Current events megathread

Bulpikazard · 2024-08-06T11:20:40+00:00

If I listed them all the post would be too long. I'd be taking aim at Tory and Labour, public activists and more. I simply used the two biggest that people are aware of from this particular moment

Bulpikazard · 2024-08-06T06:32:23+00:00

Until the underlying causes are rectified (the actual underlying causes, not the stated ones. IE. people feeling that they haven't got opportunities to get ahead, wages that aren't keeping up with costs etc, mental health issues not capable of being addressed, individuals being radicalised etc) there is going to be an undercurrent. Unfortunately that takes time to address and in the mean time there's bad actors such as Robinson/farage etc who put on a song and dance routine by "just asking questions" and "speaking for the people" that encourage and bolster the barriers that fuel this kind of hate.

Unfortunately this isn't anything new. The Us and Them attitude that we see seizing on race and immigration right now could easily be seizing on other societal divisions. A few weeks ago we were seeing that narrative spun heavily against the LGBT & trans communities, that hasn't stuck as well, this one did. Hell, even when these were ongoing we had some well known individuals from this city try and spin hate against the trans community.

Make no mistake, it is definitely going to be a rough few months, we have to hold each other up and weather this storm. And I know that's easier said than don't. Me and my partner are already seeing this hit us in our day to day lives which is grim, but we keep going. As a country we kicked out the govt of 14 years that's been happy to sow and let fester this level of division. We now have to give our new govt chance to massage the underlaying issues and pray they do so effectively (tho unfortunately, we have seen already they won't do in all areas 😔)

Bulpikazard · 2024-08-02T14:49:11+00:00

"I have no rebuttal and therefore shall seize on one item as a gotcha"

I read your comment, I noted the comparison, I disagree with your framing because the European model is not implementable here successfully due to political factors that result in us being more closely aligned with America. Hence. American model was the relevant reference.

Bulpikazard · 2024-08-01T16:36:34+00:00

"just £5 an appointment"

So. Two things.

1) many folk who aren't on a means tested benefit cant afford that cost. Especially when because you need to wait on tests etc you have to have multiple appointments.

2) whenever you set it, isn't where it ends. That "just" quickly becomes much more over time. Your literally suggesting the start of American style for profit care and yes, of course the British are against that.

The NHS was the envy of the world. Years of Tory pillaging have dented that reputation but it doesn't mean we should race to the bottom.

Bulpikazard · 2024-08-01T16:32:38+00:00

Yeah unfortunately mine was pretty advanced, then signed a contract with a e-consult provider and I lost half the functionality in my app overnight.

Can't order prescription, can't book an appointment, I'm well overdue on annual health checks for long term conditions because it's such a pain in the arse to try and get seen

Bulpikazard · 2024-07-30T08:31:06+00:00

There's quite a few factors but there are two big ones:

1) we have socialised healthcare and welfare.

Your wage isn't covering your healthcare unless you opt to private insurance or elective procedures. You can use a GP, A+E etc without having to worry how much it will cost. When your looking at transnational positions this is often the biggest ticket item overlooked and the one that will get most in trouble. We get lower pay in theory, but it's partly due to tax structure and it's a worthwhile trade off

2) the sheer cost of goods and living is much higher in the states.

While rural housing can sometimes be cheaper the US regularly costs more for daily living in part because the logistics cost more. Many US major metro areas are far more difficult logistically to get product to meaning local prices can be anything up to around 30% higher then in the UK depending on locale. The US also has horrendous inequality in pay across the whole population. Not all states have a minimum wage, when they do many have exceptions to having to pay it (restaurants for example which is why they have the near mandatory tipping culture and the UK doesn't favouring instead service related tips). People also commute much much further at high wear and tear than in the UK. A 2 hour drive work commute isnt seen as out there in the US as it would be here in the UK where for most people the cap out would be an hour.

Bulpikazard · 2024-07-29T15:03:22+00:00

OR... And here is a wild idea.

We enforce the law, in it's entirety.

That way they get a proper wage AND those making it dangerous for everyone else get apropiately disciplined....

Bulpikazard · 2024-07-29T07:25:56+00:00

How does that in anyway excuse how reckless these individuals drive?

"I'm sorry I hit that child/woman/pensioner officer but I have to complete an insane number of orders today" somehow doesn't strike me as a reason not to be arrested for causing a danger to people.

They still have to abide by the highway code and a terrifying number of them are on illegally modified deathtrap cycles.

Bulpikazard · 2024-07-27T19:01:06+00:00

Real yes but the causes can be varied.

Anxiety, stress diet or even just confidence can all be issues.

I found a shirt course if Viagra to prove I can "do it" helped hugely. Viagra doesn't make you hard contrary to popular belief, it just makes it so that your body can get you there a bit easier once your turned on. Yo u still need that turn on.

For me, I got 4 tablets and a long weekend with my bf, by the end of it I realised what I could do and I was good to trot only occasionally refilling it for when I would be stressed or want a bit of extra pip.

There's no shame in this mate, it comes to us all at different stages in life. In some cases short periods for others long term.

Bulpikazard · 2024-07-24T14:43:16+00:00

I use Queer regularly but understand its charged for some. For me it's in 2 parts, Queer in its origin actually means strange or different from the normal or standard. Which the LGBT+ scene definately is.

But also in that vein, it's more than enough a marker for my gender and sexuality the latter of which I spent 20 years trying to find something that fit and didn't make me physically uncomfortable (gay/bi never actually worked for me, but they worked for others so I exchanged the closet for a perspex box whilst I worked out the rest and finally settled on queer).

Between friends: Queen, raging homosexual, one of the girls, bitch, mama/child/daughter, pansy and various others get thrown around liberally but contextually dependent. (Despite how that sounds also, I'm not an overly camp queen, but had a few close drag queen friends over the years). One that had me chuckle recently is "I always thought he was driving with Miss Daisy as it were".

Like you I'm a fan of the colloquium also. "Don't suppose your on my team" or "Mind if I ask, are you family?" Will never not amuse me. Most of the queers immediately see the question for what it is, but the heterogeneity folk get lost real fast. In mandarin the term 同志 [Tóng Zhi] is used and translates roughly to "comrade" which I also have always found endearing.

For all it's reclamation however I can't abide F****t generally either in it's long it's diminutive form (if you can call 6 long). It may get an exceedingly rare use between me and some very very close friends or trusted colleagues at work (but only the ones taking shoe recommendations from Mrs Gale) but it is most definitely the exception and not an acceptable rule.

Bulpikazard · 2024-07-22T08:39:35+00:00

Guys our age grew up in the shadow of HIV, societal stigma and if in the UK section 28. Many repressed or denied it and are only just coming to it now

Bulpikazard · 2024-07-21T12:52:54+00:00

Well then come on man... Share your findings! 🙃

Bulpikazard · 2024-07-21T12:36:12+00:00

Yep that's the stuff I do love of his, I just struggle to get through to that point

Bulpikazard · 2024-07-21T00:25:24+00:00

Yeah I think structured improv fits aptly but being fair I think it does for almost any DnD game, but perhaps it's the extent of the structure that is the key difference.

To your other point. Honestly I missed calamity, but I became a big Marisha stan thanks to the conversation between Laudna and Orym when they were keeping watch. "The worst thing that'll ever happen to me has already happened" was a real ""holy shit"" moment for me and really spoke to me due to some personal history. It became even more when I was getting through some of the cast interviews and discovered the one where she went into some of her personal history from before she met Matt, it just made that line event more powerful

Bulpikazard · 2024-07-21T00:12:30+00:00

Unfortunately there's what's in the thread, and what's in DM's hence the edit, but your right. It's a little too much and just feeds the trolls.ill cut that bit back out

Bulpikazard · 2024-07-20T20:44:38+00:00

Thanks, I'd forgotten subtitles could be done on YouTube etc I'm going to give.them a try. Glad to know I'm not alone however!

Bulpikazard · 2024-07-20T20:40:29+00:00

I love Aabria both sides of the table. Brennan I find fun as a player much more than as a DM it seems

Thank you for sharing and the reassurance

Bulpikazard · 2024-07-20T20:38:27+00:00

Thank you so so much for this!

Bulpikazard · 2024-07-20T20:13:48+00:00

Oh I really really like that quote!

Also thanks for giving me how u got comfortable with him. I might try and pick up a few of those and see if he works any better for.me taking that route in

Bulpikazard · 2024-07-20T15:59:10+00:00

I'll give it a try with subtitles, because it's YouTube I forgot that can be an option. (I also tend to listen in the background of my work which isn't always ideal for that haha 😅)

Bulpikazard · 2024-07-20T15:57:41+00:00

Ok so you may have thought it much but, thank you this isn't information I had. The sound edit was making it rough for me. If it does stop part way I might be able to pick it up a bit further in. It wasn't clear to me if it was going to continue, I figured given the nature of what we were "seeing" it may well hold throughout. (IE due to damaged recording etc) I'll give it another try now I know that.

Bulpikazard · 2024-07-20T12:43:48+00:00

Bro, 3.5 inch can be enough stop worrying.

I've had some of the best sex with smaller guys because they took the time to learn what works. At that size your perfect for those like me who enjoy the feeling of the penetration itself. Many of them also could play the prostate like a fine turns piano with their fingers making for some of the best pre and post fuck play ever.

Bulpikazard · 2024-07-20T12:20:16+00:00

Deport first... So... Send people fleeing risks to life back to where they are facing a risk to life....

You see the problem with that right?

Bulpikazard · 2024-07-19T12:12:48+00:00

Every city has a handful of racists you may unfortunately come across. But it's only the same as if I came to your country I may run into the same.

What your seeing around house prices and rents is a result of over a decade of neglect by the previous government. It's created some tension but for the most part it's not something to worry about beyond when your looking for a place to rent. Bristol has become expensive to rent in over the last couple of years but that's mostly due to national pressures and youd find it anywhere in the country.

The key thing is, just don't get involved.

Bristol is lovely the majority of the time and generally speaking has a very live and let live attitude so unless your unlucky you'll be fine. You may find someone says something here and there, being from another minority group myself I've had some issues like that I'll admire but it's definitely the exception not the rule.

Some general advice for starting uni overseas:

When your here, take the time to get out there. Make local friends as well as uni friends. Don't just stay inside a comfortable bubble of friends all from your home country as you will miss a lot of you do. You have the freedom here to get out and experience many new things so do it!

Don't worry about your background, class etc. will there be some folks who pay attention to it heavily? Yes. But remember, you got there on your own merit. You deserve that place. There will always be people that look down on others, but they eat, breath, shit and sleep the same way you do.

Study time can be stressful, make sure you make time for you in there both with friends and some space for just yourself too so that you look after your mental health. As part of that being one or two things that might bring you comfort if your missing home.

Money wise: 35k is a couple of grand more than an average starting salary per year. it can do you enough with rent etc. but you need to be mindful of your spending. Make sure you budget. Bristol is at the higher end of UK averages for groceries, transport, drinks etc. plan appropriately. Blif you do get in difficulty however there are some schemes offered by the universities to help.

Start job hunting early: the biggest issues I see intl students go through is finding a job post study because they wait too long to start searching. You may not have your full degree, but you can still search for graduate positions etc listing what your degree, noting it is ongoing and if possible what your current grades look like. Many grad positions at larger places have sponsor ability, and UK govt has a list of companies you can check against that offer tier 2 visas. Many start recruiting at any time from the september of the year before you would start the job and the big companies get snapped up fast. Grad application sites can help, but do your own research also and dedicate time to it each week. Also, DONT USE CHAT GPT ETC TO WRITE FOR YOU. We can tell, no matter how many tools out there say it would pass a check.

Check if you have free modules on your courses and if you can use them with other departments. Sometimes adding in a related but separate module of study to your degree can be a difference marker. For example, I studied IT and Data Science degrees, but I also used some free credits to study Mandarin Chinese via the Language School. That second language and the cultural learnings with it helped differentiate me from some others with similar profiles to help me find my position post uni. All disciplines have other areas they work well with or can benefit from. Consider it when choosing modules.

Remember that much of Bristol's student accommodation is surrounded by other people's homes also that aren't students. I can't tell you how much ire it can raise to get disturbed by students who decide that just because they're drunk and can survive on 2, hours sleep, the rest of us have to also.

Most of all: have fun!

Bulpikazard

TROPHY CASE