the majority of leasing activity. Additionally, the city is investing heavily in the healthcare industry, with new hospitals and medical facilities opening across the city.
Increasing interest in short-term rentals
Las Vegas is a popular destination for tourism, and as a result, short-term rentals like Airbnb have gained popularity. Homeowners can earn significant income by renting out their properties for a few days or weeks, especially during peak travel seasons. However, investors should be aware of the city’s strict regulations on short-term rentals, including fees and permits required for operating a rental property.
The growing interest in sustainable real estate
Las Vegas is becoming a leader in sustainable development and green real estate, with developers and homeowners embracing energy-efficient technologies and environmentally-friendly design. For example, the city’s new Circa Resort & Casino is one of the few LEED Gold-certified hotels in the world, with sustainable features like solar panels, rainwater collection, and energy-efficient lighting. Additionally, more homeowners are opting for green building materials, solar panels, and energy-saving appliances when building or renovating their homes.
Virtual real estate tours
The pandemic has changed the way the real estate industry operates, with virtual tours and remote viewings becoming a necessity. Las Vegas real estate agents and developers have embraced technology, offering virtual tours, drone footage, and 3D renderings of properties. Many buyers are now able to view properties from the comfort of their own homes, making the buying process more efficient and convenient.
The rise of remote work
The pandemic has also accelerated the trend of remote work, with many companies allowing employees to work from home permanently. As a result, more people are looking to move away from expensive cities like New York and San Francisco, and Las Vegas is an attractive option. The city offers a lower cost of living, a warmer climate, and an abundance of outdoor activities, making it an ideal place for remote workers to call home.
In the end, the Las Vegas real estate market has been evolving quickly in recent years, with new trends emerging that offer opportunities for buyers, sellers, and investors. Whether you’re looking for a single-family home or a luxury condo, the city’s real estate market is diverse and growing. Additionally, Las Vegas’s unique mix of industries, sustainability initiatives, and remote work opportunities make it an attractive location for anyone looking to invest in property or relocate to a thriving city.
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Business Name:
NI Construction Corp
City:
New York
State:
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DREAMING WALLS: INSIDE THE CHELSEA HOTEL (2022)
Featuring Merle Lister Levine, Zoe Serac Pappas, Nicolas Pappas, Rose Cory, Susan Kleinsinger, Joe Corey, Gerald Busby, Skye Ferrante, Eugenie Sappho, Steve Willis, Bettina Grossman, Gina Healy and Pablo Martinez.
Directed by Amélie van Elmbt and Maya Duverdier.
Distributed by Magnolia Pictures. 80 minutes. Not Rated.
The Chelsea Hotel (now called The Hotel Chelsea) is on 23rd Street in Manhattan (in the funky neighborhood the place is named after). The place is a legend in the hospitality industry, once a grand meeting place for the rich and influential which turned into a slightly squalid, but still famous colony for artists. Countless famous writers and musicians and artists have stayed in these walls since the 1884 opening, including Mark Twain, Arthur C. Clarke, Allen Ginsberg, Arthur Miller and Gregory Corso. Dylan Thomas was staying there when he grew ill and died days later in a local hospital.
Dozens of songs have been written about the hotel, including Leonard Cohen’s “Chelsea Hotel #2,” Nico’s “Chelsea Girl,” Jon Bon Jovi’s ‘Midnight in Chelsea,” Phoebe Bridgers’ “Chelsea” and Joni Mitchell’s “Chelsea Morning” (there is some debate about whether the song is about the hotel, or an apartment Mitchell briefly had on nearby 16th Street in the same neighborhood.) Cohen, Janis Joplin and Bob Dylan stayed there for months at a time.
Punk rocker Sid Vicious of The Sex Pistols killed his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, in one of the rooms. There were many other deaths in the hotel, including Japanese artist Hiroya who finished a mural in the hotel in 2007 and then promptly jumped down the hotel’s famous staircase. Eventually so many people died in the hotel that it got a reputation for being haunted.
It is a New York City landmark, but long ago had fallen into disrepair. In 2011, the hotel was essentially closed for a long-term renovation plan – which ended up lasting over a decade. The hotel finally quietly reopened in February 2022, a fact which happened too late to be included in this documentary.
However, while the wholesale renovations took place and the Chelsea was often just a shell of itself, a certain number of long-time residents stayed – many of whom had rent-controlled apartments and could not be evicted. (One of the interviewees here gave her rent as an insanely affordable $315 a month, for which you couldn’t even get a parking spot in Manhattan normally.) Some loved the place. Some had just been there forever and didn’t want to find someplace new to live. For some it was the history of the place. For others it was money. Whatever the reason, 10-20 hardcore tenants decided to ride out the renovations – often having to move to other units, just to save their homes.
The new owners of the hotel (and the ownership of the place changed three times during the 11 years of renovations) couldn’t be bothered to make things easier for the last tenants. In fact they’d prefer they leave so the rooms could be rented out at more expensive rates.
Dreaming Walls is not so much about the storied history of the building (although it does touch on it, periodically). It is more about these last holdouts, the tenants who lived amongst the dust and the rubble and the noise as the Chelsea was fitfully trying to be brought back to life – a life which many of these long-time tenants could not afford. One man pointed out that the hotel had built a back service elevator for the live-in tenants, because the owners didn’t want them to be seen by the tourists when the hotel reopened.
Not surprisingly with the history of the place, most of these survivors are arty types – musicians, sculptors, dancers, writers, painters. Most of them are well past their primes but still trying to create art on a regular basis. Many of them are eccentric, but most all have interesting life stories which revolve around the Chelsea.
Their love for the place is obvious and their willingness to deal with many hardships to keep their own little spot in the world is touching. Dreaming Walls tells their story and tells it well. However, I wish it told more of the story of the Chelsea itself. That is an even more fascinating narrative.
Jay S. Jacobs
Copyright ©2022 PopEntertainment.com. All rights reserved. Posted: July 8, 2022.
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The Ultimate Overview to Hiring a Remodeling Professional
Remodeling your home can be an exciting yet daunting job. Whether you are aiming to restore your kitchen, update your restroom, or include an expansion to your property, hiring the ideal makeover service provider is critical to the success of your task. With numerous contractors out there, just how do you pick the one that is appropriate for you? In this guide, we will offer you with beneficial ideas on just how to find and work with the new york city top rated remodeling company for your demands.
Primarily, it is vital to do your study. Search for renovating contractors in your area and request referrals from buddies, family members, and associates. Reviewing on-line evaluations and inspecting their portfolios can additionally give you a feeling of the top quality of their job. When you have actually narrowed down your listing, schedule meetings with possible service providers to review your task carefully.
During the interviews, ensure to ask the right questions. Inquire about their experience and certifications, request references from past clients, and guarantee that they have the needed licenses and insurance. A trusted service provider will be greater than willing to supply you with this info. In addition, review your budget plan and timeline to see if they can function within your parameters.
It is additionally essential to develop clear interaction with your chosen new york city remodeling company. Great communication is key to an effective task, so make sure that you are able to easily reach them and that they maintain you upgraded on the progression. Setting expectations from the start and addressing any type of worries immediately can assist avoid misconceptions down the line.
Lastly, before authorizing any kind of agreements, make sure to review them very carefully. The contract needs to outline the range of the job, the timeline, the settlement routine, and any kind of other crucial details connected to the job. If there are any type of terms that you are unsure around, don't wait to request for information or seek lawful advice.
In conclusion, employing a remodeling specialist does not have to be an overwhelming task. By doing your study, asking the right inquiries, maintaining good interaction, and assessing agreements completely, you can guarantee a smooth and effective improvement job for your home. Check out this post that has expounded on the topic: https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renovation.
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Universal Bathrooms
At Universal Bathrooms, our experienced team begins each day with one goal: to exceed your expectations and earn your trust. With a commitment to excellence and unparalleled customer service, we strive to understand your vision and bring it to life with precision and care. So, why bathrooms? It’s simple math. The average person spends a staggering 182 hours per year in this vital space. It’s the heartbeat of any home, enduring daily wear and tear. And as long as we continue to use them, bathrooms will inevitably need refreshing. That's where we come in, ensuring your bathroom remains a sanctuary of comfort and style. At Universal Bathrooms our mission is simple: to exceed your expectations and leave you saying, “I love my bathroom!” With our expertise and dedication to quality craftsmanship, we transform ordinary spaces into extraordinary retreats, tailored to your unique vision.
Universal Bathrooms
Address: 7989 Oswego Rd, Liverpool, New York 13090
Phone: 3158574913
Website: universalbathcny.com
Contact email: [email protected]
Visit Us:
Universal Bathrooms Facebook
Our Services:
Tub-To-Shower Conversion
Bathtub Replacement and Remodeling
Shower Remodeling
Walk-In Tub Installation
Full Bathroom Renovation
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A Comprehensive Guide to Dumpster Rentals in New York
Introduction: New York, the city that never sleeps, is bustling with activity day and night. From towering skyscrapers to vibrant neighborhoods, the city is constantly evolving. With such dynamism comes the need for efficient waste management solutions. Whether you're renovating your apartment in Brooklyn, decluttering your loft in Manhattan, or undertaking a construction project in Queens, dumpster rentals offer a convenient solution to handle waste disposal in the Big Apple.
In this guide, we'll explore the ins and outs of dumpster rentals in New York, providing you with essential information to make informed decisions and streamline your waste management process.
Understanding Dumpster Rentals: Dumpster rentals provide individuals and businesses with a convenient way to dispose of large volumes of waste. Whether it's construction debris, household junk, or commercial waste, dumpsters come in various sizes to accommodate different needs.
Factors to Consider:
Size: Dumpster sizes range from small 10-yard containers suitable for residential projects to large 40-yard dumpsters for extensive construction sites. Assess the amount of waste you anticipate generating to determine the appropriate size for your project.
Location: In a densely populated city like New York, space can be a premium. Consider the placement of the dumpster, ensuring it complies with local regulations and doesn't obstruct pedestrian walkways or traffic flow.
Duration: Determine how long you'll need the dumpster. Rental periods typically range from a few days to several weeks, depending on the duration of your project.
Permits: Depending on where you plan to place the dumpster, you may need permits from the city or building management. Be sure to check local regulations to avoid any potential fines or penalties.
Cost: Dumpster rental costs vary based on factors such as size, duration, and location. Get quotes from multiple rental companies to compare prices and find the best deal for your budget.
Finding a Reliable Rental Company: With numerous dumpster rental companies operating in New York, choosing the right one can seem daunting. Here are some tips to help you find a reliable provider:
Read Reviews: Look for reviews and testimonials from previous customers to gauge the company's reputation and reliability.
Check Licensing and Insurance: Ensure that the rental company is licensed and insured to operate in New York. This protects you from liability in case of accidents or property damage.
Ask About Services: In addition to dumpster rental, inquire about additional services such as delivery, pickup, and waste disposal. A full-service provider can streamline the process and save you time and effort.
Customer Support: Choose a company that offers responsive customer support to address any concerns or issues that may arise during your rental period.
Environmental Practices: Consider rental companies that prioritize environmentally friendly waste disposal methods, such as recycling and proper waste management practices.
Conclusion:
Dumpster rentals play a vital role in managing waste efficiently, especially in a bustling metropolis like New York. By understanding the factors to consider and choosing a reliable rental company, you can streamline your waste disposal process and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable cityscape. Among the array of options available, consider TeamDumpster, renowned as one of the best dumpster rental companies in New York, for their reliable service and commitment to customer satisfaction. Whether you're tackling a home renovation project, cleaning out your office space, or overseeing a construction site, renting a dumpster provides a convenient solution to handle waste disposal with ease. Take the time to research your options, plan accordingly, and make the most of dumpster rentals in New York City.
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