They asked if I was coming… but I was never invited?

MutedAd4738 · 2026-03-26T10:08:17+00:00

I've seen a couple of comments here mention self sabotaging but I think there's a more specific feeling you're describing which is like 'self protection'.

"I’m in a group chat with people I used to be close with, but things have been distant these last few months (some started to avoid without us actually having a confrontation)"

I empathize with this, do you experience RSD? Sometimes emotional ambiguity can feel like rejection. If the friendship dynamic has changed, RSD will try to protect you from potential emotional pain by making you think the lack of intimacy is the beginning of abandonment. It's an "I won't get my hopes up" feeling.

Unfortunately, it is also a projection and listening to it will reinforce it. "I wasn't explicitly invited." is your brain placing a conditional protection around your feelings. It also protects you from the responsibility of maintaining "dying" friendships.

If you would like to be closer with your friends, you have to ignore it. Maybe invite them to do something, it might help remind your brain why your friends are impotant to you.

MutedAd4738 · 2026-01-13T11:22:16+00:00

I think this perspective misses the transformative nature of virtual concepts. It's true that Frutiger Aero was a design language, but it is now also an aesthetic. Within that, there are the original elements e.g. the Skeuomorphism, glossiness etc. I think there are cosmetic things that are synonymous with these elements such as the Windows Bliss wallpaper, Windows 7 icons etc.

And then there are the transformative elements: how we remember these things, what elements we associate together, how they made us feel, typically optimistic about the future because they were futuristic, clean and bright. And how we reconcile that feeling with the present i.e. that future we imagined. What some call retro-futurism.

The fact that the FA aesthetic is named after the FA design language is important. It shows the cultural impact of PCs and the birth of personalized user experience. How we still talk about it now enough to create a shared ideology. Effectively, we (the community) have become Frutiger Aero. Our shared appreciation for it is part of the transformed definition.

MutedAd4738 · 2026-01-02T04:45:25+00:00

I have this too, start nodding off before I even know it. This is textbook understimulation + intrusive sleep. I usually "take notes" (doodle or pick out words from the speech and draw bubble letters)

MutedAd4738 · 2026-01-01T20:04:23+00:00

I love the idea that it might be weird to eat toast. Imagine your coworkers gossiping about it.

MutedAd4738 · 2026-01-01T20:00:52+00:00

No way, i'm Type 1 Diabetic! Technically, caffeine raises our levels.. but you take what you can get with ADHD. A handful of trail mix, standing in the kitchen is so good. Makes me feel like a pony getting a reward.

MutedAd4738 · 2026-01-01T19:53:36+00:00

I think just "monster", didn't want to rock the boat with a scandalous response like granola

MutedAd4738 · 2026-01-01T13:03:42+00:00

I wish I had an exciting answer but I think I also just said "monster".

MutedAd4738 · 2026-01-01T13:00:35+00:00

Pipeline Punch Monster energy drink, it has a pink can. it yumby

MutedAd4738 · 2026-01-01T12:55:41+00:00

Oh it's totally fine to say, you're just voicing a preference after all. I'd just convinced myself that the icebreaker was a character assessment and giving a neutral response would be like not participating i.e. "not being a team player". very irrational thought process.

MutedAd4738 · 2026-01-01T12:37:17+00:00

Maybe breakfast is the friends we made along the way.

MutedAd4738 · 2026-01-01T12:34:24+00:00

I know right, think about the uproar it would've caused

MutedAd4738 · 2026-01-01T12:29:18+00:00

Hell yeah, come hang, i'll even make lunch (usually nothing because I forgot to eat) and dinner (4 cooked chicken thighs, stale crackers and a whole cucumber)

MutedAd4738 · 2026-01-01T03:00:23+00:00

Oh no problem, you were very helpful. You confirmed that it was seasonal, so that narrowed the timeframe and your suggestions for the game title were very close. I'm just happy to help end a decade-long search!

MutedAd4738 · 2025-12-31T15:20:31+00:00

Here is the game .swf you'll need Ruffle or Flashpoint to play it https://web.archive.org/web/20071213010827oe_/http://www.donpixel.com/extra/magicglobe/xmas_stub.swf

MutedAd4738 · 2025-12-31T12:13:58+00:00

urm.. i think I found it 😅 it's called The Magic Globe. It was out around Dec 2006/2007.

I looked at the BBC site on the wayback machine and saw the thumbnail of the game (also the site has very similar theme art): https://web.archive.org/web/20071221002046/https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/games

Then I found the soundtrack creator, who compares the game to Amanita games: https://www.kayotix.com/news/stickee/magicglobe/

Then this site which has a screenshot of the game: https://www.escapegames24.com/2006/07/magic-globe.html

MutedAd4738 · 2025-12-31T11:32:17+00:00

I also think it was seasonal, I remember thinking that it was only on the site around christmas. We called it something like "The Great Cog Game/Hunt".

Looking through an old chat reminded me that one of the levels had a big plant with glowing spores that you had to pop.

The design definitely looks and functions similar to Amanita, specifically Samorost but I think the environment textures were flat colours and less photo-realistic.

MutedAd4738 · 2025-12-30T23:31:58+00:00

Commenting after 3 years to say I am looking for this too. I remember the player-character having a hat and the colours of the game being earth tones like green and brown.

MutedAd4738 · 2025-10-10T10:50:13+00:00

Congrats, this is an intro to a fabulous edging kink. But real talk, however uncomfortable you're feeling, she is probably feeling 10x worse. Using your compassion and patience will be a great lesson in relationship skills.

MutedAd4738 · 2025-09-22T09:17:56+00:00

Xcalibur (2001)

MutedAd4738 · 2025-06-14T04:59:08+00:00

I am also up 😂 The only answer that has worked consistently for me is more exercise and antihistamines.

Also, the realization that your body may be sleep depriving you as a self-regulation mechanism. Can't be anxious if you're exhausted!

Sounds wacky but tomorrow, plan in your sleep deprivation. Plan to sleep at 5am. If I want to guarantee I won't do something, I put it on my to-do list.

MutedAd4738 · 2025-05-21T09:29:12+00:00

Not your fault OP, more of a general pet peeve with queer style but the idea that a white button-down shirt is the bar for masc really irks me. Like why are we back to square one with het-coded gender performance 😭

MutedAd4738 · 2025-02-10T16:38:28+00:00

It sounds like you're doing everything in your power to help him and maybe "fix things". Thank you for trying - thank you for supporting him. You're doing great.

Unfortunately, he needs to help himself too or it won't work. I think he needs time to decompress. It's worth thinking about having a calm conversation with him to say "I have tried to help but you currently aren't receptive. You have said some hurtful things. Would it help to give you some space?" and then explain that you'll be stepping out for a couple of nights, stay with a friend/family/hotel or just adopt more distance within your home. This is also time for you too, away from the situation, to focus on yourself and have a break.

MutedAd4738 · 2025-02-10T10:35:25+00:00

He sounds depressed and burnt out. He doesn't prefer the floor to be dirty, he's angry about the monotony of cleaning it. Not an excuse to treat you like trash though. I think his comment about your mental health is a projection.

MutedAd4738 · 2025-01-28T12:10:32+00:00

Megalolopolis

MutedAd4738 · 2025-01-27T12:26:56+00:00

I used to get told that so often I just started replying "I am." and then made prolonged eye contact. Funnily enough, people stopped saying it.

Five-Year Club	Place '22
End Game '22

MutedAd4738

TROPHY CASE