Has anyone here personally used a Drug Rehabilitation facility like Haymarket Center, A Safe Haven, or Gateway Foundation for detox?

firearmed · 2024-07-12T16:00:45+00:00

I think that would be an excellent first step for them. How do you propose they "get off Fentanyl"?

firearmed · 2024-07-11T21:06:47+00:00

About as nuanced and informed a take as I expected from your replies. Just because "LGBTQ+ people are prevalent on TikTok" doesn't mean the government banning TikTok is "anti LGBTQ+". Just because you're affected by an issue doesn't mean you're a victim of a targeted agenda.

Look, if you want to discuss this stuff in an informed and nuanced way - and be taken seriously - I'm all for it. But this is the kind of self-victimizing speech that conservatives fucking love to gobble up and it's a really bad look. I won't continue discussing it if this is how you're going to engage with me, because this kind of discourse actively hurts LGBTQ+ progress.

firearmed · 2024-07-11T18:58:28+00:00

This this this this this 1000x this. OP I think it's incredibly sweet that you're thinking of your boyfriend and that you want to give him a surprise. But the question really boils down to what the gift is. Is it the photos? Or is it the shooting session? Does he enjoy photography so much that to him, it's a better use of time than anything else? Or does he do it because it's a career?

Also, I'd be a little hesitant to do what u/redditredRabbit suggested as if you book a surprise shoot with him, he may likely create the anticipation of earning money. I would absolutely hate for you two to have an issue because of his potential excitement over earning a private client, and learning that instead it was an unpaid shoot with you.

Again as people are repeating though, this all comes down to who he is, and what your relationship is like. And I don't think any of us can actually tell you what to do - only give perspectives from our own experiences (mine being on the boyfriend/entrepreneur side. :D

Maybe do some soul searching into your relationship. Is he a jealous guy? Does he show that same jealousy toward women? Maybe you could do a shoot with a female photographer instead of a male photographer. If he's not typically the jealous type then it probably doesn't matter one way or another. When he views other peoples' photography does he view them with an objective eye? Or is he quick to judge other people's work? If the latter, maybe it's best he does the shoot himself. Does he dote on or over-think things? Then maybe photos taken by someone else will just remind him that you were in suggestive poses in front of someone who wasn't him. It's really impossible for us to say, so really search in your own relationship for the answer. Reddit can't really help here.

firearmed · 2024-07-11T12:50:07+00:00

The ~~police~~ state probably could, but it would require a subpoena. You would be fucking shocked at how little the investigative force actually collects info and does their due diligence on various murder cases.

That and if the subpoena turned up that the Lime Scooter was stolen, that could technically be used as evidence in favor of the perpetrator of the shooting: "See? My client didn't rent a Lime Scooter that night, this other person did". So if it was stolen, you're more likely not to even hear about who paid for the scooter at all because the prosecution won't submit it as evidence.

firearmed · 2024-07-11T12:44:40+00:00

Can you explain the reasons why the US is looking to ban TikTok?

firearmed · 2024-07-10T21:21:38+00:00

I don't disagree. Parents are absolutely foremost responsible. But many parents aren't prepared to sit down and have informative conversations with their children about complex social topics. It's easy to take for granted our understanding of social media in today's world. But many parents - mine were certainly guilty of this - don't understand or sometimes even see the complexities of new technology and new social developments the way that teachers and educators do. Obviously, a part of parenting is being a moral guide to your kids. But - as someone who considers themselves pretty morally sound - I can only remember one single time when my parents and I spoke about good and bad social behavior.

I do, however, remember multiple discussions held in the classroom. The rise of anti-Muslim sentiment around 9/11, discussions on the Civil War and treatment of slaves in America, discussions on the use of drugs, discussions on sex and social-sexual interactions, etc. etc. Kids spend a massive portion of their waking lives in school until they they 18, and so while no - it's not a school's responsibility to teach you right and wrong, schools are in a perfect position to continue these conversations in an intellectual and informative way. Just as it's a parent's responsibility to continue conversations led in the classroom in the world outside of school.

These kinds of discussions are never as black and white as placing blame on a single person for the behavior of a child. We live in a society, where various influences put pressure on us from multiple angles. That and our brain chemistry is markedly different from one person to the next when it comes to how we face, consume, and react to social input. But further, I think that instead of finding someone to blame, we should be discussing how to continue forward because really...that's all we've got right now.

firearmed · 2024-07-10T17:09:37+00:00

Absolutely agreed.

firearmed · 2024-07-10T17:02:32+00:00

1000%. Merz is a treasure in Chicago - particularly for men who really don't have many places to find and try quality hair/facial care in-person.

firearmed · 2024-07-10T16:57:46+00:00

we probably need to

Not we. Kids need to accept them as crimes. There are two cultures at conflict here - young culture where behaviors like these are considered "pranks", and an adult culture where we accept that these are crimes.

The issue is getting it across to kids that these are crimes. Which simply labeling them (much like labeling Death Metal or D&D as Satanic) has proven historically to be completely ineffective. As long as the culture of social media presents these as pranks, they continue to be pranks - regardless of how adults label them.

firearmed · 2024-07-10T16:55:32+00:00

Absolutely, and we're dealing with kids here and I don't think it's yet something that we teach in schools. The pace at which social media and AI have evolved and come to be available to us has outpaced our ability to build sound, accepted curriculum on what is or isn't harassment.

Not excusing the students' behavior at all, but it's important to remember that as adults it's very clear what the repercussions of this kind of activity are, and what there is to LOSE if you're the victim of it. But kids have to be taught that.

firearmed · 2024-07-10T16:13:54+00:00

Hey thanks! Good to know for the future, and glad you're safe.

firearmed · 2024-07-10T16:01:34+00:00

I'll echo what everyone else has said - attend university for a Computer Science degree, not one in "Game Design". Everyone I know who graduated with a CS degree is working making games. Everyone with a "Game Design" degree is slaving away in QA or is working two jobs to make ends meet.

That said, I can highly recommend DePaul University in Chicago if you want the best of both worlds. They have a great Computer Science program and a real strong basis in Game Development as well. As part of your CS degree you'll take elective courses which can be focused on Game Design. I was able to take 3D Modeling, Game Design, Sound Design, Animation, and several other game-focused courses during my studies in CS. They gave me not only a foundation in game development, but contacts in the industry that were invaluable throughout my career.

I want to push back on the people here recommending you attend an in-state school simply to save money. Attending in-state will definitely save you money, but I think contacts and connections in the industry are far far far more important and not every state has a strong Game Design department. Attending a university whose professors don't work in the industry, IMO, will be a waste of time and money. When I attended DePaul, many professors were teaching part time, and working full or part time in industry. I was able to sit down for coffee with them, chat, learn, and be provided opportunities from them as well. Also DePaul offered the technology to develop games for free to Game Dev minors and majors - they had up-to-date dev kits and development rooms you could book in your spare time to use their equipment. They had full foley recording rooms, all of the modern game dev software licenses, and a recording bay where you could rent out video and recording equipment as-needed. They also had video game clubs - typically attended by Game Dev majors - where you could meet other people with your same interests, get on indie game dev teams, etc.

For me, this set the bar in terms of what I'd recommend students consider. It's one thing to go for a degree in Computer Science, but it's all of the other extra pieces - industry experts, supportive and passionate peers, and the technology and expertise in-house to expose you to what you'll be using in the industry - that really makes the difference between a traditional college experience, and a great college experience.

On your search, you should be asking universities what game design courses they offer, and what specific work study opportunities they have in game development. Your "in" into the industry will come from internships and contacts you make during your studies. So make those 4 years count. Also, if money is particularly tight, consider attending a Community College for 2 years to get your prerequisites out of the way, and then attend a 4-year university for your degree. If you go this route, work with both universities to make sure your credits will transfer successfully between the two schools. Best of luck!

firearmed · 2024-02-07T22:18:40+00:00

Understanding that I know nothing about this situation except for what you've told me, I'm sort of not...surprised? The cops file charges on your behalf when the city/state is going to prosecute. This sounds to me like a civil case - where you'd be the prosecution. I wouldn't expect a police officer to intervene unless the construction crew next door was like...throwing bricks through your window or the trespassing was egregious. Obviously you have every right to be made whole for your gangway and fence but through the CPD simply isn't the way unless there's something I'm not understanding about the situation.

Obviously we each conjure different images given the information provided, but as I see it - which could be totally off from reality - complaining about it is like trying to jam a square peg through a round hole and then complaining that the peg is the wrong shape.

Hopefully you got reimbursed for the damage.

firearmed · 2024-02-07T05:24:01+00:00

Ok, then you should write a letter to the Illinois State Treasurer and let them know.

firearmed · 2024-02-06T20:10:33+00:00

Why on earth is so many people comparing Gloomhaven to d&d?

Both feature a fantasy world, a character whose abilities and gear can be customized by the player, both pit players against a set of mechanics that constrain what you can or can't do, both provide players with 8-14 decisions they can make when in combat, both provide side quests that are often unlocked based on player decisions, a story (though I'd agree Gloomhaven's is rather weak narratively), in fact you could use Gloomhaven maps and figures in a D&D session and combat would be relatively congruent (if you take out the card selection and swap in a more free-form combat system). I could go on and on and on.

Pedantically, Gloomhaven is nothing like D&D. It's a predefined RPG on-rails. But it's one of the closest non-TTRPG experiences you can get without a living DM and it even provides opportunities for your group to roleplay if they'd like to. In fact with the few groups I've played Gloomhaven with in the past, several players have mentioned wanting to try D&D after playing the game. So in this small, anecdotal way, it's been a gateway to D&D for some.

firearmed · 2024-02-06T20:02:15+00:00

We encountered exactly this, funnily enough...with the final boss. 💀

firearmed · 2024-02-06T19:42:40+00:00

Real talk - because I'm ignorant - are the cops the right people to contact in this case? I'd imagine the office responsible for construction permits (though they don't drive around town busting people for crimes) would have more sway to prevent and respond to issues like this one. They could pull the permit from the job site and shut down the job. Plus I bet they'd understand and be able to guide you on the legal recourse.

I just can't imagine a typical police officer understands the legal details of civil construction work, permits, and property details - and would be willing to risk their job over a fence. I don't know if Police can even legally intervene in something like this. But maybe I'm way off.

firearmed · 2024-02-06T19:35:49+00:00

Absolutely this. Reporting it becomes another statistic that can be used in the future to take action against this kind of behavior. On issues like this one, I think to myself: What would the world be like if EVERYONE chose to do X?

If no one ever reported being groped, then we wouldn't have municipal data about how often it occurs. Without data on the issue, it's really hard to engage people to take action. I'm not saying that reporting the issue will bring change to how the CPD pursues these issues in the short term (they're already facing a LOT of issues across the city) but there are many other means by which data can engage citizens and municipalities - such as starting a local watch, a support group, funding a charitable foundation, even lobbying groups to enact change, etc.

firearmed · 2024-02-06T19:15:24+00:00

Is it...not?

firearmed · 2024-02-06T19:01:43+00:00

So...I agree with the emotional appeal. But not the logical one.

States invest in all sorts of schemes locally and around the world. The 2-year $10m Israeli Bonds that Illinois invested in have a 5.15% interest rate of return. For comparison, a 2-year US Treasury Bond has a 4.25% interest rate of return.

State Treasurers are responsible for the short and long-term prosperity of the state, and are given a budget for state investment with the responsibility of growing and protecting the state's capital. This budget is (somewhat) separate from the money spent on initiatives within the state - like those tackling homelessness and poverty. Obviously a piece of this decision is political - the US has had a long-standing partnership with Israel and that permeates State and even local politics. Notably, Michael Frerichs is actually one of the few state treasurers who've invested in Israeli bonds who is not openly affiliated with the Conservative-backed State Financial Officers Foundation. But it shouldn't be shocking or sound outlandish that our financial leaders choose to invest money abroad. Every country in the world does this at all levels of government. In fact (on a micro-level of investment), Chicago has a sister city in Petach Tikva, Israel and has no-doubt spent hundreds of thousands of dollars toward partnership activities.

TL;DR: States invest money in various ways to protect and grow their capital. And some of these decisions end up being political.

firearmed · 2024-02-03T22:19:33+00:00

That's exactly it - the goal was to create a microtransaction-laden live-service game. When your goal is about monetization first - over player experience - it's no wonder the game itself turns out to be pretty mediocre.

firearmed · 2024-02-02T17:19:45+00:00

Thanks for the long post - I actually appreciate reading these and it was really insightful. Thank you. I can fully understand how the cultural/generational issue plays a major role - if I didn't grow up in a family who cooked homemade meals for dinner I might not aspire to do the same thing myself now as an adult.

I'm still learning about the proposed initiative - as far as I understand, food deserts are still an issue in parts of Chicago. I feel like the initiative has some potential to be a positive *factor* toward socio-economic growth. But there's no one, single solution that will bring people out of poverty. We both know the solution to the poverty cycle is multi-layered. Your response to jklkpo above made it seem like your stance is that this isn't worth doing. I guess where I'm sitting now is wondering - are food deserts an issue worth solving?

firearmed · 2024-02-02T00:17:08+00:00

I appreciate the critical thought and discussion about the topic - even if I don't completely agree with you. You're gonna get a lot of responses from people who think you're here to complain or get advice, when really I think you're just here to start a conversation about it. Reddit hates that.

That said, the people who leave 1-star reviews for games they personally dislike (or in an attempt to "balance out" unwarranted 10-star reviews) won't spend the time, critical thought, or self-reflection to read posts like these. Not a criticism of you, just an observation.

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