I hope you all enjoy this one! Got a lot of these hanging around in my writing folder ready to be proofread and published.
The following record has been altered for mortal consumption.
BEGIN MEMORY EXCERPT
General Richard sighed deeply as he sat in the council chamber. This was all too much. He could see the Xol representative across the chamber, talking in hushed tones with another Xol. Ashley sat beside him, arms crossed. After everything he'd heard about her, she seemed a normal person, even if she was a bit awkward. Her umbra was tight against her skin, and almost translucent. He knew from her tutoring that it's weakness was a trick.
Silva Wrassack, a Sage of Law, sat to his right. Her face was impartial, as always.
Soon, all of the representatives arrived.
"Attention all sapient races." A voice called out. "We are gathered here today to address a grievance by the United Republic of Terra, against the Xol Khanate."
Richard straightened his tie.
"The Council held a remote motion to hear the grievance, and the motion was accepted. Representative from the United Republic of Terra, you have the floor."
General Richard cleared his throat, and then spoke. "Peoples of the council, I am General Richard Hammond. With me is Ashley, the Apostle of our home star, Sol, and a Sage of Law, Silva Wrassack."
Murmurs ran through the chamber. God, Richard hated talking in front of politicians.
"Before I voice the Republic's grievance, I would like to extend a hand of friendship and peace to those around us. I am a General, indeed, but in Human culture, if there is peace, I am doing my job correctly. For background to those of you who who do not know of the Republic, we are a republican representative-democracy of Humans. Humans are a bipedal, warm-blooded, hunter-scavenger, omnivorous mammal species. We typically make decisions based on both emotion and logic. Humans have a lifespan of 110-130 years with our current medical technology, and we reach adulthood by approximately age 17, and reach full maturity at approximately age 26. We sometimes alter our bodies with cybernetics, but typically only for increased access to information and to enhance our social opportunities."
He saw nods and more murmurs across the chamber.
"Sadly, the Republic is here as a matter of conflict. We are here to file a grievance against the Xol Khanate." He gestured to Silva for her to continue. Better to let the Lawyer do her job.
Silva spoke up. "We accuse the Xol Khanate of the enslavement of our sovereign citizens, and the occupation of Pre-FTL Republic-colonized systems. We demand our systems be left, and our people freed and returned to us. We are open to negotiation, but our demand of our people's freedom is nonnegotiable."
The murmuring turned into a cacophony.
The arbiter managed to calm things down for the moment.
"Representative Jir'lan of the Xol Khanate, the integrity of the Xol Khanate has been questioned. The United Republic of Terra claims you have claimed their citizens as part of your workforce. What say you against this claim?"
The Xol representative, apparently named Jir'lan, spoke after a moment. "It surprises the Xol Kahnate that the United Republic of Terra exists in the first place. Our contracted workforces are second to none in the galaxy, as most of you know, and were any humans to be among them, they would be the rightful residential contracted workers of the Xol Khanate, and would not be citizens of this Terran Republic. How a human would end up outside of an FTL-isolated system is beyond me. I motion to table this discussion, and move on to more important matters."
The arbiter let out noise of boredom. "Motion to table, any objections?"
Sage Silva raised her hand. "We have an objection. How may I address you, arbiter?"
"Your objection is heard. You may address me as simply Arbiter."
"Understood, Arbiter. Our objection is as follows: when the human race finally united as one nation more than two thousand years ago, we sent out generation ships as an act of unity. The residents of those ships were Republic citizens, as were their children, and their children's children, and so on. When they arrived at their destination systems, those systems and the colonized planets became Republic territory. At the time, we did not know of the sapience of stars, but those stars would today be allowed to become Republic citizens themselves, or negotiate terms for colonization."
"Objection heard. For clarification, please define the function of a generation ship."
"Oh, I see." Silva said. Richard was surprised the concept was foreign. Silva continued. "A generation ship is a type of exploration and colonization vessel that travels at sublight relativistic speeds. As per the name, the crew of the ship is a pre-designed and regulated society that lives and dies aboard the ship, until it reaches it's destination system."
Murmurs began to echo as the sage explained the concept. Was it really that crazy?
"Understood. Any responses to the objection?" The Arbiter spoke. A distant hand was raised.
"Representative Glagnon of the Firma Federation, what is your response?"
The gruff looking alien spoke up. "How many of these generation ships have you fielded?"
Silva nodded as the arbiter gestured to her to respond. "Thirteen. Each vessel holds approximately 1.2 million people."
"Response heard. Any other responses?"
Another alien spoke. "What is the United Republic of Terra's policies on indentured servitude?"
Silva cleared her throat. "In the Terran Republic, Involuntary servitude under any circumstances, by any means of coercion, is illegal and will result in life imprisonment and the dissolution of any organized group or corporation found culpable by a random jury of their peers and a Judge."
The murmurs rebounded as Silva explained. Richard didn't have much hope for this dialogue anymore. It was clear that slavery was commonplace.
"For the record, extreme cases of systematic exploitation can result in a death penalty."
"Outrageous!" An alien shouted. The murmurs turned into roars.
"SILENCE!" The Arbiter declared. "Order shall return to this chamber. Are there any objections to the objection raised by the United Republic?"
Jir'lan spoke. "The Xol Khanate objects. Any humans or generation ships which have entered territory are ours by right of appropriation under Article 76392-Kit."
"Objection, Arbiter." Silva said, "The Terran Rep-"
"Silence. Provisional Attendees of this council are only allotted one objection for every motion. Speak again and you will be arrested for contempt."
Richard could barely hold in his rage. What kind of council was this?
"Any objections?" The Arbiter asked the chamber. Silence rang.
"Objection resolved. The motion to table this discussion passes, and the motion to question integrity fails."
Richard sighed. Of course it would come to this. He then heard a message in his communicator. The Central Congress just voted. He took a deep breath.
"Arbiter, I wish to comment."
"Granted, though no new objections are allowed."
"Of course, Arbiter." Richard said, a shiver running down his back in disgust. "Members of this council. I want to reiterate the Terran Republic's extended hand of friendship. However, it disappoints me greatly that this galactic council of supposedly intelligent beings refuse to do anything about this injustice. Our citizens and systems have been taken from under our nose by a law that we never agreed to follow, nor that we knew existed. I have been in contact with the Central Congress of the United Republic of Terra during this discussion. Fourty-Eight seconds ago, in a monumental unanimous decision, all 18019 members of the Central Congress, under guidance of the Grand Council of Sages, voted to declare a war of liberation on the Xol Khanate. "
Roars filled the chamber. The face of Jir'lan turned from surprise to both anger and humor. The sly shithead thought this was funny!
"SILENCE." The arbiter thundered, bringing the wining to an end. "A motion to declare war under the galactic rules of conflict has been raised."
Richard couldn't hold himself in. He laughed.
"You misunderstand, arbiter. There is no motion. We are not asking for approval. We will not be pushed around by the hubris of this council who thinks themselves better than their peers, and thinks the rights of individuals are an afterthought. We will follow our own rules of conflict, which we will deliver to this council and the Xol Khanate momentarily." he said. "We will take our leave. After all, I am a general. It is time to do my job. To the Xol Khanate, we heavily recommend you start removing your non-military population from your military centers and emplacements. We do not like killing civilians."
The door behind Richard locked.
"You will not leave. It is not our hubris, but yours, to presume this is your decision, or that you are equal to anyone else. Speak again and you will be detained." The arbiter said.
Ashley stood up, and spoken for the first time. "Respectfully, Arbiter, you can go chuck yourself, your mate, your extended family, and your firstborn in an incinerator."
Outrage ran through the council chambers, the Arbiter's face twisted to disgust and anger. Ashley turned to the locked door. Richard saw Ashley's umbra flared up in a rainbow of colored tentacles, and the door simply crumpled. His umbra control couldn't compare, even though Sol and Ashley had been directly tutoring him for weeks now.
"Security, detain them." The arbiter spoke.
Richard opened his briefcase. He flipped open the hidden panel and pulled out his issued PDW. Ashley took a deep breath.
They bolted down the hallway. Armored aliens rounded the corner and held out weapons.
"Let us pass if you value your lives. We have no quarrel with you. Raise your graspers above your head and drop your weapons." Richard said, pointing his weapon back. "Don't make me do this."
The guards took a step forward.
Richard opened fire, the bullets cracking the air. Two guards fell, and one more stumbled. Their shiny armor was cracked and split, a single hole in each. Not designed against kinetics, he guessed. He turned his gun on the remaining guards, but a flare of burning light filled his vision before he could do much else.
The rest of the guards became charred husks on the ground. Ashley's eyes burned with an orange light, the wispy flame in her hand dying out. She held the hand out, and Richard took it.
He spoke into his communicator. "Detonate the ship, according to plan A2." He heard a distant rumble as the plastic explosives vaporized any hint of Terran data or technology.
Ashley pulled him close, then her umbra yanked them through the metal corridors. They shot through the hallways towards the emergency exits.
"Gonna be a rough ride home, General." She said as the white, gold, and chrome hallways sped past them.
"That's fine. Always wanted to see those floes and swells you keep talking about with my own eyes, anyway."
END MEMORY EXCERPT

I need advice. I'm not sure I'm asking the right questions, but I think that asking the questions will in itself help me to find some answers - so here goes!
For years colleagues, friends and family have been bugging me to write down "my story". I've decided to take them up on this challenge, but I think that there's quite a difference between the story they want to hear, and the one I need to tell. Just a little side note, I'm not looking to write a 20-page essay - I'm all in.
I haven't followed any sort of straight path in my life. Telling people that I'm an "autistic expat alcoholic agnostic catholic ex-priest data engineer now in my third same-sex marriage" may be a great conversation starter, but it's a whirlwind to explain.
The story I want to write is about my later-in-life autism diagnosis, and how that allowed me to re-write my own history. For example:
My childhood was dark, something that took me years to move past and no matter how I approach it, it will be tough to keep the reader in a place where they want to keep reading.
But it stopped being dark for me in the very moment that I got my diagnosis, because all of a sudden everything just made sense. Abuse, depression, hopelessness and despair were pretty much transformed. Not that those things don't exist in my story, but they do have a purpose in the grand scheme of things, in developing the adult I am today. My parents had no idea why I was behaving the way I was. They definitely ended up going in the completely wrong direction in how they treated me, but I can see some of the reasoning behind it, however flawed it was. I had no friends at school and was bullied mercilessly because I had no grip on social interactions, and no idea how to make friends. Things struck me as "punishments" or abuse even if that wasn't the intention, because I was clueless. I ended up moving halfway around the world as soon as I reached adulthood, moving from country to country making incredibly crappy decisions because I was in search of a "secure home" which was a foreign concept to me. The church was an attempt at home, but that tanked too (which is a book in and of itself!).
Thirty years later I have an amazing life. I've found my home, my career, and I know who I am. I even like the person I've become. I still have a lot of challenges, but life is good. THAT is the message I want to get across.
But there's the darkness to get through first.
​
So the question is: how does one approach so much darkness in a story, using the knowledge gained so many years later, without losing the light at the end of the tunnel? I was thinking about writing from present-day POV and using flashbacks, but is that too cliche?

TLDR: When would you expect your housemate to clean and tidy up after they have had guests/a party?
My partner and I have a classic difficult housemate - messy, never cleans, never thanks us for keeping the place clean, and a sloppy irresponsible drinker.
Said housemate recently had five family members over to stay for five days. We knew about this in advance so there were no surprises there. But the level of mess and uncleanliness from the moment they arrived was off the charts. Not a single clean or tidy surface in the kitchen, food all over the floor, spilled alcohol, piles of used wine glasses scattered around the house, bins full to the brim, outdoor furniture brought inside etc. Plus the usual wear and tear which comes with having guests.
It’s been a rough few days for us as two people who work from home. We gave up our study (we have a room each, but as me and my partner are a couple we use the second one as a work space) for a couple of them to sleep in, and told them they could use our bathroom - but 5 extra people is a lot in such a small space, so we already felt a bit displaced. So to come downstairs to such messy and dirty common areas every morning, after being woken at 3am every morning by them arriving home and staying up drinking, was a lot.
My question is: now that they have left, with every room of the house in disarray, when would be reasonable to expect our housemate to tidy up after them? We’d like our study back, and to feel we have our house back in general. But as someone who has never really cleaned up after herself before (and didn’t clean before they arrived), I’m worried this won’t happen in the near future. I don’t want to be unreasonable and ask her to clean straight away (I’m sure she’s tired after partying for 5 days straight!) but what is the window of what is reasonable here? When would you expect your housemate to clean up after having guests or a party? At what point does it become inconsiderate?

Hello guys, i have a problem with a v1 unpatched. My brother doesn't want to use a jig so i did the install for him and everything is ok but 1 thing. I did the 2 mosfets because i didn't had the flex available, everything went fine but the rst shows no value and the picofly shows 2 short yellow lights (rst not connected). I measured at the board and at the pico and still no value, desoldered and no value, soldered on the emmc board and still no value (when battery is connected the value increases). I really don't know what to do, im not home now, I'll post photos later if needed... I assure you the solder job is done good, just the rst is dead.

Gonna keep this short and sweet. I had a colonoscopy and gastroscopy on June 9.
Did my prep as requested (went down easy, PicoPrep), woke up at 6am to down some last fluids before my procedure at 2. Arrived at the hospital with no incidents, thank goodness, around 1:30 and was admitted.
I was told my doctor was running behind and I was third in line. As it was the afternoon I was a little concerned I’d miss the cut off and all of the prep and fasting would be for none. Alas that wasn’t the case and a couple hours later I was being wheeled into the anaesthetic bay, and then into theatre.
Last thing I remember is a weird little contraption being fitting in my mouth and the nurse stroking my hair while the anaesthetist held my hand until the good stuff kicked in.
Next thing I remember is waking up in so. much. pain. and a real need to go to the bathroom and/or pass gas. The nurse reassured me that it was just from the banding on some haemorrhoids I had, which turned out to be the case. Pain mostly subsided as did the urge to go (but came back later as I am writing this at nearly midnight in pain after a BM!)
Doctor came in briefly and said everything went well and to see him in a month. I was given a spread of sandwiches and crackers and jelly, as well as some much needed fluids. They took my blood pressure and removed my IV before sending me on my way.
In the car I read the doctor’s report and sadly my prep was just “average” despite following it to a T. I also have gastritis.
Pro-tip: listen to them when they say have a LIGHT meal afterward. I thought I could handle nuggets, nope, wound up vomiting everywhere although that could also have been the bends in the road on the way home.
Anxious to see my doctor to discuss what all this means. Until then, I’ll be nursing my very sore bottom until these bands go away.
…so much for short and sweet.

The irresistible charm of balloon decorations elevates the atmosphere of indoor parties and outdoor events alike. Bursting with vibrant colors and undeniable beauty, balloons create a visually captivating spectacle. Whether it's a lively birthday celebration or a romantic anniversary gathering, balloons play a vital role in event decor. In wedding event planners trust in the power of balloons to adorn halls, stages, and walls, understanding their indispensability in creating a captivating ambiance. Balloons infuse joy and transform ordinary spaces into extraordinary ones, making them an essential ingredient in any memorable occasion.
you can visit- https://www.7eventzz.com/noida
https://www.7eventzz.com/chandigarh
https://www.7eventzz.com/lucknow

Hello,
I bought my K10 Wireless a year ago. It has been working great so far, then suddenly 2 days ago it stopped working out of nowhere.
When I connect cable I see green LED light so I am assuming it isn't a battery depletion issue. But just to be sure I plugged the board with a wall charger and kept charging for ~8 hours. Unfortunately, no luck.
I reached out to Keychron support but they are saying since I am out of warranty there is nothing they can do.
Tried to flash the firmware but the tool doesn't even recognize something is plugged in to the computer.
Has anyone experienced this issue? I would really like Keychron support to at least help me diagnose it but they have been no help so far.

Was sitting at a stoplight just fine then ac and radio and all instruments and gauges went dead as soon as I touched the gas. Limped it to oreillys and they said battery was good and alternator was charging. They were convinced the transmission was burning up.
Got it home, checked hard to reach and very hot to reach trans dipstick. All red and full as far as I could tell. Started check the battery terminal connections were tight, seemed good. Checked all under hood fuses that could be tied to the PCM, all appeared intact. Didn’t check any in cab because I couldn’t tell if there were any related to PCM under there. My very uneducated guess suspects maybe the voltage regulator on alternator since the problem pops on and off depending on whether I’m giving gas or coming to a stop and maybe when it idles up the voltage goes above 15.2 and throws it into fail safe? The other opinion would be the PCM but all connectors appeared fine when I checked just visually. The only other thing I could think of is checking every fuse with a test light and seeing if any are popped then trying to find a short? I’m not sure. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Here is the link: Blitzwolf V2 1080P Android Projector [USA]
Current price is 119.99 USD. The lowest price in my database is 135.99 USD. There're already 0 records in DB. Price monitoring since !
Notes (coupon may work only in selected countries): USA
This post may be old (if you're here from Google), so just go here to get currently active coupons (and price alerts :)) for Blitzwolf V2 1080P Android Projector: https://couponsfromchina.com/blitzwolf-v2-1080p-android-projector-eu/
I hope it's useful for you!
Pretty good deal with big price discount.
https://couponsfromchina.com/

Some new, some old w/ lowered prices. Continually trying to help family catch up on endless medical bills. As usual if anything seems to pricey, just ask.
Free shipping please keep that in mind with prices. US only, shipping from California, deal for bundles.
Last go round I had some a few shipping delays-if you're one of those and want something make sure to remind me for the deal.
The Cure - Wish (30th anniversary) * sealed * $38
Aphex Twin - Selected Ambient Works 85-92 * sealed * $32
A Day to Remember - Common Courtesy (yellow milky clear) * sealed * $33
Alice in Chains - Dirt * sealed * $24
Beastie Boys - Check Your Head * sealed * $31
Beyonce - Renaissance * sealed * $32
Charli XCX - Crash (white) * sealed * $27
Daft Punk - Homework * sealed * $33
Deftones - Adrenaline * sealed * $27
Deftones - White Pony * sealed * $32
Far - Water & Solutions * opened/never played * $90
Fugees - The Score (orange) * sealed * $31
The Get Up Kids - Something To Wriite Home About * sealed * $25
Good Charlotte - The Young and the Restless (neon green) * sealed * $35
Good Charlotte - s/t (opaque blue) * sealed * $35
Guns N Roses - Use Your Illusion I * sealed * $33
Guns N Roses - Use Your Illusion II * sealed * $33
Jackboys - Jackboys (neon yellow, urban exclusive) * opened/never played * $33
Jane’s Addiction - Ritual De Lo Habitual (pearl) * sealed * $33
Justin Timberlake - Futuresex/Lovesounds (opaque red) * sealed * $45
Justin Timberlake - Justified (light blue) * sealed * $39
Kanye West - College Dropout * sealed * $35
Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid, M.A.A.d. City (opaque apple red) * sealed * $29
Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid, M.A.A.d. City (milky transparent) * sealed * $29
Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly * sealed * $29
Kendrick Lamar - Untitled Unmastered. * sealed * $22
Kendrick Lamar - Mr Morale & the Big Steppers * sealed * $37
Korn - Issues * sealed * $26
Korn - Untouchables * opened/never played * $26
Madonna - Bedtime Stories * opened/never played * $18
Marilyn Manson - Smells Like Children (pink translucent) * opened/never played * $40
Metallica - Ride the Lightning (electric blue) * sealed * $28
Metallica - Master of Puppets * sealed * $22
Metallica - the black album (some blacker marbled) * sealed * $28
Metallica - Load * opened/never played * $24
Metallica - Garage Inc. * sealed * $37
Metallica - S&M * sealed * $43
Metallica - Hardwired to Self-Destruct (flame orange ) * sealed * $29
Metallica - 72 Seasons (red/black) * sealed * $27
Methods of Mayhem - self titled * opened/never played * $19
Michael Jackson - Dangerous * opened/never played * $23
My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade * sealed * $32
Nirvana - In Utero 2013 mix * sealed * $35
Pearl Jam - Ten (purple) * sealed * $23
Post Malone - Twelve Carat Toothache) * sealed * $27
Queens of the Stone Age - Era Vulgaris * sealed * $28
Queens of the Stone Age - Rated R * sealed * $26
Radiohead - The Bends * sealed * $33
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Unlimited Love (red) * opened/never played * $12
Soundgarden - Superunknown * sealed * $28
The Strokes - First Impressions of Earth * sealed * $22
[Taylor Swift - Midnights]](https://www.discogs.com/maste2831825-Taylor-Swift-Midnights?format=Vinyl) all 5 of the standard US color releases * sealed * $23/each
Taylor Swift - Red (Taylor’s Version - 4xLP red) * sealed * $32
Tool - Lateralus * sealed * $35
Tool - Fear Inoculum (gold art triple gatefold) * sealed * $52
The Used - self titled (red oxblood & bone white split) * sealed * $38
v/a Lost Highway soundtrack * opened/never played * $25
v/a End of Days soundtrack * opened/never played * $40
The Weeknd - Beauty Behind the Madness) * sealed * $38
The Weeknd - Starboy (blue) * sealed * $25
30 Seconds to Mars - self titled) * sealed * $26

I (23 F)have been on a weight loss journey for 10 months now, I lost quite bit of weight 74 kgs to 57 kgs as of now. I am in a calorie deficit eating around 1500-1700 calories daily. I used to do cardio and light sports at home at first. I switched to working out in a gym 3 months ago and it has been really challenging for me. It is a small private gym with a PT and 3 to 5 other people working out. The trainer is really kind and encouraging, and my gym partners are really kind people too. The results are certainly there but I feel like I am not doing good enough. It has been 3 months but I feel like I am not well rested in between sets, causing me to stay longer than anyone at the gym taking up space and time in an already small gym. I tried switching up what I eat to feel more energetic but I didn't see any significant results. I want to push harder but I feel really lightheaded and can't collect my thoughts (probably due to low blood pressure?) I have severe social anxiety so I keep worrying people, especially my PT must be annoyed because I take too long even though I am not doing much compared to how much time I spent. Muscle growth, appetite, calorie deficit, energy and mental health feel like an unsolvable puzzle to me right now. I am eating healthy with around 50-80 grams of protein. What can I do to improve my performance at the gym? The only thing I haven't tried is eating something high in carbs before a workout. A friend who works out said if I eat something high in carbs before a workout, the body will prioritize carbs first so fat loss won't be as efficient so that's why I was avoiding eating carbs. What should I do?

Have been building out a plate carrier for home defense / quick urban response for my AP5 build that I want to build out to a full kit. Has anyone done anything like this they’d be willing to share? Between the unique mag pouches and purpose compared to a SHTF full kit of an AR or AK, could be helpful to see what others have done.
Currently mine just consists of a cheap 3 mag pouch off Amazon, a light plate carrier, and saving up for an IFAK and tourniquets. Typical combat load is 6+1, so curious about getting another mag pouch or etc.
Anyone care to share their builds?

I’ve tried everything. Help!
Trying to connect a Meross outdoor plug AND a Wemo smart plug. I’m having the same problem: when,trying to add them via the Home app and not having any luck. The app reads the code on the plugs then times out.
I am trying to connect to an Orbi mesh network. I have tried to set my 5 GHz network to 25% and move as far as I can within my house to pair. That didn’t work either. Took a day off out of frustration. But ready to tackle again this weekend and see if I can figure these plugs out.
Any advice?

Source: Growing Up in the Lord: A Study for Teenage Boys (Ch. 7, 1994)
If you haven’t done so already, you will soon decide to take a girl out on a date. Dating a girl is a good time to enjoy the companionship of someone else. Women have a different perspective on life.
When you take different girls out on a date, you have a chance to see who is available. You also have a chance to firm up in your own mind what you will be looking for in a wife. Most boys go through a phase where they cannot stand any girl, except mothers who are tolerated within limits. When these boys reach adolescence, they quickly realize that girls can be interesting.
Taking a girl out on a date gives you a chance to practice getting along with women. Girls do not enjoy being treated the same way you treat other boys. The time you spend dating gives you a chance to learn how to act around a girl.
You need to be choosy about whom you will be going out with. Some girls will understand that, because you are a Christian, there are certain things that you will not do. Many girls will enjoy the fact that they don’t have to be constantly on their guard while they are with you. However, there are girls who will use every opportunity they can find to try to get you to do things that are sinful. It is a challenge for them to see how far they can get you to go. For your own soul’s sake, you are better off not dating such a girl. David warns us, in Psalms 1:1, not to associate with sinners. By continually exposing yourself to sin, you are tempted to commit a sin. That is why Paul said evil companions will corrupt your good morals (I Corinthians 15:33).
Group dates are a good way to start out dating when you are young. If you pick your companions wisely, there will be fewer temptations in your way. A group gives you a chance to get acquainted with several people at once. You can also observe how the other guys treat their dates. Perhaps your first date won’t be so awkward when it is shared with others. Some good outings with a group may be to go bowling, play a few rounds of putt-putt golf, go canoeing, have a picnic and play softball or volleyball, or gather a group of young people together after church to eat ice cream.
Before you head out, spend some time thinking about what you will talk about during your date. In our society, boys tend to think and talk in terms of actions. Girls tend to think and talk about feelings. For example, if a boy and a girl were talking about an Olympic event, the boy would be interested in the score and the types of moves the athlete made. The girl would be interested in how the athlete was handling the stress and the athlete’s reaction to the scoring. Neither viewpoint is good or bad. They are just different. It is those differences that make conversation on your first date so difficult. Spend some time thinking about what you would like to know about this girl you are dating.
One day, all too soon, you will begin dating to find someone suitable to be your lifetime companion. If you want a companion, you must learn to be companionable. Talk about your interests and find out about hers. Do you enjoy similar things? If the two of you don’t have anything to talk about, what would marriage to such a person be like?
Make plans for the evening in advance and let your parents know where you expect to be. I know that many of you would rather keep your plans between you and your girlfriend, but you never know when an emergency may come up. Telling your parents also gives you a chance to see if your plans are respectable and appropriate. If you are too embarrassed to tell your folks, then perhaps you are planning something that a Christian ought not to do. Continue to carefully examine your motives.
Once you are out on your date, avoid changing your plans at the last minute. Don’t let your emotions lead you to making a little detour to a quiet place where you can be alone with your girlfriend. It is a great temptation to go too far when there is no one around to see what you are doing. Don’t go parking in the dark. Even if the first few times you don’t do anything shameful, it is continually tempting to go a little farther and to get a little closer. If you want time to talk, find a well-lighted place with other people around. It will encourage you to act respectfully. Finally, don’t spend time at your house or hers when no one else is around. Many boys and girls find their own home comfortable and safe, so they relax their guard and do things they would not do in public. Most teenage pregnancies come about because a boy and a girl had sex at home. Somehow, people convince themselves there is no harm done if no one will see them. Don’t let Satan fool you!
In a few years, one person that you have dated will stand out among the others. You will find yourself going out with her more often than anyone else. You may even decide to stop dating anyone else. Dating only one person is called “going steady.” Going steady with a girl for a while is a logical step before asking her the big question. It gives you a little more time to finally decide if this is really the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. Just don’t rush into it too soon. You can’t make a good decision if you only dated one person your whole life. There are plenty of years ahead of you, so don’t limit yourself to one person too soon.
You know you are ready to go steady with a girl when you have dated other girls but you prefer this person’s company over everyone else. When you want to spend more time with this person and dating someone else will interfere with your time, then perhaps it is time to go steady.
However, if you feel pressure to date one person exclusively because everyone else is doing it, then you should reconsider. Some boys rush into going steady because they fear there won’t be anyone else. This is another poor reason to go steady with a girl. There are hundreds of girls in the world with whom you could happily live. Don’t get the idea that there is just one right person for you. Take your time. Marriage is a lifetime commitment, so don’t rush the preliminary stages. Another bad reason for going steady is to hold on to a “good catch.” Some people pride themselves on having the prettiest or smartest girl in school as their exclusive girlfriend. Remember our discussion about the pride of life. Date a girl because you like her and not because you like the admiration of the other boys.
As you get comfortable with that special girl, keep in mind that there is a real temptation to take liberties with her that you would not take with other girls. Now is not the time to break God’s law because you allow your emotions get the better of you. Far too many teenagers allow their emotions to flare and find themselves tempted to have sex during their date.
A common excuse given for having sex on a date is that you need to find out before hand if you are compatible or not. You could have sex with any girl. How familiar you are with having sex has nothing to do with compatibility. You should not be looking for a bed partner while you are dating. You should be looking for someone to share the rest of your life with. Once you and your girlfriend are married, you will have plenty of opportunity to learn how to have sex. There is no benefit gained by breaking God’s law and having sex before you are married.
What is Love?
I’ve often told you in this book that various feelings and reactions are not love. Having an erection doesn’t mean you are in love. Wanting to have sex with someone doesn’t mean you are in love. The actual act of sex is not love, although it is called “making love” in today’s slang. To understand what love really is, we need to turn over to I Corinthians 13:1-7.

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophesy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. I Corinthians 13:1-7

Paul is explaining what true love between Christians is like. The description also beautifully describes what the love between a husband and wife should be like.
When you love someone, you are willing to put up with their faults. You understand that people make mistakes and that changes take time, if they come at all. Even when she says something mean to you, you will only return kindness back. Love involves trusting the other person with all your heart. You don’t envy her when she gets a big promotion at work or is honored for the things she has done in the community. Instead, you rejoice with her. A loving husband doesn’t boast about how good he is and ignores his wife’s accomplishments. What you do is much less important to you than what she does. If you truly love someone, you won’t say things that will hurt her feelings. She is much more important to you than your own concerns. As a result, you will keep a tight reign on your anger and not lash out when things don’t go your way.
Loving couples don’t accuse each other of wickedness. Too many marriages are broken because the husband saw a man leave the house or found some note and immediately leaped to the conclusion that his wife is having an affair. However, sometimes it is obvious that sin is taking place. When this happens, a loving husband will stand firm with the Lord. He will do everything possible to bring his wife back to the way of righteousness.
Being in love means you are optimistic. You are always hoping that things will get better. That hope helps you to get over the many rough times that you and your wife will face together.
Most of all, love doesn’t fail. Planning to marry someone for a time to see if it will work out means you are not in love. You don’t fall in and out of true love. Love holds on through good times and through bad times.

The Difference Between Love and Infatuation

Many people confuse being infatuated with someone for being in love with someone. Each of us has a mental picture of the ideal companion. That mental picture is usually based on various physical attributes. She should be so tall, with a pretty nose, brown eyes, etc. Occasionally you meet someone who closely matches your mental ideal. You get excited and believe you have fallen in love at first sight.
This is not really love, but infatuation. You can tell the difference, because infatuation dies over time. I guarantee that while you are moonstruck with a girl you won’t believe that it will ever end, but it usually does. As you get to know the girl and find out about her likes and dislikes, you realize that she is not as perfect as you imagined her to be. The word “imagined” is the key word. You have no idea what a person is like when you first meet them. Getting to know a person takes time.
Over time an infatuation will either die off or be replaced by true love. When you are truly in love, you will be aware of a person’s flaws, but you have made a rational decision that you can live with them. A person who is infatuated with someone will either be totally unaware of the flaws in that person, pretend that those flaws are not there, pretend that those flaws don’t matter, or believe that they can change that person over time. The last attitude can be disastrous for a relationship. People do change at times, but it is not very often and it is rarely because someone caused them to change. People change themselves because they want to make the change. When you choose a woman to be your wife, you should look at who she is and not who you think you can make her into. If you do not like who she is today, you are taking a big risk thinking she will be different tomorrow. In other words, if she doesn’t change before marriage, then she certainly won’t change after marriage.
Talk freely with your intended companion. Some men are afraid to tell their girlfriend everything they are thinking for fear of driving them away. If your true thoughts would drive your girlfriend away, then the two of you were probably not cut out for each other. Both of you would be better off looking for someone else. Nothing could be worst than to find out you have made a lifetime commitment to someone who can’t stand you.
In summary, true love is based on reality. Infatuation is based on fantasy. Before committing yourself to someone, make sure you both have a firm grip on reality.

A Small Exercise

Take a sheet of paper and write down the things that you hope to find in the woman you will one day marry. Is it important that she be good looking? Does it matter to you if she is taller than you? Do you hope she is a good cook? Should she like children? How many children do you hope to raise? Give it serious consideration and don’t base your answers on someone you are dating at the moment. It would be better to work on this when there is no one in particular competing for your heart. Talk to your dad or an elder or the preacher about it, but make sure that it is your list showing what is important to you.
Try ranking your points. What is the most important? Which things would be nice, but really don’t matter that much?
It may seem a little early to start thinking about whom you plan to marry. After all, marriage is still several years off. However, if you know what you are looking for, then when you finally meet the girl of your dreams, you can be confident that you are making a sound decision that you will never regret.
Have a rough list done before you start chapter 8. Through the years, continue to revise your list. The things that are important to you at 13 may seem childish at 18, so continue to think about these things.

They applaud my vast resilience,
And what I've grown from a rigged seed-
Though I've clung to the thorns of hope
'Till my grip compelled hope to heed.
I've loved what bruised my soul,
Absorbed the venom of its cruel ties-
Conquered life's greatest betrayals,
Yet weep at the sight of dying flies.
I fled from the comfort of hollow places,
Took what little was given and crafted a home-
I've drifted through everlasting acers,
To find a spark in life's sullen gloam.
They praise that light I've become,
But all that lies is a delicate ray-
For the most grueling fight of them all
Was the one where I had to walk away.
https://www.reddit.com/OCPoetry/comments/1441z6q/no_destination/jniygmo/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&utm_term=1&context=3
https://www.reddit.com/OCPoetry/comments/143gr7t/the_old_me/jniymdb/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&utm_term=1&context=3

This is the best tl;dr I could make, original reduced by 67%. (I'm a bot)

About 300 infants, toddlers and older children have been rescued from an orphanage in Sudan's capital after being trapped there while fighting raged outside, aid officials said Thursday.
The evacuation came after 71 children died from hunger and illness in the facility since mid-April.
About 300 children at the Al-Mayqoma orphanage in Khartoum were transferred to a "Safer location" elsewhere in the northeastern African nation, said Ricardo Pires, a spokesman for the U.N. children's agency, UNICEF. Sudan's ministries of social development and health have taken charge of the children, while UNICEF has provided humanitarian support including medical care, food, educational activities and play, Pires said in an email to The Associated Press.
Sirag, whose charity led humanitarian efforts to help the orphanage and other nursing homes in Khartoum, said at least 71 children died at the Al-Mayqoma since the war in Sudan began on April 15.
Their relocation followed an online campaign led by local activists and international charities, which intensified after the death of 26 children in two days at the orphanage in late May. The children had been trapped in the fighting for over seven weeks as food and other supplies dwindled.
"The safe movement of these incredibly vulnerable children to a place of safety offers a ray of light in the midst of the ongoing conflict in Sudan," Mandeep O'Brien, UNICEF Representative in Sudan, said in a statement.

Summary Source FAQ Feedback Top keywords: children^#1 Sudan^#2 orphanage^#3 including^#4 fighting^#5
Post found in /worldnews.
NOTICE: This thread is for discussing the submission topic. Please do not discuss the concept of the autotldr bot here.

I’m gonna try and keep this short, no promises. with some context ofc.
So I (19m) have been friends with this girl (20f) for about 4 years now, it’s really like we are siblings, and recently I’ve felt a change.
I work a lot, overtime too, retail manager. my Saturday and Sunday is sometimes Wednesday and Friday, so I’m really tired on my days off, I work a really stressful job. My friend works 12 hour days every two days sitting in a tanning salon basically doing nothing.
She and I both keep our circle small, but her friends are really problematic. One in particular, they always block each other, so it’s on and off, and when they are off, oh boy, that’s all I hear, talking behind each others back. I’ve suggested to her multiple times to just drop her it’s a pointless friendship. I guess I’m just better off talking to the wall.
Recently we haven’t been talking or seeing each other as much, we live close to each other, about 10 miles. A lot of her free time is spent going to that other girls house, mostly because of her baby.
For two days straight I’ve been at home, and as tired as I am, I suggested we go out to eat lunch for two days in a row, my treat, and she wouldn’t need to get on a bus, because I told her I’ll pick her up. Well she said she isn’t in the mood to go out today, or the day before. I said okay no problem, and then I see her Snapchat, she’s at the girls house.
So I texted her saying, you said were not in the mood to go out when I offered twice in two days but you’re in the mood to go out with her. She replied with, I just came over. I left her on read.
Knowing her, she is basically a passenger Princess, she would rather die, then sit on a bus, which she did today for an hour straight. She would never get on a bus to come over to mine. The only time we basically meet up is when she’s working and she’s bored because all she does is sit in a chair and then work the cash register.
Other than that any other time I suggest we go out I just get blown off because she’s not in the mood or she’s tired. She expects me to drive over to her workplace just so that she wouldn’t be bored, and then when I’m over there, she gives me money get her some food, and then Can you go over here or get me this get me that.
Three weeks ago when I went over there on a Saturday I was starving plus I didn’t have any money on me because I left it at home and she wouldn’t order any food because she didn’t have any money but the next day she was telling me how she ordered a mcDonald’s and they left out the fries. This was after I ordered her a few lunches. And she has a good wage.
So right now I feel like I’m wasting effort on this. I’m being blown off, we don’t speak, I just think this friendship has run it’s course, I’m not going to continue putting a 100% into it when the only thing she does is use me, and it feels like shit saying it out loud but I’m only good for her when she’s in need of a driver or food, or when she’s bored.
It hurts to say but there really isn’t any point to this anymore. It honestly puts me down the way she has changed, a year ago she was someone I could always rely on, now I don’t think I can.

Hello, all!
I am just writing in hopes for some advice on how to might go about finding the owner of a missing cat.
My friend and I were walking back from downtown TC last night, and at 10:30pm we found a kitten on the corner of 14th street and division. Across from the Speedway.
The cat does not have a collar on, but it is very very well groomed. Its coat is shaved short all the way up to the tip of its tail where it’s left as a fuball. Kind of like Simba from Lion King. It’s hind legs are shaved the same way, where the leg kind of meets the ankle. Fur is a light and dark brown/beige and white. Its a really pretty cat, very nicely manicured and taken care of obviously. Albeit no collar or anything. So it’s obvious it has a home and the owners take very well care of the cat.
It ran up to us and was whining and looked very confused on its whereabouts and would not stop following us. It was about 10:30pm last night so we brought it inside because it was running through the street and traffic.
It had been whining profusely to leave, so we brought it back to the spot where it found us just in hopes that maybe it did actually know the area, but it still appeared confused, scared and lost, and as we tried to leave it just stared at us leaving.
We brought it back to the house and it’s been trying to leave all night, trying to get out the doors and windows and continues to do the same thing this morning. We got it food, water, but not sure what to do at this point.
My friend just moved into her house so we’re hoping we can find out what to do with the cat. The cat has already ruined a few blinds trying to get out of the house. It clearly wants to leave but this area is obviously very busy and the cat did not know where it was last night. But it is very sweet.
My friend also made a few posts on her social media so hopefully that fares well.
I feel really bad for the cat and we don’t know what else to do. Hopefully it is chipped and the owners can go about finding it that way but we really need to find its home.
So I’m wondering, is there any reliable ways of going about the missing cat and finding its owners? For this side of town? I’ve never had to deal with this before so I’m clueless on what to do.
Thank you.