Line plot worksheet carried away

Reading Like a Writer

2018.02.26 02:12 RockBobster Reading Like a Writer

A community read-along where users post essays and critically discuss what, specifically, makes a book tick.

2015.04.03 17:40 alwayscalibrating Welcome to the Flotilla

Welcome to the Flotilla! This is home to the mighty Quarian race.

2024.05.16 15:49 haygurlhay123 “This Time, I Will Never Let You Go”: Cloud’s Mission and the Hidden Purpose of the Remake Trilogy - Literary and Musical Analysis of FFVII - Part 4

(continuation of part 3)
Since Fatal Calling is all about Cloud facing his past and his origins, Tifa’s musical theme is most appropriate for the ending cutscene. For all of these reasons, Tifa’s theme is absolutely appropriate for the conclusion of Fatal Calling. It makes a lot of sense then that once Cloud has finished revisiting the past and vanishes with the crystal to find his Promised Land, Tifa’s theme stops and Aerith’s theme begins.
There’s a lot to be said about Sephiroth in Fatal Calling. Sephiroth feeds off of despair, and deems Palamecia’s suffering inadequate: he seeks a much greater source of power than this realm. He states that Palamecia isn’t “the world that was promised to [him]”, referencing his desire to become the god of his core world of FFVII:

“Sephiroth: Melding with the planet, I will cease to exist as I am now only to be reborn as a ‘god’ to rule over every soul” (FFVII OG, disk 1, chapter 25).

Sephiroth’s line “Now, let us return [Cloud]. Back to the Promised Land” reveals he wants to return to their shared core world of FFVII, like we established in our review of the Remake timelines theory (see section “I. a) vii.”). Sephiroth wants to go back to FFVII and modify the OG timeline to achieve his evil goals. This is his ideal scenario, his place of complete happiness: his desired Promised Land. Fatal Calling is setting up Sephiroth’s plans for Remake. In fact, the after-credits scene wherein Sephiroth stands in Nibelheim as it burns confirms his return to the FFVII OG timeline.
However, he isn’t the only one returning. Now that Cloud has revisited his past in Fatal Calling, he’s ready to reach his Promised Land. After Sephiroth’s after-credits scene, the OG FFVII title and logo turn into the FFVII Remake title and logo, indicating a shift: we are now officially in the Remakeera or world. Cloud and Sephiroth disappeared at the end of Fatal Calling, and now the game is telling us where they’ve gone. Combined with Hamaguchi’s recommendation that players complete the collaboration event before playing Remake, I think this is a solid indication that the Cloud and Sephiroth we see in this collaboration event are those we encounter in the Remake world. Once the switch to Remake occurs, Aerith’s theme returns. This communicates that she is indeed —as we’ve proven countless times already— Cloud’s Promised Land. But it also conveys her importance to the story of Remake. Scenario writer Nojima confirmed this:

“Aerith's the most important character in the remake so we paid special attention to her lines” (FFVII Remake Ultimania, section 08 “Secrets”, “Development Staff Interviews, Part 2: Tetsuya Nomura, Yoshinori Kitase, Kazushige Nojima”, page 744).

Aerith was already important to OG, so what could’ve motivated Nojima to state her importance to Remake? Could it be that she’s even more important in the latter than she was in the former? In what way?
That was the collaboration! Before we move on from MFF x FFVII Remake entirely though, let’s glean some more relevant information from some of the collaboration’s promotional material and special features.
~III. e) iii. Promotional Material and Special Features~
Two particular pieces of promotional material for this collaboration stick out to me as extremely relevant. The first is a promotion for a new summons batch in the Mobius FF game, created in honor of the collaboration.
MFF x FFVII Remake Summons Batch Cloud Promo
The summons batch contains three FFVII Remake-themed cards, including a Cloud card. As you can see, this promo reads “Who awaits in the Promised Land?” under Cloud’s picture.
The second is a promotion of an Aerith and summons and an Aerith Job Card (in MFF, Job Cards allow a character to embody an archetype or another character, giving them certain physical traits, clothing, weapons and abilities):
MFF x FFVII Remake Aerith Summons and Job Card Promo
I couldn’t find this picture in English, but the text relevant to us translates to:

“Midgar's Flower Vendor Summons
‘I'm searching for you. I want to meet… you.’
The witch protects the planet, imbues it with power, and leads to the Promised Land.”

A few things here. First, Aerith is referenced by name, and we see a picture of her in her famous praying pose. Secondly, both Cloud and Aerith’s images are attached to the notion of the Promised Land. Cloud’s card asks who awaits there, and Aerith’s evokes a guiding role, as though in response. Thirdly, both Cloud and Aerith are attached to the notion of searching: Cloud searches for the Promised Land and whomever awaits there, and Aerith searches for Cloud’s true self. Speaking of which, the promo also includes parts of Aerith’s famous gondola date quote from OG:

“Aeris: I'm searching for you.
Cloud: …?
Aeris: I want to meet you.
Cloud: But I'm right here.
Aeris: I know, I know... what I mean is... I want to meet... you” (disk 1 chapter 24).

In case you’re wondering about the lady in Aerith’s clothes on the left-hand side, that’s Meia, a character in MFF. She is the “witch” being referred to in the promotional material. She’s often called the Azure Witch. Meia is wearing Aerith’s clothes because a Meia-type Job Card called “Flower Girl of Midgar” was created in honor of the MFF x FFVII Remake collaboration:
MFF x FFVII Remake \"Flower Girl of Midgar\" Job Card
There’s even an Aerith outfit you can have Echo wear, and it appears with Wol’s Cloud outfit in the promotional picture:
MFF x FFVII Remake Echo's Aerith Outfit and Wol's Cloud Outfit
To be fair, Tifa also appears in one of these summons promos. However, unlike Aerith’s, her appearance doesn’t reference the Promised Land or her version of the gondola date. She is not presented in connection to Cloud at all. On top of that, while the Aerith and Cloud outfits are promoted together, Tifa is paired with Vincent in the promotional image:
MFF x FFVII Remake Summons Promo Tifa and Vincent
This is hardly indicative of Cloti content in the event collaboration or in Remake.
~III. e) iv. Cloud’s Promised Land~
All in all, the collaboration tells the story of Cloud searching for his Promised Land, just as post-OG Cloud has been shown doing for years and years of canon SE content. Cloud is searching for Aerith in the MFF x FFVII Remake collaboration, just like he was in FFT and DFF, and just like he was shown doing in the 30th FF Anniversary Exposition. This is nothing new. However, the collaboration informs us that this mission to be reunited with Aerith is what leads Cloud to enter the world of Remake.
Echo noted that people obtain the Promised Land they deserve rather than the one they want. What does Cloud deserve? I believe the answer is: another chance at saving Aerith.
Cloud needs to start over, from the top. He needs to go back to the very moment he and Avalanche arrived at mako reactor 1 to bomb it. He needs to return to the beginning of the OG game. He needs a redo, a fix-it, another shot at happiness; a remake.

IV. The Hidden Plot Point: Mission Theory

~a) Thesis~
Here lies the heart of my theory. My dear Cleriths, Sephiroth isn’t the only one who travelled back in time to undo destiny and create a reality where things go his way: Remake is also —I would even say primarily— Cloud’s chance to free Aerith from her fate, save her life and secure his shot at happiness with her. That’s why he experiences MOTFs in Remake: he’s done FFVII before and now he’s back, although with only fragments of his memories from OG, to save Aerith. That’s why his triggers all involve Aerith: he doesn’t consciously remember anything from OG, but his grief over Aerith is so strong that it rises from his subconsciousness at the slightest trigger.
In Remake, Cloud remembers some but not all elements of the OG timeline (MOTFs), and it appears he only remembers the most important things: all his MOTFs revolve around Aerith and her fate. Our theory explains why Aerith triggers Cloud’s MOTFs in Remake quite perfectly: he traveled back in time to prevent Aerith’s death from happening. Remake Cloud remembers Aerith because, well, he knows her from OG. Post-OG Cloud has returned to the past to save Aerith, resulting in Remake. This is why seeing her in Remake triggers visions and memories of things that haven’t happened yet in Remake, but have already happened to post-OG Cloud. He recognizes her face on Loveless in Remake because seeing her face again is the whole reason he entered Remake in the first place. His visions of her death when they meet once more at the church, the spike of anxiety and grief as he watches her walk away from him, the constriction in his chest when she talks about doing everything in her power to help the planet… all of it, it’s all his memories of OG being jogged by things related to her death. What he’s forgotten from the OG timeline emerges in flashes of pain, images, memory and emotion. Remember that the language the devs used to describe these instances where Cloud reacts to Aerith in this way is always about “remembering” or “recognizing”; Cloud has to have seen Aerith, known Aerith, loved Aerith, lost Aerith and felt the pain of living without Aerith before in order to recognize and remember these feelings. Think about it: this is the only thing that can explain Cloud’s extremely selective MOTFs and the fact that he has MOTFs at all.
The Remake trilogy is all about Cloud and Sephiroth stepping into the ring one more time, both ready to risk it all to get what they lost in the OG timeline. Sephiroth is hungry for destruction and godhood, while Cloud stands determined to save the love of his life. Fighting for their respective goals, the fated enemies enter a new battle in Remake, one to end the war, both needing to win this time after losing so horribly in OG. Now, it’s all or nothing. Sephiroth vying for the planet, and Cloud reaching out for Aerith.
Cloud’s back with a quest, one he can’t fail— it’s the most secret and important plot point of all. I call this the “Mission Theory”.
~IV. b) Mission Theory Logistics~
There are a few things that remain vague, so I’m going to use this section of the analysis to speculate on the logistics of my theory. We know very little about the hows of the timeline and multiverse shenanigans, so I’m going to hypothesize. However, this analysis is about the whys: so if you’re not interested in mechanical speculation on the logistics of time travel and multiverses, you can totally disregard this section and skip to section “V.”.
~IV. b) i. Cloud the Time-Traveler?~
It’s unclear whether Remake is the result of post-OG Cloud going back in time to try his hand at the OG timeline again, or the result of post-OG Cloud somehow informing OG Cloud that he must save Aerith this time around. It’s vague in the same way that we aren’t sure if Remake Aerith is post-OG Aerith or if she’s been informed by post-OG Aerith via her connection to the Lifestream as a Cetra. Though it doesn’t much matter how Cloud has memories of Aerith’s death in Remake, I personally think that Remake Cloud is a time-traveling post-OG Cloud. My explanation as to why might be a little confusing, so again, feel free to skip to section “V.”.
One must be able to communicate with the Lifestream in order to obtain knowledge of the future. This access can only be granted to the Cetra or to the souls of the deceased that compose the Lifestream itself. Since Cloud is not a Cetra, he cannot commune with the Lifestream while he is alive, meaning a deceased post-OG Cloud would not have been able to communicate his memories of the OG plot-line with a living OG Cloud. Therefore, the only way Remake Cloud could have knowledge of the future (manifested as MOTFs) would be that Remake Cloud is inhabited by his post-OG consciousness. Effectively, this is time-traveling.
Then comes the question of how Cloud was able to time-travel at all. I have what I consider a pretty solid hypothesis. The most interesting thing about the realm of Palamecia is that every FF character that’s ever appeared in the realm for a cameo died in their core world beforehand (spoilers for FFI, FFV, FFVI, FFX, FFXII, FFXIII, FFXV incoming). These characters include Tidus (FFX), Lightning (FFXIII), Garland (FFI), Sephiroth (FFVII), Gilgamesh (FFV), Vargas (FFVI), Gabranth (FFXII) and Ultros (FFXV). My interpretation of Palamecia serves at least partly as a directory for deceased souls that can’t simply fade. For instance, FFX’s Tidus actually came back to life to be with his love>! Yuna !! FFX!<. Of course, MFF x>! FFX !!FFX!< and FFX-2, just like MFF x FFVII Remake came out between FFVII OG and FFVII. And similarly to Fatal Calling, the ending cutscene of MFF x>! FFX !!Next thing you know, FFX-2 comes out and shows Tidus returning to Yuna and their core world in an optional cutscene.!< The MFF x>! FFX !! Tidus !Remake.
~IV. b) ii. Post-OG Cloud’s Amnesia~
If we consider that Remake Cloud is a time-travelling post-OG Cloud who’s returned to the start of the OG timeline, we encounter another logistical problem: why doesn’t Cloud remember everything or most things from the OG plot-line in Remake, like Sephiroth and Remake Aerith do? After all, aren’t the three of them in the same time-travelling boat? Why isn’t Cloud as lucid on the matter as the two others? Didn’t the post-OG Cloud in Fatal Calling face his past and origins? Shouldn’t that mean Cloud would remember all that stuff in Remake from the start?
In OG, the true Cloud’s memories are repressed by both his false persona and Jenova. The latter’s memetic abilities are able to block Cloud’s memories of the past from emerging and conflicting with his SOLDIER persona. For instance, in both OG and Remake, Cloud is unable to hear Aerith tell him Zack’s name in Evergreen Park: Jenova blocks it out. I think this is a similar situation: post-OG Cloud’s consciousness carries memories things that Jenova doesn’t want Cloud to know, so she pushes down on them. On top of that, after travelling through different worlds and back through the Lifestream for who knows how long, post-OG Cloud’s consciousness must be quite weak. We know how good Cloud is at repressing, so it makes total sense to me that post-OG Cloud’s consciousness would be trapped or suppressed somewhere deep in Remake Cloud’s subconsciousness. After all, it’s not like this whole time-travelling-consciousness thing is normal for a mind to experience. It’s no wonder Remake Cloud doesn’t consciously remember how things go in OG. However, post-OG Cloud’s love and grief for Aerith are so strong that memories related to her can occasionally pierce through to his Remake consciousness and Jenova’s barriers, resulting in his MOTFs. His pain and love for her are definitely permanent and strong enough:

“A young woman descended from the Ancients who will forever be engraved in [Cloud’s] heart” (Dirge of Cerberus, Japanese manual, Aerith’s character description).
“I believe for those who formerly traveled with her as comrades and for the viewers, each carries their own feelings and love for Aerith. In this story, Cloud also carries his own undying feelings for Aerith, even to this very day… Its relation with the church scene is… Yup. I’ll leave this part to your imagination. (laughs)” (Nomura interview on Advent Children “Designer’s Note” in Famitsu PS2!magazine, October 24th issue).

So you see, Remake Cloud’s mind is a little more complicated than OG Cloud’s mind. Everything is still the same in Remake as in OG, but with the added complication that his future self is hidden in his subconscious mind, probably trying to get out.
There is actually pretty good evidence of this. I’m sure you’re aware that whenever Jenova is trying to hide something from Cloud or altering his memory and/or perception, the screen glitches green with an audio cue (34:15-34:29, 1:15:30-1:15:41 and 1:17:14-1:17:29). Guess what? These Jenova audiovisual cues also occur during the MOTFs (ie: MOTF 3 2:58-3:07 and MOTF 4 0:29-0:42). Whenever post-OG Cloud’s consciousness encounters anything that reminds it of losing Aerith, the strength of its pain helps it push memories of Aerith to the surface so that RemakeCloud can consciously see them. Remake Cloud then experiences sensations and/or visions, all from his future self’s memories as they rise to the surface, propelled by grief. Jenova can’t allow Remake Cloud to fully recover his post-OG memory, so in order to shut down the process, its cells jump in to repress the MOTFs: this results in the classic Jenova audiovisual cues. The only time Jenova doesn’t bother to fight against a MOTF is the sixth, as it is quite weak: no visions occur, only a tight sensation in his chest.
~IV. b) iii.~ ~Eclipse Contact~ ~and Cloud’s Memories of Reactor 1~
There is one problem I have trouble decoding. In Eclipse Contact, Cloud tells Wol and Echo that the last thing he remembers is the run-up to his arrival at mako reactor 1 (FFVII OG, disk 1, chapter 1). Recall that usually, people summoned to Palamecia have no memories of their world of origin and lives before that point at all. So then why is it that upon being summoned to Palamecia, Cloud recalls the events that took place right before the start of the OG game? This strikes me as highly relevant since this is the exact point in time where post-OG Cloud’s consciousness needs to be transported to in order for Remake to begin, but I haven’t been able to figure out a solid hypothesis on what it could mean. My best guess is that this is the devs’ way of signalling to us that the events of the MFF x FFVII Remake collaboration occur before the very beginning of post-OG Cloud’s second try at the OG timeline (Remake).
Now that I’ve shown you how I’ve come to form my Mission Theory and we’ve done some pesky housekeeping, let’s connect some dots, shall we? It’s time to really get into it and see if any of my wild speculation tracks with content from the Remake trilogy so far.
~V. Musical Evidence~
What about the music of the game? Any hints there? Let’s try to see if we can find support for the Mission Theory in the music made for the Remake trilogy thus far!
As a preface to my musical evidence analysis, I want to insist on something: the story guys tell the soundtrack guys everything. In a high-quality production such as Remake, people who make music for audiovisual media are told everything in advance. They need to know the secrets of every little scene, because their job is to depict whatever is happening through music.
Therefore, if the Mission Theory is true, then there has to be musical evidence for it.
~V. a) Preface: The Basics of the~ ~FFVII~ ~OST~
There’s a lot of evidence in the music of the Remake trilogy that we have to address, but before we get into it, I do have to give you the basics of the FFVII soundscape! For the easiest experience, I suggest you keep a tab open for every link I provide for you until the music analysis is over, because we will be hopping from one musical theme to another and then back again.
~V. a) i. The World Theme: Cloud’s Troubled Identity~
The world theme of FFVII is a perfect example of how musicians working on an OST have to know the secrets of a story as they compose for it. On top of representing the FFVII world as a whole, it doubles as Cloud’s character theme… except that isn’t exactly right. You see, this piece does indeed contain Cloud’s true theme, but Sephiroth and Jenova’s musical motifs also contaminate it. This, of course, symbolizes how Cloud experiences identity sabotage because of these two antagonists. The result is that globally, the world theme does indeed represent Cloud’s character, but it isn’t exclusively Cloud’s in the same way that Cloud’s mind isn’t exclusively his. It’s brilliant storytelling through musical motifs, and evidently requires Uematsu to know in advance that Sephiroth manipulates Cloud’s identity in the story.
For future reference, let’s isolate Cloud’s true theme from Jenova and Sephiroth’s influence.
~V. a) i. 1) Sephiroth: Dissonance and Semi-Tone Motif~
I’m sure you know Sephiroth’s infamous theme: “One-Winged Angel”. The first motif we need to know is Sephiroth’s threatening, repetitive dissonance motif, which plays all throughout the piece (plays solo at 0:00 to 0:04). The second motif is what I call the semi-tone motif. “One-Winged Angel” has a ton of minor 2nd intervals, which is what we call the relationship between two notes that are only a semi-tone apart. You might recognize the minor 2nd interval in the foreboding Jaws theme. Just like in Jaws, the minor 2nd interval or semi-tone is commonly used to indicate an impending, life-threatening danger, a monster, predator, evil, or insanity; suits Sephiroth quite nicely!
~V. a) i. 2) Jenova: Parasite Motif~
The track “J-E-N-O-V-A” contains many competing melodies and has generated many variations of those melodies —almost like clones— that all represent aspects of the alien’s character. The main Jenova motif is simply a descending, two-octaves-long, arpeggiated mb6 chord (eight notes total). I’ve played it for you here. Sometimes, this motif is altered to form variations. For instance, in “Listen to the Cries of the Planet”, a variation of Jenova’s main motif is created by changing the order of the notes and reducing the number of notes to only six (0:00-0:03), however, it remains an arpeggiated mb6 chord. Regardless of the alteration, if you hear an arpeggiated mb6 chord, it means Jenova is creeping close by or that its influence is at work.
The variation of the mb6 arpeggiated chord that concerns us alters Jenova’s main theme so it ascends from the tonic to the b6 note and descends back to the tonic, then ending on the lower dominant for a total of eight notes. I’ve played it for you here. I call this variation the “parasite motif”, because it is often heard when Cloud is being controlled by Jenova. For instance, it plays when Cloud loses himself and becomes unusually violent in Rebirth’s chapter 13 (17:25-18:34), signalling to us that Jenova is in control. It is also the main motif of the track “Who… Am I?”, which evidently symbolizes Jenova’s fuelling of Cloud’s identity crisis— though here, the parasite motif is shortened to its six first notes.
~V. a) i. 3) Cloud’s True Self~
Now that we can recognize Sephiroth and Jenova’s motifs, let’s return to the world theme to isolate Cloud’s true self. Cloud’s true theme can be heard from 0:51 to 3:48. It consists of a section A (0:51-1:54), followed by a section B (1:54-2:41), and then returns to section A (2:41-3:48).
After Cloud’s true theme concludes however, it seems he experiences a psychic interference: doubt and confusion weave through the world theme (3:48-4:09), representing an instability in his identity. I call this interruption of Cloud’s true theme the “interference section”. It symbolizes a moment of psychic interference or weakness within Cloud that Sephiroth and Jenova take advantage of to take control of Cloud.
The end of the interference section introduces Jenova’s parasite motif. It slithers in (4:09), later joined by Sephiroth’s dissonance motif (4:16): Cloud’s mind and identity are being hijacked by the two antagonists in service of their evil plans.
They torment Cloud, dominating his mind until he manages to free himself: section A of Cloud’s true theme begins playing again (6:06), closing the loop of the theme.
Based on this musical storytelling, if you already knew the character motifs going into OG, you might’ve suspected something odd was going on with Cloud’s identity, and that Jenova and Sephiroth were involved. All this to say that whatever music is playing at any given time can give us hints as to what is going on. That’s the power and significance of a good soundtrack. Trust me when I say that with Uematsu and his team, we’re in excellent hands. And remember: the story guys tell the soundtrack guys everything.
~V. a) ii. Aerith’s Theme~
Another base we have to cover before checking out the Remake soundtrack is Aerith’s theme. I’m sure everyone here is familiar with it, but I insist that you refresh your memory. It consists of a section A (0:00-0:34), a section B (0:34-1:13) and a section C (1:13-2:00), concluding with a repeat of section A.
~V. a) iii. Motifs and Timing in~ ~FFVII~ ~OSTs~
I’m going to analyze pieces in great detail, which people who haven’t studied or paid attention to soundtracks may find strange. To prevent anyone from making the mistake of thinking that I’m reading too much into things, I want to emphasize that the music that plays during the Remaketrilogy’s cutscenes is carefully timed, composed and arranged to match the events in the cutscenes, as they are provided in advance to the musicians. Composers pay lots of attention to whatever is going on onscreen so they can include the corresponding musical motifs as accompaniment at the exact right moments, always striving to get the timing perfect. I’m not exaggerating the effort and minutia involved in soundtrack composition and arrangement. Here are just a few sound staff comments from the “Material 4: Soundtrack” section of the FFVII Remake Material Ultimania to prove it:

“[To] make sure players really feel the weight of the moment, we worked hard on getting the tempo and the entry timing of each instrument exactly right. In particular, that big ‘boom’ that sounds almost like a meteor crashing down was fine-tuned to match the timing of the logo's appearance. I remember this was a real sticking point for us, because if the boom's timing was even slightly off, the effect would be completely different. We […] had to sequence [each and every sound] to play at exactly the right moment” (Shotaro Shima on track “Midgar, City of Mako”, page 229).

“I was originally told to keep this piece to under two minutes, but it ended up being over six minutes long, in order to match the flow of the cutscene. I arranged the track while watching the latest CG visuals that had been rendered for the scene” (Naoyuki Honzawa on track “Smash ‘Em, Rip ‘Em”, page 309).

“This is the track that plays during the tour of Shinra’s different divisions. The movie shown in the Visual Entertainment Hall describes the history of the Ancients (0:25 onward in the soundtrack version), and I wanted to create a musical link to them as well, so I made use of the chord progression from ‘Aerith’s Theme’ [D(I)-Am(Vm)-D(I).] [This simple sequence of moving from major to minor and back again creates a really mysterious air. Then, during the section where the movie recounts the history of the construction of the Shinra Building (1:47 onward in the soundtrack version), I quoted a section of the Shinra theme” (Yasunori Nishiki on track “Stewards of the Planet”, page 313).

~V. b) The~ ~Remake~ ~OST~
Now that you’re ready, it’s time to verify the Mission Theory’s validity with Remake’s music.
~V. b) i. MOTF 6 Music~
We were able to explain Remake Cloud’s MOTFs with the Mission Theory, and it just so happens that the music that plays during the scene of MOTF 6 is unique to Remake. This gives us the perfect opportunity: we should analyze the piece that plays as it occurs to evaluate the legitimacy of our theory on the Remake trilogy, using all the motifs we uncovered in section “V. a)”.
First, a refresher on the scene and on our theory’s interpretation of it. The party is gathered in Aerith and Ifalna’s old room at Shinra HQ. Here is how the scene is described by the VA script notes:

“The Whispers once again close in [on Aerith], but Aerith refuses to stop speaking this time.
Aerith: Listen to me. […] Shinra isn’t the enemy. They were the ones who set things in motion, but our true foe is someone else.
At that moment, the spectacle of Meteor they saw in the Visual Entertainment Hall comes into Cloud and the others’ heads.
Aerith: Somehow, some way, I want to help— all of you… the planet…
For some reason, Cloud feels his chest constrict tightly” (FFVII Remake Material Ultimania Plus, VA script notes, “Aerith Speaks”).

Indeed, right after Aerith says she wants to help the planet any way she can, Cloud looks down at his chest with a frown and a quiet grunt (7:46-7:54). According to the Mission Theory, this tightness in Cloud’s chest can be explained as an emergence of post-OG Cloud’s grief, triggered by the slightest allusion to Aerith’s sacrifice.
The piece that plays during this scene is called “Aerith’s Theme - The Cetra”. It is one of many variations of Aerith’s iconic theme arranged for Remake. However, Cloud’s theme is just as prominent in the piece— if not, more.
~V. b) i. 1) The Fate Motif~
Before we interpret “Aerith’s Theme - The Cetra”, I need to introduce you to one more motif that crops up in the piece. There is a windy motif that appears (from 1:45 onwards) and it is unaccounted for, despite how it’s clearly meant to represent something. I’ve become certain that this wind noise symbolizes fate, and I’ll tell you why.
In the MOTF 6 scene, just after Nanaki explains how he gained knowledge of the Whispers via contact with Aerith (7:23), they emerge and begin swirling aggressively around Aerith (7:26). Her hair and dress blow and ripple in the resulting wind. From this very moment onward “Aerith’s Theme - The Cetra” (3:00), a string section (bowed instruments in the violin family) that deliberately emphasizes the airy sound of the bow crossing the strings enters, creating a windy effect that adds to the already present wind noise (that started at 1:45). As the Whispers progressively become even more aggressive onscreen, both the wind SFX of the cutscene and the wind noise in the piece get louder and louder. Because of the timing of its appearance and crescendo in the cutscene, I’m certain the wind noise is meant to represent the restrictive flow of fate; it only makes sense, given that destiny is a current —or a wind— that cannot be broken, and Aerith is like a helpless petal in fate’s carefully planned storm. Of course, it’s also quite significant that the Whispers make a windy noise as they fly. You can hear it every time they’re onscreen, like when they first appear to Cloud in chapter 2 of Remake (17:45-18:20), or when the White Whispers hold Cloud back from chasing after Aerith during Rebirth’s Sleeping Forest scene in chapter 14 (28:43-29:45). You can also hear the wind sounds in other Whisper-related tracks, such as “Whorl of Whispers” (clearly audible at 2:50-3:05), as well as “A Death Not Ordained by Fate” (clearly audible at 2:56-3:18). Therefore, I’ll call these wind noises the “fate motif”.
~V. b) ii. 2) Interpreting “Aerith’s Theme - The Cetra”~
In part 1 of “Aerith’s Theme - The Cetra” (0:00-1:45), Aerith’s theme and Cloud’s true theme play simultaneously, their respective phrases fitting perfectly together, interweaving peacefully and softly. It sounds like the two of them are chatting, dancing bashfully yet contently and in perfect sync, glad to be exactly where they’re meant to be as their themes sing together in harmony (soft piano). Part 1 of this piece is about Cloud and Aerith becoming important to one another as they discover their soulmate bond.
Unfortunately that contentment doesn’t last. In part 2 (1:45-3:00), Cloud experiences a moment of psychic vulnerability (world theme’s interference section). Fate lurks (fate motif enters quietly). His instability forces our couple’s sweet dance to a halt, and Aerith’s theme must retreat as Cloud’s confusion takes center stage. Sephiroth torments and taunts him (semi-tone played by strings, 2:03-2:10), taking advantage of Cloud’s psychic interference to plunge him into darkness (world theme’s interference section ends, low cello enters, 2:18): Cloud temporarily becomes a darker version of himself as evil corrupts him (piano plays section A phrases 1 and 2 of Cloud’s true theme in minor, 2:18-2:53). Jenova finally reveals itself and promptly exits, releasing Cloud’s mind from its grasp (seven first notes of parasite motif played twice on piano 2:53-3:00). Cloud is free, but the damage has been done: his dance with Aerith has long been interrupted, and she is gone. Part 2 of “Aerith’s Theme - The Cetra” is about Cloud being manipulated in service of Sephiroth and Jenova’s evil plan, interrupting his interaction with Aerith.
Part 3 (3:00-3:33) kicks off the mechanisms of a tragic fate (strings section joins fate motif, 3:00). Both anxious that she’s disappeared from his side and terrified of the darkness he just discovered inside him (in part 2), Cloud fearfully calls out for Aerith (phrase 1 of Cloud’s true theme’s section A, timid and hesitant piano, 3:04-3:15). Before his psychic interference began (start of part 2), Cloud’s voice was accompanied by Aerith’s as they grew closer and closer (their character themes mingling in part 1)… but now, Aerith isn’t answering his call, and he cannot find her (Aerith’s theme doesn’t to join Cloud’s anymore).
Anxious, Cloud tries calling out for Aerith a second time (section A phrase 2 of Cloud’s true theme’s, 3:19-3:31), searching for her in the hopes that they can continue their dance, but even now, Aerith does not respond. She’s gone (Aerith’s theme remains absent). Destiny keeps Aerith away from Cloud (fate motif gently crescendos). Part 3 of “Aerith’s Theme - The Cetra” is about Cloud’s separation from Aerith, his search for her, and the fear and anxiousness he feels when he realizes he cannot find her.
And then, part 4 begins with a sweet, gentle voice, calling out from the blackened horizon: it’s Aerith (section B phrase 1 of Aerith’s theme, soft piano, 3:33-3:45). Cloud finally hears her respond to his pleas: he’s found her. Fate begins howling in protest, doubling its efforts to keep Cloud and Aerith apart (fate motif crescendos noticeably in reaction to Aerith’s theme, 3:45). You can just picture Cloud running toward Aerith, struggling against the current of destiny to try and close the distance between them. Aerith tries calling out for Cloud a second time, (section B phrase 2 of Aerith’s theme, 3:40-3:43), but the Whispers only swirl around her more ferociously, taking her away in the uncompromising current of fate (fate motif continues to crescendo). Aerith tries again (section B phrase 1 of Aerith’s theme, 3:47-3:49). It sounds like she’s saying “Cloud, I’m over here, come find me!”
Fate doesn’t take too kindly to her defying it. Cloud and Aerith are not supposed to be together; it can’t be, it won’t. She’s destined to die to save the planet, and he’s destined to remain hollow forevermore. I can picture Cloud breaking into a sprint at the sound of her voice, running countercurrent to the flow of destiny— but the winds are so loud, fate’s demands are so strong, and the Whispers are shrieking in defense of destiny now. Aerith’s voice emerges for the fourth time (first three notes of section B phrase 3 of Aerith’s theme, 3:54 to 3:56). Fate screams louder, louder (steep crescendo of fate motif, 3:59-4:02). In a desperate hail Mary, Aerith shouts out one more time, as though throwing her hand out toward Cloud’s extended fingers (section C phrase 1 of Aerith’s theme, louder and more insistent, cutting through the fate motif as it crescendos sharply, 4:00-4:06). Part 4 of “Aerith’s Theme - The Cetra” is about Cloud and Aerith desperately trying to defy fate in order to be together. And then, it all stops: fate has seemingly quieted Aerith (4:04-4:08)…
Part 5 (4:08-4:27) begins with Cloud jumping, launching himself off the ground with all his strength (Cloud’s true theme section A phrase 2, first 5 notes, melody starting on the note E5 and ascending) as Aerith plummets toward the ground in a fatal fall (Aerith’s theme section C phrase 1, melody starting on the note E6 and descending, the last note altered)— he successfully catches her in mid-air (both Cloud’s ascending melody and Aerith’s descending melody meet in the middle of the octave, first uniting on B5, and then ending on A5). I’ve recreated the melodies for you here so you can hear this reunion more clearly. If you consider that the airy strings in this piece represent fate, which I do, the fact that they follow Cloud and Aerith’s themes in part 5 signifies that they are now in control of their own destinies, and successfully making it their fate to reunite.
To be completely frank, I did not realize until right now writing this that Cloud unites with Aerith in part 5, even though his theme is right there. I’m so excited to share this part with you.
We hear Aerith once more, her voice quietly trailing off into the silence (phrase 4 of section C of Aerith’s theme) with no conclusion (phrase 5 normally follows phrase 4 to conclude Aerith’s theme, but is absent here). Part 5 of “Aerith’s Theme - The Cetra” suggests that Cloud will save Aerith and that the couple will change their fate, but also conveys an uncertain and open-ended quality.

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2024.05.16 15:48 GlimmeringRain I may have gotten a little carried away…

I started dating Fang yesterday so of course I decided that I had to build a house and get rid of the shack. My lot is currently only level 7 so I wanted to build something L shaped.
It takes up most of my current lot but only has an entryway with the stairs, an office, living room, kitchen, and bathroom on the first floor, and the master (with a balcony) and two kid bedrooms on the second floor.
It’s pretty but only has furniture in the bedroom right now since I only just finished Pet Detective and am about to attend the fireside that talks about Musa coming and ran out of money building this thing. 😂
Honestly, I’ll probably tear down everything on the outside and change the house to wood and make it a warmer color. It just doesn’t feel right for Fang. Maybe if I was planning to marry Amirah…
But thanks to whoever on here explained how to put plants in the flower boxes!

submitted by GlimmeringRain to MyTimeAtSandrock [link] [comments]

2024.05.16 15:43 Careless-Bobcat870 Why nobody ever posts the good stuff?

As soon as Joe hate ya start running to show Kai and start hating right away. But when is good, no mention
The first line is “i was watching a clip of Adin Ross calling Kai cenat…” it cut off sorry

submitted by Careless-Bobcat870 to TheKM [link] [comments]

2024.05.16 15:42 EmptyChaos8 Guy I was seeing got caught cheating

I've been seeing this guy since last summer. Things were casual but close. I saw him all the time. We talked every day. Sleepovers and dates often. Not officially boyfriend/girlfriend because he started a new job that was stressful and just got out of a bad relationship with a live in partner. Both had feelings for each other. Understood that we were only seeing each other, and if that changed for either of us, we would be open about it. I knew he was talking to other people, sexting is fine. But if he or I were physical with someone, we would be told. Safe sex, sexual health reasons, being open, etc. I didn't have any reason to not trust him.
Recently things haven't lined up, actions and words not matching. Questionable comments and online activity. I brushed most things off, and voiced a couple insecurities but was always told that I was overthinking and he would tell me if there was anything going on. And then a friend of mine sent me pictures they found of them with someone else. Irrefutable evidence based on the event where the pictures were taken. And not just one thing. Several instances of things happening. This made all the small things I've been noticing more than just me overthinking. It was proof that I was being gaslit the entire time continuously.
When asked directly, he freaks out that I'm paranoid and that it's too much for him to deal with. When presented with the evidence, he still refuses to admit anything. Deleted me off most things. Still putting this on me, that I'm too much and I'm the reason that this relationship ended. That we had a good thing and my questions and insecurities were pushing him away.
I don't care if he was with someone else. I just don't like being lied to. Not even lying by omission, but lying when asked directly.
Am I crazy for wanting him to admit things so we can move forward together? I love him in my life and we have so much fun together. I don't want to lose him. I just want to have a candid conversation and have my questions answered directly without him getting mad. Clear the air and be open about things and then continue together. He doesn't even have to stop seeing other people. I just want him to be open about the past and future.

submitted by EmptyChaos8 to dating_advice [link] [comments]

2024.05.16 15:40 Davey_the_Great Bleacher Report Prediction

The Dallas Cowboys haven't shown the offseason urgency to improve their roster that you would expect from a team coming off an embarrassing playoff loss in the Wild Card Round.
The Cowboys lost multiple starters and key rotational players to the Washington Commanders, who hired former Dallas defensive coordinator Dan Quinn as their head coach. They also lost running back Tony Pollard and left tackle Tyron Smith in free agency.
Though the Cowboys filled needs along their offensive line and within the front seven with their early draft picks, they went conservative in the first waves of free agency, which means a few rookies and role players may have to take on big roles.
Even more puzzling, the Cowboys signed Ezekiel Elliott to address their need at running back. While both sides might welcome that reunion, Elliott's average yards per carry declined every year since 2021. Last season, he logged a career-low 3.5 yards per carry.
Head coach Mike McCarthy said last year that he wants to "run the damn ball." However, the Cowboys may not be able to do that efficiently with Elliott on the decline and an underwhelming platoon of ball-carriers alongside him.
Without a solid run game, quarterback Dak Prescott could feel the pressure to carry the offense in a contract year. That could lead to more interceptions, which plagued him in 2022.
2024 Prediction: 8-9

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2024.05.16 15:39 Single-Nectarine4693 Getting new customers in 2024?

Hey, this is sort of a survey/post. I've been obsessed with experimenting with tools to get customers for my saas. I'm currently touching $10k and plan to reach 15 in the next 3 months. Please let me know if you have some other tools to recommend. I might have gotten too carried away with getting the "perfect" stack and have probably spent more time on it than it's worth lol. But still, here it goes:

Getting cold leads/customers: apollo.io
Getting warm leads/customers: buzzgeniusai.com
Linkedin prospecting/automation: dripify.io
Digital sales rep for prospecting: ava from artisan.co

I have literally tried all the popular options in the market and my OCD brain has finally settled on this. If you have anything you'd like to share I'd be grateful if you do. Well, I'll try to make up for the lost family time now and try to live like a regular person. Adios

submitted by Single-Nectarine4693 to Entrepreneurship [link] [comments]

2024.05.16 15:37 R3ddit0rN0t YouTube TV to carry local WNBA games beginning May 31, 2024

“In addition, YouTube said Wednesday that Google and Scripps Sports reached an agreement for locally televised WNBA Friday night games on ION to be streamed on YouTube TV in home and away markets of the teams that are playing. YouTube TV will be the only pay-TV provider carrying both local and national WNBA games this season, starting May 31 and continuing through the regular season.”
https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/youtube-upfront-2024-brandcast-1236005193/

submitted by R3ddit0rN0t to youtubetv [link] [comments]

2024.05.16 15:35 Single-Nectarine4693 Getting new customers in 2024

Getting cold leads/customers: apollo.io
Getting warm leads/customers: buzzgeniusai.com
Linkedin prospecting/automation: dripify.io
Digital sales rep for prospecting: ava from artisan.co

submitted by Single-Nectarine4693 to EntrepreneurRideAlong [link] [comments]

2024.05.16 15:34 CristinaRosu012 Hello. Help me put a smile on my face.

Hello,
Sorry for doing this but I am out of options. If you want to hear my story here it is.
I am 28 years old. Current time got very tough to me. It's the first Time in my Life I had to ask like this but I think that at the moment I have no other choice. I live in Eastern Europe, Romania to be more exact. I am working for about 9 years. I made some money through my work. I was planning to fix my car, give some money for my dad who have a serious illnesses , for his house renovation and fix a couple of my bad teeth. But I had a relationship that made all my plans fade away. I lost all my salary for which I was working so hard for 3months because he was a gambling addict. At first it was because I loved him so much but then I realised I lost half of my salary for his addiction. I was in this relationship for almost 4 years. After 2 years of our realtionship, he started to be a violent guy. He even beaten me for a lot of time, for not giving him money for his gambling addiction. I gave all my savings due to my fear of him. Just beacuse of that I have some credit lines that I made again for him. He forced me to do this.
Finally at the beginning of this year I have managed to get rid of him, with the help of dad's friend who contacted the police.
Finally after I though that I am free, another bad news came into my life. I have been diagnosed with a medical condition caused by the stress and the constant mental tension I have been in.
Now I have to deal with this illness and all the credit lines that I have made for him.
I have already notifications from the credit collections companies. I try and i try, day by day.
Now, at the very bottom, I realised It's the most stupid thing I've done. To get in debt for him.
I am trying to pay my debts fore the credit lines in a minimum ammount every month, along with the rent, medical treatments, food.
I don't spend my money on anything except those mentioned above.
I am asking for support to get out of this nasty situation I got into. I am peaying everyday for a miracle. I do not have any friends, just my father who is already ill. He is the only one in my life that can offer me a good speach .
So with him, I made some calculations, And the ammount of 6030 euro will.be enough to cover all of my debts and plus some money for treatments.
I would be very grateful if I could collect 6030€. 1 or 2 euro per person . It would help Me a lot through this tough period of my life.
For all interested in my story and wants to find out more, even to give them proof documents, please contact me on cristina.rosuu@gmail.com
Thank you in advance for reading my story and helping me get through it.
https://4fund.com/doresc-sa-achit-datoriile-care-imi-pun-presiune-pe-sanatatea-precara

submitted by CristinaRosu012 to donationrequest [link] [comments]

2024.05.16 15:33 DannyDevito_IsBae Chatgpt Game of (Burger) Thrones

The Battle for the Burger ThroneIn the kingdom of Fast Food, where golden arches pierced the sky and crimson and white buckets held the promise of fried delights, a great conflict brewed. Four mighty houses vied for supremacy, their leaders each intent on claiming the coveted Burger Throne.
House McDonald’s, led by the shrewd and ambitious Ray Kroc, commanded a legion of loyalists from the bustling city of Drive-Thru. Kroc's golden arches were seen as beacons of efficiency and consistency. His armies, clad in red and yellow, marched with a precision that only years of franchising could instill.
House KFC, with its charismatic leader Harland Sanders, held sway in the southern regions. Known for his secret recipe of eleven herbs and spices, Sanders inspired fierce loyalty among his followers. The scent of his fried chicken wafted through the air, a tantalizing promise of comfort and home.
House Wendy’s, led by the wise and kind-hearted Dave Thomas, occupied the fertile plains where square patties were the norm. Dave’s soldiers, carrying banners of blue and red, were renowned for their fresh, never frozen beef, and the warmth of their Frosty desserts.
At the heart of it all sat the Burger King, a monarch whose reign spanned decades. His kingdom was vast, but his grip on the throne was slipping. The flame-grilled taste that had once enthralled the masses was no longer enough to quell the rising ambitions of his rivals.
The Great Feast of Fast Food was upon them, a gathering where allegiances were tested and strategies were forged. Ray Kroc, ever the strategist, arrived first, his golden arches emblazoned on his chariot. He cast a calculating eye over the banquet, noting the positions of his rivals.
Next came Harland Sanders, his white suit pristine, his demeanor relaxed but his mind sharp. He exchanged polite greetings with Ray, though both knew pleasantries would soon give way to battle.
Dave Thomas entered last, his presence a calming influence amid the tension. His focus was not just on victory but on ensuring the people of Fast Food had quality meals.
As the feast began, the Burger King rose to address the assembly. “Welcome, noble houses. The time has come to determine who shall lead the kingdom of Fast Food into the future.”
A murmur of anticipation swept through the hall. Ray Kroc stood, his voice cutting through the noise. “Efficiency and consistency are the pillars of any great kingdom. Under my rule, every meal will be swift, every bite the same.”
Harland Sanders chuckled softly. “Aye, Ray, but people crave more than speed. They crave the comfort of home, the taste of tradition. That is what House KFC offers.”
Dave Thomas rose, his demeanor thoughtful. “Both of you make good points. But the people also deserve quality. Fresh ingredients, prepared with care. That is the foundation of House Wendy’s.”
The Burger King listened, his expression unreadable. Finally, he spoke. “Each of you brings something valuable to the table. But this throne cannot be shared. Prove your worth in the arena, and the crown shall be yours.”
The arena was a sprawling marketplace where each house set up their best offerings. The people of Fast Food would judge with their coins and their loyalty.
Ray Kroc’s soldiers moved with military precision, their assembly lines a marvel to behold. Harland Sanders’ followers cooked with heart, their meals rich and satisfying. Dave Thomas’ people served with a smile, their quality evident in every bite.
As the sun set, the people cast their votes. The results were close, but one leader emerged victorious, their values resonating most with the kingdom.
The Burger King rose to announce the winner. “The new ruler of Fast Food is…”
Dave Thomas, founder of House Wendy’s, stepped forward to the cheers of the crowd. His focus on quality and care had won the hearts of the people. As he took the Burger Throne, he vowed to lead with wisdom and integrity, ensuring that every meal was a feast fit for a king.

submitted by DannyDevito_IsBae to u/DannyDevito_IsBae [link] [comments]

2024.05.16 15:32 DannyDevito_IsBae Chat GPT Burger Throne

submitted by DannyDevito_IsBae to ChatGPTPromptGenius [link] [comments]

2024.05.16 15:32 Warm-Ad3671 If New Century announced globally, with a promotional anime How would you write it?

Well, so here are my rules with this challenge: 1. The gamer isn’t part of the cast you must work with the named characters of the game 2. You can as much as you want the partner lines, if you are tired of the always Agumon to WarGreymon evolutionary line, don’t worry you can change it. My example, I don’t like the Kotemon to Duftmon X evolutionary line that uses New Century, so I eould gladly change the final mega to Gaioumon instead of Duftmon 3. Give a little priority to the New Century exclusive Digimon, if you can pick a main villain, instead of picking Impmon as the daily villain, give a chance to Lianpunmon. Maybe is Shakamon the deity that picks the Chosen Children, its up to you
And that’s all, let your mind fly away and leave your ideas as a post in the comments
PD: If I’m using in wrong way the “mobile games” flair, I’ll gladly repost this withe correct one
New Century Page in the Wikimon

submitted by Warm-Ad3671 to digimon [link] [comments]

2024.05.16 15:32 United_Job_1549 Should I cut ties?

I grew up physically and emotionally abused by my parents, in particular, my dad. I should preface this by saying my dad was stressed from working night shifts in the factory. And his parents didn’t like myself or my mom (dad married my mom who is a different Asian race) and growing up in Australia I never spoke my grandparents native language or either of my parents’ languages - mainly English, hence the disapproval. So it’s safe to say my dad was quite stressed at this time.
When I was 7 years of age, I had problems sleeping and my dad used to work night shifts. When I couldn’t sleep I would go to my parents room and tell them I couldn’t sleep. This was always followed by: “go to sleep, just lay there and you will sleep”, which I would try and follow, but after several hours of laying in bed, I would go back to my parents room to tell them I couldn’t sleep, for some reason I always felt very anxious when I couldn’t sleep as a kid. When I went back to their room it as always horrible for me ….
trigger warning*
My dad would then beat me really bad. He would hit me across the face to the point where I would go to school with a large bruise on my face. It was always hitting and punching my head or my arms (from trying to block my face). There were days I couldn’t move my arm because when I tried to block his strike, my arm would take the hit and it would be so painful. He would break down my door to get into my room after I would run into it to escape his beating. He would tape my arms and legs so that I couldn’t defend myself, and would spit on me and kick my stomach while I was taped and on the floor. He would strangle me so hard I begged him to stop multiple times. He would lock me out of the house in the middle of the night and tell me I can scream all I want, and that even if the police came, they wouldn’t be able to help me because going into foster care would be worse than what I was experiencing. I was so messed up. My mom would try to help me but eventually gave up because of dad’s force. He has never beaten my mom or my brother, just me. I was also emotionally abused if I forgot something when we were out shopping in the mall - if I spoke out of line and told him to lower his voice he would yell even louder and call me stupid. This is just the surface of what I went through…and it went on for about 8-9 years. Not everyday but most days. Their excuse was that my dad was the sole income earner, he was stressed and he was earning money to provide me with an education and better life. This is their way of showing “love”. My mom constantly reminds me that his actions were in the past and I should be appreciative of his care.
In my 20s, I had developed severe depression and anxiety and had to seek help from medical professionals to stop suicidal tendencies. Since gaining financial independence and moving away from them, it has helped my relationship with them and we are now cordial.
Fast forward and I’m now 34, happily married to a Caucasian and have a 3 year old together. Both my husband and I work full time and can only afford to place my daughter in childcare 4 days per week. One day per week we ask my parents to help us look after her while we work. They don’t like my husband, they judge my marriage and the way I parent my child. They constantly tell me that “white men” are no good and that my husband can’t offer me security. I do see they love my daughter but it feels like it is a huge burden for them to look after her. They claim they love taking care of her but then they say they have busy lives and don’t have time for themselves when they look after her. They constantly complain on the day they look after her.
Recently my daughter has been unwell with croup. We have taken her to 4 different doctors and they have all advised us to give neurofen or Panadol for discomfort and fevers. When my dad asked me what medication I give her, he said “don’t you know neurofen fu%ing causes coughing?” And I said that’s what the doctors advised and that there’s no evidence to his claim. I asked if he knew more than the doctor and he told me to “get out of my fu%ing sight”. Additionally my daughter vomitted on their carpet from being so sick, it was sudden and there was nothing anyone could have done to prevent her from vomitting on their carpet. May I remind you she’s only 3. My parents were more concerned about the carpet than my daughter!
My question is… is this normal? I feel like I have reached my limit and want to cut out the toxicity and cut ties. My daughter loves them both but I just feel it is so unhealthy being around them. Thoughts??
**I have tried talking to them about it without any success.

submitted by United_Job_1549 to AsianParentStories [link] [comments]

2024.05.16 15:28 Downtown_Statement87 I tried to make a new mom friend in Oconee County. This is what happened.

Here's a very long and convoluted story about what happened when I moved out of Athens and tried to make friends in a new county. It's really long.
*
When you're a mom, it seems like you'd have a lot in common with other moms. You're both exhausted. You both can change a diaper while eating a hamburger while making a doctor's appointment while driving a car. She has spit-up on her shoulder? Yeah, well you have Goldfish in your hair.
But it's surprisingly hard to make mom friends. Go to any park or playground, and you'll see lots of Lone Moms dotting the landscape, swiping at their smartphones while their children play. I don't know why this is, but it's always kind of bothered me.
Raising children can be a terribly isolating endeavor. You are busy, but also bored, since most of the tasks required of you are mundane, repetitive ones like loading the dishwasher, cooking food, and extinguishing the dog. You are surrounded by people all day, but these people are mostly pre-verbal, so you end up feeling lonely a lot of the time. I would think that moms would flock to each other like toddlers flock to the one thing in the house their parents forgot to baby-proof. But no. It turns out that most moms don't mix.
When I lived in Athens, GA, it wasn't so hard. I'd figured it out. I'd spy a mom fiddling with her Maya baby wrap next to the sensory play area, sidle up to her, and hit her with my opening conversational gambit: "What's your position on ancient grains?" And thus would begin a heartfelt conversation about Quinoa and Amaranth and what cereals they prefer. But I didn't really care what we were talking about. I just cared that we were talking.
So I was anxious when I moved out of Athens to the tiny town of High Shoals. It's just over the border from Oconee County, and most moms in Oconee County don't talk about ancient grains. They talk about things I don't have any experience with and thus can't comment on, like who is their favorite area aesthetician. (The last time I had anything resembling a facial was when I fell asleep in the middle of feeding the dogs and woke up with one of them licking my face).
Oconee moms talk about where they're spending their family's spring break ("not Destin"), and how Grayson was just robbed at the regional gymnastics finals. Oconee County is very affluent, and very conservative. You still can't get a beer there on Sundays, but at least the Zaxby's drive-through stays open til 10 pm.
Nonetheless, I resolved to try to make new mom friends. I practiced smiling in the mirror and repeating "What's your home church?" (my new conversation starter) until there was only a hint of crazy-eye brought on by sleep deprivation. I worked on not making sweeping generalizations about people based on what county they live in. I reminded myself to brush my teeth and my hair every morning, instead of on alternating days like I usually do. Finally, shortly after Christmas, I was ready to go.
Now, at the same time all of this introspection about friend-making was going on, my oldest girl asked me for a puppy. I told her no and she went away. Then two days later she came back with a compromise: "How about a rat?"
Probably most folks consider "provide a rat-free environment for your children to live in" to be up there with other parenting dictates like "don't feed your baby Jagermeister." These are rules that are so obvious that they don't even bear mentioning. But when Sadie asked for a rat, I thought back to what happened when my teenaged self and friends watched the punk-rock adolescent classic "Suburbia."
Inspired by a character who had a tame rat as a pet, several of my friends rushed out and secured rats for themselves. They would carry them around in the pockets of their leather jackets when they went to the mall to ask an adult to buy clove cigarettes for them. These rats, I remembered, were well-mannered, good-natured varmints.
A quick look on the web confirmed my memories. Rats, the internet assured me, are smart, and social. They are friendly, and loyal, and can be trained to learn their names and do tricks. If you aren't squicked out by the naked, scaly tail, the bulging genitalia, the beady eyes and twitching whiskers, and the general association of rats with things like plague and death, a rat might be just the thing for you.
My husband was not enthusiastic about this plan, mainly because one of his morning rituals is going out to check the trap in our chicken coop to see what predator was snared overnight. Sometimes he'll come in in the morning with a possum in the trap, or even a black snake. But usually, it's a rat.
"Robin," he said, trying to sound reasonable, "Please don't go out and voluntarily purchase more vermin. We have plenty of rats right here." He pointed at the hissing, red-eyed rodent trying to gnaw its way out of the cage he'd just carried in from the coop.
"Yeah, but those rats are different," I said, hoping he wouldn't ask me why.
"Why?" he said. "It's exactly the same thing. It's a rat."
"Well..." I said, trying to stall. "Not really. See, this is an outdoor rat. We're getting an indoor one. Plus, these rats are free. The rat I'm going to get costs $18."

My husband loves me, and he loves Sadie. But mainly, he's tired. And so eventually Sadie got her rat. Honey lived happily in Sadie's room in his 3-tiered Rat Palace, and every day I would take time out from soothing the infant and wrestling with the 3-year-old to play with the rat, something the pet store warned I had to do if I wanted to socialize him.

"Time to coddle the rat," I'd announce to the children, disappearing up the stairs to Sadie's room. I'd take Honey out of his cage and scratch his neck and ears. I'd hold him in my palm and encourage him to climb up my arm to my shoulder. I'd turn on Sadie's radio and the two of us would listen to Katy Perry together.
Eventually, as Honey grew, I started taking him downstairs on brief field trips. I'd put him in the sleeve of my sweater, down by my wrist. If I kept my arm bent he would rest there contentedly, and eventually I would become embroiled in making baby food or putting away toys and would completely forget that I had a rather large rat in my sleeve.
One afternoon in January, Sadie suggested that we visit a park in Oconee County. We got ourselves ready and, as we were heading out the door, Sadie stopped and said, "Hey, why don't we bring Honey?" I agreed and so Sadie cleaned out one of her purses and stuffed Honey inside.
When we got to the park, I decided it would not be safe for Sadie to run around on the playground with a bag full of rat (I do have some standards), so I offered to put Honey in my sleeve. She handed over the rat, which settled in the sleeve of my v-neck sweater, and ran off to play.
At first, we were alone on the playground. But after a while a mini-van pulled into the parking lot and a mom and her daughter climbed out. The daughter was the same age as Sadie, and they began enthusiastically playing together as soon as the girl hit the playground. I stood on the other side of the jungle gym from the other mom, wishing I had some of my daughter's friend-making mojo.
Then I remembered my resolution. "This could be it," I realized, watching the other mom through the slats in the climbing structure. "This could be my new mom friend."
I remembered that if I wanted to enlarge my social circle and meet people in this new town, I'd have to invest some energy and take some risks. I remembered what I had told myself about being friendly and open and willing to meet someone where they are. I remembered all of those things. Sadly, I forgot that I had a rat in my sleeve.
I circled around the jungle gym closer to the other mom, trying to make it look like I was moving just to get a better view of my kid. When I was close enough to her to not have to yell, I gave her a big, friendly smile, and said "Our kids seem to enjoy playing together."
"They sure do!" said the other mom, brightly. She smiled, too, and the conversation with my first Oconee County mom was launched.
"How old is she? Oh, mine too! What school does she go to? Does she like it? Yes, we do live close by. We just moved. You grew up here? Seems like a nice place."
Outside, I was engaging in normal-sounding small talk. But inside, I was rejoicing. "I'm doing it!" I thought. "I'm having a normal conversation with another adult! I'm not crying, or babbling, or forgetting where in the sentence I am! I'm just a few more comments away from suggesting our kids meet up at the library some time, and when I do that, she'll say sure, and she'll have to come to the library, too, since her kid is only six and can't drive, and then we'll see each other again and then Bam! Mom friends! Yahoo!"
I decided to close the deal. I said, as casually as possible, "It's great that our kids are having so much fun together. Do you guys ever do any of the afternoon art things at the library?"
The other mom smiled and said, "Yes, we...do. We do go there sometimes."
"Great!" I said.
But things were not great.
Something had happened in between my question about the library and her response. I didn't know what it was, exactly, but I could sense it. The other mom was still smiling, still making eye-contact with me. But something had changed.
I replayed the conversation in my head. The slight pause in her answer to my question about the library. "Yes, we...do." Her eyes had flicked away from my face and down to my chest for a split second -- just a momentary glance -- before meeting mine again. I'd seen her do it but had thought nothing of it, because she'd looked back at me and finished answering.
And she was still looking at me, her face absolutely calm and straight and normal. Nothing bad was happening. She was still standing there, probably waiting for me to suggest a meeting. So what was the problem?
As surreptitiously as possible (which was not at all, since she was standing 2 feet away from me, watching my face) I dropped my own eyes down to my chest. And then I understood.
Honey, the rat who was so at home in my sweater sleeve that I often forgot he was there, had crawled up my sleeve and around to the front, and was now poking his head out of the point in the "v" of my v-neck sweater.
Looking at it from my perspective, I'm just a mom who is trying to make a new friend and who also happens to have a rat crawling around in her sweater. What's the big deal? But from her perspective?
I can hear her standing in her kitchen, staring into a big glass of red wine and telling it to her husband. "A woman tried to talk to me at the park today, but there was a rat in her sweater, so..."
I looked up from the trembling pink nose and sharp eyes of the rodent poking out of my cleavage and into the face of the woman I was never, ever going to be friends with. I had absolutely no idea what etiquette was called for in this situation. Should I acknowledge what was happening with a breezy "oh, ha, don't worry, he's tame"?
Or should I feign surprise, and act as shocked as she? "Oh my gosh," I could shriek, batting at my sweater, "How did that get in there?" Was it worse to be the kind of person who puts vermin in her sweater on purpose? Or the kind who gets fully dressed without realizing there's a rat loose in her clothing? I couldn't decide.
Because this is the South -- the place where one's darkest character failings are met with a sweet "bless your heart!" -- the other mom didn't do what some other moms might have done (e.g., pepper spray me while calling Child Protective Services). Instead, she decided to do the polite thing, and pretend that our casual conversation hadn't just been interrupted by the appearance of a clothing rodent.
She stood there, her serene expression belying the tsunami of WTF? probably roiling in her head, and exchanged a few more banal pleasantries with me. Taking my cue from her, I also tried to ignore the rat, who had crawled down to the waist of my sweater and now nestled there like a distended appendix.
"Well," I said finally, "I guess we'd better get on home." All the other things I wanted to say -- "Maybe we'll see each other again!" "It was great talking to you!" -- felt like chalk in my mouth as I walked with my daughter to the mini-van.
"That girl was really nice!" said Sadie, climbing in her booster seat. "Maybe we could meet her here again."
"Maybe so," I said, reaching under my sweater and extracting Honey. He thrashed and twisted as I inserted him into the purse Sadie had brought along.
"We could play with Honey, maybe," Sadie said as I started the van. "Do you think she likes rats too?"
"I don't know, Bean," I sighed. Should I tell her that, no, she probably doesn't like rats very much at all. Should I tell her that if she wants to be accepted in her new town, she needs to lose the rat and turn her face to more normal little-girl pursuits, like weaving bracelets out those damn rubber band circles? Should I tell her that the weird things she loves are the very same things that will make her lonely? The way her mom sometimes is?
"I don't know," I said again. "But I'll tell you what. If you find a person who likes both you and your rat, you snag 'em, OK? That's when you know you've found a friend." I pulled the car out of the lot and drove myself, my daughter, and our pet rat back home.

submitted by Downtown_Statement87 to Athens [link] [comments]

2024.05.16 15:28 fawn-field I don’t think my husband likes me or our life

My (34f) husband (37m) has always been a quiet guy. He doesn’t talk much… except to his buddies. His military buddies. He lights up around them like a different person. Around me and even around his own family, his parents, our children, he is quiet and distant. Our son will come bouncing towards him, beaming with excitement over something, and my husband will go “cool” and that’s it. He will look away or walk away. This has gotten worse as we’ve gotten older, and now it has progressed to him just having complete lack of interest in me whatsoever outside of sex. Right now he is on a TDY (temporary work trip for non-military folks that is only about 2 weeks), and I FaceTimed him after a few days of very little contact, wanting to talk to him, and it was the same one worded answers, no emotion, no talking, just staring into the phone like a soulless, disinterested person, disinterested in absolutely everything I was saying about things I’ve been doing with our kids. THEN, a few buddies walked into the room, and his face literally lit up in a giant smile, he started cracking jokes, like a wholly different person. He said he had to go and hung up. He just has no interest in anything outside of his little military bubble. He’s been active duty for almost 16 years. A major example is… I literally got a part in a movie. Not a giant part or anything, but I do have lines. I’ve always been interested in acting and decided to audition for an upcoming Netflix movie that is being filmed in our location. Well, I got the part, and I start filming in June… and he just literally has no interest. He literally told me “that’s cool” and that’s it. He hasn’t asked what the movie is even about. He hasn’t told anyone. He just truly doesn’t seem give a shit. What he does care about is that he has to be a solo-dad for a week, and he is complaining about that because it will impede on his card playing with his buddies. I just don’t think he likes me or our life. I don’t even think he likes our kids. He never asks about them when he’s away, doesn’t really interact with them when he’s at home. I think he wants to be a bachelor in the military, traveling, doing military things, for the rest of his life. And I have “held him back” by getting pregnant, and then he felt compelled to marry me when he probably didn’t even want to. I don’t know what to do. Divorce? We don’t really fight ever. That’s probably because he never says anything to me and we live like a roommate except when he wants to have sex. Has anyone ever been in this kind of situation? Advice?

submitted by fawn-field to Marriage [link] [comments]

2024.05.16 15:28 u_slash_spez_Hater DM is torturing Us most of the time, is D&D normally like this?

To start it of with context, Some of us are new to D&D, I have played a few games but not a Full campaign before this yet (right now I have 2 other campaign lined up that I just started playing on with this one so this is my very first full campaign). and so previously this is after the 2nd session of the campaign, we were levelled up to 9 (from 1st level to 9 instantly for campaign purposes) and for some of us (including me) this was our first time being in that level. it's a magic academy themed and we're like adventurers who are chased by a powerful evil mage cult, so we seek refuge in a magic academy due to an acquaintance that we formerly helped. so we transitioned from a normal D&D to magic academy homebrew stuff.
I'll get to the point, so at first this is like 3rd session together, DM gave us a test that went horrible for us (since we're new, so no strategy talking and trying to avoid metagaming obviously) against 3 ancient red dragons and a lich that barely any of us can hit (we're also forced to be in a Spellcasting subclasses) so we failed and died one at a time, at first that was understandable like hey it's a test on the first day of the academy. after that DM talking to us as an NPC Bard Professor character, telling us that we were supposed to do something ridiculous about it (like seduce the lich and fuck it to entertain the red dragons, even though we have no bards) and yeah it's the first day so we failed on this. and some plot things happened like devices that were sabotaged and stuff for other students who also failed almost died.
So then the DM introduced a Downtime mechanic(Text based like solo RPG ) we get to do adventures alone or with a +1 member sometimes, and it's like everything we do on downtime is failing or going horrible for some reason. even though we get High rolls? nah sorry the checks are higher so we should've rolled a 20+, I had an 20 Roll last time but the roll that I needed was 21 DM said. want to go to a normal smith shop? sorry all of them are full of customers go to this suspicious shop alley way and check out this homebrew that I did that is a scroll that is RNG for a weapon which cost most of your money. want to do a normal quest? here some shit reward quest where you can barely buy/get anything or get in line to a guild attendant for a good quest that is long that it will take ages before you get to it. and lastly since it's text, it was easy to get misunderstood, can't even convey right emotion on the the text thing, and get misinterpreted the wrong way, realized that when a friendly ghost librarian suddenly went angry at my character and casted power word kill on him and killed him.
and to summarize it "DM gave us permanent exhaustion because it’s realistic in an adventuring setting (disadvantages on rolls and other debuffs), Powerful enemies that we can't handle at all, and NPC's that are hard to trust or like" (Cause DM gave us trust issues 1st session when we encountered a Changeling that manipulated us), so from exhaust he decreased our rolls, decreased money for economy changes or he either inflates it, and he spit on our characters dignity like now they look pathetic that I don't even wanna play him anymore, it's only been a few sessions in and it's been rough. I don't know about the others who did their Downtime alone (heard that some are also was not having a good time) but I am not having fun with this Campaign at all. barely any rewards, nothing good has happened to our party yet, and it's either bad rolls or bad actions due to being inexperienced. compared to the other campaign I played this is horrible, this one is just torture for me and not fun at all. I even tried to be creative on my spells, but it either fails due to enemy "high AC" or "high levels" that skill checks won't do crap, DM even manipulating the story for us to fail anyway (it felt like it, since I HAD HIGH ROLLS most of the time)
I don't want to end the campaign because of disputes or to leave the campaign just because I don't agree with DM on what's happening. it is my first ever campaign and I also felt bad for my character since nothing has turned out good to him, so I'm just venting here.
(I barely had to change anything from the original : https://www.reddit.com/DnD/s/RwaXxcldax)

submitted by u_slash_spez_Hater to DnDcirclejerk [link] [comments]

2024.05.16 15:26 hcandb People sleeping in cars

I occasionally go for late night/early morning drives, and have noticed an increase of clusters of cars at the back of parking lots in Markham. I think groups of people are parking near each other to sleep in their cars. I don't want to give away an exact location, but I've seen folks in a few parking lots between 9th Line and McCowan off Highway 7 (intentionally vague, I know) ... I've noticed as many as 15 cars lined up at the back of a single parking lot there a few nights this week.
Has anyone noticed this too? Not saying that they are causing any trouble, but some of the parking lots I've seen people in are sketchy (by Markham standards).
I wonder if there are any kids in those cars ... that would be concerning and an unfortunate way to live, but with the cost and lack of availability of rental housing these days, I get it.

submitted by hcandb to Markham [link] [comments]

2024.05.16 15:26 Sweet-Count2557 When Should You Go On A Babymoon?

When Should You Go On A Babymoon?
So, you're expecting a little bundle of joy and thinking about going on a babymoon? You might be wondering when is the right time to plan this special trip. After all, pregnancy can come with its fair share of discomforts and challenges. But fear not! We're here to help you navigate through this exciting journey.
Some may argue that any time during your pregnancy is suitable for a babymoon, but we believe the second trimester is the ideal window. It's a period when most pregnant women feel their best - morning sickness has likely subsided, energy levels are up, and you're not yet burdened by the additional weight gain.
In this article, we will answer the question When Should You Go On A Babymoon? The short answer is the second trimester is optimal, we will cover also how to choose the perfect destination, tips for planning a relaxing getaway, activities to consider during your trip, and safety precautions you should take. So sit back, relax (if that's even possible), and let us guide you toward an unforgettable babymoon experience.
Key Takeaways
The second trimester is considered the ideal time to go on a babymoon.
Going on a babymoon allows for prioritizing self-care and focusing on the relationship with the partner.
Babymoon can have health benefits for both the mother and the baby, reducing stress and promoting a healthier pregnancy.
When planning a babymoon, it is important to consider timing, destination, and budgeting for a stress-free experience.
Benefits of Going on a Babymoon
You should definitely go on a babymoon because it's a wonderful opportunity to relax and bond with your partner before your little one arrives! One of the most important aspects of pregnancy is taking care of yourself, both physically and mentally. Going on a babymoon allows you to prioritize self-care by taking a break from the stresses of everyday life and focusing solely on yourself and your relationship.
During pregnancy, it can be easy to get caught up in all the preparations for the baby's arrival. However, it's crucial to also nurture your relationship with your partner. Going on a babymoon gives you dedicated time together, away from distractions and responsibilities. This uninterrupted bonding time allows you to reconnect as a couple, strengthening your emotional connection before becoming parents.
In addition to self-care and bonding, going on a babymoon can also have numerous health benefits for both you and your baby. Studies have shown that stress during pregnancy can affect fetal development, so taking time off to relax can help promote a healthier pregnancy. Furthermore, stress reduction has been linked to better birth outcomes and lower rates of postpartum depression.
Overall, going on a babymoon is not just about enjoying some well-deserved relaxation; it's also an important part of preparing for parenthood by prioritizing self-care and strengthening your partnership. So take advantage of this precious time together before the arrival of your little one and create lasting memories that will carry you through the journey ahead.
Second Trimester: The Ideal Time for a Babymoon
The second trimester offers the perfect opportunity to indulge in a relaxing babymoon. During this time, you're likely to have more energy and fewer pregnancy discomforts compared to the first and third trimesters. It's an ideal time for romantic getaways and spending quality time with your partner before your little one arrives.
Here are three reasons why the second trimester is considered the ideal time for a babymoon:
Reduced travel restrictions: Many airlines and cruise lines have restrictions on pregnant women traveling during their third trimester. By planning your babymoon during the second trimester, you can avoid any potential travel complications and enjoy your trip worry-free.
Increased comfort: As your baby bump grows bigger in the third trimester, it may become uncomfortable to sit or walk for long periods of time. The second trimester allows you to fully enjoy activities such as sightseeing, hiking, or even just lounging by the pool without feeling too restricted.
Emotional well-being: Pregnancy hormones can sometimes lead to mood swings and heightened emotions. Going on a babymoon during the second trimester can be beneficial for both you and your partner as it provides an opportunity to relax, connect, and strengthen your bond before entering parenthood.
So take advantage of this wonderful stage of pregnancy and plan a memorable babymoon that will create lasting memories for both of you!
Choosing the Perfect Babymoon Destination
Imagine jetting off to a dreamy, faraway destination where you can bask in luxury and tranquility, all while nurturing your growing connection as expectant parents. Choosing the perfect babymoon destination is crucial to creating precious memories before your little one arrives. Here are some top babymoon destinations that will cater to your needs.
Bora Bora: This idyllic island in French Polynesia offers breathtaking turquoise waters, overwater bungalows, and pristine beaches. It's a paradise for relaxation and rejuvenation.
Santorini: Known for its stunning sunsets and white-washed buildings, this Greek island provides a romantic setting for babymoons. Explore ancient ruins or simply lounge by the pool overlooking the Aegean Sea.
Bali: With its lush landscapes and serene temples, Bali is an oasis of tranquility. Indulge in luxurious spa treatments or take leisurely walks along scenic rice terraces.
If you're looking for budget-friendly options, consider domestic destinations such as Sedona or Napa Valley in the US, or Tulum in Mexico. These locations offer beautiful scenery, cozy accommodations, and affordable dining options.
When it comes to planning your babymoon, remember to check travel restrictions due to COVID-19 and consult with your healthcare provider regarding any safety concerns during pregnancy. Enjoy this special time together and create lasting memories before embarking on the joyous journey of parenthood!
Tips for Planning a Relaxing Babymoon
Jetting off to a serene destination for your babymoon can be made even more relaxing by following these helpful planning tips. Planning a babymoon involves several considerations to ensure a stress-free and enjoyable experience. Here are three important things to keep in mind when planning your trip:
Timing: It is recommended to go on a babymoon during the second trimester of pregnancy when you are likely to feel more comfortable and have higher energy levels. This will also allow you to avoid any potential complications that may arise later in pregnancy.
Destination: Choose a destination that offers relaxation and tranquility. Look for places with beautiful scenery, peaceful beaches, or luxurious spa resorts where you can unwind and pamper yourself before the arrival of your little one.
Budgeting Tips: Set a realistic budget for your babymoon and stick to it. Consider all expenses including accommodation, transportation, meals, activities, and any additional costs such as prenatal massages or special treatments. Research deals and discounts available at your chosen destination, and consider traveling during off-peak seasons to save money.
By considering these planning considerations and budgeting tips, you can ensure that your babymoon is a memorable and rejuvenating experience before embarking on the exciting journey of parenthood.
Activities to Consider on Your Babymoon
Consider incorporating activities such as prenatal yoga, scenic walks, and couples massages to enhance relaxation during your babymoon. These activities can provide a wonderful opportunity for you and your partner to bond and enjoy some quality time together before the arrival of your little one.
If you're looking for a beach retreat, consider spending lazy days lounging on the sandy shores, soaking up the sun, and taking gentle dips in the ocean. The calming sound of waves crashing against the shore can create a serene atmosphere perfect for relaxation. Additionally, outdoor adventures like hiking or biking through scenic trails can offer a great way to connect with nature while getting some exercise.
Attending prenatal yoga classes is also highly recommended during your babymoon. Not only does it help improve flexibility and strength, but it also promotes mindfulness and stress relief. You'll learn techniques that can be beneficial during pregnancy and labor.
Lastly, don't forget to indulge in couples' massages. These luxurious treatments not only help alleviate any physical discomfort but also serve as an intimate experience shared between you and your partner.
Overall, incorporating these activities into your babymoon will ensure a memorable experience filled with relaxation and connection with both each other and nature.
Safety Precautions to Take During Your Babymoon
Taking necessary safety precautions is essential for a worry-free and enjoyable babymoon experience. When planning your babymoon, one of the first things you should consider is travel insurance. It provides coverage for unexpected events such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost baggage. Having travel insurance will give you peace of mind knowing that you are protected in case anything goes wrong.
Another important aspect to consider is the accessibility of medical facilities at your destination. Make sure there are adequate healthcare services available nearby in case of any pregnancy-related emergencies. Research hospitals or clinics that specialize in maternity care and find out their proximity to your accommodation.
It's also crucial to check with your healthcare provider before embarking on your babymoon regarding any specific health concerns or restrictions you may have during pregnancy. They can offer valuable advice and ensure that you are fit to travel.
Additionally, be mindful of activities and destinations that may pose risks during pregnancy. Avoid extreme sports, strenuous activities, or areas with high altitudes or disease outbreaks.
By taking these safety precautions into consideration, you can relax and enjoy your babymoon without unnecessary worries about unforeseen circumstances or potential health issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a babymoon typically last?
Looking for the perfect babymoon? Well, the ideal duration for a babymoon typically lasts anywhere from three to five days. This allows you enough time to relax and unwind before your little one arrives without feeling rushed. Optimal timing for a babymoon is usually during the second trimester when you're past the morning sickness phase and still comfortable enough to travel. So go ahead, plan that well-deserved getaway and enjoy some quality time with your partner before parenthood begins.
Can I go on a babymoon if I have complications during pregnancy?
If you have complications during pregnancy, it is important to consult with your healthcare provider before planning a babymoon. They will be able to assess your individual situation and provide guidance on whether it is safe for you to travel. While some women with complications may still be able to go on a babymoon, others may need to consider alternative options such as staycations or local getaways that are closer to medical facilities. Always prioritize your health and safety during this special time.
Is it necessary to consult with my healthcare provider before going on a babymoon?
Consultation with your healthcare provider before going on a babymoon is crucial. It ensures that you are aware of any potential health risks and can take necessary precautions. Your healthcare provider will have the most accurate information about your specific situation and can provide guidance tailored to your needs. They will be able to assess if it is safe for you to travel, taking into consideration any complications or conditions you may have during pregnancy. Prioritizing this consultation is essential for a smooth and healthy babymoon experience.
Are there any specific travel insurance options for babymoons?
Yes, there are specific travel insurance options available for babymoons. Travel insurance coverage can provide peace of mind during your trip by offering protection against unexpected events such as trip cancellation or interruption, medical emergencies, and lost or delayed baggage. The benefits of travel insurance include reimbursement for non-refundable expenses and access to 24/7 emergency assistance. It is important to carefully review the policy details and consider purchasing travel insurance that suits your specific needs and concerns.
What are some budget-friendly babymoon destination options?
Looking for an affordable babymoon destination? Consider the soothing embrace of a budget-friendly beach getaway. Sink your toes into the warm sand and let the gentle waves lull you into relaxation. Or, if you prefer a more adventurous escape, opt for an affordable mountain retreat. Breathe in the crisp, fresh air as you explore picturesque trails and take in breathtaking views. Whether it's sun-soaked shores or majestic peaks, there's a budget-friendly babymoon destination waiting to whisk you away.
Conclusion
In conclusion, going on a babymoon during the second trimester is highly recommended for expecting couples. It offers numerous benefits such as relaxation, bonding time, and a chance to celebrate the upcoming arrival of your little one. By carefully choosing the perfect destination and planning activities that suit your needs, you can ensure a memorable and rejuvenating experience. Remember to prioritize safety during your babymoon by following necessary precautions. Going on a babymoon is like a soothing balm for expectant parents, providing them with much-needed rest and tranquility before their bundle of joy arrives.

submitted by Sweet-Count2557 to worldkidstravel [link] [comments]

2024.05.16 15:25 DigitalMaverick The 6 types of people I meet cruising in suites...

Heads up - I wrote a longer than anticipated into to this topic...if you want to skip the background and get to the meat, you can skip to the list toward the bottom!
Background:
My childhood was a pretty typical middle-class, suburban existence.
I went to public schools growing up. I went to an average state university. My dad passed while I was in college and my mom was a public school teacher so I was more or less on my own to figure life out after my dad passed.
I share that because cruising often and being able to afford to stay in suites is relatively new for us.
I'm an entrepreneur and when COVID started we were on the verge of bankruptcy, not just my business, but my personal finances as well.
I had quit my last corporate job in the tech industry 4 years earlier and hadn't taken a paycheck since. We were surviving on my wife's teacher's salary and the savings and retirement I'd built after a decade in the soulless troughs of corporate BS.
After 4 years of not paying myself while trying to raise two kids, a mortgage, and living the American dream we were at the end of our ropes financially.
I'd drained my retirement (I never touched my wife's incase something ever happened to me), drained our savings, and racked up $250k in credit card debt.
Just as COVID was beginning, I came home from the office one day, handed my wife a credit card, and looked her in the eyes holding back tears and told her, "there's $400 in this account before it's maxed out - buy all the groceries you can because I don't know when I'll have anymore money for us."
Faced with $250k in CC debt, if I couldn't turn things around we were going to going to have to claim bankruptcy so with nothing to lose, I cashed out our home equity as one final cash infusion into the business before closing shop and starting over financially.
With the money from that loan, I resolved to do three things:

I hired a business coach to figure out why despite growing revenue, we couldn't make consistent profits.
We're located in a rural community so we expanded into a much larger city 90 minutes from us...my hope here was that I didn't know how long the shutdown was going to last (it definitely hit us hard early in the pandemic), but by marketing to a larger area we'd hopefully be able to make enough money to survive.
I was going to finally begin paying myself after 4 years of not taking a paycheck and reinvesting everything into the business.

I've been extremely fortunate that this was a turning point in my business. In the 4 years since then we've grown by nearly 1,000% and we're now making a very healthy profit and I've built the business to where it runs without me (I work 8-12 hours/week on the business on high-level activities, primarily guiding my leadership team and handling the financials + some tech innovations periodically as I identify them). I've repaid all of our debt and I'm working on rebuilding our retirement while investing a percentage of the profits into building a new business (one that will be less employee intensive).
This is all relevant because this has put me in a place where we can afford to cruise often (6-8 weeks/year) + I have the luxury (privilege honestly) of not having to worry about PTO.
Side Note: For those of you who hate capitalists like me - my lowest paid employee last year made $50k (+ full benefits) in an area where the median income is only $33k...half of my team made $100k+. We're quite possibly the highest paying company in our region (definitely in our industry) and as a result have extremely low turnover and I'm able to hire the best of the best so we have an excellent culture.
So back to the main reason for this post - having the opportunity to cruise often, about 75% of the time in suites, I've noticed the folks we meet and interact with in the suites tend to fall in one of six categories:

The Status Cruiser: These are the folks we all see on social media and unfortunately on cruise ships whose entire identity is wrapped up in their loyalty status and their suite class. They are absolutely the main character and its of absolute importance to them that everybody know this. You can typically spot them from across the room before you even talk to them because they're dressed to the 9s and carry themselves in a way completely stereotypical of what you'd expect from somebody who truly believes their farts smell like roses.
The Retirees: There's a good amount of overlap between this persona and the Status Cruisers mentioned above, but they're not all like this. The ones who don't overlap with the previous group tend to be extremely friendly and I've had many great conversations with them learning about their life experiences and sharing the wisdom they've picked up over the years to help with on my own journey. They tend to stick to the recommended dress codes and are sometimes put off by people who don't share the same motivations for structure and etiquette.
The Bucket List Cruisers: These folks often save money for years, pinching pennies so they can afford what may very well be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them sailing in a suite. They often want to squeeze as much value out of the suites as they can since they may never be in one again (I don't fault them for that...make the most of it!). They're often dressed to the 9s as well but sometimes appear less comfortable in the various social situations you find in the suite areas (i.e. grabbing a drink in a lounge, having a nice dinner in the suite restaurant, etc).
The YOLO Cruisers: I don't encounter these cruisers on every sailing, they're definitely more common during holiday sailings (i.e. Spring Break, Christmas, etc). These folks are living their best lives. The fellas are often wearing flip flops and neon tank tops and their wives/girlfriends in cut off jean shorts and a see-through cover-ups over their bikini tops. Fortunately they typically aren't over the top obnoxious, but they couldn't care less about any recommended dress codes or societal queues. They're there to have the time of their lives, everybody else be damned.
The DINKs: These couples are often from the LGBTQ+ community (not hating, just the reality), but not exclusively. They have good paying jobs and often are able to work remotely from the ship so they don't even need to use PTO. They typically keep to themselves and associate mostly with other DINKs. You can usually find them enjoying a drink in the suite lounges later in the evenings after a fun night out partying. One evening you may see them dressed to the 9s and the next they may be in beach attire - they march to the beat of their own drum but also don't really interrupt anybody's vacation (aside from maybe the folks in the first two categories who care more than they probably should about dress codes).
The Family Cruisers: There aren't many sailing in suites with kids, but the ones who do tend to have well-paying corporate jobs that they're not able to fully disconnect from (even on a cruise ship). They have good to great paying jobs but have limited vacation time so they prefer to pay a premium to make the most of their time off when they're able to get away. Often you'll see these parents responding to emails in-between parenting. You can sometimes catch them in the lounge grabbing a drinks in the evenings after their kids have gone to bed for the evening. We fall into this category with two kids under the age of 10.

I don't know if this is interesting to you guys but I was randomly thinking about it earlier and thought some of you may find it of interest.
What do you think? Did I leave any categories out? Do you disagree?
Random food for thought! Whatever category you fall into, and whatever type of cabin you happen to cruise in, happy sails everybody!

submitted by DigitalMaverick to Cruise [link] [comments]

2024.05.16 15:24 tinybeetch Weirdos in Myrtle Beach

I contemplated sharing all of these since the first two happened so long ago, but they’re eerie enough that I think that they should be shared. I have two stories from when I was young, when I was around age 5-6. Though they were over 20 years ago, the first one I remember vividly and the other occurred later yet I can’t recall that one much at all. However, my mom tells that story like it was yesterday so I’m pretty sure my brain blocked it out or something.
So for context, my mom had me when she was 20 and was a single parent for a while. My father was completely out of the picture, so we lived with her childhood best friend in different apartments when I was young. So one night, it was dark but not extremely late (like 7-8) and I was coloring in the kitchen while my mom was in another room. I vividly remember a knock coming from the sliding glass door only a few feet away from where I was. I turned to see a middle aged man with a sinister smile, pointing at the handle to let him in. I immediately screamed, which scared this guy off, and my mom ran in and called the cops. My mom later told me he was peeping at her and her best friend for a while but this was the first time I had seen him and that he attempted to come in. Apparently he had left… evidence that he was there a couple of times but I don’t think the cops ever got him. But the rest of the time we lived there, my mom had security from her job (House of Blues) sleep over a lot for protection.
The next encounter is one I don’t remember happening but the story still terrifies me because of what might be out there and how easily these things can happen. It was a different apartment, like a townhouse, but only a few blocks away from where the other thing happened. There was a couple that lived across the street and my mom always got very strange vibes from them. The man would openly stare at me (around age 6) and my mom’s best friend’s niece (who was 11) when she would stay over, which would prompt my mom to angrily yell at him for being creepy for staring at us the way he was, calling him a perv. My mom’s best friend thought she was being paranoid but then at some point, I was playing outside, and that same man lured me over into his apartment with his dog. It didn’t take long for my mom to notice I was gone… it wasn’t even 10 minutes before she ran over to come get me. The couple acted like nothing was wrong and that I just wanted to see their dog but she freaked out on them. When we were home, I told her that he took pictures of me with their dog and she called the cops. They were kicked out but the pictures were never found… which creeps me the hell out to this very day.
The most recent creepy encounter was also with my mom but it was about 6 months ago. I’m still not sure if this was us being paranoid or if we were being followed but it felt wrong. We went to the mall looking for shoes for my wedding and started at Belk. My mom had to use the restroom so I went off on my own and while I was browsing, I got annoyed with this guy wearing a baseball hat because he seemed to be constantly in my way or hovering. It struck me as odd that he kept ending up around me in the women’s shoes section and I got annoyed with him quickly, shooting him a glare that seemed to back him off a bit.
The aisles for shoes are short so I noticed him walking toward another man with a newsboy cap on the other side of the section with his arms crossed. I wouldn’t have thought much of it except the two spoke briefly before baseball cap guy made another round through the section. I’m not sure how to put it but they seemed out of place, like almost dirty or something, and I felt weirded out so I pulled out my phone to text my husband and pretended to look busy until my mom came back. She eyed the baseball cap guy lingering around but I felt much safer when she arrived, and I loudly complained a bit about the selection and “surroundings” so we headed somewhere else.
We went into a bunch of different stores and when we were on the other side of the mall at an Earthbound (trendy hippie store if you’re unfamiliar), my mom made a loud comment how she kept seeing a guy in the same stores we were in. In the moment, even though I did have a strange feeling, I waved it off to keep browsing since I don’t go to the mall often and wanted to enjoy the day with my mom. She said she must be going crazy when I blew it off but the next store was when my mom’s suspicions grew into a serious full blown anxiety attack.
I honestly was still oblivious to this guy but I saw how she was looking around a lot, had us weaving through people and quickly going down aisles. Like I said, I still wasn’t paying attention to the people around us so I bought a couple of things but as soon as I had my bags, my mom yanked me and rushed us out.
While we were walking, she grew serious, kept glancing behind us and told me how she didn’t feel right about this guy with a newsboy cap and thought we were being followed. I took a look back for myself and sure enough, the man she described, and I finally recognized him as the same guy I briefly saw in Belk an hour or so ago, just left the same store we did and was walking toward us. He was by himself, looking down, carrying no shopping bags. We ducked into the first store we came across and the employees picked up on our frantic and nervous energy. When asked if we were okay, we told them what was going on and they stood in front of us, hiding us from view and assured us that we were safe. We didn’t see him (or the other guy with the baseball cap) after that but it spooked us to the point where we couldn’t even enjoy our day out anymore so we went home.
This same mall is known to be unsafe and honestly, this whole city is rampant with human trafficking so even though it could have been just paranoia, we anticipated the worst. Interestingly enough, this same mall recently posted a policy that visitors under 18 need to be accompanied by an adult after 4pm on Friday and Saturdays along with safety guidelines on how to stay safe. So there’s that.
Stay alert and aware of your surroundings. Trust your gut. I don’t walk alone without my phone in my hand, and I call someone anytime I’m in a parking lot or gas station. It’s sad but it’s always been hard to ever feel safe when I’m alone.
Edited and posted again to add spaces since it was flagged for wall of text. My bad!

submitted by tinybeetch to creepyencounters [link] [comments]

2024.05.16 15:23 Helpful_Jellyfish_69 Monitor showing horizontal jagged lines while booting up

This has been going on for about 2-3 months. The Windows loading screen appears when I boot up my computer, but then it hangs and displays some horizontal jagged lines. I am unsure of the term for these horizontal lines. It goes away and boots up normally after several restarts. There are times when it takes more than 30-40 restarts. Is there a problem with my system? Malware?

submitted by Helpful_Jellyfish_69 to techsupport [link] [comments]

2024.05.16 15:22 wilson_ed Israel bombing hospitals in Gaza

Hello Dgg. So, I have been arguing I/P with a freind of mine, on off for a week or so, and are now both sending each other walls of texts back and forth every few days when we get an hour free each. And I've now decided to narrow the conversation down to one factual disagreement at a time to work out why I'm right and she's wrong.
The first real offensive under the new strategy began today when she said, in response to somethingid said, "It is also untrue that Israel has never bombed or targeted hospitals. Israeli attacks have hit medical centers such as Al-Quds hospital, Al-Ahli hospital, Al-Nasr and Al-Rantisi hospitals for children, and the Indonesian hospital, among others." Now I know this isn't right. I've seen the Israeli spokespeople saying "Israel has not bombed hospitals" I've looked into it myself and come away with the impression that Israel isn't bombing hospitals, that this is an overblown narrative. So I look at her, then look at my sheckles, and now back at her thinking about how much easier my life would be if I just let the point go and move on, and i look back at my sheckles. And deliver my lines like a good Hasbara agent.
But I was going to source it this time (full text and sources below). This was done in about 30 minutes so I probably missed things - though it largely fits with my impression made when I did look into it deeper. So I call on DGG, to form both a blue and red team to decide once and for all "has Israel been bombing hospitals in Gaza?"
Text W/ links
Al-Quds https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.aljazeera.com/amp/program/newsfeed/2023/10/31/palestinians-fear-israel-will-strike-gazas-al-quds-hospital
Dust and smoke filled the corridors of the overcrowded al-Quds Hospital in Gaza when Israel bombed the surrounding area after ordering the facility be evacuated.
Al-Alhi https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/11/26/gaza-findings-october-17-al-ahli-hospital-explosion
"The explosion that killed and injured many civilians at al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza on October 17, 2023, resulted from an apparent rocket-propelled munition, such as those commonly used by Palestinian armed groups, that hit the hospital grounds, Human Rights Watch said today" This is the one that was most likely a misfire from a PIJ rocket
Al-Nasr https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2024/2/16/at-least-five-people-dead-after-israeli-army-raid-on-nasser-hospital
"Israel’s incursion into Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip has led to the deaths of at least five patients after electricity was severed and oxygen supplies cut, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health."
Al-Rantisi
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.aljazeera.com/amp/gallery/2023/11/7/israel-continues-to-attack-hospitals-in-gaza-city-killing-at-least-eight
At about 6:30pm (16:30 GMT), Israeli warplanes hit the area between the Psychiatric Hospital and the Rantisi hospital wounding 35 people, including some of the medical staff. Two hours later, the Rantisi hospital was hit as well as its southeast and northeast sides.
This article also says that the medical complex has 4 hospitals that suffered direct and indirect hits from Israeli missiles but only reports any details regarding the "war planes" hitting between 2 of the hospitals. Which is not how I'd expect it to be reported if they had any evidence of a targeted bombing campaign on the hospital itself
Indonesian hospital
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2023/11/25/gazas-indonesian-hospital-in-ruins-after-israeli-raid-days-long-siege
"Israeli tanks and snipers had laid siege to the hospital in Beit Lahiya for days, before targeting its main generator and raiding it in the early hours of Friday"
Tldr: as per the sources above Israel has not been bombing hospitals in gaza, preferring raids by infant and armour. They have at time struck hospital grounds and near hospitals but tge deadliest attack to date on a hospital has cone from a misfire PIJ Rocket which indicates Israel is not targeting civilians in hospitals. What's wrong, or missing from this analysis, and what evidence do you have against it?

submitted by wilson_ed to Destiny [link] [comments]

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