Welcome to our first discussion of David Copperfield! This week, we will discuss Chapters 1-5. The Marginalia post is here. You can find the Schedule here. The discussion questions are below.
One reminder - although this is a classic novel that has been adapted many times over, please keep in mind that not everyone has read or watched already, so be mindful not to include anything that could be a hint or a spoiler for the rest of the book or for other media related to this novel! Please mark all spoilers not related to this section of the book using the format > ! Spoiler text here !< (without any spaces between the characters themselves or between the characters and the first and last words).
Links of Note:

• Goodreads page
• Storygraph page
• Rockingham Castle and Mr. & Mrs. Richard Watson: Dickens dedicated this novel to the Watsons (link has minor spoilers for Bleak House)
• A David Copperfield Map (zoom in to click on individual locations - beware of potential spoilers, though)
• Get your own Dickens character name! Use this automatic generator or go by your birthday.

Chapter Summaries:
Chapter 1 - I Am Born: David Copperfield launches into the retelling of his life story with that famous line that questions whether he or someone else will turn out to be the hero of his life…but we’ll just have to read the whole thing to find out! Immediately we are let in on the unusual circumstances of David’s birth, which is suffused with superstition, causing the town gossips to speculate wildly. He was born on a Friday night near midnight, which of course means that he’ll have an unlucky life and be visited by ghosts and spirits. (I mean, would this even be a Victorian novel without some ghosts? David assures us that he’s yet to be haunted, though.) He was also born with a caul (inside the amniotic sac) which means he’ll be safe from drowning. This is apparently such great news that they advertise the caul for sale after his birth, but only get one hit on Victorian Craigslist, so they hang onto it until they can put it up for a raffle several years later. David says he remembers that raffle and found it super weird to watch a piece of himself get sold off, which, fair! He does note that the old lady who won the caul died in bed and not by drowning, so I suppose it was worth it?
Anyway, back to David’s birth! His father had been dead for six months on the night of his birth, and his mother was a terrified teenager living alone with Peggoty, her servant-girl, so called because they share the same first name. One Friday afternoon in March, his mother was hanging out by the fire and pondering the likelihood of dying in childbirth, when a formidable woman named Betsey Trotwood showed up at her door. Miss Betsey was his father’s aunt and she loved Mr. Copperfield, but hated her abusive husband, who she paid off to go to India and leave her alone. It worked - he died there! On the night in question, Miss Betsey literally pokes her nose into Mrs. Copperfield’s window and then demands that the pregnant lady get up to let her in. Being a force of nature, she takes charge of the room right away, criticizing the Copperfields’ choice of home (a rookery with no birds?) and making somewhat disparaging remarks about Mrs. Copperfield’s history as an orphan and a nanny. She also declares that the baby will be a girl and demands to be the godmother and namesake so the new Betsey Trotwood (Copperfield) can undo all the mistakes of Great Aunt Betsey’s life. Mrs. Copperfield goes into labor and Miss Betsey stays by the fire, plugging up her ears with cotton. She spends some time mildly abusing Ham Peggoty (the servant’s nephew who was hanging around the house to carry emergency messages) and generally ignoring the doctor. Said doctor, Mr. Chillip, is a gentle man but speaks so slowly that Miss Betsey almost throttles him. When he congratulates her on the birth of a BOY, she smacks him upside the head with her bonnet and leaves immediately, never to darken the Copperfields’ door again! Welcome to the world, David!
Chapter 2 - I Observe: David Copperfield relates some of his early impressions of life: his memories of creepy pantries, stuffy parlors, boring church services, and a loving home. His mother is young and beautiful in these memories, and Peggoty is beautiful to him in her own way (though she insists she is not). One day, Davy's mom shows up with a stranger who walks her home and - gasp! - touches her hand! Davy immediately dislikes this black-bearded, dead-eyed interloper and Peggoty seems to like him even less. He falls asleep while his mother is swooning over her new admirer, but when he wakes up his mom and Peggoty are having a big fight. Peggoty says the new man is bad news and Mr. Copperfield would never approve, while Davy's mom says Peggoty is being unfair and heartless. When all she does is sacrifice for Davy, doesn't she deserve some attention and excitement?! All three of them end up crying, and things are never quite the same between the trio again.
Davy's mom continues to see this man, Mr. Murdstone, who rides up one day and invites Davy to take a little trip with him to see a yacht. Peggoty gets him ready in a huff, and you can just tell this is the Victorian era version of riding on the irresponsible boyfriend's motorcycle without a helmet. Davy gets to meet some friends of Mr. Murdstone and watch them do a bunch of paperwork on the yacht. They also make fun of him, comment on how hot his mom is, and make him drink brandy. Since Davy is a little kid, he thinks they're having a grand time. When he later tells his mom they complimented her looks, she is quite thrilled. And then a few months later, Peggoty invites Davy to go with her to visit her brother for a fortnight. She talks up the trip so Davy will be excited, but it's clear she's worried. Davy wonders how his mom will fare all alone, but Peggoty assures him she will stay with a neighbor. (Lies!) Mr. Murdstone is there to see them off and he has … opinions … about how emotional Davy's mom is during the goodbyes. I'm with Davy when he wonders why it's any of this guy's business in the first place. In retrospect, Davy reflects that he wishes he had known he was leaving something behind forever and he is glad that he and his mom had a touching moment full of love as his carriage pulled away.
Chapter 3 - I Have a Change: Davy endures a very boring journey across flat countryside towards the sea to get to Peggoty’s family in Yarmouth. When Davy complains, Peggoty defends her hometown, as a proud Yarmouth Bloater. (Here's some bonus reading: a Victorian-era article about bloaters.) Davy is won over when they reach the busy fishing town and he gets to see the Peggoty home: it is a boat that has been converted for living, and he thinks it is pretty perfect. It turns out to be a full house due to the generous nature of Mr. Peggoty (original Peggoty's brother). Just don't mention said generosity because it makes him super mad. Mr. Peggoty has taken in the orphaned children - Ham and Em'ly - of his drowned brothers, as well as Mrs. Gummidge, the widow of his fishing partner. Davy's fortnight with the Peggotys is full of happiness. He explores the seashore with Em'ly and falls in love with her. They bond over never knowing their dads, although Em'ly wishes she were a lady in the same class as Davy. Davy reflects that given what he knows of her future life, it might've been better if Em'ly drowned that day by the sea. Dark! Mrs. Gummidge often has melancholy moods where she cries all day and declares she has it worse than everyone else, but the family kindly chalks it up to mourning for her husband and assures her they don't want her to go off to the poorhouse and die.
As the visit draws to a close, Davy realizes he has quite forgotten to miss his home and becomes eager to see his mother and Blunderstone Rookery. Yet when they arrive, Peggoty pulls him into the kitchen nervously. She really botches the delivery of her big news because Davy first thinks his mother may have died and then, when she tells him he has a dad, imagines Mr. Copperfield may have risen from the dead. But she brings him to the parlor to greet his new step-dad: it's Mr. Murdstone, of course. Mr. Murdstone proves himself to be a real downer, kicking things off by correcting Davy's mom (who we discover is named Clara) for jumping up too enthusiastically at her son’s arrival. Davy sneaks away to find that his house has completely changed and the yard has acquired a mean, black dog that snaps at him.
Chapter 4 - I Fall Into Disgrace: Davy has fallen asleep crying after the discovery of his mother’s marriage, and when Clara and Peggoty wake him, his mom blames both Peggoty and Davy for his despair. Mr. Murdstone comes up and dismisses them both so he can be alone with Davy. He explains that if he had a stubborn animal, he’d beat it until it obeyed, strongly implying that Davy had better change his attitude or else. Things get pretty grim for Davy after this. He is kept isolated from both his family and neighborhood children. Mr. Murdstone’s sister, Jane, comes to live with them and immediately takes over Blunderstone. Clara is given no say in household matters: even the keys are kept by Miss Murdstone and, when Clara protests and weeps at being pushed aside, the Murdstones manipulate her into apologies and submission. When the family goes to church, Peggoty is no longer invited and the Murdstones keep Davy and his mother apart; Davy also notices that the family seems to be the subject of much whispering and staring from the community.
Davy’s days are miserable. He is often locked up alone in his room, where he loses himself in his father’s old stash of novels and uses this escape as a survival mechanism. (This collection of novels was taken straight from Dickens’ own childhood, according to his biographer John Forster.) When allowed out of his room, Davy endures lengthy, difficult lessons in the parlor. He suspects the lessons are meant as much to teach his mom the Murdstone tradition of firmness tyranny as they are to educate him. No matter how hard Davy tries, he cannot seem to remember the lessons under such severe supervision. Davy is belittled as stupid for his mistakes and boxed on the ears with his books by Mr. Murdstone. When Clara tries to help Davy at one point, Miss Murdstone catches her, and both Clara and Davy are in a good deal of trouble. Clara is chastised, Davy is removed from the room, and the next day’s lessons are overseen by Mr. Murdstone with a cane and switches. This goes about as well as you would imagine: in his terror, Davy makes more mistakes than ever and is dragged from the room by Mr. Murdstone. To her credit, Clara does protest and try to run after them (unsuccessfully). Mr. Murdstone wields his cane and switches, but Davy bites his hand in an attempt to wriggle away. He then beats Davy severely and leaves him locked in his room for five days. During his imprisonment, Davy sees only Miss Murdstone who brings him meager meals and allows him short walks in the garden each morning and family prayers in the evening, before locking him away again. At the end of this punishment, which feels like years to Davy, Peggoty sneaks to his room to whisper through the keyhole that he will be sent to boarding school in the morning. She tells him his mother isn’t very angry with him, only disappointed, and begs him to remember her and her love for him. She promises to look after Clara and they both vow to write to each other. Davy asks to be remembered to Em’ly and the other Peggotys.
The next morning, his mother expresses her disappointment in his behavior and her hope that boarding school will reform him; Davy seems to realize she has been coached to believe the worst of him. He chokes down a little breakfast before his coach arrives, and Clara steals one unsupervised moment with him to say goodbye affectionately. Then, they are parted, and Davy is on his way to boarding school. It’ll surely be a harmonious and supportive learning environment. Right? Right?!?
Chapter Five - I Am Sent Away From Home: Mr. Barkis, the carrier driving Davy on the first leg of his journey to school, pulls over not too far away from the house. Who should appear out of the bushes but Peggoty! She silently hugs Davy until she pops some buttons of her dress (one of which Davy keeps), hands him some cakes, and slips him a note from his mother that includes two half-crowns. Davy shares a pastry with Mr. Barkis, who asks a lot of questions about Peggoty’s relationship status and cooking skills. He asks Davy to write Mr. Barkis is willin’ in one of his letters to Peggoty, which Davy does at the next stop. As he waits in Yarmouth for the stagecoach to London, Davy eats lunch at a hotel restaurant where he is grifted by the waiter. This unscrupulous man tricks Davy into giving him his ale, most of his food, and some of his money. The rumor goes around that Davy has the appetite of a boa constrictor, making him too nervous to eat at the next stop for supper. Wedged between two men and with a woman’s luggage stuffed underneath him, Davy spends an uncomfortable night in the stagecoach as it approaches London. He finds it strange the next morning, after all the snoring and moaning he witnessed, that the adults insist they were unable to sleep a wink!
Upon arriving at the station in London, there is no one to collect him. Waiting in the office, Davy begins to worry that he will be turned out of the station at night, run out of money and starve, get lost walking home, or have to offer himself as a soldier or sailor (though he knows he is too small for that). Finally, a rather scrawny man - who Davy assumes is the Master of Salem House School - arrives and takes Davy the rest of the way. Weak from lack of food and sleep, Davy begs to stop so he can buy breakfast, and the man takes him to the home of a poor woman (presumably his mother) to cook the provisions they purchase. The man plays the flute very badly as Davy begins to eat, but soon Davy has fallen asleep. He wakes to hear comments of “delicious” which he assumes refers to the man’s music, but I bet indicates they were eating Davy’s breakfast. They continue on to Salem House, where a man with a wooden leg lets them in and throws old boots at Davy’s escort, who turns out to be Mr. Mell, an employee of Mr. Creakle, the school proprietor. Salem House is dilapidated, dirty, and deserted. Davy wonders where everyone is and Mr. Mell informs him that Davy has been sent to school during the holidays as punishment. Another punishment: Davy must wear a sign on his back identifying him as a biter, which makes him increasingly paranoid that someone is always behind him reading it. (Probably not.) He also worries that the students, whose names he can read carved in the doorpost, will all make fun of him for it when they return. (Probably true!) Mr. Mell, an odd man with various ticks, doesn’t pay much attention to Davy, but neither is he mean. We get another ominous reference to the future in that Davy says he dreads the return of boys like J. Steerforth and the presence of “the awful Mr. Creakle”.

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I have been trying to get seen for a while bc I have been incredibly stressed at work to the point it's debilitating half the time. I wholeheartedly think it is to do with the nature of my job. It's high demand, high stress but on top of that, our leadership has gotten incredibly toxic which makes it that much more unbearable. I used to have a wildly different job that I was never truly stressed doing, found very interesting, and was able to care for my emotional and physical well being with my left over energy after work so I know it's possible to feel that way.
I went in trying to learn how to cope with a shitty situation. The typical things like lowering workload or taking vacations don't work for my career so I went to this person trying to figure out how/if i can work on managing my work in a way that would allow me to have energy at the end of the day to take care of myself. Just figure out if there's a way for me to feel like a person again while still doing this job or if I need to change careers.
She is embedded in my company as a benefit for us and her purpose is to help my coworkers with issues and notice trends to fix large scale issues. She told me that many people in my work center are seeing her for the same thing - burn out, so I know it's not just me that's the issue.
During our sessions, however, she is trying to have us do EMDR but keeps stopping it, saying that I haven't chosen the right negative cognition.
She made me delve into what my negative cognition is two times now. She again stopped EMDR bc I had one positive thought about myself and how I'm doing what I can under bad circumstances.
It's getting to the point where in each session it's starting to feel like she is trying to convince me something is wrong with me.
She's trying to find the fight negative cognition and I don't understand why I can't have conflicting thoughts. Like yes I might not feel like I'm doing enough and that I'm a pos, but why is it that if I also believe logically that I am doing enough and my coworkers don't think I'm a piece of shit that it can't be the right cognition? I'm a naturally positive person so I consistently have thoughts that combat my negative ones when I realize they're being problematic, but that doesn't mean that the negatives arent largely outweighing the positive.
I do not relate to the negative cognitions entirely because they are worded as though I am the problem and I do not believe I am the problem. I believe the problem is my environment and she agrees with me but then continues to tell me to pick the correct cognition even though I have chosen the closest possible right answer.
So I'm spending my off time reading "I am shameful, I am not good enough, I am a bad person, etc." trying to convince myself that one of them fits entirely with no holes. Convince my self that I believe I am unlovable or whatever the cognition is.
I don't understand what she wants from me. Am I the fucking issue here? Is she being too nitpicking? I feel like it's hurting my mental health to consistently think deeper into why I think I might be inadequate and for her to tell me that I'm wrong in thinking that's the correct cognition after I have one positive thing to say about myself.
TLDR; I feel like my therapist is trying to convince me that I'm the issue rather than my environment.

I formerly worked FD for several hotels, and when I did, we had no problem doing a last minute credit card authorization (even one where the guest was standing at the check in counter).
Fast-forward to my new job where I book last minute hotel stays for folks who have been displaced from their homes due to weather disasters, fire, flooding, etc.
Due to the nature of the circumstances (and the fact that I work the overnight shift) it is not uncommon for me to get a call at 1am from an insurance company, for someone who needs a hotel room immediately.
These rooms are paid for on a company VCC and we always call the hotel if it's after midnight.
I have been rather surprised at the number of hotels that have refused to allow us to pay with a credit card authorization without 48hrs-1 week advanced notice.
How common is this at the hotels you work at? Is it a brand requirement or something set by the owners?
And are there any suggestions for how an exception can be made? These are generally reservations booked for 1-2 weeks min, and we ALWAYS pay our bills.

I’m entering my junior year of college. I attend a small liberal arts school so it’s pretty common to see the exact same people every single day whether that be in dining halls, classes, or clubs…especially once you settle into your major. I have made a total of two close friends. While I have other associates that I wave to every day, I don’t feel close with any of them or comfortable with initiating conversations with them as I don’t know them that well. I also fear an awkward encounter as during the few times I have initiated conversations with a select few of them, they just acted in a manner indicating that they really didn’t feel comfortable speaking with me leaving me feeling embarrassed that I even tried to initiate conversation.
When I first established my two close friends in my first year, I prioritized my friendship with them and not meeting as many people as possible. Ultimately, I settled into a group as soon as I met them because I expected us to love each other and be completely close for the next four years. However, after a few disagreements over the last year and a half, I’m not so sure I care for their company anymore. After knowing them for two years I’ve noticed the little things they do that just slightly piss me off. I won’t get into full detail but I’m referring to the judging they do whenever I tell them about something happening in my personal life and how I reacted and the branching off together without me that just seems to naturally happen in groups of 3.
I stay friends with them and keep talking with them because I feel as though I have nobody else and it’s far too late into college to make friends as everyone has actually settled into their groups. Is this true? Is it really too late to make new close friends at this point?

Dear Vanessa,
I'm writing this again because I don't feel I did justice to it--or you--the first time around. While it's true that we--you, your brother, and I--had a tough time being babysat within that family (you know the one I mean, or at least you would if you were reading this), I don't want our trials with them to be the sole focus of this letter. Even if you never see it, I'd much rather focus on our friendship and the feelings it still inspires in me to this day.
It started off a bit rough, I know; I said some things very thoughtlessly, not intending to come off mean. I think a fair number of my issues in early childhood stemmed from this fact--yet in spite of this, you and I still bonded. Maybe it was our mutual misery to start with, but I believe our friendship would have found its footing either way.
I remember we used to talk about Sailor Moon, good-naturedly arguing over what the theme song's lyrics were (you were one of very few friends I could gush over it with. I think Sailor Venus was your favourite because to this day, even though I no longer watch the dub, I still associate you with her). I remember we'd pretend to be them sometimes, imagining their powers as our own. We talked about other things too, of course, played other games and banded together when things were tough. However bad things sometimes got, I always saw in you an ally.
The last time I saw you was before you moved away. I came to your house, and we played Super Mario World while saying all the things we could never say at the babysitter's; expressing all our frustration over how we'd been treated, and our mutual relief that at least you and your brother wouldn't have to suffer their cruelties and disregard anymore.
I missed you a lot after that. I thought about you often, missing yours and your brother's company, and I admit some of it was selfish; I won't go into all the reasons why, but suffice it to say I really missed having someone to commiserate with.
I admit I felt left behind back then, and often wondered where life took you in your new town: if you had made friends easily, if you and your brother flourished and had a real chance to be happy and grow without being stifled. I hope you did, and that your life has gone on to be prosperous and fulfilling ever since.
I sometimes wonder if you remember me, if you ever think of me with the same fondness as I do you--but if you didn't, if you put that entire time period behind you, I certainly wouldn't blame you, either.
I think in many ways, you (among very few others) formed the building blocks for the type of friendship I most wanted and needed. While I've had friends throughout my life, precious few have matched what I had with you (and one other girl in particular) in childhood. The steadfastness, the simplicity of it all, the arguments that burned out as quickly as they started, the forgiveness that came so easily... I wish friendship between girls was always like that.
In sum, your friendship set the bar pretty high for me, and I can count on one hand how many female friendships I've had to match it. Hell, ANY friendship, for that matter--but admittedly, female friendships have always been the hardest for me.
Maybe that's why, whenever I think about my struggle to form strong, meaningful bonds, you're one of the few people I think of to this day.
So I want to thank you, Vanessa. Thank you for giving me your friendship, even when I made it difficult. Thank you for standing beside me, for speaking out when things were at their worst, and offering silent support when you couldn't. Thank you for giving me memories to look back on, for being so wise beyond your years, for being someone to look up to, even though we were the same age, for being brave, assertive, yet kind.
Thank you for simply being. Wherever you are, whatever you've done and continue to do, I wish you all the best.
I will always remember you well.
Sincerely,
S.

I’m in my late 20s and my partner is 30M, his friends are 30-32M and their girlfriends/fiancees/wives are prob like 30+F. They were all a tight knit group until people started planning weddings and getting married etc. I get how that would just naturally change things and also just growing up and dynamics changing so I didnt think much of it. The ladies have always been a little “ladies who lunch” who wish so badly to be a country club trophy wife (but none of them are… and I thought well yes, a lot of us arent nor do all of us want to be??). They are very obsessed with keeping up with the jonses and do the whole “only hang with a group just one on one” thing which has always been odd to me bc its just hard to coordinate with like 3+ couples from a logistical standpoint! I find their conversations to be boring (always about people their wedding, husband, kid, house… how they want to be a SAHM but they cant so theyre upset about it, not being able to afford a house so asking husband to work harder lol, expensive memberships/vacations/purchases etc) just bullshit i dont liek to engage in. Im 28 (really not that much younger) and they always say “oh, youre so young you have time to figure it out” and I thought it was weird how that was “noticed” ?? They bore me and rub me the wrong way so I stopped going to events unless it was a big one like a wedding or my bf really wanted me to go with (he doesnt like the girls either so he usually goes to guys nights).
After I became disconnected, one of them literally made up rumors about me hahahaah and spread it and my bf shut it down and confirmed it was not true but I just laughed at how juvenile the situation was. They refuse to go to dinner with us but they only want 6 people to go on someones boat or 10 people to go to a birthday party where everyone pays for their own tab/services (bowling, golf, ticketed event). Another one tells me God wants me to have kids (gross) and how “your mind will change when youre older” ( HIGHLY doubt that a 2 year age cap would make that huge of a difference but okay).one couple joined a yacht club and invites people every weekend (and if you say no, they will ask someone else after 5 minutes haha) and they will not do anything other than the yacht club (maybe bc its pre paid?) or brunch at the country club. Not my scene and I get motion sickness and I hate golfing so I just dont go bc why would I waste my time and Energy haha and they decline dinner invitations. I get that we all work and are busy and are looking to try to save money in this economy. They then complain they cannot afford to buy a house bu then the wife will say “oh but you know we’ve been working with loan office and realtor and” and its like okay but its been 2 years of this just dont even bring it up if you cant afford right now bc most of us cannot? Then she will say they found a bigger and nicer home to rent for 4000$ (WTF more than a mortgage!). Like an hour outside the city we live in (fine but dont tell me you flush 4k down the toilet every month and cry about the country club and no house. She will say snarky things to her husband if he says they are saving money and say “but you have to pick ONE country club for us still” and it makes me so uncomfortable bu also I judge them for over sharing haha My bf said he thinks that the girls are offended I dont take interest to their invites and what they have and he thought it was funny. It is funny but also kind of a wtf moment
I do not think I’m better than them but I realize how different we are? We all legit grew up in the same county, went to a network of private schools, and this area is very affluent and our parents worked HARD but no one is really the 1% in the group. I moved home with my family bc I was in grad school last year and I am a nurse so I’m literally busy dealing with other people’s crap/personal problems all week so I dont have time to deal with other people’s personal crap on my off days. They’re so appalled that I work a job like that when they all work as well (respectfully, we all work in traditionally pink collar woman jobs like I’m a nurse, the others are admin assistants and teachers so its not like any of us are climbing the corporate ladder) I went to school out of state so I have a lot of wonderful friends who live all around the east coast so they visit here or i sometimes visit them. My job, friend group, is completely different from all of theirs and they all went to school in state and never left. Our lifestyles are different, and im focused on career right now and not marriage and boat/countryclub/vacation/designer bags at this moment. A few of them are genuinely really nice and some are fun at times but in small doses. The yacht girl had an accident and needed urgent surgery on her arm so i reached out and offered to drop off groceries or meal prep company since they have food allergies inthe house and she responded as if she was offended “no its fine my husband just will buy us something every night bc we live new a lot of new restaurants now” HAHA
Not that I’m particularly pressed, I know they will prob stick around since we are talking about getting married. How do you respond to mean girls? Are they jealous? Do I continue to be unbothered? Do i reach out to show I dont hate them? Kill them with kindness? Fly under the radar? Clap back? I take it that mean girls don’t change after 30 either

Dear Reddit:
I have a question I want to ask at the Comcast (CMCSA) 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, but I became aware of this question as a result of subscribing Comcast Business service for my home office, far too late to ask it at the upcoming meeting. I purchased my one share on May 30th, but it had to be in my name as of April 1st for me to have the right to ask this question myself at the meeting.
I think, if you read on, you will find the question I want to ask with my one share rather juicy, and quite well developed. It’s a shame I will be unable to ask it, but, it occurred to me, why not ask Reddit? Surely someone will see what I see and ask away.
I didn’t plan this. I didn’t set out to be a gadfly. I just ran into it. As a customer. This would have been my first gadfly, but, also, I just want this question asked. I asked a few friends who might appreciate what I’m trying to do, but no one had a share to sign over proxy on.
My only regret is, to make that possible, I have to post this before the meeting, which will give them time to prepare. This would have been my first gadfly, and I’m giving advance notice to the Board, simply to get the question asked, because I happened on this as a customer.
So, reddit, you want to ask my good one for me?
Here’s the story, the question, and the supporting documentation is linked below it, all sources cited:
I very recently signed up Comcast Business for my home office. See, I needed a static IP address. And, residential service doesn’t offer that. So, I was willing and prepared to double my bill for that block of IPs.
But, there was a wrinkle. I had to take two services I didn’t want – Connection Pro, and WiFi Pro – as part of the promotional package. The list price for these totals $44.90 per month ($14.95 WiFi Pro, $29.95 Connection Pro). But, that’s okay, because they’re provided free of charge.
I made it clear my needs did not include storefront / public place WiFi / large office building WiFi, and said that Connection Pro might be interesting, but needed details on how it works. I was told there’s a 30 day satisfaction guarantee if the Connection Pro didn’t work out.
Turns out it can’t be used with Static IPs, and that is literally all I subscribed this service for.
Now, I had tried to refuse these services when I signed up. I said, they’re free? Fine, why don’t you give me the same package without them, but at the same price, then I don’t have to store your gear, or carry insurance on it, or have liability for its safekeeping, and I don’t have services Provisioned in my name no one’s using, like an LTE IMSI tied to my name.
They couldn’t do it. So, I called up threatening to cancel, and asking them to pull them off to save my business. Still can’t do it.
I can either double my price, to an over-market absurdity, or I can take the services, and store the equipment. They said a lot of folks are just not using them. From the sound of it, they get a lot of pushback on this, and they have standard ways of explaining the bulk nature of the offering. It’s like Costco.
Except one thing didn’t make sense. This isn’t revenue. The services are free for the duration of the contract. And, I can cancel them before I start to get charged, as long as I do it on contract expiry day, and as long as I maintain their equipment safely for them. If I do not return the equipment, it’s $150 per device, for a total of $300.
This got me thinking…. That’s a lot of money for equipment to generate no revenue, not even realistic future revenue, being paid for on every single new account, clearly over the marketplace’s objections.
Not only did this strike me as absurd, but I can tell (subjectively) they get pushback on it a lot.
Now, if we just go by the no-return fee, that’s $300 of equipment, on $207 per month revenue (1.25 GB, high end service, excluding static ips, but otherwise inclusive of any equipment fees).
That’s the 1.45 months of the shareholder’s revenue down the toilet in equipment expenditures, to, again, not actually increase actual cash in the door, as customers are being forced to take this stuff for free even when they don’t want it.
I was unable to source the actual cost of the hardware or MSRP, so the most reliable figures I have are Comcast’s replacement price. I did ask ChatGPT for an estimate, and two bounds, given varying discounts to that estimate. Those bands are included in the supporting spreadsheet, and you can replace those numbers with any values you have, if you have better data, to see the ROI figures. Again, the figures I base this analysis on are the Comcast provided replacement charges.
The ROI is 6.68 months on just the list price for the two services, today, which is basically almost never actually billed to a customer. ($44.90, as detailed above, is the revenue figure there.)
How do the shareholders benefit from buying all this gear no one wants and forcing it upon literally every account?
This led me to a wicked speculation, and a question I do not know the answer to. In three parts.
Are these bundled services used to establish any financial metrics that the Board relies upon for financial reporting purposes? If so, could you clarify how these metrics are calculated and their impact on reported figures?
Is there a possibility that these promotional items and services are factored into executive compensation packages? Specifically, are performance metrics that influence executive bonuses or incentives linked to the inclusion of these services?
To what extent do either of these two sets of metrics factor in revenue excluding term-limited promotional pricing, which this model would fall under?
So, reddit, I have to ask, as this is my first time, and I’m basically just a pissed off customer, do I have a live one here?
I’ve never gadflied before, but I would like to see the termination of this practice.
I am told the directive comes from the Marketing silo, and no one has the authority to do anything about it anywhere else in the company.
I believe the Board should be asked this question, because I simply do not see how this reflects the fiduciary interests of shareholders.
My evidence can be found at the following links:
Spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fJGBPc-XGnIS9SH3Abm1ozmpyaDUss\_AnRpVh3HXukQ/view
Source for revenue figures: https://youtu.be/KJ4LyuqM\_fI
Source for cost figures: https://youtu.be/yJMJyTUBpJM?t=655s
All this information is based on figures communicated directly to me in my capacity as a Comcast customer by Comcast itself.
Again, really just a customer with a home office who’s really annoyed.
But, I think there is a valid shareholder concern here, and I encourage someone to ask these questions at the meeting. I didn’t find out in time.
If you get an answer, I still have two weeks to decide if I want to keep my service.
Sincerely Thanks,
Aubrey Ellen Shomo
Financial Disclosure: I own one share of Comcast, CMCSA, purchased for $38.78 on May 30, 2024 at 2:57 PM ET. I have a financial interest in a non-publicly-traded Comcast competitor. I do this analysis, and ask this question, as an individual Comcast Business Customer, paid from my own pocket, and speak only for myself. I am not representing my employer, and my statements reflect my personal views and experiences only. Check my work.

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The Self Deprecation Argument: If I was gay, then I would make comments where I express resentment towards myself for being gay. Which I haven't.
The Clarity Argument: If I deny being gay, that doesn't mean that I'm doing so because I'm gay myself, but because I want to clear up misunderstandings.
The Lifespan Argument: If I came out as gay, then my family and friends would bully me, but I wouldn't get killed. So what am I afraid of?
The Silence Argument: How can I be gay if I didn't know what LGBTQI2+ was before I was exposed to it in 2020. If you argue that I'm scared of being bullied, then that wouldn't matter because all the conflicts I've been through, both physical and digital pass by.
The Genuine Concern Argument: What if I hate gay people not because I'm projecting, but because I genuinely believe that LGBTQI2+ people are insane? I would show genuine concern towards them because of both secular and religious arguments against LGBTQI2+.
The Loneliness Argument: What I pursued heterosexual relationships in the past because I was yearning for company, and not because I want to deny being gay?
The Venting Argument: If I had internal conflicts about my own sexuality then I would vent to my online friends since the majority of them support LGBTQI2+. You may argue that if I do, they would attack me for it, but most social media platforms support LGBTQI2+. So why haven't I vented?
The Transparency Argument: If you argue that I don't vent to them because I want to keep my problems private, then that would be invalid because I'm always transparent to my friends about the problems I have.
The Bravery Argument: How am I scared of being gay if I'm not scared of doing things that have been traditionally considered feminine, like drawing art?
The Dark Humor Argument: What if I use homophobic language because I'm male and males find it funny to use provocative language?
Lack Of Substances Argument: How can I be an internalized homophobe if I have no access to any substances at home? Even if I did, these substances would be hidden in a place that's hard to reach. And even if I did reach them, I would have no idea how to use them, and I would never be able to figure out how because search engines and chatbots would not tell me how to take recreational substances.
Mentally Sane Argument: I have been accused of having Anxiety, Autism, Mania, Depression, ADHD, DID, and Narcissism. But I discovered that I didn't have any of these conditions. What if people are just accusing me of suffering from homosexuality?
Bromance Argument: How am I scared of being gay if I had close relationships with my male friends?
Normal Life Argument: How am I self-annihilating myself if I want to go to university, graduate, get a job, get married and have children?
Familiarity Argument: How am I distancing myself from LGBTQI2+ if I know most of the LGBTQI2+ flags, as well as certain terms and history?
Religious Dilemma Argument: How am I in conflict with my religious beliefs if I am more likely to get mad at God for not doing what I wanted instead of crying because God doesn't accept me for being gay?
Natural Disposition Argument: What if I'm disgusted by gays because it goes against nature?
Simply A Bigot Argument: What if people are simply overthinking things when I'm just a bigot?
Imperfection Argument: How could I be an internalized homophobe if I embrace imperfection?
Healthy Stomach Argument: How can I be an internalized homophobe if I have never been diagnosed with any eating disorders?
I have disproved all of the major arguments for me being an internalized homophobe. All other arguments for me being an internalized homophobe are simply variations of the major arguments. If you still believe I'm an internalized homophobe, you're wrong.

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Prenatal Yoga Classes: Take part in gentle yoga sessions designed specifically for expectant mothers. These classes are led by experienced instructors who understand the unique needs of pregnant women, providing a safe and nurturing environment to practice yoga. Meditation Workshops: Engage in guided meditation sessions that promote relaxation, stress reduction, and emotional well-being. Learn techniques to quiet the mind and connect with your inner self, enhancing your overall sense of calmness and peace. Safety First: Rest assured knowing that our accommodations prioritize safety for expecting couples. From non-slip mats in the bathroom to easy access to emergency services, we have taken every measure to ensure a worry-free stay. 

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Prenatal Yoga Classes: Take advantage of the calming benefits of prenatal yoga classes offered at these nature retreats. Stretch and strengthen your body while also connecting with other expectant parents. The gentle movements and breathing exercises will help alleviate any pregnancy discomfort and promote a sense of inner peace. Babymoon Photography Sessions: Capture the precious moments of your babymoon with professional photography sessions amidst the stunning natural landscapes. These photographers specialize in capturing intimate moments between you and your partner, creating lasting memories to cherish forever. Safety is our Priority: Rest assured that safety is a top priority at these serene nature retreats. From well-maintained trails for leisurely walks to comfortable accommodations that prioritize cleanliness, every aspect is designed to ensure a worry-free babymoon experience. 

I've been reading up on what supplements I need to take for my immune system to settle this flare up and I've landed on this community. There is so much information. Is Lion's Main good or not? Can I get a link of what you recommended I take for best results? I'm currently taking 350 mg ashgawanda, vitamin D3, omega3 (all Nordic Naturals), zinc 50mg and Vitamin c. I just heard about "Turkey Tail" today, what is this exactly and should I add it to my supplements? I've also read that sugar feeds HPV, does anyone know if natural sugar from fruits applies to this?

Paradigm Biopharma (PAR) is seeking a harmonised in USA and Europe Phase 3 for Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium (PPS), a naturally based molecule that's been around for 70 years. Currently in pill format treating the condition of Interstitial Cystitis, PAR seeks to treat the huge market of Osteoarthritis both Symptomatically and Structurally.
They have already passed two Phase 2's with flying colours and an immaculate safety record and are currently putting in a revised protocol for their Phase 3.
The drug is already deemed to be Fast Tracked by the FDA indicating that the authority is agreeing that the results to date are exemplary. There aren't too many Australian companies that have had a FT designation to date.
Get an FDA approval and this stock will jump
The beauty of the molecule is that it is multi modal (acts in a number of distinct different ways). OA is a complex all encompassing disease of the joint (such as knees and hips). Many other drugs are single targeting and have side effects. Pentosan being a naturally based sugar, plays an integral role in many different ways to derive the great efficacies observed so far.
Currently the share price (listed on the ASX under the symbol PAR) is low, bargain basement low...actually possibly into the foundations low...the market is assuming they will need dilutive capital to fund the P3. While this is true, there are other ways to source capital that are not as dilutive or non dilutive. Admittedly it is harder and will take some time. Once more milestones are reached, this process becomes easier.
One to watch out for in the next few months and years. It's certainly a longer play, it's deemed to be a speculative play but for those that can endure the wait, it's a great one for your early watch-list as well as your start-with-a-toe list.
One toe at a time...
Next time I'll cover more on OA and exactly how this drug works and acts and why exactly I think it has a huge amount of scope.
Cheers
Mozzarc

If you've been pursuing deliverance, you may have heard the term alters and wondered what they are. Put simply, alters are false helpers that we have created to deal with traumas and life in general. How do we create alters? Through an evil spirit called the spirit of mind control, or the octopus spirit. This spirit "helps" us by giving us the power to create alters.
When people go through trauma, especially childhood trauma, they can develop severe mental health problems like PTSD or BPD. Trauma can break our psyche and destroy our natural ability to cope with the problems and issues of life. The evil spirit of mind control wants to help us with that. It does this by giving us the ability to compartmentalize the trauma and push it away from us by creating alters. This is what an alter is, which is a false helper that stands between us and the trauma and keeps it from hurting us. The more alters you create, the more dependent you become on a system to do life. Instead of relying on God, you rely on your system to handle all of lifes issues, even creating alters on the fly to help you with a myriad of situations.
You could look at alters like a spiritual AI program that is operating in the background and managing a trauma or problem by compartmentalizing it for you. When something threatens to bring it to the surface, like a trigger from a person or situation, that false helper arises to "protect" you. You may notice this effect when you feel threatened, that something that is different from you rises up inside of you and defends you. Or when you are dealing with a problem or with stress, that you go into a different mode which feels automated. In this mode or separate track you aren't totally in control and the emotions you feel are often harsh and uncomfortable, but it will get the job done. Some people have multiple of these going on at the same time, some for work, some for relationships, some for making decisions, etc. This is what I call the False Helper System.
What this looks like depends on the person and the traumas involved. An alter can be like wearing a different suit of clothes, or a different mindset, all the way up to a full fledged alternative personality that you interact with in an internal world. Whatever this may look like, it boils down to being a system of false helpers that you use to manage your life. You may be doing this completely unconsciously but the end result is that you aren't ever able to heal or move on from your problems because you are have compartmentalized them and blocked them out, suppressing memories and relying on a system to manage all of it.
This is often why deliverances get to a certain point and stop. That is because while you may have dealt with the sins and curses you haven't addressed the system you created. You are still relying on something other than God to do life which traps you in a web you can never get out of. You may even love and cherish your alters and not want to get rid of them because they keep you company and make you feel better. This is just happiness in slavery because using the alters keeps you enslaved to the spirit of mind control. The alters are his pawns that he uses to control your mind, which is the ultimate goal of this spirit. He uses them to lock you into cycles of sin, guilt, pain, depression, anxiety, fear and torment.
Alters are not a good thing, and they are bent toward evil. If they are conscious they do not want the person to be free of them and they will lie, manipulate, distort, or even work directly with the devil to maintain control. They are also open doors for every kind of evil spirit. A deliverance that doesn't deal with the false helper system will leave open doors for demons to come back in.
So how do you deal with this confusing problem? Number one, by repenting of receiving help from, and being in agreement with the spirit of mind control. Repenting of using the power of this spirit to create alters and managing your life through the false helper system you created. Only then as the head and not the tail can you take authority over the alters, dismiss them and give them to Jesus to be taken away. Relying on anything other than God is idolatry, so you will need to repent of the pride of self reliance and the idolatry of it. Ultimately, creating alters is rebellion against God and that is the sin of witchcraft according to 1 Samuel 15:23.
Get alone with the LORD and pray for Him to reveal the alters you have been depending upon in your life. Think about times of stress and difficulties where you may notice the switching taking place. Write down all of the alters that have been revealed by name, like the work alter, the decision making alter, etc. They may even have their own names, or take your name in a different form. Like if your name is Jim you may have a child alter named "little Jim". Catalogue all of these alters and then come before the LORD with this prayer:
Heavenly Father, I come before your throne in a time of need according to Hebrews 4:16. I admit that I have created a system of control that relies on false helpers to manage my life. I repent of this sin of self-reliance, idolatry and witchcraft. I renounce the spirit of mind control that I gained this power from, and I repent of using this power to create alters. I bring a wall of the blood of Jesus between me and the spirit of mind control and I divorce it in the spiritual realm and serve it an eviction notice. I take authority over the spirit of mind control according to Luke 10:19 and I now command you to leave me immediately, you wicked spirit of mind control, and I sever all of your tentacles from my life and being and cast them away from me in Jesus name. Go to the pit now and never return in Jesus name. I now bind and break the power of mind control over my life in Jesus name.
I now invite the true HELPER, the Holy Spirit, to now take control of my mind and give me the mind of Christ according to 1 Corinthians 2:16. With the authority of Jesus Christ and the blood of Jesus I now dismiss every alter from service and take back the part of my soul they have occupied. As the head and not the tail, I command every alter personality to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior as I have, and I turn them over to Jesus now for Him to deal with how He sees fit. I break the power of the false helper system over my life and my reliance upon it. Lord GOD cleanse me of all of the effects of these alters on my body, soul and spirit by the blood of Jesus.
I ask now for Jesus to fully inhabit my body as His holy temple, filling every room and chamber of my body with His blood and Spirit. I release every buried memory and trauma to Jesus. I ask Jesus to come personally into every suppressed memory, taking away its power over me and the pain and trauma of it, and to heal my mind completely of all fragmentation. I ask Jesus to unite my heart to fear His name according to Psalm 86:11. Please heal me of all of the effects of fear, anxiety and trauma has had over my life, in Jesus name.
This is a good prayer to get started but often these things are in layers and we have to pursue deliverance long term to get totally free. Changing from relying upon a system to relying upon God isn't easy, but God is here to guide us through that process by His indwelling Spirit through whom God has promised to quicken our mortal bodies in Romans 8:11. Please post testimonies and questions in the comments.
2 Corinthians 3:1 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty
John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Ephesians 2:12 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ

So I (24M) met this girl (25F) near my workplace about 9 months back. We hit it off instantly. Both of us had recently gone through breakups and found comfort in each other's company. Over the past 9 months, we've grown incredibly comfortable with each other and have started getting physically intimate as well. Hugs and kisses felt natural and comforting.
However, recently we decided to explore dating each other and see where it leads. A few days ago, we started making out more passionately, even reaching second base. The problem is, it doesn't feel particularly exciting. It's almost too natural. There's no electrifying feeling when we're making out. She mentioned that when I touch her in sensitive areas, it feels like we've been doing this for years, and the same goes for me.
Usually, whenever I say emotional stuff to her, or slowly kiss her on the cheek, she gets wet. Thus she says she has phases like this before where nothing really turns her on, but not for me, I've never had an encounter with such a feeling.
We're confused about what's wrong. We want to explore this aspect of our relationship fully, but we're struggling to find the excitement. Could it be that we're so emotionally connected and comfortable with each other that the physical aspect isn't as thrilling anymore.
TLDR - My girlfriend and I have a strong emotional connection, but making out doesn't feel particularly exciting or arousing. Is our comfort with each other dulling the physical spark?

I need advice on how to feel/what to do/not to do besides the obvious that shouldn't need to be mentioned.
Basically I'm going to a wedding in a month and she asked if she could go so ofc I said yes. She's a friend I met online through mutual friends, insanely awesome but extremely introverted. Sadly I'm getting feelings for her and I don't know how to bottle them up. I'm terrified I'll say something stupid and the last thing I want to do is ruin a relationship with a best friend. She blatantly said no matter what she'd be happy in my company and even be fine if we shared a room together. I made sure to get separate rooms because I want her to be comfortable and have some privacy (shes been sharing her room for years) I don't know what type of advice I'm asking for, maybe something I could plan for us as a date/something to get sparks going? or even advice on a mental exercise to just keep it to myself? We'll be together for about a week near the country side so there's a bit we plan on doing already like capitalizing on nature or just watching movies through the night.
The wedding also involves a handful of online friends but not really mutual ones so I'll almost be forced to be by her side especially since she's introverted, I don't want her to feel left out.
She loves cats/animals (she manages a pet store), small little Mexican, loves nature, her favorite flower is tge alstroemeria, and even dinosaurs! Like actually. She constantly works out and on herself and I'm freaking out because I'm just a 5'8 white guy that weighs 130 soaking wet and broke. I got hit with every level of depression and anxiety over the past few years even started balding because of stress or at least id like to believe it's stress and I was not expecting something like this to happen. I was actually more then content with being by myself for the wedding and relationship wise after a terrible experience with an ex so now I'm fighting feelings I thought I could not get. I just need a tip, maybe someone to tell me to chill TF out. There's also almost zero indicators that would suggest she likes me so there's that. Our relationship originally started without me hearing her voice for 2 years. That is NOT an exaggeration or a joke.
If you've had experience with this sort of stuff, what happened? How did it go and what went wrong if anything? I understand everyone's different but to hear SOMETHING would be amazing.
Sorry for the book, I just need someone to help direct my anxiety or a wall to just vent to.