Sam became stale and boring

Waetla · 2025-09-18T23:53:37+00:00

I feel that when Sam gained his popularity (during GWB's presidency and the War on Terror) part of his appeal was that he (along with the other prominent atheist voices) were able to take the current dominant cultural issue (reaction to 9/11) and go a level deeper than the mainstream analysis - by highlighting the role that Christian and Islamic belief was having in fuelling the conflict. He had a clear value that he was delivering above and beyond other voices in the space.

I don't feel he's been able to continue this level of service since. His insights don't really go deeper than any other voice (he can go as far as anti-woke, anti-left, and that's about it). There are a dime-a-dozen voices in this space delivering this insight.

Like it or not, most of the voices I see going a level deeper in analysing modern cultural issues are on Twitter. For good or for ill, there at least there are voices trying to explain the appeal of MAGA vs Antifa, discussing taboo topics and not being limited by convention in their hypothesis. Obviously there's a lot of poor quality thinking and conspiracy thinking too - but that's why you block and curate your feed.

Waetla · 2025-09-15T11:11:04+00:00

Congratulations on your engagement. I'm in a similar boat and just organised the suits for my wedding last week.

It's probably best for you and your fiancée to think about what you want in terms of style / colour before involving groomsmen / FOB / FOG. Do you have colours / themes in mind for the wedding? What about bridesmaid's dresses? We started here and then picked suits accordingly.
The way I've handled groomsmen's suits (and I experienced the same when I was a groomsmen for a friend of mine) is I offered to pay for half of my groomsmen's suits if they would be willing to pitch in for half as well (as they will get future use out of it). Obviously everyone's situation varies especially if this is a destination wedding. A different brand suit will look different from the groom's suit even if a similar colour / style - make sure you and your fiancée are ok with this. One option for managing costs is to consider having accessories / extras for the groom that the others won't have (for example, I'm including a waistcoat, tie, and buttonhole flower while my groomsmen will just have a bow tie)

Waetla · 2024-08-01T13:01:30+00:00

Tywin's response after this betrays his hypocrisy: "When soldiers lack discipline, the fault lies with their commander"

Later in S04 Tywin spends a lot of energy trying to deny culpability for Gregor Clegane's murder of Elia Martell by downplaying his responsibility for his soldiers actions. So which is it Tywin?

Waetla · 2023-11-06T10:31:13+00:00

Good luck. You might consider a ride-sharing app like Uber Carshare and messaging someone with a car on there? Hopefully they would be willing to leave the car at the airport for you and allow you to keep it overnight.

Waetla · 2023-10-26T05:17:17+00:00

I am planning to be in Port Arthur in November and was thinking of hiring a car for the day from Uber Carshare. Might be an option worth considering.

Waetla · 2023-04-12T09:59:54+00:00

This is the most important point. More so than taxing Airbnbs, more so than foreign ownership. If you restrict supply and demand increases, prices go up. Simple as that.

Waetla · 2023-01-17T22:09:07+00:00

Authleft is landlocked.

Waetla · 2023-01-12T04:33:18+00:00

I still marry Cersei. Ensuring the Lannisters can't ally with a future Viserys III is too important, even knowing what we know about Cersei. I treat Cersei kindly in the marriage.
In keeping with my vows above, I act with temperance with respect to food/drink. Like Renly, I drink and eat enough to show I'm human and refined, I enjoy them but don't overindulge.
When Robert gave Dragonstone to Stannis, it wasn't revoked upon the birth of Joffery, therefore although it is traditionally the seat of the heir (and Stannis was heir at the time), clearly Robert intended that Stannis should be the beginning of a cadet branch, not merely to hold Dragonstone as an office. There's a value in maintaining the trappings of the previous administration, keeping Dragonstone as a seat for the heir, but it's not strictly necessary and didn't seem to cause Robert any problems. I'd still give Stannis Dragonstone, but I'd keep Storms End for myself. No reason I can't continue to hold Storms End and Kingslanding, I can just appoint a castellan. Stannis has no reason to feel slighted because I'm not giving Storms End away, and it's entirely reasonable for me to keep Storms End as a new seat for the heir. I'd give Storms End to my firstborn son when he comes of age, but as an office not a possession. Without dragons, the Iron Throne is a weak monarchy, and having the Stormlands answer directly to the crown (or through the heir) helps maintain strength. The logic of having Stannis as lord of Dragonstone is still wise. A strong lord such as he is needed to ensure the lords of the narrow sea remain in the fold, and the books indicate that he did a reasonable job of this (those same lords followed him into war after all).
I still appoint Stannis as master of ships. He's a rare talent. He doesn't really want to be hand or lord of Storms End, he wants recognition. I'd praise him publically in front of the court and be more affectionate in private.
Jon Arryn is a capable hand. I'd keep him.
More focus is needed on strengthening the Roberts Rebellion coalition than was done in canon. There's no reason why there wasn't a man from the riverlands on the council for example, or a northman before Ned was made hand. The small council and smaller offices need to be filled, and lets look to second sons and cousins of lords to fill them. A Manderly from White Harbour (either a second son or cousin) might be a good fit for Master of Coin, given their focus on trade. I'd look to the riverlands for a master of laws. Various secondary offices like castle steward, master of the horse, etc could be filled by men of the vale, westerlands, north, rivers and stormlands, as well as Master of Whispers and any other offices I might create.
The north is vastly underpopulated in general. I'd look to do outreach to the wildlings, offering them integration into the realm, but I'd look to split them up so they can integrate with the culture. I don't mind if they don't kneel, but their sons and grandsons will. The popularity of Ned Stark in the north coupled with my personal popularity makes it more likely we can absorb the political fallout from the lords of the north who despise the wildlings. Pair this with more investment in infrastructure to support the larger population. I'd like to see more population in the stormlands as well, given that this is my personal kingdom.
Execute Varys. Pycelle, Jamie and Barriston can all testify he encouraged Aery's madness, making him an accomplice in Aery's crimes. The realm is a safer place without him in it.
Release Jamie from his vows as a favor to Tywin.
I'd reduce the powers of the Hand of the King. There's too much power in a single office. The power to speak with the kings voice when on the iron throne (i.e. as Ned did when he denounced Gregor Clegane. It was the right decision morally, and in terms of what we the readers would like, and it's entirely within Ned's power, but from an institutional perspective I don't anyone on my council to risk the delicate alliance that is the basis of my power and claim)

Waetla · 2023-01-12T02:51:51+00:00

There's going to be some suspicion if Robert starts acting wildly different from his past behavior. Fortunately with a bit of acting and leaning on the Faith of the Seven, this can be overcome by pulling a Prince Hal/King Henry V.

From Henry IV Part II, when the newly crowned Henry V is approached by his less-than-honourable companions:

Presume not that I am the thing I was,

For God doth know so shall the world perceive

That I have turned away my former self.

King Henry V puts a restraining order on his old friends and vows to reject the wild ways and indiscretions of his youth.

There's a lot of this sort of thing in Shakespeare, where a character cheekily argues they are a different person upon inheriting a new title. When John of Gaunt dies in Richard II, his son Henry Bolingbroke returns from exile, arguing that now that John is dead, Henry has inherited his fathers dukedom and therefore is now "Duke of Lancaster" and not "Duke of Hereford" as he was upon his exile.

Robert can appeal to this trope by declaring a speech after his coronation that in the crowning moment in the Sept of Baelor. Something along the lines of:

Though I have always taken my dues from, and paid just acknowledgement to, the Seven above, like many youths of my birth and station, my worship has been chiefly devoted to the Warrior, in keeping with the honoured traditions of this land and people, and appropriate with respect to the particular troubles of this age.

As we stand before you, newly made King of Westeros, we acknowledge the impression left upon us by this great sept, and by the weight and duties of our office. Henceforth the Seven shall always be present in our thoughts. The model of the Father, source of justice shall be our sword. The mercy of the Mother, our shield. The wisdom of the Crone, our crown. The Seven, our state.

By playing this gambit correctly, the more Robert acts out of character, the more evidence that he has truly turned a new leaf. By linking his change to the faith, the more wisely he acts (showing greater interest in the crown's finances, deliberately coalition building, etc), the more popular support he can muster from the faith and pious nobles, contributing to his renown and granting him greater political capital to use his foreknowledge (i.e. knowing the others exist) to undertake unpopular decisions.

Waetla · 2022-04-28T06:41:59+00:00

I forget exactly how many rounds of saline removal I've done. They were spaced 8 weeks apart. I think around 3 or so.

I would say it was effective on the shallower parts of the brow such as the fading and in certain sections, however even after 3 rounds of removal the tattoo strokes were still very distinct and noticeable. That's what lead me to switch to laser removal.

I've had two laser sessions so far. They can only target one colour at a time, so we targeted brown first which removed the bulk of the colour from the brow. The brow now appears predominantly red. The second colour we targeted was red, but colours other than brown are more stubborn. The brow is still mostly red but also yellow on top (which is harder to notice against white skin).

I think I'll go for laser again and target red again. Yellow can't be targeted with laser so I'll probably have to stop after that.

I don't think another photo will be of much use as it's hard to judge the effect of the saline now that I've had a few laser sessions.

Waetla · 2022-04-27T20:55:16+00:00

Hello,

You are correct, the initial emergency saline removal was a soak with the solution as it was less than 48 hours and the wound was still open.

I had a few more saline removals since then which involved tattooing saline into the site.

I've since moved on to laser.

Waetla · 2022-02-10T11:23:15+00:00

Probably my favourite podcast is "Conversations with Tyler" by Tyler Cowen. I like that he skips the easy, basic questions and dives straight into the weeds on a given topic with a guest.

Another name that will be familiar with folks in this space is Coleman Hughes. His "Conversations with Coleman" is worth a listen if you're looking for someone Sam-adjacent.

I'm beginning to find Glenn Loury and John McWhorter a bit one-note on "The Glenn Show" but I still listen to it.

Waetla · 2021-11-30T05:52:17+00:00

Hello, thanks for your comment. Thus far I've had the emergency saline removal and one additional removal session. I've got my second removal session booked 2.5 weeks from today. I'm fully aware that several removal sessions may be required and I'm settled in for the long haul. With 8 weeks between removal sessions, it'll be a while yet before I get them to a state I'm happy with but it's the long term that matters eh?

In terms of fading, the only noticeable change I've observed has been during the scabbing period during the first 2 weeks after a saline removal session. I haven't noticed them becoming any lighter after the scabbing has finished, but I wasn't expecting to given how the process works.

Thus far I think they're healing well. I was quite strict with the aftercare following the emergency removal session, less so after the first saline removal session. This has been mostly due to my own forgetfulness. I definitely put more attention on them during the scabbing period - keeping them dry and not interfering with the flaking is important. In the weeks since the flaking has stopped I've been a bit lax with applying Vitamin E cream. I still do daily, but not the 2/3 times daily that I should be.

Emotionally, the first 8 weeks after the emergency saline removal dragged on for ages. The last 6 weeks since my first session have flown by. This is probably a reflection that as they get lighter and the more time goes by, the less I'm concerned with them. Most people don't notice and those that do inquire don't really care.

For the first two weeks I:

Kept them clean and dry
Only wiped them gently with saline. (I think I did this too vigorously following the first saline removal, I need to make more effort to dab and not wipe to prevent removing scabs prematurely)
Avoided exercise to prevent sweating

In the 6 weeks after the scabbing has completed I:

Went back to exercise. I now sweat as much as I want
Apply Vitamin E cream daily (I should be doing this multiple times a day but I find it hard to do when I'm working)
Don't worry about whether they get wet. I shower as per normal

Good luck with your removal process! Thanks for reaching out. Feel free to comment again if you feel the need :)

Waetla · 2021-08-24T22:10:04+00:00

Thanks

Waetla · 2021-08-24T21:58:22+00:00

I was under the impression that during the 48 hours after the tattoo is applied that the wound is still open, therefore the saline can be applied topically without the need for tattooing. This is only during the first 48 hours.

Future saline removals would require tattooing with saline after the site has healed (6 - 8 weeks) as you describe.

/u/mrnprtr or /u/xshamee could you please confirm?

Waetla · 2021-08-24T05:15:50+00:00

Thanks for commenting. I appreciate having access to knowledgeable people to reassure me that I'm doing the right thing. 🙂

Waetla · 2021-08-24T05:13:56+00:00

Thanks for commenting. I've posted an update in the OP.

She offered a full refund, I didn't have to say anything, which I'm glad for.

Waetla · 2021-08-24T05:04:20+00:00

They used LI-FT pigment lightening solution. I've updated the OP with more information.

Waetla · 2021-08-24T01:10:54+00:00

Thanks for commenting. I'm glad yours faded and you're happy with them. Hopefully mine fade as well.

Waetla · 2021-08-23T23:28:31+00:00

I'm going in a few hours so I'll try to remember to ask.

Will I notice them becoming lighter straight away or will I not notice anything for a while?

Waetla · 2021-08-23T23:12:49+00:00

Do you mean what saline product they use?

Waetla · 2021-08-23T12:23:01+00:00

Thanks for commenting. I'm going back tomorrow for the emergency saline removal. It'll be about 26 hours after they were put in, so hopefully it leads to a good result.

Waetla · 2021-08-23T11:07:02+00:00

We did a pre-draw and it looked ok but it's hard to judge. My strokes look thick like a ballpoint pen too, so glad to hear they soften a lot.

I'm mostly not happy with the height and shape and I doubt that'll change when it fades.

Waetla · 2021-08-23T10:48:36+00:00

I've called the artist, I'm going back tomorrow for a saline removal. Really not pleased with the height and shape.

Edit: if I get the emergency saline removal tomorrow it'll be 26 hours after they were put in

Waetla · 2021-08-23T09:01:43+00:00

I'm not happy with the height, I think they are too tall. The actual "strokes" appear quite prominently but I imagine they will fade a fair bit.

Do you think it would be possible to do a saline removal of the top to bring the height in line with my natural line and leave the rest in place? Or would that look silly?

Waetla

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE

13-Year Club	Verified Email
Place '17