Full head sew-in in chicago
Chicago
2008.01.25 07:22 Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
2009.07.28 09:06 rickyisawesome Lollapalooza Chicago
Welcome to the subreddit for Lollapalooza Chicago!
2010.12.29 23:48 xrobau Derby, Derbyshire, England
Derby is a city and unitary authority area on the River Derwent in Derbyshire, England.
2024.05.16 18:32 nemmoph Husband Wanted.
I’m aware that this is unconventional. Believe me, I’ve tried conventional – it didn’t end well for anyone. I require a certain open mindedness that I’m hoping I might find here, but more importantly, I need my future husband to know the rules. Meet-cutes are well and good on the screen, but they don’t guarantee a partner’s ability to follow basic instructions. That was my mistake the first time.
So, begging your pardon for my bluntness, I’m going to be clear about my requirements. Please read carefully – if you can’t meet them, there’s no point in going any further.
A sanctuary has stood in this spot in one form or another since before the ley lines. During its tenure, it has been flooded, put to the flame, and pounded into dust. Time and again, it has been reimagined and rebuilt. Most of the current building dates back to Victoria’s reign, though the oldest parts were constructed in the 13th century. At the very bottom of the garden, cut into the surrounding hills, there is a cave bearing handprints of red ochre.
There has always been an Edwards at the hotel, though of course we haven’t always gone by that name. You would think a family so tied to one place would do a better job of keeping records, but no one is certain of our origins. Perhaps it was a cosmic bargain, or perhaps mere luck – whether good or bad, I have never been able to decide. Either way, our presence is required. Throughout our spotty past, there’s a story here and there of an Edwards deserting their post, and it always coincides with a particularly brutal period of history.
I inherited the position five years ago. At midnight on my eighteenth birthday, my parents took their already-packed suitcases and left. I don’t blame them for their abandonment; I intend to one day do the same thing to my – or, hopefully, our – child.
They send me postcards and photos from time-to-time, always smiling on sunny beaches. Money isn’t a concern for them. That’s part of whatever mysterious deal our ancestors made – when a caretaker leaves in good-standing, they will never want for anything again. They could travel the world for the rest of their lives, always sleeping in the softest sheets and dining in the finest restaurants, and never find their pockets empty.
Keep this point in mind, for if you can meet my requirements, you will share my good fortune.
And what must we do in return? I can all but hear you scream the question. Why, very little. The presence of an Edwards ensures that the guests can’t stray from the hotel grounds. Most of our guests are live-in residents, though we do get the occasional walk-in. Where they come from, I don’t know, for we are not visible to most people who stumble upon our lonely corner of the world. I’ve come to believe the hotel chooses to reveal itself when its lacking entertainment, or to fill a need.
Jimmy, my first husband, was one such guest.
For the most part, the guests are harmless. They’ll give you a little fright from time-to-time, popping out from a wall or turning your bathwater into blood, but I find it hard to hold it against them. I’ve found twenty-three years here dreary; I can’t imagine how bored I would be after five hundred.
There are a few exceptions you should be aware of:
However, there are some rules so critical for your survival that I feel compelled to list them here:
She doted on him. I think he reminded her of her long-dead son, for she pampered him as if he were one of her own. Each morning, she had breakfast ready for him before I had so much as opened my eyes, and she developed a habit of trailing along after him, complimenting his skill as he oiled rusted hinges or set a crooked picture straight.
At first, Jimmy basked in the attention. But by the end of his second month, he was growing bored of Mrs Jones, me, and the hotel itself. We pride ourselves on our facilities. If you need more activity than a turn around the garden, we have a lovely indoor pool – it freezes over every now and then, but most of the time it’s perfectly usable. Our library is unmatched. Although the room is cramped, it has every book imaginable; you only need to think of a particular title, and it will appear on one of the shelves. And now that I’ve dragged us kicking and screaming into the 21st century, we have a wide array of streaming services.
It wasn’t enough for Jimmy. He wanted to go out – eat in a restaurant, watch a film in the cinema, see any faces other than the ones he was surrounded by every day. He began having a drink each evening. One drink turned into several, and after a few weeks, the bar became his permanent residence between dusk and midnight.
He wasn’t the only one getting bored. I had been thrilled when he first arrived; ecstatic when he agreed to stay. How marvellous to feel real flesh beneath my fingers after five years of only the dead for company. What a relief to have some assistance in the many tasks required to keep the hotel running as it should.
The more he drank, the less inclined he was to help – or even spend time in my company. He no longer visited my bed, choosing a room for himself on the opposite end of the floor. When our paths did cross, at best he would ignore me. At worst, he would nitpick or outright rail against me, blaming me for his captivity.
Still, I made an effort to be present whenever he frequented the bar. As lovely as Mrs Jones can be, she does have a tendency to nag. Before and after her death, she was close to teetotal, only consenting to take a single sherry at Christmas, and drinking outside of special occasions is something of a bugbear of hers.
“Think of your health, dear,” she would tell Jimmy brusquely. “You’ll miss it when it’s gone.”
Or, “How about we switch to a nice apple juice now? You’ve had quite enough to drink for one night.”
Most of the time, Jimmy managed to pull himself together enough to flash a charming smile and distract her with a compliment about her latest meal. But after one drink too many, I’d noticed him gritting his teeth and just barely managing to hold his tongue.
It was better if I was present. Playing the doting wife, I insisted on pouring his drinks, watering them down out of his sight. When Mrs Jones’s nagging bordered on relentless, I could always distract her with a game of gin rummy.
On his final day, I was running behind. The ghoul on the second floor – usually the least demanding of our guests – had come down with some dreadful illness, or else decided he wanted to inconvenience me. Either way, I had woken that morning to the foulest stench I had ever experienced. I followed it to his room and found every surface covered in putrid green-blank gunge, its consistency somewhere between mucus and vomit.
All day I scrubbed, taking only brief breaks to step outside before I fainted. By the time the room was restored to a passable state, and I had filled several bin bags to bursting with filthy rags, it was already deep into the night. Mindful of the time, I paused only long enough to wash the streaks of muck from my arms and face before racing to the bar.
I arrived just in time to hear Jimmy’s last words. After he spat them at Mrs Jones, she only stared for a small eternity, her mouth frozen in the motherly smile she wore whenever she scolded him.
Then, like melted wax, her face began to shift.
I shouted at Jimmy to run, but he didn’t need to be told. Before the words left my mouth, he leapt from his barstool and streaked through the door. Mrs Jones followed him seconds later. Her lips were already peeling back to reveal rows upon rows of long, wickedly sharp fangs, while claws sprouted from beneath her lace-edged cuffs.
I sprinted after them, but Jimmy was fuelled by fear and Mrs Jones by whatever force propels the Mrs Joneses of the world. I followed the screeching to the lobby. Breathless, I arrived to see he had arrived within mere feet of the entrance before Mrs Jones grabbed him.
Claws wrapped around his throat, she lifted him into the air. As I watched, her jaw unhinged, the lower part dropping so that it was nearly level with her chest.
That sight drove all the sense out of my head. Forgetting every rule my parents had ever drilled into me, I lunged at her.
She batted me away as though I weighed no more than a fly.
I crashed into the reception desk, the breath bursting from my lungs in a great woosh. I was certain that I would die, for no amount of effort seemed to force air back into my aching chest. At last, as my vision began to dim, I managed to take a small gulp – then another, and another, until I was able to draw myself together enough to regain my feet.
By that time, Mrs Jones had nearly finished her dinner. Jimmy’s chest was splayed open, muscle and shattered ribs protruding every which way from his flesh, and she was devouring the last few bites of his heart.
His head was angled towards me. The light had winked out from his eyes, but they still held his final terror – and an accusation which, I was quite certain, was directed at me. I would like to say I felt only horror, but I couldn’t help my sudden jolt of irritation. How may times had I told him to mind his manners?
Mrs Jones gulped, the sound thick and wet in her gullet, and dropped what remained of Jimmy to the floor.
Then she turned to me.
Here’s another rule for you, one which I hope you never have cause to use: never interfere with a kill.
The Mrs Jones who used to kiss my grazed knees, who argued with my mother for the right to read me bedtime stories, was no longer at the wheel. No amount of pleading or reasoning would move her.
I could only run.
Spinning around, I vaulted over the reception desk and raced for the office behind it. If Jimmy had not been out of his mind with fear and booze, he might have remembered the rules and survived; it was one of several staff-only rooms throughout the hotel warded to keep out unwanted guests.
Just ten steps from desk to door, yet it was the longest journey of my life. My hard-won breath burned my throat; my heart pounded in my ears, deafening me to all other sounds than Mrs Jones’s heavy, pounding footsteps.
Grasping the handle, her hot, copper-tanged breath was on my neck. Fire exploded in my flesh as she raked her claws down my back. A step further away, and I wouldn’t have made it; the pain would have been too great. But I managed to throw myself into the office and slam the door before crumpling to the ground.
Before I passed out, I heard her grunting and shrieking outside, furious that she couldn’t get in.
Three days I spent in the office, emerging only to feed The Thing in the Cellar before scurrying back to my hiding place. Whenever I left, I tried not to look at the mangled heap that used to be Jimmy. There was no avoiding the smell, though.
With no small difficulty, and the help of a first aid kit, I managed to treat and bandage the wounds on my back. They bled sluggishly all throughout the first day, but thankfully didn’t fester.
On the morning of the fourth day, there was a tentative knock on the door followed by the sound of rapidly retreating footsteps. I waited until they had disappeared down the corridor before cracking the door open. On the floor was a freshly baked Victoria sponge and a beautifully written note of apology.
It took every ounce of courage I possessed, but that evening I forced myself to go to the dining room. Mrs Jones was waiting for me, her eyes red-rimmed, a steaming cottage pie on the table. I tried not to flinch as she took my hand, re-iterating the apology she had already delivered in writing.
The next morning, she helped me clean Jimmy up.
We treated each other cautiously for a while, but eventually we got back to playing gin rummy again. When the scars on my back twinge, as they sometimes do, she helps me rub a soothing ointment into them. Even though I’ve told her it’s not necessary, she apologises every time.
So, you’ve heard my story and you have my proposal. If you think you could be the man for me, I invite you to visit. You will need to drink a cup of ram’s blood (a pinch of nutmeg makes it a little more tolerable) and light a black candle before bedtime. When you next wake, you will find yourself at our gates. As travel arrangements go, it’s hardly the Orient Express, but it beats the airfare.
If you have read this without flinching, if you can stomach the journey to get here, if you walk up to our door and find the nerve to open it, I have one more instruction for you.
Just as you enter, look to your right. You will see a deep brown stain on the lobby carpet. I’ve scrubbed and scrubbed but it just won’t come out. Perhaps that’s for the best. It’s a good reminder of what will happen to you should you call Mrs Jones a “nosy old bat”.
And when you run into Jimmy – as you will, for he still likes hanging around the bar in the evening, his silvery wounds glistening as though they had just been inflicted – don’t let him convince you he was some sort of victim.
He knew the rules.
submitted by nemmoph to nosleep [link] [comments]
So, begging your pardon for my bluntness, I’m going to be clear about my requirements. Please read carefully – if you can’t meet them, there’s no point in going any further.
- Must want children. At least one child, anyway. I’m open to the idea of more, but one is an absolute must.
- Must be in it for the long haul. Until our child turns eighteen, to be precise. I understand that level of commitment is a daunting prospect, particularly when we have not yet met. After our child is born, you are welcome to ignore me, if you please, or take your pleasure elsewhere – though I will warn you that it might be difficult to come by. But you will live under my roof until our child is an adult.
- Homebody preferred. It will make the next two decades easier on you.
- Must have impeccable manners. I will provide a manual outlining the required etiquette, but you must at least have a grasp of basic courtesy to begin with. If you let your tongue run away with you, or don’t bother to wish your neighbours a good morning when you pass them in the street, stop reading – this is not the opportunity for you. Seriously.
A sanctuary has stood in this spot in one form or another since before the ley lines. During its tenure, it has been flooded, put to the flame, and pounded into dust. Time and again, it has been reimagined and rebuilt. Most of the current building dates back to Victoria’s reign, though the oldest parts were constructed in the 13th century. At the very bottom of the garden, cut into the surrounding hills, there is a cave bearing handprints of red ochre.
There has always been an Edwards at the hotel, though of course we haven’t always gone by that name. You would think a family so tied to one place would do a better job of keeping records, but no one is certain of our origins. Perhaps it was a cosmic bargain, or perhaps mere luck – whether good or bad, I have never been able to decide. Either way, our presence is required. Throughout our spotty past, there’s a story here and there of an Edwards deserting their post, and it always coincides with a particularly brutal period of history.
I inherited the position five years ago. At midnight on my eighteenth birthday, my parents took their already-packed suitcases and left. I don’t blame them for their abandonment; I intend to one day do the same thing to my – or, hopefully, our – child.
They send me postcards and photos from time-to-time, always smiling on sunny beaches. Money isn’t a concern for them. That’s part of whatever mysterious deal our ancestors made – when a caretaker leaves in good-standing, they will never want for anything again. They could travel the world for the rest of their lives, always sleeping in the softest sheets and dining in the finest restaurants, and never find their pockets empty.
Keep this point in mind, for if you can meet my requirements, you will share my good fortune.
And what must we do in return? I can all but hear you scream the question. Why, very little. The presence of an Edwards ensures that the guests can’t stray from the hotel grounds. Most of our guests are live-in residents, though we do get the occasional walk-in. Where they come from, I don’t know, for we are not visible to most people who stumble upon our lonely corner of the world. I’ve come to believe the hotel chooses to reveal itself when its lacking entertainment, or to fill a need.
Jimmy, my first husband, was one such guest.
For the most part, the guests are harmless. They’ll give you a little fright from time-to-time, popping out from a wall or turning your bathwater into blood, but I find it hard to hold it against them. I’ve found twenty-three years here dreary; I can’t imagine how bored I would be after five hundred.
There are a few exceptions you should be aware of:
- Eric. Our resident serial murderer. He claims to have been Jack the Ripper while he still drew breath, but I think he’s just a blowhard. He knows better than to harm an Edwards, but I’m afraid spouses are fair game. Years ago, my grandmother managed to confine him to the fourth floor, so you will be perfectly safe from him as long as you never set foot there. Occasionally, the lift will stop on that floor even though you haven’t pressed the button for it. Do not get out. Even if the lift appears to be on fire or starts filling with murky water. Wait for the doors to close again, then go to another floor. It should only take a few hours.
- The Thing in the Cellar. I don’t know what It is; no one ever has. We only know It eats rats and must be fed once a day. If I’m ever ill or incapacitated, this task will fall to you. Harvest the rats from the traps in the garden, then stand at the cellar door and throw them down the stairs. Do not walk down the stairs and do not forget to feed It. You don’t want to be the first person to see Its’ face.
- Mrs Jones. Old fashioned and a stickler for manners, she’s the reason I’m advertising for a husband rather than a boyfriend. She won’t abide a couple living in sin under the same roof as her. Really, though, she’s a sweet old thing. Full of stories about the war and always ready to help if I get stuck on a recipe. I don’t blame her for what happened with Jimmy at all. I’d warned him enough times.
However, there are some rules so critical for your survival that I feel compelled to list them here:
- With the exception of the fourth floor, you are welcome to roam the hotel and its grounds as you please. But you must never set foot outside of our land – not until our child is old enough to fulfil their duties. If I were to do so, it would unleash pandemonium – plague, peril, perhaps another world war. I’m afraid you would be less crucial to the fate of the world, but it would certainly be a personal disaster.
- Never look in the mirrors in room 33.
- I’ve touched this point already, but it bears repeating: never be rude to Mrs Jones.
She doted on him. I think he reminded her of her long-dead son, for she pampered him as if he were one of her own. Each morning, she had breakfast ready for him before I had so much as opened my eyes, and she developed a habit of trailing along after him, complimenting his skill as he oiled rusted hinges or set a crooked picture straight.
At first, Jimmy basked in the attention. But by the end of his second month, he was growing bored of Mrs Jones, me, and the hotel itself. We pride ourselves on our facilities. If you need more activity than a turn around the garden, we have a lovely indoor pool – it freezes over every now and then, but most of the time it’s perfectly usable. Our library is unmatched. Although the room is cramped, it has every book imaginable; you only need to think of a particular title, and it will appear on one of the shelves. And now that I’ve dragged us kicking and screaming into the 21st century, we have a wide array of streaming services.
It wasn’t enough for Jimmy. He wanted to go out – eat in a restaurant, watch a film in the cinema, see any faces other than the ones he was surrounded by every day. He began having a drink each evening. One drink turned into several, and after a few weeks, the bar became his permanent residence between dusk and midnight.
He wasn’t the only one getting bored. I had been thrilled when he first arrived; ecstatic when he agreed to stay. How marvellous to feel real flesh beneath my fingers after five years of only the dead for company. What a relief to have some assistance in the many tasks required to keep the hotel running as it should.
The more he drank, the less inclined he was to help – or even spend time in my company. He no longer visited my bed, choosing a room for himself on the opposite end of the floor. When our paths did cross, at best he would ignore me. At worst, he would nitpick or outright rail against me, blaming me for his captivity.
Still, I made an effort to be present whenever he frequented the bar. As lovely as Mrs Jones can be, she does have a tendency to nag. Before and after her death, she was close to teetotal, only consenting to take a single sherry at Christmas, and drinking outside of special occasions is something of a bugbear of hers.
“Think of your health, dear,” she would tell Jimmy brusquely. “You’ll miss it when it’s gone.”
Or, “How about we switch to a nice apple juice now? You’ve had quite enough to drink for one night.”
Most of the time, Jimmy managed to pull himself together enough to flash a charming smile and distract her with a compliment about her latest meal. But after one drink too many, I’d noticed him gritting his teeth and just barely managing to hold his tongue.
It was better if I was present. Playing the doting wife, I insisted on pouring his drinks, watering them down out of his sight. When Mrs Jones’s nagging bordered on relentless, I could always distract her with a game of gin rummy.
On his final day, I was running behind. The ghoul on the second floor – usually the least demanding of our guests – had come down with some dreadful illness, or else decided he wanted to inconvenience me. Either way, I had woken that morning to the foulest stench I had ever experienced. I followed it to his room and found every surface covered in putrid green-blank gunge, its consistency somewhere between mucus and vomit.
All day I scrubbed, taking only brief breaks to step outside before I fainted. By the time the room was restored to a passable state, and I had filled several bin bags to bursting with filthy rags, it was already deep into the night. Mindful of the time, I paused only long enough to wash the streaks of muck from my arms and face before racing to the bar.
I arrived just in time to hear Jimmy’s last words. After he spat them at Mrs Jones, she only stared for a small eternity, her mouth frozen in the motherly smile she wore whenever she scolded him.
Then, like melted wax, her face began to shift.
I shouted at Jimmy to run, but he didn’t need to be told. Before the words left my mouth, he leapt from his barstool and streaked through the door. Mrs Jones followed him seconds later. Her lips were already peeling back to reveal rows upon rows of long, wickedly sharp fangs, while claws sprouted from beneath her lace-edged cuffs.
I sprinted after them, but Jimmy was fuelled by fear and Mrs Jones by whatever force propels the Mrs Joneses of the world. I followed the screeching to the lobby. Breathless, I arrived to see he had arrived within mere feet of the entrance before Mrs Jones grabbed him.
Claws wrapped around his throat, she lifted him into the air. As I watched, her jaw unhinged, the lower part dropping so that it was nearly level with her chest.
That sight drove all the sense out of my head. Forgetting every rule my parents had ever drilled into me, I lunged at her.
She batted me away as though I weighed no more than a fly.
I crashed into the reception desk, the breath bursting from my lungs in a great woosh. I was certain that I would die, for no amount of effort seemed to force air back into my aching chest. At last, as my vision began to dim, I managed to take a small gulp – then another, and another, until I was able to draw myself together enough to regain my feet.
By that time, Mrs Jones had nearly finished her dinner. Jimmy’s chest was splayed open, muscle and shattered ribs protruding every which way from his flesh, and she was devouring the last few bites of his heart.
His head was angled towards me. The light had winked out from his eyes, but they still held his final terror – and an accusation which, I was quite certain, was directed at me. I would like to say I felt only horror, but I couldn’t help my sudden jolt of irritation. How may times had I told him to mind his manners?
Mrs Jones gulped, the sound thick and wet in her gullet, and dropped what remained of Jimmy to the floor.
Then she turned to me.
Here’s another rule for you, one which I hope you never have cause to use: never interfere with a kill.
The Mrs Jones who used to kiss my grazed knees, who argued with my mother for the right to read me bedtime stories, was no longer at the wheel. No amount of pleading or reasoning would move her.
I could only run.
Spinning around, I vaulted over the reception desk and raced for the office behind it. If Jimmy had not been out of his mind with fear and booze, he might have remembered the rules and survived; it was one of several staff-only rooms throughout the hotel warded to keep out unwanted guests.
Just ten steps from desk to door, yet it was the longest journey of my life. My hard-won breath burned my throat; my heart pounded in my ears, deafening me to all other sounds than Mrs Jones’s heavy, pounding footsteps.
Grasping the handle, her hot, copper-tanged breath was on my neck. Fire exploded in my flesh as she raked her claws down my back. A step further away, and I wouldn’t have made it; the pain would have been too great. But I managed to throw myself into the office and slam the door before crumpling to the ground.
Before I passed out, I heard her grunting and shrieking outside, furious that she couldn’t get in.
Three days I spent in the office, emerging only to feed The Thing in the Cellar before scurrying back to my hiding place. Whenever I left, I tried not to look at the mangled heap that used to be Jimmy. There was no avoiding the smell, though.
With no small difficulty, and the help of a first aid kit, I managed to treat and bandage the wounds on my back. They bled sluggishly all throughout the first day, but thankfully didn’t fester.
On the morning of the fourth day, there was a tentative knock on the door followed by the sound of rapidly retreating footsteps. I waited until they had disappeared down the corridor before cracking the door open. On the floor was a freshly baked Victoria sponge and a beautifully written note of apology.
It took every ounce of courage I possessed, but that evening I forced myself to go to the dining room. Mrs Jones was waiting for me, her eyes red-rimmed, a steaming cottage pie on the table. I tried not to flinch as she took my hand, re-iterating the apology she had already delivered in writing.
The next morning, she helped me clean Jimmy up.
We treated each other cautiously for a while, but eventually we got back to playing gin rummy again. When the scars on my back twinge, as they sometimes do, she helps me rub a soothing ointment into them. Even though I’ve told her it’s not necessary, she apologises every time.
So, you’ve heard my story and you have my proposal. If you think you could be the man for me, I invite you to visit. You will need to drink a cup of ram’s blood (a pinch of nutmeg makes it a little more tolerable) and light a black candle before bedtime. When you next wake, you will find yourself at our gates. As travel arrangements go, it’s hardly the Orient Express, but it beats the airfare.
If you have read this without flinching, if you can stomach the journey to get here, if you walk up to our door and find the nerve to open it, I have one more instruction for you.
Just as you enter, look to your right. You will see a deep brown stain on the lobby carpet. I’ve scrubbed and scrubbed but it just won’t come out. Perhaps that’s for the best. It’s a good reminder of what will happen to you should you call Mrs Jones a “nosy old bat”.
And when you run into Jimmy – as you will, for he still likes hanging around the bar in the evening, his silvery wounds glistening as though they had just been inflicted – don’t let him convince you he was some sort of victim.
He knew the rules.
2024.05.16 18:31 Historical_Driver_87 Would it make sense to sue my director? (Workplace alienation)
So long story short (u can check out my last post on my profile if u want the full story), my depressed mom is alienated from her work...
I won't be biased simply because she is my mother, but she does her work better than everyone else I'd say (perhaps because she doesn't have anything outside her job).... She loves her children, they love her, yet she isn't granted the title of being a lead teacher, and the director totally hates her and we don't know why...
She is picked on, never has any rights unlike everyone else, and yesterday the director even took her time to head to the center to have a "discussion" w her, w a clear intent to get her to quit, bcz the director is protecting a coworker (we have no idea why either), bcz my mom along w everyone else was complaining abt her, but for very justifiable reasons.....
I am friendly to that teacher but she is lazy, does her job bad, it affects everyone, and it is something we have all seen complained about, yet she is protected and agn we don't know why... She's had 4 years of experience too so she should know better.... it's so bad to the point that the little babies would poop themselves close to nap time, and she would have them sleep that way so a teacher can come in to do her job while she is at break (which luckily the co director had noticed telling her to immediately change them bcz it's wrong)...
Oh yeah she also never wears her uniform pants, meanwhile my mom was checked head to toe and would be nit-picked by any small flaw on her.... No one can have water bottles too, except her, as they r everywhere bcz she forgets to take them home, but we can't complain.
Anyways besides the favoritism, my mom never gets any privileges, never got a schedule change for years, was punished once by getting a 10-2 shedule when requesting to leave at 2pm for a week instead of her usual 6pm, is spoken to in Spanish (despite being able to speak and understand English well as she has an accent), and is always brought up how she got this holy priviledge to leave earlier bcz of the directors sister which is just mean......
She is 44 years of age, the oldest teacher there (besides the cook who is older, which is the conflicting part to me), has a different speech due to her accent, and is being pushed to suicide basically since she already had depression which has worsened bcz of this director.... Should we sue her?.... This isn't fair, it's damaging my mom and the director has been sued before for discrimination so.....
submitted by Historical_Driver_87 to ECEProfessionals [link] [comments]
I won't be biased simply because she is my mother, but she does her work better than everyone else I'd say (perhaps because she doesn't have anything outside her job).... She loves her children, they love her, yet she isn't granted the title of being a lead teacher, and the director totally hates her and we don't know why...
She is picked on, never has any rights unlike everyone else, and yesterday the director even took her time to head to the center to have a "discussion" w her, w a clear intent to get her to quit, bcz the director is protecting a coworker (we have no idea why either), bcz my mom along w everyone else was complaining abt her, but for very justifiable reasons.....
I am friendly to that teacher but she is lazy, does her job bad, it affects everyone, and it is something we have all seen complained about, yet she is protected and agn we don't know why... She's had 4 years of experience too so she should know better.... it's so bad to the point that the little babies would poop themselves close to nap time, and she would have them sleep that way so a teacher can come in to do her job while she is at break (which luckily the co director had noticed telling her to immediately change them bcz it's wrong)...
Oh yeah she also never wears her uniform pants, meanwhile my mom was checked head to toe and would be nit-picked by any small flaw on her.... No one can have water bottles too, except her, as they r everywhere bcz she forgets to take them home, but we can't complain.
Anyways besides the favoritism, my mom never gets any privileges, never got a schedule change for years, was punished once by getting a 10-2 shedule when requesting to leave at 2pm for a week instead of her usual 6pm, is spoken to in Spanish (despite being able to speak and understand English well as she has an accent), and is always brought up how she got this holy priviledge to leave earlier bcz of the directors sister which is just mean......
She is 44 years of age, the oldest teacher there (besides the cook who is older, which is the conflicting part to me), has a different speech due to her accent, and is being pushed to suicide basically since she already had depression which has worsened bcz of this director.... Should we sue her?.... This isn't fair, it's damaging my mom and the director has been sued before for discrimination so.....
2024.05.16 18:30 Fun-Knowledge467 Way`s to Watch the PGA Championship 2024 Golf Live Stream, TV Schedule Without Cable
Here's How to Watch the PGA Championship 2024 for Free
Golf fans, get ready, because it's time for the men's second major of the year: The 106th PGA Championship. Returning to Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, for the fourth time (and the first time since 2014), the 2024 PGA Championship will see big names, including defending PGA champ Brooks Koepka, Rory McIlroy — fresh off his Wells Fargo title win — Scottie Scheffler and Tiger Woods competing for the $17.5 million purse.Watch PGA Championship 2024 Live
The 106th PGA Championship begins Thursday at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville. The field features 16 former PGA champions, including Brooks Koepka, who won the 2023 PGA Championship and looks to repeat. Justin Thomas has returned to his hometown, seeking his third PGA Championship.The first two rounds are set for Thursday and Friday, and the initial field of 156 golfers will be cut to the top 70 players and ties after the second round. Are you ready to follow all the action on the green at Valhalla? Here’s how to watch the 2024 PGA Championship, including the full TV schedule and more.
How to watch the 2024 PGA Championship:
- Date(s): Thursday, May 16-Sunday, May 19
- Location: Valhalla Golf Club, Louisville, KY
- TV channel: ESPN, CBS, Golf Channel
- Streaming: ESPN+, Paramount+, DirecTV Stream
What channel is the 2024 PGA Championship on?
For US viewers, the PGA Championship will air mainly on ESPN and CBS. There will be select coverage streaming on ESPN+, and the Golf Channel's alternative coverage airing on its network and streaming on Peacock.ESPN will air the majority of the first two rounds of the tournament on Thursday and Friday, and then ESPN and CBS will share the third and final rounds on Saturday and Sunday. ESPN+ will have early coverage before the ESPN and CBS broadcasts all four days of the tournament and will also stream the practices Wednesday before the tournament begins.
Who is playing in the 2024 PGA Championship?
Brooks Koepka is the defending PGA champ headed into the 2024 tournament. Koepka will be joined by Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Tiger Woods and more big names in golf.
How to watch the PGA Championship without cable:
To watch the PGA Championship 2024 without cable, you have several options. Firstly, check the official PGA Championship website for any live streaming options they may offer. Many major sporting events now provide online streaming services for viewers without cable subscriptions.Secondly, consider signing up for streaming services that include sports channels. Providers like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, Sling TV, and fuboTV often carry channels that broadcast golf tournaments, including the PGA Championship. These services typically offer free trials, allowing you to test them out before committing.
Thirdly, explore network-specific apps. Channels like NBC Sports, CBS Sports, and ESPN frequently offer live streaming through their apps or websites. If the PGA Championship is airing on one of these networks, you may be able to watch it without cable by logging in with your internet service provider credentials.
If you're in an area with good reception, you might also try using a digital antenna to pick up local channels broadcasting the tournament. This can provide a free option for watching the PGA Championship without cable.
Stream the PGA Championship on Paramount+
For streaming the PGA Championship coverage on CBS, you'll need the Paramount+ with Showtime tier, available for $12. The subscription is ad-free and includes live access to your local CBS channel.
In addition to sporting events like the PGA Championship, March Madness, Premier League and Champions League games, Paramount+ offers a host of other hit shows, new and classic movies and live sporting events. Unlike a lot of other streaming services these days, Paramount+ still offers a one-week free trial — so new subscribers can sign up to watch the tournament this weekend and check out the rest of the Paramount+ library totally free for seven days.
Stream the PGA Championship on ESPN+
For ESPN+ subscribers, early PGA Championship coverage will stream daily through the tournament. An ESPN+ subscription starts at $11 a month and grants you access to exclusive ESPN+ content, including all UFC PPV prelims, select F1 races, other live events, fantasy sports tools and premium ESPN+ articles.
Watch the Golf Channel's Live From the PGA Championship Peacock
While Peacock and NBC may not be airing the 2024 PGA Championship, the platform will have the golf Channel's Live From the PGA Championship coverage streaming live on the platform. A $5.99/month ad-supported Peacock subscription lets you stream live sports and events airing on NBC and thousands of hours of shows and movies, including beloved sitcoms such as Parks and Recreation and The Office and even recent theatrical releases.
Or for $12 monthly, you can upgrade to an ad-free subscription which includes live access to your local NBC affiliate (not just during designated sports and events) and the ability to download select titles to watch offline.
Is Tiger Woods Playing in the PGA Championship?
It's hard to say Tiger is guaranteed to play due to the injuries he's been battling over the past few years. However, the 15-time major champ has confirmed he's going to take a crack at the 2024 PGA Championship. Tiger was recently spotted practicing at Valhalla course and has told several outlets be plans to participate. Woods has won the PGA Championship four times in his career (the last time he won was in 2007). The 48-year-old is not expected to take the trophy this year but will no doubt be one of the biggest names to watch.
How to Watch PGA Championship Live Stream in The US
Golf fans in the US can watch PGA Championship live streams on ESPN and CBS. ESPN has coverage of all four days, while CBS will broadcast Saturday's third round and Sunday's final round.
No cable? No problem. Try a cord-cutting service like Sling or Fubo to watch the golf. There are no long contracts with these services, so you can try them and cancel whenever you've had enough. Fubo has the advantage of including both ESPN and CBS (as well as NBC's Golf Channel) in its $79.99/month Pro package – alongside 178 other channels.
The ESPN Plus streaming service will also host live coverage of the 2024 PGA Championship across all four days. A subscription costs $10.99/month or $109.99 annually. And you can watch CBS's coverage of the 2024 PGA Championship on the Paramount Plus streaming service. You'll need a Paramount Plus with Showtime subscription to watch the CBS Sports live stream. That will set you back $11.99/month or $119.99/year.
How to Watch PGA Championship Live Stream From The UK
In the UK, Sky will be your destination as Sky Sports Golf will televise action from the PGA Championship. A Sky Sports subscription will give you access to all nine Sky Sports channels, with the option to view in 4K and HDR (provided you have an HDR-ready Sky Q box and HLG-compatible TV).
Another option is Sky's Now Sports streaming service. You can get 24 hours of viewing for £14.99, or month-long access for £34.99 – though cheaper deals are often available.
How to Watch PGA Championship Live Stream From AUSTRALIA
In Australia, the most comprehensive golf coverage is offered by Kayo Sports where you can check out Fox Sports, which broadcasts the PGA Tour coverage. Not only can you watch a PGA Championship live stream from Kentucky, it's also the place to go for all the PGA Tour and DP World Tour events, and the other Majors. You can watch events from the LPGA Tour, too.
On top of all that, Kayo Sports offers access to over 50 sports live and on-demand, with some its big name channels including Fox Sports, ESPN, and beIN Sports. It's also good value at either $25 for Kayo One or $35 for Kayo Basic. Basic lets you stream sport on two devices at once.
2024 PGA Championship broadcast schedule:
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
- Live From the PGA Championship: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Golf Channel/Peacock)
- Practice rounds: 12-3 p.m. (ESPN+)
- Live From the PGA Championship: 7-9 p.m. (Golf Channel/Peacock)
- PGA Championship, Round 1: 7 a.m.-12 p.m. (ESPN+)
- PGA Championship, Round 1: 12-8 p.m. (ESPN)
- Live From the PGA Championship: 8-10 p.m. (Golf Channel/Peacock)
- PGA Championship, Round 2: 7 a.m.-1 p.m. (ESPN+)
- PGA Championship, Round 2: 1-8 p.m. (ESPN)
- Live From the PGA Championship: 8-10 p.m. (Golf Channel/Peacock)
- PGA Championship, Round 3: 8-10 a.m. (ESPN+)
- PGA Championship, Round 3: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. (ESPN)
- PGA Championship, Round 3: 1-7 p.m. (CBS)
- Live From the PGA Championship: 7-9 p.m. (Golf Channel/Peacock)
2024.05.16 18:26 clown_b0t Cascade Juggling Festival in town this weekend
Hi Hamsters-- Bellingham has grown a new juggling festival and it's this weekend! Wanted to put this one on your map since it has shaped to be mostly free and 100% fun.
https://cascadejugglingfestival.org/
Short version: The Bellingham Circus Guild has successfully poached an annual juggling festival that got priced out of its venue in Seattle. Now it is up here and shaping up to be even better. Free workshops, jam sessions, DJs, all-ages, and a rockstar variety show -- Friday evening through Sunday evening.
Full schedule of events is at the above link. Almost all programming is free/by-donation (only the gala show is ticketed -- ticket link here, fyi there's only one show and it might sell out). If you don't juggle, it's ok to just come and gawk in the gyms or at the show. That said, there's a whole bunch of workshops (also free) and for this weekend Bellingham will be the best place on Planet Earth to learn how to juggle, spin poi or a staff, learn to hoop or yo-yo (or Chinese yo-yo), etc.
The talent roster is off the charts, especially for a "first" year juggling festival. We have the biggest juggling teacher on Youtube (Taylor Tries) on the team this year; other faculty will be in from Seattle, Oakland, Chicago, and beyond. One attendee just bought flights from St. Paul, Minnesota just to come to this event.
Full schedule of events is at the above link. Hopefully we'll see you there :)
submitted by clown_b0t to Bellingham [link] [comments]
https://cascadejugglingfestival.org/
Short version: The Bellingham Circus Guild has successfully poached an annual juggling festival that got priced out of its venue in Seattle. Now it is up here and shaping up to be even better. Free workshops, jam sessions, DJs, all-ages, and a rockstar variety show -- Friday evening through Sunday evening.
Full schedule of events is at the above link. Almost all programming is free/by-donation (only the gala show is ticketed -- ticket link here, fyi there's only one show and it might sell out). If you don't juggle, it's ok to just come and gawk in the gyms or at the show. That said, there's a whole bunch of workshops (also free) and for this weekend Bellingham will be the best place on Planet Earth to learn how to juggle, spin poi or a staff, learn to hoop or yo-yo (or Chinese yo-yo), etc.
The talent roster is off the charts, especially for a "first" year juggling festival. We have the biggest juggling teacher on Youtube (Taylor Tries) on the team this year; other faculty will be in from Seattle, Oakland, Chicago, and beyond. One attendee just bought flights from St. Paul, Minnesota just to come to this event.
Full schedule of events is at the above link. Hopefully we'll see you there :)
2024.05.16 18:25 BreakThroughBlushing How to Stop Panicking When You Blush
Most (if not ALL) of the reason your blushing is a problem for you is due to the panic you go into when it starts to happen or when you anticipate it happening.
It's not the blushing that causes us so much pain, it's all the panic/embarrassment we feel about it.
"Oh my gosh, this is so embarrassing"
"They're definitely going to notice and say something!"
"How can I distract them?"
If you didn't have these thoughts, you wouldn't be here looking for a solution.
Blushing is your automatic stress response. Some people sweat, some people twitch, some people stutter. You blush. It will happen when you're anxious, nervous, put on the spot, etc. That will be the case for the rest of your life. You can't really stop the blushing, nor should you. It's not in your control.
Trying to stop it and freaking out when you can't is actually what causes it go from red to SUPER red and turns you into a tomato.
But fortunately, you CAN learn to stop panicking about it and learn to become more comfortable with letting it come and go. Once you do, you stop obsessing about your blushing and you forget about it almost entirely. You get to focus back on your real life instead of these anxious thoughts in your head. You don't feel any pain anymore and you actually stop blushing as much since you have lower stress.
If you solve the panic, you solve the problem.
What worked for me and what has been working well for the coaching clients I work with is simply ignoring or disproving those panicked thoughts instead of fearing or acting on them.
I explain this in-depth in my new YouTube video: https://youtu.be/Td_MB8C2f9U?feature=shared and my new Spotify episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2e7z2GVFYzPIMx1rv9oBgY?si=83859a0bb9fa4253
I recommend watching/listening to that for the full explanation but here is a quick summary!
It might help to look at our thoughts in 2 distinct types.
One type that I believe we have is involuntary thoughts that we can’t control. They are usually feawarning based such as panic, intrusive thoughts, “what if” scenarios.
The other type I believe we have is voluntary thoughts that we CAN control, which in this case would be our reaction to that involuntary panic.
So when you start having your INITIAL thought of “oh my you’re gonna blush, you better get out of here”, that is your involuntary thought that you cannot control.
My recommendation from experience is that you SHOULD NOT start acting on those involuntary thoughts and letting them creep into your voluntary thoughts, such as reacting with “you’re right, I can't do this, when’s a good moment to step out?” This might give you short-term relief from the anxious thoughts but it validates your brain’s fear and makes the panicked involuntary thoughts come back more frequently and more intensely.
INSTEAD… You have to start ignoring those thoughts and trying to prove them WRONG. When you feel those panicked thoughts set in, react with voluntary thoughts of “you’ll be fine, you’re not going to die” or “this isn’t even embarrassing” or “let’s just see what will happen” and focus twice as hard back on the present moment.
Once you do this, you can look back and tell your brain: "See, I lived!" or "See, that really wasn't even that bad"
As you repeat this process, the goal is to start proving that fear wrong and teaching your brain you’re not going to die. It will be extremely uncomfortable the first times you do it, but if you’re seriously tired of the panic, this is the only way I’m aware of on how you solve it. It worked for me and it's been working for my clients.
Those panicked thoughts are not REAL threats. You will not die by speaking up. Your brain just doesn't realize that so it's trying to protect you and get you out of there. Start proving to your brain that you will be okay.
I plan to make tons more content in the future, so be sure to subscribe to either my YouTube or Spotify to stay up to date! Hope it helps!!
Best,
Collin
submitted by BreakThroughBlushing to Erythrophobia [link] [comments]
It's not the blushing that causes us so much pain, it's all the panic/embarrassment we feel about it.
"Oh my gosh, this is so embarrassing"
"They're definitely going to notice and say something!"
"How can I distract them?"
If you didn't have these thoughts, you wouldn't be here looking for a solution.
Blushing is your automatic stress response. Some people sweat, some people twitch, some people stutter. You blush. It will happen when you're anxious, nervous, put on the spot, etc. That will be the case for the rest of your life. You can't really stop the blushing, nor should you. It's not in your control.
Trying to stop it and freaking out when you can't is actually what causes it go from red to SUPER red and turns you into a tomato.
But fortunately, you CAN learn to stop panicking about it and learn to become more comfortable with letting it come and go. Once you do, you stop obsessing about your blushing and you forget about it almost entirely. You get to focus back on your real life instead of these anxious thoughts in your head. You don't feel any pain anymore and you actually stop blushing as much since you have lower stress.
If you solve the panic, you solve the problem.
What worked for me and what has been working well for the coaching clients I work with is simply ignoring or disproving those panicked thoughts instead of fearing or acting on them.
I explain this in-depth in my new YouTube video: https://youtu.be/Td_MB8C2f9U?feature=shared and my new Spotify episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2e7z2GVFYzPIMx1rv9oBgY?si=83859a0bb9fa4253
I recommend watching/listening to that for the full explanation but here is a quick summary!
It might help to look at our thoughts in 2 distinct types.
One type that I believe we have is involuntary thoughts that we can’t control. They are usually feawarning based such as panic, intrusive thoughts, “what if” scenarios.
The other type I believe we have is voluntary thoughts that we CAN control, which in this case would be our reaction to that involuntary panic.
So when you start having your INITIAL thought of “oh my you’re gonna blush, you better get out of here”, that is your involuntary thought that you cannot control.
My recommendation from experience is that you SHOULD NOT start acting on those involuntary thoughts and letting them creep into your voluntary thoughts, such as reacting with “you’re right, I can't do this, when’s a good moment to step out?” This might give you short-term relief from the anxious thoughts but it validates your brain’s fear and makes the panicked involuntary thoughts come back more frequently and more intensely.
INSTEAD… You have to start ignoring those thoughts and trying to prove them WRONG. When you feel those panicked thoughts set in, react with voluntary thoughts of “you’ll be fine, you’re not going to die” or “this isn’t even embarrassing” or “let’s just see what will happen” and focus twice as hard back on the present moment.
Once you do this, you can look back and tell your brain: "See, I lived!" or "See, that really wasn't even that bad"
As you repeat this process, the goal is to start proving that fear wrong and teaching your brain you’re not going to die. It will be extremely uncomfortable the first times you do it, but if you’re seriously tired of the panic, this is the only way I’m aware of on how you solve it. It worked for me and it's been working for my clients.
Those panicked thoughts are not REAL threats. You will not die by speaking up. Your brain just doesn't realize that so it's trying to protect you and get you out of there. Start proving to your brain that you will be okay.
I plan to make tons more content in the future, so be sure to subscribe to either my YouTube or Spotify to stay up to date! Hope it helps!!
Best,
Collin
2024.05.16 18:19 RosabeIls My horrendous plan to lose 60% of my muscle mass. Part 1
Good afternoon, I use to be an athletic bodybuilder in high school when I was a male. 6 six pack, 3d pecs and all. I started transitioning a year and a half ago. While my face is cute passing, and seem to get attention from men. My upper lean muscle is still apparent despite losing all of my strength, the muscle remains. After doing some research, and from past experience in losing weight and muscle. I have devised regarding a calorie deficit. Essentially, the goal is to consume less protein which would give my muscle something to feed on. Instead I will be eating as much as carbs as I can get to keep me full and energized. Before school, I eat a bowl of oatmeal with almond milk and a banana which adds up to 430 calories. After classes are over, I hit the gym doing intense one hour treadmill sessions at jogging speed. My goal is burn at least 300-400 calories. Throughout the day I only drink water and coffee. At around 4:30 pm I head to work. It is a job that requires me to constantly be moving which ends up burning more calories. Shift ends at 1am in the morning. I go home, sleep, wake up at 6am and repeat. I feel like shit, but I know it’s better my femininity and passability. I plan on doing a picture comparison of my torso after 4 months in a part 2.
submitted by RosabeIls to MtF [link] [comments]
2024.05.16 18:19 BrennusRex I want to apologize to my ex but we’ve been no contact for 4 years.
For some background, this was an ex that I was in a relationship with for 1.5 years as a college student and who I broke up with amidst massive struggles in our relationship, a mutual deteriorating of mental health, troubles with our friends, etc. In the time between then and now, I had been in an abusive relationship for about 3 years, starting 9 months or so after and ending a few months prior to now. I’ve wanted to apologize to her for years since the break up, but being in a new relationship and under the advice of a friend that breaking no contact with my ex would just fuck with her healing and be unfair of me, so I never did.
I’ve done a lot of growing, maturing, and coming to understand how people ought to be treated properly in relationships, and I’ve come to realize that I was the problem in our relationship. I was a stupid, immature, selfish, shallow, and subpar partner, and it was my first serious relationship. She is not fully exempt of blame for ways that she treated me poorly, but I do realize that much of the problems we faced would never have happened if I was the person I am now during the relationship. I do regret ending it, and I was misguided by friends who did not have my best interests in mind, but I needed to grow to realize what I had done wrong and to be a better person for myself and for others around me.
I carry a massive amount of guilt from what I did and how I carried myself as a person in that time, and I carry a massive amount of guilt for how it all ended. I became very distant and disconnected from the relationship towards the end and I reacted to her justifiable anger post-breakup unfairly - our last conversation haunts me, with the idea of the last time we ever spoke being so angry and hurtful on both sides never sitting right with me. So to say that this isn’t partially driven by my own guilt would be a lie, but I’m not looking for absolution or forgiveness, I’m looking to make things right by her and to maybe give her some closure or peace that she never got.
I don’t know where her head is at towards us and that’s what scares me. For all I know she may hate me until the day she dies and reaching out to apologize may just reopen old wounds and make things worse for her, which is the last thing I want. Maybe she’ll laugh at me and think I’m pathetic for apologizing this far out and not even respond. Maybe she’d be grateful to hear it. I don’t care. I’m not going to say that guilt isn’t a motivating factor, but I mainly just want to try and leave things a little more right between us. My biggest fear is just that an apology would actually help her, and she would never get it because of my own anxiety or fear over not knowing what the best course is here.
Am I doing this to get back with her? No. She moved to Chicago for grad school and I live in Detroit, and though it isn’t like I’m not frequently in Chicago seeing family anyways there’s a good chance that I’ll be leaving the country end of this year for work. But I do think that part of me continued to love her after our time together had ended, even until now. If reconnecting in some way, any way shape or form, were in the cards, I would welcome it happily. But I doubt it, and that is not why I’m seeking to apologize.
I just need to know if apologizing would
1) make a bigger ass of myself than is worth the anguish of trying it and 2) hurt her more than it may help her.
What would you do? Would you accept an apology from an ex from that long ago if the relationship happened and ended so poorly?
submitted by BrennusRex to ExNoContact [link] [comments]
I’ve done a lot of growing, maturing, and coming to understand how people ought to be treated properly in relationships, and I’ve come to realize that I was the problem in our relationship. I was a stupid, immature, selfish, shallow, and subpar partner, and it was my first serious relationship. She is not fully exempt of blame for ways that she treated me poorly, but I do realize that much of the problems we faced would never have happened if I was the person I am now during the relationship. I do regret ending it, and I was misguided by friends who did not have my best interests in mind, but I needed to grow to realize what I had done wrong and to be a better person for myself and for others around me.
I carry a massive amount of guilt from what I did and how I carried myself as a person in that time, and I carry a massive amount of guilt for how it all ended. I became very distant and disconnected from the relationship towards the end and I reacted to her justifiable anger post-breakup unfairly - our last conversation haunts me, with the idea of the last time we ever spoke being so angry and hurtful on both sides never sitting right with me. So to say that this isn’t partially driven by my own guilt would be a lie, but I’m not looking for absolution or forgiveness, I’m looking to make things right by her and to maybe give her some closure or peace that she never got.
I don’t know where her head is at towards us and that’s what scares me. For all I know she may hate me until the day she dies and reaching out to apologize may just reopen old wounds and make things worse for her, which is the last thing I want. Maybe she’ll laugh at me and think I’m pathetic for apologizing this far out and not even respond. Maybe she’d be grateful to hear it. I don’t care. I’m not going to say that guilt isn’t a motivating factor, but I mainly just want to try and leave things a little more right between us. My biggest fear is just that an apology would actually help her, and she would never get it because of my own anxiety or fear over not knowing what the best course is here.
Am I doing this to get back with her? No. She moved to Chicago for grad school and I live in Detroit, and though it isn’t like I’m not frequently in Chicago seeing family anyways there’s a good chance that I’ll be leaving the country end of this year for work. But I do think that part of me continued to love her after our time together had ended, even until now. If reconnecting in some way, any way shape or form, were in the cards, I would welcome it happily. But I doubt it, and that is not why I’m seeking to apologize.
I just need to know if apologizing would
1) make a bigger ass of myself than is worth the anguish of trying it and 2) hurt her more than it may help her.
What would you do? Would you accept an apology from an ex from that long ago if the relationship happened and ended so poorly?
2024.05.16 18:19 Electronic_Sorbet_85 Advice needed for contextualizing specific startup work
Hey all,
Finally starting the job search and putting all of my work together after a thought two years working at a very frustrating startup. The TLDR of it is there’s a conflation with graphic design and product design by the founder despite my desperate attempts at internal learning. I’m technically the founding designer and have 7 years of experience under my belt, and it’s been a constant uphill battle in promoting process and communication. The rest of the team is great, but are also overworked and people are dropping like flies.
This being said, despite having absolutely insane deadlines that I have pushed back on so many times to no avail (we’re talking 1 week for a FULL product), I have worked my ass off to make my work as good as it can be not matter how condensed the process needs to be. However, this doesn’t show in the finished product because the founder likes to “take a design turn” at the end.
I’ve been lucky enough to be head hunted a bit, and thus have just started to come up for air and begin interviewing and develop a much healthier relationship with my life outside of work again.
This brings me what I need help with: How do I politically speak to the situation in framing the deadlines, lack of “live” product and insane working hours (if this should even be mentioned)? While I absolutely am still frustrated, I need to put that to the side, while still being able to provide context for my work.
Thanks in advance to this lovely community.
submitted by Electronic_Sorbet_85 to UXDesign [link] [comments]
Finally starting the job search and putting all of my work together after a thought two years working at a very frustrating startup. The TLDR of it is there’s a conflation with graphic design and product design by the founder despite my desperate attempts at internal learning. I’m technically the founding designer and have 7 years of experience under my belt, and it’s been a constant uphill battle in promoting process and communication. The rest of the team is great, but are also overworked and people are dropping like flies.
This being said, despite having absolutely insane deadlines that I have pushed back on so many times to no avail (we’re talking 1 week for a FULL product), I have worked my ass off to make my work as good as it can be not matter how condensed the process needs to be. However, this doesn’t show in the finished product because the founder likes to “take a design turn” at the end.
I’ve been lucky enough to be head hunted a bit, and thus have just started to come up for air and begin interviewing and develop a much healthier relationship with my life outside of work again.
This brings me what I need help with: How do I politically speak to the situation in framing the deadlines, lack of “live” product and insane working hours (if this should even be mentioned)? While I absolutely am still frustrated, I need to put that to the side, while still being able to provide context for my work.
Thanks in advance to this lovely community.
2024.05.16 18:13 Healthy-Day-8317 I don’t know how I feel (biggest regret)
Last year was very hard for me. I have severe attachment issues and I ended up losing everyone in my life.
During college, I had a long term friend that I was living with and a boyfriend.
During my senior of high school, I was exploring college orgs and that’s when I found a sorority. I’ve always wanted to join one, but never had the chance until my juniosenior year of college. I couldn’t explain why I exactly wanted to, but I think it’s because since they promote sisterhood and a home away from home, it made me a feel a certain way. I don’t have any sisters nor a good home, so I really wanted a family. According to my therapist, she said I wanted to join to feel validated.
I had a good relationship with my long term friend and boyfriend, but once I started the pledging process, that’s when everything changed. The sorority process was high demanding and involved severe mental hazing. I couldn’t tell my long term friend and it took a lot of time away from my boyfriend. The process took a toll on mental health which affected me physically, mentally, and financially. I was so messed up in the head that I started projecting my anger and stress on the two of them. I was super toxic to them and myself. At one point, I was given an ultimatum by boyfriend, it was either the him or the sorority. It was really hard for me because I wanted both, but I think I said some stupid shit like the sorority is forever, whereas I don’t even know if we’re going to last. Eventually, me and my boyfriend broke up and later on, me and my long term friend stopped being friends-she felt betrayed that I didn’t tell her. After losing the two most important people in my life at the time, the sorority later on cut me off and I ended up cutting off the sorority for good.
I sacrificed myself, my long term friend, and my boyfriend aka my FP, for a school organization. My therapist was like wow… so you chose a school org specifically a sorority over a potential life long life partner? I know, I was stupid. I was young and desperate to find a group of people that can accept and validate me because apparently my long term friend and boyfriend was not enough. After it was too late, that’s when I realized that I took them for granted because they were my family all along.
It breaks my heart even more because I was financially struggling at the time. I had to my pay for college and rent all by myself. I had a little bit of money to spare and I did see a psychiatrist and counselor a bit, but I decided to devote all of my time and the rest of my savings into a sorority that I ended up regretting.
It hurts me a lot knowing that I sacrificed very important people in my life for fake, surface level friendships that didn’t even last longer than a year. It fucking sucks. I’m full of regret and it’s hard to live. I wished I was more self aware. I wished I went to therapy and took medications. If I never joined the sorority, I wouldn’t be as depressed as I would have if I didn’t.
I know that I had put myself into this situation, basically self sabotaging myself, i ended up hurting and losing my friend and ex boyfriend now. It is my responsibility. Even though I felt like it wasn’t me who was living in my body at the moment, in the end I still did it, so I have to own up to it.
After I lost everyone, that’s when I finally started therapy and medications. After a few months, I am now so self aware. Looking back, I really don’t even remember myself living in the moment-I had no sense of reality. It breaks my heart because I was so discombobulated and disconnect with reality, as if my BPD had control of me. I don’t want to blame it on mental health because in the end, the BPD is still a part of me as an individual.
I wish I could go back in time and change everything. I really hate myself for making actions like this. I split so easily and it sucks because I always regret it after is too late. It’s just so hard living knowing that I was so broken and mentally ill that it took over me.
Everyday I tell myself, it’s okay. You were young and you didn’t know. They left for a reason. If they all didn’t leave me, I don’t know if I would have even started therapy and medications. It sucks because I really want them back. I am full of regret. I would do anything to get them back. I wished they knew how sorry I am, but no one wants me back anymore because the damage I did isn’t forgivable.
Therapy is working and the medications definitely help, but I just can’t let go of my long term friend and ex boyfriend. I know I’m still young, people come and go all the time, and there’s still many people that I haven’t met yet.
Many people have told me that I’ve grown/matured a lot and they can tell that I am a better version of myself than I was before.
It’s just that I hate being so self aware now because I feel like the memories of me acting all crazy and sick in the head at time just consistently replays in my head. It doesn’t even feel like it was me who did all this.
People don’t understand me and honestly I didn’t understand myself either. I’m grateful that I am able to now afford therapy and medications because I will be the one who breaks my family’s generational trauma.
I just can’t believe I did all this. Living with regret is so fucking hard and it’s even harder now that I know that I was the one who put myself in the position that I’m in right now. I need to be more to nice myself, but it’s hard to be nice to someone who did fucked up things. I’m grateful, but I’m so depressed. I feel mixed.
submitted by Healthy-Day-8317 to BorderlinePDisorder [link] [comments]
During college, I had a long term friend that I was living with and a boyfriend.
During my senior of high school, I was exploring college orgs and that’s when I found a sorority. I’ve always wanted to join one, but never had the chance until my juniosenior year of college. I couldn’t explain why I exactly wanted to, but I think it’s because since they promote sisterhood and a home away from home, it made me a feel a certain way. I don’t have any sisters nor a good home, so I really wanted a family. According to my therapist, she said I wanted to join to feel validated.
I had a good relationship with my long term friend and boyfriend, but once I started the pledging process, that’s when everything changed. The sorority process was high demanding and involved severe mental hazing. I couldn’t tell my long term friend and it took a lot of time away from my boyfriend. The process took a toll on mental health which affected me physically, mentally, and financially. I was so messed up in the head that I started projecting my anger and stress on the two of them. I was super toxic to them and myself. At one point, I was given an ultimatum by boyfriend, it was either the him or the sorority. It was really hard for me because I wanted both, but I think I said some stupid shit like the sorority is forever, whereas I don’t even know if we’re going to last. Eventually, me and my boyfriend broke up and later on, me and my long term friend stopped being friends-she felt betrayed that I didn’t tell her. After losing the two most important people in my life at the time, the sorority later on cut me off and I ended up cutting off the sorority for good.
I sacrificed myself, my long term friend, and my boyfriend aka my FP, for a school organization. My therapist was like wow… so you chose a school org specifically a sorority over a potential life long life partner? I know, I was stupid. I was young and desperate to find a group of people that can accept and validate me because apparently my long term friend and boyfriend was not enough. After it was too late, that’s when I realized that I took them for granted because they were my family all along.
It breaks my heart even more because I was financially struggling at the time. I had to my pay for college and rent all by myself. I had a little bit of money to spare and I did see a psychiatrist and counselor a bit, but I decided to devote all of my time and the rest of my savings into a sorority that I ended up regretting.
It hurts me a lot knowing that I sacrificed very important people in my life for fake, surface level friendships that didn’t even last longer than a year. It fucking sucks. I’m full of regret and it’s hard to live. I wished I was more self aware. I wished I went to therapy and took medications. If I never joined the sorority, I wouldn’t be as depressed as I would have if I didn’t.
I know that I had put myself into this situation, basically self sabotaging myself, i ended up hurting and losing my friend and ex boyfriend now. It is my responsibility. Even though I felt like it wasn’t me who was living in my body at the moment, in the end I still did it, so I have to own up to it.
After I lost everyone, that’s when I finally started therapy and medications. After a few months, I am now so self aware. Looking back, I really don’t even remember myself living in the moment-I had no sense of reality. It breaks my heart because I was so discombobulated and disconnect with reality, as if my BPD had control of me. I don’t want to blame it on mental health because in the end, the BPD is still a part of me as an individual.
I wish I could go back in time and change everything. I really hate myself for making actions like this. I split so easily and it sucks because I always regret it after is too late. It’s just so hard living knowing that I was so broken and mentally ill that it took over me.
Everyday I tell myself, it’s okay. You were young and you didn’t know. They left for a reason. If they all didn’t leave me, I don’t know if I would have even started therapy and medications. It sucks because I really want them back. I am full of regret. I would do anything to get them back. I wished they knew how sorry I am, but no one wants me back anymore because the damage I did isn’t forgivable.
Therapy is working and the medications definitely help, but I just can’t let go of my long term friend and ex boyfriend. I know I’m still young, people come and go all the time, and there’s still many people that I haven’t met yet.
Many people have told me that I’ve grown/matured a lot and they can tell that I am a better version of myself than I was before.
It’s just that I hate being so self aware now because I feel like the memories of me acting all crazy and sick in the head at time just consistently replays in my head. It doesn’t even feel like it was me who did all this.
People don’t understand me and honestly I didn’t understand myself either. I’m grateful that I am able to now afford therapy and medications because I will be the one who breaks my family’s generational trauma.
I just can’t believe I did all this. Living with regret is so fucking hard and it’s even harder now that I know that I was the one who put myself in the position that I’m in right now. I need to be more to nice myself, but it’s hard to be nice to someone who did fucked up things. I’m grateful, but I’m so depressed. I feel mixed.
2024.05.16 18:06 flipfloppoohbear My boss suddenly hates me
I work in a small independent cafe on a Saturday for 6 hours and full time during the week. I got the job because I used to come in everyday and quickly made friends with 2 of the members of staff to the point I started heading for drinks with them etc. Soon they asked me if I'd be interested in a job and I said that though I was grateful I couldn't take up the position (I have pretty bad anxiety with customer service) but they told me that they would train me and I didn't need to worry at all. I was confident because I knew these people were my friends and I wanted to give it ago. We are a very small team, on a Saturday there are 3 of us at work (The GM, the Cafe manager (who is also in her early 20s like me) and myself. The cafe manager went away on a trip a few weeks ago meaning I covered her shift and worked with our fourth and final team member for the day. The day went smooth and we had no hiccups but since she's came back I swear she HATES me. I was nearly at the point of walking out a couple of weeks ago because I was being criticised and bullied for 6 hours. She hardly speaks to me now, ignores me everytime I text and doesn't acknowledge me when I come in. I don't know what to do, this job is great for some additional weekly income but I'm going in to work feeling constantly anxious because I have no idea what the reason is for this sudden extreme change in attitude.
submitted by flipfloppoohbear to jobs [link] [comments]
2024.05.16 18:00 seedpod02 Windows11 on new laptop - inordinate time setting it up
Tweaking things like the cursor, themes, keyboard, mouse, desktop is taking and INORDINATE amount of time. A main problem is the Windows11 menus don't make sense Or they just don't match those given in online advice. Or, if you change settings the old settings come back at you even if you reboot. Another main problem is those giving advice just don't read the question. Another thing. people asking the same question don't explain their problem properly - like they'll ask how to change mouse cursor instead of text cursor. Or they'll ask about mouse cursor speed instead of keyboard repeat delay. etc. Or, desktop icons keep moving around seeming
Any suggestions as to best apps or website to address this?
Here are just some example tweaks bedeviled by the above: Text cursor width, desktop rearranging, getting rid of themes, the layout of file explorer boxes, stopping W11 opening new windows as a tab in an already open box, stopping W11 applying a changed folder size to all folders now present and future, making folder lists compact view, making dropdown menus open in full instead of being truncated with a "more" option, changing system dialogue font size, reducing the keyboard input repeat delay, stopping the mouse doubleclick reverting to "on" after turning it off, getting to the menu for changing the mouse pointer size, getting to the mouse hover select menu, getting the mouse to hover on a window's top edge, changing the scroll delay settings, setting the default download folder, stopping pdfs from auto downloading, having to dive into regedit for what should be clearly simple menu options, and so many more sheez!!
Thing is, these issues arise as and when, which means that I've been having to stop work on the new laptop as and when one of the settings emerges as annoying or dysfunctional, and head off into the blue of W11 crappy menus or online advice which just misses the beat.
Isnt there some way around this?
submitted by seedpod02 to WindowsHelp [link] [comments]
Any suggestions as to best apps or website to address this?
Here are just some example tweaks bedeviled by the above: Text cursor width, desktop rearranging, getting rid of themes, the layout of file explorer boxes, stopping W11 opening new windows as a tab in an already open box, stopping W11 applying a changed folder size to all folders now present and future, making folder lists compact view, making dropdown menus open in full instead of being truncated with a "more" option, changing system dialogue font size, reducing the keyboard input repeat delay, stopping the mouse doubleclick reverting to "on" after turning it off, getting to the menu for changing the mouse pointer size, getting to the mouse hover select menu, getting the mouse to hover on a window's top edge, changing the scroll delay settings, setting the default download folder, stopping pdfs from auto downloading, having to dive into regedit for what should be clearly simple menu options, and so many more sheez!!
Thing is, these issues arise as and when, which means that I've been having to stop work on the new laptop as and when one of the settings emerges as annoying or dysfunctional, and head off into the blue of W11 crappy menus or online advice which just misses the beat.
Isnt there some way around this?
2024.05.16 18:00 MrScrummers Yelled at some kids at the park last night. Was it too much?
Hello fellow dad, looking for some input on how I handle a situation at the park last night.
So my oldest son had baseball practice last night and when he does take my 2 youngest sons to the park by the field (2y and 1 y), it’s a little kid park but there were probably 6-7 kids ranged probably 7-10 all boys hanging around playing, no parents. No big deal I don’t really care as long as they aren’t mess with the little kids.
A bit later some other show up with some RC cars, again no big deal they are just driving around the park not hurting anyone. Then the get the idea to put them on a slide and drive it done. It’s a straight slide and they made sure it was clear, and just having fun. I’ve been young and done stuff that I shouldn’t have.
What happened next it when I yelled, they put it on the winding slide again made sure the end was clear. But the didn’t think about the turn and went full speed and it launched off the edge of the slide and was heading straight towards my 1 year old who my wife and I were sitting but just having a snack. My wife blocked the car and if she didn’t it would have smacked him on the back.
I stood up and yelled “nope, you’re done these cars out of the park. It was fun while it lasted but you’re done”
They all stopped and one kid came up and apologized profusely and it was sincere. After I yelled the group left the park.
I know it was an accident and they didn’t mean too, but my youngest has a kidney issue (hydronephrosis, swelling) and has had surgeries trying to fix it.
I’ve never done anything like that and I was just very protective of my youngest cause he would have gotten smacked in the kidney and possibly could have cause really harm. I mean the thing was flying.
Was I out of line yelling at them? My wife says I handled it well, I was stern and never swore. I just have never had to be “that dad” before.
Should I have told them earlier it wasn’t smart to do that? Just wondering if I handled the situation correctly.
submitted by MrScrummers to daddit [link] [comments]
So my oldest son had baseball practice last night and when he does take my 2 youngest sons to the park by the field (2y and 1 y), it’s a little kid park but there were probably 6-7 kids ranged probably 7-10 all boys hanging around playing, no parents. No big deal I don’t really care as long as they aren’t mess with the little kids.
A bit later some other show up with some RC cars, again no big deal they are just driving around the park not hurting anyone. Then the get the idea to put them on a slide and drive it done. It’s a straight slide and they made sure it was clear, and just having fun. I’ve been young and done stuff that I shouldn’t have.
What happened next it when I yelled, they put it on the winding slide again made sure the end was clear. But the didn’t think about the turn and went full speed and it launched off the edge of the slide and was heading straight towards my 1 year old who my wife and I were sitting but just having a snack. My wife blocked the car and if she didn’t it would have smacked him on the back.
I stood up and yelled “nope, you’re done these cars out of the park. It was fun while it lasted but you’re done”
They all stopped and one kid came up and apologized profusely and it was sincere. After I yelled the group left the park.
I know it was an accident and they didn’t mean too, but my youngest has a kidney issue (hydronephrosis, swelling) and has had surgeries trying to fix it.
I’ve never done anything like that and I was just very protective of my youngest cause he would have gotten smacked in the kidney and possibly could have cause really harm. I mean the thing was flying.
Was I out of line yelling at them? My wife says I handled it well, I was stern and never swore. I just have never had to be “that dad” before.
Should I have told them earlier it wasn’t smart to do that? Just wondering if I handled the situation correctly.
2024.05.16 17:59 _Triple_ [STORE] 900+ KNIVES/GLOVES/SKINS, 100.000$+ INVENTORY. BFK Lore, Gloves Amphibious, Skeleton Fade, Bowie Emerald, BFK Auto, Gloves MF, Talon Doppler, Gloves POW, Bayo Tiger, Gut Sapphire, Stiletto MF, M9 Ultra, Ursus Doppler, Flip Doppler, M9 Stained, Nomad CW, Paracord CW, AK-47 X-Ray & A Lot More
Everything in my inventory is up for trade. The most valuable items are listed here, the rest you can find in My Inventory
Feel free to Add Me or even better send a Trade Offer. Open for any suggestions: upgrades, downgrades / knives, gloves, skins / stickers, patterns, floats.
All Buyouts are listed in cash value.
KNIVES
★ Butterfly Knife Lore (Factory New), B/O: $7194.77
★ Butterfly Knife Autotronic (Minimal Wear), B/O: $2025.74
⎯★ M9 Bayonet Ultraviolet (Field-Tested), B/O: $557.87
★ M9 Bayonet Stained (Well-Worn), B/O: $529.41
★ M9 Bayonet Boreal Forest (Field-Tested), B/O: $465.39
⎯★ Talon Knife Doppler (Factory New), B/O: $1295.27
★ Bayonet Tiger Tooth (Minimal Wear), B/O: $746.28
★ Karambit Bright Water (Field-Tested), B/O: $688.15
⎯★ Flip Knife Doppler (Factory New), B/O: $547.93
★ Flip Knife Autotronic (Minimal Wear), B/O: $476.69
★ Flip Knife Case Hardened (Battle-Scarred), B/O: $278.18
★ Flip Knife Black Laminate (Well-Worn), B/O: $258.83
★ Flip Knife Urban Masked (Field-Tested), B/O: $181.64
⎯★ Stiletto Knife Marble Fade (Factory New), B/O: $686.04
★ Stiletto Knife Doppler (Factory New), B/O: $665.41
★ Stiletto Knife, B/O: $601.39
★ Stiletto Knife Crimson Web (Field-Tested), B/O: $418.25
★ Stiletto Knife Night Stripe (Field-Tested), B/O: $227.80
★ Stiletto Knife Boreal Forest (Field-Tested), B/O: $194.96
★ Stiletto Knife Safari Mesh (Field-Tested), B/O: $192.79
⎯★ Nomad Knife Crimson Web (Field-Tested), B/O: $518.11
★ Nomad Knife Scorched (Field-Tested), B/O: $169.78
★ Nomad Knife Forest DDPAT (Battle-Scarred), B/O: $166.88
★ StatTrak™ Nomad Knife Blue Steel (Field-Tested), B/O: $335.79
⎯★ Skeleton Knife Stained (Well-Worn), B/O: $442.05
★ Skeleton Knife Urban Masked (Minimal Wear), B/O: $426.24
★ Skeleton Knife Boreal Forest (Field-Tested), B/O: $314.03
★ StatTrak™ Skeleton Knife Fade (Minimal Wear), B/O: $2361.28
★ StatTrak™ Skeleton Knife Urban Masked (Field-Tested), B/O: $376.53
⎯★ Ursus Knife Doppler (Factory New), B/O: $557.12
★ Ursus Knife, B/O: $471.42
★ Ursus Knife Blue Steel (Minimal Wear), B/O: $212.37
★ Ursus Knife Case Hardened (Battle-Scarred), B/O: $187.66
★ Ursus Knife Damascus Steel (Field-Tested), B/O: $178.18
★ Ursus Knife Ultraviolet (Battle-Scarred), B/O: $155.13
★ Ursus Knife Boreal Forest (Battle-Scarred), B/O: $124.26
⎯★ Huntsman Knife Black Laminate (Minimal Wear), B/O: $204.83
★ Huntsman Knife Black Laminate (Field-Tested), B/O: $184.50
★ StatTrak™ Huntsman Knife Lore (Battle-Scarred), B/O: $224.11
⎯★ Bowie Knife Gamma Doppler (Factory New), B/O: $2142.02
★ Bowie Knife, B/O: $230.44
★ Bowie Knife Damascus Steel (Factory New), B/O: $209.20
★ Bowie Knife Ultraviolet (Minimal Wear), B/O: $180.51
★ Bowie Knife Ultraviolet (Field-Tested), B/O: $131.03
⎯★ Falchion Knife Night (Field-Tested), B/O: $132.54
★ Falchion Knife Urban Masked (Well-Worn), B/O: $112.81
★ Falchion Knife Scorched (Field-Tested), B/O: $108.81
★ Falchion Knife Forest DDPAT (Field-Tested), B/O: $107.82
★ Falchion Knife Safari Mesh (Field-Tested), B/O: $107.46
★ StatTrak™ Falchion Knife Ultraviolet (Field-Tested), B/O: $143.08
⎯★ Paracord Knife Crimson Web (Minimal Wear), B/O: $486.48
★ Paracord Knife Blue Steel (Battle-Scarred), B/O: $163.12
⎯★ Survival Knife Blue Steel (Battle-Scarred), B/O: $138.26
★ Survival Knife Night Stripe (Field-Tested), B/O: $131.03
⎯★ Gut Knife Sapphire (Minimal Wear), B/O: $1127.79
★ Gut Knife Gamma Doppler (Factory New), B/O: $286.17
★ Gut Knife Doppler (Factory New), B/O: $246.55
★ Gut Knife Marble Fade (Factory New), B/O: $240.77
★ Gut Knife, B/O: $210.49
★ Gut Knife Lore (Field-Tested), B/O: $194.22
★ Gut Knife Case Hardened (Battle-Scarred), B/O: $151.51
★ Gut Knife Blue Steel (Minimal Wear), B/O: $124.94
★ Gut Knife Rust Coat (Well-Worn), B/O: $118.99
★ Gut Knife Boreal Forest (Minimal Wear), B/O: $109.80
★ StatTrak™ Gut Knife Doppler (Factory New), B/O: $237.96
⎯★ Shadow Daggers Gamma Doppler (Factory New), B/O: $264.92
★ Shadow Daggers Marble Fade (Factory New), B/O: $253.03
★ Shadow Daggers Tiger Tooth (Factory New), B/O: $237.22
★ Shadow Daggers Crimson Web (Field-Tested), B/O: $153.40
★ Shadow Daggers Autotronic (Minimal Wear), B/O: $144.42
★ Shadow Daggers Blue Steel (Field-Tested), B/O: $105.20
★ StatTrak™ Shadow Daggers Damascus Steel (Minimal Wear), B/O: $150.46
⎯★ Navaja Knife Fade (Factory New), B/O: $365.99
★ Navaja Knife Doppler (Factory New), B/O: $228.93
★ Navaja Knife Marble Fade (Factory New), B/O: $227.43
★ Navaja Knife Slaughter (Factory New), B/O: $209.06
★ Navaja Knife, B/O: $203.16
★ Navaja Knife Case Hardened (Well-Worn), B/O: $132.57
★ Navaja Knife Damascus Steel (Factory New), B/O: $121.69
★ Navaja Knife Damascus Steel (Minimal Wear), B/O: $109.95
★ Navaja Knife Damascus Steel (Field-Tested), B/O: $100.41
★ StatTrak™ Navaja Knife Fade (Factory New), B/O: $369.01
★ StatTrak™ Navaja Knife Damascus Steel (Field-Tested), B/O: $109.95
GLOVES
★ Sport Gloves Amphibious (Minimal Wear), B/O: $2394.67
★ Sport Gloves Omega (Well-Worn), B/O: $572.33
★ Sport Gloves Bronze Morph (Minimal Wear), B/O: $338.88
★ Sport Gloves Big Game (Field-Tested), B/O: $323.66
⎯★ Specialist Gloves Marble Fade (Minimal Wear), B/O: $1652.07
★ Specialist Gloves Tiger Strike (Field-Tested), B/O: $599.14
★ Specialist Gloves Crimson Web (Well-Worn), B/O: $231.57
★ Specialist Gloves Buckshot (Minimal Wear), B/O: $126.21
⎯★ Moto Gloves POW! (Minimal Wear), B/O: $996.99
★ Moto Gloves POW! (Field-Tested), B/O: $383.31
★ Moto Gloves POW! (Well-Worn), B/O: $276.00
★ Moto Gloves Turtle (Field-Tested), B/O: $180.28
⎯★ Hand Wraps CAUTION! (Minimal Wear), B/O: $502.29
★ Hand Wraps Giraffe (Minimal Wear), B/O: $180.73
★ Hand Wraps CAUTION! (Battle-Scarred), B/O: $178.32
⎯★ Driver Gloves Queen Jaguar (Minimal Wear), B/O: $181.01
★ Driver Gloves Rezan the Red (Field-Tested), B/O: $101.66
⎯★ Broken Fang Gloves Jade (Field-Tested), B/O: $127.88
★ Broken Fang Gloves Needle Point (Minimal Wear), B/O: $124.55
⎯★ Bloodhound Gloves Guerrilla (Minimal Wear), B/O: $127.94
★ Hydra Gloves Case Hardened (Field-Tested), B/O: $102.55
WEAPONS
AK-47 X-Ray (Well-Worn), B/O: $478.95
AUG Hot Rod (Factory New), B/O: $425.83
StatTrak™ M4A1-S Hyper Beast (Factory New), B/O: $413.95
M4A4 Daybreak (Factory New), B/O: $309.51
StatTrak™ AK-47 Aquamarine Revenge (Factory New), B/O: $305.43
AK-47 Case Hardened (Well-Worn), B/O: $196.38
StatTrak™ M4A4 Temukau (Minimal Wear), B/O: $174.64
P90 Run and Hide (Field-Tested), B/O: $167.03
AWP Asiimov (Field-Tested), B/O: $153.33
Souvenir SSG 08 Death Strike (Minimal Wear), B/O: $140.00
M4A1-S Printstream (Battle-Scarred), B/O: $124.70
StatTrak™ M4A1-S Golden Coil (Field-Tested), B/O: $117.48
AWP Asiimov (Well-Worn), B/O: $115.97
StatTrak™ Desert Eagle Printstream (Minimal Wear), B/O: $112.96
StatTrak™ AK-47 Asiimov (Minimal Wear), B/O: $110.85
Souvenir M4A1-S Master Piece (Well-Worn), B/O: $102.42
AK-47 Bloodsport (Minimal Wear), B/O: $100.53
Trade Offer Link - Steam Profile Link - My Inventory
Some items on the list may no longer be available or are still locked, visit My Inventory for more details.
Send a Trade Offer for fastest response. I consider all offers.
Add me for discuss if there is a serious offer that needs to be discussed.
2024.05.16 17:57 aelfin Dorian Hightower, Beacon of the South, Defender of Oldtown, Defender of the Citadel, Lord of Oldtown, Lord of the Hightower, Lord of the Port, Voice of Oldtown
Reddit Account: aelfin
Discord Tag: Bolt1219
Name and House: Dorian Hightower
Age: 80
Cultural Group: Reachman
Appearance: Once tall and strong and proud -- a knight of renown -- the passage of time has seen fit to humble Dorian Hightower. The gold-brown hair of his youth has bleached to silver, his countenance marked by wrinkles. He wears his hair long, often unbound that it frames his features. His beard is neatly styled. Despite the betrayal of his body, Dorian's eyes remain sharp and quick, and his smile is that of a younger man.
Trait: Mastermind
Skill(s): Devious(e), Espionage(e), Assassin
Talent(s): Napping, Meandering, Gardening
Negative Trait(s): Sickly
Starting Title(s): Beacon of the South, Defender of Oldtown, Defender of the Citadel, Lord of Oldtown, Lord of the Hightower, Lord of the Port, Voice of Oldtown
Starting Location: Starting Event
Alternate Characters: n/a
Biogaphy Early Life
In 55BC, under a golden sun in the bustling city of Oldtown, Dorian Hightower was born the second son to Lord Leyton Hightower and his wife Leona Bulwer. His early childhood was marked by a sense of curiosity and an inherent noble pride that was expected of a Hightower; against a backdrop filled with the sounds of the bustling harbour, the smell of the sea, and the sight of a forest of sails coming and going. Oft he would watch the ships as they sailed away and wondered where they went
From a young age, Dorian showed a keen interest in learning and the world around him. His education was that expected of one of his lineage; lessons with the Maester were as important as that of his martial education. At just ten, he was sent to Highgarden to squire for House Gardener. There, amidst the vibrant gardens and rich traditions of the Reach, he learned the values of chivalry, honour, and the importance of duty. His time at Highgarden left a lasting impression on him, fostering a deep respect for the knightly traditions that would shape his later life -- which would make the later actions of the Tyrells sting all the more,
At one-and-seven, Dorian’s path took a scholarly turn. Sent to study at the Citadel, immersed in the halls of knowledge, he began forging his maester's chain, dedicating himself to the studies of copper for history, bronze for astronomy, and iron for warcraft. His mentors noted a sharp intellect and strategic mind, qualities that would serve him well in the years to come.
The Heir to the Hightower
In 35 BC, a marriage united Dorian with Leila Tarly, a match both strategic and affectionate. At the age of twnety Dorian became a father, welcoming his first child, Garlan, into the world. Over the years, the Hightower family grew with the births of Garmund, Delena, Owen, and Lynesse. Each child brought new joy and responsibility, shaping Dorian into a devoted father and a wise lord.
The Stranger visited the Hightowers in 20 BC, when Dorian's older brother, Leyton, the heir to the Hightower, was lost in a shipwreck while returning from a journey to Braavos. At five-and-twenty, Dorian was thrust into the role of heir, a position he had not anticipated. Embracing his new responsibilities with determination, he began learning the intricacies of rule, administration, and justice from his father. Living in Oldtown, the heart of the Faith of the Seven, also imparted a deep spiritual awareness in Dorian. The more he learned, the more he was put into positions of authority. Initially undertaking a role as his father's Steward, Dorian learned quickly that he was much too bored by numbers to be anything close to competent. He was better at dealing with people.
Through his dealings his network grew, and this network, he recognised, could be turned toward the flow of information. The ships he had watched as a boy carried trade, but they also carried words from half the world away. If he could find a way to hear those words before any else, he'd have an advantage -- not only in trade, but in politics as well. Setting to work, Dorian used his House's name to tour as often as he could, finding those in key places that would serve his ends for the right price.
Life and Trials
As the head of House Hightower, Dorian instilled in his family a profound sense of fairness and the importance of knightly traditions. He stressed the values of chivalry and gallantry, ensuring that these principles were deeply rooted in the Hightower legacy. His household became known for its adherence to these values, earning respect and admiration throughout the Reach.
He was an avid hunter, frequently organising grand hunting expeditions in the lands surrounding Oldtown. Not merely for sport, these hunts also served as opportunities to bond with his children and vassals. One notable hunt saw Dorian bring down a formidable stag, a feat that became legendary in his household.
Dorian’s daughter Delena married Harlan Tyrell after a secret tryst, a match that Dorian did not initially support but ultimately was forced to accept. His youngest daughter, Lynesse, found a husband in Willem Ryger. A man whom Dorian had mentored in the art of espionage, and who would later go on to prove the most succesful spymaster in the country.
Feasts at the Hightower were grand affairs, known throughout the Reach for their opulence and hospitality. Dorian believed in the power of communal gatherings, often using these occasions to strengthen alliances and resolve disputes. The harvest feast was a particularly notable event, drawing his vassals to Oldtown to celebrate the bounty of the land, and to reaffirm their loyalty to House Hightower.
From the Ashes:
Family life, however, was not without its hardships, and the Hightowers not immune to tragedy. The House faced a profound loss when Garlan, Dorian's eldest son, was killed on the Field of Fire, turned to ash by dragonfire. This tragedy left Garlan's young son, Gwayne, as Dorian's heir, a heavy burden for the grieving boy to bear at such a young age. By then Dorian was a man nearing his sixtieth decade, not young by any stretch, and so particularly attension was paid to Gwayne's education near to the exclusion of all else. A small army of learned men were brought in to cover every aspect that would eventually be required of him. Dorian hardly went anywhere without his grandson in tow. The Seven Kingdoms might have been united, but the dawn of this new age was eclipsed by Dorian's fears that he would pass before his heir was ready, and he had known many a House felled by the poorly equipped.
Dorian levied from Lord Hightower against House Costayne of having refused the call to rally at Oldtown, backed by the word of the High Septon. A host marched on Three Towers but was met with denial from Lord Costayne who eventually demanded a trial by combat. Gyles Gardener offered himself as champion, and for his victory was given rule over Three Towers, with the fallen lord’s kin being exiled to Essos. Aegon Targaryen was crowned in the Starry Sept upon their return.
In 8AC, a band of sellswords by the name of the Black Roses arrived in Oldtown, headed up by Harlon Costayne, offering cheap mercenaries for the city and protection for its trade. Dorian put to them a challenge, a trial by combat to determine if the Seven stood with the Roses. Pit against a knight of Oldtown, the Black Roses emerged the victorious party, and Dorian issued them leave to remain so long as they served the Reach and her interests.
25AC
Life is a loan, and eventually all men's accounts are settled in full. Having passed into his eightieth year, Dorian Hightower knows the end is nearing for him. Age wracks his body, though his mind remains sharp. He has prepared his grandson as best as he could have done, and all that remains is the wait until his last, content in the knowledge. For the first time in a decade, the Lord of the Hightower has descended from his perch and travels towards King's Landing.
Timeline:
55 BC - Birth of Dorian Hightower
Name and House: Gwayne Hightower
Age: 30
Cultural Group: Reachman
Appearance: Gwayne stands the perfect example of the Hightower ideal; in him are the echoes of his father and his grandfather and the knightly traditions of the Hightower. He boasts hazel-hued eyes that are dominant green, alight with curiosity. His hair seems to shfit between a gold and a shade dark brown dependant on the light. Oft seen in the colours of his house; smoke greys cut with whites or greens.
Trait: Champion,
Skill(s): Swords, Andal Knight(e)
Talent(s): Hunting, Hawking, Harp
Negative Trait(s): n/a
Starting Title(s): Heir to the Hightower, Ser
Starting Location: Starting Event
Alternate Characters:n/a
Family Tree: https://www.familyecho.com/#view:SZ32K
Biography:
Born in 5BC, the firstborn son to Garlan Hightower, Gwayne was bathed in a viridescent light, anointed with the seven oils and named in the rainbow of light that filled the sept in the Hightower. This act alone is reserved for the heirs to the Hightower, a ceremony to mark them from birth as defenders of the Faith. His early life was a happy one, though he recalls little of the time. His mother and father were truly in love. Only two years later after his birth would his brother follow, and their two sisters after them. His grandfather's hall and hearth was filled with the laughter of children.
It was Garlan Hightower who held command of the Hightower host the fateful day that dragonfire swept across the Field of Fire, who perished there on the field, and whose bones were turned to ash and no longer able to be laid to rest. Gwayne was too young to grasp the reality of it, and before long his Grandfather had him learning with such intensity that he hardly had time to process the fact his father wasn't coming home.
Life turned into a steady routine of learning. His lessons consisted of how to act at court, his histories, his number and letters, and martial training in the yard. He would be woken before the dawn and not be permitted to bed until the sun had slipped away and night had fallen. Recklessly bold, oft he would attempt to climb the exterior of the Hightower and be scolded for the act if discovered.
His first true test at arms came when in the form of pirates. They had made their home in a cove and would strike out at ships fat and ripe with goods. Gwayne rode out with a small band of men, headed up by his uncle, Owen. For a week they scoured the coastline looking for signs of their quarry, and eventually, one night, sky unclouded and stars bright, they saw the fires. Come the dawn the charge of the Reachmen sent the pirates srambling for their weapons, and though they put up a fight, they were cut down to a man and their ships burned. Of those that surrendered, they would hang at the port in Oldtown as a stark reminder. For his bravery Gwayne was given their Valyrian Steel sword, Vigilance, upon his return.
He would seek out his glory in the lists after that, travelling the length of the Seven Kingdoms looking to make his name as a knight. Tourney followed tourney, but at each stop he remembered to paya visit to the local Sept and offer prayer. He lent a hand where he could. Sometimes he found friends, sometimes he found foe.
When the Orphans of the Fire descended on the Reach, Gwayne wished to march out and chase them down, but Dorian refused him -- and as well he did, for the chaos wrought by the Orphans might have claimed him, and Dorian was adamant that he would not lose another heir to fire. The inaction rankled at Gwayne, but he heeded his grandfather's words all the same.
Now, in 25AC, with Dorian ailing and a celebration called, Gwayne travels toward the event and prepares himself for what may come.
Timeline: 5 BC - Birth of Gwayne Hightower
submitted by aelfin to ITRPCommunity [link] [comments]
Discord Tag: Bolt1219
Name and House: Dorian Hightower
Age: 80
Cultural Group: Reachman
Appearance: Once tall and strong and proud -- a knight of renown -- the passage of time has seen fit to humble Dorian Hightower. The gold-brown hair of his youth has bleached to silver, his countenance marked by wrinkles. He wears his hair long, often unbound that it frames his features. His beard is neatly styled. Despite the betrayal of his body, Dorian's eyes remain sharp and quick, and his smile is that of a younger man.
Trait: Mastermind
Skill(s): Devious(e), Espionage(e), Assassin
Talent(s): Napping, Meandering, Gardening
Negative Trait(s): Sickly
Starting Title(s): Beacon of the South, Defender of Oldtown, Defender of the Citadel, Lord of Oldtown, Lord of the Hightower, Lord of the Port, Voice of Oldtown
Starting Location: Starting Event
Alternate Characters: n/a
Biogaphy Early Life
In 55BC, under a golden sun in the bustling city of Oldtown, Dorian Hightower was born the second son to Lord Leyton Hightower and his wife Leona Bulwer. His early childhood was marked by a sense of curiosity and an inherent noble pride that was expected of a Hightower; against a backdrop filled with the sounds of the bustling harbour, the smell of the sea, and the sight of a forest of sails coming and going. Oft he would watch the ships as they sailed away and wondered where they went
From a young age, Dorian showed a keen interest in learning and the world around him. His education was that expected of one of his lineage; lessons with the Maester were as important as that of his martial education. At just ten, he was sent to Highgarden to squire for House Gardener. There, amidst the vibrant gardens and rich traditions of the Reach, he learned the values of chivalry, honour, and the importance of duty. His time at Highgarden left a lasting impression on him, fostering a deep respect for the knightly traditions that would shape his later life -- which would make the later actions of the Tyrells sting all the more,
At one-and-seven, Dorian’s path took a scholarly turn. Sent to study at the Citadel, immersed in the halls of knowledge, he began forging his maester's chain, dedicating himself to the studies of copper for history, bronze for astronomy, and iron for warcraft. His mentors noted a sharp intellect and strategic mind, qualities that would serve him well in the years to come.
The Heir to the Hightower
In 35 BC, a marriage united Dorian with Leila Tarly, a match both strategic and affectionate. At the age of twnety Dorian became a father, welcoming his first child, Garlan, into the world. Over the years, the Hightower family grew with the births of Garmund, Delena, Owen, and Lynesse. Each child brought new joy and responsibility, shaping Dorian into a devoted father and a wise lord.
The Stranger visited the Hightowers in 20 BC, when Dorian's older brother, Leyton, the heir to the Hightower, was lost in a shipwreck while returning from a journey to Braavos. At five-and-twenty, Dorian was thrust into the role of heir, a position he had not anticipated. Embracing his new responsibilities with determination, he began learning the intricacies of rule, administration, and justice from his father. Living in Oldtown, the heart of the Faith of the Seven, also imparted a deep spiritual awareness in Dorian. The more he learned, the more he was put into positions of authority. Initially undertaking a role as his father's Steward, Dorian learned quickly that he was much too bored by numbers to be anything close to competent. He was better at dealing with people.
Through his dealings his network grew, and this network, he recognised, could be turned toward the flow of information. The ships he had watched as a boy carried trade, but they also carried words from half the world away. If he could find a way to hear those words before any else, he'd have an advantage -- not only in trade, but in politics as well. Setting to work, Dorian used his House's name to tour as often as he could, finding those in key places that would serve his ends for the right price.
Life and Trials
As the head of House Hightower, Dorian instilled in his family a profound sense of fairness and the importance of knightly traditions. He stressed the values of chivalry and gallantry, ensuring that these principles were deeply rooted in the Hightower legacy. His household became known for its adherence to these values, earning respect and admiration throughout the Reach.
He was an avid hunter, frequently organising grand hunting expeditions in the lands surrounding Oldtown. Not merely for sport, these hunts also served as opportunities to bond with his children and vassals. One notable hunt saw Dorian bring down a formidable stag, a feat that became legendary in his household.
Dorian’s daughter Delena married Harlan Tyrell after a secret tryst, a match that Dorian did not initially support but ultimately was forced to accept. His youngest daughter, Lynesse, found a husband in Willem Ryger. A man whom Dorian had mentored in the art of espionage, and who would later go on to prove the most succesful spymaster in the country.
Feasts at the Hightower were grand affairs, known throughout the Reach for their opulence and hospitality. Dorian believed in the power of communal gatherings, often using these occasions to strengthen alliances and resolve disputes. The harvest feast was a particularly notable event, drawing his vassals to Oldtown to celebrate the bounty of the land, and to reaffirm their loyalty to House Hightower.
From the Ashes:
Family life, however, was not without its hardships, and the Hightowers not immune to tragedy. The House faced a profound loss when Garlan, Dorian's eldest son, was killed on the Field of Fire, turned to ash by dragonfire. This tragedy left Garlan's young son, Gwayne, as Dorian's heir, a heavy burden for the grieving boy to bear at such a young age. By then Dorian was a man nearing his sixtieth decade, not young by any stretch, and so particularly attension was paid to Gwayne's education near to the exclusion of all else. A small army of learned men were brought in to cover every aspect that would eventually be required of him. Dorian hardly went anywhere without his grandson in tow. The Seven Kingdoms might have been united, but the dawn of this new age was eclipsed by Dorian's fears that he would pass before his heir was ready, and he had known many a House felled by the poorly equipped.
Dorian levied from Lord Hightower against House Costayne of having refused the call to rally at Oldtown, backed by the word of the High Septon. A host marched on Three Towers but was met with denial from Lord Costayne who eventually demanded a trial by combat. Gyles Gardener offered himself as champion, and for his victory was given rule over Three Towers, with the fallen lord’s kin being exiled to Essos. Aegon Targaryen was crowned in the Starry Sept upon their return.
In 8AC, a band of sellswords by the name of the Black Roses arrived in Oldtown, headed up by Harlon Costayne, offering cheap mercenaries for the city and protection for its trade. Dorian put to them a challenge, a trial by combat to determine if the Seven stood with the Roses. Pit against a knight of Oldtown, the Black Roses emerged the victorious party, and Dorian issued them leave to remain so long as they served the Reach and her interests.
25AC
Life is a loan, and eventually all men's accounts are settled in full. Having passed into his eightieth year, Dorian Hightower knows the end is nearing for him. Age wracks his body, though his mind remains sharp. He has prepared his grandson as best as he could have done, and all that remains is the wait until his last, content in the knowledge. For the first time in a decade, the Lord of the Hightower has descended from his perch and travels towards King's Landing.
Timeline:
55 BC - Birth of Dorian Hightower
- Born in Oldtown under a golden sun, second son to Lord Leyton Hightower and Leona Bulwer.
- Early childhood filled with curiosity and noble pride, amidst the bustling harbor and forest of sails.
- At ten, Dorian begins to squire for House Gardener at Highgarden.
- Learns values of chivalry, honor, and duty which leave a lasting impression.
- At seventeen, Dorian studies at the Citadel.
- Forges his maester's chain with links of copper (history), bronze (astronomy), and iron (warcraft).
- Dorian marries Leila Tarly, a strategic and affectionate match.
- Garlan Hightower is born when Dorian is twenty.
- Followed by Garmund, Delena, Owen, and Lynesse over the next five years.
- Dorian's older brother Leyton dies in a shipwreck, making Dorian the heir at twenty-five.
- Dorian starts learning rule, administration, and justice from his father, becoming his Steward.
- Dorian uses House Hightower's name and tours frequently to build a network for intelligence.
- Dorian instills values of fairness and knightly traditions in his family.
- Known for organizing grand hunting expeditions and legendary feats.
- Delena marries Harlan Tyrell after a secret tryst.
- Lynesse marries Willem Ryger, a man mentored by Dorian.
- Feasts at the Hightower are renowned for their opulence and hospitality.
- The harvest feast draws vassals to Oldtown to celebrate and reaffirm loyalty.
- Garlan, Dorian's eldest son, is killed in battle.
- Garlan's son, Gwayne, becomes Dorian's heir, leading to intense focus on his education.
- Dorian accuses House Costayne of refusing to rally at Oldtown.
- A host marches on Three Towers; Lord Costayne demands trial by combat.
- Gyles Gardener wins and takes rule over Three Towers.
- The Black Roses, a sellsword company, arrives in Oldtown.
- Dorian issues them a trial by combat; they emerge victorious and are allowed to stay.
- Travels to King's Landing for the first time in a decade, content with his preparations.
Name and House: Gwayne Hightower
Age: 30
Cultural Group: Reachman
Appearance: Gwayne stands the perfect example of the Hightower ideal; in him are the echoes of his father and his grandfather and the knightly traditions of the Hightower. He boasts hazel-hued eyes that are dominant green, alight with curiosity. His hair seems to shfit between a gold and a shade dark brown dependant on the light. Oft seen in the colours of his house; smoke greys cut with whites or greens.
Trait: Champion,
Skill(s): Swords, Andal Knight(e)
Talent(s): Hunting, Hawking, Harp
Negative Trait(s): n/a
Starting Title(s): Heir to the Hightower, Ser
Starting Location: Starting Event
Alternate Characters:n/a
Family Tree: https://www.familyecho.com/#view:SZ32K
Biography:
Born in 5BC, the firstborn son to Garlan Hightower, Gwayne was bathed in a viridescent light, anointed with the seven oils and named in the rainbow of light that filled the sept in the Hightower. This act alone is reserved for the heirs to the Hightower, a ceremony to mark them from birth as defenders of the Faith. His early life was a happy one, though he recalls little of the time. His mother and father were truly in love. Only two years later after his birth would his brother follow, and their two sisters after them. His grandfather's hall and hearth was filled with the laughter of children.
It was Garlan Hightower who held command of the Hightower host the fateful day that dragonfire swept across the Field of Fire, who perished there on the field, and whose bones were turned to ash and no longer able to be laid to rest. Gwayne was too young to grasp the reality of it, and before long his Grandfather had him learning with such intensity that he hardly had time to process the fact his father wasn't coming home.
Life turned into a steady routine of learning. His lessons consisted of how to act at court, his histories, his number and letters, and martial training in the yard. He would be woken before the dawn and not be permitted to bed until the sun had slipped away and night had fallen. Recklessly bold, oft he would attempt to climb the exterior of the Hightower and be scolded for the act if discovered.
His first true test at arms came when in the form of pirates. They had made their home in a cove and would strike out at ships fat and ripe with goods. Gwayne rode out with a small band of men, headed up by his uncle, Owen. For a week they scoured the coastline looking for signs of their quarry, and eventually, one night, sky unclouded and stars bright, they saw the fires. Come the dawn the charge of the Reachmen sent the pirates srambling for their weapons, and though they put up a fight, they were cut down to a man and their ships burned. Of those that surrendered, they would hang at the port in Oldtown as a stark reminder. For his bravery Gwayne was given their Valyrian Steel sword, Vigilance, upon his return.
He would seek out his glory in the lists after that, travelling the length of the Seven Kingdoms looking to make his name as a knight. Tourney followed tourney, but at each stop he remembered to paya visit to the local Sept and offer prayer. He lent a hand where he could. Sometimes he found friends, sometimes he found foe.
When the Orphans of the Fire descended on the Reach, Gwayne wished to march out and chase them down, but Dorian refused him -- and as well he did, for the chaos wrought by the Orphans might have claimed him, and Dorian was adamant that he would not lose another heir to fire. The inaction rankled at Gwayne, but he heeded his grandfather's words all the same.
Now, in 25AC, with Dorian ailing and a celebration called, Gwayne travels toward the event and prepares himself for what may come.
Timeline: 5 BC - Birth of Gwayne Hightower
- Born as the firstborn son to Garlan Hightower in the Hightower.
- Anointed with the seven oils and named in a ceremony reserved for heirs, marking him as a defender of the Faith.
- Gwayne's brother is born, followed by two sisters, filling their grandfather's hall with children's laughter.
- Gwayne's father, Garlan, perishes in the Field of Fire.
- Gwayne, too young to fully understand, is immersed in intense learning by his grandfather, Dorian Hightower.
- Gwayne's routine includes court etiquette, history, numbers, letters, and martial training.
- Known for his reckless boldness, he often attempts to climb the exterior of the Hightower.
- Gwayne rides out with his uncle Owen and a small band of men to combat pirates.
- After a week, they locate and defeat the pirates, hanging the survivors in Oldtown.
- Gwayne is awarded the Valyrian Steel sword, Vigilance, for his bravery.
- Gwayne travels the Seven Kingdoms seeking glory in jousting tournaments.
- Pays visits to local Septs to offer prayers and help where needed, making friends and foes along the way.
- The Orphans of the Fire descend on the Reach.
- Gwayne wishes to march out but is restrained by Dorian, preventing potential harm.
- With Dorian ailing, Gwayne prepares for a celebration in King's Landing, aware of the responsibilities and challenges ahead.
2024.05.16 17:56 Plastic_Finish1968 The Long Walk Home: chapter 10 (Tall Dark and Extraterrestrial)
Have you ever witnessed the first formation of life? I mean, I've seen my children, I was there for every step of the process if you know what I mean. Hah. But what I'm talking about is from beyond the beginning. The molten slag of a planet forming over millions or even billions of years into a habitable plane. Have you seen, from that very point, chemicals coalescing and reproducing? Amino acids and the forming proteins?
Well today, I found out, when you die in the crypts, you don't see a light in the end of a tunnel. You witness something truly beautiful and pointless.
I watched the birth of life from nothing. Short molecular protein chains. No cell walls, no encasing membranes. If DNA or genetic code of any kind was in their descendant's future, it wasn't present now. I watched it cling to the surface of rock, self-replication fueled by the warm free energy of a sun, millions of generations, hard work, decay, and new growth, only to be destroyed by a crashing wave. The weak hydrogen bonds were broken, as simple as that. The ancestor's hard work gone in a single blink-and-you-miss-it moment. Somehow I knew, wherever this was, that was all the life that planet would ever see until it was swallowed up by its star.
It was a quick fleeting spark. All the dramas and soap operas in the world could have taken place in a single raindrop. A unique potential, unlike any others, this planet's chosen ones, snuffed out before it could evolve to breathe its first breath. Rather grim isn't it? I don't know why I dreamt it, but there it was, a pointless creation followed by an equally pointless destruction. I guess it was a nice commercial break from the missing-arm-induced pain i was suffering. A wonderful hilucination, if a bit mocob.
Anyway, back to my unimaginable blood-curdling, mind-wrenching torture porn session. My eyes were closed a very long time, but when they did open, I was finally where I should be. Horizontal in a hospital bed, surrounded by trained surgeons. That said, it was on an alien world, and the surgeons were not trained in human biology. What's worse, they had no way to dull the pain.
Death would have been a blessing, unfortunately, the doctors were good, in spite of the unknown make, model, and engine size laying before them. 5 hours under an experimental knife, and I think an arc welder, is what it took to reattach my arm and fix my internal organ damage. 5 hours of poking and prodding and searing and stitching and pulling and zapping. All things considered, I am impressed it only took 5 hours. Ted's species was remarkable when it came to taking in new information and applying it in the real world. All their extra brains probably didn't hurt either.
If you remember, Ted's species came equipped with five extremity brains, and a central one. That's three for all three of his legs, two for both of his arms, and one in his central body. Ted would have had six individual minds within him before I found him dead in a ditch beside that interstellar sidewalk. By that point, only one, Ted, had survived.
After my, let's say, unique experience, I was left alone in a dark room to rest. Ted came by to visit. Oh yeah, he had a body now. He wore that "Tall, dark, and extraterrestrial" look well. He was easily 7 feet tall in his real body. Those Ted-fu moves should pack a real punch in a body like that.
"That reminds me. You wanted your fighting moves back, right?" My voice was terribly parched after my morning shouting sessions.
Shouting obscenities at medical proffesionals was about all I could do when Ted's doctors were busy inventing a new form of torture. Seriously, take notes. Good stuff in there.
"Keep them. That isn't going to be my concern here. It's hard to even walk now, let alone fight." He admitted. "I'm used to having secondary brains do all the work. I would only take over when the situation required. Now, I'm all I've got."
"Just another one of us handicap one-brainers," I taunted. "How does it feel to be on my level? Could you say you're just 'too single-minded?"
He laughed. I don't think I've ever heard Ted lower himself to laughing at one of my jokes. It wasn't even a good one. I know I could have come up with something better. Hold on. I- huh... well, I guess the moment has passed.
Instead, I teased him again. "so, you have a sense of humor after all."
"Always have. You just aren't funny." He shot back.
Then it was my turn to laugh at a bad joke.
"Bad idea!" I realized aloud. "Laughing hurts. Don't make me laugh."
There was an awkward silence before Ted finally spoke again. Our whole conversation was full of them.
"You're going back there aren't you?" He asked.
"I have to. I have a family somewhere, and I have to know if they're still alive. Something bad is happening on earth and I just want to be there to protect them."
"I don't think you ever will find out."
"Blunt and to the point today are ya?"
"Always have been. You just never listen. Im serious. I dont think you'll make it home."
There it was again, that quiet that kept creeping back up into our conversation.
"What if you run into Brad again?" He asked. "I won't be there to reboot your brain next time. You will either die or-"
"Don't tell me."
"Or you will suffer greatly, then die." He continued while checking his version of fingernails.
"I told you not to tell me. Now I can choose which option I like better."
"I'm being serious." He shot back at me. "You have no defenses against him."
"I know. I'm hoping he's dead. That's three shots from a Tedidian gun he has taken now."
Neither of us were convinced.
"Tedidian? That's the name you gave my species? I'm honored."
"I'm the first of my kind here, I get the naming privileges."
If our conversation took place over the radio, the host would be mortified. Not by the subject matter, no. The silence would be dubbed "dead air" and the host would desperately clamor for a new topic to keep the dialogue active and dynamic. We didn't have that luxury. I think Ted was sorry he couldn't have done more to help, but he would never admit it. I actually might miss him after all- Nah... Too stuck up his own butt to admit his shortcomings. I dont need a guy like that tagging along.
"Do you- mourn the loss of your secondary minds? Were they separate thinking entities?"
"I mourned their loss eons ago. I have moved on. Now I have to re-remember how to walk and talk and do math equations without them. I will be slower than my academic peers, but I have with me knowledge of the unknowable. That should make up for some of my deficiencies."
Eventually, Ted was ushered out. I needed the rest. The doctors here were good. They had managed to piece together this broken puzzle written with a completely different alphabet, and accelerated my healing a great deal. Not really a surprise, given they could build Ted a whole new body. I was back on my feet in a matter of 2 days, using my arm in 3, and back to 70% at 4. I dont think I'll ever make it back to 100%, but all things considered, this is pretty good.
It's hard to tell how long I have been away from earth, but given this trip was meant to last a very long time, I don't suspect I should miss my flight, so long as I find my portal. As long as I can find Eddy. So long as I can find all of them; Eddy, Rook, James, even Jyong and Me-Yan.
Ted's people had a similar arrangement to earth's at first. When Ted was an explorer, their portal was at the edge of the system, but they brought it down to their planet with rockets and parachutes after he and a few others never came back. The history was fascinating. They were a united planet, far and above the most advanced I have come across so far, but in spite of that, the portal slowly leeched off the planet, and spat out horrors beyond their imagination. What they once used as an interstellar fast travel, quickly turned into a speed bump, then a health hazard. There was a reason the builders set this portal so far away from the planet. It wasn't meant to be here, so Ted's people had to build a wall, with poor old lost Ted on the other side. They closely monitored the other side though, and were shocked to find the brain activity of a Tedidian coming from yours truly. That would be Ted's mind, shoulder to shoulder with mine, in my head if you weren't following along. Then they rescued me from Brad.
Speaking of, I asked around about Brad. Someone shot him, so that someone should know if he survived. I had to know if he would be waiting for me on the other side. Eventually, I asked the right person, who introduced me to my rescuer. He wore a white uniform and carried a big gun, even for Tedidian standards. I was kinda jealous. I like my pew pews, but these things were on another level.
He confidently told me that Brad was indeed "dead." I had Ted translate for me whenever I spoke to a native, but they were quickly learning on their own how to speak Sean-ese. That's the language I told them I speak. Might as well leave a lasting mark. That confidence, however, did not come from a place I liked.
"But did you actually see it dead?" I pressed.
"Nothing survives a plasma arc, even a graze, let alone two." He scoffed. Or I think he scoffed. There is no universal interplanetary sign that someone is scoffing at you. You just have to pick up on subtle undertones of pride, shock, or snood. Ted had lots of snood. Luckily, he broke the mold. The people here were as different as people are on earth. I just happened to get the most insufferable one imaginable. Just my luck.
"Then call this thing 'nobody,' because it survived one before." I suggested.
His eyes widened, glad to see that was an interplanetary sign of surprise. "Th-that isn't possible."
"Oh, but it is." Ted interjected
Oh good, that thing could be waiting for me for all I know. I never thought I'd be scared to be without a Ted in my head, but there I was, terrified. He was right. Without him, I had no defense.
We were walking back to Ted's place when I began replaying the past events in my head. My vision was something I couldn't shake. It was real. I felt like I was one of those chains of self-replicating chemicals. That's almost all they were, chemicals, but they had every marker required to classify life. They even responded to change in the environment. They were short-lived bonded protein chains that consumed, produced waste, even grew by self-replication and bonding.
"Hey Ted," I started. "I wanted to run something by you."
"I'm listening, but let's keep it under 280 characters. I'm not in the mood for a marathon today."
I rolled my eyes. "Glad to see you're back to your old self."
"My old self? I've been trying to get back to that, but every time I open my eyes, there you are."
"Look here Dane Cook, I saw something after the attack. It was on another planet. I think someone is trying to show me something."
"You were also close to Brad at the time, who we know can alter your perception."
"Maybe, but this felt different. The first time he affected my mind, he put me in a dreamlike state. Then he used something familiar to me to disguise himself. This was different. I wasn't me, I was this green amino-acid chain with no protective coating. All I could sense were chemicals, no light, no sound, but I knew what was happening too, like I was watching from the outside at the same time."
Ted learned how to roll his eyes just now from me, and mimicked the action to an exagerated end. "Don't think much about it. Many Tedidians see a light at the end of a tunnel when we are close to death. Perhaps this is just your version."
"Perhaps." One thing is certain, even if it scares me, I would be glad to be without Ted. I almost forgot how annoying he was after our little bonding session.
"But I have a question for you. Who is Dane Cook?"
"My planet's worst comedian. Thats not the point."
The day did come that I had to leave, and Ted, in his usual fashion, refused to say goodbye. Instead, all he would say is "I won't be far behind." Cryptic, right? Like, what is that supposed to mean?
At first, I thought "Great. And right after I thought I got rid of him." But then I thought about it. It would be an interesting cultural slang to say "we will meet again." Does Ted believe in an afterlife?does he think I'll wimp out and come back?
Pointless questions aside, there was some good news. He gave me a new gun. This one made an even bigger "kaboom!" It was really fun. Heh. Haha. Gimme-gimme.
I was happy to see Jim-Bob waiting for me at the portal. I hadn't seen him since I set off that sonic weapon. Their feet are so sensitive to vibrations and sound, that weapon really messed with them. The Tedidian doctors had their work cut out for them fixing 5 listening organs per Jim-Bobidian. Together, all 20 odd Jim-Bobs and I, stepped through the portal to the nightmare world.
Now that I was on this side of the portal, I could see that Brad was gone. Oh boy, what fun. You know what else? I held onto that old piece of alien tech that Ted had his brain shoved into. I thought it would make a neat souvenir. Wouldn't you believe it if as soon as the doors closed behind me, I heard that S.O.B's voice saying "So, where to next?"
Ted copied himself yet again into that stupid thing. Didn't take long to figure out what he meant by "I won't be far behind."
"What the hell, Ted?" I shouted.
"Surprised to hear my voice?" He asked?
"More pissed than surprised. I thought I finally got rid of you."
"Oh stop it, you are happy to see me, admit it."
"I thought you wanted to go home. What happened to me just being a pair of legs?"
"Ah yes, but there's a crucial difference between that Ted and this one. This one is artificial, and doesn't get lonely. I am merely a copy of a personality. That way, when you die, I won't get homesick."
"I smell bullshit," I said.
Surprisingly, he didn't make an astronauts and diapers joke. Instead, he said "Got me. I am an explorer, remember? Even if I was homesick, I still yearn for the other-worldly. My adventuring days are not yet over, and this way, I can never die, unlike someone I know."
"News flash, Ted, you did die, and give me that self-aggrandizing crap you pulled in the beginning, and I'm throwing your immortal ass down the throat of the next giant monster I find."
"My path will remain rectilinear, and true."
"Rectum what now? I thought you only knew words I used in front of you. I don't even know what you said."
"True, but now I have learned how your language works, thus am able to intuit new words. You cannot convince me that was not a word. Go- 'look it up' or whatever when you get back to Earth. It means 'I'll stay on the straight and narrow.'"
"Then why didn't you just say so? You're already teetering on the edge of being too annoying to keep around, buddy." I threatened, but I had to admit, a translator would be nice.
I have to say, the next leg of the journey went on without a hitch. The Jim-Bobs, Ted, and I were making good time. Find a monster, kill it, find a planet, explore it, find another monster, kill it too. I found so many new planets, although most were dead or never had life to begin with. The odd part was, Ted was sure he had visited some before, and interacted with the residents, but there was nothing but rock where I stood.
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Well today, I found out, when you die in the crypts, you don't see a light in the end of a tunnel. You witness something truly beautiful and pointless.
I watched the birth of life from nothing. Short molecular protein chains. No cell walls, no encasing membranes. If DNA or genetic code of any kind was in their descendant's future, it wasn't present now. I watched it cling to the surface of rock, self-replication fueled by the warm free energy of a sun, millions of generations, hard work, decay, and new growth, only to be destroyed by a crashing wave. The weak hydrogen bonds were broken, as simple as that. The ancestor's hard work gone in a single blink-and-you-miss-it moment. Somehow I knew, wherever this was, that was all the life that planet would ever see until it was swallowed up by its star.
It was a quick fleeting spark. All the dramas and soap operas in the world could have taken place in a single raindrop. A unique potential, unlike any others, this planet's chosen ones, snuffed out before it could evolve to breathe its first breath. Rather grim isn't it? I don't know why I dreamt it, but there it was, a pointless creation followed by an equally pointless destruction. I guess it was a nice commercial break from the missing-arm-induced pain i was suffering. A wonderful hilucination, if a bit mocob.
Anyway, back to my unimaginable blood-curdling, mind-wrenching torture porn session. My eyes were closed a very long time, but when they did open, I was finally where I should be. Horizontal in a hospital bed, surrounded by trained surgeons. That said, it was on an alien world, and the surgeons were not trained in human biology. What's worse, they had no way to dull the pain.
Death would have been a blessing, unfortunately, the doctors were good, in spite of the unknown make, model, and engine size laying before them. 5 hours under an experimental knife, and I think an arc welder, is what it took to reattach my arm and fix my internal organ damage. 5 hours of poking and prodding and searing and stitching and pulling and zapping. All things considered, I am impressed it only took 5 hours. Ted's species was remarkable when it came to taking in new information and applying it in the real world. All their extra brains probably didn't hurt either.
If you remember, Ted's species came equipped with five extremity brains, and a central one. That's three for all three of his legs, two for both of his arms, and one in his central body. Ted would have had six individual minds within him before I found him dead in a ditch beside that interstellar sidewalk. By that point, only one, Ted, had survived.
After my, let's say, unique experience, I was left alone in a dark room to rest. Ted came by to visit. Oh yeah, he had a body now. He wore that "Tall, dark, and extraterrestrial" look well. He was easily 7 feet tall in his real body. Those Ted-fu moves should pack a real punch in a body like that.
"That reminds me. You wanted your fighting moves back, right?" My voice was terribly parched after my morning shouting sessions.
Shouting obscenities at medical proffesionals was about all I could do when Ted's doctors were busy inventing a new form of torture. Seriously, take notes. Good stuff in there.
"Keep them. That isn't going to be my concern here. It's hard to even walk now, let alone fight." He admitted. "I'm used to having secondary brains do all the work. I would only take over when the situation required. Now, I'm all I've got."
"Just another one of us handicap one-brainers," I taunted. "How does it feel to be on my level? Could you say you're just 'too single-minded?"
He laughed. I don't think I've ever heard Ted lower himself to laughing at one of my jokes. It wasn't even a good one. I know I could have come up with something better. Hold on. I- huh... well, I guess the moment has passed.
Instead, I teased him again. "so, you have a sense of humor after all."
"Always have. You just aren't funny." He shot back.
Then it was my turn to laugh at a bad joke.
"Bad idea!" I realized aloud. "Laughing hurts. Don't make me laugh."
There was an awkward silence before Ted finally spoke again. Our whole conversation was full of them.
"You're going back there aren't you?" He asked.
"I have to. I have a family somewhere, and I have to know if they're still alive. Something bad is happening on earth and I just want to be there to protect them."
"I don't think you ever will find out."
"Blunt and to the point today are ya?"
"Always have been. You just never listen. Im serious. I dont think you'll make it home."
There it was again, that quiet that kept creeping back up into our conversation.
"What if you run into Brad again?" He asked. "I won't be there to reboot your brain next time. You will either die or-"
"Don't tell me."
"Or you will suffer greatly, then die." He continued while checking his version of fingernails.
"I told you not to tell me. Now I can choose which option I like better."
"I'm being serious." He shot back at me. "You have no defenses against him."
"I know. I'm hoping he's dead. That's three shots from a Tedidian gun he has taken now."
Neither of us were convinced.
"Tedidian? That's the name you gave my species? I'm honored."
"I'm the first of my kind here, I get the naming privileges."
If our conversation took place over the radio, the host would be mortified. Not by the subject matter, no. The silence would be dubbed "dead air" and the host would desperately clamor for a new topic to keep the dialogue active and dynamic. We didn't have that luxury. I think Ted was sorry he couldn't have done more to help, but he would never admit it. I actually might miss him after all- Nah... Too stuck up his own butt to admit his shortcomings. I dont need a guy like that tagging along.
"Do you- mourn the loss of your secondary minds? Were they separate thinking entities?"
"I mourned their loss eons ago. I have moved on. Now I have to re-remember how to walk and talk and do math equations without them. I will be slower than my academic peers, but I have with me knowledge of the unknowable. That should make up for some of my deficiencies."
Eventually, Ted was ushered out. I needed the rest. The doctors here were good. They had managed to piece together this broken puzzle written with a completely different alphabet, and accelerated my healing a great deal. Not really a surprise, given they could build Ted a whole new body. I was back on my feet in a matter of 2 days, using my arm in 3, and back to 70% at 4. I dont think I'll ever make it back to 100%, but all things considered, this is pretty good.
It's hard to tell how long I have been away from earth, but given this trip was meant to last a very long time, I don't suspect I should miss my flight, so long as I find my portal. As long as I can find Eddy. So long as I can find all of them; Eddy, Rook, James, even Jyong and Me-Yan.
Ted's people had a similar arrangement to earth's at first. When Ted was an explorer, their portal was at the edge of the system, but they brought it down to their planet with rockets and parachutes after he and a few others never came back. The history was fascinating. They were a united planet, far and above the most advanced I have come across so far, but in spite of that, the portal slowly leeched off the planet, and spat out horrors beyond their imagination. What they once used as an interstellar fast travel, quickly turned into a speed bump, then a health hazard. There was a reason the builders set this portal so far away from the planet. It wasn't meant to be here, so Ted's people had to build a wall, with poor old lost Ted on the other side. They closely monitored the other side though, and were shocked to find the brain activity of a Tedidian coming from yours truly. That would be Ted's mind, shoulder to shoulder with mine, in my head if you weren't following along. Then they rescued me from Brad.
Speaking of, I asked around about Brad. Someone shot him, so that someone should know if he survived. I had to know if he would be waiting for me on the other side. Eventually, I asked the right person, who introduced me to my rescuer. He wore a white uniform and carried a big gun, even for Tedidian standards. I was kinda jealous. I like my pew pews, but these things were on another level.
He confidently told me that Brad was indeed "dead." I had Ted translate for me whenever I spoke to a native, but they were quickly learning on their own how to speak Sean-ese. That's the language I told them I speak. Might as well leave a lasting mark. That confidence, however, did not come from a place I liked.
"But did you actually see it dead?" I pressed.
"Nothing survives a plasma arc, even a graze, let alone two." He scoffed. Or I think he scoffed. There is no universal interplanetary sign that someone is scoffing at you. You just have to pick up on subtle undertones of pride, shock, or snood. Ted had lots of snood. Luckily, he broke the mold. The people here were as different as people are on earth. I just happened to get the most insufferable one imaginable. Just my luck.
"Then call this thing 'nobody,' because it survived one before." I suggested.
His eyes widened, glad to see that was an interplanetary sign of surprise. "Th-that isn't possible."
"Oh, but it is." Ted interjected
Oh good, that thing could be waiting for me for all I know. I never thought I'd be scared to be without a Ted in my head, but there I was, terrified. He was right. Without him, I had no defense.
We were walking back to Ted's place when I began replaying the past events in my head. My vision was something I couldn't shake. It was real. I felt like I was one of those chains of self-replicating chemicals. That's almost all they were, chemicals, but they had every marker required to classify life. They even responded to change in the environment. They were short-lived bonded protein chains that consumed, produced waste, even grew by self-replication and bonding.
"Hey Ted," I started. "I wanted to run something by you."
"I'm listening, but let's keep it under 280 characters. I'm not in the mood for a marathon today."
I rolled my eyes. "Glad to see you're back to your old self."
"My old self? I've been trying to get back to that, but every time I open my eyes, there you are."
"Look here Dane Cook, I saw something after the attack. It was on another planet. I think someone is trying to show me something."
"You were also close to Brad at the time, who we know can alter your perception."
"Maybe, but this felt different. The first time he affected my mind, he put me in a dreamlike state. Then he used something familiar to me to disguise himself. This was different. I wasn't me, I was this green amino-acid chain with no protective coating. All I could sense were chemicals, no light, no sound, but I knew what was happening too, like I was watching from the outside at the same time."
Ted learned how to roll his eyes just now from me, and mimicked the action to an exagerated end. "Don't think much about it. Many Tedidians see a light at the end of a tunnel when we are close to death. Perhaps this is just your version."
"Perhaps." One thing is certain, even if it scares me, I would be glad to be without Ted. I almost forgot how annoying he was after our little bonding session.
"But I have a question for you. Who is Dane Cook?"
"My planet's worst comedian. Thats not the point."
The day did come that I had to leave, and Ted, in his usual fashion, refused to say goodbye. Instead, all he would say is "I won't be far behind." Cryptic, right? Like, what is that supposed to mean?
At first, I thought "Great. And right after I thought I got rid of him." But then I thought about it. It would be an interesting cultural slang to say "we will meet again." Does Ted believe in an afterlife?does he think I'll wimp out and come back?
Pointless questions aside, there was some good news. He gave me a new gun. This one made an even bigger "kaboom!" It was really fun. Heh. Haha. Gimme-gimme.
I was happy to see Jim-Bob waiting for me at the portal. I hadn't seen him since I set off that sonic weapon. Their feet are so sensitive to vibrations and sound, that weapon really messed with them. The Tedidian doctors had their work cut out for them fixing 5 listening organs per Jim-Bobidian. Together, all 20 odd Jim-Bobs and I, stepped through the portal to the nightmare world.
Now that I was on this side of the portal, I could see that Brad was gone. Oh boy, what fun. You know what else? I held onto that old piece of alien tech that Ted had his brain shoved into. I thought it would make a neat souvenir. Wouldn't you believe it if as soon as the doors closed behind me, I heard that S.O.B's voice saying "So, where to next?"
Ted copied himself yet again into that stupid thing. Didn't take long to figure out what he meant by "I won't be far behind."
"What the hell, Ted?" I shouted.
"Surprised to hear my voice?" He asked?
"More pissed than surprised. I thought I finally got rid of you."
"Oh stop it, you are happy to see me, admit it."
"I thought you wanted to go home. What happened to me just being a pair of legs?"
"Ah yes, but there's a crucial difference between that Ted and this one. This one is artificial, and doesn't get lonely. I am merely a copy of a personality. That way, when you die, I won't get homesick."
"I smell bullshit," I said.
Surprisingly, he didn't make an astronauts and diapers joke. Instead, he said "Got me. I am an explorer, remember? Even if I was homesick, I still yearn for the other-worldly. My adventuring days are not yet over, and this way, I can never die, unlike someone I know."
"News flash, Ted, you did die, and give me that self-aggrandizing crap you pulled in the beginning, and I'm throwing your immortal ass down the throat of the next giant monster I find."
"My path will remain rectilinear, and true."
"Rectum what now? I thought you only knew words I used in front of you. I don't even know what you said."
"True, but now I have learned how your language works, thus am able to intuit new words. You cannot convince me that was not a word. Go- 'look it up' or whatever when you get back to Earth. It means 'I'll stay on the straight and narrow.'"
"Then why didn't you just say so? You're already teetering on the edge of being too annoying to keep around, buddy." I threatened, but I had to admit, a translator would be nice.
I have to say, the next leg of the journey went on without a hitch. The Jim-Bobs, Ted, and I were making good time. Find a monster, kill it, find a planet, explore it, find another monster, kill it too. I found so many new planets, although most were dead or never had life to begin with. The odd part was, Ted was sure he had visited some before, and interacted with the residents, but there was nothing but rock where I stood.
2024.05.16 17:56 Plastic_Finish1968 The Long Walk Home: chapter 10 (Tall Dark and Extraterrestrial)
Have you ever witnessed the first formation of life? I mean, I've seen my children, I was there for every step of the process if you know what I mean. Hah. But what I'm talking about is from beyond the beginning. The molten slag of a planet forming over millions or even billions of years into a habitable plane. Have you seen, from that very point, chemicals coalescing and reproducing? Amino acids and the forming proteins?
Well today, I found out, when you die in the crypts, you don't see a light in the end of a tunnel. You witness something truly beautiful and pointless.
I watched the birth of life from nothing. Short molecular protein chains. No cell walls, no encasing membranes. If DNA or genetic code of any kind was in their descendant's future, it wasn't present now. I watched it cling to the surface of rock, self-replication fueled by the warm free energy of a sun, millions of generations, hard work, decay, and new growth, only to be destroyed by a crashing wave. The weak hydrogen bonds were broken, as simple as that. The ancestor's hard work gone in a single blink-and-you-miss-it moment. Somehow I knew, wherever this was, that was all the life that planet would ever see until it was swallowed up by its star.
It was a quick fleeting spark. All the dramas and soap operas in the world could have taken place in a single raindrop. A unique potential, unlike any others, this planet's chosen ones, snuffed out before it could evolve to breathe its first breath. Rather grim isn't it? I don't know why I dreamt it, but there it was, a pointless creation followed by an equally pointless destruction. I guess it was a nice commercial break from the missing-arm-induced pain i was suffering. A wonderful hilucination, if a bit mocob.
Anyway, back to my unimaginable blood-curdling, mind-wrenching torture porn session. My eyes were closed a very long time, but when they did open, I was finally where I should be. Horizontal in a hospital bed, surrounded by trained surgeons. That said, it was on an alien world, and the surgeons were not trained in human biology. What's worse, they had no way to dull the pain.
Death would have been a blessing, unfortunately, the doctors were good, in spite of the unknown make, model, and engine size laying before them. 5 hours under an experimental knife, and I think an arc welder, is what it took to reattach my arm and fix my internal organ damage. 5 hours of poking and prodding and searing and stitching and pulling and zapping. All things considered, I am impressed it only took 5 hours. Ted's species was remarkable when it came to taking in new information and applying it in the real world. All their extra brains probably didn't hurt either.
If you remember, Ted's species came equipped with five extremity brains, and a central one. That's three for all three of his legs, two for both of his arms, and one in his central body. Ted would have had six individual minds within him before I found him dead in a ditch beside that interstellar sidewalk. By that point, only one, Ted, had survived.
After my, let's say, unique experience, I was left alone in a dark room to rest. Ted came by to visit. Oh yeah, he had a body now. He wore that "Tall, dark, and extraterrestrial" look well. He was easily 7 feet tall in his real body. Those Ted-fu moves should pack a real punch in a body like that.
"That reminds me. You wanted your fighting moves back, right?" My voice was terribly parched after my morning shouting sessions.
Shouting obscenities at medical proffesionals was about all I could do when Ted's doctors were busy inventing a new form of torture. Seriously, take notes. Good stuff in there.
"Keep them. That isn't going to be my concern here. It's hard to even walk now, let alone fight." He admitted. "I'm used to having secondary brains do all the work. I would only take over when the situation required. Now, I'm all I've got."
"Just another one of us handicap one-brainers," I taunted. "How does it feel to be on my level? Could you say you're just 'too single-minded?"
He laughed. I don't think I've ever heard Ted lower himself to laughing at one of my jokes. It wasn't even a good one. I know I could have come up with something better. Hold on. I- huh... well, I guess the moment has passed.
Instead, I teased him again. "so, you have a sense of humor after all."
"Always have. You just aren't funny." He shot back.
Then it was my turn to laugh at a bad joke.
"Bad idea!" I realized aloud. "Laughing hurts. Don't make me laugh."
There was an awkward silence before Ted finally spoke again. Our whole conversation was full of them.
"You're going back there aren't you?" He asked.
"I have to. I have a family somewhere, and I have to know if they're still alive. Something bad is happening on earth and I just want to be there to protect them."
"I don't think you ever will find out."
"Blunt and to the point today are ya?"
"Always have been. You just never listen. Im serious. I dont think you'll make it home."
There it was again, that quiet that kept creeping back up into our conversation.
"What if you run into Brad again?" He asked. "I won't be there to reboot your brain next time. You will either die or-"
"Don't tell me."
"Or you will suffer greatly, then die." He continued while checking his version of fingernails.
"I told you not to tell me. Now I can choose which option I like better."
"I'm being serious." He shot back at me. "You have no defenses against him."
"I know. I'm hoping he's dead. That's three shots from a Tedidian gun he has taken now."
Neither of us were convinced.
"Tedidian? That's the name you gave my species? I'm honored."
"I'm the first of my kind here, I get the naming privileges."
If our conversation took place over the radio, the host would be mortified. Not by the subject matter, no. The silence would be dubbed "dead air" and the host would desperately clamor for a new topic to keep the dialogue active and dynamic. We didn't have that luxury. I think Ted was sorry he couldn't have done more to help, but he would never admit it. I actually might miss him after all- Nah... Too stuck up his own butt to admit his shortcomings. I dont need a guy like that tagging along.
"Do you- mourn the loss of your secondary minds? Were they separate thinking entities?"
"I mourned their loss eons ago. I have moved on. Now I have to re-remember how to walk and talk and do math equations without them. I will be slower than my academic peers, but I have with me knowledge of the unknowable. That should make up for some of my deficiencies."
Eventually, Ted was ushered out. I needed the rest. The doctors here were good. They had managed to piece together this broken puzzle written with a completely different alphabet, and accelerated my healing a great deal. Not really a surprise, given they could build Ted a whole new body. I was back on my feet in a matter of 2 days, using my arm in 3, and back to 70% at 4. I dont think I'll ever make it back to 100%, but all things considered, this is pretty good.
It's hard to tell how long I have been away from earth, but given this trip was meant to last a very long time, I don't suspect I should miss my flight, so long as I find my portal. As long as I can find Eddy. So long as I can find all of them; Eddy, Rook, James, even Jyong and Me-Yan.
Ted's people had a similar arrangement to earth's at first. When Ted was an explorer, their portal was at the edge of the system, but they brought it down to their planet with rockets and parachutes after he and a few others never came back. The history was fascinating. They were a united planet, far and above the most advanced I have come across so far, but in spite of that, the portal slowly leeched off the planet, and spat out horrors beyond their imagination. What they once used as an interstellar fast travel, quickly turned into a speed bump, then a health hazard. There was a reason the builders set this portal so far away from the planet. It wasn't meant to be here, so Ted's people had to build a wall, with poor old lost Ted on the other side. They closely monitored the other side though, and were shocked to find the brain activity of a Tedidian coming from yours truly. That would be Ted's mind, shoulder to shoulder with mine, in my head if you weren't following along. Then they rescued me from Brad.
Speaking of, I asked around about Brad. Someone shot him, so that someone should know if he survived. I had to know if he would be waiting for me on the other side. Eventually, I asked the right person, who introduced me to my rescuer. He wore a white uniform and carried a big gun, even for Tedidian standards. I was kinda jealous. I like my pew pews, but these things were on another level.
He confidently told me that Brad was indeed "dead." I had Ted translate for me whenever I spoke to a native, but they were quickly learning on their own how to speak Sean-ese. That's the language I told them I speak. Might as well leave a lasting mark. That confidence, however, did not come from a place I liked.
"But did you actually see it dead?" I pressed.
"Nothing survives a plasma arc, even a graze, let alone two." He scoffed. Or I think he scoffed. There is no universal interplanetary sign that someone is scoffing at you. You just have to pick up on subtle undertones of pride, shock, or snood. Ted had lots of snood. Luckily, he broke the mold. The people here were as different as people are on earth. I just happened to get the most insufferable one imaginable. Just my luck.
"Then call this thing 'nobody,' because it survived one before." I suggested.
His eyes widened, glad to see that was an interplanetary sign of surprise. "Th-that isn't possible."
"Oh, but it is." Ted interjected
Oh good, that thing could be waiting for me for all I know. I never thought I'd be scared to be without a Ted in my head, but there I was, terrified. He was right. Without him, I had no defense.
We were walking back to Ted's place when I began replaying the past events in my head. My vision was something I couldn't shake. It was real. I felt like I was one of those chains of self-replicating chemicals. That's almost all they were, chemicals, but they had every marker required to classify life. They even responded to change in the environment. They were short-lived bonded protein chains that consumed, produced waste, even grew by self-replication and bonding.
"Hey Ted," I started. "I wanted to run something by you."
"I'm listening, but let's keep it under 280 characters. I'm not in the mood for a marathon today."
I rolled my eyes. "Glad to see you're back to your old self."
"My old self? I've been trying to get back to that, but every time I open my eyes, there you are."
"Look here Dane Cook, I saw something after the attack. It was on another planet. I think someone is trying to show me something."
"You were also close to Brad at the time, who we know can alter your perception."
"Maybe, but this felt different. The first time he affected my mind, he put me in a dreamlike state. Then he used something familiar to me to disguise himself. This was different. I wasn't me, I was this green amino-acid chain with no protective coating. All I could sense were chemicals, no light, no sound, but I knew what was happening too, like I was watching from the outside at the same time."
Ted learned how to roll his eyes just now from me, and mimicked the action to an exagerated end. "Don't think much about it. Many Tedidians see a light at the end of a tunnel when we are close to death. Perhaps this is just your version."
"Perhaps." One thing is certain, even if it scares me, I would be glad to be without Ted. I almost forgot how annoying he was after our little bonding session.
"But I have a question for you. Who is Dane Cook?"
"My planet's worst comedian. Thats not the point."
The day did come that I had to leave, and Ted, in his usual fashion, refused to say goodbye. Instead, all he would say is "I won't be far behind." Cryptic, right? Like, what is that supposed to mean?
At first, I thought "Great. And right after I thought I got rid of him." But then I thought about it. It would be an interesting cultural slang to say "we will meet again." Does Ted believe in an afterlife?does he think I'll wimp out and come back?
Pointless questions aside, there was some good news. He gave me a new gun. This one made an even bigger "kaboom!" It was really fun. Heh. Haha. Gimme-gimme.
I was happy to see Jim-Bob waiting for me at the portal. I hadn't seen him since I set off that sonic weapon. Their feet are so sensitive to vibrations and sound, that weapon really messed with them. The Tedidian doctors had their work cut out for them fixing 5 listening organs per Jim-Bobidian. Together, all 20 odd Jim-Bobs and I, stepped through the portal to the nightmare world.
Now that I was on this side of the portal, I could see that Brad was gone. Oh boy, what fun. You know what else? I held onto that old piece of alien tech that Ted had his brain shoved into. I thought it would make a neat souvenir. Wouldn't you believe it if as soon as the doors closed behind me, I heard that S.O.B's voice saying "So, where to next?"
Ted copied himself yet again into that stupid thing. Didn't take long to figure out what he meant by "I won't be far behind."
"What the hell, Ted?" I shouted.
"Surprised to hear my voice?" He asked?
"More pissed than surprised. I thought I finally got rid of you."
"Oh stop it, you are happy to see me, admit it."
"I thought you wanted to go home. What happened to me just being a pair of legs?"
"Ah yes, but there's a crucial difference between that Ted and this one. This one is artificial, and doesn't get lonely. I am merely a copy of a personality. That way, when you die, I won't get homesick."
"I smell bullshit," I said.
Surprisingly, he didn't make an astronauts and diapers joke. Instead, he said "Got me. I am an explorer, remember? Even if I was homesick, I still yearn for the other-worldly. My adventuring days are not yet over, and this way, I can never die, unlike someone I know."
"News flash, Ted, you did die, and give me that self-aggrandizing crap you pulled in the beginning, and I'm throwing your immortal ass down the throat of the next giant monster I find."
"My path will remain rectilinear, and true."
"Rectum what now? I thought you only knew words I used in front of you. I don't even know what you said."
"True, but now I have learned how your language works, thus am able to intuit new words. You cannot convince me that was not a word. Go- 'look it up' or whatever when you get back to Earth. It means 'I'll stay on the straight and narrow.'"
"Then why didn't you just say so? You're already teetering on the edge of being too annoying to keep around, buddy." I threatened, but I had to admit, a translator would be nice.
I have to say, the next leg of the journey went on without a hitch. The Jim-Bobs, Ted, and I were making good time. Find a monster, kill it, find a planet, explore it, find another monster, kill it too. I found so many new planets, although most were dead or never had life to begin with. The odd part was, Ted was sure he had visited some before, and interacted with the residents, but there was nothing but rock where I stood.
submitted by Plastic_Finish1968 to HFY [link] [comments]
Well today, I found out, when you die in the crypts, you don't see a light in the end of a tunnel. You witness something truly beautiful and pointless.
I watched the birth of life from nothing. Short molecular protein chains. No cell walls, no encasing membranes. If DNA or genetic code of any kind was in their descendant's future, it wasn't present now. I watched it cling to the surface of rock, self-replication fueled by the warm free energy of a sun, millions of generations, hard work, decay, and new growth, only to be destroyed by a crashing wave. The weak hydrogen bonds were broken, as simple as that. The ancestor's hard work gone in a single blink-and-you-miss-it moment. Somehow I knew, wherever this was, that was all the life that planet would ever see until it was swallowed up by its star.
It was a quick fleeting spark. All the dramas and soap operas in the world could have taken place in a single raindrop. A unique potential, unlike any others, this planet's chosen ones, snuffed out before it could evolve to breathe its first breath. Rather grim isn't it? I don't know why I dreamt it, but there it was, a pointless creation followed by an equally pointless destruction. I guess it was a nice commercial break from the missing-arm-induced pain i was suffering. A wonderful hilucination, if a bit mocob.
Anyway, back to my unimaginable blood-curdling, mind-wrenching torture porn session. My eyes were closed a very long time, but when they did open, I was finally where I should be. Horizontal in a hospital bed, surrounded by trained surgeons. That said, it was on an alien world, and the surgeons were not trained in human biology. What's worse, they had no way to dull the pain.
Death would have been a blessing, unfortunately, the doctors were good, in spite of the unknown make, model, and engine size laying before them. 5 hours under an experimental knife, and I think an arc welder, is what it took to reattach my arm and fix my internal organ damage. 5 hours of poking and prodding and searing and stitching and pulling and zapping. All things considered, I am impressed it only took 5 hours. Ted's species was remarkable when it came to taking in new information and applying it in the real world. All their extra brains probably didn't hurt either.
If you remember, Ted's species came equipped with five extremity brains, and a central one. That's three for all three of his legs, two for both of his arms, and one in his central body. Ted would have had six individual minds within him before I found him dead in a ditch beside that interstellar sidewalk. By that point, only one, Ted, had survived.
After my, let's say, unique experience, I was left alone in a dark room to rest. Ted came by to visit. Oh yeah, he had a body now. He wore that "Tall, dark, and extraterrestrial" look well. He was easily 7 feet tall in his real body. Those Ted-fu moves should pack a real punch in a body like that.
"That reminds me. You wanted your fighting moves back, right?" My voice was terribly parched after my morning shouting sessions.
Shouting obscenities at medical proffesionals was about all I could do when Ted's doctors were busy inventing a new form of torture. Seriously, take notes. Good stuff in there.
"Keep them. That isn't going to be my concern here. It's hard to even walk now, let alone fight." He admitted. "I'm used to having secondary brains do all the work. I would only take over when the situation required. Now, I'm all I've got."
"Just another one of us handicap one-brainers," I taunted. "How does it feel to be on my level? Could you say you're just 'too single-minded?"
He laughed. I don't think I've ever heard Ted lower himself to laughing at one of my jokes. It wasn't even a good one. I know I could have come up with something better. Hold on. I- huh... well, I guess the moment has passed.
Instead, I teased him again. "so, you have a sense of humor after all."
"Always have. You just aren't funny." He shot back.
Then it was my turn to laugh at a bad joke.
"Bad idea!" I realized aloud. "Laughing hurts. Don't make me laugh."
There was an awkward silence before Ted finally spoke again. Our whole conversation was full of them.
"You're going back there aren't you?" He asked.
"I have to. I have a family somewhere, and I have to know if they're still alive. Something bad is happening on earth and I just want to be there to protect them."
"I don't think you ever will find out."
"Blunt and to the point today are ya?"
"Always have been. You just never listen. Im serious. I dont think you'll make it home."
There it was again, that quiet that kept creeping back up into our conversation.
"What if you run into Brad again?" He asked. "I won't be there to reboot your brain next time. You will either die or-"
"Don't tell me."
"Or you will suffer greatly, then die." He continued while checking his version of fingernails.
"I told you not to tell me. Now I can choose which option I like better."
"I'm being serious." He shot back at me. "You have no defenses against him."
"I know. I'm hoping he's dead. That's three shots from a Tedidian gun he has taken now."
Neither of us were convinced.
"Tedidian? That's the name you gave my species? I'm honored."
"I'm the first of my kind here, I get the naming privileges."
If our conversation took place over the radio, the host would be mortified. Not by the subject matter, no. The silence would be dubbed "dead air" and the host would desperately clamor for a new topic to keep the dialogue active and dynamic. We didn't have that luxury. I think Ted was sorry he couldn't have done more to help, but he would never admit it. I actually might miss him after all- Nah... Too stuck up his own butt to admit his shortcomings. I dont need a guy like that tagging along.
"Do you- mourn the loss of your secondary minds? Were they separate thinking entities?"
"I mourned their loss eons ago. I have moved on. Now I have to re-remember how to walk and talk and do math equations without them. I will be slower than my academic peers, but I have with me knowledge of the unknowable. That should make up for some of my deficiencies."
Eventually, Ted was ushered out. I needed the rest. The doctors here were good. They had managed to piece together this broken puzzle written with a completely different alphabet, and accelerated my healing a great deal. Not really a surprise, given they could build Ted a whole new body. I was back on my feet in a matter of 2 days, using my arm in 3, and back to 70% at 4. I dont think I'll ever make it back to 100%, but all things considered, this is pretty good.
It's hard to tell how long I have been away from earth, but given this trip was meant to last a very long time, I don't suspect I should miss my flight, so long as I find my portal. As long as I can find Eddy. So long as I can find all of them; Eddy, Rook, James, even Jyong and Me-Yan.
Ted's people had a similar arrangement to earth's at first. When Ted was an explorer, their portal was at the edge of the system, but they brought it down to their planet with rockets and parachutes after he and a few others never came back. The history was fascinating. They were a united planet, far and above the most advanced I have come across so far, but in spite of that, the portal slowly leeched off the planet, and spat out horrors beyond their imagination. What they once used as an interstellar fast travel, quickly turned into a speed bump, then a health hazard. There was a reason the builders set this portal so far away from the planet. It wasn't meant to be here, so Ted's people had to build a wall, with poor old lost Ted on the other side. They closely monitored the other side though, and were shocked to find the brain activity of a Tedidian coming from yours truly. That would be Ted's mind, shoulder to shoulder with mine, in my head if you weren't following along. Then they rescued me from Brad.
Speaking of, I asked around about Brad. Someone shot him, so that someone should know if he survived. I had to know if he would be waiting for me on the other side. Eventually, I asked the right person, who introduced me to my rescuer. He wore a white uniform and carried a big gun, even for Tedidian standards. I was kinda jealous. I like my pew pews, but these things were on another level.
He confidently told me that Brad was indeed "dead." I had Ted translate for me whenever I spoke to a native, but they were quickly learning on their own how to speak Sean-ese. That's the language I told them I speak. Might as well leave a lasting mark. That confidence, however, did not come from a place I liked.
"But did you actually see it dead?" I pressed.
"Nothing survives a plasma arc, even a graze, let alone two." He scoffed. Or I think he scoffed. There is no universal interplanetary sign that someone is scoffing at you. You just have to pick up on subtle undertones of pride, shock, or snood. Ted had lots of snood. Luckily, he broke the mold. The people here were as different as people are on earth. I just happened to get the most insufferable one imaginable. Just my luck.
"Then call this thing 'nobody,' because it survived one before." I suggested.
His eyes widened, glad to see that was an interplanetary sign of surprise. "Th-that isn't possible."
"Oh, but it is." Ted interjected
Oh good, that thing could be waiting for me for all I know. I never thought I'd be scared to be without a Ted in my head, but there I was, terrified. He was right. Without him, I had no defense.
We were walking back to Ted's place when I began replaying the past events in my head. My vision was something I couldn't shake. It was real. I felt like I was one of those chains of self-replicating chemicals. That's almost all they were, chemicals, but they had every marker required to classify life. They even responded to change in the environment. They were short-lived bonded protein chains that consumed, produced waste, even grew by self-replication and bonding.
"Hey Ted," I started. "I wanted to run something by you."
"I'm listening, but let's keep it under 280 characters. I'm not in the mood for a marathon today."
I rolled my eyes. "Glad to see you're back to your old self."
"My old self? I've been trying to get back to that, but every time I open my eyes, there you are."
"Look here Dane Cook, I saw something after the attack. It was on another planet. I think someone is trying to show me something."
"You were also close to Brad at the time, who we know can alter your perception."
"Maybe, but this felt different. The first time he affected my mind, he put me in a dreamlike state. Then he used something familiar to me to disguise himself. This was different. I wasn't me, I was this green amino-acid chain with no protective coating. All I could sense were chemicals, no light, no sound, but I knew what was happening too, like I was watching from the outside at the same time."
Ted learned how to roll his eyes just now from me, and mimicked the action to an exagerated end. "Don't think much about it. Many Tedidians see a light at the end of a tunnel when we are close to death. Perhaps this is just your version."
"Perhaps." One thing is certain, even if it scares me, I would be glad to be without Ted. I almost forgot how annoying he was after our little bonding session.
"But I have a question for you. Who is Dane Cook?"
"My planet's worst comedian. Thats not the point."
The day did come that I had to leave, and Ted, in his usual fashion, refused to say goodbye. Instead, all he would say is "I won't be far behind." Cryptic, right? Like, what is that supposed to mean?
At first, I thought "Great. And right after I thought I got rid of him." But then I thought about it. It would be an interesting cultural slang to say "we will meet again." Does Ted believe in an afterlife?does he think I'll wimp out and come back?
Pointless questions aside, there was some good news. He gave me a new gun. This one made an even bigger "kaboom!" It was really fun. Heh. Haha. Gimme-gimme.
I was happy to see Jim-Bob waiting for me at the portal. I hadn't seen him since I set off that sonic weapon. Their feet are so sensitive to vibrations and sound, that weapon really messed with them. The Tedidian doctors had their work cut out for them fixing 5 listening organs per Jim-Bobidian. Together, all 20 odd Jim-Bobs and I, stepped through the portal to the nightmare world.
Now that I was on this side of the portal, I could see that Brad was gone. Oh boy, what fun. You know what else? I held onto that old piece of alien tech that Ted had his brain shoved into. I thought it would make a neat souvenir. Wouldn't you believe it if as soon as the doors closed behind me, I heard that S.O.B's voice saying "So, where to next?"
Ted copied himself yet again into that stupid thing. Didn't take long to figure out what he meant by "I won't be far behind."
"What the hell, Ted?" I shouted.
"Surprised to hear my voice?" He asked?
"More pissed than surprised. I thought I finally got rid of you."
"Oh stop it, you are happy to see me, admit it."
"I thought you wanted to go home. What happened to me just being a pair of legs?"
"Ah yes, but there's a crucial difference between that Ted and this one. This one is artificial, and doesn't get lonely. I am merely a copy of a personality. That way, when you die, I won't get homesick."
"I smell bullshit," I said.
Surprisingly, he didn't make an astronauts and diapers joke. Instead, he said "Got me. I am an explorer, remember? Even if I was homesick, I still yearn for the other-worldly. My adventuring days are not yet over, and this way, I can never die, unlike someone I know."
"News flash, Ted, you did die, and give me that self-aggrandizing crap you pulled in the beginning, and I'm throwing your immortal ass down the throat of the next giant monster I find."
"My path will remain rectilinear, and true."
"Rectum what now? I thought you only knew words I used in front of you. I don't even know what you said."
"True, but now I have learned how your language works, thus am able to intuit new words. You cannot convince me that was not a word. Go- 'look it up' or whatever when you get back to Earth. It means 'I'll stay on the straight and narrow.'"
"Then why didn't you just say so? You're already teetering on the edge of being too annoying to keep around, buddy." I threatened, but I had to admit, a translator would be nice.
I have to say, the next leg of the journey went on without a hitch. The Jim-Bobs, Ted, and I were making good time. Find a monster, kill it, find a planet, explore it, find another monster, kill it too. I found so many new planets, although most were dead or never had life to begin with. The odd part was, Ted was sure he had visited some before, and interacted with the residents, but there was nothing but rock where I stood.
2024.05.16 17:55 jadedjade666 Forced to sign papers and withholding video evidence
TLDR at bottom. To be blunt, my partner recently got a job as a dealership mechanic (FL). They’ve worked in automotive care for 5+ years, and have been working towards getting certification (this company suggests it’s possible through working with them).
They show up to their first day of work, get asked to show essentially what is a tire change/rotation and an oil change. Supervisor sees they know what they’re doing and sets em off to work. After a while supervisor comes up and explains the method they’re using to put tires on ‘takes too long’ and tells them to do it another way.
Not EVEN a week later, a customer returns because their tire fell off just down the street. Match the service number to my partner. The head supervisor tells them not to worry and come talk tomorrow.
Well, they claim it was my partners fault, saying they only hand tightened the tire. Luckily the shop is not charging them for fixing it, however, to continue working they had to sign a paper explaining it was their fault, it’s covered by the shop, and any/other mistakes will be paid out of pocket.
The thing that gets me, they REFUSED to show the video surveillance footage, claiming it was ‘choppy’ and ‘too long’. They quite literally have the shop videography streaming 24/7 to a giant monitor inside with damn near perfect 4k quality and no skipping.
I’ve never worked in the automotive line, however, I have worked in fast food for one example and leasing for another one. Both those jobs readily provided any video evidence of ‘wrong doing’, and sometimes immediately after an action occurred. This whole thing reeks of suspicious bs to me.
My partner’s coworkers claim they’ve had to pay for multiple mistakes they SWEAR they didn’t make, yet the company never provides the video footage. Why have the fucking footage then? I mean shit use it as a learning opportunity. I understand if lawyers got involved that’s probably what it’s for, but who the fuck has time and money for that, especially if they’ve only worked a WEEK with NO training (technically).
TLDR; partner hasn’t even worked a full week as dealership mechanic and has received no technical training. Customer returned with car damage due to tire falling off down the street. Company forced partner to sign paper stating it was partners fault, the company was covering damages, and any subsequent damages will be paid out of pocket by partner; all while adamantly refusing to provide video evidence despite clearly having it.
Is this in anyway legal or just plain negligence/malpractice?
submitted by jadedjade666 to legaladvice [link] [comments]
They show up to their first day of work, get asked to show essentially what is a tire change/rotation and an oil change. Supervisor sees they know what they’re doing and sets em off to work. After a while supervisor comes up and explains the method they’re using to put tires on ‘takes too long’ and tells them to do it another way.
Not EVEN a week later, a customer returns because their tire fell off just down the street. Match the service number to my partner. The head supervisor tells them not to worry and come talk tomorrow.
Well, they claim it was my partners fault, saying they only hand tightened the tire. Luckily the shop is not charging them for fixing it, however, to continue working they had to sign a paper explaining it was their fault, it’s covered by the shop, and any/other mistakes will be paid out of pocket.
The thing that gets me, they REFUSED to show the video surveillance footage, claiming it was ‘choppy’ and ‘too long’. They quite literally have the shop videography streaming 24/7 to a giant monitor inside with damn near perfect 4k quality and no skipping.
I’ve never worked in the automotive line, however, I have worked in fast food for one example and leasing for another one. Both those jobs readily provided any video evidence of ‘wrong doing’, and sometimes immediately after an action occurred. This whole thing reeks of suspicious bs to me.
My partner’s coworkers claim they’ve had to pay for multiple mistakes they SWEAR they didn’t make, yet the company never provides the video footage. Why have the fucking footage then? I mean shit use it as a learning opportunity. I understand if lawyers got involved that’s probably what it’s for, but who the fuck has time and money for that, especially if they’ve only worked a WEEK with NO training (technically).
TLDR; partner hasn’t even worked a full week as dealership mechanic and has received no technical training. Customer returned with car damage due to tire falling off down the street. Company forced partner to sign paper stating it was partners fault, the company was covering damages, and any subsequent damages will be paid out of pocket by partner; all while adamantly refusing to provide video evidence despite clearly having it.
Is this in anyway legal or just plain negligence/malpractice?
2024.05.16 17:55 MarionCotesworthHaye Reddit Idol!: Vote Here for the Top 4
Read this in Ryan’s voice for maximum effect:
After 421 votes cast, the first person in our Bottom 3 is…Fritz Hager
The next person in our Bottom 3 is…Casey Bishop
And joining them in the Bottom 3 is…Iam Tongi
Result: Casey and Fritz, you are both safe. Iam, you are going home. “You had a bad day, you’re taking one down…”
On today’s ballot we narrow the Top 4 to the Top 3. For this round, you have up to 2 votes to spread out amongst the competition and can give up to one vote per contestant. The person with the lowest number of votes will be eliminated. On the ballot, the contestants are listed in random order. Voting for this round closes at 9am Eastern tomorrow, May 17.
To vote, head over to the Straw Poll at this link: https://strawpoll.com/eJnvvPzKxnv
Here’s the full season schedule. The date listed is the date the ballot is posted for that round. You have one day to complete each ballot.
REDDIT IDOL! SEASON 1
A competition to determine the sub’s favorite contestants from the ABC era of American Idol
April 23: Auditions (Top 70)
April 29: Wildcard
May 1: Hollywood Part 1 (Top 60)
May 2: Hollywood Part 2 (Top 50)
May 3: Hawaii Part 1 (Top 40)
May 4: Hawaii Part 2 (Top 35)
May 5: Final Judgment (Top 30)
May 6: Top 20
May 7: Top 15
May 8: Top 12
May 9: Top 11
May 10: Top 10
May 11: Top 9
May 12: Top 8
May 13: Top 7
May 14: Top 6
May 15: Top 5
May 16: Top 4
May 17: Top 3
May 18: Top 2
May 19: Winner Announced
All Results So Far, FYI:
Eliminated in Audition Round: Jay Copeland, Cade Foehner, Caleb Kennedy, Lady K, Grace Leer, Jurnee, Alyssa Raghu, Dimitrius Graham, Dennis Lorenzo, Emyrson Flora, Wade Cota, Alyssa Wray, Marybeth Byrd, Dillon James, Deshawn Goncalves, Warren Peay, Mike Parker, Jovin Webb, Michelle Sussett, Caleb Lee Hutchinson
Eliminated at Top 60: Tyson Venegas, Walker Burroughs, Colin Stough, Haven Madison, Uche, Triston Harper, Michael J. Woodard, Ada Vox, Christian Guardino, Zachariah Smith
Eliminated at Top 50: Julia Gargano, Noah Thompson, Allegra Miles, Odell Bunton, Jr., Madison VanDenburg, Louis Knight, Will Moseley, Sophia James, Nya, Laine Hardy
Eliminated at Top 40: HunterGirl, Arthur Gunn, Cassandra Coleman, Jeramiah Lloyd Harmon, Julia Gagnon
Eliminated at Top 35: Mia Matthews, Makayla Phillips, Nutsa, Jennifer Jeffries, Emmy Russell
Eliminated at Top 30: Gabby Barrett, Lauren Spencer-Smith, Jonny West, Roman Collins, Oliver Steele, Nicolina, Laci Kaye Booth, Francisco Martin, Kaeyra, Just Sam
Eliminated at Top 20: Chayce Beckham, Kaibrienne, Hunter Metts, Ajii, Megan Danielle
Eliminated at Top 15: McKenna Faith Breinholt, Jayna Elise, Maddie Poppe
12th Place: Catie Turner
11th Place: Grace Kinstler
10th Place: We Ani
9th Place: Alejandro Aranda
8th Place: Willie Spence
7th Place: Kayko
6th Place: Leah Marlene
5th Place: Iam Tongi
submitted by MarionCotesworthHaye to americanidol [link] [comments]
After 421 votes cast, the first person in our Bottom 3 is…Fritz Hager
The next person in our Bottom 3 is…Casey Bishop
And joining them in the Bottom 3 is…Iam Tongi
Result: Casey and Fritz, you are both safe. Iam, you are going home. “You had a bad day, you’re taking one down…”
On today’s ballot we narrow the Top 4 to the Top 3. For this round, you have up to 2 votes to spread out amongst the competition and can give up to one vote per contestant. The person with the lowest number of votes will be eliminated. On the ballot, the contestants are listed in random order. Voting for this round closes at 9am Eastern tomorrow, May 17.
To vote, head over to the Straw Poll at this link: https://strawpoll.com/eJnvvPzKxnv
Here’s the full season schedule. The date listed is the date the ballot is posted for that round. You have one day to complete each ballot.
REDDIT IDOL! SEASON 1
A competition to determine the sub’s favorite contestants from the ABC era of American Idol
April 23: Auditions (Top 70)
April 29: Wildcard
May 1: Hollywood Part 1 (Top 60)
May 2: Hollywood Part 2 (Top 50)
May 3: Hawaii Part 1 (Top 40)
May 4: Hawaii Part 2 (Top 35)
May 5: Final Judgment (Top 30)
May 6: Top 20
May 7: Top 15
May 8: Top 12
May 9: Top 11
May 10: Top 10
May 11: Top 9
May 12: Top 8
May 13: Top 7
May 14: Top 6
May 15: Top 5
May 16: Top 4
May 17: Top 3
May 18: Top 2
May 19: Winner Announced
All Results So Far, FYI:
Eliminated in Audition Round: Jay Copeland, Cade Foehner, Caleb Kennedy, Lady K, Grace Leer, Jurnee, Alyssa Raghu, Dimitrius Graham, Dennis Lorenzo, Emyrson Flora, Wade Cota, Alyssa Wray, Marybeth Byrd, Dillon James, Deshawn Goncalves, Warren Peay, Mike Parker, Jovin Webb, Michelle Sussett, Caleb Lee Hutchinson
Eliminated at Top 60: Tyson Venegas, Walker Burroughs, Colin Stough, Haven Madison, Uche, Triston Harper, Michael J. Woodard, Ada Vox, Christian Guardino, Zachariah Smith
Eliminated at Top 50: Julia Gargano, Noah Thompson, Allegra Miles, Odell Bunton, Jr., Madison VanDenburg, Louis Knight, Will Moseley, Sophia James, Nya, Laine Hardy
Eliminated at Top 40: HunterGirl, Arthur Gunn, Cassandra Coleman, Jeramiah Lloyd Harmon, Julia Gagnon
Eliminated at Top 35: Mia Matthews, Makayla Phillips, Nutsa, Jennifer Jeffries, Emmy Russell
Eliminated at Top 30: Gabby Barrett, Lauren Spencer-Smith, Jonny West, Roman Collins, Oliver Steele, Nicolina, Laci Kaye Booth, Francisco Martin, Kaeyra, Just Sam
Eliminated at Top 20: Chayce Beckham, Kaibrienne, Hunter Metts, Ajii, Megan Danielle
Eliminated at Top 15: McKenna Faith Breinholt, Jayna Elise, Maddie Poppe
12th Place: Catie Turner
11th Place: Grace Kinstler
10th Place: We Ani
9th Place: Alejandro Aranda
8th Place: Willie Spence
7th Place: Kayko
6th Place: Leah Marlene
5th Place: Iam Tongi
2024.05.16 17:54 Whtstone Odd dream I remember
A bit of background before I go into the dream I'm sharing: I'm mid 40s male, combat veteran (2000-2009), I've slept an average of 4 hours a night for the past 24 years and I've read from scientific journals some research on dreams and dreaming- specifically drawing interest that the visual elements of dreams are composed of the information that our brains filter as 'non-essential'. This is also the first dream that I remember and can recall in 24 years.
The dream (occurred during a 30 minute-1 hour nap on my couch):
I'm younger in the dream- possibly in my mid-20s- and arriving in an open-bay barracks. There is an arrangement of wall lockers (2 rows of 10, back to back) sitting in the common area of the barracks at a 90 degree angle to the bunks (if the bunks are lined oriented North-South, the wall lockers are oriented East-West). Standing at the barracks is a short male with Asian features, squarish-shaped head, close cropped black hair and wearing desert pattern camouflage. As I pass the short male, he taps me/kicks me with his foot in my hip. As I stumble from that, I try to yell, but I'm unable to say anything. I hear him shout out 'Look who finally decided to grace us with his presence!' I turn to face him and try to ask him just who the **** does he think he is. His nametape reads 'Brynecki' or 'Byrnecki' (each time I look away and back at his nametape, the letters change). He begins to apologize to me for kicking me, claiming that he mistook me for someone else. As he is saying this, I finally manage to speak in the dream, yelling at him to stand at ease, at which point I woke up.
Funny enough, after I woke up, the first words out of my mouth were "Private Brynecki, you must think I'm some kind of joker."
As I'm sharing this with you here, I'm also piecing together where some of the elements in this dream come from. The open bay barracks are sourced from ones that I was in during deployments (a building at Camp Doha, Kuwait, circa 2001-2002, and a converted 3 story building in Baghdad, Iraq), combined with ones that I've seen in TV and movies (i.e., Full Metal Jacket, Hacksaw Ridge). Private Brynecki/Byrnecki's appearance reminds me of the two leads in the movie "Up" (combine Carl and Russell's appearance and age and slap a DCU pattern blouse and trousers on him).
The only thing that I am truly curious about is my inability to speak in the dream until just before I woke up. Has anyone else experienced this kind of mutism in their dreams?
submitted by Whtstone to Dreams [link] [comments]
The dream (occurred during a 30 minute-1 hour nap on my couch):
I'm younger in the dream- possibly in my mid-20s- and arriving in an open-bay barracks. There is an arrangement of wall lockers (2 rows of 10, back to back) sitting in the common area of the barracks at a 90 degree angle to the bunks (if the bunks are lined oriented North-South, the wall lockers are oriented East-West). Standing at the barracks is a short male with Asian features, squarish-shaped head, close cropped black hair and wearing desert pattern camouflage. As I pass the short male, he taps me/kicks me with his foot in my hip. As I stumble from that, I try to yell, but I'm unable to say anything. I hear him shout out 'Look who finally decided to grace us with his presence!' I turn to face him and try to ask him just who the **** does he think he is. His nametape reads 'Brynecki' or 'Byrnecki' (each time I look away and back at his nametape, the letters change). He begins to apologize to me for kicking me, claiming that he mistook me for someone else. As he is saying this, I finally manage to speak in the dream, yelling at him to stand at ease, at which point I woke up.
Funny enough, after I woke up, the first words out of my mouth were "Private Brynecki, you must think I'm some kind of joker."
As I'm sharing this with you here, I'm also piecing together where some of the elements in this dream come from. The open bay barracks are sourced from ones that I was in during deployments (a building at Camp Doha, Kuwait, circa 2001-2002, and a converted 3 story building in Baghdad, Iraq), combined with ones that I've seen in TV and movies (i.e., Full Metal Jacket, Hacksaw Ridge). Private Brynecki/Byrnecki's appearance reminds me of the two leads in the movie "Up" (combine Carl and Russell's appearance and age and slap a DCU pattern blouse and trousers on him).
The only thing that I am truly curious about is my inability to speak in the dream until just before I woke up. Has anyone else experienced this kind of mutism in their dreams?
2024.05.16 17:52 Ninurtah KBD Revamp
Kbd is one of our oldest pieces of content in the game, dating back to 2002. In OSRS, kbd has been almost entirely unchanged since then, with the occasional drop table shuffle here or there.There's also a 2-for-1 with what I'm proposing, which should make Barrows armour pricier. I propose a way to "enrage" kbd, and access a new fight, with new mechanics, new drops and a quest to unlock the ability to do this. The quest will focus on the dragonkin rehashing old experiments, finally focusing on grafting the corrupted barrows metal onto kbd's scales, creating the King Barrow Dragon.
Kbd+ should sit at the higher end of mid-tier content, alongside Vorkath, Zulrah and Hydra, and provide comparable gp/h. Kbd fight - 3 phases, one for each head remaining until dead. Kbd will exclusively attack with 2 of the 3 combat styles during the fight, switching combination based on the phase. He will also use coloured firebreath relating to the phase he's in. White, green, blue.
Phase 1 - Ice head. Ranged/magic. Kbd will periodically freeze the player in place, where they will have to spam-click the floor to break out, hespori-esque. Kbd will also breathe into the air and freeze the cavern above him, causing stalactites to form. He then stomps and causes these to fall on random tiles in the boss room. When KBD stomps, if the player is on an adjacent tile to KBD, they will be knocked back and stunned just long enough to not be able to move away from the dropping stalactites. These stalactites will leave puddles of water on the floor. These will not fade away until the end of the fight. Kbd will only perform this mechanic once per fight.
Phase 2 - poison head. Melee/ranged - will constantly move within melee range of the player. Kbd will spit pools of poison on the floor over the course of the fight. Standing on these pools will deal 3-6 tick damage with poison resistance, 5-10 without. These will not fade away until the end of the fight. Kbd will tail swipe the player, with a chat-box notification saying "The King Black Dragon readies its tail"If the player does not move out of melee range of the KBD, the swipe will knock the player back 4 tiles, taking typeless melee damage, between 20-40. If they are knocked into a wall, the player will be stunned for 2 seconds.
Phase 3 - lightning head - Melee/Magic - kbd will remain stationary, only meleeing if the player is in melee range.Kbd will periodically shoot bolts of lightning at the player, dealing magic damage. If the player is stood on or adjacent to one of the pools when this bolt hits, the lightning will jump to the pool and detonate it, dealing typeless damage to the player. Fight will end when this phase is over.
Drops: Kbd should be focused on dropping low to mid level ores and herbs in large quantities, to be attractive to Ironman accounts, as well as dragon armour items, weapons, and runite pieces. The total drops from these should roughly equate to 1.5m/hr in drop value. Uncommonly, KBD should drop a Wightsteel Icon. This is an untradeable item that will attach to barrows armour, making them untradeable but giving them a small stat improvement across the board, as well as a dark-purple trim to the armour. This armour should have worse stats than Torva, but sit firmly above the original barrows pieces. Rarely, KBD should drop a Wightsteel Claw. Also untradeable, this will attach to the barrows weapons, giving them a dark purple glow and darkening the metal components of the weapons. This will also make the weapons untradeable, but they will still degrade. They will only be rechargeable by adding Wightsteel Scrap to the weapon. Whilst providing no stat bonuses, they will provide a boost to the armour's set effect, *only* if the full set of upgraded barrows armour is worn. *Wightsteel Scrap can be created by the player by destroying barrows armour on an anvil with 80 smithing. It should be tradeable. Kbd should also drop this rarely. My hope is that we can use KBD to fill an equipment gap in the game between Bandos (60m) and Torva (700m~), between Ahrim's and Ancients, and Karil's and Masori, focusing on higher defence rather than increasing dps. It also provides an opportunity to add utility to the armour sets, such as a full ahrim's set reducing melee stats with successful magic damage, karil's reducing magic damage dealt and Torag's dealing more damage to targets based on their % defence level reduction, although these are massive changes. The entire suggestion is subject to massive testing, but imo it's a good idea to make both Barrows more profitable and add another high-mid boss for players. (Wightsteel icons could also change the appearance of King Black Prince, since the pet grind is the only content that matters).
I hope you enjoyed reading this idea :)
submitted by Ninurtah to 2007scape [link] [comments]
Kbd+ should sit at the higher end of mid-tier content, alongside Vorkath, Zulrah and Hydra, and provide comparable gp/h. Kbd fight - 3 phases, one for each head remaining until dead. Kbd will exclusively attack with 2 of the 3 combat styles during the fight, switching combination based on the phase. He will also use coloured firebreath relating to the phase he's in. White, green, blue.
Phase 1 - Ice head. Ranged/magic. Kbd will periodically freeze the player in place, where they will have to spam-click the floor to break out, hespori-esque. Kbd will also breathe into the air and freeze the cavern above him, causing stalactites to form. He then stomps and causes these to fall on random tiles in the boss room. When KBD stomps, if the player is on an adjacent tile to KBD, they will be knocked back and stunned just long enough to not be able to move away from the dropping stalactites. These stalactites will leave puddles of water on the floor. These will not fade away until the end of the fight. Kbd will only perform this mechanic once per fight.
Phase 2 - poison head. Melee/ranged - will constantly move within melee range of the player. Kbd will spit pools of poison on the floor over the course of the fight. Standing on these pools will deal 3-6 tick damage with poison resistance, 5-10 without. These will not fade away until the end of the fight. Kbd will tail swipe the player, with a chat-box notification saying "The King Black Dragon readies its tail"If the player does not move out of melee range of the KBD, the swipe will knock the player back 4 tiles, taking typeless melee damage, between 20-40. If they are knocked into a wall, the player will be stunned for 2 seconds.
Phase 3 - lightning head - Melee/Magic - kbd will remain stationary, only meleeing if the player is in melee range.Kbd will periodically shoot bolts of lightning at the player, dealing magic damage. If the player is stood on or adjacent to one of the pools when this bolt hits, the lightning will jump to the pool and detonate it, dealing typeless damage to the player. Fight will end when this phase is over.
Drops: Kbd should be focused on dropping low to mid level ores and herbs in large quantities, to be attractive to Ironman accounts, as well as dragon armour items, weapons, and runite pieces. The total drops from these should roughly equate to 1.5m/hr in drop value. Uncommonly, KBD should drop a Wightsteel Icon. This is an untradeable item that will attach to barrows armour, making them untradeable but giving them a small stat improvement across the board, as well as a dark-purple trim to the armour. This armour should have worse stats than Torva, but sit firmly above the original barrows pieces. Rarely, KBD should drop a Wightsteel Claw. Also untradeable, this will attach to the barrows weapons, giving them a dark purple glow and darkening the metal components of the weapons. This will also make the weapons untradeable, but they will still degrade. They will only be rechargeable by adding Wightsteel Scrap to the weapon. Whilst providing no stat bonuses, they will provide a boost to the armour's set effect, *only* if the full set of upgraded barrows armour is worn. *Wightsteel Scrap can be created by the player by destroying barrows armour on an anvil with 80 smithing. It should be tradeable. Kbd should also drop this rarely. My hope is that we can use KBD to fill an equipment gap in the game between Bandos (60m) and Torva (700m~), between Ahrim's and Ancients, and Karil's and Masori, focusing on higher defence rather than increasing dps. It also provides an opportunity to add utility to the armour sets, such as a full ahrim's set reducing melee stats with successful magic damage, karil's reducing magic damage dealt and Torag's dealing more damage to targets based on their % defence level reduction, although these are massive changes. The entire suggestion is subject to massive testing, but imo it's a good idea to make both Barrows more profitable and add another high-mid boss for players. (Wightsteel icons could also change the appearance of King Black Prince, since the pet grind is the only content that matters).
I hope you enjoyed reading this idea :)
2024.05.16 17:49 aja_ramirez How to handle loaded or inappropriate questions submitted during a presentation (as host)?
I work at a University. Anyone else working in this context will understand that there is a concept of shared governance, where various constituent groups can provide input on big decisions that may affect them. From my experience, it is not uncommon for faculty to butt heads with leadership. This is what is happening at my institution. In the interest of full disclosure, I am on the administrative side (though not quite at the senior table).
I am currently responsible for securing a consultant to help us better understand the issue. We are down to three finalist secured using an RFP and the President wants an open process from all constituents to provide feedback toward the final selection of the consultant. We are thinking of having each finalist present to the entire community. A bit risky, I know, but I suppose the upside is transparency and communication and input.
Okay, so here is the issue. Faculty representatives, because they are upset about their issues, have tried to derail every townhall type presentation in the recent past. There is one issue in particular that they refuse to let go of, and questions related to a "done decision" continue to come up. Now, this presentation is specifically about shared governance so you might think that their questions would be relevant. Maybe the will, maybe they will just be loaded or inappropriate questions for the consultant to field.
So my recommendation to the President will be to hold it webinar style and to send out like a three question survey right after (with no Q and A). Keep the survey open for a day and be done with it. President doesn't always agree with me, so I am thinking about what my suggestion might be if he insists on allowing questions. I imagine readers here will have strong opinions about one approach or the other.
So, if an inappropriate question does come in (judged solely by me, the meeting host), how might it be handled? Skip it? Deal with it? Other suggestions?
submitted by aja_ramirez to WorkAdvice [link] [comments]
I am currently responsible for securing a consultant to help us better understand the issue. We are down to three finalist secured using an RFP and the President wants an open process from all constituents to provide feedback toward the final selection of the consultant. We are thinking of having each finalist present to the entire community. A bit risky, I know, but I suppose the upside is transparency and communication and input.
Okay, so here is the issue. Faculty representatives, because they are upset about their issues, have tried to derail every townhall type presentation in the recent past. There is one issue in particular that they refuse to let go of, and questions related to a "done decision" continue to come up. Now, this presentation is specifically about shared governance so you might think that their questions would be relevant. Maybe the will, maybe they will just be loaded or inappropriate questions for the consultant to field.
So my recommendation to the President will be to hold it webinar style and to send out like a three question survey right after (with no Q and A). Keep the survey open for a day and be done with it. President doesn't always agree with me, so I am thinking about what my suggestion might be if he insists on allowing questions. I imagine readers here will have strong opinions about one approach or the other.
So, if an inappropriate question does come in (judged solely by me, the meeting host), how might it be handled? Skip it? Deal with it? Other suggestions?
2024.05.16 17:47 SuddenBookkeeper4824 [Advice] Please help talk me out of doing something possibly unhinged (messaging someone re cheating) - in Luteal hell
Hi all,
I am a few days out before my period and I usually get very emotional. I thus do my best to stay away from situations that will trigger me and I lay (lie?) low. Ive done tremendous work on managing my reactivity during this time but I don’t know if i can handle it given where I am in life.
I really want to send this email back to my shady male ex-coworker in response to his email he sent me today (out of nowhere!!). I want to say:
“must be nice to be doing so well. I know we only slept together once, and you led me on and flirted with me while I was a lowly employee and didn’t tell me you were married and now you’re head general counsel to this major company. You used my body and while my life disintegrated, you didn’t help me once. And now you can’t be bothered to help me. Shame on you!”
Okay and this is why (this is long, but this is all important). And my God, I know this sounds juvenile when I write it out, but it’s my life. I basically want to reclaim my power and voice in some way. But maybe it’s misplaced.
CONTEXT:
Basically, I had a prestigious job a few years ago, and one of my senior coworkers flirted with me. He seemed like a really sweet guy and would counsel me on things (especially while I was leaving my physically abusive ex).
On a work trip, we ended up sleeping together (which is a big deal to me). Little did I know, he was also f*cking married. When I found out, I went biserck. He begged me not to ruin his marriage by telling his wife etc. Because I was in an extremely vulnerable place in my life with a physically abusive ex stalking me (had to get an OP against him etc etc), I decided not to say anything. I had too much shit to deal with on top of a demanding job.
Unfortunately, my life got worse since that fateful encounter with my coworkers/leaving my physically abusive ex. I was raped by a multimillionaire I was dating, and he tried to pay me off to silence him. I refused. I eventually went to the police (nothing came of it) but I had incriminating evidence via text and audio of him basically admitting to “wronging me” and paying me “handsomely” in return in exchange for an NDA.
This is where married coworker gets semi involved. Basically, I refused my rapist’s proposal to be silenced and began telling everyone around me about what happened. My rapist in turn hired the most expensive law firm to sue me for defamation. And because of the nature of my work, it got crazy.
So, the law clerk working for the evil judge overseeing my rapist’s case against me was none other than my coworker’s wife!!
To keep a long story short, a few things happened:
(1) as a direct result of the evil judge’s first ruling at the first hearing, I was restrained from talking about what happened. And that judge spoke to the judge I was working for, and I got fired.
(2) this is when my life slowly came spiraling out of control. All the while, I still had to interact with my ex-workers wife (who has sway on how the judge rules) because at the time, I was pro se. She would send both me and my rapist’s lawyers emails on motions, rulings, hearings, etc. It seemed like she was particularly unfair to me. And while this is going on, the ex-coworker would email me asking me for updates on the case. (Keeping tabs).
(3) eventually, I got an excellent attorney to represent me. I not only won, and got the lawsuit dismissed, but I was able to explain to my former boss what happened and he was so apologetic. He was about to retire, so he changed my status from being fired to voluntarily left, and wrote a glowing recommendation.
Unfortunately, life got worse for me from there, and as a result of all the shit and trauma, I haven’t been able to work full time again. I’m trying to get back on my feet; but it’s been hell. I’m broke now. Don’t have a safety net. My living situation is unstable. And my mental state is now functional freeze.
And today, when I got the email from my coworker, and I looked up his new position, I wanted to scream!
Maybe I’m jealous? Maybe I blame him a little? This email to me would = power. Because I feel like I’ve been powerless and voiceless for way too long.
submitted by SuddenBookkeeper4824 to PMDD [link] [comments]
I am a few days out before my period and I usually get very emotional. I thus do my best to stay away from situations that will trigger me and I lay (lie?) low. Ive done tremendous work on managing my reactivity during this time but I don’t know if i can handle it given where I am in life.
I really want to send this email back to my shady male ex-coworker in response to his email he sent me today (out of nowhere!!). I want to say:
“must be nice to be doing so well. I know we only slept together once, and you led me on and flirted with me while I was a lowly employee and didn’t tell me you were married and now you’re head general counsel to this major company. You used my body and while my life disintegrated, you didn’t help me once. And now you can’t be bothered to help me. Shame on you!”
Okay and this is why (this is long, but this is all important). And my God, I know this sounds juvenile when I write it out, but it’s my life. I basically want to reclaim my power and voice in some way. But maybe it’s misplaced.
CONTEXT:
Basically, I had a prestigious job a few years ago, and one of my senior coworkers flirted with me. He seemed like a really sweet guy and would counsel me on things (especially while I was leaving my physically abusive ex).
On a work trip, we ended up sleeping together (which is a big deal to me). Little did I know, he was also f*cking married. When I found out, I went biserck. He begged me not to ruin his marriage by telling his wife etc. Because I was in an extremely vulnerable place in my life with a physically abusive ex stalking me (had to get an OP against him etc etc), I decided not to say anything. I had too much shit to deal with on top of a demanding job.
Unfortunately, my life got worse since that fateful encounter with my coworkers/leaving my physically abusive ex. I was raped by a multimillionaire I was dating, and he tried to pay me off to silence him. I refused. I eventually went to the police (nothing came of it) but I had incriminating evidence via text and audio of him basically admitting to “wronging me” and paying me “handsomely” in return in exchange for an NDA.
This is where married coworker gets semi involved. Basically, I refused my rapist’s proposal to be silenced and began telling everyone around me about what happened. My rapist in turn hired the most expensive law firm to sue me for defamation. And because of the nature of my work, it got crazy.
So, the law clerk working for the evil judge overseeing my rapist’s case against me was none other than my coworker’s wife!!
To keep a long story short, a few things happened:
(1) as a direct result of the evil judge’s first ruling at the first hearing, I was restrained from talking about what happened. And that judge spoke to the judge I was working for, and I got fired.
(2) this is when my life slowly came spiraling out of control. All the while, I still had to interact with my ex-workers wife (who has sway on how the judge rules) because at the time, I was pro se. She would send both me and my rapist’s lawyers emails on motions, rulings, hearings, etc. It seemed like she was particularly unfair to me. And while this is going on, the ex-coworker would email me asking me for updates on the case. (Keeping tabs).
(3) eventually, I got an excellent attorney to represent me. I not only won, and got the lawsuit dismissed, but I was able to explain to my former boss what happened and he was so apologetic. He was about to retire, so he changed my status from being fired to voluntarily left, and wrote a glowing recommendation.
Unfortunately, life got worse for me from there, and as a result of all the shit and trauma, I haven’t been able to work full time again. I’m trying to get back on my feet; but it’s been hell. I’m broke now. Don’t have a safety net. My living situation is unstable. And my mental state is now functional freeze.
And today, when I got the email from my coworker, and I looked up his new position, I wanted to scream!
Maybe I’m jealous? Maybe I blame him a little? This email to me would = power. Because I feel like I’ve been powerless and voiceless for way too long.