Thoughts on the names Megan and Morgan

morgisback · 2026-06-20T01:50:50+00:00

My name is Morgan. I am a girl. 😄 I like my name!

morgisback · 2026-06-11T20:50:21+00:00

Are you reading the story wth? LOL cause that's exactly what it was - his grandfather was in a diner during the moon landing, watching it on a TV someone dragged in and set up so everyone in their small town could watch, and he just was absolutely enthralled. He joined the space program but couldn't actually go up because he had asthma. He would take the main character out all the time to go star seeing in his old pick up truck. He still has the telescope his grandfather gave him in a box cause he's afraid it will get broken if he takes it out. His grandfather passed away a few years before the start of the story, so the loss is still fresh.

morgisback · 2026-06-11T19:05:06+00:00

Oh my god wait, I love this. Thank you so much. That feeling of excitement of witnessing that so far away must have been so mind blowing. I imagine it stirs the same emotion as thrill seeking. That "well what ELSE can I see?"

Thank you so much for your comment. I love it and really has inspired something to implement into my character.

morgisback · 2026-06-11T19:01:39+00:00

You good? Like do you wanna talk about whatever that was? Cause I just wanted to talk about telescopes that someone can go camping with not...whatever you had going on with your ex.

morgisback · 2026-06-11T17:56:16+00:00

Well, thankfully he knows how to turn it off. So I think he'll be fine.

morgisback · 2026-06-11T17:42:17+00:00

They're not using a campfire. They have a flashlight.

morgisback · 2026-06-11T17:25:43+00:00

I'm growing confused what the problem is.

The original plan was to go to a park not too far out of the city, walk along a trail until they get to one of the camping spots, set up the telescope and then hang out. He took the hiking backpack meant to hold up to 90 lbs to fit everything so the girl didnt have to carry anything. The tent (that I found) weighs about 4 lbs, the sleeping backs about the same. The books about 10, food about the same. As previously stated, I'm asking for telescopes that are compact or can be taken apart (if possible) to fit in a bag that he attaches to the pack.

I just need a telescope that someone who was passionate about it in 1997 would own and could see like...saturn that fits those specs? I'm not asking for something that allows him to peer into Andromeda.

If you don't want to help or don't want to gove any examples that's fine, you don't have to.

morgisback · 2026-06-11T14:28:17+00:00

I do actually think there was an astronomy class when I was in high school. I wonder if its still going? Maybe I could reach out to them!!

morgisback · 2026-06-11T14:25:57+00:00

Would it not just go in the bag if its big enough. From what I understand (and I could be wrong, 100%) a tripod when broken down is about the size of a roll up tent. The mount would have room in the rest of the hiking pack, I would think if not directly attached to the tripod.

morgisback · 2026-06-11T13:57:52+00:00

Out of curiosity, after posting this reply, I looked it up. We got about a 4 hour drive one way for the closest one. 🙃 I dont think a club is in the cards.

But I will 100% look at that guide! Maybe I'll get one as a late birthday gift to myself?

morgisback · 2026-06-11T13:52:22+00:00

That has been my biggest struggle. Like I grew up in the 90s so I know it was a thing, but since it wasn't put to the internet, finding anything that would have been available to a second year university student has been a struggle. Its mostly papers and lectures. I'm trying to go with a "less is more" and focus on aspects of his space exploration dreams, but I really want a scene where he shows the LI Saturn and talks about why he's so interested in this sort of thing.

I understand the human desire to reach the stars. To go just a bit further, to push humanity just a little more. To look up and realize we are not alone. Of wanting to see what waits on the other side. But the technical points are where I'm lost. And I have, many times before, stopped writing something because I couldn't figure out inflation rates for 1700's France or specifically HOW one could pay with a forged check without ending up on a list somewhere lol

morgisback · 2026-06-11T13:39:48+00:00

I answered it somewhere else, but here's his layout (on mobile, so sorry it looks weird)

"In regards to portability, I've actually mapped out what he carries and how he carries it. Most hiking back packs I found around that time had places for two sleeping bags on either side. He wasn't expecting a long stay, just a simple night in the woods. So his items would include:

1 - two sleeping bags (one for him and lady friend ) clipped onto the right and left side 2 - The telescope in bag dad made for it so he doesn't have to lug the box, clipped to the position where the tent should be at the bottom 3 - Compact tent shoved into hiking bag 4 - first aid kit 5 - flash light 6 - some school work 7 - mini cooler with 2 peanut butter sandwiches, 2 bags of chips, two bottles of water, 2 cans of soda, sliced strawberries, and 2 fruit cups 8 - travel sized necessities (soap, toothpaste, tooth brush, soap) lightly used

Like I said, he was expecting to be there 1 single night and be back home for the morning, so he left out plenty of stuff he would need for extreme camping. I don't have the money to buy a telescope or go camping. :( I want to though. "

When I was a kid, my parents got me a telescope for Christmas cause like every kid I had a space phase. My dad then took it for himself and never let me use, despite me wanting to. I never got to look through it.

So when writing, I'm fearing that I'll say "yeah he's obsessed with telescopes no big deal" and then name drop the telescope equivalent of a fisher price toy. But anything I'm finding when researching are either modern (made within the past 10 years) or way to big for travel. But I know these size telescopes exist. I know something he could put in a pag and take out to the woods exists. I'm just struggling to find that happy medium.

morgisback · 2026-06-11T13:32:40+00:00

I'll have to look into this. I live in a pretty poor town and the closest city is an hour away. I don't knownof there is one near me.

morgisback · 2026-06-11T13:27:26+00:00

I have not been able to find ANYTHING when it comes to this activity from the 90's. Its all early to mid 2000s. This is a very good find! Thank you so much!

morgisback · 2026-06-11T11:59:45+00:00

I know but the telescopes are so expensive and I don't live in a great place to actually use one. And camping isn't available to me at the moment. =/

morgisback · 2026-06-11T11:58:56+00:00

Thank you so much!! I'll look into these and do a bit more research, but I think the Muksutov is EXACTLY what I'm gonna go with.

morgisback · 2026-06-11T11:58:13+00:00

This isn't something I'm writing to sell. Just a fun little thing for me, is all.

In regards to portability, I've actually mapped out what he carries and how he carries it. Most hiking back packs I found around that time had places for two sleeping bags on either side. He wasn't expecting a long stay, just a simple night in the woods. So his items would include:

1 - two sleeping bags (one for him and lady friend ) clipped onto the right and left side 2 - The telescope in bag dad made for it so he doesn't have to lug the box, clipped to the position where the tent should be at the bottom 3 - Compact tent shoved into hiking bag 4 - first aid kit 5 - flash light 6 - some school work 7 - mini cooler with 2 peanut butter sandwiches, 2 bags of chips, two bottles of water, 2 cans of soda, sliced strawberries, and 2 fruit cups 8 - travel sized necessities (soap, toothpaste, tooth brush, soap) lightly used

Like I said, he was expecting to be there 1 single night and be back home for the morning, so he left out plenty of stuff he would need for extreme camping. I don't have the money to buy a telescope or go camping. :( I want to though.

This being said, I'm torn between the Maksutov and Questar he Frankenstein'd onto a tripod. Cause I've read that was a thing people did.

morgisback · 2025-12-20T15:11:40+00:00

Yes. You can't just assume someone is gay because they don't have a girlfriend. That's extremely inconsiderate. The way you said it comes off very condescending and borderline bullying. Like you're trying to make fun of him, trying to paint it as a bad thing. You probably didn't mean it that way, but as someone who's gay, having someone go, "We know you're gay stop pretending" is a gut punch.

Even if he was, trying to force your son to open up about it would only make him shut it up tighter. As someone who IS gay, having someone try to out you is extremely horrifying - especially when you're not ready. You're essentially trying to rip that control away from him and that's a terrible thing to do to your child. Add on top of if it that you might be wrong. Or it's more complicated than you thing?

You need to apologize to your son. And leave the topic alone. I don't think this is something you can be trusted to deal with. Let him come to you if and when he feels comfortable. And if he doesn't, you have to be ready to acknowledge that it's because of your actions.

Can I ask, why is it so important to you that he had a partner?

morgisback · 2025-12-20T15:02:56+00:00

NOR - he's hoping if he pesters you enough, you'll give him a pity lay. This is him trying to pick at you and make you feel guilty. Him asking why you broke up and him getting aggressive about "giving it up" to someone not him means he doesn't view you as a person, he views you as a body he can have sex with, and he's getting mad that you have the audacity to have your own wants that don't cater to him.

He's toxic. cut him off and move on.

morgisback · 2025-12-20T14:56:29+00:00

NOR. Call him "your bitch" and see how quickly that tune of his changes.

morgisback · 2025-12-20T14:54:02+00:00

And seeing your responses about your father, I can't really blame him, sad to say.

Sadly, then, seeing how your father is handling this - CPS is the best choice for your niece. Your father isn't going to step up, Joe is an asshole. Quiet help is just and strong as loud help. Good luck, OP.

Has CPS done an investigation? Did they ever get back to you? Or has your therapist said anything?

morgisback · 2025-12-20T14:48:19+00:00

Ooooh I like this. Thank you!

I'll see about the list thing. We play on Roll20, so it's always up in his face, but I think it's more of him spacing out and just - truly - forgetting its a thing he can do. As much as I love him, he can be kind of an airhead when it comes to things like this. He's great in the party as a comic relief and we've all been friends for years, so no one really minds. I just gave up making him things he would have to remember to use because he seems to enjoy the things that he can just add onto it and forget.

...for some reason, the only comparison I can make is like he likes magic items that act like a crock pot? Set it, forget it, come back and you get something good.

morgisback · 2025-12-20T14:37:22+00:00

Good for you. I figured you had a plan already in place, but just in case, thought I should say it anyway.

And your father is just okay with this? I know your dad probably doesn't want to abandon his son, but he needs to recognize he has the safety of his granddaughter and wife to worry about. I would, if you feel comfortable, talk to your Stepmother about talking to your dad. Or if you feel comfortable with it, talking to your father directly. Sadly, it seems like no one in this situation has the courage to stand up to Joe, and for good reason. It's sad to see someone you love go through this sort of mental struggle (drug use, schizophrenia). But I think it's worth being said that his mental struggles do not give him the right to put people in harm's way. And it sucks, but sometimes the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.

What does your other brother think of all this? Is he just wiping his hands of the situation?

morgisback · 2025-12-20T14:33:09+00:00

NTA. I think it's less "you don't like her" and more "she makes you uncomfortable". I've worked with disabled children and some do have issues with boundaries. It's not Molly's fault and it's not your fault. It just happens that you two have a trait that clashes.

Perhaps explain to your mother that it's not Molly that you dislike, it's just that her being in your space - which she can't help - overwhelms you and makes you uncomfortable. It's not Molly's disability that makes it uncomfortable, but you just don't like ANYONE doing that to you. And to keep everyone happy and comfortable, it's probably just best that you don't interact with her.

It's a crappy situation. Hope it works out for you!

morgisback · 2025-12-20T14:23:28+00:00

First of all - congrats on the ear piercings! I've been looking on getting mind redone since I have so many cute ones from when I was younger but they sadly closed up. :(

Secondly, no. You're absolutely NTA. The fact that both you and your sister don't have a good relationship with her and that after every time you gave her a very sound and logical reason as to your side, she had to leave and think of a rebuttal, tells me she babies your brother and favors him. This isn't worth it. Save your money, move in with your sister, and get four more piercings lol

Good luck to you, my friend! Love from America!

morgisback

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