He handled flying so much better than expected. I thought it was going to be a nightmare but it was actually smooth and without incident. I was worried and overly prepared for a bunch of different probable scenarios and I’m glad nothing catastrophic happened.
I’ve commented it in passing on the sub that my dad likes to call people and make up outlandish, negative things about me. A lot of the time it’s him trying to manipulate people to come get him so he can “escape” me.
Most people understand the situation but his cousins were insinuating they could do better and he’d be better off “coming home” just having assisted living. Doubting my ability to care for him, thinking I was abusing him.
I mentioned previously that my plan was to drop him off and dip back to the hotel to catch up on sleep and enjoy a couple days to myself.
He was in a great mood, so happy when we got to his aunts house. I said I’d be back that evening. He made it about 3 hours before he was calling me obsessively. His cousin (the main one who tried pushing for me to bring him back) called me telling me he was distressed and I needed to come get him. I simply said, “that’s part of the dementia, keep trying different ways to reassure him he’s safe. You’ve got this guys! I’m in the next town over. I’ll be back around 7.”
Then walked into my appointment and got a massage 😏 I felt a little selfish, but also a little vindicated. I don’t think cousin will be an issue moving forward.
I ended up coming back around 5, the phone calls had stopped so I’m guessing they figured it out after a while. That said, I saw the relief on their faces when I showed up early lol.
My dad kept repeating he wants to go back home with me and not to leave him here. He wanted to leave and get back right away. I tried to hype him up for visiting his family tomorrow but he kept making me promise I was bringing him home with me. He couldn’t seem to understand that we were very far away from home but would be going back soon. I asked him if he remembered the flight here, and he said no (I have to admit, I am jealous of this. That flight was so long and uncomfortable haha.)
Eventually I had to pivot to other things. Having the familiarity of the evening medications night routine helped.
I’m glad that deep down, in spite of him trashing me constantly, that he knows on some level that have tried my best to create a safe, comfortable environment for him. Even though the disease makes him say some hurtful stuff sometimes, I’m glad he still feels like home is with me.
I also know that he’s enjoyed being around family even if it is confusing for him and I’m glad that I could get him out here one last time.
My dad has been obsessively wanting to come back here for months, I was waiting for the weather to clear so we didn’t get stuck unexpectedly or anything like that and for doctors appointments to slow down. When he tries to wander at night or is being difficult it’s always centered around coming back here. He’s mentioned almost nightly for the last couple of weeks that he’d walk the entire 2000 miles if he had to in order to get here.
It’s hard to say what sticks and what doesn’t but I do think he had this vision in his head about old times and what it would be like being back here, only to realize that old times got old too. His cousins aren’t the 40 and 50-somethings anymore. His cousins kids are grown now and have kids of their own and most have moved away. His aunt is barely mobile and is nearing her end too.
I don’t know that this trip will stop that behavior, I’m actually quite certain that it probably won’t, but I’m hoping that there is something that’s settled in his spirit. That he got to see his aunt one more time before she or he passes.
He’s sleeping pretty well and It’s been a pretty quiet night otherwise. He hasn’t tried to wander and the sundowning isn’t as severe as usual. Again, unexpected. I thought the change in routine/scenery would be much more difficult for him.
Just some thoughts.

Hi there! I was just wondering if anyone knows if it's possible to copy and paste any colour adjustments (curves, HSB, colour balance, etc) to other layers.
For context, I'm making a PNG tuber model and have finished 4 expressions for the character. I'd like to adjust some of the colours but cannot merge the 4 layers as they each have a different expression, but it's the same character therefore I'd like the adjustments to match on each layer rather than just guessing.
Is there a way to apply the adjustments to all 4 layers?
Ty!

I’m in Sydney, Australia in case that matters. Google Maps is missing an entrance location for my local train station. I’ve tried a few times to report it, but it doesn’t seem like a station entrance is something I can report as a new place or as a place in the wrong location. Is this data strictly taken from the transport authority or something? Is there any way to get someone to look at it?
The reason I care about this error is that the actual entrance is a few minutes closer to me than the entrance that Google recognises. I’m located in between two stations that both have trains that go to my work, but on different lines. So it makes it hard to know which route to use if the walking time to/from this station is incorrect. One line is more reliable than the other, one is either to access from the street, etc. It would be helpful to eliminate one variable from the complex mental arithmetic.
There is no relevant difference between the entrance that Google recognises versus the one I use but Google doesn’t recognise - they are literally symmetrically designed at either end of the station facade.

I’m a 33(f) from NYC and I don’t know what to do anymore. I have struggled with mental health since I could remember(cptsd, mdd, ocd, general anxiety, autism, adhd). I went from abusive home to foster care to homelessness to getting into subsidized housing by 27. I finally got help once I was as stable as I’d ever been in my life at 30. I was put on meds and I enrolled into school for programming but at 32 I felt myself being pulled into the dark recesses of my mind and everything started to fall apart. I couldn’t get past my severe social anxiety and failed public speaking twice. I tried to ask for a different class but they (school) told me it was mandated. I dropped out instead of tanking my near perfect gpa. That was probably dumb. Then my therapist of two years told me she doesn’t accept my insurance anymore. I made the dumb mistake of switching insurances without even checking if my psychiatrist accepted the new one and couldn’t afford the appointments out of pocket. Meds ran dry before I could find a new doctor. When I finally had the new insurance and tried to make an appointment with my therapist, she had moved on, I don’t know if it was out of state or just moved to a different clinic. They didn’t give me any info on that.
I fell into one of the deepest depressions of my life in 2023. My hair got matted from not washing it. I had to cut it all off. I barely washed my body. Or ate. I was stuck. And it’s only at the turn of the new year that I feel like I’m resurfacing. Just enough to feel guilty about letting my two children, 16 and 5 see me this way. Their dad lives here and took on everything when it came to them but he can’t help me anymore than he has. I have to get myself out of this. I still feel paralyzed. I told him I’m tempted to call social services on myself. I know it sounds like learned helplessness or whatever. I need someone to keep tabs on me. Make sure I stay on my meds, keep on top of appointments. I can’t keep falling into these pits and not have any safety nets. And I realize this battle is lifelong. I have no family and all my friends I have I made in grade school. They’re either busy with their own lives or moved out of the city. I’ve never been the most social to nurture friendships. I’m alone. And I’m afraid to lose myself again. I love my kids so much but it’s not enough to get me where I need to be. I’m ashamed of myself. I’d also love to find my (found) family. I don’t know how to do that. Any advice.

I've been a huge garden fan since 2018 . I really thought they were cool, different with their sounds, and an evelutionary take on punk. I've seen them 3 times and I end up meeting them after every show. The first 2 times I waited for them to catch a meet and greet. This 3rd time however was at Kilby Block Party.
They were playing early in the day and I was running late. I was throwing on some jester make up earlier and didnt realize how early they were starting. I got a ride. Getting dropped off, I ran into the street without looking and got hit by a car like a dumbass. I didn't get run over, launched, or hurt. She came up to the side of me and her door mirror hit at maybe 5-10 miles an hr, she was slowing down to the cross walk. Her car door skimmed me in a weird way that made me spin a bit. (Poor woman driving.) I just waved screamed "SORRY!" at her and ran toward the stage they were playing at. I puked my pregame beer a bit at the front because of the nasty make up I was breathing in.
Jesus was I lucky though, I got hit by a car and still made it to the stage in time because they were a few minutes late to play.
Everyone was having a good time. People complimented my horrible jester Halloween makeup that was getting smeared in the mosh pit under a hot sun.
When it was all done, I met with my lady later and went for a food truck. While waiting in line, I see Wyatt walking out down a public path with a couple of his crew. I ran straight to him. I was so excited to meet him a third time. Though this time, i couldnt recognize if he was wyatt or fletcher.
I said something like, "Hey! what a treat! This is the third time I'm meeting you! I must confess I can't recognize if you're wyatt or... or.." (shit my mind is blank)
"You were right the first time." he said, His face looking slightly annoyed.
"I don't know know if you remember," I said "but I met you first in Santa Cruz and last time here in SLC at the loading dock!"
Now he looked more annoyed, "I remember you." He said.
I didnt know where to go from here now. "Well, i dont want to take up your time but could I get a picture real quick?"
"Sure" he said. We take a quick selfie then he walked immediately. I called out, "Have a safe tour!" And he didn't say another word.
I didn't feel he was this way the first 2 times i met him. Maybe he's tired from playing, tired of fans, getting too big. This was the first time he gave me a look that felt like I was below him, like he was too good, too far up the chain. It left a sour taste in my mouth I can't spit out. I could have been severly hurt or killed earlier and after seeing his eyes, I felt the impression he wouldnt care if he did know a garden fan died on the way to a show especially if it was me, the one he remembers. I want to like Wyatt. I don't have a reason to think badly of fletcher, he's one of my favorite drummers, but I guess this is one of those examples of not meeting your heros.
At least ones from Orange County.

Hello currently on a trial week period of 40 mg strattera after stimulants were giving side effects. I’m on week 2 i don’t feel any difference in my anxiety, emotional dysfunction, racing thoughts and I don’t feel any calmer but I feel like It helps my executive functioning, it’s like a small motivation to keep me on task (might be placebo, not sure). This is weird to me because Vyvanse on top of fixing my executive dysfunction, made me feel so calm, no racing thoughts, my emotions were under control and everything about it was just so nice. I kinda wish strattera made me feel that way also. Should I consult my doctor about this?

I will admit to having a darker energy than the average person, but I am not depressed by nature. My girlfriend is the opposite; She is a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day, a beacon of positivity. Meeting her shattered my worldview. It felt as though I had been alone all of my life until I met her. We have been together 4 years now.
I used to be in awe of her positivity, but it has turned to irritation at her naivety. I had never met someone who could sit and watch at a sunset and be truely happy. Frankly I didn't know that was possible. I thought maybe I could be that way too, but I don't think I can. Often, conversations are strained because of our irreconcilable viewpoints. I will try and have a long conversation with her about what I want out of life as she tries to have an upbeat conversation with me about our day and what we have to do the next day. She hits the pillow and is out in 5, I lie awake for hours thinking every night. I always have. I view life as a challenge that I will conquer, and that everything worth having is obtained through a struggle. She views life as a precious gift that is good by it's own nature. My life is perfect by most metrics and I still have some very dark days. The hardest challenge to conquer is the one that hasn't materialized yet. She will never understand this because she does not think this way. She was once my oasis, but once again I feel alone.
In some ways we are a great team. When it is time to show kindnes and enjoy life fun she helps me lighten up and live free. When someone tries to take advantage of us or we need to make a hard decision I have no problem being the harsh realist. On the other hand, it is hard to relate to someone with such a different view of life. How do I protect her from the harsh realities of life without dragging her down with me? How do we keep the understanding alive without one of us fundamentally changing? How do I stop myself from pulling away when she is chipper and I am brooding? Why can't I be happy like she is? How do I comfort her that she is not the source of my sour mood? Would I be happer with somebody more like me, or is she an angel sent to save me from my own ways?

Just warning y'all, this is gonna be really long... I'm trying to give as much context as I can for better understanding. And another warning, I mention some things about weight and feeling insecure about it. Not anything too bad, but just so you know. Anyways. I'm AFAB, and I've used the label genderfluid since 2019, but now as I'm getting older and allowing myself to explore my gender identity without feeling ashamed, I don't know if I'm really genderfluid, or transgender, or what. I just would like to know what label this sounds like to y'all? And I KNOW I don't Have to use a label, I just want to know or get some other peoples thoughts on it, because I'm really confused and don't know what is really going on with me. So basically, I've been identifying as a woman for a long time, since it's my assigned gender at birth. But in 2019, I really just learned about LGBTQ and all of the labels and meanings, and I found that Genderfluid fit me best. That some days I felt like a boy, some days I felt like a girl, some days I felt like neither, or both, whatever. But I think I kinda forgot about it, and I just identified as a woman again. And then in 2020, I thought I might be trans, as I wanted to be everything male. I wanted to dress that way, look that way, have a different name and haircut and pronouns and all of that. And I was ALOT happier that way, and I felt more comfortable, but also not at the same time because of my chest. I've wanted a binder for a VERY long time, and I didn't have one till just THIS year, and so whenever I dressed how I wanted to in 2020, I just looked like a guy with a big bust and it repulsed me, so I really just tried to be male online with my friends mostly? Since I didn't look like one in real life, I felt like I was embarrassing myself, y'know? :( And in 2021, I just went by agender, because I didn't feel like being anything. But also that year, I was really depressed, so I think maybe I just didn't wanna have to stress about my gender too. Anyways, in 2023 I went into a relationship with somebody, and I was identifying as a woman at that point, so I kinda subconsciously hyperfeminized myself so I could be their "perfect" girlfriend, even though they didn't want me to do that. I kinda tried way too hard that year 💀 We broke up in November that year, and after that, I've been exploring my gender again. I realized there wasn't really a need to be so feminine, and I started to like Harry Potter for the first time! My favorite character was Ron Weasley, and I started to really like his character, and the actor himself. I really admired the way he dressed when he was younger, and at that point, I decided that I should start dressing the way I REALLY want to. So I got the money for new clothes, AND A BINDER! And I finally got to dress the way I've wanted for so long, and I was so happy. It was the happiest and best I've ever felt and looked in so long. I felt just like a boy. But, I also felt dysphoric for the first time in a while, because I had my long dark brown hair still. I didn't feel like I really looked like a boy enough because of it. And I debated cutting my hair, but I thought I was just really liking that Rupert Grint guy too much, and I only was acting that way because of him. Sometimes I really like a character or celebrity and I kind of accidentally subconsciously take on some things that they do, and the way they dress. But I eventually completely stopped liking Harry Potter, and I still wanted that haircut, so I did it. And I really tried to give myself a gender neutral/androgynous haircut, so if I felt like a girl again, I wouldn't regret the haircut. I had that haircut, and I dressed the way I wanted to, and I felt incredible. It's the most confident I've ever felt in my life, but then my hair started to grow out, and I looked more girly again, and I couldn't take it. So I had another haircut, this time inspired by Chino Moreno, the lead singer of my favorite band ever, Deftones. I got hairgel, and now I go out with my spiked hair, baggy jeans with boxers showing, baggy band shirt, my sneakers, and a ton of bracelets and cuffs. This is JUST how I have ALWAYS wanted to dress. I feel like a boy, and I'm so happy. But now I'm really getting to the point now, that's all of the context I had to say first. I've recently caught myself thinking "I can't wait to get top surgery one day." Which, I am DEFINITELY doing. But then I started thinking... what's next after that? Am I just gonna be me with a flat male looking chest, or am I gonna want to go more into it? (As in taking testosterone.) because I also catch myself dreaming about the day I'm old enough to take it. But does that mean I'm trans then? Because, I do like the idea of looking like a woman... But I also don't at all at the same time. I only like the idea od looking like a girl, I guess. Like a young girl. (Because I grew up as a little young girl who wore dresses and bows and did sweet things, I just feel most comfortable being a girl that way, related to my childhood. I don't like the idea of being a girl grown up getting a job, a relationship, a LIFE, ETC.) It's really confusing. And, my mom got nervous when I brought up top surgery though (and she 100% supports me though) because she was worried I would regret it when I do feel like a woman again. And I think that even if I do feel like a woman again one day, I can just be a woman with a flat chest ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯. But also, for the first time maybe ever in my life, I've started to get insecure over my weight. I think that when I was identifying/presenting myself as a woman, I just accepted that I was a bit big, because I was curvy and women are curvy sometimes and that was it. I've always been a little insecure over it, but I've also always been very scared to lose weight, because I'm scared that it'll go out of control and I'd get an eating disorder or something. Which is probably just a really weird thought, but I worry about alot of weird things. Anyways, I think the reason it's really bothering me now is because I want to look like a man. Not a big curvy woman with boobs and hips and love handles and a butt, I want to be a fully flat man. I'm flat in the chest at least with my binder, but I feel disgusted whenever I have to see my hips or behind though. Not necessarily because they're big, but because I'm supposed to be a man. It makes me feel so dysphoric. I just don't understand what is going on with me. Am I just a heavily confused genderfluid person? Am I really just a girl?? Am I transgender, and I only liked being a girl when I was younger, but not as an adult??? Is that even a thing????? I just need advice, or opinions, or somebody to help out and tell me what labels this could be, or what is wrong with me, or something. Please. Thanks in advance, and I'm sorry for the very very long post.
TL;DR. I don't know if I am a transgender male, or just a really confused genderfluid person.

For context, I’m a 25yo female, that comes from a mixed background (my mother 56F is a white woman from southern Europe, my father is from the Balkans and migrated to my country when he was younger). This is relevant and you will understand later.
I moved away from home as soon as I could when I was 18 after a not so good childhood, and currently live in another European country. My parents are divorced, my father is not really in the picture, I keep in touch with my mother on a daily basis and come visit her and the rest of the family once or twice a year. We never had the best relationship but since I moved out it improved a lot. I’d say we get along better when I’m far away from home.
Anyway, back to the reason of this post. I’ve been seeing this guy for more than a year, he’s great, we’re slowly getting to know each other and see where this is going. We are not in a rush but of course this is a relationship and I felt it was time to tell something more to my mother. I’ve always been quite open about my relationships and people I was dating, however since getting older I started being more private as I don’t think it would be good to mention every failed date to my mother (lol). We come from a typical small town in southern Europe, where people are bigots and close-minded. The news on the tv are constantly complaining about immigrants coming to our country and jadajadajada. The government is mostly right wing. So yeah, I didn’t really mentioned much about this guy, first of all cause I’m trying to keep it private but also because I could imagine her reaction, since she’s the standard average middle age woman that you find on Facebook without much culture. She is ignorant not as an insult but as in the real sense of the word: she ignores, she doesn’t inform herself and just believes whatever the media tells her.
Anyway, she suspected I was seeing someone for a while, I never really said much but I’ve been giving her a few hints in the past weeks and now that I came back to my hometown for a week she started being very curious. The day after I arrived we were casually talking before bed and she just kept asking “C’mon, don’t you have a pic of this guy? Show me! C’mon c’mon! I’m your mother!” so, one side of me didn’t wanna show her, the other one was excited cause at the end of the day I’m proud of my relationship and I was happy to tell her more (maybe naively hoping for a good outcome…). So without thinking much I showed her one of the best pictures of him. Literally in the millisecond while I was showing her the picture she said something like: “hope it’s not a n****” (WHATTT???).
At that point the phone was already on her face. It was done. She said it, and at the same time she saw the picture. She was speechless and I was too. I was ashamed of her. And sad.
She didn’t say anything more for the following 10 minutes, she went to her room and I went to mine. Afterwards she just asked “does he even work?!” And I told her “don’t worry about it, he’s better off than the both of us” just to make her shut up about that question that I found so disrespectful. This made me just so sad, and disappointed.
But the worst had yet to come. We didn’t speak much about it at all until today.
We were having a casual conversation during the afternoon when the relationship topic came out. In particular, we were talking about how your partner should improve your life and not making it worse, meaning he should make you happy, he should bring good positive vibes, get along etc. that’s what I was thinking and referring to. But she started being very materialistic, she asked me “so, in which way is he improving your life?!” in a very aggressive sassy tone “I don’t see anything changing“ she said. I was mentioning that he makes me happy when the conversation degenerated. All sort of things came out of it.
She started by saying:
“well, I truly hopes this will be just a friend and you will keep it like that”
She then continued with:
“please take birth control precautions before you regret it”
“don’t come to me later saying I didn’t stop you”
and the cherry on top was:
“I would have preferred if you told me you were a lesbian cause at least that is cool nowadays”.
I was speechless and I still am.
I asked her what is it that she doesn’t like and what is she basing her opinions on, since she literally knows nothing about him. She couldn’t answer. She kept repeating the same things over and over and she also said she would never want to meet him.
I have to mention that the few guys she met that I was dating were of different cultures, but she never had a problem with them, I guess because the skin color was the same… and in her mind there are probably foreigners of Class A, B, C…
I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I neither expected such a bad reaction.
All this hurts me so much.
I don’t know what to do.
In my mind it neither makes sense cause she married an immigrant but it seems like she never really came to terms with it, she never really accepted it. For instance, I know nothing about my father’s culture, I never learned the language or interesting facts about it because nobody ever thought me anything about it. I only learned about my mother’s culture, the one of the country I lived in. And I always felt out of place because this country is extremely racist. The fact that my father was not a good husband or father has nothing to do with where he comes from. If a person is an idiot, is an idiot no matter what. And I told her this when we were talking. The fact that she had a bad experience doesn’t mean that I will, just because I’m seeing someone from a different culture. I also explained to her that I am myself an immigrant, since I’m living in another country. But it doesn’t seem to click in her head. And when I told her, to her face, that she is indeed racist, she obviously denied it, because how can she be racist if she married an immigrant herself?
And of course during today’s conversation there was some victim behavior on her side, because every time I come back here it’s certain that we are gonna fight and every time it happens I say stuff like “let’s see when and if I will come back again!”. So she was bringing that up cause the other day I said “the first racist comment I hear I’m gone”. She mentioned that, saying I don’t care about her, that she has to beg for me to call her (mind you, we write good morning, good night, text here and there during the day and we talk on the phone 3/4 times a week…). She even said that “she lost me already the moment I left”. Honestly, I don’t know what else more than this she expects from me if what I do is not enough already.
So I don’t really know how to handle this. Any advice is appreciated.
TL;DR: my 25F mother 56F doesn’t approve of my boyfriend 28M just because of the color of his skin. Her opinion is based solely on a photo I showed her and claims she lost me.

I’ve recently quit drinking and now I find myself very board once it’s night time because my routine used to be to have some drinks to relax and eventually sleep. Now I just sit around board and wish I had alcohol and I feel like I’ll eventually cave. Talking to my husband used to help as well but now we have a three hour time difference between us due to military and he goes to sleep way earlier than me. I’m worried unless I find some good ways to wind down and occupy my time I’ll slip back in!

Does anyone have changes in their symptoms from going from a dry climate to humid or vice versa? I live in a very very dry climate and have had milder symptoms overall in humid climates I've traveled to recently. I can't tell if it's normal fluctuations in pain level, lower stress levels or if the weather is making a difference. I know cold weather and especially exercise in the cold is a huge trigger for me, so I am sensitive to weather patterns in some way already

How am I suppose to act after I seen all the love letters he wrote his girlfriends on reditt how he didn’t love his spouse but was Married 30!years ! Never once had anyone considered I was in so much pain because I worshipped the ground he walked on! But the flip side is not ever I can remember he showed me love it was violence ! Yes I stood up for myself! I fought a good fight but his violence was too much if I brought up his cheating he took it out on me !! I can’t understand why I could love e a man who cheated and treated me very badly ! I still don’t understand maybe I only hoped it would be better ! But they say if you have a lot to say it means you in pain! We hell yeah I had pain from a-z but it made me a bitter person but in some ways a better person because through all my pain and him not caring about me made me a better at believing God Is my strength and he loves me just the way I am because if you have to beg for the smallest of details in a marriage then what the purpose in being united in life! See I know not I have never felt and love only betrayal and never understood the why behind it!! It was due to the fact that I as a person could only get the ones who I thought needed me but that’s not love that’s only co- depend on someone who only found good in me when they needed something ! Not out of the heart! Iwas wrong to ever expect him to be faithful or even have love for me if I couldn’t depend on him to show me any love as well! So he is going back to his ex ex and I will start my new journey in a different life! I may not see this is a good thing right now but in time it will be just one of those bad memories he so worked hard to put me inside of! I will be okay and I will not look back at him as a spouse that didn’t love me ! I will just take a deep breath and let his betrayal continue on! Because the truth is he truly killed me from the inside out! Because I was the one who was married to him when he started all his cheating and ripping me apart little by little! It hurts but I can hold my head up knowing I never cheated on him but really who cares it never changed nothing but me ! He was to busy hurting me to notice!

Hello, I want to change my bike and I want something I can ride for long trips 2000-4000 km but also for daily use in the city (quite crowded city).
In the list, between the two from the title was also versys 650 but i rode it once and the vibration man...literally tickles my foot so i took it out from the list.

1. I owned 2 yamahas (xj6 and fz6) and a honda shadow, beside this i rode a track ready R6 for one competitional season. Also rode R1, FZ1 so i know my way around fast bikes. The reason for mentioning this is because one of my struggles choosing between this bike is the torque. Having the fz6 and xj6, i hated the fact that i had to go to higher rpms to "get the engine going". The 4 inline after 2 years got me bored even tho the fz6 screams nicely at high rpms. For those who experience both of the bikes what is your thoughts about the torque how does it feel?
   
2. What about the engine? As I see on different forums, most people say that the engine from v-strom is very reliable. What about the yamaha engine, does anyone know any common problems with it. Can it handle high mileag?
   

3, I really like yamaha tracer because of the looks, the sound of the engie, for me it looks better than the V-strom but i might take that out of the consideration if there are more pros towards the V-Strom.
4.Conclusion
I need someone who had at least one of these bikes that can share their experience about it. Common problems, pros and cons, long trip, city riding, etc.
Thank you very much!

Helena - Courtlady of Lannisport

Part 1

Reddit Account: SunstriderAlar
Discord Tag: u/SunstriderAlar
Name and House: Helena
Age: 22
Cultural Group: Westerman
Appearance: Helena is a young woman with soft doe-eyes, and unmistakable curling, golden hair. Raised by smallfolk, and Septa’s she wears her hair up and away from her face to ensure she does not let it get wet while cleaning or in her mouth while singing. She has delicate, porcelain, pale skin and cloudy soft blue eyes. No taller than 5’5” and is most often dressed in conservative simple fashions gathered by herself, or more elegant options gifted to her by a doting patron for formal events. Never shy to present her opinion, Helena has seen the world change, and her place in it numerous times. She is unafraid to do what she must, but knows the role of a woman.
Helena prefers to wear blue and yellow, the colours of Lord Swyft’s old sigil even though she has not lived in Cornfield for many years, and has no personal attachment to the house. Her real love though is unique broaches, and hairpins, different pins reveal different favours or stylings for different lords. She does enjoy crafting dresses as well, when the rare bolt of fabric comes her way she enjoys sewing and tailoring. She is often seen carrying a unique wooden six stringed lyre, or a three stringed lute; the former the cause for her name the Six Eyed Singer. She daps herself with lavender water most mornings, and cleans her teeth with mint, and rose now that she is employed by the Lannisters of Lannisport. Clean teeth are the hallmark of a charming, easy smile to make hearts of men and women alike flutter.
Trait: Elusive Shadow
Skill(s): Espionage, Devious, Schemer, Covert, Rumourmonger
Talent(s): Storyteller, lyre playing, deft fingers
Negative Trait(s): N/A
Starting Title(s): The Six-Eyed Singer, Septa Morgan, Jinny of Aegon’s Rest
Starting Location: Opening event

Part 2: Biography

Swyft Sept (3AC - 15AC)
Helena’s early life began in the Sept of Cornfield where her mother begged the Septa’s to take her. Dutifully, though reluctantly, they agreed, for what else were they to do, and where else was the girl to go. To the Governess of Cornfield, under the sanctity of the confessional, the woman, aching from the pain of birth and shame, confessed that the little girl was the bastard of Lord Swyft. The Governess, doubtful but knowing the man was not without vice, kept the secret to herself and allowed the girl to remain. The woman, who’s name was never revealed even to the Septa's, fled into the night shortly after never to be seen again. Helena was then, as promised, raised by the septas and the Governess of House Swyft. She learns basic literacy from the Seven Pointed Star with the Sisters and numbers from the Governess. Alongside her studies, she was put to work on chores like maid work, baking, cooking, cleaning, and serving Lord Swyft.
In 11AC, a travelling minstrel named The Lying Lyre arrived at Cornfield. A dashing young man with a shock of blonde curls that tumbled down his back like a mullet captivated Helena with his songs of far-off lands and noble families. In particular he sang of the Maiden’s Bay Tourney, the feats of House Targaryen, and after some time the Field of Fire and the failings of House Lannister. House Swyft was wealthy, and the Liar’s talents earned him much and more coin from the silver mines.
Helena of an age where curiosity ruled a child’s mind was enamoured with the man and his songs. She took up practising the lyre with him, and discovered that while no maestro, she had deft fingers and a mind for lyrics. Impressed by her interest and talent, the Liar gifted her a lyre before he left for future profits in far off lands. Some years of practice though, and a natural storyteller and rumourmonger Helena combined tales of the Seven Pointed Star and was invited to sing in the sept and even twice for Lord Swyft.
Six Eyed Singer (15AC - 20AC)
It was not to last though and following the slaughter in the Kingswood, the line of House Swyft was extinguished. Not wanting to test the new residents of Cornfield, the Warriors Sons and Poor Fellows, after all, all men have vice, she left Cornfield, and took to singing on the road. Going under the name Lyrebird, Helena played and sang for her coin and lodgings, a young girl protected only by being seen when she wanted and an elusive shadow when she did not.
Times on the road were not easy and The Lyrebird drew much attention. This necessitated the need for another alter ego and after a year on the road and towns and villages through the West were soon visited by the travelling Septa Morgan. The Septa heard confessions and sins, gave forgiveness and offered small advice to the poor and needy. She spared coins where she could and allowed Helena to remain covert. It did not matter to most that she was no real septa, she wore the robes, knew the words, and offered as a good moral compass to children. For most in the far flung reaches of the West she was enough.
Being raised in the faith though telling a perpetual lie about being a sister of the cloth was a little too much to bear for Helena. After a year with the reputation of Septa Morgan growing through the small folks of small villages, the Septa soon faded away. Instead Jinny of Aegon’s Rest started coming to smaller castles; Turnbury, Redbramble, Parren Hall, Oldstars and the like. She took on odd jobs cleaning, cooking, teaching a daughter to read or a son to do his numbers. She was after all no threat, knew her letters and numbers herself, and was capable of scheming many a septa or fatherly gatesman to let her in.
Jinny of Aegon’s Rest became a traveller through the keeps of the Westerlands. She heard the tales from children and small folk alike. She had never meant to undertake espionage, but her place inside various courts across the land, and her talent for being in the right place at the right time meant she was an unfortunate witness to many a courtly intrigue. As her small gifts earned her again a broad reputation she would be traded between greater lords. Soon she was playing for the elite, and earning the rewards that came with it. Helena of Cornfield once again took a new name, the Six Eyed Singer, which she quickly used to escape her courtly life and take again to the road as a travelling minstrel.
The Strawberry Tourney and Ball (20AC - Current)
The Six Eyed Singer formed a little bard troupe, nothing extravagant, she wasn’t playing for the Lannisters or the Targaryen’s yet, but enough to provide several shows across the Westerlands, Reach, and former Kingdom of the Trident. Her troupe, much like she had been accidentally, was devious, and while she or they sang, pockets were pinched, and many houses were looted. Her troupe when apart played for all the minor and middle nobles of the Trident and of the Reach too now. She and they were as much a part of the debauchery of the West as any of the wealthy merchants. There was no party too scandalous, no whorehouse unsung, no court too far flung for the right price and the West had gold burning through pockets.
The Six Eyed Singer was not the only bard with a troupe though and soon through the Kingdoms after Aegon’s conquest artisans, bards, and mummers alike filled the world with talent. In 20AC the Songbird made its mark, and with a little bit of fun, a lot of resentment for nobility, and an ingrained childlike sense of chaos, the first of the Songbirds’ letters sang. The voice of the little people flooded across the western coast of the Iron Throne. Lord Belaerys’ dragon had eaten several children whilst growing fat and hungry. Lancel Lannister had claimed the maidenhood of his chambermaid, and sired a bastard all at the age of just fifteen. Lord Frey schemed against his overlord for a free and independent Trident once again. Was all of it true? Impossible to say, but there were enough truths to turn heads, and the songs of the Songbird began to cause chaos in the Westerlands most of all. The Six Eyed Singer and her troupe played through it all, they were bards, but the Songbird was the most famous one of all; not their little merry band.
The Six Eyed Singer though continued her good work, and with her reputation came an invite to participate at the Strawberry Tourney and Ball alongside the other bardic troupes of the West and Reach. She was not so famous as to be alone, merely enough to earn an invite, and a paid job. The planning was years long, and with new songs and tunes came new rumours. While the Six-Eyed Singer played songs such as Fleece-eye, Dornish Sour Grapes, and Lion of the West, the Songbird worked their chaos.
A ripple pulsed through the tourney, first a cheater in the joust was revealed, Ser Byron who was disqualified as a result. Then a second cheater, this time in the melee, then a third cheater again in the joust Lord Payne had accepted a bribe from Lord Reyne to fall early. Cheating in the tourney was just the start, cheating in the bedroom of the ball was the main affair. Here the Songbird revealed three affairs; Lords Serret and Lyden were both fathers to children on women , not their wives. While Lady Serret and Lady Ruskin were bedfriends behind their husbands’ backs. There was one final scandal though, which was revealed to all at the tourney. Septon Karron was no true anointed Septon, and worse there was legitimacy to foulness surrounding young boys who served him.
The chaos broke over the tourney and all the artisans in attendance were forced to flee. Yet, all was not lost, for Lord Gerold Lannister of Lannisport had taken his eye to Helena and her playing. He offered her a job, for he wished to be a great sponsor of art in the new Seven Kingdoms. So it was she came to a courtly position, advising the Lord Lannister on matters of fine art, musicians, mummery, and all manner of artisanal dealings.
Timeline
3AC - Helena is born in the Sept of Cornfield, her mother a woman from Silverhill who begs the septa’s to take the girl in. She reveals her identity to the Governess of House Swyft, and claims the child is Lord Swyft’s bastard. She leaves shortly after giving birth and recovering.
4-10AC - She is raised in the cloister with the sisters, her Septa mothers raising her lessons on reading from the Seven Pointed Star, and numbers from the Governess to ensure that she can do basic arithmetic. She takes basic lessons in scullery maid work, baking, and general service work for old Lord Swyft.
11AC - A travelling minstrel, The Lying Lyre, comes through Cornfield to sing songs of the tourney of Maiden’s Bay, House Targaryen, and the Field of Fire. He takes a liking to the young Helena, and gifts her a lyre. He stays in Cornfield for some time, both because it is lucrative and because he enjoys teaching the young girl.
12-14AC - The Lying Lyre departs Cornfield but leaves a talented and hardworking Helena with the sisters once more. She takes to singing sections of the Seven Pointed Star, and even performs for Lord Swyft a few times.
15AC - The House of Swyft dies out and Helena, unaware of her claimed parentage but with a talent for song leaves the cloister and takes to the road, not trusting the new Warriors Sons or Poor Fellows. She uses the name Lyrebird and sings and plays her lyre for coin to survive.
16AC - After a year on the road Helena takes up the name Septa Morgan and takes to hearing confessions of the poor and needy across the Westerlands. Many of them need guidance and wearing her septa robes she is the perfect person to hear them. She is no real Septa but no amount of explaining the technicality of that stops people asking her to forgive them.
17AC - Her reputation as Septa Morgan grows a little too heavy on her shoulders, and Helena takes to wearing more common clothes, moving from keep to keep and working as a barmaid, scullery girl, and baker amongst other professions. She goes by the name Jinny of Aegon’s Rest.
18AC - Chance takes its favour on her, and Helena with her simple lyre is invited to play at a feast in Lannisport. Dressed now as a travelling minstrel she performs for the gathered nobles and earns herself invitations to other keeps. With her generous benefactors she hires a small troupe to perform her songs across the West.
19AC - Travelling the Westerlands, Helena under the moniker The Six Eyed Singer, takes her talents for being present at feasts and gatherings of all sorts.
20AC - Rumour of The Songbird takes hold, and the West is awash in the voice of the little people.
21AC - The Strawberry Tourney and Ball unfolds and Helena’s skills earn her favour with Lord Gerold Lannister.
22AC - Lord Gerold Lannister recognising her many talents picked her up to be one of the primary serving women in his House. His eye for artistic endeavours endeared him to her enough for a comfortable place as a favoured bard, painter, educator, and common court woman.

28, 0 years ncb, not named on any other cars.
I was planning to buy my first car and was looking to buy a used car upto 15k, a small hot hatch or saloon, and for example, checkd a quote for 120d. I was quoted 4.5 - 5.5k for comprehensive insurance.
I am currently renting in N18, which might definitely be high up on the dodgy postcode list. However, I am moving to South London/Kent soon.
With those insurance prices, I have changed my mind and am thinking of buying an old car under 5k with 3rd party insurance which I will never claim.
How much difference does postcode make to the insurance providers? Should I consider moving first and then applying?
Are there any other ways to reduce your premium?
Does the car make a difference? If you consider Hyundai Santa Fe and Skoda Octavia vRS of the same price - would the quotes be any different?
How much were you paying after 1-2 years of ncb?
Thanks in advance.

Something special has happened that makes GPT4o feel far smarter even though it doesn’t have the audio modality yet.
The generator is like INSANELY good at following instructions now. If you write text the majority of time it will get it right. You can ask for different fonts and sizes. You can ask to remove certain elements only from an image. You can ask to keep the same subject BETWEEN images. You can ask to rotate objects in 3D space. You can ask it to fix the mistakes in the last generation. It feels like it knows exactly what I want. In that sense it already feels way smarter.
Has me so pumped for voice. This is truly what sama meant when he said GPT4 is by far the dumbest. True multimodality is far closer to general intelligence than an LLM alone.

Hi all, im planning to sell my wildtrak ranger and buy something different as i dont need to drive a 4x4 whilst working in an office and it just costs way too much to run (i drive about 800-1000km a week).
I was in the market to buy some SUV but debating what to go for. I was interested in getting something around 25k and under but i wouldnt mind getting a nice sedan as well (camry etc).
What are some suggestions that i could buy? I was considering a kia sportage or rav4 but im not sure how reliable they are. I want a petrol model car, not a fan of diesels anymore.
Thanks all

I have finally been able to catch her lives the last few days where before i wasnt able to watch themdue to her having several different accountsand not knowing those accounts plus just being a mom and well life ya know. I haven't watched her in several several SEVERAL months, Well between last night and tonight omggggggg she is sooooo damn rude!! I don't remember her being this rude before! Maybe she was?? Even in active addiction i was nice and appreciative of anything i was helped with no matter where or who it came from (food from food pantries , money from relatives , help with bills from churches). This world is so hard to live in with the cost of everything now days!! She gets mad when people send a $1 and doesn't even tell people thank you!! She's absolutely horrible!!! I'm also confused as to why people still send her $$$ knowing she's in active addiction , has lost her son , and isn't doing anything to help herself?? Sorry for my little rant I'm just disgusted by her actions tonight. There's so many people that would be grateful to receive that $1 , a meal door dashed, a Walmart order, any kind of help and yet here she is acting that way! Crazy thing is I've seen this with other scammers on tiktok as well. They aren't grateful for any help they receive no matter what it is! It's truly disgusting 😠!

I don’t know what to do but I’m at end right now. I love my boyfriend. He’s the love of my life but he’s an alcoholic and he has bipolar. We currently live together. When he’s sober he’s the most wonderful boyfriend anyone can ever ask for. He’s super good to me and amazingly sweet but when he drinks he turns into a completely different person. He starts insulting me, blaming me and yelling at me at sometimes. It really hurts. When he sobers up the next day he often doesn’t remember what happens and he apologizes to me a lot then he would take me out to a nice dinner or something to make up for it. He would say he’s sorry and he won’t drink anymore but we’ll go out and he’ll get one drink then one drink turns into 5. Its process starts all over again. It’s breaking my heart. When he drinks his bipolar episodes happens more often where he yells at me.
2 months after we moved in. He stopped drinking for months because he wanted to be better and he did. He stopped drinking and started getting into healthy habits and exercising. He was sober for 6 months. The bipolar episodes decreased dramatically and our relationship was going amazing. Until he got appendicitis he got surgery after 2 weeks he was able to walk again. The doctor says he wants him to stay a few weeks before going back to work physically. He’s in IT so he’s been working from home. He’s been going a little stir crazy so been doing little things like going out to eat or going to the park. Around the 3 week. He wanted to see his brother DJ and he asked if he could have one drink. He just wanted a little and he said he wouldn’t go back how he used to. I didn’t see the harm since it’s been so long and it was fine he only had 2 drinks and he was done. Well the next day it didn’t end with that. Then he wanted more. He started leaving and meeting his friends at the bar everyday. He came home drunk everyday. He kept saying “this is the last time or the end of the week I’ll stop.” It’s been 5 weeks now he’s been drinking everyday. I don’t know how to talk to him about it. He’s extremely stubborn and I don’t know what to do
I always wanted to talk about my mental health. I’ve been in and out of therapy for a while now. Even before we got together. I deal with anxiety and lately depression only when my bf drinks. When he doesn’t drink I’m happy and focused on my career. All I can think about is doing better so I can help build a better relationship to head to our goals to travel and get house.
Before we got together I was dealing with an abusive partner and I called the cops on him when he finally laid his hands on me. When I was in therapy I hated it and often found it didn’t do much for me. Only one therapist helped me and sadly I couldn’t see her anymore because I ended up moving back to my home state to be with my bf.
Honestly I’m just tired. I love my bf I’ve always loved him. We met when I was 17 and he was 20. We met when I was visiting a different city 3 hours away from mine with my friends. We started a long distance relationship a month after we met. He used to visit me at my home city all the time. He was my first love. I ended up breaking up with him because it was too much. He was a drug addict and had bipolar episodes were really bad. It torn me up to break up with him. My friends kept saying “it’ll get better or you’ll better off without him.” Everything that was supposed to make me feel better made me feel sick. We still stayed in contact because I didn’t have the heart to cut him off. I have always been the “good girl” growing up but I was so heartbroken I started getting in trouble drinking, smoking and hanging out with different crowd. Later on me and bf went out separate ways. I got into different relationships. So did he. I still never stopped thinking about him and I missed him. No longer relationship felt the way it made me feel. What’s crazy is that we never even had sex while we were dating. He was always respectful about it. 4 years after our break up I finally stopped missing him but he still had a special place. Throughout the years he would randomly message or call me. Asking me how I was doing or asking for me back. I would love talking to him and I would tell him no since I didn’t want to go through what I did before. Throughout the years I just battle through anxiety and some depression episodes. I’ve been on and off antidepressants as well.
I got back with him because we started talking again but this time it was different. We’re in our early thirties now. We just kept talking about our lives and how we were doing. He changed and matured a lot. He ended up very successful and stopped using drugs. We kept talking and he told me he never got over me. He missed me and wanted me back. I told him I didn’t how to feel about him and took a few days but I found myself having those old feelings resurfaced again. We got back together and I moved in with him.
I still don’t regret my decision but I find myself super depressed when he under the influence. Sometimes when I get like this I find myself wishing I wasn’t alive. I never told any of my friends or family this because I don’t want them to see him as a bad person and I don’t want to bother people with my problems. I don’t tell friends or family because all they’re going to say is “ you deserve better” and literally that makes me feel awful because I don’t want to hear it. I hate when they say that it puts me into a fit of rage.
If I leave him I know I won’t handle it well and probably go into a state of extreme depression where I may want to harm myself. I often think about it when he says he doesn’t want to be with me anymore when he’s drunk. I never tell him that or anyone else. I use to have an emotional support dog that would help me regulate my depression but he passed away 2 months ago from lymphoma. Now I feel like I don’t have anything or anyone to live for. I find myself wishing I wasn’t alive. Being jealous of that Dutch girl before scheduling her euthanization because of her mental health. Probably one of the peaceful moments of my life was ODing at music festival. I thought I was dying and I was completely okay with it. The only thing I was worried about was my dog and who will he have if I wasn’t around. But I ended up waking up in the med tent alive feeling a little disappointed that I didn’t pass. I’m so tired. I’m so sick of therapy, antidepressants and “supportive words” I just want everything to just stop. Sorry I just wanted to get it all out and I don’t know what else to do.

Hi, if there's a different sub to post this please let me know.
There is a hill in my small town that gets a fair amount of traffic when people are going to and from work; Passenger cars up to semi-trucks. It is a residential area on the main street in the town. Whenever I see people backing out of their driveways onto the road or kids crossing the street it seems like just a disaster waiting to happen as the cars coming over the hill can't see what's happening and have to slam on their breaks or frequently swerve part way into the on coming traffic lane to avoid the kids or cars. It's in Maine as well so you can imagine what it's like with icy roads as well.
Are there any traffic safety devices to maybe go on top the hill and gives incoming traffic a heads up on road conditions on the other side or maybe let people backing out know they have to wait?
I have an AV installation background and my mind started thinking of possible solutions like a large outdoor commercial display hooked up to a camera pointed down the hill. Or maybe a modified radar speed sign set to like 10mph with a large flashing red light on the other side of the sign up on top the hill so people will know not to back out.
Anyways, I'm probably over thinking this but it would be nice to know if there's some websites out there for products that the town might buy ir collect donations for.
Thanks.

So yeah, after having been with the company for some time, I got the short end of the stick. I kind of felt that it would happen sooner or later with all the other recent layoffs. Anyways, I'm looking at what is required of me, and honestly, it's a lot of stuff in a short amount of time where I'm already engaged in some heavy work. Pretty much seems they want me out. After some emotional outbursts and some crying sessions, I had a talk with my siblings. They initially said to try and tough it out, but as time went on, they changed their opinion, that I should just take the money and go. At least I felt better after talking with them.
Even with 5 business days to think about it, I could have signed it today to leave now, but I got stocks vesting in a few days, so I definitely want to wait until they vest before the signing. I had looked up a few things regarding my other benefits and such, and while I get paid for all the unused vacation time I have, I don't for PTO, Sick, etc. I do feel like just using PTO this week until my stocks vest, then signing to get the severance and heading out, but I also don't want to feel like a jerk to my teammates because we're currently in some major projects. Still, I'm already on my way out by Amazon's placement of me on PIP. If I use my PTO now, I technically get paid for it and won't get additional stress, but then I sort of end up screwing people over that did nothing to me.
If I were to use my PTO like this, could they make a case where they could cancel those stocks soon to be vested? And is there anything else I should look into before signing?