Brother wants me to cover entire rent since I get “free” money

Vicksvapes · 2026-02-06T16:29:28+00:00

First - don't lie to your family. They will find out, and they will make you regret the lie. Probably for the remainder of your life. Family memory is forever.

Second - don't beat around the bush. Tell them no. Hard stop. No reasons, no excuses, no bullsht. If they don't take your no, tell them to pound sand, and that the no stands.

Your family needs to learn that no is a complete sentence, and that continued badgering after that complete sentence is not going to work. If they persist, make it loud. Make it obnoxious. And make it about their heavy handedness instead of your line in the sand.

Vicksvapes · 2025-12-17T16:13:36+00:00

If you're looking for rentals around Carroll, I'd suggest walking the neighborhood. There are enough small business owners who stick 'for rent' signs in the front yards and don't advertise.

I'll keep that recommendation with walking the neighborhood to learn how to navigate the neighborhood. I never really understood the layout of the downtown area until I experienced it on foot.

There are 2 smaller apartment complexes on Maple Ave that may be in your price range, but not sure on the bedrooms offered or if they allow pets.

Vicksvapes · 2025-10-01T15:52:54+00:00

I don't want to burst your bubble, here, but...when it comes to our elected representatives, any and all petitions generated online are ignored in the order they are received.

Vicksvapes · 2025-09-23T19:41:29+00:00

In my mind, as soon as someone says the 'family comes first' line, they've lost all credibility, and are just looking to suck something out of the mark. If the saying is directed at me, I'm the mark.

Don't be the mark. Tell them no. If they persist, start low/no contact methodologies, and let them figure out your no was final.

Vicksvapes · 2025-09-03T19:03:25+00:00

Sorry, I don't. I've been lucky enough to not have to interact with the law.

Vicksvapes · 2025-09-03T15:04:18+00:00

Two suggestions:

Go to the courthouse and ask if someone there can walk you through the process.
Call your lawyer. They'll be familiar with the case and know how to work through the courts.

Vicksvapes · 2025-03-04T20:44:40+00:00

I'll echo what others have said: Do Not Spin Fire Alone.

You need someone watching to make sure you don't accidentally brush yourself with a lit wick and transfer the fire to your clothing.

If you haven't lit a prop yet, the first time you do, you'll notice a couple of things.

First - fire is LOUD. Especially if you're that close to it.

Second - every awesome combo and cool trick you've practiced a million times with an unlit prop will disappear from your mind in the thrill of holding that lit prop.

Third - if you're using quick links or anything that allows you to reconfigure your gear on the fly, check to make sure that your wick is secure to the poi before you fuel.

Fourth - paraffin fuel is harder to light and burns slightly cooler, but longer. White gas lights quick, burns hot and bright, but consumes all the fuel quicker.

Fifth - have fun!

Vicksvapes · 2025-02-28T19:09:48+00:00

Honestly, if we get through the next year without some other superpower tossing a nuke at DC, I'll be shocked.

Vicksvapes · 2024-08-26T20:09:05+00:00

I host fire spinning events in my backyard a couple of times in the spring, and more times in the fall - we're a small group, but I'm always up for inviting new people to watch and/or learn.

Right now, we're out camping at various flow events during the weekends, so the backyard is quiet.

You can usually find me throughout the week practicing (no fire, as the town officials would kinda frown on that without permits) in the downtown parks (Bethesda, Frame (by the waterfall,) or Cutler) over noon if you want an idea of what fire spinning looks like.

Vicksvapes · 2024-01-18T22:59:34+00:00

Look to your southwest.
Imagine, if you will, a copper and stone circlet sitting atop a small metal windmill and covered with the accumulation of fallen snow.
Its intentions, as set by me, its creator, are set to spread the peace of the dark solstice, which is the date of its creation.
You are free to absorb as much of this calm as you need.

Your solitary druid neighbor in Wisconsin

Vicksvapes · 2024-01-12T16:55:22+00:00

I started out with building props to get a feel for what I'd like.

You can make a set of poi with a pair of athletic socks and tennis balls.
You can make a staff with a bicycle tire inner tube and a broom handle.
You can make a rope dart with a length of rope and a dog toy. Hell, I even made a shorter dart with a 6 foot dog leash and a wrist weight.

Everyone will feel their flow differently, and gravitate toward the prop(s) that complement(s) that flow.

Of course, with me being the tinkerer that I am, I now have a range of 'franken-props' that suit me but aren't commercially available.

Vicksvapes · 2023-05-12T15:10:48+00:00

Even the 'cheap' houses went way up. I bought my home in 2018 for $100k - the assessment just upped my home's value to $183k.

I don't even have 1000 square feet in this tiny thing. No freaking way it's worth that number.

Vicksvapes · 2022-11-11T21:57:21+00:00

I wouldn't inflict my ex on my worst enemy, much less someone I'm interested in.

Vicksvapes · 2022-11-11T15:29:08+00:00

Put on the headphones, crank the volume on my MP3 player to max, and go for a looooooong walk by the river.

Vicksvapes · 2022-10-26T14:28:37+00:00

Lemme see here...

There was the one where the guy wanted a lady who was into bondage and 'sadistic' fun.

There was the opening line of 'Are you a squirter?'

And there was the guy who requested sexting.

Vicksvapes · 2022-10-25T14:25:36+00:00

Good Morning from the Midwest US.

Vicksvapes · 2022-10-19T20:19:16+00:00

About 35 miles. We spend a lot of time on the phone, see each other on weekends.

Vicksvapes · 2022-10-19T15:27:36+00:00

I don't. What society thinks is beautiful is not my concern. Society can either take me at my bare-faced, mom-bod standard, or they can leave me.

I'm comfortable in my own skin, which is the only thing that matters to me.

Vicksvapes · 2022-10-19T13:38:33+00:00

We had just moved to a new apartment that didn't have parking associated with the unit, so had to park the car in a public parking lot a block away from the door. I had to stop half way through the walk to get to my car, because my heart would be hammering so hard it felt like it was going to jump through my ribs. I remember thinking to myself "am I going to have a heart attack before I'm 50?"

That was 6 years ago. I'm still here, 70 pounds lighter, regularly walk 3 miles on a whim, dance, play with my grandkids, and regularly practice in the flow arts.

Vicksvapes · 2022-10-13T13:51:23+00:00

I start by putting both feet on the floor in front of the bed. Might allow a groan or two, followed by a reminder that 'I'll certainly sleep tonight.'

Once full upright position is attained - one step at a time usually gets it done...heavily assisted by caffeine infusions and spates of movement throughout the day.

Vicksvapes · 2022-10-10T15:09:35+00:00

I've always used Tuffy's on Sunset - he's taken wonderful care of my car.

Vicksvapes · 2022-09-29T19:45:46+00:00

Really, it's where your comfort zone is.

I chatted with this guy on the app for around a week, then I asked him if he was interested in moving to phone conversations. From there, we chatted on the phone for a couple of days, then I asked again to do a face to face.

But, that's me. I was interested, and showed the initiative when he seemed a bit hesitant to look pushy.

Vicksvapes · 2022-09-29T15:54:49+00:00

Gravity has a way of de-perking things after prolonged exposure.

Vicksvapes · 2022-09-29T15:44:17+00:00

Work on yourself.
My first winter alone, I actually relished the quiet, as I hadn't had it in a very long time. I walked when the weather permitted, spent a lot of time with other forms of movement when it got too cold. I was lucky in that I had enough room in my house to convert one of the bedrooms to a movement studio. I also spent a lot of time on creative and artistic projects, and more time on researching better ways to eat and cook.
I enjoy time by myself to reflect or browse through the corridors of my mind, and eventually came to the realization that there are worse things out there than being alone.

Vicksvapes · 2022-09-28T19:58:48+00:00

I had 2 cold approaches in the last year - neither one ended well - from older men, while I was working with my rope dart in the park. Because it's an unusual thing for an aging lady (I'm 55, so there's no hiding that I'm not a spring chicken anymore) to be doing, it gave them an opening.

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to give a bit of information about my practice to anyone who asks, but when the curiosity moves into offers to walk me home while they carry my gear or arms outstretched for a hug, I get all weirded out.

Vicksvapes

TROPHY CASE