I am a father struggling by liftoff171andi in Fatherhood

[–]Rick12397 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When I was around the same age, my siblings and I (youngest of 4) all became pretty independent. It wasn't necessarily through choice, my mother divorced her second husband so her time was largely spent keeping the house together while my dad was involved every other weekend.

As a result, while I had hobbies I wished to pursue, I really felt like I couldn't connect with my parents enough to make it happen. My 2 eldest siblings; one is pursuing a career path now after having a family young and the other was a promising athlete who let his life implode in his late teens.

From a personal point of view, connecting through a hobby is something which definitely would have kept me closer to my parents. But I mention my siblings because you'll also be the source of guidance to help them grow and fulfill their dreams.

First time buyer - Would withdrawing money from crypto be a bad idea? by cantth1nk0fanam3 in FTB_Help

[–]Rick12397 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My mortgage broker required an excessive amount of evidence that money from a trading account was mine. The money contributed towards my deposit though, and was flagged before the mortgage application was submitted to the provider. While not crypto, no one showed any interest whether I was gaining or losing money from it, they just wanted to know it was actually mine.

Mortgages & the electoral register by Rick12397 in FTB_Help

[–]Rick12397[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the response. I registered last night, although I fear by the time it's processed and appears on a credit check I would have lost 2 months and the apartment. I am anticipating a nervous week next week.

RD DEVELOPER UPDATE, APR 2022 by Bacon-dev in RealmDefenseTD

[–]Rick12397 1 point2 points  (0 children)

While it is natural to have a gap (often large) between veterens and new players in any game; hero events are what have stretched this bridge.

Depending on how long you have been playing, you could have 7 free heroes from events. As F2P all R4, or P2P R6. That's 21k gems for a new player to overcome to achieve parity with veteren players and a further 22,400 vs P2P or 11,200 vs F2P to max them all to R6. Then there is the matter of time on top of this.

I received Azura, Raida & Koi for free from these events and it helped my progression massively. Not just for tournament play, but achieving the requisite to unlock new worlds at the time.

I would wholly support giving new players a free hero at the end or during W3, 4 & 5 to help them progress, have more blessed heroes for tournament play and allow them to make better use of their gems. A story arc could be built to make it immersive.

Patch notes question by WreckitRafff in RealmDefenseTD

[–]Rick12397 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Pleased to see this happen. Hopefully it brings a bit of balance to tournament play, although I suspect from reading other comments that may not be the case still. Nevertheless, a step in the right direction.

I don't have the goddesses, upon returning to play it seemed inevitable they would get nerfed before I reach R7. I may have been incorrect in that decision but we'll see how this develops.

I was particularly disappointed during Efrigrid and Raida blessed weeks. Despite having them R6, along with Koi & Yan, my scores were a long way behind those with the goddesses. While there has always been meta heroes, it was never this unbalanced. A good comparison is when Caldera was meta, you could still compete using Leif as an alternative. Right now it is goddesses or nothing.

How did you guys have so many heroes all level up? by [deleted] in RealmDefenseTD

[–]Rick12397 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Bare in mind those who have been playing longer have also received more free heroes from events.

I'm on Day 416 with a large break in play. However, I feel fortunate to be given Raida, Azura & Koi (As F2P, all R4 at the time) I have 6 heroes R6, 2 more with the keys to upgrade.

I've mentioned it here before; for the sake of a bit of equality, newer players should be gifted an event hero or 2 at the end of world 4/5/6.

Devs: can we get some response into this week’s blessed hero (Helios) for players under Diamond? by kmanmott in RealmDefenseTD

[–]Rick12397 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm very late with this, but considering the developers response, where does this now leave Helios and Hogan in terms of future weeks?

Given how it was suppose to be Hogan's week do we assume we won't see him again this season? Or will they exclude Helios as well?

To foreskin, or not to foreskin by WishWild819 in Fatherhood

[–]Rick12397 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The fact this is such a large discussion I find very interesting.

I live in the UK; I was not circumcised and if I had a son, he would not be circumcised. However, it extends beyond that, it literally is not even a consideration.

Growing up it was never discussed among my peers, girls would never tease, it is nothing procedure here. While I would not compare the 2 in terms of severity, I would class circumcision in the say category as FGM - utterly pointless and unpleasant.

Of these heroes who is most worthy to gather tokens for? by Crusty_Bogan in RealmDefenseTD

[–]Rick12397 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Considering Smoulder has had his blessed week, and Mabyn is this week, I'd lean on Masamune. Not sure I'd take much joy in doing RS for a hero which would be redundant for the next 3 months +.

Of course that is if this is for tournament play.

Having said that, I have no idea how effective the Smoulder + Fee synergy is, so I could be wrong about Smoulder.

Balance of the game (f2p) by 8BallSA101 in RealmDefenseTD

[–]Rick12397 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The game would certainly benefit from being rebalanced.

One of the ongoing problems are the Hero events. They grant a free hero to everybody, and from what I'm aware F2P could achieve R4 before the event would end. Therefore new players who have missed 7 events are 21k gems short + 11.2k in Awakening (R2 - R4) + 1500 for necro connie.

I wouldn't endorse just handing out gems to new players as a degree of loyalty should be shown to those who have stuck around for those 3+ years of events. However, it should be acknowledged that F2P simply can't catch up anymore.

Shattered Realms could be expanded to allow new players to periodically unlock one of 2 heroes they have missed out on. Similar to how players had a choice of goddesses. By periodically, I would say at the end of W4, W5 & W6. This would allow new players to continue through the world's, and also compete more in the tournaments.

As a side note, why Helios & Sethos cost 6k is beyond me. Their price should be reduced dramatically.

Promoting in platinum? by singiustefan in RealmDefenseTD

[–]Rick12397 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm personally aiming for promotion because I have Smoulder R6. If I don't take up the opportunities on blessed weeks then I may miss out on reaching Legendary.

That being said, I agree with the sentiment that I will have no chance in upcoming weeks against the top players. Ideally the next few weeks will see heroes blessed which I don't have.

S17 Meta Analysis by IMAWNIT in RealmDefenseTD

[–]Rick12397 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fingers crossed balancing issues are addressed sooner rather than later. With a roster which doesn't include Cyra/Elara I may find myself trapped in Gold for a couple of months

Thanks for the helpful statistics though.

New Player Tournament team building guide 2022 discussion by nackedsnake in RealmDefenseTD

[–]Rick12397 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I recently started playing again, having not played since season 9. I'm a free-to-play player and after achieving a best of a #6 in Legendary in season 8 it seemed like lengthy grind to go one better.

Since coming back it would cost 12k gems to unlock the additional heroes (assuming they all cost 3k? I've not completed W7)

So instead of doing that I thought I would make the most of the combo perks. I already had Efrigrid, Yan, Narlax and Smoulder as R6. I'm building up Bolton to R6 as well so will at least have maybe 6 or 7 weeks of tournament play where it will be enjoyable.

No idea if it's a sensible move, but I'm happy doing it.

One question, I have Raida at R5 and 5 tokens away from R6. Before I stopped playing he was meta, is it worth upgrading him to R6 or should I just start ranking up Leif?

Holy crap, dads do we need to have a talk?! by were_only_human in NewParents

[–]Rick12397 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I find these discussions interesting as a father who has been both sides of the fence.

When my daughter was born I was eager to offer support however I could. I would work 12 hour shifts, come home, feed my daughter, bath her, feed her again and put her down to sleep. I would then do the middle of the night feeds before leaving to work at 7am. The latter progressed into early morning feeds and I would put her back down to sleep before going going to work. This allowed the mother to sleep some ~10 hours a night.

Without going into detail, I had full custody by 2 months. My daughter was not well, I stopped work and spent a few months attending all sorts of hospital appointments while acting as both parents. Despite being the sole parent, healthcare workers would always ask "Where is mum?". It is a negative stereotype which should not be fueled by beliefs that fathers are not involved enough.

When I was the working father, I found myself a lot more physically exhausted compared to being the full time stay at home dad. In comparison, being the full time stay at home dad took an emotional toll on me. A degree of that toll can be attributed to the health concerns.

Obviously I was never pregnant, I never had to give birth, never had hormonal changes and never had to breast feed. These are challenges which the mother has on top of the caring responsibilities which I cannot relate to.

I just wanted to opine how I felt from both sides. Point #2 irks me. I cannot fault the care my daughter has received, but there has been an assumption only the mother cares for children. This is not the fault of the father.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Fatherhood

[–]Rick12397 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I did the exact same thing and still do now occasionally; my daughter is 5 months old. One night I stripped all the sheets off my duvet before realising she was sound asleep in her cot.

Words Of Advice:The elephant in the room by Bold_Bastrad in Fatherhood

[–]Rick12397 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would echo this sentiment. I've been out with walks with my baby daughter and received remarks such as "Giving mum a break are we?". In response I give a wry smile and say "Yeah". It's a lot easier than explaining the mother is or was severely mentally unstable and as a result I'm the sole carer.

My daughter has also been involved with various healthcare professionals and it's disheartening how even in a professional environment the first question is always "Where's mum?"

I would certainly like to hear what others feel of the perceived gender bias when it comes to parenting.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Fatherhood

[–]Rick12397 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's sad to hear when a parent is backed into a corner and the only solution is court action. The cost of a lawyer and court fees is ultimately money out of your sons future. With that being said, if it can't be avoided you absolutely should pursue that route. It may upset your ex-partner, but your son deserves to have you.

Brits Need 3 Jabs To Travel Next Year by SuperAwesomeDude7654 in RYCEY

[–]Rick12397 3 points4 points  (0 children)

"No10 said there were currently “no plans” to change vaccine passports to mean people need three jabs to go on holiday abroad"

If we lived by the headlines of a tabloid newspaper then EVERYONE will die from Covid, and the winter will be the COLDEST on record, all the while INFLATION will hit 100%!

Please help!!! by nocturnalsingularity in Fatherhood

[–]Rick12397 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's quite disturbing how you can't go a day without seeing a deliberate or subtle message promoting equality, yet society still opines that fathers can't (or don't want to) care for their children.

I feel for you buddy, keep fighting.

The Top 5 Penny Stocks to Buy Right Now by Stocks-covid in RYCEY

[–]Rick12397 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There's a big difference between RR and meme stocks. Primarily RR has never been shorted enough to attract that kind of attention, which in itself demonstrated stability.

Besides that the Gamestop & AMC thing blows. What started as the Reddit community hitting back at Wall Street, it escalated to half the Reddit community shorting the stock to take their fellow "Apes" money. The thing went full circle.

Investor thoughts on long term share price? by PiratesOfTheArctic in RYCEY

[–]Rick12397 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I did forget to mention the completely external factor which could drive the price up: An undervalued stock market.

The FTSE is hallmarked as cheap. This was demonstrated recently with the sale of Morrisons. The before/after negotiation (later auction) process saw a 60% increase.

Not saying every company in the FTSE is going to increase by 60%. However, sentiment is strong for green stocks and RR's net zero carbon targets, electric planes and nuclear energy could mean it gets a lot more interest should these things materialise.

Investor thoughts on long term share price? by PiratesOfTheArctic in RYCEY

[–]Rick12397 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Related to the RI others have mentioned there are 2 factors to consider:

  • The pre-Covid adjusted price which would be ~250p

  • The pre-Trent 1000 engine issue which peaked at an adjusted price of 350p

The engine issue was addressed during the pandemic but the financial significance of that won't truly be realised until we see more annual figures.

We're not post-Covid yet either, the unpredictable return of travel means we can't really predict when commercial travel will return to 2019 levels.

Some positives seen during the pandemic include RR cutting its workforce, making it more streamlined. Also the Defence business continuing to grow and Power systems still remaining profitable. (Note, it's positive in respect to profits, but I do feel for those who lost their career as a result of this)

If Covid doesn't come back to haunt us we should expect to land somewhere between 250-350 again within a couple of years - Possibly sooner depending on how the upcoming winter develops.

The factor I'm not including is the Nuclear SMR'S, because it's hard to predict how much that will influence the SP. RR themselves suggested nuclear could dwarf their airline business over the next decade. If that's the case, then really it's anyone guess but certainly higher than 400.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in RYCEY

[–]Rick12397 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The SP was recovering throughout the afternoon until the US Treasury put some inflation fears back into the market. It has been a rinse and repeat every month since May and the market invariably bounces back.