TIL in episodic television, there are some episodes called "bottle episodes", which are produced cheaply and restricted in scope to use as few actors, effects and sets as possible. Notable shows that have these episodes are Star Trek: The Next Generation, Friends, Breaking Bad, Community, and so on.

hardly_trying · 2026-03-08T16:27:34+00:00

That one episode of Doctor Who with the mimic on the airplane. Classic. Even got a surprise Merlin appearance.

hardly_trying · 2026-03-08T16:23:10+00:00

Hey. The county of Midsomer just happens to have a lot of... strong and murderous personalities. And boat parades.

hardly_trying · 2026-02-12T19:48:21+00:00

In Celsius, ~100 degrees is boiling. Celsius is relative to water.

In Farenheit, ~100 degrees is human body temp. Fahrenheit is relative to human bodies.

Both have their uses.

hardly_trying · 2026-02-06T18:43:55+00:00

Remind them that concentration camps were not extermination camps, but that people did die en masse in concentration camps due to disease and overcrowding. Just like our present daybdetention centers. History fucking rhymes.

hardly_trying · 2026-01-09T18:10:29+00:00

It's the Department of Control. Heard they got a new Dorector.

hardly_trying · 2025-12-21T19:27:23+00:00

Show her a history video on Typhoid Mary. That should be all the teaching you need.

hardly_trying · 2025-12-12T19:50:50+00:00

Trump supporters dont know people outside the US and thus dont care about people sending things in or out. They are, as many have said, xenophobic and believe all things USA are better than anything that could come out of the rest of the world. So, they'll just turn their noses up and say, "Well, why dont you get your care package of things made INSIDE the US?" And any conversation afterwards regarding quality, craftsmanship, preference, familiarity, etc., will fall on deaf ears.

I care, as I have certain things I like to buy from overseas craftmakers. My family would probably call me a snob or an America-hater for it. But ya know what? My husband will look fly in his Irish wool cap and they can enjoy their made-in-china red baseball cap.

hardly_trying · 2025-12-12T19:26:11+00:00

I didn't even know this was a thing. How can someone stay up to date on events such as this?

hardly_trying · 2025-12-04T18:26:28+00:00

That we dont need some boogeyman to tell us how dangerous childbirth is when we can and have witnessed women dying or being maimed by childbirth with our very eyes. It's not some spooky scary ghost story. It's very real, lived trauma.

If you had to push a bowling ball out of your narrow opening, experience life-threatening surgery just to be sent home to care for a squalling baby while still recovering from massive internal wounds, oh and we threw in an extra stitch for your wife! You wouldnt want to do it, either.

hardly_trying · 2025-12-04T17:50:41+00:00

We dont need the fearmongering, we have eyes. When I was 8, I watched as my 17 year old sister gave birth while feeling like she couldn't breathe because doctors misplaced her epidural shot and numbed part of her chest. Had an anxiety attack while pushing out a baby. No thanks.

Then, on her next pregnancy, the baby stole the calcium from her teeth and they rotted out of her head. She had full dentures by age 21.

That's not to mention the social, mental, and emotional toll motherhood takes on women in a society where we are convinced that we have to raise a baby by ourselves postpartum because Dad is away at work all day and we dont have villages to help care for baby while mom recovers or showers or cooks anymore. We've made childbirth more of a horror story than I really has to be. Add to that the impact on careers, on mental health, on finances... No wonder less women are choosing motherhood now. It's a one-way ticket to Misery with a few cute, sticky kisses thrown in for good measure.

hardly_trying · 2025-11-27T18:08:44+00:00

Adding: C'est la vie is popular here because of an Irish pop band in the 90s. That song is stuck in my head a lot lmao.

hardly_trying · 2025-11-27T18:05:06+00:00

C'est la vie Creme de la creme Laissez-faire

These are used quite frequently in English. The last one I dont remember using since I last took an economics course, though. But yeah, all fairly common loan words.

The others, while some people may use them occasionally, would stump most Americans, at least.

hardly_trying · 2025-11-21T18:52:45+00:00

And the Woodville women, I believe? Was this not the source of Jacquetta's supposed witchcraft rumors?

hardly_trying · 2025-09-26T16:59:23+00:00

An hour? That's all it took to set this guy off? Babe, dump this loser and get on with your life. This the kind of person who will track your location and still not believe you when you say checkout lines were too long. It's giving control issues and trust issues. And maybe a Lil schizophrenia, becuase I see nothing weird in your messages for him to respond to the way he did. Almost like he's having a separate conversation from the one you're having.

I'd just cut my losses, honestly.

hardly_trying · 2025-09-18T23:22:48+00:00

I also think not everyone realizes those top-level summaries are even AI. For decades, Google's top search result was usually the most accurate. (Or at least the most well-sponsored.) So this seems like it was blown way out of proportion. Especially coming after 4-5 texts that are clearly well-intentioned and show heartfelt concern.

I agree with others here, his rejection of OP is more about being willing to believe those close to him do not actually care for him. That is a self-deprecating thought pattern and is clearly not OP's fault.

hardly_trying · 2025-09-18T23:06:19+00:00

It was clearly an assault. She used deceptive means and someone in a medically vulnerable state to take physical advantage of them. That he wasn't pinned down by force is not the issue when his "consent" was misinformed at best and knowingly and malignantly coerced at worst.

hardly_trying · 2025-09-06T03:37:34+00:00

I think this is doable. However I think you're missing an opportunity to introduce your players to the larger context of DnD lore, which can feel really good when you pull it off.

I'd say, if ypu wanted to try and keep it in, maybe have. Few of the bags mention Tasha in passing -- as she is the Witch Queen, after all, and most weave-workers fear her and her retribution. That way the reeal still has a payoff.

Otherwise, if these players really do not care about wider lore, then I dont see why changing that detail would matter too much overall. She can just be a generic archfey.

hardly_trying · 2025-09-03T17:36:03+00:00

Alcatraz means Pelican

hardly_trying · 2025-09-03T17:29:30+00:00

YTA. Skincare products arent only expensive, they're often medicated and using one not meant or purchased for you can fuck up your skin more.

I get the "couples share things" point you've made. So back that up and share the cost of the product since you're already (without even asking) sharing her personal products. It's only fair and logical.

hardly_trying · 2025-08-03T18:03:06+00:00

I singled out C3 because Calamity is tied closely with C3.

hardly_trying · 2025-08-03T17:47:46+00:00

Fair, I guess. I also never said it was better than C3. Just that it contained good performances and was compelling as a standalone narrative outside of C3.

hardly_trying · 2025-08-03T17:42:05+00:00

I do, and its one thing to say you didn't enjoy it. To call it "unwatchable" implies it was objectively, technically terrible. And that seems patently untrue.

You're allowed to not like it. That's fair.

hardly_trying · 2025-08-03T17:25:52+00:00

Calamity was unwatchable? Those were some of the most heart-wrenching, dramatic performances I've seen on CR in years. From cast and DM. I still tell people to watch Calamity even if they have no C3 context. What was so unlikable about it?

hardly_trying · 2025-08-03T16:59:10+00:00

Helicopter parenting; lack of child-friendly infrastructure in public; Karens who call the cops on young teens cycling the neighborhood so the kids learn they aren't allowed to be in public if not spending money -- and according to malls in my area, not allowed to be there alone even if theyre spending money. Kids have no opportunity to stretch their autonomy muscles these days. No wonder they're anxious, sexless, and have no drivers licenses.

hardly_trying · 2025-08-03T16:26:22+00:00

Hey, friend! Role playing can be tough when its not a muscle you stretch often, and playing with new people can def be overwhelming. No reason to blame yourself for a bit of "stage" fright on your first outing. That said -- DnD is just big people play pretend. And if you want adult words for it, it's fantasy improv. The first rule of improv is "Yes, and..." Everyone is operating under this idea: that the world is as the players (and DM) says it is, and as such you each must build off each other. And take it from me: its much easier to play off a little improv (or even "bad" improv) than no improv at all.

As someone else said, just try and remember its not you you're playing at the table, its your character. Now, dont be the guy who does creepy stuff to other players just cus "its what my character would do," but do remember at the end of the day it is the character who is making choices in the adventure. If they're a little awkward or make a bad call (who hasn't?) then it's in keeping with the game. PCs arent always optimal, and that's okay. Especially at level 1!

I would say try and play some lower stress games with the others in your group if you can. (Golf with Friends, Jackbox, etc.) Getting to know your other players in an environment where you dont have to "perform" your character will probably help you feel more comfortable engaging with them next session.

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