CREDIT PROFILE

• Current credit cards you are the primary account holder of: (list cards, limits, opening date):
  • Citi Double Cash $25,000 limit, 2018;
  • CapitalOne Quicksilver $6,500 limit, 2010;
  • Credit Union's VISA platinum cash back card (only 1% cash back) $18,000 limit, 2015.
• FICO Scores with source (see note on FICO score sources below):
  • Transunion 803
  • Equifax 780.
• Oldest credit card account age with you as primary name on the account: 14 years.
• Number of personal credit cards approved for in the past 6 months: 0
• Number of personal credit cards approved for in the past 12 months: 0
• Number of personal credit cards approved for in the past 24 months: 0
• Annual income $: low seven figures

CATEGORIES

• OK with category-specific cards?: Yes.
• OK with rotating category cards?: No.
• Estimate average monthly spend in the categories below. Only include what you can pay by credit card.
  • Dining $: 750-800
  • Groceries $: 250
  • Gas $: (If at Costco or Walmart, please specify) 50
  • Travel $: (Break it down as much as possible: spend on flights, hotels, Airbnb, car rentals, trains, Lyft/Uber. If you have an annual travel budget, divide by 12 for monthly average.)
    • Lyft/Uber: 70
    • Flights: 1000-1100 (usually fly business class which adds up quickly)
    • Hotels/Airbnb: 700-750
    • Trains/Rental Cars/Bus: 10
• Do you plan on using this card abroad for a significant length of time (study abroad, digital nomad, expat, extended travel)?: Not more than a week or two on a trip.
• Any other categories (examples: phone/internet, insurance) or stores (example: Amazon) with significant, regular credit card spend (the more you specify, the better):
  • Internet: 75
  • Amazon: 322
• Insurance (car, renter's, umbrella): 186
• Any other significant, regular credit card spend you didn't include above?:
  • Tolls $30
• Can you pay rent by credit card? If yes, list rent amount and if there's a fee for paying by credit card: No.

MEMBERSHIPS & SUBSCRIPTIONS (delete lines that don't apply)

• Current member of Amazon Prime?: Yes.
• Current member of Costco or Sam's Club? Costco, but I don't spend too much there.
• Currently paying $13.99/month or more for Disney Bundle (Disney+ / Hulu / EPSN+) or other Hulu services? Yes
• Are you open to Business Cards?: No

PURPOSE

• What's the purpose of your next card (choose ONE)?: travel rewards. Must not have foreign currency fees and must be easy to use while traveling internationally.
• If you answered "travel rewards", do you have a preferred airline and/or hotel chain? Delta is preferred airline, but flexible. Flexible on hotel chains.
• Do you have any cards you've been looking at? Some friends suggested Chase Sapphire Reserve or Preferred.

I'm not very happy with my CapitalOne Quicksilver card. Despite my income and credit score, it seems like it isn't possible to get a credit limit over $10,000. The only real reason I keep it around is because it is my only card that doesn't have foreign currency conversion fees, but I'm hoping there is a better option out there. Thanks in advance for your help, and I apologize for my credit card ignorance.
EDIT: I should add that I'd like to increase my travel spending somewhat. Maybe by 10-20%.

I’ve been thinking about a quad conversion. Has anyone has heard of any issues with the police or yearly vehicle inspection (I’m in New Hampshire) where they complain that slingshot is no longer a trike/motorcycle and is now a four wheeled car?

** ALL WEEKEND (FRI 5/24 - MON 5/27) *\*
High Desert Cluster Memorial Day Weekend Show Expo New Mexico, 300 San Pedro Dr. NE Join the High Desert Cluster for new traditions with an ALL INDOOR show on Memorial Day weekend. Conformation will continue in the Lujan Complex Halls A&B and expand to the Creative Arts Center instead of The Farm and Youth Hall. Obedience and Rally will continue in the Horse Arena. 4 All Breed Shows with NOHS and Juniors. 2 Toy Group Shows. Many Breed Specialties. Coming as a spectator? Here's what you need to know. Entry is free and parking is $10. The event is held in the Lujan Complex, Creative Arts Center and Horse Arena. Shows start each day at 8am and end with awarding that day's best in show or high in trial. Want to know when your favorite breeds show? Download the judging program. We also have a great lineup of vendors with products for show dogs and family pets. For human and dog safety, please keep unentered dogs and strollers at home. They will NOT be allowed in the buildings. Of course, ADA qualified service dogs and miniature horses are welcome. Learn more about dog show etiquette
** FRI 5/24 - SUN 5/26 (3 DAYS) *\*
Graduation Tea Snapdragon Tea, 115 Harvard Dr. SE Our Graduation Tea is the perfect way to celebrate the ending of one of life's chapters and the beginning of another! We welcome kids of all ages, and provide children’s menus upon request. Special gluten free/vegan/vegetarian menus available upon request. Reservations are required. Tea party cost is $18.50 for the children's menu and $34.95 for the full 3-course tea party
Sabaku Con 2024 Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid North, 5151 San Francisco Rd. NE Don't miss Albuquerque's largest and longest-running anime, gaming, and cosplay convention!
** SAT 5/25 - MON 5/27 (3 DAYS) *\*
12 - 6 PM New Mexico Wine Festival Balloon Fiesta Park, 5600 Balloon Fiesta Pkwy NE The New Mexico Wine Festival at Balloon Fiesta Park is an annual Memorial Day weekend tradition, with over 200 wines from New Mexico's top wineries, great food, art, and live local music, what's not to love. We welcome you to wander in the wine garden with us and enjoy the beautiful New Mexico sunshine (tickets)
**BOTH SAT 5/25 AND SUN 5/26 *\*
Sat 9 AM – 5 PM and Sun 10 AM - 4 PM Brick Fest Live Rio Rancho Events Center, 3001 Civic Center Cir NE, Rio Rancho Looking for a fun event for the whole family? With hands-on activities, life-size models, and celebrities, Brick Fest Live is the #1 event for BRICK lovers of all ages. Your family will have a blast building memories together while engaging in creative play (tickets)
12 - 6 PM Bear Fest 2024 Boxing Bear Brewing, 8420 Firestone Ln. NE FREE ADMISSION: In honor of our 10th Anniversary. Cheers to 10 years! Beer samples, music, craft vendors, food trucks. 21+ (click link for full music lineup and list of vendors)
1 - 2:30 PM THE LOVELESS - award winning director Kathryn Bigelow & iconic actor Willem Dafoe's feature debut! The Guild Cinema, 3405 Central Ave NE Check out the trailer. Dir. Kathryn Bigelow & Monty Montgomery - 1981 - 82m. AS PART OF OUR ONGOING ARTHOUSE CLASSICS & FAVES SERIES! The feature debut of both its star, Willem Dafoe (TO LIVE AND DIE IN LA), and its directors, Monty Montgomery (producer, David Lynch's WILD AT HEART) and future Academy Award-winner Kathryn Bigelow (NEAR DARK). A motorcycle gang roars into a small southern town en route to the Daytona races, unnerving and angering the locals with their standoffish attitude and disrespect for social niceties. When gang member Vance (Dafoe), hooks up with sportscar-driving Telena, he incurs the wrath of the girl's father, setting the gang on a collision course with the rest of the town as simmering tensions boil over into violent retribution. Raw, angry and honest, THE LOVELESS is fully restored by Arrow Films and ready to roar into theaters (tickets)
** Fri 5/24 *\*
Fri 1 – 11 PM Steph Ramirez Benefit Night Unhinged Brewing, 251 98th St. NW, Ste F For those of you who have been our patrons since our very early days a little over a year ago you may remember Steph's smile and charisma lighting up the room as she worked the taproom. We've been missing her for a while now as she's been fighting a stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis since late 2023. Unhinged Brewing will be holding a "Steph Ramirez Benefit Night", donating $1 for every beer sold all day to help with the financial burden of her treatment. We're really looking forward to having her out, having drinks, listening to good music, and sharing in the memories. Come out and have a beer! Catch RND Band performing live from 7-9 pm
Fri 5 PM Key Lime Pie Gose Release Tractor Brewing, All Locations We're celebrating Tractor Beer Week right with an all new sour we've never released before! Come try the new Key Lime Pie Gose made with real lime and graham crackers!
Fri 5 – 10 PM Sour Hour with Rowley Farmhouse Ales Tractor Brewing - Wells Park, 1800 4th St. NW Come quench that sour palette with a little taste from Rowley Farmhouse Ales for our first event to kick off Tractor Beer Week 2024. They'll be showcasing some of their favs, while we will be showcasing one of our very own sours as well. Grab a flight of four sours that will keep your mouth watering! Or just grab a goblet on one! Or both!
Fri 6 PM Variety Social Dance CSP Dance Studios, 1624 Eubank Blvd. NE Dive into the joy of dance among friends who inspire! For just $10 cash at the door, you'll have the opportunity to sample and practice social dancing a variety of dances including ballroom, latin, country, swing and line dancing. This is your invitation to try something new, meet like-minded individuals, and social dance in a welcoming, supportive environment. The night kicks off with a welcome lesson from 6:00-6:30pm, making it ideal for beginners or anyone to meet new people before the dance floor opens up. Step into a night of dance, discovery, and community. CSP welcomes you!
Fri 6 – 8:30 PM Sol De La Noche Live El Vado ABQ, 2500 Central Ave SW Prepare for an electrifying evening as we proudly present Sol De La Noche! Live music is back with a bang, and this week's performance promises to be a fusion of Latin, R&B, and Hip Hop that will have you dancing all night long. Get ready to be swept away by the infectious rhythms and soulful melodies of Sol De La Noche as they take the stage and ignite the atmosphere with their dynamic blend of musical styles. Indulge your taste buds with a delectable selection of culinary delights from our diverse food pods, offering everything from savory Latin flavors to mouthwatering desserts. And don't forget to quench your thirst with a refreshing craft beer from Ponderosa Brewing Company, available at the El Vado Tap Room. Let's create memories together under the starlit sky!
Fri 7 – 9 PM SIP FLOR // A Night of Local Art + Great Tastes Lapis Room, 303 Romero St. NW Let's shake our tail feathers! This is an intimate gathering with limited tickets available. Must be 21+ to attend. Live music by Lara Manzanares. Artist demo by Thomas Christopher Haag. Culinary bites by Honey Bee Kitchen
Fri 8 PM Salsa Night with Calle 66 Juno, 1501 1st St. NW Dance to Live Salsa with Calle 66, featuring Jackie Zamora with DJ Henry (Salsa, Bachata) on the new indoor stage. 21+. $10 at the door or presales online. VIP reserved seating available thru Eventbrite
Fri 8 – 10 PM Beer & Jazz: Tractor Beer Week Edition Tractor Brewing - Wells Park, 1800 4th St. NW We're doubling down with Sour Hour at 5pm and then jazz tunes. We'll have very special beers on tap as well as our Key Lime Pie Gose and then one of the best Jazz groups NM has to offer with Swing Magique at 8pm
Fri 8 PM – 1 AM Hot Club Time Machine Sister, 407 Central Ave NW Warm grooves, hot wax, and dancefloor magic. DJs Tech Rider and Trans Europe Caress at the helm of musical vessel. Trains, planes, and automobiles! We're really going places! Let the Hot Club Time Machine move your body through time and space on a dancing odyssey with engines powered by boogie, house, disco, ebm, synthpop, and funk from all eras and kingdoms. The ticket is free so don't hesitate! Hop on board as we fly above the clouds and trip the light fantastic!
Fri 9 PM - 12 AM Benefit Show Fundraiser for Tony Chavez Fighting Cancer Backstage at Revel, 4720 Alexander Blvd. NE Shawn Brooks, Daniel Solis, and Sal Vigil, 21+, $10 cover
Fri 9 PM – 2 AM Rewind Video Dance Party 80s/90s/2K Effex, 420 Central Ave Rewind Returns! All your favorite music videos from the 80s vs 90s vs 2000s on 7 large screens. Expect to hear music from Madonna / Kesha / Spice Girls / Madonna / Britney / Black Eyed Peas / Depeche Mode / TLC / Lady Gaga / Eurythmics / Nysnc / Nelly / Back Street Boys...and all of your other favorite hits
Fri 9:30 PM The 30 & UP R & B Experience Bama's 1865, 6001 Osuna Rd. NE Vegas Resident & Bash Town Touring DJ SupaJames will be our special guest. Tables and VIP Sections are limited... get them now 505-269-3301
** Sat 5/25 *\*
Sat 8 AM – 12 PM Downtown Growers' Market Robinson Park, 810 Copper Ave NW Every Saturday from 8 am - NOON! This vibrant community event connects local farmers, growers, artisans, wellness makers, and hot food vendors with the local community from mid-April to early-November. Bring friends / family or come solo to enjoy fresh food made on sight, a variety of seasonal produce, unique arts and crafts, live music, and special programming all in the heart of downtown
Sat 9 AM Viva Vino Run Casa Vieja, 4541 Corrales Rd, Corrales This 21-and-older event is one you won't want to miss! Casa Vieja Brewery in the Village of Corrales sets the stage for this flat and fast 5K. Each participant will receive an event t-shirt, a participant medal, a commemorative Viva Vino wine glass, and a serving of wine at Casa Vieja. So lace up those running and walking shoes and register now! (The start of the race is south of the Wells Fargo on West La Entrada Rd. Please stay on the side of the road or parking lot until the race director directs you to the start)
Sat 9 AM Unity Explorers at Plaza Bianca Unity Spiritual Center, 9800 Candelaria Rd. NE Unity Explorers Hike: A rare opportunity to hike in Plaza Blanca, inspiration for some of Georgia O’Keefe’s most famous paintings! Located 20 miles from Ghost Ranch this 2.8 mile hike is rated as “easy”. The canyon is on the grounds of Dar al Islam Monastery. One can only enter it with a permit, which we have! After the hike we may visit the Mosque as they love to have guests! We will meet at Unity and then carpool up to the hike, about a 2 hour drive. Bring a trail lunch, sturdy hiking shoes or boots, sunscreen as there is little to no shade and plenty of water
Sat 9 – 10 AM U.S.S. Bullhead Memorial Clean Up! 1606 San Pedro Dr. SE Trash bags and gloves will be provided to you at the 9AM check-in; please meet me in the parking lot. I also have 4 extra litter pick up sticks to loan for the hour so be there early to grab yours! Please remind your family and friends not to litter!
Sat 9 – 11 AM Memorial Day Grave Cleanup San Carlos Cemetery, Alameda and Edith Please join us in cleaning our fallen brothers’ & sisters’ graves. We will also honor them by placing new U.S. Flags on their graves. Please RSVP “going” for a breakfast burrito
Sat 9 AM – 1 PM Summer at the ATC Street Fair Alvarado Transit Center, 100 1st St. SW You're invited to attend a series of events the last Saturday in the Summer of 2024. We will have music, education, non-profits, local vendors, food and drinks! Saturdays - May 25 - June 29 - July 27 - August 31. Park for FREE at the 1st and Gold Parking structure, a QR code will be provided at the event to waive the parking fee. Take a stroll through our Street Fair, then head to the Saturday Farmer's Market at Robinson Park. We are so excited to provide another way to revitalize our downtown area and provide ways to enjoy your weekend!
Sat 9 AM – 3 PM 8th Annual Fundraiser Ride & Chili Cookoff Indian Motorcycle, 4509 Alameda Blvd. NE 8th Annual Fundraiser Ride & Chili Cookoff with 100% proceeds going to families of veterans killed in motorcycle accidents. $20 registration fee for riders & $10 for passengers. Register at Indian Motorcycle of Albuquerque Day of event. $20 registration fee per pot of chili. $10 All you can eat tasting – includes (1) vote; additional votes $5 per ticket. Raffle prizes!
Sat 10 AM Flamenco Para Todos New Mexico Veterans Memorial, 1100 Louisiana Blvd. SE Get ready for our student showing! Join us for a showcase featuring the incredible talents of our students from the Conservatory of Flamenco Arts at the National Institute of Flamenco, alongside students from Flamenco in Your Neighborhood Classes across Albuquerque! Come witness the culmination of their dedication and artistry!
Sat 10 AM Seed Bomb Craft! Corrales Community Library, 84 W. La Entrada, Corrales Join us for this free craft event!
Sat 10:30 AM – 4 PM Garfield Fest Flix Brewhouse, 3200 La Orilla Rd. NW Enjoy photo ops, freebies, an in-theater giveaway, and activities for the whole family. All ages are welcome!
Sat 11 AM Cannabis Farmers Market Mama and the Girls Dispensary, 915 Yale Blvd. SE Connect with Local Growers: Meet the passionate and knowledgeable cannabis growers in our community. Engage in conversations, learn about cultivation techniques, and gain insights into the art of the cannabis business. Support Small Businesses: By attending our farmer's market, you are directly supporting local small-scale cannabis producers. Embrace the opportunity to contribute to the growth of our local economy and the sustainability of our community. Admission is free, must be 21+ (or 18+ w/med card). Support local growers, discover premium cannabis products, and celebrate the vibrant cannabis community at our Farmer's Market. See you there!
Sat 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Morning Toons The Guild Cinema, 3405 Central Ave NE New Mexico Entertainment is back with its Summer event, Morning Toons. Grab your pajamas and blanket, and participate in this Saturday morning event with your family and friends. Come out to watch old-school cartoons from your childhood on the big screen. Cereal is included with your ticket! So kick back, have some breakfast, and enjoy the toons! Your ticket includes admission and breakfast. Morning Toons is a LIMITED seat event (*location corrected*)
Sat 12 – 4 PM Mimosa BRUNCH Saturdays Oak & Ivy, 3109 Central Ave NE Every Saturday from noon till 4p we are here to provide your two favorite Saturday afternoon things to do.... Brunch and drink Champagne! $25 bucket specials and table shareable items
Sat 12 – 5 PM Live Music with Lani Nash & Adoption Event Noisy Water Winery, 301 Romero St. Come hang out for great music and meet your new best friend from Cross My Paws Animal Rescue!
Sat 12 – 11 PM Ciderday Night Fever Tractor Brewing, 122 Tulane Dr. SE We're featuring some of our amazing delicious ciders in flights and of course in goblets for you goblins. Then at 8pm DJ Wae Fonkey will be laying down some disco on the ones and twos to get your apple tree shaking!
Sat 2 – 6 PM Birds of a Feather Parrot Rescue Fundraiser Juno, 1501 1st St. NW Fundraising event for Birds of a Feather Parrot Rescue. Live music by Ross Brothers Band. Visit with the birds and volunteers. Raffles. Portion of all drink sales goes to the organization. Families welcome
Sat 6 – 8 PM KUNM Dance Party feat. DJ Aimie Jane! Smith Plaza in front of Zimmerman Library on the UNM Campus We'll be broadcasting to the headphones in front of the Library, so you can hang out there or go up the hill to the Cornell mall or hang out on the grass at the duck pond. This is a great place to skate, skate board, bike, etc. (but please be aware of your surroundings when headphones are on...). there is cover across the plaza with the Humanities and Language arts buildings so we will be jamming even if we have some weather! Plenty of nice places to throw a blanket down or sit at a table and enjoy some food with friends and family as well! *DJ Aimie Jane will be spinning live on Smith Plaza via Channel one! * Channels two and three will have special mixes created by KUNM's amazing DJs! Normally, we would use this as a fundraiser for KUNM but the station's and University bylaws make it tricky for us to do that, but if you feel like pitching in to pay our fabulous mixer, DJ Aimie Jane, we will gladly accept anything you want to give!
Sat 6 – 9 PM Gone Country Saturdays with DJ Gonzo Supreme Ponderosa Brewing, 1761 Bellamah Ave NW The fun starts with free dance lessons at 5 pm, followed by family-friendly entertainment until 9 pm. Come and join us for an evening of music, dancing, and good vibes!
Sat 7 PM Zia's Birthday Show! OutPost 1706 Brewhouse, 2034 S. Plaza St. NW Join us to celebrate Zia's birthday and catch some of the finest in entertainment including Helena Handbasket from Chicagoland! You will not want to miss this party because we will have raffles, contest games, and of course, plenty of delicious beverages available! Featuring Kardio and Karmelita Karbdashian, La Lorena, Gabby Oh!, Zia Sandia, Helena Handbasket, Vitani Williams, Cookie, Ruthifer, and Ale Bruja. Doors 7p, show 8p, 21+ (tickets)
Sat 7 – 9 PM Drag Queen Bingo: Pride Edition Tractor Brewing - Wells Park, 1800 4th St. NW It's back again and just in time for Tractor Beer Week and the start of NM Pride! Join us for a special Pride-themed night of sexy fun and bingo that will benefit our BBB non-profit Elevated Roller Derby! Hosted by the always hilarious Lady Hawk, come party with the best Queens in Albuquerque and win some prizes while you're at it
Sat 7 – 9 PM Sesh N' Flow at the Bside! Los Ranchos Bakery, 6920 4th St. NW, Los Ranchos Canna-Yoga Sesh N' Flow! Bring your mat and a friend and join us for a chill sesh and fun yoga flow! Please BYOB (no canna items for sale... and there's always plenty to go around) Limited space available, get your tickets early! Ticket link has further details
Sat 7 – 10 PM "Soccer Salutes Service" & Paws and Stripes Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park, 1601 Avenida Cesar Chavez SE Paws and Stripes are hosting a fundraiser by selling tickets for the match. Tickers are priced under $25, with $5 of every ticket sold being donated directly to Paws and Stripes! Please consider purchasing your tickets through this link and supporting Paws and Stripes. Your support makes impacts possible for Veterans and service dogs. Saving Lives, Two At A Time
Sat 7 – 11 PM Rawk Out Brew Lab 101, 3301 Southern Blvd SE, Rio Rancho Rawk Out takes over the Brewlab with our Hard Rawkin covers paying tribute to the best of the best
Sat 8 PM Cumbia Night with El Gozao Juno, 1501 1st St. NW Cumbia dance party with high-energy band El Gozao. Crowd-pleasing favorites, including hits by Selena. DJ Double OG will keep you dancing between sets. On the Outdoor stage. 21+ (tickets)
Sat 8 PM – 1:30 AM Frikitona: A Reggaeton Experience Backstage at Revel, 4720 Alexander Blvd. NE Prepare for an evening filled with pulsating rhythms and infectious beats spun by renowned DJs Julio, Shatta, & Soiree. Join us as we transform Backstage into the ultimate reggaeton playground, where you can lose yourself in the music and embrace the vibrant energy of the crowd (tickets)
Sat 8:30 PM – 1 AM SABOR Latin Night - SATURDAYS Bama's 1865, 6007 Osuna Rd. NE DJ Gabriel Goza & DJ Pedro will be serving you the saucy Salsa, Bachata, Cumbia, Merengue y Mas! Ample Parking, Safe Environment, Beautiful Venue, Good Food, Good Music, Good Vibes. 21+ / $10 cover
Sat 9 PM Sugar: The Nu Metal Party Launchpad, 618 Central Ave A Nu Kind of 90's / 00's DJ Night. Doors 9pm Show 930pm. All ages (tickets)
** Sun 5/26 *\*
Sun 10 - 11 AM Yoga & Tea Lost Cultures Tea Bar, 1761 Bellamah Ave NW, Ste C EVERY SUNDAY. It's a special space where you can release what no longer serves you and rejuvenate your soul. Join us for a truly enriching experience. The first 3 Sunday's will be with @ yoga.birch and the last Sunday of the month will be with @ curvaceousmermaidgoddess. $25 per person. 1 drink from the menu included (tickets)
Sun 10 AM – 2 PM Indigenous Peoples Day Rail Yards Market, 777 1st St. SW Celebrate all things Indigenous at the Rail Yards Market (Tiwa land). New Mexico is home to 19 Pueblos, according to the Pueblo beliefs and actions are still guided by Pueblo Core Values, which include love, respect, compassion, faith, understanding, spirituality, balance, peace, and empathy. Celebrations and ceremonies are continued throughout the year, maintaining the connection to Pueblo communities, ancestors, and to the Earth. (Source: Indian Pueblo Cultural Center). New Mexico is a place of rich and painful history, where Indigenous cultures have resiliently thrived. Indigenous people implemented innovative and sustainable agricultural practices that have been utilized for centuries in New Mexico. The Rail Yards Market is proud to host many talented Indigenous vendors, and work with strong community partners, like New Mexico Community Capital, Native Health Initiative, and more. You can look forward to finding community tables by the Office of Equity and Inclusion - Native American Affairs, Americans for Indian Opportunity, and Indigenous Women Rising! A'he'hee means Thank-you in Navajo! Everyone is welcome! EBT doubled with Double-Up-Food-Bucks. Senior and WIC programs welcome. Fresh local produce! Breakfast & lunch prepared food options. Handmade Art. ADA Accessible. Free Parking. FREE :: LOCAL :: FAMILY FRIENDLY :: PET FRIENDLY
Sun 11 AM – 4 PM May Shop Small Sunday Sunday Service Motor Co, 2701 4th St. NW This month we teamed up with some truly rad shops to bring you the best ABQ has to offer. Stop in for local vendors, crafts, live music, food and drink!
Sun 11 AM – 5 PM Sunday Funday ABQ Food Park, 6951 San Antonio Dr. NE Bring the entire family for an unforgettable day filled with games, a bounce house, and face painting! There's something exciting for everyone, so gather your loved ones and join in on the fun! Challenge each other to lively games, bounce around in the inflatable wonderland of our bounce house, and enjoy our face painting station with Local Locas Face Painting. It's the perfect way to spend quality time together and make lasting memories
Sun 11:30 AM Twilight Historic Lobo Theater, 3013 Central Ave NE THE HISTORIC LOBO THEATER is excited to bring Twilight to the big screen! Showing Starts at 11:30 am Tickets are ONLY $10 for General Admission $25 Brunch and a Movie Ticket $21 Brunch Only ticket
Sun 3:30 – 6:30 PM Clark Andrew Libbey and Dave Barclay Casa Rondeña Winery, 733 Chavez Rd NW, Los Ranchos Come on out to the lovely Casa Rondena Winery for an afternoon of acoustic guitar and accordion with Clark Andrew Libbey and Dave Barclay
Sun 5 PM Lag B'omer BBQ Party Chabad of New Mexico, 4000 San Pedro Dr. NE Get ready to fire up your taste buds with a BBQ dinner in honor of Lag B'omer! Burgers, hot dogs, chicken wings, coleslaw, potato salad, drinks, jumping castle for the children! (tickets)
Sun 6 – 11:55 PM Nob Hill Cruise for Tattoos Albuquerque Ink Tattoo, 4815 Central Ave NE AND 2820 Central Ave Cruise from shop to shop on Route 66 every Sunday and receive discounts at both locations

I wanted to ask how people feel about the current version of firefly. I personally feel she is perfect now. V2 seemed to have always been going in that direction with more complications like the low speed for example and limitations on attack per BE conversion. I am just gonna write everything down that raced through my head when I read her kit and researched.
Ilike how they changed the eidolons. Reworking the concept of E4 to give 50% more effect resistance feels a lot better than guaranteed negation of debuff for two instances and buffing E6 to 20% more fire res pen is nice now that we lost the 30/40% def shred. (I don't know if that would alleviate the loss, since I don't know how to do the math. Can only know once the guide video in Prydwen comes out)
Not to mention that they listened to us and gave us super break in her traces, in exchange for the whole set of defense shred which still kinda hurts to see. A lot of people say that super break is a huge dmg boost from the 30/40 def shred we lost. (I just wanna know how much of a gain it would be) Considering that super break also fixes a huge flaw in firefly's design, I think it was bound to be added. I mean once she gets released, who is to say newer players or older players that still haven't unlocked HTB can actually make use of her after pulling her. A few issues I have with super break in her kit would be that it is only 35/50%. Literally the only thing in her current kit that gives me worry about her future. A quick comparison is that HTB is doing 130/160% super break dmg while firefly does 35/50% super break dmg. I mean I am glad they added it, but I also can't help but think that future characters who get that super break dmg in their kit may have a higher scaling than firefly. If they were gonna make another change I do hope that the scaling of her super break dg may increase to like 50/65% or maybe 60/75%. That way she would make like half super break dg on her own without HTB. Then again considering that HTB and firefly super break dmg are two separate instances which stack up. All in all I can see why they had it that low to begin with.
Her second trace which converts attack into BE is definitely OP. Gaining 10% BE for every 100 attack after 1600 is definitely nice. Especially cause it doesn't have a limit, which also explains why her base attack which was one of the highest in the game was nerfed to the ground being one of the lowest in the game. With her old stats (firefly and LC) she could reach 280% BE, if she ran attack percentage relics only and attack percentage sub stats with attack hands. In which the difference from attack percentage as a main stat and BE as a main stat would only be 4.7%. Since BE is only winning by 4.7% more BE, people would usually opt for attack instead, right? The math I did was adding base attack from her (756) and her LC (635). In total that would be 1391.
Considering that max attack boosts are 43% and substats are 3.5%+ times 6. I calculated it like this:
1391 * (1+0.43+0.43+.0.43+0.43+0.21(sub stats))= 1391 * 2.5= 1391 * 2.93= 3477.5+352= 4075.63+352= 3829.5 4427.63
44-16=28 38-16=22 28 * 10=280 BE 22 * 10=220 BE
280-220=60
60% BE difference if full attack percentage set and triple attack percentage set.
With her new stats 523 and LC 476. She totals to 999. Don't know if that is a reference towards blade saying she brings purgatory, since unless I am mistaken 999 is a number related to hell. Anyways I saw gameplay of her and for whatever reason her base stats are 1000 in-game, so that's what we are gonna multiply now.
1000 * 2.93= 1000 * 2.5= 2930+352= 2500+352= 3282 2852
32-16=16 28-16=12 16 * 10=160 BE 12 * 10=120 BE
160-120=40
40% BE difference between full attack percentage set and triple attack percentage set, which is obviously negative value. This pretty much explains why her attack stats got nerfed to the ground, so her OP trace can't be abused that much. I mean imagine have 4000 attack with 280% free BE. Not to mention if you go hardcore on her sub stats for more break effect you could have another 180% (assuming you have 30% BE on each relic. Another 36% from traces and LC's other 60% BE. All added up would be 556% BE AND that's without HTB and Ruan mei. Hence the nerf on her attack stats.
I don't see it as a negative impact tho, just a balance change. Plus we got more hp in exchange, which increases her survivability, which also indirectly increases her own healing ability. Either way attack was never needed for a break dps anyway so l see it just as another means of limitations of her OP trace.
Since we are already at relics. I would like to talk about the relic builds people are gonna pursue.
Knowing that full attack percentage set is irrelevant. I am leaning more towards the idea of using triple attack percentage with BE. Yet l am seeing a lot of people wanting to use double attack percentage with speed and BE. I mean maybe there is a reason to it regarding speed breakpoint wise. I just don't know iffit is worth getting 25 more speed. Knowing firefly's new stats I just don't see it as necessary. Of course if there is a certain speed breakpoint she can hit that will improve her performance immensely I wouldn't mind opting for that too.
For the exchange of low attack. They increased her max hp and speed. Her LC improves her max hp by 300 and her rising from being one of the slowest characters to probably the fastest in the game is also pretty huge which alleviates the low attack on her. From 92 to 104 is basically a huge speed buff for her and honestly suits her way better as a break character in general. If we include the speed she will gain from her traces (5). She should have 109 in total. If we include the planar set 6% speed buff. She should gain another 6, meaning 115 would be her total.
With that huge amount of speed is it really necessary to further enhance it with a speed main stat (25), if you could just add speed substats on each relic. 6 * 2 would be 18 and I think honestly that may be enough for her. She would have like 133 in total, maybe 134 if you are lucky the substats and get a 3 on one of them.
Let’s also not forget her ult which also got buffed to give her more speed. From 25-60 to 30-72. Before you could expect a boost that would nearing 50 if not being 50 itself. Now you could even expect getting 60 from her ult without E5.
I personally am planning on getting her E6, in order to gain everything she has to offer, but even as E0 she sounds like a broken unit. I mean how many dps units have that broken amount of speed.
As for relic substats I would aim for. From what I know critfly is as good as dead with that low attack and nerf on skills. (Nothing against you folks, tho I find it as a relief, as i sure as hell didn’t want to farm those crits for her. Feel like break is gonna be easier. Plus she still gets huge numbers. Maybe not in one turn like acheron does, but in multiple turns with super break she kinda gets close to acherons dmg output.
Anyways substats wise I think BE, speed and attack percentage are a must, but as for the 4th stat I guess it would be either HP percentage, DEF percentage or normal attack stat. Effect res would also be a good 4th stat to invest in if you are sure you would only go as far as E1 or E2 or stay at E0 Then again you also get 30% Effect res free, with E3 even 40%.
As for the skills her having her dmg mostly reduced, which is understandable cause of the existence of super break having been added. Having her skill lose less health and regenerate more energy is certainly nice. At least that way you don’t have to worry about getting one shot by an enemy boss.
Firefly’s survivability is certainly better now with that extra 300 hp from her LC, which makes me wonder if having HP percentage as the 4th substat is the best choice. Since I am aiming to get E4 either way, so I don’t have to worry about effect res anyways. Then again I don’t know how effect hit rate and effect res interchange with each other. (For example I would have 30% effect res and the enemy has 40% effect hit rate. Is it just a substraction or two independent hits, like there is x% chance it would hit and if it hit there would be an x% chance it gets resisted.
800 HP + 1100 HP =1900 HP With the high defense stat she already possessed: 776 Def + 529 Def =1305 Def
Considering her skill has HP percentage cut for energy regeneration and max HP% healing. I do think the more hp% being stacked as the 4th substat, the better her utility of her kit. Considering how substats are you could gain 18%-24 Hp that way.
Then again if you plan on maximizing break effect gain, it would seem better to stack normal attack as the 4th substat, in the hopes of gaining one more stack BE (10%).
In total I think her substats would be: 1. BE 2. Speed 3. Attack % 4. Effect res/HP% or pure normal attack
Hopefully each upgrade into BE too.
If you guys would do it differently. Pls let me know in the comments. I think it should go like that.
I do hope that this was the last change in regards to firefly, cause I sure do love her current kit. All the things she has from huge speed and defense to free BE and healing make her already future proof if you ask me. She is definitely special in that way, no other dps got so much packed in one kit.
The defense shred loss definitely hurts, but is something I can accept. Her having 33% from her E1 and relics is gonna be enough either way, in fact it’s a positive change if you ask me for future break supports who also could have defense shred or elemental res pen in their kit. Considering the meta is just starting with both boothill and firefly. I can be pretty sure that the next characters after penacony will be supports more leaned in supporting break dps’s. Could be considered a marketing strategy, which is fine by me. They release a cool product everyone wants and then release add-ons months later. As long as firefly will stay relevant that way I am fine with it. I just don’t want a future to come to pass where she will get powercrept or become irrelevant in the next 12 months.
As for the addition of super break. Definitely happy with it,even if it meant having the skills multiplier reduced to reduce the base dmg. Just wish it would have been a bit more %, so no future dps would have more and immediately become more relevant. The only thing I have an issue with in her kit. Or maybe HTB is just that broken. I hope that is the case. Wouldn’t have minded if it were 60% or 70%. But 50% isn’t even 40% of HTB 160% super break. Rather it’s just 30 percent of it and could be easily topped by another break dps if they get it like firefly.
That’s probably everything I think of her right now. Quite future proof, in my opinion at the very least. For me she is perfect already, even with the issue of her super break. Everything has its downsides. Losing def shred, skill multiplier reduced and low super break dmg in exchange for all the other neat stuff she brings is definitely ok with me. Really hope those were her final changes.
As for people saying she is powercreeping acheron. I don’t think so. I believe that she is only performing a similar dps to her. Thing is they are opposites, acheron deals an insane amount of dmg in one turn. Meanwhile firefly takes multiple turns in one cycle dealing super break dmg as it ramps up at the end of the cycle. Her dmg is definitely great, but I don’t think she surpassed acheron. Just reached her level of dps is all.
Plus I think that is our first main fire dps in the game. Others always were sub dps’s I think. Not to mention the break meta is just starting now. Seele, DHIL, Jingliu and acheron are all still very dependable dps’s. If anything the true power creep will only start once the future support characters for break dps’s are out.
While I do admit that elemental weakness implant that boothill and firefly possess is rather op and makes them useful in literally any mode. We shouldn’t forget that as they are now they are still very restricted due lack of support.
I guess we are at the end now. This honestly has become more like an essay I guess. One thing I wanna say real quick what I find amazing as well funny for firefly is that despite being on the path of destruction, she has several things that other path’s could only wish for.
She has immense speed buff and speed value, which the hunt could only wish for.
Max HP% healing, which you would expect of abundance.
Nihilty and Harmony with the fire implant weakness and speed buff
Idk if energy regeneration is on the path of harmony, but that too makes her seem less on the path of destruction.
Preservation cause of her high defense and somewhat high hp, not to mention her talent having dmg reduction when under 20% hp.
Elation cause her E2 has follow up attack whenever she weakness breaks or defeats.
Propagation cause her E1 allows her to not use up skilll points when enhanced. I think that was on the path of propagation, saving skill points I mean.
Lastly destruction thanks to her super break dmg.
Edit: It seems they buffed her signature relics too. Only saw it now. Instead of 18% def shred, it’s 25% now. Meaning with E1 it would be 40% def shred. Guess that ain’t an issue anymore.

Anyone have a recommendation on a conversion kit for my new 1100
TIA

We have a 2021 grandtan M-340 fat tire trike. They are the large tires not small. This is not a fold up bike; it is big. We love it.
I recently drove one of the brand new ones that also have mechanical disc brakes like my trike does. I would like to get better stopping performance. I plan on replacing the front brake lever and caliper with a hydraulic set up.
I’m told that the company does not offer this as an upgrade. None of their new bikes seem to have it either.
I was told to get a Shimano MT201 for the front. I believe this is traditionally for a mountain bike. I am told that the pads are the same, and I will not have to change the rotor on the front wheel.
It is a front hub drive system. The 750 (1000 peak) 48 volt system.
Has anyone made this conversion
I see the part is around $36 on Amazon… Any recommendations on what mineral oil to purchase?

[ First / Previous / Next ]
Memory Transcript Subject: Vili, Venlil Citizen
Date [standardized human time]: December 1st, 2136
The absent adults were due to arrive any time by now. I navigated the crowd of children who milled about the field, taking a head count to ensure everyone was in sight.
Those who had family attending the excursion were bubbling with excitement to see their relatives while a couple others trailed behind me, asking me yet more banal questions about venlil society and how it feels to have fur and a tail.
“I’ll let you in on a secret,” I had told April once. “It’s really, really… itchy. Have you ever had a bug crawling on you? Feels just like that. All the time.”
Chihiro didn’t approve as much of me saying that but Mercy seemed to enjoy the reaction I managed to get from the other kids. While I felt bad for exploiting the apparent human fear of insects, they were quick to forgive me, citing they “couldn't stay mad at a face like mine.”
Truthfully, I too began to enjoy seeing the children react to the things I'd tell them; the genuine nature in everything they did was more than I'd have expected from humans when I first arrived. Some of them would watch me with curiosity and wonder as we spoke, reminding me that this was a species who had only just been introduced onto the galactic stage and still had cause to gawk at the aliens.
Well, most of them.
Toward the edge of the gaggle of children was Lukas, moping away while trying to hide the black eye Amber had given him. A part of me was - flattered - disappointed that she'd risk herself to enact retaliation on my behalf, but I knew she wouldn't understand me were I to even tell her off about it.
Over the last few weeks, I'd gotten to know many of the children, though Lukas remained as distant as ever. In a way, I felt pity to see him so small even after witnessing the pleasure he got from putting others down and how infuriating I found his antics. He was full of anger and clearly had it misdirected at all non-humans for the actions of those who participated in the extermination fleet - at least he has reason.
I brushed at my ear to ward off the tingling sensation and let out an irritated growl. My hackles raised when I heard a sympathetic growl come from behind.
Turning about, I found that the source was Amber, also swiping at her ear in a mimicry of my action. I was far less bothered by her giddy snarl after having her do it every time she approached me, though it didn't make the itch at my back from almost jumping in fear go away.
“You do that a lot,” Amber giggled. “Is your ear itchy? Wait, don't answer that because I won't understand it.”
My ears whirled about and I tilted my head slightly to look directly at the strange little girl who'd been so eager to make friends with me from the very beginning. I'd accepted that, at least in her eyes, I was “Luka” and that I existed for her to talk to endlessly about her favorite hobbies despite her knowing she wouldn't understand anything I said in response.
Even then, I was still rather worried that I'd been so frequent with admonishing the more - sensible - pushy one that Amber had taken note. How many others could have noticed? I wasn't even sure how humans viewed me, but it wouldn't matter so much now that I was getting ready to return home to Luka.
I took a seat on the grass and found myself surrounded by a small following of kids that did the same. Amber, too, took a seat, but directly on my lap instead. I grunted as the surprisingly heavy child settled and I brought her head upon my scruff, allowing her to play with my paw.
“You only have three fingers and a thumb. That's pretty weird.”
“And you only have hair on the top of your head, that’s pretty weird too.”
“I’ll assume you were giving me a compliment…”
The other of the kids understood me and giggled at the back and forth as Amber raked a nail under my claws. While I was certain they were clean, Amber's scrutinizing stare felt as if I was being judged by my mother again.
“Your nails feel like a dog's. Maybe not as sharp.”
My translator interpreted that word as a “domesticated Terran predator” and I flicked my tail in indignation. I'd tried to shut out those who claimed I had traits akin to Earth fauna, though the accusations kept coming regardless.
From what I'd gathered, they believed my fur resembled that of a “sheep”, my tail and paws resembled a “cat”, and my ears were that of a “bunny”; now, I could add claws of a “dog” to that list. I had to keep reminding myself these humans didn't grow up knowing any other metric than that of the creatures from their home planet.
I knew the Terran Richard would return in the group that was due to arrive - Ma had made a point to inform me of such. The mention of the human's name spoiled my mood each time he was mentioned, and yet the Blackfox women continued to speak of him as though he was the most harmless thing.
I was not over the way he seemed to look down on my brother as an obedient servant, laying hands on him as though he were a dumb animal rather than a person. Luka had been the pillar that held me up since we were barely able to walk and talk, and it burned me up inside to see him crave the validation of predators when I knew he didn’t need it.
Amber, seemingly bored with one paw, grabbed the other as I let my arm remain limp. At first, I felt only the tickle as she played at the knuckles on this one as well, but there was a pause as she turned it over to face the palm outwards.
“Where'd you get this?”
I looked at my own palm and felt my heart skip a beat as Amber's claw pointed directly at the cut in my paw. I'd thought she had noticed it before, but the fact she'd call attention to it now when I was surrounded by the other children made a chill run up my back. I was still uncertain if bloodlust was a learned trait, and so being surrounded by juvenile predators at a moment like this did not sit well with me.
Trying to retract my paw, a lump raised in my throat as the human child’s grip hardened on my wrist. The other children watched with curiosity and neither of my assistants nor Martha were around to call for advice. I was to settle this on my own.
I asked with a shaky tone, “Amber?”
She rolled her head back until the tip of my snout brushed against her forehead. I got to look into the depths of her arboreal eyes, letting me see every red-blooded vein, every muscle twitch, every flash as they glistened in the red sun's light while the predator gave me her full, undivided attention. She even offered me her usual flash of the teeth. “Yeah?”
“Pah… Per… Pwers?”
I wiggled my arm in an attempt to indicate what I was asking to have released.
“Hold on, I'll let go in a sec.”
She understood me this time, but I sighed as she promptly ignored my request. She once again played with my claws, twisting them back and forth gently as she hummed to herself.
“Looks like it was made by your claws,” she concluded while continuing to toy with them. “This is why my momma always had us trim Butterscotch's claws, because she kept scratching me up when we played.”
The name once again tripped up my translator, describing it as a candy made from melted sugar and congealed milk fat. I tried to suppress the bile that built in my throat as I considered that worse than the item's description was the fact that she'd named an animal which had a reputation for scratching her after it.
Please, please don't throw away everything we'd built in this one moment.
“I miss Butterscotch,” she muttered. “But now I have new friends! Alien-friends!”
She rolled her head back again and looked back up at me.
“Like you! We're friends, right Luka?”
Her eyes shone with bright innocence and juvenile glee, making my fears melt away.
“Ie-e… I’ezz, frn'dz,” I confirmed. Apparently, my vocals didn't lend themselves to speaking Amber's tongue any better than hers did mine. Every word I spoke felt as though I needed to clear my throat after.
“Cool!”
With that conclusion, the dark-haired girl snapped back to my arm and pressed her lips to the back of my paw. I went slack as she did so and it felt as though all of my muscles had lost their function at once as I sat motionless and silent. I could see and hear the world around me and yet it didn't register that anything existed.
I felt her face lift from my flesh and Amber proclaimed proudly, “Momma did that every time I got bruised up and told me it helped with healing! So maybe you'll get better too!”
“Ah-hah,” was the only response I could manage, made on impulse as the rest of my brain felt a million light years away.
“Alright, everyone,” a voice called from behind us. “They're here, so clear out so they have somewhere to park!”
There was a commotion as the children all scrambled to their feet, including Amber, and they rushed with zealous squeals back toward the body of the camp. But not me.
My jaw remained slack as I stared at the back of my paw, focusing on the wet spot imprinted in my fur. It was a bite of sorts, described exactly as Tac had told me, and yet not a mark was left on my flesh save for the tingling of nerves as I seized up.
My back hit the grass and I let my tail curl around my leg as I held my paw to the sky. “Wuh…”
Something approached and kicked up the grass as I laid still and glared at my decidedly unharmed paw. My eyes traveled up to find Mercy standing over me with the corners of her mouth turned downwards.
“You good?”
“Why did you bite Tac?”
“Lord help us all,” she mumbled while rolling her eyes. “C'mon, let's get you outta here before you’re turned into ven-paté under some truck.”
“Uh huh.”
The elder teen’s grip helped me to my feet as I regained faculties, though I still felt weak. “It was a legitimate question, though,” I told her.
“It's just a sign of affection, I guess. I never really considered it so much before, y’know? It's not like you really think about why everything is when it's so normal, right?”
Speak for yourself, I wanted to tell her, though I held my tongue.
As I took a seat, the thrumming of engines could be heard coming from over the brow of the hill. Apparating as though it were a giant, segmented insect were the adult humans in their ramshackle vehicles, rattling down the hill with each occupied by at least five or six bodies in each of the dozen autos.
The children and elders alike rushed to greet their family as they parked and disembarked from the chain of gas guzzlers. Parents lifted their children in the air and hugged them while the elders chatted with them. But among the troupe of humans that had arrived, I knew something felt off.
“They’re one vehicle short,” I noted to Mercy.
“Hm?”
“I counted them when they left. They’re one short.”
Her piercing gaze scanned the fleet herself before she nodded. “Mike’s missing.”
Michael was the driver that Richard had departed with and so that helped explain the deadpan Terran’s absence. Luka and Hileen both recounted the same human by name when talking of their experiences with them, with both drawing the conclusion that he had to be the worst driver on Venlil Prime.
“Psst,” came a voice hissing from behind. “Mercy.”
Mercy turned to give attention to Tac as he sulked away from the crowd as usual, though I remained with my back turned to him while watching the humans interact.
The tip of my tail tickled at the grass watching children get smothered in affection by their parents, and they in turn received hugs from their elders as others chattered. I itched at the back of my palm where Amber's mouth had been as Johnny's parents each planted a similar bite on his cheek and forehead. Chihiro carried her brother on her shoulders as she chatted with her own parents with brimming snarls.
“Looks like Mike had a bit too much fun and ran his truck off the road,” Mercy told me as she came back from talking with Tac. “They're on their way.”
“I can do without seeing Crow.”
“Yeah, well, I could do with a place to practice rock climbing, but we can't always get what we want.”
“You humans really are strange for wanting to climb stuff.”
“It's in our nature, no matter how deeply buried.”
She playfully bumped me on the shoulder and I returned with a gentle lashing of my tail against her ankle to which she welcomed with hissing laughter. The teenager wandered off in the direction of her family's tent.
The crowd that had gathered to greet the returning humans was slowly beginning to disperse as the vehicles were unloaded of a variety of equipment. I was relieved to find that there were no signs of blood or death to be seen, assuaging the deep-seated worry that I had of the humans being on the hunt. As little trust as I had for Crow, there'd be no redeeming one so sordid as himself were he to be everything he was as well as a murderer.
I looked forward to seeing Luka again, even if the only thing he had to tell me was stories of his human coworkers. Perhaps now I had stories of my own experiences with humans to tell him and maybe I'd get to see that glimmer in his eye once again that had so long ago been tarnished.
Amber's delighted shrieks were heard over the commotion and I could spot her being held in the air above her father's head as her toothy snarl became somehow wider. Her legs kicked while she wriggled in the hefty human’s embrace and turned attention to her mother as she was lowered into her grasp.
Even here amongst predators, thoughts of home still hounded me. The closest I could recall mom or dad ever coming to that was when they brought me along to one of their outings for dinner where I was allowed to pick the venue. I was still not permitted to talk to other people even then, but I didn't mind at the time.
The gurgle of another gas-powered engine roared over the brow of the hill, prompting a few others and I to turn our attention upwards.
Breaching the horizon came the last truck, though I was curious to note that it appeared to be driving backwards. Tilting my head didn't give me any more of a vantage to figure out why the truck backed up down the hill, nor did it help decipher the mindless chanting that ramped up as the vehicle closed the distance.
“John Wayne's teeth, hey-a
John Wayne's teeth, hey-a
Are they plastic, are they steel-a”
A claw tapping me on the shoulder spooked me, though I had grown to suppress the instinct to jump and make a fuss. “Momma would like to talk before we send you off,” Mercy told me. “She's in our tent.”
I obeyed the summons, almost forgetting how to navigate the maze of rickety shacks and tents to find the Blackfoxes’ residence. It was a simple task, though, once I remembered that the elder sibling had given it a “groovy” paint job.
Approaching the government-issued yurt that had been painted with vivid flowers, I found it odd for it to not have a horde of humans gathered around. They'd typically mill about Martha's tent while she spoke with each of them about their concerns, though what became of their talks was beyond my knowledge.
I ducked inside without notifying Martha, finding her seated at the squat table that was situated in the middle of the tent. The matriarch turned her eyes up to face me and she happily set her insulated cup down.
“There's not really any room for more chairs,” she told me. “But feel free to take a seat anywhere.”
My ears gently brushed against the top of the tent before I sat down just to the right of where she rested. In this claustrophobic environment, I'd have assumed I was being lured into a trap before. At the very least, I still kept my ears on a swivel for signs of trouble, but now confidence outweighed caution.
We sat for a moment without saying anything as Ma adjusted her seat to look at me directly, leaning an elbow against the table as she reclined.
She asked, “Enjoy your stay?”
I scratched the scruff on my neck as I wondered that myself.
“No. Not at first.”
“But now you can say you did?”
“Everything here is a new experience. For me, and possibly every other person who'd have grown up under the Federation.”
“You pulled through, despite being surrounded by predators. That's more than can be said for the lady who stabbed a guy in panic on the first day of the Exchange Program.”
My ear waggled in entertainment to think someone had set the bar so low. What fool would brazenly assault a predator to begin with?
“There were a few times where I thought I'd need to run for the hills,” I explained. “The children you raise are an unadulterated look into what life was like back on Earth, if nothing else.”
Martha chuckled and covered her snarl with a palm as she spoke, “I will choose to believe that's a compliment, given your opinion on us before.”
“I'd say it's a stellar review in the face of almost drowning while under your employment.”
Her face fell a bit and she rubbed the back of her neck while averting her eyes. “Yeah…”
“That is to say!” I blurted out hastily. “Th-that everything else has made it worth my time.”
My desperation to clarify myself felt embarrassing and my ears turned warm as they went flush. Martha sat still for a moment before she spoke again.
“When Richard hired you, he told me you wanted to up your price. 1200 credits?”
“It's a big ask in hindsight, I know. I didn't realize how tight your budget was at the time and I'm grateful that you've offered me—”
She waved a hand with a shushing hiss.
“We don't need to worry so much about that now. Where I was going with that was, that you agreed to our terms yourself, and accepted with only a reasonable upcharge. No other local would've been so quick to take on this job for even quadruple the price!”
“Brashness is a quality of mine I'm becoming more familiar with,” I joked.
“Must be something in the water. But payment is why I summoned you here, actually. We have only a few members who were on board with having an ‘alien’ presiding over the children, and fewer still who contributed any funds.”
“So what you're offering is out of the pocket of only a couple of contributors. I see.”
“I hope it doesn't lessen your opinion of us to tell you that.”
I scratched my snout and exhaled, shaking free the impulse to inquire any further with a flick of my ear.
“So I suppose all there is left to do is arrange payment, and I'll be on my way?”
“It would seem so.”
Heavy footsteps shuffled across the grass outside though conversation from the crowd remained distant. They stopped right outside of the entrance and the canvas foyer rattled as knuckles rapped against the cloth.
“Martha, it's me,” growled a familiar voice. “Everyone decent?”
“You’re clear, come on in.”
The flap shot open and my paw balled into a fist as Richard froze upon spotting me. The predator’s blank gaze didn’t hide their confusion when I could clearly spot their eyes flicking between Martha and I.
“Sorry, am I interrupting something?” Crow asked.
“We were just finishing up,” I responded, making no effort to hide my contempt for the interloper's presence.
Martha waved a hand to one of the chairs. “Have a seat, and I'll be right with you.”
Richard seemed almost deflated as he sulked over to the table. I resisted the opportunity to trip him with my tail in front of Martha to humiliate him, instead glowering at him as he afforded me a quick glance. I turned my attention back to the leader figure that was present while he took a seat.
“So 1100 credits was the agreed upon price, yes?”
“It was, though if there's anything else you desire outside the monetary value, you need only ask. We can't offer much, but I'm sure I have the ear of someone who can.”
“Hopefully you don't mean that literally,” I jested, putting on a facade of worry.
I could spot Crow watching Martha chuckle at my quip. His miserable expression was almost unreadable, save for the furrowing of the pelts on his brow.
Let him watch me charm his kind as easily as he thinks he can mine.
I raised my tail behind my head while I leaned against the table and curled the end loosely to convey appreciation. It was a sign that was rarely used outside of close bonding - that is to say, it'd been a while since I had been able to use it.
Recognition didn't light up in Martha's expression but I was content with projecting affection in any way I could. Understanding wasn't as important as the gesture itself.
“So might I at least know the names of those who did contribute? I'd like to express my thanks to them.”
Richard was the one who responded, “I wouldn't ask questions I wouldn't want the answers—”
“What he means,” Martha interjected. “Is that most contributors wouldn't like being mentioned by name. Aliens are still a polarizing subject and can crop up arguments that others may be obligated to avoid.”
My ears and tail sagged a bit. “Did my presence bring up that much of a problem?”
“More like it's one of a million other things these people can't agree about. But of those who I think would enjoy a bit of gratitude, you may already know some of them.”
“Oh? Tell me!”
I made eye contact with Crow who remained quiet as he cradled his chin in his palm against the table. His bored demeanor irked me in ways I couldn't describe.
“The Ito family, of whom you're already familiar with their daughter Chihiro, were the first to pledge. They're good folk and will happily accept your thanks. Next was myself, though I didn't give much. One of our cooks, Raksh, also contributed a bit, though that may have been more out of courtesy than anything else. And lastly…”
She lazily extended a claw toward Richard.
“... is Mister Crow here, your biggest donor who paid damn near half of your wage!”
Slowly, I felt myself deflate as enthusiasm made way for disappointment. I gritted my teeth to keep any brash words from escaping my lips.
“Closer to a third, actually,” he corrected her. “And with me already having the contact details of your brother, that means I can help set up the rest of the transaction.”
Even when I think I'm winning, he finds a way to one-up me.
“Would you mind giving us a moment, Vili? I think Mister Crow came here to say something and I’d hate to keep you from saying your goodbyes.”
Obliging her request, Martha and Richard waited patiently as I shuffled out of the tent. I hadn't realized how tightly my paw was clenched before reaching the outside where I felt my joints creak with relief as the fist unballed.
In the short time I'd been away, I secretly began to crave interaction from any of the humans I'd become acquainted with. My mind drifted to the slop that Big Joe always served, and how he always laughed every time I tried to inquire as to his full name. It wasn't quite dinner time, though, and so I then considered if any of the kids were still roaming about for me to tell stories to.
Whispers came from the tent before I could set a destination and my ears immediately perked up. I'd found that the humans’ ears were not nearly as effective as mine and so I found it easy to go unnoticed around them. I assumed they thought I was out of earshot by now.
I crouched on one knee and raised an ear to listen, though it was garbled hisses from this far. Curiosity got the better of me and I shuffled on my knees toward the tent, hiding in the shadow cast by an adjacent tent to mask my presence.
“... playing games with the lives of children,” came the low growl of Crow.
“Miss Ito and my own daughter are both very capable of defending themselves and the children from a venlil, Richard. You need to have faith that things can turn out alright.”
“Faith! She wanted to—”
There was a pause before I heard heavy stomping through the canvas. The mesh flaps that acted as windows were quickly torn shut one by one. I feared Crow would spot me, but he seemed too focused on hiding whatever it was he was talking about.
“She told me that she would've used my brains to add character development to a fucking snowglobe. Faith wouldn't have saved me if she carried through.”
“The fact that she informed you of her plot should be some small comfort that there's a piece of her that trusts you.”
“We don't know how many pieces there are! Should we wait for her to try to gore me on the street a second time? Perhaps you’ll get some insight if she sticks a claw through my eye?”
“I'd never let it come to that. I do wonder why it is that you're so worried about her. Did you not tell me you knew someone in her position?”
I heard a huff leave Richard before he spoke, “That was while she was getting help from professionals! What, do you hope to get her the therapy she needs from some squalid nowhere shantytown when we're eating out of the aliens’ trough ourselves?”
“It's a preferable alternative to leaving her at the mercy of the Federation's methods of ‘healing’. At least this way, she's getting help that matters.”
By this point, their voices had lowered into hissing whispers that even I strained to hear.
“I expect that you'll be more open with the others about your motives in the future, Martha. Maybe I have no rock to stand on when I say this, but your actions could very well draw the UN's eye, and the last thing I want is to have the Blues down here.”
“Is it related to your incarceration? Perhaps you were on parole before the bombing and fear the UN will be after you?”
I listened to rustling coming from my left and the conversation grew quiet. I turned to see Tac trotting along, surprisingly unaccompanied by Mercy as he shoveled a bowl of stew into his maw. He stopped mid-bite to look at me hunched over next to the Blackfoxes’ tent and narrowed his eyes in suspicion.
Shove off, I signaled to him. Come back later.
Weird, he replied before trotting off without fuss, thankfully.
There was something of a release from within the tent as I heard Crow and Blackfox alike exhale.
“I assure you, Richard,” Martha started again. “Whatever fears you have, you're protected by venlil laws of asylum as well as having the backing of myself-”
“We can do therapy later,” Crow butted in. “I'll take Vili home. I hope you're prepared to explain to your son that this mission we've embarked on wasn't the quest for glory he thought it'd be.”
“I've tried my best to tamp his expectations down, but I was hoping that Kanek would be open to publishing our actions. The bus that is taking the ones you rescued into town should be arriving shortly, and Kanek will be here soon after she's shushed them.”
I scampered off when I heard Crow trudge out of the tent, using my paws to crawl as quietly as I could manage out of sight. Blowing dirt off of the scab on my punctured paw, I walked off to find people I wanted to say goodbye to.

Most of the kids were already spending time with their families, but the few who still milled about and played were happy to give one last goodbye. Riley broke down in tears while we embraced and I now had a stain on the fur of my belly where her tears had soaked through.
I tried shifting by a group of the adults that were celebrating their return around a campfire. The looks I got as I did so were unnerving now that I understood the discourse that my presence had caused.
Approaching Crow, I pretended I didn’t know why he was slinking between groups and milling wanderers with a leering eye. He turned about to the sounds of my paws shuffling across the grass and threw his head backwards in a lazy greeting similar to how Mercy would.
“Are you ready to head back home?”
“I'm sure Luka has held the place down on his own… but yes.”
“Good, I'll bring the truck around for you and we'll be on our way.”
“Richa-a-a-a-ard!”
My ears perked up and I snapped my head about to meet the approaching Amber with her arms outstretched. Her voice bounced with each step as she rushed toward the towering Terran. Crow let out a grunt as she forced her arms around his waist and jumped about with glee.
“Mama said you were a party pooper! You told me you'd stay cool!”
“Aw, I'm sure you can forgive me for keeping to myself, Amber. Did you enjoy your time alone?”
Amber turned the corners of her mouth down in a pouty expression. “No, I didn't have anyone to help me with my homework!”
Richard patted the young girl on the back and began trying to pry her arms from him.
“I'm sure you managed just fine, you're smarter than the average second grader. And how did Vili treat you?”
I folded my ears back when Crow's eyes turned back to me.
“Vili? That's Luka!”
Amber finally unlatched herself from Crow and rushed over to my side, jabbing a claw toward me.
“See? The ear is the same color! And she knows when I say her name! Mercy told me venlil don't have boobies like human girls do but she's a girl! You were wrong!”
A couple of the voices closest to us erupted in the familiar, grating laughter that accompanied humans everywhere. I tilted my head while trying to grasp what it was Amber said that had earned such a response. Human and venlil physiology was different for sure, but I'd never considered it so entertaining.
Perhaps it's some in-joke that I'm not knowledgeable on, I thought, humans seem to like those.
Crow lowered his eyes to the ground and pursed his lips before squatting down and beckoning Amber toward him. She obeyed and the taller Terran cupped a hand over her ear, whispering quietly.
Amber's eyes lit up as Crow continued and her mouth hung agape. “Lu- ah, er…you're a twin?!”
In a rush, Amber grasped the fur around my ribs and began shaking me back and forth. “You were hiding it from me-e-e!”
Given this small child was still two-thirds my weight, I wobbled like a sapling in the wind as I tried to grab for the scolding child's wrists.
“Please. Stop. Gonna hurl.”
The little girl groaned and buried her face in my stomach. “You must think I'm pretty stupid too, huh?”
Mustering as much of my understanding of English, I belched out, “No.”
Amber buried her face deeper into my pelt while exhaling.
“l'ou… no donb.”
She raised her head to look me head-on, something which I couldn't return in full for the placement of my eyes.
“I'ou's… Zm’rd. Kappy. Ngai'z.”
“You stink at English,” Amber giggled while shooting me one last face-splitting snarl. I mashed her cheeks between my paws and she relented her grasp.
“I neeb go, fr'nd! O’gee?”
“Okay! I promise I'll try to know how to say ‘hi’ next time! And more.”
Richard butted in, “I'm sure she'll hold you to that promise, but I think it's time we got going.”
As soon as he had suggested as much, I caught sight of a human who was only covered in pelts from the waist down stagger into view. The glassy eyed stare and uncoordinated movement were all too familiar to me even without knowing where they were before.
They growled, “Fucks the alien still doing here?”
“Just about to get going, Paul,” Richard shot back. “Don't concern yourself with her.”
“It has been here long enough! Move along, little lambchop!”
“Man, lay off,” another human intervened. “She's as welcome here as any other guest.”
“Nah, Paul has a point. How do we know she ain't some Baby Burner spy or some shit? Get the xeno outta here!”
The humans quickly began bickering amongst themselves and I felt the firm grasp of Crow on my shoulder tug me away from the commotion. Amber trailed behind, watching the debates unfold behind us while we made our way along.
Crow opened the door in a raggedy truck in even worse condition than the others, standing aside for me to enter. While I didn't want to test the predator's patience in light of the tension behind us, I whirled about to give Amber one last goodbye hug. Her grasp around my neck was like iron though the wet streams on her face were all I needed to know that I should let her have this.
“You're gonna come back, right? You and your brother are gonna come and say hi?”
I saw no point in trying to cobble together an articulate sentence in her own language that'd fall flat as soon as I spoke. I considered my words carefully while I clasped her hands in my paws.
“I want to, but I have class that I need to catch up with, as well as I'm in need of a stable job once I'm through with this one. I don't know when I'll be back, but I want you to know that you've made this the best two weeks I've had in a long time, Amber. I don't know how much of my language you understand, but your enthusiasm has surpassed all barriers.”
She stared back up at me with her lips locked in an “oh” pose before turning to Richard who still watched with a lazy gaze.
“She said ‘maybe’.”
That seemed to suffice for Amber as she broke free and ran off squealing with her arms in the air as she always did when she was excited. I'd gotten used to the ear-splitting shrieks of the kids, and my ears didn't even fold back on reflex anymore.
“That's not what I said,” I grumbled to Crow.
He clicked his tongue as he held the door open for me. “Less is more. She's a kid, so she may not fully grasp your struggles anyway.”
With a huff, I crawled into the truck and kicked my feet up onto the dashboard while Crow ducked in behind the wheel. He twisted the key and the vehicle gurgled to life.
Strangely enough, I found that instead of the truck lurching forward, Crow put the vehicle into reverse, using the mirror to navigate up the hill. The truck seemed to make sure we felt every rock and bump that it struck, and I eventually decided to straighten out my posture so that I didn't get folded in half by a particularly bad bump.
Richard seemed unfazed by the sickness-inducing commotion, guiding the truck up the hill with a steady gaze. Stopping at the top, he whipped out his holopad and tapped away while quietly mumbling to himself.
“... hundred-fifty year-old country shit, sure why not.”
He tapped once more and the truck's audio system whirred with the melodic twang of a stringed instrument accompanied by simple percussion. A human's strange croon came over the speaker in a curious tune.
“You held me up, held me down
Made me crazy, then turned me around…”
Richard twisted the knob to bring the volume down to a more agreeable level and I caught a glimpse down at the camp. A group of humans were now gathered where I'd been talking with Amber just moments before.
Now, I could spot the human Paul bumping chests with a human much larger than he, noses almost touching in a clear display of aggression as they howled at each other. Humans pointed claws at one another and argued while yet more flocked to the scene of the commotion. Whether their motives were to disperse or exacerbate was yet to be seen.
“You were my shelter and my storm
Made me cold, then you made me warm…”
Crow finally put the truck in gear and we rolled backwards yet again, leaving the only sight before me the peaks of the Belimal retreating beneath the grassy brow.
As I let the truck shuttle me back to my brother, I yearned for the comfort of my own bed and blankets, for the soft hum of my own air conditioning unit, and for the obnoxious snoring and sleep-talking of my own flesh and blood.
From here, one might even be able to see the highest of the foothills from which my roots would lay betwixt, a reminder that the pangs of home weren't just knots in my stomach. Luka and I had a long way to go to get away from home, and even longer to be rid of it.
“One step forward and two steps back, nobody gets too far like that
One step forward and two steps back, this kind of dance can never last.”
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So you know how beer conversations go. I brought up my Girsan 1911, and my wife’s cousin brought up his Girsan Regard, and his brother brought up his Girsan P35. All 3 of us are at a round count of 900-1100 and haven’t had an issue except for coating and occasional magazine. Then it went to what we’d all like to see a clone of next. And we all agreed a H&K clone in 45acp would be awesome.
Share your hate or love for the Turkish company and what you’d like to see a clone of.

A bit of background on our situation, we have a mortgage together and a little boy who is 16 months. We've been together for 5 years and since having our little boy things haven't been the same.
We don't have any support or help from family with childcare so we never get time to go on dates just us and with childcare costs atm money is very tight. Those who are willing to help either live over 100 miles away and equally have jobs/families of there own so it's hard to find a break.
We're both miserable and been stuck in the 'room mate' phase since our son was born but things have got worse since I went back to work in January.
Money is super tight we're just making ends meet each month, so we have no money left over for treats or holidays etc.
I F31 have been overwhelmed with going back to work and struggling with trying to do everything, although I'm currently part time working 3 days a week, on the days I do work I drop my little boy off at nursery for 8am then we get back around 6pm, it's then a case of getting him bathed and ready for bed at 7-7.30pm once he's in bed I then have to sort his nursery bag, make lunch for myself and boyfriend for the next day and also do us dinner and clean up, by the time this is all done it's normally 8.30-9pm. I then feel exhausted and just want to go to bed as know I'll be up again at 6am. Even at the weekend it's always me that gets up at 6am with our son, I do all the washing, cleaning and cooking and pay pretty much half towards all the bills. I have no money left each month.
My boyfriend M29 has a very flexible Job his boss is really understanding and let's him basically do what he likes he works some Wednesday and every Thursdays and Fridays at home and often doesn't get out of bed until 9-10am before he starts work and then finishes at 4pm, equally on the weekends he'll he'll sleep in until 10-11am and doesn't really do alot apart from sit on his phone/watch TV, lately he's made a lot of comments and digs about how we never have sex anymore and I'm always in a bad mood and nagging at him I'm never happy etc he keeps making jokes about before our son came along life was better he had more money and could buy tools and had a camper van which we had to sell. I've explained the money side is only temporary until he's in school full time and we don't have to pay childcare and I can go back to work full-time etc which he knew before we even decided to have a baby. He also gets paid more because he's full time 3/4 of his wage he puts into the joint account for bills but still has money leftover each month yet says he doesn't it all goes on bills but I know he gets around 1700 a month and he puts 1200 in the joint account so where is that extra 500 going? He gets really defensive and secretive with money but tries to make out if it wasn't for him paying for the house and bills and the money he puts in the account I'd be screwed, even though I get paid 1100 each month and that all goes on bills I've tried showing him this and I have nothing left over. I never go out, buy new things literally nothing.
We've had countless conversations about I don't mean to nag I'm just overwhelmed and tired but equally if he helped out a bit more I wouldn't feel so stressed. He has started helping out more but then it's like he wants sex as a reward and tries to make me feel guilty for not putting out. I have no sexual libdo at the moment and I do feel guilty and ashamed I can't meet his sexual needs and I've asked how else can I show you love and appreciation but no matter what he turns it back round to sex and the more pressure I feel the more turned off it makes me.
I do resent him a lot and I know that's something I need to work on and I'm trying my hardest to stop the nagging and being moody and I'm working on regulating my emotions and triggers, but it's so hard when I feel like it's inequal and we're not a team.
I've suggested breaking up as I've said we're both unhappy we clearly can't meet each others needs/wants and it's not fair on our son but he doesn't want to and says we can't break up now we've got a child we're stuck with our decision we've just got to get on with it, yet equally it just feels like he's so depressed and hates his life it's just not nice being around you know and I don't know what I can do to help him as I've tried being more positive and said let's go to the beach for the day or let's go out for a walk in the park and have a picnic but he just doesn't want to. He mopes around and everything just feels so negative.
P.s he won't do counselling or therapy I've also suggested this he thinks it's lame and a con.
Any advice?

My dad‘s at the point where two wheels just isn’t for him anymore and I want to get legitimate feedback as to which route you guys would go. Converting his road glide would cost around 14k after pricing everything or we can trade his bike in and buy a tri glide which route would y’all go and why. I’m leaning towards the conversion one his bike already has a ton of upgrades and I like the sound of the independent rear. But at the same time There is nothing like a new bike

Long story short, I just got in a heated argument with my father over how he treats my 13 year old brother (more on that later). I am 21 years old and they still control a lot of my life. I am financially independent (technically, more on that later as well).
For some background. I was raised VERY religious. Those Christian moms you see on social media that was my father. I never went to prom (because godforbid I got out in the world). I went to a public high school but was still super sheltered. My life outside of school consisted of coming home and working on homework, the extra homework he assigned me, yelling because I never did "good enough," and church youth group (which I hated because I am not a Christian). I made good grades, mostly As, the occasional B, and one C (in chemistry, but I mean come on that shits hard). That was never good enough. Every single assignment I did he had to look at. Study guide for an exam. He had to look at it. Discussion board reply. You guessed it he looked at that too. I didn't get a phone until sophomore year of high school and when I did I got one of those shitty 80 dollar Samsung phones that you couldn't do shit on (and where he checked all my texts, notes, and emails). I was very sheltered. The extent of my fun was shooting the shit with my friends in the cafeteria at lunch and on the bus. I wasn't allowed to go to birthday parties or sleepovers or even go over to a friends house. He is raising my brother the same way, but way worse. If I am ever blessed with kids one day he has taught me what not to do.
Thankfully I am now in my third year of college. I picked a school he didn't want me to go to. Not because of money or anything he just said "you aren't going to a party school. There are too many idiots there you don't need to be around." I rebelled and committed to that school. Hands down the best decision I have ever made. I have a full ride scholarship that pays for my tuition (although it is dirt cheap for in-state already). I also have a scholarship that pays for rent for my 1100 dollar a month apartment and gives me about 500 spending money every month. I consider this my second best accomplisment as screwed up as that may sound. My father controls my money. All of it. I have a credit card that I use and then he pulls that money out of my account. I have no idea how much money I have and what he is doing with said money. He also has access to my Schwab and Vanguard accounts. He says he does this to help me with investing but I know there is more to it. He still wants to control me. I don't even know my damn login to the banking app for Christ sake (sorry not sorry dad for using the Lords name in vane). I know I should have fixed this issue sooner but I didn't want to fuck up our relationship. I am not sure what to do about this.
Another major problem came from this sheltered/overbearing environment I grew up in is my inability to say no to things I have never done before. Throughout my time in college I have experimented with drugs and alcohol (cocaine, weed, molly, lsd, shrooms, xans, oxy, you name it, pretty much with the exception of meth and heroin, I've done it and not just once). I am not proud of this (minus the fun I've had on psychs and even then not one of my better attributes). As a result of his abusive parenting style I have a hard time saying no and give in super easily to peer pressure. So much so that the first friends i met at college I still hang around with. These guys I probably shouldn't be around (the type where daddy pays for everything so they get a four-year drug fueled adventure in college). Don't get me wrong they aren't all that bad but just not the type of people I though I would be hanging around. I never thought I would be sleeping around, going to clubs on a Tuesday, and doing lines of coke off my island at 4pm but here we are. I am not proud of this but feel like I started doing these things because I was finally free. It is so hard to stop now. I think that I hang around them as a sense of rebellion to my parents and a sort of "f u" if you will. I know it is wrong but it feels good to finally be free. I have developed a raging nicotine addiction as well (something I am definitely not proud of). My parents have no idea. I have had to lie to them about things for the past three years.
I don't know if that is a result of my own actions or the years upon years upon years of constant yelling by my father. I mean for fucks sake the man never told me good job on anything. I got an A on a test it wasn't good job. It was "show me the test and what you got wrong," followed by a thirty minute yelling match about how I fucked up on the test. When I got into college on a full ride it wasn't good job it was "that is all because of me and the things I gave you." When I graduated high school it wasn't good job. It was my mom, god bless her she is great but tied down by my father, putting on a dinner party for me with all the neighbors and my parents friends. My dad was there but never even spoke to me (he just bullshitted to his friends about how I was such a hard worker (mind you he never told me this) and other things that narcissists do). I never was told good job when I got Eagle scout. That fucked me up, all of it. I am not one to want praise or one of those participation trophy people but come on that's fucked up at least in my mind. I never heard good job once.
He does the same shit to my brother but worse. My brother is 13 and in seventh grade at a private Christian K-12 school (one of those rich schools where the parents drive benzs and the kids have gucci shoes and shit). My father doesn't send my brother there because it is a better school, trust me, it is not by any stretch of the word. He sends him there to look better (aka "my kid goes to a private school you peasants" type of behavior). Recently, my brother was caught playing a computer game (papa's pizazaria on coolmathgames). Off topic but that is still the best one and you cannot change my mind. When he caught my brother they went at it for four hours. Now my dad checks my brothers search history, backpack and every single piece of paper in every binder every single day. He has moved my brothers desk into the living room and made my brother buy, with his own money, 300 dollar noise cancelling headphones to somehow be able to focus down there. My brother now has developed a twitch and the habit of twirling his hair. It was gotten so bad that some of his hair is falling out because of it and my dad refuses to take responsibility for it. The kid is so stressed that you would think he is on coke or meth the way he acts. He told me that he is scared when my dad comes home from work. I brought this up with my dad and asked him how he feels about his child being scared of him. My dad said nothing. Not one word. I am asking advice/thoughts on this situation.
To end things off I want advice on what I should do moving forward. I am home for the summer and working a job up here but am really considering not working and going back down to my school. I never had a normal childhood and can't stand my brother being treated this way. He is not allowed to go outside and play with the neighbor kids, watch TV, search ANYTHING on his computer, and take breaks longer than dinner away from his "schoolwork." I can't handle this shit anymore. I understand that part of my situation is my doing but I think it partly stems from the years of manipulation and control on behalf of my father. Am I overreacting? What would you do?
P.S. One final thing I wanted to say to get off my chest is that I do not respect this man. He yells at my mother constantly about how when she lets him be a kid and do kid things she is "setting him up for failure." I don't mean yelling I mean cussing and screaming to the point when I go to bed I can hear my mother crying. It hurts me to hear her cry it really does. I'm a bigger dude, 6 foot, 210, built. But that shit hurts. A fucking lot. I'm at the point where he needs to be confronted about it. I have lost every ounce of respect I have ever had for him. This may be an overreaction but I don't think so. He still controls my life. He tracks where I go in school, what I buy, etc. I have to lie to him sometimes but I am okay with that. This is the first real fun I have had in my life. I am doing pretty good in school, 3.1 gpa in a major I (not him) am happy in. I already have a job lined up outside of school making 58k straight out the gate. He has no idea because I don't tell him shit, he doesn't deserve to know in my mind. This is a man who will act super nice around everyone but our family. He is super active in the church and scouting, although he doesn't let my brother go anymore. He constantly gives to charity and volunteers around the community. You would never know this if you watched how our family operates on any given day behind closed doors. The only conversations I have with him now are about "why is there a charge for mexican food on the credit card. you should be studying," or my personal favorite "why is there a charge for x amount of dollars at a convenience store at 9:00 at night. Only bad people hang outside after dark (by bad people he is referring to everyone who is non-Christian by the way)."
This man has held me back so much even in college. I understand that this is partly my fault because as a legal adult I could have stopped this but I did not want to ruin our relationship. He stopped me from going on trips because "people could be drinkng" and has told me that on my 21st birthday (last week) that if he ever catches me drinking or vaping or anything I will not be allowed back into the house. I want to get clean but I do that shit as a fuck you to him. I apologize about cussing so much in here I'm just frustrated and need to get some stuff of my chest. I can't be the only one with parents like this. Right? I refuse to let this situation continue on. Should I do something about the way he treats me and my brother and mom? What do I do? What would you do? FYI cutting him out of my life entirely is not ideal because my mom and I still get along great. I would do it if there was a way to still be able to see my mom as they live in the same house. Minus certain political issues (mostly economic stuff) my dad and I don't agree on anything. He is the most judgemental person I have ever met in my life. I have met upwards of 1000 people in the past couple of years and he is by far the most judgemental person I have ever met. There is not even a close second.
Am I overreacting? What would you do in this situation? God bless and thanks for any and all responses/similar stories you all are willing to share. This seems like a great group of people. Stay blessed and if you need someone to talk to I am here for anything.

Hey y’all. I’ve got a 2000 VT1100 that I’m beautifying. We can call it a poor man’s Harley.
One of the upgrades is going to a single carb. As it sits right now I can’t make it up to 80mph as one of the diaphragms has a hole in it. I could just replace the diaphragm and be done with it, but I would really like to have a single carb with a side mount air cleaner.
I’m going to be adding quite a bit of stuff to the bike, and what I would really like to do is remove the airbox.
My plan is to use this manifold, and a carb from a VTX1300.
If there’s anyone that’s done a single carb on an 1100 specifically, I’d love to know how it performs and if it’s worth it. Tia

Hello all,
I have a lead gen client, commercial kitchen cleaning company
Up to now we have just done a standard search campaign, 4 ad groups based on the different terms people use in.e. Duct cleaning, extract cleaning and tr19 cleaning
It gets about 20 conversions a month at a cpl of 70€. Client is happy with this as average ticket is 1100. Ctr is high, conversion rate is high.
My question is, should I try a pMax campaign and if I do, is there any possible way this could damage to my search campaign? I know google says that a search campaign will take president if a search term triggers an ad in pmax and in search campaign but I don’t know. Anyone with experience here, I would appreciate it!

one of my roommates has left dishes out for months and months on end. one of the items (a crockpot) is growing mold and the glass fogs up like something is alive. what do i do? this has happened in the past, and i would be moving out if I could afford to, but i cant. he owns the house, so calling the landlord and reporting the issues is out of the question. it’s taken over the entire kitchen. he never takes out the trash, he never does the dishes, he doesn’t even pay bills on time. sure, he absolutely could be not doing okay mentally, but i don’t care tbh. he’s a shitty attituded person, and is rather be petty than having a conversation. we agreed back in December that Januarys rent won’t be paid unless he did the dishes. he never did, so i didn’t pay rent, and he’s be demanding it since. can i just call the health department and get him fined over creating a health hazard? what can i even do? he doesn’t care that it’s nasty and straight disrespectful to me and our other roommate. he gets $1100/m from us. this shouldn’t be an issue coming from a 29M. me and other roommate are 22M and 20M. i’ve never let my home get this gross. everything that’s gross in the house, is a direct result from (let’s call him Jason).