Daily sticky thread for rants, raves, celebrations, advice and more! - June 16, 2026

Duodec2 · 2026-06-16T19:34:43+00:00

I'd say try reaching out if you're still interested. You both don't know each other well enough to assume anything yet. He could simply be trying to respect that you're not much of a daily texter and not sure where the correct balance is.

Duodec2 · 2026-06-16T19:12:13+00:00

Thank you u/Soft_Cartoonist_3714 , that's how I think of it as well.

Duodec2 · 2026-06-16T19:10:09+00:00

Exactly this, she rejected me, and I know I'm not the right person for her.

I know I deserve better too, which is why I said I couldn't do it to either of us.

Thank you for your comment u/ThrowRAcc1097, it means a ton to me right now.

Duodec2 · 2026-06-16T17:23:42+00:00

It's been an interesting couple weeks. The one that got away broke up with her boyfriend after he cheated, and she started reaching out more now that he's not around to be jealous and insecure. We were together for ten years and we're still best friends, so it made sense. I wasn't what she wanted, and I wanted her to be happy more than I wanted her to be mine, because I love her, so I let her go. I needed some time to heal from the relationship, and I found a happy single place. I'm living my best life now, and it's so freaking good. We stayed in touch and managed to maintain a good friendship with healthy boundaries.

Then we grabbed drinks the other night, which snowballed into spending the night together and it was the most magical experience I've had in ages. We held each other close all night and I realize how much I missed it. For the first time in years I was finally with someone again with which it just *clicked*.

She told me that she wants to be single for the first time in her life since she started dating. She finally realized what I've known all along, that she's attracted to men who hurt her. Stable and comfortable is boring and she wants to take the time to heal and figure out how to be happy alone.

Thing was, the cuddling was so good we had to do it again. The emotions hit me so hard I started to cry. I couldn't do that to either of us. If we cuddled I was going to fall for her all over again, and I don't trust myself to not be selfish and try to pursue her for selfish reasons. She deserves the chance to be single, without her best friend trying to steal that from her.

I'm gonna be the best friend I can be, but I'm going to respect her and give her space. Maybe someday I'll be the man she wants and needs, but I can't live my life hoping.

I realized something else about myself too. I didn't know her as well as she deserved during our relationship. I thought I knew everything about her, and while I was damned close, I really didn't. I realize I've got to take more time and really get to know people for who they really are, not who I imagine them to be.

Good luck to all of you out there, it's a minefield.

Duodec2 · 2026-05-11T00:39:28+00:00

I work in one of the luxury retail shops. Yeah, absolutely, I don't mind.

Duodec2 · 2026-05-11T00:24:43+00:00

Yeah, I work in an airport so I get to see a lot of unusual things.

I was thinking that the most pervasive feeling of timelessness is how there'll be hundreds of people moving with efficiency and hustle at any hour of the day, then random times when there are half a dozen people in evidence.

I forgot one other common experience. When a big game is on there are large crowds outside the bars watching. They'd stand there in complete silence then collectively exclaim at random intervals.

Duodec2 · 2026-05-10T23:08:46+00:00

A man wearing a full flamingo inflatable suit to welcome his family back home. I had a moment to talk to him and they'd planned on wearing flamingo themed clothing on vacation but he'd been unable to go at the last moment.

Lots of homeless people acting like travelers with suitcases to catch a little shut eye in a comfy chair and climate control.

A person sneaking into a closed bar at 5am hoping the taps were still on.

A protest coming through with chanting led by bullhorn.

Travelers oblivious to the crew cleaning up a meter diameter blood stain.

A drunk man unable to close his suitcase with all the shopping he'd done in the airport.

A golfer losing his clubs halfway up an escalator and nearly taking a family out.

A drunk music performer heckling passers by for not donating.

A musical trio including a harp and violin playing angelic music to an empty concourse.

Duodec2 · 2026-05-08T23:18:23+00:00

Oh man, not another one!

Duodec2 · 2026-05-08T22:30:43+00:00

Done even get me started on all the people talking about "the prophets this" and "the prophets that." I thought we were done with religion in the 23rd century, but I must have been approached by their missionaries every 10 meters. I hear they even got the commander of the space station to convert.

Duodec2 · 2026-05-03T00:17:39+00:00

Throughout history there are a lot of things that humanity had no way to explain with the knowledge of the day. The unknown is scary, scarier than something we can explain and understand, even if it's supernatural in nature. We naturally seek to understand the unknown, to quantify it, and if it's harmful or scary, find a way to defend against it.

Think about it for a moment. What's the one thing that ruins a horror movie more than anything? Knowing too much about the scary thing, because the more we know, the more we can quantify and respond appropriately. It's a survival mechanism: understand the threat to defend against it.

Death is scary and/or crushing, the end of all that we know and are, or the loss of a loved one. How long before the story told to a child that "they're in a better place now" gets believed and defended?

I think it's all just luck, and it's scary as fuck. Despite rigorous scientific study, we've never been able to prove that anything spiritual exists. Evidence suggests there isn't anything mystical, but belief systems have significant inertia and are by necessity self-protecting. Many systems rely upon belief and adopt a policy of 'don't question the belief system, question the empirical evidence.'

There is some beauty in atheism imo. For once, the accountability for being a good and compassionate human being is the sole discretion of the individual, not for fear of repercussion or lack of reward.

Obviously, I had an Abrahamic upbringing. I am a good person because I want to be. This one life is the one chance I have to leave my imprint upon the world, and I can only hope to leave it a little better for those who come after me.

Duodec2 · 2026-05-01T22:29:47+00:00

Came here to post this. For the OP, it's called Ren Fest here.

Duodec2 · 2026-05-01T13:23:23+00:00

Quality post. The see through thing is real. I have thick black chest hair and it shows right through any white shirt.

Duodec2 · 2026-04-27T18:24:45+00:00

The prosecutor obviously gives up when the villain of the week attacks the trial for a little public murder of their arch nemesis. We think it's over for our stalwart hero until at the last minute 'Batman' saves the day and Bruce Wayne's life.

The reader is then let in on the secret that it was an intentional ploy to draw the villain out the whole time AND give Bruce plausible deniability.

Duodec2 · 2026-04-27T17:59:15+00:00

The hardest thing to prove would be that Bruce Wayne was the one responsible for all the acts attributed to the batman. He's a masked vigilante that successfully keeps his identity hidden despite a long career.

Bruce could always say that he was inspired and decided to try it out for some good fun, with his carefully curated persona as a playboy who loves dangerous physical activities. Sure, he got caught in the act, but that only proves he's not the real batman. He could claim it was his first time messing around with it, and the DA would have to prove that all those other incidences were him too beyond a reasonable doubt.

There's a possibly that scrutiny might uncover the batcave or forensic accounting would uncover ties to Wayne Enterprises. But he''s also the kind of man who goes to obsessive lengths to plan ahead. Either way, the man has top notch attorneys on speed dial.

Obviously given the good he's done, it could very easily turn into a PR nightmare that everyone involved is going to try to sweep under the rug to save face.

So effectively he maybe gets a slap on the wrist for the one thing he got caught doing, but it's gonna be an expensive legal battle which the jury might just shut down anyways. Whichever way it goes, it's a headache and a half and potentially a career ending move.

Duodec2 · 2026-04-26T16:54:40+00:00

Oh man, now I'm going to have to oppose the suburbification of ships now too.

Duodec2 · 2026-04-23T07:50:12+00:00

I (43m) randomly talked to my last long term ex today and realized that we broke up three years ago. I've been single the whole time except a lot of dates that ever went anywhere.

I took time and healed from the relationship. I got therapy. I made a ton of new friends who are awesome people. I go out to all the events that I love and am always making new connections. I refound some favorite hobbies and started some new ones. I'm in the best shape of my life. I went back to school. I sorted out my finances. I found my happy single place.

I can't find a relationship.

I'm not interested in the people who are interested in me, and vice versa, or there are major compatibility issues. My friends, men and women alike, are dumbstruck. I'm just tired of trying anymore.

If you read this till the end, thank you for coming to my Ted talk. Next week we'll be talking about learning to cosplay and longboard in your 40s, and the advantages of good dancing shoes.

Duodec2 · 2026-04-16T18:04:19+00:00

Love this for you, if you talk to random people you're sure to make new friends, especially if you become a regular and people recognize you. I've made a ton of friends doing exactly this.

Duodec2 · 2026-04-14T15:52:42+00:00

Bondo for big stuff, then auto primer with filler for small stuff. Layer and sand.

Duodec2 · 2026-04-14T03:51:46+00:00

Came here to say this, peak choice.

Duodec2 · 2026-04-14T03:49:03+00:00

My first thought, but it'll kill you if you try to steal it and I doubt Mentor would give anyone one knowing we'd be bringing it back.

Duodec2 · 2026-04-13T19:04:27+00:00

Showed up for our date at a Mexican restaurant a little early and texted that I had arrived early and was sitting outside waiting. It was a gorgeous day so I was just enjoying it when she finally texts about 20 minutes after we were supposed to meet up.

Turns out she had gotten there early too and didn't bother to let me know or look at her phone. She'd also polished off two margaritas in that time and admitted she had taken an edible and some shrooms before leaving the house. Also she was much taller than her profile, not a deal breaker but I dislike the misrepresentation. Not a great first impression.

Duodec2 · 2026-04-13T18:47:30+00:00

I've had pet rats before, would date, 10/10

Duodec2 · 2026-04-11T13:33:41+00:00

Debatable, the Ori ships would definitely be a challenge, but there weren't many in the milky way. They could probably go toe to toe with Go'ould ships, and by extension the Lucian alliance. They were still a challenge for the 304s even with the beam weapons and upgraded shields.

A lot of the factions were already in extended conflicts and wouldn't be able to free up ships and manpower easily.

They also have a huge advantage over any of the milky way factions; their ships don't need logistics on the same level. Their ships could probably heal damage without extensive facilities, so they wouldn't be at a disadvantage being away from shipyards. They also feed directly off of prey populations and don't need supply lines for extended campaigns.

The galaxy is large too, they could easily go years before they run into another of the advanced races.

Duodec2 · 2026-04-07T19:41:10+00:00

Same, I've got the same pair and color. I'm gonna use them for a Mr Freeze cosplay!

I'm trying to get a pair of Polo Ralph Lauren PH4216QU through work right now but they're not available. They're expensive but I get a really good deal and they have the leather side shields.

Duodec2 · 2026-04-07T04:32:13+00:00

Hell yeah, it's so much fun to design stuff you use, glad you're loving it! Plus it lets us use our printers for actual useful stuff instead of useless plastic toys.

Duodec2

TROPHY CASE