I'm a 5'6 minority guy who grew up in the early 90's and early 2000's who was born with several health issues, in poverty, abusive parents, and was bullied for most of my young adult life.
Entering my 20's i had no friends, no gf, no money, no parents who would support me. The entirety of my college life was working 2 part time jobs to support myself while still being unable to afford most of my own text books nor clothes nor food and my dad telling me "go figure it out urself" when i asked them for help on financial aid forms.
My first job during the 08 recession, literally every 2 days it was the same thing: "do you eat dogs", "shut up jackie chan", "dont yall have tiny dicks", etc and when i told my dad about this he told me, "just ignore them and keep ur head down and keep working". This didn't relieve the bullying.
I opted to get bigger so i wouldnt be a push over so i spent 2 years at the gym in the evenings so i could bulk up.
Over 600 days consecutively I went to the gym with minimal results and i found out from a doctor i had hormonal issues that was keeping my test levels comparable to those of a 70 year old man
No friends, no love life, living paycheck to paycheck during a recession in a toxic workplace, no support from parents, and a useless body i wanted to chuck into a river.
So i decided to move out of my current state. I looked for jobs elsewhere and landed something outside the east coast. Not great pay but it was an out at least.
I opted to go out more with watever little change i could scrounge up. Usually that meant carrying a pregame bottle with me and taking the subway to nearby bars. Where i was needy and annoying previously, i opted to just be chill and nice to everyone with no expectations. If they disliked me, cool. If they thought i was too weird or awkward, fine. My philosophy was that as long as i knew i was being a chill decent person then i couldnt' care less what others would think of me cause at the very least i did my part.
that year i made more friends i had in my entire life. It was the first time people texted ME to go out and asked ME if i was gonna go to x or y party.
i never had that happen to me before and it felt really nice.
as for the gym, i got injections and my test levels to only even average and got more gains within 6 months that i ever did in 2 years. Compared to the struggle i was going through before, it felt like easy mode now
and the combination of the previous 2 helped me to get with girls that someone like me on paper had no business getting the interest of.
as for my career, that took a little longer. I eventually got diagnosed with sleep apnea and adhd and once i got those two managed, within a year i ended up with my first 6 figure job. I didnt even think that was possible since the majority of my life was spent earning $30-38k a year.
i know this is already a long post already but it really leaves out all the nights spent angry at myself and spent breaking down at how much of a loser i felt like. Most people who knew me when I was younger have no idea what i went through or how i change things around, but i'm proud of myself and i wanted to share this.

Hello.
My Story
I worked for an Auto Company. My plant closed in 2008. Despite us having a guarantee to have a product line until 2011. This was made when we ratified our most recent contract first. The company decided to close us down to keep a Right to work factory open in Texas, and a plant outside the country in Mexico. And then came begging for handouts from Congress.
I had to move to a new plant in 2010. You had people from all over at this plant. Some from a nearby city had "city" mafia shirts printed. New people didn't know the story. Our union negotiated for us to get money when we needed to move. These people had the goal to shut this place down to get more money to move. Yeah, I know.
After a year or two. I noticed a strange trend. You had all these young, attractive women on jobs they should not have. I noticed one running around with a repair stamp and bypass key she should not have had. Management was showing her how to hack into the computer with someone else's login to mark defects as repaired.
This is a huge violation of our quality policy. Not to mention our ISO obligations to sell product overseas.
I turned the proof of the stamp being used to mark defects on the Matrix/Manifest, to my Alternate Union Rep. But found out later it was his stamp. So it vanished. Much like his duty to represent the membership. Before this blew up. You have union people who could not get moved to jobs they posted. As the contract demands. Because someone's girlfriend appeared to be camped out on a easy job. When they finally did get moved. Many quit on the spot.
In the fall out of this scandal. It seemed the Assistant Plant Manager was shoved out the backdoor. My boss was moved out of management into Engineering. One boss was removed and sent back to work for the union. Story was he was sleeping with one of his Team Leaders Wife. A Business Manager was moved back in to management. And he was replaced with 3 people. One for each shift instead of one for whole department.
Later on, I think they were starting it up again. And there were other quality issues. My health started to go bad. I lost my Gallbladder. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto Syndrome, meaning my Thyroid was losing function. But after I lost my job due to health issues. The symptoms changed. I no longer seemed to need 4 or 5 meds I had been taking. I still have health issues. But I think it's from what I was must have been drugged with and the meds fighting it.
I am trying to stream to earn a living. It's probably just a fool's errand to keep me busy while my health seems to get worse. But trying to get the word out. In hopes, it doesn't happen again.
I could really use the help. To spread this word.

As the title currently says I have been working as a financial analyst for three years for a healthcare company in South Florida even though I had a tech degree (ironic right). I like what the job taught me such as working under stress (which I know sales will involve) and meeting deadlines as well as building relationships but I feel like I can use what I know to help me in a sales positions where I can make more money. Now I know sales is not an easy job but I feel like I can adjust to it since I was able to work in finance without a finance background and adjust to it and retail experience working at Asics in college where I was the top seller for many months and caused an increase of revenue.
My main interest are in financial, healthcare/medical, and tech sales but I am open to learning of more postitons that I can get into that doesnt neccessarily have to relate to my prior experience.
What sales jobs do you suggest?

As the title currently says I have been working as a financial analyst for three years for a healthcare company in South Florida even though I had a tech degree (ironic right). I like what the job taught me such as working under stress (which I know sales will involve) and meeting deadlines as well as building relationships but I feel like I can use what I know to help me in a sales positions where I can make more money. Now I know sales is not an easy job but I feel like I can adjust to it since I was able to work in finance without a finance background and adjust to it and retail experience working at Asics in college where I was the top seller for many months and caused an increase of revenue.
My main interest are in financial, healthcare/medical, and tech sales but I am open to learning of more postitons that I can get into that doesnt neccessarily have to relate to my prior experience.
What sales jobs do you suggest?

Sorry about the title. Im a pretty bad writer but i could really use some advice. I dont really have friends to support me, thats why im trying to ask here on reddit.
My (M25) girlfriend (F22) broke up with me after 7 years together (4 of those were in Long Distance).
THE BACKSTORY:
We had our downs before and even broke up in the past but always got back because we cared for each other.
Things had not been so good for a while already, we werent feeling loved in our love languages.
In december, we were already on an lowish point in the relationship, but then things started to get worse. She had just started a phisically demanding job and I was finishing my masters.
Since she was the one with a job we were financialy imbalanced. She was paying for the rent and my parents were giving me some money to help with groceries, but i was due to start working in april.
We had just moved so i took it upon me to make it as easy as possible for her at home since i had a bit more "free time" than her as i was studying from home. I did all the chores, took care of groceries and in general would try to make anything so that when she got home she could just relax and recover.
This next part might seem like excuses, but its my objective analysis of what went wrong.
Like i said i was finishing my masters and between January and March i was giving my last exams and writing my thesis.
The stress cought up with me and i was already struggling to be a romantic partner and show her love before, i wasnt sying cute stuff, taking her on dates, or appreciating her. Things that she had asked multiple times, and kept complaining that i wasnt doing.(MISTAKE 1)
Whenever she would complain, i would make note, but i had no mental capacity to tackle it, so nothing would change. It felt like she was giving me more stuff to handle, and i was feeling pretty drained from trying to do everything else, and since i didnt want to burden her i just kept quiet. (MISTAKE 2)
A coulpe of times she voiced that she was unhappy, that she couldnt keep going much longer, that i would loose her if i didnt show her change... Well i lost her. When i graduated and started working in april wich gave a bit of breathing to our finances, and i finally had time to appreciate her and show change, it was already too late.
An ex coworker (she changed jobs in april too bc she couldnt keep up with the old one), started giving her the attention she wanted from me and by that point it was a bit too late for me. I tried to show her how much she meant to me, trying to show her i was ready to do anything to work on us, even therapy which was previously financially unavailale.
She was very confused at first but i think the more i pleaded her to stay i think the more i pushed her away (MISTAKE 3). Maybe some friends could have kept me from doing this, and lose her more.
Although i think this was mostly me, im also upset that she couldnt see that i was loving her, just in a different way. (Maybe too much like a parent, not a partner)
SEEKING HELP:
I am extremely hurt, i feel like i lost a part of me, we have been through so much and i was eventually planning on marrying this girl. In the beginning i thought that maybe we met too young but through all the ups and downs i realized what i wanted and i committed to her. She became my only one, i loved her more than anything, and i lost her bc i couldnt show it.
Its been hard because no contact is not an option since we live together and are kind of financially bound to each other for the time being. I also work from home so we are bound to see each other frequently. I also didnt really look for a no contact, she said she wanted to be friends and i was more focused in trying to talk to her and trying to get her to give me another chance. (MISTAKE 3)
I realize maybe some distance might be better, to at least stop pushing her farther away from me, but its just so hard. I started trying to work on myself, im started therapy and i joined a gym where im trying to go when she is home, to give us time apart, but i feel so broken. I also stopped talking to her about us, im writing anything i feel like telling her and putting the paper away, so as not to pushe her further away.
I cant stop loving her, this whole situation made me realize how important she was to me. This breakup devastated me, i couldnt eat propperly for days and i lost 4Kg to malnutrition (im forcing myself to eat now). Im slowly realizing that i cant be with her and i cant change that, at least not right now. I know that i need to stop trying with her, but its so hard. All i think about is to patch things up with her but i realize she doesnt want it, not right now. "There are plenty of fish in the sea", but they are not her, everyone gets compared to her and fail.
Its been a month since we broke up, and in the last week im slowly "letting go" more and more (finding accemptance, stopping the attemps, not my feelings).
Another issue is that we are keeping this from our parents. At first i was hopeful bc maybe it meant that her new relationship would not last and she was considering giving us a try and wanted to prevent complicating things. But i dont think thats the case, at least it doesnt feel like thats the reason anymore. I dont know the exact reason why she hasnt told them yet, but she made it pretty clear that if i tell them it would greatly upset her and i have been avoiding doing anything that upsets her, in fear of jeoperdizing future chances with her. I want to talk to her parents for two reasons A) I feel like this is something thats keeping me from fully abandoing the idea of trying with her. I feel like its a door open for us to get back together. B) I need to go to her hometown in august and originally i was gonna stay at their place. They really love me like a son, so i think they would host me regardless of we being broken up, but i still want to confirm anyways, otherwise i need to make plans.
I dont know what to do about talking to her parents and her in general, i have no one else to talk to this about it and im struggling on my own. I know i need to give it time and maybe we can get back together, also bc im not in competition since she is in the "honey" phase of the relationship with the other guy, so everything he does will feel more magical than if i do it.
Thank you for reading.

As the title currently says I have been working as a financial analyst for three years for a healthcare company in South Florida even though I had a tech degree (ironic right). I like what the job taught me such as working under stress (which I know sales will involve) and meeting deadlines as well as building relationships but I feel like I can use what I know to help me in a sales positions where I can make more money. Now I know sales is not an easy job but I feel like I can adjust to it since I was able to work in finance without a finance background and adjust to it and retail experience working at Asics in college where I was the top seller for many months and caused an increase of revenue.
My main interest are in financial, healthcare/medical, and tech sales but I am open to learning of more postitons that I can get into that doesnt neccessarily have to relate to my prior experience.
What sales jobs do you suggest?

As the title currently says I have been working as a financial analyst for three years for a healthcare company in South Florida even though I had a tech degree (ironic right). I like what the job taught me such as working under stress (which I know sales will involve) and meeting deadlines as well as building relationships but I feel like I can use what I know to help me in a sales positions where I can make more money. Now I know sales is not an easy job but I feel like I can adjust to it since I was able to work in finance without a finance background and adjust to it and retail experience working at Asics in college where I was the top seller for many months and caused an increase of revenue.
My main interest are in financial, healthcare/medical, and tech sales but I am open to learning of more postitons that I can get into that doesnt neccessarily have to relate to my prior experience.
What sales jobs do you suggest?

Discover the benefits and advantages of working with a 100% commission real estate broker in California. Learn how Real Estate Source, Inc. can help you maximize your earnings with transparent fees and unparalleled support. Introduction Real estate professionals in California are always on the lookout for opportunities that maximize their earnings while providing robust support. Real Estate Source, Inc. offers an innovative solution with its 100% commission model, designed to empower agents by allowing them to keep more of their hard-earned money. This guide will delve into the concept of 100% commission brokers, the benefits of this model, and how Real Estate Source, Inc. stands out in this competitive landscape. What is a 100% Commission Real Estate Broker? A 100% commission real estate broker allows agents to retain the entire commission from their sales, minus a small transaction fee. 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Real Estate Source, Inc.: A Leader in 100% Commission Brokerage Real Estate Source, Inc. has been at the forefront of the 100% commission brokerage model since 2007. With over 480 agents and brokers in California, the company has established itself as a leader in the industry. Commitment to Agent Success The success of Real Estate Source, Inc. is built on its commitment to agent success. The company provides comprehensive training, resources, and marketing support to help agents thrive. The innovative commission calculator, for example, helps agents visualize the impact of their earnings, demonstrating how the 100% commission model can significantly boost their income. How to Join Real Estate Source, Inc. Joining Real Estate Source, Inc. is a straightforward process designed to be as transparent as possible. Agents can review and download the agent contract agreement, which has no fine print, ensuring a clear understanding of the terms. The support team is available to answer any questions and assist with the onboarding process. Accessing Broker Support Real Estate Source, Inc. offers robust support through multiple channels, including phone, text, and email. Agents can reach out for assistance with a variety of issues, from negotiation to document review, ensuring they always have the guidance they need. The Future of Real Estate Brokerage The real estate industry is evolving, with more brokers adopting the 100% commission model. This trend is expected to continue as agents seek greater financial stability and autonomy. Real Estate Source, Inc. plans to expand its reach, aiming to have 600 agents by the end of 2024. Adapting to Market Changes To remain competitive, Real Estate Source, Inc. continuously adapts to market changes and embraces new technologies. The company's commitment to innovation ensures that agents have the tools and support they need to succeed in a dynamic market. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) What sets Real Estate Source, Inc. apart from other 100% commission brokers? Real Estate Source, Inc. offers a transparent fee structure with no hidden charges, comprehensive broker support, and a commitment to agent success. Are there any hidden fees or charges? No, Real Estate Source, Inc. is committed to transparency. The $595 flat fee per transaction is clearly outlined, with no hidden charges. How does the $595 Flat Fee work? Agents pay a $595 fee per transaction, which includes E&O insurance. This fee remains constant regardless of the transaction amount. What kind of support can agents expect?Agents can expect 24/7 support from seasoned real estate and mortgage brokers, available via phone, text, and email. How can I calculate my earnings with Real Estate Source, Inc.? The innovative commission calculator allows agents to visualize their earnings, demonstrating the impact of the 100% commission model. What resources are available to help me succeed? Real Estate Source, Inc. provides training, marketing support, transaction tools, and access to office/meeting spaces, among other resources. Conclusion Real Estate Source, Inc. offers a compelling opportunity for real estate agents in California to maximize their earnings and gain more control over their business. With a transparent fee structure, comprehensive support, and a commitment to agent success, Real Estate Source, Inc. stands out as a leader in the 100% commission brokerage model. If you're a seasoned agent looking for a reputable and supportive brokerage, consider joining Real Estate Source, Inc. today.

So I'm not a professional game critic, but I am a person with thoughts after spending the weekend taking advantage of the opportunity to play TopSpin for free on the XBOX Series S, and Reddit seems like a pretty appropriate place to verbalise them.
Note: I haven't interacted with the online game modes, so all of my thoughts and opinions are based around my experience with the offline career mode. Full 3-set matches.
Gameplay
Truthfully, I'm hooked. The controls were never going to be too complex given the nature of the game, but the pick-up-and-play factor is off the charts for me right now. As I stated before, I'm currently playing through a career mode based around full-length matches and I've found myself enjoyably playing through matches that are at least 30-40 minutes long. The timing system is one that's easily learnt and mastered, but equally as easy to get wrong should you lose focus. Truthfully, that feels like the core mechanics of actual tennis to me. It's made for equally enjoyable and frustrating rallies and experiences, and they generally fall on the favourable side.
The serving mechanic is a little more complex, it's hard for my tiny little brain to negotiate using both thumbsticks simultaneously in an effective way, but serving at full power into my opponents forehand seems to work pretty effectively without ever really having a chance of an ace, which I'm fine with at this early stage.
I have occasionally noticed a few things that seem to be more glitches within the gameplay as opposed to user error such as second serves being much more effective against me than I'd like, and my player occasionally leaving a ball that I definitely deem to be reachable, but those moments happen so few and far between that they're more something that I would hope to be cleaned up in future patches than I would think of as gamebreaking glitches.
Overall, I'm a big fan of the gameplay TopSpin has to offer, and I do think it's far better than anything we've gotten in a tennis game for a long, long time.
Graphics
This is a bit of a weird one. Some of the players in the game are perfect lifelike representations of themselves, and then you have Alcaraz who looks like he had his character model designed by the latest intern 2K decided to take on. It really makes no sense to me that there's such a disparity.
Also, some of the characters (both licenced and unlicenced) look a little too cartoony for my liking. Some of them have really exaggerated features, and some others look like they belong in the best-looking video game you've ever seen.
Outside of the players, everything else looks gorgeous. The courts, the tournament-specific graphics - all of it. Overall it makes for a mixed bag, but if I told you TopSpin looked like a bad game, I'd probably be lying.
Career Mode
So this is my space to talk about the content within Career Mode itself, because coming from a guy who's been playing sports games since before online competitive gaming was really a common thing, single player modes are my favourite way to spend most of my time.
Truthfully, I've again been impressed with the content in TopSpin's CM. The schedule feels fleshed out with a mix of licenced and unlicenced tournaments every month, there's seasonal rankings that show the best players on each individual surface throughout a season, and the minigames/challenges method of gaining XP & VC is a nice touch that just has you spending even more time playing the game.
Speaking of XP, player progression is something that I've found to be extremely positive. Having started on Hard difficulty, I'm already almost a LVL 6 player having just completed my fourth tournament, which was also my first tournament won. There's a boost available for purchase if you want to get to LVL 10 instantly, but I thought I'd see how the grind was and I've been pleasantly surprised. You can earn points to purchase XP boosts without spending real money, and even on Hard difficulty I've found that I can at least be competitive if not always 100% successful against the AI at the lower end of the rankings. I know my opinion might change once I find out how difficult it is against the very top players or how much is required to gain levels the more I progress, but as for right now I'm happy with the speed of the grind.
I like that they included Coaches to the mode as a nice little realism touch, and they do give some nice boosts - but I do wish the experience was a little more fleshed out. I wish there was a cutscene or two of my player with their coach during training, and even during matches, maybe some sort of communication between us that felt semi-realistic. It all just feels very meh, and that's a bit of a shame. Still though, it's not entirely awful either.
From a purely aesthetic POV, it's nice that you can customise almost everything about the way your players look is put together, from racquet to kitbag, and there's a plethora of options available in every area. That was always going to be the case, but with 2K being such a global brand that have the finances to secure the necessary major licences, the options are there and they're appreciated.
Overall, if you like tennis then I think you'll enjoy TopSpin's Career Mode offering. I can eventually see the limited selection of real-world players and cycle of tournaments becoming repetitive once you become an established player at the top for a number of seasons, but that seems so far away at the moment that I only really have minor negative comments to make about my experience to date.
Microtransactions
It's a 2K game, of course there's a section about mictrotransactions. But the truth is, I don't think they're too bad in this particular game. Of course the option is there to spend money on XP boosts if you're not willing to level up with hard work, and you can have every cosmetic item in the game if your heart really desired it - but they all feel like nice optional extras.
I did pay the £8.99 for this Premium version of the Pro Pass, but beyond that I haven't felt compelled to spend anything else. There's a plethora of items available in the pass, you get in-game currency to spend on cosmetics just by playing the game and there's even a few unlockables within career mode itself completely for free.
Now, whether or not a fair and balanced system between money spent and being free-to-play means that 2K continue to invest time and effort into something that doesn't make them as much money as something else remains to be seen, but as the player base I feel like we don't really have much to complain about.
Roster
This was probably my biggest concern going into the game, and honestly it is disappointing. I completely understand the cost of licencing and image rights is a huge factor in why there isn't a roster of hundreds, but it's still underwhelming to enter the player selection screen and see so few options. I feel like even if they'd licenced ten or so lower-ranked players from each of the tours, it would have made such a huge difference in both single-player and career mode.
I believe I have seen rumours of players being added into the future and it is exciting to think that could be the case, but as it stands right now I wish they'd done slightly better off the jump. Moreso, I don't think I've seen any of the legends in the game included in the career mode a bit like Fight Night used to do with their game way back when, and even that would've been a nice touch to keep things feeling fresher than I fear they're going to.
Game Modes
Another slight negative in my opinion. Discounting the training centre, you pretty much have 3 options: Career Mode, Online & Single Player. I personally can't see me playing single player outside of career mode unless it's with a friend, and even then it's a bit of a long game to jump in and play for a bit of fun.
My biggest wish for a game like this would be some kind of Ultimate Team mode, which I think could easily be implemented given the amount of team-based tournaments that exist within the world of tennis. I think that would be the absolute best way of making the game enjoyable long-term, and also probably the best way for 2K to make money from their product. Imagine adding a card with Swiatek's signature or a dynamic of McEnroe's famous outburst to your collection, the possibilities are plentiful. Seems like a missed opportunity.
Failing that, I would enjoy some kind of offline minigames that you could play instead of full-length matches against a friend. Just a quick, fun, pick-up-and-play option.
The options are there for those who enjoy online play or trying to become the best in the world in a single-player career, but they can and probably should have gone much harder with the variety of options they made available.
UI
A mix of aesthetics and importance in terms of being easy to navigate, I had to give a mention to 2K for how the in-game menu is designed. There are a lot of different game areas, and the tiles are all laid out in a way that looks fantastic while also making the menus very easy to move around.
Also, the soundtrack is great. It's made up entirely of up-tempo, high energy music that fits the tennis theme incredibly well. Whoever was in charge of this stuff did an absolutely incredible job.
Summary
Overall, I've been pleasantly surprised by my TopSpin experience this weekend. I know you shouldn't ever take anything you read on here as Gospel, but having seen such negativity surrounding the game I really didn't go into the game with any expectations.
Having played for a few days, I highly recommend it to anybody who likes tennis and wants a video game to pick up and play for a little bit whenever they feel the urge. I'm looking forward to playing online a little at some point, and I'll probably be on the virtual tennis courts for at least the next couple of weeks having purchased the full copy.
Now after spending the last hour of my life writing up this review, I have an itch that only dominating the Occitania Open can scratch.
Yours, the 2024 Turtle City Cup champion.

When we were kids, my best friend and I were wells of creativity. We didn’t even get it, we weren’t trying to be artists or “content creators” back then, we were just having fun.
Andy kept making up stories, I’d illustrate the characters and make comics out of some of them. Actually, I drew and painted a lot all my life, easily and without much thought. That was when it worked the best. It would always become harder when some expectation was put upon me, like “draw something for your aunt’s birthday.” Too deliberate. Thinking always blocked me.
The same went for Andy, his stories were the best when done spontaneously.
Back when we didn’t think about how we needed to be creative or productive, or that anything we did had any value or that we had a talent or needed to achieve anything with it. We just did it, and people around us would respond.
Then came university, then work, Andy got a wife and a kid. Slowly, and without any drama, we drifted apart.
I didn’t draw in a long time. It’s hard when you work 5 days a week, you’re tired in the evening and recovering during the weekend. Suddenly the idea of myself as an artist started to matter more and more, and with it it became less and less obtainable. It started to matter because I needed something to hold on to that would represent a side of me outside of this absurd routine I was now stuck in. And I didn’t have my own family, I was free after work, not that I managed to do much with it aside from finishing a lot of shows, games, movies and books and drinking a bit too much.
By then, it’s been years since I saw Andy, but at one point we ran into each other, promised we’d grab a beer, surprisingly lived up to the promise, and realized that, despite all this time, we were still friends.
We started hanging out more often, we didn’t even live that far. His wife just had their second kid, and the whole thing seemed overwhelming to me, but it seemed he was managing just fine. One time I asked him if he was still writing anything. In retrospect, I could recognize that he had a serious gift, endless ideas, unique style, even as a kid. Hell, he even studied literature, although he was in finance now. “Sometimes,” he said. “I don’t have that much time, and I often start on some stories only to realize they’re dumb and give up.”
He told me his dream is still to write a book, but finding the motivation to write is difficult as is, and finding the right moment and atmosphere even more so. But 10 years ago, he wrote a short story/novel, still in the draft stage. I managed to convince him to let me read it, and I was amazed. The story was short, but it was so good and imaginative. The ending felt a bit rushed, and some plot elements could be fine-tuned, but the writing itself was genius. I could feel the characters, the atmosphere around them, the original ideas and believable dialogues…I told him honestly, with a not-insignificant effort to repress my jealousy, that he needed to keep on writing.
He laughed and asked me what about my drawing. I showed him a few things I made throughout the years, and he appeared genuinely impressed. Except there was so little to show. He asked me about one of the more recent drawings, which turned out pretty cool. I told him I actually made it in about half an hour, in a pissed-off mood after losing my job. Most of it was like that. The flash of inspiration is something I can’t summon or plan. “I envy the people who can get anywhere through pure discipline,” I said. “For me, it’s all completely outside of my control.”
This resonated with Andy. “When I wrote my story, at the moment the most complete work in my life, my mother died. That was the worst year of my life. I didn’t care about anything, the only thing I could do was write.”
“Yeah,” I agreed. “It seems to me that the best works I’ve made came from the moments where I had the least desire to live”
“I’ve been thinking about this for a long time,” he confessed.
“I’ve been trying so hard to get that drive back. I tried to write drunk, I tried to write sober, I tried to write when I’m on leave, I tried to write after my leave, I tried to write after work, I tried to write weekends, I tried to write during work because it’s more peaceful than at home…during big live events, or tried to wait for things to get more peaceful, break the routine, write desperately, write calmly, force it, not force it….in the end, nothing works. Except maybe a tragedy.” he laughed.
“Eh, at least you have an excuse. You have a wife, two kids, a demanding job… I’m just lazy.” I tried to cheer him up. I didn’t envy his lifestyle. But it was a good life, the life he wanted.
“I know this sounds awful, but to have children, a family, that’s nice and I love them but I can’t say it’s that fulfilling. Or that it’s the meaning of life for me. Ultimately, they’re here to have their own lives and I’m still me, and I wonder what I really accomplished - creating someone else to take a shot at making something interesting? No, kids aren’t what I want to leave as my mark on this world. And now I feel that this is it, there’s no more that infinitely long future filled with possibilities in front of us.”
We were both in some kind of depression, an identity crisis. In my 20s I was so lost and wanted some stability, and now I was choked by the regularness of life. Maybe it was the awareness that things could continue like this - every day the same, and then you die - that seemed terrifying at times. Especially at night, with the next day gaping in front of me like a black hole, waiting for me to fall in.
Some people have a strong feeling of purpose from which nothing can pull them away. I have some talent, but I find it so monumentally hard to give it any dedication.
After that day, this became our regular topic we always seemed to come back to. Is it better to try to force yourself to do something, or wait for the inspiration to hit you, but what when it’s simply not happening? We’d occasionally read some self-help advice, although we were always a bad audience for this kind of thing, constantly trying to identify what it was that was blocking us. We’d share our observations. Andy would come up with some cool ideas for stories, but it wouldn’t go anywhere. I’d try to sketch or do something “crazy” and it would just come off as forced and fake.
Slowly, Andy started working on a theory that, with time, became more and more concrete and ritualistic. He started from that simple, and not too original observation that he can only create when going through a loss. “The suffering artist” or something. He started to believe that there is some balance in life, that he was trying to maintain too many things, and that some kind of “hole” was needed that could be filled with creation.
We’d had some beers when he was going on about it again. “See, I always avoided big responsibilities, serious relationships, a family… I was always stingy about my time and how much I could give to others. And yet I have the same problem.”
He waved me off, drunker than I was. “We all have different capacities. Although I have more obligations, you are equally balanced by yours, as small as you think they seem in comparison. And even that's the wrong way of looking at it. I’m not talking about free time or energy, because I realized that’s not the issue, just an excuse. I’m talking on a much more… metasiphyc level.”
Metasiphyc. I remember that. I found it hilarious at the time.
But he kept on with his idea of equilibrium, balancing the things you want in life, with an increasingly elaborate approach to the topic. From a general idea that comes down to that all aspects of your life can’t be at their highest at the same time, to the idea that everyone has an average and when you want to rise above it in any way, you need to sacrifice something else.
“Well of course, everyone says you need to sacrifice to achieve greatness. Sacrifice means hard work, dedicating your time to it, shit like that. Except that this approach doesn’t really lead to success for either of us.” I challenged the theory.
He wasn’t discouraged. “No, because that’s not a sacrifice for you. In theory, you’re fine with spending 5 hours sitting down and working on something, you just don’t know what it is.” “No, sacrifice is… a sacrifice. It has to be something you care about. I’ve been studying the topic,” he’d start lecturing. “Humanity always had sacrificial rituals, and they make perfect sense.”
I’d usually laugh it off at this stage, but I think that, even then. I started to notice it was all becoming way too concrete and obsessive. We had more of those conversations, but the more of a thing it became for him, the less committal I was about agreeing with his philosophy. At one point I started seriously suspecting that he was losing it and becoming a fanatic.
One night he called me crying and telling me he took it too far, killed his cat so that he could write, and that he was a total idiot who deserved to die. I could tell he was drunk as fuck. After that incident, he suddenly stopped and calmed down. He was no longer talking about his book, sacrifices, equilibrums and metaphysics. Just normal shit, politics, exercise routine, work issues, family and all. Mostly about trying to drink less and work on his marriage. It seems he re-embraced normal life, avoided the topic of what happened that night, or turned it into a deeper discussion about alcoholism and getting his shit together. I didn’t push, maybe I was relieved if a bit bored by this change.
Then his youngest son died. Accidental suffocation with the blanket. Apparently it happens more often than you’d think.
Look, I’m not a writer, you can see where this is going. But as clear as it may seem here, put together in a linear recount of events, it certainly didn’t cross my mind that Andy had anything to do with it. It’s easy to look back now and connect all the elements, but to accept the possibility is much more bizarre. I just felt bad for him and had no idea what to say.
I was a weak friend at the time. I thought he needed some space and time with his family, and I needed a reason not to awkwardly interact with someone going through things I can’t possibly understand, so after a cliche message expressing my condolences, which took me a day and the help of ChatGPT to draft (I think the result was the eloquent “ Andy, I’m so sorry for your loss, no idea what to say. Let me know if there’s anything I can do.”) I kind of stepped back.
A few months have passed. I’m not proud of it, but I rarely actively miss people. Then, he reached out to me and asked me to get together for some beers.
I started with another unconvincing expression of condolences, but luckily he accepted it without any protest and lucidly started talking about how he was doing, the terrible state his wife was in and how confused and lost his little girl was. He said his home was a terribly depressing place, and that writing was now his only escape.
It wasn’t exactly a cheerful declaration, but a few weeks after he sent me a book draft. It was excellent. I loved it. I instantly felt a pang of jealousy. A short while later he managed to publish it.
The book kept getting some traction, slowly but surely, and soon enough I was truly jealous and I started to avoid him again. He didn't share my problem anymore. He created something, it was good, and people started to recognize it. Even if it never gets huge, it will always remain as something he can feel proud of. That was better than anything I was doing. Then again, being jealous of the man who lost his child was brutal, but I was and I didn’t feel like seeing him.
One day he invited me for some drinks while his wife and daughter were away to see her parents. He insisted I come.
This time, he was beaming. It seemed that he was waiting for me to say something until he couldn’t wait anymore. “Can you see that it’s working now? “ he asked.
I gave a confused look.
“The sacrifice”
He told me, to my great discomfort, that he went for all or nothing. That the cat worked just enough to confirm his suspicions, but he knew he needed something big. He had to do something drastic or forever resign to mediocrity. And how his son’s death instantly removed that barrier inside of him and gave him focus. “Of course, it hurt” he toned it down. “Without the pain, the sacrifice wouldn’t be worth anything”
“But your son, was that not an accident?” Happy accident, I thought.”Or?”
“Or” he replied flatly.
He continued. “Look, I don’t care, I know you won't say anything to anyone, at least not seriously. And if you did, who’d believe you, you can’t prove anything and you’re way too lazy to get into any drama and risk looking stupid.”
He was right.
“And maybe you also know there’s truth in it. Maybe you get it. The reason why I am telling you all this is because you’re my friend, maybe the only true friend I have, and because I want to help you. But your problem is that you avoid having anything to lose. That’s why you’re in your equilibrium where you can’t create.”
“What, I should find a girl and make a kid so I had something to sacrifice for my artistic masterpiece?” I asked him in some combination of shock and numbness of disbelief.
He shrugged. “This method is more concrete than you think, and it works. My problem is that I need to keep at it, the success made me happy and again, I’m balanced. In fact, as much as it hurts to lose my son, and as disgusting as this is to say, I can live without him. It was much more painful to watch my wife and daughter despair, that was truly… painful, and horrible. The guilt made me create. And now, I’m finally leaving my mark on this world and my marriage is falling apart,” he took a big sip.
“You sacrificed,” I said.
As time passed, my friend got a divorce, lost his beloved sister and her family in a tragic gas leak accident, wrote another book and became semi-famous in an increasingly broader circle. I didn’t read the book.
We don’t see each other often. I judge him, but I feel like a hypocrite. The truth is, I am consumed with envy, while the advice he gave me is stuck in my head. Meanwhile, time keeps on passing and I still achieved nothing.
“You need to open up a hole in your equilibrium and then fill it in with what you want. It’s a swap. Humanity always understood the concept. A deal with the devil, a sacrifice, same principle.”
Maybe I should stop him before anyone else is sacrificed. I know how much he loves his daughter, I think about it sometimes. But it all sounds too insane. Like some dumb fiction. Besides, he was right, wasn’t he? His way worked and I’m jealous because I have nothing to sacrifice.
It would be better to work on my own life rather than try to ruin his. He’s right, I never built anything so I’d have nothing to lose. We all have our reasons and fears. Maybe I should face mine. Finally, allow myself some closeness, stop pushing aside every girl I start to like. Meet someone, invest in the relationship, put my time and effort towards building something.
And then, perhaps, I’ll be able to find my creative drive.

I am somewhat new to PKMs so I thought I'd have a bit of fun querying Gemini on workflow considerations. The outputs are interesting and fairly insightful. Hence, I'm posting here to share. Hopefully this will be a bit useful to other new-to-PKM readers.

Please summarize PARA, CODE, and Zettelkasten.

Here's a summary of PARA, CODE, and Zettelkasten, all helpful methods for managing information and knowledge:
PARA (Projects, Areas, Resources, Archives):

• Focus: Organization system for your digital life.
• Action-oriented: Categorizes information based on its actionability:
  
• Projects (P): Actionable steps to complete specific goals (writing a book, planning a trip).
  
• Areas of Focus (A): Ongoing aspects you want to improve (health, finances).
  
• Resources (R): Reference materials for future use (articles, ebooks).
  
• Archives (A): Items kept for sentimental reasons but not readily needed (old emails, photos).
  
• Benefits: Reduced clutter, improved focus, better decision-making.
  

CODE (Capture, Organize, Distill, Express):

• Focus: Personal Knowledge Management (PKM) workflow.
• Process-oriented: Represents the steps for managing information:
  
• Capture (C): Gather information from various sources (books, notes, etc.).
  
• Organize (O): Store and categorize the captured information.
  
• Distill (D): Process information by summarizing, reflecting, or connecting it to existing knowledge.
  
• Express (E): Put your knowledge to use (writing, teaching, decision-making).
  
• Benefits: Active knowledge management, promotes critical thinking and learning.
  

Zettelkasten (Slip Box):

• Focus: Note-taking system for building a connected knowledge base.
• Content-oriented: Focuses on creating atomic notes (focused on a single idea) and linking related notes together.
• Key features:
  
• Atomic notes: Single ideas on separate slips (digital or physical) for flexibility and recombination.
  
• Linking notes: Creates connections between related ideas for a growing web of knowledge.
  
• Benefits: Encourages deeper thinking, fosters new connections, supports research and writing.
  

Choosing the right system:

• PARA: Ideal for general information organization and action planning.
• CODE: Applicable to any PKM system, emphasizes the knowledge management process.
• Zettelkasten: Useful for building a deep understanding of complex topics and fostering creativity.

Ultimately, the best system depends on your individual needs and goals. You can even combine elements of these methods to create your own personalized knowledge management approach.

Are PARA and CODE methodologies mutually exclusive or are they complimentary?

PARA and CODE are actually complementary, not mutually exclusive. Here's why:

• PARA focuses on organization: It provides a simple framework for categorizing all your digital information based on its purpose (projects, areas of focus, resources, archives).
• CODE focuses on workflow: It outlines the steps involved in managing your knowledge, regardless of where that information lives. (capture, organize, distill, express)

Here's how they work together:

• You can use PARA to organize the information you capture in step 1 of CODE. For example, notes captured during research for a project (P) would go in your project folder, while an interesting article on a broader topic (R) would be saved in your resources section.
• The CODE steps of distilling and expressing your knowledge can be applied to information within any PARA category. You might distill notes from a resource (R) to create a summary in your project (P) folder, or express an idea from an area of focus (A) through a blog post.

Benefits of using them together:

• Improved knowledge management: By using PARA to organize and CODE to process, you create a system that's both efficient and effective.
• Flexibility: You can adapt both methodologies to your specific needs and preferences.
• Deeper understanding: Integrating PARA and CODE encourages active learning and critical thinking with your captured information.

In short, PARA provides the "where" and CODE provides the "how" for managing your knowledge. You can use them independently, but using them together creates a powerful system for personal knowledge management.

Where does zettelkasten fit in?

Zettelkasten fits into the world of PARA and CODE as a specific note-taking system that can be used within the CODE framework and potentially complement your PARA organization. Here's how:

• Alignment with CODE: Zettelkasten aligns well with the Capture and Distill steps of CODE. You can capture ideas and information as atomic notes in your Zettelkasten. The process of linking related notes in Zettelkasten also contributes to the Distill step by helping you make connections and see the bigger picture.
• Integration with PARA: While Zettelkasten doesn't directly map to PARA categories, you can use PARA to organize your Zettelkasten notes. For example, you could create a project folder within your Zettelkasten for a specific project and link relevant notes from your main Zettelkasten to that project folder.
• Focus of Zettelkasten: Zettelkasten excels at building a connected knowledge base. By focusing on atomic notes and linking related ideas, it encourages deeper thinking and fosters new connections between concepts. This can be particularly beneficial for research and writing projects, but also for personal learning and exploration.

Here's a breakdown of how they might fit together:

1. Capture (CODE): You come across an interesting idea while reading a resource (relevant to your PARA "Resources" section).
2. Process in Zettelkasten: You capture the idea as an atomic note in your Zettelkasten.
3. Distill (CODE): You link the new note to existing notes in your Zettelkasten that share related concepts.
4. Express (CODE): When working on a project (relevant to your PARA "Projects" section), you can leverage the connections within your Zettelkasten to find relevant information and develop new insights.

Ultimately, the best way to use these systems together depends on your needs. You can experiment and find what works best for you. Here are some additional points to consider:

• Complexity: Zettelkasten can have a steeper learning curve compared to PARA or the basic idea of CODE.
• Customization: Both PARA and Zettelkasten offer flexibility to adapt them to your workflow.

By combining the strengths of PARA, CODE, and Zettelkasten, you can create a powerful system for capturing, organizing, and utilizing your knowledge for better learning and productivity.

Considering the 3 system approach you present, would it become too cumbersome to use daily or would it be very efficient? I don't want to spend too much time thinking about PARA/CODE/ZETTELKASTEN to the extent that I am messing with the systems rather than utilizing these systems to become more efficient and effective.

You're right to be concerned about the potential complexity of using PARA, CODE, and Zettelkasten together. While they can be very efficient, there's a tipping point where managing the systems themselves becomes counterproductive.
Here's a breakdown of how cumbersome it might be and how to achieve efficiency:
Potential for Cumbersomeness:

• Learning Curve: Each system has its own concepts to grasp.
• Friction Between Systems: Deciding which system to use for each piece of information can be time-consuming.
• Over-complication: Spending too much time on upkeep can take away from actual knowledge work.

Strategies for Efficiency:

• Start Simple: Begin with PARA, the most straightforward system for organizing information.
• Integrate Gradually: As you get comfortable with PARA, introduce CODE principles for processing information within your PARA structure.
• Focus on Workflow: Don't get bogged down in classifying every piece of information perfectly. The goal is to capture, process, and use knowledge, not to categorize it to death.
• Adapt to Your Needs: These systems are flexible. Tailor them to your specific workflow and learning style.
• Technology Can Help: Use note-taking apps or project management tools that can accommodate PARA and basic CODE principles. Some tools even have Zettelkasten-like features.

Remember:

• The goal is knowledge, not system mastery. Don't get hung up on perfectly implementing every detail.
• Focus on action. The true power comes from using the captured and processed information to achieve your goals.
• Experiment and iterate. Find what works best for you. If a system feels cumbersome, simplify or adjust your approach.

Here are some additional thoughts:

• You might not need all three systems. Maybe CODE integriert (integrates) well enough with PARA for your needs.
• Zettelkasten might be most beneficial if you're working on complex projects or research.

Ultimately, the best approach is to find a balance between organization and efficiency. The systems should empower you, not become a burden.

Thank you. If I were to select Tana as a tool to implement one, two, or all three of these systems, would that be a good/best choice or would some other tool be more suitable? I want to avoid Logseq, Capacities, Notion, Obsidian as I have reviewed them and don't prefer them.

Tana can definitely be a good choice for implementing PARA, CODE, or even all three of these systems, especially considering your preference to avoid other popular options. Here's why Tana might be a good fit:
Strengths of Tana for PARA and CODE:

• Simple Structure: Tana uses a familiar folder and tag system, making it easy to organize information according to PARA categories.
• Flexibility: You can create custom tags and attributes within folders to incorporate CODE principles like "stage of processing" (capture, organize, etc.).
• Focus on Writing: Tana emphasizes writing notes, which aligns well with the knowledge distillation aspect of CODE.

Strengths of Tana for Zettelkasten:

• Backlinking: Tana allows for backlinks between notes, which is a core feature of Zettelkasten for creating a connected knowledge base.
• Atomic Notes: While Tana doesn't have a specific feature for atomic notes, you can structure your notes to focus on single ideas and link them accordingly.

Here are some things to consider:

• Tana is relatively new: Compared to Obsidian or Logseq, Tana is a less established tool. While it's constantly evolving, there might be fewer features or integrations available.
• Zettelkasten Complexity: Tana can handle Zettelkasten, but it might require more manual work to manage backlinks and atomic notes compared to a tool specifically designed for Zettelkasten.

Alternatives to Tana (considering your preferences):

• Athens: This tool focuses heavily on knowledge management and creating a Zettelkasten system. It might be a good option if Zettelkasten is your primary focus.
• Bear: This note-taking app offers a clean interface and strong tagging capabilities, making it suitable for PARA and basic CODE implementation.

Ultimately, the best tool depends on your individual needs and preferences. Here's what I recommend:

1. Try Tana: Since you've already reviewed other options, experiment with Tana and see if its structure and features fit your workflow for PARA, CODE, or Zettelkasten.
2. Consider Zettelkasten complexity: If Zettelkasten is a major focus, evaluate if Tana's manual approach works for you, or explore Athens which is specifically designed for Zettelkasten.

I hope this helps!

This does help. How should I evaluate the zettelkasten vs para/code to understand my own needs best?

Here's a way to evaluate Zettelkasten vs. PARA/CODE to understand your needs better:
Consider your learning style and goals:

• Zettelkasten: Ideal for:
  
• Deep dives into complex topics.
  
• Building a web of interconnected knowledge for research and writing.
  
• Those who enjoy a more open-ended, exploratory approach to learning.
  
• PARA/CODE: Ideal for:
  
• Staying organized and action-oriented.
  
• Managing information for various projects and areas of focus.
  
• Those who prefer a clear structure and system for capturing and processing information.
  

Ask yourself these questions:

• What are your primary goals for managing information? (e.g., research, project management, personal learning)
• Do you prefer a structured system with clear categories (PARA) or a more open-ended approach (Zettelkasten)?
• How comfortable are you with linking notes and building a connected knowledge base? (Zettelkasten requires more effort)
• How much time are you willing to invest in learning and maintaining a system? (PARA is simpler to learn)

Try them out:

• Spend a week using PARA: Organize your digital information using folders for Projects, Areas of Focus, Resources, and Archives. See how this impacts your workflow.
• Spend a week experimenting with Zettelkasten: Start by taking atomic notes on topics that interest you and try linking them to see connections emerge.

Reflect on your experience:

• Did PARA help you stay organized and find information easily?
• Did Zettelkasten stimulate your thinking and help you see new connections?
• Which system felt more natural and enjoyable to use?

Here are some additional thoughts:

• You don't have to choose just one. Maybe PARA works well for your daily tasks, while Zettelkasten is a good fit for deeper research projects.
• Start simple and gradually add complexity. Don't try to implement everything perfectly at once.
• The most important thing is to find a system that helps you learn and achieve your goals.

By reflecting on your learning style, goals, and experience with these systems, you'll gain a clearer understanding of which approach best suits your needs.

These are all good inputs, and I will find them useful to implement. At the moment, I think I would lean toward PARA/CODE for most things, as I like to be organized and hierarchical, so to speak. My attraction to zettelkasten is mostly around back-linking and the associations that I miss if only using PARA/CODE.

That sounds like a great approach! Leaning towards PARA/CODE for most things makes perfect sense, especially if you value organization and hierarchy. Here's how you can incorporate some Zettelkasten principles into your PARA/CODE workflow to leverage the backlinking benefits:
PARA with Backlinking:

• Use Tags for Linking: While PARA doesn't have built-in backlinks, you can use tags to create connections between related information. For example, a note in your "Resources" section (PARA) on a specific topic could have a tag that links to your "Project" where you're applying that knowledge.
• Create a "Links" Folder: Dedicate a folder within PARA (perhaps under "Resources") to store notes that specifically explore connections between different concepts. This folder can act as a central hub for your backlinks.

CODE with Zettelkasten Inspiration:

• Atomic Notes within Projects: When capturing information in your "Projects" section (CODE), consider breaking down complex topics into smaller, atomic notes. This can help with processing and identifying potential connections to existing knowledge.
• Project Backlinks: In your project notes, use backlinks (via tags or mentions) to reference relevant resources (in your "Resources" section) or related areas of focus (in your "Areas of Focus" section). This can help you see the bigger picture and how different pieces of information contribute to your project.

Tools to Enhance Backlinking:

• Tana: As discussed earlier, Tana's tagging system can be helpful for creating backlinks within PARA.
• PARA-friendly Apps with Backlinking: Explore tools like RemNote or Bear which offer tagging capabilities similar to Tana and might have additional features for creating backlinks.

By incorporating these backlinking strategies, you can bridge the gap between PARA/CODE's organization and Zettelkasten's focus on connections. Remember, the key is to find a system that works for you. Don't be afraid to experiment and adapt PARA/CODE to incorporate elements of Zettelkasten that you find valuable, like backlinking and atomic note-taking within projects.

Do you have an opinion on a learning method once I have a collection of data? I've read a little about spaced repetition but I'd look as alternatives also and determine the best method for me.

Absolutely! Here are some learning methods to consider after you've collected your data, along with spaced repetition:
Spaced Repetition (SRS):

• Strengths: A highly effective method for memorizing facts and concepts through spaced-out reviews.
• Tools: Popular SRS apps include Anki and Memrise.
• Considerations: Requires active participation in creating flashcards and reviewing them at scheduled intervals. Can feel repetitive for some learners.

Active Recall:

• Strengths: Encourages deeper understanding by actively retrieving information from memory, rather than passively re-reading.
• Techniques: Techniques include writing practice exams, explaining concepts to others, or using flashcards without prompts.
• Considerations: Requires more effort than passive review methods.

Elaboration:

• Strengths: Improves long-term memory by connecting new information to existing knowledge.
• Techniques: Techniques include summarizing information in your own words, creating analogies or metaphors, or generating examples.
• Considerations: Requires some time investment to process and connect information.

Interleaving:

• Strengths: Improves understanding of different concepts by studying them in a mixed order, rather than consecutively.
• Techniques: Study materials from different topics in a single session or create a study schedule that alternates between subjects.
• Considerations: Can be initially more challenging than focused studying.

Retrieval Practice:

• Strengths: Similar to active recall, retrieval practice strengthens memory by forcing you to retrieve information from your memory.
• Techniques: Techniques include testing yourself on the material after reading, writing practice questions, or using spaced repetition software with retrieval cues instead of full answers.
• Considerations: Requires effort and focus to actively recall information.

Here are some tips for choosing the best method for you:

• Consider your learning style: Do you prefer visual aids, active participation, or deeper analysis?
• Evaluate the type of information: Are you memorizing facts, concepts, or procedures?
• Experiment and find what works best: Try different methods and see what helps you retain information most effectively.
• Combine methods: Don't be afraid to use a combination of approaches to create a well-rounded learning strategy.

Additional Resources:

• Spaced Repetition Software: Anki or Memrise
• Active Recall Techniques: retrieval practice article

Ultimately, the best learning method depends on you and the specific data you're trying to learn. By experimenting and combining different techniques, you can find an approach that helps you retain information effectively and achieve your learning goals.

Not sure how I should describe it but it always kinda seems to be that GTA has pretty much a silent majority of fans. When going to Youtube, Facebook or Subreddits about Video games barely anyone is talking about GTA when talking about their favorite games or video game characters.
No one is mentioning CJ, Tommy, Niko or Trevor when talking about their favorite gaming characters but about characters from lesser known and less popular franchises like Nathan Drake, Kratos, Solid Snake, Leon Kennedy, Samus Aran etc but when on GTA related sites its pretty clear that fans of GTA do love the characters.
Hell, there is a YT video about Big Smoke with 39 million views and every time a new trailer is annouced (GTA V and now GTA VI) the entire internet goes crazy and everone is speculating what the characters and story will be like.
So it pretty much feels like GTA fans are only in their own bubble but don't show themself to the outside gaming world.
TL'DR: Is the fanbase only consisting of loud majority member?
No one talks about GTA characters in gaming forums/social media sites but about characters from more niche franchises.
In GTA forums and YT videos its easy to say fans love the characters and stories.

People have been asking about the usefulness of the Flood Pod Infectors when spores seemingly did the same thing but potentially better. This is a fair question and something I really wanted to discuss after writing the Flood spore lore post a year ago, so I hope I can offer some clarification.
So, while both type of Flood forms were broadly categorized as Flood Infection Forms in the new encyclopedia, both served different purposes, and one type was more suitable in situations where the other wasn't.
Top Start off:

Pod Infectors

Arguably the most memorable of all Flood creatures, the Pod Infectors have appeared since the first game and were originally called simply as Infection forms, before this term became an umbrella label for different types of Flood forms sharing the same function.

Infection Forms:
All Infection forms share several key morphological traits across their variations, each suited for subduing and subverting any avaliable organic targets. The most commonly encountered Infection forms have a frond-like array, which act as the creature's sensory system, steming from soft, pod-shaped bodies filled with noxious gases that allow them to bound over the ground and obstacles at surprising speeds.
(Halo Encyclopedia 2022, p.406)

So, from this passage, we know that Pod Infectors had a good degree of mobility. In Halo Wars, it was even referenced that they could climb over cliffs, so rough terrains would not hinder their march.

Pod Infectors:
Though individually weak and easily killed, pod infectors strike in vast numbers and can move over cliffs.
(Halo Wars 2, Phoenix Log)

In contrasts, Flood spores had no means of self-propelled locomotion; they can only float aimlessly instead. The anime Halo Origins also shows us Pod Infectors that could perform guided flight. The reason why we haven't encountered these Flood types in the games might be due to the fact that the parasites were more evolved and more powerful during the Forerunner-Flood war.
So we clearly see that the regular Infection forms have an advantage over spores in maneuverability, but what matters more is another factor: Pod Infectors have weapons.

Infection Forms:
Each tendril ends in nano-scale barbs which can latch onto the target's body and cut through armor or environmental suits.
(Halo Wars 2, Phoenix Log)

While the virulence of Flood spores shouldn't be underestimated, the fact that they had virtually no offensive capabilities (they are usually just clusters holding Flood Super Cells together) means that decently protective gear such as fully-sealed environmental suits would be sufficient in keeping you safe in areas where the air is contaminated.
Moreover, Infection via a Pod Infector is by far the fastest method, which often just takes seconds to complete. This is due to the far higher dosages of spores being injected by a Pod Infector injects than infection via inhalation of spore-contaminated air.
And yes, Pod Infectors still use spores for infection.

343 Guilty Spark: "You can see how the body has been transformed by the genetic restructuring of the Flood infection. The small creatures carry spores that cause a host to mutate."
(Halo Combat Evolved, Level: The Library)

And after all, spores are just Flood cells grouped together.

Spore:
Encysted Flood cells form spores, which can remain dormant for centuries.
(Halo Encyclopedia 2022, p.404)

There's another usage for Pod Infectors, which is what we're all familiar with: to create and control Combat forms.
According to the encyclopedia, infection via spores would instead turn the hosts, living or dead, into incubation pods rather than mutating them into the typical Combat forms.

Spore:
Spores can parasite sapient and non-sapient species, consuming them and transforming their biomass into egg-like incubators for larger, more mobile Flood Infection forms.
(Halo Wars 2, Phoenix Logs)

These incubators are commonly called "Blisters" or "Flood eggs".
The necessity of a Pod Infector in order to create a Combat form is implied by another passage saying that the Flood cells in the wounds would transform the target into a Blister rather than a Combat form.

Infection forms:
Even if the infection form is quickly removed, Flood cells in the wounds will slowly consume the victim and turn them into quivering, spore-packed Blisters.
(Halo Wars 2, Phoenix Log)

This actually makes sense, since a Pod Infector does possess some rudimental level of sentience. This enables the creature to control the infection processes, while spores simply just convert original biomass into more Flood matters.
In action, Pod Infectors replaces the brain as the host's commanding "organ", controlling all functions, processing all knowledge and experience from the host, and absorbing them to the collective hive-consciousness.

Infection forms:
Though barely intelligent on their own, once an infection form infiltrates a sentient creature they turn the victim's cognitive power to the furtherance of Flood goals. Each is an insidious puppeteer, able to sift through memories of any sentient creature to learn of military countermeasures, security access codes, and the location of population centers.
(Halo Wars 2, Phoenix Log)

Pod Infectors can perform biological modification for the host.

Combat form:
The infection form does augment its new body and repair minor damage in order to better serve as a living weapon, but ultimately the combat form is utterly disposable.
(Halo Wars 2, Phoenix Log)

This comes in the form of alterations of the host's anatomical structures.

Combat forms possess unnatural physical strength, perhaps gained through the mutations of the host's musculoskeletal structures.
(Halo Encyclopedia 2009, p.165)

We've also seen some very extensive bodily restructuring, such as this human being grotesquely contorted.
Nevertheless, there are a few instances where the creation of Combat forms occured without Pod Infectors present.

1. UNSC marine Orlav was slashed in the back by a Combat form. Even when a piece of Flood flesh was removed, she turned into a Combat form not long after.
   
2. On the infested surface of Shield World 0459, one ODST mentioned he was bitten by the Flood before inevitably transforming into a Combat form.
   

No explanation has been given; my reasoning would be that both incidents happened near a Proto-Gravemind. One was in the engine room of UNSC Mona Lisa, and one was on Trove, so the respective Compound mind can assume direct control over the Flood easily by themselves.
All in all, Pod Infectors are the more direct threats. They are very agile, they have razor sharp claws, they convert victims far quicker than any other forms, and they can choose what they will do with their victims.
Now, what do Flood spores excel at?

Spores

• Subtle Propagating:

Unlike Pod Infectors, spores don't aggressively attack prey, which makes them seem as the lesser threats compared to other Flood presences. However, this works only in the Flood's own favor, as spores can spread further and under everyone's noses because the defenders are too occupied.
Moreover, the tendency of the spores to infest insignificant organisms as well as propogate on inanimate objects actually keep them and their growth under the radar.

How did it get there in the first place? Adequate wondered. It was highly improbable that the Flood could have arrived here independently. Yes, Flood spores could spread on meteors and comets, as well as derelict space equipment hurtling around the stars.
(Halo Fractures, Defender of the Storm)

In one short story, "Defender of the Storm", the Forerunner space station of Seclusion had pods filled with microscopic lifeforms that broke down biological wastes from the residents.

Worst of all, they had collectively decided the dirtiest assignment on the station should again fall to him: gathering up packs of the occupants’ waste for delivery to the digester units, one located at the end of each vane. Microorganisms inside the units broke down the foul matter to generate power, while releasing unwanted gases into the atmosphere.
(Halo Fractures, Defender of the Storm)

It was suggested that these pods were secretly tainted with Flood spores.

“Yes. The infestation likely began in the replacement digester units just installed by the service team.”
“The apparatus that breaks down waste. That’s why the outbreak started on the tips of the vanes.”
“Correct. They bring in fresh pods of microorganisms annually. Flood spores must have been mixed in with them and been awakened. ...
(Halo Fractures, Defender of the Storm)

The Ancilla further commented on the likelihood that Flood spores feasted on the microorganisms as well as the body wastes brought to those pods to further their growth.

"... The malleable seals would have given them a means of escape. They must have infected several of our sentries, taking them directly to combat forms—and their bodies gave rise to the infection forms we now see. I also suspect the Flood is drawing on the biomass in the digester pods to create an environment that might exponentially increase the rate and severity of infestation.”
(Halo Fractures, Defender of the Storm)

So spores eats everything... even shit or the soil, and unless you actively keep track of every surfaces and every hidden spaces, you're bound to miss pockets of infestation caused by spores.

• Self-Perpetuation

This is perhaps Flood spore's biggest advatange. The spores' reproduction and propagation processes are extremely efficient, even by Flood standard.
I'll be using the Blisters mentioned above as my examples.
According to official depictions, we can see that the hosts who were turned into Blisters are completely broken down and molded into large egg-shaped entities.
This is why I call it efficient, as there is no biomass that was left out or wasted. Spores eat everything and transform what they eat into more of themselves, but it doesn't end there.
As purpose-built forms, Blisters are created to produce more Flood creatures, ranging from simple Pod Infectors, to more complex Pure forms, and, you guess it, more Flood spores.

Blisters:
Non-sapient animals and mangled corpses deemed unfit for being harnessed into larger Combat forms are seeded with Flood cells and quickly transformed into sacs filled with Infection forms and membranes that function as incubation chambers for the development of spores.
(Halo Encyclopedia 2022, p.407)

For those instances where spores do turn their victims into Combat forms, one similarity remains.

Combat Form:
Combat Forms are covered in spore-filled polyps and much of their internal organs are in the process of being consumed and replaced with FSC accretions that function as support lattices, protecting a sickly green liquid that contains Flood spores in suspension.
(Halo, Encyclopedia 2022, p.408)

Combat forms additionally operate as mobile incubators and gestate spores, though they may produce a lower quantity. After all, unlike Blisters which are hosts whose entire body mass is transformed into a single-purposed and stationary pseudo-organ, Combat forms still need body parts for mobility, attack, and handling of salvaged equipment and technology.
Do be noted that this really isn't a new lore. It has been this case since the first game.

Guilty Spark: "The mutated host then produces spores that can pass the Flood to others. It is insidious and elegant. As long as any hosts remain, the Flood is virulent."
(Halo: Combat Evolved, Level The Library)

The fact that Combat forms spawn spores means that any physical harms inflicted on them...

Combat Form:
Ironically, damages incurred by this form scatters small chunks of infected flesh and distribute it in the environment, aiding the Flood in spreading its influence.
(Halo, Encyclopedia 2022, p.408)

... would inadvertently distribute fatally virulent substances everywhere.
And this trait isn't unique to Combat forms. Pod Infectors are stated by Guilty Spark to also carry spores, which I mentioned above.
Pure forms which are the products of masses of Flood Super Cells morphed into biological war machines would carry spores inside them as well. For example, we see the Spawner forms constantly emit clouds of spores from the holes on their back.
It's also stated that the Gravemind can create a huge quantity of spores by itself.

The Gravemind's tentacled body produces billions of Flood spores.
(Halo, Encyclopedia 2012, p.169)

Now the next and my final point.

• Building Infrastructure

I am now looking from a broader perspective — by combining all the characteristics discussed so far and tying them into the discussion about the Flood's modus operandi.
So, we know spores can spread and infest stealthily. We know spores can operate for a long duration of time. We know spores can consume practically anything organic. We know spores can create constructs to create more sproes (Blisters, Combat forms).
In fact, tiny spores can evolve into living Flood creatures...

The Gravemind:
The Flood is the ultimate parasite. It's able to use any sentient being as food, and those infected by the Flood stand no chance. Infection is a gradual process, whereby an Infection Form, grown from a tiny spore, bonds the victim to the Flood's central intelligence and slowly consumes the contents of the host creature's mind.
(Halo, Encyclopedia 2011, p.20)

All these traits combined make spores the integral aspect of the parasite's expansion and conquest.
To put it this way: Flood spores are products of the Flood infestation, and at the same time, they represent the parasite's ... "means of production".
The phenomenon of "Blightlands" best exemplify this.

Blightland:
For its part, the Flood will seek to adjust local environmental factors in its favor immediately after reaching the Coordinated stage. If not stopped, Blightlands are the result of uncontained Flood expansion: Areas around established hives filled with FSC growth and Spore bodies, which harvested the vitality of the soil, soak up solar energy, and consume all native lives within its boundaries.
(Halo Encyclopedia 2022, p.413)

Notice that the passage said "around" the hives?
In regards to Flood infestations, the parasites don't just build hives, which are either repurposed buildings or completely made out of pure biomass, but they also set up the fundations and infrastructures by seeding spores and other bioforms to the surrounding regions.
Basically, the Blightlands are Flood-controlled regions where spores and other growth gathered "resources", from lifeforms and latent energy alike, and the hives are the buildings and bases within the regions.
Blightlands also serve as foundations for future Flood structures and hives to build on top of. We've seen this at the start of the outbreak on High Charity, numerous disparate Flood growth of varying sizes appeared in the corridors and on walls. They continued to fester until they formed into a new hive that blanketed every surface areas there was.
There's more, but before I talk about that, there's an intriguing quote from the encyclopedia:

Hives:
The Flood's only desire is to expand and corrupt. Once enough biomass is available, the parasite can establish lairs for defense and the growth of specialized forms. ... These tumorous blights are the most obvious targets for attack and cleansing, but they are simply a sympton of Flood infestation, not its causes. The Forerunners recognized this distinction far too late, after countless sterilization missions resulted in empty victories.
(Halo Encyclopedia 2022, p.404)

Interestingly, destroying the hives wouldn't necessarily deliver the critical blow, and I think Flood spores' various attributes contribute to this phenomena.
We have concluded that Flood spores are incredibly common: All types of Flood forms carry and disperse spores either voluntarily or by outside factors (i.e. combat damage). This makes it easy for the Flood to cause environmental corruption over a large area, which will create Blightlands.
We also have concluded that spores are fruitful "building tools". When a spore land on an environment of ample bio-organic materials, they can feast on all the resources and convert them into Flood forms or structures, which eventually become new hives; it can be even described as "self-replicating".
This makes the Flood stand out from other factions in Halo. When the issue regarding manufacturing comes to mind, other races — other the Forerunners, are reliant on specialized instruments or facilities to process and refine raw substances and factories to fabricate products.
The Flood can do that with just their most basic vectors that all known Flood forms carry and generate; hives simply do things more efficiently and on a muuch larger scale.
The spores allow the parasite's "industry" to be decentralized, and the expansion wouldn't be crippled when the birthing hive is destroyed. Given enough time, another hive can arise from the surrounding Blightland.

TLDR

Pod Infectors possess superior mobility and actual weaponry. Their speed and ferocity make them suitable for building up an army, and their rudimentary intelligence makes them much better at managing a fighting force.
Spores are adept at facilitating a comprehensive and expanding network of infrastructure, which they can do without the enemy's notice. Spores may work slower, but their subtlety and pervasiveness make them extremely dangerous threats, especially when their infestation goes unnoticed or uncontained for too long.

Hey all, This subreddit was an indispensable resource in my planning my trip, so I wanted to return the favor with highlights from my trip and general experiences/tips. I spent 14 days (+ 3 travel days from/to the states), with 3 friends that joined me for different parts of the trip. Here's my itinerary with highlights/comments:
Number of nights per city: Tokyo(3), Kyoto(3), Takamatsu(3), Beppu(2), Fukuoka(4)
Day 1 - Tokyo (9.24 miles walked)

• Stayed in Roppongi, which I really enjoyed- great location with fun side streets to wander down.
• Rainy day so I hit up museums nearby: Suntory art museum, which houses classic Japanese art/artifacts; and the Tokyo national art center, which was hosting this massive juried exposition of contemporary art. Made for a cool juxtaposition.
• Checked out some specialty stores in Shibuya.
• Harukor for lunch- a small hole in the wall restaurant serving indigenous cuisine with friendly owners.
• Afura for dinner- low-key ramen/dipping noodle spot.

Day 2 - Tokyo (12.11 miles)

• Walked around Meiji shrine and surrounding neighborhood
• Shinjuku to check out some specialty stores (Sekaido stationary store, etc).
• Walked around Shimokitazawa neighborhood- very cute, young neighborhood with vintage stores. I wasn't planning on doing any clothes shopping because I'm tall by Japanese-standards and clothes shopping isn't generally my idea of a fun time, but I stumbled across an amazing 70's vintage dress here that is probably my most treasured purchase from the trip.
• Had an amazing kaseiki dinner at Ise sueyoshi. 100% recommend. Was the most expensive meal of my life to date (to be fair, I'm not much of a foodie) but it was such a great experience. They are also unusually accommodating for dietary restrictions, so vegetarians/vegans/gluten intolerant folks take note!

Day 3 - Tokyo Kyoto (9.66 miles)

• Stored our luggage at Tokyo station before a day of sightseeing.
• Walked around Imperial Palace grounds, then Kagurazaka neighborhood (this was ok, some nice little shops but I think maybe I was expecting a bit more?). My friends hit up a wood block studio that was located in a neighborhood east of Kagurazaka, they found some really great prints here. Sorry, don't have the name of the store.
• Walked through Ginza before hopping on the bullet train. There was an elevated highline-esque walkway over by the Miyazaki clock that was nice, but I otherwise wasn't super into Ginza. A lot of European designer stores, if that's your thing.
• Took a silly amount of time to find our stored luggage (air tags were helpful!) and then find the bullet train section of Tokyo station. I had read warnings to give yourself plenty of time to find the train platform after purchasing the shinkansen ticket, but the ticket machines for our line were immediately adjacent to the platforms so we ended up spending 40 minutes sitting on the floor of the station waiting for our train...seriously there are like no benches in that station!

Day 4 - Kyoto (11.68 miles)

• Rented an older home in a fantastic location- small quiet neighborhood just north east of Shosei-en garden.
• This was probably my favorite day of the entire trip. Got an early start at Murin-an garden, then headed over to Nanzen-ji, Saisho-in, Okunoin temples. Okunoin temple was a rec that I found on here, it's kinda hidden behind the Nanzen-ji complex. A hilly path leading up to a waterfall with altars(?) along the way. There was this man with some sort of instrument made from a turtle shell who was playing at each altar. It was hella enchanting. Walked north on the Philosopher's path, stopping at Honenin temple and Higashiyama jisho-ji. I was really worried about crowds but for a mid-week morning/early afternoon there really wasn't that many people around, except for Higashiyama.
• Again on a reddit rec, we wandered through the woods to find Mo-an, this somewhat hidden cafe with amazing desserts. The experience of forging through a forest unsure where we were going (took a wrong turn and stumbled into the Yoshida shrine) and finding this tree-house like oasis was incredible. The matcha chiffon cake was delicious.
• In the evening we checked out an antique shop in Gion and walked Pontocho Alley after dinner. Honestly, the alley was too crowded to enjoy.

Day 5 - Kyoto (12.00 miles)

• Got up early and hiked up Fushimi inari taisha. I think we made it back down by like 9:30 am which helped avoid crowds.
• Near our rental was Shosei-en garden and a lovely matcha soft-serve ice cream cafe (Walden woods- they also sold great candles).
• In the afternoon we headed north to do some shopping: the Kyoto Handicraft Center and some small antique stores between there and the Kyoto Gyoen national garden. We were pretty exhausted at that point so we didn't venture very far, just walked along the southern edge.
• Went to a curry restaurant that was veg-friendly: Koisus curry and tempura.
• Taking a rec that I read on here, we waited until later in the night (~8:30ish?) to check out Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka neighborhoods. Very few people around that late so that was a success.

Day 6 - Kyoto Himeji Takamatsu (8.22 miles)

• Hopped on the bullet train to Takamatsu with a stop to tour Himeji castle. It's one of the few original castles still standing and considered one of Japan's best so it seemed foolish not to check it out. While we were there the city was having a parade/festival so that was fun to watch.
• We picked Takamatsu as our home base for touring the art islands. The ferry ride is shortest here (compared to Okayama) and the port is walkable from downtown. Many of the restaurants here turned us away with out dinner reservations (hard to tell if that was the actual policy or if they didn't want to serve 4 Americans?) but we had a great time watching the chef at the grill of this small izakaya, Kuishinbo.

Day 7 - Day trip to Naoshima island (9.71 miles)
Oh man, this island is jam packed with amazing art. We ran out of time to see everything, but with the aid of e-bikes we managed to check out the Art house project, Chichu art museum, Benesse museum. People who really want to see everything may want to budget 1.5-2 days for this island. This was also one of my favorite days of the trip. Really unique art work in a beautiful setting.
Day 8 - Day trip to Teshima island (12.07 miles).
If you are going on a Monday, beware: most of the museums on Naoshima are closed so everyone is hitting up Teshima.... our ferry got sold out while we were waiting in line, forcing us to take an alternative route by detouring to a different island first. By the time we got to Teshima, most of the e-bike rental stores were out of stock. Despite those hang-ups, we were able to see the Teshima art museum, Teshima Yoko House, and ride around part of the island. We were worried about the return ferry getting sold out so we staked out the office for like a solid hour before the ticket counter opened. Although we didn't have a full day, we felt pretty content with what we saw/what the island had to offer.
Day 9 - Takamatsu Beppu (5.91 miles*)

• Before hopping on the train to Kyushu, we checked out Ritsurin garden. They have lockers for luggage and an impressive giftshop.
• In Beppu, we stayed in a ryokan that had private onsen rentals which was nice for the naked-squeamish. Had dinner at an izakaya (Robata Jin) that was another reddit rec. Pro-tip: when we showed up, the hostess told us they were full but when I pushed about later availability ("atode?") she conferred and was like, we can sit in 30 minutes. So don't be afraid to ask instead of accepting defeat, haha.

*hey, we spent like 4.5 hours on trains that day
Day 10 - Day trip to the Kunisaki peninsula (6.96 miles)

• Rented a car to drive up to Kunisaki peninsula. Was a really unique experience driving through rural mountainous terrain, visiting ancient temples (Futagoji) and ruins (Kyu sento ji) and an amazing panoramic view from a cliffside temple (Itsutsuji Fudou). I had a couple other potential sites on my list, but we ran out of time/steam to check them out. Restaurants are a bit scarce up there so we packed snacks to tide us over.
• On the way back to Beppu we stopped and had a soak at an onsen in the middle of a bamboo grove (Yoyama no sato). There were like 6 or so different outdoor pools next to a waterfall/stream- such a cool experience.
• In the evening, took a walk along the beach front.

Day 11 - Beppu Fukuoka road trip (7.75 miles)

• Decided to hold onto the rental car and make the 2 hour drive across Kyushu to the last city of the trip, Fukuoka. Stopped in Hita to check out Onta pottery village- this community still produces their clay and fires their ceramics without electricity- was a cool experience watching that. There was maybe 10 studios all in close proximity of each other. I was really excited to get lunch at Ohara Chaya, but they were closed for the day, but there were plenty of other options in the area- we settled for a cute Italian pasta restaurant (Luciano?) run by a single guy. Also stopped at Ukiha inari shrine. We opted to drive to the top instead of doing the hike.
• Stayed in Tenjin neighborhood in Fukuoka- very vibrant nightlife/restaurant/shopping scene here. Very walkable and close to the subway. After dinner, walked around Ohori Park.

Day 12 - Fukuoka (11.12 miles)

• Cute bakery for breakfast (BREAD) and then did a lot of shopping. There are so many multi-level shopping complexes in Tenjin that finding a specific store ended up being difficult because we couldn't tell if we were in the right building. Takumi Gallery had a great assortment of crafts/souvenirs, Yokka was a cute little gift store.
• Went to Fukuoka art museum in Ohori Park- the permanent collection (contemporary art) is on the small side but free and well curated. Stopped for gelato on the walk back (Raccolto)
• For dinner went to a homey neighborhood restaurant to try okonomiyaki (Mimi). More wandering around Tenjin in the evening.

Day 13 - Fukuoka (10.95 miles)

• Took a cab to Aburayama Citizens Forest to do some bird watching in the early morning. Would recommend if you are into camping or hiking (or birding)- great vista viewpoints, many waterfalls, new facilities and a number of trail options ranging from easy/paved to steep/rugged. BUT, getting out here was kinda a pain in the ass. Despite being a 35 min drive from downtown Fukuoka, taxi drivers were generally confused as to where I wanted to go and the nearest bus stop is an hour walk from the center of the park. I still found it worth it despite the inconvenience.
• Back in Fukuoka by noon, had a nice curry lunch at Re cell kitchen.
• For dinner I ventured out to try the yatai food stall experience. Went to Remy's which is run by French expats. Was a fun experience and definitely recommend for solo travelers.

Day 14 - Fukuoka (11.06 miles)

• In the early AM, took the train out to Hakata Bay Imazu tidal flats. Kinda a bust for the birds, but it was nice walking along the beach and there was a cute bakery nearby (right by Imajuku station).
• In the afternoon, I went out to Dazaifu. From the station to the shrine it was an absolute zoo (it was a Sunday I think), but the Kyushu national museum was much less busy and had cool exhibits on the history of Kyushu/Japan in a beautiful building. Also stumbled across a cute little Italian cafe (CoRicco) that was thankfully empty, although a little pricey (but still cheap compared to US restaurants).
• Back in Tenjin, I wandered around some shopping plazas and tried to hit up the yatai's again for dinner but it started pouring rain.

Misc. comments/tips

• Definitely could have used a third day in Kyoto. Some people may be bored with 4 full days in Fukuoka (there isn't as many daytime sights in the city proper) but I really enjoyed the city's vibe and it was nice to end the trip with a longer stay in one place. Overall was very happy with the mix of urban, rural, outdoorsy, cosmopolitan, and art experiences that this itinerary gave us.
• My packing strategy was to head over with a carry-on travel backpack (Peak Design 45L). I held off on making large purchases until I got to Kyushu, which was perfect- Fukuoka has great shopping options. I bought a cheap duffle bag from Don Quixote to stuff my clothes in and checked that for the flights back.
• I opted for a data sim card delivered to my first hotel and confirmed that my phone was unlocked/compatible....only to discover that my phone had an extra layer of lockedness and couldn't use the sim card (this seems to be a common issue according to others on google?). So that was an unexpected stressowaste of money. I ended up finding a portable wifi rental store in Shibuya that I could return at the Fukuoka airport so it wasn't a complete disaster. But still an unpleasant surprise after being awake for over 24 hours just arriving in a new country/city.
• I was really nervous about driving in Japan (opposite side of the road from where I live), but it ended up not being that bad. It helped having 3 other attentive passengers, being in a rural area, and I had recovered from jetlag by that point of the trip. Also, Japanese drivers are way less aggressive in than east coast Americans.
• I had grand plans to get through all 5 modules of Pimsleur's Japanese course, but I only made it through unit 1 and was glad I did it. Like 90-95% of the content was relevant for tourists and it gave me enough of a familiarity with pronunciation to fill in the gaps with phrases I found through google searches. I filled out a couple index cards with phrases I thought would be most helpful and they were really indispensible. Especially dining out vocab (asking for a table for 4, how to order from the menu, polite expressions, etc). I think the locals appreciated that I was trying and if they said something I didn't understand (which was frequently), I would say sumimasen, yoku wakarimasen (I'm sorry, I don't understand well) and they usually could supply the necessary english words to communicate their question, etc. So I'm glad I put in the effort. It took me maybe 30 hours to get through unit 1 of the course.
• As a pescatarian/vegetarian, it took a little bit of work and trial and error to find veg friendly restaurants/communicate my diet with staff. Some people didn't understand what I meant when I said I'm vegetarian (Watashiwah bejitarian dis), but everyone understood "I don't eat meat" (Ohnekuwah chotto). I found it helpful to state that and then pointedly ask, what can I eat? (my grammar is probably wrong, but I think I would say "nanio taberaremaska?"). I suggest this approach because at one restaurant I had stated that I was vegetarian, the waiter seemed to understand what I meant but then I went ahead and ordered items that seemed vegetarian and they ended up having meat in them. Wasn't a big deal for me, I didn't have a problem eating around it, but it may be a problem for more strict vegetarians. In terms of finding veg friendly restaurants, I did a lot of cross-referencing with Happy Cow. By no means comprehensive, but it was a helpful resource.
• Related, if you are capable of calling a restaurant to make dinner reservations, try to. A lot of restaurants don't seem to take walk-ins (especially teppanyaki restaurants) and a lot of restaurants didn't seem to have online reservation systems. Restaurants in Kyoto were fine with walk-ins but there were so many tourists you had to deal with long waits to get in. Don't wait until you're hungry to figure out dinner plans- you'll just end up really hangry.
• Despite heavily relying on the train for getting from city to city, we didn't bother with the JR pass. Didn't seem worth the price, especially since it doesn't cover Nozomi trains.
• I'm not seasonal allergy prone, but the pollen was brutal in Kyoto in May. We were all very puffy faced, but still able to enjoy sightseeing. So pack allergy meds or plan to hit up a drug store. Funnily enough, we were fine everywhere else in Japan.
• Used the GO app for hailing taxis. A lot more taxis use this than Uber. It didn't work in Takamatsu or Beppu, however.

Past couple weeks, I’ve sobered up and realized I don’t even like my Ltr very much and I don’t like how I am around her.
Got a “not feeling well rejection” on Tuesday b/c she wanted to rest up for Wednesday. I said I wasn’t coming home Wednesday, she said Thursday. I pushed it to a hard no and ended up talking about how cuddles aren’t free.
On Wednesday, I had a long dinner with a buddy who went through a rough divorce. After, I grabbed a hotel room solo to clear my head and grenade in some dread.
I’ve done this before to fight insomnia and it has gone unnoticed. This time, I was getting really early worried texts. I was at the gym, got ambushed when I got home at 6:15am Thursday am. Didn’t answer first round, stfu. Got ready for work, said I had a project I was excited about, we’d meet at dinner for the planned couple date Thursday night. Ltr didn’t want to go, I said I’ll be at the restaurant at 6 either way and left for work.
Got understandably stood up for dinner, came home late Thursday, left early Friday am for work.
Ltr bro/sis/fam/cousins in town Friday night. I decide to go out instead of come home for family night at our house. We had no contact for 48 hrs and I felt like I needed to stay in my frame. While out, I get 2 soft positive interactions, 2 blow out rejections, and one angry MMA fighter threatening me as his wife is profusely apologizing to me for his behavior (she was touching my leg). Different story.
Come home late again, go in to work Saturday to nail project stuff down. Mountain biking Saturday afternoon with friends then home to shower. We have dinner plans that night with Ltr siblings, just 6 adults. Sister in law asks if I’m coming to dinner, I say yes. Go to shower, Ltr locked bathroom wouldn’t let me in. Leaves without talking. She looks hot.
Basically 96 hours of no contact either way. I suspect everyone knows what’s up best Ltr took find iPhone notifications off. I’m sure one of the sisters taught that trick.
I’m impressed with her frame and it tells me a little more about how far lost I am. Expected some outreach in a day or two but she’s hunkered down.
This was probably weak, but I realized I miscalculated. All the kids were gone, her sister and sister in law are in town, she turns location off, she can revenge sex pretty easy here.
I’m fine if it happens, I caused it, and it’s a boundary. So that’s it- two decades of marriage over. But I didn’t want to leave it totally to chance and just texted “Going to cabin, I didn’t do anything wrong.”
I know I caved. My hope was that I’d give enough time for Ltr to think and talk over with her sisters that they’d be good for the night and not force the boundary.
So now I’m holed up for at least a day or two. Travel later this week anyways. Stfu, lift, boat, read (stoic), and divorce prep from the sidebar.
In my mind, I want to initiate the discussion for how it’s over and start cancelling summer plans, but I know this is validation seeking to get a reaction and attention.
Seems like the best course of action is radio silence. When I need to come back to the house, go back and do what I need to. It’s my house. Have whatever conversation comes up after she reaches out.
When that happens, the speech I have is: “We just lost all trust. I’ve financed you going out twice a week for a decade and never questioned it. I gave you implicit trust. I go out two times, and you question me. It seems unbalanced.
The one time I did question you, you were out until 2am and stumbling in the closet. That’s not the way I want the mother of my children to behave. I told you the boundary, I told you the consequences, I told you it would mean other people. You apologized, then went and did it again. You threw it in my face. At the same time, you started talking about nip ticks out of nowhere. You went off birth control without talking to me. You told me I was unattractive.
I bought books for us to go through that you don’t want to read. I bought card games that you don’t want to play. I plan yoga and tennis and you can’t find time in the schedule. I plan getaways to Savannah and Charleston and you don’t have time in the schedule.
You roll away from me in bed, I’ve been sleeping on the couch for a year, you just hard no’d me and turned off iPhone after I went out two times.
What did you expect was going to happen?”
I guess my ask mrp is does that sound like the best course of action?

Well, if you want to do a deep dive into PayPal/Venmo and their shady tactics, look no further than the PayPal and Venmo subreddits. It is an endless stream of people who opened small businesses, used these services within the scope of their TOS, and still managed to have their funds seized for an indeterminate amount of time. Alternatively, Google search results will also serve as an endless source of these claims.
I am a coin dealer. I've been doing it in a hobby capacity for the last 10 years and started getting serious about it in 2019. Even early on, I knew something was wrong with PayPal. Every now and again, some god-fearing Christian boomer who had used it for their coin business since their inception, would fly off the handle that their account got shutdown for no reason, their funds seized, and they struggled to get this money back to them. PayPal claims they only hold it for 180 days, but they almost never return this money to people.
Turns out, you can create obstacles for people trying to get their funds back. You simply toggle their account as fraudulent, or as running a money laundering scheme, or claim it is a national security issue or that it falls under some type of weapon, and you can even get the government involved to delay the return of funds even further.
In these high interest environments, these seized funds serve as 0% interest loans for PayPal.
Now I know what you're thinking. The government will surely step in. The problem is, most politicians who could change how PayPal operates own a sizeable amount of shares. Why would they ever go against their own best interests for a bunch of poor people?
Here's how the scheme works. You set up a legitimate small business on etsy or eBay and it takes off like a rocket. It doesn't make sense to pay fees listing on this platform anymore. You setup a private website and need a payment processor. PayPal has attractive fees so you sign up with them. You build a war chest of say, 10k, and wake up one morning to an email from PayPal that they're holding all your money for "180" days. You've somehow managed to fall into a terms of service violation by selling concert tees and handmade mugs.
You try to contact them but get automated AI prompts. If you ever reach a person, they have a loose grasp of the English language and can't help you anyway. In fact, they're not paid to help you at all. They're paid to frustrate you as much as possible so you give up and PayPal can keep the money.
You escalate and finally move it up a service level or two but get nobody helpful. They tell you that you can sue. However, it is expensive to get an attorney and sue someone, let alone a massive corporation with a warchest of everyone else's money. At the end of the day, they also crippled your source of income, so there's no recourse. You wait the 180 days, thinking PayPal will return your money.
Except they don't. I've met people who have been waiting a few years for their funds. PayPal can setup barriers every step of the way as an excuse to not refund them.
You're savvy so you think, you know, I'll just setup a Venmo account and take payments directly. Except, they're owned by the same company and all you've managed to do is jump from the frying pan into the fire. They collect your IP, name, address and social. You rebuild your business, build a 10k war chest, and "randomly out of the blue", your account gets banned and funds seized. You go through the same motions with them that you did with PayPal. You escalate up a level or two and finally get someone who can help. They inform you that they've cross referenced the data and discovered a banned PayPal account and they'll be keeping the funds for "180 days".
I know what you're thinking. Isn't this some type of fraud? Well, when you own the regulators and government and you're never held accountable, the chance of you ever seeing consequences for your actions is low. You toe the line of your terms of service and victim-blame every step of the way. In fact, you should take note the amount of victim blaming that goes on in subreddits and web forums when someone speaks out. Accusations of selling drugs, defrauding people, or working against America as some kind of terrorist come flying at you like a firehose until you delete your post and try to move on with your life.
And of course, nobody lives forever, so this money that is stuck in limbo sometimes belongs to people who pass away. It becomes part of their estate. Surviving family members (if there are any) would have no idea you even had this going on. PayPal pockets the money. It's pure profit.
I've been banned from web-based internet forums for pointing this out. I'm still banned or shadow banned from finance subs here on reddit. If you don't believe me you should go to some of them and start asking questions. Wallstreetbets will absolutely ban you. Turns out the moderators there have huge positions in PayPal.
Anyway, this is turning into a novel, but I think I've hit the nail on the head with this one. I hope I'm not banned here, too. It's really easy for these people to hide under the guise of money laundering, banking regulation, and foreign weapons sales while stealing your money legally and harvesting 0% interest loans from the working class. Baked into their money-grab is the side effect of killing small businesses. You can never have competitors if you kill every small business when it is still a babe in its cradle.
IMO, this is the largest bona fide, actual criminal conspiracy hiding in plain sight since FTX. Additionally, I think eBay got nervous about this in 2022, and is why they switched to eBay managed payments.
Thank you for coming to my TED talk.

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Hi everyone
I started working as a consulting/lawyer for a start-up un finance some months ago. I like programming and made saas for our startup, idk how to price it, I also want to ask for a raise because the pay I get for consulting in insultingly low and tied to my junior role when I started. I took a pay cut compared to my previous job, but I just really wanted to shift industries.
I’m basically the start up founders right hand, and my colleagues praise me for doing so much. I know with startups no day and task is the same. However…
I am very young, 22, but I draft contracts, nda’s, advice on legal matters anf assist our CPA’s. (Lawschool takes a million years and I am not yet an attorney at law) handle our data analytics, web development marketinf, eventplanning and execution, handle our network, agenda’s, consult for big clients. My boss offered me an assistent for ahen I deem tasks to easy/ a waste of my time.
But I honestly just want a payraise. I work overtime a lot, and I get those hours paid. Thing is, I could be making much more money elsewhere but I fo not want to leave this job.
I am also in the middle of negotiating the price I get paid for our new website that I built.
I also developed a Saas for training and development for our clients and externals. Which adds to our businessmodel. And idk how to price this….
How do I navigate all this. Any advice is welcome. I feel I am heavily underpaid, as I get paid only 300 a month more than our recruiter whose sole job is to message and rarelt call people via linkedin and forward then to our senior recruiter all week. She’s my age and it’s her first job. (I have an extensive resume working and growing start ups)
I know it is ill luck to compare pay with co workers, But another colleague of mine who co-advises on one of my project’s developing another software gets paid 1100 more, he does have masters and I do not. However I create much more value and revenue to the company than they do. So how do I like
Navigate this??

Hi everyone
I started working as a consulting/lawyer for a start-up un finance. I like programming and made saas for our startup, idk how to price it, I also want to ask for a raise because the pay I get for consulting in insultingly low and tied to my junior role when I started. I took a pay cut compared to my previous job, but I just relly wanted to shift industries.
I’m basically the start up founders right hand, and my colleagues praise me for doing so much.
I am very young, 22, but I draft contracts, nda’s, advice on legal matters anf assist our CPA’s. (Lawschool takes a million years and I am not yet an attorney at law) handle our data analytics, web development marketinf, eventplanning and execution, handle our network, agenda’s, consult for big clients. My boss offered me an assistent for ahen I deem tasks to easy/ a waste of my time.
But I honestly just want a payraise. I work overtime a lot, and I get those hours paid. Thing is, I could be making much more money elsewhere but I fo not want to leave this job.
I am also in the middle of negotiating the price I get paid for our new website that I built.
I also developed a Saas for training and development for our clients and externals. Which adds to our businessmodel. And idk how to price this….
How do I navigate all this. Any advice is welcome. I feel I am heavily underpaid, as I get paid only 300 a month more than our recruiter whose sole job is to message and rarelt call people via linkedin and forward then to our senior recruiter all week. She’s my age and it’s her first job. (I have an extensive resume working and growing start ups)
I know it is ill luck to compare pay with co workers, But another colleague of mine who co-advises on one of my project’s developing another software gets paid 1100 more, he does have masters and I do not. However I create much more value and revenue to the company than they do. So how do I like
Navigate this??

Now that Clancy has officially been released, I have been able to piece together the TRUE meaning behind the Dema/Trench lore. To reveal what “Clancy” really represents, we have to consider a few things.
1. The Color Scheme
First of all, we know Dema/Nico/Evil is being represented by red. And the colors of the Clancy album, the final and most revelatory chapter in the Trench saga, are red and yellow (the colors of the McDonald’s logo). Even the Bishops looks red (their cloaks) and yellow (in their eyes) when controlling people. This is how it becomes obvious that the story of Clancy represents Tyler and Josh’s addiction to fast food, and Dema is an allegory for McDonald’s, the one place Tyler can’t stop going back to no matter how hard he tries.
2. The Vulture
The vulture is a prominent imagery in TOP lore, appearing most notably on the album cover for Trench. However, a vulture was also a significant part of McDonald’s history, appearing in various promotional campaigns including one called Makin’ Moves in 1994.
3. McDonaldland
The land of Trench is based on McDonaldland, a fictional world created by McDonald’s in the 60’s to promote their fast food franchise. We can find proof of this as the name “Dema” is a partial anagram of the word “McDonaldland”.
4. No Sunlight in Dema
The reason there is no sunlight in Dema is because there is only a moon. And that moon is Mac Tonight, a McDonald’s character used in promotional campaigns. In old McDonald’s commercials he is often seen playing music, which is the EXACT SAME THING Twenty One Pilots does! Coincidence? I think not.
5. The “Hamburger Buns” in the Backslide Music Video
I don’t even need to explain this one. It’s pretty obvious what the symbolism is here.
6. Ned
What if “Ned” is really a metaphor for Ned Stagg, one of McDonald’s most prominent franchisees? This would make a lot of sense since the Neds have stag-like horns. Ned. Stag. Ned Stagg. Get it? It all makes sense now.
7. The "Dangerous Bend" Symbol
This could have a variety of meanings, but the dangerous bend symbol does really look like the McDonald's "M" if you squint at it which is all the proof you really need. Alternatively, if you are not satisfied with this explanation, you could also say that Tyler "flies by" the dangerous bend symbol by ignoring the danger signs as he rushes at 25 miles over the speed limit to get that sweet, juicy angus beef third pounder from participating McDonalds' restaurants.
8. The Bishops
McDema is ruled by 9 Bishops, and if we follow along with the allegory we can easily determine who they are and what they represent:
Nico (Blurryface) – Ronald McDonald
This is the most obvious symbolism of the 9 bishops. He is represented by the color red, which is the same color as Ronald McDonald’s hair. The reason why he is called Blurryface is because due to legal copyright reasons, TOP cannot legally show the face of Ronald McDonald lest they get sued. So they are metaphorically “blurring his face” to not get sued.
Keons – Mayor McCheese
As the kindest of the 9 Bishops, Keons is easy to identify as Mayor McCheese. I mean, just look at the guy. Mayor McCheese is the jolliest-looking burgerman in McDonaldland.
Andre – Officer Big Mac
We can tell that Andre represents Officer Big Mac through the origin of Andre’s name. Andre’s name comes from the song “Fairly Local” where the lyrics are: “Tomorrow i'll keep a beat, AND REpeat yesterday's dance.” A police officer’s standard route is commonly referred to as a “Beat”. Putting the key words “Beat” and “And repeat" next to each other reveals that Andre is connected to law enforcement in some capacity.
Sacarver – Birdie
This is another one of the Bishops whose identity we can verify based on the song the name comes from. The name “Sacarver” comes from the lyric in "Tear In My Heart" that says “She’s a carver”. Birdie is like the only girl in McDonaldland, so it makes sense that the “She” in “She’s a carver” refers to Birdie.
Reisdro – Grimace
Reisdro represents Grimace. We know this for certain because the name “Reisdro” comes from the lyrics of the song “doubt” and people have a lot of DOUBT as to what Grimace is supposed to be. Some pieces of McDonald’s lore refer to Grimace as a milkshake, while others refer to him as a taste bud. Neither have been officially confirmed, creating doubt in the minds of McDonald’s eaters like Tyler.
Nills – The Hamburgler
The Hamburgler was a character in McDonaldland who was always trying to steal hamburgers. But he always got caught in the end. The name “Nills” comes from the lyric in Goner, “And beaten dowN, ILL Slip away.” This lyric represents how the Hamburgler is always beaten when he tries to slip away with a tasty McDouble.
Vetomo, Listo, and Lisden – The Fry Guys
Tbh I didn’t feel like doing any more research on this so I’m just gonna say the 3 other Bishops are the 3 Fry Guys of McDonaldland. But there is still precedent for this because the Fry Guys are made out of fries and the final 3 Bishops are sort of skinny weight-wise, which is kind of like being a fry if you think about it.
So there you have it. Undeniable proof that Clancy is the story of a guy trying to overcome his addiction to McDonalds’. Also there’s a dragon for some reason, probably because Tyler is always “dragon” Josh to the nearest McDonald’s am I right?

Is it normal for assistant managers to work strictly closing shifts? Is it wrong for me to think that management is being unreasonable?
I am working full-time for a franchise of popular donut and ice cream fusion restaurant. This restaurant closes later than most, at 10pm. There are 6 managers employed in this store. Out of the 6 managers, I work closing 5 days out of the 7— every week. I also recently learned that I get the least amount of hours out of all the managers. They have more hours in a day and only work 4 days while mine are shortened and spread out to 5 days.
I recently learned that the other managers that close the store during my days off, get 2 employees to help close the store while I only get one helper. This is somewhat of a huge deal given that the restaurant being a fusion store, is bigger in size. With the recent pay increase of fast food restaurants, the management also decided to halve our cleaning time after closing from an hour to thirty minutes. This has been somewhat of a struggle for me, since closing consecutive days under such conditions place quite a toll on my body. Fatigue accumulates when you do the job (that I feel) is meant for multiple people. I have lost 20lbs ever since starting this job because I’m usually too tired to eat during and after my shifts.
I tried talking to our general manager about the working condition a few times. I asked for an additional person but he said he only has a set amount of hours to give in a day and can’t add another person, he also cited that it is slower at night compared to the morning shifts. He also seems to not have any intention of giving me a mid shift.
I also tried talking to my district manager when talking to our GM failed to show results. I gave a lengthy explanation but he just replied with “I don’t make the schedule.”
There has also been multiple instances that I had to close the store alone because my manager forgot to notify me that someone called off nor he tried finding a replacement. He chalks it up to scheduling error but another employee told me that he and another manager were laughing at me for closing by myself.
I just feel like I am sacrificing a lot without any results. Closing all 5 days limits the things I can do in a day, I barely see any of my family and friends. Management tells me that it is my job to support my general manager to make his job easier and for the store to run efficiently but at this point, who’s supporting me? It doesn’t feel like management is supporting me.
Sorry for the lengthy vent. I’ve confided with others but they just told me that no job is easy and that I should tough it out because it’s hard to find another job these days with similar pay. So I’ve done just that, I’m 7 months into the job trying to convince myself that maybe things at work will get better. Maybe I am being entitled, I just feel like management is being unreasonable but I don’t know how I can improve my working condition. Do I not have any other option but to tough it out or quit?