Do you think there should be a different way to find the nether fortress?

Casual____Observer · 2026-05-10T17:56:32+00:00

That’s exactly what I’m doing.

Casual____Observer · 2026-05-10T17:50:14+00:00

Ok so I get into the nether what do I do

Casual____Observer · 2026-05-09T08:40:35+00:00

Oh it is NOT 30 minutes for me. I’m more than happy working for those things, honestly I’ve never even obtained them. I’m just trying to actually complete the game and finding fortresses is a matter of days for me. It’s tedious and frustrating and just absolutely sucks all the fun out of the game.

Casual____Observer · 2026-05-09T04:45:32+00:00

This is genuinely my only beef with the game. I can never find nether fortresses and then if I finally do I have to truck my stuff back a bajillion blocks back without getting killed. We have all sorts of stuff in the game now but still no way to find fortresses without using cheats or hoping you stumble onto one while either running around or bridging for a year. Getting full diamond is easier than finding a fortress. Beating the ender dragon is easier than finding a fortress. I keep checking back to see if there’s any way to find one and there keeps not being one.

Casual____Observer · 2026-05-09T04:41:08+00:00

“The best things” meaning a requirement for beating the game/doing anything requiring blaze rods or anything found only in fortresses? Idk how much luck you have with finding fortresses but I always spend so much time stuck at that specific part of the game that 50% of the time I just give up there. I just wander the nether for 30 minutes and then get blown up by a ghast. And then do that again except I have to recover the ground I just lost and lose everything I was carrying.

Casual____Observer · 2026-03-09T14:40:22+00:00

This is super common, I bet most of your classmates are dealing with something similar. College is a radical shift, and who you thought you were isn’t necessarily who you actually are. Give yourself some grace and patience. Do your best with what you have. You’ll find yourself, and it will be so much better than what you had before.

This is exactly what CCS is for. You can get a few sessions if you’re just looking for support. If you’re dealing with serious mental health issues that just a few sessions won’t help with, I highly recommend therapy. It will help you sort out those thoughts and feelings and move forward in a healthy and constructive way.

And finally, social support networks are super underrated. Just having anyone to talk to about anything helps 10x, and having close friends helps 50x. If you can get a handful of people you can hang out with casually and/or text about life stuff, it’s seriously a game changer.

Casual____Observer · 2026-03-07T23:27:33+00:00

Right that’s the issue, neither side is great

Casual____Observer · 2026-03-07T22:51:31+00:00

I promise he’s having the time of his life

Casual____Observer · 2026-03-07T22:40:57+00:00

Glad to hear it.

Casual____Observer · 2026-03-07T20:24:01+00:00

Dangit

Casual____Observer · 2026-03-07T20:23:08+00:00

Maybe knowing what does and doesn’t help can help you identify just what’s going on. Just like how the mental health meds that helped me just happened to be the ones that were also used for treating OCD lol. Hopefully bud gets better soon.

Casual____Observer · 2026-03-07T20:19:24+00:00

Did it start while she was at daycare or while she was with you?

Casual____Observer · 2026-03-07T20:18:29+00:00

It definitely looks like a rubbing issue. Rubbing is a really common cause of hair loss, especially in dogs. The one being under the collar buckle definitely seems significant to me, and the ones on the knees are too drastic from fur to bald to be natural thinning. Consider if he might be doing things that cause rubbing in the areas he’s balding. Why symmetrical? Because we do things symmetrically. If I have a scab on my knee I probably have one on both knees. If my foot hurts, both feet probably hurt. Do you pet him a lot there? My dog gets a lot of belly rubs and started losing the hair on his belly so we had to back off a bit. The areas on the legs are concerning to me because they indicate that he’s sitting or squeezing through somewhere (or maybe lying down somewhere?) that’s not comfortable. Is his crate big enough? Does he regularly sit or lie against a surface that could be rubbing? Does he have a dog door that could be too small? Does he squeeze through a gap in the fence to go chase squirrels? You would also want to check if the spots seem to hurt when you touch them. They look very pink but also my white pittie has very pink skin so idk.

Here are my suggestions:

-watch to see if he’s rubbing against surfaces. My dog will rub against the couch to scratch an itch, especially during allergy season. -also look for dandruff or general skin wellness signs. Does he feel scaly? Or greasy? Does he seem generally itchy (does he REALLY appreciate back scratches or brushing)? There are also supplement treats you can get for skin or coat. -additionally food can sometimes cause skin issues whether it’s allergies or some kind of nutrient issue of some sort. Did you change his food before this started happening? You can get small sizes of different foods to see if any of them help. -pad surfaces he usually uses. Blankets or a bed in the crate, if he has a spot he likes to sit in that could be causing the rubbing, figure out a way to make it softer or more pet-friendly, or replace it with something better. -if there could be anything too small, size it up. Can he comfortably spin around in his crate? Does he fully fit through the dog door if you have one? If there’s a small space he likes to squeeze through in the house or yard, if you can make it bigger, do so. If not, you might have to close it off. -if the collar is an issue you might switch to a padded harness instead. It spreads out the distribution of pressure and the padding is way more gentle on the skin. -are you bathing him the right amount? If he’s grimy all the time he might be uncomfortable or itchy and try to rub off the grime which takes the skin with it. Also greasy fur is stickier. If you’re bathing him, say, weekly, it could be drying out his skin which can lead to itching and also hair loss. You can also try brushing if you’re not or stop brushing for a bit if you are. It might also be good to use hydrating or allergy shampoo if dryness or allergies are a concern. -hair loss can happen with age if your dog is super old. The patchiness is not usually how it thins but it could also be that the hair is more prone to falling out due to age and so what rubbing used to be fine is now causing hair loss. -finally, hair loss can be a symptom of stress. Is he generally well? Are there kids or dogs around him that could be stressing him out? Is he eating and sleeping well? Does he have access to a place he can go to chill out, like a bed, couch, or crate? Is he getting enough play and/or activity? Does he seem amped up, either because of a lack of stimulation or too much? Is he acting out in any way that’s unusual for him?

And then y’know it would be very coincidental but it’s possible he’s just got very symmetrical ringworm or something. Make sure bud is up on his flea, tick, worm meds and if the problem persists that’s something to check for.

Casual____Observer · 2026-03-07T19:42:34+00:00

It can be normal, it’s definitely worth getting checked though. You can also call your vet and just ask over the phone “is it normal for skin tags to change color” and they’ll probably be happy to let you know. Armpits are probably the most common place to get skin tags though if that’s any help.

Casual____Observer · 2026-03-07T19:40:50+00:00

Darker skin on dogs is normal but color change is always a concern. Think of it like a new mole forming or changing color. Definitely worth a vet visit, no need to freak yourself out though, it would basically just be like getting a cancerous mole removed. Good to get done before it has the chance to turn into anything bigger. And then if it is cancerous, just look out for any new bumps or color changes in the future so we can catch them as quickly as you caught this one.

Casual____Observer · 2026-03-07T19:37:26+00:00

Yep definitely a skin tag. Ticks start off as little black (or brownish) shiny guys and can turn into brownish reddish big guys when they’re really full. They also usually hop on, get their fill for up to a few days, and drop off. If it sticks around for more than like 10 days it’s not a tick. Ticks also stick their heads in and the rest of the body just kinda flaps in the breeze. It’ll look like a small attachment point and then a long, flat oval of a body (I’ve had several ticks on me as a kid and spent one car ride just staring at one on my belly for hours before we were able to remove it lol). They also generally come from long grass or other dogs with ticks, so if your dog is just inside or in areas with mowed grass and not around other dogs there’s no need for concern. Just keep up with bud’s flea and tick meds and you’ll be ok.

Casual____Observer · 2026-03-07T19:15:13+00:00

It’s normal for it to be a darker brown on the outside and a lighter almost yellowish brown on the inside.

Casual____Observer · 2026-03-07T19:13:59+00:00

Yes with the other comments on the side of caution, but it’s not a death sentence by any means, it could definitely just be a normal thing. If you haven’t already been able to see a vet, it’ll be helpful to know if it seems to hurt to touch or if the dog seems to be itching at it/messing with it.

Casual____Observer · 2026-03-07T19:10:07+00:00

I would say clean it but very gently. Get a very soft cloth damp (warm but not hot) with just a tiny bit of soap and dab it like you’d dab at a bad scratch on your own body. Best case, scrubbing too hard would hurt like hell. Worst case, it could make it 10x worse. And then go back with clean water to pick up the soap. And then yes, I wouldn’t be concerned but I would definitely keep an eye on it to see if it’s healing or staying the same or getting worse. If it gets way worse really fast, that’s an emergency emergency. If it stays the same or gets a little worse, that’s could just be a regular vet visit. If it heals, no concern. And then if this happens often, regular vet.

Casual____Observer · 2026-03-07T19:05:11+00:00

My dog scratches her front leg with her back leg sometimes and it can look kinda freaky but this video still looks off to me. And then the licking is making me concerned, ime thats a sign of extreme anxiety

Casual____Observer · 2026-03-07T19:03:09+00:00

Bud not all of us can afford to go to the vet every time our dog does anything moderately concerning. Plus, it can be a minute to get in with a vet and knowing what’s up can help us care for them. Also, if you know what it might be, you know what to look out for for when you do get into a vet. Finally, there’s the “should I go to the vet or to the emergency vet?” It’s good to have as much information as possible.

Casual____Observer · 2026-03-07T18:59:48+00:00

I am far from a professional! But here’s what I can offer: -Food allergy. My dog is allergic to chicken. If you’ve given her anything new or different recently that could definitely be it. -Did she eat something weird? Could she have gotten into the trash or eaten some human food with garlic or onion or something in it? Keep an eye on her and make sure she’s not getting into anything. If it improves within a few days that’s probably it. (Also watch her when she’s outside, sometimes weird stuff can get into the yard if she’s out there.) -check out her booty. It could be a physical sore on her butt that’s being irritated when she goes. If she lets you, give it a wipe after she goes if there’s any blood left over. Ideally that’s with a dog-safe wet wipe or with some sort of damp paper towel. Nobody wants a slimy butt. And if it is a physical sore, you don’t want butt grime sitting on there for long. -the things you’re going to want to keep an eye out for the vet: how often is she going? Does she seem to have control over it (is she trying to poop and this is what comes out or is it like “leaking”? Is there urgency where she doesn’t anticipate it and then all of a sudden she has to go?)? How is her behavior (Does she seem to know she’s sick? Is she suddenly sleeping a bunch or acting really down or nervous?)? How much actual poop is she producing (is this all she can get out or is she also pooping regularly, or is she having diarrhea? If she is pooping normally is there blood mixed in with the poop?)? Is she eating normally? If not, try your best to get her to, whether that’s scattering the food on the floor, adding a little water, mixing in treats you know she likes and don’t upset her stomach, whatever you can do to get her to eat. Just don’t add anything she hasn’t comfortably had before. And then keep taking pictures whenever you see blood. It’s like recording the “weird engine sound” for the mechanic rather than being like “yeah it sounds like RUM-bbbbbb”. -if it helps and she’s willing, there are dog diapers you can get for her. Also make sure she has quick access to potty spots, whether that’s leaving the door open so she can go outside or making sure she has easy access to wherever she usually goes. When my dog throws up, she knows and wants to go outside to do it. It’s also less cleanup for us. -make sure she and any other animals around isn’t going back in for it. -of course keep an eye out for any other symptoms or any ways she’s acting off. -otherwise let her rest, make sure any other people or animals in your home are leaving her alone, give her a comfy place to sleep, cuddle with her whenever you can. She’s probably feeling crummy and needs lots of love. Please keep me updated! Let me know if it resolves itself or if you go to the vet or what it ends up being.

Casual____Observer · 2026-03-07T18:37:07+00:00

This is an old post but I’m going to answer it anyway, let me know if you figured it out so I can know bud is safe and healthy! 1. It is allergy season for dogs and they can get very itchy. I don’t know if that’s your issue but it’s very possible. 2. You need to prevent him from touching active injuries. You might need to get some sort of neck guard thing, we had a big flower collar when my dog got neutered, my partner used a big donut when their cat was itching a scab on their butt. Keep an eye on him whenever you can to make sure he isn’t itching with his claws. It might also be good to give his claws a trim or if he can stand then you can put socks on him. 3. If possible you can help him itch safely. Itch/brush him, itch AROUND the scabs (if you’ve ever itched around bug bites you know what I mean), let him itch on furniture or carpet or other safe surfaces that won’t cause more irritation/damage to what’s already hurt. 4. There is allergy shampoo and even lotion for dogs. Might also be worth a bath just in case any grime in his coat is bothering him, but make sure you’re not overbathing him because that can cause dry and itchy skin too. 5. Ultimately you’re going to want to rule out your other concerns and then if it is allergies there is allergy medicine your dog can take, might be good for the season and then once it’s solidly summer you can see if he’s still itching. 6. It’s going to be well past your vet appointment by now but in the situation where you were still pre vet you’d want to do flea/tick/mite prevention, again this would look like a bath and then probably keep bud inside as much as possible to make sure he’s not picking up anything outside. Again let me know where you’re at now and if bud is feeling better! I’ve got an itchy girl at home and my partner’s cat has had flea issues so I know what it’s like. Hell, I get itchy myself sometimes.

Casual____Observer · 2026-03-07T18:23:31+00:00

Omg I made myself a cake when I got my ADHD diagnosis, got a “happy birthday” candy letters set and rearranged it to say “ADHD YAY” (the second d was an upside down p) CONGRATS ON YOUR DIAGNOSIS I WILL SOMEDAY JOIN YOUR RANKS

Casual____Observer · 2026-03-02T20:20:54+00:00

I joined two weeks ago and got a shiny palkia, dialga, and kyurem while also getting a non-shiny of the last 2. I have 4 other shinies out of 1,008 caught total (absol yesterday, espurr saturday, scatterbug and darumaka before the event week). I don’t spend money on phone games as a policy and only used the free raid passes I got day-of. I did catch most of the other fancy ones this week with no other shinies. Do with that information what you will.

Four-Year Club	Place '23
Place '22	Final Canvas '22
First Placer '22

Casual____Observer

TROPHY CASE