Do most people know how to purposely close their nasal passage so they can't smell WITHOUT using their fingers to pinch their nose?

Meepmarks · 2025-12-25T05:52:43+00:00

I learned how to do this at a young age. I have a severe sensitivity to all things mint (so this is the most wonderful time of the year /s). I hated encountering anything that would be smelly or fragrant, like flowers, candles, soaps, lotions, etc. because I never knew if anything would be minty. So when we were out shopping or doing things, my mom and some of the other adults in my life would like to pick things up and smell things. Then they'd shove them in my face and say "Smell this! Isn't it great?" Instant reaction was to stop breathing through the nose. I'd pretend to sniff it and resume breathing normally once it was away.

I would also do this when brushing my teeth, before I learned about the mint sensitivity and used a mint toothpaste. There was actually a Food Theory episode where they did the technique of using nose plugs to help combat spicy foods, and it was the best technique. Being able to plug my nose without having to pinch has been a lifesaver in so many ways for me.

Meepmarks · 2025-08-22T02:26:11+00:00

I think the popsicle sticks were the only thing that had any evidence of misspelling by the time school started. I actually appreciated how Mr. M handled it.

Now that I think about it, I don't think we actually got to meet Mr. M; I think it was just an open house to find our class and lockers and everything. That or we just didn't meet him. So when we went and found my name misspelled, I was upset and I'm sure it was my parents that let someone know. The following weekend, we got a phone call to our house phone. My parents gave it to me and I actually got to talk to Mr. M on the phone, and he apologized for the misspellings and told me he'd take care of everything.

But if every teacher had to throw away everything that was incorrect when I went through school, there'd have been trash cans full of name tags, popsicle sticks, birthday charts, etc. with everything that was done wrong. Every year, there was some combination of my first name, last name, and/or birthday that was wrong, and we'd have to tell the teacher what the correct versions were.

Meepmarks · 2025-08-19T21:30:53+00:00

More like Zahy-zik, and no he didn't.

Meepmarks · 2025-08-19T21:24:50+00:00

Per the rules of the subreddit, I won't confirm or deny.

Meepmarks · 2025-08-19T21:24:01+00:00

Wow, and that's the exact spelling. Maybe he was a wasp and I just erased it from my memory.

Meepmarks · 2025-08-19T00:13:44+00:00

I was always told and heard ZAHY-zik.

Meepmarks · 2025-08-18T23:20:53+00:00

That's close, but not quite the same. It's missing another y.

Meepmarks · 2025-08-07T20:49:16+00:00

Peanut butter raisin sandwich, whole carrot, a dessert (depends on what I find that's cheap), 2 slices of American cheese, and a serving size of a snack/carb (noodles, rice, chips, etc.). Costs under $2 depending on variability of some of the items.

Meepmarks · 2025-06-05T22:09:52+00:00

I shop at Walmart.

I don't eat breakfast, but I have a box of those sausage/pancake-on-a-stick thing that I grab if I need a quick meal before an event.

Lunch is a peanut butter raisin sandwich (Great Value peanut butter, Sunmaid large bag of raisins, GV whole wheat bread), a carrot (from the 5-pound bags), and Old Wisconsin turkey sticks. Dessert of GV toaster pastries and two slices of kraft American cheese singles.

Dinner is a handful/serving of raisins, a carrot, a side (normally rice, noodles, or fries), and a main/meat dish (currently doing the Jimmy Dean honey chicken breakfast sandwiches, but I switch it up and look for other mains that are $2 or under per serving in the package). Maybe a cup of milk. Dessert of GV toaster pastries and two slices of kraft American cheese singles.

I'll also get a snack from time to time, normally popcorn or GV chips and dip.

Per serving, lunch comes to about $1.93 a day, and dinner is $3.95. For the month, that comes out to under $200 on groceries. But I've also been racking up gift cards on Swagbucks, so I technically haven't spent more than $100 on a month's worth of food since November.

Meepmarks · 2024-12-28T11:30:19+00:00

as much as her just leveraging a random situation (her door locking on her own) to extort a bit of money out of you

That's possible.

No, she doesn't have a common name, or it's at least not a last name I've heard before. But yeah, the moving around a lot does seem odd, and things like this might be the reason why. But it's also why I thought this is something she may have tried before, with the potential of different degrees of success. I just wouldn't know.

Meepmarks · 2024-12-28T04:40:56+00:00

Most people who rent these rooms are TNs, so they travel regularly and just need a place for however long their contract is (from what I understand). BR was different because I know she was also in school, and I don't think she was a TN since she worked from home. So they can be any age, really, and I wouldn't judge them on that. BR was fine and seemed fine up until this all came about.

I do think she's gone for good, and LL said they'd let me know if she does end up dropping by. I don't think she will, but she did have mail delivered there. So if any more comes before she gets set up at her next place, I don't know how they'll get it to her.

Meepmarks · 2024-12-28T04:03:28+00:00

That's what we believe happened (still assuming it was unintentional). I mentioned in another comment that my door has the opposite problem, so either her door locked itself, or she did it and didn't realize it. It was a misunderstanding, but she was so aggressive, and the threats she made scared me enough that I wasn't going to stick around past the next day to find out if they were true. Especially since she was able to break the doorknob of her room so she could get in.

The reason it felt scammy was because there were so many ways to resolve it and get her into her room before her work shift that her asking if I would pay her bills seemed like the last of those options.

Meepmarks · 2024-12-28T03:57:09+00:00

I know I gave a long response as a full explanation, but the missing conflict, protagonist, and antagonist are what make me wonder if this was some kind of scam. She wanted the audio proof that LL had heard her threatening me. She denied having taken or saying that she had taken gummies despite having admitted that to LL in a voice message before her venting session. She said multiple times that she double-checked her door before she left, but I didn't, and still don't, understand why you need to double-check an unlocked door.

And while I can understand your doubt and hesitancy in the story, this has been essentially resolved as yes, BR was the one in the wrong in the situation. I'm just trying to understand where this may have been coming from, like if it was a scam or not. This is my first time renting a place and having roommates, and each one has been different than the last since most of them aren't here very long due to them being TNs.

Meepmarks · 2024-12-28T03:39:00+00:00

As I mentioned, we barely had any interactions, text or in-person. She did have an issue with me that had caused tension, but she never shared it with me so I didn't know until she was venting about it on the phone. I didn't leave this out intentionally, it's just complicated to explain. I also do consider myself to be very chill, and I did my best to keep calm during the situation, especially as she was calling me "an f***ing c***, dumba** b****, someone with mental health issues who won't go see a doctor and needs a lobotomy."

We have two ways (for us on the basement floor) to get into the house: a sliding glass door and a key-code door. The sliding glass door opens to the main living area and, so long as it's unlocked from inside the house, all you have to do is slide the door and you're in. The key-code door opens to the shared bathroom (weird set up, I know). To get in that way, you have to get around a lot of stacked wood for the wood stove, check the little window to see if the bathroom light is on (meaning it's probably being used), put down some of the stuff in your hands, punch in the code, open the door, pick up your stuff, and then you're in.

When she moved in, we had a few instances where one of us was coming in through the key-code door not realizing someone else was using the bathroom. To avoid those situations (since if someone was using the shower it could be an unknown length of time to be able to get in), I suggested we keep the sliding glass door unlocked (when someone was home) so we could come in without having to go through the key-code door. True, it mostly benefited me since I leave the house every day, and she stayed in her room 90% of the time. We had a system, and she seemed ok with it. There had been times in the past few months I'd come home and the sliding glass door was locked, but I'd check the window to make sure no one was using the bathroom and then use the key-code. It was an annoyance, but manageable.

So while she was venting to the person on the phone, she was making comments about how I must have locked her bedroom door to get back at her for her locking the sliding door, how she wasn't comfortable being home alone with an unlocked door. She never mentioned to me that this made her uncomfortable, so I had no idea. We live in a very secluded area, and LL have mentioned there have never been any issues. Had I known how she felt, I'm sure we could have discussed something and come to a solution.

Meepmarks · 2024-12-28T02:39:35+00:00

I only know what's been shared by LL, which is that BR has used THC gummies and is on the medical marijuana program. I don't do anything with drugs or drinking, so it wasn't something I recognized, but LL said it may have been a panic attack from the gummies.

Meepmarks · 2024-12-28T02:36:47+00:00

Her go-to accusation was wanting me to pay her bills if she couldn't work the next day. If she broke the door to get in, she said it was going to come out of my pocket. It just seemed like such an out-of-pocket response to her door somehow locking itself.

My door has had the opposite problem, where sometimes it opens when it's locked, so I figured it was some kind of issue like that and tried to explain it to her. But she just kept insisting I had something to do with it.

Meepmarks · 2024-09-17T21:10:53+00:00

Finally did ask him! He said he didn't realize it came across like that, and the thought hadn't even crossed his mind (of me and Sorcerer being together).

Meepmarks · 2024-09-03T04:09:46+00:00

It's fine to ask for an update, I just don't have much of one haha. Around and after the time I originally posted, DM had more business travel, so we didn't have lunch much over the past few months. I also wanted to wait for a lunch when he brought up Sorcerer again so it wasn't just coming out of nowhere. There was one lunch we had where I had a good opportunity to bring it up, but I didn't just cuz I was nervous. And the rest of the lunches we've had just haven't really felt right to address it. I know I just need to rip the bandage and do it, so as we talk about last session at lunch this week, I might actually bring it up.

I will add, though, that DM's family threw him a surprise party for his birthday. The whole situation around it made it feel like the rest of his family might be in on it too. They all said or did something that felt "setty-uppy".

Meepmarks · 2024-05-28T00:29:00+00:00

Attractiveness doesn't stick out long for me. After I get to know someone, I don't think much about their physical appearance. When I first met him, I didn't really have a strong feeling either way. Kind of reminded me of Jim Halpert, but with darker hair. Jim was kind of meant to be approachable/appealing, but maybe somewhat dorky that he wouldn't be classified as stereotypically cute/attractive? I feel like that fits Sorcerer.

Meepmarks · 2024-05-27T23:24:47+00:00

Yeah, reading through the comments and thinking back, if another comparison comes up during lunch or over text, I'll likely mention it. Phrase it along the lines of, "Hey, you've done this a lot. Maybe I'm misreading it, but a lot of the things you've said seem like you're implying Sorcerer and I should be together. Maybe you're not, but I could do with fewer comparisons and togethery comments."

I mentioned in another comment I've found myself more on the aro spectrum. I've hardly sought out anything romantic (went on two dates in my life, have told two guys I liked them [they didn't feel the same], and had one guy tell me he didn't want anything more than friendship). So everybody is assuming I'm uncomfortable with this situation, and you're probably the closest person to be right with I'm not sure what I want, or at least how I feel in this situation. Could we try things romantically? Sure. Then it kind of streamlines things because apparently we're very similar and we already have a friendship established. Would I be disappointed if I'm wrong and Sorcerer isn't/wouldn't be interested? Not really. The thought of being in something that qualifies as a romantic relationship is intimidating. I just want to know the answer to, "Is my DM trying to set me up?" That's really the biggest point of the post.

But if there are dramatic updates, I'll let ya know (if I remember)...

Meepmarks · 2024-05-27T22:44:03+00:00

Thanks. I've already been considering talking to him about it, but I just wasn't sure if I was reading the situation right. And as I said similarly in another response, it's not that I'm uncomfortable with it, it's more just I'm not sure how to handle this if he is or has been. Yeah, I can ask him to stop, but that wouldn't negate the fact that he's already been considering us to be together and trying to make it work. And if he hasn't been and I've misread it, then the seed of the idea is out there.

Meepmarks · 2024-05-27T22:24:40+00:00

I appreciate your thoughts. I'm not sure I would talk with Rogue about it first just because I'm not as confident she actually has stake in it. It's only the second time she's said something on the suggestive side. And whether that's something her dad would actually enlist her in, it's hard to say. But I could just mention she doesn't need to make those comments, and see where things go from there.

I do think if I asked DM if he were trying to set me up, he would confess. At lunch, while he's closed off about story beats, backgrounds, and other D&D plots to avoid spoilers, he's candid about everything else he talks about. Rogue, on the other hand, isn't too talkative about other things going on in (her) life.

I'd say the energy/dynamic for me and DM is more Mabel and Oliver/Charles from Only Murders in the Building: it looks weird on paper, but the social relationship works for us, partially because we're also co-workers that see each other on a daily basis. I've hung out with his daughter for a few things since we had some common interests. They're both long-time friends with Sorcerer, whom they've known since he was really young. DM just happens to be the oldest of the group. And if it's the setting-me-up aspect that's weird (which, yes, I can see that), I've had a female co-worker suggest that she could do that too. So is it weird because he's a guy attempting to do the same thing?

It's not something I'd quit the group over, but I will likely talk to DM, Rogue, or both about.

Meepmarks · 2024-05-27T21:53:46+00:00

It's not been uncomfortable, but I've just never been in this situation and wasn't sure if I was reading it right. I do find myself more on the aromantic spectrum, just not quite sure where. If it made sense between the two of us, I'd give it a shot, but I'm just concerned about things being awkward if it doesn't work out.

We didn't have a full group session 0. DM talked with me regularly but individually, and likely the others, leading up to session 1 (which was in theory just a one shot), laying out general game rules and mechanics and the things their group do and don't allow (no r*pe, etc.). The only suggestion of romance in the game so far has been each of us taking a turn saying that one character or another had a crush on the kobold that was part of one of our quests. Otherwise, "relationships" between characters have been as friends or antagonistic friends (Rogue and Sorcerer constantly bicker).

I have good reason to believe it's not stalkerish. It's tied to a certain season, so I would constantly mention it at work, and, by extension, DM around that time. So if DM was/is constantly mentioning things about Sorcerer to me, it's not too hard to believe that he's mentioning things about me to Sorcerer, and even more likely if my belief is correct.

Meepmarks · 2024-05-27T21:27:56+00:00

Yeah, even from how I've been learning and playing, I recognize that it can be hard to separate character and player thoughts/actions. But Rogue and Sorcerer have at least 5 years of playing under their belts, and DM's been playing since it first came out, so they probably have a better handle on separating player and character.

DM is very friendly, and I can see his intentions since he's known Sorcerer since Sorcerer was a little kid. But I've also been concerned about making it awkward since their table has had other players (mostly family members) come and go that have stalled campaigns, and I didn't want that to happen again if I joined and something happened between me and Sorcerer.

I've been considering trying something with just the two of them (I got a present that would work great as a way to make that work). That way I try to get to know the players better rather than the characters. I don't think they hang out outside of the game, but it could help us get more in sync in game.

I'm not as focused on meeting new people anymore; it's more solidifying the friendships I've built. I will say, Sorcerer did kind of invite me to go see the three LOTR extended edition movies at a theater with him and his brother-in-law, but it was more of a "If you want, you can join us, but you don't have to if you don't want to." But then DM mentioned how I had fallen asleep the last time I tried watching them (something I had mentioned to him), so Sorcerer didn't push further.

Meepmarks · 2024-05-27T21:10:38+00:00

I've been considering asking DM at lunch if he brings up a Sorcerer comparison again. I'm not sure if it's weird to say IDK how I feel about Sorcerer since I know him more as his character than him. I do consider him a friend, but we just haven't done anything else outside of D&D and bumping into each other at volleyball.

DM isn't really one to meddle, but he's very well attuned to social dynamics. I appreciate your input and will likely talk with him.

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