Fast food restaurants in douglasville ga

Hello fellow servers! I'm just looking to vent/get advice about my workplace.
I work in a somewhat fancy restaurant and have been serving there for about 5 years. I'm not sure if I'm just burned out/fed up, but I feel like my workplace has gotten pretty bad and I'm not sure what to do.
So a little background: this restaurant just got a bar about 2 years ago. One of the bartenders they hired (we'll call him Joe) got moved up to bar manager after the owner fired the previous bar manager.
For a while we had two managers: a bar manager (Joe) and a GM. Then GM quit for another job and that left us with Joe and then Joe moved up to GM. I have no issue with Joe, but he had no managing experience prior to being moved up.
Prior to being GM, Joe was hooking up with one of the bartenders (we'll call her Jane) and even though he was letting Jane drink behind the bar and doing her job for her, no one cared because Joe was picking up her slack. Once he moved up to GM, he had other responsibilities that he was ignoring so he could continue to hang out behind the bar with Jane and do her job. Joe just let her get away with anything like drinking at work, she chose her schedule, leaving early, coming in late, most expensive food for free, etc. It was very annoying to see it all happen, but most of the staff liked Joe so we went along with it.
Then another girl server (we'll call her Jodi) and Joe started flirting. Jane got word of it and shut it down (I assume) because then Joe's attitude toward Jane completely switched. He would be very mean to her and give her bad sections, etc. Jodi would complain to me and other servers about it but we couldn't do anything to help her.
Anyway, fast forward a couple months, Joe and Jane ended up "breaking up" and so all her perks were revoked and then he stopped scheduling her altogether. Now, Joe's attitude toward Jodi changed again since he is "single" and Jodi is living her best life.
Now, Jodi and Joe just chill in the private room, sit and talk while other servers are doing side work, drink in front of other employees, she has an awesome schedule, and even when she shows up late, she has a great section. Oh how the turntables have...
Am I tripping or is this just completely bonkers? Can I do anything about this, like complain to maybe the owner or department of labor? It's completely inappropriate and now Jodi, who's still just serving, is saying she can tell people what to do or get them in trouble. How can I go about solving this issue or should I just find a new job?

Hello fellow servers! I'm just looking to vent/get advice about my workplace.
I work in a somewhat fancy restaurant and have been serving there for about 5 years. I'm not sure if I'm just burned out/fed up, but I feel like my workplace has gotten pretty bad and I'm not sure what to do.
So a little background: this restaurant just got a bar about 2 years ago. One of the bartenders they hired (we'll call him Joe) got moved up to bar manager after the owner fired the previous bar manager.
For a while we had two managers: a bar manager (Joe) and a GM. Then GM quit for another job and that left us with Joe and then Joe moved up to GM. I have no issue with Joe, but he had no managing experience prior to being moved up.
Prior to being GM, Joe was hooking up with one of the bartenders (we'll call her Jane) and even though he was letting Jane drink behind the bar and doing her job for her, no one cared because Joe was picking up her slack. Once he moved up to GM, he had other responsibilities that he was ignoring so he could continue to hang out behind the bar with Jane and do her job. Joe just let her get away with anything like drinking at work, she chose her schedule, leaving early, coming in late, most expensive food for free, etc. It was very annoying to see it all happen, but most of the staff liked Joe so we went along with it.
Then another girl server (we'll call her Jodi) and Joe started flirting. Jane got word of it and shut it down (I assume) because then Joe's attitude toward Jane completely switched. He would be very mean to her and give her bad sections, etc. Jodi would complain to me and other servers about it but we couldn't do anything to help her.
Anyway, fast forward a couple months, Joe and Jane ended up "breaking up" and so all her perks were revoked and then he stopped scheduling her altogether. Now, Joe's attitude toward Jodi changed again since he is "single" and Jodi is living her best life.
Now, Jodi and Joe just chill in the private room, sit and talk while other servers are doing side work, drink in front of other employees, she has an awesome schedule, and even when she shows up late, she has a great section. Oh how the turntables have...
Am I tripping or is this just completely bonkers? Can I do anything about this, like complain to maybe the owner or department of labor? It's completely inappropriate and now Jodi, who's still just serving, is saying she can tell people what to do or get them in trouble. How can I go about solving this issue or should I just find a new job?

There are two problems. First is whenever I try to fast travel to the triangle between Durable Dunn's Sacked caravan, Raul's shack and Vault 34 game crashes. Second is whenever I fight any turret that is connected to a ceiling game crashes.
There is a modlist.
#Mod_Priority,#Mod_Status,#Mod_Name,#Mod_Version
"0000","+","DLC: TribalPack",""
"0001","+","DLC: OldWorldBlues",""
"0002","+","DLC: MercenaryPack",""
"0003","+","DLC: LonesomeRoad",""
"0004","+","DLC: HonestHearts",""
"0005","+","DLC: GunRunnersArsenal",""
"0006","+","DLC: DeadMoney",""
"0007","+","DLC: ClassicPack",""
"0008","+","DLC: CaravanPack",""
"0009","-","Utilities_separator",""
"0010","+","Fixed ESMs",""
"0011","+","JIP LN NVSE Plugin","f57.01"
"0012","+","JohnnyGuitar NVSE","4.93.0.0"
"0013","+","Crash Logger","3.0.0.0"
"0014","+","NVTF - New Vegas Tick Fix","10.2.2.3"
"0015","+","NVTF - INI Presets","10.2.2.2"
"0016","+","FNV Mod Limit Fix","3.0.0.0"
"0017","+","kNVSE Animation Plugin","20.0.0.0"
"0018","+","Console Paste Support","1.0.0.0"
"0019","+","ShowOff xNVSE Plugin","1.60.0.0"
"0020","+","ShowOff xNVSE Plugin INI","--"
"0021","+","JIP Companions Command and Control","2.60.0.0"
"0022","+","JIP CCC HD icons","1.0.0.0"
"0023","+","SUP NVSE","8.35.0.0"
"0024","-","Bug Fixes_separator",""
"0025","+","Yukichigai Unofficial Patch - YUP","12.6.0.0"
"0026","+","Unofficial Patch NVSE Plus","1.4.4.0"
"0027","+","Improved AI (Navmesh Overhaul Mod)","2.0.0.0"
"0028","+","lStewieAl's Tweaks and Engine Fixes","8.65.0.0"
"0029","+","Stewie Tweaks Essentials INI","f1.05"
"0030","+","Presets for LstewieAL's Tweaks","5.0.0.0"
"0031","+","Combat Lag Fix (NVSE)","1.0.0.0"
"0032","+","ISControl Enabler and Ironsights adjuster (now ESPless)","1.4.0.0"
"0033","+","Vanilla Iron Sights Realligned","1.1.0.0"
"0034","+","New Vegas Mesh Improvement Mod - NVMIM","1.10.0.0"
"0035","+","Collision Meshes","1.6.3.0"
"0036","+","Asterra's Many Fixes","1.16.0.0b"
"0037","+","Improved Lighting Shaders","1.5.0.0b4a"
"0038","+","Climate Control NVSE","1.0.0.0"
"0039","+","Elijah Voice Audio Files Fix","0.2.0.0"
"0040","+","ActorCause Save Bloat Fix","1.0.0.0"
"0041","+","Aqua Performa - Strip Performance Fix","1.0.0.0"
"0042","+","Fog-based Object Culling","2.0.0.0"
"0043","+","Exterior Emittance Fix - NVSE","1.1.0.0"
"0044","+","Crafting Consistency Fix","1.1.1.0"
"0045","+","ExRB - Extended Roombounds","1.4.0.0"
"0046","+","Strip Lights Region Fix","1.3.0.0"
"0047","+","Johnson Nash Ammo Fix","1.0.0.0"
"0048","-","User Interface_separator",""
"0049","+","UIO - User Interface Organizer","2.30.0.0"
"0050","+","One HUD - oHUD","1.2.1.0"
"0051","+","The Mod Configuration Menu","1.5.0.0"
"0052","+","Vanilla UI Plus (New Vegas)","9.48.0.0"
"0053","+","Clean Vanilla Hud","0.59.0.0b"
"0054","+","Consistent Pip-Boy Icons","4.4.0.0"
"0055","+","Consistent Addon Icons","4.0.0.0"
"0056","+","Clean Companion Wheel","0.9.0.0"
"0057","+","High Res Local Maps","1.2.0.0"
"0058","+","High Resolution Screens","1.1.0.0"
"0059","+","yUI - User Ynterface","1.4.0.0d"
"0060","+","Simple Cursor (YUI)","0.1.0.0"
"0061","+","ySI - Sorting Ycons","1.4.0.0b"
"0062","-","Gameplay_separator",""
"0063","+","JAM - Just Assorted Mods","4.4.0.0"
"0064","+","Bullet Time Improved - a JAM addon","f1.01"
"0065","+","NPCs Sprint In Combat","2.13.0.0"
"0066","+","Real Recoil","1.2.1.0"
"0067","+","Real Recoil Tweaks","1.0.0.0"
"0068","+","Follower Tweaks","1.0.0.0"
"0069","+","Delay DLC Redux","1.5.0.0"
"0070","+","NV Collectibles - Merged","1.0.0.0"
"0071","+","Better Caravan","1.0.0.0"
"0072","+","Soft-Lock Aim-Assist","1.1.0.0"
"0073","+","FOV Slider","2.9.0.0"
"0074","+","NAWEMO - NPCs use Ammo Variants and Weapon Mods","1.3.3.0"
"0075","+","NPCs use Aid items","2.3.0.0"
"0076","+","Martialize","0.6.0.0"
"0077","+","Consistent Spread - Firearms Accuracy and Wobble Fix","1.1.0.0"
"0078","+","BallistX - Internal and External Ballistics","5.0.0.0"
"0079","+","B42 Inspect - aka Animated Ammo and Weapon Condition Checking","f1.01-hotfix"
"0080","+","B42 Melee Bash","0.5.0.0b"
"0081","+","B42 Quickthrow - an alternative grenade hotkey mod","3.1.0.0b"
"0082","+","Quickthrow Stylized HUD Icons","1.1.0.0"
"0083","+","B42 Descriptions aka Pip-Info","0.3.0.0"
"0084","-","Overhauls_separator",""
"0085","+","JSawyer Ultimate Edition","5.5.1.0"
"0086","+","JSawyer Ultimate Edition - Push's Tweaks","5.5.0.0"
"0087","+","Mojave Arsenal","3.0.8.0"
"0088","+","Famine - A Loot Rarity Mod","1.3.0.0"
"0089","+","Food Effect Tweaks - Custom Food Healing","1.0.0.0"
"0090","+","Player Combat Priority","1.0.2.0"
"0091","+","Player Combat Priority Alt Chance To Attack Dog Patch","1.0.0.0"
"0092","+","Essential Vanilla Enhancements Merged","1.3.2.0"
"0093","+","Essential Vanilla Enhancements Merged - JSawyer Ultimate Push Tweaks Patch","1.3.2.0"
"0094","+","EVEM - YUP Patch","1.0.0.0"
"0095","+","EVEM - Crafting Consistency Fix Patch","1.0.0.0"
"0096","+","EVEM - JSUE Patch","1.0.0.0"
"0097","+","EVEM - Mojave Arsenal Patch","1.0.0.0"
"0098","+","Navmesh Overhaul VNV Patch","1.0.0.0"
"0099","+","Better Character Creation","1.0.0.0"
"0100","+","Harder Barter Faster Stronger","f1.01"
"0101","+","Economy Overhaul","3.0.4.0"
"0102","+","Economy Overhaul - FO3E INI","3.0.0.0"
"0103","+","Better Brotherhood","2.1.0.0c"
"0104","+","DEC - Dynamic Essential Companions","1.1.0.0"
"0105","+","Immersive Critical Effects (AKA Classic Critical Effects)","f1.06a"
"0106","+","Radioactive Muck","1.0.0.0"
"0107","+","Canvas Backpacks - FNV - TTW","2.0.0.0"
"0108","+","Accessible Lucky shades","1.1.0.0"
"0109","-","Content_separator",""
"0110","+","Uncut Wasteland","1.0.0.0"
"0111","+","Strip Lights Region Fix - Uncut Wasteland","Patch"
"0112","+","Essential DLC Enhancements Merged","1.3.2.0"
"0113","+","Essential DLC Enhancements Merged - JSUE Patch","1.0.0.0"
"0114","+","Mojave Raiders","1.2.3.0"
"0115","+","Mojave Raiders Tweaks","1.0.0.0"
"0116","+","Mojave Raiders - JSUE Patch","1.0.0.0"
"0117","+","Mojave Raiders - EVEM Patch","1.0.0.0"
"0118","+","Mojave Wildlife","1.1.0.0"
"0119","+","The Living Desert - Travelers Patrols Consequences Increased Population and more","2.3.0.0"
"0120","+","Simple Open Strip","1.8.0.0"
"0121","+","Simple Open Freeside","1.7.0.0"
"0122","+","Mojave NPCs","1.6.5.0"
"0123","+","Mojave NPCs - FPGE Patch","1.6.4.0"
"0124","+","Cook-Cook In His Castle","1.2.0.0"
"0125","+","Functional Post Game Ending","5.6.5.0"
"0126","+","FPGE Patch - JSawyer Ultimate","1.0.0.0"
"0127","+","FPGE Patch - Uncut Wasteland (Viva New Vegas)","1.0.0.0"
"0128","+","FPGE Patch - Mojave Raiders","1.4.0.0"
"0129","+","FPGE Patch - Simple Open Strip","1.0.0.0"
"0130","+","FPGE Patch - Simple Open Freeside","1.0.0.0"
"0131","+","FPGE Patch - Cook-Cook In His Castle","1.0.0.0"
"0132","+","Mojave Express Courier Delivery Work - Primm","2.4.0.0"
"0133","+","No Toll Booths for Mojave Express Courier Delivery Work","1.0.0.0"
"0134","+","The Someguy Series","2.0.0.0"
"0135","+","New Vegas Bounties I","1.55.0.0"
"0136","+","New Vegas Bounties II","1.47.0.0"
"0137","+","New Vegas Bounties III",".954"
"0138","+","The Inheritance","1.29.0.0"
"0139","+","King of the Ring","f1.04"
"0140","+","New Vegas Killer","1.0.0.0"
"0141","+","The Better Angels","f1.01"
"0142","+","CONELRAD 640-1240 - Civil Defense Radio","1.4.0.0"
"0143","+","Platinum Radio - A New Radio for New Vegas","2.0.0.0"
"0144","+","Blues Radio New Vegas","1.1.0.0"
"0145","+","Cowboy Radio","2.0.0.0"
"0146","-","Textures_separator",""
"0147","+","NMCs_Texture_Pack_For_New_Vegas","1.0.0.0"
"0148","+","NMCs_Texture_Pack_For_New_Vegas_Washedout_Wasteland","1.0.0.0"
"0149","+","Asterra's Many Fixes - NMC's Texture Pack compatibility","1.1.0.0"
"0150","+","Weapon Mesh Improvement Mod","1.3.0.0"
"0151","+","Weapon Retexture Project - WRP","2.2.4.0"
"0152","+","WTH - Weapon Textures from Heaven","1.1.0.0"
"0153","+","WTH - WRP Patch","1.1.0.0"
"0154","+","Armed to the Teeth - Redux","2.3.0.0"
"0155","+","All Non DLC Clothing Retex 2K","1.0.0.0"
"0156","+","All DLC Clothing Retex 2K","1.0.0.0"
"0157","+","Power Armor Visual Enhancement (PAVE)","2.1.0.0"
"0158","+","EVE - Essential Visual Enhancements","1.19.0.0"
"0159","+","EXE - Effect teXtures Enhanced","2.0.0.0"
"0160","+","All Weapon Sounds Overhaul Modern Edition - AWSOME","1.0.0.0"
"0161","+","Simple Open Freeside - Vanilla LOD","1.0.0.0"
"0162","+","Simple Open Strip - Vanilla LOD","1.0.0.0"
"0163","+","NMC's Pre-Generated LOD Updated","1.0.0.0"
"0164","+","Improved LOD Noise Texture","f1.00"
"0165","+","FNVLODGen Resources","1.1.0.0"
"0166","+","LOD additions and improvements","f1.07"
"0167","+","Much Needed LOD","1.2.0.0"
"0168","+","Much Needed LOD - NMC WASHEDOUTWASTELAND Patch","1.2.0.0"
"0169","+","FNV LOD Texture Patches","0.7.0.0"
"0170","+","TCM's LOD Overhaul","1.1.0.0"
"0171","+","Bullet Impact Increased LOD","d2023.5.26.0"
"0172","+","Enhanced Bullet Impacts","1.0.0.0"
"0173","+","xLODGen Output",""
"0174","-","Visuals_separator",""
"0175","+","Pip-Boy 2000 Mk VI","0.9.0.0"
"0176","+","Different PipBoy Animations","2.0.0.0"
"0177","+","No Muzzle Flash Lights","2.0.0.0"
"0178","+","Melee Hitstop Effects","f3.01"
"0179","+","Anniversary Anim Pack","1.9.0.0d"
"0180","+","Anniversary Anim Pack - General Bugfix","1.3.0.0"
"0181","+","Anniversary Anim Pack - Bonus Patch","1.3.0.0a"
"0182","+","Dedicated Weapon Animations (kNVSE)","0.2.9.0"
"0183","+","rockomotion","1.0.0.0"
"0184","+","Butcher Pete Complete - A Melee Animation Overhaul","1.0.0.0"
"0185","+","Wasteland Warrior - A Melee Animation Overhaul","1.0.0.0"
"0186","+","Viewmodel Recoil 0.308","d2023.5.28.0"
"0187","+","Power Fists Debulked","1.3.0.0"
"0188","+","Gauntlets Debulked","1.0.0.0"
"0189","+","Auto Melee Debulked","1.0.0.0"
"0190","+","Unarmed Animations","f1.00"
"0191","+","Different PowerFist Animations Xolerys kNVSE","1.0.0.0"
"0192","+","B42 Weapon Inertia","1.2.0.0"
"0193","+","B42 Dropmag and One in the chamber","1.2.0.0b"
"0194","+","Permanent Weapon Shells","1.1.0.0"
"0195","+","Awesome Staggering","1.5.0.0"
"0196","+","Diagonal movement","0.6.0.0b"
"0197","+","Ragdolls","5.3.9.0."
"0198","+","NV Compatibility Skeleton","13.0.0.0"
"0199","+","3rd person Movement Animations Overhaul (and bugfix)","1.0.0.0"
"0200","+","NVTS - New Vegas True Scopes","1.0.0.0"
"0201","+","Pip-Boy Shading Fix NVSE","1.0.0.0a"
"0202","+","Strip Street Light Corrections","1.0.0.0"
"0203","+","A Little More Lamplight","1.2.0.0"
"0204","+","Atmospheric Lighting Tweaks (Interior Lighting for FNV and TTW)","1.2.1.0"
"0205","+","Clarity - An Orange Tint Remover","1.2.0.0"
"0206","+","MoonlightNVSE","1.5.1.0"
"0207","+","High Resolution Bloom NVSE","5.0.0.0"
"0208","+","Cloud Shadows","1.0.1.0"
"0209","+","Cloud Shadows - Clear Weather","1.0.0.0"
"0210","+","Cloud Upgrade NVSE","1.0.0.0"
"0211","+","Interior Rain","1.0.0.0"
"0212","+","Climate Control - Rain","1.0.0.0"
"0213","+","Character Expansions Revised","2.0.0.0"
"0214","+","Character Expansions - YUP","P2.0"
"0215","+","Character Expansions Revised - JSU","P1.1"
"0216","+","Character Expansions Revised - MR","P1.3"

I feel that with inflation and and all the other reasons restaurants give for the increase in prices, I feel that the experience of eating out is one that has lost its appeal.
Change my view on the following scenario and why as Citizens we should stand for the current tipping expectation.
Pre pandemic: You buy a $10 meal with taxes it’s around$11 then 20% tip its $13
Post pandemic: $10 meal is now $16 for same meal with a smaller portion. Service is subpar because they are short staffed. They then charge increased taxes due to loss of revenue during the pandemic. They then charge a surcharge to make sure they get 20% to cover their staff then don’t tell you that there is a surcharge for using a card and then expect a tip on top of all that. Total then comes to $22. All they did was take ur order bring ur food ,make excuses for poor service as its not in their control and bring you the check.
Why should we expect this as the new normal. One person can’t make an impact but as a whole population we can change this.
My opinion is pay employees a living wage, include all taxes and tip to give the total cost of the meal upfront and then see if the population feels ur product is worth it. I’m tired of crap services at a premium.

Mistakes

On 15th May 2023, I was filming part 1 Q&A video of 24th May Q&A. 24th May Q&A video was filmed on 15th May 2023 because got many many questions. So I divide into different days different parts. On 15th May 2023, I made a big mistake. The place where I film, sometimes the NEA, they will pour the stupid bottle on the floor, got a lot of stupid idiot mosquitos then come to my place. That time I didn't bring this call the mosquito thing, the insect, the one call what. That time 15th May 2023, I never bring this thing. So after that, I put this thing (shieldtox) everyday inside my bag. Because sometimes I film the Q&A here, the NEA. I don't understand why they want to put the bottle of mosquitos. Then the mosquito fly here, I feel very frustrated. So after that, I tell myself, every-time I film Q&A, I must put this one inside my bag. So on 15th May 2023, I forgot to bring this. Then what happen ? A lot of mosquitos fly here fly there very dulan. As I want to hit the mosquitos, I accidentally hit the tripod stand. The tripod stand was with the phone. The tripod stand with the phone dropped down on the floor. Lucky the phone never spoil. If the phone spoil then honggan already. Because the phone I need to use for Q&A. So this was a fucking fucking big mistake that shouldn't have happened.
On 20th May 2023 (Saturday), my fans that time he message me say he want to treat me KFC. He order KFC to send to my house. That time I was seeing a doctor at Polyclinic. I was going for the X-Ray. After the X-Ray, I was at this void deck writing the 4D/Toto, then my this fan message me, going to order the KFC to deliver to my house. So I see the delivery time, its around 1.26pm. I was thinking I can reach home early by 1.10pm. So by 1.10pm, I can reach home already. That time my fan got tell me to tell my family/my parents. That time I never tell, I thought I can reach home early. Because if I tell my parents my fan want to treat me KFC, my parents will be a bit suspicious because my parents don't trust. Even that time I went out with Eddy Low, I have to tell my parents that this is my working colleague. Because they don't believe. Because you know I got a lot of haters. So my parents they don't trust people. They will felt that this is a guy. This guy is a hater. Trying to pretend to be my fans. They don't trust. I have to say he is a working colleague. So I made a mistake. I never go and call my parents say got food delivery coming. So that time when I reach home around 1.10pm. Just nice. Few minutes ago, the food delivery guy just left and my parents thought order the wrong one then they tell the delivery man they never order KFC. Then the delivery man go off then I was shocked. The delivery man call my fan. My fan say the address never wrong so ask the delivery man to return. But of course the delivery man have to go to other places to send first. So as a result, wait more than 30 minutes and I apologize to the delivery man. So its a big mistake because I should have call my parents on the phone when I was writing 4D/Toto that there is a delivery man coming but didn't. Luckily the delivery man got return but wasting a lot of time. So this is a mistake that shouldnt have happened.
The next mistake I make on 21st May 2023, I didn't go and check my notifications with the PLRD. Monday night, I cannot work because I got two notifications. Then after that I got to call the agency the next morning. Total got 2 agencies still holding my name. So I called the 2 agencies to cancel my notifications. What happened ? 24th night. Supposed to can work already. Then I go to look for adhoc jobs in the security whatsapp group. Then the agency check say I got two notifications. I was shocked. Then the next day, I call the agencies. Both agencies they forget to cancel. You see on the 23th May, I call them. The notifications in order to cancel need to wait for 24 hours later. So on Wednesday morning, I should have called the PLRD to check with them whether my notifications have been cancelled or not but I didn't. I think cannot be two agencies both also forgot to cancel. Confirm got one agency will cancel one. In the end, both also forget. Its a mistake that shouldn't have happened. When you work security officeguard, one person can only maximum two notifications. That means my name if lets say got two agencies, you cannot go and work adhoc job. Because your name got two agencies already. So you need to take out one of the agencies or best if you take out both agencies, the notifications so that your name is not under them then you go and work adhoc job. Ah then only you can work.
It was on the 25th May 2023, when I go to the toilet at home, while carrying the phone and the notebook, my notebook/datebook and the YouTube photo slideshow. The photo slideshow for example, I write the NXT champion Kurt Tay take selfie blah blah. That is called the photo slideshow book. I use the color ink pen to write the words. For example, the almighty WWE champion Kurt Tay take photo with fans. That is called the photo slideshow book. So this book and the date book, I accidentally drop inside the toilet bowl. Its a mistake that shouldnt have happened.
I made another mistake. It was on the 25th May 2023. 24th May 2023, my wife was off. When my wife was off day, its a bit hard for me to do the wrestling pose because she at home. She see me do the wrestling pose, she don't like. But however, 25th May 2023, my wife was working and I after eating, I forgot to do the wrestling pose because I was wearing the Almighty Bobby Lashley T-shirt but I forgot to do the Bobby Lashley wrestling pose after eating so this is also a mistake.

What the difference between the new and old Kurt Tay ?

Sometimes people will think. Got difference meh. Whats the difference ? Let me explain to you. The new Kurt Tay will have more confidence. My confidence level will reach above the sky level. My confidence will be a few million times or even a few billion time more confident than you can ever imagine. And I will be a few million times or even a few billion time smarter than you can ever imagine. Not only that. Sometimes in the past, you see my videos have to wait for a few days, never post. This thing will never happen again when the new Kurt Tay arrive on 4th June 2023. You see last time on certain days, there are fans take photo with me, sometimes I never get to post them. There are a lot of them which I never post on my YouTube channel. This thing will never happen again. Got fans take photo with me. Confirm guarantee plus chop, I will post them on my YouTube channel. And you will not see my food videos how come few days never post. Every day the food photo slideshows/videos will post on the date itself. No more wait for few days never post. No. Unless, this selfie eating videos, I might post on the next day. Because the selfie eating video is fucking long. Sometimes must take even 2 hours. So if I go to work, if I use the phone to upload the selfie eating videos, it will waste a lot of data. That one I will wait after work then I go home and use my wifi to upload. Other than that, the other videos you confirm see will post on the day itself.

Why don't you want do property agent ? Can earn a lot of money you know. Complete one transaction can earn $10000 in commissions. Didnt think of that ?

This is a very very good suggestion. If really one transaction can earn a lot of money, I think I will go and try. Thank you for the advice but then I hope the job got at least some basic. If the job totally dont have the basic, what happen if you have 0 transaction then how ? That means that whole month, you got no money at all. You got $0 earnings. If got $0 earnings then will honggan already. So I want to make sure got at least some basics. Not totally depends on commissions. If really can earn so much from transactions, I think I will actually quite interested. I think I will call to find out more because who don't love money. I love money but of course must guarantee have some basics also. What happen if I got zero deals ? I got try before last time. Do like the sales everything. Its not so easy to get people to buy your product you are promoting all these. Its not so easy. I want to make sure that everything is OK.

What are your birthday wishes ?

My birthday wishes every year is the same. Of course I hope that I can strike Toto first prize become a millionaire. I really have been dreaming to become a millionaire. Its my birthday wish. I want to become million dollar man. Money Money Money Money. Other wishes. I wish my family got the healthy. Myself healthy also. The third wish is actually that is quite impossible. I want to have Doraemon magic pocket. Because got that magic pocket, you basically can grant any wishes you want. You can have time travel machine blah blah blah. The Doraemon magic pocket.

If that someone promise to forgive you if ask you to crawl on all fours in public, will you do it ?

Answer is No. Last time is Yes. But also must see situation. Because if I not famous online celebrity, I got no problem doing that. But I am a famous online celebrity so it will be inconvenient. But now the answer confirm is No because I really very disappointed in someone.

I curious what your wife reply to you (referring to voice message to my wife where I was working at Raffles Institution Junior College)

I was working the traffic marshall. That means the car jam, I need to marshall the cars, to go as fast as they can. The RI, usually the parents will drive cars, the students got off from the cars and I so super super famous, a lot of students recognize me and approach me and take photo with me. That time so many fans. I went inside the guard house to take photos with my fans, RI students. Later on, so many fans, I keep on go in go out. In in out out. The supervisor can see. So I go inside, the view they cannot see. Later on the supervisor see why I keep walking in and out then she come and take a look. Then she say how come you taking photos with the students. Then she say "are they your relatives" ? Then I say "yah yah yah. my relatives" I also don't know how to explain because she don't know me. But then a lot of students they know me. This supervisor say cannot go inside to take photos. Then I say "Ï stand here. They take photos with me can or not" ? Then she say "cannot. you are on duty". After that around 7.50am, still got a lot of fans want to take photo with me. Then I tell my fans to wait say supervisor not happy already. I am SSS but I only work there adhoc 1 night only. After that I tell my fans have to wait until 8am when I finish work. 10 more mins. Some can wait. Some cannot wait. I actually missed out quite a lot of fans to take photo with me. So 8am, once finish work, a lot of fans rush to take photo with me. I so super super famous. After that I went back to the guard house, there is this one man which I think is the management. Because he wearing civilian clothes. He was instructing the security officers what to do. His face was very black color. Because I think he saw what happened. How come this security guard got so many students want to take photos with me. So this incident I got tell my wife. So Mr Meow is curious what my wife says. So my wife says "I should have tell my fans that I am working now. Cannot take photos." My wife say the management his face black black color. Its understandable that he is angry because I am doing security work. So my wife say should have tell my fans that I am working. Cannot take photos. So my wife say that I will kenna complain. Maybe the management will complain to the security agency. But the thing is a lot of fans will feel sad. They will feel disappointed when I rejected them when their idol (me). When they cannot take photo with me (their idol), they will feel very very disappointed. They will feel very sad. So I try not to make my fans disappointed which was why I agree to take photos with then. You see for famous online celebrity like me, its actually quite hard to work in school where I need to work road traffic marshall. Then got fans recognize me all these. I also not suitable to work security at MRT station. Imagine I doing security at MRT then people say "Kurt Tay Kurt Tay" So many people want to take photos with me. Because I am public figure. Certain security job like public area. I so famous. Its a bit hard. Its inconvenient.

If male and female JC students want to engage your BDSM services, will you say yes ?

This one must see if they got underage or not. I am not sure BDSM if there is a age requirement. I know sex there is a requirement. BDSM. I think its best at a legal age lah. To avoid conflict. If lets say students, its best if its 18 years and above. The legalized age. So if got male and female want to engage me as the male master, as long as they are legal ages, that should be fine. Must see situations first. Answer is Yes and No. If underage then cannot.

If the male and female JC students want to become your master and mistress to punish you, are you OK or not ?

For guys confirm is No. For guys, I can only become the master and not the slave. For girls, I Ok to be the master and slave but then must see if they are legalied age or not.

--- Table of Contents ---
Autumn 4986, 15 Aoimoth
“Slow down, Squire!” Master Daunas walked around the sixteen Squires. They were all going through the basic motions of knife fighting together, but Shon knew the Weaponsmaster was talking to him specifically. He'd fallen into the rhythm of steel clanging off steel as the eight pairs of Squires went through the practiced strikes of a rehearsed fight. His partner was keeping up, but just barely. If Shon sped up, the boy would fumble, and Shon could disarm him. But that wasn’t the point of this exercise. It wasn’t a sparring match; it was a two man kata. Shon let out a long exhale and slowed down, matching his partner’s pace.
“Sorry,” Kefir, muttered to Shon, “You should try and get Zihler next time. He won’t slow you down.”
Shon arched an eyebrow at Kefir as the two pivoted in unison, spinning but staying together, so they switched places and continued without breaking rhythm. Or that was what was supposed to happen. Kefir stumbled just a little. He still wasn’t very good at quick pivots like that, and knife forms were full of them. Shon slowed down to wait for him to recover, matching his thrust with a counter as rehearsed.
“Don’t give me that look. I know you want to go faster. Zihler’s the most likely to keep... up...” Kefir had to space the last two words as they dodged each other again. More twists and turns he tended to overshoot.
He wasn’t wrong. Shon did want to go faster, wanted to push himself to his limits, and always just a little beyond, but “Speed isn’t the point of this exercise.” Shon said, and Kefir’s brow furrowed. Though if concentrating on Shon’s words or the continued form Shon didn’t know, “It's precision and practice. Keep partnering with Rerves, who's even worse, and you won't improve.”
They slammed together, the hilts of their daggers locking together as they sidestepped in tight circles. Shon could see at least ten different ways he could end a match right here. His left hand was free, as this was a single dagger exercise, and his opponents hardly ever paid attention to his feet. But that wasn’t the point, and Kefir would learn nothing from Shon downing him now, even if it was.
“Thanks,” Kefir spat sarcastically. Shon gave him a purposefully deadpan look in response, and he continued, “You’re the same, though. You won’t get better if you pick the weakest partners.” the two disengaged, jumping back and falling into a ready stance in one motion. Kefir took a heartbeat longer than some of the other boys but didn’t stumble at this speed as he had the last three times they went through the drill.
“I’m better than Zihler…” Shon said, not in pride or arrogance but in truth. When they had first started knife fighting weeks ago, he had partnered with those who seemed to be at the same level as himself or higher. Pushing himself to reach their level and surpass it. Add to that the fact that he often used his free time for more practice, and Shon had jumped to the top of the class as usual only a week into this new weapon.
Shon brought the topic back around to his point, “Practice is practice no matter how fast I go, as long as I have precision.” and, as if to prove his point, the form reached the culminating move, where Shon and Kefir needed to thrust at each other while turning just enough for the blade to pass by their chests. Shon slowed his thrust only at the end, just enough for Kefir to finish his dodge. Adjusting speed in the middle of a strike without pulling it completely wasn't easy, and they both knew it.
That was the end of the kata, and they both stepped back. Kefir looked down at his knife, sighing, “I suck at this, give me a shield or a hammer, and you wouldn’t have to hold yourself back.” he glanced up at Shon and forced a smile he obviously didn’t feel, “Then maybe I could teach you a thing or two…”
Shon nodded, perfectly serious, and when Kefir didn’t seem to understand, he added, “Exactly.”
The bell rang and the other Squires started heading for the weapons rack to return their knives, but Shon held Kefir in place with his eyes. He looked confused, his expression asking the question before his words could, so Shon explained, “You're better at armor and shields than me.”
That actually got a genuine smile from Kefir, “Everyone is better with armor and shields than you, Shon.” Shon humphed but couldn't argue, and Kefir laughed, “You know, if you spent your extra time actually practicing with the stuff you need practice in, instead of the things you're already the best at, you would get better.”
Shon ran his fingers through sweaty hair. It was only two finger widths long but still needed to be cut. He wanted to argue that practicing with the heavy weapons without armor in his free time was the only reason he was still the top in those as well. But instead, he nodded in acquiescence to Kefir’s observation.
“Hey,” Kefir stepped forward and poked Shon with the hilt of his dagger. Even with his thicker winter uniform on, they avoided touching him, “I get what you’re saying. We each have our own strengths and weaknesses. Thank you for trying to help me with mine.” The thanks was genuine this time, now that the frustration of the practice was over, and Shon nodded. Kefir continued, “Why don’t we make a deal? I’ll let you help me catch up to you in this if you let me help you with armor work. Master Daunas wants to get you in plate, but if you can’t even move in banded mail, you’ll never make it in the heavier stuff.”
Shon let his head fall back in frustration but nodded. Kefir laughed and the two returned their daggers without further words. Shon split from the rest of the stragglers in the courtyard, moving towards the bench beside the wall and the barrel for catching rainwater beside it. This deep into autumn, the water was sometimes frozen in the mornings, but Shon preferred it that way. Reaching in, he splashed handfuls of it on the back of his neck. The others would be heading for the hot showers, but with sixteen of them and only ten shower heads, Shon would wait until they were all done before washing properly.
“I’ll meet you after study time!” Kefir called as he walked by to try and reach the showers with the first group. Shon waved without turning around. He knew Kefir was right. He should focus his extra time on improving his weaknesses. But that didn’t mean he had to like it.
***
The mess hall where they had their meals had one long table set in the middle with enough space for fifteen Squires on each side. Around it were set smaller circular tables for the Paladins stationed in Hamerfoss and one larger near the door for the officers. Against one wall was another long table with plates, bowls, and food where they would each gather their meal before finding their seats.
The seats weren’t assigned, but Shon always sat at the farthest end of the Squire’s table, with his left facing the walkway so he wouldn’t bump anyone with his elbow as he ate. No one ever took the spot. It was an unspoken consensus amongst the Squires that that was Shon’s seat. The rest tended to congregate in the middle, talking and poking friendly fun at each other, extending their break into the dinner meal.
Shon took his place and started eating without joining in. They didn’t try to include him most of the time, and he was content to just listen. “Hey, Shon,” Rerves called from down the table, and Shon looked up from his plate to show he was listening, “I hear Kefir’s going to help you with armor tonight. Can I come?” Shon shrugged, turning back to his meal. Rerves went back to his conversation, and dinner continued as usual. The Squires ignoring Shon.
They filtered out of the mess hall as they each finished their dinner at their own pace, some heading to the chapel for prayer and others to the library for study. Shon made his way to the library, pausing in the doorway and debating with himself. If he joined the others at the larger table, they would try and talk to him. They seemed to think it was their duty to include him if he was there. But if he sat alone at the two-man table by the window, they would leave him alone. It meant he wouldn’t be able to ask them questions if one came up, but it also meant they wouldn’t bother him with pointless asides…
Tonight, he joined the study group. The subject they'd started a few weeks ago wasn’t one he had taken to easily, an in-depth history of Gasha province, so he wanted to be able to talk when needed.
It started as soon as he finished the first page, “So Shon, when do you think Master Veon-Zih will be back?”
“Winter Solstice,” Shon answered shortly, rereading the sentence. The others whispered around him about Master Veon-Zih, something about if he would dance with the pretty baker again this year…
“Hey Shon, do you know if Monks train in dancing too?”
Shon placed his finger over the paragraph he'd reached, knowing he would have to reread it after the interruption. He shook his head. When they continued to look at him, he sighed, glaring up at them. This was supposed to be study time… “He learned how after he left the Monastery.”
He reread his paragraph and managed to finish the chapter before running his hand through his hair in frustration at the text. Looking up, he said, “We’ve read about the war between Gasha and Swailand, but this doesn’t say anything about why they went to war in the first place.”
“Fishing rights, I think?” Thom answered, flipping through his own book, “Knowing those Horsa Bast…” he cut off before finishing the curse, glancing at the Paladin acting as librarian, before continuing, “I bet they wanted to extend their fishing to the area around Gasha, and they are just as likely to fight each other as us.”
Rehlien slid a new book Shon’s way, “Here, read this one next. It gets into the justification a little more than that one.” Shon nodded his thanks, taking the book and placing it under the one he was still finishing.
But his question had opened the door to more derailing chatter, “You really like to know the why of things, don’t you, Shon?”
Shon nodded, hoping this talk would at least be relevant, but “You’re like that in etiquette too. That’s probably why you struggle so much.” Shon shrugged. Etiquette didn’t seem to have a point, but that wasn’t what they were supposed to be studying now, “I find some things ‘just are’ because of tradition…” the boy trailed off as Shon glared at him, his words freezing in his throat. When silence had returned, Shon went back to his book. He should've just sat alone.
***
Kefir and Rerves were already waiting in the sparring ring by the time Shon showed up dressed in his banded mail. The armor rubbed uncomfortably around his neck and the thick gambeson underneath bunched at his joints, limiting his range of motion by at least a few inches. It also weighed him down, which he'd managed to convince himself was good for strength training, but was incredibly frustrated by for sparring.
Kefir already had his sword and shield and held an extra bastard sword for him, so Shon went right for the ring, stifling a frustrated sigh as he took the proffered weapon.
Rerves grinned at the look on Shon’s face, saying, “We figured you'd be miserable enough in the armor alone, that we should channel some of Soleil's compassion and let you use your best weapon instead of the hammer.” to which Shon was grateful. Making him practice in the armor with a weapon he still hadn’t mastered would've been adding salt to the wound.
“Let’s do some stretches and warm-ups first.” Kefir started, “Your problem isn’t being afraid to take a hit with the armor,” Rerves laughed out loud, but Kefir continued with only a grin, “It’s in having to adjust your mobility. So let's re-imprint that before we try any sparring.”
They went through stretches, the two of them seeming to match Shon in flexibility only because he was hampered by the armor, then moved on to solo sword forms. Even though the armor was only about thirty-five pounds evenly distributed, Shon still felt sluggish. When they moved on to sparring, Rerves beat him soundly while Kefir watched, tilting his head back and forth like Master Daunas and trying to give advice that didn’t help. Shon could fight, he knew the proper blocks and parries better than they did, but too often he would either not make up for his lack of speed or would overcompensate and swing too hard.
Kefir took his turn, lifting his shield and watching Shon raise his sword to the ready, “Honestly, Shon, I don’t know what to do besides have you practice more and just get used to it.”
“Sometimes that’s all you can do,” Rerves said from the side as he slipped off his helmet. Shon knew they were right in some regards but couldn’t entirely dismiss his frustration at the thought that he was missing something that he needed to learn and not just have beaten into him. He was grateful for his companion’s help but annoyed at their inability to teach.
Rerves gave the order to "Lay on!" and Shon and Kefir engaged. Shon could predict Kefir's moves, could practically see them in his mind's eye, but barely reacted in time, his arm not bending as far or fast as he wanted it to. He gritted his teeth, glaring at the other Squire, trying to sidestep around but moving too slow compared to Kefir, who just needed to turn in place. Shon took a step back and planted his feet. If he could force Kefir to make the larger motions, then perhaps he could focus on redirecting the boy’s attacks.
Kefir hesitated. Shon was most dangerous when he stood his ground, and they both knew it. The hesitation just gave Shon more time to try and strategize. Not that it had helped at all before. Maybe if he could somehow slow Kefir down, or focus on trapping his weapon, then it wouldn’t matter that Shon wasn’t as fast as he would be without the damn armor. Kefir tested Shon’s guard with a few half-hearted attacks that Shon deflected, waiting. When the other Squire finally committed fully, Shon let go of his sword with his left hand, twisted to dodge, and grabbed Kefir’s sword arm.
Just stop. Stop long enough for me to hit you… Kefir tried to pull away but couldn’t. Despite the poor grip Shon had with the thick gloves that were part of the armor, the two Squires seemed lashed together. Kefir twisted his shoulders so he could lift his shield to deflect Shon’s oncoming attack, but his feet didn’t move. His eyes went wide, and his shield came up barely in time to hit Shon’s sword, the tip still reaching over to clang off Kefir’s helm with a glancing blow.
Kefir fell backward and Shon, still clinging to his arm, was pulled on top of him. The boy yelled, and Shon rolled, letting go of Kefir and hearing something like glass breaking over the clanging of armor and screaming of his fellow. Shon rolled to absorb the shock of the fall and twisted to find Kefir on his back, his knees still straight and his boots stuck to the ground. Encased in ice.
The ice climbed up his boots to his shins, but Kefir was gripping his arm, trying to pull more ice from where Shon had been holding him. It continued to grow, soon encasing his hand and sword hilt. Rerves rushed forward, trying to help pry the sword free while the ice on his legs grew past his boots and under his greaves. Kefir screamed again, in pain and fear.
The Paladins on the wall began yelling, their leader taking command, sending some to help the boys and others to run for the fortress. Shon watched in horror as Kefir’s legs and arm were slowly encased in ice, his lips trembling and turning blue. He would be covered soon, Shon knew it, could picture it happening, like a waking nightmare. It would trap his brother Squire and anyone else touching it…
The ice started clawing at Rerves fingers, trying to gain hold and freeze him too.
“What in all the hells?!” Master Daunas showed up with a gaggle of Paladins and the Cleric, who all fell around the boys. Some took out their belt knives and tried to break the ice apart; others began to chant spells to either melt the ice or keep Kefir warm.
Master Daunas searched above the throng for answers and, finding Shon, cursed. He ran around the larger group, grabbing Shon by the arm and wrenching him away, practically dragging him across the courtyard towards the fortress proper. Someone called out in triumph as Shon reached the fortress door and Daunas forced him through it.
What had happened? Had they freed Kefir? Would he be alright? What happened?!
Daunas was still cursing as he slammed the door and spun on Shon, who stared blankly through the Weaponmaster. Panic, he was trying so hard not to panic. Was trying to figure out what had happened, trying to play through the entire thing again, picturing it from outside his body. Was the ice what had allowed him to hold on to Kefir? Was it still climbing up Kefir's legs? Was that why the older Squire wasn’t able to pull back and block properly? Had Shon...
“Calm down, boy.” Daunas reached for Shon’s shoulders but pulled back a moment later, shaking his hands and cursing as they reddened from the cold, “Breathe, boy. Look at me, think warm thoughts.”
Think warm thoughts? What did that even mean? Shon found Daunas’s eyes and saw the Weaponmaster scared for the first time, “Breathe, slow and steady, like old man V taught you. You need to control your energy…” his lips were pale and trembling, his breath coming out in a cloud before him. had it been that cold outside? Shon couldn’t feel it...
Shon closed his eyes and breathed. Control his energy… He pulled himself in, finding his center and gathering around it, “That’s it, boy, like that.” Shon breathed in his energy, his ki, holding it in his gut, storing it for later when he could use it to focus a strike and give it more power, just like Master Veon-Zih had taught him. And just like Master had taught him, he tried to let go of his worries, to clear his mind, if only for now.
Kefir would be alright, almost every adult here could cast healing spells, and at least half of them were with him now. It was okay. Shon could relax, let go, calm down… Suddenly exhausted, Shon nearly collapsed right there in the hallway. Daunas caught him, slowly lowering him to the stones.
Shon could feel himself slipping into unconsciousness, but not fast enough to miss Master Daunas’s last curse, “Damn it, boy, why did you have to be a Sorcerer?”
***
“He has to go to the Mages Guild.” Major General Davies Selibra, Paladin head of Hamerfoss, stated to those gathered in his office. It was a simple room containing two sets of closed cabinets on either side of a large desk facing the door with two seats positioned in front of it. Shon sat in one of those seats, his head hanging and fists clenched tightly in his lap.
Master Daunas slammed his palm down on the desk. He seemed too agitated to sit, or perhaps he just didn’t want to sit next to Shon, who was radiating cold like a fire radiated heat, “We can’t, Selibra! He’s the most promising fighter I’ve ever trained. He’ll lose too much time.” the Weaponmaster's words puffed out as white fog from his lips.
Major General Selibra sat behind his desk and rubbed his temples, “It’s the law Daunas, he either needs to get a clearance or be sealed.”
“Can’t be a Paladin with the tattoo…” Smith Nangran muttered from his position leaning on the door. Shon was too focused on his predicament to wonder why the Smith was even here. A thin layer of ice began to form at his feet.
“It’s the law…” Selibra said again, weary, “If he had awakened sooner, he might have been able to get his clearance before training, but…”
Daunas threw his hands into the air, bellowing, “It takes years to get a clearance. If they even let him. Those Mages would rather just mark the boy up and be done with it!”
A sealing tattoo. They would want to block the magic. Seal it away in his body where it couldn’t hurt anyone. Kefir had suffered severe frostbite as well as a broken ankle. Lucky for him, he was surrounded by divine conduits and was fine, but what if Shon lost control again? Who would the ice entomb? Master Veon-Zih? Innocent citizens he was supposed to protect? Shon’s nails dug furrows into his palms as he clenched his fists tighter. The ice crawled up the legs of his chair and crystalized on the backs of his hands.
The adults continued to talk around him, “The law is clear, Daunas. The magic either needs to be trained or sealed. There are no exceptions.” The law never made exceptions. It’s what kept everything running at top proficiency. Shon admired that… and understood it, as even now he couldn't control the sorcerous ice.
Shon tried to slow his breathing, relax his hands. The ice cracked over his fingers as he forced them out of their fists. It was responding to his emotions, his fear, and horror at what he'd done. What he was. If he could just pull it in, stifle the emotions feeding it, then the magic wouldn't be able to control him…
Ice continued to inch up the chair, and Selibra rubbed his hands together to warm them. They'd been pointedly and purposely ignoring the winter-like cold since bringing Shon to the office.
“Tattoos aren’t the only way to seal magic…” Nangran stated from the door. Daunas and Selibra stopped arguing, and Shon’s head shot up. He turned slowly to watch the Smith who combed absently at his beard, “Law says sorcerer magic needs to be trained or sealed, doesn’t say how.”
“I know the law Nangran,” Selibra still sounded defeated. “A council of Mages, including one of the rank Archmage, must determine if a Sorcerer is capable of controlling his or her power. If they determine the power is too great a risk to the kingdom, then said power will be made unable to manifest. Sealed.” the Major General recited, most likely for Shon’s benefit. Shon's heart pounded in his chest, and the fires that lit the room dimmed.
“What are you suggesting?” Daunas asked Nangran curiously. The smith only talked when necessary, using grunts and nods instead of words whenever possible. That was probably why Shon liked him so much. It also meant he wouldn’t have contradicted Selibra unless he had a reason.
“Know a guy. Used to make sealing items for the guild…” Nangran said with a shrug, as though Shon’s future didn’t hinge on his point, “Owes me a favor…”
“You’re not talking about that mad hermit who comes barging in here once or twice a year, are you?” Daunas asked, looking stunned.
Nangran nodded with a confirming hum. “Still Archmage in good standing…”
The Weaponmaster looked ecstatic, shouting, “Nangran, you’re a genius!” he slammed his hands down on the desk again, breath puffing out in thick clouds as his excitement grew. Nangran grunted.
Daunas turned back to the Major General, who actually looked intrigued. Shon’s heart tried to beat its way out of his chest. “This is it, Selibra! This Archmage can make the boy a sealing item. I’m sure the Temple will vouch for him. He’s our top Squire.” Shon was still too terrified to feel proud of the compliment and watched Major General Selibra with wide desperate eyes. Ice started forming on his hands again, looking like clawed talons.
“The Mages Guild hasn’t given out sealing stones for generations…” Selibra hummed, and Shon barely stopped the desperate whine before it could escape, his fingernails drawing blood on his palms as he balled them into fists again, breaking the ice claws. “but we can at least try.” Selibra finished, focusing on Shon, his brown eyes still looking sad, “Are you sure you want this, Shon? As a Paladin, you won’t be able to train with your elemental magic unti-”
“Yes, Sir!” Shon shouted, leaning forward in his seat and breaking the ice off its legs. He fell back a moment later, embarrassed by his outburst. More quietly, he said again, “Yes, Sir. I don’t want this magic. I want to be a Paladin.” more than anything in his entire life, he'd wanted to be a Paladin…
“Very well,” Major General Selibra stood, resting his fingertips on his desk. Speaking as if to himself, he muttered, “Perhaps this is a sign from Hengist.” looking up, he addressed Nangran, “Tomorrow you will take Squire Shon to this Archmage friend of yours. Gods willing, he will be able to seal the sorcerer magic without hindering his divine capabilities.” he failed to hide a shiver from the cold.
***
Her candles burned hot and bright, flickering wildly as She paced around Her little room. Something was happening in Her tower. There were far too many people with strangers' voices out Her window and beyond Her door.
Brom and Ran continued to visit, but they wouldn’t answer Her questions, wouldn’t take Her for samples, or to see Her treasures. The first made Her angry, the second gave Her energy, and the last scared Her enough to stop asking questions. What if they took Her books again? They hadn’t given Her a reason She couldn’t see Her treasures, so maybe they would soon… maybe tomorrow...
***
“Tomorrow,” Morndancer stated as Shaloon let herself into his room. The transfer preparations had taken months. MONTHS! They were Mages. No. Greater than Mages. They were Warlocks. And yet, everything still took far too long. They could instantly communicate with allies across the kingdom but still had to spend time making the proper arrangements. They could travel miles in a blink but still had to painstakingly pack every book and file, disassemble and disenchant the golems guarding the tower over days and even weeks. If it had been a true emergency -if they'd been found- they could've destroyed everything, vanishing all evidence of their presence and research. But the Master Archmages had forbidden it in this case.
“The western Talon is ready to receive us,” Shaloon confirmed, “What of the subjects? Archmage Yarna has no interest in animal husbandry..."
“The Firewyrm is all she is interested in. It is the only reason she agreed to take us.” Morndancer sat on his bed and stared at the pseudodragon perched on his desk, its leathery wings half furled and its tail twitching over the side of the desk, “I will handle the animal subjects tomorrow. Just make sure you are ready to open the portal out when I am done.” she could only open one portal a day, sometimes two but it would leave her incapacitated for at least a day after.
“Tomorrow then,” Shaloon confirmed, leaving him alone with his running mind and the little pretend dragon, that seemed to stare through his skin and into his soul.
***
Shon couldn’t sleep. Once again, his entire future hung on what would happen tomorrow. And just like the divine test and the road to Hamerfoss, there was nothing he could do to speed up the process. It was out of his hands. Out of his control. Just like the ice now clouding the window and the frost freezing the blankets to the mattress.
He tapped the blank page of his open journal with his pencil. The images running through his mind were the last he wanted to solidify on paper. He tried drawing something else… Kefir smiling warmly at him for the second thank you. Rerves leaning forward and shouting to him across the dinner table. The study group conversing in whispers instead of studying…
He wrote about it all between the drawings but everything that happened after pushed at his mind, the scenes forming in his vision. Shon drew Kefir again, lying on his back and tugging at the ice forming on his sword arm. Then a group scene with the Paladins falling around him, their faces focused, and hands glowing with spells to try and save him… Master Daunas’s scared eyes as he ordered Shon to ‘think warm thoughts...'
With two pages full of various sketches and commentary, Shon dropped his pencil and rested his head on his desk. Why? Was this why he was so cold to the touch? Sorcerers were rare; those with ice power were the rarest even amongst them. Should they have noticed something was wrong sooner? Would Hengist really accept someone like him? Chose a Sorcerer to be one of his extensions in Daanlin?
Shon closed his eyes, breathing slowly and trying not to cry. If they forced him to go to the Mages Guild, he would never be able to fight again. He was sure of it. All his hard work and dedication. All those years of disciplined practice, gone in one instance where he lost control. Where he almost killed a friend.
Everything he was, everything he would be, hinged on the following day. “Tomorrow…” Shon whispered into the dark, his candle finally flickering to die in the cold.
--- Table of Contents ---
Thanks for making it this far, you are the real MVP

6/7-week, male pit-mix puppy, not neutered. Current weight is around 4 lbs. He has been gaining weight steadily but is clearly the runt of a litter of 5; siblings range from 7-10 lbs in weight. Fostering the litter and mom outside of Baltimore, MD. I was not present at the birth.
Thick, white discharge has been coming out of his nose over the course of the last 2.5 weeks at inconsistent rates. Some days there is no discharge at all, other days it seems to reappear as fast as I wipe it away. Discharge does not feel sticky to the touch. Pup is feeding from mom at what appears to be a normal rate (not going in for more than his litter mates) and is beginning to explore dry food. Behavior and wellness seem typical. Pup is social, plays with the litter and mom and does not appear to be lethargic or indicate any other signs of illness. No other pups in the litter have this nose discharge.
Any ideas on what could be causing the discharge? Could it be related to his size? Should there be cause for concerns for health challenges as he grows? Could vet intervention be needed now?

I recently went into a small Korean restaurant and asked for a job. An employee took down my information. He asked me if I knew Korean food, I said no; he also asked what position I was looking for, I said any position, and texted me asking if I could come in today. That was really all I got about what I will be doing there, which is pretty much nothing, so I really don't know what I should be expecting.
I just want to know any tips for when I start. Things I should prepare for and things I should avoid doing. I don't know Korean except for hello and goodbye and thank you, or much about Korean food. Anything helps.

im looking for a place to get some traditional pushcart dim sum. i grew up in northern california where theres a large asian population and was definitely spoiled with how good the dim sum was and have yet to find any good chinese restaurants nearby! im in washington county but totally willing to drive anywhere for some good food :)

Hi everyone! I'm new to this community and happy to be here. I've been having some trouble losing weight and today I weighed myself, only to my shock/horror i've put on even more weight despite trying so hard to lose it.
For some context, I weighed 150-160lbs for the majority of my adult life (5'6, 29F). I never had very good eating habits... but I never really had to watch what I was eating and just maintained my weight. I used to eat fast food 5-6x a week and often ate a lot of sweets. Over the past two years, my weight has slowly been creeping up. In November 2022, I was up to 175lbs. I tried Keto for awhile and it didn't really work for me. My weight stayed relatively the same for the 6 weeks I was on it. However after I stopped keto and began eating carbs, my weight ballooned up to 185 in the span of 2 weeks. I was really upset about it, obviously.
Since the start of 2023, i've been trying really hard to have better habits and lose weight. I stopped eating out so much, i'm down to once a week. I've also been really meticulous about tracking my calories with MFP (and I mean everything... drinks, sauces, butteoil, etc). I usually consume about 1300-1400 calories/day on the weekdays. And no, this isn't really difficult for me. I've been eating a lot of lower calorie foods like vegetables, salads, lean meat, etc so I naturally eat around that amount and don't feel hungry or have cravings. The problem is the weekends, I tend to go out with friends and go a little bit crazy. I usually consume 2000-2500 calories each day on the weekend. Logically I know that is completely undermining my progress, and I didn't really expect to lose much weight since last weighing myself in early December 2022. I haven't really been working out much either... I've been going for 30 minute walks about 5x a week.
What I didn't expect, however, is to be up another 10lbs. I am now sitting at 193lbs and i'm honestly devastated. I feel sick to my stomach. While I understand that gourging myself on the weekends is undermining my progress, I've done the math and I don't see how that justifies me putting on another 10lbs. And please don't say "1300 is too little, your body is in starvation mode" because i've already talked to my GP and he informed me that starvation mode doesn't really exist in today's society and takes at least 6 weeks of severe calorie deficit to have an impact on your metabolism.
What I am wondering though, is if the extreme difference in calories from weekends vs weekdays is what is causing the weight gain, despite the laws of CICO and TDEE not really supporting what i've seen on the scale. Maybe my body has been adapting to consuming less calories, so when I eat 2000+ on the weekend my body freaks out and immediately stores a bunch of fat? I don't really understand any of it but any insight/tips/guidance would be appreciated.

Just a minor procedure on the loose skin around my eyes. Is reservation needed for this sort of thing or can you just walk into a clinic out of the millions that are there and get it?

Hello fellow servers! I’m just looking to vent/get advice about my workplace.
I work in a somewhat fancy restaurant and have been serving there for about 5 years. I’m not sure if I’m just burned out/fed up, but I feel like my workplace has gotten pretty bad and I’m not sure what to do.
So a little background: this restaurant just got a bar about 2 years ago. One of the bartenders they hired (we’ll call him Joe) got moved up to bar manager after the owner fired the previous bar manager. For a while we had two managers: a bar manager (Joe) and a GM. Then GM quit for another job and that left us with Joe and then Joe moved up to GM. I have no issue with Joe, but he had no managing experience prior to being moved up.
Prior to being GM, Joe was hooking up with one of the bartenders (we’ll call her Jane) and even though he was letting Jane drink behind the bar and doing her job for her, no one cared because Joe was picking up her slack. Once he moved up to GM, he had other responsibilities that he was ignoring so he could continue to hang out behind the bar with Jane and do her job. Joe just let her get away with anything like drinking at work, she chose her schedule, leaving early, coming in late, most expensive food for free, etc. It was very annoying to see it all happen, but most of the staff liked Joe so we went along with it. Then another girl server (we’ll call her Jodi) and Joe started flirting. Jane got word of it and shut it down (I assume) because then Joe’s attitude toward Jane completely switched. He would be very mean to her and give her bad sections, etc. Jodi would complain to me and other servers about it but we couldn’t do anything to help her.
Anyway, fast forward a couple months, Joe and Jane ended up “breaking up” and so all her perks were revoked and then he stopped scheduling her altogether. Now, Joe’s attitude toward Jodi changed again since he is “single” and Jodi is living her best life. Now, Jodi and Joe just chill in the private room, sit and talk while other servers are doing side work, drink in front of other employees, she has an awesome schedule, and even when she shows up late, she has a great section. Oh how the turntables have…
Am I tripping or is this just completely bonkers? Can I do anything about this, like complain to maybe the owner or department of labor? It’s completely inappropriate and now Jodi, who’s still just serving, is saying she can tell people what to do or get them in trouble. How can I go about solving this issue or should I just find a new job?

and the crazy thing is.. it IS a good position in the fact its respectable work. its not like its some greasy fast food gig. its in an office and i have to wear nice clothes and act professional.
she has no idea i am barely getting by living at the bottom of society.
i am one income if that helps explain it better. i make more then minimum wage obviously. the 1 income is brutal though. like it or not single people exist and we need to be able to live.

So in April 2022, I was at about 311 lbs. Today I'm at about 209 lbs.
I am 6'3.5" so I look much leaner which is a big plus (by BMI standards, I'm still 'overweight').
I initially started the first 8 months of my journey with the OMAD diet. I made the decision to NEVER eat while at work, since I was practically sitting in my cubicle for 6-8 hours 5 days a week.
During weekdays, I was always on OMAD, preferring to eat super late, just before going to bed. The meal would usually be around beans, rice, chicken, fried potatoes, broccoli, carrots, etc. Then when the weekend hits, I would practically binge on whatever I wanted -- junk food included. In regards to beverages, I ONLY drink water, no sodas, alcohol, coffee, tea, or anything -- just distilled water.
Around January, I hit a plateau, and decided to devise a new strategy-- less junk food, no more online delivery orders.
This made me make the decision to fast on full days from Monday to Thursday, while also still commuting to work. I started this strategy from late January, and it's worked. So for 4 days of the week I'm doing 24 hour fasts, sometimes dry, without drinking any water. Now admittedly, I do tend to feel weak on Wednesdays & Thursdays, but after recently adopting cold showers (~2 weeks ago), it's kind of subsided.
During this whole time, I have not once been in the gym. I've always hated working out.
Last time I weighed myself, I found out that I'm at 19.1% body fat. My goal is to get to 15%, and maybe even 12-13% if that's possible. Could all this be done without going to the gym? My lower body has a lot of muscle, but my upper body is still not developed to my liking in a sense. There's some flab here and there, but it's only ever visible with my shirt off. With clothes on, I look like I have an athletic build.
Do I continue with this formula, or start adopting more 'traditional' methods? My plan on keeping the weight off once I get to my goal (~180 - ~190 lbs), is to just stick to the OMAD diet full time on weekdays. My brother advises that I start going to the gym, but it's just not my thing.
I guess at this point, I'm getting really impatient. I'm SO close, yet so far, if that makes sense. I estimate in 3 months I can get to my goal, but in some ways, I'm trying to accelerate things.
Would appreciate you guys' opinions on this. Cheers

My mom and I will be celebrating a long overdue event later this month, just the two of us, and we’re looking for a nice restaurant to eat at!
Since we’re treating ourselves, we’re open to any kind of pricing option atm — popular higher-end restaurants or hole in the walls could work equally well (though if they don’t break the bank that would be a bonus 😂)
The only absolute requirements are:
1) great food 2) really nice outdoor seating (either with a view, rooftop seating, generally spacious, a courtyard with plants/flowers, etc)
Neither of us is into seafood/sushi, but we’re open to literally any other kind of cuisine! Also, if it helps, we’d likely be doing this for lunch, not dinner, so any places that are open by noon would be appreciated.
We’re mostly just looking for a great/relaxed/pleasant vibe that helps us feel like we’re treating ourselves to something nice :)
(I posted this is in the larger Bay Area sub, but was recommended to try here as well!)

I am working in an American lab and my lab mentor is from India. She has taken time to train me and I greatly appreciate it. I’d love to bring her in little snacks or drinks to show my appreciation but I have no idea what she might like. She doesn’t eat any American food, I do live in a major city so there are Indian restaurants and shops around. Any suggestions?

Hey all! Headed to the KKC in September with a table seat this time and wanting to go somewhere beforehand that's a bit thematic for the occasion. I usually grab a McDs or TGIs at Leicester Square but looking for recommendations in the general area - or around Embankment - for a proper meal and some drinks.
Nothing too bougie cos...y'know, them table seats aren't cheap! But something that's not fast food to set the mood. Appreciate it!

Hi y’all, I need some advice. I’ve gone about this every way I can think of to no avail. Me and my fiancé have been together for 4 years. We have a 1 year old that we did plan to have. Before she was born I believe our relationship was close to perfect. We had arguments but found ways to communicate, and spent a healthy amount of time together I feel and got along nicely with each others family. When she got pregnant and up to now things deteriorated fast. Her mother (who she admittedly moved away from, became way more involved) She’s over at her parents 2-3 times a week and I feel our little family is not a priority as much as her immediate family is. She doesn’t cook, or clean or do anything really. I do all that, but get blamed for not doing it right-she will throw laundry on the floor till there’s a 3 ft pile that she walks over instead of moving it or in a hamper. Same with the babies clothes-but she only wants to do laundry at her mothers house. I work hard to clean the apartment we’re in but I’ll get home to see crumbs of food all ove

I recently went into a small Korean restaurant and asked for a job. An employee took down my information. He asked me if I knew Korean food, I said no; he also asked what position I was looking for, I said any position, and texted me asking if I could come in today. That was really all I got about what I will be doing there, which is pretty much nothing, so I really don't know what I should be expecting.
I just want to know any tips for when I start. Things I should prepare for and things I should avoid doing. I don't know Korean except for hello and goodbye and thank you, or much about Korean food. Anything helps.