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Cake day: July 15th, 2023

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  • Community college. Took a few classes I never would have normally chosen like art or acting. I was a stay at home introvert who was way past college days, so I couldn’t figure out how to put myself into social situations. But I do like to learn, so signed myself up for some night classes. Ended up dating a few people, made new friends, and married one of them. Night classes bring in the adults who have to work during the day, a few kids too, but I met just about every age group from young to very old. Study groups, group projects, anything that will involve working with or helping classmates, or anything that you think is interesting really. Have life long friends now because of that decision.

    Go back to where you first learned how to make friends, go back to school.


  • Military & Defense Russia keeps trying to replace the bridges that Ukraine destroys. Ukraine is taking out those, too. Mia Jankowicz Aug 22, 2024, 8:47 AM EDT

    A screenshot from drone video shared by Ukrainian special operations forces on August 21, 2024. It appears to show engineering equipment attempting to lay down a pontoon bridge platform on the Seym River, in Kursk, Western Russia, amid Ukraine’s incursion into the region.

    Special Operations Forces of Ukraine/Telegram Ukraine says it is destroying Russian pontoon bridges in Kursk before they can even be constructed.

    On Wednesday, Ukrainian special forces released a video compilation that appeared to show attacks on several Russian efforts to build pontoons, or temporary floating bridges.

    “Where do Russian pontoon bridges ‘disappear’ in the Kursk region?” wrote Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces Telegram account, adding that its soldiers “accurately destroy them,” according to Reuters’ translation.

    The claim comes after reports that Ukrainian forces had destroyed three permanent bridges over the Seym river in the western Russian region, in an apparent effort to isolate Russian forces there.

    The footage, which Business Insider was unable to verify, was shared on the 16th day of Ukraine’s incursion into Russian territory.

    As of Monday, Ukrainian forces were “striking pontoon bridges and engineering equipment in the western part of their operational zone in the Glushkovo district,” the Ukrainian think tank the Centre for Defence Strategies reported.

    Satellite imagery seen by the Associated Press showed pontoons at two locations along the Seym.

    One of them, between Glushkovo and Zvannoye, was visible in the imagery as of Sunday — but by Monday it had disappeared, with smoke rising nearby, the news agency reported.

    The images were shared on X by Radio Free Europe reporter Mark Krutov:

    A low-res @planet satellite image taken today, Aug. 19th, shows that the Russian pontoon bridge between Zvannoye and Glushkovo in Kursk oblast is gone, with smoke rising 500 meters away from where it used to be, on the ‘Russian’ bank. Makes sense if we speak about the withdrawal. pic.twitter.com/YxtaNeyOzh

    — Mark Krutov (@kromark) August 19, 2024 Ukraine says it has captured just under 500 square miles of territory in Kursk, and has set up a military headquarters there, in a sign that it intends to dig in for a while.

    On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he intended to create a buffer zone in the region.

    The bridges destroyed so far are all along the Seym; their destruction appears to be an attempt to pin Russian troops between Ukrainian-controlled territory, the Ukrainian border, and the river, the AP reported.

    The footage shared by Ukraine’s special forces on Wednesday appeared to show drones targeting engineering equipment on the banks of the Seym being used to lay down the temporary bridges.

    Other clips show vehicles — presumably carrying the necessary equipment — also being taken out by drones.



  • When first I learned of the tower at Bok Tower gardens I thought, how ostentatious of a man to build himself a tower. But then I was given the rare privilege of standing at it’s precipice. I get it now. I felt like a wise wizard, like Saruman, looking down at the world. If ever I am able I must have a tower, if only to drink my morning coffee and wonder from above at the majesty of the world beneath me.

    I also played a short melody on the bells, from house of the rising sun, before being asked to stop touching everything.

    It was a long time ago, so my memory may not be exact, so I’ll try my best to describe what I saw, also I was not allowed into every room, but I did sneak away and take a peek behind a door, it was a broom closet.

    The inside had very intrically carved antique furniture, dark brown, maybe mahogany. I was not allowed to open the cupboards, I did, it was empty. Blue or teal mosaic tiling on the floor, a white marble bathroom tucked away in the corner with I believe golden fixtures. The metal staircase wound up along the sides into the reaches of a Gothic vaulted ceiling. It didn’t feel like a church, it felt more like being in a Freemason temple. Oh the front door is golden or brass and I believe there is a grave at the front as well.

    The next floor contained the Gardens archives. I was not allowed in and only saw a dim and lonely room with desk and lots of papers or books. I wish I could have spent several days in there rifling around.

    Next up was the old cisterns that used to be used to collect rain water from the roof and water the gardens. They look like giant steampunk iron containers. Not much in there but assorted boxes and such. I wanted to bang on the containers, but tempered myself.

    I do not remember the next floor very well, I think there was a mildly modern office, with a windowed door? I think remember seeing the American flag, but the memory is hazy.

    Next up was the library. I was excited when I heard the word library, and disappointed to learn it was the largest library of Bell ringing music (I don’t know the proper term for ‘Bell ringing music’). There were also some books and such, but wasn’t as interesting looking as I had hoped, and we didn’t spend time there.

    I do not remember the next floor at all, perhaps because it was unremarkable or because the next floor was where I really wanted to be, the very top.

    Standing at the balcony was breathtaking. The bells were to there and of course they were a sight to themselves, but the view from the edge was…inspiring. I wanted to be able to stand up there every day, every sunrise and sunset. The sun was near to setting by that time, as we were touring after hours, so the lighting was perfect. I could see the houses and trees and fields stretched far into the distance. I didn’t want it to end. I needed a staff! I needed a throng to command or a people to assure, or even better, a quiet life locked in my tower studying the mysteries.

    The world needs more towers. I do not understand why today’s rich have not built themselves great and beautiful towers for study and art instead of ugly sprawling resorts for decadence and indulgences. Every city and town should have one for the people as well. We could use some perspective, and inspiration.

    Bring back beautiful towers!

    And wizards!


  • I showed chatgpt the picture and it was close to what others on here said.

    “The image shows a fused spur or a fused connection unit (FCU). This type of electrical outlet is used to protect appliances that are permanently connected to the electrical supply without a standard plug, such as heaters, ovens, or lighting circuits.”

    Then I asked what country this is most likely to have this in a home

    “The fused spur or fused connection unit (FCU) in the image is most commonly found in homes in the United Kingdom and Ireland. This type of electrical fitting is a standard feature in these countries, where it is used for appliances that need to be hardwired into the electrical system, such as water heaters, ovens, or extractors. It may also be found in other countries that follow British electrical standards, but the UK and Ireland are the most likely.”

    I thought that was interesting and wanted to share.





  • It happened when I was kid growing up in another country, as a US citizen, and then coming to the US to see for myself why I had heard so much trash talk about Americans.

    We are arrogant, spoiled, dumb and racist. The world expects us to be better. We are privileged like a spoiled rich brat and are waisting our fortune. We have what other countries do not and yet still ignore our own poor. We openly shit on our own minorities and immigrants that want to come here and build with us.

    Even dirt poor countries have free healthcare and education. Our education system has been ignored and allowed to fall farther and farther behind the entire world.I came here in when I was in the 6th grade and immediately was shocked that kids my age could barely read. This is richest country on the entire planet, ever! Multiple choice? You mean they give you the answer and just mix it in with wrong answers!?

    Our celebrated values that we put forward in our popular media (how the world learns about us by the way) do not include humility or compassion, it’s all direct or veiled celebrations of military might. Every hero is fighting. Guns guns guns, fight fight fight. Our military power allows us to do nearly whatever we want and we do.

    Every disparaging comment I heard or that was aimed at me for being American I learned to be true. They are tired of our bullshit. The world doesn’t hate us, they are deeply disappointed in us. Several generations of disappointment.





  • Yes, but the gravity of the full extent of theit danger to the country hasn’t been relatable enough for the general public. Now call them weird and suddenly people can relate. Democrats have been trying to talk about the forest, when all they needed to do was plant the seed. “Yeah you know what, what he said is weird, what’s up with that…and now that you mention it, what else have they been up to”


  • Here in Florida that’s exactly what’s happening. Mother’s of liberty bully the school boards and administrators and teachers and take over at the ground level like PTA’s. The charter schools get to be selective on who can attend and suddenly a town that’s 10% non-white has a charter schools that are 99% white and is better funded than the public school. Charter schools are a work around for segregation. Also no teachers union in Charter schools, so toe the line or be fired. Now, with better funding and support from the good 'ol boy local politicians the Charter school is the only A rated in school in the district so everyone thinks charter schools are better and wants to get their kids in there. They’re setting the stage for a 2nd civil rights movement but they do not intend on losing again. Fuck! I hate racists.