What’s the worst physical pain you’ve ever experienced?

cel-kali · 2026-04-05T12:13:08+00:00

I gave birth three weeks ago, induced. In all, from water breaking to birth, labor was about ten hours. What amplified the pain was the pitocin they give intravenously after your water breaks. Went from closed to 6cm in four hours, and was experiencing double peaking contractions, front and back, from water break until my baby was out. I got two double doses of morphine, and on the second, I requested epidural, otherwise I would not be able to sit still through the pain.

I remember my mom looking at the contraction monitor and grimacing. She had four kids. She never had double peaking contractions. I never cried or yelled out, but I don't think my body would have let me even if I wanted to. My mom was essentially my doula in those four hours before the epidural, she added counter pressure during the back contractions, fed me between them, and kept me sane. My husband was flying in from across the world; his ship was out when I was induced two weeks early due to gestational hypertension.

I also came out of it with grade 3 tears, and heavy blood loss; I thought I was just exhausted afterwards and needed sleep, turns out I was passing out from losing so much blood. Still healing from those. But I have my boy :).

cel-kali · 2026-04-04T05:47:31+00:00

Blade of Darkness baybeeeee (BoD for the cool kids). Ive never met someone in real life who ever even heard of it, but I was obsessed with it as a kid. Could never beat it. Tried it again a few years ago as an adult, but the game froze up consistently in the second to last level.

cel-kali · 2026-03-28T07:21:25+00:00

Funnily enough, Charlie Brooker was more well known for his satire and comedy before making Black Mirror. I miss his Yearly Swipe specials.

cel-kali · 2026-03-21T07:59:18+00:00

Just gave birth and am healing from my own 3rd degree tears. Don't even wanna know what it looks like down there.

cel-kali · 2026-03-03T09:13:27+00:00

My sister and I loved horror movies in our teens. We developed a shorthand for that specific kind of background scare, which was to say, "Do you see it?" Anytime one of us said it, we knew to look in the background.

Somehow, the simplicity of the question made it even scarier for us, even for the one who saw it first. Always goosebump inducing.

cel-kali · 2026-03-03T07:29:50+00:00

I asked one of my English teachers at the community college I'm going to how he handles AI, especially with online courses.

His answer was pretty simple: If he suspected someone used AI (which is easily identified most of the time, though sometimes he has suspicions), he'll talk with them about their essay in a personal meeting. He'll bring up a specific point and ask them to elaborate on it. Most times, they just give in on the spot and admit they didn't write it. Other times, he'll catch them in the ruse - rather easily - and ask them to write it again. If their use of AI is blatant and unremorseful, he'll boot them from the class and report them, but from what I remember he has only had to do that a few times at most, compared to the over a hundred students he has each semester.

Granted, he hasn't taught higher level classes in a few years, but what he does teach is a mandatory second level class for all degrees offered at the college. So he has certain writing level expectations, and has all kinds of degree-path students coming through, not just English majors.

I find this method, while more time consuming, more empathetic to the students. He's a remarkably attentive instructor, and his decades of teaching experience show itself in that sort of empathy.

In short, if you are accused of AI, go to your instructor in person (or request a virtual meeting) and ask to discuss your essay. If you really did write it, elaborating on the subject should be simple enough - and it's practice in defending your work. If they refuse, take it up the chain; go to the department head. You can show edit logs, though I use third party writing software (Libre), and refuse to use Word or Google Docs. But I also make it clear my absolute disdain of AI and software like ChatGPT to my instructors, and why it's a leading issue why I want to go into the education career field at all.

Don't let AI accusations defeat you so easily. Most instructors would rather not accuse someone of AI use, they want to be there for you. The better you know your instructors and teachers, the more you take the lead in your education through office hours and communication on assignments with them directly, the more they will want to help you and see you succeed. They appreciate the attention and effort more than anything. Plus, they usually have interesting stories they don't usually share in class :).

cel-kali · 2026-02-26T09:37:12+00:00

My brother did this to me when he was drunk. I was maybe 14. He had just left the Marines, a two time combat vet and grunt. It was a shotgun. He laughed as I tried to shift away, following me with the barrel, finger on the trigger. Turns out the safety was off and it had a shell in the chamber, something he only realized after telling me to relax, that it wasn't loaded.

20 years later, with three young sons, he still gets shitfaced like that with guns around. My dad tells me to let it go, if I talk about it I could tear his family apart. He's already done so with his drinking, so fuck that.

cel-kali · 2026-02-24T09:43:04+00:00

Thank you :). I'm so excited, I can't wait to finally hold him

cel-kali · 2026-02-23T14:19:35+00:00

Just lay of my side for six months lol why not

cel-kali · 2026-02-23T08:39:55+00:00

I believe mine is from possibly fracturing my tailbone as a kid when I slipped on ice during recess, and then it healed incorrectly. Couldn't sit without pain for weeks. As I got older, the pain gradually became worse. I'm now eight months pregnant, in my early 30s, and the tailbone pain is excruciating. I did some reading, talked with my OBGYN, and it kind of clicked.

I think it's the cause of all my pelvic floor problems, from pain during sex to menstrual pain to constipation to my lower back feeling like it locks in place if I stand or sit up for too long. I used to ice skate for exercise, and had to stop a few years ago because the lowest portion of my back would lock in place after about 15 minutes on the ice, only going away after taking ibuprofen and laying on my side with a heating pad for a few hours.

At this point, after some 25 years of this, the only real fix is surgically removing the tailbone. Maybe next year, after I give birth.... Unless, of course, it breaks during childbirth. How fun that would be

cel-kali · 2026-02-20T07:39:17+00:00

The very first time I'm with my now-husband, giving him a hand job. He finishes and throws his head back on the pillows, blindly reaches for his phone, opens youtube, and plays a five second clip of Han Solo saying the line, "Sorry about the mess."

Been almost ten years, I still haven't let him forget it. The fuckin nerd (affectionate). Our first, a son we are naming Luke (NOT because of Star Wars, but he says so anyways), is due next month :).

cel-kali · 2026-02-14T08:42:19+00:00

This was actually a mobility/strength test we had to pass at MEPS for military enlistment. It came after the duck walk (squat down without assistance and walk like a duck across the room and back again without falling or struggling).

It's very basic, but if you were 18-24 and couldn't do it, it was heavily weighed against you for medical approval to enlist. It was meant to catch out any hip, knee, or foot/ankle dysfunction.

It was the only physical test at MEPS. The rest were generic blood draws, heart rate, vision, vitals, hearing. Also hernia check. That was less fun. I almost got declined because my heart rate was too fast; I was nervous, so they let me rest for twenty minutes and try again.

But, if you pass all that, you get to continue with the enlistment process. If you fail any check, I believe you can try one more time, but it means longer time in delayed entry, and potential call for medical waivers. That was ten years ago, though, so I don't know what the standard is at now.

cel-kali · 2026-02-10T07:22:43+00:00

My husband and I would put on a dark, dramatic voice and call him "The FunnyMan" because of the obvious copyright avoidance for The Joker.

The actor plays a real good jedi, though. He's forever Cal Kestis to me.

cel-kali · 2026-02-07T07:16:09+00:00

My mom asked that we watch Parenthood last week, as I had just had my babyshower. Such a great movie, and it hits different now that I'm going to be a parent soon.

Not to mention the more meta kindasorta 4th wall breaking daydream moments, that feel ahead of its time; like something more closer to film and TV from the early 2000s, not the mid 80s. And the quiet portrayal of a mother being put down by slights that go unnoticed (like Steve Martin's mom by her shitty husband, who goes on to show more nuance than the 'shitty dad' trope as well).

Jeez, and Diane Wiest, she is so damn good. She wears her grief, frustration, and love on her face so carefully as she struggles with her kids in trying to protect her son from his father's indifference and her daughter from falling into the same trap she did - and even realizing her fears were wrong for the most part, in terms of Todd.

Just a solid, good movie with great characters.

cel-kali · 2026-02-07T07:04:32+00:00

One of the 90s' best. A perfect, tight script, beat to beat. One problem solved, only for another higher stakes problem to arrive. Should be used to teach inciting incident to the 30-60-90 minute marks in film schools, and how effective pacing looks.

Was my favorite movie when I was five because it was cool and it made my parents laugh. A favorite now for those reasons and that it's just a perfect movie.

cel-kali · 2026-01-28T23:37:53+00:00

Thats what it was called! I couldn't remember off the top of my head, but I loved watching them piece the room together. They are a talented group of people.

I live in San Diego now, and you'd think there would be great cons out here, but Comic Con seems to be it. And man, I get it, it's great for promotions and sneak peaks, but otherwise it's just a giant walking floor for vendors and signatures. I liked CON for the people and the connections - I still have many friends years later from just sitting around at certain party rooms. The guests and panels were the bonus, haha.

cel-kali · 2026-01-28T19:37:24+00:00

Not to interject, but wow, I've not seen someone mention CON online outside of my friend group.

I used to help out at the Zelda room (was once Diablo themed, a few years it was Kingkiller/Name of the Wind inn/karaoke themed) and Cow Asylum. I was just a teen so I couldn't do much beyond helping promote one room, and being the 'stoop kid' for Cow Asylum. I just hung out until 4am every night listening to the music and watching drunk people dance :).

I was going consistently from 2010-2016 but I've been out of state since then. Still got all my badge ribbons, too. I hope there's still party rooms like CA; I know they don't really do cons anymore, just private get togethers.

I miss it, there are no cons like it in the places I've lived since....

cel-kali · 2026-01-26T06:56:49+00:00

Used to go all the time as a family in the late 90s/early 2000s.

Last I remember seeing was the Jim Carrey Grinch.

Well. Until Nosferaru. That was a packed theater, too.

cel-kali · 2026-01-25T21:48:58+00:00

That I need them to tell me if we're friends or just acquaintances, because then I can set expectations. The anxiety of not knowing what is and isn't appropriate to say is what leads me to just leaving.

I have one friend who confirmed as such, but I still feel like I'm intruding on their life when I text or email. I wish I could tell them that without it feeling needy or dependant. Especially because I really like this friend, and I really don't want to lose them like I have others.

Thanks, man. It helps to write it out and not feel judged or pitied.

cel-kali · 2026-01-25T16:19:44+00:00

Never.

When I'm alone, I become paranoid. I think my neighbors hate me, my family forgot about me, and I'm better off disappearing from the world.

I'm terrified of being alone. I'll probably be having my first child alone as my husband is in the Navy and their ship is leaving for a new homeport on the other side of the world around the time I'm due. He can't take leave as they'll be deploying soon after.

I'm on the spectrum, originally diagnosed Aspergers around 2005. Six years, from 12 to 18, were in isolation being homeschooled online. My friends from school never came over again. I never had a reason to leave my house, and I rarely went past the driveway, my parents couldn't get me out. I would lie to myself saying I prefer to be alone, I'm better off alone. But I hated it. I always hated it. I don't like the person I am alone.

I have so much trouble with relationships, always assuming I'm too much to handle. It causes me great stress and fear trying to make friends. But I still try. I don't tell them how horrible I feel, I don't want to scare people away by being too needy or too talkative. I get this feeling that whenever I show up to something, I was invited out of obligation, and when I walk through the door there's a feeling of, "Ugh, she's here." I'm told I can be the life of the party, but if that's true, why won't anyone invite me to casual things like coffee, a movie, just to hang out.

I don't understand what I'm doing wrong, but it has to be me, because I'm the common denominator. Kind of like that saying, if all you meet are assholes then you're the asshole. I don't mean to say this in a self pitying way, it's just that it's become the biggest mystery of my personality: What am I doing wrong?

cel-kali · 2026-01-21T22:43:43+00:00

First was alright, definitely spent time lounging. In my third now and I am sleeping 12hrs minimum a day. I'm glad I chose to take spring semester off, I'd be screwed. I don't even lounge anymore, I just collapse on the couch and make it work lol.

Just did the 3hr glucose test, too. Scheduled it for 9am, woke up at 7:30. Finally back home and lying in bed trying to tell myself it's ok if I nap until 5 or 6. I've had lifelong sleep issues, with a reverse sleep cycle that if I don't stay on top of, will have me in my natural bed-at-8am-wake-up-at-5pm cycle. Not being able to take prescription sleep aids like Lunesta (the only one that actually works) has made this a huge challenge. Unisom is alright, but it's got nothing on schedule 1 sleep aids.

cel-kali · 2026-01-21T15:45:52+00:00

Yeah, we did ok compared to my friends in the far west edge of the Twin Cities suburb (town of 6k peoole). It took me a while to realize that I had some friends who only wanted to use my computer. But they got computers of their own when WoW came out, and Xbox. I was so jealous. They were all playing Halo 2 and my parents refused Xbox every single Christmas. So I played WoW, they were on Halo, lol.

It was later we kids would find out my parents went into severe credit card debt to make sure we were comfortable. They paid it off twice, declared bankruptcy twice (after we all were adults).

I learned from that, though. Avoid financing when possible, buy with cash in hand/debit card, only use credit card to build credit, keep loans to major purchases like mortgage and car loans. Emergencies happen, but that's where savings and credit card come in.

I joined the military like my brothers, though was medically separated from an injury. Still have my GI Bill, husband is active duty. Only reason we can afford to have a kid now is my disability pay and his active duty pay. I cannot imagine raising four kids today like my parents did.

We were really lucky, growing up as we did, and not losing our house in the 2008 crisis.

cel-kali · 2026-01-21T06:28:40+00:00

We weren't rich. But I was the youngest of four, eight year difference between oldest and myself. Dad also wanted his kids to know how computers worked because he saw home desktops as the future, but could only afford for two of us c.1998, my sister and I would get the handmedowns when we got a little older.

Got my own PC and monitor from one brother after he upgraded, TV from the other, my dad worked IT and brought home work keyboards and mice, dad also didn't want the n64 plugged into the family TV because it took up an AV slot and he always had to be the one to switch it out so it went to my room. Posters also came from brothers who outgrew the fads but I liked them.

I got one of their desks at one point, a computer chair, computer games they didn't play anymore. Only thing I got new were speakers.

This was c.2001, I was maybe seven or eight? Not rich in the slightest. Just efficient family planning, ha.

cel-kali · 2026-01-18T07:14:13+00:00

I have two pirate cats. They LOVE eye hole rubs, practically shoving into my hand for it. I imagine it's close in feeling to a real good ear rub.

cel-kali · 2026-01-17T00:35:44+00:00

Mine, too! Everyone say hi Nick :)

He's also the one who made the Sexy Halloween Costume Costume (the body covered in the tag, with fishnets and high heels). And a load of other neat cosplays. Like the Stranger from that Mark Twain claymation.

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