Lmst

the simpsons intro...

#thesimpsons #simpsons #reallife #intro #animatedgif #skateboard #driveway #garage #pacifier #animatedgif

the simpsons intro...

#thesimpsons #simpsons #reallife #intro #animatedgif #skateboard #driveway #garage #pacifier #animatedgif

the simpsons intro...

#thesimpsons #simpsons #reallife #intro #animatedgif #skateboard #driveway #garage #pacifier #animatedgif

#jouRapNal #book18 day 19

20260101

#3goodThings #newYear #kiss #hotel #threeGoodThings

#driveway #clear #snowblower

(illustration of a half full vodka bottle that says 40% on it)

Ba's friend Yk filled Ba in on details Ba forgot but Ba kissed 4 girls & 1 guy at midnight

But Yk is never going back to that bar since they got groped

Ba had a bagel only from the continental breakfast free with hotel stay ed up till 4am

Az cleared the drive with help from a neighbour's snow blower. iL is taking an afternoon nap and Yt just rang the doorbell

https://zhhz.cc/20251229

#travelphotography #driveway #lightandshadow #citylife #urbanminimalism #streetphotography #parkinggarage #architecturelovers #shadowsandlight #yellowlines #cityscape #concretejungle #perspective #highangle #architecture #urbanphotography #urbanexploration #minimalism #abstractarchitecture #leadinglines #moodygrams #modernarchitecture #bluecar #geometric #cityvibes #DailyPhoto #Photography @photography@a.gup.pe

Overhead view of a paved driveway between tall dark buildings, with a blue car near the top right, a red-and-white barrier gate across the lane, and yellow painted arrows and curbs alongside small landscaped plants.

#travelphotography #driveway #lightandshadow #citylife #urbanminimalism #streetphotography #parkinggarage #architecturelovers #shadowsandlight #yellowlines #cityscape #concretejungle #perspective #highangle #architecture #urbanphotography #urbanexploration #minimalism #abstractarchitecture #leadinglines #moodygrams #modernarchitecture #bluecar #geometric #cityvibes

Good morning. 🐦🐦🐦

21 December 2025

Well, I poured the final phase of my driveway, and what an unpleasant adventure it turned out to be. The demolition went smoothly enough, thanks to a neighbor who needed the old concrete and had a dump truck. Without him, I’m not sure what the contractor would have done—I asked, but never got a coherent answer. The forms went in fine, and up to that point the job seemed on track.

The morning of the pour, though, they still hadn’t installed the reinforcement—no rebar, no wire grid, nothing. I had insisted on rebar and wire supported on proper metal or plastic rebar supports, commonly called chairs. I was hoping for something resembling professional engineering. Instead, the contractor ordered the concrete before the prep work was done, then showed up late, after the first truck had already been waiting more than half an hour. With the clock ticking, he rushed everything.

They dragged in the wire and rebar for the parking pad and threw together a haphazard grid. When I asked about the rebar chairs, he said they didn’t have any. So the pour went ahead with improvised, unstable supports, the rebar sliding around as they tried to hold it off the ground.

The driveway section went similarly, though I allowed wire only. I anticipated poor engineering and compensated by adding fiber to the concrete mix.

I will say the finishing ranged from okay to good—until the end.

The contractor wanted to remove the forms the same day. I told him no, that he needed to wait at least a day, which is best practice. I research the things I’m involved in. He ignored me and removed them, anyway, insisting he “does this all the time” and knows better than anything I could find online.

I paid him and left a terrible Angi review—primarily because he defied my instructions.

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #morning #driveway #concrete #contractor #silhouette

"A stark silhouette dominates the frame: a solitary bird, poised like a crown of living shadow, perches on a slender, leafless branch that curves gently like a question mark against a blank white sky. The branch rises vertically, bare and unadorned, its delicate arc suggesting both fragility and quiet strength. The bird faces right, its posture regal yet unassuming—neither in flight nor repose, but suspended in a moment of sovereign stillness.

There is no background, no foliage, no distraction—only the high contrast of black against white, like ink on parchment. The bird’s form is crisp and clean, its head slightly bowed, as if in contemplation or watchful witness. The composition evokes solitude, dignity, and the quiet authority of presence. It is a portrait of minimalism and mythic restraint, where absence becomes ceremony and the perch becomes a throne.

In the bottom right corner, a watermark reads “© Swede’s Photographs,” a subtle signature that marks the image as both artifact and offering." - Microsoft Copilot

Good morning. ☕☕☕

19 December 2025

Sunrise Over Broken Slabs

When I awoke this morning, the concrete crew was already at work, hoisting massive slabs of my old driveway into a dump truck. Others were grading the ground for the new pour—all of this before sunrise. I almost wish I had posted one of my sunrise photos to mark the moment; I’m sure I have one or two tucked away.

There’s a certain stress in watching your driveway demolished while your car sits trapped in the garage 😱. Still, patience pays: in about a week the concrete will cure enough to drive on, though full strength won’t arrive until 28 days. No worries—we pulled the pickup out earlier and parked it on the section completed a couple of weeks ago.

We lucked out when a neighbor with a dump truck wanted the old concrete. I’m not sure whether we benefited more, or the contractor did. When I asked what they would have done otherwise, they mentioned a long trailer—or perhaps renting one of those dump trailers.

The excavator they’re using is a huge orange Kubota—likely rented, though maybe borrowed. In the shuffle of moving those heavy blocks, one slipped and shattered a windshield. Thankfully no one was hurt, though the operator seemed rattled, and now the contractor has a windshield to replace.

Exciting times indeed.

“Quality is never an accident. It is always the result of intelligent effort.” — John Ruskin

“The road to success is always under construction.” — Lily Tomlin

“It’s not the beauty of a building you should look at; it’s the construction of the foundation that will stand the test of time.” — David Allan Coe

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #morning #concrete #driveway #demolition #construction #heron #GreatBlueHeron

Sentinel Strides

"A solitary Great Blue Heron strides across a dry, sunlit field, its long legs moving with deliberate grace over the tawny grass. The earth beneath is a patchwork of faded gold and hints of green, whispering of late-season drought and quiet resilience. The heron’s plumage is a tapestry of deep slate-blue and soft gray, draping its slender frame like a ceremonial robe. Its neck curves in a poised S-shape, both serpentine and regal, leading to a dagger-like beak tinged with reddish-orange—sharp, purposeful, and alert.

A single yellow eye gleams with ancient focus, scanning the horizon with the quiet authority of a sentinel. The bird’s posture is upright yet fluid, as if balancing between stillness and motion, between watchfulness and wandering. The background is uncluttered, a natural amphitheater of dry grass that amplifies the heron’s mythic presence. The signature “© Swede’s Photographs” rests in the lower left corner, a quiet acknowledgment of the witness behind the lens.

This is not merely a bird—it is a sovereign figure crossing a ceremonial threshold, a living glyph etched against the parchment of the land." - Microsoft Copilot

Good morning. 🦆🪿🦢

11 December 2025

I’m having a portion of my driveway redone. They started yesterday and are supposed to pour this morning. I’m a little on edge—I hired the company through Angi. So far, their work is adequate, but I can’t help feeling that this kind of decision-making is part of what makes me, me.

I did my research into concrete—it’s not all the same, you know. The contractor initially proposed pouring 3,000 psi concrete, which is the minimum standard. No doubt he was trying to keep costs low to secure the job. I simply told him to go with 4,000 psi, which is the recommended strength for driveways, and that I’d cover the extra cost.

What frustrates me with contractors is that they often default to the lowest option to win the bid, rarely presenting alternatives. It’s as if they assume all the customer cares about is cost. And yes, cost matters—but so does quality. I understand that cost and quality can be in tension, but I’d rather be given the full picture and make the decision myself. Wouldn’t you?

The contractor got back to me and said the difference between 3,000 psi and 4,000 psi concrete is only $10 per cubic yard. He estimated the job at 12 yards, so the upgrade adds just $120. I paced it off yesterday and suspect it’s closer to 15 cubic yards. We’ll see. I agreed to pay the actual cost of the concrete rather than the estimate baked into his price. Life goes on.

“A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist.” - Louis Nizer

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #morning #ducks #concrete #driveway #contractors

"Four ducks glide in close formation across a calm body of water, their silhouettes etched in quiet contrast against a dusky canvas. The light is low—perhaps the sun has just dipped below the horizon—casting the scene in deep, muted tones. The sky, though underexposed, hints at a lingering blaze: soft embers of orange and violet bleed into the water’s surface, barely visible but felt, like the last warmth of a fading fire.

The ducks move as one, their bodies dark and unified, mirrored faintly in the water below. Gentle ripples trail behind them, subtle signatures of motion in an otherwise still world. The water itself is textured, almost painterly, with a grain that suggests both digital enhancement and natural mystery.

There’s a hush to the image—a reverent pause between day and night. The ducks, silhouetted and serene, become quiet witnesses to the sky’s retreat. The composition feels ceremonial, as if dusk itself were a rite, and these five were chosen to escort the light into shadow." - Microsoft Copilot

Rogue builder now living in Pembrokeshire ordered to repay £8k after botched driveway

Christopher McFarlane, 48, abandoned a driveway project in Leamington Spa after pocketing £8,000 upfront, leaving the property resembling a “poor‑quality sandpit”. The mess was so severe the victim’s partner, who has mobility issues, sometimes had to be carried over the rubble to leave the house.

McFarlane, now of Mathry near Haverfordwest, concealed the fact he was bankrupt when he took the money in December 2018. He began work in February 2019 but walked away weeks later, never returning. A survey revealed the driveway had to be completely redone, costing the victim more than £16,000.

The couple said in a statement:

“As disabled homeowners, we placed our trust in someone who took advantage of our goodwill at a time when we needed help, not harm.
The stress and disruption caused by McFarlane’s actions have taken a heavy toll over the past five years.
This conviction means a great deal to us. We’re incredibly grateful to the Insolvency Service for their tireless efforts in pursuing this case and securing restorative justice.”

McFarlane failed to attend an interview under caution during the Insolvency Service investigation. He appeared at Coventry Magistrates’ Court on 4 December, where he was handed a two‑year conditional discharge and ordered to repay £8,000 at £500 per month from February 2026. If he fails to pay, he faces arrest and possible imprisonment.

Mark Stephens, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said:

“Christopher McFarlane only revealed his bankrupt status to the victim when he was trying to recoup his losses.
“He made such a mess of the driveway that the victim’s partner had at times to be carried over the rubble when she needed to leave the address.
“The Insolvency Service exists to tackle financial wrongdoing, and protecting the public from those who have previously been unable to repay their debts is a key priority for us.”

Related stories

Swansea rogue builder jailed for 5 years
Lee Slocombe defrauded seven families out of more than £147,000 through his Swansea-based company Kamlee Builders.

Carmarthenshire rogue builder jailed after defrauding customers
Trading standards investigation leads to jail time for builder who left customers out of pocket.

Rogue builder from Porthcawl jailed
Michael Anderson sentenced to 3.5 years after abandoning jobs and pocketing deposits.

Porthcawl man given 43-month prison sentence
Cardiff Crown Court hears how Paul Atkinson caused misery for homeowners across South Wales.

#bankrupt #construction #debt #driveway #Haverfordwest #InsolvencyService #Mathry #RogueBuilder

Three-panel image showing holes dug into the ground near a building. Left: close-up of a rough excavation in soil. Centre: wider view of a hole near a wall. Right: hole beside a brick wall with a circular container and broken bricks inside.

Woman in disbelief as she discovers her entire #driveway has been #stolen

https://www.unilad.com/news/crime/woman-driveway-stolen-realtor-burglary-crime-832926-20251202

Ala kalaiwa == driveway
#hawaiianWordOfTheDay #driveway #HPR #HawaiianPublicRadio #hawaiian https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/hawaiian-word-of-the-day-november-28th

Transform Your Outdoor Space with Natural Stone! ✨

Perfect for your next #OutsideDesign or #LandscapeDesign project!

#NaturalStone #StoneWall #CultureStone #VillaDesign #ExteriorTiles #Landscaping #GardenDesign #PatioIdeas #Hardscape #OutdoorLiving #BackyardGoals #HomeRenovation #StonePavers #Driveway #AccentWall #TexturedWalls #LandscapeArchitecture #DIYInspo

The sculpture garden beside our driveway. Central Pennsylvania. #garden #gardener #gardening #pennsylvaniagarden #pennsylvaniagardens #fecund #harvest #harvesthome #gardenphotography #photography #nature #outdoors #outofdoors #backyard #yard #rear #backdoor #driveway #sculpture

Yellow on Blue

#maisonpatrimoniale #heritagehouse #patrimoine #heritage #culturalheritage #maçonnerie #mansonry #pierre #stone #entrée #allée #driveway #bouleau #birch #birchtree #automne #autumn #fall #feuilles #leaves #autumnleaves

Driveway of a Grand Hotel. 🏨

📸 on Jul 15, 2021 with Sony α7R IV.
(34mm, ƒ/9, 1/80s, ISO 100)

#grandhotelexcelsiorvittoria #sorrento #italy #hotel #driveway