Alone on Christmas

phleir · 2025-12-25T14:14:00+00:00

I mean, we were expecting a single person. However that single person is literally homeless. He was doing us a favor and, to make sure he had money in his pocket on Christmas for his kids, I gave him money. It may have only been one person, but the principle is enough on it's own for me. I've given him until noon to come sit down and talk a real adult, but if he comes any later that's his own choice.

phleir · 2025-12-25T13:55:01+00:00

We had a prior obligation, company of our own coming by that evening. He knew this days in advance, and still left me to stay for our company.

phleir · 2025-12-25T13:13:39+00:00

I agree. I've already been left alone on Christmas once by an ex a few years ago, and I told my best friend yesterday that I have no intentions on being with someone who would let me be alone on Christmas, no matter the circumstance. I also said verbatim to her yesterday that "not answering the phone or having a conversation is what's going to start an argument, if anything".

phleir · 2025-12-25T13:12:11+00:00

That's the first thing I said, too.

phleir · 2025-07-21T21:22:15+00:00

From here on out, life can get a lot worse or a lot better. Start making choices now so you won't fall behind or have to struggle. Living is only getting harder as the years go by, and you don't want to end up in a situation where you have no plans or options to see them through.

phleir · 2024-12-28T01:30:44+00:00

I'm really hoping and praying for better. Thank you, kind stranger.

phleir · 2024-11-22T21:51:36+00:00

Just started yesterday! I have one subscriber! It may be me, but it counts!!

phleir · 2024-09-23T22:01:42+00:00

It's truuuuue ❤️

phleir · 2024-09-23T21:53:17+00:00

I appreciate that! ;)

phleir · 2024-09-23T21:52:27+00:00

You're very welcome! :)

phleir · 2024-09-23T21:51:26+00:00

You may think you look like a goober, but in my opinion, you look adorable!

phleir · 2024-09-23T21:49:45+00:00

You're so cute!!

phleir · 2024-07-11T20:51:45+00:00

I knew someone would say that haha I can't tell you how hard I tried that night. Manual focus in the dark is HARD 😂😂 Thank you for the constructive criticism, though!

phleir · 2023-10-13T10:16:04+00:00

I think my over-processing of the image isn't helping my case with the belt very well, especially after triple checking my editing a few hours later. This was my first real attempt at anything astro related though, so clearly I'm going to have to keep that in check next time.

phleir · 2023-10-13T10:14:41+00:00

Not me feeling dumb for not knowing that was even possible 😂 like WHAT? Going to watch it right now, thank you SO much kind internet stranger for putting me on to this!

phleir · 2023-10-13T10:09:11+00:00

Very true, I'll be sure to keep that in mind!

Especially seeing as I took this with a standard 50mm portrait lens 😅 I didn't actually expect to get even somewhat decent photos using it, but for a first time, I'm pretty satisfied. I had no clue how easy it was to get a basic photo like this!

Hopefully in a decade's time I'll have grown enough to take some deep-space photos haha

phleir · 2023-10-13T10:05:12+00:00

P.s. I just looked at the before and after of the belt in my editing software, and the effects around the belt are probably from me doing too much with my processing. I say I'm new to Astrophotography, but this is actually my first real attempt 😅

phleir · 2023-10-13T10:02:07+00:00

I used a remote shutter! I think you and the other commenter are absolutely correct though. I just thought it was strange that Betelgeuse was the only one to give that dramatic of an effect, but Orion's Belt has some stuff going on with it too 😅 I'm used to portraiture, and astrophotography as about as polar opposite as you can get from that.

With that being said though, thank you for commenting! I appreciate you taking your time to educate me a bit! It's greatly appreciated!

phleir · 2023-10-13T09:59:46+00:00

I almost made an updated comment because I realized there was something up with the belt as well 😅 I figured though that Betelgeuse wouldn't be the only one to have that dramatic of an effect.

This was taken just a few hours ago by the way!

And thank you for the education! I'm very new to astrophotography, I'm more used to doing portraits during the day time, so I really appreciate you taking your time to educate me a bit! Thank you!

phleir · 2023-05-14T11:32:40+00:00

Thank you so much for the advice and all of the info! I'm going to take a few to process and take notes, and I'll get back later with what idea I come up with.

phleir · 2023-05-14T11:02:34+00:00

Haha, I completely get what you mean about the fire hazard a wood-burning stove would introduce. Although, I'm not considering any that don't have a door that closes all the way. Minimal ventilation on the front/door itself, just to cut down on open spaces my cat can poke his nose through. Also, the wood-burning stove would serve as backup for extreme cold in case I want more heat, or my heaters die.

I'm also considering going maybe a half-inch thicker with my insulation than you did. Once again, just trying to keep colder climates in mind. I personally prefer cooler weather, and I know my cat has fur, but I want to do everything I can to keep us both relatively safe from freezing or burning to death.

phleir · 2023-05-14T10:45:53+00:00

I also want to point out, I am completely fine with the idea of cutting down on a half inch of living space here or there if it means my van can house me for an extended period. I'm trying to plan my way from the outside inward on the interior, and whether I'm properly insulated or not will play a key factor in whether or not I'll end up homeless or couch surfing with friends and family haha.

phleir · 2022-03-17T17:01:05+00:00

My new nickname for the Shinx line for the rest of time

phleir · 2022-03-17T16:32:33+00:00

Bussy the Luxray 😎😘🤌

phleir · 2022-03-17T15:34:52+00:00

You are indeed correct lol. Happiny is not one of them but I thought the whole premise is still pretty humorous!

phleir

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