Esl ordering food
Liifer
2023.01.30 14:22 LiiferOfficial Liifer
Community the Food Ordering App for gamers called Liifer https://liifer.com
2011.12.29 03:45 RaymondAblack The subreddit for the new sketch comedy show Key and Peele
2009.08.21 19:11 cinsere Busan, South Korea
A community for the port city of Busan. Busan is the second most populous city after Seoul in South Korea - known for its beaches, mountains and temples.
2024.05.21 11:20 mikeweasy (USA) Kids almost got away with getting free food
I was working drive thru, and these kids came through, they ordered four burgers, three fries, and four mcflurrys. The total was 35 dollars. They handed me one of those "This card entitles So and SO to free Mcdonalds for life". I call my manager over and she waves the fee! I then continue working for another hour. As I am ordering food after my shift the manager says, my other coworker overheard those kids talking and that gold card was actually fake! Since those gold cards have a barcode on them I guess. The manager caught them though and asked them to pay, I guess they did though.
I remember that kid having a big smile on his face as well. Now I know why.
I honestly would like one of those cool gold cards but I know I would not trust myself with it lol.
submitted by mikeweasy to McDonaldsEmployees [link] [comments]
I remember that kid having a big smile on his face as well. Now I know why.
I honestly would like one of those cool gold cards but I know I would not trust myself with it lol.
2024.05.21 11:15 Beautiful-Hair6925 Gaming cafe and Board game cafe near UST?
Currenty looking for a Gaming Cafe type place, yung parang pwede ka mag order ng food tapos laro lang kayo sa console. Di net cafe, gf isn't a gamer but wants a casual experience.
And meron din bang mga Board game places near UST?
submitted by Beautiful-Hair6925 to Tomasino [link] [comments]
And meron din bang mga Board game places near UST?
2024.05.21 11:05 throwawaytroubles13 Training advice
So I’ve worked at the same place for 7 years. I bartend full time with some management shifts and I am in charge of all the training as well. We have at least 50% of our serving staff that is completely useless at their jobs, and almost everyone we train has needed extra training shifts. I get mixed reviews from trainers about the same trainees. One trainer will say they are doing great the next will say the same trainee is doing awful and needs extra training. There’s one where I’ve literally had to swap my shifts to serving, so I could train her myself because she completely failed her certification.
I feel at a loss for what to do. I feel like even the people I have stepped down from bartending to train, are still not doing what I taught them, because they are looking at everyone else who just stands around doing literally nothing and follow suit. They don’t prebus, they don’t run food, they don’t do any running work, they take ages to do sidework that shouldn’t take long, they all ring in their orders incorrectly, they don’t have menu knowledge. They literally all just stand in the side stations or expo line talking while their tables need things, and then either get themselves weeded or wonder why they aren’t getting good tips or why their guests are so angry for “no reason”.
My veterans are getting burnt out and frustrated for picking up the slack. There’s not enough of them to balance out the shifts so there’s many shifts where there is literally one strong server on and the rest are basically useless. Management helps out a ton they basically become our food runners and we even pull hosts to help run food and bus tables to get us by, but I almost feel like it wouldn’t be necessary for the hosts to do that if the servers could just do their jobs.
I guess I’m just wondering if anyone has any experience in turning something like this around on a larger scale. Or just any advice at all. I just want to scream at everyone “if you are always standing around on shifts and not constantly busy that’s because you are a bad server” but obviously that’s not helpful or productive. We are a casual busy restaurant where we need to turn tables quickly and we do high volume. We already cut down servers sections smaller hoping to help, assuming they have too many tables, but then they just stand around and complain more that they’re not busy.
Edit to add: There are a few veterans who, when catching people standing around, just kind of yell at them to go do something but it almost seems to have the opposite effect. There’s two girls that used to run all their drinks from the bar right away. But if their drinks weren’t ready they would just stand there and wait. One of our bartenders yelled at them to “go run food or something” instead of standing there staring at her make drinks, and now I noticed they don’t even run their own drinks and I almost never see them at the bar anymore like they’re scared to go up there. We also had an expo tell a guy to “go bus your tables or something don’t just stand here” when he was standing on the line, and the rest of that night I didn’t see that server come back to the line to get food.
I’ve coached them on watching their tone when talking to the team members because it’s having the opposite effect. I did suggest giving them specific tasks to do, for example when I’m bartending I tell people “run those drinks and I’ll have yours ready when you get back”. But I want to make sure I’m giving good advice because I don’t want them to stop coaching I just want the coaching to be effective.
submitted by throwawaytroubles13 to TalesFromYourServer [link] [comments]
I feel at a loss for what to do. I feel like even the people I have stepped down from bartending to train, are still not doing what I taught them, because they are looking at everyone else who just stands around doing literally nothing and follow suit. They don’t prebus, they don’t run food, they don’t do any running work, they take ages to do sidework that shouldn’t take long, they all ring in their orders incorrectly, they don’t have menu knowledge. They literally all just stand in the side stations or expo line talking while their tables need things, and then either get themselves weeded or wonder why they aren’t getting good tips or why their guests are so angry for “no reason”.
My veterans are getting burnt out and frustrated for picking up the slack. There’s not enough of them to balance out the shifts so there’s many shifts where there is literally one strong server on and the rest are basically useless. Management helps out a ton they basically become our food runners and we even pull hosts to help run food and bus tables to get us by, but I almost feel like it wouldn’t be necessary for the hosts to do that if the servers could just do their jobs.
I guess I’m just wondering if anyone has any experience in turning something like this around on a larger scale. Or just any advice at all. I just want to scream at everyone “if you are always standing around on shifts and not constantly busy that’s because you are a bad server” but obviously that’s not helpful or productive. We are a casual busy restaurant where we need to turn tables quickly and we do high volume. We already cut down servers sections smaller hoping to help, assuming they have too many tables, but then they just stand around and complain more that they’re not busy.
Edit to add: There are a few veterans who, when catching people standing around, just kind of yell at them to go do something but it almost seems to have the opposite effect. There’s two girls that used to run all their drinks from the bar right away. But if their drinks weren’t ready they would just stand there and wait. One of our bartenders yelled at them to “go run food or something” instead of standing there staring at her make drinks, and now I noticed they don’t even run their own drinks and I almost never see them at the bar anymore like they’re scared to go up there. We also had an expo tell a guy to “go bus your tables or something don’t just stand here” when he was standing on the line, and the rest of that night I didn’t see that server come back to the line to get food.
I’ve coached them on watching their tone when talking to the team members because it’s having the opposite effect. I did suggest giving them specific tasks to do, for example when I’m bartending I tell people “run those drinks and I’ll have yours ready when you get back”. But I want to make sure I’m giving good advice because I don’t want them to stop coaching I just want the coaching to be effective.
2024.05.21 10:55 Fflow27 beginner questions
Just installed DEI, I tried to start as Rome but fighting 2 wars at once while discovering the mechanics of the mod was a bit too much for me so I restarted as Baktria. Got to about 10 cities but there's a few things I don't understand
submitted by Fflow27 to DivideEtImpera [link] [comments]
- where is food going? In vanilla, I usually had 1-2 food provinces + a few isolated regions and it was enough to get a good surplus. In DEI I struggle not to have food shortage and sometimes, my food production drops by 10 and I have no clue why
- what's the point of buddhist temples, nomad camps and other buildings that increase cultural conversion to another culture than mine? I mean sure, it gives access to more units, the buddhist temple gives long range bows for instance but its that the only payoff? improved relations with some AIs hardly seems worth it and any publicv order bonus is more than balanced by the conversion to another culture
- similarly, I find it hard to understand the real difference between the different types of provincial captial main buildings
- So far, I rely entirely on a mix of my faction's base units and AOR units, is there a way to increase recruitement cap for the latter? And how do those units replenish when I'm not in their AOR anymore?
- for reforms, I noticed there are 3 different requirements, a tech to research, a number of turns and an imperium level, do I need all 3 ?
2024.05.21 10:44 ashton_nb Anyone experience advances from delivery drivers?
So I’ve experienced something that has made me pretty uncomfortable and I’m not sure what to do. I am an androgynous person with a Grindr profile, and I admit I use food delivery apps pretty frequently.
Recently a man messaged me on Grindr with no photo or profile information. He said he saw me in the last couple days and knows where I live. Obviously that freaked me out and I asked where he saw me. He said he was a Deliveroo driver and he had brought me an order a couple days before. He told me he knew it was me because of my painted nails and described my tattoos. He sent me a picture of his dick and was very interested in meeting up with me and hooking up.
This freaked me out because I don’t know what he looks like, he knows me and knows my adress, and im very scared to order anything now in case he’s my delivery driver. Does anyone know what the best thing to do is so I feel safe again?
submitted by ashton_nb to deliveroos [link] [comments]
Recently a man messaged me on Grindr with no photo or profile information. He said he saw me in the last couple days and knows where I live. Obviously that freaked me out and I asked where he saw me. He said he was a Deliveroo driver and he had brought me an order a couple days before. He told me he knew it was me because of my painted nails and described my tattoos. He sent me a picture of his dick and was very interested in meeting up with me and hooking up.
This freaked me out because I don’t know what he looks like, he knows me and knows my adress, and im very scared to order anything now in case he’s my delivery driver. Does anyone know what the best thing to do is so I feel safe again?
2024.05.21 10:43 Least-Energy3260 I got a no contact order against a person I considered a friend when I was in college
TW: references to suicidal thinking, discussions of harm toward others, mental health challenges
When I (23f) was a freshman in college, I had a friend, Amanda (name changed), who was in the same program as me and lived down the hall from me, and we hit it off. She had her quirks, and she made gruesome comments a lot, but mostly it was stuff you could easily take as a joke without thinking twice about her intentions. I considered her a friend.
Towards the end of spring break, she called me and asked if I could take her to pick up her glasses that were being fixed as she couldn’t drive herself without them. I agreed and when I got back to campus that Saturday around noon, we headed out to get her glasses. Turns out it was a trap.
As soon as we got off campus, she went from acting totally normal to practically sobbing. She was over the top emotional, explaining how her partner had just broken up with her and how she was so hurt and broken. I was caught off guard by the sudden mood swing to say the least. But then she kept going. She proceeded to make remarks about driving to the ex’s place of employment to physically confront them, but wouldn’t it be a shame if she were to wreck and off herself intentionally along the way? Her pattern of thinking went off the deep end so fast I felt like I was getting whiplash. She went from laughing and joking to talking about offing herself to make her ex feel bad within literal minutes.
I did my best to calm Amanda. We got her glasses picked up, got her food, and then I told her she could come back to my dorm room when we got back to campus because her words made me scared to leave her alone. When we got back to my dorm I started to unpack from going to visit my parents over the break, and she sat on my floor and started telling me, in graphic detail, how she could off herself that night. I tried my best to calm her down, tried to lighten the mood, and text a mutual friend to come help me because Amanda was spiraling very rapidly.
Before the friend arrived, Amanda started describing how she could kill her ex and how easy it would be to kill me. Amanda was pretty athletic, and she worked out with our campus ROTC, so she was pretty agile. I knew if she had any intention of hurting me, I wouldn’t win in the fight. So when she was not paying as much attention or was looking at her phone, I started hiding anything and everything in my room I could think of that she could use to hurt herself or me: scissors, charging cables, my cutlery. And she kept flipping the conversation to hurting somebody (herself and/or me or her ex) the whole time. This spiral in my dorm lasted about three hours.
Finally my friend arrived and we were able to convince Amanda she needed help and drove her to the hospital around midnight. After waiting for almost 6 hours, Amanda was released and our mutual friend who had gone back with Amanda so she wasn’t alone pulled me aside and said Amanda had lied to the doctors and said we forced her there against her will and she was totally fine. The doctors released her with a prescription for an anxiety medication and a note to my friend to have Amanda give us all her sharp items.
We go back to the dorms, Amanda voluntarily gives us any sharp or weapon-like objects she has in her dorm, and separate to go to sleep. Not even two hours after I fall asleep that morning (it was almost 7 AM when we got back from the hospital), I wake up to noises in my room. I lived alone. Amanda had broken into my dorm room and was scurrying around in the dark. To say it scared the absolute crap out of me would be an understatement. Amanda claimed my door was unlocked, but I know it wasn’t. She also claimed she was only in there to get her leftovers from the day prior, but something didn’t feel right to me.
I distanced myself that next day because she was honesty scaring me and I needed space to sort out my thoughts. When I wouldn’t answer her messages, she started bombarding me with calls and texts. When I let her know I wasn’t answering because I was with other friends on campus, she requested that I let her into their dorm so she wasn’t alone. I said I couldn’t do that and she said she was going to harm herself. I called the RA on duty and informed them of her statements and sent screenshots of the message from Amanda saying she would hurt herself to them. When the RA went to check in on Amanda, they told me she was chilling in her room completely normal. No odd behavior or heightened emotions.
That Sunday night when I returned to my dorm, I had stepped in my room to put down my bag and turn on my light and then walked down the hallway to use the communal restroom. Her dorm room was on a hallway angled to my own and she could see my window from hers. She was watching and saw my light come on and was pounding at my door within minutes. She was knocking and yelling so loud I could hear her in the bathroom. It scared me, and I didn’t know what to do so I messaged another girl on our hallway and asked her to intervene so I could leave without Amanda spotting me.
When the girl went out to see what Amanda was doing and tell her to quit, Amanda told her that she was just going to pick my lock and wait for me to get back from wherever I had gone. My friend managed to distract Amanda enough that I slipped out of the dorm unnoticed.
I slept in another dorm that night with a friend, but went to my schools Title IX the next morning to report the break in and harassment. The school took four days, with around five meetings, including one with a campus counselor and several with the dean of student affairs to finally allow me a no contact order with Amanda, but the damage to me was done. I fell into what was one of the worst depressive episodes of my life. I was scared to leave my dorm room. I was scared to be alone. I woke up panicking thinking somebody was in my room. I didn’t leave my dorm room for almost two weeks unless my friends dragged me to the cafeteria for food but I rarely let them.
My grades plummeted because I wasn’t attending class or doing my homework. Amanda started telling anybody who was in the program with us that I had abandoned her for no reason and even told the dean of student affairs that we had been in a relationship and I didn’t want to break up with her to her face so I went to Title IX and made it all up. She was lying to anybody and everybody who would listen.
I almost lost my scholarships, I lost friends, and I lost myself because of all of this. It’s been five years now, and while I am better, I still have triggers related to what Amanda put me through. I’m slower to trust, more calculated when making plans with friends, and if anybody around me has a negative emotional response (aka anger or frustration or sadness) I panic into a spiral by automatically fearing that they will off themself.
The bright side of the situation ended up being a love of psychology that I discovered while trying to overcome my mental health struggles brought on by this situation. I changed my major to psychology, got my bachelors of science, and am now content working on my masters and looking forward to getting my PH.D. in the near future.
I don’t think I’ll ever fully emotionally recover from the fear and trauma of that weekend, but I forgave Amanda a long time ago because the reality of the situation is that she needed help. And I did all I could to try and get her that help, but if she wasn’t ready to accept it then there was truly nothing more I could have done. I only removed myself when it became harmful to myself. And I hope wherever Amanda ended up today that she is safe and content with her life and her choices.
submitted by Least-Energy3260 to self [link] [comments]
When I (23f) was a freshman in college, I had a friend, Amanda (name changed), who was in the same program as me and lived down the hall from me, and we hit it off. She had her quirks, and she made gruesome comments a lot, but mostly it was stuff you could easily take as a joke without thinking twice about her intentions. I considered her a friend.
Towards the end of spring break, she called me and asked if I could take her to pick up her glasses that were being fixed as she couldn’t drive herself without them. I agreed and when I got back to campus that Saturday around noon, we headed out to get her glasses. Turns out it was a trap.
As soon as we got off campus, she went from acting totally normal to practically sobbing. She was over the top emotional, explaining how her partner had just broken up with her and how she was so hurt and broken. I was caught off guard by the sudden mood swing to say the least. But then she kept going. She proceeded to make remarks about driving to the ex’s place of employment to physically confront them, but wouldn’t it be a shame if she were to wreck and off herself intentionally along the way? Her pattern of thinking went off the deep end so fast I felt like I was getting whiplash. She went from laughing and joking to talking about offing herself to make her ex feel bad within literal minutes.
I did my best to calm Amanda. We got her glasses picked up, got her food, and then I told her she could come back to my dorm room when we got back to campus because her words made me scared to leave her alone. When we got back to my dorm I started to unpack from going to visit my parents over the break, and she sat on my floor and started telling me, in graphic detail, how she could off herself that night. I tried my best to calm her down, tried to lighten the mood, and text a mutual friend to come help me because Amanda was spiraling very rapidly.
Before the friend arrived, Amanda started describing how she could kill her ex and how easy it would be to kill me. Amanda was pretty athletic, and she worked out with our campus ROTC, so she was pretty agile. I knew if she had any intention of hurting me, I wouldn’t win in the fight. So when she was not paying as much attention or was looking at her phone, I started hiding anything and everything in my room I could think of that she could use to hurt herself or me: scissors, charging cables, my cutlery. And she kept flipping the conversation to hurting somebody (herself and/or me or her ex) the whole time. This spiral in my dorm lasted about three hours.
Finally my friend arrived and we were able to convince Amanda she needed help and drove her to the hospital around midnight. After waiting for almost 6 hours, Amanda was released and our mutual friend who had gone back with Amanda so she wasn’t alone pulled me aside and said Amanda had lied to the doctors and said we forced her there against her will and she was totally fine. The doctors released her with a prescription for an anxiety medication and a note to my friend to have Amanda give us all her sharp items.
We go back to the dorms, Amanda voluntarily gives us any sharp or weapon-like objects she has in her dorm, and separate to go to sleep. Not even two hours after I fall asleep that morning (it was almost 7 AM when we got back from the hospital), I wake up to noises in my room. I lived alone. Amanda had broken into my dorm room and was scurrying around in the dark. To say it scared the absolute crap out of me would be an understatement. Amanda claimed my door was unlocked, but I know it wasn’t. She also claimed she was only in there to get her leftovers from the day prior, but something didn’t feel right to me.
I distanced myself that next day because she was honesty scaring me and I needed space to sort out my thoughts. When I wouldn’t answer her messages, she started bombarding me with calls and texts. When I let her know I wasn’t answering because I was with other friends on campus, she requested that I let her into their dorm so she wasn’t alone. I said I couldn’t do that and she said she was going to harm herself. I called the RA on duty and informed them of her statements and sent screenshots of the message from Amanda saying she would hurt herself to them. When the RA went to check in on Amanda, they told me she was chilling in her room completely normal. No odd behavior or heightened emotions.
That Sunday night when I returned to my dorm, I had stepped in my room to put down my bag and turn on my light and then walked down the hallway to use the communal restroom. Her dorm room was on a hallway angled to my own and she could see my window from hers. She was watching and saw my light come on and was pounding at my door within minutes. She was knocking and yelling so loud I could hear her in the bathroom. It scared me, and I didn’t know what to do so I messaged another girl on our hallway and asked her to intervene so I could leave without Amanda spotting me.
When the girl went out to see what Amanda was doing and tell her to quit, Amanda told her that she was just going to pick my lock and wait for me to get back from wherever I had gone. My friend managed to distract Amanda enough that I slipped out of the dorm unnoticed.
I slept in another dorm that night with a friend, but went to my schools Title IX the next morning to report the break in and harassment. The school took four days, with around five meetings, including one with a campus counselor and several with the dean of student affairs to finally allow me a no contact order with Amanda, but the damage to me was done. I fell into what was one of the worst depressive episodes of my life. I was scared to leave my dorm room. I was scared to be alone. I woke up panicking thinking somebody was in my room. I didn’t leave my dorm room for almost two weeks unless my friends dragged me to the cafeteria for food but I rarely let them.
My grades plummeted because I wasn’t attending class or doing my homework. Amanda started telling anybody who was in the program with us that I had abandoned her for no reason and even told the dean of student affairs that we had been in a relationship and I didn’t want to break up with her to her face so I went to Title IX and made it all up. She was lying to anybody and everybody who would listen.
I almost lost my scholarships, I lost friends, and I lost myself because of all of this. It’s been five years now, and while I am better, I still have triggers related to what Amanda put me through. I’m slower to trust, more calculated when making plans with friends, and if anybody around me has a negative emotional response (aka anger or frustration or sadness) I panic into a spiral by automatically fearing that they will off themself.
The bright side of the situation ended up being a love of psychology that I discovered while trying to overcome my mental health struggles brought on by this situation. I changed my major to psychology, got my bachelors of science, and am now content working on my masters and looking forward to getting my PH.D. in the near future.
I don’t think I’ll ever fully emotionally recover from the fear and trauma of that weekend, but I forgave Amanda a long time ago because the reality of the situation is that she needed help. And I did all I could to try and get her that help, but if she wasn’t ready to accept it then there was truly nothing more I could have done. I only removed myself when it became harmful to myself. And I hope wherever Amanda ended up today that she is safe and content with her life and her choices.
2024.05.21 10:39 major-minor544 Finally got a rental... now I can be alone in a big box
For the past 7 months after my dad threw me out I've been homeless,I managed to keep a job and eventually get emergency housing which then led me to my current residence I am 19 and in order to live I have to work most days and or nights and I still cannot afford food afterwards and I have no time for friends or they just don't want to hang out with me so I am literally just existing and I feel completely useless, I even tried dating apps but we know how well those work out for Guys that are rich or models so yeah my friends think my life is awesome and I kinda hate myself and everyone around me...
submitted by major-minor544 to SuicideWatch [link] [comments]
2024.05.21 10:36 astrobabag Dive into the realm of vashikaran totke as per Ravan Samhita
 | Ravana Samhita – Amongst all the Vashikaran texts, the most effective text is called Ravana Samhita wherein the Vashikaran is in the form of spells or incantations. Vashikaran is a branch of supernatural power based on the ancient Indian technique of influencing the thought-patterns and behaviour of an individual through the use of rituals / spells / yantras and mantras. submitted by astrobabag to u/astrobabag [link] [comments] Ravan samhita vashikaran totke Some of the specific Vashikaran Totke given in the Ravan Samhita can actually make a person act, think or behave like you wanted. These vashikaran spell and rituals are aimed solely at one person to get him obsessed with you and he cannot live a day without thinking of you. Some of the famous Ravan Samhita vashikaran totke are: Lemon Totka: In that case one is required to take a lemon and think of the specified person and prick the lemon using needles and chanting the name of the required person. The spell makes it impossible for that person to be calm or lie still until they come to you. Totke with Hair – These totke consists of collecting hair strands of the needed person and adding hair strands to other items and casting it to make vashikaran spells and get control over the mind of the person and control his mind to fulfill your desire. Clothes Totke: If a woman wants to attract a certain man and follow the process for that he can take a piece of such man’s cloth like handkerchief or such like and manipulate such men through tantric rituals. Photo spells – A lot of people believe that spells which are conducted with the use of a photo of another man or woman who one would want to dominate or even hypnotize could turn out to be quite effective or powerful. Religious symbols must have the human capacity to acculturate their thoughts and orders. Food Totke: These include cooking desserts using food mixed with thoughts of your mind and vashikaran mantras and then offering them to your desired man or woman to attain control over his or her mind. In addition to specific totke, the Ravan Samhita also contains powerful vashikaran tantra and mantra procedures like:Some of the totke mentioned in the Ravan Samhita besides specific totke are: There are powerful vashikaran tantra and mantra procedures quoted in Ravan Samhita like: Vashikaran yantras – Magical diagrams employed proficiently to appropriate people through deliberative practices. Shakti laden beej mantras – Beej mantras that are spoken aloud and are believed to influence minds. Dhana Pooja – These are rituals for success in occult forces for controlling the desired person or for bending the mind. Ravan Samhita consists of certain practices or actions that are to be performed in the correct manner to make the vashikaran totke and spells more effective. The totke should be done with a specific goal in mind; it has to be performed at the proper time; it has to follow all the rituals and it should involve specific ingredients that are appropriate for the matter. However, some of the black magic spells may be justified as ethical and moral if they are targeted at the protected or to harm the other person without consent. Instead of coercion to influence the behavior of another person and make relations fruitful through persuasion and appeals to emotions, it is best to focus on the development of communication and conflict resolution. That is why the art of using harmful occult powers has adverse effects physically and spiritually. The Ravan Samhita vashikaran totke explains the procedure of Indian occult practices. It is unethical for participants to have programs describe and follow them without deeper wisdom and can also harm the participants and the programs. So it is suggested that one should use the totke with much of caution or else evaluating them. The study of spiritual books is advised but one should not undertake the practice of the given techniques without proper guidance from living gurus. Online Free Consultation With Baba Ji Please Visit: https://www.astrobabag.com/ RavanSamhita #Vashikaran #Totke #IndianAstrology #OccultKnowledge #SpiritualGuidance #Mantras #Tantras #MysticalWisdom #ConjuringSpells #MagicPractice #AncientTexts #LoveSpell #InfluenceOthers #SacredKnowledge #PowerfulMantras #AstrologySecrets #BlackMagic #InfluencingOthers |
2024.05.21 10:15 medium_wall Who needs garbage trucks?
A year and a half ago I was discussing climate change with my sister who's pretty conspiratorial and science-denier adjacent. She told me that she used to recycle until she saw the garbage truck pick up her trash one day and they dumped the sorted recycling right into the truck along with the main trash.
I agreed with her that was bullshit.
So that month, without any real plan, and not being one to miss an opportunity to make myself even more morally superior, I decided to cancel my garbage subscription just to see what happens. I figured worst case scenario I could just sign up again. I was already composting all my food scraps so it wasn't like the extra garbage would stink anything up.
Loosely I had the idea of sorting it and storing it into a compact form. So that's what I did for a year and a half; I sorted all the plastic and cardboard packagings and compacted everything as neat and orderly as I could for storage.
What did I get from this? Well, for one, I save $330/yr which is nice. For two, I have an abundance of plastic and cardboard material for all kinds of little macguyver projects and scenarios. It's like having a really big and more organized junk drawer. It's nice too knowing that nothing is ever accidentally thrown away anymore; I now have complete confidence that every single thing I can't find is indeed somewhere in my house, and was likely lost due to my own negligence.
The other big thing I got from this was a greater awareness of the amount of trash I was generating and bringing into my house on a regular basis. It was a sober realization to be honest. Now when I shop, the way a thing is packaged (or ideally not packaged!) is much more important to me since I have to deal with the consequences. I have an extra reason to favor the produce section at the supermarket now, and you can be damn sure I put those veggies directly in the cart; none of that tissue-paper plastic bag nonsense.
Overall it's been a good experience. It wasn't nearly as burdensome as I feared it might be at the start before I got a basic system going. And although I'm just one person and not putting much of a dent in garbage truck miles, I like knowing I'm not contributing to those giant 30-ton vehicles putting stupid amounts of stress on our roads and causing them to need maintenance (paid for with tax dollars) much sooner than they otherwise would.
Oh and for the the other 1-5% of stuff that can't be reused or repurposed (single-use plastics and such), I've been snipping them up into smaller pieces into an indoor garbage can. I plan to fill 4-5 of them up over the course of 5-10 years and then dump them at a landfill for a $90 charge (the landfills around me have a minimum 2-ton fee).
submitted by medium_wall to climatechange [link] [comments]
I agreed with her that was bullshit.
So that month, without any real plan, and not being one to miss an opportunity to make myself even more morally superior, I decided to cancel my garbage subscription just to see what happens. I figured worst case scenario I could just sign up again. I was already composting all my food scraps so it wasn't like the extra garbage would stink anything up.
Loosely I had the idea of sorting it and storing it into a compact form. So that's what I did for a year and a half; I sorted all the plastic and cardboard packagings and compacted everything as neat and orderly as I could for storage.
What did I get from this? Well, for one, I save $330/yr which is nice. For two, I have an abundance of plastic and cardboard material for all kinds of little macguyver projects and scenarios. It's like having a really big and more organized junk drawer. It's nice too knowing that nothing is ever accidentally thrown away anymore; I now have complete confidence that every single thing I can't find is indeed somewhere in my house, and was likely lost due to my own negligence.
The other big thing I got from this was a greater awareness of the amount of trash I was generating and bringing into my house on a regular basis. It was a sober realization to be honest. Now when I shop, the way a thing is packaged (or ideally not packaged!) is much more important to me since I have to deal with the consequences. I have an extra reason to favor the produce section at the supermarket now, and you can be damn sure I put those veggies directly in the cart; none of that tissue-paper plastic bag nonsense.
Overall it's been a good experience. It wasn't nearly as burdensome as I feared it might be at the start before I got a basic system going. And although I'm just one person and not putting much of a dent in garbage truck miles, I like knowing I'm not contributing to those giant 30-ton vehicles putting stupid amounts of stress on our roads and causing them to need maintenance (paid for with tax dollars) much sooner than they otherwise would.
Oh and for the the other 1-5% of stuff that can't be reused or repurposed (single-use plastics and such), I've been snipping them up into smaller pieces into an indoor garbage can. I plan to fill 4-5 of them up over the course of 5-10 years and then dump them at a landfill for a $90 charge (the landfills around me have a minimum 2-ton fee).
2024.05.21 09:52 Mathsenthusiast12 Evolutionary Roots of Social Stratification: Insights from Primatology and Historical Societies
Abstract
This paper explores the correlation between macro-sociological aspects of human societies and micro-anthropological insights into human evolution. By examining the evolutionary development of distinct biological features, it highlights how these features created the foundation for social stratification. The analysis draws on experiments and observations from primatology, particularly the seminal work of Frans de Waal in "Chimpanzee Politics: Power and Sex among Apes," and connects these findings with Vilfredo Pareto's analogy of Lions and Foxes in "The Mind and Society" to illustrate how adaptive intelligence among non-alpha individuals played a crucial role in balancing social hierarchies.Introduction
Human societies have exhibited various forms of stratification throughout history, often influenced by the interplay between biological traits and social dynamics. To understand the roots of this phenomenon, it is essential to consider the evolutionary trajectory of humans and their primate relatives.Human Evolution: An Overview
The evolutionary journey of humans began millions of years ago with our early ancestors, who gradually developed traits that differentiated them from other primates. Bipedalism, increased brain size, and complex social behaviors are among the key features that emerged during this process. As hominins evolved, they formed increasingly sophisticated social structures, which played a pivotal role in their survival and reproduction.Emergence of Alpha Males and Resource Monopolization
As human ancestors formed social groups, certain individuals, often more physically strong and aggressive, began to dominate their peers. These alpha individuals monopolized resources, gaining control over food, shelter, and mating opportunities. Female mate selection further reinforced this hierarchy, as females often chose strong, dominant males, leading to a concentration of reproductive success among alphas.Supporting Evidence from Primatology
This phenomenon is not unique to humans; it is also observed in our close relatives, the chimpanzees. Frans de Waal's research in "Chimpanzee Politics: Power and Sex among Apes" provides compelling evidence of similar dynamics in chimpanzee societies. In these groups, alpha males often monopolize resources and have higher reproductive success, while females prefer mating with these dominant individuals.Adaptive Strategies of Non-Alpha Individuals
Faced with the dominance of alpha individuals, non-alpha males developed alternative strategies to survive and reproduce. Lacking the brute strength of alphas, these beta individuals relied on intelligence, cooperation, and innovation to navigate their social environment. This adaptive behavior can be observed in both human and primate societies.Insights from Frans de Waal's Research
De Waal’s observations reveal that non-alpha chimpanzees exhibit higher levels of problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, and social learning compared to their alpha counterparts. These findings suggest that non-alpha individuals compensate for their lower physical dominance through enhanced cognitive abilities and social strategies.Theoretical Implications: Lions and Foxes
Vilfredo Pareto’s work, "The Mind and Society," introduces the analogy of Lions and Foxes to describe the dual nature of elite power in societies. Lions represent the strong and powerful individuals who use force and traditional methods to maintain control, while Foxes symbolize the cunning and intelligent individuals who employ strategic thinking and innovation."The history of all societies is the history of the rise and fall of elites...the Lions, who rule through force, and the Foxes, who rule through cunning."
As human societies grew larger and more complex, power began to be divided between these two types of elites. This dual structure can be seen as a natural extension of the evolutionary strategies observed in primates, where both physical strength and intelligence play crucial roles in social dynamics.
Connecting Pareto and De Waal
The research by Frans de Waal on chimpanzees provides a microcosmic view of Pareto's Lions and Foxes analogy. In chimpanzee societies, alpha males (Lions) maintain their dominance through physical prowess, while non-alpha individuals (Foxes) use intelligence and strategic alliances to thrive. This dynamic balance between strength and cunning in both human and primate societies highlights the evolutionary roots of social stratification and the diverse strategies employed by individuals to gain and maintain power.Historical Case Study: Ancient India
In ancient India, before the Vedic period, societies were organized into clans with leaders who often emerged due to their physical strength and ability to command. These leaders, akin to Pareto's Lions, consolidated political power and resources. However, as societies became more complex, another group emerged, consolidating knowledge and strategic thinking—these individuals can be likened to Pareto's Foxes.- Neolithic to Early Vedic Period:
- Brahmins and Kshatriyas in Early Vedic Texts
- Rigid Social Hierarchies in the Later Vedic Period
"The Brahmins and Kshatriyas symbolize the ultimate division of power: one through intellectual and spiritual dominance, and the other through physical and political control, mirroring Pareto’s Lions and Foxes" (Adapted from Pareto, The Mind and Society).
Historical Case Study: Medieval Europe
In medieval Europe, a similar dual structure of power existed between the Church and the Monarchs. This division of power created a dynamic interplay that shaped the social and political landscape of the period.- The Role of the Church and Monarchs
- Power Struggles and the Reformation
"The Reformation symbolizes the clash and eventual rebalancing of power between the Church (Foxes) and the Monarchs (Lions), reflecting Pareto's theory of the cyclical nature of elite power struggles" (Adapted from Pareto, The Mind and Society).
Conclusion
The intricate dance between physical dominance and intellectual strategy in both primate societies and human history reveals a deep-rooted evolutionary foundation for social stratification. Frans de Waal's research on chimpanzees provides a microcosmic view of how non-alpha individuals, through intelligence and innovation, balance the brute strength of alphas. This dynamic is echoed in Vilfredo Pareto's analogy of Lions and Foxes, where societal elites are divided into those who rule by force and those who rule by cunning.By examining historical case studies, such as ancient India and medieval Europe, we see how these evolutionary strategies manifest in human societies. In ancient India, the rise of Brahmins (Foxes) and Kshatriyas (Lions) illustrates the division of intellectual and physical power, leading to rigid social hierarchies in the later Vedic period. Similarly, in medieval Europe, the power struggle between the Church (Foxes) and Monarchs (Lions) culminated in significant events like the Reformation, reshaping the social and political order.
These examples underscore that the balance of power in societies is not merely a product of cultural evolution but is deeply intertwined with our biological heritage. The adaptive strategies observed in primate behavior continue to influence human social structures, demonstrating the enduring legacy of our evolutionary past. Understanding these dynamics provides valuable insights into the nature of power and hierarchy, highlighting the complex interplay between physical strength and intellectual acumen that has shaped human history.
By integrating primatological insights with historical analysis, this paper illuminates the evolutionary roots of social stratification, offering a comprehensive framework to understand how power and intelligence have co-evolved to form the complex societies we see today.
2024.05.21 09:51 StrategyDecent4326 Time to order my next pen...decisions decisions...options please.
Hi everyone, I started my 3rd week of 2.5mg on Sat and have started to think about my next step (received an email from my provider about ordering next pen) Last week I thought I'd order another 2.5mg as I'm happy with my loses (andI have struggled with constipation (and bloated belly) and don't want to exaggerate this by moving up to 5mg to soon). However last week I did notice on Friday I food noice was back and so was abit more appetite (but I also had a wisdom tooth out and was on soup and non solids which may have played a part?) I don't want to move up too quick, but on the other hand I don't want to commit to another month of 2.5mg if by the end of the week its effectiveness is being reduced. I've read mixed reviews on this forum too about the 5mg which I thinks feeding into my hesitation. Has anyone ordered the 5mg and regretted it or stayed on the 2.5mg only to find they wished they'd ordered the 5mg?
I understand this is a personal journey and everyone reacts different, but I'd love to hear ppls experiences at their "gateways" so to speak. Thanks xx
submitted by StrategyDecent4326 to mounjarouk [link] [comments]
I understand this is a personal journey and everyone reacts different, but I'd love to hear ppls experiences at their "gateways" so to speak. Thanks xx
2024.05.21 09:29 GuiltlessMaple Best Cold Steel Oss Knife
 | submitted by GuiltlessMaple to u/GuiltlessMaple [link] [comments] https://preview.redd.it/49ym4oc1fq1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c2ec4ce5a6ca857ffc68ea58417e0b3a3b51c9e8 Are you in need of a versatile and reliable knife for your outdoor adventures? Look no further than the Cold Steel Oss Knife! In this article, we'll take a closer look at the features, benefits, and reviews of this popular blade. Get ready to discover why the Oss Knife is a top choice for those seeking the ultimate knife for their outdoor pursuits. The Top 19 Best Cold Steel Oss Knife
Reviews🔗Classic Cold Steel Tanto Point Boot Knifehttps://preview.redd.it/bfs3dmv1fq1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1f692528d0f06b7b510feab444105a0dfc9f2ecf As someone who often finds themselves in need of a reliable blade for everyday use, I've had the pleasure of testing out the Cold Steel Kobun. This lightweight Tanto styled boot knife is definitely a handy addition to have on hand. I was instantly impressed by its sharp, reinforced point that contrasts with the thin blades commonly found in other boots knives. One feature that stood out to me was the Kobun's deeply checkered Kraton handle. It offers an excellent grip, making the knife more secure in the hand. The cross section of the handle is also surprisingly thin, while still providing enough thickness to resist turning or shifting. Another notable aspect of the Kobun is that it comes complete with a Secure-Ex sheath. This sturdy sheath makes it easy to attach the knife securely to your belt, ensuring that it remains easily accessible whenever you need it. However, there was one downside that I discovered while using the Kobun. The default clip that was included with the knife was quite weak and didn't hold up well to everyday wear. I had to replace it with a Blade-Tech brand Tek-Lok belt attachment in order to ensure a more secure and reliable attachment to my belt. Overall, the Cold Steel Kobun has been a reliable and versatile companion during my everyday activities. I would highly recommend it to anyone in need of a durable and efficient boot knife for both personal and practical use. 🔗Compact and lightweight Cold Steel Peace Maker II knifehttps://preview.redd.it/r4cn4d62fq1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=34066e36fe7248ac15437009b8f9ecc50971b805 I've been using the Cold Steel Peace Maker II for a few weeks now, and I must say, it's a game-changer. The knife is incredibly lightweight, making it perfect for daily carry. I've been using it for a variety of tasks, from opening boxes to trimming small branches, and it's handled every job with ease. One of the standout features is the Scandi ground blade, which is incredibly easy to resharpen. The unique compound ground clip point provides a stiff distal tapered point capable of piercing thick targets without compromising precious cutting power. The ergonomic handle design is another plus, with a thin, rectangular shape and subtle contouring. The palm swell and double quillon guard offer both comfort and protection. The knife also comes with a secure-ex sheath, which is cut and stab-resistant and impervious to the elements. The sheath attachment is sturdy and won't come loose, even during strenuous activities. However, the blade does require frequent sharpening due to its soft steel composition. But considering the product's affordability, it's a small price to pay for the versatility and convenience it offers. The Peace Maker II is a reliable, multifunctional knife that's perfect for those who need a reliable and versatile cutting tool. 🔗Slim and Effective Steel Surveillance Knife for Self-Defensehttps://preview.redd.it/g1r2r6h2fq1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fdec35fb0b41a67b4a10a5ce1eab59421c92f5be Recently, I've been trying out the Cold Steel Secret Edge 11SDT Knife, and let me tell you, it's been a game-changer. This sleek little thing, perfect for self-defense, fits conveniently under any clothing, making it the ideal secret weapon (if you can keep it that way! ). It's so lightweight, you'll barely notice the half-pound heft, and the 4-inch blade is sharp as a tack – if you're not paying close attention, the edges might leave you astounded, your friends and family, that is. Now, we all know that sharpness can sometimes come at a cost - durability. However, this knife's AUS 8A stainless steel blade seems to handle it all, remaining steady even after some of my more intense activities. The flat ground design does wonders against whatever material it clashes with. The Secret Edge also includes a Secure-Ex sheath, a reliable retention system that's quick to access and deploy without compromising safety—perfect for those urgent moments. And it's equipped with a thin, flat faux G-10 handle, ergonomic enough to stay put in your hand while preventing any slippage or rolling. The three-hole design and aggressively textured surface ensure a grip like no other. However, there are a few minor things that I've picked up on:
🔗Cold Steel FGX Cat Tanto: Sleek and Impervious Serrated Knifehttps://preview.redd.it/uo8zsk13fq1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c997eb767b7029bdf8072a270456a4915e3e7b0a I remember the day I brought home my Cold Steel FGX Cat Tanto. The sleek black design and the promise of a lightweight yet durable knife piqued my curiosity. It was a perfect addition to my collection of self-defense tools, for those moments when you need to protect yourself and your loved ones. The handle, made of Kraton, felt great in my hand, with its solid grip that remained unaffected by temperature and moisture. It was a great contrast to the Grivory blade finish, which made the knife look even more menacing. I loved how the tanto point blade shape gave a perfect balance between sharpness and durability. However, it wasn't all roses. The Cold Steel FGX Cat Tanto felt a bit underwhelming when it came to cutting tasks. Its plastic blade just didn't have the same edge retention as a traditional steel blade, making it not ideal for more demanding tasks like cutting through thick materials. Still, for the price and as a lightweight and corrosion-resistant self-defense tool, the Cold Steel FGX Cat Tanto has proven to be quite the handy piece. It's a unique addition to any collection, and it's been a great conversation starter among my friends and family. 🔗VG-1 San Mai 3 Stainless Steel Cold Steel Oss Hunting Knife with Kray-Ex Handlehttps://preview.redd.it/g8tp6z73fq1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=001312f46e744c0056ae7f1e8f088053eb37b1f6 As a reviewer who has tried the Cold Steel Master Hunter, I can confidently say that it has become my go-to knife for various outdoor activities. One of the features that stood out to me was the comfortable, deeply checkered Kraton grip, which allows for long-term use without any discomfort. The broad, thin blade with a distinct taper provides exceptional cutting ability, edge retention, and ease of resharpening. However, one of the cons I encountered was the knife's tendency to be easily lost due to its minimalistic design. I also noticed that the blade occasionally required additional sharpening, despite its excellent edge retention. Nevertheless, the overall performance and durability of the Master Hunter make it a reliable and versatile tool for all your hunting needs. 🔗Highly Durable Cold Steel Bushman Knife for Survival Needshttps://preview.redd.it/xrshnvn3fq1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=00990bc9468e36a30a12eaf3320a925af6afa3ae Recently, I had the pleasure of using the Cold Steel Bushman Knife and let me tell you, my experience was quite an adventure. This knife, with its 7-inch blade made of SK-5 high carbon steel, proved to be a reliable companion on my outdoor excursions. One of the standout features was its hollow handle, which was surprisingly versatile. I was able to store a few essentials inside, and with the right handle extensions, I could reach impressive lengths for certain tasks. The knife's unique construction allowed for a seamless blend of blade and handle, which gave it a solid, reliable feel. However, there was one drawback to my experience: the sheath. While the Secure-Ex sheath featured a Ferrocerium Fire Steel, which was convenient for starting fires, it had a few issues. The locking mechanism was less than secure, making it prone to accidental release. It also lacked a left-handed option, which could be a dealbreaker for some users. Despite these minor setbacks, the Cold Steel Bushman Knife proved to be a sturdy and practical tool for various outdoor activities. With its strong blade and adaptable handle, it was a reliable ally on my adventures. While the sheath could use some improvements, the knife itself more than made up for it. 🔗Cold Steel Trench Hawk Trainer - Practical, Durable, and Safe Tomahawk Traininghttps://preview.redd.it/zql74924fq1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c1629989d1d695e797ccd77021ac1df6eb61ac39 When I got my hands on the Cold Steel Trench Hawk Trainer, I was immediately impressed by its size and weight. The synthetic material felt surprisingly sturdy and authentic, making it perfect for learning the ropes without the danger of injury. Not to mention, it closely resembles the actual Trench Hawk, so every training session felt like a real-life scenario. However, the weight was noticeably lighter than the real deal, which might not be ideal for those looking for a more accurate experience. Overall, the Trench Hawk Trainer provided a safe and effective way to hone my skills, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone looking to up their training game. 🔗Versatile Full-tang Stainless Steel Cold Steel Oss Knifehttps://preview.redd.it/oee53ud4fq1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c630141a9646a70e0cff60d92b24b3ad9e51dde2 I recently tried out the Cold Steel Razor Tek, and I must say, it's a versatile and sturdy blade that has made quite an impact in my outdoor adventures. The 6.5" 5mm thick recurve blade is a powerful tool for those who need a reliable knife for larger tasks - it's perfect for chopping. The ergonomic and textured handle provides a comfortable grip that's suitable for any wilderness outing. One feature that stood out to me is the secure-ex belt sheath, which holds the knife securely and makes it easy to access when needed. The 11.7 oz weight is manageable, allowing for long-term usage without causing fatigue. However, the knife's size and thickness might not be ideal for everyone, so it's essential to consider if it's suitable for your specific needs. Overall, the Cold Steel Razor Tek is a well-crafted blade that would be an excellent addition to any outdoor enthusiast's arsenal. The 4116 stainless steel and the black Gfn handle make it a reliable and stylish choice. While it may not be the cheapest option on the market, the Razor Tek's quality and durability make it a worthwhile investment for those looking for a dependable cutting tool. 🔗Lightweight Miniature Cold Steel Super Edge Knifehttps://preview.redd.it/8gdelfo4fq1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=849127885f52e4fd41dd22a791fb04798d6b698f The Super Edge is the ultimate keychain companion for any adventurous spirit. With its sleek design and razor-sharp blade, this little powerhouse can take on any task thrown at it. Whether you're taming a wild zipper or cutting through a tough piece of rope, the Super Edge never disappoints. Its lightweight construction and secure sheath make it a discreet and convenient carry option, ensuring you're prepared for any situation. While its diminutive size may fool some, never underestimate the capabilities of this impressive workhorse. The Super Edge has proven itself as a reliable tool in the hands of users, earning its stellar reputation as one of the best keychain knives on the market. 🔗Cold Steel Commercial Series 10" Chef's Knife for Durability and Versatilityhttps://preview.redd.it/3jl7b625fq1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=80c7104838325851699926f1dd0d6716e76ed3e8 I recently got my hands on the Cold Steel Commercial Series Chef's Knife, and I must say, it has been a game-changer in my daily life. The knife's razor-sharp cryo-quenched German 4116 steel not only makes cutting vegetables and meat a breeze but also re-sharpening is a breeze in the field. The handle, featuring a stiff Zy-Ex core for durability and a non-slip Kray-Ex exterior, provides a comfortable grip for hours of use. This knife has become a staple in my kitchen, and I find myself reaching for it every time I need to chop anything. However, one downside I've noticed is the build quality. The knife I received had a small gap between the handle and the blade, which might pose a hygiene problem when used for meat and fish. But overall, it's a fantastic kitchen knife for the price, and I highly recommend it for everyday use. 🔗Heavy-Duty, Comfortable Cold Steel Kitchen Knifehttps://preview.redd.it/vmr0wrh5fq1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2fb3f5b9e7bd3e17a85d55d6acbf812f02c86c1a The Cold Steel Kitchen Classics Chef Knife has been a lifesaver in my daily kitchen tasks. The 8-inch blade is incredibly sharp and holds its edge well, making it perfect for everything from slicing through tomatoes to chopping up a variety of fruits and veggies. The handle is also quite comfortable to grip, providing a secure and solid hold. One of the highlights of this knife is its German 4116 stainless cryo-quenched material, which ensures the blade remains sharp and durable. I especially enjoyed the terrific stiff Zy-Ex core and the softer, deeply checkered Kray-Ex exterior handle for a non-slip grip. This knife has been my go-to in the kitchen, and I appreciate its reasonable price tag. However, there was one downside: the grip started to peel and break after about two years of use. Nonetheless, this knife truly stands out for its superb sharpness, comfort, and durability. 🔗Cold Steel OSS Knife: Efficient Field Tool with Japanese AUS8A Stainless Steel Bladehttps://preview.redd.it/973and36fq1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=05afb69f8d97ba26d20354de4b6c6606190d82c5 I recently had the pleasure of using the Cold Steel 39LSSS OSI Tactical Gear during a few camping trips. This knife truly shines when it comes to cutting and slashing through tough materials. The blade's thin ultra-keen edge is a testament to its impressive performance. One of the standout features of this knife is its Secure-Ex Sheath, which keeps it safely tucked away when not in use. The Japanese AUS 8A Stainless Steel blade lends a sense of durability and reliability, perfect for those who need a versatile and effective blade in their daily life. However, there are a couple of minor drawbacks worth mentioning. The handle/guard is a bit flexible, which may not be ideal for heavy-duty tasks. Additionally, some users have found it a bit challenging to remove the knife from the Secure-Ex Sheath. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Cold Steel 39LSSS OSI Tactical Gear has proven to be a reliable and effective companion on my camping trips. Its balance and heft make it a joy to use, and the Secure-Ex Sheath ensures that it's always ready for action. Overall, this is an impressive knife that's well worth considering for anyone in need of a reliable and versatile blade for various purposes. 🔗Commercial-Grade Butcher Knife from Cold Steelhttps://preview.redd.it/akgtedr6fq1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=687cd3db986731c0cea436e807b84ede4162c345 As a home chef, I've always been on the lookout for affordable yet high-quality knives. That's when I stumbled upon the Cold Steel Commercial Series Butcher Knife 8.0 in Blade. Impressed by the sharpness and durability of the blade upon first use, I knew that this knife could handle any heavy-duty task in my kitchen. One of the features that stood out to me is the ergonomic design of the handle. The Zy-Ex core adds rigidity, while the softer, food-safe Kray-Ex exterior provides a comfortable, non-slip grip. After hours of chopping vegetables and cutting meat, my hand never felt tired or overwhelmed. This is truly a game-changer when it comes to kitchen knives. However, the blade is quite heavy, which requires a certain level of force to wield effectively. For those with weaker hands or for tasks that don't require much pressure, this may be an issue. But, in my experience, the weight has been a welcome addition to the overall power of the knife. When it comes to sharpening, the cryo-quenched German 4116 Steel holds an edge remarkably well. I've used it extensively without any significant blade degradation. The knives also do not rust easily, a crucial factor when dealing with raw meat or wet conditions. Overall, the Cold Steel Commercial Series Butcher Knife 8.0 in Blade has proven to be a reliable addition to my kitchen arsenal. Its sharpness, durability, and robustness make it a worthwhile investment for both home cooks and professionals alike. 🔗Cold Steel Oss Scimitar Knife for Commercial Useshttps://preview.redd.it/b7uyrzc7fq1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=da498bda38a10d42df78f2535edbb5ac157b3ca8 The Cold Steel Commercial Series Scimitar Knife has truly become an indispensable addition to my daily life, thanks to its remarkable design and unmatched quality. This Taiwanese-made knife is perfect for all sorts of tasks, from hunting and fishing to commercial kitchens and butcher shops. The 10-inch blade, made from premium cryo-quenched German 4116 Steel, is incredibly sharp and re-sharpenable. Its durable handle, featuring a stiff Zy-Ex core and a comfortable non-slip grip made from Kray-Ex, is a game-changer for long hours of usage. The knife's satin finish gives it a sleek look, and its overall length of 15.25 inches offers ample reach for an array of applications. My experience with this knife has been nothing short of fantastic, and I highly recommend it to anyone who values versatility, durability, and quality. Buyer's GuideThe Cold Steel OSS Knife is a versatile, reliable, and durable option for outdoor enthusiasts, campers, and survivalists. Designed for various tasks, this versatile knife can be used for hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities. In this buyer's guide, we will discuss the important features, considerations, and general advice about the Cold Steel OSS Knife and similar products. https://preview.redd.it/hyayfy6afq1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bff3ca307af4f375d0df8f7ff82122f248a87864 Key Features of the Cold Steel OSS Knife
Important Considerations When Choosing a Knife
https://preview.redd.it/e4gunsfafq1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5d208b9b3b89b8b5c90713d94f4bce03b2c8a067 General Advice for Cold Steel OSS Knife OwnersProper maintenance and care are essential for ensuring the longevity and performance of your Cold Steel OSS Knife. Always clean the blade after use and apply a protective coating to prevent corrosion. It is also recommended to sharpen the blade regularly for optimal performance.The Cold Steel OSS Knife is a reliable and versatile option for outdoor enthusiasts looking for a durable and lightweight knife. By considering the key features and important considerations when choosing a knife, you can make an informed decision and find the perfect tool for your needs. FAQhttps://preview.redd.it/a0k4otzafq1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5081b5bd1c71c8dcd3e0b73c559931e6cc3e32dd What is the Cold Steel Oss Knife?The Cold Steel Oss Knife is a tactical knife designed for survival and self-defense situations. It is a sturdy, durable knife that features a full tang construction, making it suitable for heavy-duty tasks.What materials are used in the construction of the Cold Steel Oss Knife?The Cold Steel Oss Knife is made of high-quality materials, including a 6V14 stainless steel blade and Zytel handle. The blade is designed for excellent edge retention and resistance to corrosion, while the handle offers a comfortable grip and durability. https://preview.redd.it/g6rs6kdbfq1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=82e8d3d318d0bb23f6efde2fa0e1c5fba2247958 What kind of blade does the Cold Steel Oss Knife have?The Cold Steel Oss Knife features a spear-point blade, which offers a combination of strength and piercing power. The blade has a length of 5 inches and a thickness of 0.143 inches.What is the handle of the Cold Steel Oss Knife made of?The handle of the Cold Steel Oss Knife is made of Zytel, a high-performance thermoplastic that offers excellent grip and durability. The handle also features a finger guard and a lanyard hole for easy retention.What is the weight of the Cold Steel Oss Knife?The Cold Steel Oss Knife weighs approximately 7.2 ounces, making it a lightweight yet sturdy option for survival and self-defense situations.Is the Cold Steel Oss Knife suitable for outdoor activities?Yes, the Cold Steel Oss Knife is a versatile knife that is suitable for a wide range of outdoor activities, including camping, hunting, and hiking. Its durable construction and versatile blade make it a valuable tool for various survival situations.What is the best way to maintain the Cold Steel Oss Knife?To maintain the Cold Steel Oss Knife, it is recommended to clean it regularly after use and avoid storing it in a damp environment. Additionally, it should be periodically sharpened to ensure optimal performance.As an Amazon™ Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. |
2024.05.21 09:27 catboyangels Help Me Find a Flash Game Supernatural Dating Sim
I remember playing this game 7-10 years ago, though I could be fuzzy on the dates. I know it's old, and most likely a flash game, so any links to it are probably broken, but I feel like I had refound it after flash died and played it, so who knows.
It was a dating sim where you got to date a variety of supernatural creatures. There was at least a werewolf, vampire, and a ghost. I think there may have been another one but I'm not sure. I'm pretty sure you had to work in a bakery(?) to get money for food/gifts. There was a church, and the pastor was this weird lil floating white thing ??
To wake up the vampire you needed to buy a certain item, go into the forest where his coffin was and get him out of it, and that's how you'd unlock him in order to date him. There was like, a windmill type thing that either the Ghost or Werewolf lived/worked in. I think you could also put an item in the top of the church to unlock something. The game ended with a marriage. Actually, I think the last guy may have been someone you were betrothed to, though that's another detail I'm not one hundred percent sure on.
It wasn't the greatest dating sim in the world, but I enjoyed it when I was younger, and now I kinda wanna show it to my friend who likes going back to games from when we were younger to see why we even enjoyed them lol. Appreciate if you can even give me a name of the thing
submitted by catboyangels to HelpMeFind [link] [comments]
It was a dating sim where you got to date a variety of supernatural creatures. There was at least a werewolf, vampire, and a ghost. I think there may have been another one but I'm not sure. I'm pretty sure you had to work in a bakery(?) to get money for food/gifts. There was a church, and the pastor was this weird lil floating white thing ??
To wake up the vampire you needed to buy a certain item, go into the forest where his coffin was and get him out of it, and that's how you'd unlock him in order to date him. There was like, a windmill type thing that either the Ghost or Werewolf lived/worked in. I think you could also put an item in the top of the church to unlock something. The game ended with a marriage. Actually, I think the last guy may have been someone you were betrothed to, though that's another detail I'm not one hundred percent sure on.
It wasn't the greatest dating sim in the world, but I enjoyed it when I was younger, and now I kinda wanna show it to my friend who likes going back to games from when we were younger to see why we even enjoyed them lol. Appreciate if you can even give me a name of the thing
2024.05.21 09:26 KnowledgeMinute5702 Meet at the door
You know you ordered food an choose “meet at door” so answer the god damn door…. Too many of yall don’t answer the door or take to too long to do so. It’s hot and a lot of yall don’t have landscaping to save your cheap ass lives. So now we’re just out there with every gekko and wasp in existence while you’re stupid entitled broke ass is watching Brigerton looking dumb in the face when yall hear a knock like yall didnt just order food. Stop it.
submitted by KnowledgeMinute5702 to doordash [link] [comments]
2024.05.21 09:23 dumptruck_dookie Serious Question. Mods, please don’t remove this.
Ok so I was trying to make a post about this where I kind of alluded to my problem without coming out and saying it, but it got removed as being unsupportive of this sub or something. So to the mods, I am sorry.
Basically, I was dating a guy who still wore a mask outside of his home. I respected his decision fully. He knew when we started seeing each other that I didn’t wear a mask anymore, as I am fully vaccinated and have never gotten the virus. (To be fair, I don’t go out that much so take that with a grain of salt)
Things hit the fan when one day I was staying at his house, and I opened the door and walked down the hallway to get our DoorDash order. He got very upset that I hadn’t put on a mask to go get it. I tried to reason with him and say that the bag of food that I was bringing into his house had been sitting in a car with a mask-less person, and I was confused why he didn’t care about that.
This only seemed to make him more mad, and long story short, he ended up breaking up with me. I can’t help but feel deeply confused, hurt, and angry. Was I truly at fault in this situation?
Idk where else to post this, and this seems like a sub where people would answer from his perspective.
submitted by dumptruck_dookie to ZeroCovidCommunity [link] [comments]
Basically, I was dating a guy who still wore a mask outside of his home. I respected his decision fully. He knew when we started seeing each other that I didn’t wear a mask anymore, as I am fully vaccinated and have never gotten the virus. (To be fair, I don’t go out that much so take that with a grain of salt)
Things hit the fan when one day I was staying at his house, and I opened the door and walked down the hallway to get our DoorDash order. He got very upset that I hadn’t put on a mask to go get it. I tried to reason with him and say that the bag of food that I was bringing into his house had been sitting in a car with a mask-less person, and I was confused why he didn’t care about that.
This only seemed to make him more mad, and long story short, he ended up breaking up with me. I can’t help but feel deeply confused, hurt, and angry. Was I truly at fault in this situation?
Idk where else to post this, and this seems like a sub where people would answer from his perspective.
2024.05.21 09:19 rothdoth Help! Multiple Misdiagnoses > Zenpep
I started having stool that was fit the description of EPI symptoms back in March. It used happen every now and again but never persisted for more than a day, and was largely due to my diet the night before.
In April, I became aware of how consistent this issue became, and used Teladoc. The provider claimed it might've been H. Pylori since I recently had traveled to NY (I said I ate a lot of different foods; omakase to late night pizza & tacos). Advised me to take omeprazole (Prilosec OTC) since her reasoning was that it'd lower my stomach acid pH and hinder the H. Pylori. 14 days later, nothing changed so I stopped taking it, as advised.
In early May, I visited my PCP. After describing the above, he prescribed me 500mg of ciprofloxacin. I decided not to take it since I was skeptical and surprised that I got prescribed an antibiotic when I didn't even go get any testing done. Got a referral to a GI center instead.
Now in mid-May...my stool test came back negative for H. Pylori and everything else. Only issue was, my pancreatic elastase level was <50 when the normal range was >200, according to the sheet.
Followed-up with the GI center and was given Zenpep, and am currently awaiting an ultrasound.
My question for this community is, do you know what could possibly be causing this low elastase level? I'm at a loss since I have zero other symptoms - I'm not fatigued, nor do I have cramps or any pain, etc. It's just the stool consistency. I also believe myself to be rather "healthy" (late 20's, ran 6 miles in 60 min. flat 3 months ago, I lift 4x a week, eat moderately clean, etc.). This issue literally appeared overnight one day, and never left.
Is there anything that can rule out EPI and/or pancreatitis and other issues? My HMO means it'll take a while in between each imaging order, so I'd rather knock everything out sooner than later. And given the last couple of misses with my prior doctors, I'm curious to see what others think or have experienced.
submitted by rothdoth to pancreatitis [link] [comments]
In April, I became aware of how consistent this issue became, and used Teladoc. The provider claimed it might've been H. Pylori since I recently had traveled to NY (I said I ate a lot of different foods; omakase to late night pizza & tacos). Advised me to take omeprazole (Prilosec OTC) since her reasoning was that it'd lower my stomach acid pH and hinder the H. Pylori. 14 days later, nothing changed so I stopped taking it, as advised.
In early May, I visited my PCP. After describing the above, he prescribed me 500mg of ciprofloxacin. I decided not to take it since I was skeptical and surprised that I got prescribed an antibiotic when I didn't even go get any testing done. Got a referral to a GI center instead.
Now in mid-May...my stool test came back negative for H. Pylori and everything else. Only issue was, my pancreatic elastase level was <50 when the normal range was >200, according to the sheet.
Followed-up with the GI center and was given Zenpep, and am currently awaiting an ultrasound.
My question for this community is, do you know what could possibly be causing this low elastase level? I'm at a loss since I have zero other symptoms - I'm not fatigued, nor do I have cramps or any pain, etc. It's just the stool consistency. I also believe myself to be rather "healthy" (late 20's, ran 6 miles in 60 min. flat 3 months ago, I lift 4x a week, eat moderately clean, etc.). This issue literally appeared overnight one day, and never left.
Is there anything that can rule out EPI and/or pancreatitis and other issues? My HMO means it'll take a while in between each imaging order, so I'd rather knock everything out sooner than later. And given the last couple of misses with my prior doctors, I'm curious to see what others think or have experienced.
2024.05.21 09:09 caseygolf2604 After 46 days, here is what I have learned from going nearly sugar free (low sugar).
As a slightly obese college student who was (and still is) looking to lose weight, and improve the skin on my face, going to a low sugar diet was relatively easy to start. It is about having motivation and committing to starting. I had a problem where I would be eating large quantities of ice cream at night and would crave it all of the time when I had time alone. I really wanted to change this habit, but ice cream and other sweets were hard to put down. I decided to really commit to the bit and make sure I would be checking nearly everything I eat and seeing how much natural and added sugars were in each thing moving forward toward this nearly sugar free (low sugar) transitional diet. For me, my exercise is moderate, and will occasionally go on walks and play sports, but that is the extent of it.
I set some rules for myself for how this low suganearly sugar free diet would go. 1. Absolutely no sweets of any kind (Candies, Ice Cream, Pastries, etc.) 2. No sweeteners of any kind (Sucralose, Aspartame, Stevia, etc.) (I don't have sodas, fizzy drinks or anything like that anyways so this one didn't really apply to me.) 3. Avoid added sugars if possible (or lower amounts of added sugars if alternatives aren't feasible) Things like bread sometimes have a little bit of added sugar, so going for breads that are low in this department are better than ones with high amounts of added sugar. Things like Brioche buns and sandwich bread can be really high in sugar like 7-15 grams, while a giant white sub roll from Jersey Mikes only has 3 grams of sugar. 4. Check all labels for serving size, sugar content, and bad sweeteners such as corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup. Even if product says there is 0g of added sugar on the label, there still might be sweeteners that allow for the brand to mark the product as sugar free, as the serving size can dictate that sometimes. 5. Aim for a high protein, high fat, medium carb diet daily. 6. No more than 50 grams of total natural sugars per day. Don't eat too much fruit. 6. Avoid all highly processed foods and snacks when possible 7. Reduce dairy intake, do away with cheeses on occasion
Here's a timeline of what occurred so far through these first 46 days
First two days: I would think about ice cream and sugars occasionally, but was easy to put aside, and had the motivation to eat a regular low sugar diet.
Days 3-10: Easily the toughest days. I would just be thinking about sugar and craving it constantly. I would not leave my mind to have a bite of a cookie, or a scoop of ice cream. It made me want sugar so badly, which made me realize how addicted I actually was to sugar. I lost 10 pounds in 10 days, which kept me engaged and motivated to continue this diet.
Days 10-14: Headaches! I had a few headaches and it sucked, with each headache lasting about 30 minutes to two hours. Apparently, this is extremely common, and even expected. During these days without the headaches, I still had cravings for ice cream and other sweets, but I noticed it was getting easier to avoid these things.
Week 3: Even from day 10, I noticed that my breath, even with brushing my teeth, flossing, mouthwash rinsing, and tongue cleaning, smelled horrible, and it did not make any sense to me. This goes away eventually and it has not returned ever since the end of week 3. I went searching around, and I guess this is a common thing.
Weeks 4 -7 (present): The cravings have not completely gone away regarding sugar, but every time I think about them, I just think that they seem way too sweet, and it actually turns me away from actually wanting to purchase ice cream or make any sweets. Since the start of this diet, I have lost a total of 15 pounds at about 1 pound per week. Going low sugar or nearly sugar free is so much easier after the 3rd week, and avoiding sugars feels so much easier.
There is a caveat here in that I did have a regular 24 oz gatorade on day 10, but I was playing tennis and another half of a gatorade sometime during week 4 when playing golf. So there were two times that I "violated" my diet rules, but I'll give myself a pass because I was outside, sweating, and needed the sodium electrolytes at those given times.
There are a couple of tips that I can offer that made this diet much easier to do. 1. Snacking. One trick that I have been using in order to feed into my cravings a little bit is to eat apples and popcorn. - Popcorn, especially homemade popped popcorn (not microwaved), is a cheat code. Popcorn contains no sugar at all, and is low in calories, making cravings easier to manage. For me, I have a popcorn maker that I put in like half a tablespoon of avocado oil with about 1/3-1/2 cup of popcorn kernels, and top with a tablespoon of butter and salt. If you are looking for a more convenient option, or don't have a popcorn maker, or don't want to make popcorn on the stove, I would suggest looking for the bagged popcorn, that is cooked in Avocado or Olive Oil instead of the seed oils (because seed oils contribute to fatty liver disease, amongst other health problems), even though these can be really tough to find. If you live in the Northeastern United States, Wegmans sells a bagged popcorn cooked in Olive Oil that is a really good option. - Apples were another food that I ate both when I wanted a snack, and occasionally for dessert. Apples are high in natural sugars, but are also high in fiber, so it'll be easier for the sugar to pass compared to processed sugars. I would have organic Pink Lady apples and the Costco, Kirkland Signature all natural peanut butter that has no added sugar to it. The only ingredients are just peanuts and salt. I prefer natural peanut butter to the ones with sugar in it anyways, so this was a go-to option. For me I would have up to two apples a day, and that was about all of my fruit intake for the day. Obviously, berries and other fruits are also good options for snacking and desserts, but just make sure not to overdo it because if you consume too much natural sugar, it will have a similar affect to consuming processed sugar. 2. If you are someone who carries a little extra weight, continue to weigh yourself everyday, it keeps you motivated to continue. There will be some days where you might gain a pound here, and lose a pound there, but over the course of a week, you'll notice that you'll slowly lose weight over time. 3. Treat yourself on occasion (but not with sugars). Eating a healthy balance of proteins, fats, and carbs is important. But every once in a while, do not be afraid to have pizza or burgers and fries, and/or other more traditionally "unhealthy" foods. But be careful, ketchup, for example, for just a tablespoon has 3 grams of added sugar in it, so be careful about dipping sauces and condiments. Still watch out for sugars! 4. Identify what healthy foods you like to eat for meals, and continue to have those things if possible. Cook at home instead of going out to eat if possible, unless you can afford to purchase and identify healthy takeaway foods.
Another important note, I have read in several places that sugar can have a similar affect to alcohol with several bodily functions, and can prohibit weight loss while also resulting in weight gain. I would highly recommend to avoid all alcohol at all costs because it might actually be counter productive to drink alcohol and go sugar free because the alcohol will act in a similar capacity to how sugar is processed. Alcohol is made from fermenting sugars after all.
For me, once I made it past week 3, everything gets so much easier from there. I hope someone found this helpful or had clarified any questions that one may have had.
submitted by caseygolf2604 to sugarfree [link] [comments]
I set some rules for myself for how this low suganearly sugar free diet would go. 1. Absolutely no sweets of any kind (Candies, Ice Cream, Pastries, etc.) 2. No sweeteners of any kind (Sucralose, Aspartame, Stevia, etc.) (I don't have sodas, fizzy drinks or anything like that anyways so this one didn't really apply to me.) 3. Avoid added sugars if possible (or lower amounts of added sugars if alternatives aren't feasible) Things like bread sometimes have a little bit of added sugar, so going for breads that are low in this department are better than ones with high amounts of added sugar. Things like Brioche buns and sandwich bread can be really high in sugar like 7-15 grams, while a giant white sub roll from Jersey Mikes only has 3 grams of sugar. 4. Check all labels for serving size, sugar content, and bad sweeteners such as corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup. Even if product says there is 0g of added sugar on the label, there still might be sweeteners that allow for the brand to mark the product as sugar free, as the serving size can dictate that sometimes. 5. Aim for a high protein, high fat, medium carb diet daily. 6. No more than 50 grams of total natural sugars per day. Don't eat too much fruit. 6. Avoid all highly processed foods and snacks when possible 7. Reduce dairy intake, do away with cheeses on occasion
Here's a timeline of what occurred so far through these first 46 days
First two days: I would think about ice cream and sugars occasionally, but was easy to put aside, and had the motivation to eat a regular low sugar diet.
Days 3-10: Easily the toughest days. I would just be thinking about sugar and craving it constantly. I would not leave my mind to have a bite of a cookie, or a scoop of ice cream. It made me want sugar so badly, which made me realize how addicted I actually was to sugar. I lost 10 pounds in 10 days, which kept me engaged and motivated to continue this diet.
Days 10-14: Headaches! I had a few headaches and it sucked, with each headache lasting about 30 minutes to two hours. Apparently, this is extremely common, and even expected. During these days without the headaches, I still had cravings for ice cream and other sweets, but I noticed it was getting easier to avoid these things.
Week 3: Even from day 10, I noticed that my breath, even with brushing my teeth, flossing, mouthwash rinsing, and tongue cleaning, smelled horrible, and it did not make any sense to me. This goes away eventually and it has not returned ever since the end of week 3. I went searching around, and I guess this is a common thing.
Weeks 4 -7 (present): The cravings have not completely gone away regarding sugar, but every time I think about them, I just think that they seem way too sweet, and it actually turns me away from actually wanting to purchase ice cream or make any sweets. Since the start of this diet, I have lost a total of 15 pounds at about 1 pound per week. Going low sugar or nearly sugar free is so much easier after the 3rd week, and avoiding sugars feels so much easier.
There is a caveat here in that I did have a regular 24 oz gatorade on day 10, but I was playing tennis and another half of a gatorade sometime during week 4 when playing golf. So there were two times that I "violated" my diet rules, but I'll give myself a pass because I was outside, sweating, and needed the sodium electrolytes at those given times.
There are a couple of tips that I can offer that made this diet much easier to do. 1. Snacking. One trick that I have been using in order to feed into my cravings a little bit is to eat apples and popcorn. - Popcorn, especially homemade popped popcorn (not microwaved), is a cheat code. Popcorn contains no sugar at all, and is low in calories, making cravings easier to manage. For me, I have a popcorn maker that I put in like half a tablespoon of avocado oil with about 1/3-1/2 cup of popcorn kernels, and top with a tablespoon of butter and salt. If you are looking for a more convenient option, or don't have a popcorn maker, or don't want to make popcorn on the stove, I would suggest looking for the bagged popcorn, that is cooked in Avocado or Olive Oil instead of the seed oils (because seed oils contribute to fatty liver disease, amongst other health problems), even though these can be really tough to find. If you live in the Northeastern United States, Wegmans sells a bagged popcorn cooked in Olive Oil that is a really good option. - Apples were another food that I ate both when I wanted a snack, and occasionally for dessert. Apples are high in natural sugars, but are also high in fiber, so it'll be easier for the sugar to pass compared to processed sugars. I would have organic Pink Lady apples and the Costco, Kirkland Signature all natural peanut butter that has no added sugar to it. The only ingredients are just peanuts and salt. I prefer natural peanut butter to the ones with sugar in it anyways, so this was a go-to option. For me I would have up to two apples a day, and that was about all of my fruit intake for the day. Obviously, berries and other fruits are also good options for snacking and desserts, but just make sure not to overdo it because if you consume too much natural sugar, it will have a similar affect to consuming processed sugar. 2. If you are someone who carries a little extra weight, continue to weigh yourself everyday, it keeps you motivated to continue. There will be some days where you might gain a pound here, and lose a pound there, but over the course of a week, you'll notice that you'll slowly lose weight over time. 3. Treat yourself on occasion (but not with sugars). Eating a healthy balance of proteins, fats, and carbs is important. But every once in a while, do not be afraid to have pizza or burgers and fries, and/or other more traditionally "unhealthy" foods. But be careful, ketchup, for example, for just a tablespoon has 3 grams of added sugar in it, so be careful about dipping sauces and condiments. Still watch out for sugars! 4. Identify what healthy foods you like to eat for meals, and continue to have those things if possible. Cook at home instead of going out to eat if possible, unless you can afford to purchase and identify healthy takeaway foods.
Another important note, I have read in several places that sugar can have a similar affect to alcohol with several bodily functions, and can prohibit weight loss while also resulting in weight gain. I would highly recommend to avoid all alcohol at all costs because it might actually be counter productive to drink alcohol and go sugar free because the alcohol will act in a similar capacity to how sugar is processed. Alcohol is made from fermenting sugars after all.
For me, once I made it past week 3, everything gets so much easier from there. I hope someone found this helpful or had clarified any questions that one may have had.
2024.05.21 09:09 Unhappy_Fix8613 I lose focus when I’m not at home/alone - vent
Hi everyone.
I’ve a bad relationship with food as I use it to cope all the feelings - the bad ones, and the good ones. The issues with food are not new - since I was a kid I remember being a bit bigger than my peers and there was always some pressure at home to watch my weight (ironically if I tried to eat less I was encouraged to eat more, and when I later started counting calories and weighting my food I was mocked). I’ve always struggled to maintain a “normal” weight - not too much of struggle if I’m been honest, but it was never possible for me to have the weight I wanted eating how much I wanted. I’ve always felt like if I was not so self conscious and so interested fashion/clothes I could reach, without breaking a sweat, those high weights that we see in some tv shows. I’ve been doing intermittent fasting as it helps keep my mind more at ease - for me, eating is a trigger. As soon as I start eating it’s difficult for me not to snack here and there, so I delay my first meal as much I can. And when I’m at home alone - that’s easy. Probably contrary to most people when I’m home alone it’s when I feel the least inclined to eat - I lost 10kg during covid with no effort. I feel like when I’m at home I’m not bored, and since I live alone, I don’t have any snacks around the house - I usually eat a nice lunch with foods I like, and then a light dinner. And I feel fine! But when I’m not at home I simply cannot control - the availability of food around my office when I have office days, or the availability of food at my boyfriend’s house is irresistible to me. This is so “severe” that in order to have my desired body I just need to loose 8kg of fat and I just can’t seem to do it. For the past two years I’m stuck in the weight that I have now and the addiction to food is the one to blame - I don’t crave fast food, but I can’t let go of sugary drinks (mostly Coca-Cola) and I tend to eat big portions in general when I’m not at home. I wish I could control myself as the adult I’m.
submitted by Unhappy_Fix8613 to FoodAddiction [link] [comments]
I’ve a bad relationship with food as I use it to cope all the feelings - the bad ones, and the good ones. The issues with food are not new - since I was a kid I remember being a bit bigger than my peers and there was always some pressure at home to watch my weight (ironically if I tried to eat less I was encouraged to eat more, and when I later started counting calories and weighting my food I was mocked). I’ve always struggled to maintain a “normal” weight - not too much of struggle if I’m been honest, but it was never possible for me to have the weight I wanted eating how much I wanted. I’ve always felt like if I was not so self conscious and so interested fashion/clothes I could reach, without breaking a sweat, those high weights that we see in some tv shows. I’ve been doing intermittent fasting as it helps keep my mind more at ease - for me, eating is a trigger. As soon as I start eating it’s difficult for me not to snack here and there, so I delay my first meal as much I can. And when I’m at home alone - that’s easy. Probably contrary to most people when I’m home alone it’s when I feel the least inclined to eat - I lost 10kg during covid with no effort. I feel like when I’m at home I’m not bored, and since I live alone, I don’t have any snacks around the house - I usually eat a nice lunch with foods I like, and then a light dinner. And I feel fine! But when I’m not at home I simply cannot control - the availability of food around my office when I have office days, or the availability of food at my boyfriend’s house is irresistible to me. This is so “severe” that in order to have my desired body I just need to loose 8kg of fat and I just can’t seem to do it. For the past two years I’m stuck in the weight that I have now and the addiction to food is the one to blame - I don’t crave fast food, but I can’t let go of sugary drinks (mostly Coca-Cola) and I tend to eat big portions in general when I’m not at home. I wish I could control myself as the adult I’m.
2024.05.21 09:07 SquishySquishington I hate that I have to be two faced to my grandfather. Is there anything I can do to feel better about this?
Let me preface this by saying I am 100% on my sisters side on this issue and that I love my grandfather and would have still kept him in my life even if I didn’t promise my dying dad that I would, nor do I regret keeping him in my life.
So this starts off 3 years ago when my sister was pregnant. She and her boyfriend (now husband) got pregnant with twins and my grandfather told her it was wrong in the eyes of god and that if they didn’t get married before she gave birth people might tell her kids that they are bastards and he said the people who could do this could be friends, aunts, uncles, or even grandparents kind of implying he might. Then said god might TAKE AWAY HER DAUGHTERS BECAUSE THEY WEREN’T MARRIED. So my sister was rightly very upset and hurt by this, but not surprised because he has said and done some pretty fucked up stuff because it’s “gods will”. So she straight up cut him off. And after that I didn’t see him that often but to respect my sisters wishes I never mentioned her or the girls only saying they are good. Then about a year and a half ago my dad passed and I promised him that I would keep in touch with my grandfather because my 2 of my uncles don’t really interact with him often, not because they are mad at him, they just don’t keep in touch with anyone in the family. My other uncle owns my grandfathers house and lives with him and takes care of him and my dad (who was bed ridden) would call him everyday. So now I go visit at least once a week and take him to doctor visits and what not and he talks about what happened with my sister and makes excuses like he wasn’t saying HE would tell the girls they are bastards he was talking about his brother who me and my sister met maybe once when we were very young and haven’t seen in decades. And just doesn’t mention saying god might take them and that he won’t apologize for the word of god. Now we found out that one my my nieces has autism and my grandfather would absolutely say that is god punishing them and that he was right, but since nobody tells him about the girls he doesn’t know. And since I’m the only one who interacts with him that knows I just have to sit and listen to him lament about not getting to meet his great grandchildren before he dies and I can only say yep, it’s not my battle so I don’t have anything to say. I’ve talked to my sister about it because I feel like I’m betraying her by not defending her when I know she’s absolutely in the right. And she says it’s fine I just can’t tell him anything about them. So I this guilt for not sticking up for my sister and my nieces and guilt for withholding information about my grandfathers great grandchildren and I just hate it. I know there’s nothing I can do to make the situation better than just keeping my mouth shut and standing by.
OH And my grandfather let me in on something that he’s never told a soul, when he was in the navy he cheated on my grandmother with a Japanese girl and got her pregnant. SO HES DONE WORSE THAN WHAT HE SAYS MY SISTER DID AH! And I can’t tell my sister because if I do if she ever says something to him he’ll know I told his deepest secret and hate me.
Idk I doubt there’s anything that y’all can say to help, just wanted to get this off my chest.
Thanks for listening.
Edit: I also wanted to add that I don’t understand how he can feel this way but can be compassionate and understanding about modern topics that a lot of people his age don’t get. For example: he understands that mental health struggles can be devastating and should be treated with seriousness and care or that he understands that more and more young people are living with their parents longer because the economy has made it nearly impossible to afford your own house and it’s entirely not their fault. Hell, even today he was complaining about fast food workers messing up orders frequently but say it’s understandable when they aren’t paid a wage that they can live off of. It just baffles me how he can be this reasonable on things but not when it comes to his granddaughter and unborn great grandchildren.
submitted by SquishySquishington to Advice [link] [comments]
So this starts off 3 years ago when my sister was pregnant. She and her boyfriend (now husband) got pregnant with twins and my grandfather told her it was wrong in the eyes of god and that if they didn’t get married before she gave birth people might tell her kids that they are bastards and he said the people who could do this could be friends, aunts, uncles, or even grandparents kind of implying he might. Then said god might TAKE AWAY HER DAUGHTERS BECAUSE THEY WEREN’T MARRIED. So my sister was rightly very upset and hurt by this, but not surprised because he has said and done some pretty fucked up stuff because it’s “gods will”. So she straight up cut him off. And after that I didn’t see him that often but to respect my sisters wishes I never mentioned her or the girls only saying they are good. Then about a year and a half ago my dad passed and I promised him that I would keep in touch with my grandfather because my 2 of my uncles don’t really interact with him often, not because they are mad at him, they just don’t keep in touch with anyone in the family. My other uncle owns my grandfathers house and lives with him and takes care of him and my dad (who was bed ridden) would call him everyday. So now I go visit at least once a week and take him to doctor visits and what not and he talks about what happened with my sister and makes excuses like he wasn’t saying HE would tell the girls they are bastards he was talking about his brother who me and my sister met maybe once when we were very young and haven’t seen in decades. And just doesn’t mention saying god might take them and that he won’t apologize for the word of god. Now we found out that one my my nieces has autism and my grandfather would absolutely say that is god punishing them and that he was right, but since nobody tells him about the girls he doesn’t know. And since I’m the only one who interacts with him that knows I just have to sit and listen to him lament about not getting to meet his great grandchildren before he dies and I can only say yep, it’s not my battle so I don’t have anything to say. I’ve talked to my sister about it because I feel like I’m betraying her by not defending her when I know she’s absolutely in the right. And she says it’s fine I just can’t tell him anything about them. So I this guilt for not sticking up for my sister and my nieces and guilt for withholding information about my grandfathers great grandchildren and I just hate it. I know there’s nothing I can do to make the situation better than just keeping my mouth shut and standing by.
OH And my grandfather let me in on something that he’s never told a soul, when he was in the navy he cheated on my grandmother with a Japanese girl and got her pregnant. SO HES DONE WORSE THAN WHAT HE SAYS MY SISTER DID AH! And I can’t tell my sister because if I do if she ever says something to him he’ll know I told his deepest secret and hate me.
Idk I doubt there’s anything that y’all can say to help, just wanted to get this off my chest.
Thanks for listening.
Edit: I also wanted to add that I don’t understand how he can feel this way but can be compassionate and understanding about modern topics that a lot of people his age don’t get. For example: he understands that mental health struggles can be devastating and should be treated with seriousness and care or that he understands that more and more young people are living with their parents longer because the economy has made it nearly impossible to afford your own house and it’s entirely not their fault. Hell, even today he was complaining about fast food workers messing up orders frequently but say it’s understandable when they aren’t paid a wage that they can live off of. It just baffles me how he can be this reasonable on things but not when it comes to his granddaughter and unborn great grandchildren.
2024.05.21 08:59 Ill-Swimming5089 am i just making it up for attention without realizing it?
here’s a bit of context: for the longest time i just thought all my little “quirks” and odd thought patterns were due to autism- like needing to follow certain routines and doing things in certain ways. however, over the past month or two i’ve started to think that maybe a lot of things could be explained a bit better with OCD. i always just assumed that since i never had “physical” compulsions like flipping a switch x amount of times, that i couldn’t possibly have anything like OCD. i’ve only been diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety, depression, and autism.
today i haven’t been able to eat anything at all- not because i dont have anything, but because of thought patterns. i tend to usually eat one really big meal at night because im insanely busy all day. for the last 4 days, i’ve been cutting up and eating an apple before i move on to cooking and eating my big meal. today was the same routine- i grabbed the last apple in the fridge and cut it up. but, before i could eat it, i dropped it on the floor.
i immediately freaked out and just started crying, because something in me went “you can’t eat anything else until you eat an apple, since that’s what you have been doing. you need to finish the last apple in order to eat”. i thought maybe i could pick up the slices and wash them off and eat them, but i started freaking out even more because the slices touched the ground as well as the trash can and i’m convinced if i eat them i’d get very sick. and then i freaked out even more because i realized i’m wasting food by not eating it and wasting food makes me a bad person since someone else would be grateful to have an apple.
so now it’s hours later and i’m starving but i can’t eat anything. it’s like my body and brain physically will not let me cook anything or eat any snacks at all. and i’m just sitting here confused, because could this be OCD? or is it just because of my autism and the fact that a routine was disrupted?
any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. i’m really anxious that maybe i could just be attention seeking without realizing it and don’t want to say anything to my psychiatrist until i get other opinions (since if i AM just attention seeking then maybe my psychiatrist would fire me as a client).
submitted by Ill-Swimming5089 to MentalHealthSupport [link] [comments]
today i haven’t been able to eat anything at all- not because i dont have anything, but because of thought patterns. i tend to usually eat one really big meal at night because im insanely busy all day. for the last 4 days, i’ve been cutting up and eating an apple before i move on to cooking and eating my big meal. today was the same routine- i grabbed the last apple in the fridge and cut it up. but, before i could eat it, i dropped it on the floor.
i immediately freaked out and just started crying, because something in me went “you can’t eat anything else until you eat an apple, since that’s what you have been doing. you need to finish the last apple in order to eat”. i thought maybe i could pick up the slices and wash them off and eat them, but i started freaking out even more because the slices touched the ground as well as the trash can and i’m convinced if i eat them i’d get very sick. and then i freaked out even more because i realized i’m wasting food by not eating it and wasting food makes me a bad person since someone else would be grateful to have an apple.
so now it’s hours later and i’m starving but i can’t eat anything. it’s like my body and brain physically will not let me cook anything or eat any snacks at all. and i’m just sitting here confused, because could this be OCD? or is it just because of my autism and the fact that a routine was disrupted?
any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. i’m really anxious that maybe i could just be attention seeking without realizing it and don’t want to say anything to my psychiatrist until i get other opinions (since if i AM just attention seeking then maybe my psychiatrist would fire me as a client).
2024.05.21 08:58 Ill-Swimming5089 am i just making it up for attention without realizing it?
here’s a bit of context: for the longest time i just thought all my little “quirks” and odd thought patterns were due to autism- like needing to follow certain routines and doing things in certain ways. however, over the past month or two i’ve started to think that maybe a lot of things could be explained a bit better with OCD. i always just assumed that since i never had “physical” compulsions like flipping a switch x amount of times, that i couldn’t possibly have anything like OCD. i’ve only been diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety, depression, and autism.
today i haven’t been able to eat anything at all- not because i dont have anything, but because of thought patterns. i tend to usually eat one really big meal at night because im insanely busy all day. for the last 4 days, i’ve been cutting up and eating an apple before i move on to cooking and eating my big meal. today was the same routine- i grabbed the last apple in the fridge and cut it up. but, before i could eat it, i dropped it on the floor.
i immediately freaked out and just started crying, because something in me went “you can’t eat anything else until you eat an apple, since that’s what you have been doing. you need to finish the last apple in order to eat”. i thought maybe i could pick up the slices and wash them off and eat them, but i started freaking out even more because the slices touched the ground as well as the trash can and i’m convinced if i eat them i’d get very sick. and then i freaked out even more because i realized i’m wasting food by not eating it and wasting food makes me a bad person since someone else would be grateful to have an apple.
so now it’s hours later and i’m starving but i can’t eat anything. it’s like my body and brain physically will not let me cook anything or eat any snacks at all. and i’m just sitting here confused, because could this be OCD? or is it just because of my autism and the fact that a routine was disrupted?
any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. i’m really anxious that maybe i could just be attention seeking without realizing it and don’t want to say anything to my psychiatrist until i get other opinions (since if i AM just attention seeking then maybe my psychiatrist would fire me as a client).
submitted by Ill-Swimming5089 to mentalillness [link] [comments]
today i haven’t been able to eat anything at all- not because i dont have anything, but because of thought patterns. i tend to usually eat one really big meal at night because im insanely busy all day. for the last 4 days, i’ve been cutting up and eating an apple before i move on to cooking and eating my big meal. today was the same routine- i grabbed the last apple in the fridge and cut it up. but, before i could eat it, i dropped it on the floor.
i immediately freaked out and just started crying, because something in me went “you can’t eat anything else until you eat an apple, since that’s what you have been doing. you need to finish the last apple in order to eat”. i thought maybe i could pick up the slices and wash them off and eat them, but i started freaking out even more because the slices touched the ground as well as the trash can and i’m convinced if i eat them i’d get very sick. and then i freaked out even more because i realized i’m wasting food by not eating it and wasting food makes me a bad person since someone else would be grateful to have an apple.
so now it’s hours later and i’m starving but i can’t eat anything. it’s like my body and brain physically will not let me cook anything or eat any snacks at all. and i’m just sitting here confused, because could this be OCD? or is it just because of my autism and the fact that a routine was disrupted?
any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. i’m really anxious that maybe i could just be attention seeking without realizing it and don’t want to say anything to my psychiatrist until i get other opinions (since if i AM just attention seeking then maybe my psychiatrist would fire me as a client).
2024.05.21 08:58 Heroman3003 Wayward Odyssey [Part 3]
This fic flows out of me way too easily, so I'm riding the waves while I can. Glad to see people enjoying it too! We continue where we left off, trying to figure out where to go, both with universe at large and with poor, lost child...
As usual, thanks to SpacePaladin15 for his own great work and letting fanfiction flow, and everyone who supported and enjoyed the fic thus far. So, let's see where this goes from now.
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Memory Transcription Subject: Dr. Erin Kuemper, SETI Researcher
Date [standardized human time]: July 15, 2136
Before entering the conference room, I adjusted my dress suit. Even for official meetings, I usually just prefer simpler official outfits, but this time is different. Being invited to observe the first official diplomatic meeting between humanity and aliens, I wanted to be perfect for it, even if it was meeting the baby-eating monster aliens over a video call.
Stepping inside, I see the other people that would be present for it. Normally, as a SETI researcher, I would object to the presence of any military heads at such a meeting, on purely conceptual level, much less two. But with what we have learned I can’t help but almost feel like even entire room filled with generals wouldn’t be enough for this.
“Ah, Dr. Kuemper. Come in, take a seat. We plan to start hailing them in ten minutes.” Secretary-General motions towards one of free seats, so I take the one that’s further away from both generals. As I do though, General Jones starts talking to me.
“So, Dr. Kuemper, how’s our rescue doing? Were there any further incidents?”, she asked.
“No, not yet. She still hasn’t woken up since that last sedation. While we don’t understand nearly enough about her biology yet, drawing some parallels with biology of Earth life we can infer that while her life is no longer threatened, she will likely take a while to fully recover from blood loss and malnutrition. Much bigger problem will be communicating our intentions to her, as well as regaining her trust after... everything.”
“Is it really smart to assign Noah Williams as one of her main caretakers then?” She asked, raising her eyebrow.
“From analyzing the footage of the incident, she reacted the same way to all the humans in the room. I doubt it was Williams’ specific appearance that was the source of such intense fright. And that assignment is not just for the sake of the alien, but Williams himself. Him and Rosario are both, frankly, on suicide watch right now. They need a chance to try and do something to relieve their guilt.”
To that General Jones just hummed, before turning to the screen. I could also hear General Zhao, the Chinese general, snorting in amusement. I am not sure what he found funny about this, but I’d rather not know at all.
It wasn’t a rational call, I knew it, but if there’s anyone who can project most empathy possible towards our alien rescue, it’d be Noah. I have asked Sara if she wished to participate as well, but she struggles to even look at the child without throwing up, so for her, distancing might be for the best.
“We’re beginning to hail the Arxur Dominion now.” Secretary-General announced, standing in front of the screen, facing it. “Not sure how long it will take.”
“I bet time zones get a ton more complicated on interstellar level...” General Zhao grumbled.
Afterwards, there were long twenty minutes of silence, interrupted by an occasional cough or shuffle before finally screen shifted, and displayed the aliens. It appears they also were in a private conference room, like us. In the middle, standing tallest and looking at us was none other than Chief Hunter Isif from photos the Odyssey crew took. Behind him were two more arxur. One was similar to Isif in build and stature, though not quite as tall, and the other was notably shorter and scrawnier, with lighter scale coloration. Part of me almost assumed that was a female, before I remembered that in the data dump there were no signs of easily notable sexual dimorphism among the arxur. An adolescent then, perhaps?
“Humans. I am glad you responded to our invitation. I believe an introduction is in order. I am Chief Hunter Isif of Arxur Dominion.” The alien spoke, translators working already, translating the noises unlike anything human makes into discernable speech.
“Greetings, Chief Hunter Isif. I am Secretary-General Elias Meier. I represent the United Nations, or UN for short, a governing body meant to represent combined interests of all individual nations of Earth. Before we proceed, I need to ask. Will I not be speaking to your leader, Prophet-Descendant, today?”
That was on the agenda for the meeting, if I remembered correctly. Trying to interact with arxur other than Isif. To gauge just how far this goes. Though it doesn’t seem like it’s happening, considering Isif is the one who picked up and how now he was emitting a low hiss that almost felt like it was carrying amusement.
“No. No offense meant to you, humans, but we Chief Hunters are expected to conduct all business in our sectors on our own. You technically fall within my territory. Plus, why would I give up an advantage I have over other Chief Hunters so easily? We may not ever have war against one another, but the competition is fierce, and you might just be the edge I need to curry more favor.”
I noticed General Zhao scoffing at shameless honesty in arxur’s intentions for this ‘alliance’ they proposed in the databanks. Yeah, just use us to gain more advantage over his rivals. I can’t believe Secretary-General elected to deal with them after all.
“I see. I expected that. Still, even if we were granted an audience, our answer would have remained unchanged. Sorry to disappoint, Chief Hunter, but humanity simply cannot afford a full alliance with the Dominion.” Secretary-General spoke in neutral tone, but I could sense the strain in his voice.
The arxur on the screen had his facial features harden.
“I see. You’re still unconvinced of the prey’s threat to your unprepared world. You believe you may parlay with them.”
“Quite the contrary, we’re more than convinced and have no reason to believe you’re lying. However, while an alliance with you would grant us protection... It would also drag us into the war we wish no part of. We’re... grateful to you for showing hospitality to the crew of Odyssey, and for warning us of the threat, but we will not be diving into war we have no interest fighting.”
“You will not be able to hide forever.” Isif kept insisting, seemingly almost growing agitated. “We knew of you because they did, long before us. They may believe you dead, but all it’d take is one stray vessel for you to be doomed.”
Part of me wanted to be relieved that, despite the tense tone, the negotiations so far were going exactly as planned. Another part of me wept that we were intentionally alienating and putting distance between ourselves and the aliens. And a third part of me was disgusted at the fact that we were talking to them at all.
“Trust us, Chief Hunter, we do not plan to merely sit and wait to be discovered and exterminated. We will be preparing. We simply don’t wish to enter the fight without a good reason.” Elias continued, pushing on to the next topic. “That said, just because we don’t wish for alliance, doesn’t mean we can’t mutually benefit from one another still.”
I could see that the shorter arxur behind Isif was about to speak up, but flinched when the larger one glared at them. Isif himself narrowed his eyes at Elias.
“And what benefit do you see that isn’t us joining hands in battle for survival, Elias Meier?”
I couldn’t see his face, but I could feel Secretary-General smiling at Chief Hunter.
“Trade. Your people are, by your own admission, starving. We could provide a solution. What we lack, however, is information. In this universe, we’re blind, and just sending out probes risks discovery. If you’d be willing to supply us with intel on Federation, we’d be more than glad to relieve your hunger. Maybe not the whole Dominion... But definitely all of your sector’s arxur.”
Arxur behind Isif both slightly opened their mouths, eyes widening in almost human-like expression. Even Isif seemed to be taken slightly aback, though he composed himself much quicker, glaring at his subordinates to make them collect themselves. On our end, I could see General Zhao smirking, and General Jones tapping at her chin in contemplation, while I twiddled my thumbs nervously, waiting for rug to be pulled from under us.
“You promise a lot. Producing food in such quantities with just one planet, even if it were filled with cattle, is impossible. Simply unsustainable.” Isif replied.
“We have our ways, Isif. We solved hunger once, we can do so again. Not immediately, it will take time to ramp up production, of course... But once that happens, all you need to do is name your price in how much meat you need and we will provide. And all we want in return is information to better defend ourselves.”
There was a long pause of contemplation. When looking closely, I could see something that was either agitation... or excitement among Isif’s posse, but Chief Hunter himself remained unimpressed. Eventually he did speak up.
“Don’t think I will fall for such a trick, Elias Meier. You humans are still young, still naive to the cruelty of the universe. We were once like you, and were nearly wiped out for it. I will not have it happen to the only other True Sapient in the galaxy. I will trade information. But I can already sense what the first request will be, and you will not be getting translations for Federation languages.”
That made every human in the room except Elias tense up. I almost flinched at the accusation, Jones hid her mouth behind her hand and Zhao’s smirk turned into a frown. Only Secretary-General remained unshaken. Isif, in meantime, continued speaking.
“If you prove yourself capable of helping us, and manage to provide as much sustenance as you claim you can... I will consider it. But until then, I will not be accelerating your desire to commit extinction by Federation’s hands.”
“Then, if you need to benefit from us first before putting us at risk, we can only thank you again for your concern, Chief Hunter.” Secretary-General replied. I was surprised at how collected he remained despite the arxur completely seeing through our intentions with this ‘trade deal’. “Trust us, we have no interest in getting annihilated in antimatter fire, but we are willing to work to earn your trust. We will be sending lists of information we desire. I hope that partnership can strengthen the bonds between us further.”
“Indeed. We will review and return to you the amounts of food we will require for it. Show us what you are capable of, humans. Now let’s get this over with. Conversing like that is... tiring.”
Right. Arxur are naturally solitary, according to the databank they gave us. A species of biologically predisposed introverts...
“Farewell, Chief Hunter Isif.” Meier replied curtly, before the screen dimmed and camera light disappeared. Contact was over.
I let out a deep sigh of relief, realizing I’ve been holding it in for a while now. There... was a lot to consider about what just happened. I was told footage would be saved, so we can better analyze the arxur nonverbal cues later.
Elias turned to us and put his hands on the table.
“So, that didn’t go as bad as it could have. Any thoughts?”
General Zhao was first to speak up.
“We’ll need information on Federation tactics and weaponry. We’ll have to prepare a strong l space military regardless of whether they can be talked down, but it’s much easier to convince someone not to kill you when doing so risks their own life.”
“I’m more interested in whether there is any technology that could allow us to send spy drones into Federation space without leaving obvious trail back to us.” General Jones countered. “We might not even need arxur translators if we can decode the language via our own surveillance.”
Elias turned his eyes on me expectantly. I considered everything that happened, things Isif said and ways his presumably-lieutenants reacted to conversation, things we learned from their data bank... And it dawned on me.
“They... see us the same way we have seen them before learning of their horrid acts. First contact with someone who treats you like a person, and first people in the galaxy whom you can see as friends. We sought the stars seeking to not be alone in the universe, and while their ways are repulsive to us... It’s not true the other way. This cooperation to them is much more sentimental than it is to us. They want to be able to trust us and rely on us.”
Elias smiled and nodded at my assessment.
“Thank you for your input, everyone. We have a lot of work ahead of us. Dr. Kuemper, I hope you’re ready for tomorrow’s announcement and your promotion?”
Right. Tomorrow we’re revealing that First Contact has occurred to the public. It took a lot of effort to make it presentable without triggering mass panic, and some details will be omitted. That and I’m receiving a new position in the UN related to handling alien affairs. What a joy...
“As ready as I can be.”
“Then let’s get to it. It won’t be easy, people, but our entire civilization is at stake. We need to get this right, and in a way that won’t have our descendants condemning us.”
Right. Cooperation with arxur, this trade... I didn’t like the idea of it, but I understood. We needed their help. Perhaps through this cooperation, rather than them influencing us, reverse can be made true, unlikely as it may seem. Worst part was failing to secure any translators at all. While I’m sure generals are salivating at idea of cyber-espionage against the Federation, I just wanted to be able to communicate with the rescued child, and make sure we could properly help her recover. Still... We will do our best, even without them.
Memory Transcription Subject: Stynek, Venlil Test Subject
Date [standardized human time]: July 15, 2136
Second time I woke up; the memories came to me much faster. How I was captured during the raid. How I spent months in cattle pens. How I was used as a meal for mystery predators. How they took me with them. And how I was now in their laboratory, or whatever closest thing predators have in their feral science.
Of course, my first instinct was to try and escape, but I couldn’t. I found myself actively strapped to the bed. I was panicked at first, trying to break through the restraints, but to no effect. So I let my head fall back onto surprisingly soft pillow and lay there... Awaiting my fate. But fate wasn’t coming, and I found myself getting a bit bored. So I raised my head and examined the room.
It seemed different from the room I was in before. Most of the machinery was gone, and the only big machine beside my bed wasn’t actually hooked up to me anymore. There was a large, predator-sized closet in the corner, and two big tables with seats. Of course, there was also bed itself. If not for the fact that I was slated to be butchered on this bed soon, it’d be the most comfortable place I got to lay down on since my capture. As is... It felt like cruel irony. I felt my eyes watering again. Did predators want to taunt me? Give me this sense of near-comfort as one last cruelty?
Subconsciously I tried calling out for mom, but felt my throat burn and ended up coughing instead. I think all the screaming recently wasn’t good for it, and with how dry my mouth was it didn’t help. Looking around I spotted it. A glass of water on a small stand beside the bed! Except it was completely out of reach. I tried shifting my tail under me, to try and extend towards it, but I’d need to have the bed flipped to have the chance at reaching. They probably left it like that intentionally... Letting me feel thirst, see the answer, but not be allowed to take it, all to make me suffer more.
I attempted to shift and wiggle against the restraints some more, when it hit me. It finally hit me that my leg was gone, gone for good. Even if I could somehow miraculously break those restraints... And get out of predator captivity... And make it back home to Venlil Prime... It wouldn’t be the same. I’d never live a normal life. My vision blurred with tears again. Why couldn’t they just end it... Why did... they have to make me suffer more.
Then the door opened and my heartbeat quickened. I realized just what I asked for, and looks like the universe itself wanted to give me that. Through the door stepped a figure... No longer clad in big rubbery suit. They probably realized such deception won’t work on me. But which of predators it was made my blood freeze.
It was the same one again... The dark-colored one that was there in meeting with arxur, and when I first woke up... Why was it always this one showing up over and over? Did all those predators look like that? He was wearing different outfit, maybe it was a different predator? No, it’s too similar, it must just be... assigned to me. My personal warden. Just like the pens had specific wardens assigned to them that were in charge of picking out meals.
This is it then. They must have done everything they wanted to do with me while I was unconscious and now that I was awake to feel it, were ready to finish me off. I closed my eyes, squeezing them tightly shut as the predator approached. I lost count of how many times I was anticipating death recently, but this was it... This must be it, finally, right? Universe can’t be cruel enough to do more to me, can it?
And as I waited for my demise, with held breath I lay. And lay. And waited. Until I realized that by now predator would long be within reach of my throat. I slowly opened my eyes, and blinked a few times to get the tears out. Sight of predator right beside me made me flinch, as it sat down by the bed, looking over me with its hungry, binocular eyes. I could see its mouth, lips quivering in hunger. And yet it did not lunge... Why?! Why can’t they just finish me off already? I felt so exhausted and fatigued by it all...
Predator seemed to lock its horrid eyes with my own eye. The gaze was intense, and I felt frozen. I couldn’t move, not even a muscle, as it just stared at me and I stared back. I felt a tear roll down my face, contributing more to the clump of matted fur, grown stained with so many tears. And that’s when the predator reached its hand for my head. I closed my eyes, recoiling away to the best of my ability. I... I didn’t want it... Please... Why can’t I just wake up back home, why can’t it all just be a nightmare...
I was prepared for its claw to grasp my face, to twist my neck, to scratch at me... But the only thing I felt was a small caress right under my eye, where the tear ran, wiping it off and rubbing at clumped fur, getting bits of dirt out in process. And then it was over. There was no attack. It was just more prolonging of the inevitable. It was so... tiring. I opened my eyes again, to look back at the predator. Really look back in those cruel eyes, to try and understand why the universe would have such evilness exist at all. The binocular gaze was horrible, but no amount of my instinct telling me to flee could help when I had neither the limbs nor freedom to move. So I just looked back. Into those small eyes when they suddenly blinked. And what could only be a tear rolled down the predator’s face. This made me mentally recoil.
How? Did a predator just shed a tear? But that’s... impossible. Only creatures with empathy can cry. That’s the textbook prerequisite for crying! You need to feel things to cry! Predators don’t have that! Arxur don’t have that. We learn that since before school. One of first things parents teach their kids is always the dangers of predators. But this is... Maybe it’s something in the room? Some noxious agent irritating its eyes? Then why can’t I feel it? Is it simply copying me? But why would it do that? Can you even copy something you can’t understand, like feelings? I didn’t understand. Maybe their biology was way more alien? Their skin was naked and had no fur or scales or feathers, maybe their tears are different too? I tried to find any explanation at all, any possible answer to questions swirling in my mind, but nothing made sense. It’s like this one little tear shattered everything I knew about predators. Maybe... They were different somehow? No! That can’t be it. If they were, they wouldn’t... They wouldn’t have been ones to take part in eating me! They wouldn’t deal with arxur! It’s a trick... it must be... But tears are a sign of empathy...
“W-Why...”, I asked in my confusion. My voice came out as ragged and hoarse and I was reminded of how dry my insides felt. I glanced over to the glass at the bedside, still out of reach and now with a predator near it... I stood no chance at reaching it.
Then suddenly, the predator looked over at it as well, and picked it up. I was almost about to cry at the idea that it would drink it in front of me, taunting my thirst further. But it didn’t even bring the glass close to its horrid mouth, instead moving it towards my face. Naturally, I tried pulling back from predator reach, but still restrained, I couldn’t move much. And once the glass was in front of me, predator just tilted it and... left it hovering there.
Was it... offering me a drink? Does that mean the water is poisoned? Why else would it give me some? I didn’t open my mouth, but the predator kept hovering the glass in front of me... Clear liquid inside swishing a bit with unevenness of the movements. Tantalizing... My throat felt drier just looking at it. In the end, base instinct prevailed over reason-based self-preservation. Even if it is poisoned... I was as good as dead in this den of predators, this won’t matter, and at least I’ll die not feeling as dry as a piece of old tree bark. So I let my mouth open and I raised my head as much as I could within the restraints, putting the glass’s rim into my mouth.
That first sip was probably the most heavenly water I’ve ever tasted. It was just normal water, of course, but with how dry I felt, I couldn’t get enough as I started quickly gulping it down. The predator actually helped, tilting the glass, keeping up with how quickly I emptied it. Every gulp was a relief... It was no stale water of arxur pens. It was actually fresh water! But as quickly as it started, the happiness ended, glass fully tilted and empty. I smack my mouth, gathering little bits of moisture gathered on it with my tongue, while the predator moves the glass back onto the counter.
Well, if that had poison in it, I didn’t taste any. And if it was somehow tasteless... It was worth it. I still couldn’t wrap my mind around the predator and its actions, so instead I did my best to just ignore it as I savored the feeling of hydration. If I somehow live through this, unlikely though it may be, I will never scorn water again. Though I will probably still prefer some good juice over it...
The predator started moving again, removing the blanket-like sheet that was covering most of my body and reaching to where my restraints connected to the bed itself. It locked its eyes with me again, and this time it at least didn’t cry, but it did start to growl something. It was quiet and subdued, and of course I couldn’t understand any of it, but it didn’t lunge or reach for me directly and didn’t seem any different from earlier. Was it trying to say something?
Then I heard a small click. The light pressure I felt on my arms and chest from the restraints relaxed. Then the predator just tossed the restraint over me, revealing that they released me. I tested it by raising my arms slightly. Why...? Did they plan on taking me somewhere? I could try running but the feeling of lightness, of hollow emptiness where my leg used to be reminded me of how fruitless the endeavor would be, so I just kept laying in bed. The predator’s mouth curved in some wicked expression before they growled out some more of their crude words and got up.
They moved towards the exit, turning around to give me one last creepy staredown before stepping out of the room. And, unsurprisingly, I heard a soft click from the door itself. Right. I was just free to explore my new pen. But even with the freedom granted, I couldn’t bring myself to get out of bed. The shock of learning that a predator just shed a tear and fed me water was still too much. What is even happening?
It’s all so confusing. I grabbed the blanket and pulled it over my head, hiding in the dark. I tried to desperately convince myself to not get my hopes up, to remember what those predators did to me... But somewhere I felt like maybe things here will at least be better than they were in arxur pens. At least there’s that to comfort me. That’s right, they probably just... don’t want me to die yet because they haven’t finished experimenting on me... And the tears were just... I don’t know. It makes no sense! It’s stupid!
I let out a breath and snuggled tighter into the blanket. As long as it was dark and quiet like this, I could at least pretend that I was back home... That everything makes sense... That I am just fine... That I'll be okay...
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submitted by Heroman3003 to NatureofPredators [link] [comments]
As usual, thanks to SpacePaladin15 for his own great work and letting fanfiction flow, and everyone who supported and enjoyed the fic thus far. So, let's see where this goes from now.
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Date [standardized human time]: July 15, 2136
Before entering the conference room, I adjusted my dress suit. Even for official meetings, I usually just prefer simpler official outfits, but this time is different. Being invited to observe the first official diplomatic meeting between humanity and aliens, I wanted to be perfect for it, even if it was meeting the baby-eating monster aliens over a video call.
Stepping inside, I see the other people that would be present for it. Normally, as a SETI researcher, I would object to the presence of any military heads at such a meeting, on purely conceptual level, much less two. But with what we have learned I can’t help but almost feel like even entire room filled with generals wouldn’t be enough for this.
“Ah, Dr. Kuemper. Come in, take a seat. We plan to start hailing them in ten minutes.” Secretary-General motions towards one of free seats, so I take the one that’s further away from both generals. As I do though, General Jones starts talking to me.
“So, Dr. Kuemper, how’s our rescue doing? Were there any further incidents?”, she asked.
“No, not yet. She still hasn’t woken up since that last sedation. While we don’t understand nearly enough about her biology yet, drawing some parallels with biology of Earth life we can infer that while her life is no longer threatened, she will likely take a while to fully recover from blood loss and malnutrition. Much bigger problem will be communicating our intentions to her, as well as regaining her trust after... everything.”
“Is it really smart to assign Noah Williams as one of her main caretakers then?” She asked, raising her eyebrow.
“From analyzing the footage of the incident, she reacted the same way to all the humans in the room. I doubt it was Williams’ specific appearance that was the source of such intense fright. And that assignment is not just for the sake of the alien, but Williams himself. Him and Rosario are both, frankly, on suicide watch right now. They need a chance to try and do something to relieve their guilt.”
To that General Jones just hummed, before turning to the screen. I could also hear General Zhao, the Chinese general, snorting in amusement. I am not sure what he found funny about this, but I’d rather not know at all.
It wasn’t a rational call, I knew it, but if there’s anyone who can project most empathy possible towards our alien rescue, it’d be Noah. I have asked Sara if she wished to participate as well, but she struggles to even look at the child without throwing up, so for her, distancing might be for the best.
“We’re beginning to hail the Arxur Dominion now.” Secretary-General announced, standing in front of the screen, facing it. “Not sure how long it will take.”
“I bet time zones get a ton more complicated on interstellar level...” General Zhao grumbled.
Afterwards, there were long twenty minutes of silence, interrupted by an occasional cough or shuffle before finally screen shifted, and displayed the aliens. It appears they also were in a private conference room, like us. In the middle, standing tallest and looking at us was none other than Chief Hunter Isif from photos the Odyssey crew took. Behind him were two more arxur. One was similar to Isif in build and stature, though not quite as tall, and the other was notably shorter and scrawnier, with lighter scale coloration. Part of me almost assumed that was a female, before I remembered that in the data dump there were no signs of easily notable sexual dimorphism among the arxur. An adolescent then, perhaps?
“Humans. I am glad you responded to our invitation. I believe an introduction is in order. I am Chief Hunter Isif of Arxur Dominion.” The alien spoke, translators working already, translating the noises unlike anything human makes into discernable speech.
“Greetings, Chief Hunter Isif. I am Secretary-General Elias Meier. I represent the United Nations, or UN for short, a governing body meant to represent combined interests of all individual nations of Earth. Before we proceed, I need to ask. Will I not be speaking to your leader, Prophet-Descendant, today?”
That was on the agenda for the meeting, if I remembered correctly. Trying to interact with arxur other than Isif. To gauge just how far this goes. Though it doesn’t seem like it’s happening, considering Isif is the one who picked up and how now he was emitting a low hiss that almost felt like it was carrying amusement.
“No. No offense meant to you, humans, but we Chief Hunters are expected to conduct all business in our sectors on our own. You technically fall within my territory. Plus, why would I give up an advantage I have over other Chief Hunters so easily? We may not ever have war against one another, but the competition is fierce, and you might just be the edge I need to curry more favor.”
I noticed General Zhao scoffing at shameless honesty in arxur’s intentions for this ‘alliance’ they proposed in the databanks. Yeah, just use us to gain more advantage over his rivals. I can’t believe Secretary-General elected to deal with them after all.
“I see. I expected that. Still, even if we were granted an audience, our answer would have remained unchanged. Sorry to disappoint, Chief Hunter, but humanity simply cannot afford a full alliance with the Dominion.” Secretary-General spoke in neutral tone, but I could sense the strain in his voice.
The arxur on the screen had his facial features harden.
“I see. You’re still unconvinced of the prey’s threat to your unprepared world. You believe you may parlay with them.”
“Quite the contrary, we’re more than convinced and have no reason to believe you’re lying. However, while an alliance with you would grant us protection... It would also drag us into the war we wish no part of. We’re... grateful to you for showing hospitality to the crew of Odyssey, and for warning us of the threat, but we will not be diving into war we have no interest fighting.”
“You will not be able to hide forever.” Isif kept insisting, seemingly almost growing agitated. “We knew of you because they did, long before us. They may believe you dead, but all it’d take is one stray vessel for you to be doomed.”
Part of me wanted to be relieved that, despite the tense tone, the negotiations so far were going exactly as planned. Another part of me wept that we were intentionally alienating and putting distance between ourselves and the aliens. And a third part of me was disgusted at the fact that we were talking to them at all.
“Trust us, Chief Hunter, we do not plan to merely sit and wait to be discovered and exterminated. We will be preparing. We simply don’t wish to enter the fight without a good reason.” Elias continued, pushing on to the next topic. “That said, just because we don’t wish for alliance, doesn’t mean we can’t mutually benefit from one another still.”
I could see that the shorter arxur behind Isif was about to speak up, but flinched when the larger one glared at them. Isif himself narrowed his eyes at Elias.
“And what benefit do you see that isn’t us joining hands in battle for survival, Elias Meier?”
I couldn’t see his face, but I could feel Secretary-General smiling at Chief Hunter.
“Trade. Your people are, by your own admission, starving. We could provide a solution. What we lack, however, is information. In this universe, we’re blind, and just sending out probes risks discovery. If you’d be willing to supply us with intel on Federation, we’d be more than glad to relieve your hunger. Maybe not the whole Dominion... But definitely all of your sector’s arxur.”
Arxur behind Isif both slightly opened their mouths, eyes widening in almost human-like expression. Even Isif seemed to be taken slightly aback, though he composed himself much quicker, glaring at his subordinates to make them collect themselves. On our end, I could see General Zhao smirking, and General Jones tapping at her chin in contemplation, while I twiddled my thumbs nervously, waiting for rug to be pulled from under us.
“You promise a lot. Producing food in such quantities with just one planet, even if it were filled with cattle, is impossible. Simply unsustainable.” Isif replied.
“We have our ways, Isif. We solved hunger once, we can do so again. Not immediately, it will take time to ramp up production, of course... But once that happens, all you need to do is name your price in how much meat you need and we will provide. And all we want in return is information to better defend ourselves.”
There was a long pause of contemplation. When looking closely, I could see something that was either agitation... or excitement among Isif’s posse, but Chief Hunter himself remained unimpressed. Eventually he did speak up.
“Don’t think I will fall for such a trick, Elias Meier. You humans are still young, still naive to the cruelty of the universe. We were once like you, and were nearly wiped out for it. I will not have it happen to the only other True Sapient in the galaxy. I will trade information. But I can already sense what the first request will be, and you will not be getting translations for Federation languages.”
That made every human in the room except Elias tense up. I almost flinched at the accusation, Jones hid her mouth behind her hand and Zhao’s smirk turned into a frown. Only Secretary-General remained unshaken. Isif, in meantime, continued speaking.
“If you prove yourself capable of helping us, and manage to provide as much sustenance as you claim you can... I will consider it. But until then, I will not be accelerating your desire to commit extinction by Federation’s hands.”
“Then, if you need to benefit from us first before putting us at risk, we can only thank you again for your concern, Chief Hunter.” Secretary-General replied. I was surprised at how collected he remained despite the arxur completely seeing through our intentions with this ‘trade deal’. “Trust us, we have no interest in getting annihilated in antimatter fire, but we are willing to work to earn your trust. We will be sending lists of information we desire. I hope that partnership can strengthen the bonds between us further.”
“Indeed. We will review and return to you the amounts of food we will require for it. Show us what you are capable of, humans. Now let’s get this over with. Conversing like that is... tiring.”
Right. Arxur are naturally solitary, according to the databank they gave us. A species of biologically predisposed introverts...
“Farewell, Chief Hunter Isif.” Meier replied curtly, before the screen dimmed and camera light disappeared. Contact was over.
I let out a deep sigh of relief, realizing I’ve been holding it in for a while now. There... was a lot to consider about what just happened. I was told footage would be saved, so we can better analyze the arxur nonverbal cues later.
Elias turned to us and put his hands on the table.
“So, that didn’t go as bad as it could have. Any thoughts?”
General Zhao was first to speak up.
“We’ll need information on Federation tactics and weaponry. We’ll have to prepare a strong l space military regardless of whether they can be talked down, but it’s much easier to convince someone not to kill you when doing so risks their own life.”
“I’m more interested in whether there is any technology that could allow us to send spy drones into Federation space without leaving obvious trail back to us.” General Jones countered. “We might not even need arxur translators if we can decode the language via our own surveillance.”
Elias turned his eyes on me expectantly. I considered everything that happened, things Isif said and ways his presumably-lieutenants reacted to conversation, things we learned from their data bank... And it dawned on me.
“They... see us the same way we have seen them before learning of their horrid acts. First contact with someone who treats you like a person, and first people in the galaxy whom you can see as friends. We sought the stars seeking to not be alone in the universe, and while their ways are repulsive to us... It’s not true the other way. This cooperation to them is much more sentimental than it is to us. They want to be able to trust us and rely on us.”
Elias smiled and nodded at my assessment.
“Thank you for your input, everyone. We have a lot of work ahead of us. Dr. Kuemper, I hope you’re ready for tomorrow’s announcement and your promotion?”
Right. Tomorrow we’re revealing that First Contact has occurred to the public. It took a lot of effort to make it presentable without triggering mass panic, and some details will be omitted. That and I’m receiving a new position in the UN related to handling alien affairs. What a joy...
“As ready as I can be.”
“Then let’s get to it. It won’t be easy, people, but our entire civilization is at stake. We need to get this right, and in a way that won’t have our descendants condemning us.”
Right. Cooperation with arxur, this trade... I didn’t like the idea of it, but I understood. We needed their help. Perhaps through this cooperation, rather than them influencing us, reverse can be made true, unlikely as it may seem. Worst part was failing to secure any translators at all. While I’m sure generals are salivating at idea of cyber-espionage against the Federation, I just wanted to be able to communicate with the rescued child, and make sure we could properly help her recover. Still... We will do our best, even without them.
Date [standardized human time]: July 15, 2136
Second time I woke up; the memories came to me much faster. How I was captured during the raid. How I spent months in cattle pens. How I was used as a meal for mystery predators. How they took me with them. And how I was now in their laboratory, or whatever closest thing predators have in their feral science.
Of course, my first instinct was to try and escape, but I couldn’t. I found myself actively strapped to the bed. I was panicked at first, trying to break through the restraints, but to no effect. So I let my head fall back onto surprisingly soft pillow and lay there... Awaiting my fate. But fate wasn’t coming, and I found myself getting a bit bored. So I raised my head and examined the room.
It seemed different from the room I was in before. Most of the machinery was gone, and the only big machine beside my bed wasn’t actually hooked up to me anymore. There was a large, predator-sized closet in the corner, and two big tables with seats. Of course, there was also bed itself. If not for the fact that I was slated to be butchered on this bed soon, it’d be the most comfortable place I got to lay down on since my capture. As is... It felt like cruel irony. I felt my eyes watering again. Did predators want to taunt me? Give me this sense of near-comfort as one last cruelty?
Subconsciously I tried calling out for mom, but felt my throat burn and ended up coughing instead. I think all the screaming recently wasn’t good for it, and with how dry my mouth was it didn’t help. Looking around I spotted it. A glass of water on a small stand beside the bed! Except it was completely out of reach. I tried shifting my tail under me, to try and extend towards it, but I’d need to have the bed flipped to have the chance at reaching. They probably left it like that intentionally... Letting me feel thirst, see the answer, but not be allowed to take it, all to make me suffer more.
I attempted to shift and wiggle against the restraints some more, when it hit me. It finally hit me that my leg was gone, gone for good. Even if I could somehow miraculously break those restraints... And get out of predator captivity... And make it back home to Venlil Prime... It wouldn’t be the same. I’d never live a normal life. My vision blurred with tears again. Why couldn’t they just end it... Why did... they have to make me suffer more.
Then the door opened and my heartbeat quickened. I realized just what I asked for, and looks like the universe itself wanted to give me that. Through the door stepped a figure... No longer clad in big rubbery suit. They probably realized such deception won’t work on me. But which of predators it was made my blood freeze.
It was the same one again... The dark-colored one that was there in meeting with arxur, and when I first woke up... Why was it always this one showing up over and over? Did all those predators look like that? He was wearing different outfit, maybe it was a different predator? No, it’s too similar, it must just be... assigned to me. My personal warden. Just like the pens had specific wardens assigned to them that were in charge of picking out meals.
This is it then. They must have done everything they wanted to do with me while I was unconscious and now that I was awake to feel it, were ready to finish me off. I closed my eyes, squeezing them tightly shut as the predator approached. I lost count of how many times I was anticipating death recently, but this was it... This must be it, finally, right? Universe can’t be cruel enough to do more to me, can it?
And as I waited for my demise, with held breath I lay. And lay. And waited. Until I realized that by now predator would long be within reach of my throat. I slowly opened my eyes, and blinked a few times to get the tears out. Sight of predator right beside me made me flinch, as it sat down by the bed, looking over me with its hungry, binocular eyes. I could see its mouth, lips quivering in hunger. And yet it did not lunge... Why?! Why can’t they just finish me off already? I felt so exhausted and fatigued by it all...
Predator seemed to lock its horrid eyes with my own eye. The gaze was intense, and I felt frozen. I couldn’t move, not even a muscle, as it just stared at me and I stared back. I felt a tear roll down my face, contributing more to the clump of matted fur, grown stained with so many tears. And that’s when the predator reached its hand for my head. I closed my eyes, recoiling away to the best of my ability. I... I didn’t want it... Please... Why can’t I just wake up back home, why can’t it all just be a nightmare...
I was prepared for its claw to grasp my face, to twist my neck, to scratch at me... But the only thing I felt was a small caress right under my eye, where the tear ran, wiping it off and rubbing at clumped fur, getting bits of dirt out in process. And then it was over. There was no attack. It was just more prolonging of the inevitable. It was so... tiring. I opened my eyes again, to look back at the predator. Really look back in those cruel eyes, to try and understand why the universe would have such evilness exist at all. The binocular gaze was horrible, but no amount of my instinct telling me to flee could help when I had neither the limbs nor freedom to move. So I just looked back. Into those small eyes when they suddenly blinked. And what could only be a tear rolled down the predator’s face. This made me mentally recoil.
How? Did a predator just shed a tear? But that’s... impossible. Only creatures with empathy can cry. That’s the textbook prerequisite for crying! You need to feel things to cry! Predators don’t have that! Arxur don’t have that. We learn that since before school. One of first things parents teach their kids is always the dangers of predators. But this is... Maybe it’s something in the room? Some noxious agent irritating its eyes? Then why can’t I feel it? Is it simply copying me? But why would it do that? Can you even copy something you can’t understand, like feelings? I didn’t understand. Maybe their biology was way more alien? Their skin was naked and had no fur or scales or feathers, maybe their tears are different too? I tried to find any explanation at all, any possible answer to questions swirling in my mind, but nothing made sense. It’s like this one little tear shattered everything I knew about predators. Maybe... They were different somehow? No! That can’t be it. If they were, they wouldn’t... They wouldn’t have been ones to take part in eating me! They wouldn’t deal with arxur! It’s a trick... it must be... But tears are a sign of empathy...
“W-Why...”, I asked in my confusion. My voice came out as ragged and hoarse and I was reminded of how dry my insides felt. I glanced over to the glass at the bedside, still out of reach and now with a predator near it... I stood no chance at reaching it.
Then suddenly, the predator looked over at it as well, and picked it up. I was almost about to cry at the idea that it would drink it in front of me, taunting my thirst further. But it didn’t even bring the glass close to its horrid mouth, instead moving it towards my face. Naturally, I tried pulling back from predator reach, but still restrained, I couldn’t move much. And once the glass was in front of me, predator just tilted it and... left it hovering there.
Was it... offering me a drink? Does that mean the water is poisoned? Why else would it give me some? I didn’t open my mouth, but the predator kept hovering the glass in front of me... Clear liquid inside swishing a bit with unevenness of the movements. Tantalizing... My throat felt drier just looking at it. In the end, base instinct prevailed over reason-based self-preservation. Even if it is poisoned... I was as good as dead in this den of predators, this won’t matter, and at least I’ll die not feeling as dry as a piece of old tree bark. So I let my mouth open and I raised my head as much as I could within the restraints, putting the glass’s rim into my mouth.
That first sip was probably the most heavenly water I’ve ever tasted. It was just normal water, of course, but with how dry I felt, I couldn’t get enough as I started quickly gulping it down. The predator actually helped, tilting the glass, keeping up with how quickly I emptied it. Every gulp was a relief... It was no stale water of arxur pens. It was actually fresh water! But as quickly as it started, the happiness ended, glass fully tilted and empty. I smack my mouth, gathering little bits of moisture gathered on it with my tongue, while the predator moves the glass back onto the counter.
Well, if that had poison in it, I didn’t taste any. And if it was somehow tasteless... It was worth it. I still couldn’t wrap my mind around the predator and its actions, so instead I did my best to just ignore it as I savored the feeling of hydration. If I somehow live through this, unlikely though it may be, I will never scorn water again. Though I will probably still prefer some good juice over it...
The predator started moving again, removing the blanket-like sheet that was covering most of my body and reaching to where my restraints connected to the bed itself. It locked its eyes with me again, and this time it at least didn’t cry, but it did start to growl something. It was quiet and subdued, and of course I couldn’t understand any of it, but it didn’t lunge or reach for me directly and didn’t seem any different from earlier. Was it trying to say something?
Then I heard a small click. The light pressure I felt on my arms and chest from the restraints relaxed. Then the predator just tossed the restraint over me, revealing that they released me. I tested it by raising my arms slightly. Why...? Did they plan on taking me somewhere? I could try running but the feeling of lightness, of hollow emptiness where my leg used to be reminded me of how fruitless the endeavor would be, so I just kept laying in bed. The predator’s mouth curved in some wicked expression before they growled out some more of their crude words and got up.
They moved towards the exit, turning around to give me one last creepy staredown before stepping out of the room. And, unsurprisingly, I heard a soft click from the door itself. Right. I was just free to explore my new pen. But even with the freedom granted, I couldn’t bring myself to get out of bed. The shock of learning that a predator just shed a tear and fed me water was still too much. What is even happening?
It’s all so confusing. I grabbed the blanket and pulled it over my head, hiding in the dark. I tried to desperately convince myself to not get my hopes up, to remember what those predators did to me... But somewhere I felt like maybe things here will at least be better than they were in arxur pens. At least there’s that to comfort me. That’s right, they probably just... don’t want me to die yet because they haven’t finished experimenting on me... And the tears were just... I don’t know. It makes no sense! It’s stupid!
I let out a breath and snuggled tighter into the blanket. As long as it was dark and quiet like this, I could at least pretend that I was back home... That everything makes sense... That I am just fine... That I'll be okay...