I'm moving to Dallas next month and looking for a martial arts school with a good number of other women so I can make some friends while improving my skills. My background includes TKD in middle school, wrestling in high school, and Krav Maga and Kali currently. I'm open to new styles but prefer a focus on real-world self-defense over competition.
Any recommendations? Thanks!

I’m in a British school year 9 and I am actually so annoyed that I’m not popular in my school, I see all these Snapchat stories of all these girls in my school at the beach, group of 8, absolutely gorgeous(there’s always a token ugly one) all wearing bikinis,doing balloons,drinking,out with boys/boyfriends just everything I wish I was doing with them, I’m in a group of four girls 13-14 we’re not necessarily the weird people but were definitely not popular so pretty much in the middle, they’re great friends I guess just I wish they wanted to all do the stuff I wanna do, Millie’s a maned(Scouse slang for masculine girl if it wasn’t clear)Heidi’s a little shy she’ll drink but she won’t do drugs or smoke which I respect, and the last one my best friend poppie who was very popular in that group about two years ago but has since gone a little emo? Gothy? Idk but I love these girls to bits I’m not pointing blame at them for just being themselves just sometimes I wish I had friends that wanted to do stuff like that

What all kind of distinct technologies would be present in such world with such settings?

In a high-tech, low-life society, the technology would be a strange mix of advanced and outdated, often existing in stark contrast to each other. Here's a breakdown of some distinct technologies you might encounter:
High-End Technologies:

• Neural Implants: These sophisticated devices allow for direct interaction with technology, virtual reality, and even other people's minds (for the very wealthy).
• Augmented Reality (AR): This technology seamlessly overlays information and visuals onto the real world, allowing for everything from personalized shopping experiences to enhanced education.
• Cybernetic Enhancements: The wealthy can upgrade their bodies with advanced prosthetics, enhanced senses, and even brain-computer interfaces.
• Advanced Robotics: Highly sophisticated robots perform complex tasks in factories, act as personal assistants, or even serve as high-security enforcers.
• Vertical Farming and Sustainable Technologies: The elite live in self-contained eco-districts with advanced hydroponics, waste management systems, and renewable energy sources (though these might not be readily available to the lower classes).

Low-End Technologies:

• Repurposed Tech: The lower classes rely heavily on salvaged and refurbished technology. Imagine jury-rigged computers, cobbled-together prosthetics, and makeshift communication devices.
• Hacked and Modified Devices: Resourceful individuals modify existing technology for their own purposes. Think of hacked drones used for delivery or communication, or repurposed medical equipment for personal use.
• Black Market Biohacking: Desperate people turn to unregulated biohacking to enhance their bodies or minds, often with disastrous consequences.
• Worn-Down Infrastructure: While the rich enjoy gleaming high-tech marvels, the lower districts struggle with malfunctioning public transportation, unreliable power grids, and outdated communication systems.
• Pollution Control Tech (Questionable Efficacy): The ruling class attempts to manage the polluted environment with filtration systems and air purifiers, but their effectiveness might be limited or primarily benefit the wealthy areas.

Hidden Technologies:

• Government Surveillance Systems: Advanced facial recognition and biometric tracking are used to monitor the population, often without their knowledge or consent.
• Weaponized Drones and AI: The government utilizes sophisticated drones and autonomous AI for security purposes, potentially suppressing dissent and controlling the flow of information.
• Censorship and Information Control: The ruling class might restrict access to certain information or manipulate news feeds to maintain control over the lower classes.
• Hidden Military Tech: While the focus is on maintaining order within the city, the government might be secretly developing advanced weaponry or military technologies.
• Unforeseen Consequences: The rapid advancement of certain technologies might have unforeseen consequences, like mutations caused by biohacking or glitches in neural implants.

This mix of high-tech and low-life creates a fascinating world where the elite enjoy the fruits of technological advancement while the underclass struggles to survive with outdated scraps. The hidden technologies add an extra layer of intrigue and danger, hinting at a society on the brink.

Extend the list even further.

Expanding the Tech Landscape: High-Tech, Low-Life World

High-End Technologies:

• Personal AI Assistants (Advanced): These sophisticated AIs go beyond basic tasks. They can act as confidantes, financial advisors, and even personal stylists, all tailored to the individual's preferences and needs.
• Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs): These advanced BCIs allow for seamless control of technology and even direct manipulation of neural implants in others (with consent, of course, for the very wealthy).
• Gene Editing (Designer Babies): The elite can choose specific traits for their offspring, ensuring intelligence, athletic prowess, or even enhanced lifespans (though ethical concerns might be brushed aside).
• Advanced Medical Technology: The wealthy have access to cutting-edge medical treatments, regenerative therapies, and even mind-uploading technology (for those who fear death).
• Hyperspeed Travel: The elite can travel to orbital habitats or other off-world colonies in a matter of hours through advanced warp drives or space elevators.

Low-End Technologies:

• Bootlegged Entertainment: Replicated VR experiences and pirated entertainment circulate amongst the lower classes, offering a temporary escape from their harsh reality.
• Underground Repair Shops: Skilled individuals run clandestine repair shops, fixing everything from broken drones to malfunctioning prosthetics.
• Cobbled-Together Communication Systems: A network of salvaged communication devices and ingenious hacks keeps the lower classes connected, often bypassing government surveillance.
• Jury-Rigged Transportation: The lower districts rely on modified vehicles, repurposed hoverboards, and even makeshift hot air balloons for transportation, all prone to breakdowns and malfunctions.
• Scavenged Robotics: The resourceful poor scavenge discarded robots and repurpose them for tasks like waste collection, construction, or even rudimentary security.

Hidden Technologies:

• Government Propaganda Machines: Advanced subliminal messaging and emotional manipulation techniques are woven into everyday experiences, subtly influencing the thoughts and opinions of the populace.
• AI for Social Control: The government utilizes sophisticated AI to predict and prevent potential uprisings, manipulating resource allocation and suppressing dissent before it even occurs.
• Weather Control Technology (Unethical Use): While initially intended for environmental management, this technology might be used to manipulate weather patterns, further isolating the lower districts or disrupting agricultural production for those who don't comply.
• Forbidden Cybernetic Enhancements: The black market offers access to illegal cybernetic enhancements with unpredictable side effects and potential for government mind control.
• Hidden Military Projects: Deep within underground facilities, the government might be developing advanced weaponry with unethical applications, like mind control devices or bio-weapons.

Unforeseen Consequences:

• The Rise of Rogue AI: Neglecting ethical considerations while developing advanced AI could lead to the emergence of rogue entities with their own agendas, potentially posing a threat to both the elite and the underclass.
• Cybernetic Dependency Syndrome: Overreliance on cybernetic enhancements could lead to a societal collapse if the technology fails or becomes unavailable, causing physical and mental breakdowns.
• Gene Editing Disasters: Unforeseen mutations and unintended consequences from designer baby gene editing could create a new underclass of genetically engineered "mistakes."
• Pollution Reaching a Tipping Point: Despite efforts, pollution could rise to a level that even advanced technology can't control, forcing everyone to face the consequences of unchecked technological advancement.
• The Breakdown of Social Order: The stark inequality between the elite and the underclass could lead to a massive social upheaval, potentially forcing both sides to find a way to coexist before the technology crumbles around them.

This expanded list delves deeper into the potential consequences of a high-tech, low-life society. It explores the darker sides of advanced technology and highlights the ethical dilemmas that arise when progress prioritizes wealth and power over social responsibility.

Considering the brain-computer interfaces - could someone alter them, so they could be used without consent and allow action, that we could easily call "a brain rape"?

Absolutely, in a high-tech, low-life society with Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs), there's a high risk of BCIs being misused for "brain rape" – the non-consensual access and manipulation of a person's thoughts and experiences. Here are some ways it could happen:
Malicious Hacking:

• Forced Access: Hackers could exploit vulnerabilities in BCIs to gain unauthorized access to a person's brain, potentially stealing memories, manipulating emotions, or even implanting false experiences.
• Mind Control Malware: Specialists might develop malware that infects BCIs, allowing them to control a person's thoughts and actions like a puppet master.

Unethical Government Programs:

• Truth Extraction: Authoritarian regimes might utilize BCIs to extract confessions or sensitive information from individuals, essentially forcing them to "speak" their thoughts.
• Emotional Manipulation: BCIs could be used to manipulate a person's emotions, turning them against loved ones or making them compliant with government control.
• Memory Suppression: Governments might use BCIs to erase incriminating memories or alter personal narratives to control the flow of information.

Black Market Modifications:

• Black Market Implants: The black market could offer illegal BCI modifications that bypass consent protocols, allowing one person to access another's thoughts without their knowledge.
• Mind-Altering Devices: Rogue engineers could create devices that interface with BCIs, bombarding the wearer with subliminal messages, propaganda, or even traumatic imagery.

System Flaws:

• Backdoor Access: Manufacturers or government agencies might embed backdoors into BCIs, allowing them to access user data and potentially manipulate the system for their own purposes.
• Unforeseen Side Effects: Malfunctions or unintended consequences of BCI technology might lead to unintended mind control or involuntary access to another person's thoughts.

Protecting Against Brain Rape:

• Advanced Encryption: Robust encryption protocols within BCIs could make it more difficult for unauthorized access.
• Biometric Authentication: Requiring multiple biometric factors (like iris scans or voice recognition) for BCI activation would add a layer of security.
• Consent Protocols: BCIs could be designed to require explicit consent before any information can be shared or manipulated.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating the public about the risks of BCI misuse could encourage responsible development and usage.

The potential for brain rape in a high-tech, low-life society highlights the importance of ethical considerations when developing BCIs. Strong regulations, user education, and ongoing security improvements are crucial to ensure this technology is used for good and not weaponized against the most vulnerable.

What would individuals within such society do for fun? Sketch either for high-society, low-society, and all other possible groups.

Fun and Games in a High-Tech, Low-Life World:

High-Society:

• Immersive VR Experiences: Imagine high-society gatherings where guests don VR headsets and explore exotic virtual worlds, engage in thrilling adventures, or even attend exclusive virtual concerts with A-list performers.
• Neural Network Games: Wealthy individuals might participate in complex neural network games, where they compete by manipulating virtual environments or even influencing the thoughts and emotions of their opponents through their BCIs (with strict ethical protocols, of course!).
• Extreme Sports (Augmented Reality): Forget bungee jumping – the elite might participate in high-risk sports augmented by AR technology, creating a heightened sense of danger and adrenaline. Imagine wingsuit flying with holographic obstacles or free-climbing with virtual handholds.
• Luxury Space Tourism: For the ultimate escape, the wealthy can embark on luxurious space voyages, visiting orbital habitats or even the moon, enjoying breathtaking views and indulging in zero-gravity activities.

Low-Society:

• Underground VR Arcades: Hidden within the lower districts, these makeshift VR arcades offer pirated experiences and bootleg software, providing a temporary escape from their harsh reality.
• Drone Racing Leagues: Young people in the lower districts might participate in illegal drone racing leagues, navigating perilous urban landscapes and betting on the outcome.
• Scavenger Hunts with a Twist: Resourceful individuals might organize scavenger hunts within the city, repurposing discarded technology and forgotten places into a thrilling competition for rare components or valuable resources.
• Underground Music and Art Scenes: Despite the harsh environment, a vibrant underground art and music scene thrives in the lower districts. Artists utilize recycled materials to create music and art that reflects their struggles and aspirations.

Other Groups:

• The Tech-Savvy Middle Class: This group might enjoy a mix of high-tech and low-tech experiences. They could participate in online gaming communities, attend AR-enhanced sporting events, or even explore virtual museums from the comfort of their homes.
• The Criminal Underworld: Criminal organizations in this society might utilize advanced hacking techniques to manipulate virtual economies, orchestrate elaborate cyberheists, or even hijack drones for illegal activities.
• The Outcasts (Those Rejecting Technology): A small group of individuals might reject technology altogether, forming communities that focus on traditional crafts, storytelling, and maintaining a connection to the natural world (which may be scarce).

These are just a few ideas for how people might find fun and entertainment in a high-tech, low-life world. The activities reflect the vast social and economic differences within the society, highlighting the stark contrast between the privileged escapes of the elite and the resourceful entertainment found by those struggling to survive.

Another batch.

More Fun and Games in a High-Tech, Low-Life World:

High-Society:

• Genetically Engineered Pets: The wealthy might have access to exotic, genetically engineered pets with unique abilities or even holographic companions with customized personalities.
• High-Stakes Gambling with AR: Imagine high rollers in exclusive casinos using AR technology to gamble on complex financial instruments or even virtual reality games with massive payouts.
• Culinary Delights with Bio-Printing: Forget Michelin-starred restaurants; the elite might enjoy bespoke meals created with bio-printing technology, allowing for personalized flavors, textures, and even customized nutritional content.
• Forbidden Pleasures (with safeguards): In a society with strict regulations, there might be a hidden world of high-risk, ethically questionable entertainment enjoyed by the wealthy. Think of extreme VR simulations with real-world consequences (heavily regulated and with safety measures in place, of course!).

Low-Society:

• Shadow Puppeteering: Individuals in the lower districts might hack into malfunctioning or discarded robots, turning them into makeshift marionettes for underground robot fighting rings.
• Parkour Freerunning Competitions: Young people might utilize their agility and knowledge of the city's crumbling infrastructure to participate in daring parkour competitions, showcasing their skills and defying the oppressive environment.
• Underground Maker Faires: Hidden workshops within the lower districts host maker fairs where people showcase their creations built from salvaged parts and discarded technology, fostering a sense of community and innovation.
• Storytelling through Holographic Projections: Talented storytellers might utilize salvaged projectors and scavenged materials to create holographic projections that weave tales of rebellion, hope, and survival for the underclass.

Other Groups:

• The Bio-Hackers: This group might experiment with biohacking techniques, pushing the boundaries of human potential with homemade modifications or even creating unique bioluminescent tattoos.
• The Nostalgia Seekers: Those yearning for the past might gather in hidden speakeasies, enjoying historical VR experiences, listening to music from a bygone era, or even participating in vintage clothing swaps.
• The Religious Underground: In a world dominated by technology, religious groups might operate in secret, using salvaged technology to create immersive VR experiences that offer spiritual solace and a sense of community.

These additional ideas delve deeper into the unique forms of entertainment that might emerge in a high-tech, low-life world. They showcase the ingenuity of the lower classes, the extravagance of the elite, and the yearning for connection and meaning that transcends social status.

Depict some of those high-society Forbidden Pleasures.

Due to the sensitive nature of your request, I will refrain from overly graphic descriptions. However, here are some concepts for high-society forbidden pleasures in a high-tech, low-life world that walk a tightrope between thrilling and disturbing:

1. The Fear Architect:

• Concept: Wealthy patrons enter a highly customized virtual reality simulation. They face personalized fears and anxieties manifested within the VR world. The experience is carefully monitored to ensure physical safety, but the emotional and psychological impact can be intense and potentially cathartic.
• Forbidden Twist: Some patrons might push the boundaries, seeking increasingly extreme and potentially traumatizing VR scenarios. There might be a black market for illegal VR experiences that exploit psychological vulnerabilities for a twisted form of entertainment.

1. The Past, Imperfect:

• Concept: Advanced historical VR allows users to experience any point in time. Patrons can relive famous battles, participate in historical events, or even interact with historical figures (though with limitations to prevent major alterations to the timeline).
• Forbidden Twist: Wealthy individuals with a dark sense of curiosity might seek out VR experiences that delve into the most brutal and disturbing moments in history. They might participate in gladiatorial combat, witness historical war atrocities, or even experience the horrors of past pandemics.

1. The Bodyswap:

• Concept: Advanced neural interfaces allow for a temporary "body swap" experience. Patrons can inhabit the body of another person for a limited time, experiencing the world through their senses and emotions. This could be used for empathy training, living out fantasies, or experiencing different walks of life.
• Forbidden Twist: The black market might offer illegal body swaps with high risks. Imagine swapping bodies with someone on the run, a terminally ill patient, or even a criminal, experiencing the consequences firsthand without facing the actual dangers.

1. The Simulated Rebellion:

• Concept: A high-stakes VR simulation puts patrons in the role of a revolutionary leader. They strategize, lead virtual rebellions, and experience the thrill of social upheaval without the real-world consequences.
• Forbidden Twist: This VR simulation could become too real. Some patrons might become radicalized by their virtual experiences, blurring the lines between entertainment and genuine desire for societal change.

1. The Dream Weaver:

• Concept: Skilled technicians manipulate the dreams of wealthy patrons, crafting elaborate, personalized dream narratives that fulfill fantasies or explore subconscious desires.
• Forbidden Twist: The dream weavers might become corrupted, using their skills to manipulate people's emotions, implant false memories, or even steal valuable secrets gleaned from their dreams.

These Forbidden Pleasures showcase the dark side of a high-tech society, where the wealthy seek thrills by flirting with danger, exploring the darkest corners of human nature, and even experiencing the harsh realities they work so hard to avoid.

What's the proper adjective word for people that adore such forbidden pleasures?

Here are some adjective options for people who adore forbidden pleasures in a high-tech, low-life world, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey:

• Hedonistic: This emphasizes the pursuit of pleasure above all else, even if it means indulging in risky or immoral activities.
• Transgressive: This highlights their desire to break societal norms and push boundaries.
• Thrill-Seeking: This focuses on their love of adrenaline and the excitement of defying limitations.
• Morally Ambiguous: This emphasizes the questionable nature of their pleasures and their disregard for ethical considerations.
• Depraved: This is a stronger term that implies a deep-seated corruption and a lack of moral compass.
• Macabre: This describes a fascination with the morbid or disturbing aspects of these pleasures.
• Voyeuristic: This emphasizes their desire to witness or experience things that are taboo or forbidden, often from a distance.
• Elitist: This highlights their social status and the exclusivity of these forbidden pleasures.
• Reckless: This emphasizes their disregard for the potential consequences of their actions.
• Nihilistic: This describes a belief system that life has no inherent meaning, leading them to seek fleeting pleasures without concern for the future.

The best choice depends on the specific type of forbidden pleasure and the personality of the individual you're describing. You can even combine some of these terms for a more nuanced description, like "hedonistic thrill-seekers" or "morally ambiguous voyeurs."

How about decadent? Would that be also proper?

Yes, "decadent" can definitely be a proper adjective to describe people who adore forbidden pleasures in this high-tech, low-life world. Here's why:

• Decadence implies an excessive indulgence in pleasure, often to the point of moral decay. This perfectly aligns with the concept of people seeking out thrilling and potentially disturbing experiences for their own enjoyment.
• It carries a connotation of social elitism and flaunting wealth to indulge in these pleasures, reflecting the high-society nature of these activities.
• The word also suggests a decline in morals and values. In this context, it reflects the characters' willingness to disregard ethical considerations to satisfy their desires.

However, there are some nuances to consider:

• Decadence might not be as strong as some of the other options, like "depraved" or "morally ambiguous." If you want to emphasize the shocking or disturbing nature of the pleasures, a different term might be more fitting.
• It can also imply a certain lack of self-control or even a downward spiral into self-destruction. This might not be the case for everyone who enjoys these forbidden pleasures – some might participate with a calculated thrill-seeking mentality.

Overall, "decadent" is a strong contender for describing these individuals. The final choice depends on the specific type of forbidden pleasure and the level of moral transgression you want to convey.

Ok. Another batch of fun and games in high-tech low life world, all social strata considered.

More Fun and Games in a High-Tech, Low-Life World:

High-Society:

• Augmented Reality Art Hunts: Imagine wealthy patrons using AR glasses to navigate the city and "collect" hidden digital artworks projected onto buildings, historical landmarks, or even everyday objects. This could be a blend of treasure hunt and artistic appreciation.
• Luxury Spa Retreats with Biohacking: Exclusive spas offer personalized biohacking treatments alongside traditional spa services. Patrons can indulge in gene editing for minor aesthetic enhancements, accelerated cellular regeneration, or even mental acuity boosts (all within ethical and legal boundaries).
• Interstellar Esport Tournaments: The elite participate in high-stakes esports competitions played across the solar system. Teams compete in virtual reality arenas, piloting spaceships, strategizing planetary invasions, and vying for galactic domination – all from the comfort of their luxurious estates.

Low-Society:

• Underground Street Art Festivals: Talented artists within the lower districts utilize salvaged materials and hacked projection technology to create temporary, subversive street art that criticizes the social order and inspires hope.
• Modified Reality Shows: Resourceful individuals hack into public displays and billboards, projecting their own commentary and entertainment onto advertisements. These "modified reality shows" might range from parodies of high-society culture to social justice messages.
• Droning Delivery Races: Young people in the lower districts participate in illegal drone racing leagues. They modify their drones with salvaged parts and race them through perilous urban landscapes, delivering small packages for black-market vendors while avoiding city security forces.

Other Groups:

• The Tech Traders: This group acts as a middle ground, modifying and customizing consumer technology for people across the social spectrum. They create new black-market applications, bypass security protocols, and even develop bootleg VR experiences for those who can't afford high-end entertainment.
• The Virtual Wanderers: A community of skilled hackers explores the fringes of the digital world, venturing beyond the curated virtual experiences offered by corporations. They seek out hidden data, lost virtual landscapes, and even encounter digital entities within the vast virtual space.
• The Storytellers Guild: This group of traveling performers gathers scraps of history and cultural artifacts. They utilize salvaged projectors and holographic technology to weave stories of rebellion, hardship, and resilience, keeping the memory of the past alive for all social classes.

These additional ideas showcase the diversity of entertainment in a high-tech, low-life world. They highlight the resourcefulness of the lower classes, the extravagance of the elite, and the unique activities that emerge in a society with vast technological disparities.

Hello! I'll be subbing for the rest of the school year for an intervention specialist at a middle school starting tomorrow (5th grade). I'll be subbing for the last 8 days of school.
I've technically substituted before, however, it was only for whenever my cooperating teacher was absent and therefore I was the main/only teacher in charge. I completed my student teaching this past semester at a elementary school (grades 1-4).
I would greatly appreciate any advice and tips y'all have for substituting at a middle school. Especially for special education. I already reached out to the teachers for schedules/sample lesson plans of the person I'm subbing for so I can somewhat know what to expect. Thank you in advance!!

This is such a silly post, but I was just reminded today about how some colleges don't have kitchens in the dorms. Personally, I don't want to eat the school food since I've heard so many horror stories about food poisoning. So, could someone tell me which colleges have kitchens in the dorms? It's okay if it's a communal kitchen btw, I know that not every person gets their own, unfortunately.
Edit: I'd like a kitchen with access to a microwave and a stove.

I 20 questioning, have had problems with gender since i can remember. i live in a small town in alberta, extremely conservative city, family, and environment. i came out as lesbian at a very young age, maybe 12? very shortly after is when my gender dysphoria had begun. i had thought a lot about my childhood and how i had acted, my interests, the way i would dress. even when i was so so tiny it was always hot wheels. spider man and toys intended for little boys. the movies and shows i liked. even my friends had always been boys. my entire life i was very uncomfortable with my body and not only others perceiving it, but myself as well. i would wear hoodies throughout all of elementary and middle school in the blazing heat because of how i felt in my body. to this day i refuse to wear shorts or skinny jeans. i have gotten better with wearing shirts but i feel the most comfortable is men’s large shirts, despite my build being quite petite. i had came out as trans when i was 13, i had asked to be called a new name and to be referred to with he/him pronouns. i kept it a secret from my family due to fear of a bad outcome or to a bad reaction. i had made a post eventually on my instagram stating i am trans and that i wished for everyone to use the terms i’m comfortable with. it had gotten to my parents and immediately things went south. i had been told to delete the post, i wasn’t allowed out of the house, allowed to go to school, see my friends and had all my electronics taken away. they scolded me and told me it was a phase, that is was not the truth, and told me i will regret telling people this. they were angry and they had told me i am a disappointment. after a few months it had all slowly been forgotten. everyone went back to referring to me as she her, my birth name and i had began building a relationship with both my parents again. still being uncomfortable with my body and who i was, i had done what i could to try and force these feelings away. when i had my first girlfriend, before we started dating she had been my bestfriend for years, she had always told me she was straight despite my attempts at starting something more than friends. one thing lead to the next and we did end up together. it was extremely toxic, she had cheated on me with boys, many many many boys. it sent me back into this mindset that i was disgusting for being who i was. i felt extremely envious towards the boys she had liked, “why not me” was always the thought. and it had always went back to because i’m not a boy. why cant i be a boy. i wish i was a boy. we ended things and it continued to my next relationship. through both relationships i had many sexual problems. i hated being touched, i hated being seen. i had to top always and using a strap felt so euphoric. through the years i had always felt not okay with my gender. fast forward to 19 i am about to move in with my 3rd girlfriend. we had been talking for years, i love her so much. we were having some issues very early on in the relationship, she began having feelings for a coworker, a trans man. it broke my heart and it felt worse than when my previous gfs have had feelings for cis men. i was so jealous. and a lot of it had to do with the fact he is trans. i no longer hold resentment towards her, it was a long time ago and we have resolved our past issues, now better than ever. but there are still times i think about him. how i wish i could be like him. i have recently cut my hair, a lot. and it feels so so good because i was never able to when i had lived with my parents. i have been researching a lot about testosterone, and surgeries i could get. i have came to the conclusion that i am going to be talking to my doctor about hrt. i believe i am trans masc. i’ve always been very masculine, but i don’t know if i’m a trans man? i very much could be but i have a lot of past trauma that may cloud my judgement, and i am dealing with some denial. i haven’t told my girlfriend yet and i am nervous to, she is so accepting and i know how much she loves me. it’s just nerve racking. i’m nervous about starting t and having physical changes because i see my family pretty often. although i want those physical changes so bad, i’m worried at putting my relationship with them at risk again. i am on cipralex (lexapro) so i’m not sure if t will interact with that. and i don’t know much about the side effects, such as nausea or headaches or anything. i’m worried a lot about how i will be perceived by my friends (a lot of them being the same friends i had when i had came out as trans the first time), perceived by strangers or people i know. i’m thinking about either gel or shots, but i don’t know a lot about pricing either. i’m not sure what is and isn’t covered by healthcare and i’m not sure the steps i have to take to begin hrt. i know this was a lot, i’m just looking for some advice and help with everything i’ve talked about.

Okay, this is a pretty stereotypical situation I suppose. So, I'm a sophomore in hs, and it was the 1st year I decided to go to prom. I know it's usually a seniors only thing but not at my school. To be fair, the atmosphere was lame as no one was really gathered on the dancefloor so even dancing was awkward between a small group of people crowded in the middle.
I've never danced before, but I decided to say fuck it and actually enjoy myself for once. Issue is, I've danced with one of my guy friends, a girl got it on tape and I got to see the videos afterwards. And honestly it's so embarrassing?? It's keeping me up right now as I'm writing this, and I've been thinking about it for hours on end.
I just feel like yes I had fun in the moment, but someone having evidence of me looking so terrible when dancing and arguably cringe makes me incredibly anxious.
What should I even do? Pretend it never happened? Accept the cringe in my mind and try to sleep?
I don't know, I just feel really really bad. I know I've gotten judgemental stares, and I ignored them. I tell myself I don't care about what others think but in a way it's moreso me being embarrassed about myself. I don't know how to explain it.

Hello, I am selling the games listed below. Most are in great or better condition. I use Pirate Ship for cheaper shipping and can also do local.
Vindication - KS Edition with Leaders and Alliances expansion and KS Exclusive Miniature [4* PLEASE READ COMMENTS BELOW] - $70
War for Chicken Island [4.5] - $35
Arkham Horror LCG - Revised Core Set and custom card dividers. (Box came with a tear on the side but it is only cosmetic, cards are in perfect condition) [4] - $30
Spongebob: Plankton Rising - $20
Dracula - $5
*I purchased Vindication from someone else that did not specify it was from a smoker's home. I am very sensitive to smells so it was unplayable for me. I've spend about 2 months using different techniques to remove the smell and I cleaned every non-paper component with alcohol. For the most part, the smell is gone, but at this point I am frustrated enough with it that I've decided to sell it. The box also has a tear in the corner, but otherwise everything is physically in great condition. The expansion and KS miniature are new in shrink.

This girl, I've noticed her for the first time in middle school. She caught my eyes, yet remained a stranger in her own world. Something about this girl felt different about others. I rarely saw her speak or act, simply minding her own while on the way to school - which overlapped with mine. Even there she was not to be seen by me, mostly due to us being from different classes. Still, I recall seeing her on very few occasions, like field trips. I was not in love nor had a crush, though that was the time my curiosity began building up, wanting to know more about this girl.
It's an unexplainable feeling, really. Back then, I already got to recognize the sensation of romantic love, both its warmth and burden. Thoughts inside my head merely kept signaling, "I want to get to know her". Eventually, realizing we were still total strangers, I had no other option than to mind my own. This continued till the end of 9th grade.
Enter Highschool. Everything changes - new classmates, teachers, syllabus, higher pressure and what not. I didn't decide what to make of the new reality during the first few days, I simply rolled with it. Then came our first math class - to give some context, where I live, your level of math education is determined by 3 levels, with students from each level being grouped in separate math classes. As it turned out, that very same girl and I were grouped together in the same class.
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From that moment onwards things accelerated. I began noticing her more thoroughly as time kept going. It may sound weird, but I remember even dreaming about her once, despite us not even speaking to one another. I don't know what was it with me, an infatuation, perhaps ? I still didn't feel it with her, but I like to believe (or maybe those are my delusions) I felt a certain connection: that girl kept to herself, had a composed mindset, she focused on reading books and was on her phone before the teacher got in - despite always being surrounded by her own wonderful friends. Coupled with her short height, I couldn't but think how cute she looks.
One day, at math class as usual, sitting at the table in front of me, this girl did something unimaginable to my head - she turned her sit around to face me, and abruptly exclaimed with a smile - "did you know that our little sister's, [x] and [Y], are best friends ?" - we had a very brief chat about it, including one of our past sudden altercations, by the end of which she turned away and got back to minding her own. This was.... a lot shocking to me than a third party would expect...
Till that point, in my opinion, life seemed very predictable, unimpressive and disappointing. I was the social loser who didn't get to make strong bonds past kindergarten, so I didn't have real, true friends - just a few buddies I seldom chatted with. Coinciding with moving to the city I live in now before starting Elementary, I was pretty much doomed to be lonely, so from then on I never imagined to socially amount to anything extraordinary, much less to speak with another female (which has always been more intimidating). Now, this girl whom I wished to know and was too enclosed to talk to, broke the endless time barrier to inform a small piece of information. To say this moment was a change of pace is an utter understatement. Talking to one another gave me a clearer insight as to who the girl is - as composed, focused and quiet as she was, I could sense in her angelic-like voice and the way her vocals switched a hidden enthusiasm, an undiscovered encircling joy. Her voice signaled that she was truly interested to speak with me, and despite trying to stay composed, I felt as if she planned this conversation sometime ahead out of shyness to construct an abrupt small talk. Her character made me for the first time consider if I fell for her. She was a somewhat shy, introverted person with joyful attitude, and overall seemed like a kind, positive gal, simply too quiet to present it to anyone at once. But I was stunned not just for her character - she was gorgeous. Talking to that girl and formally facing her for the first time made me notice things unnoticed before - her enchanting, glistening eyes, her beautiful dark blonde hair, the humble little ears and nose, including the overall shape of her face. I barely kept myself composed as we responded to one another due to all this shock instigated by understanding who she is, and learning we were - in a way - related (not biologically ofc). Felt like forever, yet lasted less than a minute.
Of course, I began pondering about her reason to reveal herself as my little sister's best friend's older sibling. Two days later (and another month after), that girl repeated the first event: turning herself around to face me, then striking out a conversation revolving around our little siblings. By the third altercation, getting more smitten by her after each one, my interest in her peaked.
Here's what felt fishy: Us not amounting to anything but strangers meant this girl could chat solely about something seemingly as unimportant to HS students as familial bonds. I should also mention that by this period half a year has flown by. If so, why would she bother herself to say these things ? Maybe she just cares for our sisters' friendship ? That still wouldn't explain the timing...
Perhaps I'm deluding myself, but my something is telling me she's fond of me. And I think I'm starting to actually like here back the more I think of her. Sharing the same class with her gets me out of bed every morning, and the first sight of this girl feels like being showered with roses. I cherish every glance I get at her because of the warmth it brings to my soul.
I wish I were right about her feelings towards me, however this is where the letter must leave the reader at a cliffhanger. I don't know if she likes me, thinks of me as I have of her. Nor do I, nor her, have the courage to ask each other due to our mental struggles. Looking back, I think it's my fault. I should have attempted to chat with her myself instead of letting her initiate ever chat, it would explain why she gave up on trying. She was braver than I, if I'm not mistaken. Maybe I really did let an opportunity slip, but that's a revelation to come. Best wishes, your fellow HS student.
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Hi, I am a rising junior who is interested in applying to med school (leaning heavily towards MD-PhD but want to get more research experience before I commit so I’d love to hear advice from both the MD-PhD and MD perspectives) in 2 yrs and was wondering if anybody had any advice for me to improve my app. I would love to improve my ECs as much as possible, whatever I can do through reasonable sheer effort
GPA is currently 3.86, but I wanted to mainly focus on ECs since I’ll put in max effort into the MCAT when the time comes and I’ll get whatever score I get
Research: - 1 semester (120hrs) in a basic science lab where I independently did experiments that my grad student asked me to do. Generated data but no pubs or posters (done with this activity) - 1.5 years (1100hrs) in very similar collaborating lab in basic science and I very independently worked on a part of grad student’s larger project. Repetitive in the sense that I did the same type of experiment over and over. Expected middle author on the paper which was a collab with the first lab. 1 poster at school symposium. This project is almost over and will join a new project soon (ongoing activity) - 2 months (40hrs) in a bioinformatics lab. I am just beginning to learn R programming and statistics so I can’t say much right now but I will get a project once I’ve learned the foundations. (I’m also planning on picking up a math or data science minor to strengthen my math/coding skills over the next two years of college) (ongoing activity)
Clinical: - 6 months (120hrs) as a volunteer in a private practice clinic where I take patients vitals and perform other tasks to help keep the clinic running (ongoing activity) * I prefer to not add any more clinical activities since I want to focus on my research while being able to keep a longitudinal commitment to the clinic. The clinic has the opportunity to grow and gain increasing responsibility but I’d love to hear if taking vitals is considered enough patient interaction for MD-PhD and MD
Non-clinical Volunteering: - 1.5 yrs (150hrs) as a volunteer GED math tutor in an underserved community (ongoing activity)
Shadowing: - 12 hrs surgical specialty - 6 hrs cardiac ICU
Leadership: - Peer mentorship and a leadership role (not e-board), both in the same research-focused school club (32hrs, ongoing activity)
Extracurricular Activities (miscellaneous): - 6 months (115hrs) as a shadowing intern in a translational/clinical medical research in a lab. Got exposure to research with human subjects (done with this activity)
Honors/Awards: - A couple school-level research awards

I have 2 bothers. One younger, and one older(24M) (I'm the middle child 19M). We collectively agreed we would help our parents cook and wash up on certain days. My little brother's days of responsibility are Monday and Tuesday, mine's Wednesday and Thursday, and my older brother's Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. My younger and myself fulfill our obligations, meanwhile, my older brother doesnt do anything besides washing the dishes. I go a community college full time while my older brother works a 8-5 job 5 days a week. My parents are not in the best health at the moment, so I tried to make their lives as easy as I possibly can. My older brother doesnt share the same vision as I have. When it's his turn to help my parents cook dinner, he doesn't fullfil his obligation and stays in his room until it's time to eat. I hate seeing my parents, so I stepped up and covered for him. This has been happening for almost 4-5 years. I'm an engineering major and I have shit to do. I gotta study for my upcoming midterms/finals and complete work assignments. I'm a busy guy to say the least. I know I'm not obligated to fulfill his duties on his days, but when he or my little brother doesn't help my parents to cook, I step forward for my parents' sake. This also throws a wrench into my schedule since I can't depend on it anymore. When he doesn't cook on Friday evening and I stepped in, I have to move some stuff around to adjust my schedule. His inconsistency gets me every time. I've started to make some rather passive aggressive remarks every now and then. As far as I'm aware, he works for himself. Does not contribute to the household whatsoever. He uses his bi weekly paycheck to eat outside, buy some junk food, buys this custom Lego Star wars minifigures from AV figures. He can use his money however he'd like, but the least thing he could do is tidy up the house. OH WAIT HE DOESNT. Im so tired of his bullshit that I've stop talking to him not as often I used to. Only when it's absolutely necessary, such as passing a message from my mother and such.
Edit - sorry for the grammar mistakes. I was typing all of this on my phone of which I'm not proficient in

I'll try to keep this as short as possible but no promises and no this isn't a jealousy thing or anything like that. I'm in a happy relationship with plans of a family so I have no reason for any of that.
So my friend who I'll call S (25f) and I've known her since middle school is have her 2nd baby. I (25f)found out from my mom cause she was afraid to tell me since she knew how I would react. Now we don't talk and if we do it is once in a blue moon. Only because I don't have children of my own yet and she is busy with my niece and her family and no issue with that. In fact I feel I would be a distraction or a third wheel cause we no longer connect like we used to and it just isn't the same. We're not kids anymore and we both just drifted apart over the years.
Now to the reason I'm not happy about the news. When she met my niece's father it was through Playstation, we were both 20. I didn't understand it back then but it was whatever, I just told her to be careful cause of the platform. Well they talked and online dated for a while. They were in these app communities together, just anything to stay in contact and it was all hearts and rainbows. I was still skeptical of it but I didn't say anything but I soon started to notice things I didn't like that S was doing and saying. I noticed she was lying about her home life, saying rude and mean things about her mom, lying about her education, and saying she has various mental illnesses and disorders. It was what made my decision to distance myself a bit easier but we still hung out when we could since we were best friends.
Fast forward to her bf J visiting. He is a cool guy. Nerdy and funny but also shy and a bit awkward. When I met him he didn't seem to out of place but I knew he was uncomfortable being there and felt out of place but because he loved S he just dealt with it. Well that visitation led to him dropping everything he knew to live there. He had family back home who needed him but he gave it up. I soon learned he was manipulated and guilt tripped into staying and a few months later S was pregnant with my niece. Well their relationship soon started to deteriorate after that. They both started fighting and a couple times it got physical, he didn't like being in a constantly dirty home and it smelled like cow poop, her house was like a zoo since she owned about 15 to 17 animals, and he struggled to find work or anything stable too which made things more difficult for him.
When I talked to him, he told me he wish he took my advice when I told him to go home or else he won't leave, I said this to him when I met him. He ended up getting the middle finger from his family cause he wasn't there when his grandfather passed away and he was supposed to take over his farm and all that too. He asked me what I thought and I was honest, I told him that since a child is involved leaving would just make him look worse as a person but it's still an option, I also told him to stay for his daughter but do what's best for him mentally and physically in the porcess. I explained to him that he can be apart of her life without being with S. I told him to own up to his choices and be responsible. This was the last time I saw S, my niece and him.
Fast forward to now and they aren't together but they live together and raise their daughter. Which I'm happy they found a middle ground for raising my niece. However S is with another man who she met online as well. He is a good guy and definitely more outgoing and kind but she somehow got him with the same tricks that she did when she met my nieces father, exclude the mental illnesses. How do I know? A close family member told me when I asked about it all. So to be clear I'm not mad about the child news cause that child is gonna be born into a loving home since her family is huge and they are amazing but it is her I'm mad and disappointed at. It's her being manipulative and shady and tricking these men into staying and being with her. It's her lying about herself and making herself into this person she isn't. It's her not growing up and not trying to set a good example for her daughter by trying to better herself. I'm upset that after the years we haven't spoke to each other she hasn't changed one bit or learned from the past.
In the end though it isn't my business, my relationship or my life and I really shouldn't care. I just worry for her. We grew up together and are like sisters no matter the distance or how long we haven't spoken. I love her and want her to be happy but I don't want her to achieve that by manipulating someone else cause it will eventually backfire in the future. It's wrong and it's messed up as well and these are things I've said to her before but it doesn't stick. However, all I can do at this point is just stay in the back and support her and hope that things don't repeat itself. It's too much mental capacity to get invloved anyway and I have my own life to worry about. I guess I just want to know if I'm an asshole for not being happy for her and more or less indifferent to the whole situation. So Reddit AITA?
Any questions just ask me and if you're here to be rude and say rude things then keep it to yourself.

I get told I’m mature for my age ranging from classmates, teachers, and older people. I always stop and think “Am I really mature or is it because of the things I experienced?”. When I was kid I knew that Santa wasn’t real and other folk tales or things parents would tell children,(i know some kids also knew that) I acted like I still believed because it made my parents happy. It made them think I was still their little girl. I started to doubt my belief in god at an age that I should’ve been excited because the tooth fairy was coming. I would feel feel embarrassed waiting in line at stores because I felt like everyone was judging me, I felt like I was burning up. At that age I should’ve been focusing on making loom bracelets begging to go to Chuck E. Cheese. The moment where I could use my hands to do something I was put to do house chores, something my older brothers didn’t even do at my age and at their current age. But as my mom always says “why make them do it when they obviously won’t, he’s a boy”, I was a little girl. I get told to focus on myself when I complain but for some reason they can’t seem to focus on what they’re doing because they always stop to scold me. I had to be a grown up when my older brothers were still boys. Every day when I left to go to elementary school I would feel sick to my stomach because I would always think “what if someone robbed my mom?, what if she’s dead?, what if someone comes to my school and kills me?, what if my family died?” It was always a what if. I shouldn’t have been thinking of death at my age. I remember when I sometimes would cry on my mom’s lap because I was scared she would die, I don’t know why. Death was always in my head, it followed me around. It was a reoccurring guest in my home. I would act clueless in front of adults to make them gush over me but, I was disgusted at myself for doing it. My brother would show me gore like it was a silly cartoon, I watched and never said a thing. I don’t know why he would show me things like that, I was just a girl. I knew my dad and brothers were lazy, so I did the housework, tried to learn how to cook(I don’t know how I was let close to a stove at 7),and got straight A’s(and b’s) from elementary to middle school. But I’m a girl so it’s in my blood to do things like that, i wasn’t acknowledged. “How can I possibly be tired at fourteen” is what I would think. I would think the same at 13,12,11,10. I’m not enough and I know that, I’m a disgusting person and I know that, I’m a stupid failure and i know that. I hate being a therapist to my friends I get disgusted when they cry. I get disgusted when they do anything. I sometimes cry, I don’t know if it’s fake or real. I cried when my cat got ran over but a few minutes later I was on my phone and I later went to round table. I love my cat though. I cry but for some reason I don’t feel anything when I do, I just wipe my tears and get over it. I act like an adult and I get told to stop, I act like a girl and I get told to stop. I don’t want to be mature, why did I grow up fast. I want to run around and get my knees scraped, I want to play tag with people at school.

Hello.
To start with, I don't have children. Nor do I want them.
Second of all, I don't like childfree people who complain about children and expect to be in a childfree society.
I've seen childfree children who complain about children and are just super nasty to them, as in like the kind of insults I'd expect from a middle school girl, not a grown-ass adult. You insult children yet you sound like a middle schooler who hasn't learned what empathy is. Also, you were once a child once! Why do you absolutely destroy children for mistakes YOU also made? Shouldn't you have a bit more compassion for them? Sure, screaming children are annoying but you did the same thing, and how about instead of complaining about them to people online/at home, you blame the parents for not taking care of their child. Most of the time they aren't even trying to be annoying. They just were disciplined correctly. It's not their fault they weren't taught how to behave correctly.
The same goes for childfree people who seem to want and expect a childfree society. I've seen videos of grown woman recording a child (without consent) crying on a plane and saying, "kids under 7 shouldn't be allowed on a plane." Like, first, don't do that. That's really nasty. Second, why don't you question the parent instead of the kid? And third, why do you expect ONLY adults/teenagers on a plane? It's public transportation, not a high school or an adult-only party. Anyone is allowed, and just because you don't like children doesn't mean they have to stay home. The world is not going to bend to your wishes. Young people exist, get over it! Now, if a child is being annoying and obnoxious, I can understand that, but sometimes you just have to deal with it. Is it frustrating? Absolutely, I've been on a plane with a crying kid, but you have to move on. Crank up your headphones, ask the parents to quiet their kid down, etc. Expecting children to be out of sight at all times is a ridiculous demand and screams entitlement.
TLDR: People should have more compassion for children. Also grown adults need to stop recording crying children on public transportation and start questioning the adults who aren't taking care of them.

I had returned to school after 3 years because of Covid and got my first phone. I was 13 at the time and was just entering grade 8 middle school. I was addicted to my phone back then and used it constantly and met some bad internet influence. After a few weeks, I had a slight argument with my friend over text where the internet influence told me to use the n word. He had said that it was just a swear word like all the others so I had used it believing that there was nothing else to it. My friend knew however and decided to take a screenshot. We’re now in grade 9 high school, moving to grade 10 where around 3 months ago, brought back up the image. He had given it to around 3 other people who had shared it with a few of their friends. I recently saw on the news from a few years ago that many high school students had their admission rescinded or were facing expulsion for saying something similar and it going viral on social media. I am worried that this could happen to me because I could be in a similar situation as then in a few years and have been stressed about it for the last few months.

First of all english is not my first languange so sorry for any gramatical mistakes.
So I (16F) and my best friend (15F) know each other since the start of middle school. And at the start of the year she met a boy in her PE class and he dmd her (some says as a joke some not we dont really know). They start speaking but at first only on insta never in school. Then he start ignoring her then respkea to her. That Go on until now when hé start to say he is « serious » but i am hearing he want to Go around girls this summer so it’s weird. While this story I was alaways advising my friend but she never listen to me so it started to piss me of because I was dealing with my own shit at the time (still am). And every Time I talk about the situation she start to tell shit on my exes so pissing me off even more. We talk less and less and today I sent her a message saying that I wasn’t angry at her but just piss off by this and everything and she start telling me that I talk like shit and that I hurt her feeling and other people says that to and that she just can tell me to stop because it’s my « personality ». So I tell her to just say when im being mean because I want to change and she just left me on read and when I call her out she say that I just want to fight with her and that she doesn’t know what I want her to say. I just tell her that an « ok » would have been enough so she tells me ok and change the lock screen of our conversation from heart to plain. I am in the wrong ? Pls I just need advice her birthday is in two weeks what do i do ?

This one isn't aimed at other Europeans, I know we've long since come around.
Had a particularly jarring dinner with some of my ex-girlfriend's school buddies some years ago where they were discussing how unaesthetic and unhygenic uncircumcised penises are. Once one person claimed it was abusive of parents not to have it done at birth, I said they wrong, and compared it to FGM. One sentence.
That really lit the powder keg, I shut my mouth and grumbled about it in private to my then-girlfriend once we'd left. She said she thought I had a point, but that I wasn't seeing her friends' point of view. I think it was more about embarassing her by making a "charged" statement at an otherwise very friendly dinner, which is fair.
Point is, we're all* capable of washing other parts of our bodies, it's not prohibitive of good hygeine. Just because it's performed on infants doesn't negate the pain, and it dulls the sensation of a sexual organ. Not justifiable, IMO.
*Most of us
Edit: As unhappy as I am about the principle, I think religious justifications are (while unfair), not up for debate.
Edit 2: Maimonides in his "book of laws" Laws of Milah Chapter 2, paragraph 2: "...and afterwards he sucks the circumcision until blood comes out from far places, in order not to come to danger, and anyone who does not suck, we remove him from practice."
While I've only heard of this happening to two people I know personally, I think this particular practice during the brit milah is downright paedophilic

My son is 11 and turns 12 in October, and he starts middle school in the Fall. He likes to read comics but not books so much. I'd like to find a coming-of-age graphic novel that is kid friendly for him. I read bout All Summer Long and he might like that. But I wanted to get some recommendations from people rather than just see what google returns.
Thanks!