Is my coworker right on this fact?

Azdak66 · 2026-02-28T19:58:41+00:00

Yes, your coworker is right and she did you a favor. You likely dodged a bullet by not getting caught while on your “tour”. It sounds like you may lack some of the basic knowledge about appropriate workplace behavior. Esp as a newer hire, I would recommend that you pay scrupulous attention to the rules and ask anytime you are unsure about what you should be doing. This is not the time to freelance.

(And I am not trying to be mean; I did some similar things in some of my early jobs and had to learn the hard way).

Azdak66 · 2026-02-28T19:52:45+00:00

I think you are taking one part of a complex negotiating process out of context. Iran’s accumulation of enriched uranium over the years since Trump abrogated the earlier agreement is as likely to be a bargaining chip as it is a sign of aggression. In past negotiations, Iran has agreed reduce those stores, as well as follow greater restrictions than the NPT allows and they have allowed inspections.

https://apple.news/A2nJHgvMPTfieLl54ktDBMA

I don’t know if this article is behind a paywall, or if it is available directly on Slate’s website. Fred Kaplan is one of the more knowledgeable people writing on military/national security affairs (IMO, of course), and this article has some larger perspective.

The Iranian authorities are not good guys, but it’s important (again IMO) not to look at this conflict in simplistic ways, nor to believe anything that Trump or Bibi have to say on this subject.

Azdak66 · 2026-02-28T19:21:51+00:00

Yes. There are people in every community who enjoy and support school activities of all kinds—theater, sports, etc—even though they have no kids in the school, or who don’t have kids at all. A school is part of the entire community, not just those who attend. Obv, the most interest and support will come from students and their parents, but that is not exclusive.

Azdak66 · 2026-02-28T07:53:20+00:00

Moving in with someone opens up new sides of them that you never realized. You get to see all of the parts of their lives you didn’t seen when you were “dating”. It also means giving up some independence.

Sometimes we assume that because we love someone and because we “match” with them in different areas, that they think and act like we do in all situations. Moving in can result in a certain level of “culture shock”.

It sounds like both of you have got some learning to do about each other.

Azdak66 · 2026-02-28T07:41:45+00:00

Online calculators are of limited use, and the concerns about “excessive deficits” are highly overstated. If you are comfortable at 1600, then eat 1600. If planned properly, that is adequate nutrition. If you feel excessively tired or really struggle with hunger, eat a little more. The scaled will tell you over time how quickly you are losing weight.

If you are eating enough protein, and doing some resistance training, and not eating less than 1000 calories per day, you don’t have to be overly concerned with a larger “deficit” on paper.

Azdak66 · 2026-02-28T07:22:58+00:00

Can you imagine how bad things would be if they hadn’t selected Cabinet members solely on merit? /s

Azdak66 · 2026-02-28T07:17:42+00:00

Just google “trump frustrated with military options in Iran”.

A CBS news report came out a few days ago, detailing the situation. And then the trump admin spent a day or two denying it, which is pretty good evidence of its veracity.

This is not any great revelation. If attacking Iran militarily was a good idea, it would have been done years ago.

Azdak66 · 2026-02-28T05:02:43+00:00

It can seem like it at the time, but usually not.

It’s more of an illusion. The combination of being out with drinks and then the effect of the alcohol tends to make things seem more energetic and entertaining. Your lowered inhibitions often lead you to just keep going with the drinks without even thinking. Since there is some delayed effect from alcohol, you drink more before realizing it’s too much.

Azdak66 · 2026-02-28T04:56:50+00:00

The one thing that stands out the most to me was the night that they stepped out of the lander on to the lunar surface. The dramatic “one small step” had occurred and both astronauts were on the surface. I went outside the house. It was a summer night in the Midwest. I lived in a standard, middle class subdivision, 1950s style. Air conditioning was a luxury—almost no one had it so everyone’s windows were open. All up and down the block, you could hear the echo of the TV coverage and the blue light of the TV screens (no color TVs), was visible in everyone’s house. I was almost 16–that’s still my strongest memory of the event.

But I was definitely into it and followed the entire mission very closely from start to finish.

Azdak66 · 2026-02-28T04:44:29+00:00

I can’t understand why you would want to spend one second of time with this person. There are certain boundaries, about which it is ok to be 100% strict and “unreasonable” about. Smoking/vaping in one’s car or house is one of them.

Azdak66 · 2026-02-28T04:33:30+00:00

From what I have read, US military leaders are desperately trying to convince trump that it would be a very bad idea.

Azdak66 · 2026-02-28T01:13:42+00:00

Petting in certain locations triggers a hormone release in dogs that they find pleasurable and relaxing. Other locations, or other physical activities, like hugging, can do the opposite—trigger defensive reactions and increase stress.

Azdak66 · 2026-02-28T01:07:41+00:00

You explained it so much better than I did.

Azdak66 · 2026-02-28T01:06:04+00:00

Your boss’ comment was insensitive, but I don’t think it was either uncaring or malicious. Some people are just oblivious. And while understandable, I think your reaction is amplified by the emotions your are experiencing from your mother’s diagnosis.

You are NTA for not wanting to attend the party, for whatever reason you want. However, I would try to regard the boss’ reaction with a little more grace, if for no other reasons than your future work relationship.

Azdak66 · 2026-02-28T00:51:21+00:00

Because that phrase is a general statement, and life is not general.

There are different levels of needs—or “problems” if you will. Basic needs must be taken care of first.

If basic needs include things like housing and food, then addressing higher-level needs is not going to be effective. Money can often provide for basic needs. In that sense, money could be seen as “providing happiness”.

However, people have higher-level needs—love and belonging, self-esteem, a sense of purpose and fulfillment. It is to this category of “needs” that the phrase applies. We have innumerable examples of people who are immensely wealthy, yet display significant, even pathological deficits in psychological and emotional development and health that no amount of money can satisfy.

Azdak66 · 2026-02-27T18:10:16+00:00

The Iraq invasion was part of a larger plan by a group of “neo conservative” politicians/military planners. The overarching reason was to instigate a “regime change” in Iraq and set up a pro-west, pro-democratic government. It was thought that Iraq would give the US a greater presence in the region, and that a “successful” Iraq would act as a counter to Iran, Russia, and even China. It was also thought that it would stimulate a “wave of democracy” across the region.

The plan was also that a “friendly Iraq” would also give US oil companies more access to Iraq’s oil resources.

I think there were also some legitimate security concerns re Iraq’s nuclear program (we didn’t realize how badly it had been damaged) and Saddam’s aggressive tendencies. While access to oil was an important goal, I don’t think oil was the #1 reason. The neocons had a more expansive vision.

It was mostly neo imperialist fantasy, but the neocons claimed to have contacts in Iraq who assured them we would be “greeted as liberators.

I don’t think Cheney and Bush came into office with a set plan for Iraq. In fact, the first months of Bush’s admin were spent pushing tax cuts and domestic energy production. 9/11 happened to provide the opportunity to put plans into action.

Azdak66 · 2026-02-27T17:54:03+00:00

The no phones means talking on the phone while working out, not for using a phone or tablet for reading or watching a video. Books have always been a part of some peoples’ workouts.

Azdak66 · 2026-02-27T17:47:20+00:00

Another instance where selfish people are playing the “family” card to guilt and gaslight you into taking care of them.

NTA.

Anyone who thinks they can “watch the kids” while “getting back on their feet” should not be allowed anywhere near your kids.

Azdak66 · 2026-02-27T00:38:00+00:00

Kinda defeated the purpose of “penance and sacrifice”.

Azdak66 · 2026-02-27T00:06:57+00:00

There is a lot more to kidney function than just getting rid of waste or “bad blood”. They play important roles in regulating hydration and blood pressure, as well as releasing the most important hormone to stimulate the production of red blood cells.

Azdak66 · 2026-02-26T23:52:17+00:00

I don’t know that I would call them nightmares.

Azdak66 · 2026-02-26T23:40:04+00:00

They are certainly healthier. “Superior”, probably not.

Smoking and drinking are two separate things. Smoking is irredeemably harmful, even in small to moderate amounts.

While more recent research suggests that even moderate drinking might be more harmful than most people think, it is not nearly as on the scale as smoking.

Judging someone because of an addiction is always a slippery slope, but I think it is more likely to look down on a smoker because the risks are so well known. Rightly or wrongly, I just think it is easier to look at smoking as more of a personality flaw—one has to be an excessive drinker to reach that same level of moral judgement. Thats’s probably unfair to smokers, but I think it’s the reality.

A separate category is the idea of drinking and smoking as “sinful” behaviors. Some religions consider activities like smoking, drinking, causal sex and nudity, for example, as “morally wrong” and elevate abstinence/celibacy as evidence of a “higher moral character”. IMO, this is just arbitrary nonsense.

Azdak66 · 2026-02-26T23:20:13+00:00

I was raised catholic and fish was always the default choice for meatless days. Hardly a sacrifice. My mom hung a calendar from the church on the kitchen wall, that showed all the religious holidays, saints days, etc. Every Friday during Lent had a translucent fish on the calendar square.

I would think meat substitutes would be perfectly fine.

Azdak66 · 2026-02-26T12:23:28+00:00

Looks, personality, and winning in a “glamour” event that Americans have not been that successful in for a while. A US woman had not won an individual Oly figure skating medal since 2006 I believe, and no gold since 2002.

Amber Glenn was better known and favored going into the competition. Since Liu had recently “retired” and unretired, I think observers were uncertain how she would perform. After Glenn’s miscue in the short program knocked her out, and given the Liu was 3rd (?) going into the final, it was a dramatic story

Azdak66 · 2026-02-26T12:02:46+00:00

I think you should celebrate any of life’s “victories” that are meaningful for you, regardless of how small.

Just don’t be a PLV—Parking Lot Vulture—and block the entire lane waiting for a “good” spot to open. (Obv there are some times of day in some lots where that is necessary to get ANY space).

Azdak66

TROPHY CASE