Hello fellow ling-ling wannabes! I am in a dilemma. I love having long nails and doing them myself, putting fake nails on and such, but obviously that is not compatible with playing the piano, and several other instruments. Just wondering if there are any others out there like me! When do you get the opportunity to do your nails? I usually do them during summewintespring break, when I take a break from classes/

Has anyone bought the hybrid shorts? With summer coming up I’m thinking about getting some for the pool/beach but have not been able to find any pictures on the inside of them to see if they are more short or swim trunk. At $65 I’m just wondering if I will love them as much as I do the shirts.

I’m looking to move to Madison later this summer but I haven’t been able to find a good apartment. I just graduated and I’m starting work in a few months. Everything I’ve been looking at seems to be short term leases and primarily for students. Apartments with the full year lease seem to be out of my price range. Any advice on sites to find apartments or to connect with other young professionals moving to Madison? The blind search for apartments has not been going well and I need help

Judgment Day 2006 (SmackDown)
Date: 21/5/06
Location: US Airways, Phoenix, Arizona
WWE Tag Team Championship:
MNM (c) w/Melina vs Paul London & Brian Kendrick
Cruiserweight Championship:
Gregory Helms (c) vs Super Crazy
United States Championship:
Chris Benoit (c) vs Finlay
The Undertaker vs Mark Henry w/Daivari
(After WrestleMania, Mark Henry and Daivari form an alliance which the World’s Strongest Man wants to make a further statement after taking Batista out of action. Henry targets The Undertaker, brutally attacks him on SmackDown and claims he’s the most dominant individual in the company. Henry challenges Taker to a match at Judgement Day which The Deadman accepts, saying it will be Judgment Day for Mark Henry for the sin he’s committed by attacking him. Mark Henry shockingly wins clean and The Great Khali is nowhere to be seen.)
Bobby Lashley vs Booker T w/Sharmell
(Booker T wins thanks to a distraction from Sharmell.)
Title vs Career Match for the World Heavyweight Championship:
Rey Mysterio (c) vs JBL
(Rey won’t be a jobber bitch to anyone in the build up to this match. Instead, JBL wins a #1 Contender’s Match against Chris Benoit to earn this opportunity for the World Heavyweight Championship. Bradshaw says Rey Mysterio’s win at No Way Out over him was a fluke and he’s that confident of beating Rey Mysterio this time that he’ll even put his career on the line. Rey says that not only will he beat Bradshaw again to keep his title but he’ll finally free the WWE and the fans from the poisonous bully that is JBL. Rey Mysterio retains the championship and beats JBL again to end his career… for now. The show draws to a close with the crowd taunting JBL.)
ECW One Night Stand 2006
Date: 11/6/06
Location: Hammerstein Ballroom, Manhattan, New York, New York
Kurt Angle vs Randy Orton
(Kurt Angle is drafted to ECW which pisses Vince McMahon off to the point he instructs Randy Orton who’s just been drafted to RW to take care of the traitor. Angle wins clean and this is Orton’s punishment for violating the Wellness Policy.)
Tazz vs Jerry Lawler
(Tazz squashes Lawler in 30 seconds.)
Extreme Rules Match for the World Heavyweight Championship:
Rey Mysterio (c) vs Tommy Dreamer
(With ECW back, Paul Heyman challenges Rey Mysterio who was once part of ECW to defend his championship at One Night Stand against one of his guys. Rey accepts and welcomes the challenge from anyone Heyman chooses. Paul Heyman picks the heart and soul of ECW, Tommy Dreamer! Dreamer says while he respects Rey, beating him for the World Championship on ECW’s return is an opportunity he just can’t pass up. Rey tells Dreamer he understands his thinking but he’s not allowing his boyhood dream to end right now. In a very good and brutal encounter, Rey Mysterio wins to retain the World Heavyweight Championship. Both men shake hands after the match with Dreamer raising Rey’s arm.)
Hardcore Match:
Mick Foley vs Edge w/Lita
(The match we got in real life at WrestleMania 22 in real life happens here instead. After costing Edge the WWE Championship at Backlash, Mick Foley says that was just him getting even but he’s not done with Edge. Foley challenges the Rated R Superstar to a Hardcore match at this event which Edge accepts, promising to destroy the Hardcore Legend once and for all. We get that same flaming table spot in a brutal affair. Edge wins clean.)
Hardcore Match:
Sabu vs Terry Funk
(Just to emphasise ECW’s return further, let’s put the two craziest bastards going in a match against one another. Sabu wins in another brutal and bloody affair.)
Extreme Rules Match for the WWE Championship:
John Cena (c) vs Rob Van Dam
(Rob Van Dam tells John Cena in advance when he’s cashing in just like he did in real life. Van Dam tells Cena that he’s cashing in at ECW One Night Stand in a building that he calls home, The Hammerstein Ballroom. In a very back and forth main event with Cena being booed out of the building, Rob Van Dam beats John Cena clean to win the WWE Championship! Edge doesn’t appear in the slightest.)
Vengeance 2006 (Raw)
Date: 25/6/06
Location: Charlotte Bobcats Arena, Charlotte, North Carolina
Intercontinental Championship:
Shelton Benjamin (c) vs Val Venis
Ric Flair vs Umaga w/Armando Estrada
(Umaga wins clean to remain undefeated although Flair puts up a fight in his hometown.)
WWE World Tag Team Championship:
Carlito & Chris Masters (c) vs Sabu & The Sandman
Kane vs The Big Show
Kurt Angle vs Randy Orton
(Orton cheats to win after hitting a low blow when the referee isn’t looking. Angle leaves the company shortly after.)
D-Generation X vs The Spirit Squad
(Vince McMahon is furious that Triple H has aligned with Shawn Michaels again and says he should never have trusted him. Vince says there will be consequences and at Vengeance, DX will face off against all 5 members of The Spirit Squad. In the build up, DX rip the utter pss out the McMahons by dressing up as them, covering them and The Spirit Squad in sht, saying Vince McMahon loves c*cks etc. Despite the odds being against them, DX win this match in their first official match as a team again.)
WWE Championship:
Rob Van Dam (c) vs John Cena (No Contest)
(After ECW One Night Stand, John Cena says on the night Rob Van Dam was the better man and deserves to be the WWE Champion. Cena then tells Van Dam that he’s invoking his rematch clause at Vengeance. Mr. Monday Night welcomes the challenge, saying it’ll be another day at the office for him and he’ll prove his win at One Night Stand wasn’t a fluke. This match ends in a No Contest after a mysterious man attacks both men. The man is… Edge! Edge then Spears both Cena & Van Dam before holding up the WWE Championship as Vengeance draws to a close.)
Note:
(Mark Henry gets injured in his Judgment Day rematch against The Undertaker on SmackDown although the storyline is going to be that Batista injured Henry when attacking him upon return as part of his revenge after Henry injured him.)
The Great American Bash 2006 (SmackDown)
Date: 23/7/06
Location: Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
WWE Tag Team Championship:
Paul London & Brian Kendrick (c) vs The Pitbulls
Cruiserweight Championship:
Gregory Helms (c) vs Chavo Guerrero
The Undertaker vs Daivari
(Teddy Long forces Daivari to compete at The Great American Bash against The Undertaker as The Phenom publicly made it known he wants to get his hands on him for being the brains behind Mark Henry going after him in the first place. The Deadman utterly destroys Daivari here.)
United States Championship:
Chris Benoit (c) vs Finlay
Matt Hardy vs William Regal
Batista vs Mr.Kennedy
World Heavyweight Championship:
Rey Mysterio (c) vs Booker T w/Sharmell
(Booker T wins a Triple Threat Match against Bobby Lashley and Chris Benoit to earn this opportunity. Booker T says that it’s been 3 years since he was the World Heavyweight Champion and promises that the rut without the gold is coming to an end. Booker also says that someone has to end that little troll Rey Mysterio’s fairytale run and warns Rey it’s going to be him. Rey simply wants to continue his run and prove that he’s not a fluke of a champion every single time he gets the chance. Rey Mysterio retains the title via a roll up which Booker T can’t believe and shouts to Rey that he isn’t finished with him.)
SummerSlam 2006
Date: 20/8/06
Location: TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Extreme Rules Match for the Inaugural ECW Championship:
Sabu vs The Sandman vs Tommy Dreamer
(Paul Heyman announces the return of the ECW Championship and says the new ECW Champion will be crowned at SummerSlam involving 3 individuals who are the heart and soul of the brand. Sandman wins the championship in a crazy, bloody and fun opener.)
Women’s Championship:
Mickie James (c) vs Lita
United States Championship:
Finlay (c) vs Chris Benoit
Ric Flair vs Randy Orton
(Randy Orton targets his former Evolution teammate as his next Legend to decimate. Orton says that Ric Flair is nowadays nothing but a dumb, deluded old man with his best days behind him and he’s willing to put him down for good. Flair says Orton just like in Evolution is still a cocky, arrogant little brat who needs to be taught a lesson. Randy Orton wins clean with an RKO.)
Intercontinental Championship:
Shelton Benjamin (c) vs Kane
D-Generation X vs Vince McMahon, Shane McMahon & The Big Show
(Vince McMahon recruits The Big Show to help him take down DX. Vince says that DX is a disease to him and his company and that Big Show is the key to helping him destroy them. Big Show says that DX can try and make jokes all they want but he, Vince and Shane will be the last ones laughing. DX tell Vince he can hide behind that 500 knucklehead Big Show all they want, when the jokes are put to the side they’ll be kicking their ass and ending this at SummerSlam. DX win after Triple H pins Vince to end the feud between DX & The McMahons.)
Batista vs Bobby Lashley
(Bobby Lashley challenges Batista in order to prove he deserves to be here. Bobby feels challenging the best SmackDown has to offer is his best way to get noticed. Batista accepts Bobby’s challenge but tells him he’ll be introduced to the big leagues the hard way. Batista wins clean although Lashley takes him to the limit which Batista respects to the point he shakes Bobby Lashley’s hand after the match.)
World Heavyweight Championship:
Rey Mysterio (c) vs Booker T w/Sharmell
(Booker T challenges Rey Mysterio to face him again at the biggest party of the summer. Rey accepts and claims just like he did to JBL, he’ll beat Booker T again to prove that his win at The Great American Bash wasn’t a fluke. During the match, the referee is unconscious and Chavo Guerrero comes down to the ring in aid of his friend Mysterio. Chavo gets a steel chair and hits… Rey! With one of the hardest chair shots you’ll see and Booker T is utterly stunned. The referee regains consciousness and Booker T covers Rey Mysterio to win the World Heavyweight Championship!)
WWE Championship:
Rob Van Dam (c) vs Edge w/Lita vs John Cena
(Edge says he did what he did at Vengeance because not only does he hate John Cena and doesn’t want him touching the WWE Championship in the slightest but Rob Van Dam also holds the damn thing he wants. Cena says Edge has only delayed the inevitable which is him regaining his spot as the man and he now wants the chance to do it in his hometown meanwhile RVD tells them both that if they want his title, he welcomes the challenge. As a result, a Triple Threat Match is booked. Edge wins the championship by pinning Rob Van Dam after Lita hands him a pair of brass knuckles.)
Notes:
(Jeff Hardy returns to the WWE the night after SummerSlam although he doesn’t confront Edge.)
(Rob Van Dam and Sabu are suspended for violating the Wellness Policy.)
(Chavo Guerrero costs Rey Mysterio his rematch for the World Heavyweight Championship on the SmackDown after SummerSlam.)
And that’s part 42 over and done with guys! I hope you enjoyed what I brought to the table and of course love the fact I kept The Great Khali so far away from The Undertaker 😂 anyways, I’ll be back on Thursday to cover part 43 where we’ll see Trish Stratus retire, John Cena and Edge take their rival to a new level and at Survivor Series we’ll have Brand Warfare which ends up getting Extreme 👀 stay tuned!

Vouch threads:
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Payment via invoice or Paypal F&F/Cashapp. Check vouches
Comment PM before messaging me. Feel free to ask for measurements, etc.
EU/WW shipping will cost extra
Tagged Pic and Timestamp
https://imgur.com/a/1SdIvdq
​
Clothing:
PAF Fleece Hoodie (Green) - £30
https://imgur.com/a/v3mFg3W
-Fits L/XL, really comfy and good quality materials
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(Retail) VAL Kristopher 1/1 Archive Sample Jacket - £120
https://imgur.com/a/fFhyD7b
- great quality and fit, unique piece and if you know this brand then grab this rare item (Owner has sold company so unlikely to see these pieces ever again)
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[email protected] "the important ones" Shirt - £30
https://imgur.com/a/bIHM5jz
- L but fits better if you're S or M, worn a few times but in great condition, print lines up and looks good to me have had loads of compliments
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R3pr3sent Owner's Club tee - £20 each
https://imgur.com/a/4Lx4POM
- fits M/L, worn and washed once. also have green but forgot to take a pic lmk if you're interested
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Zar@ Pleated Shorts -£25 (£40 RRP)
https://imgur.com/a/I5UzupY
- worn once, quality on pleated fabric is really good and perfect for summer
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[email protected] R0se Long Sleeve tee - £25
https://imgur.com/a/x53LMqw
- fits L, best long sleeve tee i own hands down, fit and quality is top notch
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Brown Pleated Pants - £30
https://imgur.com/a/YAjJlZQ
-Size M, length probably works if youre up to 5'9 and waist is elastic
___________________________________________________________
Shoes and accessories:
0FF-WH*TE x J*RDAN 4 UK10 - £80 ONO
https://imgur.com/a/lsBc85p
- Bought a while back, was the best batch available. includes box, spare laces,and tags. can also include crease protectors
- 8/10 condition, has some colour rub off on the heel tab can probably clean with nail polish remover.
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(Retail) [email protected] Gore-T*x shoes UK10 (fits smaller) - £55
https://imgur.com/a/DTWQu3M
-9/10 still got loads of life left, higher quality materials with suede in the upper and real gore-tex
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AJ One Obsidian UK9 - £45
https://imgur.com/a/tRF1lrN
- bought ages ago from MUKS, worn every now and then but always taken good care of. buttery leather that feels nicer than most of my dunks/aj1
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TS 1 Mocha Low UK10 - £55
https://imgur.com/a/n39ibfa
-bought from BST, really nice suede upper and still in great condition, can include crease protectors
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(retail) ALL [email protected] Brown Chelsea Boots 43 (fits 9/9.5) - £60
https://imgur.com/a/qEqM0cU
- great quality boots from pig/cow leathesuede. nice chunky sole but isnt
uncomfortable to wear. only worn around 3 times.
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YZY Foam Runners (fits UK9/9.5) - £20
https://imgur.com/a/JPY9ErW
- worn once or twice, very comfortable, perfect for summer
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Telf*r Black Large Shopping Bag - £30
https://imgur.com/a/PrgeOVW
-worn a couple of times, some damage that can easily be repaired if taken to a tailothompsons
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CDG Homme Plus Shoulder bag - £30
https://imgur.com/a/0QywQ0C
- nice canvas material with leather straps.
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CH Cemetery Ring - £35
https://imgur.com/a/1DrNoQu
- just about 2 cm diameter not sure what size that is, good weight to it i think its stainless steel
___________________________________________________________
Unbranded Bat Sunglasses - £15
https://imgur.com/a/n7gGTsY
- can include for free in a bundle

Sometimes when you look into the mirror, the mirror looks back.
William Bailey's forehead shattered the mirror like a sledgehammer. The last thing he remembered before he blacked out was the feeling that he was falling through the mirror. Sub-cranial hematoma, a concussion, maybe even a cracked skull--that had to be the reason for the strange feeling. The mirror was mounted on the wall just to the right of the bar, four feet tall by about three feet wide. As consciousness slipped away, common sense and his strong belief in the rational world told him that he couldn't fall through the mirror. He must have bounced his head off the wall and be falling toward the floor.
It seemed like just a second or two before William's eyes popped open. He lay on his back, on the hard wood floor of Fausto's, with Johnny Davis towering over him. Big Johnny probably wanted to finish him off, maybe kill him, and finally end their twenty-year-old feud. Either Big Johnny Davis and the ceiling lights above him were spinning, or William's head was spinning, but either way something wasn't right.
He raised his head and looked to his left, toward the bar. Except the bar wasn't there. Instead, he was staring at the bathrooms. That didn't make sense. It must be his brain that had gotten spun around. William turned his head and peered over his size-ten wingtips at the busted mirror. The wooden frame and most of the glass still clung to the wall, the rest sat broken on the ground. The bar had to be on his left. He looked again, and still saw the bathrooms. A brain bruise, maybe some fluid pressure building up might be the cause of it.
"Get up!" Big Johnny Davis said.
William looked up at him. Johnny stood behind him, just beyond his shoulders. Perfect place for him to stomp my head into the plank floor. Except Johnny Davis was holding out his hand.
"Come on, we've got to get out of here."
Davis looked scared. It was the first time William Bailey could ever remember Johnny Davis looking scared. William had always been scared of Big Johnny, but Big Johnny wasn't scared of anything or anyone.
Police sirens wailed in the distance.
Johnny glanced over his shoulder. William craned his neck to look where Johnny was looking, saw he was staring at the front door like a man terrified something bad was going to come through it. Big Johnny looked down at him again and pumped his hand. "Come on, get up. They'll be here any second."
"Who?" William asked. "Who'll be--" But before he finished, Big Johnny Davis reached down, grabbed him by both arms, and jerked him to his feet.
As he was dragged toward the door by the only man in town who truly hated him, William glanced up and saw the rusted metal sign nailed above the door. He had to have a concussion, probably severe; that had to be it, because the letters on the sign were backward. It said TUO.
As Johnny Davis pulled him out the door, William heard tires skid on the pavement.
"Where's your car?" Johnny asked.
William twisted away from the big man's grip, then turned to his left. "In the alley." He started to run, still not sure exactly what he was running from.
Behind him, Big John shouted, "The alley's over here."
William kept running but turned his head back toward Johnny. "I know where the alley--"
Something hit him across the midsection and toppled him to the ground. He got his hands up just in time to break his fall and managed to keep his head from slamming into the sidewalk. When he looked up he saw a shopping cart tumbled onto its side.
Once again, William found himself lying flat on his back, this time amid the spilled contents of the cart. It had been filled with junk: paper bags full of dirty clothes, canned food, bags of potato chips, a diamond shaped, orange road sign, and other trash that looked like it had been collected from back alley garbage bins.
The homeless man who'd been pushing the cart was scrawny, and wafer thin. His skin was the color of old shoe leather, and he wore a long gray beard, tangled and matted with food and bits of filth. He was sprawled on the ground next to his cart, half sitting up, staring at William with his bright blue eyes.
Car doors slammed, men shouted.
"You better get going," the homeless man said, as he cocked his head. "The police after you?"
Police!
Before William could assure the old man that the police weren't after him--he was a respected businessman and family man--someone behind him grabbed him under both arms and pulled him to his feet. William turned and found himself staring into the face of Johnny Davis. "The alley's that way," Johnny said, pointing to the other side of Fausto's. With one hand gripping William's jacket, Johnny dashed across the front of the bar toward the alley. The alley--right there, plain as day--on the other side of Fausto's, right where it shouldn't be, where it couldn't be. William had been here a thousand times. As you stepped out of the bar, the alley was on the left, Brockton's Ace Hardware on the right. Now everything was mixed up and in the wrong place.
Johnny Davis turned down the alley, dragging William behind him. After just a few steps, a spotlight flashed in front of them.
"Stop!" a voice commanded. "Get on the ground."
William couldn't see because Johnny was in his way. "Who's that yelling?" he asked.
Big Johnny stopped and William plowed into his back.
"Get on the ground," the voice boomed again.
William poked his head out from behind Johnny Davis's back. The blinding white light was in his face. He couldn't see a thing.
POP! POP! POP!
Gunshots.
Big Johnny sagged, then crashed to his knees. Instinctively, William bent forward and grabbed hold of Johnny. "What's the matter?"
More pops.
Johnny's big hand reached out and shoved William back toward the street. "Back door," he wheezed, then plunged forward onto his face.
William stood alone. Behind the white spotlight he saw blue police lights flashing. He was totally exposed.
POP! POP!
He saw flashes--little yellow spurts of flame--as something tugged at his jacket.
William had said "back door." What back door? Fausto's had a back door, but it didn't lead anywhere except to the open space behind the building used for trash and deliveries. Twenty feet of asphalt between the bar and the back of the building on the next block. William had parked his car at the end of the alley, but the police cars--or whatever they were--had the alley blocked off. The building behind Fausto's also had an alley that ran alongside it, but the owner had closed it off to keep the bums out. He'd put up a gate, padlocked it, and topped it with razor wire. It was a dead end.
Two more pops. Dead end or not it was better than standing here and getting shot. William turned and ran. He burst through the front door of Fausto's, dashed through the bar, past the shattered mirror, hit the back door at a dead run, and was outside behind the bar within seconds.
He could see the tail end of his car sticking out from the corner of the building, but with the cops blocking the alley, his car was useless to him. William glanced across the open space to the alley that ran next to the other building. The gate, the padlock, the razor wire--all still in place. To his right an overflowing garbage dumpster sat beside the back of Fausto's, jammed against the fire ladder.
The fire ladder.
An iron ladder bolted to the cinderblock wall.
William looked up. The top of the ladder was lost in shadow, but he knew it went up two stories to the roof. Last summer, when the toilet had stopped up, he'd come out back to take a leak and had stood behind the dumpster, peeing against the wall like a kid, one hand draped over the bottom rung of the ladder.
He slipped behind the dumpster. The smell made him gag. The bottom of the ladder was four feet from the ground. William reached up as high as he could, grabbed hold of the third rung, then hauled himself up.
Through the partially open back door came the sounds of heavy feet pounding on the hard wood floor of the bar.
Halfway up the ladder, he was exhausted--and scared. Shaking, he white-knuckled the ladder. Being more than ten feet off the ground terrified him. He needed a break, just a second or two to catch his breath. There was enough moonlight so he could see into one of the second story windows. Inside, junk was piled everywhere. Old barstools, a busted jukebox, furniture stacked almost to the ceiling. Years ago, old man Fausto lived on the second floor, but Jake, who'd bought the place from the old man and had decided to keep the name, used it for storage.
Below him, William heard the back door thrown open so hard it banged against the wall. He scrambled up until he reached the top of the ladder, then hoisted himself over the edge of the roof. Down on the ground a voice shouted, "There he is, up there."
Another gunshot. What the hell was going on?
The unmistakable sound of feet--fast feet, in shape feet, boot shod feet--scurrying up the ladder. Standing on the tar and pebble roof, William glanced around for something he could use as a weapon, shocked he was even thinking of such a thing. A five gallon plastic bucket was all there was. It stood upright, filled with rainwater. He picked it up and peered over the edge. A uniformed policeman was three quarters of the way up the ladder. Two more cops were right behind him.
William looked at the heavy bucket in his hands, thought about just dumping the water onto them but knew it wouldn't stop them. There was only one way to stop them, and that was to knock them off the ladder. He thought about warning them, maybe trying to scare them away. But they were cops. You couldn't scare them away.
So why had they shot Johnny Davis, and why were they shooting at him?
The first officer looked up and saw William staring down at him with the bucket in his hands. Their eyes locked for just a second and the cop stopped. In those eyes that stared back at him, William saw an almost maniacal determination that sent a shiver down his spine. The officer held his grip on the ladder with his right hand while his left dropped to the pistol resting in his gleaming leather holster. In one smooth motion he drew his gun and raised it toward William.
William Bailey tossed the bucket down the ladder. A shot rang out an instant before the heavy bucket thudded into the cop's head. Like a gruesome traffic accident happening before his eyes, William couldn't help but watch as the policeman fell, taking his two partners down with him. The last thing William saw before he turned away was a jumbled heap of black uniforms resting on the concrete below the ladder.
* * *
Hiding in the shadow of a telephone booth, thinking. Home. He had to get home. Had to get back to Marge and the kids. Maybe somehow he could explain what had happened. Vincent, his attorney, he would know what to do--maybe--but he was a civil lawyer not a criminal attorney. He wrote contracts and did personal injury on the side; he didn't get people out of jail who'd killed a cop by dropping a bucket of water on his head and knocking him and his buddies off the side of a building.
As the cab he'd been waiting for pulled up, William stepped out from the dark and climbed into the back seat.
The driver turned around. "Where to?"
William pulled the door shut. "Uptown. 1721 Audubon Court."
"Fare's gonna be about fifteen dollars. After dark, I gotta have the money up front."
"What?"
"Company policy." The cabbie shrugged. "A lot of drivers been getting stiffed."
William opened his wallet, pulled out a twenty and handed it across the seat. The driver took it and almost slipped it into his cash box, then took a second look at the bill. His face tightened. "What the hell is this?"
"Huh?"
With the bill stretched between his hands, the cabbie stared at it for a second then looked up at William. "You're either the dumbest counterfeiter who ever lived or you've been had."
"What you are talking about?"
The driver faced the bill toward William but didn't hand it back to him. "It's printed backwards."
William looked at the twenty-dollar bill in the man's hand. It looked like--it was--an almost brand new bill, nothing wrong with it as far as he could tell.
"Get out of my cab," the driver said.
William didn't know what the man was talking about but knew he didn't want to get out. This cab was his only way home. He reached for the twenty. "If you don't like that one I've got another--"
The driver pulled his hands away. "I ain't giving this back. I got to turn it in to the police." He dropped one hand behind his seat back, then came up clutching a pistol, an old German Luger by the looks of it, the muzzle aimed straight at William's face. "In fact, I bet they give me a reward if I bring you in with it."
William jerked the door handle and rolled out into the street. He sprang to his feet and ran, the driver's yells just background noise. Has everyone gone crazy or is it just me?
Home. He had to get home.
* * *
Rain. Driving, relentless rain. William was just two blocks from Fausto's. In two hours, that's as far as he'd gotten--one block an hour. Police cars prowled the neighborhood, shinning spotlights into every nook and cranny, lighting up every shadow. Everyone in Fausto's knew his name. He'd been going there three or four nights a week after work for years. The cabbie had his address. William had given it to him when he told the hack driver where to drop him.
Ten o'clock at night, with nowhere to go and no way to get there, William sat behind the closed Goodwill store, under an overhang that barely kept the rain off of him.
Huddled in the dark, head sunk between his knees, he hadn't heard anyone approach.
"You don't look so good."
Startled, William looked up, prepared to run again. It was the homeless man he'd knocked over outside the bar. The one with the shopping cart and the leathery skin. William relaxed a little. "Excuse me?"
The man pushed his cart closer. "You're not supposed to be here."
William looked around. "Why not?"
The old man grinned, half his teeth gone.
William found it nearly impossible to tell his age. The guy could be forty and maybe had lived a hard life, or perhaps he was a well-preserved seventy, pickled by a lifetime of booze. William waved him off, expecting a plea for money. "I can't help you."
The old man stopped just a few feet away. "Everything's out of place isn't it?" He had a strange lilting voice. Almost like an accent.
And he was right. Everything was out of place--from Johnny Davis to the cab driver--everything was wrong.
Strapped to the back of the old man's shopping cart was a plastic sign about the size of a loaf of bread. William recognized the sign, the words, the colors, the logo of a local supermarket chain, all were familiar to him, but the letters were backward, unreadable.
Rainwater ran down William's face. He pointed to the sign. "Why's it written like that?"
The old man looked at the sign then back at William. "Like what?" he said, then shuffled away behind his basket.
* * *
The rain came down even harder. William slouched in a darkened doorway across the street from Fausto's. Nothing made sense. Everything was messed up, backward, out of whack. Almost like this wasn't his home, like he was a stranger seeing it for the first time.
But that was crazy. He'd grown up here, gone to Brother Martin High School, dated Jenny Underhill who went to Cabrini, lost her to Johnny Davis, then got her back only to lose her again the first year of college to some kid who drove a Mustang. Two years later William married Marge at Saint Luke's. They had two kids.
This town was his home. He recognized it. He knew the people here, Big Johnny and Zeke, the bartender at Fausto's. But things were different, little things. John Davis for one. In trying to help him, the big man had gotten himself killed. That wasn't John Davis--at least not the one William Bailey had known since seventh grade. Everything looked the same but wasn't. Nothing was quite right.
But they knew him--or someone like him.
A strange sensation crept over him that made the hair on the back of his neck rise. Maybe he didn't belong here. Maybe everything wasn't as it appeared. Maybe this wasn't his home. But if that were true, then whose home was it? Another thought, even scarier seeped through his brain. If he was here, who was there--at his home?
Crazy.
William dropped his head into his hands. Just considering such nonsense was a waste of time. Yet, here he was scanning the street, thinking of going back inside Fausto's, back to that mirror.
Not much time to think about it. The bar closed at three AM and it was already two-thirty. When he'd left--run for his life with Big Johnny--most of the mirror was still in the frame hanging on the wall.
Something about that damned mirror.
But Fausto's was dangerous, so a couple of hours ago William had found another mirror. In the men's room of a twenty-four hour gas station. The Chevron on North Rampart.
He had approached it cautiously, afraid he was going mad. As he peered over the sink into the mirror, he saw what he always saw, his own reflection. Holding up his left hand, he looked at the image in the mirror, at the watch strapped to his wrist. He noticed that the man in the mirror wore his watch on his right hand. Just the opposite.
William stood in the gas station bathroom for twenty minutes before he worked up his nerve. Finally, he took a deep breath, leaned back, then slammed his forehead into the dirt-streaked mirror. The glass shattered and cut his head. Blood dribbled off the tip of his nose into the sink. His reflection stared out at him from the other side of the mirror, blood running down his face, too.
I have gone crazy!
So the gas station hadn't worked out. Ducking police cruisers, William had wandered the streets, his head reeling. What was he doing?
On the sidewalk, he found a sopping wet magazine that the wind had blown up against the side of a newspaper machine. The cover caught his eye. He picked it up. It was printed backwards, the letters reversed, words running right to left. The spine was on the right. As he flipped through the pages, he couldn't read a thing. Then William had an idea.
In the bathroom of an all night restaurant he held the wet magazine up to the mirror. Perfect. The reflected image was normal, spine on the left, words running left to right, all the letters printed correctly. He could read it clearly. But what did it mean?
Then he drove his head into that mirror. The glass cracked. Someone walked in, a skinny waiter wearing an apron. He stood gawking as William leaned over the sink with tears of pain filling his eyes.
The waiter looked at the broken mirror, then jabbed a finger at William's bloody forehead. "What the hell are you doing?"
"An accident," he mumbled, pressing his fingers against the fresh cut.
The waiter turned. "I'm calling the cops."
William Bailey ran.
Now he was huddled in the rain staring at Fausto's across the street. Because he had nowhere else to go.
He stood and walked toward Fausto's. When he was halfway across the street, a police car glided around the corner, headlights reflecting off the wet pavement. The cops in no hurry, just cruising. William forced himself to keep walking, not to run. One foot in front of the other. In the downpour, odds were that the cops wouldn't even recognize him.
But they did recognize him.
The police car slid to a stop as its high beams clicked on and its blue strobe lights started popping. Both front doors flew open.
Like a sinner seeking the sanctuary of a church, William ran straight for Fausto's door. As he burst inside, Zeke looked up from behind the bar. "William! What the hell are you doing here?"
He ignored the bartender, running right past him, eyes focused on the broken mirror and its busted frame hanging on the wall.
Zeke again, "The cops been looking all over for you. Say you killed two officers and--"
Behind him the front door banged against the wall. "Police!" a voice behind him commanded. "Stop."
But William didn't stop. He kept running--running straight for the mirror. Reflected in its fragmented pieces he saw two uniformed police officers behind him, heard their boots pounding on the wooden floor. Just ten feet separated him from the mirror. At full speed he took two strides then dove. He stretched his arms out overhead and tucked his chin into his chest as his feet left the floor.
He felt one hand hit wall and the other strike broken glass. Then his head hit. More glass cracked, more skin split.
Darkness.
* * *
William's eyes popped open. He was staring at the ceiling. Rough voices, even rougher hands. They rolled him over onto his stomach and jerked his arms behind his back. He felt cold steel on his wrists and heard the metallic ratcheting as the handcuffs tightened and bit into his skin.
He tilted his head up and rested his chin against the floor. Blood poured down the side of his face; he watched it pool on the floor then seep between the wooden planks. By rolling his eyes up he could just see the empty spot on the wall where the mirror had hung. Lying on the floor, three feet from his head, was the broken frame and the rest of the glass.
The two cops grabbed his arms and yanked him to his feet, sending waves of pain through his shoulders and wrists. As they spun him toward the door, one of the officers said, "You're under arrest."
"Why?" William asked.
The officer pressed his face into William's. "Murdering your family for starters."
"My...my family." William felt his stomach cinch and his bowels turn to ice. A thought he'd had earlier in the night echoed inside his head. If he was here, who was there--at his home.
As the cops dragged him across the floor, William glanced up and saw the rusted metal sign nailed above the door.
OUT.
He was home.

Maybe that title is a bit too cheesy, but I really do like exploring the night sky. Helps especially since my hometown was a great place to do so. That all aside, hello! I am Pydras, fat cat collector, lessor avatar of chaos, and most boring of all, corporate accountant. I am to find people to potentially connect with and see what develops. Whether that leads to friendship or something more will remain to be seen, but life is short so have to get out there and try!
A little more about me! As stated earlier, I am a corporate accountant, currently working in BC, starting to save up to buy a place where I am at. I am quite fond of cooking, and decent enough at it as well! I would say at least 67% of it would be tolerable to most people. Since my job is basically just sitting around all day, I try and workout at least three or four times a week to stay active and in shape. That being said I do have a sweet tooth that I am quite good at managing, except for my weakness of homemade baked goods. Art wise, I really have no skills in most of those areas except for writing (use to do some RP back in the day). Well, I do make quite the horrible MS Paint masterpiece if the inspiration hits, so that might count. Politically I am quite on the left side, and religion wise I tend to fall more into agnosticism and atheism.
For subject interests, my top three would probably have to be history, geography, and geology. One of my favourite things to do when bored is open Google maps and go to a random area and see what I can learn of those three for it. However, my absolute biggest interest and the one I hold closest to me is music. While I can't really play an instrument (have been trying to relearn piano), I usually have some sort of playlist on if I am not too busy or in a loud environment. I can literally go into paragraphs upon paragraphs about some of my favourite songs. Just about what I like about them, how they make me feel, etc. I am always up for sharing or creating playlists with someone, I truly feel like music is one of the better ways to get to know someone. My usual genres end up to alternative, indie, and math rock, but I will really just listen to anything that I like the sound of.
Hobby wise, it sort of depends on what time of the year it is. If the weather is nice in the spring or summer, I love to go for long walks and hiking. Just being out in nature beings a sense of relaxation and peace you can't get anywhere else. Plus, the views, just all the amazing views and secrets you can come upon. When the weather is not as pleasant or it is winter (so quite a few months here), I am usually found being a homebody. Probably no surprise, but gaming is a major filler of my time when I have nothing else to do. My main game right now is FFXIV, realized today that I have been playing it for over half a decade at this point, how time flies. I do enjoy the Paradox Interactive games as well, especially with all the amazing mods some of them have. Like music, I could spend hours talking about some of my favourite games. Would also love more people to play with, generally not picky about what, as long as you don't mind me potentially sucking. Gaming with people is always such a joy and fun time. I can be quite the reader if a particular book or series catches my attention. Once burned through a trilogy in a week since it captivated me so much. One of the dangers I found with me reading is I'll always go for one more chapter, then suddenly it is 3 am. Don't really have any specific genres in particular, though I am quite the sucker for some good worldbuilding.
I could probably keep rambling about myself, but why take away all the fun? As said before, I am looking for someone to see what kind of connection we can build. Location wise, for something more than friendship, you would likely have to be in Canada or have plans to move here. While I do enjoy all my friends in the US, I have no desire to move there unfortunately. Either way, if I intrigued your interests feel free to send me a DM and we can connect from there!

How is the whole covid status in Manila at this point? Is everyone still masking up? Is masking compulsory by the stores or will I be shamed by the people for not wearing one?
As for summer culture in the Philippines, I'm curious, how is it? Do people wrap up and stop wearing shorts in September? Will outdoor pools be open in September? I'm curious cuz I'm going there in September, and it's pretty much hot there year round, but will the people that live there see it that way, or will they treat a plus 20 high like we treat winter in Canada? Or will they be more likely to be out and about in September because of how blistering hot it is in the middle of summer?

Hi got a question. This winter I replaced my thermostat as it went bad and wasn't sending any signals. Replacement was successful after poking around and putting things back together.
Now this is the first time we turn our AC on this summer and the 5amp fuse blew. Thought no biggie and bought a new one and replaced it. However when I turned the A/C on it immediately blew the fuse again.
I decided to take a look at the control panel as I did poke around with it but I assumed I put everything back to normal.
Does anything look like a short to you?
https://imgur.com/dl5OQzW

I read somewhere that marriages that survive the threat of divorce bond in a way that makes the likelihood of a future divorce less likely. I think I'm an exception to the rule (it's probably not a rule).
Almost 20 years of marriage together. Two bright, happy, well-adjusted children (middle school age). Money's not an issue. Home is beautiful. If you looked at us externally, everything's rainbows and unicorns. I truly love my wife. She's beautiful, witty, dedicated, and just someone I enjoy being with. She makes me want to improve myself and I think I've at times given her the support to do the same. She's an introvert to my extrovert, and helps me feel centered in my life (while she enjoys seeing me conquer challenges in front of me, for myself and our family).
Two years ago my wife wanted a divorce. I was too tied up in my career and pursuits. My extrovert, overly active self became too tied up in, well, myself. She was right and my argumentative "I'm right you're wrong" approach was just a toxic mess. We decided to stay together through the summer for the kids' benefit given all the trips we had planned. I focused at that point on myself - therapy, reading self help books, emotionally focused therapy (for relationships), addressing my undiagnosed anxiety, and building stronger relationships with my children as well as with myself. After a few months of seeing these changes my wife realized that she had played a part too in our relationship, was quick to jump to divorce and seeing my growth mindset decided to give it another try. We were both off track in our relationship given how different our personalities are, and we found a way to come back together through counseling.
Since then I've been loyal and committed to doing my part in our relationship based on many couples counseling sessions. I give my wife room when any type of conflict or concern arises between us. When arguments occur I discuss how things make me feel, wanting to know how she feels so we can be on the same team again. I understand that her personality requires a very calm, zen like state for her to be content and happy so I do my part to support that environment. If I'm being "too much" at times when I'm sharing my own personal or work challenges, I get the hint and talk to friends or other people so as to not overwhelm her. I know to let her come to me after she's had time to process her thoughts when any conflict occurs. I fulfill my role in the house - carry my own weight in family responsibilities, cooking (I make mean Indian food from scratch since the kids love it!), laundry, etc. I support her while she goes back to college for a future job (she doesn't work), with kid drop offs and pickups. I have found contentedness in being a better husband and father than I once was, and pride and fulfilment in growing this way. Up until this last weekend I got high marks from her in these areas. Well, for the most part.
Her areas to work on during our counseling were to focus on her feelings and understand them, especially when things aren't going well for her, instead of bottling them up and/or chewing them down. To check in with me too on our relationship, even if by email, text or post it note if talking face to face is too challenging. To understand that I have a love language different from hers and physical touch/sex create intimacy and support love for me. But she hasn't been doing these things. She did at first during our counseling stage but has since stopped. She will at times touch/kiss me if I ask, but usually only if I ask. One good hug/embrace a day and periodic sex is all I'm talking about here. This makes me feel like a burden (something she called me a few years ago) rather than someone she looks forward to being with... I shared this last week with her before a weekend out of town trip, and she assured me it wasn't the case, that she does care, and she appreciates me deeply. I told her I can't feel that way if it only happens when I ask...
We had an ugly fight this weekend while away and after drinking too much. I felt lines were crossed. So did she. They were. She says she feels unsafe with me now and that it's time for a divorce, while I've asked that we return to couples counseling. Alcohol was a factor for both of us due to the celebrating nature of the trip. I've decided I'm done with drinking, it's short-term gain not worth the problems that come with it.
Divorce for me, is something to consider when both sides are just too far from each other and don't or can't reconcile their differences. I'm frustrated at doing everything I'm supposed to do, that she asked from me years ago, and I can't even get my wife to communicate with me about our relationship let alone touch me. Now one massive fight and I'm again back to being tossed to the curb. All the while she continues with her days like nothing's out of place, since she's capable of putting all of her negative feelings aside or bottled up or wherever they go. If you look at us right now and you'll think we're two happily married people but I know the divorce papers are coming. Heck we're going on a trip next week for a full month with our children (if I'm such a threatening monster why would we even be doing that?)
Maybe this was a self-fulfilling prophecy. The anxiety of not being enough leading to not being enough. Or perhaps I was just right, that I was always one bad fight away from being dismissed from my family once again.
My wife doesn't want to hear any of this. After our fight she says that's enough and nothing else matters. No counseling will work. My fate is set in stone once again and I have no agency to do anything about it.
Maybe I've been fighting too hard to keep a woman who simply doesn't want to keep me.
Thanks for listening if you made it this far.

Hi. My DH just finished mediation for custody of his two daughters. There is a GAL involved who already recommended 50/50 custody and maintaining the girls school district. That’s the basics of what DH went in proposing. Long story short, mediation got nowhere. HCBM wouldn’t agree to anything and her entire argument was that DH doesn’t do homework with his daughters (he had them only during weekends and summer and they are elementary age so there was no homework besides reading-which we did). They have one more mediation session next week and then a court hearing. Does anyone have experience with mediation going nowhere and how did it end up playing out?

Hello everyone! This jam is a way to encourage others (and myself) to create projects and products for these games that we love so. The point of Jamfinder is to give creators and homebrewers a general direction, some constraints, and brew inspiration. Additionally, other creators will be working on their own, similar projects that you can chat with about the jam! You can find a great deal of designers in the Paizoverse over at the Infinite Possibilities Discord server. If you've got questions or just want to discuss third-party publishing in the space, this is one of the best places to do it.

TL;DR Jam Details!

The theme for this Jamfinder is Summertime Magic! All submissions must be inspired by and/or include elements of both summer and magic. Each person may participate in creating only one submission, which may be a game supplement (no longer than 6 pages) for either Pathfinder RPG, Pathfinder 2e, or Starfinder. Artwork, maps, fiction, or lore are also accepted! As long as it fits the theme, you can submit it for the jam.
Submissions must be published between 16 June to 30 June on one of the following platforms: DriveThruRPG, itch.io, or Pathfinder Infinite. You can work on your non-itch.io submission prior to the start of the jam or start work when the jam begins, whichever works best for you. For submissions to be entered into the jam, DM me on either reddit (u/prophecyprod) or Discord (charlieisawful#0637) with your submission and where to find it. Jamfinder entries will not be ranked or scored, this is just a fun little event for creators to create! There also may be an opt-in bundle for participating entrants, stay tuned.

What is a Game Jam?

Game jams are events hosted for game developers and designers to help them get more experience working on and completing projects. Jams such as these will typically give the participants a direction, some constraints, and a time limit to submit their creations.
Jamfinder is going to be specifically for Pathfinder (both editions!) and Starfinder creators, and is not a competition. We aren't looking to hold a prize or anything; I just want to give the creators out there the push they need to keep at their crafts. And so I can write about goblins in swimsuits.
Also, I feel it is important to note, this jam is not just for experienced designers and publishers. If you're a homebrewing GM who has considered writing something for others to pick up and use, I highly encourage you to participate and give it a shot. This is for everyone and anyone who wants to create, don't be afraid to try it out!

What is the Theme?

The theme for the inaugural Jamfinder will be Summertime Magic! Whether this includes the sweltering heat of the season, enjoying the outdoors while we can, or just goblins in swimsuits—that is up to you! Just make sure to combine the elements of what summer means to you with the fantastical magic that permeates our fantasy worlds.

What Do We Create?

For this Jamfinder, practically anything goes! You can write short adventures, playeGM guides, rules supplements, gazetteers, fiction/lore, or you can even create art for the jam. If it can be used for a PF/SF session that turns out to be a beach episode, it will be a valid and welcome submission. Also, you are encouraged to put a price tag on your submission (you deserve to be paid for your hard work!), but that is not required.
The one hard limit we're imposing here is that all submissions must be no longer than 6 pages of content. Frontmatter, backmatter, and legal pages don't count toward the limit, so you don't have to worry about the title page or the forsaken texts OGL page. The page limit is in place so the jam can be more accessible and so we can get authors and designers to actually finish their work before the jam is over. Especially since we all know it takes at least four days to get anything crafted. For non-text submissions... use your best judgment and don't go overboard?
Your submission will probably include spells, magic items, and rituals, however this is not a requirement. Plenty of magic can be found in feats, statblocks, or NPCs! Get creative with the theme, I'm excited to see what you'll create!

How Can We Enter?

Once you've completed your submission, make sure it is published on a public storefront. For this jam, we'll be accepting entries published on DriveThruRPG, itch.io, and Pathfinder Infinite. Entrants publishing on itch.io can join the jam there with this link. After publishing, let me know by DMing me on either Reddit (u/prophecyprod) or Discord (charlieisawful#0637), and we'll get your submission displayed in the Infinite Possibilities Discord server! We'll only be accepting submissions from 16 June to 30 June, so get crafting!
Thanks for reading, I hope you are having a wonderful day! Good luck if you plan on participating!

I can understand why people might be reluctant to share a time slip experience, but as far as I’m concerned I have no reluctance or unease about sharing what I have witnessed, and care not what others might think. My story's not a particularly fantastic one, but it was an interesting experience all the same and is one that will stay with me for the rest of my life.
It was in the summer of 1974, while I was working and living in Windsor town, near London.
I had a few days off so made headway for Windsor Railway station to find the departure times for a train to my hometown. I entered through the station doorway and everything seemed fine, though especially quiet. I noticed only one other person standing at the ticket desk, wearing a dark jacket and trousers. Nothing unusual there.
But when I stepped onto the platform where the notice board for departure details was situated, things were very different.
I made my way through the gateway of the platform, approached the board -- as I looked through the timetable something seemed out of place. The notice board was different in design to what I remembered on previous occasions. The tables seemed to be out of date, too, and the text appeared to be rendered in an old style of print.
It had a 19th century style and feel.
I turned to look around the platform. It was almost silent. On the seat to my right, against the railing, were two ladies dressed in long frocks and hats that looked very much late Victorian, or perhaps early Edwardian in style. Further along the platform, there were a couple of gentlemen standing behind a camera and tripod facing in my direction.
My first thought was, have I witnessed a time slip, but when I noticed the camera I immediately thought I had walked into a photo session or film shot. So pretending I hadn’t noticed, I quietly walked off and out of the station, half-expecting to be told off for interrupting.
Feeling a bit dazzled by events, I walked around town for a short while and my mind kept flashing back to the incident. I tried t rationalise them but it continued to seem odd. Finally, my curiosity got the better of me -- I went back to have a look at what was doing.
I peeked though the platform gateway and found the two ladies in Victorian dress were no longer there, and neither were the two people with the camera. Then I stepped onto the platform to check the notice board -- it was back to its normal self. At that moment I convinced myself that the film session was over and they had moved on. But later, while brooding over the incident, there were elements that didn’t seem to add up.
First, there were no notice boards or anyone on duty to advise people that they couldn’t go onto the platform, which is what you would normally have expected if some sort of filming were occurring.
And I wondered, when I had walked onto the platform, why the crew had not called out, to warn me off set -- I was there for at least two or three minutes, which was more than enough time to consider me an intruder. The two ladies who were sitting quite calmly on the platform seat didn’t seem bothered in the slightest, if they even noticed I was there at all.
Third, if others who visited the station had noticed the film crew, because of human curiosity, there would normally have been a small crowd trying to have a look-see, but the station had been empty and almost totally quiet. And finally, on my return to the station, I was impressed how quickly everything seemed to have been put back to its normal self, with no evidence of any camera crew or actors.
I was left with the distinct impression that I had experienced a time slip, and that perhaps the cameramen were photographers from that earlier period, and the two ladies perhaps simply waiting for the next train. The unusually quiet atmosphere of the event adds to the conclusion.

https://web.archive.org/web/20181109063911/http://forum.forteantimes.com/index.php?threads/time-or-dimensional-slips.13755/

hi reddit, i’ve never made one of these posts before so i apologize if it’s lengthy. i am in a sexless relationship and it’s my fault. me (21f) and my partner (26m) have been together for a little over a year, he helped me get out of a rough situation, i moved in immediately and it blossomed from there. we were having sex nonstop for the first month i was there and then it all just kind of came to a crashing stop. i can’t pinpoint why but i’m assuming i just needed a little break from having sex all the time. shortly after the sex ceased, he started getting extremely irritable with me and my cats. constantly throwing temper tantrums and be short and verbally aggressive with me. i put up with it because i really do love him and i was sure that he was going to change. we continued to not have sex because i have trauma related to it and him being aggressive was not helping. he got more irritable and would take it out on one cat in particular and one night that cat jumped into his fish tank and he threw my cat out in the middle of the summer heat at 3 am. i obviously did not want to have sex after that. i spent weeks looking for him and he was gone, keep in mind this was around the 4/5 month mark into our relationship. he apologized but also made me feel at fault because he had been telling me to rehome my cat for months. after that he started getting distant and more irritable and told me i don’t love him because i’m making our relationship sexless. which isn’t true. about 10 months in, shortly after my birthday and a trip to meet my family, i found out he had spent a lot of our relationship having phone calls while i was asleep with his online girlfriend. he had spent so much money on her and got on with her sexually while becoming distant with me. it’s been almost 8 months since i found out and we talked about it and he’s been SO much better. no more irritability or anger and while i still hurt a lot, i forgive him and want to be with him but i still don’t have any sexual feelings towards him. i try really hard to but i just can’t. i really want things to work and i’ve become dependent on him so it’s at the point where i’m not sure what to do. again i’m sorry if this is lengthy but how do i return the old spark? is there something i can do to make myself want more intimacy?

Brace yourselves, this is gonna be a long one.
Table of Contents
1…… The Main Goal
2…… What I’m Seeking
3…… Personality
4…… Interests
5…… Physical Characteristics (with pics)
6…… Expectations of You
7…… Living Situation
8…… Deal Breakers
9…… Closing Remarks
(1)
The Main Goal:
Well if you’re browsing this subreddit then much like me, you were alone this weekend and I’m sure you’d like to change that as much as me. I won’t lie, I am going through a rough part of my life right now. It’s difficult for me to find the energy for anything at the moment and I’m just really seeking affection in general, anything that will give me a push. I don’t want to be that person who brings everyone down but I could really use someone to talk to right now. I’d really like to find someone who’s similar to me so much to the point that we do everything together and talk about everything while not having to pretend to be interested. I want someone with whom we can mutually spew our emotions onto and have those feelings reciprocated. Not an emotional punching bag, but an emotional teddy bear to hug and cuddle until everything feels better as many times as we need. There’s people who I’m sure have told you the same, they’ll be there no matter how many times you need the support, no matter how many times the insecurities and bad thoughts come back but they don’t mean it. I will be the exception, I’m not so ignorant to think some nice words and tales of relating to you will magically forever heal whatever ails you then get mad when you seek the same support again. Mental ailments are rarely temporary and I don’t care about someone because they’re perfect, caring about someone means being there no matter how many times they need you to be. It doesn’t feel like a chore, it doesn’t get old, and it never will.
(2)
(2.a)
What I'm Seeking:
I will upfront let you know if I’m clicking better with someone else or if you’re the one, I’m not here to tread the sea of fish or keep my options open, I’m here for one singular person.
(2.b)
Relationship:
A relationship is difficult for me right now, it’s been nearly half a year since I got out of my last relationship and the reasons for it ending are partially responsible for how I’ve been feeling and why it’s so hard for me to seek the comfort I so desperately crave. I will tell you about it but for the sake of not treating the entirety of the internet as my therapist, it’ll be in private. I really need the comfort of intimacy and the warmth of someone who cares. I'm not going to feel better if I just sulk and don’t move on. This is my attempt to get better, I’ll admit I’m not great right now and I don’t expect you to be either. If we can help each other heal, then I’d be more than happy :) A relationship isn’t just being there for when someone’s at their best. Even if a relationship is hard at the moment, I do want a life partner and I don’t want to be alone. Things aren’t going to get easier without you so I don’t want to hesitate. I view my other as an equal, I don’t like categorizing us into specific roles. We take care of each other and treat each other how we like to be treated, whatever that is, it's as simple as that. I don't care if you're "successful" or not, living simple lives with our days filled with love is the ultimate measure of success to me.
(3)
Personality:
(3.a)
On the Surface:
As you can tell I can be rather… stoic but that’s largely due to my current stressors, I truthfully am goofy and fun loving but I just can’t find it in me right now. I want to return to that but without someone to light up my world it’s been difficult to just have fun and enjoy stuff. I’m definitely more introverted, you won’t catch me at any parties or really outside at all. I definitely prefer being home though the occasional outing is not out of the question and one day I’d like to travel to other countries because I think that kind of perspective is important.
(3.b)
The Core of My Being:
I like being a spectator to it all and if we bear witness to humanity burning or its miraculous recovery, I want to watch it with you. I enjoy watching humanity advance, less so when it devolves but I want to watch it to the end nonetheless. I’m both a realist and someone who lives with my head in the clouds dreaming of scenarios or worlds that don’t exist. I’m saying that I enjoy a good narrative and can suspend my disbelief to enjoy something but you won’t catch me refusing vaccines or ignoring blatant facts for the sake of some pseudo science or witch doctor’s remedy. I’m an atheist but I do not rule out existence after death, not because I’m agnostic but because due to the nature of potentially infinite time at some point after how many googol years with a googol amount of 0s after that, something’s bound to replicate your consciousness perfectly at some point. It’s actually a really fascinating topic I like talking about. If infinite time and infinite possibilities exist, does non existence exist? Though that’s an awfully existentially dreadful thought process considering the ramifications of infinite existence and infinite possibilities during said infinite existence. I would say I’m confidently left leaning and I don’t think I could truly get along with anyone right leaning, at least America’s definition of right leaning. Left and right seems to have just become; do people deserve to suffer or do they deserve to live good lives? Being political is not something I expected to become but how can you not be when crimes against human rights are being passed on a daily basis and at the end of the day, everything’s political. Oftentimes I imagine the perfect moment as relaxing with my significant other playing games or cuddling in a cold room under blankets.
I value that special someone above all of the existential thoughts, the bad of the world, the good of the world, they practically become my world. So many worries wash away when I’m with them. I don’t know if that’s the defense mechanism my brain created to not feel bad 24/7 but if it is, I’m currently without it.
(3.c)
Insecurities:
I talk of philosophy and politics here but really I spend most of my time just playing games, watching stuff, and trying to not be sleep deprived. I’m also nowhere near as well spoken, heck sometimes I feel like my speech is broken. I won’t claim to be something I’m not, I sit at home while I complain about the world doing nothing about it wishing I had someone here with me. I’m not noble nor do I really want to be, I have morals I uphold but much like most other hypocrites I acknowledge that my comfortable life is built on the suffering of others without doing anything about it. Why? My sleep problems? Am I depressed? Is that why I have no energy to do anything? Do I just think nothing I could do could help? I can’t nail it down myself, maybe it’s a mix of everything, maybe I’m just a bad person. I have always told myself that if I had wealth I would help people but if I get that kind of wealth will I just become a wealth hoarder who tries to justify my riches as something I earned rather than something given to me through incredibly lucky circumstances? If I do help people is it because I’m a good person or out of guilt? Will I die alone? I feel like I drive everyone away with my clinginess, I get paranoid often and need reassurance often. It’s something I want to work on, something I’ve been trying to work on. Hearing that someone cares about me just never gets old. I value self awareness even if it’s painful.
(3.d)
Socializing:
I’m definitely a socially anxious/awkward mess, especially around strangers. I do feel a large amount of anxiety in public, people can’t tell by looking at my face since I kind of go stone faced in an attempt to block everything out but yeah you’ll notice that if we go out in public. Growing up my pediatrician said I was probably autistic, never got a formal diagnosis so that’s just great. But yeah that explains why I can’t make eye contact with people, I kinda just stare at the ground and avoid their gaze at all costs. A lot of these social struggles go away to a great degree once I know you for a bit but yeah I apologize for how terrible I am at socializing at first. Don’t let my social struggles fool you though, I love cuddling and being close with my person.
(3.e)
Sexuality:
I am a heterosexual male, though I’m not very masculine like at all. I may even be a bit feminine sometimes. Not that I believe any activity or manner of acting belongs to a gender but I don’t know how else to describe it. I’m definitely super affectionate and love it when my partner is too. I am open to dating demi people but I do have a libido so I don't think asexual would work out.
(4)
Interests:
(4.a)
Video Games:
As stated before, I do spend a lot of my time playing video games. It’s been hard lately with me having no energy but I really do want to play more games and have a good time playing them with you! I primarily play on PC though I do have a switch. I’m primarily into platform fighters, roguelikes, open world, survival, and sandbox games. As for single player story games, I enjoy watching them through twitch or youtube but for the most part I don’t play them myself. I’d watch you play them though!
Here’s a list of games we can play:
-Minecraft (Java)
-Risk of Rain 2
-Gunfire Reborn
-Roboquest
-7 Days to Die
-Phasmophobia
-Rust
-Unturned
-Bloons TD 6
-Platform fighters: Super Smash Bros. Melee, Slap City, Multiversus, Flash Party, Fraymakers
Whatever you want to play I’ll give it a shot! I will say that League bores me to death but I’ll play it for you :) I try to avoid MMOs, not because I don’t like them but because of how addicted I can get to them. I enjoy learning games in-depth so MMOs can be a fast track to addiction.
I recently got Kerbal Space Program 2 and ehhh not really worth it right now but hopefully later it will be? I’m super excited for Tears of the Kingdom! In the far off future I’m excited for Rivals of Aether 2 which is a platform fighter releasing in 2024, let me know of your most anticipated releases and I’ll see if I could play them with you!
Also I never got into FPS games but I could totally see myself playing like CoD with you or Escape From Tarkov. Any FPS really, I’m down.
I am a fan of Pokemon but with how things have been lately I don’t know how long that will last. Pixelmon is a common Pokemon mod I play for Minecraft if you want to play that! Also if I say I want to play something with you I mean it but there are often times when no matter how much I want to I'm just drained and can do little more than lay in bed so please don't think I'm making an excuse.
(4.b)
Science:
I really enjoy keeping up with the latest advances in pretty much everything, it could be biology, technology, astronomy, anything! I love seeing progression and I love talking about it! Really I could go on and on about what I’m obsessing about that day. I particularly love technology, ask me for my laptop specs I dare you. When I was little I always wanted to be a scientist of any kind but then insomnia and fear of college stuff hit me like a truck aaaand that’s the end of that dream.
(4.c)
Anime:
You got me, I like anime but I’d like to think my tastes are benign.
Here’s some of my favorites I can list from the top of my head:
- To Your Eternity
- Vinland Saga
- Spice and Wolf
- Re:Zero
- Mob Psycho
- Dr. Stone
- Attack on Titan
- Spy x Family
- My Hero Academia
- Ranking of Kings
- Demon Slayer
Okay I can go on and on but I will say I don’t like pointless fan service and the spamming of cliche anime moments. I mostly enjoy action and anything well animated if it doesn’t have a potato story. Heck Demon Slayer could be my top 3 out of season 2’s animation alone. I don’t watch slice of life often or romance but I would with you!
(4.d)
Misc:
I’m not going to go on and on about the tiniest little things when the main ones are covered but I’ll watch pretty much any show with you and anything really. I like random youtube videos that explain some kind of lore or mystery, sometimes mini documentaries too.
As for food I looove sushi and I’m a sucker for fast food. Okay and candy, definitely candy.
I used to play tennis but haven’t really had the opportunity nor friends to play it with and I’m way too socially anxious to seek it out. Also I will say that when we move to something like discord I type waaaay more casually. I’m not going to expect long paragraphs back and forth like we’re writing English papers for each other, I do enjoy long conversations but seriously don’t worry about having to put the utmost effort into every response, I just like making good first impressions I guess.
(5)
(5.a)
My Physical Characteristics:
I’m 5’8 (172cm), 128 pounds (58kg), with curly brown hair and blue eyes. I like keeping my hair long in the winter and cutting it in the summer. I’m pretty slim in general so if you’re looking for someone large, that’s not me. I don’t work out but my work is pretty physical so at least I’m not totally inactive. I don’t have the urge to work out or gain muscle but I do want to maintain my slim figure so if I start losing control of that I’ll work out. I like to keep my face shaved because I don’t think I look good with a beard/mustache so if you’re into those I apologize. I have an average amount of body hair? I’d prefer to be completely shaved but it’s easy to lose motivation with that battle, if you prefer shaved then I’d have no problem complying. Anyways here’s what I look like: https://imgur.com/a/MZZgf2t
(5.b)
My Physical Preferences:
Having physical preferences makes me feel shallow, if I could make myself not have them I would but unfortunately that’s now how that works. I don’t care if you’re shorter or taller than me and I don’t care if you weigh more or less than me. All I ask is that you’re slim-average weight. I would never ask for someone to be something I’m not. I don’t care about tattoos or piercings.**(6)Expectations of You (Relationship Only):**I am not looking for someone “exciting” or someone to “keep me on my toes” I’m not looking for someone to cater to my every whim or anything like that. I don’t care if you’re “boring” or if you aren’t “successful”. I know it’s a common thing for people to not want a “boring” relationship and to seek something argumentative or something with constant challenges but I just want to be with you. During the exciting times, the boring times, and everything in-between, all of it will be great with you! Maybe we do argue sometimes or maybe there will be challenges but that will never be something I purposefully seek out and I don’t want that to be something you seek out either. I will not play tricks on you and I will not play mind games, I expect the same from you. We all have personal measures of success we may or may not have lived up to but what I care about most is our commitment to each other. If we have each other we can get through tough times, near the ends of our lives I want us to look back and feel that this life together was worth more than anything. That’s not saying I want us to be haphazard, I don’t want us to make poor decisions for the sake of yolo and I want us to always be rational, especially with each other. I want you to be someone I can trust to make decisions and weigh the options with a level head, I’ll try my best to live up to the same for you. Most of all I want empathy, understanding, someone to feel the utmost comfort and trust in.
(7)
Living Situation:
Currently my life is pretty relaxed, I work 3 times a week as a night shift stocker. I currently live in a 2 bedroom apartment with my roommate but we’re looking to move into someplace larger by the end of the year if everything works out. The internet is weirdly great for Ohio too like I have fiber and later this year we’re supposed to be getting dedicated fiber so that’s neat. I’m not attached to Ohio so the ultimate goal living location wise is probably moving to a country that won’t send you into a lifetime of dealing with the repercussions from one medical emergency.
(8)
Deal Breakers:
Might as well make this simple and make it a list.
- Anti-vaxxers
- Unironically believing astrology
- Right wingers
- Hard drugs (occasional 420 and alcohol is fine, may even join you)
- Wanting children, there was a time when I was younger when I wanted children but with the state of the word that’s a definite no and I feel like I wouldn’t be able to handle the stress. I’d love a stress free life with as much time with you as possible.
- Homophobic
- Transphobic
- Racist
- Super Religious
- Don’t be a bigot and don’t deny facts.
(9)
Closing Remarks:
Well you made it, I was thinking that finding someone I’d be willing to put a lifetime of effort into at least required this much effort. If I think of anything more I’ll update the post. Also about timezones, it really doesn’t matter where in the world you are. I don’t have a sleep schedule and I have most of the week off from work so it really doesn’t matter.
I request that in your response you do put effort into it, it doesn’t have to be anywhere near as long as this but at least enough so I know that you read this and enough about you so I know why you saw potential compatibility. I will seriously read all of it and respond the best I can. I do also request a pic included in your response (sfw please) or one soon after we start talking to prove identity, I’ll send identity proving pics too. As long as this post is up, you can send a reply!

Okay, I get my title sounds snobby or entitled but please hear me out. My SO worked a physically demanding job for about 6 or so months. The schedule was he left at 2a.m and came home anywhere from 1 p.m to 6 p.m. So he'd have to go to sleep either immediately or within a few hours to make sure he's rested for work. Well his body turned on him and he started to be in pain so he couldn't fulfill his job anymore. He quit and has been home since. He's gotten significantly better in terms of pain and how frequent it comes. It's been about two months now and all we've done is sit at home the entire time. You'd think it was another lol ckndown. I ask him to take me and our son places (I can't drive) and he says yes but only if it's on a weekDay. Why? Because he 'doesnt like all the people and I get anxiety' So fine. I accept that and tell him let's go to the petting zoo on a weekday. We call the zoo and they say their closed on weekdays. Okay. I call a regular zoo and ask if they have giraffe feeding on weekdays. They say no. So those plans are out I guess. I tell my SO "How about museums then?" he says our son wouldn't enjoy that and wouldn't be quiet enough for that. OKAY. At this point I'm scrapping the bottom of the barrel here and I tell him "Well then, let's go to Walmart but like inside. I really just want to get out of the house" he says no he's 'tired' of going inside and I can run in if I want.
We've also actually made plans that do certain things, gotten things ready the night before, packed, but it's met with "I feel fUnky" the next morning, the morning of. So we don't go. I tell him I'm bored and he gets mad at me! "We have a pool, there's outside if you don't want to be inside, there's your nails, there's cleaning, there's stuff to stream, idk what to tell you"
Okay, first of all, the pool he's talking about is cold all the time because he insisted on setting it up in spring instead of summer. So that's cool, I'm bored, let's freeze myself. Outside, has ZERO shade and no fences. The only fences it has is the fence he has around the grass he planted. And we're not allowed in there with shoes because "the grass still needs to grow". I haven't done my nails since way before my son was even born. There's only so much to stream and we've streamed it all because we've been cooped up in the house for months.
All the while he is saying he's in pain and feeling funky and uncomfortable he is INSISTANT on doing things HE wants to do that so happen to be here at home. He filled the whole patch for the grass he planted, he planted said grass, got weed killer for grass and is sitting out there all day in the hot sun taking out each individual weed one by one by hand. He set up his precious pool.
He sleeps until 12 in the afternoon and then lays down preparing to get up for another two hours. If I try to wake him or make him get the fuck up he throws a fit. He says he's tired. Well that's his fault for going to bed at 5 a.m. I put our son to bed at midnight every night but he stays up in the living room doing whatever he does and watching his shows.
I'm so tired of it. While I understand he doesn't feel well the fact is, most days he's fucking fine. I'm so extremely tired of being cooped up in the house. Every thing I suggest is meant with some reason not too. I even suggested going to our neighbors house to look at their chicken from the road and he said no. that's it's weird. He refuses to go with me and I don't want to go by myself. I'm just so done trying. It's showing all over my face and in my body language. This morning he had the audacity to ask me "You okay? you look bored" I told him I'm fine.
I just give up. Whenever I reminisce on the time we spend dating the first few months of our relationship it feels like I'm missing an ex. He used to take me places. Hell, for our first date he took me to another town to a haunted house. Then to the river. Then to sonic. Then to a different town for the petting zoo. He used to try. Now I'm expected to be happy with what I'm given. As bad as that sounds, I just want more from him.