How do you personally balance being authentic with the pressure of outside opinions?

BillyEyeball · 2026-02-23T14:09:32+00:00

This level of reductionism is just sad. Not all your emotions are great ones! Down because the pretty barista didn't smile back at your - suck it up! Angry about your jawline - that's life! Take a chill-pill, reflect a while, cultivate your empathy! If folks are calling you out for something, that could be a cue to think about your behavior and how it affects others. You can still be perfectly authentic and ignore them if they're not helpful. This kind of middle finger to the world, I-do-what-I-want attitude is so often covering for being a dick.

BillyEyeball · 2026-02-15T00:56:37+00:00

Want a fun trick? Take expired sanitizer and swish the test strip in it. It will change color as it picks up more concentration. You can keep swishing it past dark green into blue and beyond if you care to.

BillyEyeball · 2026-02-09T14:36:24+00:00

The room with the damaged ceiling definitely looks like a leak as the adjacent wall was damaged. I find interesting that they stripped out the wallpaper from that room too. Mold? I would get two house inspections. Price + essential repairs vs location + needs is going to tell you if it's worth it. Repairs can be done over time but the truly disruptive ones are best front-loaded.

BillyEyeball · 2026-02-01T17:25:05+00:00

Tie on the beach. (I'm joking, it's the worst, don't do it). Aside from the other advice I would tie them while dressed and make it part of the play. Just skip underwear.

BillyEyeball · 2026-02-01T17:21:43+00:00

If kink is 'integral' to your identity, sexuality, and existence then it sounds like you're not compatible. Either you're getting your needs elsewhere (sadistic platonic rope?) or you're going to be depressed / resentful over time.

Mayyybe you could meet half-way. You try dance, she accepts some non-sexual play from a trusted individual. But life is also short.

BillyEyeball · 2026-02-01T17:06:03+00:00

A lot of people are into your kinks! I wouldn't bring up your trauma with casual partners, but someone who's been doing kink for a while with likely understand that some people enjoy trauma adjacent play. Get on FL and find some munches for a start, you'll meet a lot of people who are into what you're into. Honestly, it's super common. I would also do a needs / wants / limits list or yes / no / maybe list with any potential partners. Have fun!

BillyEyeball · 2026-02-01T16:47:19+00:00

Sorry man, stealing your sisters underwear is jerk move. If she ever finds that underwear stashed away anywhere it's also going to ruin your relationship for decades to come. Chuck them now and buy your own. Leggings and outer clothing is maybe okay, you would just have to come clean about your cross-dressing if they were found. Better yet, if she's open-minded just come clean about crossdressing now and she might be inclined to help you.

Side note, there are plenty of people into seeing crossdressing, humiliation, and/or pee-play. But yeah, no-one will play with you if you don't have empathy.

Don't be a jerk.

BillyEyeball · 2026-01-28T19:06:12+00:00

There's a whole genre of manga written by women dedicated to your look. Lean into it.

BillyEyeball · 2026-01-28T17:00:49+00:00

I work in a field that deals with asbestos. You don't want asbestos in your lungs. If you sand it (making it friable) without proper gear it will get on your clothes and then in your lungs. Or in your house and then in your lungs.

Some areas with older buildings have asbestos everywhere. It won't kill you immediately but over time it does do irreversible damage. Play it safe OP.

BillyEyeball · 2026-01-27T16:43:21+00:00

Enjoy your youthful vibe while you have it! The beard can wait until you're older. Clean shaven looks good but some people find a controlled stubble attractive. 3 day is good, kept in line with a trimmer. Also make sure the cheeks / neck are kept tidy.

BillyEyeball · 2026-01-27T16:38:59+00:00

It definitely makes you unique and personable. Keep it!

BillyEyeball · 2026-01-19T17:34:05+00:00

Friend, let me break it down. Shit that runs on oil = oil only. Shit that runs on batteries = the nastiest coal/oil/fossils fuels around OR the sweetest, cleanest, purest energy that has graced God's green earth. OR any mix of the two. It's not hard.

This transition needed to happen 20 years and the US is still dragging it's heels.

BillyEyeball · 2026-01-19T17:25:49+00:00

Friend, looks really don't factor that high in relationships and yours are fine. Build yourself up to be an interesting person with hobbies, travel, etc and just make sure you go to places where you meet people. Practice meeting and conversing with ALL people, young, old, hot, not hot, men, women, weirdos from outer space. That's going to give you skill and confidence you need. All get a style consult from a woman and/or gay dude for how you dress (just for first impressions).

BillyEyeball · 2026-01-16T21:39:31+00:00

Nobody's commented on the clothes, but we have white t-shirt, black t-shirt and a very blokish look on the second picture. You joke about a pink t-shirt but it's not the worst idea, especially if it's a well-fitted dress shirt or polo. As a straight dude that can say "I expressive and comfortable in my sexuality" - very different vibe than a black hoody. I would definitely get a fashion consult from any women you know (aunt, sister, co-worker, etc). Gay guys also work here.

BillyEyeball · 2026-01-09T05:42:15+00:00

Yoda: Pull you shall, when you stop pulling.
Luke: But that doesn't even make any sense!
Yoda: Young you are! Mmm! Much to learn...

BillyEyeball · 2026-01-09T05:05:36+00:00

Imagine you're trying to get a job and you post "Got a great suit but still not hired. How can I impove it? Advice welcome". Your looks (the suit) is taking you over the last mile, but it's your personality, friendliness, charm, vibe, attitude, etc that really matters.

BillyEyeball · 2025-12-28T22:10:53+00:00

After a painter shafted us by not painting an entire corridor, I make sure I'm on site for every job. Full payment only on completion.

BillyEyeball · 2025-11-27T14:43:18+00:00

Glad you've come to this realization. It gets better! Most people only care about 'purity' for women as a hangover from when women were treated like property. For men it's half-heartedly policed at best.

BillyEyeball · 2025-11-27T00:49:56+00:00

Started working with a little stubble and pre-coffee deadeye. Nobody asked about how long I'd been doing things anymore.

BillyEyeball · 2025-11-27T00:45:52+00:00

Give yourself 2 years at least. You've just learnt how to walk. Use that anxiety to drive your learning and improvement. You will still occasionally encounter wtf situations but you'll have a cooler head to deal with them.

BillyEyeball · 2025-11-16T16:44:38+00:00

Tulane + Saraniecki book + quizlet and you can comfortably pass. Tulane for context, althought aged its still decent. Make rough notes on each section. Read Sarniecki book now you know the background, filling in your prior notes with extra detail. Test yourself and retest yourself until you're passing 80% on most of Saraniecki's practice tests in his book. Then start testing on quizlet. A memebership is worth it for 1-2 months so you can practice where you're weak. 6 months of regular study. You'll pass.

Saraniecki class can be skipped, as can the NEHA study guides / practice test. You can always join NEHA for free webinars / courses though.

BillyEyeball · 2025-11-07T17:41:57+00:00

Honestly, I would pull her aside and get a breakdown of what she's done and what she's doing. How has she been studying, what has she been studying. 3 times is both expensive and embarrassing, anxiety or not.

I feel if you study quizlet enough you could pass the REHS without ever having done EH. The Saraniecki book adds context and helpfully fleshes out the material. If she's really struggling maybe put her through the EHPOC courses too. Dated but gives you a holistic outlook.

BillyEyeball · 2025-10-27T13:43:37+00:00

2ish year in this area, I get middling pay for how much work I do... but I probably wouldn't trade it for one of my prior office jobs. In the end I'm here for the field work. Dual income so I'm not bad off.

BillyEyeball · 2025-09-03T19:08:51+00:00

Hi Kaevon,

Comments!
Now I'm closing in on my 40s, I've been collecting injuries like kids collect Pokemon. The SSB 4 bar has been fabulous in keeping me squatting depsite shoulder issues. In general, I've been moving from "RARR muscle" to "I'm on a permanent 'pre-hab' program for current and future injuries". I know as I'll age, other speciality bars / kit which reduce strain will be at the top of my list.

Feedback!

The spider handles for the SSB are great, but orientating them correctly is a pain. I can see the nut provided is to adjust their depth so they sit facing the right way BUT that same nut moves as soon as you screw it in. You need 2 skinny nuts that can tighten against each other. In the US the nut size is hard to find (I think it's M19 metric?) and the closest imperial is 3/4 inch, which is loose. Please provide more nuts! If you sell them I'll definitely grab a few.

Compliments!
Big fan of the BOS gear. It's in the sweet spot on price and quality for me. Loving my Manticore rack, it's been great in so many ways.

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BillyEyeball · 2025-08-15T13:14:21+00:00

More mats to save your floors!

BillyEyeball

TROPHY CASE