DAILY CLICKS FOR PALESTINE AO3 RULES MASTERLIST COMMISSIONS KO-FI
ā¢ +18! I write mostly smut, but you will find other genres in my masterlist :) I also write mainly for jujutsu kaisen and tr! hopefully this will change in the future.
ā¢ ĖĖĖ recents: echoes of time - hanma + love - fuckbuddy! hanma.
In a truck stop bathroom washing my hands today and 2 boys, looked about 5 and 9, came in with their little sister who looked maybe 2. The following whispered conversation made my entire day
"We have to wait, there's a lady in here!"
"That's not a lady, he has a mustache! We can be in here!"
"Some ladies have mustaches! And she has boobs!"
"Well some guys have boobs! Like Uncle Jake!"
"Uncle Jake is fat!"
At this point I could not contain a chuckle and both whirled around with identical looks of panic on their faces. I smiled and said "it's alright for you guys to be in here so your sister has help, don't worry. And I'm both! That's why I have boobs and a mustache. Some folks are just built that way"
(In unison) "Ooooooh!"
(older boy) "So do you use Sir or Ma'am or both?"
"Both, but I prefer Sir"
"Cool! Well thanks Sir! We have to help our sister now!"
This was in a small town country truck stop and both boys had "Murica" type stuff on and neither of them had any issue at all with these concepts. Their mom approached me while I was in line about 10 minutes later and apologized for them bothering me in the bathroom (they had told her about the interaction) and she and I had a lovely little chat too. I got to introduce her to the term "intersex" and her reply was "I think I've heard of that before! I didn't know that was the word for it. Amazing how many different ways God can make people!"
Sometimes the world is good. More often than you might think, if you give it a chance. It's not all bad loves <3
Ran said to Rindou as they stood by the balcony rail of their shared penthouse. Despite being brothers who now bathed in wealth from dirty money that wasn't made right, the Haitani Brothers would dare not forget their roots. Besides ruling and running the streets of Roppongi, they still had their own domestic lives growing up. Ran and Rindou used to live in a small apartment that they were barely ever present in, and spent time in motels when they got the chance. Most of their time was spent on their streets of Roppongi
Friends were never of interest to the brothers. They stuck by each other like they were twinsā which they weren't.
Running the streets together, it was unnecessary to be friends with anyone. Plus, they doubted anyone in their right mind would want to be friends with the troublesome pair.
You weren't in your right mind then.
Moving to Japan due to your moms business reasons did not spark hope inside of you. You did not feel that surge of emotion to socialize with new people when you stepped on new soil of a new beginning.
In fact, the only things you packed from America were your notebooks, which had every poem and song you've ever wrote.
Roppongi.
You lived here, and a certain area here is where your mom bought property for the two of you. Her busy job that kept her cooking on the weekends, having you eat leftovers or caters everyday, and the job that delayed all possible mother daughter talks. Perhaps it was what happens to single parents who try to secure everything fully.
She wasn't struggling to pay bills, and you never worried about your mother missing any, but she sure was struggling to keep her own life above rising water.
That's her life though, not including your life's load.
It's no surprise that you began writing every thought down into your most loyal item. Your notebooks.
You lived in a pretty rich part of Roppongi. No crimes happened often, everyone knew everyone's business, and there was no such thing as a rebellious child. Everyone followed the same schedules in education.
So you welcomed other parts of Roppongi. Wandering around after school with nothing but your light backpack on you.
White tee shirt, grey track pants, a sweater in case, and your notebook clutched tightly to you.
Sitting on the rooftops of unknown buildings littered with illegal graffiti on it. It was a different setting than what you saw in your neighborhood when you went home to sleep.
It wasn't bad. You weren't bothered, you did not make friends, but you did meet a pair.
A masculine voice said from behind you. You flinched at the sudden voice of someone who wasn't the artist you were listening to. It was pushing to the time people usually ate dinner, you had your homework done, and now you were doing your routine of writing into your notebook. Broken phrases that you wish you could put into words. Put into a song. You were startled at the new person who was behind you. It was a man, and that raised alarm. Tights and a tank top with a sweater that wasn't zipped.
Great.
" Oh...ummmm," you started with furrowed brows.
You turned around to meet eyes with the voice, to your luckāit was actually two men.
" I'm not writing anything interesting..." you trailed off, rising to your feet.
You threw your bag over your shoulder, eyes settled in on the pair. They looked alike, despite their hair wild difference, and heightĀ gap. Maybe they were closely related.
" No need to get spooked. I'm just curious." The guy with the braid said in defense.
You furrowed your brows, questioning if your tone was maybe disrespectful in the slightest.Ā
" I'm Ran Haitani, and this is my brother Rindou." He introduced himself with a grin.
You nodded your head, a little uninterested.
" That's great! Nice to meet you. Well...I'll be going now."
" You don't have to leave." Rindou spoke for the first time.
You halted in your steps. " I don't live in this neighborhood."
Ran grinned. " We don't either,"
Your eyes travelled downwards, and it was just then when you realized that one of them was strapped with a baton. Your eyes widened at the weapon that was not even hidden, and you began to take in their appearance more than features.Ā
Disheveled hair, scuffed cloths, and a small bruise on the corner or Rindou's lips.
Ran stepped forward, " So! We told your our name, what's yours?"Ā
"Y/N. Just call me Y/N." That was the start to your relationship with the Haitani Brothers.
Rindou asked from over your shoulder. It's been about 4 months since you've met the Haitani Brothers. You did not know who they were and why they reeked of confidence that night, but now you certainly do. Like every day you spent on a rooftop with the company of your notebook and homework, you met the brothers on the graffitied rooftop to a random building. It took you a moment and a lot of eavesdroppingānot on purpose, to find out that the two were the feared brothers of Roppongi.
They were delinquents, but that didn't stop you.
You rolled your eyes at the stupid question that has gotten an answer numerous of times.
" It's not a song it's phrases." You reminded the younger Haitani with a clenched jaw.
" Phrases that rhyme that happen to have titles too."
You closed your notebook with a roll of your eyes. " Andddd now you just ruined my mood."Ā
" Oops."
" Hey what are you guys chatting about without me?" Ran asked as he opened the rooftop door.
" Rin I thought I told you to wait for me."
You scooted over to make space on the ledge for Ran to join the two of you. This was everyday for you. You met up with the brothers that ruled Roppongi, and chatted about nothing of importance for hours. Often you would of course go and grab food together, but most times you all remained on the roof.
" Yo Y/N, what do you even write in that notebook? You always have it on clutch." Ran asked with the corner of his lips curled upwards.
" It's songs." Rindou answered for you.
" No it's not it's phrases."
" Phrases that rhyme with titles."
Ran snickered, " You guys argue like a married couple."
You didn't pay too much attention to Rindou's awful profanity in his response to his brothers allegation. Your eyes were locked on the scenery in front of you. Roppongi around night time was something else.
It felt like you ruled the ward with how you were able to see it all in one stare.
But in reality, you were seeing things from Ran and Rindou's eyes. The brothers beside you ruled Roppongi for real.
" Hey Y/N," Ran asked sing-song like. Casting aside his conversation with Rin. " How old are you again?"
" The same age as Rindou....why?"
Ran grinned. Leaning back to the point where you couldn't see him since he was blocked by Rindou's form. " No worries."
" Why are you being weird?" Rindou asked with annoyance, nudging his brother.
Ran nudged him back. " You guys will thank me later so hush."
Ran Haitani was like the older brother to you, and you would say the same about Rindouābut he was actually his older brother. He was a sneaky and mischievous person. You never knew what he was going to say, what he was thinking, and he was not easy to read.
Ran was the outgoing type, the one that can talk for hoursāmaybe even read a " how to take out the trash" manual and still keep people engrossed. He had the power when it came to drawing people in. Him being easy to talk to, and a social person in general clashed with your introverted attitude.
Maybe that's why you got along with Rindou Haitani better.
He was quiet. Unlike his brother, he preferred to not talk to many people, he didn't like groups, he found long conversations awkwardāso of course, he wasn't so interesting to listen to when he spoke. He tried to be more outgoing these days, you could see it in his face, but it wasn't working out. He obviously wanted to be more like Ran, but you liked quiet Rindou better than outgoing Ran.
Rindou was quiet. He liked being the only one at a table, accompanied by himself, and it took him some time to finally begin not awkward conversations with you. When he realized you liked speaking with him, he became more confident. Still quiet, but more social.
" It's songs," you said, staring at the sky.
" What?"
" In my notebook, you're right. It's songs."
It was quiet for a moment, no one saying anything with everyone's eyes on the sky above. Despite your confession that you didn't really feel embarrassed for, these moments with the Haitani Brothers always ended up being the most remarkable part of your day.
" You want to be a singer when you grow up?" Ran asked, peeking past Rindou.
You weren't sure how to answer that, and you could feel the stare of both Haitani Brothers on you. It was a childish dream of yours that you only fed into because your life was boring. Most childish dreams ended when going to middle school, realizing that there was others better than youāwho would most likely do your dream better too. It was the competitive mindset of teenagers that made them question why they would ever be so important.
But poetry has always had a place in your heart. When you walked across the kindergarten stage, you said you wanted to be a singer.
You were the only one who said such a thing.
" I don't know what I want to be." It was a lie, and you knew it. " Whatever comes my way I guess."
Being a singer, sharing your vintage rhymes and phrases, sharing your aesthetic with the world sounded like an amazing job. A job you would love to have.
" What about the songs you write? You're gonna let it all go to waste?" Why did Ran keep asking questions?
And why was Rindou looking at you like that?
" I dunno." The sky of Roppongi was no longer so fascinating. " I guess I'll sell them or something. Have someone else sing it."
" I like what you write." Rindou said.
You snapped your gaze to him. Shock on your face at his words that seemed genuine.
" How do you know aboutā"
" I was reading them over your shoulder. I always do."
Of course he does.
" I wanna know what it said!"Ā Ran said with obvious teasing in his tone.
His eyes trailed down to the notebook you had resting freely on your lap, and you quickly snatched it up. Setting it on the other side of you.
Ran was fast, he could've snatched it if he wanted to.
Rindou said to you as you guys sat on the rooftop. It's been 3 months since you confessed your skill or songwriting to the brothers. Lots have happened in the 3 months too. The brothers weren't showing up all the time. Something that started from missing one day in the week, turned into not showing up for a whole week at one point. Despite their absence, you didn't leave the rooftop. You missed their presence, but you didn't leave. When they did show up, often times it would only be one of them. Mostly, Rindou would show and Ran wouldn't.
Today though, both brothers showed up. You were expecting to see one.
Rindou. With the absence of his nosy brotherāwho you still very much liked, you were able to talk and enjoy time together.
You and him had much more in common then you thought, and it seems that with every conversation, you discovered more.
You looked at Rindou with a raised brow.
" Something big? A battle with who?"
The rooftop door opened, and you didn't peel your eyes off of the Haitani in front of you.
" He means that we are fighting with Tenjiku against the Tokyo Manji Gang in 3 days." Ran's loud voice broadcasted.
" You're in Tenjiku?"
You felt irritation flood your being.
Why did they even come today if this is what they wanted to tell you?
" So what does this have to do with you guys being busy for months?" You asked with a frown.
Your eyes fell on Rindou who's been awfully quiet. In fact, considering that you were much closer with him than Ranāhe hasn't even said a word to you since this conversation started.
Ran cleared his throat, " Usually we get into sticky situations after...fights. So don't come up here if we don't show for a week after the fight."
I don't come here for you! You wanted to scream, but you kept silent, only basking in your anger.
" Why? Why do you guys even do this stuff?" You snapped, rising to your feet. " I mean, I would get it if it makes you money or something. But gangs? Like do people pay you on the street when they see you? Do you ask for peoples lunch money like a school bully or something? I don't get it."
Rindou had his stare ahead of him at the view, but Ran was staring dead at you. He was obviously not content with the words that spilled out of your mouth.
" Do you guys even have like a place to stay at night or something? You always tell me I'm out of my house, but I never see you guys go anywhere to settle! You literally just roam all over the streets! Literally."
Rindou could feel the air radiating off of his brother with every word you said. He understood the logic behind what you were saying, and he didn't hear any malice in your words. But he was sure Ran was feeling opposite.
" I've been taking care Rindou for years. Our matter doesn't concern you." Ran's tone was harsh. " Anyways, we will be busy for the next upcoming months."
It was silent. You were standing, staring at the sitting brothersā one of them looking unbothered and nonchalant, and the other one with his head lowered in what seemed to be guilt and shame.
Why are they acting like this? You asked yourself with furrowed brows.
You guys relationship was amazing, what happened?
You felt the anger spark in you again as you let out a scoff, picking up your bag and notebook.
" You know what, I won't be here ever again because I'm moving to Korea in 3 weeks."
" What?"
It was Rindou. He finally spoke up.
" You're what? You didn't tell me." His brows were furrowed and knitted together as he set his eyes on you.
" Yeah well I was going to tell you guys when both you and Ran were here. And you guys didn't tell me about this big fight either..."
Ran had his eyes darting from between you and Rindou. There was a certain look on his face as he stared at Rindou, like he knew something you didn't. It was almost like Ran saw deeper into his brother, and it killed you.
" You should've told Rindou. He would've came and told me. Guessing the news didn't go as you planned?"
You frowned at Ran's words, and you couldn't help but avoid Rindou's eyes that were filled with betrayal. You could only imagine what he was thinking.
It must've hurt, because you could confirm that confessing that you're leaving Japan felt different for Ran and Rindou. You felt more sorry and guiltyāin a weird way for Rindou. It was almost like you were departing from a lover, and that was not the case at all.
" I wanted us to be together and happy." You probably sounded pathetic. " I wanted us to be here, staring at Roppongi as we talked away. This is my idea of fun."
Rindou glanced back at the view in front of him. His shoulders were hunched, his eyes looked glossy, and he seemed to have lost all sense of being social. It was like he was curling up to when you guys first met on the rooftop, feeling utterly extracted of energy.
With a frown on his face, Rindou spoke:
" Sorry Y/N. But I guess this fun is ending soon."
There was a guest celebrity at the Heaven in Hell club this night.
It was rumored to be the artist that has trapped Japan in their music completely. This celebrity was so big that their music made that was based in America has spread into Japanese Entertainment. Building a big platform in Japan and Korea, and their face made it on all magazines and ads in Tokyo especially.
It was Kokonoi Hajime that booked the celebrity for tonight. Not to preform, but to simply bring the presence. That would be enough.
" This way Ms," your body guard told you, leading you into the club from the back entrance.
You let out a breathless sigh at the tight dress you wore. Never ever in your life did you have fashion sense, or were you ever good in the fashion department. Not when you were in Japan, not in Korea, China, India, Canada, Italy, and definitely not in America.
You wished to get out of this dress immediately.
" We'll take the elevator when we get in there." Your body guard said with watchful eyes on your surroundings. " Stay close please."
You nodded as the doors to the luxurious club opened. It felt like it went silent for a moment. The darkness of the night sky and the darkness of the club were not the same, and when your eyes finally adjusted to the new atmosphereāyou were met with flashing phone lights.
Kokonoi smirked as screeches filled the club in an instance.
Heads of every Executive snapped in the direction below them from the balcony. Kokonoi was sure that the only person who was aware of this surprise celebrity was Mikey himself. It's shocking to say that even the Head of Bonten was a fan of Y/N L/N's music. The aesthetic the woman radiated has many of people in a chokehold, and of course Kokonoi thought smarter and beyond the basic facts. She would make Bonten gracious money from her voice and presence alone. It seems like it is working already.
" What the hell is that?" Ran Haitani asked with furrowed brows at the mob of flash lights.
Mochi leaned off of his seat, setting his drink down. " Is it anything we should worry about?"
" Nope." Kokonoi said with delight. " This is our special guest of the night."
Rindou furrowed his brows at the look on Kokonoi's face, and the calmness of their boss who didn't seem bothered at the gathering club. Looking over to his brotherāRan, Rindou could see that he was just as confused. The gears in his head were turning, but Ran could not produce and explanation for anything.
The other Executives mirrored the same looks on their face. All of them watching the flashed up crowd in anticipation for what would happen next.
" It's Y/N L/N!"
That was enough to make two executives freeze.
Squeals ruptured from below the Bonten VIP section as the crowd began to shuffle from a birds view. Everyone began to loose their modesty as Y/N L/N fully entered the club. Her smile and all the hands and arms reaching for her made everyone copy each other's actions. It sounded intense. It was intense.
The girl beside Rindou seized his jaw, attempting to draw his attention back to what she was selling. Slinging the girl off of him, Rindou rose to his feet, his eyes not peeling from the back entrance of the club. Where there seemed to be a circleāa small space of no lights in the middle of a crowd.Ā
Y/N L/N. He heard that correctly, he was hearing that correctly. The name was being screamed from right below him.
Rindou felt a ache in his heart as his throat closed from the sight of a beautiful girl on the club screen in their section.Ā A girl with a pretty smile plastered on the monitors around the club.
" Up this way please," your body guard said to you.
Escaping the pit of fans who recognized you was not easy. There were flashing lights everywhere, and you weren't sure what and who you were waving and smiling at. Even your body guard was struggling a little at the display of white light. Even right now, you had some of your guardsmen calming down the excited group of fans.
You looked at the elevator with suspicion, confused by the need to go inside of one.
" What's this for? Where are we going?" You asked, entering anyways.
" You're going to meet Kokonoi Hamjime and the organization he works for and in. You have your own section of course, but you have to say your greetings and thanks first."
You laughed as your bodyguard hit floor 3.
" You know I don't know who the fuck that is."
Shaking his head with a small smile, your bodyguard swiftly answered. " He's the accountant of this organization. The self made billionaire we were talking about earlierā"
" Oh yes," you began with a nod. " Now I remember."
The elevator dinged, the glass and metal doors opening to a grand balcony level. Your mouth opened into a circle as your longtime bodyguard immediately stepped in front of you.
The balcony was made of glass that looked very thick, and has golden designs flowing through the lengthy balcony. The railings were white, and the shock didn't stop thereābecause below you were crystal, shimmery, see through floors that has you loosing balance.
It was transparent like, or translucent was it?
" This is beautiful..." you said, astonished.
" I can tell they spent a shit tone of money on this alone."
" Language."
You scoffed, " Oh please. They'll get used to it. Nothing the world hasn't heard in my interviews."
Your bodyguard shook his head before stopping in front of a door that had the same design as the balcony. The door had a hanafuda earringāif you remember correctlyāon it. Black and white was the color.
" This is the door. Your guest are in here." Your bodyguard whispered to you.
You flipped one half of your hair over your shoulder. " Gosh I really hope it's not a bunch of old men. I swear dude...."
" We're going in," and with that, the three knocks in patterns sounded on the door.
You stood there, suddenly your feet hurt from your heelsāyou wish you were in slides. You legs felt like suffocated sausagesāyou wish you were in your track pants instead, and your breath was labored.
The door opened and you took a second to finally look up.
He isn't ugly. You thought in relief, automatically smiling at the man with silver hair. And he's not old.
" Hello Sir!" You said joyfully. Giving the man your hand with a big smile, hoping you didn't seem awkward.
" Hey there beautiful!" He responded with a grin, pulling you into a hug. " Guess what we have guys! I introduce you to Y/N L/Nāthe hot new thing on the charts!"
What were you supposed to do now?
You smiled as he showed you into the vip section. Your eyes scanned each person, your head slightly bowing at every new face. There were women in here too, sitting beside or on a man's lap. They were half naked...
You shivered as your eyes landed on the man with purple hair who was standing at the balcony. In that moment it seemed like everything stopped. It was Rindou...Rindou Haitani.
You blinked, your smile faltering as you released a quiet and shaky breath. The man did not disappear, in fact, his eyes were pinned onto you.
" I was able to get this hot new thing to be our guest tonight with the bosses permission. I'm sure you've all heard of her or seen her face before." Kokonoi continued, giving your shoulder a well needed squeeze.
You peeled your eyes off of Rindou, who still had his gaze pinned on you.
" Hello everybody." You waved with a dimmer smile.
" Y/N....how can you recognize my dear brother but not me? You wound me."
The familiar voice that was teasing, mischievous, and almost flirtatious like had your lips parting in shock.
" Ran," you breathed.
" Oh," Kokonoi said with a tight smile. " You know the Haitani Brothers?"
You could feel your bodyguard creep up from behind you. Probably sensing your tenseness.
" We were well acquainted when I was much younger."
" That's interesting..." Kokonoi said while blinking rapidly.
You found your eyes gravitating back to Rindou who stood facing you, hands clutching the balcony railing. This time, you took it upon yourself to step into the VIP section. You could not forget what you were here for, and you can admit that it will be hard with Rindou Haitani's eyes following you.
" She's big now." Ran said to Rindou as they stood by the balcony rail of their shared penthouse.
" Yeah she is," Rindou said with a nod, sipping on the red wine.
" Why didn't you fucking say something to her?" Ran asked his brother with a sharp tone.
" You always have had so much to tell me, but when she was thereāyou were fucking silent."
" What was I supposed to say!" Rindou argued, looking at his brother. " Tell her how much I loved her, and how I never wanted her to leave? She's big now. Why would she spend her time with me?"
Ran let out a laugh. Shaking his head as he stared at Tokyo at night time.
" This is funny to you?" Rindou asked with knitted brows.
" It's fuckin' hilarious."
Rindou reclined at Ran's words. " What the fuck is so funny? Seriously."
" You should've said something to her." Ran said, his laughter stopping.
" You should've told her how you felt these last 10 years. She's was right fucking there Rindou, right there. You didn't have to stop going to the rooftop after that conversation. You should've fucking told her that we got arrested after the battle. But you kept silent and watched as Kakucho charmed her without trying."
Each word his brother told him hit Rindou like bricks.
He should've told you all the things he's been thinking these past 10 years. Rindou should've spoken to you when you were sitting right there with them.
Instead, he kept quiet and watched as you got interested in the quiet nature of the God of deathāKakucho. Bontens number 3.
He watched as you sipped on orange juice at the bar section with Kakucho. Invested in the well spoken man that was always level headed.
Rindou remembers how he spoke with you all those years ago, and how you spoke to him despite having his well liked brother right beside him.
You had a type for introverted men.
" Why didn't you fucking say something?" Ran asked with a clenched jaw.
Rindou wanted to tell Ran to tone it down. To remind his brother that he was too much of a man now to be scolded. But like tonight with you, he didn't have the confidence to speak up about it.
" I don't know..." was the answer Rindou shamefully settled on.
You tried to talk to him. You stared at him through the night, trying to wave him over. Rindou isn't surprised that eventually, you took interest in Kakucho. A man who was quiet and observant.
" You should've told her you love her."
" I know." Rindou answered. " But it's too late now right?"
He should've told you. He should've told you all the good you brought to him when you were by his side.
Sorry Y/N, Rindou bitterly thought, but I guess our love ended too soon.
Can you post some zookeeper must have items? Like work boots and khaki pants? Rain gear?
Alright, letās turn this into a mini How to Zookeep because man do I need to continue that seriesā¦ anywaysā¦
Hereās some of the most helpful things a zookeeper can haveā¦
Rain Gear
What kind of rain gear you get depends on climate and your level of comfort, but in general youāll at least want a good rain coat. You can either go for a lightweight shell that layers on top of other coats (I have a Patagonia torrentshell) or a heavy duty coat like a large PVC one. Either way, you want something that is strong and not going to rip apart - cheapo ponchos are not a good option here. As for rain pants, that just depends on your level of dedication to not getting wetā¦ If youāre alright looking like a bit of a dork (what keeper isnāt?) and your legs wonāt turn into an oven, go for it.
BOOTS
Even if you think āI donāt care if my shoes get wet!ā or āI just donāt have a use for them!ā ā¦the day will comeā¦ when you NEED bootsā¦ Yes, you will care when your shoes get wet and you get trench foot. Youāll have a use for them. It will happen. If you think you donāt need boots, get the $10 Wal-Mart ones and store them somewhere and forget about them till the day you decide oh-lord-i-need-friggin-boots. And if you DO think you need boots, go ahead and splurge on some comfy, flexible ones like Muck Boots.
Shoes
The verdict is still out on shoes - do you splurge or save? The thing is, in our line of work, shoes wear out fast. Youāll always here the anecdotal tale of some mythical zookeeper who bought Red Wing boots at a thrift store for $5 and they lasted for 10 years and he was put in his grave wearing them butā¦ Shoes, even the $200 ones, rarely last longer than a year. Most have about a six month lifespan. Many keepers,Ā ācause you know, weāre poor, buy the cheapo shoes and let them get worn down to shreds. Some keepers are able to get the nicer fancy shoes (waterproof, good tread, hiking boots, etc.) and they last a while, but still, usually not longer than a year. So if the cheapo shoes are comfy and last you at least 3 months, I say go for it.
Also, invest a few bucks in this:
This stuff is seriously amazing. Itās not a cure-all, but it has extended the life of my many different pairs of boots and shoes by at least a few weeks to months. Iāve used shoe goo to fix everything from a straight up giant hole in the sole of a steel-toed boot (used them for another two months) to minor stuff like small tears in fabric. They also have a plumbing version (calledĀ āPlumbing Gooā) that is super waterproof and strong, which I have used in a pinch to patch everything from my rain boots to my car bumper (3 years going strong!)
Pants and Shorts (probably khaki)
Youāll need some most-likely-khaki pants and shorts for your day. Unless your work is extra fancy and provides pants as well as shirts. Seeing as our profession is mostly women, we run into the problem of most clothing manufacturers thinking that womenās pants should all be paper-thin, skin-tight, lacking pockets, and generally enforcing the patriarchy.
So shopping in the menās area (and writing a strongly worded letter demanding POCKETS) is probably your best best. Honestly, Iāve found some of my best pants (including flannel lined khakis) at the thrift store. Time to pop some tags.
Other places to check out include sporting goods stores, Old Navy, and outdoors stores. Youāll want lightweight pants/shorts for the summer and heavy duty in the winter. Also either buy some liquid stitch or learn how to sew because youāre gonna get some holes in them.
Multitool
Multi-tools are incredibly handy for zookeepers. Youāll probably want the fold-out kind with pliers like a standard Leatherman. Gerber multi-tools are also pretty good if you want a more affordable option. Itās easiest to get a carrying case that attaches to your belt loop. If you donāt want or need the bulk of a multi-tool, a small utility knife or swiss army knife can still be very useful.
SUN. SCREEN. SUNSCREEN. SCREEN FROM THE SUN. SERIOUSLY.
Yāall.Ā Most of us are outside all the time. Or at least outside more than the average office worker. We need to wear sunscreen. If youāre outside a lot in direct sunlight, please wear sunscreen. I started getting into the habit of it last year and itās annoying to remember and sometimes I forget but itās good to at least try.Ā
I recommend keeping a couple of sunscreen sticks around at work as a start. Try to put some on before you leave the house. Obviously if itāll be downpouring or you work in a basement, you might not need it as much. But still. Protect yourselves.
wait so youāre telling me that there are people without body dysmorphia? who actually donāt hate themselves/their bodies???Ā sounds fake but okayā¦
dailybridgerton
gracieabrams
ellievsbear
discoholicmusic
