I got a TT 2 years ago, got my RAI last year and have been on 112 mcg levothyroxine. I was diagnosed at 23 and have never dealt with doctors or much at all, but I feel as if my Endo is dismissive. I bring things up and she handwaves or laughs it off. I also noticed for blood tests, she checks for TSH, thyroglobulin & Tgab, but doesn't check T4? Is this normal? I have also communicated that it has been very hard for me to lose weight. Energy and mood wise, I feel okay on levo. I get tired but nothing extreme. But at the same time I don't really remember how it feels like to have a "normal" energy level. Is this means to ask to try something other than levo?
Does my train of thought make sense or is it due to my lack of experience? Idk if I'm being over dramatic or overthinking too much on these details but I feel as though my medication could be tweaked a little more?
I also did try to change doctors within my hospital and was denied...
Any thoughts or shared experiences with endos would be appreciated :)

A pretext
Said Tennant (J) was playing loud music past midnight, I video recorded them doing (within my rights) they're mad
The have as of 30 minutes ago vaguely threatened me with phrases such as:
Btw I have all this on voice recording
the last guy tried something like that and now his gone
The last real estate agent didn't like me now she's gone
Do you also record children? ( big one as we live within 300m of 2 schools and 3 daycares
I'm going to report this to the realestate agent. I don't think I need to or can call the police but should I?
One final thing a month ago he eas off his head singing on the road on the chair and the police pulled up and didn't detain him and talked to him
The tennat J themselves has admitted to this on recording and that its not the only time, dunno what I do with that information, they seem mentally unstable

Story goes I (25M) had been friends with this girl (22F) for just over 2 years, just around the time we'd met she'd started a relationship and I and her boyfriend became close friends also. We'd all bonded to the point that all 3 of us were hanging out on an almost weekly basis, together and separately.
I liked the girl of course but she was happy with my friend whom I respected deeply and the emotions her and I shared were clearly platonic so my feelings for her stayed that way. One day girl messages me asking to go out to a gig, I think boyfriend was out with Covid or they were taking a break from each other or something, I don't know. We spent the day together just enjoying each other's company, We ended up back at my place for smoking, drinking and music and I wouldn't even touch her at first because I worried what it could do to our relationships. The night is over and I offer her my couch to sleep on, she insists on sleeping in bed with me which I originally didn't perceive as a sexual advance cause my couch isn't very drunk crash-out friendly. We lie in bed and she starts spooning with me for about 30min, both of us actively resisting the increasing sexual tension between us. We both indirectly confirm that we're not having sex and she orders an uber home. Just before she leaves, she thanks me for the night and we end up making out for about a minute, she immediately apologies and we both admit it shouldn't have happened and we pretend like it never did. We keep our mistake a secret and our relationship stays relatively the same.
I obviously have feelings for her at this point, but I keep my emotions at bay because she was in a happy relationship with someone I respect. About 3 months later we all sort of fall out of contact for about 6 months for personal reasons and I find out from the boyfriend that he and girl had broken up while he was overseas on holiday, first thing he says is he misses hanging out with me and her. It broke me finding that out because I was sad that 2 of my closest friends had fallen apart and I had extreme guilt for my indirect contribution. Couple months later he makes the decision to stay overseas forever, he hasn't talked to me or any other local friends since, Girl has confirmed she hasn't told him we kissed.
I still hang out with the girl. Less frequently and with slightly less personal and emotional intimacy than before, she's very flirty and teases me when we hang out but not exclusively to me. She's just very outwardly affectionate, especially when out drinking, and it became more noticeable in my emotional state because she was single, and I could feel the immense sadness and heartbreak she was hiding. I slowly realized I was in love with her and that I really didn't want to be because I knew it was going to hurt us both. I couldn't tell her how I felt because she had basically shut herself off emotionally and spiritually and she was still in love with her ex and extremely sad about it. The only bonding we were doing was drinking and flirting with each other and I couldn't even play into that because it felt very emotionally flat and the last time we followed through I got my emotions reciprocated and rejected simultaneously. On top of all this she'd only just started dating some random guy she worked with as an obvious rebound and he immediately took a disliking to me because his "girlfriend" and I had an obvious emotional bond and because of how physically affectionate she is. She has shown absolutely zero fucks about his issues with me and hasn't let it get the slightest bit between us.
I began feeling hurt because I kept having to internalize my emotions and she kept pulling them back out of me. I thought it was either malicious intent or just blissful ignorance because I thought she at least sort of knew how I felt. I had invited her to an event I'd been hyping up since we'd met. I can't explain why but I had a lot emotionally tied that event and all I wanted to do after that show was tell her how much it meant that she was there and how much I loved her, but I couldn't so I panicked and told her we shouldn't be friends, which I'd thought about doing for months prior. I was expecting and almost hoping she would respond with indifference, anger and/or disgust to justify my actions but she responded with sadness, guilt and remorse, she tells me she cares about me a lot, that I "had a piece of her heart" and that she valued our friendship and me as a person more than I'd realized. All of this cut me up inside because I ended our friendship with the intent of avoiding sharing my true emotions and getting hurt, and instead we both end up telling each other feelings we didn't know about and getting hurt.
She told me that she genuinely cared and didn't want to disrespect my emotions or hurt me unintentionally and agreed we both be more honest about how we feel and make the time for each other to do so. A month later we went to a 2-night camp festival and confronted our feeling again with booze, drugs and partying influencing us. We both did a lot of genuine bonding and talking about our emotions but we also both said a lot that we shouldn't have and hurt each other the way I was trying to avoid by running... but by the morning we'd hugged it out, admitted it wasn't the time nor place and agreed that we should kinda forget about that talk in particular. Haven't seen her in person since, I've casually tried a couple times to set up things outside gig's (painting, movies, music, whatever) Which she has showed genuine interest in but has also been blowing off for the past month. I've been unhealthily obsessed with this relationship and my self hatred has been destroying me. It used to be so easy taking to her and hanging out and now every word and every action is drenched in painful overthought. Really all I want is for her to be happy, So do I break this friendship off like I originally intended and save myself and her from hurting each other any more in the long run? or do I continue dealing with this emotionally overbearing situation at the risk of hurting her and I more? Any tips?
TLDR - Kissed my friends girlfriend (emotionally not sexually) They break up for unrelated reasons and he moves country. She shuts herself off emotionally but is constantly being flirty and teasing. I feel hurt that she's shut herself off from me and feel like she's using me and fucking with my feelings, so I attempt to end our friendship. She unexpectedly responds in sadness and guilt, tells me "I have a piece of her heart" and opens herself up emotionally but continues to flirt and tease. I'm left extremely confused about our relationship and where to take it and am still considering just terminating it for the greater good.

The morning after our victory, I led a small team of Paladins, Clerics, and Artificers, with Rogues outside of sight alongside us.
Well, it was more accurate to say that we took one of the military vehicles and carefully drove it over to the next city. The Artificers didn't strip entire cars bare on the street, they had to get it into a garage somehow.
This excursion was primarily exploratory, to see what we were dealing with at the end of our effective territory.
The blockade was a nice touch. We slowed to a stop, we got out, and we approached. When they raised their guns, I held my hand up, and we stopped.
"This is a formal request for a ceasefire." I stated, projecting my voice with the amplifier. "We will continue to approach, opening fire will signal to us that you do not value your lives."
We continued approaching, the guns still trained on us.
The person who came out to speak with us was more forced out, he clearly didn't want to be the one to talk to us.
"Am I to assume you speak with authority?" I asked. He looked at the other soldiers, he didn't have a clue. "Then I'll make this concise and brief. You will dismantle this blockade, you will retreat, and you will not prevent us from making contact with the neighboring city. Any attempts to prevent us from passing will result in your immediate capture, any attempts to harm us will result in your immediate death."
The standoff was tense, after a few moments, I began to count down. "Five."
I could see sweat beading down their faces.
"Four."
Eyes wide, terrified.
"Three."
They broke first, backing away, guns still trained on us.
"If your intention is to retreat, such that you can face us with a larger force, allow me to make one thing clear." I blasted their blockade apart, some of them screamed. "Your bullets are useless against us."
They ran, we cleared the blockade away, and we repeated this two more times.
Seeing the city after so long felt... overwhelming. I had completely forgotten how big it was. It was almost enough to not notice the checkpoint, and the fifty of so Humans who stood on the other side, guns pointed at us.
"I will allow one of you to shoot me." I said, walking toward them. "A freebie, use your highest caliber, try and hurt me."
The bullet that struck me ricocheted into a tree, The silence that fell was just as deafening as the report from the gun, they stared at me in utter shock, and then they all ran
Several Human civilians looked at the fleeing soldiers, then looked at us as we stepped out from our territory and into theirs.
"Oh, shit. That video was real." I heard someone say. "Look at that sick fuckin' armor." Another spoke. "Are they going to attack us?"
"Halt." I commanded, my troop stopped, the tension in the air was palpable.
"My name is Ruuk Stingtail." I spoke. "For the time being, I come in peace, and invite anyone who is curious to ask questions.After all, it has been a solid year and a half since we had any contact with anyone other than enemies and ourselves."
There was still tension, of course, but eventually someone did approach, cautiously, of course. "Yo, uh, can I touch you? You know, to make sure you're actually real and not some sort of weird animatronic?"
I reached my hand out and he touched it. "Whoa." He pulled his hand back.
Several Humans had pulled out their phones, they were already recording us. I quickly appraised the people around us, looking for anything we could exploit for our own uses. I noticed someone with their arm in a sling, it wasn't in a cast, but it was wrapped up.
"You there." I said, pointing at him. He pointed at himself. "Yes, come here."
He approached cautiously. "What happened to your arm?" I asked.
"I, uh, I tore a muscle." He said. "Doctor said I can't do much with it until it heals."
"Ruka." I said, looking at the Paladin of Bahamut. He walked closer. "Show us your injury, if you would."He did, there was the ugliest bruise I'd ever seen.
"Do you consent to having your injury healed?" I asked.
"What?" He asked, blinking.
"I'm offering to have your injury healed." I reiterated.
"Yeah, sure?"
Ruka gently laid his hands on the Human's arm. "O, holy Bahamut, heal this grievous wound and grant wholeness and wellness to his man, zyak qe coi."
The Paladin's hands radiated holy light, the bruise rapidly faded, and the Human stared at it, utterly awestruck. "Holy shit." He gasped. "I mean-"
"It is not taken as blasphemy." Ruka stated, holding his hand up.
"We are here-" I spoke, looking at everyone, "-to prove our existence beyond a single video. Circumstances demand that what we do isn't simply charity, but the means by which we can survive. For this, I am sorry, I recognize that in this way, I am using you." I paused, dredging up and wiping away tears. "Our people depend on this."
If we were to have any form of peace, any form of justification for war, we needed to be sympathetic. By taking prisoners, we made ourselves targets to any would-be vigilantes looking to serve their country.
By being up front about our intentions, we showed a quiet desperation, efforts made to foster peace, even though I had bared the fangs of war.
More Humans gathered, those who were sick or in pain, we provided healing. I told our story, of how we one day woke up like this, the struggles of finding ourselves in a situation where nothing was made for us, how when we were quarantined, we were forced to fend for ourselves. How when the mine collapsed, we worked together to save the trapped miners. How when we were blockaded so they could force us to die en masse, how we were blessed with miracles.
How, when we fully understood what our intended fate was, the people heard the wisdom of my Emperor and elevated me to the position of Imperator, and how I used my authority to direct our people to our first victory.
"I shall admit, taking those soldiers' lives brought us satisfaction." I said. "They had oppressed us, tried to eradicate us, we gave them every opportunity to choose peace, to choose life. I just can't understand how they couldn't see us as people who desperately wished for love and compassion."
I laid it on thick, and the Humans ate it up.
Before long, we had expended our spells, and I said, "We will try to return, presuming the military doesn't try to carpet bomb us into oblivion, our prisoners of war be damned. I pray your leaders see reason."
We returned to our commandeered vehicle, closing the checkpoint so nobody could get in, and we returned to the city.
We did this each day we could, speaking words of hope for peace, determination to protect ourselves as needed. As always, we provided healing to those who needed it, some people even came, desperate for relief from something incurable, to which we did the best we could. Throughout this, I spoke of things to come, a thriving city, as much a part of the world as anywhere else, a place where we could share the wonders of magic.
I was asked, "Why do you close the gate when you leave?"
I simply answered, "If you entered, they would force you to remain, even though we know anyone who remains Human under the Divine Gate remains Human." It was an embellishment, but it was more poetic and exotic.
Throughout all of this, the military watched us like a hawk, waiting for us to slip up and cause some damage.
Days turned to weeks turned into a month, and we had solidified our existence to the world. We turned the checkpoint into our border, our Rangers found that we were completely sealed in on all sides by fencing.
I declared it the territory of the Empire.
"All of the land that the U.S. government sealed off belongs to the Empire." I spoke. "By locking it behind fence and gate, they have declared it our border, and we shall agree to that sentiment."
It was such a tiny parcel of land, compared to the rest of the continent, but it could comfortably fit ten offshoot villages, each which could connect us to other cities.
Construction of the new border wall began shortly after, the fencing uprooted piece by piece, replaced by solid stone proudly displaying the anachronism our lives had become, and even though there had been no agreement to peace, the U.S. government was powerless to stop us.
The moment I had claimed the land, the moment it was known to be claimed, my Emperor had claimed it in turn. By the end of the week, we had a new border wall built, one that was staffed with Rangers, Druids, Fighters, and Artificers. One that was connected by tramways, simplifying travel.
And throughout this all, Darastrixthurhi was transformed from a lifeless rock, to a city teeming with plantlife.
My Emperor held me in his arms as we laid on our bed. Sharing a bed together had always been a highlight of his being with me, his willingness to hold me, to touch me, made it all better, made it all right.
"Our enemy stalls for time, while we win the hearts of their people." He mused. "I can hear them praying to me, wishing for strength, for power, and I pull on them, make their hearts yearn. Tomorrow, invite them to visit, to witness the splendors of our nation, to feast with us in the name of peace."
"As you wish, my Emperor." I spoke.
"Ruuk, I permit you to call me your love."
"As you wish, slaitov." I replied. "Shall there be a day when we show our subjects?"
"I shall announce it during our feast." He replied.
My heart thundered, it was so sudden, yet... "Thank you, slaitov."
"Soon to be husband, Imperator mine." He replied.
When I announced the feast, the Humans who wished to join us were ecstatic. I even extended the invitation to the military personnel. "Come as civilians, if you would." I said.
The preparations that went into the feast went underway, we had a good hunt and our efforts to preserve our food was going excellently. When the Humans arrived, they marveled at the tramways, the architecture of our housing, our magical wonders. Some even saluted me, though they said they simply wanted to give me the respect I deserved.
I ensured they had the grand tour of the town, but when we neared the wall into the Fortress City, I spoke solemnly, "Any further, and you risk your Humanity." I looked at them all. "I would interpret any such entry as a desire to join our Empire, and will expect a pledge of loyalty."
The look of longing in their eyes showed me that my warning was largely going to be ignored. Hell, a handful of Humans walked right in, transforming almost immediately.
"It reacts to a want to become a Kobold." I said. "Anyone who doesn't want to might have a better time of it."
While our new citizens were given some proper clothing, I led the rest of the Humans around.
"Why didn't you stop them?" One of the Humans, a female soldier, spoke.
"Why should I?" I asked. "I very clearly stated what would happen, they made the choice."
I showed them around the Artificery, magic items and what technology we were able to make was proudly on display. I noticed one of them palm a device and walked over to them, holding my hand out. "Do not think we are not paying attention." I said. There was a tense moment before she put it in my hand. "Besides, this is just a little hand fan." I flicked a switch, two paper and wood blades extended and began to spin. "You taking this would have left one of our prisoners without any form of air conditioning."
I put it back, they tried to hide the anger at my casual mention of prisoners.
"Are they being treated well?" The soldier asked.
"Yes." I said. "Due to the lack of wireless signal, we allow them their phones so they have something to occupy their time when we're not putting them out in the yard for exercise or giving them their ration."
"You're forcing them to eat rations?" She asked.
"We all eat rations." I replied. "Feasts like this are for when we have a surplus that we can't guarantee to keep." I smirked. "That being said, as we are smaller, we need less to eat than the average Human."
I didn't pretend any of that was meant to be reassuring. "The prisoners will be joining us for the feast." I said. The incredulous looks I got elicited a chuckle from me. "If you think I'm being bold or flippant, we have them fitted with enchanted collars that will choke them if they attempt to flee. They are cursed, you see, and can only be removed with magic."
"That's fucked up." Another soldier stated.
"Inhumane, actually." I corrected. "But it's the only thing we have available that won't accidentally kill them. The worst that will happen is they'll pass out, a passive regeneration effect will keep them alive."
"Have you... tested these collars?" A third soldier asked.
"We have a small group of Sorcerers in the Warren who tried to summon a Demon for power." I said. "They have tested the collars every now and again, usually by fucking around and finding out." We approached the area where the feast was being held, food was already being set up, the prisoners were already seated, their eyes widened when they saw their fellow soldiers.
"You won't get away with this." The female soldier growled.
"Funny, that's what we said when we were locked in here." I replied. "They are fed, given water, are clothed, and are provided shelter. That's far more than we were ever given."
I directed them to their table, and soon, everyone was sat, except for my Council, and my Emperor. They arrived shortly after every one was seated, each took their seats. I sat beside my Emperor's seat.
I noted that same female soldier was attempting to film us surreptitiously.
"Today, we are gathered to welcome our Human guests, those who have seen us as people, rather than monsters." My Emperor spoke. "The establishment of my Empire was always a dream, to bring back a glory lost to time, to honor the thousands who died during the first Dragon Rage, to honor those who were murdered by my long-standing enemy." He looked around. "It had always been me desire to hunt down every last one of his children, to eradicate them, it was my Imperator who entreated me to choose compromise."
He paused, taking up a cup. "These Humans are here because my Imperator has likewise chosen compromise, to cast aside the hatred that has grown in his heart, for the sake of our peace and prosperity. Enough lives have been lost, let the first year of our Empire not be drenched in blood, that in peace and prosperity, our greatness is acknowledged, whether grudgingly, or emphatically. To my Imperator, without whom this victory would have never been manifest."
Every Kobold raised their cups, including our new citizens.
"And to our guests, who have agreed to come here in peace. May their wisdom be echoed by their leaders."
The cups were raised again.
"Now enough talk, let us feast!"
The Human frowned, putting their phone away. It was clear she didn't get what she wanted from that. After everyone polished off their plates, the people began dancing as our musicians displayed their newly awakened Bard Class- it seemed not simply playing or doing well at the arts was enough, one needed confidence and a desire to entertain.
Our guests were allowed to mingle and enjoy themselves, though the prisoners were kept under guard, any Soldiers who wished to speak to them would have to live with the fact that they would be listened in on, and considering the guards could use the spell Comprehend Languages, well, they wouldn't be able to hide beneath a foreign language.
"So, you're the leader of this little group." I regarded the Human who approached me, that same soldier who seemed bound and determined to catch us with our pants down.
"Yes." I said. "Your attempt at catching us with your recording won't work, you know." She betrayed surprise. "One, any idiot would know not to say anything incriminating at a party their enemies are invited to. Two, anyone stupid enough to do so wouldn't even make it as far as we did."
"Indeed." She said. "What was this about compromise?"
"Exactly as it sounds." I replied. "My God, Kurtulmak, has nurtured a well-earned hatred of Gnomes, considering their God committed near genocide against us. Imprisoned against his will, for the crime of wanting justice... When the victors write the history books, they will do everything in their power to make those who are suffering injustice out to be the bad guys."
"And what will your history books say?" She asked.
"That depends on your leaders' answer, Miss..?"
"Martel." She said. "Corporal Martel."
I had completely put it out of my mind, after all, we got our vengeance on the soldiers who tried to have us massacred by a God.
"So." I said. "The one who set Garl Glittergold against us shows her face." I remarked. Her eyes widened. "Why were you, of all people, not present that day, when we marched on your encampment?"
"I was called away on duty-" She started.
"Bullshit." I said. "You fled, didn't you? You ran from your fellow soldiers like the coward you are, you left them to die."
Arcane energy crackled across my body, and I had to hold back from blasting her apart. "Leave." I hissed. "This day of peace is not for cowards and traitors."
She backed away, clearly terrified. I couldn't hold back the anger any more, but I wasn't going to let her be a casualty yet. I aimed my spell at the metal pole, the Witch Bolt striking it. "I said LEAVE!" I roared. "IF YOU EVER DARE TO RETURN HERE, I WILL END YOUR MISERABLE, PATHETIC, COWARDLY LIFE!"
She fled, I did not care that several eyes were on me, if there was one thing I hated more than Humans, it was self-serving cowards like her.
I felt my God's touch on my shoulder, his presence soothed the rage, granted me the clarity of mind I needed to function. I cast my gaze toward the rest of the soldiers, who looked like they were mice caught in a trap. I approached them.
"You may leave, if you wish." I stated. "My anger at her is not anger at you."
"What the fuck did Tiana do, that pissed you off so much?" One of the soldiers asked.
"That woman was the one who called down a God to kill us." I stated. "The fact that she is present at all means she abandoned her post and left her fellow soldiers to die." My lip curled into a snarl. "The only thing I hate worse than anything, is a coward and a traitor, and that woman, Tiana Martel, is both."
I sensed a jolt of shock from my Emperor, I looked at him.
"Ruuk." He said. "Say that name again."
"Tiana Martel." I replied.
My Emperor about faced and roared, "Paladins of Bahamut, after that woman! Move!"
The Paladins gave chase, our Emperor did not order them around, out of respect for his pact with Bahamut.
"My Emperor, do you really want to risk any peace we could gain, chasing after one woman?" I asked.
"Ruuk." He said. "What are the chances that a single woman who can call down a God, who has knowledge of us that can be exploited, is suddenly not present when we finally make a counter attack? By our pact, your eyes are my eyes, and she has tried to cause problems the entire time she has been here."
He paused. "Tiana Mahtel, that's how she pronounced it, yes?"
I blinked.
"Wait, that woman is Tiamat?" I asked.
As if in answer, there was a roar, and in the distance, a dragon reared up, one bearing five heads of different colors.
​
[Navigation for 'Dragon Rising'- [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22]]

just lost a game in a way I still don't understand. AI declared war on me, their armies were instantly inside my territory so I took both my armies inside my city, thinking it would give me one or two turns to heal and recruit
except the AI totally ignored my walls and just attacked me as if I wan't in a city
Admittedly my city didn't have the strongest walls (just the most basic) but I thought no matter how weak my walls they would need at least 1 turn to take them down
Any idea of what happened?

Becoming an anarchist, I have grown a healthy distaste for capitalists and aristocrats. Actually, I hate them. So many of my peers have no other dream in life than to become a pathetic parasite that exploits others. Many, instead of focusing on passion in their labor, tell me they want to become a CEO and lord over others. Many too, instead of building community, are preoccupied with networking wealthy connections. Many dream of a wealthy partner sweeping them off their feet to live a life exploiting servants and living off the rent checks and dividend payments of their spouses. This mentality is so pervasive in our society, the media is constantly propagandizing the parasite mentality. It has grown irritating and I can't help but feel disrespect for those who no longer yearn for their passion, love, and community and only yearn to exploit. Something humorous, many people use "King", "Queen", or "Princess" as positives, as compliments. When I hear that it takes some genuine effort now not to blurt out "I fucking hate aristocrats" haha. Does anyone else feel this way? Do you get irritated?

Hi all, this is my first post so be kind!
I am a barmaid in a tiny village pub in the UK. I’m 22 next week. I started a new job on the 16th May so coming up to a month now. On a number of occasions in the first week I asked my manager if there was a contract for me to sign, and any paperwork to fill out. She told me her printer was broken and so, eager to be ahead of everything, I said I’d print it myself and bring it in if it was going to be an issue. Within the next couple of days, I brought the paperwork in, all filled out and ready to be added to payroll. Speaking to a couple of the girls I work with, they all told me that pay day is 7th of every month..strange day but okay, fine.
After being told that, I changed a lot of my direct debits and delayed some payments until this date so I can be on time and avoid fines etc.
However, 6th June comes around and we were informed on the work group chat that manager was ill and told a lot of the waitresses not to come into work as food wasn’t on for the next couple of days.
All day 7th we were waiting for pay to hit. It got to 12:10am last night (8th) and a couple girls started making comments in the group chat about needing to be paid. At 3am this morning, she posted this in the group chat… ‘Everyone except Alice and Hannah has been paid. Can’t do them from bed as they need to be set up as new. Will do as soon as I’m well’
I understand that the manager is ill but it’s not my problem. I gave her my documents and account details with more than enough time to be added, to be paid on the same day as everyone else.
She’s cancelled food for the whole weekend so intends on being off until start of next week.
Is there anything I can do, or politely say to her about this? I don’t have enough fuel to get to work today-Sunday without being paid.
What rights do I have in terms of not showing up? I didn’t sign any contracts, so where do I stand?

Stumbled on this article series talking through supporters of EPL clubs match day routine.
https://www.vice.com/en/article/88gz5b/what-to-do-liverpool-match-day-experience
Got me thinking about Swans match day rituals. Generally a bit hard in AFL as the fixtures jump about a lot more than the EPL.
Personally I always hop on the tram once I get out of Central and stop off at the Shakey for a couple of beers before heading to the SCG.
(These articles have me thinking we could do with a pie shop/stall near the SCG!)

I have some questions, maybe ?? idk theories ??
Did Tai hallucination the wolves? •Tei admits to sleepwalking in the next episode. •Tei jumps out of a tree from a seeming high height with no damage. •The girls are fighting off wolves with fire but when they run to Tai and Val they don’t have anything •The lighting change when Tao seeming snaps out of it is def a choice. •No dead wolf after the attack? •Val has axe marks on her face •Tei used the flair gun to shoot at the wolf, but then in the next episode she used it again to tell the group where she is. but it seems like most flares need to be reloaded and it didn’t show anything like that.
Super interesting and wondering about everyone’s opinions, thanks !!!!!

We are both on Xbox one, whenever I click join game or accept invite, on Xbox it just does nothing no getting session details, no errors, nothing I tried everything WHY THE FUCK DOES THIS HAPPEN

I just know that knowing he is out there hurting other women, because that's just the view he has on women, the only way I will stop feeling tremendous guilt, responsibility and this way in general, is if I hear he's dead. And before you judge me, he's spoken of wanting to lead a girl to off herself in the past. I just won't be at peace. Not because of jealousy or any of that. Just because I will always picture in my head... another girl going through what I did. Because there is a current one and there will be a next. There will always be a next. Always.

I'll preface this post by saying, I have no idea if this is common knowledge or not, but I had the realisation on my own, so if it is, let's make this a discussion instead of a revelation 😁
On to the business at hand.
I run a game in a homebrew system which is inspired by a bunch of different systems, although primarily DnD and Pathfinder. So until now whenever a character lands a hit, I described some superficial injury, or in the case of a crit, something which has a greater effect on combat going forward.
But last night it occurred to me that combat doesn't have to mean someone getting harmed 10 times until they collapse. Hit points can—for the majority of combat—refer to stress, fear and fatigue.
I'll put it in the context of a couple of scenes from Game of Thrones, just as a common reference point.
Back in season 1 when Bron fought ser Whatshisface for Tyrion, Bron caused very little harm until he dispatched his opponent. He injured the guy's leg at one point, which in this context I would consider a crit, but still, at every step Bron was in control. He was increasing his chance of winning with every decision. Effectively widdling down hit points by dodging.
At this point I want to make it clear, this isn't a point about mechanics. I stick with the "Roll to attack → beat armour class → roll damage → widdle down hit points" order of operations, but narrating the combat, I describe the frustration, staggering stance, and clumsy form as consequences of "hits".
Another scene that illustrates my point is the season 7(?) scene where Arya and Brienne have their sparring match. Brienne is beyond confident in her abilities, but literally at her first swing, Arya sidesteps and gives Brienne's training sword a few notches in that same time.
In this instance, Arya's "hit" is Brienne's confidence being shaken. Although, as it is a sparring match, it'd be non-lethal damage. I.e. Brienne now takes Arya seriously, but she doesn't fear for her life, or fight for survival.
In conclusion: As the GM, just because a character hits their enemy doesn't mean they inflict an injury. That can be saved for crits and (more likely) the very last hit.

Started a new job a few weeks ago and was looking forward to the promised holy land of being fully remote... Turns out I hate it and my productivity has fallen off a cliff. I live in a small 1 bed basement flat, so don't have a dedicated work space, and the lack of social interaction is suffocating. Any got any advice on how to make continuously staring at a screen for 8 hours less depressing? I've tried working out of a shared workspace, but the noise and lack of monitor etc is even less productive. Please help!

Hear me out.
These are the tasks so far :
Weekly task : recount the highs and lows of your life

1. Day 1 Morning task : who will you miss the most and why
   
2. Day 2 morning task : recount the funniest moments you had in BB (this one went calmly)
   
3. Day 3 morning task : what is your most blessed moment in life
   

Spot eviction prank (for comedy content)
What was their expectation? Wholesome content.

What actually happened :
Day 1 Morning task : instead of a "ill miss you" task, many contestants turned it into a "I'll never talk to you again after this" task
Weekly task : Marar suggests they push people that aren't prepared/aren't able to talk to go first --- this led to the midhun/junaiz/rinosh issues. Rinosh asks to leave for the first time.
Day 2 : Spot eviction prank : Ends up with the house turning on junaiz because he called them fake, and marar saying that since junaiz is introverted, he was happy to be isolated ans have a career online, while others were depressed and out of work.
In the middle of this vishnu attacks rinosh with the sruthi/rinosh issue. Fight erupts, Rinosh asks to leave for second time
Day 3 : morning task - "what is your most blessed/grateful moment" : rinosh/vishnu/midhun erupts based on previous day events
And these are just things that happened so far. Today's promo shows them doing some silly balancing dance task in the activity room, so there's ANOTHER task that's meant to be taken light heartedly
I'm convinced BB wanted to make this one of those "entertainment/wholesome" weeks and the housemates just didn't go along with it.

I used to work as a zookeeper at the Milwaukee Zoo. There wasn't much to it. Just your standard zoo with a gift shop and areas to visit certain animals. I certainly was a fan of the zoo as a child, having visited the zoo for birthdays or field trips. I always said I wanted to be a vet of some sort but guess zookeeper was the closest I could get. Started working at the place around age 20. Fresh out of high school and trying to save money for my autistic nephew, this job didn't offer much. Running the train when workers couldn't, making sure the animals were fed and taken care of, you get the gist. I know, I know. I said I was a zookeeper but work is right around these parts so I have to pitch in where I can.
When I first started at the Milwaukee Zoo, I felt like I was living my dreams of helping animals. But that soon turned out to not be the case. After being there for less than a year, strange occurrences started to happen. It would be minor things such as lights going out, animals being sick, etc. Nothing major. The big incident happened right when two rookies were hired to see where they would fit in at the zoo. They were skinny and teen like. One was more hairer than the other but other than that, they seemed normal. Or so I would think. The weather was a bit hot and I was sweating while cleaning the elephant enclosure. I know, not the greatest job but someone's gotta do it. The manger of the zoo came up to me as I was closing the metal door to the cage.
"You Emily Tanner?"
"Yes. What's up?"
"I've got these two rookie here and I was wondering if you have time to show them around the base, you know, kinda get them used to the place and see where they fit in."
"Um, sure." I stammered, reaching out to shake the two young mens' hands. The gesture was ignored. Thinking to myself, I wondered what was wrong with them. Did they not understand basic social cues? Were they autistic like my nephew? Thoughts started racing through my head until one of the young men spoke.
"You ever notice the smell of animal waste, how it brings you joy?"
I couldn't speak in that moment. Surely this guy was kidding around, right? Nope. His face was stone cold. He was serious.
"Maybe." I managed to get out. This guy was definitely going be the last one to work with, I thought to myself. Instead, I gave a plastered smile and continued on with the conversation.
"These two shouldn't give you a hard time." the manger said before walking away. I nodded in agreement but then he turned back around.
"Oh, and I posted some rules on your locker door. Be sure to read them carefully. You wouldn't want to know what could happen to you if you don't."
"Is this man for real??" I thought again, my breathing quickening. I was beyond confused. "What is happening??"
But I couldn't worry about that. I had these two rookies to look after. Once I ensured the door to the elephant enclosure was secure, I lead the two men to the gorilla exhibit. It was a bit of a walk since the zoo is literally a maze where if you wanted to get to one area of interest, you had to pass several others before reaching your destination. Sure, you might be wondering if I should have the zoo's layout memorized by now, but you have to think. I don't go to the zoo everyday. Even when I go home, the zoo isn't the first thing on my mind. As I was walking, showing the men the different animals and how they behaved and such, I caught a chill down my spine every time I took a glance behind me to ensure they were following me. I tried to ignore it but the feeling was so overwhelming, I had to say or do something to take my mind off the dreaded feeling.
"So, what brings you two to the zoo and why do you want to work here?" I asked them.
Nothing.
They didn't answer. They just stared. Their cold, black eyes stared right into my soul. I quickly turned away and continues down the hot sticky tar path towards the bird enclosure. Luckily for me, it was nearing my lunch break. I could probably feed some of the birds there and then leave these two to their own devices.
I hurried my pace so that time could move faster and I could get as far away from these guys as possible. Hastily, I opened the door to the enclosure and lead them inside. Naturally the birds flew and here and there, their squawks and screeches following them as they flew about.
"You wanna be careful with the birds. Sometimes they can be mean." I tried to crack a joke but these guys weren't having it. So I naturally shut my mouth and buried any jokes I had deep within. They just stared at me, their soulless eyes not leaving mine. Bleh! Where the manger pick these guys up from, the graveyard? Even mummies and buried corpses could crack a ghost smile every once in a while. Carrying on with showing them how to care for the birds, I checked my watch and quite literally ran out of the building like it was on fire. I had to know those rules and why on EARTH these deadpan guys were hired. Surely the manger wanted to hire them as a joke because no one could be that cold and unfeeling like these two creeps.
Racing to the lockecommon room, I checked my locker door and surely, there was a list of rules. Five of them to be exact.
Rule One. Do not allow new hires to see the animals. This is crucial. If you've broken this rule, it's already too late.
Rule Two. Make sure the new hires are not left alone with the animals.
Rule Three. Do not allow the new hires to come in contact with the people. This rule is to never be broken.
Rule Four. Ensure all enclosures are locked and secure.
Rule Five. If the new hires are ever left alone, run as far away from this place as you can. Don't look back.
Grabbing the note and slumping into a nearby nearly broken garden chair, I heaved a sigh. I guess I've broken most of these rules because I left these guys alone and I left them in the bird enclosure on top of that. These "rules" didn't make sense. Why didn't the manger warn me of these supposed rules before introducing me to these guys?? Sighing once more, I exited the room and went back into the blinding light outside. I hurried back to the bird enclosure to find the new hires gone. My heart sank. I had to find them and fast.
Since I didn't know where to look, I went to the manager's office and found him on the phone. He sounded annoyed.
"Yeah, yeah. I got them all set. The girl is to be in charge of them until I figure out something else."
His word hit me. Surely he wasn't talking about me, right? My thoughts swirled again and I nearly gagged. Holding myself together, I knocked on the open door. The manger looked up me, plastering the fakest smile ever.
"What brings you here?" he asked.
"Um, I saw the note on my locker door and I think... I think I might have broken a few rules already."
The manger quickly stood up and hurried to close the door shut. Looking out the blinds that faced the opening entrance to the zoo and gift shop, he turned to me, his face serious.
"Did you lose them?"
"Huh?"
"Did. You. Lose. Them?"
His jaw clenched and his face was covered in cold sweat.
"Yes." I finally admitted. The manger signed, hanging his head.
"We have a problem."
His words were cutthroat, no funny business hidden under his once funny demeanor.
"What...problem?" I questioned, concerned.
"Those new hires aren't... exactly what you would call human. They are entities of sorts."
Now my head was officially fried. Entities? I thought. What kind of twisty rollercoaster works was I living in?? The manger approached me.
"If we don't find them by midnight, we're toast." he said, his voice a whispery hiss. I stared at him, shocked.
"Well, what do you plan on doing? I-I didn't ask to be part of this!"
"Look, I didn't have a choice but to choose you. If I didn't..." he faded off. He then looked at me again, his features a mixture of hurt and panic.
"If I didn't choose you, I would be taken away." he sighed, the words a heavy burden to say.
My voice was no more. Still confused, I open my mouth to speak.
"What do we do now?"
"We wait."
End of Part One.

I have no issues with people riding their own e-mobility devices but sadly the small minority of rideshare e-scooter users ruin it for everyone else. I've been hit by a rideshare e-scooter randomly deviate onto my side of the bikeway because he was trying to work out how to use it while going 20km/h and not looking at the path, this is pretty common.
What can we actually do to get rid of them, do we need to create some kind of petition to BCC to ensure they are removed?
Positives:

• People can hop on and off to get around short distances

Negatives:

• E-scooters blocking paths/bikeways, sometimes causing dangerous situations where there isn't enough space for two people to pass safely
• Drunkards using a device that can go 25km/h
• Kids using them not knowing the road rules causing dangerous situations for all involved
• Tourists using a device at 25km/h they are unfamiliar with while also attempting to sightsee not looking where they are going - causing dangerous situations for all involved

​

I’ll start. Both holes are actually par 5s oddly enough.
So my bogie hole is a 530 yard double (lightning bolt style) dogleg hole. Left to right off the tee, right to left from the fairway. There is water up the right for your second shot, and it also cuts across the fairway in two spots and then it’s up the left of the green. Unsurprisingly it’s index 2. I must have played it a dozen times this year and the best I’ve scored was a bogie, and it was actually a bad bogie because I was GIR that day & 3 putted. But that’s the first time it wasn’t a triple or worse. No double digit scores on that hole so far though.
My love/hate hole is a 560 yard double dogleg, but it’s left to right off the tee and left to right again from the fairway. It’s not an overly challenging hole, a mid index hole, some water up the right, some OB further up on the right and water cutting back in near the green. You would need to be a very bigger hitter to go for the green in two because it would be a blind second shot over trees and the water. I’ve had a birdie and a handful of pars this year but I’ve had a couple of triples and two double digit scores on it. To me, this hole is the embodiment of golf, some days it’s a great day, some days it’s the worst but it’s the same hole/sport.
I’d love to hear about your bogie hole and love/hate hole.

Hey GOG, first timer here, never actually done this, so kindly excuse any mistakes from my side. So, to start off, I've been the biggest DBZ fan since childhood man, i remember just seeing episodes of the Cell Saga or the Majin Buu Saga, while eating Mac N' Cheese. Even the filler episodes made my day after a long day at school. I remember starting out the original Dragon Ball show when I was 6 years old, not knowing what I was getting myself into, but i watched it nonetheless alongside my brother. And boy oh boy, my expectations were blown out of the water. After DB, I started with the well known sequel show Dragon Ball Z, and that's how I fell in love with the show. Sure, it might have it's flaws(the endless power creeping or the screaming), but I love it nonetheless. I even watched all the spin-off movies released, good or bad, just due to my love for the show. Even Dragon Ball Super and the subsequent movies after that captured my attention, and I love the franchise to death. I haven't ever got the chance to play a DBZ game, be it Xenoverse 1 or 2, FighterZ, etc. I just saw that DBZ: Kakarot has a massive discount right now(75% off) though, although I unfortunately myself cannot purchase it(I won't be allowed to do so, as much as I would like to). Of course, I understand if my request isn't fulfilled, but I'll try with this post nevertheless, trying to maintain hope! This anime means alot to me, and getting to play a game based on the story would bring back many childhood memories!!
My profile- https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561199061775238/
The Store page- https://store.steampowered.com/app/851850/DRAGON_BALL_Z_KAKAROT/
Hopefully someone fulfills it!!

China — Taiwan war and its effects - by Gijo Vijayan
​
Sep 6, 2022
​
Singapore’s former Foreign Minister George Yeo told Bloomberg in a recent interview, “If there is conflict over Taiwan — let us say that China loses the first few battles, gets bloodied — it will evoke in the Chinese body politic a reaction as profound as that in the US of Pearl Harbor.”
He added: “There are people who think that Taiwan is a card to be played,” Yeo said. “They don’t realize how serious this game is. For China, it’s deeply emotional.”
Perhaps Yeo is speaking of certain US politicians? Just a wild guess.
So first of all, I reckon whatever happens to Taiwan is pretty emotional for Taiwanese too, but it is nice Yeo is reminding everyone of China’s feelings about the issue. 100 years of shame and all that.
As a former foreign minister, Yeo must realize that when totalitarian regimes expand, it is a very emotional process. Think about when Hitler annexed Austria and the Sudetenland. Those were part of the German fatherland, right? Today, Vladimir Putin tells us that Ukraine as a nation does not exist. It is simply part of Russia. Moscow is only facilitating an inevitable family reunion previously foiled by Russia’s enemies.
And Taiwan has always been a part of China, says the Chinese Communist Party. It repeats this baseless claim so often that some foreigners find themselves nodding silently in agreement.
Like it or not, the world needs to accept that Taiwan is on the frontline of a struggle against Chinese totalitarianism. The stakes are huge. Imagine a world like Xi Jinping’s techno-totalitarian zero-Covid nightmare.
I will be the first to agree that China is not the Soviet Union. It is more formidable in some ways, and more complicated to deal with because it is so integrated into the global economy. It is not easy to neatly divide the world into two camps: one pro-US, one pro-China.
For all the folks not so interested in political science and civilizational clashes, just think about the chips and the supply chains, that the Taiwan Strait lies along a very busy shipping route. If there is a cross-Strait conflict, it will be terrible for business. Like nothing multinationals in this most profitable age of globalization have ever seen.
Ultimately, this is not an internal affair of China’s, but an issue of global concern, and will be “deeply emotional” for a whole lot of stakeholders if the situation deteriorates sharply.

My comments:
First of all, if we use his logic, Hawaii & Texas, etc should be returned to their original countries...
It's interesting that many anti-China content will cite similarities between today's China and Hitler's evil reign in WW2. A reasonable person would have a more balanced view, and not a blatant "you are Hitler" rant.. Which countries had invaded another sovereign country WITHOUT United Nations approval. Which country claimed there was nuclear weapons / WMD in Iraq? Which country illegally jailed and tortured prisoners of war (and civilians) without a trial? I could go on and on..
But you get my point.
Therefore, instead of this blustering and rhetoric, why not put up a big comparison of which country invaded / attacked / killed other country's citizens.. Guess what? The main aggressor is not China.