I’m in a little bit of debt, really small amount but it keeps going in circles because I’m not earning enough to get on top of it (working on that!)
After chatting to stepchange, they’ve explained I can be on a payment plan for my gas and electric to pay towards the couple of hundred I’m in debt to each - I pay £1 a month to them and it means that I’m showing I’m paying what I can, and they can’t keep chasing me etc although my debt will still accumulate. However I’m just curious how this is long term. With my job role, I expect my wage to double or more in the next two/three years so I can just hopefully pay it all off in one go when that happens and pay normally from then, but in theory, does there get to a point where they say no this isn’t enough?
I also wanted to know when/if there’s an expected time I can change gas and electric suppliers? I moved into my home in November of 2021 and wasn’t able to change from what the previous tenants had because of the energy prices skyrocketing etc. I know they’re all expensive at the moment but I just want them to be from the same supplier and to choose a company with better customer service ha!
Thank you so much for your knowledge in advance, this has all happened since energy and food prices increased by so much so having debt etc is all new to me and I’m just trying to paddle my way through until I get more money!

I broke up with my exwbpd a couple months ago, and just the thought of dating now gives me anxiety and I get stressed out. I’m not interested in relationships anymore, not even sex.
I keep remembering all the horrible things she did and manipulated me into thinking I was the one wrong/needed to change. Hell, she even tried to convince me to pay for a two day 2.4K trip to see SZA because I went to that city with my -4yearex- and she was jealous I did so much for my ex and needed to be shown I cared more for -bpdex- than my ex who I dated for 4 years
She was convince I was supposed to pay for everything and do as much as I could for her to “sweep her off her feet” because I’m the man and she had “so much to offer (sex)”. She really thought she was high value despite being 100k in debt for a masters she failed once already, no career, no assets, and a toxic personality.
My brain is legit convinced any woman I meet after will be the same and I can’t even get myself to consider dating again.

So bit of background I have autism and audio processing disorder. This means I can hear find but when someone has a strong accent I struggle to understand them. I also struggle with phone calls.
I recently brought a ticket on a prepayment plan and had my card stolen. I had to call the ticket company to change bank details and this can only be done on phone call as they never respond to email or social media. They do have a disability phoneline but that is only if you are buying accessible tickets not for a normal ticket.
This big ticket company outsources there work to an Indian call center. Their line is also awful. I mean awful. The volume jumps to a 10 then to a 1 and back to a 10 which is not great if you have APD to have changes in volume.
I did get through but the lady on the other line although lovely did not understand a lot of English and I struggled a lot with her accent. It ended up going back and forth and changed a five minute phone call into 21 minutes.
My anxiety at this point was awful and to make matters worse my partner started to laugh because he thought the whole back and forth was funny of me going what? Her saying pardon? In the end he had to help with call as I ended up getting the infectious laughter and I felt absolutely awful but my anxiety couldn't seem to make me stop. After the call I felt like an a***. I then have been on a group chat where someone else was having difficulties with payment and when I explained the difficulties I had, I was made out to be racist. I have explained that i struggle with any strong accent even in my own country. I've been told that I'm still racist and maybe I should learn sign language.
Don't get me wrong I always believe in that's there's always room for improvement with being a better person and learning from your faults whether it's learning more about others cultures, disabilities, religion, sex or love. I believe we have our own experience and should always improve to be better. I just didn't mean to be a bad person in this case I just really struggled due to my disability and now feel awful. How can I learn from this?

"It's a dog-eat-baby world."
On June 22nd, 2022, three of the greatest philosophers of our age asked one, simple question. What if Giorno Giovanna from Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Vento Aureo used his stand Gold Experience to create only babies and pitbulls through the entire plot? The result is the most fucked up hypothetical plotline for Part 5 that I've ever seen, viewable in its entirety here. I highly recommend watching it in full before viewing this thread, as it's a frankly insane experience to listen to for the first time.
For reference, here's Giorno's canon RT. Only the physicals in this RT should be applicable here, for obvious reasons.

Gold Experience

General

• Gold Experience's capabilities are identical to how it is in canon, with the exception that the only lifeforms Giorno can create with its ability are babies and pitbulls
• Potentially applying the "size rule" that Giorno has to follow in canon to Gold Experience's transmutation ability is brought up, but the conversation gets changed off the topic before its stated whether or not to be applied

Transmutation

• While punching Bruno in the face, could turn all of his teeth into pitbulls, causing his head to explode into dogs
• Would be able to easily make a hundred pitbulls at once. In general, the speed and quantity at which he can make things isn't an issue for him
• Would be able to spawn a hundred pitbulls out of a puffy Cruella de Vil coat
• Places the "essence of a pitbull" in every ounce of heroin circulating the Passione drug trade
• Josuke's Crazy Diamond would be to restore the transmuted pitbulls and babies back into their original form

Pitbulls

Strength

• A pitbull viciously mauls Koichi to death
• One pitbull made from Koichi's luggage destroys most of Italy's population by itself
• A pitbull eviscerates Leaky-Eye Luca, specifically his arm (which was holding a baby), killing him
• Maul Melone and Baby Face to death
• Pitbulls beat Narancia with 9 to 1 odds
• A chainlink of pitbulls prevents a helicopter from taking off
• Kills all the cops in a police station to get to Polpo

Speed

• "Last I checked uh… aren't pitbulls faster than light speed?"
• Arrives at a baby's location 0.2 seconds after its created by Giorno
• All the pitbulls can move at the same speed

Baby Detection

• Locks on to a baby 0.2 seconds after Giorno creates it
• Instantly maul Melone to death on sight, instinctively knowing his connection to babies
• A group of pitbulls forms a chain link in order to grab onto a helicopter with a baby inside it and prevent it from taking off
• Diavolo creating a new forged identity counts as a newborn baby
• Breaks through King Crimson's ability to erase time in order to attack a baby placed on diavolo

Utility

• Uses Formaggio's Little Foot to create tiny pitbulls, which can be used to be snuck into water before returning to normal size
• While they wouldn't survive the encounter or be able to directly kill Fugo themselves, a large swarm of pitbulls would be able to indirectly kill Fugo by getting Purple Haze's virus on him
• Creates a chain of thousands of pitbulls, each one moving slightly faster than the one behind it, in order to lead Notorious B I.G into the ocean
• Makes a set of stairs out of pitbulls to reach a helicopter
• Drinks a daily dose of miniaturized pitbulls (and babies) so that he can throw them up later if he's unable to create more for whatever reason

Babies

• Turns Leaky-Eye Luca's shovel into a baby, causing a pitball he created earlier to lock on to and attack him
• Could turn a chunk of his body bitten off by Clash into a baby so that a pitbull would attack Clash
• Could cover Ghiaccio in baby armor, and would be able to make a baby go on the hole in White Album's back
• If it were possible to get an object in Cioccolata's head like what happened in canon, he could turn it into a baby and have it burst out
• Could weigh down a helicopter from taking off by making a lot of babies

I bought a new Ford two years ago, still under warranty now. It was supposed to come with a type of fancy infotainment system (aka head unit, aka radio) called “Sync 3”, as advertised in their marketing material and spec sheet.
The system has always had glitches, crashed and not recognised phones. It needs rebooting every single time you start the car, sometimes twice. Shits me to no end, especially as it’s my first ever new car. I’ve complained each time I’ve taken it in for service, but it’s only gotten worse. I’ve just discovered my model was incorrectly fitted with a lesser system called “Sync 2.5”. Sync 2.5 is not supported by Ford Australia, so they have no means of upgrading it.
To put it into an analogy, it’s like buying a new iPhone 14 from Apple and then discovering one day you’ve had a (faulty) iPhone 12 instead.
The dealer has informed me that it’s not possible to change to the proper head unit because it would require the whole vehicle computer to be changed. They can only offer to swap it to a new Sync 2.5 unit, which I’m not satisfied with.
They’ve (verbally) acknowledged this isn’t what was advertised or what I paid for.
I’ve lodged a formal complaint with Ford Australia and NSW Fair Trading and am awaiting correspondence.
The spec sheet and marketing is VERY clear, I should have a sync 3 head unit in my car. The one I’ve got can’t be fixed and can only be replaced with more junk.
So if ford come to the table, what is likely to come of this? I don’t see how they can fix this problem. I’ve never dealt with new car stuff before! Thanks.

My boyfriend (39M) and I (37F) started dating in August of last year. We met the old fashioned way…at a bar; I saw him sitting at a table by himself and brought him a beer and we spent the night talking and exchanged numbers at the end of the night and the rest was just history. He was the first to say he loved me and for the most part he treated me great…better than great even. He would put gas in my car, take me, and even my two kids once, to Wild games, even changed my leg bandages on the back of my leg from a car accident injury for months when we first started our relationship. He even asked to come to one of my appointments when my leg wasn’t seeming to heal. We both loved to watch and talk hockey and spent a lot of time just cuddled up watching movies. Although I had a lot tighter budget than he did, I feel I was equally generous and loving toward him. I made him breakfast in bed once (he complained I left too many dishes though which I did feel bad about and said so after)…I also took him to MN Wild games and would leave him cards and mini bottles or a framed photo or something small whenever I was leaving town or just for no reason whatsoever…even made him little funny but sweet comics of us and snuck them into his lunch cooler or just left them on me kitchen counter for him to find later. Aside from two very large incidents, there wasn’t much to speak of in terms of disagreements. There were little things here and there but I just considered them part of the dance couples do as they learn each other’s quirks and likes/dislikes.
One day, shortly after we discussed becoming “fb official” 🙄, I decided to browse through his profile pics and noticed several of him and his ex wife, even one where he was kissing her forehead. Anyway…He had tagged me in a post and his ex wife had commented on it and it was brought up in conversation privately between just him and I and he immediately asked if I wanted him to delete her and said he would if it bothered me. I said no, that that was not necessary, but I took it as an opportunity to casually mention to him that the profile pics bothered me and asked if he would mind at least changing the privacy to only him since were now together. At first he said he didn’t know how and then kind of belittled me for being bothered by them. I offered to show him how to do it and said it would take less than 5 minutes to do. Anyway…I might have mentioned it a week or so after just briefly and he said he’d take care of it and moved on. I didn’t follow up and hadn’t even looked to see if he had for probably a month or so after I had last mentioned it. I had bought tickets to a Wild game and we were walking to the game and I’m good spirits too when (thinking there’s no way he hadn’t done it by now) decided to look at his profile pics and I was teasing but in a shocked disbelief kinda way and asked if I could just show him since he claimed that was the issue. This set him off and things got serious…the game was up and down for us. It was the first big fight but I feel I was understanding and tried to make light of it a little and just get him to understand why it might bother me. It escalated after the game and got to the point where we both just wanted to let it go for the night. A few days later, I sent him a text asking to discuss some things and he agreed. When I got to his place and started to bring it up again, he immediately blew up and things escalated to the point that I threw my hands up and said “f*** it” and left to sit in my car for a little while but we were still texting and I was really wanting us to resolve things which could have been just him expressing some understanding and empathy for my feelings and not changing the privacy on the pics but, by that time, he had already said he would and he had even offered to block her without my even asking for it prior to that, so it was incredibly frustrating to have him react like this. Anyway…because I stormed off to smoke a cigarette in my car after saying “fuck it” he says he wants nothing to do with me so I asked for my things from his place and say I’d like them now (they literally fit in a small 8x8 box) so I don’t have to make a special trip and he agrees and he handed me the box and quickly slammed the door. I’m not one to want to be with someone who doesn’t want to be with me, so I was on my way. I was a Luke shocked by how quick he was to shut me out but I gave him his space. Before I had even gotten home, he let me know that he was so upset with me that he “figured it out on fb” and that he went in there and “deleted all the pics of her and YOU”. I decided to deactivate my account temporarily out of embarrassment because people had already noticed his profile pic of him and I was gone and I just wanted to not be embarrassed like that (also it’s not unusual for me to take breaks and temporarily deactivate my acct) and I let him know that that was why but said nothing more.
Later that same night, we both cooled off and reconciled and just decided we still wanted to be together and we could put that in the past. He later told me he too had deactivated his account and that he was thinking about making it permanent. I said that I didn’t want to reactivate my account yet because of the questions people had already been asking about things. Another month or so went by with no mention of fb but curiosity got the best of me and i I decided to look at his profile via my daughter’s account. I noticed he had deactivated it but that it still said he was in a relationship with our date but my name was removed because I dedicated the account so I felt good about that but still wanted him to restore our pics but I refused to let it get to me and definitely was not ready to go down that road with him again. And I was glad I hadn’t when, on March 11th, he brought it up and said exactly what I need to hear. He said that he wanted to take some more pics so he could post new ones on fb and even commented that he was happy I took pics from time to time because he had recently been looking for pics of him when he was younger but said there was so few because he refused to take them. Anyway… I understood needing new pics to post and decided to just let him do it at his own pace.
Things were going great. He would even bring up marriage from time to time, saying he had said he never would again but that I made him think otherwise. Anyway….I should also explain that he is a train conductor from out of town (about 6 hour drive from me) and has been living in Minnesota for over a year and we always knew that a time would come where he would be told that they no longer needed him here and he would have to make a decision. I asked if we could prepare for that day by discussing our options ahead of time so it wouldn’t be so overwhelming and he would just assure me that he wanted to stay and that he was looking into how to go about it and him and another guy in the same situation were talking to hr about it, so there didn’t seem to be much need to discuss anything. Even when we went on a recent double date with two of his coworkers, they both pulled me aside and quietly mentioned that he has let people know he intends to stay here with me. The coworkers were facing a similar situation but had already made their intentions clear that what they had was only until that the day came that he went home. Continued…

Hi all - I have been grappling with an issue for a few weeks and getting different answers from different sources - so trying here (though that may further confuse! But let’s see)
We’re visiting Belfast and Northern Ireland in early June. We will be six people and a toddler with luggage so will likely need to rent two cars. I got my full driving licence on 3 June 2021 so will have had it for two years by that point. My wife got her full driving licence on 2 August 2022 and will not have had it for a full 12 months at the point we need to rent a car.
Most rental car companies require you to have had a licence for 12 months before you can rent a car. Enterprise is an exception - they replied to an email from me to say there is no minimum period a licence needs to be held to rent a car from them but I should check with the Belfast Int’l airport branch as well. When I called them, they asked if my wife is over 25, and I confirmed she was. Then they said - no, there is a rule in Northern Ireland that a rental car cannot hired by someone who has not held a licence for at least 12 months. I cannot find anything online which officially confirms this rule although many rental car company websites do say it (Enterprise Ireland and NI still don’t - link below).
https://www.enterprise.ie/en/help/faqs/drivers-licence-requirements-uk-ireland-germany.html
I should add that we will also be going to Scotland around the same time and Enterprise at Inverness airport checked and confirmed it would be fine, though their initial reaction was also ‘one year’ but I asked them to please double check - the gentleman did and said - “it’ll be fine, I learned something new today too”.
So, I am wondering if anyone here has any insight or experience of this issue? Perhaps the Belfast office also just shared their understanding of the general policy most companies apply and didn’t actually check their own rules?
Many thanks in advance!

I'm (25M) in a complicated new friend with benefits (25F) and have been having sex, and hanging out a lot since the start of March.
For some context, we have both come out of serious relationships in February and she was planning on moving from the UK to her home country at the end of April. We've not hashed out every detail of our situation but we've each expressed how we wanted to be exclusive until she left.
We've gotten quite close and now she is reconsidering her move and may stay in the UK long-term (I am slightly related to that change of heart). I like her so much that I'd strongly consider dating her as we've been really honest and open, and we both know how much we like each other. Even though at the start of my breakup in Feb I was resolute in staying single for a long time, she is worth reconsidering.
Now the problem. She recently retired from a very prestigious dance company and had a big going away celebration after a show which I was not a part of as I was busy. I very nearly joined them as she was desperate for me to join and it was only 10 minutes away from my house but because she was planning on clubbing and I had work the next morning I declined. She was drunk and I let her know before I slept that if she ever needed anything she could call me and I will be there for her.
By the end of the morning, I knew something happened. We already had plans for Friday but she was conspicuously absent and didn't reply to my messages until late in the afternoon when the time to meet was approaching. She eventually came to my house and, even though she initially did not plan on telling me, she felt she had to be honest with me. She was partying with a large group of friends but eventually tagged along with a group of 2 guys and 1 girl. I'll call them Kevin, John, and Kate. They all went to various clubs and eventually arrived at Kate's house. She prefaced this part that she did not have a good time.
For additional context, she had spoken to me about Kevin previously and they hooked up twice but that was around 7ish months ago. She did not have a great experience with him but was still considered a nice guy and has some standing in their industry.
At this point she had sobered up some but was clearly tipsy. The guys had offered her drinks at every opportunity. Then John and Kate inexplicably start having sex right next to her and Kevin. Then Kevin tries to start on her and initially she refuses but at the suggestion that they all have a foursome she decides to go for it. She made it a point to tell me that when with me she gets incredibly wet and it is very true. With the foursome, she refused to give the guys blowjobs and was completely dry and no matter what they tried no penetration was possible even though both Kevin and John tried to force themselves in. At this point, she quit and went to sleep on the sofa while the other three had sex in Kate's bedroom. After sleeping for a couple of hours, she left without saying bye.
At this point in the story, she tells me of the times Kevin and John kept getting her drinks throughout the evening. She also recalled how in a goodbye/closure type meeting with her ex (who works with her) just before the night out, Kevin interrupted them and tried to force his way into their conversation. As well as this, during the night out, she was talking to some guys and they asked for her instagram at which point Kevin stepped in and was trying to stop her from giving it. She then tells me an additional part of her previous hook-up with Kevin. They had unprotected sex and he came inside her without her consent and did not take steps to help her afterwards in terms of emergency contraception or comfort.
As they get to Kate's house, Kevin and John go into the bathroom together for a 'meeting' and are talking for some minutes. She then tells me how she discovered Friday morning that apparently these three regularly have group sex and invite friends. She was completely unaware the whole evening.
It is clear this situation is so fucked up and positively disgusting from the overt predatory behaviour and I am so genuinely upset and angry for her that this has happened. There was so much apologising from her and she felt so incredibly guilty and vowed to never do anything like this while we continue. She is so sorry because, while she knows she was drunk and being taken advantage of, she still feels she made the express decision to stay and involve herself when the situation was turning very weird at Kate's house.
I cannot speak to anybody I know about this. I can't break her confidence and I do not want anyone to think differently of her. But I cannot deny that I do now. I completely understand that it is such a fucked up situation but what we had is in jeopardy. The images of what she told me have really hit me hard and I do not know how I can get over this. Some part of me feels guilty about this but I cannot help but not truly trust her judgement. She has told me a few stories of her doing quite risky things (getting in a cab at 3 am to go have sex with a musician at his hotel and she had never personally met him before - stories of this ilk), generally involving herself with unsavoury people, and not to mention even considering going near that bastard Kevin.
On one hand, I am so upset that this happened to someone I care for, but on the other, I am angry and feel like I'm being taken for a mug and my feelings have been misplaced in someone I cannot trust.
My questions are:
Will I ever be able to get over this and how?
How can I best address my feelings to her in an appropriate way?
Can I or should I actually trust her?
​
TLDR: FwB that I am falling for got very drunk, had a foursome, and I'm struggling to reconcile my feelings and do not know if I can trust her or progress this to a relationship anymore.

Rules for the Sterling Void: The Valley of Gods and Monsters
You need a change. You need some excitement. Your life feels like it’s been mis-sold to you. Damaged goods that you’re desperate to return, but sadly, you were born out of warranty. You hate your job. You hate your home. You don’t have any family or friends that you feel you can connect to. Student loans, mortgages, bills overdue. You left your dreams to gather dust and crumble like some ancient artifacts in a museum’s stock room. When did it all go so wrong? Nothing has turned out the way you hoped it would when you were a kid. It’s all just been a series of compounding mistakes. Why did nobody tell you that, after a certain point life just seems to get worse and worse? It’s not that you want to die. No, that isn’t it at all. You want another throw of the dice. You want to start again, at a different place, in a different time. You want to go somewhere where you can begin anew, with a completely clean slate. That’s when you first hear about the Sterling Void: The Valley of Gods and Monsters.
A mysterious valley that was said to be home to powerful gods and terrifying monsters. Despite the warnings of the locals, you just cannot resist the allure of the unknown and decided to seek out the valley. After many days of arduous travel through rugged terrain, you finally find yourself at the entrance to the valley. There, you see a sign with a seemingly otherworldly language that makes you uneasy and a lectern with a blue scroll on top of it, a sense of dread washes over you and, just as you take a step forward, it hits you, literally, a note hits you in the face, it contains a set of petrifying rules, but your curiosity gets the better of you. You take a deep breath and step into the valley, fully unaware of the horrors that await you. As you walk further into the valley, the you begin to notice strange things. The colours of the plants and rocks seem to shift and change, and the sky above you is a deep shade of purple. You hear whispers in your ear, but when you turn around, no one’s there. Suddenly, you feel a tug at your feet and look down to see tendrils of mist wrapping around your ankles, pulling you down.
You tried to fight it, but it’s no use. You are dragged down into the mist, and when you finally emerge, you find yourself in a completely different world. The sky is a shade of silver, and the ground beneath you is made of shimmering white crystals. The air is thick with the scent of burning incense and the sense of unbelievable petrifying dread, and you can hear chanting in the distance. This is the Sterling Void, explorer and the you are now trapped there, but you wanted this and you are to blame. You knew that you had to follow the rules if they wanted to survive in this strange and dangerous place. And so, begins your journey through the Valley of Gods and Monsters, where you might face unimaginable horrors yet discover incredible secrets that may change your life forever.
Take a deep breath, adventurer, and savor the scents of burning incense and warm air. Listen closely to the wyverns chirping, inviting you to join them in eternal flight. But beware the staring imps, giants, ogres and griffins, ready to pounce at any moment. An insolent stare and you’ll be in their grasp, a glob of flesh. Remember the note you found, its warning ringing in your mind: 'Follow the rules or perish.' You shudder at the thought, but you're determined to make it through the Valley alive. You pull out the crumpled note as a reminder and steel yourself for the journey ahead. It reads the following -
Rule #1: Do not look at the gods or monsters, some of them are incomprehensible to humans in their "natural form" and, their mere presence can drive a person insane. Although it's not the case for all of them, it's better to be safe than sorry.
Rule #2: Make as little noise as possible. The gods and monsters can hear even the slightest sound and, if you're too obnoxious or noisy, you might be stripped of your soul.
Rule #3: Do not touch or disturb any objects that appear out of place, as they may be cursed or possessed by malevolent entities. These objects may include ancient artifacts, unusual stones, or unusual markings on the ground. If you encounter such objects, it is best to avoid them altogether and move on. Attempting to interact with them or take them may lead to disastrous consequences, such as being possessed by a vengeful spirit or cursed with a never-ending torment. Always exercise caution and respect for the supernatural forces that inhabit the Sterling Void. The objects in the valley can bring forth unspeakable horrors.
Rule #4: Only eat fruits and vegetables, as they are provided abundantly by the plants. Do not harm any animals unless they attack you first, as they are protected by divine grace. However, if the elementals or gods provide you with meat, you may eat it. It is important to follow the rules of supernatural hospitality and show gratitude for their generosity. Breaking this rule will result in severe consequences and you will forfeit the right to your soul and flesh, as it is a sign of disrespect towards the beings that have granted you protection and shelter. Remember, survival is possible without meat, but it is impossible without the protection of the elementals and gods.
Rule #5: Do not breathe in the mist. The mist in the valley can cause hallucinations and distort your perception of reality, making it dangerous to navigate. Cover your nose and mouth with a cloth if you must pass through it.
Rule #6: Do not touch the water unless it is orange in color. The water in the valley is cursed, and those who drink from it will suffer a fate worse than death. If you must drink, only drink from the "gilded water" that is orange in color and has regenerative properties.
Rule #7: Do not make eye contact with the statues. The statues in the valley are cursed, and those who look into their eyes will be trapped in a never-ending nightmare.
Rule #8: Do not trust your senses entirely. The valley can play tricks on your mind, and what you perceive may not always be real. Always verify your surroundings before making decisions.
Rule #9: Do not speak to anyone or anything that could possibly be a malevolent creature. The valley is home to creatures that can mimic human voices, and their intentions are often malevolent. Be cautious and discerning in your interactions .
Rule #10: Do not attempt to leave the valley without proper preparation. The gods and monsters that reside within the valley will make it difficult to leave.
Rule #11: Try to minimize use of light especially if you're out in the open. The creatures in the valley hate it and, and may hunt those who use it.
Rule #12: Do not disrupt the natural order of the valley. The curse that plagues the valley is delicate and easily disrupted. Avoid stepping on any cracks or disturbing the natural environment. Those who break the natural order will suffer dire consequences.
Rule #13: Do not open any doors unless you know where they lead. Some doors in the valley lead to places best left unexplored. If you do not know where a door leads, do not open it.
Rule #14: Do not climb any trees unless it is necessary. The trees in the valley are alive and may trap you if you climb them. Only climb if it is necessary for your survival.
Rule #15: Do not use any technology unless it is absolutely necessary. The valley is a place of ancient magic, and technology may anger the gods and monsters that reside within it. Use technology sparingly and only when it is necessary for your survival.
Rule #16: Do not pick any flowers unless they're orange, pink or red. Most flowers in the valley are cursed, and those who touch them will suffer a fate worse than death.
Rule #17: Do not enter any caves. The caves in the valley are home to creatures best left undiscovered.
Rule #18: Do not follow any "weird" sounds. The sounds in the valley are often a trap set by the creatures that inhabit it.
Rule #19: Should you spot an Inn with a sign or a placard reads "The Guardian's Grin" on the road-side, you’re in luck! You’ve found a traveller’s haven. Feel free to spend as much time as you want here and even stock up on supplies and, if you have need something, feel free to ask the staff for help. However, try not to be a nuisance and, don't overstay your welcome if you turn out to be a nuisance, the owner doesn't take kindly to those who abuse his hospitality. If you make a mess or, are a nuisance, don't stay for more than a day. And, in case you're wondering, none of the inhabitants of the inn are human no matter how human they look or, act.
Rule #20: Do not stay in one place for too long. This makes you an easier target for the creatures in the valley. Always be on the move, and do not linger in any one place for too long.
Rule #21: Do not attempt to communicate with the gods or monsters unless you have a concrete reason to or you really think you need to. They do not like pointless chatter, and attempting to communicate with them without any concrete reason so will only anger them.
Rule #22: Do not walk in predictable patterns. This can draw unwanted attention from the creatures in the valley. Vary your movements and be unpredictable.
Rule #23: Do not look at the sky, the sky looks like it’s made of silver alloys and, it is utterly incomprehensible to humans because of how “perfect” it is. And, can drive them insane, it is called the “sterling void” for a reason
Rule #24: If you see wooden signs or, milestones, do not read them or look at them for too long, they are memetic hazards.
Rule #25: If you hear screams of help, don't answer them. Don't move, you can't run or hide. Simply pray for salvation for heaven's divine grace. Only move when help comes, you'll know when help comes.
Rule #26: If you see an animal that has gone extinct in your universe, don't fret. It's neutral. It won't attack you unless you attack it.
Rule #27: If you see a loved one or, an object that you cherished but, lost, you are in a different plane of reality. The beings in this reality will try to convince you that you are home, and that everything is back to normal. They will try to keep you there, so be careful not to let your guard down. If you stay too long, you may forget who you really are and become trapped in this false reality forever. Keep in mind that even though the beings in this reality may look like your loved ones or your cherished objects, they are not the same entities and cannot be trusted. Stay alert and focused on finding a way back to your own reality. Look for blue-colored entrances and, exits for they are the only way out.
Rule #28: If you find scrolls, pick them up, they're going to be useful. Unless they're black in which case, they're best avoided as they're memetic hazards.
And just as you put the note back in your pocket, you remember the blue scroll, you take it out. It reads "The Nameless One is a fearsome creature that roams the deepest and darkest corners of the Valley of Gods and Monsters. Its origins are shrouded in mystery, and its true name is lost to the ages, but one thing is certain: it is a force to be reckoned with. Towering over its prey, the Nameless One is covered in an impenetrable layer of obsidian armor, and wields a massive hammer that can crush even the strongest of warriors. Its eyes glow with an otherworldly light, and its roar can shatter the very ground beneath your feet. Few have dared to face the Nameless One and lived to tell the tale, but those who have speak of a creature that is relentless, cunning, and utterly without mercy. If you ever find yourself face to face with the Nameless One, pray that you have the strength, the skill, and the luck to survive its wrath. If you see any of his minions, you will know. Stay away from them, if you harm them, you will anger the Nameless one. And don't fall asleep out in the open unless you want to become food for his minions
Remember, these rules are not to be taken lightly. They're more than just words on a piece of paper. They're like the Nameless One's eldritch serpentine minions, crawling underneath your skin, snaking through your blood and flesh, like a caterpillar playing host to thousands of wasp larvae. Although you may feel weakened, tired and disoriented, it's crucial to push through. Shake off the feeling and continue with unwavering determination. Your survival hinges on your ability to persevere. And, do keep in mind that sometimes you might have to violate these rules but, do not break any of these rules unless explicitly told to ignore a given rule. Only trust notes from me( You'll know if a note is from me) and, non-black scrolls. Do not trust any other source of information though you can try your luck with certain gods, fairies and elementals . But, not all rules necessarily have to be correct. And, do not forget the rules. Forgetting even one of the rules can lead to disastrous consequences.
As you’re about to roll the scroll, you notice a poem at the bottom that reads -
I am a set of rules, both true and false,
Some may lead you right, others may convulse.
Secrets I hold, mysteries I hide,
But beware, dear explorer, for I may misguide.
​
Beware of sneaky contradictions,
And secrets lost in the Void's evictions.
Can you spot the lies, can you see?
Or will they trip you up and deceive?
​
I am a list of rules, some true and some fake,
Read me closely, your life is at stake.
The truth is hidden, the lies intertwined,
Can you spot the deception and leave it behind?
​
But beware, dear reader, for beyond these words,
A darkness looms, like flocks of ominous birds.
The raven is watching, its eyes full of dread,
A symbol of death, of melancholy, and of what lies ahead.
​
You keep exploring.
A voice in the back of your brain keeps chanting "Don’t fall asleep" as you walk.
You keep exploring.

Hello! This is a little bit of a long one, and I really appreciate anyone who takes the time to read it through. I want to make sure i can provide a fun experience for my players for many sessions and hope you guys can help me make sure I’m able to do this :)
After our Icewind dale campaign died out, me and my friends wanted to try something new. I came with the idea of running a homebrew campaign for them, something they thought would be fun due to tie ins with backstories and what not. Here is my idea for the campaign:
The campaign starts as a DCC (dungeon crawl classics) game, which means the players will have 4 randomly generated lvl 0 characters but will transition into a 5e campaign withing the first session or two. The players start as helpers on a large merchant ship. Sometime during the start of the first session the ship is attacked by tentacles, and the players get to fight one or two of these before the ship gets destroyed, preferably the players are helped off the ship on a lifeboat by an NPC I introduce at the start of the game as their boss, and pretty much only friend on the ship. They then make it to a nearby island which happens to be the home of their boss`s old adventuring companion, an old druid. Their boss, either left on the sinking ship or dead of injuries when the players arrive at the island is explained to have been an adventurer in his past along with the druid, who says some half cryptic stuff about the players future or something. The druid will offer the players to use a modified Pipe of remembrance to vaguely show events from their past. Here the players will be given a secret and get to choose their dnd class and race. I think this is a good way to do it as most of the players are quite new to dnd and this gives them something to roleplay and base a backstory off of, alternatively they can skip getting a secret and just explain their backstory. The druid will then tell the players about an old, beached ship on the island which the players could loot to acquire weapons and other gear. I have made tables for what players can find at this shipwreck based on the starting equipment for each class, and I`ve added common magic items for investigation checks of 20 or higher, I hope this is a good way of showcasing skills in dnd and how different rolls result in different outcomes. The ship is home to a monster called a treasure chest golem, made up of a treasure chest and surrounding corpses. This should serve as a dynamic first fight as the players in their classes.
I`m sure there are thing about this first session i could do better and I look forward to hearing your ideas. I want the players to start on the ship, but anything else you would change i am all ears for. As for the general flow of the campaign going forward i have thought of this:
The campaign takes place on a large archipelago, more accurately just a large area of sea covered in possibly hundreds of islands, each with its own climate, people and monsters. I want for the players to be able to take advantage of this open world, but still make sure every session seems interesting and somewhat planned.
Here is a list of ideas i have for the campaign, although I don`t know exactly how to implement them, so any help here would be greatly appreciated!
​

1. Navigation in the archipelago is impossible without the use of magic items known as coral reef compasses. These are made with the chaotic magic that flows through the archipelago and so grant every ship that uses one a random magical ability, like short range teleportation, invisibility for some hours, or other things like summoning whirlpools or gusts of wind. The second session is going to give the players a way to acquire one of these by stealing it of a nearby pirate ship, but if you have other ideas on how the players could get one i would be delighted to hear them.
2. The magic rock the players see in the first session is the McGuffin of the campaign, my idea roughly equating to it being the heart of the archipelago, split into many different pieces, with only a few secretive factions knowing of its power.
3. I have an idea for a mid-late game boss, a mimic the size of an island. This mimic would be like the first mimic in this world, a highly intelligent aberration and I want him to have mimics turn into humans (using doppelganger stats) and is secretly trying to take over political structures in the archipelago.
4. There is a cabal of mind flayers who recently suffered a major defeat of some kind. Their leader was killed, but his consciousness was transported into a tadpole which has now infected some dude he uses to make sure he is more powerful when he gets back. I want this mind flayer to kill a friendly NPC like the druid or someone early in the game. Maybe the players boss doesn’t die immediately, but when the players return after acquiring a coral reef compass, they find both him and the druid dead with their brains removed or something. Either way I want the player to fight this tadpole infected person, wit him fleeing if the battle goes south. If he gets away and the players start pursuing him, they will eventually find him as the mind flayer within takes over his body and he turns into the mind flayer.
5. I have an idea for the villain of the story, a sorcerer with the ability to absorb all magic around him, kind of like a magic sponge. He would be responsible for the attack on the ship in the beginning and I would want the players to get information about him at some point around tier two. I think them meeting him early and the villain absolutely obliterating them could be interesting and give the players more motivation to hate him other than destroying a ship the players probably won`t remember after a few sessions. This could also be cool because the villain could destroy the player`s ship. This would give the players a reason to switch ships as well as to further create motivation for the players to be against the villain.

Anyways, thanks you so much for taking the time to read, I`m open to pretty much all ideas and would really like some constructive criticism as I`m sure I`ve done some things wrong in preparing the world and this campaign.

I have 1 older brother, 3 older sisters, 1 younger brother, and 2 younger sisters. I was born from an Asian country. My mom had a stroke awhile ago like their mom. While my dad passed away about 10 years ago. My oldest sister and I are living in the US.
Beginning in 2020, I traveled to the US country for vacation and my aunt heard a relative around for any recommendation regarding a potential husband(Rob) for me. My aunt and uncle reached out to them and recommended me. I was accepted by their family and we decided to move forward with the process and they allowed me to live in their house and I worked at their family owned business.
Their mom had a stroke around mid 2021, which caused her to be paralyzed on the left side, needing assistance for moving around, and doing daily activities. Their family has not been the same and the situation affected all of us living in the house. Their mom is in bed most of the time and speaks to whomever she can speak with especially with her family and I.
Within 1 year, I eventually got to know their family and got closer to Rob. We both decided to get married late 2021 with the support from both side of the family.
My mom-in-law and I would have conversations about her worries and concerns for her family's future for more than a year now because their mom is in bed most of the time and not completely there anymore.
My mom-in-law asked me to look/recommend someone for Jack. I saw an opportunity to recommend one of my sister that is currently living in my country because this will align with my main agenda by bringing my family members over to the US because the living standard is better over here than in the other country, I will be given praise from my family and extended family that I was capable to do such a thing in a small amount of time. At this point, I'm making a power move for one of my sister to come over to the US for a better future. And I see Jack as a potential candidate to do it. I will have more control, power, and influence on both side of the family near the future.
Their mom is in agreement with me because their mom is liking the recommended sister that will be great for the family and from how my sister is religiously devoted. In actuality, my oldest sister and I truly love our family that is overseas, and I'm feeling obligated with responsibility to do anything to bring one of my sisters over to the US for a better future.
So I planned an overseas trip and brought Jack along so he can get to know the family and especially my recommended sister.
After 3-4 months from the overseas trip, Jack's parents have been insisting him to do it rather he likes it or not because his parents realized the overseas trip potentially didn't bring any connection/meaningful relationship with my recommended sister. And I can see it as well. His personality is okay, but needs to change a lot. He has no friends, not finished with college, lives inside the room comes in and out for eating then goes back inside. I don't trust him anymore. I thought I could get him on my side for sure but it seems like it is too much manipulation, he notices.
I was having long conversations with my oldest sister before traveling overseas and if I played it right then I could narrow one of my sisters for Jack without me suggesting any other options outside the family for him. My plan was to want more from my family-in-laws and trick/brainwash their mind to doing such a thing for my family without having to directly ask Jack and reveal my true intentions. I believe this has to do with me wanting more from my family-in-laws and human nature to take advantage of someone and people around them.
Jack has 4 older brothers and his parents. The second and third have moved out. His oldest brother(married to me), the fourth, and Jack(the youngest) along with their parents living under the same household.
If Jack does bring one of my sisters over to the US and things fallout between the relationship then it would have been still a win-win situation for my family because she would had the opportunity to stay in the US.
The positive consequences for my family and I far out weigh the negative consequences with bringing one of my sister over to the US.
I lived with my family-in-laws for 3 years so far and I work hard with high motivation and lots of interest because I'm having tax incentives with being married to Rob getting extremely supportive from my family-in-laws. I'm saving my money and I will most likely be in control of the family business with Rob near the future. So, I'm sitting pretty well by staying with my family-in-laws for the past 3 years, rent free, utilities free, and support from my family-in-laws. I want more because I see the opportunity, the power, and influence I have on my family-in-laws. Having money, living in the US, sharing it with my family that is overseas shows where I stand with my family overseas and my influence on the people around me after coming to the US. Almost like showing dominance over another individual or family household member.
I'm well respected because I'm a hard worker, dedicated, and a highly motivated individual. However, I believe I might be asking for too much at this point. My oldest sister's agenda and my agenda is not right when you incorporate more things that involve families from our family because I believe it is wrong to a certain degree it would be better if it was someone outside my family members or not have even planned it out to begin with. Things need to happen organically not forcefully or manipulatively because the relationship will not last long term. Sometimes, I don't care and do it because I want things and I do it regardless. My oldest sister and I are thankful for what we currently have because it can all slip away easily.
My newlywed husband Rob agrees with me because he is now married to me and I love my spouse more than anybody else. Rob tells me everything and say things to me because he worries for his family and he loves his mom, but I need to know more things about his family and I have high interest with things from my overseas family.
Their mom is out of the picture because of her illness and she is highly influenced by her current state of mind. She is extremely devoted to religion along with Rob and I. Their dad doesn't care that much, but is still trying to do his best to mediate the situation for what happened before the overseas trip, during the overseas trip, and up until now.
At this point for me, I'm willing to do things because it has some meaning or associated with things I love near to my heart. At this age, I believe you either have high interest or doing it out of love.
Tl;dr: I need help with inputs, opinions, and suggestions from anyone, if what I did was extremely wrong, toxic, or just using them and my family-in-laws. It seems like I'm desperate to bringing one of my sister over because my family overseas is having no luck, so I'm trying to push my luck onto my family overseas. I did give back to my country and gave money I worked(tax free) from the support of his family business overseas. I do naturally want control, obedience, loyalty, and cooperation from the family despite knowing the family in such a small amount of time. Do you think they will think I'm manipulative, by being toxic, harmful, and controlling?

Started my first ever cut 2 weeks ago, glycogen has left me and the pain is real.
For those who have gone on a fat loss diet and have had to go from approx 20% body fat to 10-14%, was there a part in the diet where you felt at your lowest? And at what part did you start to feel cool about it as abs etc start to show?
Basically, at what week will I not feel like I’m skinny fat and feel motivated about the changes?

I have 1 older brother, 3 older sisters, 1 younger brother, and 2 younger sisters. I was born from an Asian country. My mom had a stroke awhile ago like their mom. While my dad passed away about 10 years ago. My oldest sister and I are living in the US.
Beginning in 2020, I traveled to the US country for vacation and my aunt heard a relative around for any recommendation regarding a potential husband(Rob) for me. My aunt and uncle reached out to them and recommended me. I was accepted by their family and we decided to move forward with the process and they allowed me to live in their house and I worked at their family owned business.
Their mom had a stroke around mid 2021, which caused her to be paralyzed on the left side, needing assistance for moving around, and doing daily activities. Their family has not been the same and the situation affected all of us living in the house. Their mom is in bed most of the time and speaks to whomever she can speak with especially with her family and I.
Within 1 year, I eventually got to know their family and got closer to Rob. We both decided to get married late 2021 with the support from both side of the family.
My mom-in-law and I would have conversations about her worries and concerns for her family's future for more than a year now because their mom is in bed most of the time and not completely there anymore.
My mom-in-law asked me to look/recommend someone for Jack. I saw an opportunity to recommend one of my sister that is currently living in my country because this will align with my main agenda by bringing my family members over to the US because the living standard is better over here than in the other country, I will be given praise from my family and extended family that I was capable to do such a thing in a small amount of time. At this point, I'm making a power move for one of my sister to come over to the US for a better future. And I see Jack as a potential candidate to do it. I will have more control, power, and influence on both side of the family near the future.
Their mom is in agreement with me because their mom is liking the recommended sister that will be great for the family and from how my sister is religiously devoted. In actuality, my oldest sister and I truly love our family that is overseas, and I'm feeling obligated with responsibility to do anything to bring one of my sisters over to the US for a better future.
So I planned an overseas trip and brought Jack along so he can get to know the family and especially my recommended sister.
After 3-4 months from the overseas trip, Jack's parents have been insisting him to do it rather he likes it or not because his parents realized the overseas trip potentially didn't bring any connection/meaningful relationship with my recommended sister. And I can see it as well. His personality is okay, but needs to change a lot. He has no friends, not finished with college, lives inside the room comes in and out for eating then goes back inside. I don't trust him anymore. I thought I could get him on my side for sure but it seems like it is too much manipulation, he notices.
I was having long conversations with my oldest sister before traveling overseas and if I played it right then I could narrow one of my sisters for Jack without me suggesting any other options outside the family for him. My plan was to want more from my family-in-laws and trick/brainwash their mind to doing such a thing for my family without having to directly ask Jack and reveal my true intentions. I believe this has to do with me wanting more from my family-in-laws and human nature to take advantage of someone and people around them.
Jack has 4 older brothers and his parents. The second and third have moved out. His oldest brother(married to me), the fourth, and Jack(the youngest) along with their parents living under the same household.
If Jack does bring one of my sisters over to the US and things fallout between the relationship then it would have been still a win-win situation for my family because she would had the opportunity to stay in the US.
The positive consequences for my family and I far out weigh the negative consequences with bringing one of my sister over to the US.
I lived with my family-in-laws for 3 years so far and I work hard with high motivation and lots of interest because I'm having tax incentives with being married to Rob getting extremely supportive from my family-in-laws. I'm saving my money and I will most likely be in control of the family business with Rob near the future. So, I'm sitting pretty well by staying with my family-in-laws for the past 3 years, rent free, utilities free, and support from my family-in-laws. I want more because I see the opportunity, the power, and influence I have on my family-in-laws. Having money, living in the US, sharing it with my family that is overseas shows where I stand with my family overseas and my influence on the people around me after coming to the US. Almost like showing dominance over another individual or family household member.
I'm well respected because I'm a hard worker, dedicated, and a highly motivated individual. However, I believe I might be asking for too much at this point. My oldest sister's agenda and my agenda is not right when you incorporate more things that involve families from our family because I believe it is wrong to a certain degree it would be better if it was someone outside my family members or not have even planned it out to begin with. Things need to happen organically not forcefully or manipulatively because the relationship will not last long term. Sometimes, I don't care and do it because I want things and I do it regardless. My oldest sister and I are thankful for what we currently have because it can all slip away easily.
My newlywed husband Rob agrees with me because he is now married to me and I love my spouse more than anybody else. Rob tells me everything and say things to me because he worries for his family and he loves his mom, but I need to know more things about his family and I have high interest with things from my overseas family.
Their mom is out of the picture because of her illness and she is highly influenced by her current state of mind. She is extremely devoted to religion along with Rob and I. Their dad doesn't care that much, but is still trying to do his best to mediate the situation for what happened before the overseas trip, during the overseas trip, and up until now.
At this point for me, I'm willing to do things because it has some meaning or associated with things I love near to my heart. At this age, I believe you either have high interest or doing it out of love.
Tl;dr: I need help with inputs, opinions, and suggestions from anyone, if what I did was extremely wrong, toxic, or just using them and my family-in-laws. It seems like I'm desperate to bringing one of my sister over because my family overseas is having no luck, so I'm trying to push my luck onto my family overseas. I did give back to my country and gave money I worked(tax free) from the support of his family business overseas. I do naturally want control, obedience, loyalty, and cooperation from the family despite knowing the family in such a small amount of time. Do you think they will think I'm manipulative, by being toxic, harmful, and controlling?

A mobile future for e-commerce: Mikitani at New Year Conference
18 hours ago
t the Rakuten New Year Conference each January, Rakuten chairman and CEO Mickey Mikitani takes to the stage to share his vision for the future of the e-commerce and tech industries.
This year, Mikitani had one core message for the 30,000 Rakuten Ichiba marketplace merchants and stakeholders tuning in: Mobile!
Mobile matters more than ever
“In 2006, back when we were still using flip phones,” Mikitani reminisced, “I spoke at this very conference about how we needed to focus on Mobile! Mobile! Mobile! At a time when mobile sales made up basically 0% of our GMS (gross merchandise sales), I predicted that it would reach as high as 70% in the future.”
This prediction was fulfilled – and quickly surpassed.
“On this past New Year’s Day, 89.3% of total GMS came through mobile. What this means is that mobile is no longer just our main source of revenue: It’s becoming nearly all of our revenue.”
“THE WHOLE WORLD CALLED THIS A PIPE DREAM, BUT WE DID IT. AND OUR SOFTWARE IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY OPEN SOURCE – SOMETHING UNHEARD OF IN THE TELECOM SPACE.”
MICKEY MIKITANI, CHAIRMAN & CEO, RAKUTEN GROUP
For the 2023 conference, Mikitani deployed a new but familiar rallying cry: Mobile! Mobile! Mobile! Mobile!
“As you have no doubt read in the news, we are currently undertaking a new challenge in the form of Rakuten Mobile,” he reminded the conference. “But we are not trying to create just another mobile carrier like Softbank, au or Docomo. We are creating another enormous new platform to add to the Rakuten Ecosystem.”
Trailblazing, software-centric telecommunications
Powering its ambitious journey to become Japan’s fourth major mobile carrier is Rakuten Mobile’s adoption of a strong focus on cutting-edge software-based solutions – a pioneering approach that is sparking a transformation in the hardware-heavy telecom industry.
“The technology we have developed is simply unparalleled,” Mikitani explained with both pride and excitement. “Traditionally, mobile networks have always needed giant network hardware equipment from the likes of Huawei and Nokia. We’ve actually changed all of that to operate solely with software.”
The ambitious plan attracted its fair share of skeptics, but Mikitani believes the results speak for themselves, “The whole world called this a pipe dream, but we did it. And our software is becoming increasingly open source – something unheard of in the telecom space.”
This trailblazing network architecture has allowed Rakuten to provide a truly unlimited service at just a fraction of the cost of other networks. Mikitani revealed that subscribers of other carriers averaged just 9.3GB of data usage per month, compared to Rakuten Mobile’s 18.4GB.
“That is how we’ve achieved this extraordinarily fair and accessible plan – 2,980 yen no matter how much data you use. A mobile plan for the 100-gigabyte age,” he declared. “By freeing consumers from these extremely expensive, ludicrous mobile plans, we hope they’ll become fans of Rakuten Group and Rakuten Ichiba and choose to use our services.”
Rakuten Mobile empowering growth on Rakuten Ichiba and beyond
“The Rakuten Ecosystem consists of Rakuten Ichiba in the center, with services like Rakuten Card, Rakuten Securities and Rakuten Bank surrounding it as supporting pillars. And the strongest of these pillars will be Rakuten Mobile.”
“RAKUTEN IS THE ONE PLATFORM THAT CONTINUES TO GROW. THE MAIN REASON FOR THIS IS OUR ECOSYSTEM, AND THE STRONGEST PILLAR OF THIS ECOSYSTEM IS RAKUTEN MOBILE.”
Mikitani cautioned the merchants and stakeholders at the conference not to dismiss Rakuten Mobile as a separate undertaking, unrelated to Rakuten’s other businesses.
“This is all part of a plan to build an ecosystem that’s stronger than anything that has existed before,” he explained. “This is our strategy to boost GMS growth for everyone here and the biggest takeaway should be that this growth is closely intertwined with the success of Rakuten Mobile.”
Mikitani laid out his vision to grow Rakuten’s domestic e-commerce revenue to 10 trillion yen by 2030. Rakuten Mobile, he told the conference, would serve as a major pillar in this plan.
“Right now, domestic e-commerce GMS for Rakuten Group has reached 5.6 trillion yen,” he reported. “I believe that Rakuten Mobile will contribute around 2 trillion to this goal.”
Mikitani’s reasoning is simple: “Rakuten Mobile customers are buying more and more on Rakuten Ichiba. That means that as Rakuten Mobile subscriber numbers grow, so will your GMS.”
It’s more than just a hunch: Mikitani demonstrated the magnitude of this effect with hard data.
“WHEN USERS SIGN UP FOR RAKUTEN MOBILE, ON AVERAGE THEY’RE USING 4.5 RAKUTEN SERVICES. ONE YEAR LATER, THEY’RE USING SEVEN SERVICES ON AVERAGE. THAT’S PRETTY AMAZING.”
“Subscribers purchase an average of 49% more – nearly 50% – annually compared to before joining Rakuten Mobile,” he revealed. “86% of Rakuten Mobile users shop at Rakuten Ichiba… If Rakuten Mobile reaches 15 or 20 million users, everyone’s total GMS will naturally increase by at least 50%.”
There are several factors that could be driving this phenomenon, Mikitani thinks. These include the considerable savings Rakuten Mobile subscribers enjoy, freeing up household budgets and effectively boosting disposable income.
Rakuten’s highly popular loyalty point program is also likely playing a role: Mobile subscribers enjoy a higher rate of return when shopping on Rakuten Ichiba. A similar program was implemented for users of Rakuten Card, which now handles over 70% of all transactions on the platform and has seen almost 30 million cards issued in Japan.
“We want to do the same thing with Rakuten Mobile – but on a scale several times larger.”
Rakuten Mobile is also having an exciting effect on the wider ecosystem – namely, on user engagement with multiple Rakuten services.
“When users sign up for Rakuten Mobile, on average they’re using 4.5 Rakuten services. One year later, they’re using seven services on average. That’s pretty amazing.”
Growing Rakuten’s core and the ecosystem
“Rakuten is the only company in the world that can do this because we’re not just Rakuten Ichiba, but also Rakuten Travel, Rakuten Card, Rakuten Bank, Rakuten Securities and more – all working in tandem,” Mikitani argued. “Last year, almost all major e-commerce companies in the U.S. saw decreases in market share. The same probably happened in the Japan market, but Rakuten is the one platform that continues to grow. The main reason for this is our ecosystem, and the strongest pillar of this ecosystem is Rakuten Mobile.”
Mikitani touched on the skepticism directed towards the mobile business, comparing it to that received by Rakuten’s credit card, banking and travel businesses before each turned their respective industries on their heads.
“I truly believe that Rakuten Mobile can surpass the big three mobile carriers in Japan and I believe that its success is the most effective way to dramatically grow your business,” he told the conference attendees. “Everything revolves around a core. That core is Rakuten Ichiba. It’s our heart, and it makes it possible for us to continue to grow.”
https://rakuten.today/blog/a-mobile-future-for-e-commerce-mikitani-at-new-year-conference.html

She isn't going to see it coming, I certainly didn't. There isn't any animosity between us and we are working really well to keep things as normal as possible for the kids.
I just don't know how to phrase it as truthfully as possible without making him out to be the bad guy. I don't want her to blame him or damage their relationship. He is a very good father and while he has gone about this in a shitty way and hurt me a lot, I know that he will do the best he can for our kids.
Anyone had parents seperate amicably when they were around this age? What were your thoughts/worries? What questions did you have? What did you need to feel secure that your parents both loved you and how did your life change afterwards?
Any insights would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

So I’ve been dealing with PVCs for a long time now. Been through a few bad bouts that sent me to the doctor. Had 2 week holter years ago. Been 95% coping with them ever since as they wax and wane. I’m am currently going through hell with them again and very on edge th last 4-5 weeks.
Last night however without feeling any skips or typical flip flops for several days which is a minor miracle I was startled badly while being half asleep (something fell off a shelf a few feet from me in the night, one of the worst shocks I’ve ever had). Being who I am I reached for my pulse and 5 seconds later it was like a switch flipped and it rocketed to what felt like 120-130 bpm from what was likely low 60s. It then worked its way up to about 140 which I checked on my watch while I was just standing there. Very regular almost eerily so. I tried to breath and calm down admittedly only for a minute or so before concluding I had dropped into vtach or svt. For the first time in dealing with this crap I called an ambulance. While they were on their way I sat down and it worked it’s way lower over 4/5 minutes And was completely normal of course by time paramedics arrived.
They hooked me up for 10 minutes or so and everything was completely normal.
The paramedics seem to think it was anxiety based on no history only hitting 140bpm and just happening to slowly correct itself before they could arrive rathe than needing medicine or other assistance to terminate rather than any malignant a rythym.
Later in the night I shot awake same thing 142 bpm while I had just been laying asleep. Shot out of bed ready to go to er. Wife told me to try breathing this time. I traced it back down to 70 bpm while standing and breathing over about 4-5 mins.
I checked my watch history and although I don’t wear I often at night I did find another night. 2 weeks ago with a similar spike to 142 then back to 62 another night I had been woken up abruptly.
The first time it very obviously as best I could tell shot up like a light switch which is what I’m told any serious arythmias do, but both times subsided gradually? What sort of rhythm presents this way?

I used to be transphobic. I used to get mad when someone told me they were thinking of starting hormone therapy. It was so uncomfortable for me to hear about any changes someone would even think of making for more feminine features.
During that time I was very sick and on hormone therapy. My body never functioned as it should have and women’s health isn’t taken seriously, especially when you are young and struggling to advocate for yourself.
When the ‘normal’ methods of trying to sync the hormones in body didn’t work, I was put on a long term hormone therapy to ‘balance’ my hormones.
It made me sicker and sicker, to the point I begged to just have a hysterectomy as I was not living. I was sleeping in the bathtub and crying trying to walk hunched over like a shrivelled banana.
My body never “feminized”, my boobs stayed flat and after over 4 years of hormone therapies I was told I would never bear children.
When I was in this state I couldn’t understand why anyone would willingly take hormone therapies. At that time in my life I felt as the trans movement was telling me everyone else could be more of women than I ever could.
I was drowning in my own dysmorphia and my own hormonal imbalances. I felt like this movement was mocking me, a women who would never pass for one.
I’ve grown a lot since then and I been off treatment for 8 years. I regret my bitterness, and I regret the fire that I spewed in the collective conscious of a the transphobic and hateful things I thought.
Now I’m am deeply saddened by the world. I cry for all the trans people in America who are facing the plights they are currently.
I know now that you aren’t on hormone therapy because it’s fun. I know how shit it is, it takes strength to be able to battle not only the physical side effect of hormone therapy but the mental as well.
Without the lgbtq+ community I wouldn’t have been comfortable trying to feminize myself. I wouldn’t have YouTube tutorials on how to work on my voice, or how to make dresses meant to have boobs fit when you don’t have boobs.
Because of trans people I have gotten to experience a little bit of what womenhood looks like to me. Because of trans people I have been able to explore and be comfortable being androgynous. Because of trans people I have been able to find how to complement my masculine features.
Because of trans people I have been able to explore the spectrum of gender without feeling judged.
I was never regulated, but I don’t have to live thinking i am broken anymore.
I’ve learned more about how to take care of myself and improve myself from drag queens and trans people than any other people in my life.
I’m so very embarrassed of my past self, and I am very thankful for those who have been open about their journey.
Thank you to those fighting for us all to have the space to explore without judgement, and with guidance.
Thank you for trying to bring colour and light into this world that so desperately needs its.
Thank you is all I can offer whilst such horrors and evil try to snuff out the beauty you breath into the world.
Please accept my admiration as an apology. As I didn’t intend to continue such hurtful things to such beautiful people.

“But if a person commits a sin against Adonai, who can intercede for him?”– 1 Samuel 2:25
Following on the heels of yesterday’s post about the earthly and physical consequences of sin…
Eli brings up an interesting question that goes to the heart of mankind’s problem with the Creator:
“If a person commits a sin against Adonai, who can intercede for him?”
See, it’s one thing for a human judge to step in and mediate between 2 men who have a dispute.
However, it’s entirely another thing to attempt to mediate between man and God.
This actually goes to the very core of why mankind needs a Savior.
Because without a Savior, we have no one to mediate between us and the Lord.
But didn’t the High Priest mediate for Israel in ancient times?
The answer is NO…
And reveals a misunderstanding of the High Priest’s function.
What the High Priest did was perform sacrifices to purify the Sanctuary so the people would be able to approach a Holy God without consequence.
So when the High Priest sprinkled blood on the Mercy Seat once per year…
Or when the other priests performed their daily sacrifices…
Understand these were PURIFICATION rites…
It was NOT about mediation.
Because the High Priest can’t argue with God on behalf of Israel.
He can’t settle issues between man and a PERFECT and SINLESS God.
For instance, consider the partnership that Moses and Aaron had.
Ever wonder about that?
Why were both Moses and Aaron necessary?
And why did both of them operate together at the same time?
It’s because each one represented the highest authority in their God-designated domains of influence.
Aaron, as the High Priest, was in charge of the purification rituals for the sanctuary…
And Moses was in charge of MEDIATION between the Lord and man.
See, here’s the situation facing every human being on the planet today.
We have all directly sinned against a Holy God…
In other words, the Lord has an indisputable legal case against each and every one of us…
We’re guilty as charged and and there’s nothing we can do about it…
Why?
Because any sin committed directly against a Holy God is so dangerous and severe that the only possible penalty that could pay for such offenses is eternal death.
See what I’m getting at here?
Ever since Adam and Eve sinned directly against their Creator in the Garden of Eden, all of mankind has been sentenced to a physical and earthly death.
Remember Adam and Eve were warned about this:
“…but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”
See what I’m getting at here?
The problem we human beings face is that each and every one of us has sinned against our Creator…
Which means the question Eli posed to his two sons applies to us as well:
“But if a person commits a sin against Adonai, who can intercede for him?”
In other words, we need a Mediator.
But Moses ain’t around anymore.
So what to do?
Who in the world would possibly have the authority to mediate between God and mankind and save us from the eternal death sentence we all face?
We’ll continue with this discussion the next time we meet because it’s an important one.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God“ -Romans 3:22
“What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?“ -Romans 7:24

Demographics

• Gender: Female
• Race/Ethnicity: African (from Cameroon)
• Residence: Douala, Cameroon
• Income Bracket: 40k+ (low-income I guess?)
• Type of School: International private IB School
• Hooks (Recruited Athlete, URM, First-Gen, Geographic, Legacy, etc.): No

Intended Major(s): Economics/Business Economics/Management
Academics

• GPA (UW/W): My school doesn’t do GPA so I literally have no idea but given my perfect scores in all my IB courses I guess it’s a 4.0 ?
• Rank (or percentile): No rank in my school
• # of Honors/AP/IB/Dual Enrollment/etc.: IB Diploma Program
• Senior Year Course Load: Full IB Diploma (6 IB courses + CAS + TOK + EE)

Standardized Testing
List the highest scores earned and all scores that were reported.

• SAT I: 1470 superscore (690RW, 780M)
• AP/IB: 7 in all my IB Subjects
• Predicted IB Grade: 45/45

Extracurriculars/Activities
List all extracurricular involvements, including leadership roles, time commitments, major achievements, etc. (A/N: my ECs were nothing extraordinary or recognized nationally or internationally)
#1 Little Mx Social: IG page created to help people suffering from social anxiety after the pandemic, 300+ followers.
#2 Student Govt President: mentioned all the things I implemented as president, zero-tolerance bullying policy, art fairs, cultural events at school
#3 Cooking club: 4 hours per week, a great opportunity for students to showcase their cultures and learn from others’ cultures through cooking. It was really fun and we had over 50 participants.
#4 Open Heart Charity: Charity created by my friends and I (we spent a lot of time working on it), raised over 100k cfa in fundraising and over 300 material donations
#5 Tennis: been playing since I was 4, won best junior player years ago
#6 Yale Young Global Scholars: summer program done by Yale (do not do it thinking it will increase your chances of admissions at Yale. I got rejected.)
#7 Harvard Global Scholar Internship Program: Built business models. Very enriching 5-week experience.
#8 Internship at an IT company of my city: repaired all the POS of supermarkets in my city
#9 Family responsibilities: My parents often travel so I had to look after my siblings most of the time.
#10 Tutoring: tutored igcse students, and ibdp1 students
Awards/Honors
List all awards and honors submitted on your application.

• Student Leadership Award: given to the student in school that demonstrates astounding leadership skills
• IGCSE Distinction
• Most Outstanding Student in school

Letters of Recommendation
My counselor, maths teacher, and economics teacher did my LORs and we all have very good relationships. I never had the opportunity to read them so I don’t know what they turned out to be but I guess they were good so I would say 8+/10
Interviews

• Upenn (10/10): The interviewer and I discussed even more than the allocated time. He was an intl student too, did IB, and I name-dropped a club at Penn in which he coincidentally took part so we really saw that we had a lot in common. Great experience.
• Dartmouth (-/10): Interviewer ghosted me so there was no interview.

Essays

• UC Essays (7/10): Truth be told I wrote my UC essays on the same day with no one but my friends proofreading them.
• Common App Essay (9/10): My Common App essay on the other hand was proofread by my counselor and a LOT of my relatives. I spent relatively 8-10 hours in total perfecting it. Briefly hooked the reader by mentioning my wide family lineage (grandpa had 132 kids, I’m a child from a polygamous family). I intertwined this fact with the bullying I received in middle school and high school due to my background and my good grades. Ended up with the success story of creating a zero-tolerance bullying policy in my school, IG page against social anxiety, and being willing to help anyone that comes my way.
• Supplemental essays (8.5/10): I think that on average I was very creative with my responses and always found a way to incorporate a new/different aspect of my character in each essay.

Decisions (indicate ED/EA/REA/SCEA/RD)
Acceptances:

• UC Berkeley (no aid since I’m intl) (RD)
• The Wharton School at Penn (full tuition aid) (RD)
• Columbia (received a likely so I knew I had high chances of admission, John jay scholar, 43k aid per year but 53k still left to pay) (RD)
• University of Miami (full tuition aid + foote fellows honors) (RD)
• University of Denver (42k per year) (RD)
• Seattle University (30.5k per year + honors) (RD)
• Temple University (21.5k per year + honors) (EA)

Waitlists:

• Hamilton College (RD)
• Oberlin College (RD)

Rejections:

• St. Olaf (RD)
• Harvard (deferred REA then rejected)
• Yale (RD)
• Cornell (RD) Dartmouth (RD)
• Stanford (RD)
• Northeastern (RD)
• Northwestern (RD)
• BU (RD)
• Vanderbilt (RD)

Additional Information:

• I would recommend using Collegevine to review your essays. You will find some really cool and nice people that will give accurate feedback rather than paying thousands of dollars to experts and maybe end up rejected.
• These admissions taught me that college admissions also include luck because what where the odds of me getting such finaid and acceptances when I did most of my college apps alone and depressed after my Harvard deferral? Anyways best of luck to the class of 2028.
• The journey will be excruciating and demanding but please have an appropriate amount of safeties, targets, and reaches to finish this journey with at least one uni.
• My SAT score wasn’t that great but I still managed to land 2 ivies (and a likely) so I would really emphasize on being well-rounded and having a pertaining story. Your application needs to have a theme and paint a clear image of who you are as a person.

So I’ve used this recipe for mascarpone SMBC before without the alcohol, it turned out amazing. But mascarpone is expensive so I was like what if I just. Substituted cream cheese. So in place of the 200 g of mascarpone, we’ve got an 8 oz block of cream cheese. Suffice it to say that did not work, my buttercream is curdled af and won’t come together (I actually think it’s getting worse the more I mix it) and I’m about ready to give up, but I’ve got until tomorrow evening to either fix it or buy ingredients for making a regular cream cheese frosting. Is there anything I can do to fix it? I had it going for like 10 minutes and I don’t thiiiiiink it’s too cold, even warmed up some of it and added it back which I’ve done with other buttercreams. The only thing I can think of atm is add more butter which I kinda don’t want to do because meringue buttercreams always taste kinda buttery to me and I don’t know if it’d work in the first place. In hindsight this is probably why there aren’t many recipes for cream cheese smbc and the one I did find specifically told me not to go about this the way I did (rely on the magical reconstitution properties of SMBC). Any help would be appreciated love y’all <3