I have been waiting until the card is basically set, but here's what I think about upcoming Mania. I'll place ratings based on how invested in the match I am, not necessarily how good the match is going to be. Aside from the ones I call out, these are in no particular order
Rey Mysterio vs. Dominik Mysterio (5/5) Predicted to open night 1. I mean...come on. What better match to open up the whole shebang. This story is fantastic and deserves a good spot. I sense a Damien Priest split soon, since he's the only JD member not featured. The only match I truly can't make a definite prediction on. This could go either way and still make a great story. I'll pick Dom by some shenanigan though. Winner: Dominik Mysterio
Men's Showcase. Braun Stroman & Ricochet vs Street Profits vs Alpha Academy vs The Viking Raiders (1/5 bathroom break) The only reason I could remotely care about this match is if they announced the winner would have a shot at one of the tag titles. And even then, the only team I'd want to see do it is the Profits. Winners: Street Profits (I guess)
Women's Showcase. Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez vs. Natalya and Shotzi vs. Ronda Rousey and Shayna Bazler vs. Chelsea Green and Sonya Deville (is there a 0/5 option? Well, it's my post, so there is now. 0/5) I don't know, were people not watching the battle royals so they decided to do these instead? Even if a title shot was on the line, I wouldn't care much about this match. The only person here who I am a bit invested in is Raquel. I might suffer through some of this match just to see her throw some people around. Winners: Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez (I guess)
Intercontinental Championship Gunther (c) vs. Sheamus vs. Drew McIntyre (5/5) Predicted to open night 1 or 2. Seriously, these three have been on a tear against each other. This is going to be hard hitting, entertaining, and elevate the tone of the entire show. I am so happy to see the IC championship get some attention. It's always been my favorite. Gunther is doing GREAT and I can easily see him breaking Honky Tonk Man's record. But honestly, any of these three could take it. Sheamus could finally complete his title collection, or Drew could have a good IC run before getting back in the world title conversation. Tough to say who I want to win. I'll go with Gunther in hopes he continues to get to the record. Winner: Gunther
Edge vs. Finn Balor (Hell in a Cell) (4/5) This feud has been great. These two bring out the best in each other and I am happy to see heel Balor succeeding on the main roster. First Hell in a Cell on WM since 2016 and it's going to be a good one. The only point I am taking off is I am not sure where these two go after this? Edge, though in great shape, is almost 50. What's left for him to do? Finn still has some stories left to write, including the Universal Title, but that feels pretty far off. I think Edge does the favor for Finn, probably on his way out. Winner: Finn Balor
Becky Lynch, Lita & Trish Stratus vs. Damage CTRL (1/5, bathroom break) Here's my problem. You have these tag titles, right? That DESPERATELY need attention. So at the showcase of the immortals, the grandest stage of them all, the biggest night of the year....you choose not to have them on the line? Proof positive you don't care about them. Lita's not even full time, so how much are they going to be featured and how long will this run last? I think Iyo and Dakota could have gone somewhere big with them, but it fell flat right away. Baley's return at SummerSlam was the moment but the didn't DO anything with it. She's recycling the stuff she used in 2020 and it's not working. I get why you brought in Lita and Trish, for the name recognition. Maybe one more match between the two, setting up Trish to turn? The women's tag division needs some help. Anyway, doubt Lita and Trish are coming back to eat the pin and Iyo and Dakota need to regroup before coming back for these belts. So, unless Bayley pulls one over on Becky, I don't see Damage CTRL winning this one. Winners: Becky Lynch, Lita, & Trish Stratus.
United States Championship Austin Theory (c) vs. John Cena (3/5) I love Theory as US Champion. He's doing so good. He needs just a little bit more....something. I just don't see him feuding with the likes of Damien Priest or Bronson Reed without a little more clout. And this match will give it to him. John should make this kid look like a million bucks, get him some big time heat, and go away happy. Let him move on to the next feud with that extra chip on his shoulder. I would feel better about this match if Theory had won the chamber clean, but I still think he takes it. Winner: Austin Theory
Seth Rollins vs. Logan Paul (2/5) I get it, Logan is a draw. And he's actually pretty good at this. Not GREAT, not full time good. But not bad. And as much as I love Seth and his current character, I think it's time for a change. The fans seem to love it though. I just don't want it to get flat before he changes. He's always been ahead of the game though, so maybe. I think this will be an ok match. Either Logan will win with shenanigans to get sympathy for Rollins (Rebuild) or Rollins will win to get the big WM pop and move on to bigger things. I think the latter. Winner: Seth Rollins
Brock Lesnar vs. Omos (2/5) This is going to be like watching two elephants trying to throw each other. It'll be clumsy, at least one table is going to get broken (probably a barricade too), and a ref is going to get taken out. MVP might get an F5. Omos needs the win to even be slightly credible, which is saying something given his size. Someone that big should be an instant attraction, but he's just so boring. Right now his only saving grace is he has MVP. Brock has been entertaining as Hell lately, but he probably doesn't have many left. Maybe this is Brock's last match, maybe it isn't. But he should make Omos look good and call it a check. Winner: Omos
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship The Usos (c) vs. Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens (4/5) Predicted to open night 1 or 2, or close night 1. The story is great, the hype is great, the performers are great. This is going to be a good match with a lot of drama, and deserves a good spot. The only thing that makes me hesitate is what they are going to do with the tag titles. If the Usos win, I don't see the Bloodline story going much further and they need to split the titles soon. If Zayn and Owens win, they need to split the titles soon. I don't know how though, without them challenging for only one of the titles here. Maybe at Backlash they only defend one of them? The momentum that this story has can't be wasted so Zayn and Owens are probably going to win. Winners: Sami Zayne & Kevin Owens.
Raw Women's championship Bianca Belair (c) vs. Asuka (5/5 or 2/5) Yes, I have two ratings for this match. It depends on who wins. If my prediction (or desire I guess) is correct, Asuka wins and tears through the Women's division like she did in NXT. Build Raquel or Rhea to be the next person to take her down (I think Rhea will win though so that may either be down the line or off the table). Bianca is a fan favorite and doing her job as champion OUTSIDE of the ring excellently. But I don't find her interesting INSIDE the ring. Asuka looks like a dangerous fighter when she's in there, she makes me believe someone is going to get their ass kicked. The language barrier might hold her back from being a media magnet, but I still think she's charismatic enough to get people to watch. I'll 2/5 if Bianca wins because I feel like a year is long enough, too long really. Numbers drive everything in this business though, so she will probably retain. Winner: I hope Asuka but likely Bianca.
SmackDown Women's championship Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Rhea Ripley (4/5 or 3/5) As above, it depends on who wins. I actually don't mind Charlotte this time around but I don't see it carrying past WM. Rhea has been on a roll. She should dominate the women's division. Maybe feud with Raquel later on. You can just tell she's having fun, and that makes it so much better. I'm excited to see what's next for Mami. Winner: Rhea Ripley
Undisputed WWE Universal championship Roman Reigns (c) vs. Cody Rhodes (4.9/5) Predicted to close night 2 for that 'go home' camera shot. There's a lot to look at here. On one hand, Roman has been the best thing in WWE for long time. The bloodline story is masterful, his character has made the shows must see if he's there. He has been the definition of what a champion is supposed to be. He got me back watching (not every week, but more often than I was) again. He's made me care about the product again. I think he deserves to break 1000 days as champ and possibly move past Pedro's record (1,027 days). But...
On the other hand, if not now, when? Some things have come to light since I last said I thought Roman was going to win. This seeming alliance between Rhodes, Zayn, and Owens has raised some questions. Like...can he? When no one else has been able to, can Cody dethrone the Chief? Can he finish the story? I really don't know. And if he can, what then? We need to split the titles again. Does he drop the Universal Title and only cary the WWE? Does the Universal Title lose credibility if he does?
I think the match itself will be good, lots of drama, lots of reactions. Not sure how or if Solo is going to get involved (unless something developed since he lost to Cody that I missed), but I think if the Usos lose Reigns will tell them to just go home. I think this is where the Bloodline dissolves. I so want to see history made but I'm not sure how much further past WM Roman can take this, if at all. I'm sure it will be a 5 star match, and it's a 5 star story, but I don't know if we will get a 5 star follow up. Winner: Cody Rhodes.
I would like to hear what ya'll think!

I have accepted a job at a group practice where it is expected I see 25 clients a week. To approximately meet that, I’m required to provide 28 one-hour slots of availability.
I am coming from community mental health but I’ve had a hybrid role where I only see 15-18 clients a week and then have clinical case management duties. I rarely have seen more than 5 clients a day, but that’s felt very doable especially if all I have to do is notes. So I don’t really know my limit. I do currently have every other Friday off and I have absolutely loved that.
I have two young kids in daycare and my husband often works evenings, so it has to be during normal business hours.
How would you arrange it? 4 days of 7 clients, so 9-5 with a one-hour lunch, and have Fridays off? M-Th with 6 clients and F with 4? Half hour lunch? Would love to hear your thoughts/reasoning/experiences.

Currently, I’m on the Allure but have been lucky enough to have several other cruises out of Miami and Galveston. I’ve seen the posts on this subreddit about people complaining about babies, toddlers, and children and definitely agree that if they bother you then book another cruise that is adults only. The kids don’t seem to be the problem. It’s your annoying and dirty teenagers.
I understand that it’s vacation and I know that teens love having their “independence” away from their parents but if you are going to allow that to happen then it’s probably best to remind them to adhere to common courtesy and the rules that apply to them on ship.
I’ve seen security actively remove unsupervised teens from places they aren’t allowed from like the casino, suite deck, and solarium every day. In addition, I’ve seen inconsiderate and spoiled teens leaving plates of food all over the ship and throw trash on the floor. I have yet to witness a child running around in the pool deck but groups of teenagers regularly running into other passengers and knocking them over. The number of teens taking candid pictures of other passengers they don’t know without their consent on the pool deck is wrong and probably unlawful.
You have failed as a parent if your spoiled and over-entitled teenagers can’t respectfully vacation with other families and adults. Do better or go to Carnival with that trash behavior.

I live near a pretty great trail network and frequently take my kids out for hours long rides.
I pack lunches and all the things a parent needs (snacks, water, first-aid kit, tools, flat repair, wahoo tow bungey, etc) in a backpack but it's pretty cumbersome.
My kids have their own hydration packs, but they're still pretty little and can't carry a whole lot.
I'm interested in other alternative ways to carry all of our adventure stuff.
My adventure bike is a 2004 Gary Fisher Tassajara with disc brakes and a dropper post.
Our trails vary from paved rail trail, fire lanes, gravel paths, pump tracks and even some single track.
Thank you!

She moves around a lot but is larger then average woman (most likely to birthing 6 kids), and always drinks a ton of water. She is diagnosed with Lupus and struggles with iron levels. She also had her uterus removed due to cysts on her ovaries.

I LOVE this season, its my favourite one.
I just started a rewatch of 1984 and obviously, Xavier suggested the others join him at the Camp. The others decided to go the day before, obviously for the actual story as that's the whole point of this season, but what if they didn't go... would Xavier have been the only counsellor at the camp? The Counselors went up the day before the kids arrived, but there was literally just the group, Rita, Bertie the cook, Trevor and Margaret.
When they arrive at the camp, They question Margaret and ask if they are the only counsellors which she basically confirms they are as the Olympics took the jobs... again though, if Xavier hadn't invited his friends, they were still planning to open the camp with ONE councillor, one nurse, one cook, one.. whatever Travor does (I cant remember) and Margaret herself...?
Ps.. don't even get me started on the whole fact that there clearly weren't any background checks on the group considering they only agreed to it the day before going (Brooke only the day of, after the incident with the Night Stalker).
P.P.S With like a few hours notice, Montana was able to arrange for Richard to come to the camp after the failed attempt in Brooke's apartment?? (was hours as the attack happened in the night and no one knew Brooke was even coming until she told them that morning, which is proven by the conversation in the van)
​
Also.. Margaret has her ear back in the future episodes, unrelated to this point but just remembered it as as I'm writing this and watching the show, she just showed the group around the camp fire as they are talking about Mr Jingles.
Really when you start pulling at the string, the whole thing unravels... S

Hello, looking for advice - I know for a fact my ex has people over for sex when the kids are in his house (likely sleeping). We have 50/50 custody so I cannot comprehend why he can't just HOLD OFF and do that when the kids are not with him. It's a difficult situation for me because I wish I had full custody, I make much more money so I send him a lot per month just so our incomes equalize, and he STILL pulls this shit. He already screwed up majorly once, I went to Child Services and they settled the situation. They basically told me that because there is only one instance, I wouldn't get custody in court, but that if it happens twice conversation would be "very different". I am saving all his missteps (he is incredibly reckless about exposing himself on social media - attention whore) so if ever I take him to court when he messes up again, I have a case.
Has anyone been in a similar situation? It's not a horrible situation for the kids, I'm not sure they're aware, but why do that? They could simply walk in on him and then the damage would be irreparable. Just looking to see I guess if anyone has had similar situations and got full custody. My sense is this is not enough - I even called Child Services and they kind of told me I wouldn't have a case against him. But just want to make sure.

Today: a digital marketing manager who has a joint income of $145,000 per year and spends some of her money this week on Fly by Jing Sichuan Chili Sauce.
https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/marketing-manager-northern-california-salary-money-diary

My bridesmaids live in three completely different places and don’t know each other. I thought the easiest thing to do for everyone’s budget/sanity/comfort would be to just pick literally any light blue dress they like, any cut, length, and even patterned is fine. Two of them have had zero issues, and they are ultimately just trying to decide between several.
However…The third one has ordered 4 dresses from Amazon which quite frankly did not look like they would be comfortable or flattering on any human even in the listing, including the model badly photoshopped into them. She has since returned all of them.
I have suggested several different websites and even links to specific dresses in all price ranges that I thought would be flattering on her specific body type. I even asked her if she’s found another pastel color dress she likes, as one of the other bridesmaids has offered to swap her color so they’d just be three different pastel colors.
Any time I try to bring it up she doesn’t respond or changes the subject. I don’t know how to fix it if I don’t know what the problem is. Do I need to buy the dress for her? Does she need me to come help her shop for dresses? My wedding is at the end of July, and everyone has put ordering their bridesmaids dresses and groomsmen vests on hold because of they don’t know if she’s going to wear a blue dress or other color so they can coordinate. I have made this point to her, to which I got a video of her kid in response.
Halp. How can I get her to tell me what is going on? I am beginning to feel anxious about it.

So, I (25 F) have done a little reflecting lately and I've come to notice a strange phenomenon among the men I have tried dating in the past, and I'm curious if there's anyone else who has experienced this before.
So for a little context, I identify as ACE, specifically as a Demisexual. Meaning I require/look for an emotional connection or attraction with another person before I feel comfortable with anything romantic or sexual in nature. So, I get uncomfortable with overtly sexual tones in conversations sometimes with possible partners. I am also denser than rock when it comes to flirting so a lot of the time I take things literally.
Anyways, onto the main subject!
This peculiar phenomenon began when I tried Tinder years ago. I tended to attract some nice guys, but a great many of them were very...Well, they were very "affectionate." Many of them were good guys who I could have seen myself dating, maybe, had they just paced themselves but they were just going a bit too fast for me. Often times whenever they'd slip into my DM's at some point they would always bring up their desire to 'cuddle' with me. "Oh, you're so cute, I'd love to cuddle with you.", "I've been feeling lonely, I could use some cuddles." You know, things along those lines. From how heavy-handed some of these guys were in texts, it didn't take my thick head to understand the sexual implications that 'cuddling' meant for these guys. I would have thought nothing of it had it not happened multiple times with different men. So, I'm honestly curious, do guys/people just use 'cuddling' as a pretext or passive way to try and get handsy and do the devil's tango with someone without just outright saying it?? Because if so, damn that words ruined for me now.
Like, really, now that I have a prospective partner that I really really like, my guard goes up unintentionally whenever he brings up the cuddle word. Not in a serious or terribly defensive way, but more like...You know how when you try to bait a cat over with treats and cuddles and they're all excited about getting attention, then WHAM, you put them in the carrier and now they're at the vet? The lies, the heresy! The deception! I was promised a good cuddle, not this!?
I kid, I kid of course. I just wanted to get this off my chest since it's been bouncing around my head for a while. :)

Hi!
I did some searches in the archives and looked at the wiki and couldn't find anything, so here I am!
Disclaimer: I have dyscalculia and have an incredibly difficult time with math and budgeting and money. That's a big reason why I'm posting here. The other is that I've never really had anyone really sit with me and teach me a damn thing about money [for instance, my DNA donor literally told me, when I asked to learn how to balance a checkbook, that "I didn't need to learn that, as my husband would take care of that for me"].
So: I am trying to understand what the difference is between something like Klarna or Afterpay, where you just pay down your balance like a credit card, and Katapult, which is a lease-to-own thing?
I desperately need a new phone, of a specific kind due to disabilities and the phone I'm looking at having very unique accessibility functions... Problem is, even buying it off Gazelle is too expensive for my monthly budget [disabled, really low fixed income], so I'm looking at Katapult and I want to be sure I'm not royally screwing myself before I take that plunge.
Thanks!

Hello I am thinking about a move to Mcdowell County , the Welch area. I love the history and the outdoors . Couple of things to consider, who should i get for cell phone service? What are my internet options? I am able to do my work online and I don t have kids so i am not concerned about the schools. If you from the area tell me any tips and advice of best part of town to look in would be appreciated.

I’m 25 as of last week. My dad, he is dying. He’s had numerous heart attacks and he had treatment that was supposed to help significantly. We were all so hopeful but he got a screening and his heart is practically dead. The doctors pulled my mom aside and told her she needs to get things ready for his funeral and get it situated now before the inevitable happens. I live 3 hours away from all of this and I’m so stressed. I can’t leave work because I have bills I need to take care. I’m the youngest of the siblings and I’m in charge for everything after. The finances, I’m the pure beneficiary because my parents said I’m the most mature kid they have. On my birthday, I sat down and was looking at services for my dads death. I go home to visit and we’re all talking about what happens then boom they bring me a birthday cake and sing me happy birthday. What the hell man I don’t want a cake. I want to be present with you and I’m so stressed and scared. I get a text or call and I’m terrified that it’s THE call or text.
I love my job. I love my friends. I can’t enjoy any of it. I’m just so preoccupied with these thoughts of my dad and worries about my mom with what happens after. Hell, I even met a fantastic girl two months back and we’ve started dating and although it’s been great, I can’t even enjoy it. When I’m with them my worries disappear but they don’t know.
Last night a guest at work just couldn’t be satisfied and no matter what I did, it was wrong. Normally I don’t care but I fully broke. I went outside and just screamed and cried. Fuck man like cmon. It’s all so much rn

So I’m getting married this fall and I just had a baby 4 months ago so my lifestyle is very calm and laid back. I’m also turning 30 so I’m very happy to leave my 20s behind and live out this next beautiful chapter as a mother and wife! My maid of honour is a bit younger, she’s 26 and she keeps talking about turning everything into a fun event to drink and I’m starting to lose my patience. I keep saying I want to feel calm and relaxed for every thing wedding related. Also my baby is breastfeeding exclusively so he will be with me everywhere and I have no intentions on drinking. My bridesmaids are getting annoyed too. She thinks she can call all the shots because she feels it’s her job but honestly to me there’s no difference between a maid of honour and a bridesmaid. She also talked about doing sexy and provocative pictures once were married like putting on sexy heels and putting it in my husband’s mouth.. I’m not into that AT ALL. Our kids will be there, our parents.. like wth?! I’m just so fed up with her! She needs to take 20 steps back otherwise I’m gonna kick her out of my bridal party! But I have a hard time putting my foot down! What would you do?

https://beforewegoblog.com/ten-recommended-forgotten-realms-novels/
Dungeons and Dragons novels are pretty much responsible for me becoming the fantasy fan I became as an adult. If not for the books I bought at my local Waldenbooks (the literary equivalent of a Blockbuster from the Nineties and just as absent today), I would have rotted my brain on silly things like interacting with my peers or group activities like a healthy functioning teenager. Whew. Glad I avoided that. Just kidding.
One of my favorite settings for Dungeons and Dragons novels were the Forgotten Realms. The creation of Ed Greenwood with other authors adding to it, I always found the setting to be wilder and more fantastic than Dragonlance's Krynn.
People who have been following my work on Before We Go or Reddit will note this is the third article on the subject with Ten Recommended Classic Dungeons and Dragons Novels and Ten Recommended Dragonlance Novels.
Special thanks to Whitney Reinhart who helped me write this.
10. Darkwalker on the Moonshaes by Douglas Niles
The first of the Forgotten Realms novels wasn't actually intended for the setting but was written independently. Nevertheless, I love the people of the Moonshaes. A very simple "beginner's novel" for people getting into fantasy, it's really good and entertaining. The dark god Bhaal wants to take over the Moonshaes and kill the Earthmother. Its sequel trilogy is even better, dealing with the generational nature of Forgotten Realms as well as how even heroes can fall.
Bhaal and his minions are pretty generic "muhahaha" villains while Robyn and Tristan are stalwart goodie-goodies but that isn't always a bad thing. Sometimes you just want a god of darkness invading the peaceful Not-Britons before they are defeated through the power of love. I also liked the fact druids are the focus of the book since they rarely got attention in classic Dungeons and Dragons.
9. Azure Bonds by Jeff Grubb and Kate Novac
Azure Bonds is fantastic as an introduction of the differences between the Forgotten Realms and Dragonlance or, say, something like the Lord of the Rings. Whereas other stories ease you into the weird, Azure Bonds has cloning, a halfling bard, a dragon man paladin, a chatty red dragon, demons, liches, sexy sorceress ex-opera singers, and a magical curse in just the first volume. The characters are likable, entertaining, and just plain weird. It's a reminder why 5th Edition has Tieflings and Dragonborn as starting characters.
Alias is a fantastic protagonist as a sword-swinging sarcastic mercenary with the voice of an angel. She has no respect for the gods, society, her fellow mercenaries, and altruism. Which is problematic when she has a charitable lizard man, a faithful merchant, and a roguish halfling as her associatives.
8. Dissolution by Richard Lee Byers
What do runaway males, a slave revolt, and powerless priestesses have in common? The potential for true chaos and societal collapse. Lolth’s priestesses struggle to contain the secret of Lolth’s disappearance while wizards contrive to exploit their unexpected weakness. Rogue male drow band together and partner with an unlikely ally to incite a rebellion and wreak further havoc on the always precarious balance of power in Menzoberranzan.
In this, the first book of the War of the Spider Queen sextet, the Ruling Council chooses four representatives to determine whether other drow enclaves are affected or if Menzoberranzan stands alone. Phauraun Mizzrym, chief threat to Socere archmage Gromph Baenre; Ryld Argith, a Master of Melee-Magthere; Quenthel Baenre, Mistress of Arach-Tinilith and next in line to the Matron of House Baenre, First House of Menzoberranzan; and, Faeryl Zauvirr, daughter of Ched Nasad and ambassador to Menzoberranzan must journey into the Underdark and work together to preserve and protect their homeland, their way of life.
7. Elminster: The Making of a Mage by Ed Greenwood
Who knows the Forgotten Realms more than the creator? Ed Greenwood manages to distill the events of an entire trilogy's worth of epic fantasy into a single book. Elminster of Shadow has long been the ultimate quest-giver in the Realms, being a sage on everything but also slightly mad. Reading his origins is a fun deconstruction of classic fantasy tropes as he is a hidden prince as well as farm boy who needs to retake his homeland from the sinister Mage Lords. Along the way, he becomes both lover as well as apprentice to the goddess of magic, Mystra.
Some people have criticized Elminster as a Gary Stu over the years, do to the over-the-top nature of his adventures but I actually appreciate the more interesting story of self-realization that he undergoes. Mystra forces Elminster to live a life as a rogue, priest, and even woman to help give him a perspective on the varieties of lives in the Realms. While he wants to overthrow the Mage Lords, by the time he finally confronts them, he's mostly let vengeance leave his heart. We also get why Mystra wants so many Chosen, magic tends to attract power-hungry lunatics and this turns the public off it.
6. Prince of Lies by James Lowder
The gods are always active in Dungeons and Dragons but the ones in Krynn are far more morally absolute than the ones in Faerun. Here, at least under some authors, they are every bit as petty and conniving as the Olympians. Their flaws are exaggerated and even the gods of good are prone to major screw ups. After the Time of Troubles, three new gods are elevated to ruling over the spheres of Death, Magic, and Evil. Watching Kelemevor, Mystra, and Cyric grow into their roles is a fascinating story.
Prince of Lies has Cyric as the primary focus with the newly crowned God of Evil being absolutely crap at his job. He's more concerned about making his followers worship him fanatically and systematically dismantles the Zhentarim that, previously, were the most effective force for villainy in the Realms. However, just because he's terrible at his job doesn't mean he's not incredibly dangerous. An idiot with omnipotent power is no less terrifying than a genius. Just in different ways. The sequel, The Trial of Cyric the Mad, is also a fantastic follow-up by Troy Denning.
5. Elfshadow by Elaine Cunningham
Arilyn Moonblade is a fantastic character and I really enjoy her as a contrast to Drizzt and Tanis Half-Elven as "outsider" characters. Drizzt is a fantastic character but being a drow means that stories regarding racism always have the tinge of, 'But Drow are a race of evil schemers.' Tanis also has a really dark origin as well. Arilyn Moonblade? She's a half-elf who is hated precisely because elves are blood purity obsessed bigots. Worse, she struggles with the fact that as the only half-elven Moonblade wearer, she is a "model minority" to some while a hated usurper to others. She just wants to kick some Zhentarim ass.
Arilyn is accompanied by a Wizard/Thief/Fighter named Danilo Than. If you're thinking multiclassing into those three classes versus going into Bard is a bit overcomplicated, then you're probably right. Also, it predates a similar joke in Order of the Stick by a decade. It's also one of the rare fantasy romances I'm actually invested in.
4. Canticle by RA Salvatore
While the Legend of Drizzt books are some of the most famous fantasy of all time, certainly up there with the best of "popcorn fantasy", I actually prefer the Cleric Quintet of Bob Salvatore's creations. Cadderly is an agnostic cleric of Deneir who struggles with the existence of his god despite being granted magic by him. He is aided by a beautiful bare-fisted monk named Danic and two oddball dwarves named the Bouldershoulder Brothers.
I like Cadderly as an alternative to Drizzt as he while he constanty questions and philosophizes, he often comes to definitive conclusions. I also feel like priests and clerics are an underrepresented group in fantasy.
3. Daughter of the Drow by Elaine Cunningham
Liriel Baenre is a drow apart. She is the daughter of Gromph Baenre, Archmage of Sorcere and brother to the most powerful Matron of Menzoberranzan. Liriel’s innate magical abilities are beyond those of most drow wizards and under Gromph’s protection, she is allowed to run free and wild throughout the city and wild Underdark tunnels.
She laughs and dances, fights and schemes, studies and explores at will…until Matron Triel Baenre orders her wayward niece to enter Arach-Tinilith, the proving grounds for all of Lolth’s priestesses. But Liriel yearns for more than clerical supremacy. She discovers a way to take her Underdark magic to the surface world but the power players, both priestesses and wizards alike, seek to strip her of her discovery, her freedom, her life.
2. Forgotten Realms Classics by Jeff Grubb
This is cheating because it's a comic book series rather than books but I have to say that Jeff Grubb's Forgotten Realms comics are one of my all-time favorite. The crew of the Realms Master are an eccentric bunch of oddballs ranging from an iron golem to an alcoholic former paladin to an incredibly obnoxious elven priest. The crew only grows stranger from there. It's the willingness to embrace the wackiness of Dungeons and Dragons that makes me happy.
Dungeons and Dragons is, at its heart, not just fantasy. It is all fantasy everywhere shoved into a blender and then you hit frape. This is the kind of book where you have an airship, a winged rogue, liches, and the Time of Troubles. Yet, for all the sillingness, there's actually quite a few stories that are touching or serious. When you hear about a halfling with substance abuse problems, you think it's a joke, but it's actually played entirely straight. Not everything has aged well (a half-drow is split between her dark and light personalities and guess which ones are the evil?) but most of it is awesome.
1. Homeland by R.A. Salvatore
There was really no chance that there could be any other book at the top. As much as I love Everis Cale, the Spellfire books, or the Cormyr series, nothing will ever approach the popularity of the Legend of Drizzt series. While it technically started as the Wulfgar series with The Icewind Dale books, the books that cemented the popularity of D&D’s most iconic ranger (if not character) were the ones about his origins in Menzoberrazan.
Part of what makes the books so great is that they’re so very different from typical fantasy. The decadent corrupt matriarchal society of the drow is incredibly fun. It’s absolutely ridiculous but played dead serious as Drizzt struggles to deal with the fact everyone else he knows is an enormous sociopath. The subsequent books lack the punch of Homeland but subsequent series have given us many more insights into drow society (two of which are on this list). Bob Salvatore may not have created the drow, a lot of the society he depicted was in Vault of the Drow (D3) but he certainly popularized them.

A lot of people in the last post assumed that the time we spent together had changed since I was able to make such drastic changes.
Nothing about our at home schedules have changed. I go to the gym before he even wakes up most mornings and am back home cooking breakfast before he gets out of the shower. If I don't have time to go in the morning, I go during my lunch break since I work remotely.
People asked regarding me buying the house and getting a new car if this bothered him: Yes and no. Obviously owning a home cost us more than renting but we split bills 70/30 and I pay the majority. I made sure his monthly costs would stay the same amount since his pay at work has not changed in 2+ years and likely will not change soon.
There was also questions about the other changes I had left out or changes to my appearance, yes, I lost 80-90 lbs and went from dying my hair purple/pink/blue/blonde and went back to my natural redhead/ginger. I didn't exactly ask his approval but any chance I made he knew was happening before it happened.
After I told him he was coming off as bitter and insecure, he started acting all offended and upset. I started playing one of the old youtube series we bonded over while dating and we tried to kill the tense vibes with some casual conversation and snacking.
I opened up the floor for a conversation and we had a heart to heart, but I'm left feeling even more confused and irritated than before.
He said that while he likes the changes, and he is more attracted to me than ever, other people in his life have been comparing my "success" (I would hardly call it that) to his lifestyle. His friends have called me his "sugar mama" and were the ones that put the idea in his head that I would only start putting this much effort into my looks all of a sudden for another man.
I told him his friends were either jealous or sexist, but neither of them are good enough reasons to internalize their words and then cause us REAL problems by their fake mindsets. He decided to start defending his friends.
Then he said don't act like your friends are so much better than mine, because the one I'm closest to is a stay at home wife and has never worked a salary job a day in her life since she got married really young. I asked what that was supposed to mean, and he said she was just another woman who only has something to offer by cooking, cleaning, and sex.
This is where I might have gone too far. I egged him on. I asked him about all the negative things he thought about those kind of women in an agreeable tone and he went into a bit of a rant about how wives like that have no use, bring in no money, just stress out their husbands and annoy their kids, etc.
Then I asked him what he thinks those wives think of him. Compared to their husbands. And what they would have to say about what he comes home and does after work, which is absolutely nothing. And told him to stop judging people who took a different walk of life if he doesn't want anyone to judge him for his.
I reminded him that I do 95% of the cooking and most of the cleaning and he still fucks up our laundry every time he washes it and has to be reminded to take out the trash while I still pay majority of the bills and pay for all dates/vacations too. So judging them when you're living an even "easier" lifestyle and have no children to watch after and can't even do laundry right.
We went back and forth and things got heated and he told me that I always hated myself, thats why I had to change everyone about myself to be happy. I told him don't be mad at me for wanting to fix what I hated about myself instead of just hating everyone else and being an asshole to the people who care about me.
He said inside I'm still the same fat girl no matter what I do. I told him that I know that and hope it stays that way forever because it showed me whats real and whats not. He said I'm no where near the same person he married, and I said I guess not. And told him he was silly for expecting me to stay the same 24 year old forever and that never giving me room to grow is like putting me in a box.
He said he loves me and isnt trying to do that but that I'm biting off more from life than I can chew and causing unnecessary problems by being selfish. I asked what about my decisions or changes were selfish, what inconveniences him, etc. He could not give me one straight answer. I asked if he wanted to split up (could not use the word divorce. felt to heavy during the convo.) and he said no immediately but that he also doesn't feel happy feeling like he can't measure up to me.
Another part where I may of messed up, I gave a deep big ass sigh and started telling me to stop comparing his self to me because we're two different people sharing OUR lives not living one life and he needed to get some self esteem and stop worrying about the opinions of other men who aren't doing any better in life.
Also, the "friend" that said most of this shit to him is in the middle of a nasty divorce after getting caught cheating on his wife and her airing it out on social media and him losing his rank in the military and facing possible discharge so yeah of course he wants to sabotage someone else's relationship.
Our conversation didn't do anything besides let me know that all of you were right, he's resentful that I bettered myself and is lashing out at me. He promised that the cheating accusations would stop, but he still feels like I am going out of my way to upset the balance in our lives and making things difficult. But when I asked him if I should go ahead and order some McDonalds and start gaining the weight back (a joke lol) he immediately was like "noooo you're so hot thats okay but the other stuff..." aka career and hobbies. Aka anything that doesnt do something for his dick.
I was so disgusted after that I went to workout and then told him I need some time to think and organize my thoughts alone. He needs to worry about breakfast lunch and dinner on his own for the next few days so I can have time to think. He seemed pretty surprised and thought I was being extra.
I wanted to give an update, but also wanted to know if someone out there in the interverse knows of some resources where I can help myself work through this. Of course, we discussed couples therapy but the price is ehhhh and would require some rebudgeting to make it work longterm.

First of all, I’d like to state I appreciate how lucky I am, and the last thing I want is people to think I’m whining - perhaps I am, but I feel this sub might be a good place to get some feedback about my whining anyway lol
I live in the UK, started my own company about 7 years ago with a friend and we’ve recently had a successful exit that’s put my net worth at approx. £30m. For the record, I’m 29 and this wasn’t a tech company.
The issue I’m finding is, whilst this is a momentous amount of money, something I’d never expected to even see a fraction of in my life, I haven’t felt the rush of euphoria I was expecting.
In my mind, the second the deal was done I was going to retire, live my life between a home in the country, a nice villa abroad and in my home city and never feel sad again. Yet,whilst the build up was exciting, as soon as the deal was finalised I felt kind of depressed, like literally the second it went through- I’m just thinking, what next? Is this my life’s achievement? Are the next 50 years or so just going to be remembering what I did at 29?
I truly feel lost. I’ve got a kid on the way and that’s the only thing really keeping me going, but aside from that I just feel empty inside.
Does anybody have advice on how to deal with this? Is this my mind begging me to go back to working 18 hour days? I’ve been a believer in FIRE since I first heard about it in my early twenties, so now my plan just feels ruined and I don’t know my next steps.

Hi ladies.
I’m sorry if all of this sounds really crazy but I’m losing sleep about what’s going on with my divorce. I was married briefly to my ex and while we loved each other things were toxic and after a massive repeated breach of trust around our wedding, I could not recover. I tried for 3 years to make it work but it just wasn’t improving. I made the choice to leave and filed for divorce, even though he didn’t want it.
We do not have a prenup. We had an income disparity as he comes from generational wealth and is in finance and I come from a poor background and work a mid double digit salary creative job. Our finances were a mess and I wasn’t involved in any of his financial choices during our relationship, I didn’t even know how much he made or how much he had. I never signed anything , but he said that if he dies everything goes to his mom. Even if we have kids.
I originally wanted to leave without a penny because I was so done and upset. After retaining my lawyer it turns out I’m “entitled” to something close to $1 million.
It sounds like a dream but it’s absolutely not for me. This is a giant shock as I thought I’d be entitled to nothing. I’m suffering with an intense inner conflict over the guilt of calling it quits and although the law thinks I’m entitled to something, I feel otherwise. I feel ashamed. I feel like I’m hurting him financially, even though when all is said and done it’s a loss but he will still have tons of equity and millions in inheritance from his parents. I’m so torn between taking it and having some security for my future, and just leaving it all on the table out of guilt. I have internalized the resentment men have for women in these scenarios, and I feel like a burden. He hurt me badly sure, but I certainly wasn’t perfect either
I’m not sure what I’m looking for, maybe a “what would you do in my situation?”.

Apologies if this is too meta for the sub, but I think it does shine some light on behavior we see here quite often.
So, quick biology lesson. Dopamine is a chemical created and released by the brain when we experience something "good". The more dopamine that gets released, the better we feel about the experience that the event is tied to. A little dopamine and we're "Eh, it wasn't bad.". A lot of dopamine and "This is the most awesome thing ever!"
However, as we age, the amount of dopamine our brains produce naturally declines. So lets use some made up numbers, if event A produced 100 dopamine when we were 20, an equivalent event B might only produce 80 dopamine if it occurs when we're 40. As such, something can be exactly as good as something we experienced in our youth, but our traitorous brains give us less dopamine for it, so we FEEL like the event wasn't as good.
This is actually the scientific explanation as to why we all start to think "modern music sucks" after we hit our mid-30's, thats when the dopamine production starts to fall off.
"But Edy, I've listened to old songs/played old games, and they're still as awesome as I remember!" Yeah, here's the thing. Its also been shown that nostalgia creates dopamine hits. And that that the dopamine hit increases with the relative age of the original event at about the same rate the initial dopamine hit decreases. So when we listen to old music, play old games, go to places from when we were kids, the initial dopamine hit is lower but the nostalgia kicks in and bumps it back up to as much or even more than the original hit was. This is why you can listen to the same song or play the same game and "it gets better with time".
So this is honestly the best explanation out there for behavior we see in the Diablo community (and many others), IMO. People who were young when D2 came out got that big dopamine hit from it. Now, 20 years later, they play D2:R and the nostalgia kicks in and bam, its still the greatest experience ever, while newer games that are objectively better FEEL worse, because the dopamine hit is smaller. We then try to find reasons to explain why the old stuff is "better", because we don't intuitively understand how our brains work or how memories and emotional ties to them are formed. We just know "old stuff is more enjoyable than new stuff" once we hit a certain age and we rationalize that to ourselves by building up a narrative that says the old stuff was actually better.

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Hi everyone, this is my first post on Advice. I'm facing an issue with an agression i've had long ago in secondary school. Back then we played a game together (among me, my brother and the attacker). The attacker was known for raging a lot while playing games, that's why my brother clearly told me to never play with him. One day me and the attacker where online and i was bored so i told the attacker to play with me (after all it's just a game and as a kid I just wanted to have fun). He then later start to be mad and I was feeling his anger in the text chat (we weren't on a vocal) so when the game was close to finish, I've just quit the game. One week later, on my way to school with a friend, i've came across the attacker along one of his friend. When up to my he put me on the wall and told me to say something (sorry or someting like this) while his friend keep telling me he had a knife. The friend whith whom i was was also shocked but i told him to never tell this scene to anyone.
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From that day I kept this scene secret thinking about my brother telling me not to play with him.
But recently my brother and some friend wanted to reach the attacker.
from what i've heard, the attacker can reach my brother by messaging from friends to friends but recently never talked that much to my brother.
I feel like if I meet the attacker in my personal sphere, i'll just freak out.
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What do I do ? I feel ashamed for not having listening to my brother but at the same time I just want the attacker to stay away from my life.