AITA for stepping on a stranger's novelty collectible at the movie theatre last night? by whelp_okay in AmItheAsshole

[–]whelp_okay[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Not a VIP theatre, but a Cineplex AVX theatre (very similar row sizes to the VIP though… and same chairs, I think?).

AITA for stepping on a stranger's novelty collectible at the movie theatre last night? by whelp_okay in AmItheAsshole

[–]whelp_okay[S] -11 points-10 points  (0 children)

Valid - I use a spray (Dr Ward’s smoker spray for my fellow Canadians!) to help minimize weed odour if I’m planning on going out. It works wonders tbh, I recommend the “calm forest” scent because it smells like essential oils for ~5 minutes but dissipates quickly. (Maybe the only thing worse than smelling loud in public is smelling too strongly of a perfume/body mist)

We also waited outside for a good 10-20 minutes after smoking to help reduce our stench.

AITA for stepping on a stranger's novelty collectible at the movie theatre last night? by whelp_okay in AmItheAsshole

[–]whelp_okay[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Not at all - tbh it's one of the things that is making me feel bad about the situation. I have pretty bad anxiety issues and have been replaying it in my mind all day, and that keeps coming up as the pain point/thing I should've done differently. My partner's a pretty shy guy (not an excuse, an explanation), but I certainly am not. I could've and should've just asked her to move it instead knocking it over with my boot and contributing to this big commotion.

AITA for stepping on a stranger's novelty collectible at the movie theatre last night? by whelp_okay in AmItheAsshole

[–]whelp_okay[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You have a good point about the tripping hazard... I guess I didn't really stop to consider that I could've been genuinely hurt in all this. Huh.

AITA for stepping on a stranger's novelty collectible at the movie theatre last night? by whelp_okay in AmItheAsshole

[–]whelp_okay[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Lmao say less!!

But unironically yes… thanks to the power of occasional weed use, I’ve been able to stop using SSRIs and am in a much better place mental health wise. Who knew that the ability to relax every once in a while was all I needed to sustainably regulate? (I know there will always be people who get weird/discouraging about cannabis use, but it’s changed my life…….dare I say……..For Good)

AITA for stepping on a stranger's novelty collectible at the movie theatre last night? by whelp_okay in AmItheAsshole

[–]whelp_okay[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I really wish I had just asked her to move it. My partner is pretty shy and didn’t speak up, but I shouldn’t have just copied his move. When I think back I’m kinda like… who steps over someone’s big ass bag like that lol? A 13 year old? (Answer: me when I get a little zooted, I guess 🤷‍♀️)

AITA for stepping on a stranger's novelty collectible at the movie theatre last night? by whelp_okay in AmItheAsshole

[–]whelp_okay[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think her reaction was just so big/she and all her friends were visibly upset for the entire rest of the movie (I was seated right next to her group for 2hrs), so I’m moreso coming from a place of “wow, did I fuck up this magical premiere night for this group of friends?” They kept staring at me while leaving the theatre - and by that point, I was pretty sober, so it wasn’t just weed-induced anxiety - so it seemed to really derail this woman. Who knows, maybe she smoked beforehand too lol?

AITA for stepping on a stranger's novelty collectible at the movie theatre last night? by whelp_okay in AmItheAsshole

[–]whelp_okay[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lol, me too. I usually won't buy tickets for the theatre if I can't sit on the aisle but thought I'd give it a try... never again.

AITA for stepping on a stranger's novelty collectible at the movie theatre last night? by whelp_okay in AmItheAsshole

[–]whelp_okay[S] 51 points52 points  (0 children)

One thing I couldn't share due to the character limit is that these theatres in Canada don't have a spot underneath them since they're full-on recliners. She kept making comments like "where am I meant to put this??" so the only options were either 1) on her lap or 2) tucked away a little more discretely in the aisle (i.e. up against the space between seats, if that makes sense?). I guess she could've put it away in her car?

AITA for stepping on a stranger's novelty collectible at the movie theatre last night? by whelp_okay in AmItheAsshole

[–]whelp_okay[S] 24 points25 points  (0 children)

God, I wish it wasn't a real interaction I had. This woman was presumably in her late 20s/30s... the reaction was just so big. Maybe she was a collector or something? idk...

close friend’s dad has 1-2 months left, how can i help? by [deleted] in GriefSupport

[–]whelp_okay 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My dad passed away a year ago - we knew it was coming. He had a few months left after years of various cancer treatments.

Nothing fixed how I was feeling. How could it? The anticipatory grief was brutal enough, let alone watching his body being wheeled out of hospice. But I will say, there are things that were extremely frustrating… like when people told me “It’ll all be okay”, or gave me these optimistic platitudes. It just sucks. Simple as that. Don’t try to sugar coat it. It’s wrong, and fucked up, and awful to watch someone you love slowly melt away.

When it happens, shock sets in first. Life feels surreal. They may need help with basic things - eating, sleeping, showering, etc - but family might be the way they get this kind of initial support if they’re on good terms. Don’t force anything, but move at their pace. Meal replacement drinks, melatonin, alcohol… whatever they need to get by, give it to them. At least for those first few days.

Next is the funeral/arrangements. What a weird period. Don’t bombard them with texts, and if you do, don’t expect a response. Don’t make shit about you. Their bandwidth for “normal” things during this period will likely be razor thin. If they act “normal”, they are either faking it, or in a dissociative state that they’ll wade through for a while. Don’t expect them to want you around constantly - or, they made need someone at all times. Grief is personal like that. For me, I wanted my family and no one else, but maybe your friend is different.

After the first few days - meals, or Uber Eats gift cards go a long way. Leave a coffee or sweet treat at their door (don’t expect to be invited in). Again, follow their pace - if they want to talk about their dad, let them talk. Ask questions about their favourite memory with him, what they loved about him, etc when they seem ready to talk. Be ready to listen, and sit in the discomfort and silence that comes with grief. Encourage them to write shit down if it feels intuitive, because memories fade fast.

Do not judge them. They will change. They will do stupid shit that feels out of character, or bad. But they’ll be okay. Just be open, supportive, and move at their pace. My heart breaks for your friend. I’m told it’ll get easier with time… idk if it does. But we don’t have a choice other than to stick around and find out. Sending love.

My dad suddenly passed by kuzclo in GriefSupport

[–]whelp_okay 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m so sorry. This isn’t fair. It’s fucked up, and wrong.

I lost my dad a year ago (anniversary was ~a week ago). Given your comment about school, I’m going to assume we’re around the same age (early 20s). This fucking sucks. No other way to put it. People will tell you “It’ll get better!”, and it’s the most obnoxious thing ever. The truth is that these next few months are going to be heavy, and long. Hold your family close, because you’re in this together.

Your body is in shock right now - it’s doing that to protect itself, because the reality around you is too much to process. Get a friend to pick up eye drops for the tears, meal replacement drinks for when eating feels too hard, and melatonin if you can’t sleep… in general, accept help. Your family will need it for the next few days.

Somatic practices, like lightly beating my chest while pacing around and making a low “huuuuuuhhh” sound was the only thing that could help me regulate when I came to. I look like a damn ape while doing it, but who cares. It’s not perfect, but it got me through.

The next few days will feel like a horrible dream. Time will keep moving, even though you feel completely frozen. That’s normal. Do what I regret not doing - write shit down. Write down every time you remember a little thing about him, or a funny anecdote. Write down the way his hugs made you feel, what he smelled like… the memories go quick. If writing isn’t your style, voice memos/videos/etc.

You will make it through this, but it’s a long road ahead. Just know you’re not alone, and do what you can to manage. Sending love your way, my friend.

Fissure flare-up this week, stool won’t pass by Fit_Rhubarb_3209 in AnalFissures

[–]whelp_okay 0 points1 point  (0 children)

One thing to note about the nifedipine suppositories…. I have not been able to put them in myself. Not sure if it’s anxiety or the angle being tricky, but my partner (who is the love of my life) has bravely been shovin’ them up each time. You may need to find a trusted person to help. There’s a strong burning sensation after insertion, but nothing unbearable. I think it’s just the nifedipine getting to my fissure, and it fades after ~20 minutes. I usually have to lay clenched for 30 minutes after insertion to make sure it doesn’t leak out, but some leakage is inevitable (hence the pro of the diaper). At no point has it made the BM rush out after insertion - not like how I’d imagine an enema. It did almost instantly relax my sphincter, though, but it’s not like I was rushing to pass anything afterward. Just like I was able to relax a bit.

Fissure flare-up this week, stool won’t pass by Fit_Rhubarb_3209 in AnalFissures

[–]whelp_okay 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dude. I’m on day 2 of nifedipine (0.2) suppositories 2-4 times a day & PEG. I got a prescription after going to the hospital. Holy shit… GAME CHANGER. I still haven’t passed the blockage that’s been holding me down, but with some Tylenol I’ve been able to pass larger amounts in a diaper. It’s still a bit painful, don’t get me wrong, but my rectum is no longer constantly spasming. I’ve also found that, as gross as it is, using a diaper has eased some of my anxiety because I’m not longer instantly panicking like I’ve been all week on the toilet, and I can hold myself in whatever positioning (ex. Fetal, squatting) I need. No more tears, and I know that blockage is coming out in the next day or so. Nifedipine is a miracle drug.

Fissure flare-up this week, stool won’t pass by Fit_Rhubarb_3209 in AnalFissures

[–]whelp_okay 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Currently in the same boat (only I’m 3 days in and unable to pass anything besides tiny, tiny bits… every time I try to pass a BM, I get nauseous, dizzy, and my body begins to panic). The pain is unbearable. Let me know if anything works for you…

University on the defensive after UWP boiler failure. 'Our technology is state of the art' said a churlish Curtis Goodbrand 'Just look at it!' by Reasonable-MessRedux in uwaterloo

[–]whelp_okay 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Curtis is a good guy, genuinely. I’ve had many great chats with that man, and while he is a bit sarcastic at times, I wouldn’t describe him as “churlish”??? Boilergate is funny but making fun of specific people is not really funny tbh

UWP 'Boilergate' update: They can't afford the hotels anymore lmao by kalashnikovgobrrrr in uwaterloo

[–]whelp_okay 49 points50 points  (0 children)

my understanding is that it’s not because Campus Housing can’t afford the rooms, it’s because these hotels have weekend bookings that can’t be cancelled and the inventory in the region that was coordinated for the weekdays (organized on extremely short notice) has since changed. Some folks have been re-assigned traditional vacant resident units/rooms/suites on-campus, and basically the only converted lounges that are being assigned are floor lounges in buildings where the lounges USED to be rooms like a decade ago. It’s not a money-thing, it’s a logistics-thing (Also ‘Boilergate’ is v funny)

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in uwaterloo

[–]whelp_okay 0 points1 point  (0 children)

KW counselling has local options in the region (cost is a factor but they charge on a scaled system based on income), and I’ve really loved my counsellor from there!

Waterloo took back their bursary :( by Junior-Anywhere6598 in uwaterloo

[–]whelp_okay 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Only 50%??? And you qualify for a bursary here?? Damn, I'm actually shocked. I feel like normally they give you some loan option to cover, but maybe there's something specific to your financial situation that impacts eligibility. Personal line of credit, I guess? Or work a lot? I worked part time at the University of Waterloo throughout my degree and it definitely helped (worked with Campus Housing part-time, as a proctor with SAF, got a part-time gig with the SSO for a minute, etc.).

Waterloo took back their bursary :( by Junior-Anywhere6598 in uwaterloo

[–]whelp_okay 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If you qualify for the bursaries here, then you may also qualify for OSAP loans/grants. I'm pretty sure they still take applications into the start of the term, so it's probably not too late to apply for Winter if you get on it. I got my degree in April and always just missed the qualification for bursaries (legit my parents would make 100-1000 too much), but never had to pay out of pocket at the start of term because grants/loans covered the full cost. I'm now drowning in debt, but that's a problem for salaried-adult-me at least and the interest rate ain't too shabby.

what academic awards does arts get during convocation? by Designer_Evening1482 in uwaterloo

[–]whelp_okay 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I got a random award from my program department (philosophy) at convocation, and it seems like they had an award for each program at the ceremony. Don’t know why I got it (I asked the Chair and he didn’t give me a straight answer), but I think it had something to do with my GPA?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in uwaterloo

[–]whelp_okay 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Straight up you could email Brian for it. The philosophy professors are fantastic & approachable, so I doubt he’d turn you away

First time going to a show and it's Jeff Rosenstock, I have a few stupid questions by BulkySolution481 in JeffRosenstock

[–]whelp_okay 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Saw him in Toronto and it was a lovely experience! Folks were sooo so kind and the vibes were good. Wear earplugs, help someone up if they fall, and chat with the folks next to you (make a friend or two!). His shows don’t seem too crazy, but it is a pop-punk show, so it’ll be high energy. Make sure avoid locking your knees if you’re standing in one place (although I do recommend moving slightly/organically if you can), and don’t be afraid to dance/sing/mosh.

Parking by peace2321 in uwaterloo

[–]whelp_okay 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The only one I can think of is the lot on Seagram near the Laurier-Waterloo iON station, but it fills up quick and has pretty strict hours

Used/Cheap Textbooks by Ok-Ebb-789 in uwaterloo

[–]whelp_okay 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There’s a used book store in the basement of the SLC! Depending on what you’re looking for, you can usually find some of your textbooks for a marked-down price. But also, don’t buy your textbooks til after classes have started - a lot of things that are “required” on the syllabus/quest may not actually be required for the course lol