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nuggetisawesome · 4 years

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Protect Your Browsing/Data Sharing

For free, because in this house I don’t believe in making people pay for basic human rights.

I’ve decided to share my browsing protecting tips here. Digital security is usually quite expensive, but it doesn’t have to be! In this day and age, you’ll be told to watch out for home-born hackers and ‘hacktivists’ accessing your data, but I gotta tell you, what your own governments and ISPs are doing makes this more important (aka: they’re worse).

I know with all the TIKTOK IS SPYING ON YOU stuff, a lot of my friends have come to me seeking some advice on this. This is also great if you don’t want parents checking your browsing >_> just sayin’

If anyone has questions - drop me an ask! I’ll always answer for this topic. I am also happy to ‘expand’ on one of these suggestions if they’re unclear :)

Note: This works under the assumption you have your default ISP provided router and can’t get another one for whatever reason. I will advise that if you can get an additional router, do so! Try to avoid the one the ISP has provided to you.

Additional Note: This is not ‘optimal’. There is no such thing in security – everything has a backdoor.

Let’s get cracking! This is a long, and thorough post, but I _do _have a pdf somewhere if you want it because it looks nicer :*)

Use Tor to browse.

There you go, there’s my advice leaves

https://support.torproject.org/ to Download/Install/Run.

Don’t change anything, except maybe using Tor in ‘bridge’ mode.

Okay, you can use other browsers (see: Chrome/Firefox), but they are not as secure as Tor.

USE A VPN IF YOU ARE GOING TO USE TOR! I prefer Firefox (extensions + good security)

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Install the following extensions if you have Chrome or Firefox:

Privacy Possum

Stops tracking cookies. PSA: Cookies are not evil, certain cookies can be.

Firefox: https://addons.mozilla.org/nl/firefox/addon/privacy-possum/

Chrome: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/privacy-possum/ommfjecdpepadiafbnidoiggfpbnkfbj

Ghostery

Stops tracking adverts and cookies. Why do I need this in addition to Privacy Possum? Ghostery specifically looks at tracking cookie ads. It’s like adding MOAR POWAH to Privacy Possum.

Firefox: https://addons.mozilla.org/nl/firefox/addon/ghostery/

Chrome: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/ghostery-%E2%80%93-privacy-ad-blo/mlomiejdfkolichcflejclcbmpeaniij?hl=nl

HTTPS Everywhere

Enforces HTTPS. If you look next to the URL in your browser, you’ll see the little lock which indicates the specific URL is secure and uses HTTPS. Many websites still use the old HTTP, which is not as secure and you should NEVER EVER VISIT AN HTTP SITE ITS LIKE READING A BOOK OVER SOMEONE’S SHOULDER, thank you.

Firefox: https://addons.mozilla.org/nl/firefox/addon/https-everywhere/

Chrome: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/https-everywhere/gcbommkclmclpchllfjekcdonpmejbdp?hl=nl

Adblock Plus

Foff, ads.* Firefox: https://addons.mozilla.org/nl/firefox/addon/adblock-plus/

Chrome: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/adblock-plus-free-ad-bloc/cfhdojbkjhnklbpkdaibdccddilifddb

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DNS Settings

Ideally, you should change this on your router. ISPs use a default DNS – you don’t want to use anything those bastards say you should use.

Use Cloudflare or OpenDNS:

Cloudflare is more secure overall and keeps up to standards in addition to not storing your data, whereas OpenDNS is great at avoiding malicious websites, just take your pick really 😊There are a ton of other options, feel free to google ‘free DNS servers’. Google has it’s own as well, but, yaknow, it’s Google.

Cloudflare

Primary Server: 1.1.1.1

Secondary Server: 1.0.0.1

OpenDNS

Primary Server: 208.67.222.222

Secondary Server: 208.67.220.220

Add these to your router settings:

In a browser, go to http://192.168.1.1/ or http://192.168.1.0/ (it varies per router). This will lead to your router’s configuration portal. Don’t have a router with a configuration portal? Throw it in the trash and tell your ISP they suck for giving it to you.

Login to the admin portal. If you have not configured this or set a password, try the default combinations: usernames are usually ‘admin’ or blank, the passwords are usually blank, ‘admin’, or ‘1234’.

Each router is different, navigate to where it asks for DNS values or servers, and enter the above addresses. You will see ‘Static’ near the DNS options, select it. This also ensures you’re in the right place. If you’re not sure what to do, look up the model/make of your router and check how you can change DNS.

Whilst you’re at it, change your WiFi password from the default one, and create a proper password for the WiFi portal login. If these two things are kept as default, all these protection methods are pointless as it is easy to crack your router passwords.

Can’t do this on your router because your parents are ds?* No worries! This can be done on your device! :) Yeah, I know how parents work.

Windows OS

Go to Control Panel <Network and Internet < Network and Sharing Center

Click on the link next to “Connections:”* Click “Properties” in the dialogue that pops up.

Select Internet Protocol Version 4 < Click Properties < Select “Use Following DNS Servers” < Enter the primary and secondary server addresses

Do this again for Internet Protocol Version 6 in the list.

Boom. Windows is so nice to make this easy.

Mac OS

Go to Apple Menu < System Preferences < Network

Select the Network you’re connected to

Click Advanced

Select DNS Tab

Click the + button < Enter chosen DNS < Save

Linux OS

I’m going to assume if you’re using Linux, you know how to use the terminal and are using a modern Linux system. Enter these line by line. There are many ways to do this (Google is your friend)

· sudo apt update

· sudo apt install resolvconf

· sudo systemctl status resolvconf.service (check that it is running)

· sudo systemctl start resolvconf.service (to start it, use ‘enable’ instead of ‘start’ to enable)

· sudo nano /etc/resolvconf/resolv.conf.d/head

· nameserver YOUR.DNS.ADDRESS.HERE

· nameserver YOUR.SECOND.DNS.ADDRESS.HERE

· sudo systemctl start resolvconf.service

Android

Oh yeah, you can do this on phones too wiggles eyebrows. Note, if you’re using a VPN it will lock you out of editing this. Turn it off, edit your DNS, turn it back on. This can be tricky with mobile devices that have not been jailbroken (I don’t advise doing that if you have no clue what you’re doing).

Go to Settings < Connections < WiFi

Select the gear icon next to your current WiFi

Select Advanced < Ip Settings drop-down < Static

Enter chosen DNS options under “DNS 1” and “DNS 2”

iPhone

Go to Settings < Wi-Fi

Select the arrow button next to your current WiFi

Select DHCP tab, scroll down to DNS

Select DNS, and enter your DNS servers

TEST YOUR DNS IS WORKING:

OpenDNS: https://welcome.opendns.com/ (You’ll see a “Welcome to OpenDNS” message”

Cloudflare: https://www.cloudflare.com/ssl/encrypted-sni/ (You’ll see check marks for all fields)

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Turn of WPS on router. Enable encryption on router.

If you can access your router portal, find any sort of toggle or field that says “WPS” and disable it. WPS= bad.

Wherever there is an option for WPA2 (or higher) to enable, enable it.

Enable the firewall on your router and Operating System – ALWAYS. If you disable this, you’re disabling an additional layer of security. Firewalls are confusing things and a royal pain in the ass to configure, but having the default is better than having nothing.

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Configure your browsers.

Browsers have most things enabled by default, including tracking your location, turning your microphone on etc. Let’s disable that nonsense and make them ask you for permission because it’s 2020.

I’m using Chrome as an example below because it is INFAMOUS for this. Essentially, go through your browser and scroll through settings you don’t like.

Go to the little menu icon < select “Settings”

Sign out if it’s linked to your Google account. Let’s not give Chrome a reason to track your browsing history for your account >_>* Disable EVERYTHING:

Here, I turned off everything I would find annoying except autocomplete because I’m lazy.

NICE TRY GOOGLE, YOU CANT SAVE MY CREDIT CARD. (Seriously, don’t ever EVER autosave passwords/payment info).

The trick is to balance ease of use with security. These may vary from person to person, in general though, if there’s a setting ‘ask before etc.’ select that over ‘allow’.

As a rule of thumb:

NEVER ENABLE FLASH (not even an ‘ask before’), NEVER ENABLE LOCATION (ask before is fine, but at your own risk), NEVER ENABLE CAMERA (ask before is fine, but at your own risk, use the desktop version of an application over the browser version), NEVER ENABLE MICROPHONE (same as camera)

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Additional Tipss

Check every single social media setting. You should disable anything that accesses your privacy, if possible.

Cover your camera with a sticker. Disable it unless it’s needed

Disable your mic unless you need it.

Turn off Bluetooth/NFC when you don’t need it.

Have two separate networks/Wi-Fi for smart devices and personal devices.

Always use two/multi-factor-authentication for every single app, site, device etc. that you can.

Biometrics are preferable and the usual chosen default (fingerprints, retina scan, NOT FACE OR VOICE THIS IS SO EASY TO IMMITATE BRO PICTURES ARE A THING)

SMS (try to avoid if you can, please)

App ‘token’ authentication. A good choice if done well.

Hard physical key or token. The best option (Google: Yubikey, for some information on how this works).

Passwords

I know you use the same password for everything – get a centralized password manager, and start using different ones. Examples include PasswordSafe, Keeper, Bitdefender etc. Try go for a Cloud provider, and pay a little bit for the extra security and backup. If they’re compromised, then you will know, and you’ll be able to change everything. You can tie password managers to a token too.

USE PASSPHRASES, 17 characters is a good average length, use a mix of characters, uppercase, lowercase, numbers, ascii etc.

It doesn’t matter if your password is ‘complex’, it matters if it is complex and long. Servers and computers these days are jacked up on tech steroids and can bruteforce many things, given enough time.

Anti-virus.

EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE ONE, ON EVERY DEVICE. If you have a device that can add AV, add it. This goes for phones, PCs, smartTVs, you name it.

Free versions are okay, some free ones I like are Bitdefender, Kaspersky, McAfee, Avast (hate their fihsfirstg89ewjg9srjgrd ads though).

Sorry Mac users, that belief that you don’t need one is from 2008. Windows has more security built in than Mac, which means Mac devices should 100% make sure they are adding an AV.

VPN

Ahhhhh. The great VPN. A tricky one. Most free versions I find incredibly slow, but give them a try – play around! A VPN is an excellent addition and these days, I’d argue it’s an absolute must. Many AV solutions include a VPN package with their deal. If you want to make sure those sites don’t share your data, this is the thing that will hurt the most - a good VPN will make it a jumbled mess.

Updates - just do them.

There is no complete security in this day and age – it really is just a matter of time. If you use social media, you’re traceable, be it by the company, ISP, some bored 10 year old, or your ex, your data is out there circulating. Once it’s on the internet, it’s there forever, so don’t worry too much and try to make sure it’s all complex binary trash so that they open it and go “WTF” 😊

#tiktok #security #it security #data #data privacy #private browsing #facebook #google #data theft #third party ad #ads #secure browsing #protect data

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themesozoicsperm · 5 years

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Another 5 underrated Halloweeny cartoons

Last year I make post like this about 5 very obscure spooky cartoons that needed more love. This time Im gonna talk about some cartoons that are quite known but could also be more popular. As I said last year, if like me, you wanna watch every cartoon in existence, here are some 5 underrated cartoon series to watch in halloween.

1) The Real Ghostbusters

This one was actually one of the most popular things back in the day, and to this day you may find some remains of its once huge fandom lurking on the Internet, but the idea of this post is to make new people interested in it, specially young ones.

As you may know, most 80s cartoons were practically long commercials for selling toys and this was no exception, HOWEVER, the execution here was so great you easily forget it. Sure it was quite cheesy at times and the script got worst past the first couple seasons (this because some of the best writers quit after some pretty terrible and misogynist decisions the producers made), but trust me, the main reason to watch this is because it was WACKY as hell. Some scenes really catch you off guard, you don’t expect a lot of things to happen, either because the writers were master minds... or they just didn’t care and wrote the first thing that came to their minds.

And then, there is also the ghost designs. Just look at those things in the image above! What the hell are those supposed to be? the ghost of aliens? They dont look like death people at all! There are so many good ideas in this show that are incredibly inspiring, specially if you like to design creatures like me. And the animation for its time was pretty cool too!

I would also recomend the sequel show, Extreme Ghostbusters, which was a pretty good follow-up and also counts with wacky creatures designed by the amazing Fil Barlow!

2) Aaahh!!! Real Monsters

Another one that was pretty popular back in the day, basically Nickelodeon’s gold mine along Rugrats and Ren & Stimpy. This one also had a lot of incredible monster designs so full of personality and an incredible voice cast that goes from Charlie Adler to Tim Curry himself. At least for me this show seriously did better work recreating “monsters as a kid would imagine” than Monsters Inc or Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends.

The Gromble specially steals the show with its Dr. Frank-N-Furter-like personality, every single of his lines could be your seniour quote. Really so much thought in these creatures, making multiple gags about their appearances or abilities, rather than just being randomly designed monsters.

Is kinda sad that modern shows wouldn’t try an artstyle like this, specially because people nowadays would label it as “too ugly”.

3) Garakuta or Mr. Stain on Junk Alley

A pretty obscure one! Shall have probaly saved it for another list? Anyway, a lot of you may know Popee the Perfomer, a creepy cartoon by Ryuji Masuda that usually makes into “topz 10 mast disturbenz car2ns lol”, and it was indeed pretty unsettling. But before that one Mr Masuda make other interesting cgi projects that really deserve some recognition too.

One of those was Garakuta (also know as Mr Stain on Junk Alley), and used to air on Adult Swim (at least where I live >:( ). It consisted in short 10-minute episodes about a hobbo living an alley full of garbage as well as a lot of creepy crawlers. It may wasn’t really “halloweeny” or “spooky”, but at least half of the episodes revolved around scary stuff and creatures, but somehow always fnishing in a funny gag or almost ghilbi-like tear jerking ending. The uncanny 2000s cgi just adds to the creepy factor, aswell as being a silent show with no dialogue at all adds to the “classic fairy tale” feel.

I do actually consider this one an anime since is totally japanese ^^.

4) Making Fiends

Oh god! one of the saddest ones! And not because of the show itself but because of the story of its production. Basically, this one started as a series of internet shorts by Amy Winfrey on early 2000s, you know, the time for internet stuff like this (ie: Salad Fingers). Nickelodeon noticed it was kinda popular so decided to buy the rights to young and inexperienced Amy and make a full series. It sadly didn’t do well enough, and as is law on Nick: if its not a inmediate sucess... them cancel it and replace it for more crappy sitcoms or moar Spongebob. Poor Amy was left alone with no work and not being able to make more Making Fiends on Internet since the rights didn’t belonged to her anymore.

The premise is basically what the title or theme song tells you: a Mandy-like girl called Vendetta has a whole city scared under her control, she has the ability to make creatures that follow her orders and like to terrorize the citizens, but then another girl called Charlotte came, with a totally opposite personality to Vendetta she tries to be everybody’s friend, and of course, worlds collide! Unlike other shows of this kind, Charlotte doesn’t try to make Vendetta a “good” person, she is just being herself while Vendetta is also being herself, 2 different queens wanting to rule their world in 2 different ways.

At least the show kinda generated a little cult following with time!

5) Warau Salesman

I already talked about one anime here so lets talk about another! Literally meaning “The Laughing Salesman”, this show got a little more popular this year after some review on youtube came sometime ago. However, IT CAN BE MORE POPULAR RIGHT!???

As practically every other show on the list, this one is also episodic, which is kinda weird for an anime, isn’t it? It just doesn’t tell a continuous story, is more like... gotta quote that one review... The Twilight Zone, every episode we know about some random person who wants something in life, till sometime its complaints are heard by this humble gentleman called Moguro Fukuzou, who promises to solve all his/her problems free of charge!!! Just... do exactly what he says, really...

We really never know what’s the deal with this guy, the main attraction, the show itself, is he a demon? just a horrible person? what are his ambitions? is he actually evil or just like to do awful pranks?

This show actually actually got a decent remake recently! but didn’t do good since an anime that is not about school teenagers with superpowers is not profitable these days.

PS: this is one of those anime that I would actually consider “adult” since most of its episodes revolve the adult working life, alcoholism, money, taxes and how hard the life of the average japanese businessman is.

Let’s finish with a bonus of some specials mentions that also deserve a watch, may talk about some of these shows in the future!

Martin Mystery, The Drac Pac, Gravedale High, Mr Meaty (mostly gross and unsettling than spooky), Monster Farm, Toonsylvania, Hilda, Victor and Valentino, The Funky Phantom, Legend Quest, Creepy Crawlies (1987), Gegege no Kitaro and of course YOUR SUGGESTION HERE and the Moomins, yeah THE MOOMINS, because 1) is not really underrated, became pretty popular again this year after the new series premiered and 2) While most tumble talks about how the 90s show was pretty cute and how gay Snufka and Moo-man were and all that...

the show itself wasn’t always cute...

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thevintagebluebird · 4 years

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Unpinned - Ratatouille

Wow. I imagine that after ten months everyone is REALLY FUCKING EXCITED to see how my ratatouille experiment turned out, right? Right?! (And if anyone thinks I can spell ‘ratatouille’ without glancing up at the open recipe tab you are sadly mistaken). Anyway. A lot has happened in ten months! Since last April I’ve started a garden in my community plot (after eight years on the waitlist), gone to two weddings and two book fairs, taken on about three other people’s worth of job responsibilities at work, and oh! Got engaged! Sorry to have dropped off the face of the earth, but finally nabbing myself a hunky fiancé threw everything into a whirlwind of planning (ironically, he also had an eight year waitlist :P). But a venue is booked, a dj is hired, hair and makeup will be wrangled, and now it’s late winter and I’ve got a lot more free time on my hands to bore you all to death with my cooking disasters. So without further ado:

Ratatouille! From the folks who brought you those kind-of-annoying-but-also-addicting-to-watch cooking videos you see on facebook all the time, Tasty!

Verdict: Is the Pintrest photo complete bullshit? - Yup. Because they make you think your mountain of veggies is just gonna like FIT in the pan. Lies.

Is it crazy expensive/time consuming/confusing? - No! It’s literally just a bunch of sliced vegetables lined up and made hot.

Does it taste good? - All I could think as I ate it was ‘this is fine’.

Ratatouille

Ingredients

VEGGIES

2 eggplants

6 roma tomatoes

2 yellow squashes

2 zucchinis

SAUCE

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 onion, diced

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 yellow bell pepper, diced

salt, to taste

pepper, to taste

28 oz can of crushed tomatoes

2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, from 8-10 leaves

HERB SEASONING

2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, from 8-10 leaves

1 teaspoon garlic, minced

2 tablespoons Chopped fresh parsley

2 teaspoons fresh thyme

salt, to taste

pepper, to taste

4 tablespoons olive oil

Preparation

Preheat the oven for 375˚F (190˚C).

Slice the eggplant, tomatoes, squash, and zucchini into approximately ¹⁄₁₆-inch (1-mm) rounds, then set aside.

Make the sauce: Heat the olive oil in a 12-inch (30-cm) oven-safe pan over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion, garlic, and bell peppers until soft, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then add the crushed tomatoes. Stir until the ingredients are fully incorporated. Remove from heat, then add the basil. Stir once more, then smooth the surface of the sauce with a spatula.

Arrange the sliced veggies in alternating patterns, (for example, eggplant, tomato, squash, zucchini) on top of the sauce from the outer edge to the middle of the pan. Season with salt and pepper.

Make the herb seasoning: In a small bowl, mix together the basil, garlic, parsley, thyme, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Spoon the herb seasoning over the vegetables.

Cover the pan with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Uncover, then bake for another 20 minutes, until the vegetables are softened.

Serve while hot as a main dish or side. The ratatouille is also excellent the next day–cover with foil and reheat in a 350˚F (180˚C) oven for 15 minutes, or simply microwave to desired temperature.

Enjoy!

Yeah that last step is a bit of a stretch. Let’s explore why, shall we?

Well FIRST off the company couldn’t have been better! Back from wandering the wide world, it’s the lovely Melanie from our adventure with zoodles! She recently co-authored a guidebook to Florence and if you want to feel like you’re chatting with your bestie about the inside info for your trip to Italy, her book is all you need :) I was very excited to have her help tackling this heavyweight of the vegetable culinary world.

Here’s what we started with! ‘But Rew!’ you may ask (if you knew me and were sitting next to me) - ‘what’s with all the potatoes?!’ And I’d look at you knowingly, because I get that question a lot. This time I actually have an answer. We were hosting a few other friends, and in order to make sure there was plenty of vegetable goodness to go around, I brilliantly decided that the ratatouille should be served ON POTATOES. Because who doesn’t think of plain baked potatoes going alongside one of France’s best known dishes?

(It was a horrible idea, btw)

The lovely Melanie, starting the endless task of chopping a bajillion vegetables. They never ended - because not only does the ratatouille itself require a metric fuckton of vegetables SO DOES THE SAUCE.

This is not in the recipe but we needed the potatoes to not be raw so I chucked them in the oven.

What’s with the horrible face? Why I’m nearly thirty agonizing seconds into chopping onions, of course! Seriously, I used to get laughed out of the kitchen by my coworkers when I worked in a restaurant and got onion-chopping duty. I’d run wailing out of the back door with tears streaming down my face.

Proof: I could not take a steady photo of the onions, I was crying so hard.

MOAR VEGETABLES

Ooooh, starting to look like something! These were all the bits for the sauce. I think. I don’t remember the details it was like ten months ago.

The eggplant was the toughest one to cut thin, mainly because our knives could desperately use a sharpening. Starting to run out of plate space for the raw stuff!

Canned tomatoes added! Now we have a pan overflowing with sauce.

Oh okay so now we add two plates worth of vegetables to the overflowing pan? I grow concerned.

Let’s just build a vegetable pyramid! Whatever! What could go wrong?! (Spoiler alert: it took over an hour of scrubbing to clean all the burned vegetable goo off the bottom of my oven).

Post oven! They shrank a tiny bit but this pan is still aggressively full. Good thing we’ve got a full table!

And my worst ‘plated’ shot to date as I forgot to take a picture of the final result before handing them out! These cute mugs are way better anyway :)

Final final verdict: With the potatoes they were…strange. It wasn’t a great pairing - probably just thin pasta or polenta would be better. And I clearly need a bigger cast iron pan. But I might try it again if I found myself with a plethora of veggies!

#unpinned recipe cooking pintrest

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max-will-one-day-be-okay · 4 years

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Road Trip

for @eat-moar-veggis about a year after he asked.

Beckett looked down at his phone. He had set up text alerts for the vegan camp outings about a month ago, and he was still getting the alerts. The company was visiting the United States for the first time, and they were going to be setting up camp in Orlando.

He put his phone in his pocket and looked outside. Winter break would be starting in two days. He had two weeks for the break, and it would take about a week to drive to the camp and still be able to sign up. Of course that included having the money for gas, food, a hotel for nights he couldn’t drive, and enough to pay for the admission fee on it’s own. He sighed and looked down at his phone. Numbers were adding up quickly, and he only had enough to get most of the way there without spending slightly more than needed for gas in his crappy car.

Beckett decided that he needed a break from all of the impossible numbers adding up inside of his head. He looked outside and saw the black clouds building up outside. He had to buy a new coat in the last week to be able to stand the weather that would just add to the stress of the road trip to Orlando.

He slipped the jacket on over his shoulders and pushed his hair back with his fingers. He glanced at the mirror that each dorm had. He guessed he wouldn’t need to spend much money on food on the trip. He pulled the hood of the black hoodie over his head and kept his eyes down as he exited the small dorm room.

He could already feel eyes on him as soon as he walked out. Of course the end of spirit week would make anyone at the school stare at the only person not wearing red and or gold. He kept his eyes down as he walked, trying to keep himself together. Beckett found himself chipping at the black nailpolish on his nails that he had done not even three days ago.

He kept his eyes on the ground as he walked, walking his shoes take one step after another. It was a long trek without music to the school's fountain. While it sometimes had a few students occasionally passing through, it was really the only quiet place in the school.

He looked up when he arrived at the destination. A guy from his creative writing class was sitting across from his usual spot on his phone. He sported a red and white striped polo and black jeans that fit him nicely. He was taller with light brown curls.

Beckett remembered that his name was Reese, as the other would often volunteer to speak in the class. He seemed to be more social than the average student, but he also seemed...nice. Beckett didn’t have much to go off of since the only conversation they had was when Reese asked him if he had an extra pen. He didn’t.

Beckett walked to his seat and kept his eyes down. Another alert pinged on his phone and he cursed himself for not putting it on silent mode. Reese looked over at him, his eyes shining with curiosity. He walked over and sat next to Beckett.

“Hi, I’m Reese.” he introduced himself. Beckett slowly shook his hand, not knowing what to say. Did he tell him that he knew who he was? That Reese sat in front of him in creative writing? Would that make things awkward? More panic came when he noticed Reese staring at him, waiting for a reply.

“I’m Beckett.” he told him slowly, almost choking on air. He wasn’t happy to be in a social situation, but it was worse with a fairly attractive man trying to make small talk. He had enough trouble when talking to anyone else, now getting a coherent sentence felt like climbing Everest.

“Well it’s nice to meet you. So, what are you looking at?” he tilted his head at the phone and Beckett looked down to realize he had opened Twitter. He thought for a moment. This was something he could talk about.

“It’s this vegan camp in Orlando. It’s happening in about a week and it’s three days long. Free food and other people who follow similar diets. I really wanted to go.” He smiled. Beckett continued talking, then shut himself up after he realized he was rambling.

“That sounds really cool! But...why can’t you go?” the other asked him. Beckett looked down, not really wanting to admit that he didn’t have enough money to make it all the way to the camp and survive.

He looked back up at Reese who was still looking at him. Studying him. “I don’t have all of the money needed to get up there and enough to pay for the retreat.” He answered honestly. Instead of giving him that sickening look of pity that most people did when he talked about money, Reese seemed to light up.

“Well if that’s your only issue, then I can help! I could drive us and pay for food on the way there as long as you swing for a hotel?” He suggested. Beckett stared at him, and he looked desperate.

“I mean, don’t you have plans? Couldn’t you just spend time with your family or something?” he asked with a head tilt. Reese shook his head, “Nope, I have no other plans during the break!”

Beckett slowly nodded, “Well you seem trustworthy enough...but why would you help me? There’s no reason for you to help me…” He asked. Reese seemed to deflate slightly at the situation.

“I just want to help!” he said, cheering himself up. “I mean, without other plans, I’ll just be stuck here watching it rain on and off.” He smiled. “And if I help you I’ll get to see a good amount of the country. It’s a win-win, right?”

Beckett nodded, “I will think about it tonight? I’ll text you in the morning if that’s okay?” He asked. Reese nodded and smiled at him, “Yeah! We can do that.” He grabbed a piece of paper and wrote his number down, giving Beckett the slip of paper.

The two sat, awkwardly chatting as the time passed. Eventually the sun started setting and the two parted ways. Beckett laid down in his dorm, ignoring his roommate's snoring, and thought about the offer from Reese.

If he said yes, it would make his break a good one for once. If Reese was being serious. It should have been an easy choice, but Beckett couldn’t help all of the possibilities swirling in his head. So many things could go wrong. The car could break down, they might miss the cutoff, if they fought they would be out of state and have to be in a car, Reese could be a serial killer for all he knew.

Beckett fell asleep to all of the doubts repeating in his head. No one was that nice, but this was a once in a lifetime opportunity. The car could break down, but Reese was offering to pay some of the bigger costs and he would be an idiot not to take the offer.

He woke up to the sound of the door closing. His roommate had told him about how excited he was to spend time with friends, but Beckett forgot how early he had mentioned that he would be leaving.

He looked at the slip of paper on his desk, then to his packed bags. “Now or never.” he mumbled to himself. He slowly took his phone and dialed the number. It went to voicemail.

“It’s Beckett...call me” he muttered, hanging up before he could panic. He sat back down and talked himself into getting dressed. He pulled his black and white hoodie back on.

About an hour later, he looked to see his phone vibrating on the table. He picked it up and reluctantly accepted the call. “Hey! It’s Reese and I’m dreadfully sorry that I missed your call!” It was almost as if the man spoke in all caps.

“That’s-uh-it’s fine. I just wanted to say that if the offer is still available, then I think it would be...cool if you drove me to the thing on Oregon” he mumbled into the phone. He wished the other would have just texted him.

A few minutes later- he got a call from Reese. “Why is he calling me again?” Beckett asked himself quietly before answering.

“Well that’s great. I’ll get myself packed for the trip and we can meet up at my car in like...fifteen minutes?” Reese suggested.

Beckett nodded, then realized he was speaking on the phone. “Um-yeah. That sounds great. I will meet you at your car.” he said. The line went dead and Beckett put his phone into his pocket and started to look for his headphones.

It took the entire time to find the earbuds, and Beckett grabbed the suitcase and rushed out of his room. He would run if the wheels weren’t already on the verge of breaking. He noticed Reese by his car. He was wearing a polo tucked into a pleated skirt. The entire outfit matched his personality well. Beckett noticed how he looked really nice.

He walked over and cleared his throat, getting the other to look at him. “Well you can put your suitcase into the back with mine, and sit with me in the front. I’ve done the honour of making us both breakfast. You have a corn tortilla with vegan cheese, tomatoes, and tofu bacon, while I have the same thing with real meat.” Reese smiled and handed him the food.

Beckett put his luggage into the back and climbed into the back, sitting next to Reese. It was an old car, and it was pretty beaten up. The car seemed to hack as they pulled away and slowly quieted down as they drove.

The first hour went by slowly, both of them not saying anything to each other. Beckett was still tired, and he had finished the barely edible breakfast in the first ten minutes. When the clock showed that they had been driving for an hour, Reese decided to speak up.

“So...what will you do at the vegan camp thing?” He asked, looking over. Beckett yawned, then looked to answer. “We stay in a hotel, then do group activities. It’s a way to meet people you have things in common with.” he explained.

Reese nodded, looking back at the road. They drove for another hour before Reese seemed to get more fidgety. “I think we need to stop at the next gas station for a bathroom break and snacks” he suggested. Beckett nodded in agreement.

They pulled into a gas station, and the two got out. Reese immediately walked into the bathroom while Beckett looked around. He grabbed some chips and a soda for himself. Reese came out of the bathroom shortly after and paid for Becketts food and a sketchy hot dog and slurpee for himself.

The two got back into the car and started eating when they were back on the road. The silence was covered by the soft sound of the bag whenever Beckett got a chip and the radio playing a song neither could recognize.

After a few hours Beckett found himself falling asleep and he decided to let himself fall into a comfortable nap. When he woke up, it was about midday. He looked outside of the window, then to Reese who had a new drink from McDonalds.

“How long was I asleep?” he asked. Reese shrugged “A few hours? I stopped by Mcdonalds and got you some hashbrowns and a salad...that’s fine right?’’ Beckett slowly nodded and got the now room temperature bag.

He ate the food and put the bag next to his feet so he would remember to throw it away at their next stop. He looked out of the window and noticed how secluded the two of them were. No other cars were on the road.

They fell into a somewhat comfortable conversation. It was mostly small talk. Beckett learned that Reese was on the cheer squad and in the newest community theater production of Heathers.

He mostly kept the conversation about Reese, but he found himself revealing more and more about himself during the conversation. He felt more comfortable around the other- and he let himself relax.

Hours passed by and the weather slowly got worse. It started to snow lightly as they crossed the state border. Beckett was mesmerized and relaxed as he watched the snow falling outside. He fell into a comfortable slumber once again after an hour of watching the snow fall.

An hour later it all went to hell.

Beckett was awoken by a very panicked looking Reese. “So, um, the snow may have caused the car to break down...or it was that thing with the engine. I called AA- so they’re sending someone, but I don’t think I’ll be able to drive you any further.”

Beckett’s first reaction was anger, second came depression, lastly a bitter acceptance within a few terrible seconds.

“We needed to drive all night tonight to make it…” He mumbled. He ignored the burning behind his eyes, not wanting his acquaintance to see him cry.

“I know...I could try to get you a plane ticket or something.” Reese tried to reason. Beckett looked at the other, softening.

“That would be way too expensive, plus I doubt any planes are flying in this blizzard. When AA gets here we’ll...go to a hotel. We can get a shared room and just wait out the storm there. After it passes we’ll drive back.” Beckett figured out, out loud.

Reese looked out of the window “I’m so so sorry Beckett- I didn’t think this was going to happen,” the man seemed to be on the verge of tears.

“I wish this could be different, but you don’t need to be sorry. I bet there’s a lot of fun stuff to do around here, and I did end up making a friend on this trip anyways.” He smiled. Beckett was surprised that the smile was genuine after the rush of disappointment he had felt.

It took an hour for the truck to come. Reese talked to the driver and soon they were dropped off at a nicer hotel.

Beckett looked over at Reese, who still looked guilty. He squeezed the other’s shoulder, trying to be comforting without having to talk.

The two young men walked in and got themselves a room. Beckett walked upstairs with his suitcase after paying for the room before Reese could.

The room was nice, and the beds were comfortable. There was a room, a front room, and a kitchen area. With room service, it would be easy to wait out the storm.

Beckett sat on the couch and Reese sat next to him. He looked at the other, who was trying to avoid eye contact. “What do you say we order room service? I bet they have lots of good options for both of us.” Reese suggested quietly, “I can pay.”

Beckett nodded and got the menu. Reese decided quickly on some sort of pasta, while Beckett decided to get the vegan fried rice.

Reese made the call and soon the two were lounging on the couch and watching TV. An old sitcom from the 90s was on, and they were enjoying laughing at the bad jokes. When the food came, both ate quickly. They were starving from everything that had happened.

Beckett looked at Reese and couldn’t help but smile. He was playing with his food and humming to himself. He was glad that he was at least with a friend. Even though he would have liked to go to the vegan convention, he was glad to spend time with someone who seemed to like him. Who he liked.

He finished his food and smiled to himself, taking a soda water from the mini-bar for himself. He felt a tiredness behind his eyes, and decided that he should be getting to bed sometime. It didn’t mean that he would, he just knew that it was a good option.

When they were both done eating, Beckett put the plates and such in the sink. He walked back to the couch and sat next to Reese. He looked back at the TV and realized that one of his favorite Disney movies was on.

He paused it, “What do you say we both change into PJs and watch Big Hero Six?” He offered. Reese seemed to light up and nodded.

Beckett smiled and walked into the bedroom, changing into sweatpants and replacing his shirt with an open robe. When he walked out he was reminded that he was gay by the sight of Reese in shorts and no shirt. He pushed the thought back and smiled at the other, pulling the comforter from the main room.

The two sat under the blanket and watched the movie. A little more than half way through Beckett felt something lay on his shoulder. He looked over to see that Reese had fallen asleep. He relaxed and turned off the movie, deciding that he needed to get some sleep too.

He rationed that he didn’t want to wake Reese up, so it was only reasonable to sleep on the couch with him. He let his eyes flutter closed, and he smiled slightly. He was kind of happy how things had turned out. He had made a friend who seemed so selfless, and he was lucky enough to get to spend more time with him.

He could always go to a vegan convention another time, but with Reese snoring softly at his side and snuggling with him, this felt like a once in a lifetime opportunity. He drifted into sleep glad that he was there instead of anywhere else.

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