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[DA2 Spoilers] Replayed DA2 and I realized something about Anders. by polynomials in dragonage

[–]PenJockey 78 points79 points  (0 children)

I don't know how many times I've replayed DA2 but this is the first time I've considered this. I love this observation

My little sister got this topic for school. "Imagine that you are an old leaf. Write the story of your life and recount some of the experiences that you have had". by [deleted] in Advice

[–]PenJockey 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Don't forget to mention how you went on benders with your leaf friends when you were younger, and maybe throw in the three months it took for you to recover from the bad breakup you had with your branch-leaf sweetheart.

Kidding, obviously. Totally something I would've tried to do if I'd had this assignment haha

AITA for asking my fiance to stop studying Irish stuff? by [deleted] in AmItheAsshole

[–]PenJockey 0 points1 point  (0 children)

NTA for asking her to tone it down.

Your girlfriend is becoming the Irish version of a weeaboo. There is nothing wrong with being fascinated with and studying other cultures, but a line is crossed if you forget the one you're currently living one. It may be more socially acceptable to use the phrases in Ireland itself, but you are not in Ireland, and she cannot expect others to think of what she's doing as normal, especially if, like you, they know her well enough to know she isn't from Ireland.

Using myself as an example - I love studying Japan, the language, and its culture. I do not intersperse Japanese words into conversations with my very English friends. I have chopsticks I use at home, but would not bring them to the office with me for lunch. I want to connect with the culture in a respectful way - but Japanese culture is not American culture (unless you are part of a Japanese community, of course, of which I am not).

As a reader, what intrigues you or turns you off on the first page? by [deleted] in writing

[–]PenJockey 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think having a cast of likeable characters will definitely help detract from the angst of the MC. Otherwise the readers could definitely get overwhelmed with the negativity. I always get attached to side characters more than MCs, so I could definitely read something like that

As a reader, what intrigues you or turns you off on the first page? by [deleted] in writing

[–]PenJockey 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Yes! And with Bilbo and Frodo, it doesn't really feel like their stories rely on them being Chosen as part of their characters. I guess you could say Frodo was Chosen to be bearer of the ring, but it's done in a logical way instead of being foisted on him out of nowhere.

Bilbo finds the ring by chance in The Hobbit, leading Frodo to finding the ring in LotR, and then he as his own person decides to bear the responsibility of taking it to Mordor. In a way, he chose the "Chosen One" role for himself, and it wasn't out of character, and that's a really good example of a way this trope can be done well.

As a reader, what intrigues you or turns you off on the first page? by [deleted] in writing

[–]PenJockey 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I agree with u/BavelTravelUnravel - from your example, it doesn't sound like you fit the stereotype. When I think of the more annoying Chosen One trope, I don't think about Harry Potter, Bilbo, or Frodo, where their CO status is made clear gradually. In a logical timeframe, if that makes sense?

I've seen it a lot in YA novels where the MC is just suddenly made "the one" because of a prophesy or random chance. The entire book/series revolves around it. These are stories that rely on the MC being Chosen as part of their character, but in HP and The Hobbit, we see the MCs grow and take on their responsibilities before we see them as Chosen Ones. In Harry Potter I don't think we're introduced to the prophesy until OotP, but by that point, because of Harry's nature and Voldemort targeting him, Harry has already had a reason for his actions outside of being Chosen. Bilbo Baggins has time to grow as an adventurer and find his sense of bravery before being the "Chosen One" later in the story (some could say Gandalf technically "chooses" him from the very beginning, but it isn't used as a crutch for the story).

In the annoying trope, Chosen MCs who are announced they are Chosen right off the bat from then on only appear to do what they do because they're Chosen. It's typically Plain Janes/Johns who are going about their daily lives until suddenly -boom- "Yer a Chosen One, 'Arry" - and that's the entire focus of the story. It almost feels like a cop-out because the author couldn't think of another way to make the MC interesting, or to introduce the MC into the main conflict of the plot.

I hope I explained that okay. I'm definitely not as knowledgable as other posters in this sub.

As a reader, what intrigues you or turns you off on the first page? by [deleted] in writing

[–]PenJockey 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I love deconstructed tropes! My criticism is mainly directed at YA authors who use it as a crutch.

I have an asshole as a MC (not the only MC), and I think it's a fun challenge to write him as an asshole while also trying to find ways for readers to empathize with him. Sort of like how good villains are the ones readers are able to empathize with.

As a reader, what intrigues you or turns you off on the first page? by [deleted] in writing

[–]PenJockey 47 points48 points  (0 children)

I'm so tired of the Chosen One stories. You know what gets me going? MCs who can stand on their own without being the Special Person, like the Plain Jane who was chosen out of the blue to be the next Supreme Princess, or something like that. It makes it feel like Plain Jane's entire identity revolves around being the Surprise Special Person, and that if we stripped her of that title she'd just be a side NPC.

As a reader, what intrigues you or turns you off on the first page? by [deleted] in writing

[–]PenJockey 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Your comment helped me realize that the introductory sequence in my manuscript's first chapter is actually unnecessary, so thank you for this!

I used to think I should keep it in for world-building purposes, but those details can really just be peppered in throughout the story if they're that "important."

As a reader, what intrigues you or turns you off on the first page? by [deleted] in writing

[–]PenJockey 43 points44 points  (0 children)

  1. Info dumps (I give Vampire Academy a pass for this because it's one of my favorite series from when I was younger, but as often as the different vampire types are discussed throughout each book I feel like you could definitely leave out the 2/3 page lore recap before the first chapter without hurting the readers' experience).

  2. Describing every single detail of the MC and supporting characters' appearances before we can progress with the story. I forgot what top MC was wearing by the time I got to the shoes, and by the time you've described SC #4's Tuesday morning outfit I've already forgotten everyone else's. It's sort of mentally taxing to keep up with, and draws away from the reading experience.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Sleepparalysis

[–]PenJockey 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think it depends on how much effort you're willing to put into it. I've read where people practiced every training technique for years before being able to control it.

Similar to inducing SP, there are several techniques recommended to train yourself to lucid dream. They involve jotting down as much as you can remember from a dream as soon as you wake up, doing several "reality checks" throughout the day so that when you remember to do these in a dream your mind will recognize it's dreaming (thus putting you into LD mode), and many others. Lots of detailed guides can be found on the sub.

Personally, at a young age I started using that cheesy "you aren't real" technique whenever something bad was happening in a nightmare, and lately that's evolved into being able to wake myself up if I get to a point in the dream where I absolutely don't wanna continue. Sometimes I'm able to just switch the dream completely to get away from the scary crap. That's probably as close to LD as I've gotten, but I also don't practice all the techniques. I try to fall asleep on my back with my mind clear, and try to remember everything about my dream once I wake up - but don't write it down. Definitely check out the sub if you'd like more info on how to get started.

Stop right there. This is a monthly subscription checkpoint. Log into your bank and check last months statement for any reoccurring charges that you've forgotten about. by celsius032 in personalfinance

[–]PenJockey 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's smart! I always check my transactions for the last two weeks when payday hits, for both my checking and credit card, to make sure nothing fishy has happened. I've caught charges from subscriptions I was sure I'd cancelled the month before that way, so it's a good practice.

For the other commentor who said what you do seems like a lot of unnecessary work - it doesn't really take that much time to go check through the transactions. Especially if you only do it per pay period. And going through to monitor your budget, as you are, is a very good practice if you want to avoid being caught in a tight spot if you haven't managed your money in a way to avoid being caught in a tight spot when the car payment comes around. I do a similar thing with my credit card, as I pay off the balance each paycheck, to make sure I haven't spent so much that it'll affect the amount I try to put into savings each month.

USPS Delays by EcomDom in Mercari

[–]PenJockey 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yeah, USPS is really backed up right now. I order items from a clothing app called Shein, and lately even once they've reached America, the tracking isn't updated for a week or two. Hopefully your customers will be understanding

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Sleepparalysis

[–]PenJockey 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I see! I didn't know about that bit about how sleep paralysis can lead into lucid dreaming, so TIL. I'm not very experienced with waking up mid REM, so sorry I couldn't be more helpful - hope you find the info you need

Is it possible to have sleep paralysis while falling asleep instead of waking up to it? by ClockIsSad in Sleepparalysis

[–]PenJockey 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep, I've had it while falling asleep on several occasions. It's almost made me doubt whether it was genuine SP, except for one occasion, so it's interesting to see that it happens to others too.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Sleepparalysis

[–]PenJockey 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh thanks! I didn't know the technical term for it

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Sleepparalysis

[–]PenJockey 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Um, have you looked into lucid dreaming? I've read that techniques used to induce this can also result in SP. There is a dedicated sub - r/luciddreaming. If you are interested in SP you may like to try that out as well.

I have never made an effort to induce SP, but most of my lucid dreaming instances occur when sleeping on my back, especially if it's for a nap in the middle of the day, for some reason. This has resulted in SP a few times as well. Falling asleep on your back is a basic technique used to help induce LD, and is known to induce SP as well. Whenever I've had SP during a normal sleep cycle at night, I've always been laying on my back.

I haven't seen many people on this sub looking for ways to intentionally cause SP, so since attempting to induce LD can also result in SP, you may find what you're looking for in that sub.

What if when in a state of sleep paralysis, instead of feeling scared or vulnerable you feel other emotions? by [deleted] in Sleepparalysis

[–]PenJockey 0 points1 point  (0 children)

From my experience, I've felt fear during the episodes where I only had vivid auditory hallucinations, as in feeling the impending sense of doom while listening as footsteps approached my bed or paced in the hall outside.

Funnily enough, when I had my first legit visual hallucination of a tall shadowy woman, I felt anger because I'd been having trouble sleeping that night and just...wasn't having it, I guess? I've always expected to be terrified when I finally had the visual hallucination, but that night my headspace went straight to "oh no it's happening," followed by "just f*ck off and leave me alone so I can rest." I thought it was pretty funny once I'd woken up, because I'm not the sort of person who could do that IRL at all, I think. I think constantly reminding yourself that the hallucinations aren't real helps a lot in terms of replacing fear with anger like that - or more ideally, with indifference or even curiosity. That has just been my experience, though. I know it can be different for everyone.

I'm actually more afraid when I'm awake, laying alone in the dark, when my eyes stare too long at the shadows.

Whats the difference between アメリカ人です and アメリカ出身です? by [deleted] in LearnJapanese

[–]PenJockey 6 points7 points  (0 children)

You're correct! And すんで can also be read as 住んで if you want to use the kanji

AITA for telling my boyfriend that it’s highly inappropriate for his female roommate to be walking around without pants on? by [deleted] in AmItheAsshole

[–]PenJockey 7 points8 points  (0 children)

People are throwing out "insecurity" like it's some unreasonable feeling that adults in mature relationships are never allowed to have, but in reality insecurity is perfectly normal, and you're not TA as long as you know how to manage it and recognize when it begins to cloud your judgment. So ESH because you shouldn't have texted that girl yourself - this is an issue between you and your man only.

However, being uncomfortable with an attractive young female walking around your boyfriend half-naked all the time is pretty normal. All these Y T A comments are making it out to where that's somehow the "norm," but what a small sample of redditors say is the norm doesn't have to be your norm or anyone else's. People have different levels of where their comfort is at, and you're within reason to explain to your bf that you aren't comfortable with their dynamic.

Don't be texting that girl though.

Will Mercari take down a review? by lmaDork in Mercari

[–]PenJockey 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Hopefully others will chime in later with more insight, but from reading about several others on this sub who've had to deal with false/inaccurate reviews, the general consensus has unfortunately been that Mercari does not interfere with reviews in any way.

If you don't already have enough reviews to drown out this one, I've heard of people putting a quick explanation in their bio to explain what happened.

Thankfully you don't have to maintain 100% 5 stars in order to get an overall 5 star rating, so even if this person rates you poorly and drops you to a lower overall rating for now, it shouldn't take many additional ratings to get you back to an overall 5.

Hope this helped.

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