Morning pointe collegedale tn

I relapsed today. (TRIGGER WARNING MENTION OF SUICIDE)

2023.06.08 10:01 Sadgirlbeingsad I relapsed today. (TRIGGER WARNING MENTION OF SUICIDE)

Long Story Short I relapsed. After 5 years clean.
I work for my dad who is an incredibly toxic person, when I make any mistakes or when I forget anything it’s always a fight. He makes me feel like I’m the worst person on earth, I’ve endured his verbal lashings since February but it’s gotten too much.
I had a full on mental breakdown today and cut myself again, I used a plain old razor since I didn’t have any blades with me. I just feel so defeated. The verbal and mental abuse from him is really starting to get to me. I want to cut him off and never see him again but it’s also complicated because I’ve had the “it’s still your dad” drilled into me from a very young age. He also isn’t terrible all the time. So it’s also just confusing to me be because I always think “maybe I’m just being sensitive?” Or “maybe I am the one who pushed him to that point?” I don’t know. I’m just a mess right now.
I’m upset because I was getting better, I was happy. Now I’m back where I started, filled with self hate and on a mission to destroy myself. I’ve even thought of killing myself this morning.
I’m spiraling and I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to fully recover or ever be able to be happy and at peace.
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2023.06.08 09:56 __ev666 TMI / TRIGGER WARNING TALK ABOUT PUKE

So i’m 9 weeks pregnant and have had no morning sickness so far, however i’ve recently switched to a prenatal with iron and it upsets my stomach sometimes and makes me throw up if i haven’t eaten enough.
Today i get home from a picnic with friends and i thought i definitely had eaten enough to be able to take my vitamin no problem but unfortunately my stomach did not agree and i’ve been puking up super acidic vomit.
my point of this is i never thought this would happen but i peed myself while puking. i feel like this won’t be the first time and there is no way i’m the only person who has experienced this?? why does nobody talk about this???
submitted by __ev666 to pregnant [link] [comments]


2023.06.08 09:55 Box2secure MacBook Pro types in letter ‘z’ on its own upon startup

I have a 13inch 2015 MacBook Pro running both windows and Mac OS on parallel. Just this morning I boot up only to notice the keyboard was partially disabled as the letter z was increasingly been typed by my Mac in the password section. I tried to delete the phrase, but at a point it still key in the letter z. After some force shut down I was able to restart Mac and boot to Mac OS which took me a lot of time and the z key wasn’t making the restart process easy. Well I was able to boot to Mac OS and login my password, right now there’s nothing going on as all keys works well and no occurrences of the issue but then I want yo state that this keyboard I have now was changed about 8 months ago , am not expecting a keyboard fail or hardware but pls what are your suggestion for me? Is it something I should ignore as a bug? And how can I properly fix this bug if it’s software related?
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2023.06.08 09:54 Republic_Sweet Lyft is BS

Lyft is BS
I'm new to this already thing but a week and a 1/2 ago this happened to me where I took a ride I normally don't ride with my toddler just because I never know what kind of driver I'm gonna get sometimes I get amazing drivers who get me from where I need to go drive amazing you know no problem is very sweet and other times I get very impatient rude drivers and I just don't always feel comfortable but I work I'm a janitor I work late nights I basically get out of work in the AM early morning and I'm exhausted and I didn't feel like taking the bus lift as my only option right now as my car gave out on me last year so I've been taking a lift Every weekend when I go to work sometimes I do extra days because I'm trying to save up money I'm a single mom I have a toddler I gotta make things work so I or It's a 12 minute drive from my daughter's grandmother's house to my house it's a short drive but it's a very very long walk and I had missed buzz so I said I'll just spend a bit more for a lift forget it so I did that I ordered lived the lift driver said he was there we were waiting outside and she was not there so I was kind of like OK where is the sky turns out he was all the way way far from us literally down the other street sounds kind of like ok well we have to rush it she's very mindful she knows better than to be all crazy she is a calm problem which I very much appreciate but besides the point is that we're very quiet we were very mindful of his driving it was an extremely nice car but the guy was not really friendly I don't know if it's because I had a toddler maybe he just disliked me I'm not sure maybe hes having a bad day whatever we kept quiet we didn't We didn't speak so we just did the right 12 minutes basically silent he was playing music and that was at we left the car so thank you I tipped him normally it took 5 but just because he kept kinda giving me these looks I only tipped him 3 yeah I may be an a****** but if I'm going to tip I would very much appreciate you don't look at me rudely and if he wasn't looking at me rudely I wouldn't have mine tipping the 5 bucks plus it was a very short ride and I don't feel as I need to tip more than that because my ride was 10 bucks so and to Miami's I receive an email and many many text messages later from lyft saying that I have damaged a vehicle and I'm charged immediately $20 they sent me 3 pictures One of his carpet of his back seat carpet 1 of his seat I would The seat and then one of his right passenger door panel now how do I know it was the right door passenger if you look at the picture you can specifically see the side of your mirror you can also see the door locked they don't have door locks in the back seat I know because I'm the 1 who opened the door and his door backdoor did not look like that so me immediately I'm already angry because I'm like 1 who didn't have food 2 I don't know where those crimeson from but it was informed us we had 2 things with us my purse and her backpack her backpack had no food it literally was just close why because she spent the night at her grandmother's and then his door panel looks like there was some sticky stuff that was built I'm confused as to how did we do that if we were sitting in the back seat Now the crumbs I'm not sure who hes trying to blame seems like you're trying to get a free car cleaning which p***** me off even more Lyft was no help whatsoever they gave me the run around for multiple hours and instead of helping they just kept closing the and kept closing yet nobody was answering normally when I talked to a lyft customer service there's always somebody with the name that greets me well since it was late when I received this nobody was answering it literally was just automated I tried to call them the next day nobody answered I emailed them nothing lived it was absolutely no help and I was so p***** like how was this even OK $30 for a 12 minute drive are you serious like I wouldn't understand if it was traffic but it literally it was just streets And I'm even more angry because this dude just got away with it and he gave me a low rating he also said that I was late we were literally outside on the curb very visible because I'm very mindful and he thought I was late and I He was literally down the street marking saying that he had arrived he was not even close to the destination I know because I follow the map because I'm not that person that waits out wait inside the house and then last minute takes her time and goes out like no we were outside waiting clear his dead you could see us why because it was very Sunny it was the AM like has this ever happened to anybody because I find this really f****** ridiculous
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2023.06.08 09:48 milestobudapest Off leash dogs and inattentive owners

Every morning I have started doing a long-line decompression walk with my 6 month Golden Retriever called Sunny. She's very excitable and can sometimes have trouble staying calm in outside environments. These walks have been great as its given her the chance to have some freedom to burn off energy, take in lots of sights and smells and give me an opportunity to walk on attention, recall and settle. I tend to do these walks in big open parks as we have a couple nearby. However, I am becoming so frustrated with other dog owners. It seems that because we're in a park, 90% of dog owners think it's fine to let their dog off lead despite having 0 recall and not paying to attention to what they're doing. It's getting to the point where I'm questioning if we can even go to these places ourselves. I have countless examples over the last couple of months but I couldn't help but feel the need to vent with this mornings encounter. Towards the end of the walk I like to get her into a semi-distracting environment, but one she can keep settled in. Today this was near a pond and kids recreational area. It was early morning so there wasn't many people about but once I get her in a settle, I like to do some hand feeding and capture attention she's giving me. We stayed in this spot for about 10-15 minutes and I fed most of her breakfast, to the point where she was completely settled and focused on me. We notice a man walking past with a lead in hand, he gets about 10 meters up the path and still no dog in sight. At this point the owner is nearly out of sight and then a dog appears and stops, staring down my dog. The owner hasn't realised (why would he when he's far away from his own dog) and his dog begins to slowly approach us. I attempt to keep my dog’s attention, while gathering our stuff and attempting to move on. At this point Sunny gets very excited (shock) and the other dog comes closer. Sunny gives off a playful bow and starts jumping from side to side, typical excitable puppy stuff and in return the other dog begins to growl at her. All the meantime the owner has just about realised and repeats his dog’s name over and over. I'm fearing if this dog is going to react and attempt to attack my dog. Eventually I manage to get our stuff together and begin walking away and the other dog ran away. For the rest of the walk back to our car I had to deal with an over-aroused dog that wouldn’t listen and began making bad decisions. I’m so sick and tired of other owners not being considerate of us. I explicitly make sure we’re out of the way of other dogs and people and always keep her on a long line so I have control over her. Why can’t anyone else do the same? I’m trying to best to keep encounters with other people and dogs calm and measured but every morning I feel like we get set back by other people who fail to control their own dogs. Does anyone else have similar experiences? What do you do in these situations?
submitted by milestobudapest to puppy101 [link] [comments]


2023.06.08 09:47 abyss725 my journey to correct arrival stamp

I arrived in BKK with a re-entry permit & non-O visa, but the officer just stamped a 30days visa exemption stamp on my passport. I was too drunk to notice it. Discovered the error after a week, when I wanted to transfer stamps to my new passport.
I do not live in Bangkok. My local immigration office did not help me to correct the stamp, and gave me two advices, 1. Go out / Come in the country or 2. Fix it in Bangkok.
Ok, sure enough, Bangkok it is. But where? I searched online and finally saw the "Counter K -> Correct Arrival Stamp" information. Btw, now the counter K is at IT Square Laksi 3rd floor.
Got there in the morning, lined in the queue for a few minutes. When it's my turn, I had to explain why my 30 days stamp was incorrect, finally got a form to fill in to apply for "Correct visa stamp". Had to leave the queue and fill in the information, then queue again. (Don't forget to copy all the related passport pages, as usual) Got a ticket number, went into the office. They asked me many times "Why your [xxxx] immigration office not fix it for you?" "They should have fixed it."... Well, hope I had the answer to it.
Anyway, after some talking, they refused to fix it for me as well. "Go to the airport" was their advise.
Now I am in the airport. Again, but where?? I didn't see any immigration office in the airport, at least not on the guide-map. So I went to the closest one... the tourist police.
Got to explain to them why the 30 days stamp was incorrect and they were kind enough to call the immigration for me using their internal line. I could talk with the immigration on phone, explaining my situation. Then an immigration officer came to the police counter to meet with me. I pointed at the 30days stamp and my re-entry permit, the officer quickly understood and took my passport to have the stamps corrected. They just used a pen to write something on the 30 days stamp, stroke the 30 days and changed it to non-re. Also wrote "Used" on my re-entry stamp.
My local immigration was happy to transfer the stamps to my new passport.

Just write to have a record somewhere online. If you have the wrong stamp like me, better just go to the airport to save yourself from some hassles.
Maybe someone could tell if the stamp could really be fixed in your local immigration office, or where to find the immigration office in BKK outside of the restricted area.
submitted by abyss725 to Thailand [link] [comments]


2023.06.08 09:43 mendelbean1 Ex-tenant taking out credit cards at our address

This is a slightly odd one. Cross posted from legal advice sub to check there's no credit score concerns or anything.
I've just had about a dozen TSG officers turn up at my door, looking for an old tenant who lived here at some point, and rented (I believe) off the people we bought the house from. Which, as you can imagine, was an exciting start to my morning.
Police were perfectly polite when they realised I wasn't who they were looking for, and whole they didn't explain why they were looking for this gentleman, they did say he has just applied for a credit card at this address, where he clearly no longer lives. Is there anything I can or indeed should do to try and prevent this? At the moment if we receive post in his name (happens maybe once or twice a month) we just return to sender with a note that the addressee no longer lives at this address. Is that enough?
submitted by mendelbean1 to UKPersonalFinance [link] [comments]


2023.06.08 09:43 demonofthefall96 Boss with poor toilet manners

What can I do about my boss that has poor toilet manners?
For context, I (M) work in a small company with about 12 people split between 2 offices. The main toilets are at the front of the building. I work in a small room at the other end of the building and essentially share the single sex toilet with 2 other people (both F). My manager's office is in between the two offices and he chooses to use our toilet - I presume so that he doesn't have to walk through the main office to do his business every morning.
I have no problem with him using my toilet but 9/10 times he'll leave lots of poo marks and bad odour (despite there being a toilet brush and air spray) and for some reason the toilet roll is always left balancing on the taps and not in its holder.
I've pointed this out to another manager who jokingly/passively aggressively put "Keep Calm and Clean Up After Yourself" signs in every toilet on site. This however has not worked in the slightest.
Any suggestions?
submitted by demonofthefall96 to CasualUK [link] [comments]


2023.06.08 09:38 mendelbean1 Ex-tenant taking out credit cards at our address

This is a slightly odd one. Based in England.
I've just had about a dozen TSG officers turn up at my door, looking for an old tenant who lived here at some point, and rented (I believe) off the people we bought the house from. Which, as you can imagine, was an exciting start to my morning.
Police were perfectly polite when they realised I wasn't who they were looking for, and whole they didn't explain why they were looking for this gentleman, they did say he has just applied for a credit card at this address, where he clearly no longer lives. Is there anything I can or indeed should do to try and prevent this? At the moment if we receive post in his name (happens maybe once or twice a month) we just return to sender with a note that the addressee no longer lives at this address. Is that enough?
submitted by mendelbean1 to LegalAdviceUK [link] [comments]


2023.06.08 09:34 duddlered The Big Oof! Volume 1 Chapter 41: Token of Gratitude

This is the official end of the first Volume. Next week will begin Volume 2!
After a lot of progress on my story, I'm making changes to my Patreon and instead of reading 3 chapters ahead, you'll get access to 5.
Elijah Commission
Azeline Commission
The Little Menace
Worship Her
If you want to read 5 chapters ahead, check out my Patreon!
Support me by upvoting me or leaving a comment!
I also have the series uploaded to Royal Road, come leave a comment and give me a review by clicking HERE
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Bennett was dead asleep in his hammock when he was roused by hushed whispers and the sound of activity echoed throughout the room, seemingly amplified by its cramped space.
“Ben.” A voice called out.
As the engineer slowly opened a singular eye, he found himself struggling to make sense of the situation. A figure was just a few meters away from him, rifling through a bag when they turned around and faced him. However, Bennetts groggy state prevented him from fully discerning who or what was responsible for the disruption.
“Ben, wake up.” The voice called out one more time.
Scowling in irritation, Bennett chose to ignore the voice and flipped over, burying his face into the hammock's fabric. He was determined to get back to sleep, even as the voice grew more insistent and the room's activity continued.
“Ben, wake the fuck up!” The voice finally yelled.
Suddenly, Bennett found himself suspended in the air, his groggy state replaced with fear and anxiety as he was forcefully yanked out of his hammock. He tried to process what was happening, but before he could comprehend the situation, he felt the cold embrace of the hardwood floor.
THUD
“Argh! Fuck!” The Engineer groaned as he slowly lifted himself up off the ground. "You goddamn asshole!" Bennett snapped, his voice hoarse from the mixture of pain and anger.
Standing over Bennett with a cackling Fairy on his shoulder, Elijah decided he wasn’t going to wait for the stubborn man to get up on his own. "It's time to get up," Elijah said, turning around to continue sifting through his bag. "We got a lot of shit to do before we leave, and I can't afford to have you sleeping in."
Bennett’s glare shifted between his captain and his sadistic partner. "Fine, fine. I'm up," he grumbled, rubbing his sore back. He knew Elijah was right, but that didn't make the sudden wake-up call any less infuriating. Yana, on the other hand, seemed to be enjoying Bennett's misery, her laughter ringing in his ears.
THUD
Pulling out his remaining Bioscanner, Elijah began running diagnostics on the device, ensuring it was in working order for when he delivered it to Salvanius. It was a trade that he was loathing, but it was a trade he would make 1000 times if given the chance to get the rest of their equipment back. Even if they only managed to find a quarter of their property, that was still a lot better than having nothing at all.
As the Bioscanner's display indicated the device was functioning optimally, Elijah let out a small depressed sigh and slid it into his pocket. "Alright, let's get this over with," he said, opening the door and stepping out into the dimly lit corridor. Bennett followed, still grumbling under his breath about the hostile work environment while shifting his stink eye at both Yana and Elijah.
THUD
“GOD DAMNIT!!” Bennett yelled, rubbing his head after hitting the top of the door frame.
He had completely forgotten how cramped everything was on this wooden death trap and how he had to crouch throughout the entire interior. Frustration and annoyance etched on his face, Bennett muttered a string of curses under his breath as he adjusted his posture to avoid the low ceilings and narrow passageways.
“Midgets…” The Engineer sneered as he heard Elijah snicker father up ahead.
It only took a few moments for Elijah and Bennett to reach the deck, and there they observed Rhea efficiently issuing orders to the ship's sailors. Her authoritative voice rang out over the hustle and bustle of the ship’s crew, who were quickly scurrying about, securing ropes and checking supplies. What really caught their attention, though, was Rhea was finally out of her armor.
Adorned in a faded white linen long-sleeved shirt, Rhea left her chest straps slightly undone, revealing a hint of her modest, but alluring cleavage. The Knight Captain’s slim, athletic figure was displayed in stark contrast to the thick padding underneath the metal armor she normally wore. To accentuate her figure, the tight brown linen pants she wore hugged her humbly, but satisfyingly shapely curves and seamlessly tucked into her leather boots. The outfit, deceptively sultry, effortlessly exuded a sense of casual confidence and undeniable charm.
Turning her head slight, the Knight Captain finally noticed the two Humans and acknowledged them with a nod. “Good morning Sir Elijah, Sir Bennett and…” She made a difficult face when her eyes locked onto Yana.
“Your Honor will do!” The Fairy said in a chipper voice, crossing her legs. “I am both a Goddess and a confirmed Eternal Judge of the Fae courts!”
Rhea’s expression turned sour for a moment, but decided it was best not to engage any further with the mischievous Vanir. "Very well, good morning Your Honor," Rhea replied, forcing a polite smile. "We're running a bit late, but we should be ready to set sail in just a few hours.”
Elijah raised an eyebrow at the small fairy at the mention of being a confirmed judge, but shifted his attention back towards Rhea and nodded in understanding. "We'll be ready whenever you are," he said with his eyes traveling up her entire figure attire before refocusing on her face. "Just give us the signal when it's time to set sail." .
“I’m assuming the northern woman is still asleep?” The Knight Captain asked, tilting her head curiously.
Seeing her long elf ears bounce up and down seemed to be the final straw for Elijah, as an unbidden and almost adolescent fascination welled up within him. He blinked a few times, trying to regain his composure before replying. "Uh, yeah, she’s still asleep," Elijah finally responded, exhaling deeply. "We’ve been up for almost 36 hours, so I think it's best to let her rest for a while longer." he replied, trying to maintain a professional demeanor despite the lingering fascination with her elf ears.
Bennett narrowed his eyes in annoyance as he regarded his captain with a disgusted look. "Can you control yourself?" he asked with a judgmental tone.
Also noticing Elijah’s basically ogling her, Rhea couldn't help but laugh at the exchange while running a hand through her hair. "I'm glad to see at least someone finds me attractive," she said, her cheeks tinted with a slight blush. Elijah cleared his throat, trying to regain some semblance of dignity as he shifted his gaze away from her.
"Ah... My apologies, Lady Rhea, but I was caught off guard," Elijah said, giving her a genuine smile. "I wasn’t prepared for the famed Knight Captain to be so beautiful out of her armor. It's a pleasant surprise, to say the least."
Rhea found herself momentarily speechless as her cheeks flushing a deep shade of red. She wasn't used to receiving compliments, let alone being called beautiful by someone as striking as Elijah. A small, bashful smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she looked down to hide her embarrassment. "Well… I, um… Thank you, Sir Elijah.” she managed to say, her voice uncharacteristically timid. “I appreciate the kind words."
Noticing the usually confident and stern Knight Captain was completely flustered, Elijah knew she was on the backfoot and went for blood. “You’re more than welcome Lady Rhea,” he responded, bowing his head. “I was just saying it how I see it—”
"Yana, zap him!" Bennett ordered, sensing that Elijah was about to push his luck too far.
The mischievous fairy didn't hesitate, and with a magical pop, she immediately shifted forms, transforming the fiery inferno atop her head into a flowing teal, wind that cascaded past her shoulders. After her transformation, a maniacal grin spread across her face as she clutched two fistfuls of Elijah's hair.
“AHH FUCK!” Elijah yelped in pain.
A light chuckle escaped Rhea's lips as she watched the scene play out before her, momentarily pushing aside her embarrassment and wariness of the group. Their playful antics, though unprofessional, stirred a sense of lighthearted camaraderie she hadn't experienced in years. The thrill of exploring the unknown alongside trusted friends had been lost to her ever since she joined Salvanius' Order. The organization's rigid structure and hierarchy had dampened her once-adventurous spirit, and witnessing Elijah's crew sparked a touch of envy within her.
Yana, still grinning mischievously, finally released her grip on Elijah's hair. The man, now fuming with anger, made a hasty attempt to snatch her out of the air, but the nimble fairy easily dodged his grasp, giggling all the while.
"I'm going to kill the both of you!" Elijah yelled, glaring at both Yana and Bennett. His frustration only caused more laughter from the fairy and an amused smirk from Bennett, who crossed his arms and leaned back against the railing.
"Come now, Sir Elijah, there's no need for violence," Rhea interjected while covering her mouth in a poor attempt to hide her own laughter. "I'm sure you can find it in your heart to forgive their little prank.” She continued, adjusting her hair that was flowing in the wind. “We’re going to spend a few long days sailing if we’re going to catch up with them, after all.”
Glancing back at her crew, Rhea's face returned to its usual stern expression when she noticed the sailors gawking and whispering amongst themselves. It was evident that her momentary display of mirth had taken them by surprise, as they rarely saw their Knight Captain in such a lighthearted state.
"What in the name of Tylas are you all gawking at!?" She roared, placing her hands firmly on her hips “GET BACK TO WORK!”
Rhea's eyes narrowed as the scrambling crew members hastily returned to their tasks, their faces pale with fear. The ship's atmosphere instantly shifted back to its usual disciplined state as the sailors focused on their duties, aware that their Knight Captain's gaze was upon them.
Elijah let out an annoyed sigh in the realization that he was probably never going to catch that little psychopath and shifted his gaze to Bennett. “I’m gonna get you.” He hissed hatefully. “Mark my words, you piece of shit.” However, Bennett merely smirked in response, clearly unfazed by his captain's threats.
Just as Elijah was about to ask the Knight Captain about the whereabouts of her liege, the man himself appeared on deck. Salvanius came sauntering up the planks that connected the ship to the docks, his imposing figure drawing the attention of everyone present.
"It's quite rare to hear you so jovial, Rhea," the Demigod remarked, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Rhea, slightly taken aback by her liege's observation, straightened her posture and cleared her throat.
"My apologies, your grace," she replied respectfully, attempting to regain her usual composure. "I shall see to it that this Cog is ready to depart, post haste."
Salvanius waved a dismissive hand, his expression softening slightly. "There's no need to apologize, Rhea. It's good to see you enjoying yourself, even if just for a moment. However, you are correct; our guest would most likely appreciate departing as soon as possible."
With that, Rhea nodded and began barking orders to her crew, ensuring that everything was in order for their imminent departure.
Turning to his guests, Salvanius addressed them with an air of authority. "I assume you two have the magical tool..." He paused, recalling the events that transpired the previous day. "I mean, the tool. Is it ready?"
The two Human’s exchanged glances before Elijah stepped forward, pulling out the bioscanner from his pocket. "You’re not going to be able to understand it, but I’ve configured it in a way where you can still get a lot of functionality without having to read." he explained, holding the device out for Salvanius to see.
Time flew as Elijah went into an in depth explanation of the bioscanner's functions and features. He walked Salvanius through everything all the way from disease diagnosis to health monitoring and treatments. With each new feature the human listed seemed to make Salvanius’ jaw drop lower and lower until he found himself looking like a fool.
"And finally, if a red tube with a bolt of lightning ever just starts flashing, all you have to do is flip it over so these panels face the star and just wait," Elijah explained, pointing at the bright orb in the morning sky as he showed the Demigod the solar panels. "It's designed to recharge itself using starlight, so you'll never have to worry about finding a power source."
Salvanius' eyes widened even further, if that were possible. "Astounding," he breathed, clearly impressed. "And you’re just willing to give this to me…?"
“Eh.” Elijah shrugged dismissively. “I have augments- I mean I can already do most of that stuff other than a few things, so it’s mainly just redundant fail safe incase I’m away or dead.”
A complicated expression spread across Salvanius' face as Elijah mentioned that the device was merely a redundancy measure in case of his absence. Suddenly the prospect of having this man as a retainer became much, MUCH more appealing. However, his thoughts were soon interrupted when the Vanir made its appearance by landing squarely on Elijah’s shoulder while glaring daggers at the Demigod.
Salvanius met Yana's gaze and sighed, dispelling the intrusive and dishonorable thoughts of taking these Artificers for himself.
“I understand.” The demigod said, turning his focus back to Elijah. “The Holy Dominion will not forget this grace you’ve bestowed upon us.” He gave a grateful nod before spinning around and heading towards the dock.
However, he soon came to a halt as his eyes fell upon a group of women arguing with his knights at the ramp leading to the ship. The women seemed intent on gaining access to the ship, their arms laden with various items, including several sizable platters of food.
“W-Wait! I-I was instructed to board!” A slim and fearful redhead said, holding a large burlap sack.
Something felt… Off about her.
It was almost as if Salvanius could recognize the woman, even though he was fairly certain he hadn't met her before. Then again, he had met a great number of people in this damned village, but his instincts kept nudging him to take a closer look. But his thoughts were interrupted when he recognized the Beastkin woman and the gaggle of Ferfolk slaves next to her.
"What do ye mean we ain't allowed entry!? I gotta deliver me gratitude before it's too late!" the dog-like woman bellowed, her voice full of frustration and urgency.
An amused huff left Salvanius’ mouth before looking over his shoulder. “I do believe you have guests.” The Demigod said before making his way down the plank.
“Let them through.” He said to his knights, waving his hand dismissively as he walked past the group.
The knights obeyed without hesitation and stepped aside allowing the gaggle of women to board the ship. "Thank ye, yer grace," The dog-like woman bowed deeply before her and the Ferfolk ran up the ramp.
As Elijah approached at the edge of the ship , confusion spread across his face as Mara suddenly appeared with her renowned tubers in hand. The woman stopped a good distance away, staring intently at the man, attempting to gauge his reaction and determine whether he would be receptive to her presence. Seeing he was just staring at her impassively, Mara gathered her courage, and stepped forward with a warm smile.
"I... I wanted to give ye this as a token of me gratitude…” She said shyly. “Ye know, for everything ye done for us."
Elijah's eyes flicked between Mara and the tubers, his confusion slowly melting away into a wry smile as he flicked his hand in a beckoning motion. The action caused Mara’s Shyness to completely dissipate as she bounded forward and handed him the tubers with enthusiasm. "You really didn't have to, but thank you," Elijah said, accepting the gift.
Mara beamed at his response, clearly relieved. "It's the least I could do!” She said, with her tail wagging vigorously. “I couldn’t bear the thought of not makin’ amends with ye.”
Turning around, Elijah handed this plate of tubers to the salivating Engineer and watched as Yana bolted off his shoulder in an attempt to attack the pile of food. Shaking his head, Elijah turned back to Mara and the group of women with a bemused expression. "Hopefully they’ll leave me some," he commented.
“Ye can always come back and get more.” Mara replied with a coy. “I’ll let ye have all the service ye want.”
A chuckle escaped Elijah’s mouth as he ran a hand through his hair. "I might just take you up on that," he said with a smirk. "Your food isn’t the only thing I’m going to miss."
Mara's cheeks flushed deeply at Elijah's reply, her tail wagging even faster as she tried to play it cool. "Well, I'll be sure to make myself available whenever ye are in need of some company," she replied, propping up her supple chest.
Elijah couldn't help but let his eyes wander for a moment before meeting Mara's gaze again, a lopsided grin playing at the corners of his mouth. "I'll… keep that in mind as long as you promise not to try to get me killed again." he replied with a goofy tone that made the dog-girl giggle.
“So all I need to do is spread my legs if I’m ever in need of your forgiveness?” Azelines voice rang out from behind him as the blond Elf woman emerged from the ship still rubbing the sleepiness from her eyes.
With a mouth full of fried tubers, Bennett decided to chime in. “I told him his dick is going to eventually get him killed.” He said, beckoning the Ferfolks to place the other platters on a nearby box.
Bringing a hand up to press against his eyes, Elijah let out an annoyed groan before turning his attention towards the two. “Why do you have to make this weird?” He asked in exasperation. "It’s all about sincerity.”
Bennett snickered, shoving another tuber into his mouth. "Ah yes. You hear that Aze?” He continued in a mocking tone while elbowing Azeline in the ribs. “You need to put more effort in your apologies!"
Azeline smirked, her teasing nature starting to leak out. "Is that so? I guess I’ll make sure any future apologies come with… an appropriate amount of sincerity and effort." She said, striking a pose that was more satirical than seductive.
“Jesus Christ…” Elijah muttered under his breath while his two crewmates broke out into laughter. “I hate both of you.”
The laughter continued after successfully eliciting an annoyed response from their beleaguered captain. However, a quiet seemed to take over the deck as everyone's attention shifted towards the approaching Knight Captain. "So that's the type of man you are, Sir Eli-jah" Rhea remarked with a raised eyebrow. "I'll bear that in mind when you try to charm me with your honeyed words."
“Oh god damnit…” Elijah facepalmed and dragged his hand down his face as another roar of laughter erupted from everyone in the group.
Rhea’s hand was covering her mouth as she tried to suppress a chuckle. “A-Anyways…” She chortled. “We should be ready to sail any moment now, so make sure you’re all prepared for departure.” The woman said, walking off in the direction of the Helm while her shoulders shook in mirth.
Elijah just stood there for a moment, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Where the hell is Auri?” He asked no one in particular, his frustration starting to show.
“A-Ahh… H-Hello.”
Recognizing the voice, Elijah looked up to see a petite woman with bright red hair looking up at him expectantly while holding onto a large burlap sack. Glad to see that he at least didn’t have to go hunting for the dainty woman, Elijah let loose a heavy breath of relief. “Alright, I’ll go tell Lady Rhea-” He tried to say, but Auri interrupted him.
Auri squirmed nervously before asking, "Umm… Should I be worried that you also have designs on me?"
“Oh for fucks sake!” Elijah threw his arms up and let them slap against his thighs in frustration as the rest of the crew barked in laughter. "Let’s just go already!”
Yana however, completely ignored the incessant bickering and Instead, she hungrily finished off one of the smaller platters of tubers and chomped down on the last tiny morsel on the wooden plate. Sighing Contentedly, the Fairy’s gaze fell upon Mara and her small group of Ferfolks as they said their goodbyes and disappeared from view. In their place was the other, more fidgety whelping that always looked at her servants with gleeful eyes. The man was far weaker than the other, but at least he seemed somewhat reverent towards Eli and Ben.
In their stead, the more fidgety whelping appeared, the one who always seemed to look at Ben and Eli with eager eyes. Although this man seemed far weaker than his sibling, he at least displayed a measure of reverence towards her servants.
Turning her head up towards the clear blue sky, Yana placed a hand on her tiny belly and sighed contentedly. She couldn't wait to see what other delightful mortal delicacies or fanciful experiences she would get to experience in the future.

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submitted by duddlered to HFY [link] [comments]


2023.06.08 09:24 EpicJimmy5 Spring Break in Milan

I found a good one-way flight and wanted to share my flights and the cost of them for my trip to Milan with my girlfriend. I think I might be worried about the connection time through MEX since it's a spring break flight as I have to also transfer terminals but hopefully I can make the flight. There didn't really seem to have another option for traveling to MEX as my repositioning flight since the flight from MEX was so early in the morning, unless I took an Aeromexico flight that got to MEX at midnight but it doesn't look like any lounges are open at that time. I had the Delta flight on my radar for about a week and booked it right before the price went up to about 400k SkyPesos per one-way ticket. For the return flight from MXP to SFO, United had LOT Polish for 44k miles but I thought $400 with my Amex Plat was more worth it to spend it then to use 44k miles.

Flight Path Type of Fare Flight Times
LAX -> MEX (Volaris) Cash Fare in Economy ($200) 1AM-5:45AM
MEX -> JFK (Aeromexico) -> MXP (Delta) Business Class for 75k one-way, Premier (Aeromexico), Delta One (Delta) 7:40AM-7:40AM+1
MXP -> LIS -> SFO (TAP Portugal) Cash Fare in Economy ($400) 5:55AM-2:35PM
SJC -> LAX (Southwest) Haven't booked yet, but should be around 6k points for one-way flight
Total: $600 & 80k points
submitted by EpicJimmy5 to awardtravel [link] [comments]


2023.06.08 09:19 redravenkitty Please help. Disability denied due to incompetent legal representation. Can appeal ONE more time.

Edit to add: I am in KS, US.
I am hoping someone will have some insight. I am up against a tight deadline, heavily disabled, and desperately need advice.
This is long, so…
TLDR: My legal representation for my Social Security disability application did such a poor job representing me, or even understanding what they’re trying to help me with, that I was denied at the hearing level. This is very, very bad, and I need a new lawyer ASAP.
More details:
I have tried three separate times (separate applications) in KS to apply for disability. The first 2-3 times I was too ill to meet any deadlines and my application was denied by default. I have been trying since 2015.
This most recent attempt, I finally had some help from my partner to meet the deadlines I had missed before. My application was still denied on the grounds that my “hands still work.”
I could not keep up with the appeals process and hired legal representation. It has been utter chaos ever since.
My appeal was denied, this time because I am sick but “not sick enough,” so I requested a hearing in front of a judge.
My legal representation was part of some merger and changed their company name. The disorganization only increased from there on. I have never been allowed to speak to the person whose name is on my paperwork as my lawyer, in spite of requesting many times. Over the past two years or so, I barely heard from them. When I contacted them myself, I’ve never spoken to the same person, rarely does someone know what is going on with my case, and no one was able to tell me who would actually be representing me—until 2 weeks before the hearing. At some point along the way, I was going to fire them and find someone else, but didn’t have the health to deal with that given they would probably fight over the fee.
This person did not contact me about my hearing until 2pm the afternoon before my 830 am hearing with a judge. I missed the call and when I returned it an hour later, we were able to speak. I’m still not sure if that was a good thing.
My legal rep is not a lawyer, just an authorized rep who works for the lawyer that no one will let me speak to. He made no effort to learn, on his own or ahead of time by communicating with me, what my limitations are. Therefore he was not aware that expecting to talk to me on the phone for about an hour was going to make me horribly ill.
I informed him of this but he insisted the judge should see what I’m like when I’m really badly sick. I got sick during the conversation and he did not understand that continuing to talk was making things worse, even after I told him.
He asked me tons of questions, and told me he and the judge would be asking me these things and similar during the hearing. We also discussed the last date I was able to work.
I was so sick from that phone call that I had to take emergency medications to avoid the emergency room that night.
The next morning for my hearing, I was so sick and medicated that I couldn’t think or hardly make sense. The trouble with my illness is, it’s invisible. I don’t look sick, I look stupid and lazy.
My hearing was virtual and I was lying in bed in my pajamas. I insisted on having my partner present for emotional support, but he was not able to help me when I was floundering from my neurological disorder disrupting my communication abilities.
The legal rep told the judge a date for last date of work that was years later than we had agreed on the day before. In my medicated stupor, I agreed with him because I was afraid to argue in front of the judge.
My legal rep also asked me about 10% of the questions he told me was going to, and then gave me the open floor. I was too sick to think and didn’t advocate well for myself at all. That’s what I thought I was paying him to do for me, since I can’t.
I received no follow up about the hearing from my rep.
I was just denied again. I have ONE more opportunity to appeal, and they do not have to grant me one.
If I do not find a better lawyer and a way to fire this team of incompetency, I am going to be denied that too.
I am open to advocacy organizations of any kind, but at this point am considering signing over a power of attorney to a family member and giving up. I cannot continue to fight in a system designed for well people. I’m not even convinced I will survive the next three years of this illness.
Side note, my disease is listed on their “fast track” system called compassionate allowance, or something to that effect. They’ll speed up their decision for you but it won’t affect their decision. My legal rep never put me on this list so I’ve only just now learned about it and have been waiting almost two years for this hearing I just bombed.
I am absolutely desperate for help with how to fire, rehire, and how to find someone who can do their job.
I am 90% bedridden, 100% homebound, and can’t even bathe myself. I sleep about 20 hours a day. Any exertion or external stimuli makes me sicker, sometimes permanently. There is absolutely no reason I should have been denied in a hearing with a judge, period.
If you read all of this and can offer me some help, you are an angel. Thank you.
submitted by redravenkitty to legaladvice [link] [comments]


2023.06.08 09:16 Bitter_Fee_1887 I cannot move past this, and I think it makes me and my relationship extremely bitter

My boyfriend and I have been together for a year now and I guess things did not start off very well for us. Before getting together, we had been friends for another year and have been classmates for 4 years of college. I had gone through a breakup during COVID and I wanted to cheer myself up and be surrounded my wholesome friends again and I ended up in a group of friends. I knew all of them separately and soon we started hanging out together and you could call us a group. Boyfriend was also a part of this group and so was his ex-girlfriend who he was with for around a month almost 8-9 months before we got together. Ex-girlfriend had broken up with boyfriend as she was not in a place to be in a relationship. Boyfriend really loved ex-girlfriend and hadn't really moved on. However, as we became better friends, boyfriend and I really fell for each other and one night, after having some drinks we got together. Next morning, however, I told boyfriend that it would be fine if he were to change his mind now that we are sober and cuz I thought that he might wanna clear his head with regards to ex-girlfriend. He, however said that he really likes me and it would be the best thing to get together but asked me to keep us a secret from everyone else (also, boyfriend did not know that I knew about him and ex girlfriend, or at least he pretended not to know). And that is how we got together.
Moving on to the next month, ex girlfriend calls him and asks him about us to which he initially denies any thing but when she insists on knowing the truth as she was considering getting back with him, he told her the truth. At this point must tell you that, a few months before getting together with me, boyfriend had asked ex girlfriend out again to which she said that she would rather lose their friendship than get back with him, after which he made up his mind to move on. On occasions she had also told me that she would like for boyfriend to move on and that she only ever sees him as a friend. And now when she heard that boyfriend and I are together she got really angry and felt betrayed. After learning about this conversation I texted her and apologised for not letting her know about this as soon as it happened but she just ignored me. I went on to try and talk with the other girl in our group but she said that given how I have treated ex-girlfriend (by not telling her about my relationship) she cannot continue our friendship. I was really confused and felt horrible. I had never foreseen this, I felt like I did something horrible but in all honesty I was led to believe that ex girlfriend would really not have a problem with boyfriend moving on, as she said so herself. She slammed at boyfriend by telling him that he got together with her friend to make her feel horrible. She slammed me when I tried to apologise to her.
In all of this boyfriend was in a pit of his own and I felt worse because of this. I told him that he can break up with me if he feels like he is missing out on the love of his life to which he told me that he wants to be only with me and this would have never happened, ex gf would have never called him like this if he were not dating anyone else, but he was still in this pit. I felt like a third wheel in my own relationship. I had no one to talk to as this relationship was pretty much under the covers. I lost my friends and I felt horrible that boyfriend did this where he got together with me without sorting his issues out and, btw, he did have an idea about this. he did foresee this, but he never told me and I feel like he dragged me in this mess knowing how ugly he could get. I felt like I did something horrible and I needed assurance, at least from boyfriend. he kept trying to apologise to ex gf through as many channels as he could cuz she blocked him, but he never felt the need to assure him. Later when I brought this up, he said that "but I was always with you every step of the way". No he was not, he was only physically present and I could see right through him all the time. He would get tensed when he thought ex gf was passing by, he would never come down to eat incase he were to run into her. I had the worst time in this thing.
We have however, tried to resolve as much as we can. I really really love boyfriend and I do not not to break up with him, but once in a while I get super trigger, triggered by the smallest incidents or I seek this pain out sometimes and I feel horrible again. I feel like I hate everyone. I don't feel like making close friends anymore, I feel betrayed by everyone. Boyfriend has said that he was not hung up on her in a sense that I feel but was really pushed into this pit because he had been hurting over his past relationship for sometime now, and as soon as he found himself in a pleasant place this person tried to push him back down and he felt the burden the doing this to me (which I do not believe).
I really wish I could move on from what happened. I really wish we had never gotten together. I wish I never made these friends. I have become a really bitter person after this and though boyfriend is one of the best people I have ever come across, I snap at him every time this affects me. I start blaming him for everything. I really do not know what to do.
I hate ex girlfriend.
submitted by Bitter_Fee_1887 to offmychest [link] [comments]


2023.06.08 09:13 bizzle_xo Girl came to my house to sleep for the weekend but rejected me because she had a boyfriend

There is this girl I am really into for several years and she's from out of town. We have multiple mutual friends in my city and we were having a party on Saturday. We talked with her best friend which lives in my city and she suggested that I pick her up from the other city and drive her back as a way of spending a little time together.
We were having a lovely evening on friday with dinner and then having a couple of drink back at my place and the mood was really good but I decided not to do anything straight away in order to respect her choice to come over my place for the weekend.
The next morning we were having coffee, doing some prep work for the party, having laughs. Then the party started and everyone was having fun, dancing, talking. At some point at the end of the night I decided to make a move and try to kiss her but she just moved and said "I am sorry but I have a boyfriend" and went to sleep at my place. I was really confused.
The next morning was like nothing happened the night before. She wanted to go out for a coffee and launch and as we were saying goodbye she just hugged me and said thank you for everything and the hospitality.

Is there something I am missing, is it okay to be confused? I always sensed there is some chemistry between us. I consider myself good looking, lots of hobbies, stable job and everything and all of her friends were like rooting for me to do the step.
EDIT: For those asking - Yes I knew she had a boyfriend, I knew from her freinds that she was breaking up with him for the last 2 months and I respected her choice and didn't do anything after that. After all she is a friend.
submitted by bizzle_xo to dating_advice [link] [comments]


2023.06.08 09:10 Rude-Alarm4143 My (24F) best friend and the man I thought I would marry (33M) made me his other woman. twice.

I'd like to preface that this is mostly a vent/rant over a situationship that just recently ended (today). And I'd also like to preface that I know that I am not in the right here either and I have made my fair share of mistakes in this. This situation has been so completely draining and exhausting and I need a space to vent and look for advice.
I (24F) met him (33M) when I was 20 and he was 30 off of tinder. We clicked immediately. We could talk for hours non stop, going down conversational rabbit holes, we shared a lot of the same interests, had many of the same values and beliefs whether religious, political, or otherwise. We spoke on the same intellectual level and I felt truly seen and understood by this man. I fell for him quickly. A few months after meeting, things got physical and we were even more compatible on that level in a way I hadn't known before.
Then things started getting a little fishy. He told me about his roommate who also happened to be his ex. But swore up and down that there was nothing going on. I thought that he wouldn't have brought it to my attention if he was trying to hide it. I ended up enlisting in the Navy and shipped out to boot camp, during which he wrote me letters and answered the few calls I was allowed to have. I never had anyone in my life support me and tell me they were proud of me as much as he did.
When I was done with basic, reality struck. I looked at his "ex's" facebook and saw a post about their 5 year anniversary. I confronted him about it and told her what was going on. He called crying and saying that things were pretty much over but due to her mental issues of always threatening suicide, he had a hard time calling things off completely. He said it was over, and I believed him.
We spent the next 6 months talking everyday with phone calls and video chats. It got to the point of him talking about wanting to propose to me, and I was thrilled. In unrelated events, i was discharged early and was sent back home. He picked me up from the airport, but things were off.
Over the next 5 months after that, he barely talked to me, we saw each other maybe 3 times, and I was fighting him more about why he wasn't making time to see me. One night, I woke up sobbing and I knew. They were back together. I messaged her in the morning and she confirmed. I blew up his phone and he ghosted me.
I was an absolute wreck. I truly thought I was going to marry this man. He was my best friend and I felt like we were perfect for each other. I entered therapy to help the grieving as well as to work on childhood traumas.
A year and a half later, I reached out to him looking for closure. He answered all of my questions and then our conversation got sidetracked and we started catching up like old friends. Soon enough, we were back to talking everyday. I knew the pain he put me through, but it felt like he had changed. And I can't tell you how much I missed his friendship. I have yet to meet another person on earth who is the same level as autistic as me who I don't have to mask for and can truly be myself with and feel totally accepted. It's a hard thing to let go of.
The more we talk, the more our original connection resurfaces. But I refused to ask the question. And he refused to bring it up. Until we were meeting up and physical again. And I found out they were still together. I instantly tried to set boundaries of him needing to be honest with her and hold himself accountable. That I didn't want to do anything else again. But I was weak and let things continue.
Over and over again I fought with him, and he was once again telling me how much he wanted to be with me and that he wanted to marry me and that he loved me and that he was going to figure it all out. Months go by, I'm trying to trust him because I really didn't think he would stay in my life if he wasn't serious about committing to me.
I kept pushing him to be honest with her and I kept pushing him to hold boundaries and to stop making me hold them for him because they weren't ones I wanted to hold and shouldn't have had to. I called everything off and said if he wanted to see me again, he needed to tell her everything.
So he did. And right before he did he told me he still wanted to be with me. But they talked and he decided to stay with her. But he did not tell her everything.
I took a month to grieve the future I had wanted with him, thinking we could figure out how to be friends with everything out in the open. Which is what he concluded with saying he wanted. We scheduled a video chat for one month and I told him he needed to make sure to clear it with her and to be fully transparent with her about everything from here on out.
One month goes by, I'm excited to talk to him because I did miss our friendship most of all. And on the day of, he doesn't message all day. I reached out to her thinking that he was no longer allowed to talk to me and she had no clue about the video chat. He hadn't told her. He finally called around 7pm and I chewed him out for not telling her, to which he said he forgot. We chatted for a bit but I was still pissed that he crossed that boundary.
Over the weekend, she started asking me proof for everything for the first time. And I gave her everything she wanted. I had all of the receipts. But she didn't care. She stayed.
I told him that in order for us to have a friendship, I would like accountability on his part for the pain he caused me through leading me on and making me think he wanted to be with me. That I couldn't sweep everything under the rug without him putting in effort to apologize and build trust that he wouldn't cross my boundaries again.
He didn't. 2 weeks go by and I barely hear from him. He doesn't respond to my messages and is just overall ignoring me. So I tell him I'm over it and I'm gone. And then he finally starts to respond and starts playing the victim, telling me to just leave then and don't look back.
I explained that it wasn't fair that I have spent months and years filling his cup, providing him with love and encouragement and playing the part of his girlfriend, initiating everything from visits to phone calls, for him to not even give any effort to mend things for the friendship he said he wanted. And that overall if he wanted to be in my life he needed to go to therapy and be capable of putting effort into the friendship.
He went on to say that all he ever wanted was a friend. Well, friends don't sleep with each other and tell them they want to marry them. And he was mad that I was doing it over text when I asked him over and over and over again in that conversation to just call me. He didn't.
So I let go of the person I felt safest with. I feel like I lost everything. While he kept his girlfriend and says his relationship has never been better after I forced him to stop cheating on her- he was fine with letting it continue and it would've if I hadn't stopped it.
I don't understand why she stays. I don't understand why I am so attached. I don't understand why someone would go out of their way to hurt the people they claim to care about like this. Not just once, but repeatedly. I feel like I'm left with nothing while he still has everything.
If you're still hear, thanks for reading my vent. It's been a rough few years. My general question is, do you have any advice that you can give me to move on from this?
TL;DR I was the other woman for 3 and a half years. When I found out, I tried to stop but it was hard due to the false promises of marriage and a relationship and the connection we had.
submitted by Rude-Alarm4143 to relationships [link] [comments]


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submitted by beginners-blog to iblogging [link] [comments]


2023.06.08 09:00 dannelbaratheon Of Dagor Dagorath - Two Kinslayers (Tolkien/Wheel of Time Crossover)

Chapter V

Two Kinslayers

"Has anything changed?"
The man, if he could thought of as a man, was covered in black robes. He refused to wear anything else, murmuring in his foreign language at every word, move or sound of others.
"Is he any better?"
As good as us, Lews Therin said. He's a killer, like I am.
Shut up.
Alanna and Verin both inspected him. Looking up, Rand noticed Mat, Aviendha and the Maidens of the Spear were all terrified of him. The Aiel women did their best to hide it, but he still saw it in their faces.
"Moriñgotho." the man said. "Moriñgotho enutúlie." The word "Moriñgotho" was the one he kept repeating all the time.
"He is..." Verin said bewildered, staring at him still. "He is...fine. There is nothing wrong about him. His body is completely healthy. No scars, no wound...he is completely fine."
Alanna touched his head. "Light! It's the opposite. His body is stronger than any of us. He is in better shape than anyone I've ever seen."
"Eru apseni. Ilúvatar, apseni. "
"He is stronger. Taller. Healthier than anyone I had ever seen."
Rand nodded, looking down at the man. He was still shaking and murmuring. He was not looking at any of them or anything at all. His grey eyes were completely absent. Rand barely needed to even lean to touch the man - even when sitting, his head and shoulders were close to Rand's. Rand removed his thick black hair, in his hand feeling it very smooth, looking at his ears. "Pointy? He has pointy ears?"
"Yes." Verin said, looking at the other one. "I don't understand it either." His ears were not slightly pointed: rather both ears were noticeably longer than of any ordinary man. Not abnormaly so, but noticeably. "Maybe he was just born that way."
"If he was born at all." Mat added.
The Aes Sedai looked at him, visibly irritated, with Alanna biting her lip. "And why exactly are you questioning that?"
"Why? Oh, I have no idea. Maybe because he fell from the bloody sky?"
"Cauthon!"
"Stop!" That was all Rand needed to say to convince them. Shutting up an Aes Sedai or Mat was an impossible task sometimes.
"Moriñgotho." the man continued. "Moriñgotho."
"Is he speaking real words or is he just...stuttering?"
Like you, maybe? Lews Therin chuckled.
Verin did not answer immediately. She kept listening to him for a while. "Those are real words. But..."
"But what?"
"I don't know what language it is, Rand." she said bluntly. "And I don't think anyone in the world does."
"Moriñgotho. Moriñgotho."
"That word he is repeating." Aviendha said. "Maybe it is his name?"
Rand looked at the man again. He was repeating that word all the time, yes - but he did so with terror. It seemed like he said it always as quickly as possible, just to end it. "No. It's not a name. Not his at least."
"How do you know?"
"I do." Aviendha and the Maidens rumbled about "wetlanders" when he said that. He placed the hand on his shoulder, slightly shaking him. "Listen to me..."
"Moriñgotho. Moriñgotho." he said. "Morikotto. Morkotho?" He looked at them once, as if waiting to be corrected, but then continued... "Moringotto. Moriñgotho."
He's lost his mind, Rand thought. Is he a channeler? And yet somehow, Rand doubted that was the case.
"What do we do with him?" Mat asked. "He needs help."
"And what do you want us to do, Cauthon?"
"Heal him."
Verin scoffed. "From what? Have you heard what we said? There is nothing wrong with him."
"Light, woman, he is mad! Rumbling the same thing over and over again!"
"Morkotho. Moriñgotho. Morgotto? Morikotto."
"You can Heal him, can't you?"
Alanna was frustrated with Mat's tone, but she felt Rand's answer to that. Just try if you dare. She bit her lip. "One Power can heal all wounds of the body, Cauthon. All except death itself. That is true. But no one, not even in the Age of Legends, was ever able to heal any mental illness or insanity itself. That is impossible. At most the Compulsion can be reversed, but that is all."
Mat looked at him. "Rand?"
Rand just shook his head. Lews Therin remembered some type of Healing of the mind, but... It came from him, not the Creator. You are still mad, though.
Mat kept looking back at the man. "We can't just leave him."
"And what will we do, Mat?" Rand asked him, almost deciding to turn back. "We cannot help everyone." Curse me, but we cannot.
Davram Bashere looked at the man, then at Rand again. "With all due respect, Lord Dragon, everyone saw him fall from the sky. Not only that, but people have said they saw a bright falling star moments before he fell."
"And you think he is that star?" Of all people, Rand never expected Bashere to be superstituos.
"If the possibilities are that narrow?" he shrugged. "I honestly do."
Rand clicked his tongue. And they say male channelers are mad.
"Rand al'Thor." Aviendha said. "No one is lying here. We all saw the star falling."
"Suppose you are all right." He played with buttons on his sleeve. "Let us say there was a star that fell and he was there when it did. Doesn't mean at all he needs to be that star."
Alanna felt frustrated, Rand returning that emotion.
"Rand, look at him!" Mat pointed at the man. "Does he look like an ordinary man to you? And we are all telling you - he fell from the sky!"
"If you do not trust us," Aviendha said. "ask the others in the city."
"The Pattern, Rand." Verin said. "Whoever or whatever he is, the Pattern brought him here."
"And how do you know that?"
"How?" Verin scratched her chin. "Well, I am just an Aes Sedai, after all. However, I seem to remember people do not often fall from the sky."
Sky was filled with fire and ash, then. Lews Therin seemed to have gotten quite talkative at the moment. When I killed her. He started weeping. I killed my Ilyena.
"Moriñgotho."
"I cannot take care of him."
"Who said so?" Alanna commented. "Honestly, you would be the worst person for that, al'Thor."
Rand bit his tongue before answering back. If I don't want her being proud, I must be humble too.
"We will take care of him." Verin said. "We can..."
Rand cut her off with one short glance. "Mat?"
"Yes?"
"You will take care of him."
Cauthon reached his chest. "What?"
"Since you are so eager to help him. And you found him first."
He nodded. "So...I need to go find the princess and take care of this poor man. You want me to clean your toilet too?"
Alanna felt like an injustice was done to her when Rand let that pass. "He is safe with you too."
"This is absurd!" Verin said. "Rand al'Thor, we need him with us! Whatever he is saying must be properly translated."
"Fingolfin..." The man said, with a voice that was almost breaking. "Hanno! Hanno, apseni!"
"He is going where I said he is going - as far away from Aes Sedai as possible." He did not consider them deserving of even a look. "He is going with the Band of the Red Hand. I will not argue about this."
Even Sulin scoffed. "Rand al'Thor, don't you dare be that stupid!"
Davram Bashere just looked to the side during this argument. Insulting superiors was something only the Aiel considered acceptable, as it seemed. Rand continued with his own. "He goes with Matrim, Aes Sedai. My decision is final."
"If you do this, the White Tower will not be on good terms with you anymore. And you need us, Rand al'Thor."
They all stopped as the man stood up from his seat. Standing now almost a head taller than Rand, he gave a glance to each of them. Those grey eyes were deeper and older than the sea itself and the face, again, more timeless than the face of the Aes Sedai. He looked down on them all, then fixing his sight on Rand. He stared long enough for Lews Therin to start rumbling...and then go silent without any interferrence of Rand.
The man walked up to the window, looking over the city. Rand slowly approached him from behind, and the man turned back to him. "Here." he said abruptly.
Rand narrowed his eyes. "What?"
"Here." The man pointed towards the bottom, then to himself. "Here. Stay?" he said, again waiting to be corrected. "Here. Stay here."
"What, you want me to stay here?" The man started nodding, but when Rand pointed at himself, he shook it, then placing a hand on his chest. "No...you want to stay here?"
The man nodded. "Náto."
"I suppose that means yes." Rand said. "Very well. Do you want their help?" Rand pointed towards the Aes Sedai and tried to explains with his hands as best as possible.
The man slowly came to understand it. "No."
"No?"
"No know?" He shook his head. "No! Lá sí. Now not."
"Not now? You do not want their help at the moment? In this place or at the moment?"
"Náto."
"But maybe later?"
"Náto."
"Alright then." Rand said, offering his hand for a shake. "You may stay." Alanna felt like she will scream. The man looked at Rand's hand for a bit before eventually taking it and slowly shaking it. Light, he has a strong shake! he admitted. "Bashere?"
"My lord."
"Find some servants to help our friend. Get him a home or a room."
"At command, lord." he clasped, leaving the room to look for some servants.
When Rand turned, he saw them all staring at him, confused and frustrated, all except Verin. He had no intention to explain himself, not even to Aviendha and Mat. Verin, however, was staring at the man. "He just learned to speak the Common Tongue fluently...within minutes?"
Mat scratched his hand. "Uh...Verin Sedai, he simply babbled a few words."
"That he never heard before or understood." Verin looked towards Rand, expecting him to change his mind.
"He is not a rat you can experiment on." Rand said. "He said he doesn't want your help now. He will ask for it later."
She pursed her lips and closed her eyes. "Rand, please! He is important, whoever he is. We can help him..."
"He will ask for it when he needs it." Rand did not raise his voice and went to leave. "Mat, you come with me. You others can stay or go."
The women all wanted to burn him as it seemed, but he could not care less about it anymore. The room he led them to was Mat's temporary place while he was still in Caemlyn. Rand was not going to change his plans, despite the man's appearance. "Nice place." Rand said. "Not as warm as the Two Rivers, however."
"It is cozy, yes." Mat took a seat on his bed. "But I must admit I miss the Two Rivers."
Tam's gentle voice. The baaing of sheep. What did I do to deserve this? "Make haste slowly, Mat.” He started striding up and down. He never looked in Mat’s direction. He could feel sweat slicking his face, and his jaw was tight. "He has to see it coming. Everything depends on it.”
Mat started taking his boots off. "I know,” he said sourly. "I helped make the bloody plan, remember?”
That was a thing Mat would always say. He missed those days when the two of them, along with Perrin, would just live and rejoice. He found it, at he very least, good he met other people and loved other people after that. That was not encouraging, but it was comforting.
He started thinking of Aviendha then. Mat always had a way with women, he thought. How do you know you’re in love with a woman, Mat? he almost asked, but then brushed it off. Mat already had enough of burden on his own shoulders. Rand did not want to place his own upon him too. And...something pulled those words away from him.
He still did not stop his striding, and he dropped it in as if it fit what he had been saying. "I’ll finish Sammael, Mat. I promised that; I owe it to the dead. But where are the others? I need to finish them all. One at a time, though.” That was all he could do.
What did I do to deserve this?
"There are Dragonsworn in Murandy, Mat. In Altara, too. Men sworn to me. Once Illian is mine, Altara and Murandy will drop like ripe plums. I’ll make contact with the Dragonsworn in Tarabon - and in Arad Doman - and if the Whitecloaks try to keep me out of Amadicia, I’ll crush them. The Prophet has Ghealdan primed, and Amadicia almost, so I hear."
The Prophet. An old word. From an age long forgotten. Even Lews Therin mocked it from time to time. Men who heard voices in their heads, he would often say. So I am a prophet too, am I?
"Can you imagine Masema as the Prophet?" Unimportant question. "Saldaea will come to me; Bashere is sure of it. All the Borderlands will come. They have to! I am going to do it, Mat. Every land united before the Last Battle. I’m going to do it!” He hadn't noticed his voice had taken on a feverish tone.
"Sure, Rand.” Mat said slowly, depositing his other boot beside the first. “But one thing at a time, right?”
One thing at a time. There was a game like that. His voice started breaking. The game my children liked to play. I killed them. I killed them and my Ilyena.
Rand sighed. "No man should have another man’s voice in his head." he muttered. How long has Lews Therin been in there? Rand did not remember when was the first time he heard him. It seemed to him that it happened when Lanfear met him in Tear. That seemed to have triggered Lews Therin to come out. Since then, the Kinslayer just started speaking louder and louder. Very rarely did he say meaningful things. Just babbling about his wife and children, and friends long gone. From time to time, he would speak of creatures of old, or "Angels of Heaven" as he called them, begging them or the Creator for forgiveness. But otherwise, he was just babbling.
He's like us. Lews Therin said then. &He's like me. He killed.*
Who?
Those who were his family.
No. Who are you talking about?
I killed my Ilyena.
He sighed again. You are mad. Like Sammael was. "He can be gulled, Mat - Sammael always thinks in straight lines - but is there any opening he can slip through? If there’s any mistake, thousands will die. Tens of thousands. Hundreds will anyway, but I don’t want it to be thousands.” he said that more to himself than to Mat. Not even to Lews Therin - himself.
"But, what about him?" Mat asked, expecting Rand to know. "You really don't think he's a big thing?"
"Maybe." Rand said. "Maybe the Pattern or the Creator himself sent him as help or temptation." Then he narrowed his eyes. "Or maybe the Dark One himself sent him here. Maybe he is even one of the Forsaken." Lews Therin did not agree, however. "You see it makes sense, right Mat?"
Mat looked down at his boots. "Yes...I think I know what you mean. But...Light, what if he is an ally? You can't refuse help, you know?"
Lews Therin scoffed and, honestly, Rand would have too. He has been refusing "help" ever since killing Rahvin. "Don't worry about him, Mat. He is my burden now. What you need to do is stick to the plan."
"But, there is something off about this, Rand..."
"Don't worry about it." He insisted. "Just stick to the plan."
"That is all?" Mat expected something more. What is it? "That is all you have to say?"
"Yes. That's all." He opened the door, not even looking back. "Sleep, Mat. You'll need good rest tonight." Rand closed the door, continuing his way through the red corridor that was covered in light of only few torches. He made some light himself, weaving Fire and Air together. The Maidens were, at the moment, absent, and had left him alone there.
Two hundred and five. That is how many people had died when he fought Rahvin excluding Aviendha and Mat and who, unlike them, stayed dead. And Mangin...He was hanged this morning. I watched it. That was all he could do for him. The young Aiel was much like Mat, and had a great respect for Rand, wanting to protect his honor. He cursed Aiel honor three times when that happened. Aiel customs, Aiel culture and all of it. And he cursed Andoran stupidity, Andoran pride and Andoran carelessness. Lews Therin instead behaved practically and cursed them both. Wetlander, Andoran, Aiel...it's all the same. Bands of babbling idiots, both talking of honor, when they can't even agree what that word means.
How many more needed to die because of such pathetic views of honor? The Forsaken also wanted honor - honor and glory. Demandred, Sammael and Lanfear wanted it most of all. Did it make it any better? Lews Therin seemed to actually wonder about that.
He wondered again. He hated it. Hard as stone. I must be hard. Light, I must. The man can stay for now. If he is an ally, good. If he is an enemy, good - he knows how to handle him quickly. As easy as Rahvin.
He extinguished the lights, allowing sound and smell to lead him instead. He woke up the next day, still feeling tired.
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2023.06.08 08:59 Dazzling_Gap_7223 AITA for not babysitting my boss’ daughter’s dogs when I get free rent

I (27F) work for a big apartment complex. I’ve been working here for a little over a year. There are several employees who live onsite and get discount on rent. I live alone in a one bedroom apartment that goes for around $1.3k and I only pay $200 for rent. One of the owner’s daughter (29F) lives in the state where the apartment complex I work for is located and she has recently decided to move into an apt here.
One day she asked me to babysit 2 of her 3 dogs for a week because she was going out of town. She paid me $34/day to babysit them. I walked them 5 times a day (including during my one hour lunch break) and at 5am (I usually wake up at 8:30am) Her dogs are basically puppies, have a lot of energy and were not really trained. After that week I was extremely exhausted.
A month later she asks me to babysit them again for a week. At this point I didn’t really wanted to babysit them but was scared to say no. When she dropped of her dogs she handed them to me right away and put all their things on the floor when my car was 3 feet away. I was struggling with her dogs and loading everything into my car while her dogs were pulling me all over the place and had diarrhea. She saw me and all she said was “omg i feel so bad, let me pay you” as she proceeded to leave. (btw she never paid me that day)
After babysitting for one day she texts me saying if I wanted to I could leave the boy dog in her apartment with the 3rd dog she didn’t ask me to babysit. I told her it was okay since I was going to be home all day. Then after a little back and forth she just said that she felt bad that the 3rd dog was going to be alone since she was leaving to a party. So I told her I could babysit the third dog while she was at the party. After she came back she took 2 of her dogs. The next morning she came to drop off the boy dog like she said she would but also left her 3rd dog again. She did not say anything and just left and told me she would be back in 4 hours. I was very upset because she never asked me if I could take care of her 3rd dog that day she just dropped it off and said NOTHING. I felt forced because it was not part of the deal. I volunteered the previous day just for that night. Anyway, 4 hours passed and I didn’t hear anything from her. 6, 7, 8 hours and nothing. By the 10th hour I finally had the courage to text her and she said she was on her way. After this incident I realized how she is always friendly, smiley and considerate before she asks me for something. Once I say yes she turnes into this inconsiderate extremely snotty person.
Last week she asked me If I can babysit her dogs again but this time I told her I wasn’t going to be able to. AITA for saying no even though her family helps with the rent, at some point I feel like they feel I should say yes to anything they ask because of this.
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2023.06.08 08:58 dannelbaratheon Of Dagor Dagorath - Two Kinslayers (Tolkien/Wheel of Time Crossover)

Chapter V

Two Kinslayers

"Has anything changed?"
The man, if he could thought of as a man, was covered in black robes. He refused to wear anything else, murmuring in his foreign language at every word, move or sound of others.
"Is he any better?"
As good as us, Lews Therin said. He's a killer, like I am.
Shut up.
Alanna and Verin both inspected him. Looking up, Rand noticed Mat, Aviendha and the Maidens of the Spear were all terrified of him. The Aiel women did their best to hide it, but he still saw it in their faces.
"Moriñgotho." the man said. "Moriñgotho enutúlie." The word "Moriñgotho" was the one he kept repeating all the time.
"He is..." Verin said bewildered, staring at him still. "He is...fine. There is nothing wrong about him. His body is completely healthy. No scars, no wound...he is completely fine."
Alanna touched his head. "Light! It's the opposite. His body is stronger than any of us. He is in better shape than anyone I've ever seen."
"Eru apseni. Ilúvatar, apseni. "
"He is stronger. Taller. Healthier than anyone I had ever seen."
Rand nodded, looking down at the man. He was still shaking and murmuring. He was not looking at any of them or anything at all. His grey eyes were completely absent. Rand barely needed to even lean to touch the man - even when sitting, his head and shoulders were close to Rand's. Rand removed his thick black hair, in his hand feeling it very smooth, looking at his ears. "Pointy? He has pointy ears?"
"Yes." Verin said, looking at the other one. "I don't understand it either." His ears were not slightly pointed: rather both ears were noticeably longer than of any ordinary man. Not abnormaly so, but noticeably. "Maybe he was just born that way."
"If he was born at all." Mat added.
The Aes Sedai looked at him, visibly irritated, with Alanna biting her lip. "And why exactly are you questioning that?"
"Why? Oh, I have no idea. Maybe because he fell from the bloody sky?"
"Cauthon!"
"Stop!" That was all Rand needed to say to convince them. Shutting up an Aes Sedai or Mat was an impossible task sometimes.
"Moriñgotho." the man continued. "Moriñgotho."
"Is he speaking real words or is he just...stuttering?"
Like you, maybe? Lews Therin chuckled.
Verin did not answer immediately. She kept listening to him for a while. "Those are real words. But..."
"But what?"
"I don't know what language it is, Rand." she said bluntly. "And I don't think anyone in the world does."
"Moriñgotho. Moriñgotho."
"That word he is repeating." Aviendha said. "Maybe it is his name?"
Rand looked at the man again. He was repeating that word all the time, yes - but he did so with terror. It seemed like he said it always as quickly as possible, just to end it. "No. It's not a name. Not his at least."
"How do you know?"
"I do." Aviendha and the Maidens rumbled about "wetlanders" when he said that. He placed the hand on his shoulder, slightly shaking him. "Listen to me..."
"Moriñgotho. Moriñgotho." he said. "Morikotto. Morkotho?" He looked at them once, as if waiting to be corrected, but then continued... "Moringotto. Moriñgotho."
He's lost his mind, Rand thought. Is he a channeler? And yet somehow, Rand doubted that was the case.
"What do we do with him?" Mat asked. "He needs help."
"And what do you want us to do, Cauthon?"
"Heal him."
Verin scoffed. "From what? Have you heard what we said? There is nothing wrong with him."
"Light, woman, he is mad! Rumbling the same thing over and over again!"
"Morkotho. Moriñgotho. Morgotto? Morikotto."
"You can Heal him, can't you?"
Alanna was frustrated with Mat's tone, but she felt Rand's answer to that. Just try if you dare. She bit her lip. "One Power can heal all wounds of the body, Cauthon. All except death itself. That is true. But no one, not even in the Age of Legends, was ever able to heal any mental illness or insanity itself. That is impossible. At most the Compulsion can be reversed, but that is all."
Mat looked at him. "Rand?"
Rand just shook his head. Lews Therin remembered some type of Healing of the mind, but... It came from him, not the Creator. You are still mad, though.
Mat kept looking back at the man. "We can't just leave him."
"And what will we do, Mat?" Rand asked him, almost deciding to turn back. "We cannot help everyone." Curse me, but we cannot.
Davram Bashere looked at the man, then at Rand again. "With all due respect, Lord Dragon, everyone saw him fall from the sky. Not only that, but people have said they saw a bright falling star moments before he fell."
"And you think he is that star?" Of all people, Rand never expected Bashere to be superstituos.
"If the possibilities are that narrow?" he shrugged. "I honestly do."
Rand clicked his tongue. And they say male channelers are mad.
"Rand al'Thor." Aviendha said. "No one is lying here. We all saw the star falling."
"Suppose you are all right." He played with buttons on his sleeve. "Let us say there was a star that fell and he was there when it did. Doesn't mean at all he needs to be that star."
Alanna felt frustrated, Rand returning that emotion.
"Rand, look at him!" Mat pointed at the man. "Does he look like an ordinary man to you? And we are all telling you - he fell from the sky!"
"If you do not trust us," Aviendha said. "ask the others in the city."
"The Pattern, Rand." Verin said. "Whoever or whatever he is, the Pattern brought him here."
"And how do you know that?"
"How?" Verin scratched her chin. "Well, I am just an Aes Sedai, after all. However, I seem to remember people do not often fall from the sky."
Sky was filled with fire and ash, then. Lews Therin seemed to have gotten quite talkative at the moment. When I killed her. He started weeping. I killed my Ilyena.
"Moriñgotho."
"I cannot take care of him."
"Who said so?" Alanna commented. "Honestly, you would be the worst person for that, al'Thor."
Rand bit his tongue before answering back. If I don't want her being proud, I must be humble too.
"We will take care of him." Verin said. "We can..."
Rand cut her off with one short glance. "Mat?"
"Yes?"
"You will take care of him."
Cauthon reached his chest. "What?"
"Since you are so eager to help him. And you found him first."
He nodded. "So...I need to go find the princess and take care of this poor man. You want me to clean your toilet too?"
Alanna felt like an injustice was done to her when Rand let that pass. "He is safe with you too."
"This is absurd!" Verin said. "Rand al'Thor, we need him with us! Whatever he is saying must be properly translated."
"Fingolfin..." The man said, with a voice that was almost breaking. "Hanno! Hanno, apseni!"
"He is going where I said he is going - as far away from Aes Sedai as possible." He did not consider them deserving of even a look. "He is going with the Band of the Red Hand. I will not argue about this."
Even Sulin scoffed. "Rand al'Thor, don't you dare be that stupid!"
Davram Bashere just looked to the side during this argument. Insulting superiors was something only the Aiel considered acceptable, as it seemed. Rand continued with his own. "He goes with Matrim, Aes Sedai. My decision is final."
"If you do this, the White Tower will not be on good terms with you anymore. And you need us, Rand al'Thor."
They all stopped as the man stood up from his seat. Standing now almost a head taller than Rand, he gave a glance to each of them. Those grey eyes were deeper and older than the sea itself and the face, again, more timeless than the face of the Aes Sedai. He looked down on them all, then fixing his sight on Rand. He stared long enough for Lews Therin to start rumbling...and then go silent without any interferrence of Rand.
The man walked up to the window, looking over the city. Rand slowly approached him from behind, and the man turned back to him. "Here." he said abruptly.
Rand narrowed his eyes. "What?"
"Here." The man pointed towards the bottom, then to himself. "Here. Stay?" he said, again waiting to be corrected. "Here. Stay here."
"What, you want me to stay here?" The man started nodding, but when Rand pointed at himself, he shook it, then placing a hand on his chest. "No...you want to stay here?"
The man nodded. "Náto."
"I suppose that means yes." Rand said. "Very well. Do you want their help?" Rand pointed towards the Aes Sedai and tried to explains with his hands as best as possible.
The man slowly came to understand it. "No."
"No?"
"No know?" He shook his head. "No! Lá sí. Now not."
"Not now? You do not want their help at the moment? In this place or at the moment?"
"Náto."
"But maybe later?"
"Náto."
"Alright then." Rand said, offering his hand for a shake. "You may stay." Alanna felt like she will scream. The man looked at Rand's hand for a bit before eventually taking it and slowly shaking it. Light, he has a strong shake! he admitted. "Bashere?"
"My lord."
"Find some servants to help our friend. Get him a home or a room."
"At command, lord." he clasped, leaving the room to look for some servants.
When Rand turned, he saw them all staring at him, confused and frustrated, all except Verin. He had no intention to explain himself, not even to Aviendha and Mat. Verin, however, was staring at the man. "He just learned to speak the Common Tongue fluently...within minutes?"
Mat scratched his hand. "Uh...Verin Sedai, he simply babbled a few words."
"That he never heard before or understood." Verin looked towards Rand, expecting him to change his mind.
"He is not a rat you can experiment on." Rand said. "He said he doesn't want your help now. He will ask for it later."
She pursed her lips and closed her eyes. "Rand, please! He is important, whoever he is. We can help him..."
"He will ask for it when he needs it." Rand did not raise his voice and went to leave. "Mat, you come with me. You others can stay or go."
The women all wanted to burn him as it seemed, but he could not care less about it anymore. The room he led them to was Mat's temporary place while he was still in Caemlyn. Rand was not going to change his plans, despite the man's appearance. "Nice place." Rand said. "Not as warm as the Two Rivers, however."
"It is cozy, yes." Mat took a seat on his bed. "But I must admit I miss the Two Rivers."
Tam's gentle voice. The baaing of sheep. What did I do to deserve this? "Make haste slowly, Mat.” He started striding up and down. He never looked in Mat’s direction. He could feel sweat slicking his face, and his jaw was tight. "He has to see it coming. Everything depends on it.”
Mat started taking his boots off. "I know,” he said sourly. "I helped make the bloody plan, remember?”
That was a thing Mat would always say. He missed those days when the two of them, along with Perrin, would just live and rejoice. He found it, at he very least, good he met other people and loved other people after that. That was not encouraging, but it was comforting.
He started thinking of Aviendha then. Mat always had a way with women, he thought. How do you know you’re in love with a woman, Mat? he almost asked, but then brushed it off. Mat already had enough of burden on his own shoulders. Rand did not want to place his own upon him too. And...something pulled those words away from him.
He still did not stop his striding, and he dropped it in as if it fit what he had been saying. "I’ll finish Sammael, Mat. I promised that; I owe it to the dead. But where are the others? I need to finish them all. One at a time, though.” That was all he could do.
What did I do to deserve this?
"There are Dragonsworn in Murandy, Mat. In Altara, too. Men sworn to me. Once Illian is mine, Altara and Murandy will drop like ripe plums. I’ll make contact with the Dragonsworn in Tarabon - and in Arad Doman - and if the Whitecloaks try to keep me out of Amadicia, I’ll crush them. The Prophet has Ghealdan primed, and Amadicia almost, so I hear."
The Prophet. An old word. From an age long forgotten. Even Lews Therin mocked it from time to time. Men who heard voices in their heads, he would often say. So I am a prophet too, am I?
"Can you imagine Masema as the Prophet?" Unimportant question. "Saldaea will come to me; Bashere is sure of it. All the Borderlands will come. They have to! I am going to do it, Mat. Every land united before the Last Battle. I’m going to do it!” He hadn't noticed his voice had taken on a feverish tone.
"Sure, Rand.” Mat said slowly, depositing his other boot beside the first. “But one thing at a time, right?”
One thing at a time. There was a game like that. His voice started breaking. The game my children liked to play. I killed them. I killed them and my Ilyena.
Rand sighed. "No man should have another man’s voice in his head." he muttered. How long has Lews Therin been in there? Rand did not remember when was the first time he heard him. It seemed to him that it happened when Lanfear met him in Tear. That seemed to have triggered Lews Therin to come out. Since then, the Kinslayer just started speaking louder and louder. Very rarely did he say meaningful things. Just babbling about his wife and children, and friends long gone. From time to time, he would speak of creatures of old, or "Angels of Heaven" as he called them, begging them or the Creator for forgiveness. But otherwise, he was just babbling.
He's like us. Lews Therin said then. &He's like me. He killed.*
Who?
Those who were his family.
No. Who are you talking about?
I killed my Ilyena.
He sighed again. You are mad. Like Sammael was. "He can be gulled, Mat - Sammael always thinks in straight lines - but is there any opening he can slip through? If there’s any mistake, thousands will die. Tens of thousands. Hundreds will anyway, but I don’t want it to be thousands.” he said that more to himself than to Mat. Not even to Lews Therin - himself.
"But, what about him?" Mat asked, expecting Rand to know. "You really don't think he's a big thing?"
"Maybe." Rand said. "Maybe the Pattern or the Creator himself sent him as help or temptation." Then he narrowed his eyes. "Or maybe the Dark One himself sent him here. Maybe he is even one of the Forsaken." Lews Therin did not agree, however. "You see it makes sense, right Mat?"
Mat looked down at his boots. "Yes...I think I know what you mean. But...Light, what if he is an ally? You can't refuse help, you know?"
Lews Therin scoffed and, honestly, Rand would have too. He has been refusing "help" ever since killing Rahvin. "Don't worry about him, Mat. He is my burden now. What you need to do is stick to the plan."
"But, there is something off about this, Rand..."
"Don't worry about it." He insisted. "Just stick to the plan."
"That is all?" Mat expected something more. What is it? "That is all you have to say?"
"Yes. That's all." He opened the door, not even looking back. "Sleep, Mat. You'll need good rest tonight." Rand closed the door, continuing his way through the red corridor that was covered in light of only few torches. He made some light himself, weaving Fire and Air together. The Maidens were, at the moment, absent, and had left him alone there.
Two hundred and five. That is how many people had died when he fought Rahvin excluding Aviendha and Mat and who, unlike them, stayed dead. And Mangin...He was hanged this morning. I watched it. That was all he could do for him. The young Aiel was much like Mat, and had a great respect for Rand, wanting to protect his honor. He cursed Aiel honor three times when that happened. Aiel customs, Aiel culture and all of it. And he cursed Andoran stupidity, Andoran pride and Andoran carelessness. Lews Therin instead behaved practically and cursed them both. Wetlander, Andoran, Aiel...it's all the same. Bands of babbling idiots, both talking of honor, when they can't even agree what that word means.
How many more needed to die because of such pathetic views of honor? The Forsaken also wanted honor - honor and glory. Demandred, Sammael and Lanfear wanted it most of all. Did it make it any better? Lews Therin seemed to actually wonder about that.
He wondered again. He hated it. Hard as stone. I must be hard. Light, I must. The man can stay for now. If he is an ally, good. If he is an enemy, good - he knows how to handle him quickly. As easy as Rahvin.
He extinguished the lights, allowing sound and smell to lead him instead. He woke up the next day, still feeling tired.
submitted by dannelbaratheon to WoT [link] [comments]


2023.06.08 08:46 MummyCroc I am a government employee in Zimbabwe and I turned 34 this week (TW: Mentions of suicide)

Occupation – Government employee
Age – 34
Location – Zimbabwe
My salary – $500 (paid monthly)
Side Gig Income – $0
Other income – negligible amounts from dividends received from my stock portfolio that I re-invest
Housemates – 4 (husband P, 6 year old L, 4 year old E and nanny F. My nephew M is around and makes appearances too)

Assets and Liabilities

Equity $60,000 fully paid off
Retirement Balance ?? I contribute monthly, and employer matches fully. But because of changes in currency and hyperinflation, I don’t really count this as an asset
Savings $1700 (went down due to travelling trying to get my passport done since it expired)
Current account balance $660 Includes my mum's money since I'm managing her financial affairs while she's abroad
Loan from employer $130 I took a personal loan from work, because the interest rates are lower than rate of inflation and repayment is over 18 months. Loan was used to make improvements on our house, and what wasn’t used, I bought shares on our stock exchange, due to hyperinflation, the amount I owe in US$ has gone down
Investments (shares in various counters on our local stock exchanges) $1,186
Car $4,000 Based on current resale value. Car was bought secondhand for cash

Income progression- (https://www.reddit.com/MoneyDiariesACTIVE/comments/vbbb7s/i_live_in_zimbabwe_making_3600year_and_i_just/)

Expenses
This year, my husband and I decided that he would take on the bulk of our expenses since I do most of the domestic work/childcare. Expenses I pay will be indicated. My salary is now for my expenses, my investments and my savings, and spoiling the kids. Husband caters for the family basics. There was a point last year when I felt my husband wasn’t as invested in the family because he barely did anything financially. By having him cater for all expenses, he is now definitely involved and invested. My husband’s income is just about the same as mine, slightly higher at some times.

My Expenses
Expense Amount /period Note
Car insurance and licensing $300/annum This is due in March, and I pay for the entire year
Petrol $60/month
Electricity $10/month
Airtime/data $20/month
Groceries $60/month This is for additional groceries such as bread, veg and fruit bought during the month
Kids’ clothes $40/month I’m trying to build up their winter wardrobe so I try to buy them something each month
Makeup/clothes/toiletries/ supplements/hair $30/month I do not us this much monthly though
Water $15/month Based on last bill received in April. We do not get water consistently so bills are infrequent
Donations $20/month Ad hoc donations to a soup kitchen, and maternal health fun
Stock market investment $50/month May invest more or less, but I do try to buy shares every payday

Household Expenses (paid by P)

Expense Amount /period Note
Groceries $200/month Bulk grocery shopping of staple food items and toiletries
LP Gas $30/approx. every 2 months We buy when it runs out. Usually every 2 months depending on how bad the power supply is
Medical $15/month For OTC meds (painkiller, cough syrup, antacid stocked for emergencies) and any prescriptions
Pet expenses $60/ twice a year For vaccinations and checkups for 4 dogs. Pet food is covered under groceries
School fees for the kids $347/ term One kid has fees paid every month, the other every 3 months
Nanny $80/month Less than before as both kids are now in school fulltime, and nanny is there to get them ready for school and care after school for 3 hours.
DSTV subscription $37/month
Transport for kids to/from school $60/month L gets picked up and dropped off at home daily, E is dropped off after school

Previous MDs - (https://www.reddit.com/MoneyDiariesACTIVE/comments/vbbb7s/i_live_in_zimbabwe_making_3600year_and_i_just/) and (https://www.reddit.com/MoneyDiariesACTIVE/comments/yc801g/i_am_33_years_old_and_i_just_graduated_with_my/)

MD Q&A
Did you participate in any form of higher education? If yes, how did you pay for it?
Yes, I have a BSc in Accounting, a Masters in Accounting, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Taxation. My parents both have Masters degrees, and in my family, the bare minimum acceptable for education was getting a Bachelors. My mother paid for my undergraduate degree, and I paid cash for my postgraduate studies.

Growing up, what kind of conversations did you have about money?
My parents divorced when I was very young. My dad is the wealthier of the two, my mum has always been middle-class. My mum brought me up with very little financial help from my dad, he only covered tuition and healthcare until I turned 18. My mum catered for everything else. My mum taught me how to look for bargains, how to save and invest, and also how to sometimes enjoy your money.

If you have, when did you move out of your parents'/guardians' house?
I would say I moved out at 26 when I got my current job. I had moved out when I got my first fulltime job, but moved back home when that contract ended

At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself? Does anyone else cover any aspects of your financial life?
At 26 again. That's when I earned enough to cover all my bills without needing help. My husband P covers some aspects of my financial life, and my mum occasionally helps out with stuff for her grandchildren.

What was your first job and why did you get it?
I worked as a receptionist at my mum's law firm after finishing my A Levels (age 18) while waiting to start university. My mum gave me the job to keep me occupied and out of mischief, lol.

Do you worry about money now?
I worry about building generational wealth for my children. I want to make sure they will be set for life as adults. I do worry about money because hyperinflation is eroding my earnings and retirement dramatically. This is my second time losing my retirement. My mum and in laws are losing their retirement for the third time, so honestly our old age looks bleak if we do not invest outside of work pensions.

Do you or have you ever received passive or inherited income?
I receive negligible dividends from the shares I own, lol.

Day 1
0430 – I’m woken up by loadshedding. I sigh, rollover, and sleep some more
0600 – Alarm goes off. I turn it off, enjoy cuddles from P and finally get out of bed. Our water tanks ran out 4 days ago, and council has not yet deigned to give us water, so we rely on P’s parents and friends to give us water. I get my water that was warming up on the stove, and take a quick bucket bath. I moisturize, do my brows, throw my lace wig on (I cut my hair in January, and I’m at a really awkward stage where my hair looks bad when I wear it out all day) and get dressed. It’s cold in the mornings so I put on winter stockings and a black and white chevron patterned dress, nude ballet pumps plus my warm jacket. I get E from the couch where he was watching Cocomelon and my lunch bag out of the kitchen and we head off to his school. After dropping off E, I go to the office. No electricity means no elevator, so I go up the stairs. I see my boss’s boss and greet him as we do the ZESA (local electricity company) sponsored workout. I log in to the work register, fill up my kettle, and settle down to check out my work email. Nothing urgent came through overnight, so I go into my personal email. The wig company I patronize has given me a code for my birthday, and I’m wondering if I should pull the trigger on my cart. I decide to do a report while thinking this through.
My mum is currently working out of the country, so I am managing her local finances/obligations while she’s away. I remember I have to buy the prepaid electricity token for my childhood home as well as for the house she lives in when she’s working in the country. I spend $23 on electricity for both houses (mum’s money so doesn’t count)
1030 – After doing some firefighting and office gossip I have my breakfast. Today its rice, peas and 2 fried eggs. I sprinkle some peri-peri Aromat on top since I don’t have a sauce/gravy ad I have been craving spicy food lately. I also pop my multivitamin and supplements. I check my team’s work and send back anything that needs correcting. I also generate the multiple reports my boss expects from me. I suddenly remember I need to claim my allowance for performing a role that is higher than my actual position at work. I quickly complete the form, and send it to my boss for his signature. The extra money from this is what I use to fund my stock market investments. I also remind my team to send a report to me for consolidation by noon.
12.00 – I do a major push of all my work due today so I can relax after lunch. I compile my reports and set them ready to send. I also finish my first 2 litres of water of the day, and cue up the next 2 litres
1300 – Its lunchtime, and my work bestie and I head out around town**. I find shorts that L would fit and buy 2 pairs for $10**. We head back to the office and I have caramel popcorn for lunch. Then I remember I forgot to have my afternoon meds, oops. Anyway, more work before heading to an audit meeting
1630 – The audit meeting is finally over, and I rush to shut down my computer, pack up my things and go home. I have an agreement with my manager that as long as I make up for the hour, by either coming early or skipping lunch, I can leave work at 4pm. I had a total hysterectomy end of last year so I still can’t manage driving in heavy traffic. I arrive home, make the bed (P had not made it when he went to work), and harvest chilies from our garden that have ripened. I also harvest a local herb used as a flu remedy and lemongrass, so I can brew up a tea/tisane for the flu affected people in my house. I also pack L’s lunch for tomorrow, a pie, a naartjie and juice. It’s also F’s payday, so I give her US$80 (P gave me this money).
E says he is hungry so I feed him sadza and sour milk by his request. I multitask covering L’s school textbook while supervising his homework and watching Married to Real Estate and the Great British Bake Off. I then have my dinner of sadza, greens and beef. I have a chat with the kids about their day at school. P gets home.
1900 – P and my nephew M go to fetch water from P’s friend’s house. The city council still hasn’t opened up our water supply. I do some French on Duolingo while the boys wreak havoc in their playroom. I read L and E their bedtime stories and put them to bed. I decide to do my hair in cornrows while watching Masterchef Australia. They get home and I help them carry water indoors. I remember that when power comes back I need to boil tripe on the stove, so I cut it up, put it in the pot with water, salt and garlic, and place it on the electric stove. We have serious loadshedding these days, so we have a gas stove and solar power to tide us over. I take a quick bath and change into my pyjamas. While P watches TV, I read Wild Sweet Love by Beverly Jenkins and continue to do my hair in cornrows.
2200 – My arms are tired and I’m only halfway through with the cornrows. I give up and go to bed with P.
Total spent - $10

Day 2
0600 – I hear crying. E is in a bad mood today. I turn off my alarm, and go to see what’s wrong. E does not want to get dressed for school. I sigh, and help F dress him while he throws a massive tantrum. E is dressed, so I go do my morning routine of shower, moisturize, contact lenses, and eyebrow makeup. Today, I wear a green dress I took from my mum, black tights, nude ballet flats and a black and white coat. E gets put into the car by F, and starts crying for porridge. We are already late, so he learns that the consequence of refusing to eat his porridge on time is to go to school without having his porridge. It’s not a big issue though, as he gets fed at school. So I lock the doors and windows and drive him to school as he throws a tantrum for the entire 10 minute drive. I shove him into the school gate and head to work.
It’s another ZESA sponsored stair workout today. I log into the register, and fill up my kettle with water. I switch on my computer, check my work email and send off client emails to my team for their response. My personal email has an annual report from one of the companies I have shares in so I check out if there’s a dividend this year. I own a negligible number of shares in the company though, but 28c per share is quite impressive. I check to see if my stock exchange wallet has been credited with the money I transferred there so I can buy more shares. It still hasn’t so I send a follow up email o the enquiries desk at the stock exchange. I do have a stockbroker, but I prefer doing my trades myself. I also do some French on Duolingo before 8am.
0830 – Our HR is in a tizzy because people are late for work. I don’t make a big deal out of it usually, because salaries are shit and people are demotivated. As long as my team shows up and does some work, I’m ok. I approve some work, and warn my team about coming in a bit too late. I also tell a teammate that she will have to cover for me on Monday as I am taking the day off. Our internet connectivity is shit so I can’t log into our system to check some stuff. My work bestie gives me avocados from her house. I almost cry because I have been craving avocados, but been too cheap to buy them.
1000 – I have a really bad sore throat. I am also hungry since I haven’t had breakfast yet. I jot down my shopping list for the weekend and head to Pick ‘n’ Pay to buy carrots, green peppers, tomatoes, lemons, cheese, polony and bread. I also buy my breakfast/lunch, which is rice, beans, ox liver and egg salad**. It all cost $10**. I leave my shopping in my car, and go to the office to wolf down my food, and take my multivitamin and painkiller. I also receive my wigs that I bought in May. Perfect timing, as I want to wear a new wig tomorrow for our girls’ day out.
I do some more work, and remind my team to send me the information I need for my daily reports.
1300 – I go out to buy a few items I didn’t find in Pick ‘n’ Pay earlier**. I go to Spar and buy peas, eggs, soft drinks for the outing tomorrow and a sausage roll. Total cost is $10**. The outing has been deemed kid friendly, so I needed drinks for the boys to have tomorrow. I get back into the office, and spend the rest of the lunch hour working.
1600 – It’s finally time to go home. I send my email to handover work issues for the person who will take over my role on Monday while I am on leave. I also send my out of office email, and head home. The kids are at their grandmother’s, so I take a leisurely bath, put on my pyjamas and eat dinner. Then I watch Masterchef Australia until P and E get home. I also get in some French Duolingo practice
2000 – P goes out with his friends, so I snuggle up on the couch with E and watch TV. I put E to bed, read him his bedtime story and kiss him good night. I finally finish season 13 of Masterchef Australia, and move on to My Kitchen Rules Australia. I love Australian reality shows, ngl.
2200 – I go to bed P gets home and tells me some bad news about a friend of ours. I feel very sad for him. He cuddles me and we sleep.
Total spent - $20

Day 3
0700 – I wake up feeling like a truck ran me over. I get out of bed, and get ready to hand-wash our laundry. We still have no running water so we can’t use the washing machine. I play music while doing my laundry to keep me motivated
0900 – Laundry has been hung out to dry. F has cooked potato curry, so I boil eggs and water. I have my breakfast of potato curry, egg, multivitamin and coffee. Once I’m done, I give E a bath and dress him. I also bath, moisturize, do my brows and get dressed. I’m wearing jeans and a t-shirt today as my friends and I ae supposed to take our kids out for a playdate. Then I receive a message that the outing is cancelled since one of our group is really sick. I try to think of something I can do with E, since L is out having fun with his grandmother. I do my Swahili Duolingo practice.
1100 – The welder comes to do some work on our garage door. I monitor the work for a bit, and then my nephew takes over. E starts really bugging me to go out. So I put on my headband wig and sneakers, and pack a cooler bag with snacks and drinks. We head into town and I buy myself some ciders for $9. These are for me to drink when the mood strikes me. E wants to go to a resort by the lake so I oblige him. We pay $8 for our entrance. He goes to play on the swings, and I take pictures of him having fun. Another family turns up, and one of his classmates is among them. He’s so happy, and goes to play with his friend. I watch him running around.
1500 – I get a call from my friend that she’s in town with my cake. This cake was meant for the cancelled outing. I pack up our stuff, hustle E into the car and drive back into town. I let out some colourful swear words when I realise I forgot to get our change of $2. Anyway**, I meet up with my friend and get the cake, and pay her $30**. It’s so pretty. I call my MIL while still in town to find out what time she will be there so I can pick up L. She says it will be an hour, so E and I head home to drop off the cake so it doesn’t melt in my AC-less car.
1600 – We are back in town waiting for L and MIL. E wants an ice cream so I buy him one for $0.50 using money I had in my Innbucks wallet. MIL calls and asks me to head over to where she is to pick L up since she can’t leave yet. E and I get there. MIL gets me sadza and goat tripe stew, which I eat a bit of to be polite even though I am not hungry. When I’m done, I pack up the kids and drive home. I bath and change into my pyjamas.
1800 – I feed the kids, and we play until their weekend bedtime of 8pm. I read them their bedtime stories and tuck them in. I watch TV and iron my morning laundry while having a gin and juice until 9pm, and head to read in bed. P and my nephew arrive home from their amateur soccer league match and subsequent outing with the boys. I fall asleep soon after.
Total spent - $49.50

Day 4
0700 – I’m woken up by L demanding that I come and play with them. I am still sleepy so I fob him off.
0900 - F knocks on the door and tells us she is off to church. I finally get out of bed and get dressed. I see the boys playing relatively peacefully so I let them continue with their antics. In the kitchen, I find F had cooked breakfast, and since I’m starving, I heat up water for coffee. L surprisingly isn’t hungry so I serve up breakfast for P and me. I have my daily multivitamin. P heads out to go fetch water, while I bath, change and hang out with the kids. I also do my French Duolingo practice for the day
1200 – I have played with the dogs and kids, and I am exhausted. I collapse onto the couch and watch MKR Australia. P gets home, and naps on the couch. I give the kids haircuts and baths.
1700 – L is hungry and really wants cake, so I feed the kids a dinner of sadza and sour milk. Then some cake for dessert. I also pack L’s school lunch, which will be a polony sandwich, a cupcake and juice. The kids play until its bedtime at 7pm. The usual routine, bedtime stories and tuck in is done
2000 – P and I watch a movie while having some alcoholic drinks.
2200 – Bedtime for us
Total spent - $0

Day 5
0600 – It’s my birthday today. I am going all out celebrating myself since TW I tried unaliving myself twice in the past year. L wishes me a happy birthday before he goes to school. I get birthday messages from my mum, dad, SILs, and friends. I also get a call from my brother, his wife and their son, and they sing to me. I feel very loved today. P goes to drop off E at school today so I can sleep in
0800 – I am finally up and hungry. I cook a quick breakfast of boiled eggs, and a bean curry. P takes my car to get serviced, while I bath, moisturize, contact lenses, do a full face of makeup and get dressed for the day. Today I wear a tie-dyed cutout mini-dress and sneakers, and my wavy headband wig
1300 – P is home and he drives me to a hotel outside town near a renowned tourist site in our country. We have a platter of fried fish, chicken strips, pork strips, fries, and a salad to share and multiple Savannah Drys while there. It’s really nice getting to reconnect after a very tumultuous year in our marriage. P pays.
1700 – We drive around the area, before heading home. Once we get home, P and my nephew go on a hunt for water, while I feed the kids. P and I head off to take our showers. I remember why I don’t do a full face of makeup when it take a long time to get the makeup off my face.
1900 – The family sings happy birthday, and we eat cake. Birthday gifts were gin and chocolate. I hustle the boys off to bed. No story today, as they went to bed later than usual. P watches TV while I read my novel.
2100 – Bedtime for the grownups
Total spent - $0

Day 6
0530 – I wake up and lie in bed for a bit. Then I read my novel some more.
0620 – I am up, and take my bath, moisturize, do my brows and get dressed. It’s cold this morning, so I wear a yellow dress with black polka dots, black tights and ankle boots. I pack up the cake I’m giving to my colleagues, as well as my water bottle. E and I head out. I drop E off at school, and go to the office. I log into the work register, turn on my computer, and check my emails. There are a few pressing issues I need to get up to speed with. One of my colleagues gives me $50 as a birthday gift. I also hand out the cake to my team.
0900 – Work is pretty quiet today, so I update my MD. I also receive news that one of my nephews is getting married. He is not that much younger than me, and could be my younger brother, but it makes me feel so old.
Note on my family: In our culture, even distant relatives are given close relationships so the large number of nephews/nieces is from those relationships. It’s a big thing done to maintain close family bonds. I have 4 actual (in a Western sense) nephews and nieces who are all under the age of 6.
1000 – I head to the supermarket and buy bread, onions, carrots, pork chops, pork trotters and my breakfast and lunch. This costs $25. The meat is the main cost driver here. I have a sausage roll, my multivitamin, supplement and milk for breakfast. I remember that I need to check if my stock exchange wallet was credited, ugh. The website is refusing to load and I’m very frustrated. I finally log in and see the amount is still not credited. I email and send a tweet to the stock exchange. Hopefully the tweet will get them to start moving.
1200 – My boss is mad. One member of my team left his desk without informing me and there’s an urgent matter. I was about to go downstairs to give P the groceries, so I stick around for a bit before committing the same offence as my subordinate, lol. I quickly get back into my office and check on work, sign some papers and letters, and clear out my emails.
1300 – My work bestie has to run other errands at lunch so I decide to stay in the office. I check my personal email and see I have received a dividend of $0.27, lol. The share price will probably drop soon, so I will buy more shares in this counter if I can get them to increase my shareholding. My goal for this year is to breach the 10,000 share mark for one counter. I suddenly remember I have work to do, so I use my lunch hour to do the work, and then take a quick break to eat my lunch of fries and a sausage and do some Swahili Duolingo practice.
1500 – I am thinking of going home when one of my team members calls me to deal with an angry client. I go to the office, and find out it’s a surprise birthday party from my team. I am so happy, lol. We have more cake, and there’s also fruit and juice. I head home feeling so appreciated with even more cake.
1700 – P and my nephew go out to get water. I warm up my bath water, and give the kids their dinner. Today its rice and croc meat. I make L’s lunch for tomorrow, a toasted polony sandwich and juice. I also pack my lunch, rice, a fried egg and peas. And some cake for my work bestie’s kids. I take my bath; change into my pyjamas and hound E to eat his food. If we let that kid be, he would probably live on the bits of our souls he sucks out daily by being stubborn. I am feeling nauseous so I have plain rice with a bit of avocado. The kids watch cartoons, while I do some more Swahili on Duolingo.
1900 – Bedtime for the kids. Today, there’s no demand for a bedtime story, so I just tuck them in and tell them I love them. I read my novel as increasingly feel more nauseated. I end up going to hurl my guts out. P comes home and finds me lying limply on the bed. He gives me a cuddle, and goes to eat his dinner. I get up but smell fish, and run back to throw up. If I hadn’t had a hysterectomy, I would be doing a pregnancy test ASAP.
2100 – I go to bed, and lie in bed for a bit, before finally drifting off.
Total spent - $25

Day 7
0500 – I wake up feeling nauseated again. Ugh, this reminds me of having hyperemesis while pregnant. I put my water on to heat and get back in bed to read some more.
0600 – E comes to lie on our bed. I get out of bed, and go throw up. I get my bath water, take my bath, moisturize and put my contacts in. I look like a reanimated corpse this morning. I do my brows to try bring a bit of life to my face and get dressed. It’s very misty and cold today so I put on warm brown tights, a long black dress, my warm jacket and ballet flats. I grab my lunch and the cake, pop E into the car and head out. Visibility is extremely low, so I drive slowly. I don’t know why people like surprising other drivers by having their cars pop out of the mist without switching on their headlights. I successfully avoid the drivers who hate life and drop E off at school before heading to work.
0700 – I am in the office, and I log into the register, before turning on my computer and checking my work email. Not too much in there, so I check my personal email. My stock exchange wallet has finally been credited with the $100. I also ponder whether I should pull the trigger on a V-part wig.
I do my weekly report, and start doing some boring work in the system. I realise I didn’t save the work I did yesterday, so I have to re-do it, so I can have the list of error messages to send to ICT.
0830 – Everyone is in the office, so I do some reshuffling of duties, so that essential areas are covered while one of my colleagues is on leave. I give the cake to work bestie, who tells me how much her daughter was excited over the cake yesterday. It’s now time for me to put my head down and really focus on knocking out the system work today. I also log into an online training, and I listen while doing my work. My mum also deposits money for my birthday gift and to spoil her grandkids.
1000 – I log into my stock exchange account and buy shares for $99.14 (doesn’t count as spending, as the money was moved before the MD started). The deadline for other departments to submit their weekly reports to me for consolidation has passed so I start following up. One department is a big problem as they always send their report late. Le sigh. I draft a very passive aggressive email to them. I also decide not to buy the wig and instead ask the person making me my custom earrings that I got myself for my birthday to bill me the rest of the money so I can pay and move the remainder of the money in my account into savings. Our currency has taken an enormous hit in the last week, and is free falling dramatically. I’d rather keep USD cash than money in my account at this point. The training finally ends.
1100 – I’m getting hungry so I go warm up my lunch, sprinkle on peri peri Aromat and dig in. Yum. I also have my multivitamin and supplement. A lady who sells local snacks comes in. She persuades me to buy maputi (corn nuts mixed with roasted peanuts) for $0.50. I buy them for my afternoon snack. I end up sending the report with missing statistics, and tell the department to send directly to the compiler, as they were late. That was a very aggressive email tbh. I’m still hungry, so I munch on my maputi, leaving the peanuts because I don’t feel like eating them lately.
1200 – I see a missed call from a number I don’t know. I call and it turns out they had sent money to my mobile wallet mistakenly. I check the mobile wallet and it shows it had an extra $11. I send the money back to the person. Times are too tough to keep people’s money
1400 – I snack on a few skittles instead of having more food. I just want something to entertain my mouth, I’m not hungry at all. I review more work and drink more water. The jeweler has sent the payment request for the earrings. I pay $100 (total spent on the earrings comes to $200, which is worth it for sterling silver custom made Jewellery. I use $50 of the birthday money from my mum to cover for part of this expense)
1600 – Finally time to go home. I shut down my computer, and drive home. Once I’m home, I put on my bath water, and help L do his homework. Then I do some Swahili Duolingo practice and pack L’s lunch for tomorrow. He requested maize (corn on the cob), a boiled egg and a naartjie. His wish is my command for once. I also pack my lunch, a boiled egg, peanut butter sandwich and a bit of birthday cake. The jeweler sends pictures of the final product. They are absolutely gorgeous. Happy 34th birthday to me!!!
1800 – I serve the kids their dinner, and go to take my bath. P sends a text that he will be home late as they are working late today. I have my own dinner while persuading E to eat his food
1900 – Bedtime for the kids. I read them their bedtime stories, tuck them in and tell them I love them. Then I go to watch TV. I’m catching up on Married to Real Estate, Food Factory and Man Vs Food. You can tell that reality TV is my jam.
2100 – I decide to have some decaf black coffee and cake as my bedtime snack. P and my nephew arrive home. They are later than they thought they would be because nephew dropped his phone in the middle of the highway and they were searching for it. Because nephew’s ancestors were on the job, they found it intact. It’s a big deal because this is a major highway and huge trucks use that road constantly. I chat with P as he has his dinner and takes his bath.
2200 – Cuddles and bedtime for us

Total spent today – $100

Total spent this week – $204.50

Spending by categories
Food & Drink – $84.50
Home & Health – $0
Clothing & Beauty – $110
Transportation – $0
Fun & Entertainment – $10

Reflections on this week’s spending
The spending is pretty much about normal for me tbh (excluding the cake and earrings). I had quite a bit of petrol in the tank so I didn’t need to top up my tank this week. The converted US$ prices are a bit inaccurate since our currency had a big drop this week, and most of my spending is in local currency. I could reign in my spending a bit, and focus more on investing. However, I do enjoy using my money to bring joy to my kids and myself. Particularly myself after the absolutely shitty year I had.
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2023.06.08 08:40 Zuppetootee Au Pair Checking Out

She’ll be gone by mid-August. If you check my previous post we considered terminating our contract with this girl since we’ve had issues with her character and cleanliness. We decided to give her a chance, a little of improvement and we badly needed childcare.
Lately she has been slacking off a lot. Is always up late and her tidiness is so bad to the point that you can smell her BO. During her days off Tuesdays and Saturdays, she does not inform us whether she will be home for the night or not. We will only discover that she has not been home the morning after. I kept telling her to at least notify that you are going to spend the night somewhere else, we are not against that just that we know.
I actually just want to rant here because I am more stressed now in dealing with this girl than dealing with my demanding job. I kept telling myself, she is good with my daughter so it should be okay but I just feel so frustrated now.
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2023.06.08 08:40 pettyinpurple DQ and Krystal what the fuck

What’s going on with this shit show? 🤣🤣🤣 Fuck DQ keeps digging her hole deeper and deeper 🤣 Krystal’s on live after DQ stated on her live earlier this morning that she contacted her K exs partner in which K has an AVO on 🤮 what the actual fuck is wrong with this bitch
Honestly DQ just go back to the hole you came out of and just shut the fuck up idk talk to a wall or something you’ll get more exposure 😅 the internet isn’t forever and any reputable company will search and find out what you’ve said and done online and be like yea na 🤪🤣
I’m so sick of seeing your terrible makeup and your shitty ass sucking skills 💀 I am done with you and everything you do. It’s so easy to see who you are, blocking any person that’s in your live because you think people care about you they don’t give a fuck about you we care about drama LMAO
I’ll forever be embarrassed of the 100 messages a week from you sharing your live of you on repeat about Jess, ash or krystal. Also the fact that you create vile fake accounts of your OWN DECEASED FRIEND to gain clout, sympathy and attention saying it was Jess who really didn’t care for you until you were screaming for days to get her in the box and double tapping your own live 🤣🤣💀💀💀
Funny how most of these accounts only came around when you did 🫣🤨🤨🤨
I’ll be waiting for your comments to be like ‘ it wasn’t me babes I swear I didn’t say that we made up I showed the proof’ when there is already screen recordings posted rip 💀
Both of them at this point just need to sort it out through lawyers offline or leave it be. You both have no emotional intelligence and have no idea when to stop and there are so many people just fueling this dispute it’s fucking disgusting. I get krystal but I wish she wouldn’t give her the time of day as she only wants attention and these reactions.
I like krystal don’t get me wrong she really doesn’t deserve any of this expecially an ex who she has an AVO on due to domestic violence being contacted and the threats and vile comments. She went to far with the doxxing and statements such as put your head in a deep fryer 😭😭 but she just reaches a new low
Sarah just stay off the internet at this point there are no words to describe what a vile subhuman creature you are 💀 why do we let some people breed tbh 🤣
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