I'll try and keep this as brief as possible to avoid writing a novel. Apologies, I know this post is all over the place.
Ultimately I'm struggling with 2 aspects of my life right now: deciding which direction to take my career and deciding what to do with my current finances / properties.
34M, working a high paying remote tech job in a HCOL city. Nearing the end of my rope working a high stress job that I don't enjoy, but that I am naturally good at and have made decent money doing it. Currently renting a 1br apartment in the city for $1500 a month with my girlfriend and life partner of 15 years with plans to get married in the future.
In terms of finances, I have been able to save $240k liquid cash (currently sitting in a HYSA), $65k RSU, and $60k 401k.
Have been fortunate enough to acquire 4 vacant land properties that all need attention to bring out their full potential. Working my current job, I haven't been in a place mentally to give them the attention they need.
Property summary:

1 - located in the city, has a driveway and parking area but no other utilities. Comps show value at $80-100k.

2 - located in small mountain town, needs a lot of work, has a small older cabin (total teardown, not salvageable), a few large dangerous trees, and needs work on the driveway. Comps @ $80-110k.

3 - lot in the woods. Has a cleared area with gravelled driveway. Comps @ $90-120k.

4 - another lot in the woods, needs driveway and clearing to be usable in any way.

2-4 are all located in a small mountain community about 1.5-2.5 hrs away depending on traffic. The area is very near a ski area and has a lot of potential for either short term or long term rentals. Ultimately while my partner and I love this area and could see spending a few months a year out here, we probably wouldn't be happy spending all our time out here because we do enjoy being in the city and being within walking/biking distance to activities.

Options with properties that I see:
-Build or buy a tiny house on wheels and move it between these properties. My jurisdiction officially allows you to stay for 2 months without issue, and could probably fudge the numbers on some of the more rural properties.
-Go all-in and build on either property #1 or property #2. Property #2 probably doesn't make the most sense because we know we wouldn't want to live there full time, but if I were to change careers and do something much lower paying I could qualify for a specific construction loan type (USDA Rural Home loan) that has very low subsidized interest rates and would allow me to hold on to more of my savings which I could then invest to help make up the difference going from a high paying to lower paying job.
-Sell some or all of the properties to buy a real house that's already built
I also really want to build things, but have no experience doing this. I do have multiple friends working in various aspects of residential construction, so I could see a path where I work for them and develop the skills needed to build things myself and with their help. If I went this route, I could see myself doing something like starting with one tiny house on wheels and living in that while I complete tiny house #2 which I would then place on one of the properties and rent either short term or to a friend, and then start building tiny house #3, etc. Ideally this path would allow me to build the skills necessary to eventually try to tackle building my own legitimate home on property #1.
Just kind of stuck here. I know I can't keep working this high stress job forever (or atleast I need a few years break, in which case AI might have taken over and made my job obsolete). If I could paint my ideal picture of a life, it would be working a job where I am actually part of a community and I get to interact with people. I would make enough money to survive, and income from investments would enable me to take 2-6 months a year to travel to LCOL areas like rural Mexico or Southeast Asia while having time to enjoy outdoor activities like motorcycle travel, snow sports, and backpacking while on the home turf. I've had these properties for a few years now and haven't taken action on them, and it's weighing on me heavier every day so I could really use all of your input to help figure out my life.

Taken from: https://www.theringer.com/movies/2024/5/21/24161120/greatest-movie-car-chase-scenes-ranked-furiosa-mad-max-saga
In honor of the imminent ‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,’ we’re shifting into high gear to determine the best chase scene in cinema history
By Miles Surrey May 21, 2024, 6:30am EDTGetty Images/Ringer illustration
After wowing audiences with Mad Max: Fury Road, director George Miller returns to the franchise’s post-apocalyptic wastelands for Furiosa, the epic origin story of the eponymous heroine (now played by Anya Taylor-Joy), premiering on Friday. As the follow-up to one of the greatest action films ever made, it’s hard to overstate the hype for Furiosa, and that was before word got out about a showstopping 15-minute sequence that required nearly 200 stuntpeople and took 78 days to shoot. While Furiosa will have its own distinct flavor, as is true of every Mad Max movie, there’s one thing that unites these projects: intense, jaw-dropping scenes of vehicular mayhem. And what better way to honor the franchise than by celebrating what it does best?
Ahead of Furiosa’s release, we’ve put together our definitive ranking of the best car chases in cinema. There weren’t any strict rules in place, other than capping the list at 20—mostly for my own sanity—and limiting every franchise to one entry. (Apologies to Fury Road’s kickass predecessor The Road Warrior.) We also won’t discriminate against scenes that feature motorbikes, so long as cars (and/or trucks) remain part of the equation. As for what, exactly, constitutes a good car chase? Like list making, it’s bound to be subjective, but I tend to gravitate toward two key elements: the skill of the stuntwork on display and the ways in which a filmmaker conveys the action in relation to the story. (Also, the less CGI, the better.) Buckle up, ’cause we’re not wasting any time shifting into high gear.

20. Quantum of Solace (2008)

There have been some memorable car chases in the James Bond franchise: the first sequence featuring the iconic Aston Martin DB5 in Goldfinger, the corkscrew jump in The Man With the Golden Gun, the Lotus Esprit submarine in The Spy Who Loved Me. But I’m going with a somewhat controversial pick here: Quantum of Solace. There are many issues with Quantum of Solace—namely, it was one of the most high-profile blockbusters affected by the 2007-08 writers strike—but its opening scene isn’t one of them. Picking up right where Casino Royale left off, we find Bond (Daniel Craig) evading henchmen through the narrow roads around Italy’s Lake Garda. The frenetic, furious chase mirrors Bond’s sense of anguish after losing Vesper Lynd (Eva Green), the woman he opened his heart to, and his relentless quest for answers. It’s a thrilling tone-setter for Quantum of Solace and one that doesn’t overstay its welcome, capped off by Bond sending his final pursuers flying off a cliff:
If we’re being honest, though, it feels like James Bond has yet to create a franchise-defining car chase. Perhaps that’s a mission the newest 007, whoever it ends up being, can undertake.

19. Mission: Impossible—Rogue Nation (2015)

The Mission: Impossible franchise is no stranger to electrifying chase scenes, the best of which find Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt working up his heart rate. When it comes to action behind the wheel, though, Fallout tends to dominate the discussion—even on this very website. But I think the vehicular chase in Rogue Nation is being slept on. What we have is effectively two sequences for the price of one: The first finds Hunt pursuing Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson) by car through the narrow streets of Casablanca alongside some nefarious henchmen; the second sees him continue the chase outside the city on motorbike. (Adding to the chaos: Hunt had only just been resuscitated, and he’s clearly not all there.) In terms of death-defying stunts for the audience’s entertainment, a helmetless Cruise taking corners like a MotoGP racer is child’s play compared to his other exploits, but the actor’s authentic reaction to scraping his knee on the road underlines that there’s no one else in Hollywood doing it like him:
We’ll be sure to update this ranking if and when Cruise does something even more dangerous down the road, pun unintended.

18. Vanishing Point (1971)

A movie that counts the likes of Steven Spielberg and Quentin Tarantino among its biggest fans, Vanishing Point is the first of a few entries on this ranking that’s essentially one extended car chase. The film stars Barry Newman as Kowalski, a man tasked with delivering a Dodge Challenger T 440 Magnum from Colorado to California while eluding police across four states. One of Kowalski’s most memorable run-ins comes when a guy driving a Jaguar E-Type convertible challenges him to an impromptu race. Incredibly, we’re expected to believe the man in the Jag comes out of this crash in one piece:
Vanishing Point might not boast the impressive production values of other movies on this list, but considering Tarantino would go on to feature a white Challenger in Death Proof, its influence in the car cinema canon is undeniable.

17. Fast Five (2011)

Let’s face it, Fast & Furious has seen better days. Some believe the franchise’s dip in quality coincided with the death of Paul Walker; others are dismayed by the pivot from street racing to absurd feats of superherodom—emphasis on the Dom. Perhaps it’s a bit of both, but the very best movie in the series, Fast Five, manages to strike the perfect balance: It’s a relatively grounded heist thriller that nevertheless takes the franchise to ridiculous new heights. After Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his crew steal $100 million from a Brazilian kingpin, they drag the entire bank vault holding the money through the streets of Rio de Janeiro, all while being pursued by authorities. It’s a delightfully destructive sequence that does untold damage to Rio’s infrastructure and features some of the most bone-crunching crashes committed to film:
If the Fast franchise is going to break out of its recent slump, it would do well to remember that there’s nothing better than letting its heroes live their lives a quarter mile at a time—no detours to outer space required.

16. The Blues Brothers (1980)

A good car chase isn’t reserved just for action flicks: Comedies can get in on the act, too. In The Blues Brothers, starring the recurring Saturday Night Live characters played by John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, the beloved bandmates must prevent the foreclosure of the orphanage where they were raised by scrounging together $5,000. Naturally, that’s easier said than done: Along the way, the Blues Brothers draw the attention of neo-Nazis, a country-and-western band, and local police. While The Blues Brothers has amusing gags and musical numbers, its chase sequences with the Brothers behind the wheel of a 1974 Dodge Monaco are what really steal the show—and none are better than a climactic pursuit across Chicago. More than 60 old police cars were used in the film, some of which are wrecked in a comically over-the-top pileup:
The sheer scale of The Blues Brothers’ final set piece is commendable in and of itself—as is the movie’s commitment to treating real-life cars like a bunch of Hot Wheels.

15. Baby Driver (2017)

For good and for ill, Edgar Wright’s movies exude an abundance of style, and Baby Driver is no exception. Baby Driver is centered on a clever gimmick: The action works in tandem with its soundtrack because the film’s protagonist, Baby (Ansel Elgort), suffers from tinnitus and constantly plays music to drown out the ringing. When everything’s clicking into place, Baby Driver feels like a supersized series of music videos, and nothing hits quite like its opening sequence. Baby acts as the getaway driver for a bank robbery while listening to the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion’s “Bellbottoms.” The ensuing chase works around rhythms of the song, as if Baby’s Subaru WRX were the star of its own dance number. Take nothing away from the actual driving, either, which puts the rally car to good use:
Baby Driver’s gimmick stretches a little thin by the end, but it’s hard to deny the crowd-pleasing power of Wright’s film when it’s firing on all cylinders.

14. The Raid 2 (2014)

With a trio of kickass Indonesian martial arts films under his belt, Gareth Evans has established himself as one of the most exciting action directors on the planet—someone who seems most in his element staging positively brutal hand-to-hand combat. In The Raid 2, however, Evans also brought his signature brand of carnage to the road. While there’s some cleverly executed close-quarters fighting within the confines of an SUV, courtesy of Iko Uwais’s hard-hitting protagonist, what really cements this sequence’s greatness are the moments when Evans turns the cars into an extension of the characters’ fists:
This belongs in an entirely new category of combat: car fights. There are so many action scenes in The Raid 2 worth writing home about—the kitchen showdown is an all-timer—but the fact that Evans casually tossed in an unforgettable car chase shows why he’s one of one.

13. The Driver (1978)

I’ll say this for Walter Hill’s The Driver: It sure lives up to its title. In this stripped-down thriller—one where none of the characters have a name—we follow the Driver (Ryan O’Neal), a getaway driver who has become a thorn in the side of the LAPD. In the film’s best scene, we see its taciturn protagonist living up to his reputation. With the Driver behind the wheel of a 1974 Ford Galaxie, a cat-and-mouse game unfolds when a handful of police cars are hot on his tail. What I love about this sequence is the pared-down nature of it all: The Driver outwits the cops as much as he outraces them. (Though, ironically, that wasn’t entirely by design: As Hill later explained, an accident on the last night of shooting meant they had to cobble together what had already been filmed.) Frankly, you’d never know the difference from the finished article:
If the general vibes of The Driver seem familiar, that’s because it was a major inspiration for Nicolas Winding Refn’s Drive, which just so happened to feature an unnamed protagonist (Ryan Gosling) evading police through the streets of Los Angeles.

12. The Bourne Supremacy (2004)

The shaky-cam style of the Bourne franchise isn’t for everyone—just ask John Woo—but credit where it’s due: These movies know how to deliver a good chase scene. (A friendly reminder that The Bourne Legacy is an underrated gem with an awesome motorbike sequence to boot.) But there’s one Bourne chase that stands above the rest: the Moscow getaway in The Bourne Supremacy. After being wounded by the Russian assassin Kirill (Karl Urban), Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) hijacks a taxi, with both the police and Kirill in hot pursuit. This isn’t the kind of sequence that lingers on any one shot; instead, what makes it work is the frenetic nature of the editing, which allows the viewer to feel like they’re in Bourne’s fight-or-flight headspace:
If I’m being honest, I’m usually one of those people who doesn’t like the Bourne movies’ shaky-cam style, but when it’s executed with such craftsmanship, you can’t help but get caught up in its adrenaline-pumping power.

11. The Seven-Ups (1973)

Philip D’Antoni was the producer of two movies featuring Hall of Fame car chases, Bullitt and The French Connection, the latter of which won him an Oscar for Best Picture. And with his lone directorial feature, The Seven-Ups, D’Antoni sought to craft an iconic sequence of his own. The film stars Roy Scheider as NYPD detective Buddy Mannuci (elite Italian American name; I can practically smell the gabagool), who commands a unit handling major felony cases that lead to seven-plus-year prison sentences; that’s why they’re known as the Seven-Ups. Midway through the movie, when one of the team members is killed by two shooters who flee the scene, Buddy chases after them. The 10-minute sequence, which starts in the Upper West Side before moving out of the city, is thrillingly immersive, alternating between close-ups of the characters and wider shots of all the damage they’ve caused. But the chase’s defining moment comes right at the end, when Buddy narrowly avoids a grisly death:
The sequence isn’t quite at the level of Bullitt or The French Connection—very few are—but D’Antoni still manages to leave an unmistakable imprint on the car chase canon.

10. Death Proof (2007)

If you ask Quentin Tarantino, Death Proof, his knowingly trashy tribute to exploitation cinema, is the worst movie he’s ever made. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot to admire about the film, which honors the unsung heroes of Hollywood: stunt performers. The first half of Death Proof follows three female friends who cross paths with Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell), a misogynistic serial killer who takes them out in his “death-proof” Chevy Nova. Fourteen months later, a group that includes stuntwoman Zoë Bell, playing herself, also lands on Mike’s radar. As Bell and her friends test out a ’70s Challenger, she performs a “ship’s mast” stunt, clinging onto the hood of the car with fastening belts. Unfortunately, when Mike pursues the women, it puts Bell in a precarious situation. Most of the entries on this list celebrate some next-level driving skills, but Death Proof’s inclusion is all about Bell pulling off one of the wildest stunts you’ll ever see. She’s quite literally hanging on for dear life:
If the Academy handed out Oscars to stunt performers—and let’s hope it does happen one day—Bell would’ve won in a landslide.

9. To Live and Die in L.A. (1985)

William Friedkin was already responsible for an all-time great car chase in The French Connection (more on that later), but the filmmaker made a commendable bid to outdo himself with To Live and Die in L.A. In this neo-noir thriller, Secret Service agent Richard Chance (William L. Petersen) is hell-bent on arresting an expert counterfeiter, Rick Masters (Willem Dafoe), who kills Chance’s partner days before his retirement. To capture Masters, Chance and his new partner, John Vukovich (John Pankow), attempt to steal $50,000 from a jewelry buyer for an undercover operation. The sting goes bad when the buyer, who is later revealed to be an undercover FBI agent, is killed and a group of gunmen goes after Chance and Vukovich. It’s a clever inversion of the usual car chase formula—this time, it’s the lawmen running away from the criminals. The outside-the-box thinking extends to the film’s most astonishing stretch, in which Chance evades the gunmen by driving into oncoming traffic:
The fact that Friedkin shot the chase at the end of filming—in case anything disastrous happened to the actors—underscores just how risky the endeavor was. The pulse-pounding results speak for themselves.

8. The Matrix Reloaded (2003)

The Matrix sequels have never been held in high esteem, but I’m ready to live my truth: The Matrix Reloaded fucking rules. (If anyone’s got a problem with this take, file your complaints with the Architect.) What’s more, the film happens to boast the finest action set piece of the franchise: the highway chase. After Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) free the Keymaker (Randall Duk Kim), a program capable of creating shortcuts within the Matrix, they’re pursued by the Twins (Neil and Adrian Rayment). Morpheus once warned that going on the freeway was “suicide,” and it doesn’t take long to see why: The chase draws the attention of several Agents, who repeatedly take over the bodies of other drivers on the road. The scene is the best of both worlds: There’s some incredible stuntwork on display, including when Moss weaves around on a Ducati, and CGI augments some feats of superhuman strength. But the most jaw-dropping aspect of the sequence is how it came together, as the production spent $2.5 million to construct its own highway (!) on California’s Alameda Island. If that weren’t unique enough, I’m pretty sure Reloaded is also the only movie in existence in which a katana takes out an SUV:
The Matrix remains the Wachowskis’ masterpiece, but don’t get it twisted: The filmmakers were still cooking with gas in the sequel.

7. Gone in 60 Seconds (1974)

Size isn’t everything, but for H. B. Halicki, who produced, wrote, directed, and starred in Gone in 60 Seconds, it’s certainly part of the package. The indie action flick follows Maindrian Pace (Halicki), a Los Angeles insurance investigator who has a lucrative side hustle jacking high-end cars. The plot kicks into motion when a South American drug lord enlists Pace to nab 48 cars within five days in exchange for $400,000. Of course, Gone in 60 Seconds is best known for what happens after Pace is caught stealing a 1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1, when he leads police on a chase that lasts a whopping 40 minutes. (More than 90 cars were destroyed in the process.) Halicki, for his part, did all the driving himself, including a spectacular jump off a makeshift ramp of crashed cars:
While Halicki wound up making a few more indies after Gone in 60 Seconds, he died in an accident on the set of its sequel. His legacy as a do-it-all daredevil, however, lives on.

6. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

Long before James Cameron immersed himself in the world of Pandora, he was a pioneer of state-of-the-art visual effects. Case in point: Terminator 2: Judgment Day is credited for having the first CGI character in a blockbuster, the T-1000 (Robert Patrick), a killing machine composed of a futuristic liquid metal. But Cameron also understood that the CGI of that era shouldn’t be the main attraction: It worked best as a complement to the practical effects, as seen in Judgment Day’s epic viaduct chase. When the T-1000 tracks down a young John Connor (Edward Furlong) in a shopping mall, he’s saved at the last minute by the Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger), giving John a chance to escape on his dirt bike. As the T-1000 gives chase, the David and Goliath vibes between man and machine are further epitomized by the T-1000’s commandeering of a truck. The sequence already has a terrifying sense of urgency, but it hits another level when the T-1000 crashes through the viaduct like the Kool-Aid Man:
Big Jim is still revolutionizing what can be achieved with visual effects in the Avatar franchise, and while I cherish those movies, nothing beats his old-school showmanship.

5. Duel (1971)

The feature-length debut of Steven Spielberg—perhaps you’ve heard of him—the TV movie Duel is essentially one extended chase sequence between salesman David Mann (Dennis Weaver) and a sinister trucker determined to drive him off the road. I’ve attached a clip from the ending of the film, but that doesn’t do Duel justice. What cements this movie’s greatness is how it sustains an unbearable level of tension across its 90-minute running time—with a budget under $500,000, no less. Spielberg’s masterstroke is never once showing us the other driver, anthropomorphizing the truck itself as a monster. (You can see a lot of similarities with how he would build suspense in Jaws.) When Mann finally gets the upper hand, tricking his adversary into driving off a cliff, it feels like you can breathe again:
Spielberg would move on to bigger and better things after Duel, but considering how much the director accomplished with so little, you can’t help but wonder what else he could conjure up with limited resources.

4. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Like Duel, Fury Road is basically one long car chase—the difference is Miller got to work with a blockbuster budget, and made every cent of it count. It’s hard to pick a single standout sequence in Fury Road, but if I had to choose, I’d go with the first attack on the War Rig after Furiosa (Charlize Theron) flees with the wives of Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne). Here’s why: Think back to when you saw Fury Road for the first time, before you fully grasped the vehicular carnage that was in store. And then stuff like this kept happening:
To quote Steven Soderbergh’s thoughts on Fury Road: “I don’t understand how they’re not still shooting that film and I don’t understand how hundreds of people aren’t dead.” Whether or not Miller manages to one-up the action in Furiosa, the director is already in the pantheon.

3. The French Connection (1971)

We return to the Friedkin-verse for what may be his best film, The French Connection, the crime thriller based on Robin Moore’s 1969 nonfiction book of the same name. The story concerns two NYPD detectives, Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle (Gene Hackman) and Buddy “Cloudy” Russo (Roy Scheider), and their tireless pursuit of a French heroin smuggler. But while there’s plenty to admire about how The French Connection illustrates the thin line between police and criminals, its greatest claim to fame is its car chase. After Popeye narrowly survives a sniper attack, he goes after the shooter, who escapes on an elevated train. The ensuing sequence is true daredevil filmmaking that Friedkin shot without permits, leading to real crashes with New Yorkers that made the final cut. But Friedkin’s finest touch was mounting a camera to the front of the car, making the audience feel like they’re part of the action:
My Ringer colleague Justin Sayles believes The French Connection’s chase should’ve landed at no. 1, and I’m sure many folks will agree with him. Being the only film on this list to win Best Picture, however, is a solid consolation prize.

2. Bullitt (1968)

When it comes to modern car chases, all roads lead back to Bullitt. A Dad Cinema classic, the film stars Steve McQueen as Frank Bullitt, a San Francisco detective who pursues a group of mobsters after a key witness is killed in protective custody. In his search for answers, Bullitt realizes he’s being tailed by a couple of hitmen, and then turns the tables on them. From there, the chase is on. Aside from McQueen doing most of his own stunts behind the wheel of a Ford Mustang GT 390 Fastback, what’s so impressive about the sequence is how timeless it is. Even the little imperfections, like hubcaps repeatedly coming off the wheels, work to the film’s advantage, stressing just how much these drivers are living on a razor’s edge. It’s been more than 50 years since Bullitt revolutionized the car chase, and yet few movies since have felt like they’re pushing the envelope to such an exhilarating degree:
That the car driven by McQueen was recently sold at auction for $3.74 million, a then-record price for a Mustang, underlines Bullitt’s enduring legacy.

1. Ronin (1998)

“If I’m going to do a car chase,” filmmaker John Frankenheimer said in an interview with the American Society of Cinematographers, “I’m going to do a car chase that’s going to make somebody think about whether or not they want to do another one!” Boy, did he ever. In Frankenheimer’s late-career masterpiece, Ronin, the director actually incorporated several chases, but it’s the climactic sequence that stands alone as the greatest ever filmed. The movie concerns an international group of mercenaries who are hired to steal a mysterious briefcase; a series of double-crosses and double-bluffs ensue. But for the final chase, all you need to know is that Sam (Robert De Niro), a mercenary with ties to the CIA, is in pursuit of Deirdre (Natascha McElhone), an IRA operative in possession of the case. Winding through the streets and tunnels of Paris, what’s most striking is just how fluid it all feels. You’re completely engrossed in the chase’s forward momentum, captured from every conceivable angle; a symphony of controlled chaos. The driving styles even reflect the characters: Deirdre is reckless and impulsive, while Sam remains calm and controlled.
There are many worthy car chases in this ranking, but in my view, Ronin takes pole position. And while I can’t imagine a movie ever topping what Frankenheimer achieved, I’d love nothing more than to be proved wrong.

Introduction
A 27 year old man who absolutely values independence, equality, principles of feminism while still believing in good-old chivalrous habits like holding the door for the lady, walking by the curb, and dropping the woman home, not because she's incapable of it, but because that's the nice thing to do and shows that you've been raised with manners and decency?! Whatever happened to doing things out of kindness of your own heart without having a hidden agenda behind it? Anyhow, this man is looking for a long-term relationship aimed at finally settling down, and perhaps even starting a family if the woman is willing.
About me
Absolutely average looking guy. 5'11" in height, keeps a stubble and neatly trimmed beard, dark hair, brown eyes which turn golden in sunlight (in my girly era YAY!), features a dad-bod, healthy, working on maintaining my shape because have put on a bit weight lately, clean, hygienic, and no disease whatsoever.
I hail primarily from Northern India, but I have lived practically in every zone of the Indian Subcontinent.
Professional Life
I have worked as an Assistant Professor earlier in my life, and I'm currently pursuing a degree in Business from one of the most prestigious institutes in the country. I hold decent amount of certifications to enable me to work and earn myself and my family a decent living in India or any other place. I plan on finishing this degree and entering into a corporate job hopefully with a work-life balance so I can dedicate enough time to family.
Hobbies/Interests
I am someone who absolutely loves to read, and have an aim of building my/our own library in the place where we live in. Not big into self-help books, mostly do philosophy, fiction, classics, etc. Apart from reading, I love to cook and bake, and this is something I taught myself BEFORE COVID, not during the "khali hai toh lets cook" phase. I like going on drives (car and bike) at dusk, and would be lucky to get some company alongwith. While I wouldn't say I'm a very outgoing person, I enjoy music festivals, carnivals, and I've been told that I'm an excellent company to go shopping with (YES, that includes shopping at Sarojini). Where would I personally like to go if I'm new to a city? Heritage sites, Museums, and places with GOOD FOOD.
About Yourself?
A woman (no homophobia, just that I am clear with my sexuality) ideally within the age bracket ±8 years, I've mostly dated women older than me so not that big of a deal. Someone who is willing to keep up with all the dad-jokes and absolutely inhumane puns. Whether or not you choose to work is absolutely your choice. Clingy-ness is cute and adored. Open with her communication, honest with their partner, and loyalty. Race/Caste/Religion/Skin Colour absolutely do not matter.
What am I looking for?
Getting to know the person, letting that person grow on me and vice-versa, eventually forming a bond which would lead to a relationship. I consider myself pretty open-minded about things, and I communicate openly about things which I'm okay and not okay about.
Open to verification. Photos get photos. Message or Reddit Chat either works. I personally don't like either, but hey, your comfort takes precedence. Looking forward to hearing from you. Cheers!

Introduction
A 27 year old man who absolutely values independence, equality, principles of feminism while still believing in good-old chivalrous habits like holding the door for the lady, walking by the curb, and dropping the woman home, not because she's incapable of it, but because that's the nice thing to do and shows that you've been raised with manners and decency?! Whatever happened to doing things out of kindness of your own heart without having a hidden agenda behind it? Anyhow, this man is looking for a long-term relationship aimed at finally settling down, and perhaps even starting a family if the woman is willing.
About me
Absolutely average looking guy. 5'11" in height, keeps a stubble and neatly trimmed beard, dark hair, brown eyes which turn golden in sunlight (in my girly era YAY!), features a dad-bod, healthy, working on maintaining my shape because have put on a bit weight lately, clean, hygienic, and no disease whatsoever.
I hail primarily from Northern India, but I have lived practically in every zone of the Indian Subcontinent.
Professional Life
I have worked as an Assistant Professor earlier in my life, and I'm currently pursuing a degree in Business from one of the most prestigious institutes in the country. I hold decent amount of certifications to enable me to work and earn myself and my family a decent living in India or any other place. I plan on finishing this degree and entering into a corporate job hopefully with a work-life balance so I can dedicate enough time to family.
Hobbies/Interests
I am someone who absolutely loves to read, and have an aim of building my/our own library in the place where we live in. Not big into self-help books, mostly do philosophy, fiction, classics, etc. Apart from reading, I love to cook and bake, and this is something I taught myself BEFORE COVID, not during the "khali hai toh lets cook" phase. I like going on drives (car and bike) at dusk, and would be lucky to get some company alongwith. While I wouldn't say I'm a very outgoing person, I enjoy music festivals, carnivals, and I've been told that I'm an excellent company to go shopping with (YES, that includes shopping at Sarojini). Where would I personally like to go if I'm new to a city? Heritage sites, Museums, and places with GOOD FOOD.
About Yourself?
A woman (no homophobia, just that I am clear with my sexuality) ideally within the age bracket ±8 years, I've mostly dated women older than me so not that big of a deal. Someone who is willing to keep up with all the dad-jokes and absolutely inhumane puns. Whether or not you choose to work is absolutely your choice. Clingy-ness is cute and adored. Open with her communication, honest with their partner, and loyalty. Race/Caste/Religion/Skin Colour absolutely do not matter.
What am I looking for?
Getting to know the person, letting that person grow on me and vice-versa, eventually forming a bond which would lead to a relationship. I consider myself pretty open-minded about things, and I communicate openly about things which I'm okay and not okay about.
Open to verification. Photos get photos. Message or Reddit Chat either works. I personally don't like either, but hey, your comfort takes precedence. Looking forward to hearing from you. Cheers!

The case for $KENDU Info Journal #1. <--(first post linked on the original subreddit I posted to)
Here is the second installment of data/information on $KENDU (CAVEAT: this is day two and post two...do NOT expect a "Journal a Day to keep the jeets away"), a memecoin built with a plan around a strong dev with experience and vision. THIS IS NFA, but merely sharing of my perspective on this coin. I have been in the crypto space since 2017 and as of about six weeks ago I had avoided touching memecoins altogether. I had a plan, but it all got derailed when I kept digging and reading and looking at KENDU. Yes, I have a bag, but that doesn't mean I am trying to tell you to buy. I merely want to provide an avenue for you to see the facts and come to your own financial choice.
I am fairly experienced, but I suffer the doubts and nerves of many humans as I still question my own choices and timing. The idea that we did dip to my target market cap entry point and yet I did not wait shows I have room to grow, but as of writing KENDU has recovered some already and this is still a great time to enter. Timing the market vs. time in the market...this is still a long play. Let's get into it!!
Point #2: This coin is backed by a super strong community who create an infectious culture built around work and acceptance. Those who have more experience with memecoins: I WOULD LOVE to hear from you (not just the KENDU army...we are strong and we roll deep, BUT we are NOT bots) to see if I am on the right track here with the importance of this Point #2. Take a look at the data below:
Overall Holders since March 1st
Anyone can see that the holders are growing sometimes exponentially...I bet that exponential thrust correlates with the pump that happened around that time. Again, I judge and doubt myself harshly, but I feel another huge surge will happen again and I was tired of waiting on the sidelines.
I also do not want to hide things. Sometimes, like a chart, the 4H vs. the 1D tells a different story. Here is the 1 Day chart (pretty sure it does NOT correspond with my timezone)
This is what today looked like from some time zone (Aussie?) thus far. Growing, but still peaks and valleys
I want to share some information about the community in the form of some examples/stories to give outsiders the facts and I guess to encourage you to DYOR and at least come into the Telegram (5057 members strong). Remember that coming into the TG is like a free test drive, but it is a free test drive with no strings attached of your favorite uber expensive sports car like a Lamborghini, or Buggati. That is a huge opportunity.
I lurked in the community for about a week or two before buying in and was posting a bit here and there with questions from time to time. One night I decided to take it to the next level of participation and hop into the voice chat to ask a question. I have no problem admitting that my question felt a bit silly and random, especially considering that I wasn't sure if the VC was for planning next moves, hanging out, high level business like meetings for those on the inside, etc. My innocuous question was met with kindness and actual answers. NOTE: I was curious about the KENDU INU bike helmet ( Hey, chill I need a new bike helmet so my kids don't call me out on my clear hypocrisy. Why not support my most important investment).
IF you are still reading this, that might be a miracle, but I have to share how welcome I felt. The fact that one of these Chads knew the answer about the specific item speaks volumes about the work ethic and care for this project and I ended up chatting a bit with the crew on VC. We talked about a couple things even meandering in to the culture and community building that I believe has been built in KENDU's chat and community. When I had to go I was actually encouraged to come back some time and not be a stranger. Every time a new member comes into the community at least one or two people welcome them and address them in the TG. EVERYTIME, I have been watching and picking up on these little things. IT IS AN AMAZING THING YET....maybe not so amazing.
I believe the people on the ground floor understand exactly what they are doing on so many levels, one of which being how to build community and a positive one at that. I did some research and found out that every measure is done to protect the community. I have seen a couple moments where someone has been banned in chat. I don't see the spammed messages or any divisive commentary make it far at all and apparently some of this is done in real time manually. This is hugely important to keep the community laser focused over our shared goal of making a fat pile of mone, but also to help us grow connected as humans that might just trust one another to do their part hold the line until the goal is reached. Trust is important and maybe that is why my first foray into the VC was so enjoyable and natural.
DISCLAIMER: I am a real person and I tried to go back into the VC last night or the night before, but I think something was bugged on my end and I got a hello in and some quick words until I lost sound and my audio.
The "Kendu Loyalist" crew leads from the top answering all questions and welcoming new people in a really genuine way. It is exceptional.
This culture resonates in the top wallets not selling (See video from Journal #1) to the culture created in chat. This culture also is apparent on the approach to raiding posts or live streams. Look for yourself, do you see KENDU members coming into the comments like aggressive troglodytes or do they 'come in peace'? Alright last thing to mention is that the culture also is about organic unpaid growth:
This was a response from a member (didn't really see who) to someone trying to get paid
Notice the kindness and honesty from one of our Chad or Chadettes. Look how far KENDU has already risen with no paid nothing! This is the ethos and approach that is all over the chat and I believe it will stick no matter when we swell to 10K TG members. The point is that something big is growing here and it is beautiful and it makes me believe even more. Not to mention people are working constantly.
I am not in the know, but I am confident big things are planned (Huge nightclub event happened in Australia this past weekend, a CEX or two are probably in the works, etc.), but at the right time because no one wants to sacrifice the ethics of KENDU.
To wrap things up with Point #2: I came back after about a day outside of chat to 7900 messages one day. Another day after sleeping cause everyone has to do it: 1433 messages. It is unreal the culture that has been built, so come check us out or at least understand you are NOT interacting with bots. You are witnessing a real deal project that you owe it to yourself to check out. You have been informed!
Happy to answer any questions from real people not ready to jump into TG.
Next Episode = Point #3 ??? (IDEAS share them)

• 1/2 Red Riding Hood
• 11-11 Memories Retold
• 12 is Better Than 6
• 1993 Space Machine
• 8Doors: Arum's Afterlife Adventure
• A Game of Dwarves
• A Good Snowman Is Hard To Build
• A Juggler's Tale
• A New Beginning - Final Cut
• A Valley Without Wind
• A Valley Without Wind 2
• A.I.M.2 Clan Wars
• A.R.E.S.: Extinction Agenda
• Aces & Adventures
• ADOM (Ancient Domains Of Mystery)
• Adventures of Chris
• AER Memories of Old
• Agatha Christie - The ABC Murders
• Ageless
• Aggelos
• Airline Tycoon 2
• Akka Arrh
• Albedo: Eyes from Outer Space
• Alchemy Garden
• Alien Shooter 2: Reloaded
• Alien Spidy
• Almost There: The Platformer
• Alone in the Dark (2008)
• Amanda the Adventurer
• Amberial Dreams
• American Fugitive
• Amerzone: The Explorer’s Legacy
• Ampersand
• Ampersat
• An Elder Scrolls Legend: Battlespire
• Angvik
• Anna - Extended Edition
• Anomaly Über Bundle
• AquaNox
• AquaNox 2: Revelation
• Arboria
• Arcade Paradise
• Arcade Spirits
• Arcane Worlds
• Army Men RTS
• As Far as the Eye
• Ascension to the Throne
• Astalon: Tears of the Earth
• Astervoid 2000
• ATONE: Heart of the Elder Tree
• Attack of the Earthlings
• Aura: Fate of the Ages
• Automachef
• Automobilista
• Autonauts vs Piratebots
• Avalanche 2: Super Avalanche
• Avernum 3: Ruined World
• Aveyond 3-1: Lord of Twilight
• Awesomenauts
• Bad Rats
• Bang Bang Racing
• Banners of Ruin
• Bard's Gold
• Bartlow's Dread Machine
• Battle Group 2
• Beacon Pines
• Bear With Me - Collector's Edition
• Beat Hazard
• Beat Hazard Complete
• Beatbuddy: Tale of the Guardians
• Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery
• Behold the Kickmen
• Beholder
• Beholder 2
• Bionic Commando
• Bionic Commando: Rearmed
• Bionic Heart
• Bionic Heart 2 - Deluxe Edition
• Bjorn
• Black Moon Chronicles
• Black Skylands
• BLACKHOLE
• Blade Assault
• Blood Knights
• Boneless Zombie
• BOOBS SAGA: Prepare To Hentai Edition
• Boomerang Fu
• Bot Vice
• Bravery and Greed
• Breakout: Recharged
• Bridge Constructor
• Bridge Constructor Medieval
• Bridge Constructor Playground
• Bridge Constructor Portal
• Bridge Constructor Stunts
• Bridge Constructor: The Walking Dead
• Brunch Club
• Budget Cuts 2: Mission Insolvency
• Bunker Punks
• Calico
• Call of the Sea
• CAPSULE
• Cargo! - The quest for gravity
• Carmageddon TDR 2000
• Caveblazers
• Caverns of Mars: Recharged
• Centipede: Recharged
• Chenso Club
• Chicken Shoot Gold
• Children of Silentown
• Chroma Squad
• ChromaGun
• Ciel Fledge: A Daughter Raising Simulator
• Citizen Sleeper
• CivCity: Rome
• Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues
• COCKHEAD
• Cold War
• Colortone
• Colt Canyon
• Commander: Conquest of the Americas
• Commandos 2: Men of Courage
• Commandos 3: Destination Berlin
• Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines
• Conan Chop Chop
• Cook, Serve, Delicious!
• Cook, Serve, Delicious! 2!!
• Cook, Serve, Delicious! 3?!
• Coromon
• Corridor Z
• Cosmic Express
• Cosmic Osmo and the Worlds Beyond the Mackerel
• Costume Quest
• Crash Time III
• Crazy Buggy Racing
• Creepy Tale
• Creepy Tale 2
• Critical Mass
• CROSSBOW: Bloodnight
• Crown Trick
• Crusader Kings Complete
• Crusader Kings II
• Crush Your Enemies
• Cthulhu Saves the World
• Cube Runner
• Curse: The Eye of Isis
• Cybercube
• Danger Scavenger
• Dangerous Waters
• Dark Fall: Lost Souls
• Dark Fear
• Dark Future: Blood Red States
• Darksiders Warmastered Edition
• DARQ: Complete Edition
• Dead Age
• Dead End Job
• Dead Hungry Diner
• Dead In Vinland
• Deadly 30
• Deadly Days
• Dear Esther: Landmark Edition
• Death Squared
• Death to Spies
• Death to Spies: Moment of Truth
• Deep Dungeons of Doom
• Deep Sky Derelicts
• Defenders of Ardania
• Defunct
• Dementium II HD
• Demon Turf
• Deponia
• Depths of Fear :: Knossos
• Desert Child
• Desolatium: Prologue
• Destroyer: The U-Boat Hunter
• Disciples II: Gallean's Return
• Disciples II: Rise of the Elves
• DISTRAINT
• DISTRAINT 2
• Distrust
• Do Not Feed the Monkeys
• Doc Clock: The Toasted Sandwich of Time
• Dollar Dash
• Doorways: Prelude
• Double Cross
• Down To One
• Dragon Spirits
• Draw Slasher
• Drawful 2
• Driftland: The Magic Revival
• Driftmoon
• Drink More Glurp
• Droplitz
• Due Process
• Duke Nukem Forever
• Duke of Alpha Centauri
• Dungeon Rushers: Crawler RPG
• Dungeons
• Dungeons - The Dark Lord
• Dust to the End
• East India Company
• Edge of Reality
• Eets Munchies
• Eidolon
• El Matador
• ELDERBORN
• Elven Legacy
• Ember
• Empire of the Gods
• Empress Of The Deep
• Encased: A Sci-Fi Post-Apocalyptic RPG
• Eternal Step
• Eternal Threads
• Ethan: Meteor Hunter Deluxe Edition
• Etherborn
• Europa Universalis III
• Europa Universalis III: Divine Wind
• Europa Universalis III: Heir to the Throne
• Ever Forward
• Evergarden
• Explodemon
• Explosionade
• Face Noir
• Fallback
• Fantasy Blacksmith
• Fantasy Wars
• Fashion Police Squad
• Fester Mudd: Curse of the Gold - Episode 1
• Filthy Animals Heist Simulator
• Final Slam 2
• Finding Teddy
• Fireburst
• Firegirl: Hack 'n Splash Rescue
• Five Dates
• Flashback (2018)
• FLATLAND Vol.1
• FlatOut
• Flippin Misfits
• Flockers
• Flower Shop: Summer In Fairbrook
• Flower Shop: Winter In Fairbrook
• Fluffy Horde
• Flynn: Son of Crimson
• Foretales
• Fort Triumph
• Fortix 2
• Founders' Fortune
• Four Kings One War
• Frog Detective 1: The Haunted Island
• Frog Detective 2: The Case of the Invisible Wizard
• From Space
• Fun with Ragdolls: The Game
• Furry Love
• Future Wars
• Galactic Civilizations I: Ultimate Edition
• Garage: Bad Trip
• Garbage
• Gelly Break Deluxe
• Gevaudan
• Ghost Master
• Giana Sisters 2D
• Giana Sisters: Twisted Bundle (Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams + Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams - Rise of the Owlverlord)
• Gigantosaurus: Dino Kart
• Girl And Demon 1
• Glitch Busters: Stuck On You
• GNOG
• Go Home Dinosaurs!
• Goat of Duty
• Going Under
• Golden Light
• Golf Gang
• Gomo
• Gothic Universe Edition (Gothic + Gothic II: Gold Edition + Gothic 3)
• Grand Ages: Rome
• Greed: Black Border
• Grind Zones
• Grotesque Tactics: Evil Heroes
• Gunman Clive
• Guppy
• Guts and Glory
• Hacker Evolution Duality
• Hacker Evolution Source Code
• Haiku, the Robot
• Hamilton's Great Adventure
• Hammerfight
• Hearts of Iron II: Complete
• Heat Signature
• Heaven Dust
• Heileen 1: Sail Away
• Heileen 2: The Hands Of Fate
• Heileen 3: New Horizons Deluxe Edition
• Helheim Hassle
• Hell Pie
• Hero of the Kingdom
• Hero of the Kingdom II
• Hero of the Kingdom III
• Hexcells Plus
• Hidden & Dangerous 2: Courage Under Fire
• Hidden & Dangerous: Action Pack
• Hiveswap Friendsim
• HIVESWAP: ACT 1
• Hocus Pocus
• Holy Avatar vs. Maidens of the Dead
• Holy Potatoes! A Spy Story?!
• Holy Potatoes! A Weapon Shop?!
• Holy Potatoes! We're in Space?! Special Edition
• Home
• Homestead Arcana
• Honey, I Joined a Cult
• Hot Brass
• Hot Tin Roof: The Cat That Wore A Fedora
• Hotshot Racing
• House of Detention
• Hover
• Huntsman - The Orphanage Halloween Edition
• Hyper Knights
• Hyposphere
• Hyposphere Z
• I am not a Monster: First Contact
• I Hate Running Backwards
• Idol Hands
• If Found...
• Imperium Romanum: Gold Edition
• Impossible Creatures
• In Between
• In Other Waters
• In Sound Mind
• Indecision.
• Inquisitor Deluxe Edition
• Interstellar Space: Genesis
• Ion Assault
• Iron Fisticle
• Ironcast
• Jagged Alliance - Back in Action
• Joggernauts
• Jotun: Valhalla Edition
• Journey for Elysium
• Juno: New Origins
• Kalaban
• KAMI
• Kao the Kangaroo (2000 re-release)
• Karma City Police
• Keebles
• King of Dragon Pass
• King Of The Castle
• King's Bounty: Armored Princess
• King's Bounty: Dark Side Premium
• King's Bounty: The Legend
• Kingdom: Classic
• Klang
• Knights of Honor
• Knock-knock
• Konung 2
• Konung 3: Ties of the Dynasty
• Kraken Academy!!
• Kyle is Famous: Complete Edition
• Labyrinthine Dreams
• Labyronia Elements
• Lacuna - A Sci-Fi Noir Adventure
• Lair of the Clockwork God
• Laserlife
• Last Call BBS
• Last Dream: World Unknown
• Lead and Gold - Gangs of the Wild West
• Learn Japanese To Survive! Kanji Combat
• Learn Japanese To Survive! Katakana War
• Legend of Keepers: Career of a Dungeon Manager
• Let Them Come
• Levelhead
• Leviathan: Warships
• LEWDAPOCALYPSE
• Lightmatter
• Lila’s Sky Ark
• Little Orpheus
• Little Racers STREET
• Loddlenaut
• Lone Fungus
• Lords and Villeins
• Lornsword Winter Chronicle
• Lost Words: Beyond the Page
• Love Letter
• Lovecraft's Untold Stories
• Lovely Planet Arcade
• Lumberhill
• Lust for Darkness
• Lust from Beyond: M Edition
• LYNE
• M.U.D. TV
• MagiCat
• Maid of Sker
• Majesty 2
• Major Stryker
• Making History: The Calm & The Storm
• Marooners
• Mars or Die!
• Mask of the Rose
• Mata Hari
• Math Rescue
• Mayhem in Single Valley
• MechaNika
• Mechs & Mercs: Black Talons
• Mediterranea Inferno
• Megabyte Punch
• Memoria
• Men of War
• Men of War: Assault Squad
• Men of War: Assault Squad - Game of the Year Edition
• Merchant of the Skies
• Midnight Protocol
• Milky Way Prince - The Vampire Star
• MIND Path to Thalamus E.Edition
• Mind Scanners
• Miner Wars 2081
• Mini Thief
• Minute of Islands
• Misadventures of Laura Silver
• Miss Furry
• Mob Rule Classic
• Monaco: What's Yours Is Mine
• Monster Crown
• Monster Prom 2: Monster Camp
• Monster Slayers
• Morbid: The Seven Acolytes
• Morkredd
• Motorama
• Mountain
• Mr. Run and Jump
• Munin
• Murder Mystery Machine
• Mushroom Men: Truffle Trouble
• My Big Sister
• Mystic Towers
• Mythic Ocean
• Möbius Front '83
• NAIRI: Tower of Shirin
• NaissanceE
• Necronomicon: The Dawning of Darkness
• Necrosmith
• NecroVisioN
• NecroVisioN: Lost Company
• NecroWorm
• Neon Parkour
• Neon Space
• Neon Space 2
• Neon Space ULTRA
• Neon Sundown
• Neptunia Shooter
• Neverout
• Newt One
• NEXT JUMP: Shmup Tactics
• NightSky
• Nihilumbra
• Nimbatus - The Space Drone Constructor
• Nine Witches: Family Disruption
• Nippon Marathon
• Nomad Survival
• Nuclear Dawn
• Oaken
• Occultus - Mediterranean Cabal
• Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus
• Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee
• Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee
• Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD
• Of Gods and Men: The Daybreak Empire
• Of Orcs And Men
• Oil Rush Bundle
• Omen Exitio: Plague
• On The Path
• Onde
• One Day : The Sun Disappeared
• One Finger Death Punch 2
• Onsen Master
• Orbital Racer
• Orwell: Ignorance is Strength
• OTXO
• Out of Reach: Treasure Royale
• Overcast - Walden and the Werewolf
• Overclocked: A History of Violence
• Overruled!
• Ozymandias
• Ozymandias: Bronze Age Empire
• PAC-MAN MUSEUM+
• Paganitzu
• Painkiller Overdose
• Painkiller: Recurring Evil
• Painkiller: Redemption
• Panzer Paladin
• Paradise Killer
• Paranautical Activity: Deluxe Atonement Edition
• Parkan 2
• Patch Quest
• Path of Giants
• Patrician IV: Steam Special Edition
• Paw Paw Paw
• Pawnbarian
• Peaky Blinders: Mastermind
• Perfect
• Perimeter
• PixelJunk Monsters Ultimate
• Planet Alcatraz
• Planets Under Attack
• Plush
• Pocket Kingdom
• Poker Pretty Girls Battle: Texas Hold'em
• POLE
• Poly Island
• POPixel
• POSTAL
• POSTAL 2
• POSTAL 2 - Paradise Lost
• Poöf
• Praetorians
• Pretty Girls Panic!
• Princess Kaguya: Legend of the Moon Warrior
• Pumped BMX Pro
• Pushover
• Puzzle Kingdoms
• qomp
• Quake II
• Quell
• Quell Memento
• Quell Reflect
• Rage in Peace
• Railroad Tycoon 3
• Railroad Tycoon II Platinum
• Rainbow Billy: The Curse of the Leviathan
• Raji: An Ancient Epic
• Razor2: Hidden Skies
• Real Horror Stories Ultimate Edition
• Really Big Sky
• Realms of Chaos
• Rebel Cops
• Rebel Inc: Escalation
• Red Bow
• Red Johnson's Chronicles - 1+2 - Steam Special Edition
• Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45
• Red Riding Hood - Star Crossed Lovers
• Red Wings: American Aces
• Regency Solitaire
• Regular Human Basketball
• Reign: Conflict of Nations
• REKT! High Octane Stunts
• Relicta
• Remothered: Broken Porcelain
• Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood
• Resort Boss: Golf
• Retimed
• Retrowave
• Revita
• REZ PLZ
• Rig 'n' Roll
• Rise of the Slime
• Rising Dusk
• Risky Rescue
• RIVE: Wreck, Hack, Die, Retry!
• Road to Ballhalla
• Roadwarden
• Roarr! The Adventures of Rampage Rex
• Robot Squad Simulator 2017
• Rogue Lords
• Rogue Stormers
• Roguebook
• Rover Mechanic Simulator
• Run Away
• Runaway: The Dream of the Turtle
• S.W.I.N.E. HD Remaster
• Sacraboar
• Sacred 2 Gold
• Sacred Gold
• SAMUDRA
• Sang-Froid - Tales of Werewolves
• Satellite Repairman
• Saturday Morning RPG
• Save the Dodos
• Say No! More
• Scheming Through The Zombie Apocalypse: The Beginning
• SCP : Secret Files
• SCP: Secret Files
• Search Party: Director's Cut
• SEGA Bass Fishing
• Senko no Ronde 2
• Sex with Stalin
• Shadowgrounds: Survivor
• Shadwen
• Shape of the World
• Shattered Planet
• Sid Meier's Railroads!
• Silver Chains
• SINNER: Sacrifice for Redemption
• Skara - Starter Pack
• Skilltree Saga
• Skully
• Slash It
• Slash It 2
• Slash It Ultimate
• Slaycation Paradise
• Slime-san: Superslime Edition
• Small World
• Small World 2
• Smart Factory Tycoon
• Smile For Me
• Snowtopia: Ski Resort Builder
• Solar Flux
• Songbird Symphony
• Songbringer
• Soulblight
• Souldiers
• Soulstice
• Space Empires IV Deluxe
• Space Empires V
• SpellForce 2 - Anniversary Edition
• Spelunx and the Caves of Mr. Seudo
• Spin Rush
• Spirit of the Island
• Spirited Heart Deluxe
• Spiritual Warfare & Wisdom Tree Collection
• SPRAWL
• Square's Route
• Star Ruler
• Star Wolves
• Star Wolves 3: Civil War
• StarCrossed
• Starsand
• Starsphere
• SteamWorld Dig
• Steel Rats
• Steel Storm: Burning Retribution
• Still Life
• Still Life 2
• Stirring Abyss
• STONE
• Stranded In Time
• Strategy & Tactics: Wargame Collection
• Streets of Fury EX
• Strider
• Strikey Sisters
• Struggling
• Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse
• Stygian: Reign of the Old Ones
• Styx: Master of Shadows
• SuchArt: Genius Artist Simulator
• Sudden Strike Gold
• Super Magbot
• Super Star Path
• Superfly
• Survivalist
• Swag and Sorcery
• Swapperoo
• Switch Galaxy Ultra
• Sword Legacy Omen
• Sword of the Stars Complete Collection
• Swords and Soldiers 2 Shawarmageddon
• Syberia
• Syberia 2
• Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga
• System Shock: Enhanced Edition
• Tacoma
• Tails Noir
• Tales [PC]
• Tallowmere
• Teddy Floppy Ear - Mountain Adventure
• Telepath Tactics Liberated
• The Amazing American Circus
• The Ambassador: Fractured Timelines
• The Anacrusis
• The Ball
• The Big Con
• The Book of Unwritten Tales
• The Excavation of Hob's Barrow
• The Fall
• The Flying Dutchman
• The God's Chain
• The Great Perhaps
• The Gunk
• The Horror Of Salazar House
• The Indie Mixtape
• The Ironclads Collection
• The Joylancer: Legendary Motor Knight
• The Keep
• The King's Bird
• The Kings' Crusade
• The Lady
• The Legend of Tianding
• The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante
• The Manhole: Masterpiece Edition
• The Mooseman
• The Occupation
• The Oil Blue: Steam Legacy Edition
• The Old City: Leviathan
• The Pale Beyond
• The Red Lantern
• The Sacred Tears TRUE
• The Serpent Rogue
• The Swindle
• The Textorcist: The Story of Ray Bibbia
• The Town of Light
• The Uncertain: Last Quiet Day
• The Uncertain: Light At The End
• The USB Stick Found in the Grass
• The Void
• The Walking Dead: Michonne - A Telltale Miniseries
• The Way
• Theatre of War
• Theatre of War 2: Africa 1943
• Theatre of War 2: Battle for Caen
• Theatre of War 2: Centauro
• Theatre of War 2: Kursk 1943
• Theatre of War 3: Korea
• There Is No Light: Enhanced Edition
• They Bleed Pixels
• They Breathe
• Thief of Thieves: Season One
• Timore 5
• Tin Can
• Tiny and Big: Grandpa's Leftovers
• Titeuf: Mega Party
• Tobe's Vertical Adventure
• Toki
• Toodee and Topdee
• Toy Tinker Simulator
• Train Valley
• Trainz: Settle & Carlisle
• Trapped Dead
• TRAUMA
• Tropico 3 - Steam Special Edition
• Truck Racer
• Trulon: The Shadow Engine
• TSIOQUE
• Turba
• Turbo Golf Racing
• Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion
• Twin Mirror
• Twin Sector
• UFO: Afterlight
• UFO: Afterlight - Old Version
• UNDETECTED
• UnMetal
• URU: Complete Chronicles
• US and THEM
• Vacuum cleaner robot simulator: pile sos edition
• Vampire: The Masquerade - Coteries of New York
• Vampire: The Masquerade - Shadows of New York
• Vane
• Vault Cracker
• Vegas: Make It Big
• Velocity Ultra
• Vessel
• Victory: The Age of Racing - Steam Founder Pack
• Vive le Roi
• Vive le Roi 2
• Voltage High Society
• Warman
• Warrior Kings
• Warriors' Wrath
• Wayward
• We Are The Dwarves
• We should talk.
• Weable
• What Lies in the Multiverse
• When Ski Lifts Go Wrong
• Where the Water Tastes Like Wine
• Whispering Willows
• Who Pressed Mute on Uncle Marcus?
• Who's That Flying?!
• Will Glow the Wisp
• Will You Snail?
• Windjammers 2
• Windscape
• Wolfenstein 3D
• Wordle
• Wordle 2
• Wordle 3
• Wordle 4
• Wordle 5
• Worms Blast
• Worms Rumble
• X-COM: Complete Pack (X-COM: UFO Defense, X-COM: Apocalypse, X-COM: Enforcer, X-COM: Interceptor, X-COM: Terror from the Deep)
• X-Morph: Defense
• XEL
• Yesterday Origins
• Yono and the Celestial Elephants
• Youropa
• Zombie Driver HD
• Zombie Driver HD Complete Edition
• Zombie Pirates
• Zombie Shooter
• ZombieRush
• Zool Redimensioned

If you’d like to add an event to our calendar, submit an event here. Please check with the event organizers to see if events change due to weather. Have a great week!
See the full weekly calendar on our website.

Noteworthy Events

The Lion King at DPAC

• Winner of six Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, this landmark musical event brings together one of the most imaginative creative teams on Broadway.
• Wed, May 15 - Sun, June 9
• $29.50+

Durham Bulls vs Memphis at Durham Bulls Athletic Park

• Tue, May 21 - Sun, May 26
• $10+

The Patio Dance Parties : Clueless Fridays at Unscripted Durham

• Every Friday night head up to the rooftop at Unscripted Durham to swim, dance, and gather with throwback 90's jams and killer cocktails.
• 6-10 p.m.
• Rooftop is 21+
• Free admission

Taste of Soul NC at Durham Central Park

• Food & Merchant Vendor Rodeo happening at Durham Central Park.
• There will be something for everyone including a DJ, bounce houses and axe throwing.
• Sat, May 25
• 3-8 p.m.
• Free admission

Durham Underground Market at Durham Central Park

• Enjoy this monthly series featuring new bands every month from Oak City Music Collective, 45+ local vendors, food trucks, workshops by Joy Worthy Co, beewine/bubbly from The Glass Jug and more!
• Sun, May 26
• 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Free admission

Sweet Tea: A Sunday Tea Dance Presented by Stormie Daie! at The Velvet Hippo Bar & Lounge

• Take your holiday long weekend to the next level with performances inside and out by Alex Thee Rabbit, Santos, G-Clef, and Stormie herself — featuring beats by Jorden The DJ.
• Sun, May 26
• 4-6 p.m.
• 21+ event
• Free admission

Multi-Day Events

Historic Buildings Open House at West Point on the Eno Park

• Enjoy a look inside the historic McCown-Mangum House, Photography Museum, and Mill.
• Sat, May 25 and Sun, May 26
• 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Free admission

Movies at The Carolina Theatre

• Ponyo
• Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
• The Searchers & 3:10 to Yuma
• Dawn of the Dead
• The Best Years of Our Lives

Monday, May 20

9:30 a.m.
Discovery Paddle at Eno River
2 p.m.
Board Game Night at The Glass Jug in Downtown Durham
5 p.m.
Arts & Drafts at Fullsteam Brewery
6 p.m.
Disc Golf Putting League at The Glass Jug in RTP
6:30 p.m.
Silent Book Club at DSSOLVR Durham
Trivia Night at Ponysaurus Brewing Company
7 p.m.
We Still Skating Adult Skate Class at Durty Bull Brewing Brewing Company
Community Board Game Night at Moon Dog Meadery
8 p.m.
Monsoon at Rubies on Five Points

Tuesday, May 21

Events at Boxyard RTP

• 5:30-6:30 p.m. - Boxyard Run Club
• 6-7:45 p.m. - Music Bingo
• 6-7 p.m. - Book Club: Genre Challenge

Events at Durty Bull Brewing Brewing Company

• 12-8 p.m. - Food Truck: Mike's Vegan Cookout
• 7-9 p.m. - Bull City Beer Runners Run Club

Events at The Glass Jug Beer Lab in Downtown Durham

• 5:45-6:30 p.m. - Community Fitness Classes with YMCA
• 6-8 p.m. - Music Bingo

Events at The Glass Jug Beer Lab in RTP

• 6-8 p.m. - The Glass Jog Run Club
• 6-9 p.m. - Stitch & Sip

5:30 p.m.
Thomas Taylor's Third Tuesday Jam: The Music of Dizzy Gillespie at Sharp 9 Gallery
6 p.m.
Queer Talent Show at Arcana
Pints & Pups at Ponysaurus Brewing Company
Bring Your Own Vinyl with Jaffar at Rubies on Five Points
Dancing With The Carolina Stars Fundraiser at The Carolina Theatre
Women on the Wall at Triangle Rock Club - Durham
6:30 p.m.
Trivia at Durham Food Hall
6:35 p.m.
Durham Bulls vs Memphis at Durham Bulls Athletic Park
7 p.m.
Trivia at Beer Study Durham
King Trivia Tuesdays at Boxcar Bar + Arcade
Not Rocket Science Trivia at DSSOLVR Durham
Tuesday Blues Jam at The Blue Note Grill
7:30 p.m.
Eloquent Soul - Open Mic Night hosted by Dasan Ahanu at Missy Lane's Assembly Room
8 p.m.
Jeremy 'Bean' Clemons Trio at Kingfisher
Julia Holter at Motorco Music Hall

Wednesday, May 22

Events at Boxcar Bar + Arcade

• 7-9 p.m. - Monthly Pinball Tournament
• 8-10 p.m. - Air Hockey Tournament

Events at Boxyard RTP

• 12-2 p.m. - Hear & There: Daniel Delorenzo
• 5:30-8:30 p.m. - Game Night

Events at ZincHouse Winery & Brewery

• 7-8 p.m. - Signature Wine Tasting
• 7-8:30 p.m. - Laughs Comedy Night

2 p.m.
Film Screening — "Temple Grandin" at Durham County Main Library
3 p.m.
Durham Farmers’ Market at Durham Central Park
Seeing Without Eyes: Walking the Tightrope between Doubt and Belief at Rhine Research Center ~ Online
4 p.m.
Whiskey Wednesdays at Alley Twenty Six
5 p.m.
Free Wednesday Wine Tasting at Beer Study Durham
5:30 p.m.
"Take Tea Like a Bridgerton" Experience at JB Duke Hotel
6 p.m.
Figure Drawing and Tarot with Heiltje at Arcana
6:30 p.m.
Trivia Night with Pickle at The Glass Jug Beer Lab in RTP
6:35 p.m.
Durham Bulls vs Memphis at Durham Bulls Athletic Park
7 p.m.
My Hero Academia TCG Girl Power Prerelease at Atomic Empire
Hammered Trivia at Hi-Wire Brewing
Karaoke Night at Mavericks Smokehouse
Music Bingo at Ponysaurus Brewing Company
Brett Chambers Open Mic at The Blue Note Grill
8 p.m.
Trivia Night at Bull McCabe's
Karaoke at Moon Dog Meadery
Queer Country Night w/ Line Dancing + Country Karaoke at The Pinhook
10 p.m.
World Goth Day All Vinyl Dance Party at Rubies on Five Points

Thursday, May 23

Events at Durty Bull Brewing Brewing Company

• 12-8 p.m. -Food Truck: Mike's Vegan Cookout
• 7-9 p.m. - Thursday Trivia with Nick

12 p.m.
Taking Back Thursday: Mysti Mayhem at Boxyard RTP
1 p.m.
Botany Spotlight: Bamboo at Sarah P. Duke Gardens
Meet the Keepers at Sarah P. Duke Gardens
3 p.m.
Guided Museum Tour at 21c Museum Hotels Durham
5 p.m.
Night Market at American Tobacco Campus
Thirsty Thursdays at Dashi
5:30 p.m.
World Turtle Day Celebration at Piedmont Wildlife Center
Walking Club with Bull City Strollers at The Glass Jug Beer Lab in Downtown Durham
6 p.m.
Dyke Night and Tarot with Rene at Arcana
Dungeons n' Drafts at DSSOLVR Durham
Vinyl Night with DJ Deckades at Gizmo Brew Works
“Rhythms of the Rumba” Dance Class at Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club
6:15 p.m.
Pony Run at Ponysaurus Brewing Company
6:30 p.m.
Line Dance Classes at Mystic Farm and Distillery
Sacred Traditions: Exploring African-Based Spirituality at Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University
Boulders & Brews Meetup at Triangle Rock Club - Durham
DIY Charcuterie Class at Weldon Mills Distillery
6:35 p.m.
Durham Bulls vs Memphis at Durham Bulls Athletic Park
7 p.m.
Trivia Night at Beer Tooth Taproom
Bring Your Own Vinyl Night at Congress Social Bar
Sound Bath at Duke Memorial United Methodist Church
Summer Jazz Jam (Curated by Al Strong) at Missy Lane's Assembly Room
Community Board Game Night at Moon Dog Meadery
Periodic Tables: Beyond HIPAA – Mental Health Apps, Health Data, And Privacy at Motorco Music Hall
7:30 p.m.
Trivia Night with Big Slow Tom at Clouds Brewing Brightleaf Square
8 p.m.
Weekly Single Mingle at Boxcar Bar + Arcade
Trivia at Fullsteam Brewery
Megayacht / Hypnic Jerk at The Pinhook
9:30 p.m.
Karaoke Night at The Tavern

Friday, May 24

Events at Durty Bull Brewing Company

• 5-9 p.m. - Food Truck: Weizzie's Country Kitchen
• 8-11 p.m. - Open Mic Stand-up Comedy

10 a.m.
Tasting at Ten at Counter Culture Coffee
12 p.m.
Co-Working Social at The Glass Jug Beer Lab in Downtown Durham
5 p.m.
Food Truck Friday at The Glass Jug Beer Lab in RTP
5:30 p.m.
Friday Night Live: Emily Musolino at Boxyard RTP
6 p.m.
Jo & Lee Tarot with Emily at Arcana
Friday Night Makes at Durham Arts Council
Yonder at The Blue Note Grill
The Patio Dance Parties : Clueless Fridays at Unscripted Durham
6:35 p.m.
Durham Bulls vs Memphis at Durham Bulls Athletic Park
7 p.m.
Negativland + Sue-C Present "We Can Really Feel Like We're Here" at Motorco Music Hall
Tim Wells & Les Bons Temps — Cajun Dance Party at Succotash Southern & Creole Kitchen
7:30 p.m.
Recital: Spring Star-tacular at Barriskill Dance Theatre School
Members-Only Rose` Party at Missy Lane's Assembly Room
Keith Waters/Jon Metzger Quartet at Sharp 9 Gallery
8 p.m.
Stereo Reveries at DSSOLVR Durham
Karaoke! at Fullsteam Brewery
9 p.m.
Hush Hush at Mettlesome
Leo Album Release Party! at Moon Dog Meadery
Lip Sync 4 Ur Life + PHK Karaoke at The Pinhook

Saturday, May 25

Events at Atomic Empire

• 11 a.m. - Kings of War GT: Carolina Cryptid 2024
• 5:30 p.m. - Flesh and Blood: Part the Mistveil Prerelease

Events at Boxyard RTP

• 10-11 a.m. - Drag Story Hour
• 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. - Saturdaze: DJ k.ward
• 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. - Disco Differences: PopUp
• 12-2 p.m. - Cartoon Artist Pop-Up

Events at Durty Bull Brewing Company

• 1-8 p.m. - Food Truck: Lobster Dogs
• 1-6 p.m. - Art Day!

Distillery Tours and Tastings at Liberty & Plenty

• Every Saturday, 10-10:30 a.m. and 11-11:30 a.m.

Events at Mettlesome

• 7:30-8 p.m. - Bull City Press Presents
• 8-9 p.m. - Golden Age
• 9-10:30 p.m. - Secret Society Showcase

Events at Moon Dog Meadery

• 1-2 p.m. - Improv Jam
• 8-11 p.m. - A Metal Show: Bunker Hill Bloodbath, No Falks Given, Demiurge, Alpha Strain
• 8 p.m. - 12 a.m. - Outside: CoLaB on Fire

Events at The Blue Note Grill

• 3 p.m. - CHHS Mini-55th with the Reunion Band
• 7:30 p.m. - 8-Track Minds

Guided Walking Tours with Triangle Adventures

• 2 p.m. - Downtown Durham Walking Tour
• 4 p.m. - Durham African American History Tour
• 6 p.m. - Downtown Durham True Crime Tour

8 a.m.
Durham Farmers' Market at Durham Central Park
parkrun Durham at Southern Boundaries Park
9 a.m.
South Durham Farmers' Market at Greenwood Commons Shopping Center
9:30 a.m.
Women's Introduction to Standup Paddleboarding at Falls Lake
10 a.m.
Party for the Planet at Museum of Life and Science
Flower Portraits at Sarah P. Duke Gardens
12 p.m.
Crafternoons at Gizmo Brew Works
3 p.m.
Taste of Soul NC at Durham Central Park
4 p.m.
Mystic Medieval Knights at Mystic Farm & Distillery
5 p.m.
Opening Reception - Renzo Ortega "Acts of Serenity" at Craven Allen Gallery
6 p.m.
Tarot with Heiltje at Arcana
Doodle Jam at Lonerider Distillery and Taproom
6:30 p.m.
Blackhawk Quintet at Missy Lane's Assembly Room
6:35 p.m.
Durham Bulls vs Memphis at Durham Bulls Athletic Park
7 p.m.
The Lofi Lounge at American Underground
7:15 p.m.
Sunset Float at Falls Lake
7:30 p.m.
Full Moon Fever Bike Ride at American Tobacco Trail
Recital: Spring Star-tacular at Barriskill Dance Theatre School
MOSS: Theo Bleckmann, Peter Eldridge, Lauren Kinhan, Jo Lawry, Kate McGarry at Sharp 9 Gallery
9 p.m.
Blackhawk Quintet at Missy Lane's Assembly Room
Boston 168 at The Fruit
10 p.m.
House of Black Dance Party at The Pinhook

Sunday, May 26

10 a.m.
Jazz Brunch at Lula & Sadie's
10:30 a.m.
Al Strong Presents Jazz Brunch at Alley Twenty Six
11 a.m.
Durham Underground Market at Durham Central Park
12 p.m.
One Piece TCG Tournament at Atomic Empire
Sunday Dollar Bin Sale for Charity at Rumors Durham
Farmers Market at ZincHouse Winery & Brewery
12:15 p.m.
Public Tour at Duke Chapel
2 p.m.
Soul Sunday w/ DJ Soul at Congress Social Bar
Hammered Trivia with Casey at Durty Bull Brewing Company
Hillandale Golf Beginner Clinic at Hillandale Golf Course
4 p.m.
IAR Adopt-a-Dog Fundraiser at Boxcar Bar + Arcade
Sweet Tea: A Sunday Tea Dance Presented by Stormie Daie! at The Velvet Hippo Bar & Lounge
5:05 p.m.
Durham Bulls vs Memphis at Durham Bulls Athletic Park
6 p.m.
Ann Arader and Tarot with Rene at Arcana
6:30 p.m.
Open Mic Night at Moon Dog Meadery
8 p.m.
Beloved Presents: Innerworlds at Rubies on Five Points

Running Art Exhibits

Constellations: 40 Years of Explorations within Sacred Geometry by Steven Ferlauto at Horse & Buggy Press and Friends

• Sacred Geometry is an ancient field of physics whose equations are expressed through shape. Shape is a way to explore the universal fabric of our existence.
• Sat, May 4 - Sat, June 1
• Free admission

Cameron Elyse's Divine Nine Legacy Memoir Exhibition at Hayti Heritage Center

• The Divine Nine Legacy Memoir delves deep into the history of the National Panhellenic Council (NPHC) or "Divine Nine," a collective of nine Greek Letter organizations founded on May 10th, 1930.
• These organizations were born out of the necessity to provide a voice for Black American students within the collegiate space. United by principles of service, community, brotherhood, and sisterhood, the Divine Nine work collectively to uplift society through acts of service to underserved areas across the nation.
• Fri, Apr 19 - Sat, June 1
• Free admission

It Ain’t All Black And White at DAG Truist Gallery

• It Ain’t All Black and White is a photography exhibition that encourages us to consider emotions such as serenity, apprehension, yearning, and more.
• Captured by 11 dynamic photographers dedicated to documenting the fullness and complexity of Black life, this exhibition offers each of us an opportunity to see ourselves with renewed attention.
• Thu, Apr 25 - Sun, June 2

María Magdalena Campos-Pons: Behold at Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University

• María Magdalena Campos-Pons: Behold is a monographic exhibition of a visionary voice in photography, immersive installation, painting and performance.
• Thu, Feb 15 - Sun, Jun 9
• Every week, Tue-Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun 12-5 p.m.
• Free admission

Ley Killeya: Solitary Women at 5 Points Gallery

• 5 Points Gallery in downtown Durham invites you to appreciate Chapel Hill artist Ley Killeya's engaging exhibition featuring vibrant and thought-provoking paintings, exploring themes of identity, belonging, vulnerability, and acceptance, particularly for people from marginalized communities.
• Fri, May 17 - Sat, June 15
• Free admission

Counterpoints at Durham Bottling Co.

• Counterpoints is a curated showcase of local AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) artists, delving into the convergence of AAPI identity and mental health. Inspired by the intricate layers of musical counterpoint, its purpose is to weave together diverse narratives and confront the stigma surrounding mental health within our communities.
• Wed, May 1 - Sun, June 16
• Mon - Fri, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Well, at the end of the day, the goal is indeed to find a partner, settle down, start a family (if partner wants), make memories, grow old, the deets! But with my recent interactions on reddit lately, I've come to realise that when you start a conversation with the idea of ending up together as the end goal, we become so fixated on the wedding thingy that we forget to enjoy yourselves, and the little things in life which make the nostalgic memories cute? Am I right? Maybe I'm thinking out aloud but it is what it is.
So here's to trying it once again, this man is looking for a long-term relationship aimed at finally settling down, and perhaps even starting a family if the woman is willing.
About me
Absolutely average looking guy. 5'11" in height, keeps a stubble and neatly trimmed beard, dark hair, brown eyes which turn golden in sunlight (in my girly era YAY!), features a dad-bod, healthy, working on maintaining my shape because have put on a bit weight lately (sad :( ), clean, hygienic, and no disease whatsoever. (Yay!)
I hail primarily from Northern India, but I have lived practically in every zone of the Indian Subcontinent.
Hobbies/Interests
I am someone who absolutely loves to read, and have an aim of building my/our own library in the place where we live in. Not big into self-help books, mostly do philosophy, fiction, classics, etc. Apart from reading, I love to cook and bake, and this is something I taught myself BEFORE COVID, not during the "khali hai toh lets cook" phase. I like going on drives (car and bike) at dusk, and would be lucky to get some company alongwith. While I wouldn't say I'm a very outgoing person, I enjoy music festivals, carnivals, and I've been told that I'm an excellent company to go shopping with (YES, that includes shopping at Sarojini). Where would I personally like to go if I'm new to a city? Heritage sites, Museums, and places with GOOD FOOD.
About Yourself?
A woman (no homophobia, just that I am clear with my sexuality) ideally within the age bracket ±8 years, I've mostly dated women older than me so not that big of a deal. Someone who is willing to keep up with all the dad-jokes and absolutely inhumane puns. Whether or not you choose to work is absolutely your choice. Clingy-ness is cute and adored. Open with her communication, honest with their partner, and loyalty. Race/Caste/Religion/Skin Colour absolutely do not matter.
What am I looking for?
Getting to know the person, letting that person grow on me and vice-versa, eventually forming a bond which would lead to a relationship. I consider myself pretty open-minded about things, and I communicate openly about things which I'm okay and not okay about.
Open to verification. Photos get photos. Message or Reddit Chat either works. I personally don't like either, but hey, your comfort takes precedence. Looking forward to hearing from you. Cheers!

Well, at the end of the day, the goal is indeed to find a partner, settle down, start a family (if partner wants), make memories, grow old, the deets! But with my recent interactions on reddit lately, I've come to realise that when you start a conversation with the idea of marriage as the end goal, we become so fixated on the marriage thingy that we forget to enjoy yourselves, and the little things in life which make the nostalgic memories cute? Am I right? Maybe I'm thinking out aloud but it is what it is.
So here's to trying it once again, this man is looking for a long-term relationship aimed at finally settling down, and perhaps even starting a family if the woman is willing.
About me
Absolutely average looking guy. 5'11" in height, keeps a stubble and neatly trimmed beard, dark hair, brown eyes which turn golden in sunlight (in my girly era YAY!), features a dad-bod, healthy, working on maintaining my shape because have put on a bit weight lately (sad :( ), clean, hygienic, and no disease whatsoever. (Yay!)
I hail primarily from Northern India, but I have lived practically in every zone of the Indian Subcontinent.
Hobbies/Interests
I am someone who absolutely loves to read, and have an aim of building my/our own library in the place where we live in. Not big into self-help books, mostly do philosophy, fiction, classics, etc. Apart from reading, I love to cook and bake, and this is something I taught myself BEFORE COVID, not during the "khali hai toh lets cook" phase. I like going on drives (car and bike) at dusk, and would be lucky to get some company alongwith. While I wouldn't say I'm a very outgoing person, I enjoy music festivals, carnivals, and I've been told that I'm an excellent company to go shopping with (YES, that includes shopping at Sarojini). Where would I personally like to go if I'm new to a city? Heritage sites, Museums, and places with GOOD FOOD.
About Yourself?
A woman (no homophobia, just that I am clear with my sexuality) ideally within the age bracket ±8 years, I've mostly dated women older than me so not that big of a deal. Someone who is willing to keep up with all the dad-jokes and absolutely inhumane puns. Whether or not you choose to work is absolutely your choice. Clingy-ness is cute and adored. Open with her communication, honest with their partner, and loyalty. Race/Caste/Religion/Skin Colour absolutely do not matter.
What am I looking for?
Getting to know the person, letting that person grow on me and vice-versa, eventually forming a bond which would lead to a relationship. I consider myself pretty open-minded about things, and I communicate openly about things which I'm okay and not okay about.
Open to verification. Photos get photos. Message or Reddit Chat either works. I personally don't like either, but hey, your comfort takes precedence. Looking forward to hearing from you. Cheers!

This is not a rant post about the combat sim, nor is it an overly long way of saying "git gud" to those of you struggling with the platinum. What this *is*, is a theory on why so many people are complaining when it didn't feel that way during Remake's release window.
Rebirth is too big for its own good, when it comes to balancing, and it feels like 7 different people were in charge of different aspects of the hard mode.
Think back to Remake's hard mode. If we're being honest with ourselves, it wasn't particularly hard. Standard enemies would only give you trouble if A) you'd come back from a hiatus or B)you weren't level 50 quite yet. Scorpion Sentinel mostly plays itself, chapter 2's horde of mooks fell apart in the face of punisher mode counter, chapter 3's boss is 4 hoodlums, most of chapter 4 is on the bike, and its not until Roche that the game takes the training wheels off. You have time to acclimate, to gain exp, and to figure out that 90% of early enemies are weak to fire + braver.
Let's compare to Rebirth's opening chapters on hard: Sephiroth makes things easy at first, chapter 2 offers a long break from serious combat and then.... -You get stunlock combo'd to death by a flower field -Your party members stand still in the face of Midgardsormr's fire breath so you better have elemental Materia. -White Terror can explode 5 times in a row but its unblockable and non elemental. Have fun with that dps check -Mythril Golem can passively launch very painful missiles *forever* and neither of your characters have high magic. -Here's an enemy that never stays in place, casts protect on itself and all its attacks interrupt yours. -Roche casts reflect pretty often so either pump that dps or have fun holding block for 60 seconds.
It's...a lot. It's brutal. It is unrelenting. But the solution is obvious: cheese.
All of those roadblocks have very obvious, and very effective weaknesses. Once you realize chocobo stops refill MP, you're free to spam spell combos to your heart's content and make your way through Gaia yet again. Except...
This is the opposite of how Remake handled things. You party was very fluid back then, not to mention limited. You spend most of the game without a tank, Aerith's the only reliable source of magic in more ways than one and Tifa's defensive options are nothing like the other characters. You were encouraged to make as versatile a build as possible so that any surprises could be dealt with somewhat effectively, and you have to be conservative in the latter half of the game where bosses start doubling up in each chapter. Kind of like the original game did....
Compare this to every Rebirth guide, which has you going off to grind every single possible Materia and then nullifying the enemy completely. Even if its not stop-stagger or a dedicated sleeper, you're almost forced to be reactionary. Every boss is completely different from the last, which is great for the first playthrough but annoying as all hell when it means you gotta sit there and die repeatedly until you figure out an entirely new Materia loadout.
Rufus, Sephiroth 1,2 and 4, all of the archfiends, Phoenix, Kujata, Gilgamesh, Red Dragon, Yin and Yang, Roche 2, Midgardsormr, Mythril Golem, Gigatrice, Gallian Beast, all of the Double Summon fights and *especially* all of the Brutal Challenges revolve around the boss' ability to nullify your character. They all cannot be beaten conventionally and do exorbitant amounts of damage under nearly unavoidable conditions. You will not get past these fights without specializing into some sort of role. You go into the menu, drop anything non-essential (anything you thought would be fun to use) and go full utilitarian. How many resistances can I get? How do I maximize the value of the element they're weak to. Do I need first strike to get the ball rolling? Can I afford an MP up to get through the rest of the chapter? It's a game of cat and mouse except you're both nullifying the other's strategy, waging a war of attrition until you run out of patience and try something different only to be stomped into the ground.
Stay in your lane. Stick to the plan. If we load up Aerith with swiftcast, magic focus and Blizzaga she can maybe kill the dragon before lava reaches us. Do not engage in the mechanics. Do not try and use the character's abilities. Stop with Magnify and abuse synergy materia, until the fight is over. Cheese vs. Cheese back and forth eternally. It's so polarizing, and so antithetical to what the previous game taught you. Most players don't like playing that way, they don't like working hard training until the challenge itself has become trivial. They're lactose intolerant, if you will.
Hard mode has you changing your Materia constantly, combat sim has you spamming the same spells against what has effectively become a brick wall. The game quite simply stops being fun, because the focus is now on feeling clever for crafting the game breaking build.
Is it really so far fetched that people aren't fond of this direction?

Cultivating a list of "must-know" things for a successful life before 18 is a noble pursuit, but there's no one-size-fits-all answer. Success can look different for each person depending on their values, goals, and circumstances. However, there are some key areas and skills that can build a strong foundation for navigating life after 18:
Personal skills:

1. Self-awareness: Understanding your strengths, weaknesses, values, and passions.
2. Resilience: Developing coping mechanisms and bouncing back from challenges.
3. Critical thinking: Analyzing information, forming independent opinions, and problem-solving effectively.
4. Effective communication: Expressing yourself clearly, actively listening, and building positive relationships.
5. Time management: Organizing tasks, prioritizing, and meeting deadlines effectively.
6. Financial literacy: Budgeting, saving, understanding debt, and responsible credit use.
7. Healthy habits: Maintaining physical and mental well-being through exercise, good diet, and quality sleep.
8. Emotional intelligence: Recognizing and managing emotions in yourself and others.
9. Adaptability and flexibility: Embracing change and learning new things throughout your life.
10. Empathy and compassion: Understanding and caring about the feelings and experiences of others.

Practical skills:

1. Basic cooking and home maintenance: Learning to cook simple meals and take care of your living space.
2. First aid and CPR: Knowing how to respond to emergencies.
3. Technology skills: Utilizing technology effectively for communication, research, and learning.
4. Driving, car care, and basic bike maintenance: Understanding traffic rules and safe driving practices.
5. Basic sewing and DIY skills: Fixing clothes, mending furniture, and doing simple repairs.
6. Research and information literacy: Evaluating sources and finding reliable information.
7. Public speaking and presenting: Being comfortable speaking in front of others.
8. Networking and interpersonal skills: Building and maintaining relationships with peers and mentors.
9. Time management and organizational skills: Planning and prioritizing effectively.
10. Learning a new language: Expanding your communication abilities and cultural understanding.

Career & Life Planning:

1. Career exploration and goal setting: Understanding your interests and setting realistic career goals.
2. Resume writing and interview skills: Presenting yourself effectively for job opportunities.
3. Researching and applying for colleges or vocational programs: Making informed decisions about your education.
4. Understanding basic legal contracts and documents: Knowing your rights and responsibilities.
5. Civic engagement and voting rights: Participating in your community and understanding the democratic process.
6. Environmental awareness and sustainability: Learning to live responsibly and protect the planet.
7. Digital citizenship and cyber safety: Protecting your online identity and using technology responsibly.
8. Understanding personal rights and responsibilities: Knowing your legal rights and how to advocate for yourself.
9. Building a support network: Identifying and relying on trusted friends, family, and mentors.
10. Volunteering and community service: Giving back to your community and making a difference.

Remember:

• This is not an exhaustive list, and the importance of each item will vary depending on individual circumstances.
• Encourage curiosity and exploration over rote memorization.
• Foster critical thinking and the ability to adapt to changing situations.
• Promote a growth mindset and the willingness to learn from mistakes.
• Emphasize self-discovery and pursuing passions in life.

Ultimately, helping young people develop these skills and cultivate a sense of agency will empower them to build their own definitions of success and navigate life after 18 with confidence and resilience.

Hi, folks!
I've thought about joining for a bit of time and I've finally got around to do so. Sorry for my english just in case - might get rough at some points.
I've been struggling with depression for... now nearly half of my life. Sometimes it was stable, sometimes worse, sometimes absolutely terrible. I've started gaining weight some time before finishing high school and then really took off after leaving the family house. I've quickly learned that "bad food makes happy" and I went overboard with it, kilogram after kilogram.
Over the years, I've tried to lose weight many times - always with a lot of hope, always with cutting something out (food I liked, snacks etc.) and exercising. Never managed to actually stick to it - at some point I always let myself take a day off, 2 days off and hey - I was back where I started... and getting worse, fatter, heavier. Mental health dropping, s***idal thoughts creeping in time and time again.
Around the end of 2022 and first half of 2023 I was at the lowest point of my life up to that point. And I thought "it's now or never", but also "hey, how about we just stop trying? Let's just eat shitty food until it kills us - at least we can die happy, since we don't have enought courage to actively take our life away". So it continued, even though I had all the reasons to give it a go - once again, no amount of hope, no amount of logic, no amount of seeing myself as a blob of fat helped get me moving.
I'm sure it's gonna sound cheesy, but it's not going to be what you think, I swear. Around the second half of 2023 I've fallen in love. Badly. For the first time in years. It progressed, as I was getting fatter and fatter, more reluctant to leave my apartment even for the most basic needs. Thing is - it was and is somebody completely out of my reach and somebody I'm not even allowed to think about this way, you know.
And this year, I broke. Remember taht "lowest point" from 2023? I got to an even lower one around the last week of April. To the point, where there was just no escape from intrusive thoughts - no way to ignore my problems. Suddenly TV shows and games stopped working. Social media stopped working. Shitty food stopped working - I was suddenly cut away from what always helped me take the edge off and escape.
And one day, a few weeks ago, it got to the point where I couldn't live. Literally couldn't. I was becoming obsessed with how strongly I feel about somebody and how much I'd have liked to just stop, since those thoughts were hurting me in the long run. And I don't know - out of sheer desperation maybe - I've started to train one day. Some pushups with terrible form, some crunches, situps and a stationary bike. And hey, wtf - it helped me a bit. I've found that "little happiness", normally supplied by food in something that never gave me any (no exercies were pleasant in any way ever for me).
I kept doing this and I'm still doing this. Every single day for 3 weeks now. I'm noting the progress, trying to break my own records, visualizing good things. I'm still mad in some unwanted, not needed, not deserved at least love, but when it's getting really bad, exercises help me get myself together.
It's weird to me, it's scary. Well, life is, always was. But there's some hope, just a little, tiny bit. I've even made a bucket list, even though I never believed in stuff like that. Even went back to doing new things - like new shows at least, not only stupid social media or reaction videos. A way ahead of me - if I can even make it - is terribly long. And along the way - who is to say, if one day exercies stop saving my head? I mean, fastfood stopped at some point, right?
I'm not really sure what my point is, it's all a mess, guys. I just... want to get myself a bit stronger, a bit tougher. Getting my life a bit better, my psyche too, my body and condition. And I kinda feel like I need to, because my own emotions are going to be the death of my one day. I guess I'm a bit scared to be hopeful. And I'm terrified of learning about the person I love getting further away from me too. Because I believe, the way I am now - still undisciplined, still depressed, still unstable - I can't survive learning that this person gets married, becomes a parent or just builds a future with someone. I'm ashamed of that and yet this is what I feel amid my current good streak.
I will be checking my weight tomorrow - for the first time since I've started exercising. I hope there's even the tiniest good change. And I hope to regain the will to live. And to stop fantasizing about people who're too above me.
Thank you for reading this, whoever you are. I hope you're getting there - wherever you're trying to get.

Hi, folks!
I've thought about joining for a bit of time and I've finally got around to do so. Sorry for my english just in case - might get rough at some points.
I've been struggling with depression for... now nearly half of my life. Sometimes it was stable, sometimes worse, sometimes absolutely terrible. I've started gaining weight some time before finishing high school and then really took off after leaving the family house. I've quickly learned that "bad food makes happy" and I went overboard with it, kilogram after kilogram.
Over the years, I've tried to lose weight many times - always with a lot of hope, always with cutting something out (food I liked, snacks etc.) and exercising. Never managed to actually stick to it - at some point I always let myself take a day off, 2 days off and hey - I was back where I started... and getting worse, fatter, heavier. Mental health dropping, s***idal thoughts creeping in time and time again.
Around the end of 2022 and first half of 2023 I was at the lowest point of my life up to that point. And I thought "it's now or never", but also "hey, how about we just stop trying? Let's just eat shitty food until it kills us - at least we can die happy, since we don't have enought courage to actively take our life away". So it continued, even though I had all the reasons to give it a go - once again, no amount of hope, no amount of logic, no amount of seeing myself as a blob of fat helped get me moving.
I'm sure it's gonna sound cheesy, but it's not going to be what you think, I swear. Around the second half of 2023 I've fallen in love. Badly. For the first time in years. It progressed, as I was getting fatter and fatter, more reluctant to leave my apartment even for the most basic needs. Thing is - it was and is somebody completely out of my reach and somebody I'm not even allowed to think about this way, you know.
And this year, I broke. Remember taht "lowest point" from 2023? I got to an even lower one around the last week of April. To the point, where there was just no escape from intrusive thoughts - no way to ignore my problems. Suddenly TV shows and games stopped working. Social media stopped working. Shitty food stopped working - I was suddenly cut away from what always helped me take the edge off and escape.
And one day, a few weeks ago, it got to the point where I couldn't live. Literally couldn't. I was becoming obsessed with how strongly I feel about somebody and how much I'd have liked to just stop, since those thoughts were hurting me in the long run. And I don't know - out of sheer desperation maybe - I've started to train one day. Some pushups with terrible form, some crunches, situps and a stationary bike. And hey, wtf - it helped me a bit. I've found that "little happiness", normally supplied by food in something that never gave me any (no exercies were pleasant in any way ever for me).
I kept doing this and I'm still doing this. Every single day for 3 weeks now. I'm noting the progress, trying to break my own records, visualizing good things. I'm still mad in some unwanted, not needed, not deserved at least love, but when it's getting really bad, exercises help me get myself together.
It's weird to me, it's scary. Well, life is, always was. But there's some hope, just a little, tiny bit. I've even made a bucket list, even though I never believed in stuff like that. Even went back to doing new things - like new shows at least, not only stupid social media or reaction videos. A way ahead of me - if I can even make it - is terribly long. And along the way - who is to say, if one day exercies stop saving my head? I mean, fastfood stopped at some point, right?
I'm not really sure what my point is, it's all a mess, guys. I just... want to get myself a bit stronger, a bit tougher. Getting my life a bit better, my psyche too, my body and condition. And I kinda feel like I need to, because my own emotions are going to be the death of my one day. I guess I'm a bit scared to be hopeful. And I'm terrified of learning about the person I love getting further away from me too. Because I believe, the way I am now - still undisciplined, still depressed, still unstable - I can't survive learning that this person gets married, becomes a parent or just builds a future with someone. I'm ashamed of that and yet this is what I feel amid my current good streak.
I will be checking my weight tomorrow - for the first time since I've started exercising. I hope there's even the tiniest good change. And I hope to regain the will to live. And to stop fantasizing about people who're too above me.
Thank you for reading this, whoever you are. I hope you're getting there - wherever you're trying to get.

I was enjoying the sunny Bristol weather, cruising around on my CB125F. I thought I'd have one last ride before trading it in for a new CB500 Hornet. At a traffic light junction (my light was green), a guy in a pearlescent purple VW Golf turned right straight into me without using his indicator. I slammed on the brakes, locked the front wheel, and fell to the ground.
Fortunately, I sustained no injuries (although I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt like a dumbass). My Knox gloves took most of the damage. The driver was a young lad who called his dad. His dad came, gave me their details, and went on his way. I told him I would prefer not to involve insurance and deal with it ourselves.
The bike suffered the following damage:

1. Cracked clutch lever
   
2. Left foot lever bent up
   
3. Cosmetic damage to the front end
   

I apologize in advance if I sound clueless, but I'm going to try to be as succinct and concise as possible.

1. I have two photos: one of the other guy's front license plate and one of their insurance details. Only after I left did I realize that I should have recorded him repeatedly apologizing, taken details from witnesses, or captured more photos of the scene, like any skid marks. However, I just stood there frozen and let it happen.
   
2. I am yet to get my one-year No Claims Bonus (NCB), which I need until November to lower my premiums. My insurance is letting me change the vehicle on the insurance to the 500F to keep my NCB. Many other providers turned me down and didn't even give me a quote because of "the details I gave." I am worried that making any insurance claim will mess things up, and I can't afford that.
   
3. I have a parts trade agreement with the dealership, and they quoted my bike for £1,800 (a total shafting for a 2021 MY 125F in showroom condition with 2,000 miles, but I was okay with that for a smooth buy and sell). Obviously, things have changed since the bike was in a crash.
   

Would it be a good idea not to inform my insurance, bring my bike to a garage for a quote, send it to the other party, and get the money? Since I would likely get peanuts if I sell the bike to the dealership now, I could get cash from the other party and fix the bike myself. I'm still a novice, but I have started building up a motorcycle toolset and would love to work on the bike. That way, I could sell the bike privately on my own time. However, I'm not sure if I'm underestimating how costly this would be.
Alternatively, should I call my insurance or the other party's insurance? Would that be the smarter, safer idea?
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope you all have a safe summer season. Wear your gear and enjoy the weather!

Previous Part
I grabbed the back pack Bianca had left in the kitchen and waited in the living room. I had no idea what she was packing for but after this morning I wasn’t going up there to check. I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to ask Tuck yet. I wanted him to tell me he was a werewolf himself, that seemed like pretty important information just on the basis of trust. But I also wanted to know why he was really out by the mine yesterday. His story didn’t add up and there’s no way he knew we would be up there, I think that was just a coincidence. As I was trying to come up with exactly how I wanted to broach the question to Tuck, Frank put a hand on my shoulder. He was wearing his lab coat so I guessed he just came up from the basement. The hairnet he always seemed to wear when he was working was in its usual spot. I suppose he wore it to protect the memory of hair that was once on his head. He looked solemn and a little sick as he turned to me.
“Keep her out of trouble will you? I know we haven’t always been the best to her and I’m sure Stein and I don’t really give her the help she needs. But she’s like the daughter I never had time to have, I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to her.”
“Frank, you probably do more than you know for her. Did she ever talk about her family with you?”
“Very briefly throughout the years, I don’t know if she’s told you much or anything for that matter. It… it certainly wasn’t easy for her growing up and it never got easier.”
“I’ll do my best to keep her out of trouble. If she does end up following me into… whatever this trial ends up being just promise me you’ll have a way to get her out. Some kind of contingency, I can fend for myself but I’ve seen her just shut down before. Like yesterday in the caves someone grabbed her and she lashed out and just… wasn’t herself. She just froze and I don’t want that to happen anywhere near Shaoni.”
“I’ll work on something but I can’t promise that. Like Stein said we’re scientists, we don’t really do field work like that. If I do come up with something you’ll be the first to know. I’m glad she ran into you when she did Keith, she could really use a friend.”
With that Frank walked away, back towards the kitchen and into the basement.
It wasn’t long after that when I heard Bianca coming down the stairs asking if anyone had seen her toothbrush. At which point Rocco appeared in front of me from god knows where holding a suspicious disassembled toothbrush.
“Not. A. Word. Kid.”
Rocco growled at me as he scampered out the door behind me.
“I have a couple that I packed for the trip here from Wisconsin I can just give you one of those.”
I called to Bianca. Partially because I wanted to get a move on and partially because I wanted no part in whatever Rocco was getting up to. If there was one supernatural thing about this town it was that raccoon’s knack for mischief. I get that’s what raccoons are known for but seriously, Rocco was on another level. Bianca reluctantly agreed to take one of the travel tooth brushes I had back at my house. I wasn’t even going to ask why she packed a duffle bag to go a few hundred feet into town and back again.
“Come on we’ll take the bikes again.”
Bianca said as she made her way behind the house.
“I’m telling you they’re going to give me tetanus one of these days but sure. Lets just stop at my place first, I want to drop off this backpack you took yesterday first.”
Bianca was still wearing the ratty jeans she’d taken from me yesterday and at this point I just figured she could have them. I really wasn’t about to get into an argument as to why she should take my pants off and… ugh even saying it is just… no. Those were hers now as far as I was concerned.
We rode over to my house through the crisp autumn afternoon. The trees along the street were finally being to change color, it looked like a scene from a postcard. One of those one’s of the idyllic towns that could’ve come straight out of a hallmark movie. I had to give it to Eagles Peak, it may by turning into a den of vipers for me minute by minute but it sure could be beautiful, in it’s own isolated kind of way.
“Wow its very… small.”
Bianca commented as she stepped into my house and looked around.
“Yeah not everyone has a blank check from two different governments like Stein.”
“I didn’t mean li…”
“It’s ok I know what you meant, its different.”
I said cutting her off before she had the chance to apologize. I dropped off the backpack in my room and rooted around in the one duffle bag I still hadn’t unpacked from my trip here. I found the toothbrush without to much trouble and walked into the living room to give it to Bianca only to find her unpacking on the couch.
“What’s going on here, are you moving in?”
I joked, not expecting the answer I was about to get.
“Yeah, kind of hard to keep an eye on you from my house. I suppose I could from the top floor but if we’re working against Shaoni that doesn’t seem like a great idea. She’s got that whole thing with lighting and I get the sense her being angry at you while your up in the air isn’t a great combination.”
Bianca said, unpacking a blanket like she wasn’t just inserting herself into my house.
“WHAT?”
I shouted, maybe a little too loud.
“Is there a problem?I thought you wanted me looking out for you, this is me, doing that.”
She said looking up at me with puppy dog eyes. You’ve got to understand, those eyes coming from someone like Bianca, glowing or otherwise, well you just can’t say no to that. When it’s Bianca you really can’t say no. She can just take that option away in an instant but again she didn’t for me, it was still my choice.
“I.. sure but you can have my bed. We’ll get everything set up once we get back from the Roost. You did tell Frank and Stein about this right?”
I gave in, deciding to let her stay.
“I’m a big girl, they doin’t need to know everything I do, and… thanks”
“It’s alright, just let me know next time you’re going to pull something like this ok?”
I added, equal parts excited to actually have someone to talk to besides myself in my own home, and worried what Frank and Stein might think was going on here. I put those thoughts out of my head for the moment as we got back on the bikes.
It was about 3 by the time we made it to Tuck’s bar after the delay Bianca had caused by moving herself out before we left. Just as I expected the sign said closed but the door was unlocked. The bar looked exactly the same as the last time I was there. Stone fireplace roaring and pristine wooden floor looking like it had been polished just this morning. Tuck was sitting behind the bar looking worse for wear. The look on his face said he knew we were coming and he wasn’t to thrilled about it.
“Does he know?”
Tuck asked pointedly, looking straight through me and speaking to Bianca.
“About me or you, because the answer is both of us.”
Tuck shook his head at this and a grim look came over him.
“Ya shouldn’t have pulled him into this.”
“Actually I pulled her into it if anything, going out there was my idea. I’ve got a mark like Robert’s, its actually what brought me to town in the first place.”
I said, hoping my honesty would get the same out of Tuck.
“So that bird called ya out here somehow?”
“More or less, but that’s not what I’m here about. I want to know why exactly you followed us out there yesterday.”
Tuck sighed and gestured to the seats at the bar, beckoning Bianca and I to take a seat.
“When Robert chased ya out the other night some of his friends came by. They all got that mark like him, they were sayin’ something about the thunderbird makin’ an appearance back at the old mine. I wanted to see for myself and make sure they were wrong. I found those bikes and ended up followin’ the trail. By the time I got there some guys were poking around that hole in the wall and a storm had kicked up. I saw them cut that rope and figured they weren’t doin’ no good. I… changed and dealt with them then forced my way into the old mine entrance, the rest ya already know cause I ran into ya not long after.”
This story made more sense to me, Tuck never came out there to find me, I just so happened to be out there. Those boulders I thought were moved had been, by Tuck which made me question just how strong he was. Each of those huge things had to weigh tons and there were three strewn about the entrance.
“Ok that makes more sense than what you told me, but what were you hoping to accomplish up there. If you ran into the thunderbird what would you have done?”
“I just wanted to make sure it wasn’t really up there again but the storm seemed to say otherwise. No storm like that just pops up and goes away, the bird had to be involved with that.”
“Actually she was there, just not as some huge bird. She was down in the caves with us but she looked human, native American to be more precise. That’s how I met her when I got marked and now she’s holding some kind of trial out in those mines.”
“You met the thunderbird, its a person? What does she want with this place now.”
Tuck said his demeanor changing into one full of concern. I didn’t know what else to say cause at the moment I didn’t actually know much more than that. It’s infuriating, this being in the dark thing. I just settled for dodging the question.
“Not to change the topic but are we to early to grab a bite to eat?”
I wish I had a camera handy because the face Tuck made at that whiplash change of topics was priceless. I can’t properly do it justice with words. Suffice it to say one of his eyebrows hit the ceiling while the other hit the floor and a violently confused expression plastered his face.
“Sure I guess, what do the two of ya want!”
Tuck exclaimed, throwing his arms in the air and walking back behind the counter. I ended up ordering some fried chicken sandwich with bacon and pickles, and as I took the first bite my risk of heart attack increased ten fold. Bianca ordered the same thing and was pecking at it inquisitively when I asked,
“So what’s the story with Rocco?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean why, why did Frank and Stein make him in the first place?”
I asked through a mouthful of greasy goodness.
“Well I think it started out as a joke, then Stein actually wanted an assistant and that joke became Rocco. They worked on him for a while, pretty much they took a random raccoon off the street and played around in its head. I know there was some gene splicing involved but if you want to know how they did it ask them.”
“So he was supposed to be an assistant in the lab? I think I’ve seen him doing one thing to help them out this whole time and he was poking through a back alley for old batteries.”
“Yeah, he’s not a great assistant, must be good enough though cause they haven’t tossed him out.”
“Are you kidding me! If they tossed him out he be so much worse! Just think, Rocco left to his own devices without any supervision.”
Both of us shuddered at the thought, if he was bad now he’d be a menace to society without the little control we had over him.
Bianca and I ate and eventually Tuck came out and I told him my story about Imalone. He seemed really concerned at the fact that the thunderbird could be walking around town and he wouldn’t know about it. I assured him that Shaoni was really hard to miss if you just looked at the eyes. It wasn’t like she looked any different either, no matter what she was wearing those tattoos would be a dead giveaway. Tuck assured me he was going to keep an eye out and gave me his number to call if I saw her. I don’t want to talk down on Bianca, but something about having a werewolf looking out for me as well was reassuring. Tuck told us a bit about what he was doing with Frank and Stein too. Apparently he contracted his “disease” as he called it long before he came to work in Eagles Peak. He was originally from Louisiana and moved to New York for a change of scenery and ended up getting a job in the mines here around 1940. I should also mention Tuck ages very slowly due to his “disease” so he looks like he’s in his 50’s or so but he was born in 1900. To his credit you’d never know he was anything other than your friendly middle aged bartender.
Bianca and I were getting ready to leave as it came time to open the bar for real. When Tuck offered us a round of drinks on the house.
“No, no that’s alright Tuck, you’ve done enough for us we’ll see you later.”
Bianca politely declined, pulling me towards the door. After I said my goodbyes and we had gotten back to the bikes I asked Bianca,
“Do you not drink? I’m not judging just… when Tuck offered you seemed kind of jumpy.”
“I just never have, I was kind of bouncing around the country when I turned 21 so I just never started.”
“So your telling me you never had your first drink? Well, we have to fix that then.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, its like a right of passage where I’m from. We’ll pick up a six pack or something on the way back but we don’t have to do anything if you don’t want to.”
I said, trying to convince her. I’m not a huge drinker but I am from Wisconsin, alcohol is a way of life out there and we’re know for our beer. In my family turning 21 and having your first drink is cause to bring the whole family together. I couldn’t do that for her but I could at least give her the experience, maybe give her just one more good thing to remember.
Bianca agreed and we pulled into the Save-A-Lot just outside town. The building was painted white bit it was slowly peeling away revealing a concrete grey underneath. The big glowing sign was missing a few letters now simply reading Sav- -Lo. Despite its decaying state it still had the classic beer cave inside. I took a second to look for something from Wisconsin, call me a snob but we do beer right. I settled on a 12 pack of Leinenkugel, that was close enough to home for me. Bianca trailed behind me in the store, a bit like a scared cat looking for a place to hide. Obviously she didn’t get out much and having people she didn’t really know much about was stressing her out somewhat. We got to the checkout and an older cashier eyed my suspiciously.
“Can I see an ID”
She croaked in a hoarse smokey voice. Now I don’t always look my age but I’m 28 there was no reason to try and ID me. That didn’t really bother me so much as the fact that my wallet was still at home. I’ve been spending the cash Bianca gave me back when I watched her house and I just keep that in my pocket. I also have a bad habit of only brining my wallet when I knew I would need it instead of carrying it on me. Regardless I started to sweat a little as I tried to explain the situation.
“You see I would but I left mine at home and I’m not sure if…”
I was cut off by Bianca reaching out and brushing the cashier’s hand Then looking her straight in the eye. I knew exactly what she was doing.
“Look we don’t have an ID for you right now can you just take it on faith?”
“I understand sweetie, here why don’t I cover it for you, my treat.”
The cashier said, turning a complete 180 on her previous question. I looked from Bianca to the old woman a few times before Bianca finally shrugged.
“What?”
I wondered if it was that easy for her to change my mind back when she manipulated me into watching the house.
“So she just payed for it?”
I asked Bianca as we walked back to the bikes.
“That was her, not that I couldn’t make her do that. As far as I can work out, if I suggest something people tend to do it. Over the years I learned how to control that to the point where I’m only able to do it when I want to. Frank said it has something to do with pheromones in my breath or something like that.”
Bianca explained, hoping onto her bike and keeping pace with me back towards my house. I didn’t ask for an explanation but she gave it. I’m not really sure pheromones were something that could have that profound of an effect on someone but I’d just add it to the list of questions I’d have to ask Frank or Stein at some point.
“Still it was a bit weird seeing it from the outside. Was I that easy to convince before?”
Bianca got a mischievous look in her eye.
“Oh, you were so much easier, I barley needed to try. Just flip my hair and flutter my eyes a few times and that was that.”
She said, smiling devilishly at me. I blushed a little bit, partly because that’s probably all it would’ve taken from someone who looked like her and partly because I was embarrassed that she might not just be poking fun at me.
“No you definitely did something to me, I lost like 6 hours in your kitchen! That was you right…right?!”
I asked a little nervous. Bianca just laughed and pedaled off ahead of me. She did not put my mind at ease with any sort of answer but she did beat me back to the house.
When I got in She was sitting on the couch sorting through a pile of movies she pulled out of her duffle bag. She really had just thrown the entire contents of her room into a bag and brought them over. Bianca seemed to settle on a movie before she realized I’d walked in.
“So you like horror?”
I said, gesturing to the same movies I’d seen lying out earlier when I watched her house.
“Yeah, I just like seeing how people think all these things act. Like Tuck, werewolves are always looked at as these big imposing things in movies but he’s a puppy in comparison.”
“The guy looks like he could tear me apart down the middle with his bare hands buuuut, I see your point.”
Thinking back to every interaction I’d had with the guy so far, he never really was as scary as he looked. I sat down on the couch, dropping the case of beer on the coffee table.
“So, have you picked out a movie yet?”
To which Bianca closed her eyes and poked at a random movie in the pile. “Dog Soldiers”, it was called, actually I think I’ve heard of that movie before. One of those its so bad its entertaining things. I popped the movie into my DVD player and sat back, handing Bianca a beer.
“ Is this how normal people feel?”
She asked as the movie started.
“Depends on what you mean by normal, even then I’m not sure that’s the question I’d be asking. Maybe you just finally have a chance to relax after years of never being able to.”
“Oh sure, I’ll just relax now that I know we have the actual thunderbird looking to force you into some kind of trial.”
Bianca joked sarcastically before suddenly softening and taking a sip of her beer.
“Uggg that’s bitter… but not bad. Maybe your onto something Kieth.”
I don’t remember much from the movie. One scene stuck with me, a guy trying to fist fight a werewolf. It was already campy but the effects on the werewolf were just dated enough to make it that much funnier. Bianca and I couldn’t help but to Imagine Tuck as the werewolf, bewildered as to why this scrawny thing thought it could fight him. At some point the beer ran out, Bianca and I making it through the whole case. I remember getting up to go to my own room and Bianca pulling me back. What I didn’t remember though was letting Shaoni into my house. I was woken up by a tap on my shoulder, coming face to face with her. Shaoni’s hand was on one shoulder and Bianca’s head was on the other. At some point we both feel asleep on the couch together, the TV was still on, illuminating the dark room.
“Well well, I wasn’t expecting you to have guests Keith.”
Shaoni mocked, clicking her tongue at me as she finished. She wore the same white night dress I’d seen her in before. Something in the house was open, a window, a door? I didn’t know but the smells of an autumn rainstorm blew into the house, a storm no doubt caused by Shaoni.
“I… its not what it looks like.”
I stammered out, embarrassed to be caught like this.
“I don’t care what you get up to in your free time Keith. I just came to tell you I’ll expect you at the mine tomorrow, The trials will be starting soon and I want everyone who will be participating to meet each other, you will be participating, won’t you Keith?”
She asked like it was a question but it really wasn’t, wether I liked it or not I was going to be there, I could come willingly or kicking and screaming. She was simply asking which I wanted it to be.
“When do you want me there?”
“Oh don’t worry about that, I’ll send someone to collect you around noon.”
With that she turned to walk away, but I wasn’t done with her yet.
“Wait! What exactly are these trials, what am I going to be doing out there?”
“That would spoil the surprise Keith, be patient, you’ll know in time. That pretty little thing there, her name wouldn’t happen to be Bianca, would it?”
Shaoni asked, pointing at Bianca who was still asleep on my shoulder.
“How did you know that?”
I shot back, immediately jumping to Bianca’s defense. I hadn’t known her all that long true, but I didn’t want her any closer to this than she had to be.
“Oh no reason.”
Shaoni said with a snicker that sounded more like a hiss. With that she disappeared, and I mean she was just gone. One minute she was there the next there was a gust of wind and a brief flash of light and she was gone. The disruption was enough to wake Bianca up finally.
“Ugh, head..still…spinning.”
“Heh, I think you overdid it a bit last night.”
“Ugh maybe.”
She said, holding her head that still rested on my shoulder.
“What’s going on anyway, why’d you wake me up.”
“It’s just… well things are moving a bit faster than I hoped.”
I said, trying to reassure her that it was nothing, most likely failing miserably but she didn’t seem to notice. There was a second there that I thought maybe things could just be normal. This whole thing would just blow over and Shaoni would never come back and get me for these “trials” but I always knew it was wishful thinking. Now Bianca was a part of it to somehow, that had made up my mind. She’d been through enough, now Shaoni seemed interested in her all of a sudden. If putting myself through these trials kept her away from Bianca that’s exactly what I’d do.