Yesterday I came across a video in this sub that inspired me to give SMART another try. I've been trying to get sober for a few years now. I've been talking to my therapist about being afraid that I'm not trying hard enough in recovery and he's been helping me see that it's more about trying different things than trying as hard as I can to go through a brick wall.
I looked up an online meeting and was nervous about it because it's a new situation and online meetings generally aren't my favorite. It was great though, very well moderated and thoughtful. It reminded me of all the best parts of IOP programs that I've been in before.
I think what I like the most about SMART so far is the baked-in understanding. I'm coming from 12 step recovery which I do believe can work for people and I'm coming to understand isn't for me. There's an air to what I've seen of SMART so far that just feels kinder and more empathetic and interested in meeting people where they're at.
I've spent a lot of the last four years waiting to feel better. I'm hopeful that SMART has the tools for me to help myself grow and not be so uncomfortable while I'm growing.

Are you curious about the exciting world of face recognition technologies on Android? Let me tell you about my recent discovery - the FaceOnLive's Face and Liveness detection Android SDK. This advanced SDK seamlessly integrates into existing Android apps, bringing cutting-edge features to the palm of your hand.
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Key Features of FaceOnLive SDK:

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SIP Trunking:
In recent years, SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) trunking has been gaining significant momentum in the telecommunications industry. As businesses and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) companies seek more cost-effective and flexible solutions, SIP trunking has emerged as the preferred choice for modern communication needs.
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What is SIP Trunking?
SIP trunking is a method of delivering voice and multimedia communications over the internet using the SIP protocol. It enables businesses to replace traditional phone lines (PSTN) with virtual phone lines, connecting their PBX (Private Branch Exchange) directly to the internet. This allows for the transmission of voice calls, video calls, and other unified communications services through a single IP-based connection.
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The Rise of SIP Trunking
The growing popularity of SIP trunking can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, businesses are increasingly recognizing the cost savings associated with SIP trunking. By eliminating the need for physical phone lines and leveraging the internet for voice and multimedia communications, companies can significantly reduce their telecommunications expenses.
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Moreover, SIP trunking offers unparalleled flexibility and scalability. With traditional phone lines, businesses are often limited by the number of lines available and the geographical constraints of their location. SIP trunking, on the other hand, allows companies to easily add or remove virtual phone lines as needed, making it simple to scale their communications infrastructure to match their growth.
​
Benefits of SIP Trunking

1. Cost Savings: SIP trunking eliminates the need for expensive PSTN lines, resulting in lower monthly expenses and reduced long-distance calling costs.

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1. Flexibility and Scalability: Businesses can quickly add or remove virtual phone lines, enabling them to adapt to changing communication needs without the hassle of physical infrastructure changes.

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1. Unified Communications: SIP trunking supports the integration of voice, video, and data services, enabling seamless communication across multiple channels and devices.

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1. Enhanced Reliability: With SIP trunking, businesses can benefit from built-in redundancy and failover mechanisms, ensuring high availability and minimizing downtime.

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1. Global Reach: SIP trunking enables businesses to establish a local presence in multiple geographical locations, allowing them to expand their reach and better serve their customers.

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The Future of SIP Trunking
As businesses continue to embrace digital transformation and cloud-based solutions, the adoption of SIP trunking is expected to accelerate further. VoIP companies and service providers are investing heavily in SIP trunking infrastructure to meet the growing demand and offer competitive solutions to their customers.
​
Moreover, the integration of SIP trunking with other emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), is opening up new possibilities for enhanced communication experiences. AI-powered virtual assistants, intelligent call routing, and real-time analytics are just a few examples of how SIP trunking is evolving to meet the needs of modern businesses.
​
Conclusion
SIP trunking is revolutionizing the way businesses communicate, offering cost savings, flexibility, and advanced features that traditional phone lines simply cannot match. As more companies recognize the benefits of direct SIP trunking, the technology is poised for continued growth and widespread adoption. By embracing SIP trunking, businesses can future-proof their communications infrastructure and stay ahead in an increasingly digital world.

Hello there! I thought I'd try reaching out once.
About me: Lawyer, 25, 5'11, 200 lbs, broad shoulders, see picture for more: https://imgur.com/a/1ClP2hm
Non-denominational Christian. I'm open to someone anywhere in the US, though I would like to meet in person in a month or two, if things go well.
Some things I like: -History -Reading -Building and Painting plastic models -Learning to Bake -Games (Video and board, tell me your favorite board game) -Music -Working out -Swimming -Laughter
What I'm looking for: A woman between 20-26. Someone nice who seeks to grow every day. Someone who values kindness and family, and wants to start a family in the future. Someone who looks for the good in life. Someone who is a believing Christian (deal breaker for me, very important for any lasting relationship to be on the same page on things like that).
If I sound interesting at all and you'd like to chat, feel free to chat/message me. Have a wonderful Day!

Before I jump in and try it, has anyone tried something like this for a Mech:

• White prime
• Black Wash to get the recesses nice and dark
• Holy White AP SpeedPaint 2.0 (not blinding white)

I know you can go the other way, black prime, slapchop white, then paint up panels. That is very time consuming, but a really good look (I just did one)
Does anyone know of a video or example of someone using the first method I outlined?
Thanks!

I recent,y started playing again after a few years so I apologise if some of my terms aren’t necessarily correct, I’ll try explain as much as I can. So I think I’m correct in saying that each javelin has a different combo effect? And that the Interceptor’s is that it gains the status effect of what it combos and is able to spread it by walking past enemies?
The issue I have however, is that when I spread acid or fire through this method (those are the only 2 primers in my current build, from the Ralner’s Blaze and Serpents Veil) I can’t combi off of it. I can visibly see that the enemies are either on fire or have acid on them, yet when I go to detonate a combo (my melee, or with Raneri’s Charge), nothing happens. So I’m just curious if I’m not supposed to be able to combo off of that effect or if I’m doing something wrong. I can try and provide a video if that will help.
Any assistance will be greatly appreciated 🙏

It’s all I think about all day, everyday. I’m not sick nor am I old in fact I’m healthy and young. But yet all I think about all day is death and my inability to stop it. The fact that me my girlfriend my family and especially I will die. For the past year I’ve done nothing but distance my self from the lord as I study for school exams and it’s haunting me. I’ve always been like this and I go through periods but this is the worst. Usually I have anxiety and stuff but I’m totally fine now but I’ll be in the car driving and I’ll just think about how I’m actually going to be dead in a sense that half the time I don’t even comprehend I will be out of my body and cease to exist. And I’ll just start shaking or screaming or just like 2 seconds and then bang back to normal, same when I’m trying to sleep fine, fine watching a video or something and then boom oh wait you’re gonna die and you can’t stop it and every second you pass being an idiot on your phone or doing anything it’s gone and even if you spend it properly it’ll pass and then you’ll die and guess what I can’t sleep and I lose it inside once again but again only for like 3-5 mins then bang back to normal. I’m sorry I’m dragging this on it’s haunting me. I’ll be talking to someone and not be interested at all I’ll be overtaken by the part that we’re gonna die soon and why aren’t they worried don’t they care don’t then not want to die why aren’t they going to church why are they so calm whilst I can’t keep it together. I don’t know what to do I don’t even know what’s wrong with me I just feel like people aren’t as aware of what’s really happening and the time we don’t get back and the fact we live once and what the heck goes on when we die and how’s it’s going to be and how surreal life is. By the way I am not insane ahah I’m totally normal and fine I’m just in my head and I’ve been like this since I was young I’d just like some advice or idek it just feels nice to see if anyone else is like me. Anyways thank you for reading.
God bless you all,

Hello there! I thought I'd try reaching out once.
About me: Lawyer, 25, 5'11, 200 lbs, broad shoulders, see picture for more: https://imgur.com/a/1ClP2hm
Non-denominational Christian. I'm open to someone anywhere in the US, though I would like to meet in person in a month or two, if things go well.
Some things I like: -History -Reading -Building and Painting plastic models -Learning to Bake -Games (Video and board, tell me your favorite board game) -Music -Working out -Swimming -Laughter
What I'm looking for: A woman between 22-26. Someone nice who seeks to grow every day. Someone who values kindness and family, and wants to start a family in the future. Someone who looks for the good in life. Someone who shares my Christian values (kind of important for any lasting relationship to be on the same page on things like that).
If I sound interesting at all and you'd like to chat, feel free to chat/message me. Have a wonderful Day!

So I had a fomo of getting into this game for a while and since I saw that the numbers were consistant I got it.
I watched a youtube video where a person recommended to do online story missions first since they award a decent amount of gold and wait for the timer to run out which I am not gonna do since I want to play the game and not just afk.
The problem is it's not enjoyable for me to ride around on a horseback on insanely long journeys from A to B. As for exploration I am so spoiled by fallout and skyrim that I don't find it fun here (I did more in the rdr2 single player, it's my top 5 game).
So I just started doing the missions which were closer to my location but it's insanely repetetive and I cannot handle it anymore. The story mission thing gave me a purpose that I would unlock the roles and have fun with diverse content but it's daunting to ride around especially trying to control the stamina with the early game horse even with full cores at all times.
I have like 800 hours in gta online and I like the rockstar's mission design but there at least driving is fun, challenging to not crash and so on.
As for fast travel, it's still usually super far. I tried quiting the game and spawning closer to the place but that method is super ineficient since the game takes super long to load even with a superfast ssd.
Do you think this game is just not for me ? I really want to find a better way to play it if there is one, I even turned on my favorite youtube content in the bg but I just can't with this horse.

I wonder if I can somehow extract voice from music from my friend video and add my voice instead. I heard premiere pro can do it although I dont know what night be less expensive and easier method. Can someone explain this to amateur?

one of the scam going on rampant on property listing sites is
signup as broker or PG owner; post very properly done facility photos as well as videos with attractive rent or PG charges and amenities
contact them; they will send all sorts of Info on WhatsApp
and
when you show interest in properties or PG; they will ask you to First share your aadhar or pan photo and deposit INR 2000 or more to their account citing it for some VISITOR PASS and that money tobe adjusted to rent else Refunded
In desperation to find Accommodation many fail for it just to realize No such Flat or PG exists and you have been conned
Any other Fraud or Scam methods you know or have came across?

I don't know much about mall tours but I'm guessing they (Mercedes, Santana and Brittany) got a tour bus for it though we saw Britt and Mercedes hop in to a cab after their Shaking My Head mall performance.
Based off the troubletones dynamics we've seen prior, they probably had a blast on the road together and while I can imagine Santana and Mercedes occasionally butting heads over something minor, comes with having two big personalities in a limited space, they do seem to genuinely respect and like each other enough to not make it anything big. I can imagine they took the opportunity to do some personal shopping together while at each mall just for fun and hanging out.
Mercedes probably had to put some ground rules put in place for Brittany and Santana as travelling with any couple in an enclosed space seems like it can get potentially awkward otherwise. My own headcanon of course but I imagine that Mercedes and Sam video called a lot as well and you just know Santana would start with Trouty Mouth in the background at some point if she heard his voice.
I don't know if they had their own separate bus for the three of them, seems unlikely though as it would be very expensive, or if they also shared the space with the other dancers and any potential backup vocals, if so as someone who values my own personal space I can't imagine that being easy but then again celebrities go on tour buses a lot and seem to mostly manage so it might have been easier than I think.

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Kadillac Kirk had been a good friend of mine for several years. I had met him through friends from The Spring Stage; and he never had anything to do with The Imp, which is why he didn’t appear in the Married Mary saga. Mary would have totally thrown herself at him, and Kirk would have definitely “thrown it in her.” He loved the ladies and often remarked that there was no such thing as an unappealing woman, nor was there anything sweeter than finding the pearl of passion in an outwardly plain dame. Fortunately for Kirk, he never met Mary. This was probably fortunate for Mary as well, seeing as Kirk was a confirmed bachelor and his rakish nature might have broken her fat heart.
Kirk was an older guy. Not MOE old, though. He was in his early forties, but he easily passed for a carefree dude in his 30s... not that he lied about his age. I only mention this trait to juxtapose Kirk’s genuine youthful air with Moe’s unconvincing youthful farce. Kirk dressed normally, avoided stupid jargon, and never busted out gimmicks like tarot cards or spells. He just existed, behaved affably, and people liked him for it.
He drove a classic 1962 Cadillac El Dorado convertible with red leather interior, and he lived in a charmingly quaint (and ridiculously expensive) neighborhood. How he made his fortune remained a mystery, but he never bloviated about his wealth. He just threw spectacular parties and people showed up. And, to my knowledge, he never tried to lure women into bed with his money (although I’m sure he got his fair share of boom-boom thanks to his digs and his wheels, even if the gold-diggers denied their monetary agendas).
Kirk was legitimately handsome. He was a drummer, he had a full head of black hair, he was clean-shaven, he worked out, and he knew all the hidden gems in Wellsprings. So why hadn’t I tried... or even desired to date him? I don’t know. I just didn’t feel drawn to him like that. He felt like a cool uncle and he had, thus far, never done anything to change my perception. Plus, the age difference weirded me out a little. Kirk didn’t look forty; but knowing that he had so much more life experience than I did created a power imbalance that would have creeped me out if we’d been dating. As buddies, I just felt supremely cool riding in his Cadillac, smoking Fantasia cigarettes, and hitting the speakeasies and jazz clubs I would have never known about if it weren’t for Kirk’s connections.
And he had been a good person to talk to about my romantic woes. He never lecherously suggested that I should date him, and he gave the type of tempered advice that only comes with lived experience. But he often lightly mocked me for my crush on Dennis and he did a hilarious impression of Smegal popping too soon over his “precious.” So when Mary “got me back” by doing whatever she did with to Dennis, I called Kadillac Kirk and told him the drinks were on me if he’d be my designated driver for the night.
Why hadn’t I called Whisky??? Well, A) Kirk was way more fun to hang out with, at least from my past experiences up to that point. And B) I needed to bitch about a boy, something I couldn’t do in good conscience in front of a guy I was dating. So I put on the sexiest plunging halter dress I owned, applied heavy eye makeup and spikey accessories, braved a pair of stilettos, and sashayed out to Kirk’s convertible. I felt like a badass rock star. I probably looked like a try-hard hooker.
Kirk: Daaaaay-um! Somebody really did do a number on you, huh? I know you said you were upset, but the gents are gonna be writing thank you notes to that fat girl and that butt-fucking hobbit.
Me: I just need to feel pretty and numb. And I trust you to keep me from making a fool of myself.
Kirk squeezed my shoulder. “I’ve got you. You do whatever you need to do to get rid of these demons.”
He sparked up a J and offered me the first puff. I gladly accepted. He took one puff of his own, but said that the rest was mine since he didn’t want to drive stoned. See? He was responsible! Weed wasn’t legal in California yet, so I got a little bit baked before I stashed the sativa in the glove box and wrapped a scarf around my hair like a starlet from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Kirk sped out of the parking lot and said he was taking me to a downtown hotel that was hosting a party that night in their lush lobby.
Kadillac Kirk pulled up to the main entrance, paid the valet, and then opened my door. I was wobbly from the weed. And I had stupidly decided to wear heels. You can get high or you can wear high (heels). You can’t have both. Not if you’ve repeatedly injured both ankles (as I have). I had to take Kirk’s arm to keep from keeling over. “Can people tell I’m stoned?” I whispered. Kirk replied, “Nobody’s paying any attention to anyone else’s intoxication. I promise you that much.” I nodded, steadied myself, and strutted alongside my very cool friend, feeling a little more confident.
A live jazz orchestra was playing Cole Porter as we entered the lobby. Everything sparkled. The music was even more intoxicating than the spliff had been. “Just One of Those Things” brought tears to my eyes since the lyrics hit every raw nerve regarding the Dennis debacle. But I smiled. It might sound mental, but being distraught over a trash fire of a one-sided romance was exhilarating. Immature, for sure. But also exhilarating. You see, that kind of sadness doesn’t hurt. Not really. It stings. It leaves little bruises, but it’s very safe to wallow in because you haven’t actually lost anything. Melancholia over that which you never had is as sweet as it is bitter; and that type of twisted splendor is rivaled only by Stendhal.
“Here's hoping we meet now and then. It was great fun, but it was just one of those things.” I sang along with the band, and a fat tear rolled down past my melancholic smile and onto my chin. Kirk brushed it aside. “Too close to home?” I wiped away the remnants of the tear’s journey from eye to chin and smiled a more genuine smile. “The perfect distance from home. Shall we get drinks? Remember, I’m buying.”
Kirk: No, no. This is your time to heal. And I’m here as your pal, not your chauffeur. What would the lady like?”
I pretended to barf. Kirk knew I hated it when he got overly formal and overly attentive. So he did it just to mess with me. “Shot of vodka,” I replied.
Kirk: How many?
I thought briefly. “FIVE.”
Kirk: Five to one, baby. One in five...
Me: No one here gets out alive.
Kirk: Are you able to hold yourself upright, or should you come with?
I took a seat on an ornate, damask-upholstered chaise lounge. “I’ll be okay. And I was kidding about the five shots.”
I sat there lost in the music for a while. I thought very little about Dennis. Even less about Mary. And not at all about Whisky (whom I had shagged less than a week ago). My mind danced through the ornate lighting in the hotel lobby, and I suddenly felt the need to join the hoity-toity guests on the dancefloor!
Kirk returned with four shots of vodka. Two for him, two for me. That was quite reasonable of him. He knew damn well that I couldn’t handle five shots, but he also knew that I was in a... state. One that called for more than a single shot. I raised a both miniature glasses to “No more ninnyhammers or hairy-footed lovers.” Kirk did his hilarious Smegal impression, we double-toasted, and downed the shots. The band launched into “Let’s Misbehave,” and I kicked off my stilettos and made a beeline for the dance floor.
“There’s something wild about you child that’s so contagious. Let’s be outrageous! Let’s misbehave.” Kadillac Kirk swept me up, twirled me around, and dipped me as we both sang along with the lyrics. I wasn’t swooning for him, but I was enthralled by the moment. The music, the dancing, the combination of booze and bud... so I kissed him as he pulled me back to my feet. And he kissed back. In a way that Dennis never had. In a way that Whisky’s beard wouldn’t permit. I didn’t feel the visceral sensations that I’d felt when Dennis had kissed me, but it felt nice to feel desired. And then I noticed that other guests were watching us and applauding. Now, that was a dopamine rush if ever there was one!
I gently broke away from the embrace, high-fived Kirk and returned to the chaise lounge to put my stupid shoes back on. He followed me and smashed his face back onto mine. I pulled away and laughed. “It was a moment,” I told him. “I appreciate the dance, and that kiss was the perfect finale. But it’s not happening again.”
Kirk: Not to worry, Valerie. I know you. I knew all along that we were performing, and I was more than happy to be your scene partner.
Me: And dance partner! Those were some excellent moves! I didn’t know you had ballroom training.
Kirk: You name it, I’ve mastered it. Another drink for the lady?
I pretended to barf again. “Not yet. I’m not sad right now. Do you mind if I just sit here and enjoy the music?”
Kirk: Ah. My kisses do have healing properties...
I flipped my hand up at him. “Knock that shit off, bro. I wanted to hang out with you because I trust you not to get weird. Even if I get weird, I know you have the maturity to balance me out.”
Kirk: Are you calling me old???
Me: No. I’m calling you rational, responsible, and respectful.
Kirk: Well, now. If you can articulate an alliterative statement that fluently, then you clearly aren’t drunk enough!
I dismissed this comment as a joke. And he did indeed knock off the flirtation. We had a perfectly pleasant time chatting and dancing (no more kissing, though). And then I noticed a girl I knew from Into the Woods entering the lobby. She’d played Florinda and I’d played Little Red. I called her name and waved enthusiastically. She waved back. And then her date entered. It was D.E.N.N.I.S. I sank into the chaise. Kirk caught on immediately. “The hobbit???” he asked. I nodded silently. “You wanna make out again?” he enthused. I shook my head. I had to go say hello to Flo. And I had an idea...
I crossed the lobby, smiled, squealed, and hugged her.
Florinda: Lil’ Red! It’s been forever! So glad to see you!!! This is my friend, Denny.
From the corner of my eye. I could see Dennis shifting uncomfortably. I refused to look directly at him, neglected to acknowledge Flo's introduction and continued to converse only with her. "So glad to see you, too! What have you been up to since we left the woods?"
Dennis: C’mon, Val...
Florinda (appearing oblivious to the iciness between me and Dennis): Oh, I had some drama after the show closed. I'll have to tell you about it some other time... Have you seen Prince Big Bad (Scumbanger) lately?
I laughed. “Last time I saw him, he was hitting on some nasty fat chick at The Imp.”
Flo and I both scoffed at the pervy pest. Into the Woods was where I’d initially met Scumbanger. He played The Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince. Again... typecasting. There’s a whole essay in my brain about my first encounter with the pest, during which he quoted the song that he sang to me in the show, “Hello, Little Girl.” But it gets into some pretty uncomfortable territory because he made me feel... excited. Well, excited and scared. Nothing of note happened during Into the Woods, but our odd interactions did kind of set the stage for some extremely regrettable events during that Cats cast party.
I excused myself, saying that I needed to get back to my friend. And then I leaned in and said in a hushed voice to Flo, “Watch your ass with that one. If he’s the Denny I’m thinking of...” I gave her a look that only another female would be able to read. Her eyebrows shot up and she nodded. Dennis continued to shift as though he were trying to hold in a massive dump. “BABE! Uh...”
Flo apparently answered to that moniker as well. “What is it, Denny? Don’t worry. That was just telepathic girl talk. You apparently have a reputation...”
Dennis: Different Denny. I assure you I’m a pious gentleman.
Me: Ah. My mistake. Well, then. You guys have a good time! They’re playing Cole Porter, and the band is delovely. Great to see you, Flo!
I hugged Flo again, gave Dennis a curt nod, ignored the scent of mandarins and mountain air, and returned to Kirk.
I collapsed on the chaise lounge, exhausted from holding back the rage. I had no right to be mad at Florinda. I hadn’t seen her in three years, so how was she supposed to know that I’d had a thing with Dennis? Hell, I couldn’t even be mad at Dennis because the last time he and I had spoken in any meaningful way, I’d told him that I was no longer entertaining my crush on him. So why was I surprised to see him dating??? And why had he never taken ME out on a date like this??? And why wasn’t I smitten with Kadillac Kirk who HAD taken me out on a date like this, was an objectively excellent kisser, and a bona fide BALLER? What was wrong with me???
Kirk suggested going down the street to a quaint little bar and then sobering up at a diner closer to my apartment. I numbly nodded and followed him in silence for a few blocks. He assured me that I had “turned several heads” on the way to the new location, but I neither cared nor believed him. This wasn't the type of numbness I'd been aiming for. Now I needed to get schnockered. “Five shots of vodka, please.” Yes, I was serious.
Kadillac Kirk, my reliable designated driver, ordered only a beer and watched in something across between astonishment, concern, and delight as I slammed all five shots in rapid succession. I half expected to immediately retch all over the bar. But I felt fine. I half expected to immediately lose consciousness and wake up in the hospital. But I remained coherent. How I’d managed to take in that much hard liquor and suffer no direct consequences, I’ll never know.
I think I wanted to suffer. I wanted to either feel nothing at all or to feel a sickness bad enough to distract me from the scorching sting that pulsed through my being when I realized that I had lost the abstract notion I’d been addicted to this entire time. Hope. It wasn’t Dennis himself I couldn’t quit. It was that drug called hope. The hope that maybe, just maybe Dennis would give our romance a fair chance. The hope that maybe, just maybe he would make peace with himself, get his mind out of his crotch, and enjoy some agenda-free togetherness. The hope that maybe, just maybe he would stop bloviating about his admittedly impressive accomplishments for five fucking minutes and ask about my life. I had my own reasonably impressive accomplishments, even if they paled in comparison to his. A proper suitor would have enjoyed hearing about them.
But seeing him out with another woman, a woman who had no reason to parade her Dennis escapades before me as some means of revenge, a woman he was clearly courting of his own volition... My hope had died. It died before I’d had time to wean myself off it. Now I had to mourn the loss of hope, which is a very tricky brand of grief to navigate. Vodka wasn’t the answer, but it was what I had to work with. So it would have to do.
After enough time had passed without vomiting or collapsing, I asked Kirk to bring his car around to the bar so that I didn’t have to walk two and a half blocks drunk and in heels. He nodded and dramatically leaned in for a kiss. I recoiled. “DUDE! I told you. The moment has passed.”
Kirk: I beg your pardon. I misread your eyes. Thought I saw a green light...
Me: It’s fine. I just want to go home while I’m still feeling okay.
Kirk: Of course. Your chariot will be here soon.
He skipped off to fetch his Cadillac and I noticed that the lights in the bar were beginning to dance a bit. This should have been concerning. But then I realized that I was giggling. Wait... What? Oh shit. Sure, I was drunk from those shots. But what I was feeling in that moment wasn’t drunkery. It was stonery. Kirk probably misread my face because my pupils were dilated. Not from desire, but from drug use.
Some of you might be thinking that I was a bad friend for not introducing Lucy, an old dude connoisseur, to Kirk. Well... I did. Several years before the events of this story. He adored her. She, on the other hand, thought he was immature. And she wasn’t wrong. Lucy was astute when it came to sussing out a person’s true nature. Far more astute than I. Her initial assessment that Kirk was immature is about to be vindicated. Stretch those cringe muscles! It’s almost time for pie...
I somehow managed to get to his car. I honestly don’t recall how I got there. Did one of the bartenders carry me? Did some kind patron allow me to lean on him? Had Kadillac Kirk carried me out? I’m not sure. But my memory ceases to be fuzzy about halfway to the 24-hour diner. It might have been the very same 24-hour diner where Mary pulled her... shenanigans. I’ll never know.
Kirk: Would you say that you’re more drunk or more stoned?
Me: STONED. Definitely stoned.
Kirk made some sort of grunty noise and reached for my thigh. I slapped his hand.
Kirk: Stoned but not amorous? That’s rare.
I started laughing rather unkindly. “You’re a fucking horndog! I thought you were my safe straight male friend, dammit.”
Kirk: I solemnly swear that your safety is my primary concern, my stoned beauty.
I pretended to throw up.
Kirk: So... You’re not horny. But are you hungry? The diner I’m heading to makes this Maple Walnut Pie with the most sumptuous... sensual cream and exquisite drizzling of...
Me: Ew! Stop trying to bang the pie. Bro. Are YOU stoned? (Then I remembered the question.) Yes, I’m hungry. But I don’t like nuts. I’ll have banana cream.
Kirk made that repulsive grunty noise again. “Uhhhhh... Mmmmmm. Cream. Yessssss. Yes, we’ll be there in just a minute.” He was squirming in the driver's seat.
Me: GROSS, DUDE! If you’re gonna be like that I’ll just order HASH brows. Get it? Hash??? (I giggled.) You can’t make that sound nasty.
Kirk: Forgive my jokes. I think my blood sugar’s a bit low.
As Kirk parked, I began to wonder how I might get away with walking shoeless into the diner. The stilettos had to get off my feet. At least while I was walking. And Kirk was kind enough to give me his socks and wear his loafers “island style” into the establishment. Okay, that was gallant of him. Maybe he was going to behave himself for the rest of the evening.
I wasn’t terribly talkative as we sat down, and he expressed a bit of concern for my emotional well-being. I wasn’t coherent enough to explain what was happening to my emotions and I wasn’t sure I trusted him with my deep, dark secrets at that point. So I shrugged like a sulky teenager, ran my hands over my messy, windblown hair, and mumbled that I was “just hungry.” And right on cue, a very kind, slightly older waitress with a sweet southern accent stopped by to take our order.
Kirk: Ah, yes. We’ll have two cups of black coffee. And we’ll share a slice of that delectable Maple Walnut Pie.
Waitress: Oh, honey. That pie is scrumptious! I take it you’ve been here before?
Kirk: I have. This will be her first time to taste the splendor.
I hated to be a killjoy, but I interrupted and said to the waitress, “Ma’am? I’m sure the Maple Walnut is excellent, but could I please get a slice of Banana Cream? And a big glass of ice water?
Waitress: Sure, hon! Banana Cream’s just as yummy! I’ll be right back with those coffees and that big water.
Kirk was sucking on the tip of his forefinger and shaking his head a bit. “You’re passing up so many sensational... sensual...”
I put my forehead on the table and growled. “You swore you’d stop being nasty!” I held this #headdesk pose for quite some time before I finally lifted my head... only to see that Kirk was still sucking his fingertip and staring at me like a wild animal. “Pleeeeeease be normal,” I whined. “It’s been a really weird night for me.”
Kirk: Indeed. Many surprises. You know... You’re like titanium. Your flame burns so fast and so bright, if a guy doesn’t get in there while the iron is hot, he’ll never get another chance. I was too slow.
What the...? I was pretty sure he was wrong about titanium burning quickly. I’m no chemistry wiz, but my dad and my oldest brother are both big-brains when it comes to physics and chemistry. So I picked up some things just listening to them talk. Accurate or inaccurate, Kirk was being creepy again. He’d never been creepy towards me before, although I’d seen him act like this with other women. Usually with staggering success. Why????? His money. It had to be his money. Kirk was a nice-looking man, but holy shit... No amount of good looks could save this creep show
And then, our sweet waitress sat down our coffees, my water, and the two slices of pie. After I gulped down a whole bunch of water, I grabbed a fork, prepared to quell my munchies... and then I froze. Kirk was quickly flicking his finger back and forth across the top of his pie. And moaning. He noticed my wide-eyed stare, smirked, sucked the tip of his thumb, picked up the plate with both hands, and began flicking his tongue across the tip of the triangular pie slice. And moaning some more. Well, there went my appetite.
Kirk took his middle finger and jabbed it into the crustless vertex of the pie slice, then he began pumping it in and out like a piston, and flicking his thumb across the increasingly demolished top layer of whipped cream. He gasped this time. People were starting to stare. His pointer finger joined his middle finger in the piston action, and he replaced his thumb with his tongue. Between flicks of the tongue, he groaned, “Oh yeah, baby... Let me taste you,” but it was kind of hard to understand him.
And I was either about to run to the back office, tell them that I was in danger and needed a police escort home... OR I was about to burst out laughing at the spectacle. Kirk continued... He removed his fingers and gregariously licked pie filling off of them. "Ohhhhh," he groaned, "I got you soooo sticky. So sweet. So moist." And then he started sucking his fingertips again, switching from middle to pointer, middle to pointer and emitting a delighted little, “Mmmmmm” with every suck.
Finally, he jabbed his fingers back into the utterly destroyed pie, lowered his face into the mess and lapped loudly and passionately, moaning, grunting, and mumbling “Come on, baby. Come on. Mmmmmm. Come on.” I could see the waitress and some dude in a suit heading over to the table, so I sank down in my seat, partially covered my face, but continued to watch the train wreck. At last, Kirk shuddered violently as he splatted his entire hand onto the plate and rubbed furiously. And then he locked eyes with me. He sucked the tip of his thumb one final time and said, “You...” There was a long pause during which Kirk lovingly stroked the mess he’d made. “You... are the pie.”
I don’t hang out with Kadillac Kirk anymore. But he’s still a bachelor, ladies!

Yesterday, I started my car and heard a loud, strange noise coming from the front (I think). I drove around the neighborhood to see if the noise would go away as the engine warmed up, and indeed, during the drive, the noise was hard to detect. I’m a young guy, and this is my first car, so it’s difficult for me to identify the issue.
I watched a couple of videos, and the noise resembles that of a serpentine belt, but it’s not a squeaking noise. Instead, it’s a repetitive metallic knocking sound at consistent intervals. It also sounds similar to an exhaust manifold gasket issue. The best way I can describe the sound is like putting a stone in a metal can and shaking it roughly, but louder.
The strange thing is that I only hear it sometimes, and it doesn’t seem related to the engine’s temperature because when I cold started the engine this morning, the noise wasn’t there. Do you think this warrants a visit to a mechanic? Is it safe to drive since the noise is no longer present?
The car is a 4 year old Volvo xc40 d4 AWD

DMO Lite New Gen Version
Works on PS5/XboxSeries Expanded Enhanced version
Videos : https://youtu.be/FqE2JUeo3AE?si=ElyDdJxQWic7_9MZ
https://youtu.be/6WAgAR7v24s?si=a2nO-hmoYSTRDrHX
PS4 DMO Lite Old Gen Version : https://www.reddit.com/gtaglitches/s/u2EynTK451
Requirements :
-Director Mode Save Migrated and downloaded onto the New Gen Console
-Friend in Public session and also inside Titan of Job mission and playing chilling in the mission or Solo If you are lucky and have second console like me 👍
Steps :
-Make sure to have a save downloaded on the console ( Once you got the save with the cars you made from save editor and all that save wizard ) . go ahead and make an auto save with that director mode save
💎 ( So every time you load into story mode , it loads into that save ) 💎
🔥 Side Notes : The downside of this Glitch is that, it will only allow you to upload one game save , so be confident of the cars you wanna make 🔥
-Now once you are ready ,make sure the autosave is ready then quit to the main menu ( Now load into a story mode save ) , it should load you into the auto save
🔥Another Side Notes 🔥 :
💎 For XboxSeries 💎, when you load to story mode , it should load you to the auto save automatically ( Once you’re loading in on Xbox , You wanna keep pressing and spamming down on the D-pad and down on the right stick at the same time ) to get the quit to GTA 5 alert
💎 For PS5 Version 💎: You gonna do the same thing but you will have a percentage at the bottom ( The moment you get to about 60% - 80% ) , You want to hit down on the D-pad and down on the right stick at the same time ) to get the quit to GTA 5 alert
-Now when you get the alert , you need to quickly decline it ( Once you decline the alert , You will see your story mode character standing and frozen Glitched underneath the map )
-Go ahead and pause then hit Director mode ( when you load into director mode , You will not see any characters in the casting Trailer ) , Now all you wanna do is just head to director mode with your online character
-Once you spawn in ( Set your waypoint to the Spanish ave location on the map ) , If you don’t know where it’s located , You can watch the video to know ( also have your friend in a titan of job mission head over there as well )
-Once you arrive to the Spanish Ave location , all you wanna do is spawn a car you want to give to your friend ( Now Be hovering over the car you wanna give it to your friend ) then Go ahead and join the friend who is in a titan of a job mission , also make sure that you don’t close out the Director Mode menu
-Now Accept the alert and spam on the car ( After you accept the friend alert to join the mission , Keep spamming on the car ) , Now once you are in the sky , Just close the game and restart it
( The giver will not be able to see the car, Only the receiver, also the receiver will be able to carry the car into different sessions , so it will not disappear )
( So to Receive the car , The Receiver need to do the Facility Flip Method ) , Your friend can find a new session then do the Facility Flip Method
( If you are lucky like me and have second console , No need for A friend to Help 👍 )
Enjoy 😉
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https://discord.gg/glitches

Before you downvote and move on, Tl;dr is sailing good, core gameplay loop should be dull and easy, mini game should be fun but I wanna turn off my brain and click for hours if I need to.
The reason that I voted no was that I though that sailing fit more as a mini game than a skill.
I’m not going to tell you that I want OG 2007scape no changes reeeee. But a super fun skill just doesn’t fit what we have already.
The skills started off incredibly basic and progressed into something fun over time. What kept us going in these super basic skills is the interactions with other players, asking their woodcutting level, flexing your 70 woodcutting, and then over time more unique and fun ways to do the skill we’re added.
We started off with:
Woodcutting: chop log
Mining: mine rock
Firemaking: make fire
How I would design the skill, therefore, would be incredibly basic.
Firstly, we need very repeatable activities which require 0 brain and can be done over and over with no heavy requirements.
I would suggest something like: board an NPC’s ship similar to trawler, you help out as a crew member where you bail, fix things, cook supplies, help with ropes, help with navigation.
All of these things could be maxed by going between them or AFKed by just doing one or two which are close by.
Xp and efficiency could then be closely tied in to cooking, crafting and construction levels which would allow you to perform tasks better and more consistently.
Next, some sort of salvaging where you actually help other sailers salvage their goods. This wouldn’t actually impact other players but you would be helping out the NPCs who are the ones at the salvaging lot.
This could be a very simple task that could involve tick manipulation for faster rates and include a more afk method.
Now that we have the basics down it’s time for the actual fun part.
What you would gain from all of this is access to new sailing routes which make charters free. You can now get anywhere around the game, to different areas on the coast with higher levels, for free. Going on these routes would also give sailing xp and can either be done manually or automatically.
Doing it automatically would grant much less xp but be a fast way of transport around the world.
Doing it manually would involve all of the things that you have been learning as a crew member but now with your own ship.
Increasing your sailing level, con level, crafting level and such will increase the ships that you can build which will be faster, bigger and stronger.
Increasing your ship will allow you to get to new places and use new, faster routes because the waters are more violent. Using smaller ships will also allow you to get to new fishing locations with buffs to fish received as well as a new type of fish.
These can be cooked inside your boat and can be dropped for efficiency or sent to your boat storage which can only be unlocked at a harbour so that you can bank them later.
Now that the core gameplay loop is sorted, I would then implement a ‘sailing update! New mini game!’ Where you can now sail the oceans hunting for treasure and bring it to the salvaging yard, like has been shown in recent videos.
This isn’t perfect but I could see this being a skill. I think there is too much focus on the sailing part of sailing being the main gameplay loop which I feel does not fit the current skills that we have.
I want the sailing part to be fun, where you can just explore open oceans and find islands and treasure without worrying about levelling the skill, but also for the core gameplay loop to be very dull and repetitive, just like everything else is. Then, doing the unique ways is fun, but when you need to turn your brain off you can still do 3 hours of mindless salvaging.
But that’s just my 2 cents. What do you think?