Black hair salons near me

So as a teenager I had dry coarse curly frizzy hair and thankfully in adulthood my hair relaxed down naturally. It became wavy and not frizzy, easier to manage but thinner. Since pregnancy, my hair has gone back to 14 year old me status. Has anyone else experienced the same type of change? No clue how pregnancy would affect your hair texture. Also any defrizzing products/tips??

tell me :
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Outfit style
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Hair colour, eye colour :)

We just had our second kid and I’m back at work full-time. There is no time at the moment for me to mow the lawn. My wife is the best, and she hired a lawn mowing service. They do a great job and it’s actually pretty affordable, but I die a little bit inside every time I see them out there. It’s my lawn. I loved the “me time” of pushing the mower and sitting with my thoughts. I miss the feeling of pride of seeing the lawn well manicured and the satisfaction of nearly edging up the driveway. I can’t wait to get back out there and handle business… does anyone else feel this way about work around they house they’ve had to put on hold?

21/11/1
I worked from home today because the kids' school was having a teacher work day. It was a decent day. When I am alone with the kids they don't really argue too much and even if they do I am there to help them. It seems like I have a better relationship with my kids and my children don't misbehave as badly when it is just me taking care of them. They really ratchet things up when their mother is home. Wife came home and she is nearing the end of her academic degree plan. Had to have an HVAC repairman come try and fix our heater. He shocked himself 3 times. Wife has had problems with her Dr office adding stress to her day meaning that she was in a bad mood and let me know it. She spent all afternoon in the bedroom while I dealt with the kids, cooked supper, did the dishes, washed clothes, and did the laundry. We took the kids for a short walk after supper without the dogs because it was already getting dark. I gave the kids baths and they went to bed on time. Wife stayed up late working on schoolwork and I went to sleep alone.
21/11/2
Woke up with ychild in bed. Wife was already up and griping about something. Getting gripped out 1st thing in the morning always starts off the day in a bad mood. Work was uneventful but productive. Got home and cleaned off the kitchen table (of course there wasn't a single square inch of available space on it for the past 1 1/2 weeks) none of the mess was mine it was all wifes/kids projects.I cleaned it so that she would have a space to make cookies with the kids like she promised. Trying to make her day a little easier knowing that had she gone in there with the table like that it would have been bad and also knowing that there were things on the table so I knew that I would get blamed for any misplaced objects. My prediction came through when she came into the kitchen and thanked me for cleaning the table but immediately started griping about missing items and how she had wished she had cleaned it to show she would know where they are. This always happens and is one of the main reasons I cannot declutter our house. It just leads to more gripping. If I clean or don't clean I'm gonna get bitched out. Wife had to head to town quickly to pick up an Rx so we went with her. I had not yet started supper so I put everything up so we could have it the next day and we all went into town together and ate supper in the van. She also got some negative comments on some of her schoolwork so she was in a bad mood x2 because of an incident with her dr's nurse. Wife stayed in the bedroom working on schoolwork while I got the kids dressed in their PJ's and put them to bed about 15 min late. I walked into the bedroom and she was searching for socks for the kids in the laundry hamper. When she was done I took the hamper into the living room and matched them all then put them up. I then played on my computer. Wife went into the kitchen at about 9:45. I went in there about 10 min later and asked her if there was anything I could do for her. She said no then asked me if I saw her come into the kitcher. I said yes and she started gripping that I should have come in there sooner to help her cause she was now almost done. She started complaining that the only time she gets to relax is when she is laying down on her phone in bed (nevermind the number of times i come into the bedroom to find her watching TV or on facebook on her computer.)
I was only on my computer for about 30 min. Its not like I spend all day doing nothing but she makes me feel like I do nothing at all. A common mantra in this house is the wife saying "I never get any help" and "I cannot keep this house clean by myself" when she literally hasn't done any cleaning since her parents visited last month and I still did most of the cleaning. The only time she cleans is when someone is coming over. Needless to say I am feeling very resentful and unloved. We haven't shown any affection to each other since a month ago. Some Days when things are decent (not good just not bad) I wonder if it's a mistake to be considering divorce but days like today are more common and remind me of why I want one. I couldn't sleep due to drinking some tea at supper so I got out of bed and sat on the couch until 1am.
21/11/3
Woke up this morning very tired and sleepy with ychild in bed with me. Wife was already in a mood and I was gripped out for "not listening" she then proceeding to account for 3-4 times recently that I have asked her a question that she had already told me an answer in a previous conversation. So once again I get to start the day in a bad mood. I feel compelled to kiss her and tell her I love her now or she will get upset. I did that then came back inside for something and she got upset when I didn't go back and give another hug/kiss. No way am I gonna do that while being bitched out so I just walked out the door. Great start to the day. Got the kids from school and came home. Cooked supper and took out the trash. Got the kids into bed but ychild talked herself into falling asleep in our bed. Wife said she would move her but of course didn't and ychild slept in our bed all night long.
21/11/4
Woke up with ychild in bed with me. kissed and told her i loved her before work. Had a decent day at work and left to pick up the kids. This was my last day picking the kids up from school and we stopped for ice cream on the way home. We were supposed to walk the dogs before I started supper. I told my wife this but she was on the phone with her mother about her job offer. 25 min later and it was getting close to supper time and she was still on the phone.I decided it was too close to supper to walk and then cook. Wife came out and I told her that. she got upset and we ended up having a small walk. I got back and cooked supper and we all ate at the kitchen table. Wife disappeared back into the bedroom to work on schoolwork. I put the kids to bed on time and then got on my computer. Wife started working on the kids lunches and I asked if there was anything i could do. She said no. Then the bedtime ritual started. This all happened within 20min. I came to bed and turned the lights out. When my wife came back she bitched at me cause she had left one of the lights on on purpose. Then she zinged me for not paying attention when she told me about her medication a few days ago. Then she complained that I had missed a bag of trash in the bedroom. Then she accidentally slammed the bathroom door and got mad when I asked if she did that on purpose. Then she cussed at me when she complained about the bed hurting her back and I suggested a sleep study. Despite all of this I really felt the need to try and cuddle with her. I rolled over and she immediately asked if she needed to turn off her phone. I told her no but she could if she wanted to, then she complained that this is the only time she gets to relax and then immediately jumped up cursing because she forgot to put the clothes from the washer into the dryer. I rolled over and put my mask on to fall asleep. I knew I would get hurt but I couldn't help myself. It took me a while to go to sleep because of the pain in my heart and the lack of love.
21/11/5
I worked from home today so i did not have to wake up as early. Wife woke up and got the kids ready. Wife had a full one sided conversation with ychild in our bed while i was trying to sleep. I feel like she was resentful for me being able to sleep in and her having to get up so she did it as a way to wake me up and keep me from being able to sleep. The kids yelled goodbye and the wife left without so much as a word or touch. I had a decent day at work. The HVAC repair man showed up early.I was going to go and pick up the kids at 11:00 but we decided to just get powerhouse(aftercare) at the school instead also for monday. I could have gone and picked up the kids but didn't because they were already scheduled and I thought we had already paid. Wife got mad at me for that. She was really late because it was her last day of DT and she had people say goodbye to her then went to pick up the kids. We decided to eat at the new seafood place then went and picked up groceries. We got home and put the groceries away and watched some shows on the couch. She got upset because I was on my phone (so was she) and said she watched more of the tv than I did. I tried to get the kids in bed but she overruled me because it was the weekend. The kids stayed up and eventually convinced her to go to bed with her. I slept alone but honestly I think I prefer that now.
21/11/6
Woke up alone. Had a decent day and went to Ychilds 1st birthday invite party. Wife made appointments for both kids to get the flu and covid vaccine. We had a great time at the party and socialized for the 1st time in a long time. We had to leave early to get to the pharmacy for the vaccines. When we got there the pharmacist told us we were scheduled for the flu only. It greatly upset the wife and she flew into a rage. Canceled both appointments. We got back to the car and she was yelling, screaming, and violently hitting her phone on the steering wheel. I told her to be an example to kids and she told me to "kiss her ass." She is angry the whole ride home. She started getting loud with me multiple times and I asked her not to talk to me like that. Apparently, asking her to speak to me politely instead of raising her voice at me is not giving her grace. Saying that I never give her grace when she talks nasty to me. saying that I do it all the time to her and she never says a word. I told her to speak up next time and she says she does and just gets bitched out. I am at my wits end. She is being very nasty to me and then puts the blame on me instead of realizing how she is treating me and accepting blame. A really nice day totally
ruined by her temper. We ended up having cereal for supper and going for custard afterwards. We stayed up late and the kids convinced my wife to go sleep with them.
21/11/7
Woke up by myself again. After wife got up we ended up going to the new donut store for breakfast and we stopped off at walmart on the way home. When we got home I noticed my radiator was leaking.I went to oriellys to buy some stop leak. We got back and I put on jumanji and then beethoven. Ochild really loved jumani. We were having a decent time. Today I did 4 loads of laundry, bathed the dog, cleaned the aquarium, cooked supper, and cleaned the guest bathroom. Of course wife got onto me when I did the kids laundry because i missed 1 shirt and 4 socks out of ychilds room. After supper we played a board game. Then the kids had a bath and I was chastised when I went in there to talk to the kids after my wife was yelling at them. I am not supposed to step in except when I am supposed to of course I have no idea when that is supposed to be. Kids went to bed a little late. I slept by myself.
21/11/8
Woke up by myself. Got up early even though I am working from home to help my wife with kids and take the dog to the vet. Wife started gripping about me not doing anything to help with the kids. I don't understand because she gets them ready at the last minute. That's usually when I am getting together also. She doesn't tell me or let me ask what she needs help with. Just grips after the fact. Dropped the dog off and returned to work. Picked the dog back up and returned to work again. Wife got home late due to her new job onboarding and flu vaccine. We had mcdonalds for supper and the kids went to bed really late. ychild spent the evening with wife because she wasn't feeling well. Since both the kids were up past their bedtime wife went to sleep with them.
21/11/9
Woke up early because I am still stuck on the old schedule. Wife came in and got herself ready for her 1st day. I got up, helped with the kids and got the dogs ready (surgery) then went to work. work was ok. Came home and cooked supper. The evening was uneventful.
21/11/10
Ychild got sick so I worked from home. We were both asleep when wife came into the room. She then had a loud conversation/argument with ochild in the room. waking up ychild and me. If I were to wake them up when they were sleeping in I would get bitched up one side and down the other. Seems like she does it all the time. Took Ychild to the dr and she was covid negative thankfully. Wife came home and the day went ok. She was tired so we watched netflix. I cooked supper and did the dishes. We got the kids in bed a little late. Wife went to bed a little early. I went into the bathroom to get some medicine shortly after. Wife was visibly upset when I came in. I really don't understand why and she wouldn't tell me. Eventually she said that she didn't expect me there. It made me feel really hurt. I felt like she not only didn't want me there but actually got mad that I showed my face. Maybe she thought I was going to lay down with her
but if that was so it would be no reason to get mad, I know she plays on her phone in bed and that's her relaxation time. Either way it was totally uncalled for and if that's how she is going to make me feel I don't see a point in staying together. storm came rolling in and ychild woke up so she had to go sleep with them.
21/11/11
Holiday today so I stayed home. I could hear the wife yelling at the kids trying to get ready. So I got up to help.
21/11/15
Skipped some days because nothing happened. Nothing good or bad. At bedtime my wife was getting lunch ready. She has been a little stressed lately due to her computer HD failing and EDTPA coming back for revisions. Her professor didn't come to her appointment to help. I helped make the kids lunches. The kids' clothes were still sitting in the chair (apparently it's my job.) I offered to help get the kids clothes together. She very sarcastically said she would welcome the help if I could turn on a light so she could see. I know it doesn't sound bad on paper but she was very hateful and hurtful. When I asked her not to talk to me like that she responded that she didn't need a lecture right now. I just want to be spoken to with respect and love not hate and vitriol.
21/11/21
Not journaling everyday because things aren't as bad everyday. Yesterday I did the laundry for the entire house. This morning I got up. my wife had already left for the grocery store to pick up groceries. I got up with Ychild. She got home and we unloaded the groceries. I relaxed in the living room. and she started cleaning the kitchen. I always hate days like this because anytime she cleans I get to hear her bitch and moan and the state of things. I am the only one to clean the house/kitchen for the last 6 months, actually even longer,for as long as she has been in college or working. It is not messy, it's just not up to her standards. Plus most of the mess is hers. She does projects and things but doesn't clean up afterward. When I get in to clean, if I move things around or put up her things I get yelled at. It feels like a handicap because the only one that can truly clean is her and when she doesn clean I feel like crap because she spends the whole time
mouthing and bitching about me because it isn't clean enough to suit her. And if I try to go in and help or clean another part of the house I get bitched at again because "i'm only cleaning because she is upset" she doesn't seem to notice the hours of cleaning I do when she is not around or is concentrating on other things.
21/11/29
We left on the 23rd (my birthday) to go down to Carthage for the weekend. The holiday went well with minimal fussing. Friday the 26 came and my wife surprised me with a weekend getaway sans kids. her family pissed her off right when we left. we get to our BnD and then leave to do some shopping. We went way too long, ate supper,and drove to longview. She had thought that we would just spend the weekend together. I wanted to get physical. I take her to a sex shop and she gets embarrased and refuses to look at anything or consider any toys. Our sexlife is laughable and practically non-existant. You would figure if someone was trying to save their marriage they would at least attempt to spice things up. I got upset and we went back to our cabin. I am tired and we just go to sleep. Wife makes us take a bath in the morning. We wash each other, then when we get out she changes into a negligee. She tells me I am not allowed to do any oral on her and that it will be the last time I see her in a G string. Totally sexy right? I had put some nice smelling lotion on my privates and she made a comment about how that would taste ( thinking I might get some oral) but instead she just led me to the bed and got on top. She has sex with me and I find it difficult to finish becuase she is clearly not enjoying it and refused to do any foreplay. We leave for the day and walk around Jefferson. Get back and start drinking wine and painting. She gets drunk enough to make a move and changes into another negligee. I feel like I almost forced her to let me eat her out after I gave her oral. She says I am not allowed to kiss her. we eventually start having some decent sex but she cannot stand much of the physical aspect and eventually it just shift to the standard missionary. I cannot finish and she gets up. I tell her i'll finish myself off if she will help. She starts cleaning and doesn't care when I get upset. We eventually have a small heart to heart where she tells me she is resentful
for the way my parents treated her and I was very pacifist instead of confrontational with my parents. She tells me she watches squirting videos and masturbates in the bath (lied to me when she says she doesnt masterbate.) She clearly has very strong issues with sexual intimacy and refused to do anything I wanted. She thought it was a successful weekend and I'm thinking it just shows how far apart we are and how little in common we have. multiple times just both of us on our phones because we have nothing to talk about. We go back and pick up the kids and it takes forever to get home. When we do I find the dog with something sticking out of her chest.
I am trying to work on her when my daughter comes out there and the dog jumps up and runs to her. She starts freaking out and i try and get ychild to come to me, unfortunately i did yell because i was scared of her getting stabbed by the dog. Of course she freezes up screaming as the dog is trying to get to her. I end up having to go to her and pick her up. As I am trying to take her to the garage I fall and bust my knee. This starts a big fight because I am now hurt, angry, and yelling while also trying to find out what's wrong with the dog. Eventually I discovered that the dog had forced herself inside the metal loop of a small childs butterfly net. I end up cutting it off her with some wire cutters. My knee is now busted and my wife and I have been fighting because she feels like when I am angry and hurt is the best time to keep getting in my face and talking shit about me. Just makes me want to seek a divorce all the more. She thinks this weekend was a success and all I can see is the end. I was angry when I went back out to her van and hit the open door button too hard and dented it. No real excuse but I wish she didn't pile on my problems by yelling at me in front of the kids while I'm trying to discipline them. I wasn't abusing them or being physical in any way but my wife will not allow for any dissent from the way she wants to raise the kids. I feel like I am not a father. I am allowed no say in raising them. The kids can just yell/scream/cry and my wife will come to the rescue, preventing me from actually doing any good or teaching them to understand right/wrong. It's her way or the highway.
Dec 2021

So as the title says, recently i bought a black skirt. Today i decided to go out in it and in thigh highs of course. My friends were soooo supportive. They told me that I look great and it made me so happyyyyy. Now I can say that I like myself with my looks<3

i laid down to meditate, i was just listening to a youtube video of someone playing a game because i didn't feel like turning it off. i quickly kind of let go, i lose awareness of my body, to the point of not even hearing the video anymore at all, and feeling black and emptiness all around me. i was barely thinking at all, i only remember having the thought "where is my roommate?". i was in like a weird state of consciousness and i guess i thought my eyes were open? before getting out of this state, i could make out the outline of a chair, but nothing else. everything was black, it was only an outline that was there and it was colored orange/blue. maybe i didn't ease in enough, because after that i became aware of my body, heard my video again, and the chair went away but i could still feel the black/emptiness. was this ap?

Like until about 2013 I thought I was doing well enough and felt fairly normal...yes I only had a few friends and I that many of my interest were different than others...and yes I may not have been the most social person but I tried to blend in with others around me in hopes of being accepted...
Growing up I was fairly eccentric and weird compared to other black kids my age and always had a strong sense of justice...projected many of my interest upon people I considered friends...was easily manipulated and a bit naive to people and as my mum would say "book smart but not street smart" (I still am to a degree)...and while I did not always care to be around many people or partake in activities that others did...I still was able to be around people to a degree...in high school I was in JROTC...played football briefly...was in taekwondo...and I ran cross country...I was even able to get an ROTC scholarship to college despite dropping out of the program to try try and better focus on strictly school (I became way too invested in trying to succeed in the program and fit in with my peers)...I tried to assimilate and reinvent myself multiple to be like various groups (I indulged in drinking and trying to party and have sex...etc)...but I was still an outlier and introverted cast off...
Then in 2013 after most of my close friends graduated I started to struggle more and eventually began to break down...the panic attacks became more frequent...depression became much more prevalent..I was at times more impulsive and reckless...and then I started to revert to my more natural self...things were not good and got worse the more stressed I became...I was diagnosed again (this time as an adult) with ADHD and was given medication that helped me focus a bit more in classes (I still struggled greatly with anxiety and communication with my teachers and people I was not familiar with)...
I finally graduated college after struggling for 10 years and received my Bachelor's degree in Political Science in 2018 and afterwards in an effort to reorient myself... returned home with my mum and began working...then in 2019 I started to decline even further...I had been working in a call center as a customer service representative for health insurance and while I was very knowledgeable and helpful...I still struggled with taking calls and ingratiating myself into the company culture as I took things very literal and tried to do things appropriately and according to standards...
Then in 2020 I was placed on leave due to constant panic attacks and depression due to concerns over being fired after I had just been accepted to our appeals department...then to add to that things started to get worse with legal troubles I was involved in...I slowly started to break even further and experience increased burn out and became more withdrawn due to overstimulation and fear of meltdowns...then last year I was diagnosed with ASD and while things made sense somewhat I still felt unsure about myself and my mental health...then reading a lot of the experiences of others on Reddit and how others with ASD struggle a lot more than I did and currently am I feel like a lazy fraud and that I am just invading spaces not meant for in particular...
Sorry for the long post...

There are not many Eastern Orthodox churches near me but I want to visit one this Sunday. There are 3 near me so I was curious if you all could help guide me to the correct one.

1. There’s a Russian Orthodox Church near me. Does it matter if it’s russian? Are they unique?
   
2. There’s a Antiochian Orthodox Church near me. What is antiochan?
   
3. There is a Greek Orthodox Church also. Does it matter if it’s Greek?
   
4. Also what is orthros (matins)? And what is Divine Liturgy? That’s the actual mass right?
   

This is part of my little series about the adventures of Vr'ocria and Human Aldrick. If you'd like to read previous parts, they're linked below, along with brief summaries of each if you prefer to just jump right into the new installment:
Part One: Alien learns what "sleep" is and how humans prefer to do it in a comfy bed with blankets and pillows. And they find it utterly adorable.
Vr'ocria and Human Aldrick are sent on a survey mission together. Things go south, Aldrick makes sure they're safe, and then Vr'ocria learns what human sleep is and how vulnerable humans are when they sleep. Vr'ocria's people don't sleep, but enter stasis, a form of rest in which they typically stand, and they are still slightly aware of their surroundings. Vr'ocria finds human sleep utterly adorable, and also decides she will protect Aldrick while he sleeps. And she also develops a massive crush on him. (Her scales turning purple is her version of blushing)
Part Two: An alien + human adventure with such shenanigans as poison drinking, befriending dangerous wildlife, and fighting a space pirate. Oh, and they have a huge crush on each other.
Vr'ocria and Human Aldrick end up assigned together for another survey mission. Vr'ocria tries to deny her feelings for Aldrick after a tense conversation with her nestmate about the danger of humans, but when they're ambushed in the night by a pirate and Aldrick takes a blow to save her, becoming injured in the process, she comes to realize just how strongly she feels for him. She carries him to safety and the two share a tender moment, but nothing yet happens between them.
Part Three: When a cold-blooded alien has to cuddle a warm-blooded human for warmth
Vr'ocria and Human Aldrick are assigned to an ice planet for their next mission. Aldrick chews out Command for assigning Vr'ocria there when they know she's cold-blooded and not built for the cold, and when the power goes out, they cuddle to keep her from freezing. And they finally confess their feelings for one another.
On to the story!
—
Aldrick didn't ever want to move from this spot. Waking up in a beautiful woman's arms felt like a dream, and he still wasn't sure if it was real. As consciousness returned to him, he tilted his head back. Vr'ocria's head still rested on the pillow next to him. Her second eyelids were closed, the thin white membranes making her black eyes appear foggy. She was still resting in stasis.
Aldrick lazily trailed his fingers up her cheeks, across her forehead, all the way to the four ridges that ran up her sloped skull. The way her angular features and pointed ears sloped up towards the back of her head made her look…regal. Almost like she was wearing a crown. Her scales, which changed and flexed with her emotions, were at their neutral emerald green. However, the very tips of each individual scale nearly glowed a vibrant, dark pink. Vr'ocria had explained that the pink was triggered by strong feelings of love–as well as the result of a mating bond.
Mate. It wasn't a human concept. But the word still lit a fire in his heart.
Aldrick continued exploring Vr'ocria's body, slowly running his hands up her arms, tracing her shoulders, until he reached her back. Her spine seemed to buzz underneath his fingers, and he tried to recall what he knew about Ethyrian anatomy. They didn't have hearts, like humans did. Instead, their spine served a similar function, flushing their blood through the veins, but at a constant flow instead of a rhythmic pumping. At the moment, the buzzing was barely noticeable unless he felt for it, perhaps because she was so relaxed.
Still, he was surprised she hadn't woken from stasis yet. Ethyrians were still slightly aware of their surroundings while in stasis, unlike human sleep. Curious, he decided to see how much it took to rouse her.
He leaned forward and kissed the top of her head, between her two center skull ridges. Nothing.
He moved down to her left browbone. Nothing.
He kissed the tip of her nose. Still nothing.
Her cheek was next. Then just beneath her right eye. Her jaw. The crook of her neck.
Finally, she squeaked through her nose, a quiver running down the scales on her back. When he pulled back, her eyes were clear now and her scales had flushed purple. It had taken him a while to figure out that was her version of blushing, and he couldn't help grinning. "You're so cute," he chuckled. "I was trying to see how long it would take you to wake up."
She covered her face with her hands, but she was smiling. "How long were you doing that?"
"I got seven kisses in. You didn't notice?"
She pushed her chin out, pulling her neck up in a leisurely stretch. It reminded him of an Earth gecko. So damn cute.
Vr'ocria dropped her head back down with a sigh. "No," she mused. "I think I didn't register them as danger, so my defense mechanisms didn't kick in and alert me."
"But neck kisses are danger?"
"Neck kisses tickle," she giggled. She met his gaze with a mischievous glint in her eye. "Do it again."
Aldrick happily obliged.
—
The blizzard outside had finally died down enough for the power main to restore itself. Vr'ocria was grateful for the return of the heater, although she was still reluctant to leave Aldrick's warmth. But hunger finally drove the two of them out of bed, and together they headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.
While they were eating, Vr'ocria's communicator pinged. She glanced over. "Oh, it's my nestmate, Galek." She shot Aldrick an apologetic look, but he shook his head and waved her away.
"It's your family, go, take it!"
She smiled gratefully. "I'll be right back." She trodded back to the resting quarters and shut the door behind her. Taking a seat at the desk in the corner, she set the communicator down and pressed the button that allowed a holoscreen to appear. Galek's face smiled back at her, a bit grainy due to a bad connection, but there he was nonetheless. She beamed back at him.
"Hey, how've you been?" He asked. "I haven't seen you in so long, I had to call you."
She rested her chin in her hand. "I've been good. Great, actually," she said dreamily. She launched into a summary of the past few moon cycles and how she'd started taking on more away missions since Galek had suggested it.
But as she talked, a shadow crossed his face. "So you're still working with the human?"
Vr'ocria rolled her eyes. "His name is Aldrick. And he's been nothing but wonderful to me." She looked down, tracing the edge of the desk with her finger. "I like him."
Galek was silent. When she finally glanced back up, he looked angry. She frowned. "What?"
"You turned pink just now."
Vr'ocria glanced down, and sure enough, the tips of her scales had flushed pink.
"Vr'ocria."
She refused to meet his gaze.
"Vr'ocria. Did you mate him?" Galek demanded.
"I didn't mate mate him," she blurted defensively. "I only mate bonded him. Accidentally." She blushed purple. "We haven't done that yet."
"You BONDED him?" Galek exploded. "And YET? What does that mean? That you plan to?"
"No! Well, yes–I mean maybe–" she scoffed and threw her hands in the air. "We haven't gotten that far, okay? Humans court each other first, remember? Also, keep your voice down," she said in a lower tone. "He's in the next room."
"HE'S WITH YOU RIGHT NOW?"
"Galek, I will hang up on you, I swear to the moons–"
But Galek had abruptly fallen silent, leaning forward towards the screen with his eyes narrowed.
"What now?" She demanded.
"What's that on your neck?"
"What?"
"On your neck. Is that a bruise?" His voice was dangerously low.
Vr'ocria stood and went to look in the small mirror hanging on the wall. Sure enough, there was a small bruise beginning to form on her neck.
Right where Aldrick had been kissing her.
Uh oh.
She slowly returned to the desk, a hand clasped over the bruise. She sat down. "It's nothing, I just slipped on some ice."
Galek's eyes bore a hole through her. "He did that to you, didn't he?"
"No!" Her protest was weak. She was never good at lying to Galek.
"You're a terrible liar." His voice was a low growl, a tone that she only ever heard when he was at peak protective-nestmate-mode. "I am going to kill him." She could see his hands shaking from where they were clasped in front of him, his scales bright yellow and standing on end. "I don't care if he's human, I don't care if he's a Union agent, I don't care–"
Vr'ocria threw her head back with a groan. "Shut up, you will not. It's nothing, it's just from a kiss."
"What in the planets is a kiss?"
"It's a human sign of deep affection," she quoted Aldrick, and couldn't wipe the girlish grin from her face as she recalled last night.
"Their 'affection' leaves bruises?" He looked close to bursting at the seams.
"Only that one time, because he was doing it so much." Her scales were a deep purple now. "Because I asked him to."
Galek stared at her in disbelief. "You…asked him to do that to you?"
She covered her face in pure embarrassment. "Planets, you're my nestmate," she groaned out between her palms. "I don't want to talk about this with you! All you need to understand is that I love him, and he loves me." Her spine buzzed at the last statement.
Galek crossed his arms, still looking upset.
Vr'ocria heaved a sigh. "Galek. When we were ambushed by that Norvidian, he saved my life. He protected me from an explosion and it almost killed him. You hear that? A human almost died! That doesn't happen! And he did it for me! And yesterday, you should've heard him tearing Command apart over the communicator for sending me to an ice planet."
Galek refused to meet her gaze. Only the crackle of the holoscreen filled the room.
"Okay, now you're just being stubborn," she snapped. "I'm not a hatchling anymore. I'm an adult and I can make my own decisions, and I've decided that I want to be with Aldrick." She slammed her hand on the table. "And you will respect him."
Galek remained in stubborn silence for a moment longer, before he finally blew out a breath and disappeared from the screen as he sank forward, presumably dropping his head to the table. "You know I'm just worried about you."
Vr'ocria softened. "I know."
He sat back up, rubbing his eyes. "You love him?"
"Yes."
"And he treats you right?"
"Yes."
Galek sighed. "Alright. Alright, fine. I'll be nice…and I'm sorry for being a jerk."
She smiled. "Thank you." She rose to her feet. "Now. I have to finish breakfast with my mate."
To his credit, Galek tried to stifle his groan.
When Vr'ocria emerged back in the kitchen, she found Aldrick looking concerned. "Everything okay? I heard yelling."
She plopped down at the table. "Galek is just protective of me. He's not too sure about…us."
"Oh." Aldrick picked at his nails. "Right. I mean, I understand why." He gave a strained smile. "I'm human, after all."
"Hey," she placed a hand on top of his to stop the picking. "Don't be like that, you're not a monster. Galek a good guy. He's not unreasonable, he'll come around."
His expression softened as he squeezed her hand. Then his eyes drifted down her neck. "Oh shit, he saw that, didn't he? Fuck, Vr'ocria I'm so sorry–"
She could only laugh. "Stop, stop, it's okay. I mean…I kind of like it."
Aldrick turned red and couldn't meet her eye. "Just remind me not to leave hickeys on you when I meet your brother for the first time."
"Nowhere he can see, anyway," Vr'ocria said casually, taking a bite of cereal.
Aldrick choked on his juice.
Alright, that's about as spicy as this series is gonna get, so don't get your hopes up for anything more explicit than that, LOL. I just wondered what would happen when aliens discover hickeys, hehe.
Next chapter will have some space pirate action, so buckle up babes 🤠

My dog and my best friend both had cancer. My dog was 8 and had been my literal shadow for 6 years and helped me throughout some of the hardest moments including my dad's (58y) death in early 2021. I wasn't prepared for him to get spleen cancer. He stuck around for me for a few more months after his diagnosis and then he crashed and I opted to do the humane thing and end his suffering.
Later that day, which is likely the hardest day of my life, my friends call and tell me my best friend who had been struggling with cancer had passed away. I hadn't seen them in weeks since I was I spending nearly every possible moment I could with my dog. They were in their early 30s with kids and a spouse. They were the most accepting and beautiful person I have ever met in my life.
Its been three weeks and I am still struggling with it. I haven't even told some people about my dog because 1) its fucking too much and 2) i feel like I shouldn't share my grief about him because its heavier than my grief for my friend. I feel so guilty for that feeling, but my life revolved around my dog and there is just nothing. I loved my friend dearly but I'm almost relieved for them because of how much pain there were in.
I still don't feel like I have closure with my dad and this has just piled on me and crushed me. I feel like there isn't a reason for anything anymore. What's the point if the ones who understood me the most are all gone? And they are the ones I would have gone to for support in this event and they are all gone.
I have my friend's memorial coming up, so I am hoping for some semblance of closure and maybe to find people to at least share this grief with. I am also looking for a support group. Just everything seems so bleak right now and I every day just feels so long and unwelcome.

My (22F) boyfriend (28M) Here are the reasons why I’m considering break up with my boyfriend: 1. He doesn’t keep his words. We have been together for 2 years and 4 months. Currently living together. He promised me he will tell his parents about me 2 years ago but he still didn’t tell them about me. 2. He doesn’t drive. My job consists of driving around a lot. Which makes me so sick of driving. Since he doesn’t have a license I have to drive him everywhere. He said he will get a license but he kept procrastinating taking driving lessons 3. He doesn’t pay attention to me when we are out. He often looks at other people instead of talking to me or look at me. On our date nights, I feel like I’m just on a date with myself. 4. He’s only interested in anal sex while I’m not into it. He’s not forcing me or anything. He doesn’t seem interested in vaginal sex. We have sex once every 1-2 weeks. He treated it like a chore. He doesn’t do any foreplay. 5. He often fall asleep while I’m crying. I have depression so I tend to cry every other day. I know it’s not his responsibility to make me happy but I wish he could be there for me when I need him the most. 6. He doesn’t want to talk about the negative aspects of our relationship. How can we fix our issues if we don’t even talk about em? 7. Pay so much attention to other women. He used to stare at other women when we are out together. We talked a lot about it. Now he just look at them briefly and turn away when I notice. I take care of my body and always try to look my best but he rarely look at me and compliments me. 8. He did some questionable things in the past. For example, comment on other women’s pictures things like “you have the most beautiful eyes in the world”, “wow so beautiful” etc. I once found a woman’s tshirt in his room that wasn’t mine. Also found blond hair inside his jeans. My hair is black. When we did long distance, he asked a woman if he could come over , have wine and chill with her. 9. Always make me feel like I’m not doing enough. I work and study full time, go to the gym. He always be like why don’t you do this, why don’t you do that. I’m doing my best and he doesn’t recognize my efforts. 10. Doesn’t care about me as much as he cares about himself. I tell him about my health issues and he never ask about them again. He spent so much time finding information on some symptoms he has. But he never once search about my health issues.
Note: English is my second language, please ignore any grammatical errors.

Hi thereee! Im looking for someone to talk at the moment, and I hope we click! I love to cook, watching movies (horror, documentaries, action, sci-fi). Im 25 simple girl, from USA (people near me, hope to know you more) I am more of a homebody person, I dont want crowded places and noisy places too. If you are interested, send me message that is something from you or maybe just the reason why you message me. Im trying to find someone new here that are exciting and funny enough to talk to. Thanks for reading this. Cant wait to know your whereabouts!

Is it just me or is there a tragic lack of competitions for non- Dan grades in the UK? I’ve done judo for nearly 3 years now and in that time, I’ve come across maybe 2 competitions (on my side of the country) that apply to me and my fellow Kyu grades that are all older than 16.
It is difficult to find competitions that welcome players older than school age and I was wondering if this is just a UK problem or is this widespread?

Like until about 2013 I thought I was doing well enough and felt fairly normal...yes I only had a few friends and I that many of my interest were different than others...and yes I may not have been the most social person but I tried to blend in with others around me in hopes of being accepted...
Growing up I was fairly eccentric and weird compared to other black kids my age and always had a strong sense of justice...projected many of my interest upon people I considered friends...was easily manipulated and a bit naive to people and as my mum would say "book smart but not street smart" (I still am to a degree)...and while I did not always care to be around many people or partake in activities that others did...I still was able to be around people to a degree...in high school I was in JROTC...played football briefly...was in taekwondo...and I ran cross country...I was even able to get an ROTC scholarship to college despite dropping out of the program to try try and better focus on strictly school (I became way too invested in trying to succeed in the program and fit in with my peers)...I tried to assimilate and reinvent myself multiple to be like various groups (I indulged in drinking and trying to party and have sex...etc)...but I was still an outlier and introverted cast off...
Then in 2013 after most of my close friends graduated I started to struggle more and eventually began to break down...the panic attacks became more frequent...depression became much more prevalent..I was at times more impulsive and reckless...and then I started to revert to my more natural self...things were not good and got worse the more stressed I became...I was diagnosed again (this time as an adult) with ADHD and was given medication that helped me focus a bit more in classes (I still struggled greatly with anxiety and communication with my teachers and people I was not familiar with)...
I finally graduated college after struggling for 10 years and received my Bachelor's degree in Political Science in 2018 and afterwards in an effort to reorient myself... returned home with my mum and began working...then in 2019 I started to decline even further...I had been working in a call center as a customer service representative for health insurance and while I was very knowledgeable and helpful...I still struggled with taking calls and ingratiating myself into the company culture as I took things very literal and tried to do things appropriately and according to standards...
Then in 2020 I was placed on leave due to constant panic attacks and depression due to concerns over being fired after I had just been accepted to our appeals department...then to add to that things started to get worse with legal troubles I was involved in...I slowly started to break even further and experience increased burn out and became more withdrawn due to overstimulation and fear of meltdowns...then last year I was diagnosed with ASD and while things made sense somewhat I still felt unsure about myself and my mental health...then reading a lot of the experiences of others on Reddit and how others with ASD struggle a lot more than I did and currently am I feel like a lazy fraud and that I am just invading spaces not meant for in particular...
Sorry for the long post...I just wanted to get this out of my head...

I am a 27 year old dutch man. 6ft1/185cm, blond hair, blue eyes. I don't shy away from most kinks and can help fulfill just about any off your desires.
I'm also into feet and making tributes of any kind. Hit me up if interested!

Hey everyone! I just recently graduated with my BS in Aviation Management! I'm currently doing an internship with the international airport near me and I'm considering getting my C.M. and was wondering if it was worth it?
I'm honestly not loving being over at the airport (just seems like not the best environment) and I just finished up an internship with an airline and am trying to go back to that airline.. I just know that the CM has good knowledge but is it worth the cost if I'm thinking I'm going to go airline??

I wasn't sure where else to take this question and I didn't have anyone IRL to ask.
I am 17F and I have hair down to my waist. Taking care of it is frustrating, it's difficult to brush, I'm not good at styling it, it will still be damp in the evening when I wash it in the morning, ect. Sure, it is attractive on me but it's more effort than it is worth imo.
When I asked my mum if I can have it cut to my shoulders she flat out said no. I told her why I wanted it cut and she then said she would talk to my dad. He said he's happy for me to cut it. My mum still won't let me get it cut though. She is saying she doesn't have to listen to dad about this because it is a sin for a woman to get more than a trim and he's telling her to sin.
I have also wanted to get into Crossfit as a hobby that will be good for my health. My dad is fine with me going and he's happy to pay. Mum is kinda ignoring that though.
She says I might be tempted to sin if left alone with the young men at Crossfit.. if you catch my drift. I haven't even held a guys hand before, I want to remain a virgin till marriage. She just sees me as some wild hormonal animal who can't even be at a group fitness class without supervision. She also thinks that it will make me bulk up huge, "gross" and masculine. I know a lot about HPE and as a woman this won't happen accidentally and I am actually aiming to slim down. She thinks it's disrespectful to my future husband to do this "damage" to my body.
When I try to talk to dad about anything like this that my mum and I disagree on I get in trouble. My mum tells me that it's disobedient to go to my dad and she has asked before if I want to cause problems in their marriage. If I cause them to divorce by talking to my dad that's sin too. When I talk to my dad I don't do it to be a homewrecker. I just want to express my opinions to someone who might listen. That being said he doesn't like to argue with mum so even though she won't listen he won't push the issue.
Anyways, is it sin to cut my hair to shoulder length as a woman? Is it sin to attend Crossfit as a woman? Is it sin to talk to my dad about my opinions on a disagreement I have with my mum?

My husband and I planned this pretty much last minute (decided to go to Iceland a few weeks ago and booked it! We have a 4x4 through Blue Car, and all of our hotel reservations are made. I have a few backup reservations as well in case I am way off with this itinerary, so if I'm totally off-base, please tell me! We are interested in nature and photography, lighthouses and PUFFINS(!!!) and we like to move at a rapid pace! Please review my itinerary and let me know your thoughts. We are not interested in going whale watching or glacier hiking as we've done these activities before in either Alaska and/or Washington State. Not interested in museums either.
June 29 Arrive at KEF @ 7am. Blue Lagoon - 10am reservation Explore Reykjanes Peninsula Groceries Maybe shopping in Reykjavik Lodging in either Hella or Selfoss (I reserved two different places - any thoughts on which is 'better' for Landmannalaugar?)
June 30 Mt. Blahnúkúr / Mt. Brennisteinsalda loop hike in Landmannalaugar Sleep in either Hella or Selfoss
July 1 Golden Circle stuff *can switch this with June 30 depending on weather Sleep in Hella or Selfoss
July 2 Depart Hella or Selfoss Seljalandsfoss waterfall Skogafoss waterfall Dyrholaey Lighthouse Black sand beach Yoda Cave
Stay in Vik
This day seems a little light? Any suggestions?
Maybe the plane wreck hike? Husband is less than thrilled about this, said it looks like a pile of scrap metal. I could go either way.
July 3 Depart Vik Fjadrarglufur Canyon Stjornarfoss Waterfall Skaftafell Glacier / Svartifoss Svinafellsjokull Glacier Fjallsarlon Diamond Beach Vestrahorn
Thought about going kayaking to see the iceburgs up close. Not sure about it, heard mixed reviews.
Stay in Hofn
July 4 Leave Hofn Hvalnes Lighthouse Nykurhylsfoss Streitisviti Lighthouse Hafnarnesviti Lighthouse WWII US Navy shipwreck Dalatangaviti Lighthouse Walk around Seydisfjordur Borgarfjordur Eystri for puffins
Stay in Borgarfjordur Eystri
*This might be too much. Might have to cut the Dalatangaviti area out. Anyone been out there? Thoughts?
July 5
Leave Borgarfjordur Eystri Studlagil Canyon Dellfoss - east side Myvatn Geothermal Area Lodging in Akureyri
July 6
The Myvatn attractions we missed from prior day - Viti Crater, Hverfjall Godafoss Aldeyjarfoss (maybe?) Svalbardesyri Ligthhouse Could we drive the Tröllaskagi peninsula too?
Stay in Akureyri
July 7
(Need help here!)
Depart Akureyri, headed to Westfjords (my goal of the Westfjords is ultimately to see the puffins) Glaumbaer Farm Hvitserkur (maybe) Kolugljufur Canyon Stay in Holmavik (interested in the drive up to Djupavik?) or Patreksfjordur ??? Help!
July 8
Depart Holmavik (if staying there).
Either way, head towards Latrabjarg. Stops at abandoned shipwreck. Interested in seeing Dynjandi waterfalls, but I don't really know if that's possible.
Stay in Patreksfjordur
​
July 9
Depart Patreksfjordur Stop at Grabrok, Hraunfossar Head to Grundarfjordur (lodging) on Snæfellsnes peninsula
Or should we take the ferry? Doesn't seem to save any time and looks like it doesn't depart until noon...thoughts??
July 10 Snæfellsnes peninsula sightseeing all day.
Stay in Grundarfjordur
July 11
Depart Grundarfjordur Hike Glymur Waterfall Hofrungur AK 91 Shipwreck in Akranes + Lighthouse Shopping in Reykjavik if we still need souvenirs!
Head to Courtyard Marriott near KEF
July 12
Depart at 9am KEF for USA

I’m just noticing certain overlaps, like the heavy focus on “time control” and the Zonai are similar to Nomai, both in name, and also that they are 3-eyed goat-like alien creatures with wavey white hair… also, their headdress/masks somewhat (albeit loosely) resemble the Nomai spacesuit.
Just me?
Edit: Sorry, were* not we’re… ducking autocorrect!

What are the colors that you can customize for when you acquire the Jedi robes? I’ve seen articles and videos that said black was a color but that color isn’t showing up for me. I got brown, white/grey, yellow, blue, red and green. So is there a black color or is it the blue that people think is black cause I’m confused lol

Story: 15 crew mates find themselves stuck on a strange spaceship called "The Skeld" with a black and white robot crew mate informing them they have to kill each other to prevent the parasitic, hostile, shapeshifting impostor from reaching Earth. Will they be able to overcome the despair of it it all, or fail to realize who the imposter among them is?
Setting: The Skeld, Polus, Mira HQ
Theme: Man vs Monster
Availability: My Reddit DMs or my Discord account SecretaryMany#2712
/Proof
I know, I know, "Among Us x Danganronpa" is pretty cringe but you can make fun of me later. As for what I'm looking for exactly? Well, nothing much, just some character intro cards and some CGs, that's all, really. I'm not looking for VAs, programmers or sprite artists (although, I would have to admit that it'd be kinda fun to see.) All I really want is an artist who can draw Among Us characters in Danganronpa-like CGs (including BDAs), since this is really just a fanfiction I'd like some images for.
I do not have any cash to give so that's why this is being tagged as "Volunteer Work". I completely understand if no one does reply to this post and this was just a waste of my time but if you are interested for whatever reason and want to show me some concept art, feel free to send me some on either my Reddit DMs or my Discord account SecretaryMany#2712, although if you do, please send your Discord username down below so I don't accidentally block you.
This is likely going to get no attention and no replies but I might as well take the risk. The worst that can happen is that no one replies.
Goodbye.
(This part under the requirement is just copy and pasted as I didn't want to redo it.)