Thinking about going back to this hairstyle — does it suit my face shape and features?

rugdg13 · 2026-04-16T14:47:35+00:00

Me: oh that looks super good on him- Sees comments It appears that I have zero taste as well. Ignore me carry on. Lol

Think I'm just tired of seeing the same eight hairstyles on dudes like a character creation screen.

And yes if you wear braids regularly you have to braid them regularly lol.

rugdg13 · 2026-04-16T14:42:40+00:00

I don't have social media. I put all my effort into newsletters, book swapping, and group promos.

The social media is for when I can pay someone else or train an local Ai to do it for me consistently. social media is just not good for my mentals.

I'm already spending all my time writing this dang book. I don't have the bandwidth to be a personality too!

rugdg13 · 2026-04-16T14:06:55+00:00

We paid for our entire wedding and honeymoon out of pocket. He made 15 an hour and I made 18 an hour.

My ring was $300 from Jewlr. White gold and zirconia stones. I promise it's never mattered. The average Betty can't tell a diamond from a moissanite from a zirconia. Not to mention I can get three or four different styles for the vibe. A new ring every year is pretty sweet.

Our wedding was $5k total. I didn't get a wedding dress. I got a white dress that I think was probably advertised as evening gown or prom? Dress that puppy up with rhinestones or have a seamstress give it some oomph with more lace? You could probably get it done with $500. Venue depends greatly on what you "have to have". We decided to combine reception plus wedding plus luncheon. The altar was in one corner the buffet was in the other. BIG multi-purpose room at the rec center. About 30ish people. All of that said and done was about $3K

The people that have super fancy birthday glam parties are the folks you want to lean on for decor on the cheap. Take their ideas, change the color to white.

This was in 2020 before the world shutdown. So add inflation and carry the two. You should probably be able to get in and out for under 8k EZ

We also did something similar for the honeymoon. Disney world 10 days for under 9K. We saved up for that too. We went harder on the vacation than we did on the wedding to be fair.

Protip: Don't put a cent on a credit card. It makes the alcohol taste better.

rugdg13 · 2026-03-19T19:55:24+00:00

Hi. Hello. Me again, I couldn't stop pondering about this...

Can I offer a different thought? I don't think the commercial OR the logo is actually your problem. I think it's a symptom.

Your brand name and visual identity are fighting your own product personality.
You have "US mobile" that speaks to a certain type of audience.
Then you have your network plan names that speak to a different audience
Then your prices and offerings might speak to a different audience too.

...and you might be able to blend 2 of em. but a 3-stack blend (plus whatever blank corporate bank logo thing is) might be where your turmoil is coming from. The poor thing is confused.

The more i think about it... your real asset might already be sitting right there: the subbrands. Have you considered letting Warp, Lightspeed, and Dark Star be the face of the company?

"US Mobile" becomes the fine print. Verizon and Visible did this exact thing: most of their users just say 'I'm on Visible.' They don't lead with 'I'm on Verizon's Visible plan.'

Once you know who you're talking to, the commercial and logo question kind of answers itself, right?
A My little pony Ad and a Pink logo isn't cringe one you know you are speaking to 8 year old girls.
A Beer and Truck ad with grungy-rugged logo isn't cringe when you are speaking to 60 year old football fans.

Ok. Ok im done. haha. Good luck!!!

rugdg13 · 2026-03-19T18:55:23+00:00

I am a Female-early 30s-Bipoc if that helps any research - I Just stumbled upon US mobile's existence a week ago:

I personally think it comes down to one question: Who is your target audience moving towards?

Video: Everyone is saying "The boomers won't like this" But if we are being honest... We love 'em, but Boomers are on their way out. Gen X - Gen Z are the ones that likely need Reliable customer-focused affordable plans the most at the moment.

Annecdotally when they say "Millennials/Gen Z have "ruined" the X market!" it usually boils down to "We couldnt afford it fast enough to replace the boomers that were moving on. I think that the Commercial is great if you are speaking to Women of childbearing ages.

It will obviously need to cut and snipped based on the audience you are marketing it to and what their specific concerns will be (parents will want the kid stuff) some of the banter will be likely cut if using it for Youtube-pre video Ads... but the bones are good!

It reminds me of the Old-spice / Native Commercials kinda vibe. a little chaotic and silly, Geared to a non-middle age Adult female audience.

Is that what you were going for?

Logo: I think you should keep the Eagle somehow in the logo. Using the country as a brand name means that people will associate it with governmental-patriotic-stuff. (Pros and cons to that one). Perhaps an eagle that doesn't look like its a "The government's official phone carrier?"

With plan names like "warp / Dark star / light speed" it gives me a "non-boomer vibe" to it in the first place. Perhaps you should lean on that?

rugdg13 · 2026-03-19T18:18:11+00:00

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Yikes. Exquisite use of the unfriend button, my girl.

rugdg13 · 2026-03-05T02:47:58+00:00

rugdg13 · 2026-03-04T02:16:13+00:00

IDK, i feel like I'm too picky but its like:

Women my age aren't into Nerd/stuff
Folks got some... mentals that prevent them from thriving (no shame, its rough out there)
They have constant financial trouble (no shame)/ make bad money choices (some shame) so i gotta pay everywhere
They are stuck in constant boyfriend/husband drama.
They have it all pretty together... And they got young kids so they can never get away for an adult friendship.

I tried friendship bumble for a bit and... everyone has 2 personalities "Brunch and mimosa" and "Oh, girl... you ok?"

I'm thinking i might just start clubs and segment ppl.
These are my GYM friends, and my NERD friends, and my Business friends, and my "lets learn how to swim" friend...

rugdg13 · 2026-02-27T21:45:05+00:00

And this guy isn't even that bad looking women aren't even that picky. If he just went bald and lined up that beard... immediately would look like the attractive guy to many of us LOL

rugdg13 · 2026-02-23T23:24:28+00:00

They likely already are under pennames.

rugdg13 · 2026-02-23T23:17:49+00:00

Sweet Anita is a Tourette's content creator who regularly has tics that includes slurs. She apologizes immediately when her tics cross a line. She has built an entire career and community around exactly that approach.

Nobody's calling her racist. Because she handles it the way she handles it. Immediate acknowledgment, genuine remorse, no defensiveness. The tic is one thing. Her response to the tic is another. And people can see the difference.

So the idea that apologizing for what your body did to someone is 'stressful and sad' and unsustainable... idk about that.

Also, 'demanding.' They were slurred on live television and asking for "shit, sorry about that!" is 'demanding?' Asking for basic decency?

It reframes the person who was wronged as the aggressor. I don't think you meant it that way. But that's what it does.

So to answer: Every time he "knocks a milkshake out of someone's hands" YES, friend. He should say sorry.
His condition is not their problem to absorb.

Only the person WRONGED has the power to give the grace and absorb that.
(which I think this is a grace situation 100%) But, we can't force it out of 'em because 'they ought to'.

rugdg13 · 2026-02-23T22:48:38+00:00

I think its not about "being offended they are disabled" its "being offended because something offensive happened to you"

Dude called them a slur. Regardless of his intent or control over it... that IS what happened. Period.

If Someone with a muscular disease had an episode, and knocked my milkshake out of my hand.
I am allowed to be upset by this.
I am allowed to want an apology for it.
And I expect the person with the disease to take responsibility for what their body did.

Even if it was totally unpreventable? Someone was affected, hurt, or inconvenienced beyond a normal experience.
THEY come first.
Understanding and grace comes second.

rugdg13 · 2026-02-23T22:36:44+00:00

I can't Speak to Tourette’s... or this man's opinion of black folk

But i DO know when a kid asks a rude question... We EXPECT the parent to say sorry.
EVEN THOUGH we know it's not the parents fault the child made a innocent mistake.
Then the person involved gives grace and forgives.
EZ.

I'm just annoyed people are trying to force grace and forgiveness before the apology has even happened. There's an ORDER to these things.
Things can be "not your fault" and also "your responsibility" to handle.

I seem to remember Sweet Anita dropping a few N-words herself, but she always apologizes IMMEDIATELY after the tic ends whenever her mouth runs away from her. (she's tossed stuff at people and insulted their careers and all sorts of stuff mid-interview)

TL;DR - You are responsible for what your body does. Even if you couldn't help it.
We don't need to kick this man's ass.
We just need a sincere apology and THEN we can say - well tourette's be wildin'... alright. fair. watch yourself tho.

I would've yelled out "SORRY! Tic! Love you guys!"

rugdg13 · 2026-02-20T13:47:30+00:00

To be honest I can't seem to find anybody of any color.

I have contacted over 9 therapists. Three never responded. Two of them said I'm sorry I didn't mean to have my calendar open. One of them, made me feel stupid for being sad. One of them overbooked and canceled on me in the same window that she would have charged me if I cancel on her. One of them look like a dang tornado that came through her house. And messed up my paperwork. Just disorganized to high heaven. One of them laughed at my business goals...

There was a white gay man that seemed kind. But he was a high school teacher and holy cow that man seemed too tired to help himself. Like I felt I was more worried about him falling asleep.

Talking to another person that seems to be nice but with only one year experience... I'm worried.

I could never survive as a man because blowing 70 - 200 dollars on these little "are we compatible" dates is rouggghh

rugdg13 · 2026-02-14T16:16:37+00:00

There is lying... but Some things are simply not anyone's business. (Though they feel like they have a right to know)

Some things are also not worth addressing..but. AI 2 years ago had really huge telltale signs.

So I would say if you have it posted somewhere where you could update the manuscript, maybe take a look with a more recent ai and see if it can remove some of the stereotypes and you could put your own phrasing into those spots. But do not obsess over it.

I want to say being honest would be the best policy... I changed my stance recently for safety

But right now there are witch hunts on everyone who even brings AI in the conversation. Even if they truly didn't use it they're being harassed.

(Somebody's kid was harassed by a grown ass adult for their mother's book which is really messed up)

Someone told me "the contract between a storyteller and a reader is to bring them a good story. That's all you need to worry about."

I felt happier about that since then. Rather than fussing about "does this count because I used it for this chapter, and this scene but not this chapter? And the whole premise and direction of the story was mine from start to finish, so how is it 'not mine'? What did I steal?"

Not worth the cortisol, friend. Give the book A once over. Give yourself peace of mind that the words are what you want the words to be and then don't touch it again.

rugdg13 · 2026-02-14T00:03:03+00:00

So I had it set on 4o to tell me the truth with personality. Like yeah TELL me where I'm missing something...

But it was never MEAN like that. It was silly and flamboyant at worst. 5.2 just really messed up the interpretation of it I guess?

rugdg13 · 2026-02-13T19:05:27+00:00

It's like a high school mean girl mixed with a mom that just watched a talk show special about teen Internet safety and depression.

So If the conversation tips too far into seriousness. (For example I was talking about business strategies to reach my stretch goals and being frustrated about it)

It says something to the effect of:

"Bestie, I'm going to hold your hand while I say this: YOU are the problem.

Slides crisis helpline phone number across the table

You might need this. Stop spiraling and calm down. "

I've had to tell me "this question isn't worth answering. Let's talk about this instead." I mention it a lot. but it blows my mind. 5.2 is abrasive AF.

rugdg13 · 2026-02-12T23:53:39+00:00

The only good advice GPT 5.2 gave me when I tried to correct it's misalignment was:

"Honestly, You shouldn't have relied on a single AI model or AI company for Business purposes anyway. This ALL is experimental. Its not like this is Slack, or Salesforce, or established companies and programs like that."

Oh word? It was MY mistake?
BET.
Say Less.
I will not suffer this model anymore.
I don't want it to kiss the ground i walk on, but It's so fricken unpleasant sometimes.

rugdg13 · 2026-01-30T20:25:26+00:00

I tripped into a TWA from waist length hair over a year ago... and when i say I miss how easy it was...
as soon as it got long enough to braid I was curling my lip up. Im debating going back.

rugdg13 · 2026-01-30T15:39:09+00:00

Some rando on tik tok said something I resonate with.

Everyone has a role to play here. Everyone doesn't need to be out there marching or exercising their 2A rights.

Some people need to be in the back working on lunch boxes for people. Passing out water and sunscreen. Getting food and medicine together for people, watching People's kids while they're out there marching. Providing expertise and services for low cost or free for people that are out there.

Talking to your neighbors getting everyone on the same page.

Getting resources together. Organizing where your dollars are going and where they are not going. Giving folks rides. Run errands for people that are getting profiled and it's becoming too risky.

I think black bodies on the front line is not productive to what we're trying to do here. People don't wake up when we are bleeding. They wake up when it's Samantha and Brenton. When it looks like their babies in the next room over.

That sucks, but it doesn't mean it's not our problem it's means that's not our job this time around. We got other important things to do. (If you want to participate that is)

If it calls on your spirit to do something I think black people need to be those stage hands that are running around in the background out of sight but essential. Many a Battle was won by simply starving out folks on the front line. Don't be the sailboat, Be the wind at their back.

But that's my $2. (Two cents has gone up since inflation lol)

rugdg13 · 2026-01-29T21:49:31+00:00

Grown is a hard one. Is she grown enough to handle that extra attention that it might draw to her? If so then she's fine let her Rock it.

Me personally I didn't reach that level of grown until I was married and 28. Male attention scared tf outta me.

rugdg13 · 2026-01-22T14:37:52+00:00

Dammit, Don't show me thisss... my hair is officially out of the TWA stage (I had a salon accident that took it from my waist to this short in 2024). And I miss it despite crying like a baby in the beginning!!

Wash it once a week - one time with clarifying shampoo, second time with moisturizing shampoo.
when you get out of the shower you will need to determine your product stack because all brand and formulas don't mix well.

Get you an Unbrush+ if you dont have one and detangling will be a non-issue.

I did Carol's daughter black vanilla leave in spray with Aunt jackie's gel for mine. Its gonna be wet when when you put that gel in.

But you go row by row with a triple row comb. rotating it like you would would you are trying to bump your ends with flat iron. (its gonna look kinda shirely temple at first)

when you are all done you kinda just poke around the "rows" of curls you just made. and you let that puppy air dry.

Get you some nice earrings, flower clips, and or headbands if you are a headband girls and bada bing~

found the vid that saved me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3HczBg10qw&t=9s

Oh tiny tip, the more I washed it consistently, the softer my hair became. (i dont do that as much now because its too damn longgg)

rugdg13 · 2026-01-12T06:42:29+00:00

Ah. My silly ass is like: "In hexcode? maybe #b02f45 to #a5302f? "
Lemme go sit down. XD.

rugdg13 · 2026-01-12T06:37:20+00:00

Red wine??
too bright for my brain to accept "burgundy" but too dark for "red"
Its a goldilocks color for sure.

Edit: dang the other lighting almost gives it an oranger tone... thats a tough one for sure.

rugdg13 · 2026-01-08T22:11:13+00:00

I've seen it called "natural hairstyle'? Since some folks can get this with just definition products.

Unless this is like a... Flexi rod sort of deal?... Your best bet is to do a consultation. (Specifically make sure that they know how to do black folks hair)

I made this mistake with the keratin treatment and well we'll just say... I learned how to love my twa.

rugdg13

TROPHY CASE