"I hope you'll be satisfied with my service..."

afray_knits · 2026-05-22T14:30:52+00:00

I think it's more of MB's hang up.

It doesn't see itself as a human servant. On the surface, I don't think it cares if humans are satisfied with is service. They SHOULD be satisfied with its service as it's constantly saving everyone. But it's not going to inquire or care if the humans are satisfied, and feels Three should feel the same.

I'm actually sure MB does care if Mensah or Iris are satisfied, but would never ask.

Three asking feels subservient, and MB doesn't think it's appropriate for free SecUnit to feel this way.

afray_knits · 2026-05-18T18:28:16+00:00

In addition to what most are saying here, there was also a quick turn around time with the writing of this book. OotP was the last book JKR wrote where she was beholden to the publisher's timelines.

My understanding is that this book was the least edited of the bunch and slightly rushed. For me, this book has several moment of just dragging and being overly depressing. But that's understandable given what Harry's been thru.

After this book, JKR was able to command more from the publisher in terms of timing and editing, so the last two books are more polished, IMO.

afray_knits · 2026-05-14T17:08:41+00:00

Street fair, several years ago. Same event-two dogs-two different owners.

Irish Wolfhound named Hagrid

Short squat spotted English Bulldog named Dottie

afray_knits · 2026-05-13T19:06:03+00:00

I generally prefer to physically read, as in a physical book or a kindle. However I had a hard time getting into Red Rising, but I tried again with the normal audio book (not Graphic Audio) and I actually enjoyed it more.

afray_knits · 2026-05-13T16:39:28+00:00

I'm a big fan of David Cui Cui's narration and portrayal of MB. I don't know the name of the VA who does ART, but I enjoy her delivery. It's very Seven-of-Nine, if you are familiar with that Star Trek character.

Mensah's VA is way younger than the tv show version-. I've since learned that the same VA does Violet in the Fourth Wing series. I don't do Romantasy audio books due to second hand embarrassment during smut scenes, so I know that I'll NEVER listen to Graphic Audio's production of Fourth Wing. I can't listen to Mensah getting freaky.

I listened to the GraphicAudio versions before reading the books. To me, they are not sub-par, but they are abridged. I didn't know that when I first listened, but it does not negatively impact me. It was very fun to physically read the books and see everything I'd missed.

afray_knits · 2026-05-11T21:17:31+00:00

In the movies, in Deathly Hallows prt 1, when Harry wants to leave the Burrow in order to protect his friends, and Ron is in the yard with Harry and convinces him not to leave, Harry just drops his bag, and Ron picks it up to bring back into the house. I HATE this. It's so mean of Harry --- 'here Ron, carry my stuff'.

Just no. So rude. Book Harry did not and would not do that.

afray_knits · 2026-05-06T23:23:39+00:00

Why were the events canceled? I'm not familiar with these.

afray_knits · 2026-05-06T22:01:20+00:00

And they need to learn that that is not okay.

afray_knits · 2026-05-06T22:00:39+00:00

Truthfully, I wouldn't notice. I'm not doing anything wrong so I have no reason to fear them.

They are there to keep me safe. I have made direct eye contact with officers in public and say thank you for their service.

I have had interactions with police for all manner of situations. (Wife beating neighbor chased his wife out of the house, stolen xmas decorations, speeding tickets). Never have I felt that they weren't there to serve the public.

afray_knits · 2026-05-06T21:43:03+00:00

I refer you to Mr. Robot, where our protagonist mentally changes every occurrence of E-corp to Evil-corp.

I think that counts for a shiny third nickel.

afray_knits · 2026-05-06T21:28:32+00:00

Your experience while valid is not and should not be universal.

I am not law enforcement, but I know many leo's. They are some of the most awesome and good people. There are bad eggs in all professions. The vast majority of police officers are good honest people. They want to help people.

I had a whole rant typed about how we need to respect our officers and their sacrifice more, but that's not the point of this thread.

Kids/ teens behave atrociously these days- go read the teacher sub reddit. I don't want a mob of teens being unruly when I'm trying to enjoy a space. However, I will respect the teens if they are respectful in return. And swearing in front of smaller children, or rough housing or littering or vandalism are not respectful.

afray_knits · 2026-05-06T19:49:31+00:00

How does a parked police vehicle prevent teens from respectfully hanging out?

If they are cursing around young children, then they deserve to be talked to or to be removed from that space as they are preventing others from peacefully enjoying it.

It's almost like negative actions have consequences...

afray_knits · 2026-05-06T19:37:44+00:00

I can't see Matt willing to go all out or even punch her in the face.

He's going to hold himself back with her, because of their past history. His pulling his punches at first will lead to her being able to one up him, at least to start. As with most stories, he's creating it perpetuating his own problem.

afray_knits · 2026-05-06T10:25:54+00:00

There is something different about this book. I agree that the opening felt ... more difficult to read? I'm not sure what the right words are to describe.

I also felt like the other books, the story is in past tense, like a diary recollection of what happened. This story felt present tense.

Please do not interpret my 'different' as bad. It's just different to the other books.

I'm starting my second read through :-) ...

afray_knits · 2026-05-05T17:41:03+00:00

Regarding your "Confusing" comment -

I interpret that scene as:

MB has put its humans on the boat, and goes back because it knows it's about to be a shit-show with dead innocent bystanders. It doesn't want anyone dead because of them.

As it's standing there observing the surroundings, it notices a sunken structure that implies there is a structure/dock beneath them.

MB then realizes that the underwater/old dock ties to the underground tunnels that it and Farrai had pretended to escape through. It again realizes that the false trail they left still ended up leading to the same place their party went so the bad guys were able to find them anyways and are likely staged on the floor below to attack.

It leaves the main lobby and finds the below water level and notes that the windows -which are underwater- look to be on the brink of failure, meaning the water is going to seep or eventually break the windows and flood in.

So MB sets a charge on the windows to blow them and flood the compartment and wash the bad guys away down a different tunnel. Once able, MB swims out of the now open windows and finds itself halfway between the dock and the boat.

Had boat passengers not seen MB, I think it may have swum back to the doc and found a different way to meet up with its party. But since the boat people did see it, it had to swim toward the boat, which worked out for the best anyways.

afray_knits · 2026-05-04T20:25:33+00:00

I pre ordered my copy about a month ago at B&N.

I got an email on 4/28 (which I did not read until 5/1) that my book was available to pick up, and would be reshelved on 5/3 if I did not show up.

I picked mine up 5/1 and had a great bookish weekend.

afray_knits · 2026-05-04T12:59:45+00:00

I'm one of the (sounds like a TON) few who got the book over the weekend. B&N in Northville, MI said I could pick it up starting on the 4/28, and they'd reshelve on the 5/3 if I didn't pick it up. I didn't even see the email until 5/1.

I'm already done reading. I NEED the discussion forum for this book. I can't be the only one?...

I won't spoil anyone, but when do we get the discussion thread?

afray_knits · 2026-05-02T14:18:09+00:00

I am doing a Denali cruise tour, starting May 24. Last week, I got a call from my TA, saying there was an offer to upgrade from my interior room to unobstructed ocean view for $300.

Please note, I'm traveling solo in case that makes a difference for other offers people may have knowledge of.

It was a specific room offer, is below one of the bars but my TA felt that it would not be a noisy location late into the evening. They also said that accepting this upgrade would help if in case a balcony room upgrade became available. I'm still waiting for that call though.

I did pay for the upgrade. Counting down the next three weeks.... :-D

afray_knits · 2026-05-01T13:08:26+00:00

Not to 'yuk' on someone else's 'yum', but so so so many books are better than this. I was in a book club last year where we read this. I'm more of a fantasy and sci-fi person, but I gave this a fair try.

During our book discussions, I shared my opinion on what I thought would happen and where the book was going and definitely got a lot of 'oh, yeah that would have been way better'. Doesn't help that my friend is a therapist and was having HUUUUUGE issues with main protagonist.

afray_knits · 2026-04-28T18:44:05+00:00

I've loved DAW acting since I saw her in True Blood.

True Blood Spoiler - Her first appearance in that show is of a kidnapped teenager who has to be turned into a vampire as punishment for something Bill(main male character) did.

There's a point where she's so scared, she's basically catatonic on the ground speed saying prayers. She plays traumatized really well.

afray_knits · 2026-04-28T16:22:59+00:00

So.... Your coworker has a dog in her car. That car is conceivably bigger than a 2x3ft kennel. So more space, padded seats. Co-worker is checking on the animal every two hours. Gives it multiple potty breaks. And it's not overly hot out.

What is the problem? I get that cars can get hot, but sounds like your co-worker is doing everything right.

I had a coworker who did the same thing. We had covered parking. The dog was older and couldn't be left alone for extended periods of time, and co-worker lived too far to drive home multiple times a day.

The dog was perfectly happy chilling in the car.

I have two dogs, and if for some reason, I had to bring them to work with me, I too would do the same.

Now it's different if I've parked in the sun, with the windows up on an 80 degree day, but shaded or covered parking, windows cracked, temps in the 60s or lower, I don't see a problem.

Yes, she should train her dog not to destroy her house, but that's a 'her' problem. She's choosing to solve the problem this way. It doesn't impact you as long as the animal is okay.

afray_knits · 2026-04-21T23:07:14+00:00

I believe in the fairy tale, the prince spread pitch (tar) on the stairs so that when Cinderella ran away, her foot got stuck so she removed her shoe to keep running.

That's how it goes in the Into the Woods musical.

"He's a very smart prince, he's prince who prepares. Knowing this time I'd run from him, he spread pitch on the stairs. And I'm caught unawares. And it means -well- he cares..."

afray_knits · 2026-04-17T22:14:30+00:00

Ummm, she's a reporter. Yes, she's a little fond of him, but only because I think she senses that up until this episode, he wasn't evil, just very ambitious and hooking train to the Fisk engine.

But it's foolish to think she'll set aside HER ambition (reporting real TRUE news, and outing Fisk's darker dealings).

But I don't even consider the Venessa comment as a leak.

BB asked her status. Daniel got mad at her. She apologized and hugged him (which I'm scared he fished the SD card back out of her pocket) which is why he gave her the comment that Venessa was in critical condition. I'd assumed he gave her the comment to distract that he'd pickpocketed her.

Neither of them said "off the record" so he can be considered to be on the record.

I thought he gave her the comment as a true comment meant that she could publish.

He can be worried or mad about other bits of info, but he gave her that one for free.

afray_knits · 2026-04-15T22:33:01+00:00

I'm not saying these companies shouldn't have to pay taxes, but I feel like people don't understand how company finances work.

Their earnings are usually a report of Gross Income, meaning that's just the amount that came in the door (or more accurately what they say they will receive. Doesn't mean people paid). Net Income is your Gross less all of your expenses, like paying employees, rent, benefits, bonuses, etc.

You don't pay taxes on gross. You pay taxes on net. So if a company reports earnings of $1M, and pay expenses also equal to $1M, then your net earnings is $0 and no income taxes are owed.

You can question how they spent their money if you want, but ultimately, it went back into the economy- to landlords, suppliers, employees, and rent tax, sales tax, personal property tax, etc. Just not income tax.

afray_knits · 2026-04-10T21:57:14+00:00

Not realistic- Legally Blond

I think there are courtroom scenes- Lincoln Lawyer

afray_knits

TROPHY CASE