Declamation pieces the visit
Stoner Engineers
2011.06.29 14:16 pegasus_527 Stoner Engineers
You give a few pot heads a bunch of weed and nothing to smoke out of and they suddenly become engineers. It's amazing.
2016.09.13 15:16 Ineverforgetmytowel Femme Lesbians
A sub for lesbians of the femme persuasion and those who love them. Lurk, laugh, and love the ladies with the long locks (and insensible footwear). Discuss all topics related to femme and feminine lesbians, just remember to keep it civil and be kind! Whether your trans, non-binary, like to wear skirts or pants, sneakers or heels, any and all types of femme lesbians are welcome!
2008.04.02 19:46 United Kingdom
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2024.05.16 06:05 BottleSoggy2401 Yearning for a Brighter Memory of Mom: My Wish
I wish for a better memory of my mom
Losing a parent at a young age leaves an indelible mark on one's memory. I was just 8 years old when my beloved mom passed away from uterus cancer at the tender age of 44. Those final three years of her life were spent amidst the sterile halls of hospitals. I was only 5 when she was active and looked like my mother, but after cancer took over, she no longer resembled herself. As a result, I don’t remember her much.
There are only two things I remember very clearly about my mom and me. One time, when a relative came to visit my sick mother, bringing fruits and sweets, I remember eagerly pleading with her to let me try a snack. However, she patiently held off until our guest had departed, and then she threw all the snacks across the room, getting very mad.
Another memory, tinged with mischief, revolves around a misdeed I committed just before her passing, either the day before or a couple of days before. I did something naughty or bad, and her reaction was swift and stern, asking my older brother and sister to catch me and beat me very badly.
These memories are all I have left of her—a few pieces of a life cut short. It's painful to admit that I struggle to recall even the contours of her face, relying instead on faded photographs to conjure a semblance of her presence. Whenever I feel sad or lonely, especially anything related to mothers, I just look at a photo of her with my father when she was young.
I wish I had a better memory, or at least that she would come to me in my dreams. The worst part is, she doesn’t even appear in my dreams. And as I navigate the winding path of grief and remembrance, I hold onto the hope that one day, her presence will grace my dreams, offering comfort in the darkness.
In my longing, I ache for real connections to her memory. I want cherished moments on video, snippets of her laughter, and activities we did together, all preserved forever. I yearn for a collection of memories, a treasure trove of moments frozen in time, to ease the pain of her absence.
submitted by BottleSoggy2401 to u/BottleSoggy2401 [link] [comments]
Losing a parent at a young age leaves an indelible mark on one's memory. I was just 8 years old when my beloved mom passed away from uterus cancer at the tender age of 44. Those final three years of her life were spent amidst the sterile halls of hospitals. I was only 5 when she was active and looked like my mother, but after cancer took over, she no longer resembled herself. As a result, I don’t remember her much.
There are only two things I remember very clearly about my mom and me. One time, when a relative came to visit my sick mother, bringing fruits and sweets, I remember eagerly pleading with her to let me try a snack. However, she patiently held off until our guest had departed, and then she threw all the snacks across the room, getting very mad.
Another memory, tinged with mischief, revolves around a misdeed I committed just before her passing, either the day before or a couple of days before. I did something naughty or bad, and her reaction was swift and stern, asking my older brother and sister to catch me and beat me very badly.
These memories are all I have left of her—a few pieces of a life cut short. It's painful to admit that I struggle to recall even the contours of her face, relying instead on faded photographs to conjure a semblance of her presence. Whenever I feel sad or lonely, especially anything related to mothers, I just look at a photo of her with my father when she was young.
I wish I had a better memory, or at least that she would come to me in my dreams. The worst part is, she doesn’t even appear in my dreams. And as I navigate the winding path of grief and remembrance, I hold onto the hope that one day, her presence will grace my dreams, offering comfort in the darkness.
In my longing, I ache for real connections to her memory. I want cherished moments on video, snippets of her laughter, and activities we did together, all preserved forever. I yearn for a collection of memories, a treasure trove of moments frozen in time, to ease the pain of her absence.
2024.05.16 05:51 satgurus-gift-online Tips to use home decor items to decorate a modern home
The modern home is more than just a place to live in today's fast-paced society; it's also a haven, a showcase for one's particular style, and the centre of modern living. A contemporary home's decor should embrace simplicity, clean lines, and practical design while adding warmth and character. Adding handmade home decor items and wall décor options online for your space can be the best option.
Here are some ideas to help you create a contemporary and welcoming ambience, whether beginning from scratch or giving your home a makeover.
Satguru's is your one-stop shop for home décor and ideas on what to give your loved ones as gifts. This online store prioritises quality above all else, so you can be sure you'll receive the best. Visit Satguru's and check out some of its excellent home decor collections online.
https://satgurus.com/collections/decor
submitted by satgurus-gift-online to u/satgurus-gift-online [link] [comments]
Here are some ideas to help you create a contemporary and welcoming ambience, whether beginning from scratch or giving your home a makeover.
Types of modern home décor items to decorate and design your home
Spice up your living room, bedroom, and home corners with a few choice pieces that reflect your style.- Modern Colourful Horse Bust by Satgurus: Handmade goods frequently have slight variances, inconsistencies, and defects that are testaments to the artistry of their makers. Accept these distinctive qualities as a part of their innate beauty rather than defects. This colourful, trendy horse statue gives any room a pop of colour and modern flair.
- Ambari Elephant with Stone Work By Satgurus: Presenting the magnificent Ambari Elephant statue skillfully carved by Satguru’s using stone craftsmanship. This item, which was expertly crafted, features beautiful stonework that would elevate any area. A distinctive and striking touch can be added to a modern home by decorating it with an elephant statue.
- Shivaji Maharaj On Singhasan in Black by Satgurus: In the sixteenth century BC, Shivaji Maharaj, a courageous Maratha monarch, defended the western regions of India against the Mughal invasion. Introducing the Shivaji statue on Singhasan.
- The Namaskaram - Yoga Series 2022 by Satgurus: One excellent would be to add calm and awareness to your home is by decorating it with a Namaskar yoga statue. These exquisite sculptures, which frequently show someone in the classic namaste stance, can be arranged throughout the house to create a relaxing atmosphere. To give your area a unique touch, try your hand at some of the specially crafted, hand-painted ceramic statues.
Winding Up
Achieving the ideal balance between form and function, sophistication and simplicity, minimalism, and personality is crucial when decorating a modern home. There are several home decor shops in Mumbai, but decorating your home with decor items from Satguru's is the best option. You can also shop online and get your items home-delivered.Satguru's is your one-stop shop for home décor and ideas on what to give your loved ones as gifts. This online store prioritises quality above all else, so you can be sure you'll receive the best. Visit Satguru's and check out some of its excellent home decor collections online.
https://satgurus.com/collections/decor
2024.05.16 05:46 smolboiweeb How do I bring myself to act?
I am fresh out of high school, and have been working part-time for half a year. I intend to go to college soon, but before I do there are so many things I need to both think about and actually do. However, bringing myself to do these things is always so difficult.
I've been trying to get my drivers license, and I know that I want to do something related to tech in college. But bringing myself to drive can be so difficult, as I simply don't enjoy it and it always put me on edge. I'm running out of time on my learning permit, and this is not the first time. I fear that by the time I have enough experience to be comfortable, I'll have made some unreversible mistake. My parents are really wanting me to hurry and get my license, and then from there I can drive myself to college and whatever comes to my life after.
However, even with college, the idea of what I want to do is so vague. With a mixture of that and feeling as if I should look into areas of learning beforehand, I feel as if I am underprepared for it. I know I should do preparation before I just show up one day lost. I know I should get my drivers license so I can worry less about transportation and so I wont have to worry about it for a long time to come. But I can't bring myself to actually sit down and act on it. To look up courses at the college I intend to visit. To go on practice drives with my parents. To try driving on the highway for the first time.
I don't know if its fear of change, trouble going out of my comfort zone, or whatever it might be, but I want to act on changing it. I also know that this wont be the last time I feel this way and that I struggle with this problem. It merely happened to occur with these two pieces of my life. I want to do what I know will help me in my future, I am merely unsure of how to act on it and take the first step. Sorry if this is confusing at all, and thank you to anyone who can offer even a single word of how to go about it.
submitted by smolboiweeb to DecidingToBeBetter [link] [comments]
I've been trying to get my drivers license, and I know that I want to do something related to tech in college. But bringing myself to drive can be so difficult, as I simply don't enjoy it and it always put me on edge. I'm running out of time on my learning permit, and this is not the first time. I fear that by the time I have enough experience to be comfortable, I'll have made some unreversible mistake. My parents are really wanting me to hurry and get my license, and then from there I can drive myself to college and whatever comes to my life after.
However, even with college, the idea of what I want to do is so vague. With a mixture of that and feeling as if I should look into areas of learning beforehand, I feel as if I am underprepared for it. I know I should do preparation before I just show up one day lost. I know I should get my drivers license so I can worry less about transportation and so I wont have to worry about it for a long time to come. But I can't bring myself to actually sit down and act on it. To look up courses at the college I intend to visit. To go on practice drives with my parents. To try driving on the highway for the first time.
I don't know if its fear of change, trouble going out of my comfort zone, or whatever it might be, but I want to act on changing it. I also know that this wont be the last time I feel this way and that I struggle with this problem. It merely happened to occur with these two pieces of my life. I want to do what I know will help me in my future, I am merely unsure of how to act on it and take the first step. Sorry if this is confusing at all, and thank you to anyone who can offer even a single word of how to go about it.
2024.05.16 05:27 Jonboy_25 The Hebrew Prophets do not prophesy about Jesus, Christianity, or anything still to come in our time.
For thousands of years, and to this day, Christians of various kinds have tried to demonstrate the truth of Christianity by claiming that Jesus was prophesied about specifically in the Hebrew Scriptures. It is argued that Jesus fulfilled these prophecies about the Messiah in the OT and, therefore, is the promised one. Only Jesus could've fulfilled these Messianic prophecies, so they say. Additionally, Christian theology, building off the NT paradigm of quoting the OT, has claimed that the OT looks forward to the founding of Christianity and the formation of the Church.
What this post will argue is that this is anachronistic and that Christians are incorrect in their claims about the OT. The OT prophets do not look forward to a supposed Messiah figure who would arrive hundreds of years later in 1st century Roman Palestine or that this Messiah figure would crucified and raised from the dead. Nor do they prophesy the establishment of the Christian religion. Instead, the OT looks forward to an imminent, glorious, material restoration of ancient Israel meant to happen in their day, not centuries later when Christianity was founded. Nor is the OT looking forward to supposed events that have yet to happen, like the second coming of Jesus or a future restoration of the land of Israel. These were supposed to happen in ancient Israel but did not occur.
Before I begin, I would like to say that this is the consensus of biblical scholars and historians. This is not just my opinion or the opinion of secular skeptics. All critical scholars of the OT, including Jews, Christians, and non-religious ones, agree that OT needs to be understood in its ancient Israelite context. They agree that these texts and oracles are not about Jesus or the Church. If you want to read an excellent scholarly resource, I highly recommend John J. Collins, Introduction to the Hebrew Bible, 2018. He is a leading OT scholar at Yale and a Roman Catholic. The New Oxford Annotated Study Bible is also a beneficial resource, giving a critical scholarly introduction and notes to the Hebrew Bible.
For this post, I will look at some of the principal prophetic literature of the OT. I cannot analyze every single relevant passage.
Let's examine Isaiah 7:14, a passage often misconstrued as a prophecy about Jesus. In reality, it's not a prophecy about the Messiah at all. The passage states, 'Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son and shall name him Immanuel.' This is not about a virgin giving a miraculous birth. The word used here is 'almah ', which simply means young woman. If Isaiah intended to convey that this woman was a virgin, there was a word for that, 'betulah '. Matthew's use of the Greek translation of Isaiah 7:14, which is a mistranslation of the Hebrew, as a prophecy about Jesus's virgin birth is a misinterpretation. The context of Isaiah 7 is an oracle of consolation given to King Ahaz, promising him a sign through the birth of a son that Jerusalem will be preserved from the Assyrian crisis.
'For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. The Lord will bring on you and on your people and on your ancestral house such days as have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah—the king of Assyria. On that day the Lord will whistle for the fly that is at the sources of the streams of Egypt and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria. And they will all come and settle in the steep ravines and in the clefts of the rocks and on all the thornbushes and on all the watering holes. On that day the Lord will shave with a razor hired beyond the River—with the king of Assyria—the head and the hair of the feet, and it will take off the beard as well.'
So, Isaiah 7:14 refers to the Assyrian crisis in the 8th century BCE and the preservation of Jerusalem, not events that occurred hundreds of years later. Matthew's misquotation of the OT is a clear example of misinterpretation. It's quite ironic and even amusing that the most famous and well-known prophecy about Jesus's virgin birth, cited every year at Christmas, is quite literally not about that. This highlights the importance of understanding the historical context and the original intent of the texts.
There is a cluster of oracles in Isaiah 9-11 that Christians cite as a prophecy about Jesus. But when we look at the context of Isaiah 7-12, we see that these are about the restoration of Zion and the re-establishment of a Davidic king who would rule in the ancient Near East in Israel, not in 1st-century Judea.
Let's look at some of the famous passages.
'For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders, and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Great will be his authority, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.' 9:6-7
This is not a prophecy about Jesus. The text presupposes that this son is already born and will fulfill this vision in Isaiah's day. Again, the passages surrounding this one set the historical context for fulfillment in the ANE. This Davidic King would preside over the physical restoration of a united Kingdom of Israel and the unification of the twelve tribes.
'On that day, the remnant of Israel and the survivors of the house of Jacob will no longer lean on the one who struck them but will lean on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God. For though your people, O Israel, were like the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will return.' 10:20-22
'On that day, the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious. On that day, the Lord will again raise his hand to recover the remnant that is left of his people from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the coastlands of the sea.' 11:10-11
The King, through Yahweh, on that day will also,
'raise a signal for the nations and will assemble the outcasts of Israel and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. 13 The jealousy of Ephraim shall depart; the hostility of Judah shall be cut off; Ephraim shall not be jealous of Judah, and Judah shall not be hostile toward Ephraim. 14 But they shall swoop down on the backs of the Philistines in the west; together, they shall plunder the people of the east. They shall put forth their hand against Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites shall obey them.'
So, it's clear what these oracles were intending to describe. Isaiah predicted that after the Assyrian crisis of the 8th century BCE, Yahweh would raise up a Davidic ruler who would preside over a literal Israelite Kingdom that would become the dominant power of the ANE. This was expected to happen in the ancient world, but it did not occur. The historical context of Jesus and the first-century Church is not the fulfillment of these oracles. These oracles are failed. Isaiah's vision of an eternal, glorious Israelite Kingdom did not come to pass.
Jeremiah 29:10 promises that after 70 years, the Jews will return from the Babylonian exile, and God will restore Israel to its former glory.
'For thus says the Lord: Only when Babylon’s seventy years are completed will I visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then, when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, says the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.'
This never happened historically. Yes, some of the Judeans in exile did return to Israel. Israel was rebuilt with the help of the Persians. But, this was not the glorious restoration predicted by the prophets. Israel would continue to be dominated by foreign powers until the establishment of the secular state of Israel in 1948, which, of course, has no relevance to this ancient oracle. Further, while some Judeans did return, this promise of a gathering of Jews from all the nations did not happen. After the Assyrian and Babylonian conquests, Jews have remained permanently dispersed in the diaspora. This is another failed oracle. It cannot be interpreted exegetically as being fulfilled in the 1st century with Jesus and Christianity.
More famously, however, is Jeremiah's prediction of the establishment of a 'New Covenant.' (31:31) Christians see this New Covenant as being fulfilled in the Church, and indeed, the New Testament frequently refers to the New Covenant being fulfilled in the Christian community and Jesus's work. However, the historical context of this passage is surrounded by a cluster of oracles in chapters 30-31 that were meant to be a consolation to ancient Israel. The passage itself is clear that this is not talking about Christianity or events hundreds of years later, but is a word of consolation to Jews who experienced the Babylonian conquest:
'The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.' 31:31
What is the context?
'At that time, says the Lord, I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people.' 31:1
'The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when the city shall be rebuilt for the Lord from the tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate. And the measuring line shall go out farther, straight to the hill Gareb, and shall then turn to Goah. The whole valley of the dead bodies and the ashes and all the fields as far as the Wadi Kidron, to the corner of the Horse Gate toward the east, shall be sacred to the Lord. It shall never again be uprooted or overthrown.' 31:38-40
'For the days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will restore the fortunes of my people, Israel and Judah, says the Lord, and I will bring them back to the land that I gave to their ancestors, and they shall take possession of it' 30:3
Then, it is clear what prophesy about the New Covenant means. It's about the imminent restoration of the ancient Kingdom of Israel and its ascent into power and glory. Again, these oracles remained unfulfilled and precisely falsified.
'But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who is one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.' 5:2
What is the historical context of this oracle? Again, the context of the chapter and the book is Israel's restoration and the Israelite kingdom's imminent establishment.
'Then, the remnant of Jacob, surrounded by many peoples, shall be like dew from the Lord, like showers on the grass, which do not depend upon people or wait for any mortal. 8 And among the nations the remnant of Jacob, surrounded by many peoples, shall be like a lion among the animals of the forest, like a young lion among the flocks of sheep, which, when it goes through, treads down and tears in pieces, with no one to deliver. 9 Your hand shall be lifted up over your adversaries, and all your enemies shall be cut off.'
On that day, says the Lord, I will cut off your horses from among you and will destroy your chariots; 11 and I will cut off the cities of your land and destroy all your strongholds; 12 and I will cut off sorceries from your hand, and you shall have no more soothsayers; 13 and I will cut off your images and your pillars from among you, and you shall bow down no more to the work of your hands; 14 and I will uproot your sacred poles\)g\) from among you and destroy your towns. 15 And in anger and wrath I will execute vengeance on the nations that did not obey.
What about this future King? Again, I find it amusing that Christians cite this text to show that Jesus fulfilled it. It shows they have not read and understood the historical context of the oracle. The text goes on to say that this King will conquer the land of Assyria, the land of Nimrod.
Micah 5:5–6
'When the Assyrians come into our land and tread upon our soil, we will raise against them seven shepherds and eight rulers. They shall rule the land of Assyria with the sword and the land of Nimrod with the drawn sword; he shall rescue us from the Assyrians if they come into our land or tread within our border.'
submitted by Jonboy_25 to DebateAChristian [link] [comments]
What this post will argue is that this is anachronistic and that Christians are incorrect in their claims about the OT. The OT prophets do not look forward to a supposed Messiah figure who would arrive hundreds of years later in 1st century Roman Palestine or that this Messiah figure would crucified and raised from the dead. Nor do they prophesy the establishment of the Christian religion. Instead, the OT looks forward to an imminent, glorious, material restoration of ancient Israel meant to happen in their day, not centuries later when Christianity was founded. Nor is the OT looking forward to supposed events that have yet to happen, like the second coming of Jesus or a future restoration of the land of Israel. These were supposed to happen in ancient Israel but did not occur.
Before I begin, I would like to say that this is the consensus of biblical scholars and historians. This is not just my opinion or the opinion of secular skeptics. All critical scholars of the OT, including Jews, Christians, and non-religious ones, agree that OT needs to be understood in its ancient Israelite context. They agree that these texts and oracles are not about Jesus or the Church. If you want to read an excellent scholarly resource, I highly recommend John J. Collins, Introduction to the Hebrew Bible, 2018. He is a leading OT scholar at Yale and a Roman Catholic. The New Oxford Annotated Study Bible is also a beneficial resource, giving a critical scholarly introduction and notes to the Hebrew Bible.
For this post, I will look at some of the principal prophetic literature of the OT. I cannot analyze every single relevant passage.
Isaiah
The Book of Isaiah is among the most popular books in ancient Judaism and Christianity. I could be wrong, but I believe it is the most cited book in the NT after Psalms. This is relevant to this discussion because Christians cite many passages in Isaiah, believing them to be predictions about Jesus. This precedent is set in the NT, for example, in Matthew's or Luke's gospel. However, Jesus/Christianity is not prophesied in the book. Instead, Isaiah predicts the imminent restoration of the Kingdom of Israel and the gathering of the twelve tribes.Let's examine Isaiah 7:14, a passage often misconstrued as a prophecy about Jesus. In reality, it's not a prophecy about the Messiah at all. The passage states, 'Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son and shall name him Immanuel.' This is not about a virgin giving a miraculous birth. The word used here is 'almah ', which simply means young woman. If Isaiah intended to convey that this woman was a virgin, there was a word for that, 'betulah '. Matthew's use of the Greek translation of Isaiah 7:14, which is a mistranslation of the Hebrew, as a prophecy about Jesus's virgin birth is a misinterpretation. The context of Isaiah 7 is an oracle of consolation given to King Ahaz, promising him a sign through the birth of a son that Jerusalem will be preserved from the Assyrian crisis.
'For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. The Lord will bring on you and on your people and on your ancestral house such days as have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah—the king of Assyria. On that day the Lord will whistle for the fly that is at the sources of the streams of Egypt and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria. And they will all come and settle in the steep ravines and in the clefts of the rocks and on all the thornbushes and on all the watering holes. On that day the Lord will shave with a razor hired beyond the River—with the king of Assyria—the head and the hair of the feet, and it will take off the beard as well.'
So, Isaiah 7:14 refers to the Assyrian crisis in the 8th century BCE and the preservation of Jerusalem, not events that occurred hundreds of years later. Matthew's misquotation of the OT is a clear example of misinterpretation. It's quite ironic and even amusing that the most famous and well-known prophecy about Jesus's virgin birth, cited every year at Christmas, is quite literally not about that. This highlights the importance of understanding the historical context and the original intent of the texts.
There is a cluster of oracles in Isaiah 9-11 that Christians cite as a prophecy about Jesus. But when we look at the context of Isaiah 7-12, we see that these are about the restoration of Zion and the re-establishment of a Davidic king who would rule in the ancient Near East in Israel, not in 1st-century Judea.
Let's look at some of the famous passages.
'For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders, and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Great will be his authority, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.' 9:6-7
This is not a prophecy about Jesus. The text presupposes that this son is already born and will fulfill this vision in Isaiah's day. Again, the passages surrounding this one set the historical context for fulfillment in the ANE. This Davidic King would preside over the physical restoration of a united Kingdom of Israel and the unification of the twelve tribes.
'On that day, the remnant of Israel and the survivors of the house of Jacob will no longer lean on the one who struck them but will lean on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God. For though your people, O Israel, were like the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will return.' 10:20-22
'On that day, the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious. On that day, the Lord will again raise his hand to recover the remnant that is left of his people from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the coastlands of the sea.' 11:10-11
The King, through Yahweh, on that day will also,
'raise a signal for the nations and will assemble the outcasts of Israel and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. 13 The jealousy of Ephraim shall depart; the hostility of Judah shall be cut off; Ephraim shall not be jealous of Judah, and Judah shall not be hostile toward Ephraim. 14 But they shall swoop down on the backs of the Philistines in the west; together, they shall plunder the people of the east. They shall put forth their hand against Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites shall obey them.'
So, it's clear what these oracles were intending to describe. Isaiah predicted that after the Assyrian crisis of the 8th century BCE, Yahweh would raise up a Davidic ruler who would preside over a literal Israelite Kingdom that would become the dominant power of the ANE. This was expected to happen in the ancient world, but it did not occur. The historical context of Jesus and the first-century Church is not the fulfillment of these oracles. These oracles are failed. Isaiah's vision of an eternal, glorious Israelite Kingdom did not come to pass.
Jeremiah
There are two passages in Jeremiah I would like to discuss.Jeremiah 29:10 promises that after 70 years, the Jews will return from the Babylonian exile, and God will restore Israel to its former glory.
'For thus says the Lord: Only when Babylon’s seventy years are completed will I visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then, when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, says the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.'
This never happened historically. Yes, some of the Judeans in exile did return to Israel. Israel was rebuilt with the help of the Persians. But, this was not the glorious restoration predicted by the prophets. Israel would continue to be dominated by foreign powers until the establishment of the secular state of Israel in 1948, which, of course, has no relevance to this ancient oracle. Further, while some Judeans did return, this promise of a gathering of Jews from all the nations did not happen. After the Assyrian and Babylonian conquests, Jews have remained permanently dispersed in the diaspora. This is another failed oracle. It cannot be interpreted exegetically as being fulfilled in the 1st century with Jesus and Christianity.
More famously, however, is Jeremiah's prediction of the establishment of a 'New Covenant.' (31:31) Christians see this New Covenant as being fulfilled in the Church, and indeed, the New Testament frequently refers to the New Covenant being fulfilled in the Christian community and Jesus's work. However, the historical context of this passage is surrounded by a cluster of oracles in chapters 30-31 that were meant to be a consolation to ancient Israel. The passage itself is clear that this is not talking about Christianity or events hundreds of years later, but is a word of consolation to Jews who experienced the Babylonian conquest:
'The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.' 31:31
What is the context?
'At that time, says the Lord, I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people.' 31:1
'The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when the city shall be rebuilt for the Lord from the tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate. And the measuring line shall go out farther, straight to the hill Gareb, and shall then turn to Goah. The whole valley of the dead bodies and the ashes and all the fields as far as the Wadi Kidron, to the corner of the Horse Gate toward the east, shall be sacred to the Lord. It shall never again be uprooted or overthrown.' 31:38-40
'For the days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will restore the fortunes of my people, Israel and Judah, says the Lord, and I will bring them back to the land that I gave to their ancestors, and they shall take possession of it' 30:3
Then, it is clear what prophesy about the New Covenant means. It's about the imminent restoration of the ancient Kingdom of Israel and its ascent into power and glory. Again, these oracles remained unfulfilled and precisely falsified.
Micah
There is one famous passage in Micah 5, quoted in Matthew and frequently cited by Christians as "proof" that Jesus's birth location was prophesied about hundreds of years prior. The idea that Jesus was born in Bethlehem is, of course, historically dubious. Matthew and Luke's accounts are contradictory and rife with historical problems. Mark and John assume Jesus has always been a native of Nazareth (Mk 6:2-3, Jn 1:46, 7:42). It seems then that Matthew and Luke invented their passages about Jesus being born in Bethlehem to give him more Davidic status. But this is beside the point, even if Jesus was born in Bethlehem. It is not a fulfillment of this passage.'But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who is one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.' 5:2
What is the historical context of this oracle? Again, the context of the chapter and the book is Israel's restoration and the Israelite kingdom's imminent establishment.
'Then, the remnant of Jacob, surrounded by many peoples, shall be like dew from the Lord, like showers on the grass, which do not depend upon people or wait for any mortal. 8 And among the nations the remnant of Jacob, surrounded by many peoples, shall be like a lion among the animals of the forest, like a young lion among the flocks of sheep, which, when it goes through, treads down and tears in pieces, with no one to deliver. 9 Your hand shall be lifted up over your adversaries, and all your enemies shall be cut off.'
On that day, says the Lord, I will cut off your horses from among you and will destroy your chariots; 11 and I will cut off the cities of your land and destroy all your strongholds; 12 and I will cut off sorceries from your hand, and you shall have no more soothsayers; 13 and I will cut off your images and your pillars from among you, and you shall bow down no more to the work of your hands; 14 and I will uproot your sacred poles\)g\) from among you and destroy your towns. 15 And in anger and wrath I will execute vengeance on the nations that did not obey.
What about this future King? Again, I find it amusing that Christians cite this text to show that Jesus fulfilled it. It shows they have not read and understood the historical context of the oracle. The text goes on to say that this King will conquer the land of Assyria, the land of Nimrod.
Micah 5:5–6
'When the Assyrians come into our land and tread upon our soil, we will raise against them seven shepherds and eight rulers. They shall rule the land of Assyria with the sword and the land of Nimrod with the drawn sword; he shall rescue us from the Assyrians if they come into our land or tread within our border.'
Conclusion
I've, of course, been very selective. There are many more examples of this that could've been pulled from. I hope you will see what I've briefly tried to show. The Prophets of the OT predicted that in their own time, they would see the salvation of Yahweh as their God. A Davidic King would be raised, and Israel would be restored to glory after the Assyrian crisis in the case of Isaiah or the Babylonian crisis in the case of Jeremiah and Micah. The same goes for the other prophets. My thesis, then, is that historically understood, not only did these oracles fail in their prediction, but they are demonstrably not about events in 1st century Roman Palestine or the wider Greco-Roman world. They're not about establishing the Church or a dying and rising messiah figure who brings spiritual salvation. Yes, the NT does interpret passages in the OT as being fulfilled in Jesus. But they are taken out of their historical context. The NT and early Christians were not novel in this practice. This was standard Jewish exegesis of the OT. Because Christians and Jews believed that the OT writings were sacred scripture that couldn't be wrong, they reinterpreted them in the light of their situations. The Essenes at Qumran, like the early Christians, also thought that their community and Teacher of Righteousness was the fulfillment of the bible prophecy, and the Rabbis in the Rabbinic literature frequently apply ancient scripture to their community.2024.05.16 05:19 edgiscript [F4M] Mafia Dog - Part 3 of 7 [Working Out] [Listener Getting His Strength Back] [Rescue Of A Colleague] [Earning Respect]
Note: You've got questions? I've got answers: An Introduction To The Book That Is Me : ASMRScriptHaven (reddit.com)
Note: All my other stuff: Masterlist for edgiscript : ASMRScriptHaven (reddit.com)
Part 2: [FF4M] Mafia Dog - Part 2 of 7 [Listener Recovery - Physical Therapy] [Naming One Speaker Mommy] [Getting The Listener To Blush] [Naming Listener Puppy] : ASMRScriptHaven (reddit.com)
Note: I said in part 1 that I don't expect anyone to do this series. Partly because of the fact that there are 2 speakers throughout. But partly because of chapters like this with explosions or other non-conducive-to-ASMR sounds. If you decide to do this series, it might help to keep the sfx muffled by treating the explosion as being pretty far away.
Carissa: Ronnie, what’s the ETA on those new firearms?
(Pause.)
Good. I want them prepped and ready by tomorrow morning. What about the ammunition?
(Pause.)
Don’t worry about it. It’s only a small hiccup. I’ll get Kent to push it through channels. Fortunately, we haven’t had any dustups or problems in a while so we still have plenty on hand if something goes wrong, but I want everyone training on the new weapons ASAP, so we’ll use much of our ammo pretty quickly.
(Pause.)
Yes, I said everyone.
(Pause.)
Of course, not Puppy. You know what I meant.
(Pause.)
What was that? Did you just say, “Yes, Mommy?”
(Pause.)
Ok, Ronnie, right or left?
(Pause.)
You heard me. Right or left? I want to know which testicle you’re ok with losing the next time you call me that.
(Pause.)
That’s what I thought. There’s the gym where Jane is working out with Puppy. Just pull up next to Jane’s car.
(Car comes to a stop.)
Stay in the car.
(Car door opens then closes.)
Ronnie, what did I tell you?
(Pause.)
I don’t care if you want to stretch your legs. I don’t feel like dealing with you hassling Puppy right now.
(Pause.)
Fine, you can come in, but play nice.
(Carissa and Ronnie enter the gym. Possible general gymnasium sounds such as weight-lifting equipment being used.)
There they are, at one of the punching bags.
Jane: (From a short distance.) Puppy, look. It’s Mom.
Carissa: Hey there, guys. How goes the… WHOA!
Jane: (Amused.) Wow. That is quite the hug.
Carissa: (Laughs.) Yeah, Puppy. It has been a few days. I’ve missed you too. How have your workouts with Jane been coming?
(Pause.)
That’s great to hear. You’re still my good boy, after all.
Jane: Puppy’s doing phenomenally. He’s already benching over two hundred.
(Pause.)
Yeah, yeah, Ronnie, we all know how much you can lift.
(Pause.)
Shut the hell up, Ronnie.
(Pause.)
Well, maybe if we starved and beat you daily for six months, you wouldn’t be so…
Carissa: Jane! Stop.
Jane: Asshole.
Carissa: Jane! Let it go.
(Pause.)
Ronnie, she’s right. Shut the hell up. Jane, I need to speak with you.
Jane: Can it wait? I was just about to run Puppy around the track to finish our session.
Carissa: It’s important. Puppy, I’m sorry. Do you mind circling the track on your own for a few minutes?
(Pause.)
What? Ronnie? You’ll run with him?
(Seriously, as if she’s really telling him to behave.) Are you sure?
(Pause.)
Well, it’s ok with me if it’s ok with Puppy.
Jane: Oh, Puppy would love that. Go ahead, boy. Go with Ronnie. Show him what you’ve got.
(Puppy and Ronnie walk away.)
Jane: Ok, Carissa, they’re gone. What’s up?
Carissa: Jane, how are you and Puppy doing?
Jane: Fantastic. He’s really come a long way. I think we just need to work on his endurance before…
Carissa: No, no, no, Jane. What I mean is how are you two doing… together? You and Puppy? Any… shall we say, interests there?
Jane: Carissa?
Carissa: Come on, Jane. Don’t “Carissa” me. I know you think he’s cute and I’ve seen the smiles he gives you as well. Have you two been… playing any one-on-one games.
Jane: I don’t think that’s any of your business.
Carissa: Typically, I’d agree. But come on, Jane, you understand the nature of our business and our organization. The longer he stays with us, the greater a liability he is.
Jane: Yeah, I know. But…
Carissa: No, buts. Kent wanted him gone already. Francine knows him and knows she can get what she wants out of him. The longer he’s with us, the more dangerous he is to us.
Jane: Damn, Carissa. I thought you had a heart.
Carissa: You know I love Puppy to death, but at some point we both know we’re going to have to let him go. Hanging on to him for too long puts him at risk too. You know that.
And the longer we keep him around the more difficult it will be on him when we do finally have to say goodbye. We need to set him up with someone or some people who will care for him and watch over him. We can still visit from time to time, but getting him away from us will protect the poor guy.
And… I couldn’t live with myself if he ever got hurt again.
Jane: Oh. Sorry for doubting you, Carissa. Boy, you really are his mom, aren’t you?
Carissa: It’s going to be tough to say goodbye, but I do want what’s best for Puppy.
Jane: Yeah, I know. But…
Carissa: But what? Jane? What are you thinking? What’s with that devilish look in your eye?
Jane: Carissa, what if Puppy stayed with us? For good. As a permanent member of our organization?
Carissa: Jane…
Jane: I know, I know, but hear me out. Everybody in the group loves him and he loves us. He’s loyal to a fault. You know as well as I do that he’d never betray us or give any of us up.
Carissa: If Francine got ahold of him again…
Jane: First of all, never gonna happen. We won’t let it happen. I won’t let it happen.
Second of all, in a worst-case scenario where it did, I honestly don’t think Puppy would give us up for anything.
Carissa: But you know what we do. Ok, let’s say I agree and he wouldn’t give us up. He’d still be dead or worse. We’d be putting him at risk if we kept him with us.
Jane: Yes, we would, but we’re all at risk. We chose to be here. What if Puppy chose too.
Carissa: You’ve already talked about this with him, haven’t you?
Jane: I’ve never given him any specifics. You know I would never do that, Carissa. But, yes, Puppy actually brought it up first. Carissa, he really wants to stay with us. He really does see you as his mom, and he loves you for that.
Carissa: And what does he see you as?
Jane: Oh… well… um…
Carissa: More importantly, how do you feel about him.
Jane: I… I don’t know. I mean, he is super cute, and he’s adorably sweet. And I admit it, I’ve always had a thing for the guy who needs help. I guess… yeah, I kind of like him. I mean, come on, what’s not to like? He’s just a super good guy.
Carissa: Jane, he’s damaged. Are you sure you’re not just feeling sorry for him.
Jane: Maybe, sure. But who’s not damaged? And I’m not saying I want to get married tomorrow. I’m just saying, that… yeah, maybe it is a relationship I want to consider.
Carissa: What about the physical aspect of what we do? We’d be asking a lot of Puppy.
Jane: Oh, my God, Carissa. He can more than handle it. Watch. I’ve been waiting for this.
Carissa: Watch what.
Jane: Look. Ronnie’s been jogging around the track with Puppy, but, as I knew he would, Ronnie’s been slowly picking up the pace. I knew Ronnie’s arrogance would get the better of him. He’s trying to show Puppy up. But watch.
(Pause.)
Carissa: Puppy’s kicking his ass.
Jane: Right? And he’s not at a hundred percent yet. I’m telling you, once Puppy’s at full strength, he could…
(Interrupted by a small explosion and a crash nearby.)
Carissa: What the? Puppy? Ronnie? Damn it! I don’t see either of them in the smoke.
Jane: I think the explosion caused part of that wall to collapse. Puppy was ahead of it when it happened, but Ronnie… Oh my God. Ronnie is trapped underneath the rubble.
Carissa: The ceiling’s losing its integrity. Puppy, there you are. Come here. Get away from the wreckage.
Jane: Puppy! No! What are you doing? Don’t run towards it. The ceiling’s about to fall.
Carissa: Look. He’s lifting that piece of cement so Ronnie can get out.
(Sound of more crumbling.)
Carissa: Oh, thank God. They both made it out.
Puppy, come here. Let me hold you. Good boy. Yes, you’re my brave good boy. You saved Ronnie’s life. That was amazing.
Jane: Ronnie’s gonna be ok. Maybe a concussion, but no wounds I can see.
Carissa: Damn it. This has got to be Francine. It was a targeted attack. Only question is was she after Ronnie, or Puppy?
Jane: You think Puppy might have some information Francine’s afraid of?
Carissa: I don’t know, but it’s worth looking into.
Jane: I’m gonna get Ronnie back to Suzanne. You’ll be ok, Ronnie. Just got the wind knocked out of you.
(Pause.)
What’s that?
(Pause.)
Puppy, Ronnie… is saying thank you for saving his life.
Carissa: What’s that, Puppy?
(Pause.)
Yes, you can go with them and make sure Ronnie’s ok. You be his guard dog. Ok?
(Pause.)
Good boy, Puppy. Jane, you’ve got them both. I’ll stay here and make sure no one else was hurt. Maybe I can find out something more about the blast.
Jane: Stay safe, Carissa.
Carissa: You too. Now go.
(Pause.)
Ok, bomb, talk to me. Show me what you’ve got.
Part 4 coming.
submitted by edgiscript to ASMRScriptHaven [link] [comments]
Note: All my other stuff: Masterlist for edgiscript : ASMRScriptHaven (reddit.com)
Part 2: [FF4M] Mafia Dog - Part 2 of 7 [Listener Recovery - Physical Therapy] [Naming One Speaker Mommy] [Getting The Listener To Blush] [Naming Listener Puppy] : ASMRScriptHaven (reddit.com)
Note: I said in part 1 that I don't expect anyone to do this series. Partly because of the fact that there are 2 speakers throughout. But partly because of chapters like this with explosions or other non-conducive-to-ASMR sounds. If you decide to do this series, it might help to keep the sfx muffled by treating the explosion as being pretty far away.
Part 3
(General car sounds as Carissa is driving with Ronnie.)Carissa: Ronnie, what’s the ETA on those new firearms?
(Pause.)
Good. I want them prepped and ready by tomorrow morning. What about the ammunition?
(Pause.)
Don’t worry about it. It’s only a small hiccup. I’ll get Kent to push it through channels. Fortunately, we haven’t had any dustups or problems in a while so we still have plenty on hand if something goes wrong, but I want everyone training on the new weapons ASAP, so we’ll use much of our ammo pretty quickly.
(Pause.)
Yes, I said everyone.
(Pause.)
Of course, not Puppy. You know what I meant.
(Pause.)
What was that? Did you just say, “Yes, Mommy?”
(Pause.)
Ok, Ronnie, right or left?
(Pause.)
You heard me. Right or left? I want to know which testicle you’re ok with losing the next time you call me that.
(Pause.)
That’s what I thought. There’s the gym where Jane is working out with Puppy. Just pull up next to Jane’s car.
(Car comes to a stop.)
Stay in the car.
(Car door opens then closes.)
Ronnie, what did I tell you?
(Pause.)
I don’t care if you want to stretch your legs. I don’t feel like dealing with you hassling Puppy right now.
(Pause.)
Fine, you can come in, but play nice.
(Carissa and Ronnie enter the gym. Possible general gymnasium sounds such as weight-lifting equipment being used.)
There they are, at one of the punching bags.
Jane: (From a short distance.) Puppy, look. It’s Mom.
Carissa: Hey there, guys. How goes the… WHOA!
Jane: (Amused.) Wow. That is quite the hug.
Carissa: (Laughs.) Yeah, Puppy. It has been a few days. I’ve missed you too. How have your workouts with Jane been coming?
(Pause.)
That’s great to hear. You’re still my good boy, after all.
Jane: Puppy’s doing phenomenally. He’s already benching over two hundred.
(Pause.)
Yeah, yeah, Ronnie, we all know how much you can lift.
(Pause.)
Shut the hell up, Ronnie.
(Pause.)
Well, maybe if we starved and beat you daily for six months, you wouldn’t be so…
Carissa: Jane! Stop.
Jane: Asshole.
Carissa: Jane! Let it go.
(Pause.)
Ronnie, she’s right. Shut the hell up. Jane, I need to speak with you.
Jane: Can it wait? I was just about to run Puppy around the track to finish our session.
Carissa: It’s important. Puppy, I’m sorry. Do you mind circling the track on your own for a few minutes?
(Pause.)
What? Ronnie? You’ll run with him?
(Seriously, as if she’s really telling him to behave.) Are you sure?
(Pause.)
Well, it’s ok with me if it’s ok with Puppy.
Jane: Oh, Puppy would love that. Go ahead, boy. Go with Ronnie. Show him what you’ve got.
(Puppy and Ronnie walk away.)
Jane: Ok, Carissa, they’re gone. What’s up?
Carissa: Jane, how are you and Puppy doing?
Jane: Fantastic. He’s really come a long way. I think we just need to work on his endurance before…
Carissa: No, no, no, Jane. What I mean is how are you two doing… together? You and Puppy? Any… shall we say, interests there?
Jane: Carissa?
Carissa: Come on, Jane. Don’t “Carissa” me. I know you think he’s cute and I’ve seen the smiles he gives you as well. Have you two been… playing any one-on-one games.
Jane: I don’t think that’s any of your business.
Carissa: Typically, I’d agree. But come on, Jane, you understand the nature of our business and our organization. The longer he stays with us, the greater a liability he is.
Jane: Yeah, I know. But…
Carissa: No, buts. Kent wanted him gone already. Francine knows him and knows she can get what she wants out of him. The longer he’s with us, the more dangerous he is to us.
Jane: Damn, Carissa. I thought you had a heart.
Carissa: You know I love Puppy to death, but at some point we both know we’re going to have to let him go. Hanging on to him for too long puts him at risk too. You know that.
And the longer we keep him around the more difficult it will be on him when we do finally have to say goodbye. We need to set him up with someone or some people who will care for him and watch over him. We can still visit from time to time, but getting him away from us will protect the poor guy.
And… I couldn’t live with myself if he ever got hurt again.
Jane: Oh. Sorry for doubting you, Carissa. Boy, you really are his mom, aren’t you?
Carissa: It’s going to be tough to say goodbye, but I do want what’s best for Puppy.
Jane: Yeah, I know. But…
Carissa: But what? Jane? What are you thinking? What’s with that devilish look in your eye?
Jane: Carissa, what if Puppy stayed with us? For good. As a permanent member of our organization?
Carissa: Jane…
Jane: I know, I know, but hear me out. Everybody in the group loves him and he loves us. He’s loyal to a fault. You know as well as I do that he’d never betray us or give any of us up.
Carissa: If Francine got ahold of him again…
Jane: First of all, never gonna happen. We won’t let it happen. I won’t let it happen.
Second of all, in a worst-case scenario where it did, I honestly don’t think Puppy would give us up for anything.
Carissa: But you know what we do. Ok, let’s say I agree and he wouldn’t give us up. He’d still be dead or worse. We’d be putting him at risk if we kept him with us.
Jane: Yes, we would, but we’re all at risk. We chose to be here. What if Puppy chose too.
Carissa: You’ve already talked about this with him, haven’t you?
Jane: I’ve never given him any specifics. You know I would never do that, Carissa. But, yes, Puppy actually brought it up first. Carissa, he really wants to stay with us. He really does see you as his mom, and he loves you for that.
Carissa: And what does he see you as?
Jane: Oh… well… um…
Carissa: More importantly, how do you feel about him.
Jane: I… I don’t know. I mean, he is super cute, and he’s adorably sweet. And I admit it, I’ve always had a thing for the guy who needs help. I guess… yeah, I kind of like him. I mean, come on, what’s not to like? He’s just a super good guy.
Carissa: Jane, he’s damaged. Are you sure you’re not just feeling sorry for him.
Jane: Maybe, sure. But who’s not damaged? And I’m not saying I want to get married tomorrow. I’m just saying, that… yeah, maybe it is a relationship I want to consider.
Carissa: What about the physical aspect of what we do? We’d be asking a lot of Puppy.
Jane: Oh, my God, Carissa. He can more than handle it. Watch. I’ve been waiting for this.
Carissa: Watch what.
Jane: Look. Ronnie’s been jogging around the track with Puppy, but, as I knew he would, Ronnie’s been slowly picking up the pace. I knew Ronnie’s arrogance would get the better of him. He’s trying to show Puppy up. But watch.
(Pause.)
Carissa: Puppy’s kicking his ass.
Jane: Right? And he’s not at a hundred percent yet. I’m telling you, once Puppy’s at full strength, he could…
(Interrupted by a small explosion and a crash nearby.)
Carissa: What the? Puppy? Ronnie? Damn it! I don’t see either of them in the smoke.
Jane: I think the explosion caused part of that wall to collapse. Puppy was ahead of it when it happened, but Ronnie… Oh my God. Ronnie is trapped underneath the rubble.
Carissa: The ceiling’s losing its integrity. Puppy, there you are. Come here. Get away from the wreckage.
Jane: Puppy! No! What are you doing? Don’t run towards it. The ceiling’s about to fall.
Carissa: Look. He’s lifting that piece of cement so Ronnie can get out.
(Sound of more crumbling.)
Carissa: Oh, thank God. They both made it out.
Puppy, come here. Let me hold you. Good boy. Yes, you’re my brave good boy. You saved Ronnie’s life. That was amazing.
Jane: Ronnie’s gonna be ok. Maybe a concussion, but no wounds I can see.
Carissa: Damn it. This has got to be Francine. It was a targeted attack. Only question is was she after Ronnie, or Puppy?
Jane: You think Puppy might have some information Francine’s afraid of?
Carissa: I don’t know, but it’s worth looking into.
Jane: I’m gonna get Ronnie back to Suzanne. You’ll be ok, Ronnie. Just got the wind knocked out of you.
(Pause.)
What’s that?
(Pause.)
Puppy, Ronnie… is saying thank you for saving his life.
Carissa: What’s that, Puppy?
(Pause.)
Yes, you can go with them and make sure Ronnie’s ok. You be his guard dog. Ok?
(Pause.)
Good boy, Puppy. Jane, you’ve got them both. I’ll stay here and make sure no one else was hurt. Maybe I can find out something more about the blast.
Jane: Stay safe, Carissa.
Carissa: You too. Now go.
(Pause.)
Ok, bomb, talk to me. Show me what you’ve got.
Part 4 coming.
2024.05.16 05:16 ambellizzi Hello , help welcome!
Hello, friends! I apologize for the length of this post. I truly value any advice or guidance you can provide ❤️
I've come to the realization that my self-confidence and trust in myself are severely lacking, and I still have a lot of work to do in order to fully heal. The past four years have felt like a complete blur, and the social anxiety I have as a result of it all is a nightmare.
Timeline Synopsis: •2010: At 18, desperate for relief, I sought therapy and was immediately prescribed 3 different controlled substances and various antidepressants. •2010 - 2013, I found myself in my first relationship, lasting 3.5 years. However, due to our youth and lack of understanding on how to cultivate a healthy bond with ourselves and each other, the relationship eventually imploded, causing my life to shatter into pieces. The aftermath left me feeling lost and emotionally wounded for a long time. •2015: Traumatized when I discovered my Grandma dead at home. In an attempt to cope with the overwhelming grief, I resorted to abusing my medications; taking extra, then running out. This affected my work performance. My poor attendance and decreased productivity on top of that subsequently led to me being let go. In search of help, I checked myself into inpatient treatment. •2016: My ex reached out to me, seeking a friend to share his recent schizophrenia diagnosis. We rekindled our friendship for a short period, but tragically, he took his own life a few months later. •2019: I fell into the wrong social circle and engaged in extensive experimentation with any & all drugs, binge eating, and drinking. •2020, the mounting anxieties triggered by the pandemic caused me to have a severe nervous breakdown. This led to a brief hospitalization, during which I concentrated on detox and recovery. Upon discharge, I worked the 12-step program. • 2021: My mother suffered a heart attack, and immediately went the hospital. She had emergency surgery and was then Intubated and restrained for her safety afterwards. Luckily, I was able to visit her since I was vaccinated. •2022: Arriving back home to find my Guinea Pig motionless and silent in his enclosure evoked a profound sense of sorrow, intensifying the emotional trauma I had previously experienced discovering my grandma. •2023: I experienced a pretty serious seizure while at work. 911 was called and I was brought to the hospital via ambulance. •2024: In January, my Papa passed away suddenly. During the commemoration of his life, my mother unexpectedly fainted and was promptly transported to the hospital via ambulance. Thankfully, after a brief medical assessment, she was given a clean bill of health.
Since then, I've been taking antidepressants and non-narcotic anxiety medication, which have been helpful. I've also been working with a therapist, and I feel like I've made progress in improving my overall mental health. I've made a conscious decision to no longer "mask" my quirks or “tone down” my personality for the sake of my own comfort and healing. I take pride in embracing my uniqueness and being considered "weird." It adds a sense of fun to life. Additionally, I've started swimming, eating better, losing weight, taking vitamins and supplements, and regularly visiting the doctor and dentist.
In 2020, I started dating someone whom I'm still with and deeply love. We've known each other and been part of the same friend circle for 10 years, so I feel comfortable around him. However, there have been instances where he has said things that have deeply affected me and have almost given me a complex. It's important to note that I have been diagnosed with BPD, ADHD, anxiety, and depression, so please consider this when giving advice.
Here are a few examples of his comments: - I'm a very animated and loud person, partially due to my struggle with hearing people, especially him. Despite telling him numerous times to speak louder, he never does. - I'm also sassy and opinionated, which is part of my Italian heritage. - While we were at the gym, I was expressing how something made me feel, which was not inappropriate, and he told me to "calm down." This is something he has done many times in different situations. - He often tells me not to make a scene, lower my voice, stop yelling (even when I'm speaking at a normal volume to him), and not be dense. - I also feel like he always needs to be right, has to have the last word, and often mansplains things to me. This makes me feel stupid and immature.
Whenever I try to have meaningful conversations with him to understand his values, he accuses me of trying to argue. He frequently claims that I sound extremely condescending, rude, and hateful, even though that is never my intention. I'm genuinely just trying to express myself.
When I attempt to explain how I feel or why I act a certain way due to my neurodivergence, he dismisses it by saying that "everyone is a little bit autistic" or "everybody has ADHD." He even goes as far as claiming he has these conditions, without understanding any of my symptoms and complaining about the behaviors that result from them.
I would greatly appreciate any advice, tips, or insights you may have. Thank you for taking the time to read my entire message.”
submitted by ambellizzi to Advice [link] [comments]
I've come to the realization that my self-confidence and trust in myself are severely lacking, and I still have a lot of work to do in order to fully heal. The past four years have felt like a complete blur, and the social anxiety I have as a result of it all is a nightmare.
Timeline Synopsis: •2010: At 18, desperate for relief, I sought therapy and was immediately prescribed 3 different controlled substances and various antidepressants. •2010 - 2013, I found myself in my first relationship, lasting 3.5 years. However, due to our youth and lack of understanding on how to cultivate a healthy bond with ourselves and each other, the relationship eventually imploded, causing my life to shatter into pieces. The aftermath left me feeling lost and emotionally wounded for a long time. •2015: Traumatized when I discovered my Grandma dead at home. In an attempt to cope with the overwhelming grief, I resorted to abusing my medications; taking extra, then running out. This affected my work performance. My poor attendance and decreased productivity on top of that subsequently led to me being let go. In search of help, I checked myself into inpatient treatment. •2016: My ex reached out to me, seeking a friend to share his recent schizophrenia diagnosis. We rekindled our friendship for a short period, but tragically, he took his own life a few months later. •2019: I fell into the wrong social circle and engaged in extensive experimentation with any & all drugs, binge eating, and drinking. •2020, the mounting anxieties triggered by the pandemic caused me to have a severe nervous breakdown. This led to a brief hospitalization, during which I concentrated on detox and recovery. Upon discharge, I worked the 12-step program. • 2021: My mother suffered a heart attack, and immediately went the hospital. She had emergency surgery and was then Intubated and restrained for her safety afterwards. Luckily, I was able to visit her since I was vaccinated. •2022: Arriving back home to find my Guinea Pig motionless and silent in his enclosure evoked a profound sense of sorrow, intensifying the emotional trauma I had previously experienced discovering my grandma. •2023: I experienced a pretty serious seizure while at work. 911 was called and I was brought to the hospital via ambulance. •2024: In January, my Papa passed away suddenly. During the commemoration of his life, my mother unexpectedly fainted and was promptly transported to the hospital via ambulance. Thankfully, after a brief medical assessment, she was given a clean bill of health.
Since then, I've been taking antidepressants and non-narcotic anxiety medication, which have been helpful. I've also been working with a therapist, and I feel like I've made progress in improving my overall mental health. I've made a conscious decision to no longer "mask" my quirks or “tone down” my personality for the sake of my own comfort and healing. I take pride in embracing my uniqueness and being considered "weird." It adds a sense of fun to life. Additionally, I've started swimming, eating better, losing weight, taking vitamins and supplements, and regularly visiting the doctor and dentist.
In 2020, I started dating someone whom I'm still with and deeply love. We've known each other and been part of the same friend circle for 10 years, so I feel comfortable around him. However, there have been instances where he has said things that have deeply affected me and have almost given me a complex. It's important to note that I have been diagnosed with BPD, ADHD, anxiety, and depression, so please consider this when giving advice.
Here are a few examples of his comments: - I'm a very animated and loud person, partially due to my struggle with hearing people, especially him. Despite telling him numerous times to speak louder, he never does. - I'm also sassy and opinionated, which is part of my Italian heritage. - While we were at the gym, I was expressing how something made me feel, which was not inappropriate, and he told me to "calm down." This is something he has done many times in different situations. - He often tells me not to make a scene, lower my voice, stop yelling (even when I'm speaking at a normal volume to him), and not be dense. - I also feel like he always needs to be right, has to have the last word, and often mansplains things to me. This makes me feel stupid and immature.
Whenever I try to have meaningful conversations with him to understand his values, he accuses me of trying to argue. He frequently claims that I sound extremely condescending, rude, and hateful, even though that is never my intention. I'm genuinely just trying to express myself.
When I attempt to explain how I feel or why I act a certain way due to my neurodivergence, he dismisses it by saying that "everyone is a little bit autistic" or "everybody has ADHD." He even goes as far as claiming he has these conditions, without understanding any of my symptoms and complaining about the behaviors that result from them.
I would greatly appreciate any advice, tips, or insights you may have. Thank you for taking the time to read my entire message.”
2024.05.16 05:11 tristanfinn Bolerium Books – The San Francisco Bookstore Where the Revolution Ends up – By Lucy Schiller
There is great benefit, these days, in having a name unlike any other: you float to the top of Google searches. Bolerium Books, in San Francisco, knows this well, although it wasn’t a consideration when it first opened, in 1981. Bolerium’s co-owner, John Durham, runs through any number of explanations for the name, depending on whose leg he wants to pull and how hard. “It was an ancient road in Roman times,” he intoned recently, “large, funny, and sluggish,” while another co-owner, Alexander Akin, roundly mouthed, “Not true.” (The word is a Roman one for Land’s End, in Cornwall, England. The bookstore was once a bit closer to the ocean.) Fittingly, there is no other place like Bolerium, not on the Internet nor in the province of the real. Similes come steadily, none of which really seem to fit. Perhaps Durham’s is best. “We’re like a platypus,” he told me recently, “ugly as fuck and all sorts of parts.”.
This moment of serious American protest against Trump has led to one of Bolerium Books’ best sales years ever.Photograph by Thor Swift / NYT / Redux.
At last count, the store contained 67,385 single titles in stock. Estimates of the time that has elapsed since the last deep cleaning ranged from a jokey “twenty years ago” to a hemming “define ‘clean.’ ” “Nature abhors a vacuum,” Durham quickly noted. A store map gestures at the sheer amount of stuff, with sections labelled as “Reef of Flotsam” or “Onset of Confusion” (right by the entrance), or, in one cramped corner, “Hell.”
The semi-barbed humor protects something serious and deeply essential. Few people walk in (“the door is locked to keep out the unworthy,” Durham wrote in response to a negative Yelp review, though he made sure to mention the password, “swordfish”). Those who do manage to enter find, three floors above one of the Mission District’s busiest intersections, a vast and quiet space populated by seven staff members, thousands of books about and from social movements, densely packed rows of pamphlets and ephemera, and, in the adjacent storage room, great snowbanks of paper. These snowbanks, or “midden heaps,” as Durham calls them, are from attics, basements, personal archives, and libraries across the country. They have all been sold or donated to Bolerium. In them, evidence of the past is to be found, possibly reckoned with, and then, hopefully, sold.
From Bolerium’s snowbanks have come copies of On Our Backs (a lesbian erotic magazine put out in response to the anti-pornography publication Off Our Backs), century-old postcards of pacifist Doukhobors protesting in the nude, intricate Black Panther posters and handbills, an issue of Lumberjack (“with appendix on musical saw”), and the famous inter-commune Kaliflower newsletters from early-nineteen-seventies San Francisco. But with a staff so expert that they can translate a Mongolian treatise on traditional Oirat law using a handmade cheat sheet, classifications like “famous” and “obscure” begin to blur. So do “past” and “present.” Rather than a platypus, maybe the store is more like an estuary: the disparate holdings mingle, rolling in and out according to murky tides. (If you visit the Web site and browse the digital catalog by date, the tides begin to feel more explicable; one week, for example, carries a huge wave of Alan Watts-related material. The next week brings a crush of gay romance novels.) At Bolerium, for better and worse, you can wade around in what Durham calls “the primary source material for history.”
Here is an 1838 publication by the American Anti-Slavery Society and a brochure arguing for the Equal Rights Amendment. A pamphlet from a 1928 speech by Marcus Garvey sits not far from a publication on “incidents in the Life of Eugene V. Debs” written by his brother, Theodore (once, before an important speech, a piece of barbed wire tore “a great rent in [Debs’s] trousers . . . the flap of which hung down like the ear of a Missouri houn’ pup”). Among many other small, sheeny pins is a button from the 1990 AIDS Walk in San Francisco. Here are fliers that passed from hand to hand at protests, meant to convince, assuage, and inflame, and here’s a lump of coal from a miners’ strike in Alabama with tiny chicken-scratch wording: “never forget.” Notably, this year of serious American protest has been the store’s best sales year ever.
Not marked on the map is that other part of American history that has, this year and every other, raged—a section that Durham loosely calls “the White Problem” and keeps behind the locked door of a different room altogether. Accessible to scholars and those who know to ask, the spindly bookcases contain titles like “Gun Control Means People Control” and “Fluoridation & Truth Decay,” as well as several publications by the John Birch Society. “You can’t understand American history without understanding the far right,” Durham told me. “What it’s done, its justifications, its tropes and idiocies.”
It was to the deepest corner of the storeroom that the archivist Lisbet Tellefsen was drawn one afternoon. (Tellefsen visits Bolerium as a “treasure hunter,” and has amassed the largest collection of Angela Davis-related material in the world.) One time, she idly tugged out an issue of The Bayviewer, a magazine that once served the historic black neighborhood that James Baldwin characterized as “the San Francisco America pretends does not exist.”
.
The magazine fell open to a page bearing the face of Tellefsen’s father, whom she had not seen since she was two, in an advertisement for his Oldsmobile dealership. That led to an ongoing saga of tracking down half-siblings and cousins found on Ancestry.com. “There is so much history there,” Tellefsen told me. She visits Bolerium once a month, wary of buying back her own consigned material. “It’s so rich with connections. We have an understanding of history, but places like that hold so much.” Bolerium’s official motto, “Fighting Commodity Fetishism with Commodity Fetishism since 1981,” does not quite distill the feeling of holding some of these discoveries between your fingers, or explain the way that ephemera can work to vivify history, very often through its ordinariness. A bit of light browsing recently unearthed a flier from a class reunion of Florida’s first accredited African-American high school, as well as an Electrolux manual from 1933 listing Pope Pius XI as a famous customer.
But history is ongoing, and the present moment needs its collectors. During the Occupy Movement, the store paid a dollar for each flyer or poster that people brought in, then put together a sweeping collection for the British Library. Holdings from contemporary social movements are fairly small, since so much planning, discussing, and arguing takes place on Facebook and Twitter. “Occupy was the last one to have lots of leaflets,” Akin told me, somewhat sadly. Currently, he is collecting material from what he calls the “shock-and-disbelief period” following the 2016 Presidential election. Only from “marinating in the sauce of time” do these things begin to accrue both value and interest.
.
Recently, in one snowbank, Akin found a sketch done in creamy pastel of a basalt mountain and drifting clouds. Tiny guard towers dotted the background. It was a drawing of the view from Tule Lake Segregation Center, the largest of the incarceration camps that held Japanese-Americans during the Second World War, and the one which held those people deemed by the government to be “disloyal.” The artist was a man named Tomokazu, surname unknown, who resided for over thirty-five years in Plumas County, California, before being imprisoned at Tule Lake. The piece of paper sat among countless others all bearing dispatches of one kind or another from the past, which is not a foreign country, really, but a place hovering just under our present, and made of paper and ink, buttons, and voices.
https://xenagoguevicene.wordpress.com/2020/08/12/bolerium-books-the-san-francisco-bookstore-where-the-revolution-ends-up-by-lucy-schiller-the-new-yorker-20-sept-2018/
submitted by tristanfinn to occupylosangeles [link] [comments]
This moment of serious American protest against Trump has led to one of Bolerium Books’ best sales years ever.Photograph by Thor Swift / NYT / Redux.
At last count, the store contained 67,385 single titles in stock. Estimates of the time that has elapsed since the last deep cleaning ranged from a jokey “twenty years ago” to a hemming “define ‘clean.’ ” “Nature abhors a vacuum,” Durham quickly noted. A store map gestures at the sheer amount of stuff, with sections labelled as “Reef of Flotsam” or “Onset of Confusion” (right by the entrance), or, in one cramped corner, “Hell.”
The semi-barbed humor protects something serious and deeply essential. Few people walk in (“the door is locked to keep out the unworthy,” Durham wrote in response to a negative Yelp review, though he made sure to mention the password, “swordfish”). Those who do manage to enter find, three floors above one of the Mission District’s busiest intersections, a vast and quiet space populated by seven staff members, thousands of books about and from social movements, densely packed rows of pamphlets and ephemera, and, in the adjacent storage room, great snowbanks of paper. These snowbanks, or “midden heaps,” as Durham calls them, are from attics, basements, personal archives, and libraries across the country. They have all been sold or donated to Bolerium. In them, evidence of the past is to be found, possibly reckoned with, and then, hopefully, sold.
From Bolerium’s snowbanks have come copies of On Our Backs (a lesbian erotic magazine put out in response to the anti-pornography publication Off Our Backs), century-old postcards of pacifist Doukhobors protesting in the nude, intricate Black Panther posters and handbills, an issue of Lumberjack (“with appendix on musical saw”), and the famous inter-commune Kaliflower newsletters from early-nineteen-seventies San Francisco. But with a staff so expert that they can translate a Mongolian treatise on traditional Oirat law using a handmade cheat sheet, classifications like “famous” and “obscure” begin to blur. So do “past” and “present.” Rather than a platypus, maybe the store is more like an estuary: the disparate holdings mingle, rolling in and out according to murky tides. (If you visit the Web site and browse the digital catalog by date, the tides begin to feel more explicable; one week, for example, carries a huge wave of Alan Watts-related material. The next week brings a crush of gay romance novels.) At Bolerium, for better and worse, you can wade around in what Durham calls “the primary source material for history.”
Here is an 1838 publication by the American Anti-Slavery Society and a brochure arguing for the Equal Rights Amendment. A pamphlet from a 1928 speech by Marcus Garvey sits not far from a publication on “incidents in the Life of Eugene V. Debs” written by his brother, Theodore (once, before an important speech, a piece of barbed wire tore “a great rent in [Debs’s] trousers . . . the flap of which hung down like the ear of a Missouri houn’ pup”). Among many other small, sheeny pins is a button from the 1990 AIDS Walk in San Francisco. Here are fliers that passed from hand to hand at protests, meant to convince, assuage, and inflame, and here’s a lump of coal from a miners’ strike in Alabama with tiny chicken-scratch wording: “never forget.” Notably, this year of serious American protest has been the store’s best sales year ever.
Not marked on the map is that other part of American history that has, this year and every other, raged—a section that Durham loosely calls “the White Problem” and keeps behind the locked door of a different room altogether. Accessible to scholars and those who know to ask, the spindly bookcases contain titles like “Gun Control Means People Control” and “Fluoridation & Truth Decay,” as well as several publications by the John Birch Society. “You can’t understand American history without understanding the far right,” Durham told me. “What it’s done, its justifications, its tropes and idiocies.”
It was to the deepest corner of the storeroom that the archivist Lisbet Tellefsen was drawn one afternoon. (Tellefsen visits Bolerium as a “treasure hunter,” and has amassed the largest collection of Angela Davis-related material in the world.) One time, she idly tugged out an issue of The Bayviewer, a magazine that once served the historic black neighborhood that James Baldwin characterized as “the San Francisco America pretends does not exist.”
.
The magazine fell open to a page bearing the face of Tellefsen’s father, whom she had not seen since she was two, in an advertisement for his Oldsmobile dealership. That led to an ongoing saga of tracking down half-siblings and cousins found on Ancestry.com. “There is so much history there,” Tellefsen told me. She visits Bolerium once a month, wary of buying back her own consigned material. “It’s so rich with connections. We have an understanding of history, but places like that hold so much.” Bolerium’s official motto, “Fighting Commodity Fetishism with Commodity Fetishism since 1981,” does not quite distill the feeling of holding some of these discoveries between your fingers, or explain the way that ephemera can work to vivify history, very often through its ordinariness. A bit of light browsing recently unearthed a flier from a class reunion of Florida’s first accredited African-American high school, as well as an Electrolux manual from 1933 listing Pope Pius XI as a famous customer.
But history is ongoing, and the present moment needs its collectors. During the Occupy Movement, the store paid a dollar for each flyer or poster that people brought in, then put together a sweeping collection for the British Library. Holdings from contemporary social movements are fairly small, since so much planning, discussing, and arguing takes place on Facebook and Twitter. “Occupy was the last one to have lots of leaflets,” Akin told me, somewhat sadly. Currently, he is collecting material from what he calls the “shock-and-disbelief period” following the 2016 Presidential election. Only from “marinating in the sauce of time” do these things begin to accrue both value and interest.
.
Recently, in one snowbank, Akin found a sketch done in creamy pastel of a basalt mountain and drifting clouds. Tiny guard towers dotted the background. It was a drawing of the view from Tule Lake Segregation Center, the largest of the incarceration camps that held Japanese-Americans during the Second World War, and the one which held those people deemed by the government to be “disloyal.” The artist was a man named Tomokazu, surname unknown, who resided for over thirty-five years in Plumas County, California, before being imprisoned at Tule Lake. The piece of paper sat among countless others all bearing dispatches of one kind or another from the past, which is not a foreign country, really, but a place hovering just under our present, and made of paper and ink, buttons, and voices.
https://xenagoguevicene.wordpress.com/2020/08/12/bolerium-books-the-san-francisco-bookstore-where-the-revolution-ends-up-by-lucy-schiller-the-new-yorker-20-sept-2018/
2024.05.16 05:03 SorryUncleAl 17M About to graduate and life is awesome (Life is a barren, bleak hellscape and I'm struggling to hold on. Please fucking help me. I'm trapped in the twisted prison of my own mind.)
Everything fucking sucks. I'm a terrible person and I keep fucking up things with my family who the situation is too complicated with to go into but basically I was abused in the past and things sometimes still get bad but mostly now I'm just the one in the wrong.
I'm so introverted I'm basically an associate loser anytime I'm at home and even around friends i'm a lpt more cheerful and outgoing but im still pretty reserved and space out a lot. I barely talk to my family anymore even though they constantly try to talk to me and include me. I'm constantly fighting with my parents over the shit that I forget to do or am not listening about or my bad attitude.
I'm terrified of the future. I can't drive. I stopped working out a few weeks ago. I have loving and supporting friends but it feels like I'm constantly victimizing and playing victim to get attention but I can never embrace others or receive love or anything when they recognize I'm struggling and try to show love. I just fucking push everyone away and then the cycle repeats.
I have super close family visiting but it feels like I barely even have anything to say to anyone anymore. My mom even tells me from time to time when we fight that I didnt use to be like this. I'm just a fucked up empty loser at this point. I plan to join the military to pay for college but I struggle with suicidal thoughts daily now and have on and off for over a decade.
I can't have a proper relationship because I have no game but also because I'm too traumatized and emotionally broken to have a healthy relationship or hold one with someone who isn't at least as fucked up as me, and even then my last and only relationship ended because I was too fucked up and made it terrible.
I dream of becoming an author or a teacher or a counselor but I don't have the work ethic to do that shit anymore. I love art and writing but I'm shit and its ultimately pointless. Anything I make would just be shitty anyway I think. I love hearing praise for my work and for myself as a person but thats just because I'm a selfish asshole. I wonder sometimes nowadays if I could even be a narcissist. I've done hard shit before and it feels like I've just checked out. I've lived my life for long enough already. I'm just so tired and I feel so fucking bad. I'm a terrible guy. I hate my body. I hate my personality and I hate that everything I'm going through feels like I'm just doing it all to myself for attention because sometimes it randomly clears up and I'm left wondering what the fuck happened and I feel the urge to try and make myself go back to being fucking depressed and suicidal and I don't know why.
I have a best friend who says that she feels like she's lazy and useless and hater her body. I want to tell her that she's beautiful and amazing and awesome in every way and that I love her, but when we say we love each other, it's only as friends. I'll be going away soon for the military and she'll never know just how in love I am with her. I tell her that my heart breaks that she feels that way but she says she feels worse that I feel the way that I do about myself. She says that she's healing and getting better and learning to love herself but that I can't seem to let myself do that. Maybe she's right. I'm just glad she isn't hurting as bad as me.
My Mom and me fought again today. She's cracking under the pressure of living with my psycho stepdad and her psycho oldest son (me) because we end up not getting along a lot. I make her cry often. I say harsh things to her and I feel some strange need to reject and deny her affections even when I want to embrace her. Sometimes I become the center of attention at events where our achievements are announced, or on my birthday or at a party, but I just want to shrink back into a piece of dust so small that I vanish from the world entirely.
I'm happy around my friends, at least happier than when I'm alone. Or maybe I'm just more outgoing and distracted?. Around my family I'm just a fucking asshole hermetic loser, even those family I really love and like to be around and talk to a bunch, I talk with them and I'm normal but I just never feel "right" no matter what I'm doing. My big wish for years and years that hasn't either been to become a great artist or to find true love has been to use all of my energy I have left to improve the lives of others and take away their problems so I can just fucking die and leave living to them.
I even feel bad about fucking feeling bad. My teachers and friends all wrote such sweet things in my yearbook. "Love you bro." "Never lose hope." "I know you'll do great things. Never change!" And yet here I am for God knows what time this week vividly imagining scenarios in which I just betray everyone I know and let everyone down by ending it all. There just isn't a solution. And whatever solution there really might be, I'm too lazy and fucked up to actually work towards it and bear it all.
I just want to go off to some fantasy where everything is perfect, except I'm not me, I'm someone else. Because it feels like I'll never be okay no matter what happens or where I am or who I'm with. I'm so fucking sad man. Everything fucking sucks. Please help me.
A rabbit just came really close to me and sat by me for a second and hopped away. The worst part about feeling bad is that it's on and off. I liked seeing it there and I felt wonder. But I feel bad again now. And I feel a pull when I don't, to return to feeling terrible when I'm feeling happy. I think I'd feel fine if I didn't constantly try to push and keep myself down. I wonder if I really do do it to myself for whatever reason, or if I actually am the victim or sufferer of some kinds of issues or problems? I think part of ot is to feel special. Also to have a constant issue that needs to be addressed. And of course, as an excuse to make nothing of myself and throw away the hard work myself and others have put in. Hundreds of hours of athletics and fitness? Gone. Years of academic achievement? Gone. A lifetime of toil on behalf of my family members? The care of friends and family? The love others have towards me, supposedly irreplaceable and uniquely special and well-adored me? All down the drain.
My least favorite feeling in the whole wide world is letting others down. And killing myself would be the ultimate letdown. The ultimate cruelty. So that's why I haven't done it yet. I have often wished, even since young childhood, that everyone stopped caring about me so I could kill myself without anyone worrying or being sad about it. I often exhibit self-destructive tendencies and desires that I sometimes wonder might be in service of this goal, to drive away everyone and everything until the internal hellscape of my mind becomes reality.
submitted by SorryUncleAl to SuicideWatch [link] [comments]
I'm so introverted I'm basically an associate loser anytime I'm at home and even around friends i'm a lpt more cheerful and outgoing but im still pretty reserved and space out a lot. I barely talk to my family anymore even though they constantly try to talk to me and include me. I'm constantly fighting with my parents over the shit that I forget to do or am not listening about or my bad attitude.
I'm terrified of the future. I can't drive. I stopped working out a few weeks ago. I have loving and supporting friends but it feels like I'm constantly victimizing and playing victim to get attention but I can never embrace others or receive love or anything when they recognize I'm struggling and try to show love. I just fucking push everyone away and then the cycle repeats.
I have super close family visiting but it feels like I barely even have anything to say to anyone anymore. My mom even tells me from time to time when we fight that I didnt use to be like this. I'm just a fucked up empty loser at this point. I plan to join the military to pay for college but I struggle with suicidal thoughts daily now and have on and off for over a decade.
I can't have a proper relationship because I have no game but also because I'm too traumatized and emotionally broken to have a healthy relationship or hold one with someone who isn't at least as fucked up as me, and even then my last and only relationship ended because I was too fucked up and made it terrible.
I dream of becoming an author or a teacher or a counselor but I don't have the work ethic to do that shit anymore. I love art and writing but I'm shit and its ultimately pointless. Anything I make would just be shitty anyway I think. I love hearing praise for my work and for myself as a person but thats just because I'm a selfish asshole. I wonder sometimes nowadays if I could even be a narcissist. I've done hard shit before and it feels like I've just checked out. I've lived my life for long enough already. I'm just so tired and I feel so fucking bad. I'm a terrible guy. I hate my body. I hate my personality and I hate that everything I'm going through feels like I'm just doing it all to myself for attention because sometimes it randomly clears up and I'm left wondering what the fuck happened and I feel the urge to try and make myself go back to being fucking depressed and suicidal and I don't know why.
I have a best friend who says that she feels like she's lazy and useless and hater her body. I want to tell her that she's beautiful and amazing and awesome in every way and that I love her, but when we say we love each other, it's only as friends. I'll be going away soon for the military and she'll never know just how in love I am with her. I tell her that my heart breaks that she feels that way but she says she feels worse that I feel the way that I do about myself. She says that she's healing and getting better and learning to love herself but that I can't seem to let myself do that. Maybe she's right. I'm just glad she isn't hurting as bad as me.
My Mom and me fought again today. She's cracking under the pressure of living with my psycho stepdad and her psycho oldest son (me) because we end up not getting along a lot. I make her cry often. I say harsh things to her and I feel some strange need to reject and deny her affections even when I want to embrace her. Sometimes I become the center of attention at events where our achievements are announced, or on my birthday or at a party, but I just want to shrink back into a piece of dust so small that I vanish from the world entirely.
I'm happy around my friends, at least happier than when I'm alone. Or maybe I'm just more outgoing and distracted?. Around my family I'm just a fucking asshole hermetic loser, even those family I really love and like to be around and talk to a bunch, I talk with them and I'm normal but I just never feel "right" no matter what I'm doing. My big wish for years and years that hasn't either been to become a great artist or to find true love has been to use all of my energy I have left to improve the lives of others and take away their problems so I can just fucking die and leave living to them.
I even feel bad about fucking feeling bad. My teachers and friends all wrote such sweet things in my yearbook. "Love you bro." "Never lose hope." "I know you'll do great things. Never change!" And yet here I am for God knows what time this week vividly imagining scenarios in which I just betray everyone I know and let everyone down by ending it all. There just isn't a solution. And whatever solution there really might be, I'm too lazy and fucked up to actually work towards it and bear it all.
I just want to go off to some fantasy where everything is perfect, except I'm not me, I'm someone else. Because it feels like I'll never be okay no matter what happens or where I am or who I'm with. I'm so fucking sad man. Everything fucking sucks. Please help me.
A rabbit just came really close to me and sat by me for a second and hopped away. The worst part about feeling bad is that it's on and off. I liked seeing it there and I felt wonder. But I feel bad again now. And I feel a pull when I don't, to return to feeling terrible when I'm feeling happy. I think I'd feel fine if I didn't constantly try to push and keep myself down. I wonder if I really do do it to myself for whatever reason, or if I actually am the victim or sufferer of some kinds of issues or problems? I think part of ot is to feel special. Also to have a constant issue that needs to be addressed. And of course, as an excuse to make nothing of myself and throw away the hard work myself and others have put in. Hundreds of hours of athletics and fitness? Gone. Years of academic achievement? Gone. A lifetime of toil on behalf of my family members? The care of friends and family? The love others have towards me, supposedly irreplaceable and uniquely special and well-adored me? All down the drain.
My least favorite feeling in the whole wide world is letting others down. And killing myself would be the ultimate letdown. The ultimate cruelty. So that's why I haven't done it yet. I have often wished, even since young childhood, that everyone stopped caring about me so I could kill myself without anyone worrying or being sad about it. I often exhibit self-destructive tendencies and desires that I sometimes wonder might be in service of this goal, to drive away everyone and everything until the internal hellscape of my mind becomes reality.
2024.05.16 04:56 Sweet-Count2557 10 Tips for a Relaxing Maldives Resort Stay for Reluctant Travelers
 | 10 Tips for a Relaxing Maldives Resort Stay for Reluctant Travelers As we explore the realm of travel, it's intriguing to note that despite the allure of the Maldives' pristine beaches and luxurious resorts, many individuals may find themselves hesitant to embark on such a journey.However, with our ten expert tips crafted specifically for reluctant travelers, we aim to provide a comprehensive guide that transforms apprehension into anticipation.Let's uncover the secrets to a truly relaxing Maldives resort stay that caters to even the most hesitant of wanderers.Key TakeawaysPrioritize private villas and overwater accommodations for a secluded stay.Engage in beach activities and spa treatments to embrace relaxation.Opt for all-inclusive packages for worry-free luxury and convenience.Explore beyond the resort for unique experiences and hidden gems.Choosing the Right ResortWhen searching for the perfect Maldives resort for a relaxing getaway, it's crucial to prioritize factors like private villas, overwater accommodations, and exclusive amenities. A resort like Velassaru Maldives fits the bill, offering luxurious private villas where you can unwind in seclusion. These private villas provide the perfect sanctuary for a peaceful retreat, allowing you to enjoy the stunning views of the crystal-clear waters right from your doorstep. Additionally, resorts like JOALI BEING cater to the wellness-focused traveler, with integrated wellness programs and rejuvenating spa experiences that will leave you feeling refreshed and revitalized.In terms of dining options, it's essential to choose a resort that offers diverse culinary experiences. Look for resorts that not only serve delicious and healthy dishes but also provide a wide range of options to cater to different tastes. Whether you're craving fresh seafood by the beach or a gourmet meal under the stars, a resort with diverse dining options like JOALI BEING will ensure that your taste buds are always satisfied.Moreover, when selecting a Maldives resort, safety should be a top priority. Ensure that the resort you choose emphasizes safety protocols such as social distancing and mask-wearing to provide you with a worry-free and relaxing experience. By considering these factors, you can make sure that your Maldives getaway is everything you dreamed of and more.Embracing Island TimeEmbracing the tranquil rhythm of island time in the Maldives allows for a seamless transition into a world where relaxation and serenity reign supreme. The Maldives, with its paradisiacal setting, invites visitors to unwind and let go of the stresses of everyday life. Here are a few ways to fully embrace the relaxed pace and tranquil atmosphere of the Maldives:Immersing Yourself in Leisurely Days: Take advantage of the unhurried pace by indulging in beach activities, such as snorkeling or simply lounging by the crystal-clear waters. These leisurely days are perfect for unwinding and enjoying the serene beauty of the Maldives.Savoring Spa Treatments: Treat yourself to a pampering session at one of the many luxurious spas in the Maldives. From relaxing massages to rejuvenating facials, these treatments will help you reach the pinnacle of relaxation amidst the island's tranquil surroundings.Enjoying Serene Moments in Nature: Whether it's watching a breathtaking sunset, strolling along the powdery white sand beaches, or listening to the gentle lull of the waves, savoring these serene moments in nature is an integral part of embracing island time in the Maldives.Opting for All-Inclusive PackagesOpting for all-inclusive packages in the Maldives ensures a hassle-free and indulgent experience, covering accommodation, meals, drinks, and activities for a truly relaxing getaway. These packages provide a sense of security and convenience, allowing guests to unwind and enjoy their stay without fretting about additional costs. Here is a breakdown of what you can typically expect from an all-inclusive package in the Maldives:InclusionsDetailsBenefitsAccommodationLuxurious overwater villas or beachfront bungalowsUninterrupted relaxation in a stunning settingMealsGourmet dining options with international cuisinesCulinary delights without worrying about the billDrinksUnlimited beverages, including alcoholic drinksEnjoy tropical cocktails by the beach without extra chargesActivitiesWater sports, snorkeling, sunset cruises, and moreExciting adventures to make the most of your stayThese packages offer a worry-free vacation where guests can focus on rejuvenation without the need to constantly make decisions or pay for extras. Indulge in unlimited food and beverages, explore the underwater wonders, or simply lounge by the pristine beaches – all included in your package. With everything taken care of, all you need to do is relax and soak in the beauty of the Maldives.Exploring Beyond the ResortVenture beyond the confines of your resort to discover the authentic charm and diverse experiences awaiting in the Maldives. Exploring beyond the resort opens up a world of opportunities to immerse yourself in the beauty and culture of this stunning destination.Local Islands: Explore local islands like Maafushi and Guraidhoo to get a taste of Maldivian culture and experience daily island life firsthand.Diving Experience: Visit the Maldives Victory wreck site for a unique diving experience that not only allows you to explore underwater wonders but also offers a glimpse into the country's rich history.Capital City: Take a day trip to Male, the capital city, to wander through markets, visit landmarks like the Grand Friday Mosque, and indulge in local cuisine for a true Maldivian experience.Whether you're into water sports, guided excursions, or simply seeking to uncover hidden gems, stepping beyond the resort boundaries will introduce you to a whole new side of the Maldives. Don't miss out on the chance to explore the vibrant marine life through activities like snorkeling, diving, and fishing, or to journey to uninhabited islands for a secluded beach experience and witness untouched natural beauty.Mindful Relaxation PracticesHow can we incorporate mindfulness practices to enhance relaxation during our stay at a Maldives resort?One way to promote relaxation is by engaging in deep breathing exercises. Find a quiet spot on the beach, close your eyes, and take slow, deep breaths to center yourself and let go of any tension.Another effective practice is meditation. Set aside some time each day to meditate, focusing on the present moment and letting go of any stressful thoughts.Additionally, participating in gentle yoga sessions on the beach can help you unwind and destress. The combination of the soothing ocean waves and the calming yoga poses can create a serene environment for relaxation.To further enhance your relaxation, indulge in the spa treatments offered at the resort. Treat yourself to massages, facials, or body scrubs to rejuvenate your mind and body. The therapeutic touch and calming ambiance of the spa can elevate your relaxation experience.Moreover, take leisurely walks along the pristine beaches or simply relax in a hammock while listening to the sound of the waves. Disconnecting from technology and immersing yourself in the natural beauty of the Maldives can help you truly unwind and recharge.Packing Light and SmartLet's streamline our relaxation experience by packing light and smart for our Maldives resort stay. When it comes to packing light, focusing on the essentials is key. Here are a few tips to ensure you're prepared without overpacking:Swimsuits: Given that you'll likely spend most of your time in the water or on the beach, packing a few swimsuits is a must. Opt for versatile pieces that you can mix and match for different looks.Sunscreen: Protecting your skin from the sun is crucial, especially in a tropical destination like the Maldives. Consider bringing reef-safe sunscreen to not only safeguard your skin but also the marine environment.Curly Hair Care: Embrace your natural curls during your stay and keep your hair routine simple. Pack the necessary products to manage and enhance your curls in the humid weather.Respecting Local CustomsRespecting local customs in the Maldives entails dressing modestly and being mindful of cultural norms to ensure a harmonious experience during your stay. It's important to cover your shoulders, chest, and knees when venturing outside resort islands to show respect for local customs. Avoiding public displays of affection is also crucial to adhere to cultural norms on local islands. Additionally, alcohol consumption is restricted to resort islands only, in compliance with Maldivian regulations.To have a pleasant and respectful stay, it's essential to understand and follow the local rules. By being aware of and respecting cultural sensitivities, you not only show respect but also demonstrate appreciation for the Maldivian way of life. Embracing these customs not only enhances your experience but also fosters positive interactions with locals and fellow travelers.Navigating Transportation HasslesNavigating transportation in the Maldives can be an exciting part of your journey, with seaplanes and boats commonly used to travel from Male to resort islands. Understanding the logistics of island transfers can help make your travel experience smoother and more enjoyable.Seaplanes and Boats: Seaplanes are a popular and picturesque mode of transportation from Male to resort islands. Boats are also commonly used for transfers, especially to islands closer to the capital.Transportation Costs: Seaplane costs typically range from $200 to $600 round trip, depending on the distance to the resort island. It's essential to factor in these costs when planning your trip budget.Resort Coordination: Coordinating with your resort for island transfers can simplify the transportation process. Many resorts offer package deals that include transportation from Male to the island, so be sure to inquire about these options when booking your stay.Navigating transportation in the Maldives may seem daunting at first, but with a bit of preparation and understanding of the available options, you can make the journey from Male to your resort island a seamless and enjoyable part of your overall travel experience.Enjoying Water ActivitiesExploring the stunning aquatic wonders of the Maldives adds a thrilling dimension to our resort stay. The crystal-clear waters beckon us to immerse ourselves in vibrant marine life through activities like snorkeling and diving. For a more leisurely experience, we can opt for kayaking and paddleboarding, allowing us to unwind while soaking in the picturesque views surrounding us. These serene moments on the water offer a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.If seeking a bit of adventure, windsurfing and parasailing provide an exhilarating twist during our time at the resort. Feeling the wind in our hair and the rush of excitement as we glide over the turquoise waters is sure to create lasting memories. On the other hand, a leisurely swim in the calm lagoons or simply lounging on the pristine white-sand beaches offer moments of pure relaxation and tranquility.As the day transitions into evening, indulging in sunset cruises or joining fishing excursions can provide a tranquil and memorable experience. Watching the sun dip below the horizon while gently cruising along the Maldivian waters is a perfect way to unwind and appreciate the natural beauty that surrounds us. Whether seeking relaxation or adventure, the water activities in the Maldives cater to all preferences, ensuring a truly unforgettable stay.Unwinding With Spa TreatmentsAfter a day of thrilling water activities, unwinding with spa treatments in the Maldives is the perfect way to rejuvenate and relax. Spa treatments in this luxurious destination offer a range of relaxing experiences, from massages to facials, all set in serene and tranquil surroundings. Specialized spa therapists are on hand to provide customized treatments tailored to individual needs and preferences, ensuring the ultimate relaxation experience. Many resorts in the Maldives boast world-class spas equipped with luxurious amenities such as hydrotherapy pools, sauna rooms, and private treatment rooms, adding an extra touch of indulgence to your wellness journey.Customized Treatments: Specialized spa therapists offer personalized treatments tailored to your specific needs and preferences, ensuring a truly relaxing experience.Luxurious Amenities: Enjoy the lavish facilities of Maldivian spas, including hydrotherapy pools, sauna rooms, and private treatment rooms, adding to the overall sense of relaxation and rejuvenation.Holistic Wellness: Indulge in signature spa rituals inspired by local traditions and ingredients, promoting holistic wellness and leaving you feeling refreshed and invigorated.Immerse yourself in the soothing sounds of the ocean and gentle sea breeze that enhance the spa experience, creating a peaceful oasis for unwinding and de-stressing in the Maldives.Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat Are the Do's and Don'ts in the Maldives?When visiting the Maldives, it's important to be mindful of beach etiquette, local customs, dress codes, and language barriers. Following these guidelines will help you navigate the cultural norms with ease.Remember to cover up appropriately, respect the designated beach areas, and avoid public displays of affection. By showing respect for the local customs and sensitivities, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience during your stay in the Maldives.Should You Stay at an All Inclusive in the Maldives?Why miss out on the convenience of an all-inclusive stay in the Maldives? With budget options, local cuisine, water activities, private villas, and sunset views all included, it's a stress-free way to unwind.We find that staying at an all-inclusive resort lets us relax and fully enjoy the beauty of the Maldives without worrying about extra costs.What Do I Need to Know Before Going to Maldives?Before going to the Maldives, we recommend packing essentials like sunscreen, light clothing, and swimwear. Respect cultural etiquette by dressing modestly on local islands.Try local cuisine like mas huni and hedhikaa for a true taste of Maldivian flavors.Transportation options include speedboats and seaplanes to hop between islands easily.Consider weather conditions for the best time to visit and enjoy your stay in this tropical paradise.Which Part of Maldives Is the Best to Stay?When choosing where to stay in the Maldives, the best part for a relaxing getaway is the South Male Atoll. This area offers beachfront villas, overwater bungalows, and private islands, perfect for secluded retreats.You can also enjoy local experiences like snorkeling in beautiful coral reefs. South Male Atoll is easily accessible from Male International Airport, making it a convenient choice for a tranquil and luxurious vacation.ConclusionAs we set sail from the tranquil shores of the Maldives, let's remember that just as the ocean ebbs and flows, so too does our need for relaxation and rejuvenation. By following these ten tips, we've unlocked the treasure trove of serenity that this paradise has to offer.May we carry the calmness of these crystal clear waters with us, wherever our journey may take us.Bon voyage! submitted by Sweet-Count2557 to worldkidstravel [link] [comments] |
2024.05.16 04:35 jstady_2002 For you experts
 | I’ve had a want of building a table for my man cave for a while. I’ve been on the lookout for a log from one of my favorite areas I visit. I discovered a goofy box elder and got to cutting. Today I was able to slab it up and it was what I hoped and also wasn’t what I had hoped. It had a lot of burls around it and just has some cool grain patterns. Unfortunately it was a little soft in most but I gotta figure out something cool. What would some of you do to make a nice coffee table with these slabs? I think the epoxy river tables have ran their course but im open to some other ideas from you all. It’s not the best piece but looks cool and wanted to see what you great minds would come up with. I’ve got at least a year to think of a design and plan but you can never start to soon. submitted by jstady_2002 to woodworking [link] [comments] |
2024.05.16 04:33 Aubscry Code enforcement office gave me a citation after already fixing the problem.
Hey all, sorry if this is the wrong place to post. Typing on mobile, etc, etc.
I’m in my second year of owning my own home in my small/medium-ish town. Everyone knows everyone kinda place.
I got a notice in the mail of violation for “trash/rubbish” in my drive way on 4/29. I’ll admit it was probably warranted. I had a plastic tub on the side of my house with pebbles I was removing from my front garden plot, a piece of siding next to it that I planned on fixing, and a couple of rusted cans and maybe a plastic bottle or two all the way towards the back of my drive way that had blown over probably from the storms we’ve had recently. I owned up to it and picked everything up. The notice said to have everything picked up before 5/7 and that an inspection would be done on 5/7- 5/10 to see if the problem had been fixed. I thought it was all said and done and everything would be fine.
Fast forward to today. I checked the mail and I got a citation for not fixing the problem and that I owed a fine and a meeting with the code enforcement office. Great. Just what I needed.
The only problem is I fixed everything. Cleaned up everything around my house. Pulled weeds. Swept my porch, made sure everything was picked up and clean. I even have time stamped pictures of what my driveway and front porch looked like on 5/7 and some even from today cause I was confused and angry and plan on going into the office.
What really makes me mad is my neighbors. I have pictures from tonight of their front porches and driveways as well. They both have large boxes that have been there a few weeks so far. One neighbor has a broken down motorcycle that hasn’t been moved in a year, an uncovered mattress, random furniture, trash, tarps crumpled up, uncovered boat that hasn’t moved in a year, etc. (our houses are small shotgun style houses that are close together if that helps paint the picture better)
They haven’t done anything to fix their properties. Did they even get a notice/ citation for their messes? Cause it doesn’t seem like they plan on fixing anything anytime soon.
Is there any legal insight into this? I fixed the problem in the timeframe I was given but still got a citation. Like I said I do plan on making a visit to their office tomorrow.
Thank you for reading all this. Any tips, advice, suggestions, similar experiences are appreciated. :)
submitted by Aubscry to homeowners [link] [comments]
I’m in my second year of owning my own home in my small/medium-ish town. Everyone knows everyone kinda place.
I got a notice in the mail of violation for “trash/rubbish” in my drive way on 4/29. I’ll admit it was probably warranted. I had a plastic tub on the side of my house with pebbles I was removing from my front garden plot, a piece of siding next to it that I planned on fixing, and a couple of rusted cans and maybe a plastic bottle or two all the way towards the back of my drive way that had blown over probably from the storms we’ve had recently. I owned up to it and picked everything up. The notice said to have everything picked up before 5/7 and that an inspection would be done on 5/7- 5/10 to see if the problem had been fixed. I thought it was all said and done and everything would be fine.
Fast forward to today. I checked the mail and I got a citation for not fixing the problem and that I owed a fine and a meeting with the code enforcement office. Great. Just what I needed.
The only problem is I fixed everything. Cleaned up everything around my house. Pulled weeds. Swept my porch, made sure everything was picked up and clean. I even have time stamped pictures of what my driveway and front porch looked like on 5/7 and some even from today cause I was confused and angry and plan on going into the office.
What really makes me mad is my neighbors. I have pictures from tonight of their front porches and driveways as well. They both have large boxes that have been there a few weeks so far. One neighbor has a broken down motorcycle that hasn’t been moved in a year, an uncovered mattress, random furniture, trash, tarps crumpled up, uncovered boat that hasn’t moved in a year, etc. (our houses are small shotgun style houses that are close together if that helps paint the picture better)
They haven’t done anything to fix their properties. Did they even get a notice/ citation for their messes? Cause it doesn’t seem like they plan on fixing anything anytime soon.
Is there any legal insight into this? I fixed the problem in the timeframe I was given but still got a citation. Like I said I do plan on making a visit to their office tomorrow.
Thank you for reading all this. Any tips, advice, suggestions, similar experiences are appreciated. :)
2024.05.16 04:30 Chynamyte SpiderWeb ($ARAC) - Quick Fundamentals - Security Features
 | Hey Spider-Mites, submitted by Chynamyte to SpiderWeb_ARAC [link] [comments] Today, we will start off with a Quick Fundamental guide on the Security Features of SpiderWeb ($ARAC)! This will be a quick guide to highlight the key points and features within our security features for you to better understand just "How" we intend to protect the information, and "Why" it will be far more secure than the traditional methods used today! This project was built with the aim to reduce both cost of traditional web hosting and traffic while maximizing focus on providing security as it has become a rampant issue amongst users, both business and personal alike! Let's Begin! Spiderweb ($ARAC), is/will be composed of self-built private nodes and public nodes of P2P resources, in essentially 3 tiers, to form a web of decentralized IDC infrastructure: Tier Structure For heightened security, Spiderweb ($ARAC) has a built in proactive/passive AI which monitors all traffic and also uses the same SHA256 encryption method as Bitcoin nodes, SO incase of failure or intrusion/hacking events, it will automatically relay and/or retrieve information between other nodes, so that data security is guaranteed! (see photos below!) Your personal nodes (SDN - See White Paper for more details) will hold about 49% of you data, while the other 51% is fragmented on all other nodes within the network, and the process to rebuild ANY loss data from any POSSIBLE failure events will be easy as well so that users can operate without worry! After SHA256 encryption fragments your data into 100 pieces, it will store it across 100 initial nodes across the network so, with these exciting and amazing features, you can be sure that you can go about your business with a peace of mind! (SpiderWeb ($ARAC) will also incorporate an eco-friendly and energy-efficient consensus mechanism called "Proof of Use" (PoU), which will be used as a means of reward verification as well!) (**See the NFT Collection Launch post for more details!**) Thanks everyone for taking the time to understand our Security features! Once again, for a more detailed explanations of this, please visit our #WhitePaper here: https://discord.gg/TmhneY5SEu ! Hope everyone has a great day and let's weave a brighter future together! |
2024.05.16 04:09 KrampusTellsTheTruth Dark side of the moon (Book announcement rewrite)
I held the package close, its precious contents pressed against my spine. The steady beeps that communicated life drove my exhausted legs forward. Even with the combat stimulants running rampant through my blood, my nervous system bringing fibrous polymer muscles to their brink, and a set of assisting servos practically tripling my stride speed, I was exhausted. The sun and its rays bared down on me like a predatory dragon, each ray a fang made of flame, ready to tear open my suit and scorch my skin…but not today.
“Not today!”
I picked my stride up and sent every muscle in my body past overdrive, I tore stone and sand as I sprinted farther forward and collapsed. I had finally made it to one of the only rations of shade on the desolate moon surface. As I hit the ground and retreated into the shade, I removed the pack from my shoulders and gently laid the box down. I opened the zipper that held the sunshade on and looked at the pale figure inside.
“Hello my love, I hope you’re resting well, we finally made it, now just time to wait…and you'll be better again”
I took my helmet off and took a deep breath before beginning to set up camp. I thought back to the mission room, where I was nearly denied entry to Io
“You understand the journey you’re undertaking has never been completed before? This is a mission that as of this moment has a 100% rate of failure. Do you not think it would be wiser to simply say your goodbyes and prepare for a life without her?”
I shook my head as the council stared at me with tired expressions and pained eyes
“I am three times decorated am I not?”
The head minister nodded and shuffled her papers, reading slowly from the top page
“Argon Lethius, 12 tours, 7 rotations, 153 confirmed neutralizations, 3000 pending, strength record unmatched, augmentations class S granted. You’re also the sole surviving candidate of the sky petal program”
The sky petal program, an experimental research project I had taken part in to pay for my wedding. The core concept was simple: graft photovoltaic cells onto our skin and use nanotechnology to create a bio-mechanical ecosystem within the dermis.
The result was going to be humans capable of photosynthesis, making us less susceptible to nutrition based disaster. Rejection however was high in the program and when your body is trying to fight its skin, things get ugly quickly. A dormant gene I had passed on from my mother allowed my body to accept the prosthesis but at great cost, I was now essentially allergic to solar radiation. When I'm planetside I'm just fine, but if I was in an area devoid of atmosphere, the nanotech would go overkill, usually producing energy akin to solar flares from my skin.
“Mr. Lethius, your feats and skills are unmatched, your circumstances are impossible to reproduce and the dedication you’ve shown to this coalition has been unwavering. Which is why we sympathize with your loss, and grieve with you. Crystal was-”
I snapped at her
“Is…she’s still alive”
The minister nodded and corrected herself
“I'm sorry, Crystal is an incredible addition to this council, and we are deeply sorry both internally and externally. But the dragons of Io have no official record, and the sunlight alone could overcharge you in a day, leaving not only our best military asset but also his sick wife stranded without hope of rescue”
I nodded and spoke solemnly
“3 days supply, and a ship to drop me off, if I don't respond in 4 days, come get my body and bury her where we fall. She loves it there. Even if I can't save her, I want her to rest somewhere she would be happy”
I snapped back to the present and finished setting up camp. Unpacking our supplies and connecting a set of solar panels to her cryo-chamber. I watched her take deep breaths through the ventilator as I threw a tarp overhead and began digging into the rockface.
“You’ll be ok my love, by this time tomorrow you’ll be your old self again”
I dug for hours, tearing holes in my suit and flaying the skin from my fingers. As my blood hit the white dirt and stained the cracked surface, I felt a degree of nausea rise up from my stomach. Saliva filled my dry mouth and I bit down on my tongue to prevent the vomit. Bile reached the back of my throat and I dug my fingers into the dirt, searching for the Will to resist my body’s urges. The sun couldn’t take me, my mind couldn’t shake me, I would not buckle before saving her. Before long I couldn't go on, and I needed to rest.
I swallowed hard and sat back, laying down and looking up at the harsh sky.
“Hindsight is 20/20, we can keep trying new things but sometimes this is just how things work out, I’m sorry”
I nodded as the doctor left the room and she sat motionless in her gown.
“That guy didn’t know what he was talking about, there’s so many treatments, we’ll just go to another doctor”
She brushed a strand of hair out of her face and looked up at me
“I’m tired of my love, can we go home?”
I nodded without speaking and embraced her, feeling her slow and weakened heartbeat against my chest, its rhythm in sync with my own.
“Sure, We’ll go home”
That was the last time I saw her awake, she fell asleep on the car ride home…and never woke up. I was able to bring her to the hospital where they revived her, but she was comatose, most likely asleep till the cancer kills her.
“I’m sorry my love”
I looked over at her chamber before bringing my hand up to my face and staring at the mangled flesh of my palms.
“A drop of blood for a question, a thousand heartbeats for an answer”
I heard the voice in my head as if it was a thought I had formulated all on my own, but the voice was different, it didn’t belong to me nor anyone I had ever heard before.
“A single tear for a favor, an entire ocean for its completion”
I crawled to the spot where my blood had dripped into the ground, the sand was stained red but almost completely dry. I leaned over it and thought about my honeymoon, I thought about vacations and work, time together and apart, moments where she was everything. I thought about the idea of my life without her, and then it came like a flood. Tears flowed freely from my eyes and drenched the ground, the first falling square on the red stain in the sand. The liquid pooled on top and a small ribbon of crimson fluid flowed upward into the tear drop. The ribbon danced and waved in a thin line through the microscopic ocean.
“What is your question?”
The voice came from above me now, and as I slowly looked upward, a loomed overhead, blocking the sun from view, and causing my heart to skip a beat.
“What…is your question”
Before me now stood a massive beast, speaking in the voice I had heard in my mind and digging his gargantuan claws into the sand. The tip of each toe ended in a blade that was crystalline and almost translucent. Each blade too had a glowing orange stripe that when shifted, turned the sand underneath him to panes of glass. His arms were broad and powerful, covered in green scales and his maw hung open with a light blue mist emanating from his teeth. He was the dragon, the one from Io who space gods told legends about.
“I…I want to know something about my wife”
He knelt down on his two front arms and brought his eyes to my level, a kindness flowing between his seemingly infinite pupils.
“Your wife. She is a story I myself cannot seem to get over. What do you wish to know?”
I looked up at him and let out a deep breath before gesturing to her
“Can- can she be saved”
His gaze snapped to her case and he slowly moved over to where she slept
“You brought her with you, of course you did, you could never leave her behind.
I crawled over and knelt next to him, tears still flowing from my eyes.
“Please tell me, can she make it?”
He turned around and knelt next to me, putting a massive hand gently on my shoulder and speaking softly.
“My boy, She’s already made it, just not in the direction…you were hoping”
He tapped the monitor screen and it stopped showing vitals, instead displaying a digital sign in dark red letters. I read them aloud to myself.
“Subject deceased, time since last recorded activity. 37 hours 22 minutes 48-49 seconds”
He nodded and spoke calmly
“You wanted to badly for her to live, you saw her living, even when she wasn’t”
I slammed my hand on the crate and opened the lid, picking her up in my arms and putting my ear to her chest.
“Come on, come on. You’re ok, you’re ok”
I clutched her in my arms as silence arrived to my ears. I rocked her and cried into her soft silken hair. Her pale skin had lost its glimmer and I pressed my forehead against her own. I spoke through tears and a tightened throat
‘No, she cant die, I found you! I finally found you! Come on sweetheart you’re ok right? Just wake up. He's here baby we made it, please just wake up, please”
The dragon loomed over head and let out a deep breath, speaking gently, so as not to disturb the silence
“She is gone, and even I cannot save her”
I felt my skin begin flaming as I turned my head back up toward him
“Then what can you do? What can you do if you can’t bring her back to me? Why are you a legend if you cant make her breath again?!?”
He whispered softly into her ears and I felt the wind of the world around me change
“Because I can send you to her”
The planet fell silent and she disappeared along with the dragon. The camp was gone, my hand had been healed, my suit was gone and instead I wore a thin white shirt and loose cotton shorts. I was comfortable, and as I stood to my feet I felt as if my thirst had been quenched, my hunger satiated, I was…ok.
“Hello?”
I called to the emptiness, and before long a soft sullen voice spoke back.
“Hello darling”
She took my face in her hands and turned me around, holding my cheek as my whole body shook
“Hi beautiful”
I brought my hand up to her own and felt her soft warm skin against mine, I pressed my head into her hand and leapt forward, bringing her close and up into the air as I spun her around. She laughed as I gently set her down and wrapped my arms around her.
“I’m sorry you can’t stay”
I looked at her and spoke quickly
“What do you mean I can’t stay? The dragon sent me to you, he sent me to see you, so we can be together again”
She shook her head and kissed my softly, as she pulled away she put her hand on my chest
“It’s not your time hero, I’ll see you eventually, but this is goodbye for now”
I woke up on the sand, the dragon standing over me, holding her body as she began to slowly turn to dust. His tears fell on her degrading body as he handed her to me, and lowered his head.
“I'm sorry, it’s never permanent, did she tell you goodbye?”
I took a deep breath and held her in my arms before walking a few paces forward, and laying her down on the sand. I spoke calmly as tears streamed down my face.
“Yea…she did”
He nodded
“That is more than most get, was she smiling?’
I wiped my eyes and laughed
“Yea…she was”
He fluffed his wings and let the world around us grow heavy with winds
“Then your mission is complete”
I continued to cry as I looked back at him and spoke in a wavering tone
“Did you know I was a general?”
He strolled over and sat next to me, watching her particles flow away with the storm
“You were the most powerful general of all time, incapacitating but never killing, for a man with your rank one must usually commit vast atrocities but you…you never took one life”
I nodded and watched the wind whip and carry sand alongside her body
“I didn’t want to take life, I was reprimanded over and over but I always knew there was a better way, she wanted me to try, to make it so at every opportunity we could fight without ending lives…she hated senseless death…and I think I see why now”
He spoke calmly, wiping his eyes as the last of her bones turned to crystalline dust in the wind
“Her death was not senseless, in fact you'll find that when something as beautiful as her dies, it becomes impossible to make sense of it. That does not mean it happened without sense, and it does not mean her death must be for nothing. When men first meet me, they offer a drop of blood, and that is all I require for the question, but to gain my favor, they must give up a piece of themselves”
I sighed and looked up at him
“What do you need from me then?”
He gestured to where her body had sat moments ago
“You just let the biggest piece of yourself go without a fight. You have paid for more than enough trips to see her”
I nodded and spoke without waiver
“I'm not supposed to keep visiting her though, am I? She won’t be happy till we see eachother again permanently, and if I show up prematurely…she would probably be pissed. So ,I guess now I just live?”
He laid down in the sand and let out a deep groan
“I don’t think I’ve lived in quite some time, I’ve been stranded here for so long, evading capture to exist within my freedom, too afraid to face the cosmos again”
I patted his side and gripped what was essentially his ankle
“You shouldn’t be afraid, fear doesn’t do anything for men like us. Maybe we should sit a while, and see if your fear doesn’t go away”
He let out a deep breath and closed his eyes, laying down as I watched the sun rise over the horizon. My heartbeat continued, but as I watched the last of her ashes swirl through the air, I found a modicum of peace, and I thought about her.
submitted by KrampusTellsTheTruth to Wholesomenosleep [link] [comments]
“Not today!”
I picked my stride up and sent every muscle in my body past overdrive, I tore stone and sand as I sprinted farther forward and collapsed. I had finally made it to one of the only rations of shade on the desolate moon surface. As I hit the ground and retreated into the shade, I removed the pack from my shoulders and gently laid the box down. I opened the zipper that held the sunshade on and looked at the pale figure inside.
“Hello my love, I hope you’re resting well, we finally made it, now just time to wait…and you'll be better again”
I took my helmet off and took a deep breath before beginning to set up camp. I thought back to the mission room, where I was nearly denied entry to Io
“You understand the journey you’re undertaking has never been completed before? This is a mission that as of this moment has a 100% rate of failure. Do you not think it would be wiser to simply say your goodbyes and prepare for a life without her?”
I shook my head as the council stared at me with tired expressions and pained eyes
“I am three times decorated am I not?”
The head minister nodded and shuffled her papers, reading slowly from the top page
“Argon Lethius, 12 tours, 7 rotations, 153 confirmed neutralizations, 3000 pending, strength record unmatched, augmentations class S granted. You’re also the sole surviving candidate of the sky petal program”
The sky petal program, an experimental research project I had taken part in to pay for my wedding. The core concept was simple: graft photovoltaic cells onto our skin and use nanotechnology to create a bio-mechanical ecosystem within the dermis.
The result was going to be humans capable of photosynthesis, making us less susceptible to nutrition based disaster. Rejection however was high in the program and when your body is trying to fight its skin, things get ugly quickly. A dormant gene I had passed on from my mother allowed my body to accept the prosthesis but at great cost, I was now essentially allergic to solar radiation. When I'm planetside I'm just fine, but if I was in an area devoid of atmosphere, the nanotech would go overkill, usually producing energy akin to solar flares from my skin.
“Mr. Lethius, your feats and skills are unmatched, your circumstances are impossible to reproduce and the dedication you’ve shown to this coalition has been unwavering. Which is why we sympathize with your loss, and grieve with you. Crystal was-”
I snapped at her
“Is…she’s still alive”
The minister nodded and corrected herself
“I'm sorry, Crystal is an incredible addition to this council, and we are deeply sorry both internally and externally. But the dragons of Io have no official record, and the sunlight alone could overcharge you in a day, leaving not only our best military asset but also his sick wife stranded without hope of rescue”
I nodded and spoke solemnly
“3 days supply, and a ship to drop me off, if I don't respond in 4 days, come get my body and bury her where we fall. She loves it there. Even if I can't save her, I want her to rest somewhere she would be happy”
I snapped back to the present and finished setting up camp. Unpacking our supplies and connecting a set of solar panels to her cryo-chamber. I watched her take deep breaths through the ventilator as I threw a tarp overhead and began digging into the rockface.
“You’ll be ok my love, by this time tomorrow you’ll be your old self again”
I dug for hours, tearing holes in my suit and flaying the skin from my fingers. As my blood hit the white dirt and stained the cracked surface, I felt a degree of nausea rise up from my stomach. Saliva filled my dry mouth and I bit down on my tongue to prevent the vomit. Bile reached the back of my throat and I dug my fingers into the dirt, searching for the Will to resist my body’s urges. The sun couldn’t take me, my mind couldn’t shake me, I would not buckle before saving her. Before long I couldn't go on, and I needed to rest.
I swallowed hard and sat back, laying down and looking up at the harsh sky.
“Hindsight is 20/20, we can keep trying new things but sometimes this is just how things work out, I’m sorry”
I nodded as the doctor left the room and she sat motionless in her gown.
“That guy didn’t know what he was talking about, there’s so many treatments, we’ll just go to another doctor”
She brushed a strand of hair out of her face and looked up at me
“I’m tired of my love, can we go home?”
I nodded without speaking and embraced her, feeling her slow and weakened heartbeat against my chest, its rhythm in sync with my own.
“Sure, We’ll go home”
That was the last time I saw her awake, she fell asleep on the car ride home…and never woke up. I was able to bring her to the hospital where they revived her, but she was comatose, most likely asleep till the cancer kills her.
“I’m sorry my love”
I looked over at her chamber before bringing my hand up to my face and staring at the mangled flesh of my palms.
“A drop of blood for a question, a thousand heartbeats for an answer”
I heard the voice in my head as if it was a thought I had formulated all on my own, but the voice was different, it didn’t belong to me nor anyone I had ever heard before.
“A single tear for a favor, an entire ocean for its completion”
I crawled to the spot where my blood had dripped into the ground, the sand was stained red but almost completely dry. I leaned over it and thought about my honeymoon, I thought about vacations and work, time together and apart, moments where she was everything. I thought about the idea of my life without her, and then it came like a flood. Tears flowed freely from my eyes and drenched the ground, the first falling square on the red stain in the sand. The liquid pooled on top and a small ribbon of crimson fluid flowed upward into the tear drop. The ribbon danced and waved in a thin line through the microscopic ocean.
“What is your question?”
The voice came from above me now, and as I slowly looked upward, a loomed overhead, blocking the sun from view, and causing my heart to skip a beat.
“What…is your question”
Before me now stood a massive beast, speaking in the voice I had heard in my mind and digging his gargantuan claws into the sand. The tip of each toe ended in a blade that was crystalline and almost translucent. Each blade too had a glowing orange stripe that when shifted, turned the sand underneath him to panes of glass. His arms were broad and powerful, covered in green scales and his maw hung open with a light blue mist emanating from his teeth. He was the dragon, the one from Io who space gods told legends about.
“I…I want to know something about my wife”
He knelt down on his two front arms and brought his eyes to my level, a kindness flowing between his seemingly infinite pupils.
“Your wife. She is a story I myself cannot seem to get over. What do you wish to know?”
I looked up at him and let out a deep breath before gesturing to her
“Can- can she be saved”
His gaze snapped to her case and he slowly moved over to where she slept
“You brought her with you, of course you did, you could never leave her behind.
I crawled over and knelt next to him, tears still flowing from my eyes.
“Please tell me, can she make it?”
He turned around and knelt next to me, putting a massive hand gently on my shoulder and speaking softly.
“My boy, She’s already made it, just not in the direction…you were hoping”
He tapped the monitor screen and it stopped showing vitals, instead displaying a digital sign in dark red letters. I read them aloud to myself.
“Subject deceased, time since last recorded activity. 37 hours 22 minutes 48-49 seconds”
He nodded and spoke calmly
“You wanted to badly for her to live, you saw her living, even when she wasn’t”
I slammed my hand on the crate and opened the lid, picking her up in my arms and putting my ear to her chest.
“Come on, come on. You’re ok, you’re ok”
I clutched her in my arms as silence arrived to my ears. I rocked her and cried into her soft silken hair. Her pale skin had lost its glimmer and I pressed my forehead against her own. I spoke through tears and a tightened throat
‘No, she cant die, I found you! I finally found you! Come on sweetheart you’re ok right? Just wake up. He's here baby we made it, please just wake up, please”
The dragon loomed over head and let out a deep breath, speaking gently, so as not to disturb the silence
“She is gone, and even I cannot save her”
I felt my skin begin flaming as I turned my head back up toward him
“Then what can you do? What can you do if you can’t bring her back to me? Why are you a legend if you cant make her breath again?!?”
He whispered softly into her ears and I felt the wind of the world around me change
“Because I can send you to her”
The planet fell silent and she disappeared along with the dragon. The camp was gone, my hand had been healed, my suit was gone and instead I wore a thin white shirt and loose cotton shorts. I was comfortable, and as I stood to my feet I felt as if my thirst had been quenched, my hunger satiated, I was…ok.
“Hello?”
I called to the emptiness, and before long a soft sullen voice spoke back.
“Hello darling”
She took my face in her hands and turned me around, holding my cheek as my whole body shook
“Hi beautiful”
I brought my hand up to her own and felt her soft warm skin against mine, I pressed my head into her hand and leapt forward, bringing her close and up into the air as I spun her around. She laughed as I gently set her down and wrapped my arms around her.
“I’m sorry you can’t stay”
I looked at her and spoke quickly
“What do you mean I can’t stay? The dragon sent me to you, he sent me to see you, so we can be together again”
She shook her head and kissed my softly, as she pulled away she put her hand on my chest
“It’s not your time hero, I’ll see you eventually, but this is goodbye for now”
I woke up on the sand, the dragon standing over me, holding her body as she began to slowly turn to dust. His tears fell on her degrading body as he handed her to me, and lowered his head.
“I'm sorry, it’s never permanent, did she tell you goodbye?”
I took a deep breath and held her in my arms before walking a few paces forward, and laying her down on the sand. I spoke calmly as tears streamed down my face.
“Yea…she did”
He nodded
“That is more than most get, was she smiling?’
I wiped my eyes and laughed
“Yea…she was”
He fluffed his wings and let the world around us grow heavy with winds
“Then your mission is complete”
I continued to cry as I looked back at him and spoke in a wavering tone
“Did you know I was a general?”
He strolled over and sat next to me, watching her particles flow away with the storm
“You were the most powerful general of all time, incapacitating but never killing, for a man with your rank one must usually commit vast atrocities but you…you never took one life”
I nodded and watched the wind whip and carry sand alongside her body
“I didn’t want to take life, I was reprimanded over and over but I always knew there was a better way, she wanted me to try, to make it so at every opportunity we could fight without ending lives…she hated senseless death…and I think I see why now”
He spoke calmly, wiping his eyes as the last of her bones turned to crystalline dust in the wind
“Her death was not senseless, in fact you'll find that when something as beautiful as her dies, it becomes impossible to make sense of it. That does not mean it happened without sense, and it does not mean her death must be for nothing. When men first meet me, they offer a drop of blood, and that is all I require for the question, but to gain my favor, they must give up a piece of themselves”
I sighed and looked up at him
“What do you need from me then?”
He gestured to where her body had sat moments ago
“You just let the biggest piece of yourself go without a fight. You have paid for more than enough trips to see her”
I nodded and spoke without waiver
“I'm not supposed to keep visiting her though, am I? She won’t be happy till we see eachother again permanently, and if I show up prematurely…she would probably be pissed. So ,I guess now I just live?”
He laid down in the sand and let out a deep groan
“I don’t think I’ve lived in quite some time, I’ve been stranded here for so long, evading capture to exist within my freedom, too afraid to face the cosmos again”
I patted his side and gripped what was essentially his ankle
“You shouldn’t be afraid, fear doesn’t do anything for men like us. Maybe we should sit a while, and see if your fear doesn’t go away”
He let out a deep breath and closed his eyes, laying down as I watched the sun rise over the horizon. My heartbeat continued, but as I watched the last of her ashes swirl through the air, I found a modicum of peace, and I thought about her.
2024.05.16 03:42 MSV_3 AITA For "lying" about the father of my children?
I know the title already makes me sound bad but hear me out. I (30f) have three kids (two M and one F, all 3. Yes they're triplets) and the backstory behind this whole situation is complicated. So I was roommates with my former friend F (29f) and I grew up with her and her brother B. Me and B dated for a few years but ultimately decided we were better off as friends.
In school F and B had serious issues with a guy named A, and by issues I mean they hated each other. I'm not even really sure what it was, they just couldn't stand to even be in the same room as each other. I just kind of went along with it all since F and B were my friends, but I never had any kind of real problem with A. This "rivalry" carried into adulthood and it became not that weird to see them talking to each other passive aggressively in social media posts.
Well a few years after we graduated, I decided to have an actual civil conversation with A and we got along surprisingly well. We decided to meet up in person and had a great time, and eventually we got into a relationship. I never told F or B because I knew they would take it horribly.
To take a sudden dark turn for a moment, around four years ago B went missing and was found dead two months later. Murder was the most likely cause. His family bizarrely suspected A first, and he was considered as an actual suspect somehow (I know, I don't get it either) this was also around the time I found out I was pregnant. I told F, and she asked who the dad was since I hadn't been with anyone (to her knowledge) since A. Before I could even answer she then asked if B was the father. I didn't say anything, not confirming nor denying, but I guess she took it as a yes because she hugged me and told me she was so happy to have a piece of her brother left. I didn't have the heart to say anything to her.
I was really surprised to find out I was having triplets, but all three were born healthy. P (M), P2 (F, yes her name also starts with a P) and L (M). B's family, F and their dad were so happy to have "new members of the family" even though I still never said anything about who their father was. F and I took practically raised them together, and I would take them to visit A every so often. I never told them he was their dad but I wanted to so badly, I was just afraid that they might tell F and she would be furious.
Well she found out. I'm not completely sure how, but I left my phone in my room while I was showering and apparently she went in their to look for something and decided to snoop. She saw my messages with A and confronted me about it. I told her the truth and she was pissed, yelling at me for "lying" to her about her brother being the father of these children for so long, when it was actually "the man who probably killed him". I told her that I never lied about anything and she was the one who assumed, I never said anything about their dad. She told me that me and my kids weren't allowed to live there anymore, and she wanted us out or she would call her dad and make us leave (he owns the house). I begged for her to let us stay but she wouldn't budge. The kids didn't understand why we had to leave but we couldn't stay there any longer. I'm taking them to A so we can stay with him, we're currently at a rest stop before we keep going.
I never lied about B or him being the father, she just assumed that. If I told her who the actual dad was she would have lost it. AITA For this?
submitted by MSV_3 to AITAH [link] [comments]
In school F and B had serious issues with a guy named A, and by issues I mean they hated each other. I'm not even really sure what it was, they just couldn't stand to even be in the same room as each other. I just kind of went along with it all since F and B were my friends, but I never had any kind of real problem with A. This "rivalry" carried into adulthood and it became not that weird to see them talking to each other passive aggressively in social media posts.
Well a few years after we graduated, I decided to have an actual civil conversation with A and we got along surprisingly well. We decided to meet up in person and had a great time, and eventually we got into a relationship. I never told F or B because I knew they would take it horribly.
To take a sudden dark turn for a moment, around four years ago B went missing and was found dead two months later. Murder was the most likely cause. His family bizarrely suspected A first, and he was considered as an actual suspect somehow (I know, I don't get it either) this was also around the time I found out I was pregnant. I told F, and she asked who the dad was since I hadn't been with anyone (to her knowledge) since A. Before I could even answer she then asked if B was the father. I didn't say anything, not confirming nor denying, but I guess she took it as a yes because she hugged me and told me she was so happy to have a piece of her brother left. I didn't have the heart to say anything to her.
I was really surprised to find out I was having triplets, but all three were born healthy. P (M), P2 (F, yes her name also starts with a P) and L (M). B's family, F and their dad were so happy to have "new members of the family" even though I still never said anything about who their father was. F and I took practically raised them together, and I would take them to visit A every so often. I never told them he was their dad but I wanted to so badly, I was just afraid that they might tell F and she would be furious.
Well she found out. I'm not completely sure how, but I left my phone in my room while I was showering and apparently she went in their to look for something and decided to snoop. She saw my messages with A and confronted me about it. I told her the truth and she was pissed, yelling at me for "lying" to her about her brother being the father of these children for so long, when it was actually "the man who probably killed him". I told her that I never lied about anything and she was the one who assumed, I never said anything about their dad. She told me that me and my kids weren't allowed to live there anymore, and she wanted us out or she would call her dad and make us leave (he owns the house). I begged for her to let us stay but she wouldn't budge. The kids didn't understand why we had to leave but we couldn't stay there any longer. I'm taking them to A so we can stay with him, we're currently at a rest stop before we keep going.
I never lied about B or him being the father, she just assumed that. If I told her who the actual dad was she would have lost it. AITA For this?
2024.05.16 03:33 GentleGiant_01 38m ✌️just over here vibin’. Hello, friends.
I like to travel, read, go down rabbit holes into the wee hours of the night for no apparent reason, gorge on Taco Bell, floss, buy too many house plants, forget what I was doing half way through said activity and
Possible conversation fodder:
submitted by GentleGiant_01 to MeetNewPeopleHere [link] [comments]
Possible conversation fodder:
- what’s a piece of advice that’s really resonated with you?
- what’s a book that’s changed the way you look at the world
- what’s a place you visited that was unexpectedly awesome?
- tell me a trivial fact that blew your mind
- tell me about a moment when you felt really alive
2024.05.16 03:22 Equipment-machinery1 Top Dollar For Your Used Construction Equipment
2024.05.16 03:07 skibbity_bop_mm_dada My Boyfriend (20M) and I (23F) Have Been Thinking of Ending Our Long-Distance Relationship, Should I Keep Trying to Make Things Work?
My boyfriend (20M) and I (23F) have been dating long distance for nearly 2 years now, our anniversary is coming up soon and things have been very difficult recently between us.
I think it started about 2 months ago when he had been trying to convince me to move in with him and his family. I considered it for a while but I ultimately ended up choosing to stay with my family because I'm in college and need the stability that staying with my family offers, and staying with his family has significant challenges of its own. Then he tried to get me to come visit him, but I told him since he didn't have a car yet and we wouldn't be able to do anything on our own without his dad driving us that we should just wait a month or two and visit then. At that point, he said that he would not be moving in with me and my family (which was the original plan since the very beginning before he tried to get me to move in with him) because he didn't want to be around my family. I've told him about fights my family and I have had and he can't forgive them or at least move past it enough to move in anymore even though things are better with my family now than they ever were before. Since then, things haven't been the same.
We'll get into arguments all the time which will result in him threatening the relationship and me trying to piece things back together because it seems like all of this has come out of nowhere during the past two months. He will also be consistently rude to me and act like I'm an annoyance. I have always given him all the love and attention he could ever want, and previous issues he had with me in the beginning are no more now. I've given up on getting any love from him for the moment. But when he's rude to me, I do have to say something about it which is where the arguments are coming from. For example, I jokingly asked him if he liked being in a relationship with me as a way to tell him I wanted him to not do something (i.e. he asked if he should do something and I responded with "well, do you wanna be in a relationship with me?" I would give a specific example but I was so not serious about it, that I don't even remember what it was that he was asking about) and instead of asking for a clarification about my intentions with the statement he just said no. I waited for him to clarify, but he didn't. I ended the call and after a min or two asked him to clarify what he meant and to apologize. Apparently he said he was saying no to me "threatening the relationship", which I then clarified that I wasn't being serious and was just being sassy as a joke. But then he started talking about breaking up again which lead to me crying, trying to piece everything back together again. Things had been fine earlier that day.
Then when I start to accept it finally, he acts like he may have an "idea" that will save the relationship. Most recently he said he needs to lower me on his list of priorities. Which I don't understand because to me, it feels like he has already lowered me on his list of priorities. Apparently he values his recent part time retail job over me and for some reason he can't have both me and the job. He also will complain that he's tired and doesn't want to go to work but he'll accept when he's called in short notice to the point where he'll work all day. And then he'll claim that its me who's holding him back from doing other things he likes like doing yardwork or whatever else he wants to do. I want to be appreciated for my efforts and commitment and I've NEVER held him back from any of those things. I had been encouraging him to get his first job for over a YEAR before he got it. He also doesn't respect that I want him to have a car before I visit and still won't get the car that's been available to him for a while now through his grandpa. All he has to do is put himself on the insurance but he won't do it. He even let his learners permit expire so now he can't take a flight or even drive a car and there's even more steps for him to do at this point to get a car, better himself, and grow up. For the record, I am also not a nag. I haven't asked him to do ANYTHING other than just respect me as a human for 2 months.
When I ask him why he wants to break up its always a new reason and when I ask him to elaborate on the reason he says "I don't know". He doesn't know why he thinks we're not compatible anymore. He doesn't know why he wants to be single. He doesn't know what he learned from this relationship even though he claims that "maybe this was just a stepping stone for us to learn". He doesn't know anything but he still acts like he wants to go through with it.
I'm so tired of all of this, but it feels like such a waste to break up because this bad stuff hasn't been happening for very long. I feel like if he was more in touch with his emotions about moving in and visiting, he wouldn't be in this place mentally. Plus when we visit we're sooo happy together. We HAD been so happy together for the vast majority of the relationship up until around this time. But there's nothing I can do for him anymore to make him realize our relationship is worth saving. I've been holding onto the future of this relationship for SO long and have put a LOT into it, both emotionally and financially (long distance is expensive). I just don't want it to end because he can't deal with his emotions and can't treat me with respect just out of the blue. It doesn't make any sense to me and I'm having a really hard time accepting it. I worry he may end up regretting it down the line. I think that I'm a very good partner and have a lot of good qualities. I've improved myself a lot in this relationship too. I don't know why he'd want to be single instead. Literally everyone I've talked to has told me to break up with him. It's just so hard to divest my energy this quickly. I don't feel prepared. I don't think he's going to realize what he had until its gone for good. It's just so hard for me to give up on this. Please let me know what I should do about this terrible situation.
TLDR; My long-distance relationship of nearly 2 years hit a rough patch. Initially, our plan was for him to move in with me, then my boyfriend wanted me to move in, which I considered but backed out on for school and family reasons. Arguments and rudeness escalated. He's indecisive about breakup reasons. Despite advice from others, I'm struggling to accept a potential breakup. I've invested a lot emotionally and feel unprepared to end it.
submitted by skibbity_bop_mm_dada to relationships_advice [link] [comments]
I think it started about 2 months ago when he had been trying to convince me to move in with him and his family. I considered it for a while but I ultimately ended up choosing to stay with my family because I'm in college and need the stability that staying with my family offers, and staying with his family has significant challenges of its own. Then he tried to get me to come visit him, but I told him since he didn't have a car yet and we wouldn't be able to do anything on our own without his dad driving us that we should just wait a month or two and visit then. At that point, he said that he would not be moving in with me and my family (which was the original plan since the very beginning before he tried to get me to move in with him) because he didn't want to be around my family. I've told him about fights my family and I have had and he can't forgive them or at least move past it enough to move in anymore even though things are better with my family now than they ever were before. Since then, things haven't been the same.
We'll get into arguments all the time which will result in him threatening the relationship and me trying to piece things back together because it seems like all of this has come out of nowhere during the past two months. He will also be consistently rude to me and act like I'm an annoyance. I have always given him all the love and attention he could ever want, and previous issues he had with me in the beginning are no more now. I've given up on getting any love from him for the moment. But when he's rude to me, I do have to say something about it which is where the arguments are coming from. For example, I jokingly asked him if he liked being in a relationship with me as a way to tell him I wanted him to not do something (i.e. he asked if he should do something and I responded with "well, do you wanna be in a relationship with me?" I would give a specific example but I was so not serious about it, that I don't even remember what it was that he was asking about) and instead of asking for a clarification about my intentions with the statement he just said no. I waited for him to clarify, but he didn't. I ended the call and after a min or two asked him to clarify what he meant and to apologize. Apparently he said he was saying no to me "threatening the relationship", which I then clarified that I wasn't being serious and was just being sassy as a joke. But then he started talking about breaking up again which lead to me crying, trying to piece everything back together again. Things had been fine earlier that day.
Then when I start to accept it finally, he acts like he may have an "idea" that will save the relationship. Most recently he said he needs to lower me on his list of priorities. Which I don't understand because to me, it feels like he has already lowered me on his list of priorities. Apparently he values his recent part time retail job over me and for some reason he can't have both me and the job. He also will complain that he's tired and doesn't want to go to work but he'll accept when he's called in short notice to the point where he'll work all day. And then he'll claim that its me who's holding him back from doing other things he likes like doing yardwork or whatever else he wants to do. I want to be appreciated for my efforts and commitment and I've NEVER held him back from any of those things. I had been encouraging him to get his first job for over a YEAR before he got it. He also doesn't respect that I want him to have a car before I visit and still won't get the car that's been available to him for a while now through his grandpa. All he has to do is put himself on the insurance but he won't do it. He even let his learners permit expire so now he can't take a flight or even drive a car and there's even more steps for him to do at this point to get a car, better himself, and grow up. For the record, I am also not a nag. I haven't asked him to do ANYTHING other than just respect me as a human for 2 months.
When I ask him why he wants to break up its always a new reason and when I ask him to elaborate on the reason he says "I don't know". He doesn't know why he thinks we're not compatible anymore. He doesn't know why he wants to be single. He doesn't know what he learned from this relationship even though he claims that "maybe this was just a stepping stone for us to learn". He doesn't know anything but he still acts like he wants to go through with it.
I'm so tired of all of this, but it feels like such a waste to break up because this bad stuff hasn't been happening for very long. I feel like if he was more in touch with his emotions about moving in and visiting, he wouldn't be in this place mentally. Plus when we visit we're sooo happy together. We HAD been so happy together for the vast majority of the relationship up until around this time. But there's nothing I can do for him anymore to make him realize our relationship is worth saving. I've been holding onto the future of this relationship for SO long and have put a LOT into it, both emotionally and financially (long distance is expensive). I just don't want it to end because he can't deal with his emotions and can't treat me with respect just out of the blue. It doesn't make any sense to me and I'm having a really hard time accepting it. I worry he may end up regretting it down the line. I think that I'm a very good partner and have a lot of good qualities. I've improved myself a lot in this relationship too. I don't know why he'd want to be single instead. Literally everyone I've talked to has told me to break up with him. It's just so hard to divest my energy this quickly. I don't feel prepared. I don't think he's going to realize what he had until its gone for good. It's just so hard for me to give up on this. Please let me know what I should do about this terrible situation.
TLDR; My long-distance relationship of nearly 2 years hit a rough patch. Initially, our plan was for him to move in with me, then my boyfriend wanted me to move in, which I considered but backed out on for school and family reasons. Arguments and rudeness escalated. He's indecisive about breakup reasons. Despite advice from others, I'm struggling to accept a potential breakup. I've invested a lot emotionally and feel unprepared to end it.
2024.05.16 03:04 skibbity_bop_mm_dada My Boyfriend (20M) and I (23F) Have Been Thinking of Ending Our Long-Distance Relationship, Should I Keep Trying to Make Things Work?
My boyfriend (20M) and I (23F) have been dating long distance for nearly 2 years now, our anniversary is coming up soon and things have been very difficult recently between us.
I think it started about 2 months ago when he had been trying to convince me to move in with him and his family. I considered it for a while but I ultimately ended up choosing to stay with my family because I'm in college and need the stability that staying with my family offers, and staying with his family has significant challenges of its own. Then he tried to get me to come visit him, but I told him since he didn't have a car yet and we wouldn't be able to do anything on our own without his dad driving us that we should just wait a month or two and visit then. At that point, he said that he would not be moving in with me and my family (which was the original plan since the very beginning before he tried to get me to move in with him) because he didn't want to be around my family. I've told him about fights my family and I have had and he can't forgive them or at least move past it enough to move in anymore even though things are better with my family now than they ever were before. Since then, things haven't been the same.
We'll get into arguments all the time which will result in him threatening the relationship and me trying to piece things back together because it seems like all of this has come out of nowhere during the past two months. He will also be consistently rude to me and act like I'm an annoyance. I have always given him all the love and attention he could ever want, and previous issues he had with me in the beginning are no more now. I've given up on getting any love from him for the moment. But when he's rude to me, I do have to say something about it which is where the arguments are coming from. For example, I jokingly asked him if he liked being in a relationship with me as a way to tell him I wanted him to not do something (i.e. he asked if he should do something and I responded with "well, do you wanna be in a relationship with me?" I would give a specific example but I was so not serious about it, that I don't even remember what it was that he was asking about) and instead of asking for a clarification about my intentions with the statement he just said no. I waited for him to clarify, but he didn't. I ended the call and after a min or two asked him to clarify what he meant and to apologize. Apparently he said he was saying no to me "threatening the relationship", which I then clarified that I wasn't being serious and was just being sassy as a joke. But then he started talking about breaking up again which lead to me crying, trying to piece everything back together again. Things had been fine earlier that day.
Then when I start to accept it finally, he acts like he may have an "idea" that will save the relationship. Most recently he said he needs to lower me on his list of priorities. Which I don't understand because to me, it feels like he has already lowered me on his list of priorities. Apparently he values his recent part time retail job over me and for some reason he can't have both me and the job. He also will complain that he's tired and doesn't want to go to work but he'll accept when he's called in short notice to the point where he'll work all day. And then he'll claim that its me who's holding him back from doing other things he likes like doing yardwork or whatever else he wants to do. I want to be appreciated for my efforts and commitment and I've NEVER held him back from any of those things. I had been encouraging him to get his first job for over a YEAR before he got it. He also doesn't respect that I want him to have a car before I visit and still won't get the car that's been available to him for a while now through his grandpa. All he has to do is put himself on the insurance but he won't do it. He even let his learners permit expire so now he can't take a flight or even drive a car and there's even more steps for him to do at this point to get a car, better himself, and grow up. For the record, I am also not a nag. I haven't asked him to do ANYTHING other than just respect me as a human for 2 months.
When I ask him why he wants to break up its always a new reason and when I ask him to elaborate on the reason he says "I don't know". He doesn't know why he thinks we're not compatible anymore. He doesn't know why he wants to be single. He doesn't know what he learned from this relationship even though he claims that "maybe this was just a stepping stone for us to learn". He doesn't know anything but he still acts like he wants to go through with it.
I'm so tired of all of this, but it feels like such a waste to break up because this bad stuff hasn't been happening for very long. I feel like if he was more in touch with his emotions about moving in and visiting, he wouldn't be in this place mentally. Plus when we visit we're sooo happy together. We HAD been so happy together for the vast majority of the relationship up until around this time. But there's nothing I can do for him anymore to make him realize our relationship is worth saving. I've been holding onto the future of this relationship for SO long and have put a LOT into it, both emotionally and financially (long distance is expensive). I just don't want it to end because he can't deal with his emotions and can't treat me with respect just out of the blue. It doesn't make any sense to me and I'm having a really hard time accepting it. I worry he may end up regretting it down the line. I think that I'm a very good partner and have a lot of good qualities. I've improved myself a lot in this relationship too. I don't know why he'd want to be single instead. Literally everyone I've talked to has told me to break up with him. It's just so hard to divest my energy this quickly. I don't feel prepared. I don't think he's going to realize what he had until its gone for good. It's just so hard for me to give up on this. Please let me know what I should do about this terrible situation.
TLDR; My long-distance relationship of nearly 2 years hit a rough patch. Initially, our plan was for him to move in with me, then my boyfriend wanted me to move in, which I considered but backed out on for school and family reasons. Arguments and rudeness escalated. He's indecisive about breakup reasons. Despite advice from others, I'm struggling to accept a potential breakup. I've invested a lot emotionally and feel unprepared to end it.
submitted by skibbity_bop_mm_dada to relationships [link] [comments]
I think it started about 2 months ago when he had been trying to convince me to move in with him and his family. I considered it for a while but I ultimately ended up choosing to stay with my family because I'm in college and need the stability that staying with my family offers, and staying with his family has significant challenges of its own. Then he tried to get me to come visit him, but I told him since he didn't have a car yet and we wouldn't be able to do anything on our own without his dad driving us that we should just wait a month or two and visit then. At that point, he said that he would not be moving in with me and my family (which was the original plan since the very beginning before he tried to get me to move in with him) because he didn't want to be around my family. I've told him about fights my family and I have had and he can't forgive them or at least move past it enough to move in anymore even though things are better with my family now than they ever were before. Since then, things haven't been the same.
We'll get into arguments all the time which will result in him threatening the relationship and me trying to piece things back together because it seems like all of this has come out of nowhere during the past two months. He will also be consistently rude to me and act like I'm an annoyance. I have always given him all the love and attention he could ever want, and previous issues he had with me in the beginning are no more now. I've given up on getting any love from him for the moment. But when he's rude to me, I do have to say something about it which is where the arguments are coming from. For example, I jokingly asked him if he liked being in a relationship with me as a way to tell him I wanted him to not do something (i.e. he asked if he should do something and I responded with "well, do you wanna be in a relationship with me?" I would give a specific example but I was so not serious about it, that I don't even remember what it was that he was asking about) and instead of asking for a clarification about my intentions with the statement he just said no. I waited for him to clarify, but he didn't. I ended the call and after a min or two asked him to clarify what he meant and to apologize. Apparently he said he was saying no to me "threatening the relationship", which I then clarified that I wasn't being serious and was just being sassy as a joke. But then he started talking about breaking up again which lead to me crying, trying to piece everything back together again. Things had been fine earlier that day.
Then when I start to accept it finally, he acts like he may have an "idea" that will save the relationship. Most recently he said he needs to lower me on his list of priorities. Which I don't understand because to me, it feels like he has already lowered me on his list of priorities. Apparently he values his recent part time retail job over me and for some reason he can't have both me and the job. He also will complain that he's tired and doesn't want to go to work but he'll accept when he's called in short notice to the point where he'll work all day. And then he'll claim that its me who's holding him back from doing other things he likes like doing yardwork or whatever else he wants to do. I want to be appreciated for my efforts and commitment and I've NEVER held him back from any of those things. I had been encouraging him to get his first job for over a YEAR before he got it. He also doesn't respect that I want him to have a car before I visit and still won't get the car that's been available to him for a while now through his grandpa. All he has to do is put himself on the insurance but he won't do it. He even let his learners permit expire so now he can't take a flight or even drive a car and there's even more steps for him to do at this point to get a car, better himself, and grow up. For the record, I am also not a nag. I haven't asked him to do ANYTHING other than just respect me as a human for 2 months.
When I ask him why he wants to break up its always a new reason and when I ask him to elaborate on the reason he says "I don't know". He doesn't know why he thinks we're not compatible anymore. He doesn't know why he wants to be single. He doesn't know what he learned from this relationship even though he claims that "maybe this was just a stepping stone for us to learn". He doesn't know anything but he still acts like he wants to go through with it.
I'm so tired of all of this, but it feels like such a waste to break up because this bad stuff hasn't been happening for very long. I feel like if he was more in touch with his emotions about moving in and visiting, he wouldn't be in this place mentally. Plus when we visit we're sooo happy together. We HAD been so happy together for the vast majority of the relationship up until around this time. But there's nothing I can do for him anymore to make him realize our relationship is worth saving. I've been holding onto the future of this relationship for SO long and have put a LOT into it, both emotionally and financially (long distance is expensive). I just don't want it to end because he can't deal with his emotions and can't treat me with respect just out of the blue. It doesn't make any sense to me and I'm having a really hard time accepting it. I worry he may end up regretting it down the line. I think that I'm a very good partner and have a lot of good qualities. I've improved myself a lot in this relationship too. I don't know why he'd want to be single instead. Literally everyone I've talked to has told me to break up with him. It's just so hard to divest my energy this quickly. I don't feel prepared. I don't think he's going to realize what he had until its gone for good. It's just so hard for me to give up on this. Please let me know what I should do about this terrible situation.
TLDR; My long-distance relationship of nearly 2 years hit a rough patch. Initially, our plan was for him to move in with me, then my boyfriend wanted me to move in, which I considered but backed out on for school and family reasons. Arguments and rudeness escalated. He's indecisive about breakup reasons. Despite advice from others, I'm struggling to accept a potential breakup. I've invested a lot emotionally and feel unprepared to end it.
2024.05.16 02:56 skibbity_bop_mm_dada My Boyfriend (20M) and I (23F) Have Been Thinking of Ending Our Long-Distance Relationship, Should I Keep Trying to Make Things Work?
My boyfriend (20M) and I (23F) have been dating long distance for nearly 2 years now, our anniversary is coming up soon and things have been very difficult recently between us.
I think it started about 2 months ago when he had been trying to convince me to move in with him and his family. I considered it for a while but I ultimately ended up choosing to stay with my family because I'm in college and need the stability that staying with my family offers, and staying with his family has significant challenges of its own. Then he tried to get me to come visit him, but I told him since he didn't have a car yet and we wouldn't be able to do anything on our own without his dad driving us that we should just wait a month or two and visit then. At that point, he said that he would not be moving in with me and my family (which was the original plan since the very beginning before he tried to get me to move in with him) because he didn't want to be around my family. I've told him about fights my family and I have had and he can't forgive them or at least move past it enough to move in anymore even though things are better with my family now than they ever were before. Since then, things haven't been the same.
We'll get into arguments all the time which will result in him threatening the relationship and me trying to piece things back together because it seems like all of this has come out of nowhere during the past two months. He will also be consistently rude to me and act like I'm an annoyance. I have always given him all the love and attention he could ever want, and previous issues he had with me in the beginning are no more now. I've given up on getting any love from him for the moment. But when he's rude to me, I do have to say something about it which is where the arguments are coming from. For example, I jokingly asked him if he liked being in a relationship with me as a way to tell him I wanted him to not do something (i.e. he asked if he should do something and I responded with "well, do you wanna be in a relationship with me?" I would give a specific example but I was so not serious about it, that I don't even remember what it was that he was asking about) and instead of asking for a clarification about my intentions with the statement he just said no. I waited for him to clarify, but he didn't. I ended the call and after a min or two asked him to clarify what he meant and to apologize. Apparently he said he was saying no to me "threatening the relationship", which I then clarified that I wasn't being serious and was just being sassy as a joke. But then he started talking about breaking up again which lead to me crying, trying to piece everything back together again. Things had been fine earlier that day.
Then when I start to accept it finally, he acts like he may have an "idea" that will save the relationship. Most recently he said he needs to lower me on his list of priorities. Which I don't understand because to me, it feels like he has already lowered me on his list of priorities. Apparently he values his recent part time retail job over me and for some reason he can't have both me and the job. He also will complain that he's tired and doesn't want to go to work but he'll accept when he's called in short notice to the point where he'll work all day. And then he'll claim that its me who's holding him back from doing other things he likes like doing yardwork or whatever else he wants to do. I want to be appreciated for my efforts and commitment and I've NEVER held him back from any of those things. I had been encouraging him to get his first job for over a YEAR before he got it. He also doesn't respect that I want him to have a car before I visit and still won't get the car that's been available to him for a while now through his grandpa. All he has to do is put himself on the insurance but he won't do it. He even let his learners permit expire so now he can't take a flight or even drive a car and there's even more steps for him to do at this point to get a car, better himself, and grow up. For the record, I am also not a nag. I haven't asked him to do ANYTHING other than just respect me as a human for 2 months.
When I ask him why he wants to break up its always a new reason and when I ask him to elaborate on the reason he says "I don't know". He doesn't know why he thinks we're not compatible anymore. He doesn't know why he wants to be single. He doesn't know what he learned from this relationship even though he claims that "maybe this was just a stepping stone for us to learn". He doesn't know anything but he still acts like he wants to go through with it.
I'm so tired of all of this, but it feels like such a waste to break up because this bad stuff hasn't been happening for very long. I feel like if he was more in touch with his emotions about moving in and visiting, he wouldn't be in this place mentally. Plus when we visit we're sooo happy together. We HAD been so happy together for the vast majority of the relationship up until around this time. But there's nothing I can do for him anymore to make him realize our relationship is worth saving. I've been holding onto the future of this relationship for SO long and have put a LOT into it, both emotionally and financially (long distance is expensive). I just don't want it to end because he can't deal with his emotions and can't treat me with respect just out of the blue. It doesn't make any sense to me and I'm having a really hard time accepting it. I worry he may end up regretting it down the line. I think that I'm a very good partner and have a lot of good qualities. I've improved myself a lot in this relationship too. I don't know why he'd want to be single instead. Literally everyone I've talked to has told me to break up with him. It's just so hard to divest my energy this quickly. I don't feel prepared. I don't think he's going to realize what he had until its gone for good. It's just so hard for me to give up on this. Please let me know what I should do about this terrible situation.
submitted by skibbity_bop_mm_dada to relationship_advice [link] [comments]
I think it started about 2 months ago when he had been trying to convince me to move in with him and his family. I considered it for a while but I ultimately ended up choosing to stay with my family because I'm in college and need the stability that staying with my family offers, and staying with his family has significant challenges of its own. Then he tried to get me to come visit him, but I told him since he didn't have a car yet and we wouldn't be able to do anything on our own without his dad driving us that we should just wait a month or two and visit then. At that point, he said that he would not be moving in with me and my family (which was the original plan since the very beginning before he tried to get me to move in with him) because he didn't want to be around my family. I've told him about fights my family and I have had and he can't forgive them or at least move past it enough to move in anymore even though things are better with my family now than they ever were before. Since then, things haven't been the same.
We'll get into arguments all the time which will result in him threatening the relationship and me trying to piece things back together because it seems like all of this has come out of nowhere during the past two months. He will also be consistently rude to me and act like I'm an annoyance. I have always given him all the love and attention he could ever want, and previous issues he had with me in the beginning are no more now. I've given up on getting any love from him for the moment. But when he's rude to me, I do have to say something about it which is where the arguments are coming from. For example, I jokingly asked him if he liked being in a relationship with me as a way to tell him I wanted him to not do something (i.e. he asked if he should do something and I responded with "well, do you wanna be in a relationship with me?" I would give a specific example but I was so not serious about it, that I don't even remember what it was that he was asking about) and instead of asking for a clarification about my intentions with the statement he just said no. I waited for him to clarify, but he didn't. I ended the call and after a min or two asked him to clarify what he meant and to apologize. Apparently he said he was saying no to me "threatening the relationship", which I then clarified that I wasn't being serious and was just being sassy as a joke. But then he started talking about breaking up again which lead to me crying, trying to piece everything back together again. Things had been fine earlier that day.
Then when I start to accept it finally, he acts like he may have an "idea" that will save the relationship. Most recently he said he needs to lower me on his list of priorities. Which I don't understand because to me, it feels like he has already lowered me on his list of priorities. Apparently he values his recent part time retail job over me and for some reason he can't have both me and the job. He also will complain that he's tired and doesn't want to go to work but he'll accept when he's called in short notice to the point where he'll work all day. And then he'll claim that its me who's holding him back from doing other things he likes like doing yardwork or whatever else he wants to do. I want to be appreciated for my efforts and commitment and I've NEVER held him back from any of those things. I had been encouraging him to get his first job for over a YEAR before he got it. He also doesn't respect that I want him to have a car before I visit and still won't get the car that's been available to him for a while now through his grandpa. All he has to do is put himself on the insurance but he won't do it. He even let his learners permit expire so now he can't take a flight or even drive a car and there's even more steps for him to do at this point to get a car, better himself, and grow up. For the record, I am also not a nag. I haven't asked him to do ANYTHING other than just respect me as a human for 2 months.
When I ask him why he wants to break up its always a new reason and when I ask him to elaborate on the reason he says "I don't know". He doesn't know why he thinks we're not compatible anymore. He doesn't know why he wants to be single. He doesn't know what he learned from this relationship even though he claims that "maybe this was just a stepping stone for us to learn". He doesn't know anything but he still acts like he wants to go through with it.
I'm so tired of all of this, but it feels like such a waste to break up because this bad stuff hasn't been happening for very long. I feel like if he was more in touch with his emotions about moving in and visiting, he wouldn't be in this place mentally. Plus when we visit we're sooo happy together. We HAD been so happy together for the vast majority of the relationship up until around this time. But there's nothing I can do for him anymore to make him realize our relationship is worth saving. I've been holding onto the future of this relationship for SO long and have put a LOT into it, both emotionally and financially (long distance is expensive). I just don't want it to end because he can't deal with his emotions and can't treat me with respect just out of the blue. It doesn't make any sense to me and I'm having a really hard time accepting it. I worry he may end up regretting it down the line. I think that I'm a very good partner and have a lot of good qualities. I've improved myself a lot in this relationship too. I don't know why he'd want to be single instead. Literally everyone I've talked to has told me to break up with him. It's just so hard to divest my energy this quickly. I don't feel prepared. I don't think he's going to realize what he had until its gone for good. It's just so hard for me to give up on this. Please let me know what I should do about this terrible situation.
2024.05.16 02:30 egocentric_ Do you think she was mad at me?
I lost my dog about a month ago and am still struggling through some grief.
I got my dog with my dad when I was in college. She lived with my parents while I lived with them, and then eventually when I moved out, she continued to live at home with them but I would come home every weekend and spend days with her. The last two years, I was struggling significantly with mental health challenges which made it difficult for me to go back home. The time we had together dwindled to holidays while I had to put my mental health first.
I had not seen my dog for about a year and I had finally made plans for my parents to bring her and her sister over to my house to enjoy my backyard and for us to reconnect. When they arrived, it was very obvious to me that something was wrong with her and she was acting strange, like she was in pain. Within 48 hours, we discovered she had a sudden spine fracture caused by an aggressive bone cancer that never showed up on her bloodwork and I had to make the difficult decision to euthanize her at home.
Our last few days together, she was not excited to see me. I had her stay at my house while I nursed her 24/7. Usually she was a dog that wouldn't stop giving me kisses and smiling. I understand that she was in pain, so although I was deeply upset and internalizing the change, I put it out of my mind. Then, our last day together, hours before the vets were meant to arrive at my house, my brother walked in and my dog got SO excited, her tail going crazy despite being in pain (though at this point she was heavily medicated to keep her comfortable) and giving him so many kisses.
In my last video with her, I asked her for a kiss and she didn't give me one. That was something we used to always do. I would ask for one, and she would kiss my nose and I would say "thank you". Usually, she would steal another. This time - nothing, even when I asked again. She never showed the same amount of excitement to see me, and in comparison, seemed very detached from me at all. I can't seem to get over that.
I've heard from my mom that my dog has visited her in the afterlife, but I have had no signs from my dog since then, even though I've asked and begged. I asked for her to come visit me during my graduation, and instead, I got two signs back to back of young baby animals lost and abandoned from their moms. (I'm serious. We suddenly found a baby bunny who couldn't climb the curb and had lost its mom. The next day, a baby bird that had fallen out of a nest that we couldn't get her back into, and her mother couldn't get her back into.) I feel like she was mad at me in our final days together, and I'm having trouble both accepting it and processing it. I do have time with a therapist soon, but was curious if anyone could offer perspective or thoughts in the meantime.
It's the one thing during this mourning process that I'm completely stuck on and, frankly, makes me nauseous. I very rarely put myself first in life and the first time I have to because of my mental health, I feel like I ended up hurting a piece of my family that was so important to me. Even though I wasn't physically there, I had been the reason she had so many fun toys and treats and everything. I know she can't understand that.
My mom tells me that I'm being silly because she was in pain, but to me, not in pain enough not to get excited to see my brother. Any words will be helpful.
submitted by egocentric_ to Petloss [link] [comments]
I got my dog with my dad when I was in college. She lived with my parents while I lived with them, and then eventually when I moved out, she continued to live at home with them but I would come home every weekend and spend days with her. The last two years, I was struggling significantly with mental health challenges which made it difficult for me to go back home. The time we had together dwindled to holidays while I had to put my mental health first.
I had not seen my dog for about a year and I had finally made plans for my parents to bring her and her sister over to my house to enjoy my backyard and for us to reconnect. When they arrived, it was very obvious to me that something was wrong with her and she was acting strange, like she was in pain. Within 48 hours, we discovered she had a sudden spine fracture caused by an aggressive bone cancer that never showed up on her bloodwork and I had to make the difficult decision to euthanize her at home.
Our last few days together, she was not excited to see me. I had her stay at my house while I nursed her 24/7. Usually she was a dog that wouldn't stop giving me kisses and smiling. I understand that she was in pain, so although I was deeply upset and internalizing the change, I put it out of my mind. Then, our last day together, hours before the vets were meant to arrive at my house, my brother walked in and my dog got SO excited, her tail going crazy despite being in pain (though at this point she was heavily medicated to keep her comfortable) and giving him so many kisses.
In my last video with her, I asked her for a kiss and she didn't give me one. That was something we used to always do. I would ask for one, and she would kiss my nose and I would say "thank you". Usually, she would steal another. This time - nothing, even when I asked again. She never showed the same amount of excitement to see me, and in comparison, seemed very detached from me at all. I can't seem to get over that.
I've heard from my mom that my dog has visited her in the afterlife, but I have had no signs from my dog since then, even though I've asked and begged. I asked for her to come visit me during my graduation, and instead, I got two signs back to back of young baby animals lost and abandoned from their moms. (I'm serious. We suddenly found a baby bunny who couldn't climb the curb and had lost its mom. The next day, a baby bird that had fallen out of a nest that we couldn't get her back into, and her mother couldn't get her back into.) I feel like she was mad at me in our final days together, and I'm having trouble both accepting it and processing it. I do have time with a therapist soon, but was curious if anyone could offer perspective or thoughts in the meantime.
It's the one thing during this mourning process that I'm completely stuck on and, frankly, makes me nauseous. I very rarely put myself first in life and the first time I have to because of my mental health, I feel like I ended up hurting a piece of my family that was so important to me. Even though I wasn't physically there, I had been the reason she had so many fun toys and treats and everything. I know she can't understand that.
My mom tells me that I'm being silly because she was in pain, but to me, not in pain enough not to get excited to see my brother. Any words will be helpful.
2024.05.16 02:28 TacocaT_2000 Debunking the “The One Piece world is the size of our sun” claim.
 | Every claim that the One Piece world is bigger than Earth comes from one major thing. submitted by TacocaT_2000 to PowerScaling [link] [comments] Alabasta chain scalingEvery bit of “proof” that I’ve seen boils down to “Alabasta is big (which it is, don’t get me wrong), and because it’s depicted as small on a map of the Grand Line, it must mean that the planet is massive.”Now, there’s a few issues with that line of thinking. Alabasta is large, that isn’t up for debate, but the map that everyone uses doesn’t accurately portray the number, size, or even shape of the islands. Canonically Luffy took the middle path, which means that it’s the red path. Okay, so let’s count how many islands Luffy visited since leaving Reverse Mountain. In the Alabasta Saga we have Whiskey Peak, Little Garden, Drum Island, and Alabasta. In the Sky Island Saga we have Jaya and Skypeia, which are counted as a single island by the Log Pose. In the Enies Lobby Saga we have Long Ring Long Land, Water 7, and Enies Lobby. In the Thriller Bark Saga they don’t actually visit an island. In the Summit War Saga they go to Sabaody, which is where all the paths merge on the first half of the Grand Line. That makes 9 islands that Luffy visited, 10 if you count Jaya and Skypeia as different islands, and 11 if you count Thriller Bark. Yet the middle path on the map has 14 islands. That immediately discounts its validity for anything except giving a vague explanation of the different Log Pose paths one can take. As for the shape and size, Long Ring Long Land is a hollow ring yet it’s nowhere to be seen on the map; and Jaya is much smaller than Alabasta, yet the map used suggests they’re relative in size. “But Luffy could have skipped islands!” Not possible. Crocus is quite clear on the subject. You can’t skip islands and expect to find the next one, that was shown in the Sky Island Saga. |
2024.05.16 02:20 jebstewart The Water of Sweet Lips
“My road has been long and weary, friend”, my annoyance with the bartender was surely obvious. I snatched the whiskey coke from the bar and sucked it down greedily.
“All I’m sayin’ is that it’s noon on a monday there, bud”, his cigarette-charred throat made him sound rougher than his years. Bud… I never really cared for that word, bud. Especially considering I was at least a hundred and fifty years his senior.
“I got all the time in the world”, I sighed, motioning at the empty glass. Without hurry, he refilled the cup. I turned from the bar and scanned the rest of the room, studying the empty chairs waiting for their next patron to arrive. Aside from the old farmer nursing on a corn-themed Busch can, it was utterly empty. It was days like these I hated the most.
I’ve spent many monday afternoons in taverns like these. I’ve also spent them rebuilding our nation after a bloody war, taking part in two more bloody wars overseas and helping countless folk along the way. I watched the Red Scare pull at those old seams, starved with my brothers and sisters during the depression and everything between. Somehow, someway, days like these were even worse.
Lethargic gluttony.
In all my years, all one hundred and sixty eight, this is far and away the most prosperous. It just seems that nobody cares. No more comradery through the pain, or maybe pain brings comradery? I think so.
One hundred and forty six years since I drank the water from a nondescript stream in the backyard of our childhood home. Sweet Lips, what a fitting name for the town it all started in.
I started a family once, maybe a decade after I’d first drank that crick water. We, Mary and I, had two kids, one who survived. I wish that I could say it was a happy life we led but she grew… suspicious. As we approached our 60th cycle around the Sun she became suspicious that my 20s-something face hadn’t aged a day during all that time. She fled and I wandered on alone.
I wedded twice more. My second wife, Isabella, took my things and ran off with another man… another man who I will get to later. Finally, there was Elizabath. Oh, how I loved that little spitfire, her sweet, freckled face. We’d met at a pub in the Bronx a couple years after the end of the second world war. I went to great lengths to hide my past, to hide how long I had really been around for. If it wasn’t for the brain cancer, that little spot on her pituitary gland, then I’m sure she would’ve found out and left anyways. That’s what I try to tell myself.
I will never love again.
“Ya’ alright there?”, I jumped, turning from the window back toward the gravel voiced gentleman staring uneasily my way.
“Just fine, the sunshine feels good”, I relished the dim warmth radiating from the window for a moment longer before shuffling back into the dingy midst of the Green Bottle Blues Inn. I hadn’t been to this bar before, though it felt similar to the hundreds of others I’d visited along my journeys through the American midwest.
“Another?”, the gravel-voiced man was washing out a glass in the dirty sink behind the bar, a damp towel clung limply to his shoulder.
“Sure, but I oughta’ get goin’ afterward”, my smile felt even emptier than the glass I slid toward the man. He glanced at me quizzically before pulling the bottle of whiskey down from the top shelf. I suppose, with enough time, you can afford even the finer things.
“What’s your name, fella?”, he returned the smile though his brow remained furrowed. He was studying me. No surprises there, fella, I’m a couple steps ahead of you.
“Tom, just Tom, not short for nothin’”, I replied, bringing the amber liquid to my lips. I took a deep pull and met the mans gaze. His eyes widened as he took an obvious step backward. Slowly, however, that professional smile returned to his lips.
“What brings you back here, Tom?”, his hands had disappeared beneath the bar, though his eyes stayed level with mine.
To these folks, I was the antichrist. I suppose I can’t blame them for the aggression.
“I was thinkin’ about paying my old brother a visit, as I’m sure you know”, I shrugged, struggling to get the last drop of Drambuie from the glass.
Truthfully, I hadn’t been welcome in Sweet Lips ever since my brother and I fell out all those years ago. All those decades ago. He chose a different route with his immortality.
The gravel-voiced man stiffened, revealing the double-barrel shotgun he had fished from underneath the bar. He stuck the barrel directly in my face.
“Jesus, you treat all your customers like this?”, I replied coolly, still clutching that empty thing in my hands. The man seemed to buckle a bit and laugh, a nervous chuckle it was.
“No sir, nobody but you”, he straightened himself up, revealing his massive frame. Big man, big man.
I stood slowly, leaning in close to the mans face as the barrel of his gun drew further back. His eyes were hectic, seemingly shaking in their deep sockets.
“He’s lead you astray, y’know”, I bared my teeth, my teeth which would've been dust if not for the water in that little stream.
The only thing that hurt as much as Elizabath, maybe even more, was watching my dear brother grow so bitter through the years. The only other person who shared this curse with me had chosen to do harm to those around him. It makes me sick.
I gripped the glass more harshly, swinging my arm toward the man's face. Suddenly, something stopped. I turned right and noticed the thick, rough hands clutching at my arm. The old man. The fucking old man.
The gun butt swung, and the world went quiet.
The church spire stood tall and obscenely white against the cloudless sky, bending almost imperceptibly at its tip like it was a misplaced set piece of a Tim Burton stop-motion film. Curled, decrepit grass jutted from underneath its foundations like dying hands reaching for help. A well made of gray stone and mortar resided no more than ten yards in front of the vestibule.
Two men clung at each arm, though I doubted I could make a run for it in my current state. A circle of various people surrounded the well, all of them were adorned in either red dresses or red suits.
In the very center of the group, standing directly behind the well, was an all-too-familiar face. He smiled, a hideous grin.
“I knew you’d come”, he hiccupped, trying to stifle a laugh. I could only watch helplessly, my obliterated nose filling my mouth with the coppery taste of blood.
“Tom”, his smile fell flat, his eyes burning through me with all the horrors of a thousand lifetimes, “I wanted you to have a front row seat”.
My brother, Timothy, began pulling at the rope hanging deep down in the well. A bucket, like most wells, was at the other end. He produced a knife and sliced the buckets fraying rope, careful not to spill any of its contents while doing so.
Timothy fell to one knee, presenting the receptacle to the man standing to his left. He accepted, bringing the rim of the bucket to his lips and taking a deep, satisfying pull. The man smiled, a sinister, deviant smile before passing the bucket onward.
“Soon, Tom, this world will be ours”, Timothy declared, his face remaining flat and emotionless.
As soon as the last of the townsfolk, the last member of the Sweet Lips Congregation, took a swig from the well water, the men released me. I fell in a heap. I never thought he would share the water, I knew I should’ve come sooner.
“Let him go, he’s gonna need a head start”, the immortal man spat.
submitted by jebstewart to nosleep [link] [comments]
“All I’m sayin’ is that it’s noon on a monday there, bud”, his cigarette-charred throat made him sound rougher than his years. Bud… I never really cared for that word, bud. Especially considering I was at least a hundred and fifty years his senior.
“I got all the time in the world”, I sighed, motioning at the empty glass. Without hurry, he refilled the cup. I turned from the bar and scanned the rest of the room, studying the empty chairs waiting for their next patron to arrive. Aside from the old farmer nursing on a corn-themed Busch can, it was utterly empty. It was days like these I hated the most.
I’ve spent many monday afternoons in taverns like these. I’ve also spent them rebuilding our nation after a bloody war, taking part in two more bloody wars overseas and helping countless folk along the way. I watched the Red Scare pull at those old seams, starved with my brothers and sisters during the depression and everything between. Somehow, someway, days like these were even worse.
Lethargic gluttony.
In all my years, all one hundred and sixty eight, this is far and away the most prosperous. It just seems that nobody cares. No more comradery through the pain, or maybe pain brings comradery? I think so.
One hundred and forty six years since I drank the water from a nondescript stream in the backyard of our childhood home. Sweet Lips, what a fitting name for the town it all started in.
I started a family once, maybe a decade after I’d first drank that crick water. We, Mary and I, had two kids, one who survived. I wish that I could say it was a happy life we led but she grew… suspicious. As we approached our 60th cycle around the Sun she became suspicious that my 20s-something face hadn’t aged a day during all that time. She fled and I wandered on alone.
I wedded twice more. My second wife, Isabella, took my things and ran off with another man… another man who I will get to later. Finally, there was Elizabath. Oh, how I loved that little spitfire, her sweet, freckled face. We’d met at a pub in the Bronx a couple years after the end of the second world war. I went to great lengths to hide my past, to hide how long I had really been around for. If it wasn’t for the brain cancer, that little spot on her pituitary gland, then I’m sure she would’ve found out and left anyways. That’s what I try to tell myself.
I will never love again.
“Ya’ alright there?”, I jumped, turning from the window back toward the gravel voiced gentleman staring uneasily my way.
“Just fine, the sunshine feels good”, I relished the dim warmth radiating from the window for a moment longer before shuffling back into the dingy midst of the Green Bottle Blues Inn. I hadn’t been to this bar before, though it felt similar to the hundreds of others I’d visited along my journeys through the American midwest.
“Another?”, the gravel-voiced man was washing out a glass in the dirty sink behind the bar, a damp towel clung limply to his shoulder.
“Sure, but I oughta’ get goin’ afterward”, my smile felt even emptier than the glass I slid toward the man. He glanced at me quizzically before pulling the bottle of whiskey down from the top shelf. I suppose, with enough time, you can afford even the finer things.
“What’s your name, fella?”, he returned the smile though his brow remained furrowed. He was studying me. No surprises there, fella, I’m a couple steps ahead of you.
“Tom, just Tom, not short for nothin’”, I replied, bringing the amber liquid to my lips. I took a deep pull and met the mans gaze. His eyes widened as he took an obvious step backward. Slowly, however, that professional smile returned to his lips.
“What brings you back here, Tom?”, his hands had disappeared beneath the bar, though his eyes stayed level with mine.
To these folks, I was the antichrist. I suppose I can’t blame them for the aggression.
“I was thinkin’ about paying my old brother a visit, as I’m sure you know”, I shrugged, struggling to get the last drop of Drambuie from the glass.
Truthfully, I hadn’t been welcome in Sweet Lips ever since my brother and I fell out all those years ago. All those decades ago. He chose a different route with his immortality.
The gravel-voiced man stiffened, revealing the double-barrel shotgun he had fished from underneath the bar. He stuck the barrel directly in my face.
“Jesus, you treat all your customers like this?”, I replied coolly, still clutching that empty thing in my hands. The man seemed to buckle a bit and laugh, a nervous chuckle it was.
“No sir, nobody but you”, he straightened himself up, revealing his massive frame. Big man, big man.
I stood slowly, leaning in close to the mans face as the barrel of his gun drew further back. His eyes were hectic, seemingly shaking in their deep sockets.
“He’s lead you astray, y’know”, I bared my teeth, my teeth which would've been dust if not for the water in that little stream.
The only thing that hurt as much as Elizabath, maybe even more, was watching my dear brother grow so bitter through the years. The only other person who shared this curse with me had chosen to do harm to those around him. It makes me sick.
I gripped the glass more harshly, swinging my arm toward the man's face. Suddenly, something stopped. I turned right and noticed the thick, rough hands clutching at my arm. The old man. The fucking old man.
The gun butt swung, and the world went quiet.
The church spire stood tall and obscenely white against the cloudless sky, bending almost imperceptibly at its tip like it was a misplaced set piece of a Tim Burton stop-motion film. Curled, decrepit grass jutted from underneath its foundations like dying hands reaching for help. A well made of gray stone and mortar resided no more than ten yards in front of the vestibule.
Two men clung at each arm, though I doubted I could make a run for it in my current state. A circle of various people surrounded the well, all of them were adorned in either red dresses or red suits.
In the very center of the group, standing directly behind the well, was an all-too-familiar face. He smiled, a hideous grin.
“I knew you’d come”, he hiccupped, trying to stifle a laugh. I could only watch helplessly, my obliterated nose filling my mouth with the coppery taste of blood.
“Tom”, his smile fell flat, his eyes burning through me with all the horrors of a thousand lifetimes, “I wanted you to have a front row seat”.
My brother, Timothy, began pulling at the rope hanging deep down in the well. A bucket, like most wells, was at the other end. He produced a knife and sliced the buckets fraying rope, careful not to spill any of its contents while doing so.
Timothy fell to one knee, presenting the receptacle to the man standing to his left. He accepted, bringing the rim of the bucket to his lips and taking a deep, satisfying pull. The man smiled, a sinister, deviant smile before passing the bucket onward.
“Soon, Tom, this world will be ours”, Timothy declared, his face remaining flat and emotionless.
As soon as the last of the townsfolk, the last member of the Sweet Lips Congregation, took a swig from the well water, the men released me. I fell in a heap. I never thought he would share the water, I knew I should’ve come sooner.
“Let him go, he’s gonna need a head start”, the immortal man spat.