Okay, this was about 5 years ago…
My best friend (35F) had outpatient surgery and I (37F) was in charge of picking her up from the hospital and driving her home.
It feels worth saying that we are witchy and have done spells together with decent success in the past… not part of the story, but definitely adds to the intrigue.
So I was in charge of bringing her home. She was sleepy, but in great spirits and once home, asked if I wanted to come into her studio for some tea. This studio is a standing shed in the back yard. It’s often where we did our witchy magic (setting the scene).
We get settled into the studio, she pulls out two mugs and two tea bags. Puts one bag in each mug, turns on the electric kettle and we each pick a mug and sit down in chairs about 8-10ft apart facing each other….
We chat about what anesthesia was like and how she feels so ethereal and dreamy now. The kettle boils and clicks. She looks down into her mug and says “Uhhhh…. My tea bag disappeared.” We both look around and I look down into my my mug… still has a tea bag. I don’t see hers anywhere and then I look down. Her tea bag is on the floor, next to my foot, STANDING UPRIGHT!!!
You know how some tea bags have a fold on the bottom so it stands in the cup? It’s as if it transported from that position in her mug to the floor by my feet. We were stunned.
I’ve always thought it was her liminal headspace from the surgery that caused the glitch.

The scene faded back in to a shot of some treetops, Sammy saying "Well, even though we didn't finish, I'm glad I didn't get targeted," as the camera panned down to the Rats walking through the woods. "It was bad enough watching Leshawna and DJ go through it."
"Girl, you can't let that stuff get to you," Leshawna told her, the two girls walking at the front of their team's pack. "Sure it's humiliating, but it'll pass in time. Besides, it's not like any of us would've held your secrets against you, not when my secret was revealed."
"I hadn't thought of that," Sammy said with a contemplative look.
"We can't let our fears control us. It'll just prevent us from achieving what we want to do," Sierra told her team while focusing on her phone. She tripped on a rock and landed on her face as a result.
Confessional: Sammy
"Back home, there's this girl who's basically the princess of my school," Sammy exclaimed. "She leaks out the students' personal secrets just to get even with them or simply be mean," she gulped, "and when one of my own secrets got posted, I was teased for a week."
"Thankfully, my friends didn't bother me about it and still continued to hang out with me."
Confessional Ends
The scene cut back to the Maggots, also walking through the woods together, and focused on Anne Maria and Katie at the middle of their pack.
"This is the longest I've ever gone without using an electronic," Katie droned. "How am I gonna talk to my viewers about my day and give them advice?"
"You don't need to be on a device 24/7," Anne Maria spoke to the girl.
"Easy for you to say," Katie said snottily. "You don't have to worry about vlogs since you focus on maintaining your hair."
"Ya think that's easy?" Anne Maria retorted calmly. "I have to work overtime at a diner just to buy all the hairspray that I can afford."
Confessional: Katie
"Maybe I could've been nicer there," Katie admitted, "but my subscribers can go down if I don't upload anything."
Confessional Ends
The shot cut ahead to Scarlett and Molly, the former looking like she's been listening to the conversation behind her. "Chris has created a disadvantage for us by taking away Katie's gadget right before the game!"
"True, but Chris thankfully had the decency to end the challenge before he could reveal any more of our embarrassments," Molly said.
"The host just thrives off our pain and suffering," Scarlett summarized.
"You can say that again," Molly told her. "Sociopathy is something that could be cured, but Chris is way long gone."
\
"Welcome, players!" Chris announced over the loudspeaker again, the camera cutting down to ground level to show the Rats meeting up with the Maggots again. "Now that you're all here, it's time for part two of today's challenge," the host continued, the shot zooming out to show all thirteen campers standing in some sort of wide field of mud with a wooden ramp leading up off-camera on the right.
"The 'Mad Skills Obstacle Course'," Chris announced, the shot cutting to him standing on some patch of grass.
"The relay race begins with a mad dash from the Kick Start," the shot cut to the wooden platform at the other end of the ramp, where an absurdly large rubber root was connected by wooden shaft and gear to a pole sticking up out of the platform. "Forget coffee," the host said as the boot swung squeakily back and forth in demonstration, "if this baby doesn't get you goin', nothin' will."
"Then it's off to the race against time that is the Cannonball Run," Chris said, the camera following his motion further onward to another stretch of wooden platform. Several cannons situated below suddenly blew gaping holes in it, and the shot zoomed out to show several more cannons hooked up to a scaffold over the platform and aimed downward.
"Over to my personal fave," the shot moved to the end of the platform where a log had been set up to rotate on its side, "Wrecking Ball Alley! Hurts so good," he said as the camera panned across and the titular wrecking ball swung down over the rolling log.
"And moving on," the shot cut next to a few higher, disconnected, and generally precarious platforms, "we head to the Gang Plank, complete with rabid mutant beavers." The shot cut to the mud pit at the bottom where two giant wooly beavers with boney spikes along their back were busily chewing through the poles the gang plank platforms were on.
"Followed by," the shot cut to a close-up of a large, red, butt-shaped apparatus that was moving up and down, "the bouncy agony of Double Trouble." The shot zoomed out to show four of the butt-shaped things moving up and down between two platforms.
"And finally," Chris said, "the Grand Slam," the shot cut to several giant baseball bats sticking up out of the mud surrounding an equally giant baseball mitt, "where you'll use ropes to swing into the giant baseball mitt, while avoiding those deadly bats." The shot zoomed in on the mitt, then panned over to one of the bats as a small red bird flew head-first into it, knocking it out with a clonk. "Piece of cake," Chris said with a chuckle as the shot cut back to the staring and nervous campers.
"Oh, and as you may remember," the host added, "I said that the winning team from part one would have a distinct advantage in part two?"
"But there was no winner!" Sierra reminded the host. "You canceled the first part!"
"Yeah, don't remind me," Chris answered in annoyance. "The losing team was gonna wear snazzy specs while competing," he explained with a chipper smile, "but since we never actually finished the competition," he became annoyed again, "I've decided that everybody has to wear them!" He laughed, and the campers looked behind them to see Chef Hatchet holding a cardboard box.
Dave was the first to step forward, taking out one of the pairs of glasses – thick, ugly things that almost seemed to have a greenish tint to them – and put them on. His brow shot up immediately. "Hey, what's with the old glasses?" he asked. "We won't be able to see anything wearing these!" The perspective shifted to demonstrate what he was seeing, which was little more than an incredibly blurry shot of the forest and some unknown body of water.
"Dorktacular goggles won't make part two easy," Chris said, "or attractive," he shrugged, "but it can be done. In theory."
The campers groaned.
"Since the Maggots have one more player than the Rats," Chris added on, "one of them has to sit this one out."
"It should be Katie," Scarlett suggested to her team, "She's still suffering from her tech withdrawal."
"Fine by me," Molly boldly said. "I don't want her losing for us."
"Competitors, take your positions!" he said, and the footage flashed forward to show Anne Maria and Geoff together near the edge of the first platform, the jersey shore reject waving her hands in front of her face in order to see. "First up at the Kick Start it's Anne Maria against Geoff," the host said before the shot moved on to the next pair. "Then, it's DJ versus Sammy," the brickhouse and nervous cheerleader looked about before the shot pulled back to show the cannons, "versus the Cannonballs."
"Molly faces Scott in Wrecking Ball Alley," the indie chick and devious stared at each other, the former more competitively. "B is up against Scarlett in the Gang Plank," the camera cut to the base of the ladder then panned all the way up to it to the strong, silent genius and the quiet brainiac on top, "Dave and Leshawna will battle Double Trouble," the normal guy looked warily at the butt-shaped apparatus in front of him while the sista just cracked her knuckles, "and, Sierra will fight Trent for the Grand Slam." The obsessive uberfan nervously looked around while the cool guy tried to maintain his balance, the shot moving out to show the baseball mitt.
"First team to finish wins the whoooole shebang," Chris explained. "And, the other team loses a member tonight! Since it's a relay race," he added, "you'll need something to pass: your mascots," he said with a grin. "Oh, intern~!"
A scrawny white boy with his long black hair flipped over his eyes walked up to Geoff and Anne Maria holding a pair of pet carriers; whatever was inside was snarling angrily enough for the two competitors to exchange a wary look. "Team Rat gets a mutant rat," Chris announced as the intern thrust a large, squealing, six-legged hairless rat into Geoff's arms. "And Team Maggot gets," the host continued, "a mutant maggot," a large, slimy green maggot was thrust into Anne Maria's arms.
"Ew. It's a what?" Anne Maria said in surprise.
"Aaaand," Chris said as he prepared an airhorn, "go!"
At the sound of the horn the giant boot swung down on the two campers. With a yelp Anne Maria managed to duck out of the way, but Geoff was not so lucky and got sent flying with a scream. He landed in the mud between platforms, but kept the rat held high. It burped as Chris said "And Geoff gets the boot!"
Anne Maria hopped across the gap between platforms with the maggot in her arms.
"Anne Maria takes the early lead," Chris continued, and the jersey girl ran up to DJ.
"Here!" Anne Maria held out their mascot.
"I'll take this cute critter from here," DJ took the maggot from her, then turned and ran off down the course.
"Yeah, I got it goin' on," Anne Maria walked back the opposite way...and blindly fell into the gap between platforms, landing with a squelch of mud.
The shot cut to DJ as he ran along his part of the platform. He slammed face-first into a post, then recoiled a few steps. He vigorously shook his head and sidestepped around the post. He only got another two steps before a sudden cannon volley through the floor in front of him forced him to a stop with a yelp.
Now covered in mud, Geoff ran along the first part of the platform with his rat held out in front of him. He jumped the gap, and soon reached Sammy. "We're already far behind! Go!" the party boy held out their team's mascot.
"Got it!" Sammy said, grabbing the rat and running off.
"The Rats take the lead!" Chris called out as Sammy caught up to DJ at the start of the cannonball run. Another cannon fired towards them, forcing both to dart and duck out of the way.
"Okay," Sammy assured herself, "I just have to dodge a bunch of cannons that are impossible to see!" She charged forward, leaving DJ to chase after her.
"Time to try again," DJ added in.
The scene moved to Scott and Molly waiting at the start of the next leg. Sammy ran up and thrust the rat into Scott's arms, panting after she did so.
"Wow. We're in the lead? Great," Scott realized and started to walk slowly. "Nice and slow, all the way to last place. Right, little guy?" He told the rat while walking along the rolling log, but the rat bit him in the chin. He howled painfully and missed the wrecking ball swinging down at him. It caught him and sent him flying, all the way into B.
"Faster, DJ!" Molly yelled as DJ ran up to her and handed over their maggot.
"Good luck," DJ supported Molly as she headed for the rolling logs.
Scott was lying on the floor and petting the rat with B watching as the shot cut back to them.
"Aww, who's my good freak? Who's my good little freak?" Scott faux affectionately talked to the rat in order to slow them down as B was signaling him to pass it to him. "There, there, little guy. Uncle Scotty kept you safe and sound." He saw B waiting. "Oh, do you want this? Why didn't you say so, Beverly?"
Having enough, B took the rat before putting it in his pocket and jumped on to the first precariously isolated platform. It immediately started to wobble and sink, and B quietly cried out in alarm as the camera quick-panned to the base revealing the two mutant beavers making quick work of the pole, causing him to fall down into the mud. He recovered and saw the two ferocious-looking beavers he had landed next to.
Molly was looking up and back just in time to see the wrecking ball swinging towards her. She jumped up, safely grabbing on to the ball and allowing it to carry her forward. She jumped off at the extent of its swing, and sailed further on through the air.
The camera quick-panned over to B as he hastily sculpted a female beaver out of mud. The two beavers looked past the muddy feel and fell in love with it. As they ran over to hug it, B sneakily slipped past.
"And in a surprisingly touching move, B extends the Rats' lead," Chris announced out loud.
Scott was watching from where he landed. "Oh, come on!" he whined in disappointment.
"Go now!" Molly told Scarlett as she handed the maggot over, Scarlett immediately turning.
The beavers stopped hugging the mud sculptured beaver when the head fell off. Realizing that they were tricked, they soon turned vengeful.
Scarlett hopped to the first platform. It immediately wobbled thanks to the beavers gnawing the leg, taking Scarlett down.
"Alright, my brotha!" Leshawna cheered and took the rat from the tired B. "Let me take it from here."
Leshawna threw herself on to the first butt-shaped thing, landed, and bounced off it without a word. She continued on in this way, bouncing from one to the next until eventually she reached the end. "Sierra, take it!" she yelled to her teammate, the fangirl waiting with her back turned at the edge of the next platform.
Despite stretching her rat-holding arms out towards him as she fell, Leshawna was unable to make the pass-off in time before falling completely past her and landing in the mud. "What?" Sierra said as she finally turned around. "Aww. I missed the catch."
The shot cut to Leshawna face down in the mud. The mutant rat scampered out of her grasp. With a growl, Leshawna scrambled to her feet and chased after it screaming "Get back here!"
"Here you go," Scarlett told her teammate as the shot cut back to her holding the muddy and slimy maggot out to him.
"Got it!" Dave said as he reached out for the mutated larva.
It promptly vomited onto his face.
"IT THREW UP ON ME!!!" Dave freaked out and ran while one of the beavers grabbed Scarlett's head and dragged her down.
The perspective briefly changed to show the blurry obstacle that Dave was approaching, then changed back to his head-on close-up as he became visibly determined.
"The quicker I finish this, the quicker I can clean up!" Dave told himself just as he jumped onto the first butt-shaped object; he landed on his chest with a pained yelp and bounced off, continuing on painfully from one bouncy apparatus to the next until eventually he landed on his chest on the far platform with a slam and a groan.
"And Dave takes back the lead for the Maggots!" Chris announced, the camera cutting to him and Chef on their chairs. "He really doesn't like to get messy."
"Alright, it's my turn!" Trent declared confidently, turning proudly towards the end of the course.
"Hurry up!" Dave told him impatiently.
The camera panned back to the left, passing Dave and reaching Sierra just as Leshawna forced their team's mascot into her arms. "Here!" she commanded.
"Sorry I didn't catch it in time," Sierra apologized.
"It's like they say on Blackcomb Mountain. "Best glimpse of heaven's on the way into-" Trent said before reaching the giant mitt and saw how far it was. "Hello."
Meanwhile, Scarlett was in danger courtesy of the two beavers.
"I would ask if you detach from me now," Scarlett begged while a beaver took out a bottle of ketchup and licked their teeth. "I warned you," Scarlett growled before kicking both of their groins, making them moan. "If you had simply not taken me, then I wouldn't have had to resort to kicking you two. I show no sympathy."
Sierra had finally caught up to Trent in the Grand Slam. "This is like the electric eel part of the trust challenge from season one," Sierra talked to herself before grabbing one of the ropes that had been loosely tied there and swung off.
She passed between the baseball bats, and planted her feet on the baseball mitt. Sierra slowly lost her standing and fell into the mud. "Being splattered by mud is better than being electrocuted I guess," she laughed a bit.
Back at the edge of the platform, Trent grabbed the end of the other rope. He unleashed his own terrified cry as he swung blindly through the Grand Slam, and almost made it to the mitt – but slammed into one of the last bats with his legs spread wide. He painfully groaned as he slid down into the mud.
The footage skipped ahead to show a muddy Sierra running up for her second go, the ropes once again tied to a post on the side of the platform. "This time, I should swing higher. Then I'll be on the mitt for sure," the blogger discussed with herself.
"C'mon Sierra!" Geoff called out to her, the shot cutting to show him and the other Rats standing on a nearby platform without the glasses that had been forced on them. "Swing!"
Sierra grabbed one of the ropes again and jumped off. She stuck her legs out in front of her and passed by each bat in turn. However, her muddy hands caused her to fall from the rope just before she reached the mitt and she fell into the mud.
The Rats all groaned.
The camera panned past them and on to Trent, who had grabbed his own rope again and was sizing up his next swing. "My team needs the win," he told himself, tucking the maggot under his arm as he used his fingers to frame his target.
The music turned triumphant as he ran forward and swung off. He hit all the bats, and the peak of his swing put him just about over the mitt. It was then that he let go of the rope and fell down towards the goal, landing on his head as the maggot landed on top of him.
"The Maggots win!" Chris announced, and the maggot mascot threw up on the musician.
The Maggots cheered, having also discarded their glasses, while the five nearby members of the Toxic Rats groaned once more.
"To the Maggots, the spoils," Chris announced as Chef walked over to the winning team holding some kind of gift basket. "McLean Brand Soap, Shampoo, and Conditioner. Guaranteed to wash off the stink!" the host listed over a close-up of the gift basket, showing off its contents against a radiant yellow background.
"I'll definitely keep those in handy!" Dave said with a smile.
"Make sure not to hog all of it," Katie reminded him.
Confessional: Katie
"If my team was up for elimination, I probably would have been the one eliminated, and I wouldn't have my tablet with me. I dodged a bullet there," Katie cheered.
Confessional Ends
"Rats, see you at the elimination ceremony!' Chris added with his usual smile.
The five members of the Rats groaned for a third time. "I could've used the reward to wash off the mess," Leshawna groaned.
Sierra moaned as she got off the muddy floor, coughing up mud in the process. "Losing two times in a row? That's not gonna go well for my blog."
\
The footage flashed ahead to all of the Toxic Rats except for B and Sierra assembled at the steps leading up to their cabin. The camera focused on Scott, who was standing on the ground in front of the others. "All right, guys. Sierra's gotta go. She lost the challenge for us, and she's more focused on using her phone than competing most of the time."
"Now hang on!" Geoff replied. "So she made a mistake and slipped up. We aren't robots. I'm thinking we should give her a second chance."
"Sierra is also a big fan of the show," Sammy said. "Voting her off this early wouldn't be fair to her."
"Fair, smhair," Leshawna muttered. "If eliminating her allows us to sleep without being disturbed by her constant texting to her friends, I'm all for it."
\
The footage flashed ahead again to show the Toxic Rats at the campfire pit, Chef and Chris standing before them with their respective marshmallows.
"Ready?" Chris asked. "Everyone gets a marshmallow, even the loser!" The shot cut to a close-up of the strongbox in Chef's mitted hands. "But that's one marshmallow you do not wanna eat," Chris added as his assistant flipped the lid up and revealed the bright glowing thing inside.
"To the votes! The following people are safe," the host said, picking up the first normal marshmallow off his tray. "Geoff." The party guy caught his prize with a smile.
"Leshawna." The sista sitting next to him was next, satisfied as she caught her marshmallow.
"Scott." The devious, slumped forward, raised his free left hand and caught his prize.
"And Sammy." The nervous cheerleader allowed her marshmallow to fall into her open hands.
"Which leaves, Sierra and Bev," Chris announced, earning a nervous look from both teens.
"What?" Sierra asked in shock.
"And the Marshmallow of Loserdom goes to," Chris said, trailing off as the camera slowly zoomed in on the faces of the bottom two nervous campers.
"Sierra," the host finished.
"Me? But why?" Sierra sputtered in shock while B caught his marshmallow with his mouth.
"Don't know and don't care," Chris said. "You're out."
Sierra dodged the toxic marshmallow thrown her way. "It is what it is, but one last thing!" She whipped out her phone and snapped a photo of her and her teammates, blinding their eyesight and making them audibly yelp. "#ToxicRatsForever!" she enthusiastically claimed and ran to the Hurl of Shame.
\
The footage cut over to the Dock of Shame, the camera zoomed in on Chris and Sierra in the catapult's bucket.
"Any last words before we give you the Hurl of Shame?" Chris asked.
"Of course. Can I have a self-" Sierra said before Chris unflinchingly launched her into the air. Sierra finished with a scream as she disappeared into the night.
Chris laughed. "It was a rhetorical question. Two hurls down, twelve to go! Who will be eliminated next?" he asked the camera. "Tune in, and find out, on Total! Drama! Revenge! Of! The Island!"
(Roll the Credits)

Toxic Rats: B, Geoff, Scott, Leshawna, Sammy, Sierra
Mutant Maggots: Anne Maria, Katie, Molly, Scarlett, Dave, DJ, Trent
Episode 02: Truth or Mutant Shark
"Last time, on Total Drama Revenge of the Island!" Chris opened over a long-distance shot of Wawanakwa, the recap montage beginning soon after. "Fourteen new competitors were blown away by this year's challenges," the host said as the yacht carrying the new cast was shown, Chris maliciously pressed a button on his remote control, and the yacht blew up. "They were treated to an early-morning swim," Max was shown trying not to drown, "said hello to the island's wildlife," Dave was shown to get nearly zapped by its eye-lasers, "and did some totem-surfing," the Toxic Rats slid down the hill and into the air, falling from their totem just before it crashed into the better cabin and exploded. "Ex-plosive!"
"In the end," a few short clips of Max trying to be villainous, "Max's non-stop claims about being dangerous made him useless enough that his team sent him packing, Hurl of Shame-style." The recap footage ended with Max getting catapulted off the island.
"Who'll go home next?" Chris asked the camera from the end of the dock. "And how much pain can I put them through first? Find out right now, on Total! Drama! Revenge of the Island!"
XXXXX
The episode opened on a shot of the morning sky and a few far-away bird calls as the camera panned down to the two cabins of Camp Wawanakwa.
The shot cut inside to the girls' half of the Rats' cabins where Leshawna and Sammy were woken up to the sound of Sierra texting on her phone.
"The first day competing on Total Drama was exciting," Sierra talked to her phone. "I managed to make some friends and even though my team lost the first challenge, I'm still staying for another day!"
"Girl, who are you even talking to?" Leshawna mumbled tiredly.
"I'm giving the fans an update about my day and experience being a contestant," Sierra mentioned. "The fansite eats up this stuff."
"Are you going to carry your phone everywhere you go just to do so?" Sammy asked.
"I won't use it during the challenges, but I keep it with me at all times," Sierra said. "Without my phone, I'd probably lose my mind!"
Confessional: Sammy
"So I joined the show because my friend group suggested I do so," Sammy timidly said. "They said it's to increase my self-esteem and make me branch out more or something close to those lines."
Confessional Ends
The shot cut abruptly to a top-down view of the other half of the Rats' cabin, showing Geoff and B sleeping in their bunk beds. The sound of a door suddenly slammed open and slammed shut, waking Geoff up.
It was Scott – flat against the front door with his eyes wide, his breath heaving, and his clothes dirty. "Dude, what happened to you?" Geoff asked in concern.
Scott straightened himself out. "Oh, uh... just had an early morning make out session with one of the honeys," he explained.
Geoff got out of his bed in his pajamas and got near Scott. "Why are you so messy then?"
The footage quickly cut to a scene of Scott running in terror from a Woolly Beaver – one with several boney spikes jutting out of its back. The shot flashed back to the Rats' cabin, and Scott added "A gentleman doesn't kiss and tell."
"Wait," Geoff stepped in. "You kissed a guy?" This comment earned him an annoyed expression from Scott.
Confessional: Scott
"All right. I was out looking for that hidden immunity idol, not that they need to know," Scott opened up. "It's all part of my strategy. Let my team lose so the Maggots develop a false sense of security before I pick 'em off!"
He was interrupted by a knock on the wall. "Occupied!" he shouted until the wholly beaver from earlier barged through the wall and frightened Scott into screaming.
Confessional Ends
The camera cut back outside the cabins, zooming on on the Maggots' abode on the right then cutting inside to show Anne Maria brushing and blow drying her hair.
Scarlett walked up behind her from the left carrying a clipboard. "How were you able to sneak those cans in?" she asked.
Anne Maria placed her items inside her pouf. "Easy. I stuck it in my pouf." She noticed the clipboard. "Why are you carryin' that clipboard?"
"I've been working on sleep analysis, Anne Maria," Scarlett answered. "Your stage two sleep spindles were low frequency followed by an intense delta or slow-wave. You slept well."
Anne Maria was a little surprised to hear that. "That's nice, but don't go spyin' on me." She grabbed her hairspray from her pouf and walked away spraying her hair.
Scarlett saw that Katie was still sleeping. "Seems Katie's sleep cycle is lower than I anticipated. Had she not tried to pull an all-nighter, she'd have a higher score," Scarlett spoke to herself.
Confessional: Scarlett
"I have the need to research my teammates and know what their weaknesses and strengths are," Scarlett said. "We were able to achieve victory in the first challenge, and I want to keep it that way."
Confessional Ends
The scene flashed to the boys' side of the cabin, the camera focusing on DJ as he woke up and stretched his arms. "Morning Trent and Dave!" the brickhouse greeted his bunkmates, though Dave wasn't around at the moment. "Where'd Dave go?"
Trent, who had also woken up, shrugged. "Beats me. He probably went to the bathroom."
Confessional: Trent
"This is my first time sleeping in a cabin," Trent confessed with his guitar on his lap. "It was hard trying to fall asleep, so I played some songs that were guaranteed to make me and the guys drift off… at least that's what my friends back home say."
"Anyway, my bunk mates are pretty cool. Dave's a bit neurotic, and DJ's more soft-spoken, but once I get to know them more, I can guarantee you we'll be best buds."
Confessional Ends
The scene cut to the back of the Maggots' cabin where Molly got out of a tent that she pitched.
Confessional: Molly
"I don't like bunk beds," Molly admitted with a shrug. "They tend to break no matter how stable it is. That's why I decided to sleep outside. Besides, I wanted to have a camping experience, and sleeping in a tent is the first way to go."
Confessional Ends
The footage returned to Molly stretching her body, and a few seconds later, Dave walked up to her. "Did you sleep outside of your cabin?"
"Yep," Molly nodded.
"Do you know the negatives of doing that?" Dave crossed his arms.
"I don't think so," Molly shook her head.
"You could get bug bites or get sick," Dave explained to the indie woman.
"I already planned for that," Molly laughed. "Ever heard of bug spray and sleeping bags?"
"I know those things, but why did you sleep outside?" Dave wondered.
"One, I prefer to sleep by myself, and two, I don't like sleeping indoors," Molly gives the germaphobe answers. "I hate following the crowd."
"Okay then," Dave said. "I'm gonna use the bathroom. Are you coming?"
"I'm already prepared," Molly took out toothpaste and a toothbrush.
\
The scene cut to a seagull sleeping in a nest inside the horn of a loudspeaker. A blow horn sounded through it without warning, though, forcing the bird out into the air and revealing its snake-like features as it fell.
"Up and at 'em my little morning glories!" Chris called out, sitting on his ATV below. "It's time for today's challenge!" he announced, the camera moving behind him to show the two teams assembled in front, their respective logos appearing on the screen overhead.
"What?" Sierra asked in shock. "But we haven't even had breakfast yet!"
"Not a problem for me," Molly brushed it off and swallowed a pickle. "I packed enough pickles for me to be full."
"And we haven't had enough sleep," Katie added.
"Cognitive function is dependent on REM sleep," Scarlett acknowledged the host.
"You can catch up on your sleep after the challenge," Chris told them. "Rrright this way, to the Bay of Dismay!"
The thirteen campers groaned, except for Katie, who pulled out her tablet.
"Hey viewers! I'm gonna be at a Bay of Dismay," Katie started to film herself until Chris used a magnet to take her tablet away. "What the?"
"Contraband! Now it's mine! Confiscator's keepers! Come on! Your humiliation awaits!" Chris told a miserable Katie.
\
The scene flashed ahead to the thirteen campers walking along at an even pace. "'Bay of Dismay'?" Trent told Anne Maria as they walked side-by-side. "That doesn't sound depressing at all."
"If Chris is gonna make us fight against alligators," Anne Maria said. "I'm planning on suing him after the show ends for breaking my nails."
Trent frowned, but chose to ignore it.
The camera lingered a few seconds as they walked off, long enough for DJ and Katie to enter the shot together. "So, what kinda challenge do you think Chris is gonna put us through this time?" DJ asked.
"I don't know," Katie answered without looking at him, "but I hope it's one that requires the use of a camera so I can take pictures with it, you know?"
DJ facepalmed, unseen by the influencer.
Confessional: Katie
"It's been four minutes, and I'm already missing my tablet," Katie squeaked out and huddled herself. "How will my viewers know what I'm doing right now?"
Confessional Ends
DJ decided to make Katie happy. "Maybe when the challenge is over, you could get your tablet back."
"Emphasis on maybe," Katie snarked.
"I don't know if this is going to be another physical challenge," Leshawna said to Sierra as the footage cut to the two of them walking together. "We already struggled getting that totem down last challenge."
"Chris probably has an academic challenge planned for us at the Bay of Dismay," Sierra told her as they walked forward, "and I know Chris isn't lying."
"How do you know Chris isn't frontin' us?" Leshawna asked.
"Basic knowledge," Sierra bragged. "I can tell if he's lying to us by his vocal pitch and body language."
"So you really studied the show and how it works, huh?" Leshawna followed up in surprise.
"Of course I have," Sierra said. "I've seen every episode like fifty-three times and auditioned twice before being accepted the second time."
B and Scarlett were now shown walking together. "Any idea on what we'll be facing up against?" the quiet brainiac asked the similarly intelligent boy, who didn't talk back to her. "I can see that you prefer not to vocalize your sentences like me, but you're more exaggerated."
Confessional: B
B simply shrugged in the confessional.
Confessional Ends
The static cut away to the body of water that was, presumably, the Bay of Dismay. Three structures rose out of its waters: on the left and right were two-tiered game-show-like seats that housed the Toxic Rats and Mutant Maggots respectively and bore their logos on the front; and in the middle was a single Greek pedestal upon which Chris stood in his blue tuxedo below a large video screen and electronic scoreboard.
"Welcome to the 'Getting to Know You' Trivia Game Challenge," Chris introduced. "Everyone strapped in all nice and snug?" he asked the contestants.
"Too snug," Scott answered irritably. "It's cutting into my shoulders!"
"Yeah, children's size harnesses will do that," Chris chuckled. "I'll be asking our players embarrassing personal questions," he explained, "and I mean majorly humiliating. If the player I'm talking about hits the poorly-wired buzzer and owns their humiliation before the time runs out," he continued as the shot cut back to Scott looking at the red buzzer on the counter in front of him, the camera zooming out to show Sierra on the left, Sammy on the right, and B, Leshawna, and Geoff on the back row, "their team gets a point." The camera panned across the Maggots, showing DJ, Molly, and Scarlett in the bottom row and Katie, Anne Maria, Dave, and Trent above. "First team to five wins part one, and a distinct advantage in part two."
"Buuut," Chris added as the shot cut back to him, "if no one owns up, this happens!" He took out his remote, pressed the button, and with a mechanical whir the elevated stand the Maggots were seated in suddenly dropped into the bay. The shot cut to the seven holding their breaths below the water, focusing in on DJ in particular. He looked around and screamed when he saw the large mutant shark with arms and legs looking at him hungrily, and his teammates joined in as the shark reared back to take a bite – but the stand rose back up just in time to take the teens away from danger.
The shot cut back to the surface as the Maggots re-emerged, dripping and coughing and generally frantic. "There's some kind of two-legged shark down there!" Anne Maria told the host in a panic.
"You mean Fang?" Chris asked with a broad smile and quick laugh. "Yeah, it turns out toxic waste can mess with stuff underwater too." He pointed up at the screen above him as he spoke, and the camera panned up to show a seemingly ordinary shark drinking a cup of tea on a wooden post underwater...until the screen flashed, and a picture of Fang against a simple teal background replaced the normal shark. "Who knew?"
"Better them than us," Scott said from the Rats' stand.
"Anywho," Chris continued slowly, "if a team gets dunked, their opponents can steal by guessing which dunk-ee is guilty. Guess right, and you get a point. Guess wrong, and this happens." With a sly look he pressed the button on his remote again, and this time it was the Rats who got plunged into the bay. Fang was shown tying a bib around his neck, then looking behind him just as the fresh set of teenagers came into view. He turned around and opened his mouth to bite, and with the muffled screams being heard the shot cut back to the bubbling surface. Chris pressed the button once more, and the Toxic Rats rocketed back up on their stand.
"Now that we understand the rules," Chris told them as they coughed up water, "let's start the game!" The host pulled a notecard out from behind his back. "To the Rats, now listen carefully," he began. "Who does this," he motioned upward to a picture of a question mark, "if they eat or drink any form of dairy?" the question mark farted.
All members of the Mutant Maggots began to laugh, as did the members of the Toxic Rats – all except Leshawna, who seemed to shrink in her seat as the camera zoomed in on her. "Where did you get that?" the sista asked in her embarrassment, pressing her buzzer and yelping at the shock she received.
The shot cut to the scoreboard, the Rats' half changing from 0 to 1.
The camera moved back to Chris and his card, now turned towards the Maggots. "Who sleeps with a teddy bear," he motioned upward to a picture of a brown teddy bear, "even after they turned 13?"
"Really? I thought we were more grown-up than that," Dave cringed at the fact.
Scarlett saw that DJ was feeling embarrassed. "Push the button, DJ! You're clearly harboring some guilt," Scarlett advised.
As the timer continued ticking, DJ finally shuddered, then slammed his right hand down on her buzzer. "Alright then," he declared after getting shocked, "it's me."
A bit of light laughter came from the Rats, and the scoreboard updated to show the Maggots' first point. "And it's one-all!" the host declared, earning a cheer from the Maggots.
"Aww, thanks DJ," Katie whispered to the drooping brickhouse. "I know that must've been hard, and I don't hold it against you."
"Really?" DJ regained his smile.
"I have my own collection of teddy bears in my room," Katie beamed.
Confessional: DJ
"Liking teddy bears is one thing me and Katie have in common," DJ smiled in the outhouse. "We'd have to get to know each other a bit more."
Confessional End
"Rats," Chris turned back to the other team, "whose first name is really Beverly?"
"That's not embarrassing," Trent called out defensively. "None of us will throw a fuss over a girl's name being Beverly."
Over to the Rats, Sierra was looking at a picture of Chris, Sammy was shrugging to signify it wasn't her, and Leshawna was just waiting for someone to buzz in.
B, on the other hand, looked down at his own buzzed timidly, and after some consideration, he pressed the buzzer and got shocked, raising his hand to let Chris know that he owned up to the question.
"Correct, Beverly," Chris teased the strong, silent genius. "Rats get the point, but I would've preferred a verbal response."
"But B is as quiet as a snail," Geoff piped up. "And we still got the point."
"Don't care," Chris said apathetically. "So, as a quick punishment." He smiled as he pushed the button on his remote again.
The Rats were plunged back into the water, and the camera focused on Scott as he hollered before getting chomped up by Fang, the stand rising back up as Fang struggled to close his jaws.
Scott managed to get out of Fang's mouth, shouting "No! Wait for me!" as he swam back to her seat.
Confessional: Scott
Scott winced in the confessional, pulling something white out of his butt. "What the? A shark tooth?" he asked, looking at what was obviously a shark's tooth.
Confessional: Fang
The next to use the confessional was none other than Fang, examining his mouth in a hand mirror with great concern. Upon noticing the gap in his upper row of sharp teeth, he growled angrily and snapped the mirror.
Confessionals End
Scott furiously climbed back into his seat. "Thanks for leaving me down there, team!" Scott scolded his teammates. "You can win this stupid challenge without me!"
"If he's not playing, then I'm not either," Anne Maria chimed in, the shot zooming back out as she and the other Maggots looked towards the host.
"I've already had a secret about me exposed, so I think I'll be leavin'," Leshawna declared.
"Okay, everyone just settle down," Chris told them all sternly.
"I'm with everyone else. We should stop," Molly said, standing up and trying to undo her harness. "I do not want any secrets of mine to be spilled out."
"You can do so after you've had a secret revealed," Scarlett snapped.
"Hey! Host talking here!" Chris barked. "I decide when the challenge is over."
"Whatever," Scott scoffed, having already removed his harness. "I'm out of here."
"Not until we win," Sierra held the dirt farmer back from leaving. "I am not going to have us lose."
Just then, Fang jumped out of the water and took a large bite out of the Maggots' stand, forcing them to yelp.
"Now would be a good time to leave," Sammy remarked and tried to get herself out of her straps.
The shot cut back to the Maggots as Anne Maria and Scarlett began to argue with Dave and Molly and DJ, Katie, and Trent watched the debacle going on.
Eventually, the shot cut back to Chris as he finally shouted "Alright! SHUT IT!" The off-screen arguments promptly ceased. "Thanks to that pathetic digression," he said in annoyance, glancing at his watch, "now we don't have enough time to finish this challenge! Happy?"
The Rats voiced their agreement. Likewise, all the Maggots agreed happily.
"Well you won't be happy for long," Chris told them and the camera with a smile. "Come back after the break for an all-new challenge from which there is no escape. And in the meantime," he added slyly as he took his remote back out and pushed the button, causing both teams to be dunked into the bay with a scream once more.
\
(Commercial Break)
\

This relationship has so much heartbreak in it for me, but I genuinely love him as a person, and I really thought he would be the man I would marry. He is a great human (most of the time) which makes me feel that much more disgusted with myself that I can't be happy without sex. He provides for me now that we live together, we go on cute dates/ vacations sometimes, we have similar interests, and above all, he is my best friend. He is my rock. He comforts me when other things in my life get hectic. That being said, our sex life is atrocious.
I have to skip a lot of detail on how our long distance relationship went. We met on a videogame of all things when we were 15/16. We had never been in a relationship, and we were virgins when we started dating. We met in person 4 years after our relationship began. Not by my choice. Anyways, I thought when we met it would be full of loving, passionate sexual things. It was not. He knew I was a very sexual person before he even asked me to be his girlfriend. We were always sending each other pictures and videos of the ahem.. spicy variety haha. We always flirted with each other, and he even asked me for sexy video chats and phone calls. So, when we met, and he had zero interest in fucking me, I was surprised to say the least. Anyways, we went on cute dates, had our first kiss, watched movies in the hotel, etc. All was great until I tried initiating sex. He was not getting the hint. I was very shy, so I backed off the first couple times I tried. Eventually, I gathered up the courage and flat out asked him to fuck me lol. He happily obliged, but when we tried, he gave up after about 2 minutes because he said he couldn't stay hard enough. I thought I felt something, but I guess he no longer had an erection. He felt really bad, but I just comforted him and gave him a handjob/blowjob instead which he loved. He didn't reciprocate, but I didn't really care because I just liked making him feel good. We tried to have sex again a couple days later, but he couldnt keep it up then either. For the rest of the trip I just did things to pleasure him.
A few more visits went by, all of which had zero real sex. He for whatever reason just couldn't do it. He was really upset about it and called himself a failure despite me comforting him. He basically became sexually abstinent. I really think this impotence made him hate sex or even the thought of it because he shows no interest at all in even touching me let alone anything more intense. He barely even kissed me for god's sake. He would never make out with me, feel my body, pleasure me (not like he did in the first place). It was really awful for me because physical intimacy is very important in my happiness. I hate that it is, but I can't help it. I would try to talk to him about trying again, but it always ended up in a fight. He always gets so defensive when I ask him for more sexy times. During year 4-6 of our LDR relationship, I just gave him head and asked him to kiss me. I even offered him my dildo to use on me because I really needed something back y'all. If blue balls can happen to women that has been me up until this day lol.
The dildo seemed to ease the pressure on him, but he still refused to try real sex. He never offered to dildo me after I gave him blowjobs until I started literally crying for him to give me loving attention. I had to initiate everything, and even when I did he wouldn't get the hint. It really just sucked the fun out of it for me, but I desperately wanted that connection with him. He told me to keep trying, so I kept initiating even if he rejected me or didn't understand what I was doing. It was rough. I started crying a lot more, and bothering him about it. I think that really made him hate sex more because he started saying things like "all you want is sex", "why can't you love me without sex", "I don't care about sex so why can't you do the same?". He even blamed his problems on me gaining a bit of weight. I did gain like 30lbs during the LDR because of a multitude of problems going on in my life. Ever since he blamed my weight, it really destroyed my confidence. He has since taken that back, and tells me everyday how perfect I am, but I don't believe him. How can I? He claims he just never thinks about sex anymore, and that's why he doesn't touch me or care about my needs.
I ended our relationship around year 6 because he wasn't treating me right. The breakup lasted about 4 months. It was hell for me because I missed my best friend, and I was so angry with myself and him for sex being the reason things ended. I just wanted to be loved.. he still talked to me everyday which made me miss him so desperately. He said he would fly over to see me, and try his hardest to love me how I needed. He promised he would put more effort into sex because he didn't want to lose me. Stupid me let him do it because I was still hopelessly in love with him. I really thought he would stay true to his word.
From that point on, he did start initiating more. We still couldn't have real sex, but atleast he was showing interest in my body and my feelings. He really started putting effort into pleasuring me, and it felt mostly right to be with him. I was still sad I couldn't have more, but I really genuinely love this man despite the hardships. During year 7 of LDR I had a falling out with my family and needed to move out. He offered to let me come live with him and his family. I was hesitant because our sex life still made me upset, but he reassured me that we could practice sex all the time now that we can see each other everyday. I fell for it... lol.
I moved across the country. Many things changed from that point. He didn't practice sex at all with me. He started barely kissing me again, he never initiated anything, he acted like he had no idea I wanted to have sexy times. We fought a lot. At this point, I was MAD. I was soooo done with all his lies. I gave up my comfy job, my puppies, my friends, my whole life because he said he would be everything I needed. He knew I trusted him, and he just shit all over me. During our fights he would blame me even more for our relationship failing. He said if I didn't want sex, none of this would be happening.
I'm just so frustrated and honestly suicidal now because he just amplifies my depression. Now that I'm stuck out here with no money and no way to get back he kinda just treats me however he feels he can. When he's feeling nice and loving during sex fights he apologizes and tells me to keep initiating even though he rejects me when I do that 90% of the time. When he's feeling defensive and mean during sex fights he will blame me for everything and tell me to go back to where I came from. It's disgusting... He will always apologize and tell me he's the problem the next day. I feel like he's definitely manipulating me now that I live here, but I'm not sure why. What's the point 😔
If he doesn't like sex, and he hates me for wanting it, why did he let me move here? I'm so torn up because I just can't let go of the person he used to be I guess. I'm also very forgiving and compassionate. I know he hates himself for not being able to have sex with me. He would cry and punch the wall because he saw how much he was neglecting me. I try to understand, and forgive him for his awful behavior, but I really don't think I can take anymore or else I'll be dead. A couple fights ago, I said I would give him until the end of the year to make our sex life better. He agreed. Then he continued to be a crappy partner, so we fought again. This time he added that he would work harder at sex only if I also put effort into losing weight for my "health". That really gave me the ick and ever since that happened, I can't even look at him the same. I no longer give him blowjobs. I rarely ever cuddle or spend time with him. He asked me why that's is and I just snort and say "gee I wonder why". He doesn't know what I mean by that. Just what the hell.
To make things worse, he has a ring in his nightstand for me, and I just don't even want marriage anymore. Why can't I let go of him? Am I really that fucking pathetic. He's a sociopath I swear. He will treat me so well when I'm not asking for sex, but as soon as I want to do anything slightly sexual he gets all weird. Then if I press too hard it turns into a fight where we are both threatening to jump off the balcony and crack our necks to escape this hell. What happened to my sweet boyfriend I fell in love with 😔
I've suggested trying different positions, getting ED medication, riding him if he's scared of being on top or whatever. Anything you guys can think of to fix this I've most likely already done it 🤷‍♀️ I've even asked him if he's gay or asexual to which he denies. Not my proudest moment, but this is so abnormal right? I don't know..
TLDR: My boyfriend refuses to have sex with me because of his ED problems. No matter what I try, he will not budge. We fight all the time, and he gives me empty promises over sex. When he's not feeling nice, he blames me for all our sex problems even though I've been nothing but supportive. Will he ever go back to the person I fell in love with, or should I just ditch everything and fly back home (originally started as an LDR, but I moved across the country for him).

So I'm planning to buy it soon because I just found a pretty cool annouce and I gonna ask for more photos or videos. THE PROBLEM IS, the annouce is 4200euro while others with the sames specs are at 5500-6000 euro, maybe the seller doesn't know the market value of the car, but maybe there is a problem with it that is not said. The seller made so improvement/maintenance on it too. I know that the best would be to go see the car by myself but he lives at 800km from my location so i prefer to ask first.
So I will be super grateful if someone could tell me some generic problems, where to look, of which part I should ask photos etc...
Here are the parts that he improved/maintained also the car made 250 000 km (English is not my native language so sorry if something is not correct) :

• new alt and da timing belts
• clutch kit - bv oil and spi gasket replaced
• rocker cover gasket replaced
• new rack bellows
• new front exhaust pipe
• rear shock absorbers - front tires - new front and rear brake pads and universal joint bellows
• alternator and battery changed
• oil - filter - coolant and brake fluid replaced
• electric aerial - front and rear wiper blades - new front turn indicators - dual din and original car radio supplied
• tailgate lock required
• clean fabric interior - bodywork in good general condition, but given its age, the paint is tarnished and should be replaced

So I just came back from vacation and noticed when I got home that my outdoor ac unit was not running while my indoor unit was running so after doing some inspecting I noticed a main brown wire had been chewed in half exposing the black/white/green wiring connecting the inside unit to the outside…my question is that if I turn off all the power on the breaker box could I attempt to resplice the wiring or would there be more to it than that? My biggest thing is I’m not to familiar with electrical work, I’ve done minor splicing on wiring for small electronics but I just want to make sure I’d have zero chance of getting electrocuted if I do attempt to splice instead of calling the repair man

So I just came back from vacation and noticed when I got home that my outdoor ac unit was not running while my indoor unit was running so after doing some inspecting I noticed a main brown wire had been chewed in half exposing the black/white/green wiring connecting the inside unit to the outside…my question is that if I turn off all the power on the breaker box could I attempt to resplice the wiring or would there be more to it than that? My biggest thing is I’m not to familiar with electrical work, I’ve done minor splicing on wiring for small electronics but I just want to make sure I’d have zero chance of getting electrocuted if I do attempt to splice instead of calling the repair man

Saturday, May 27 - Friday, June 02

Top 60s

score	comments	title & link
213	273 comments	[60s] Let’s show some love to 1960s psychedelic rock!
91	26 comments	[60s] Paul Mccartney, James Brown & Brian Wilson.
48	3 comments	[60s] On May 28th, 1945, John Fogerty was born in Berkeley CA. Fogerty is a musician, singer, and songwriter. Together with Doug Clifford, Stu Cook, and his brother Tom Fogerty, he founded the band Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR).
48	18 comments	[60s] So sad about us
38	3 comments	[60s] Jimi Hendrix at The Spalding Festival: Barbeque 67, Lincolnshire, May 29th 1967 💙💜 photo by Alec Byrne

 

Top 70s

score	comments	title & link
108	32 comments	[1970] American Classic Rock Band ( Mountain ).
94	17 comments	[1978] On May 29th, 1978, The Cars released "Just What I Needed" b/w "I'm in Touch with Your World" on 45rpm. This was the first single by The Cars from their self-titled debut album. The song reached #27 in the US and #17 in the UK.
80	6 comments	[70s] This is an acoustic demo by David Gilmour written around 1978. It is what would one day become Comfortably Numb
68	27 comments	[70s] Maybe I’m oblivious. Have owned this album for decades, got the shirt not too long ago. And this is the first time I’m noticing… balls
65	125 comments	[70s] FM Radio in the old days

 

Top 80s

score	comments	title & link
450	122 comments	[80s] Randy Rhoads (1956–1982) The co-founder and original guitarist of Quiet Riot, and the guitarist and co-songwriter for Ozzy Osbourne's first two solo albums Blizzard of Ozz (1980) and Diary of a Madman (1981). Rhoads was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021 ... Fly on!
411	114 comments	[80s] Happy belated 70th birthday to Danny Elfman! Elfman was born on May 29, 1953 in Los Angeles. Came to prominence as the singer-songwriter for Oingo Boingo.
167	37 comments	[1984] Classic Alternative Rock Legends ( Butthole Surfers ).
142	139 comments	[80s] Osbourne and Dio hated each other. One of Ozzy's tours featured a dwarf who Ozzy would call "Ronnie," referring to the vertically challenged Ronnie James Dio. Dio in turn refused to appear at any date in which Black Sabbath was slated to open for Ozzy's act, calling Ozzy a clown
36	19 comments	[1987] Classic Alternative Rockers ( Red Hot Chili Peppers ).

 

Top Remaining

score	comments	title & link
772	249 comments	hmmm.
296	148 comments	Gotta be the coolest name in Rock history
241	532 comments	There’s two guitar solos you never interrupt or lower the volume…what are they?
225	38 comments	They literally planted the seeds for Classic Rock
221	55 comments	To be honest, the electric organ part from House Of The Rising Sun (The Animals) is deadly underrated.

 

Top 5 Most Commented

score	comments	title & link
125	704 comments	What bands were actually better after their original lead singer who made them famous was replaced?
90	447 comments	What’s your favorite Neil Young song?
74	284 comments	Best backup vocalist
90	264 comments	How did so many American rock bands of the '60's avoid being drafted for the war in Vietnam?
38	256 comments	[70s] Classic rock songs about aging

 

I made a post about this when I first ran into the issue (https://www.reddit.com/MazdaCX30/comments/11nke7n/bose_speakers_becoming_tinny_after_few_minutes_at/) back in early March but it's still a problem and the dealership has completely let me down so far and I have no resolution in sight, so I'm hoping to try my luck here for advice on what I can do with the knowledge and experience I've now had with this.
Also sorry for the massive post, I've done my best to keep it informative.
I purchased my first ever brand new car, a Mazda CX-30 (GT Sport Tech), at the start of March and ran into the issue after 4 days.
Essentially, if I take the volume to 35-40 or above, after a variable amount of time, the speakers on the driver's side door (not sure if its both speakers) make a pop and stop working for the rest of the journey. BUT, if I turn off the car for a few minutes, they start working again...
But also to add to the strangeness, the issue isn't always consistent. Sometimes it's absolutely fine for the journey at 40+ volumes.
Once it's happened, it persists across all audio sources (Android Auto, DAB, FM). My phone doesn't have to be connected (via USB and/or Bluetooth) nor do I have to use Android Auto to trigger this, as it happens with just using FM too (but not DAB).
I've had a horrendous time with my dealership so far.
The first time I took it there, they initially tried to send me home saying it's the blind spot detection and it's all fine as the sound returns immediately. Like what, do they think I was making it up? Either way after I pressed them for what are they going to do to fix it, the technician got into my car so I could recreate the issue for them.
As mentioned before, the issue isn't always consistent, and on this occasion the speakers were absolutely fine. At the time, I was only aware of the issue being triggered when using Android Auto, so naturally I was told it's probably my phone but to keep an eye on it.
I was a bit deflated by this, so just didn't touch the speaker system for a week, till I decided to try out FM. And sure enough, it happened again, and again, and again, all with my phone disconnected from the car for the entire journey. So I book in with my dealership for another 'investigation'.
They had it overnight, and they messaged me to say they haven't been able to recreate it. At this point I jumped in the car and drove straight to the dealership. When I got there, they said they have found the issue. I was so relieved, until when I again asked how do you plan to fix it, and they said it's just the blind spot detection and sound returns immediately....
At this point, it's laughable. I've sent audio evidence of this happening, 2 detailed emails describing the issue, as well as describing it in person twice, yet they have tried completely mugging me off, AGAIN.
So this time another service technician jumped in my car, so I could try show them the issue. Thankfully (I guess), I got about 10 meters down the road and the speaker died.
My issue wasn't deniable anymore, and the car was booked in for a speaker replacement. I was hopeful after I got it back, but was scared to actually turn the volume up to see if it was resolved as this was starting to really hamper the 'new car experience'. After a week, I was vibing out to a lovely Sam Fender track, and I turned up the volume to 40. Mistake, it happened again within about 30 seconds.
So I called up saying it's still an issue, and they said they would contact Mazda. I didn't get a response for a week and a half (they said they would get back to me in 3 days), so I sent a follow-up email asking if they heard back from Mazda, and the dealership got back to me saying they need to book me in for "further investigations". They managed to mess up my booking though, and it will now be about 5-6 weeks since I reported the issue was still happening and having these 'further investigations'.
I'm expecting a similar rodeo from these investigations, them: 'oh we can't recreate it', me: 'bro just turn the volume' them: 'okay yeah it's a problem', and then ANOTHER trip to the dealership for a fix.
​
There has been a slight spanner in the works though.
2 days ago, I got a notification from my phone at 10pm via the MyMazda app that my boot was open. My keys were on my desk (I was in bed watching Ted Lasso!) in a room way out of the car's range, and my spare key is in a Faraday cage. I ran to my car, and sure enough the boot was completely open.
I don't have CCTV on the car, but I do of me at my door, as I come home, and I can see I get back at 8pm and looked back at the car as I walked in to check the wing mirrors had closed themselves (as I let the car lock itself). I would have clocked if the boot was wide open at that point, and it wasn't. I hadn't used the boot since 5pm that day either.
I guess there is a 0.001% chance that I somehow pressed the open boot button on the keys as I was getting in the house and battling with the dog at 8pm AND the notification came in 2 hours late at 10pm, but it's a bit far-fetched.
I found this extremely alarming. So I called the dealership about it, but they didn't seem too bothered and said they would add that into my 'further investigations' in a couple weeks time.... I'm worried if this is a complete fluke one-off, my faraday cage is shit and someone hacked my car to open my boot, (far-fetched but) a more serious electrical fault which could also be affecting the speakers?
Thankfully the car was empty, so nothing could be stolen, and I've now invested in a dashcam which should turn itself on if the boot tries any shenanigans again. But I'm at a complete loss now and don't know what to do.
Any suggestions on things I can say to my dealership (if they bother to listen this time), or on my issues would be greatly appreciated.
And does anyone know if the car has logs of what caused it to do things (like open the boot) and at what times it does it?

Round 1 match 1
Deep down in the underworld of crime there is a tournament that is set by the gods themselves. We then cut to an arena filled with both the audience and blood stains on the floor of the arena. Then we see a man in a tux with slick back golden hair . This man smiled, his gold eyes shined as the light hit them. You see this man wasn't mortal, though he was divine. This man was known as the Roman god Mercury. As soon as Mercury held up his microphone he spoke, his voice enchanted the audience.
Mercury: Hello mortals! Is everyone ready to see some people kill one another in the name of their gods?
The crowd cheered and Mercury smiled at these mortals who were ready to watch their own kind kill one another.
Mercury: All right well, let's start with the rules. There aren't any. That's right. Anything goes in these fights. It just makes it more fun.
Just then Mercury held up something. Then it shot up a beam of energy which spread to form a hologram screen showing 16
fighters. The crowd watched in amazement as it showed clips of each fighter.
Mercury: Now let's honor these soon-to-be dead men. First thing, though, is we need to start the first match. Now fighting in the blue corner is this man who once was the greatest magician there ever was but lost his title to a younger fellow. Now known as the dazzling magician and blessed by Sun Wukong, the great sage equal to heaven. This man is none other u/AdLegitimate1637 .
Just then, out of the left hallway walked out a man with gray hair and dressed like a ringmaster. He smiled at the crowd while waving. Once he got into the arena, a cane fell from above and Ad caught it and twirled it around.
Ad: Who's ready to be amazed?
The crowd cheered as Mercury ready himself for u/AdLegitimate1637 opponent.
Mercury: Okay, everyone calm down. Now fighting in the red corner is this man. In a twist sort of fate, this man rose from just being a humble street performer to the greatest magician of this era.
As Mercury spoke, Ad realized who he was talking about and the old man's smile faded and his eyes filled with rage.
Mercury: Behold the man who was blessed by Loki the trickster god u/PleasantPhotograph66 .
Just then a young man with long red hair walked out. He wore flashy clothing that shined in the light. As the man got onto the stage he pulled out glasses that just like his clothes shined in the light. As both fighters gazed upon one another, Pleasant smiled and spoke.
Pleasant: It's been a long time, old man. I wonder you ever approve of your shitty magic tricks.
Ad didn't speak a word but just waited for Mercury to speak that one word so this match could start.
Mercury: Now FIGHT!
Just then Ad slammed the bottom of his can on the ground and from that smoke rose and once it cleared, two canons appeared. Pleasant saw this and once the canons fired he tapped two times on his glasses and from that his body twisted and his bones snapped as he turned into a dove and dodged the cannonballs easily.
Ad: Now that might just make me sick.
As the dove landed, it's body twisted and its bones broke as it formed back into Pleasant. Many people in the audience almost threw up just from watching this act. Then Ad once more slammed the ground with his cane but this time from the smoke eight floating swords formed behind Ad in a circle shape. All pleasant did was tap his glasses three times and then his body started to transform into a cheetah and he rushed at Ad.
Ad: Die you idiot.
Just then, the floating swords flew straight at Pleasant, but still in his cheetah form, he barely dodged each blade only but on the last one he quickly turned, slamming onto the ground. Sadly, though, the last sword stuck into his eyes, cutting it. As Pleasant transformed back, his glasses still in perfect condition, ager filled the young magician.
Pleasant: I'll kill you. YOU PEASE OF SHIT!!
Just then, Pleasant started to run straight at Ad and his arms started to twist and turn as they formed into a blade and shield. Instead of metal for these, the material was his own flesh and bones. Just then, as Pleasant was inches away from Ad, the old mage raised the top of his cane and shouted.
Ad: blessed art: the storm of magic!
Just then, the top of Ad cane started to be covered by electricity and as these two mages made contact, an explosion of bright light formed, blinding the crowd. When the light died down, we saw both fighters on the ground breathing heavily. Ad was badly burnt by the electricity and Pleasant's left hand was fully destroyed. As both fighters struggled to get back up, Ad smiled.
Ad: It's time for the closing if we shall.
Just then, as Pleasant stood back up, he saw two boxes that were the size of humans. Pleasant knew this was the forbidden sword box. A trick where they use real swords instead of trick ones only the best magician could survive.
Pleasant: So that's how you want it to end. Then so be it. We are entertainers first and killers second.
Ad nodded as he looked into the crowd.
Ad: Now everyone, if you throw be so kind, once me and my opponent go into these boxes and once they are mixed, you may choose which box will have the sword stab thrown, killing the fighter.
The crowd was confused for a quick second, but that changed to excitement. Once both fighters got into each box, they both smiled.
Both: The show must go on!
Just then, the box closed and mixed and they started to mix where the crowd couldn't tell which was which. Then they stopped moving and floating swords formed, floating above both boxes. Mercury just smiled.
[Backstory] It's no lie that these two once knew one another. A long time ago when Ad was a the greatest magician he did his act all around the world. Then one day Pleasant showed up his story is that he rose from a street performer to the out doing Ad but that was a lie. The truth is Pleasant was a rich kid who bought his way to the top. Once Ad respected the fellow mage and was happy to step down but when he learn of pleasant truth he was disgusted. Now in a cruel sabotage pleasant rig Ad trick to cause it to be a disaster which cause him not just his job but also his granddaughter. Now armed with sorrow Ad realized his last goal is to honor his God a bring him to victory and Pleasant well loki just offered him more money. [Backstory]
Mercury: Now, audience, which box shall we stab into?
The audience cheered as they shouted which box they wished to stab. But after a good 5 minutes it was decided the box on the right would be stabbed, killing its carrier. As the blade stabbed into the box you could hear the dying screams of the human who was in the box.
Mercury: Now that sounded like that hurt. Now let's see the results.
Then, as the box doors open, we see Ad walk out of the unharmed box, but sadly, as the other box opens, we see Pleasant's dead blades stabbing through his dead body. As the audience stared at Pleasant's bloody body, a blade stuck out of his face and his other good eye ball falling out of his skull. His body was also twisted like he tried to transform into something.
Mercury: It's decided the victor of the first match is u/AdLegitimate1637 and the next match will be fought by these two.
Then as the hologram screen showing two new fighters these are u/MUI-Tojo and u/Kinsey916
We cut to a room with a door only described as holy but in it was a full white room with 16 people. They were the gods who were sponsoring these mortals.
Sun Wukong: Man Loki, your guy sucks.
Loki: It wasn't that he sucked, he was just an idiot.
But then the gods argued, then they froze as a pair of hands landed on both their shoulders and this god was known as Chaos.
Chaos: That's enough. Both fighters put up a good show that was their main goal more than anything else. True, they needed to kill one another, but it isn't wrong to make it entertaining like that.
That's the end of chapter 1. Hope you all had fun reading this. also if you wish to join you still can. We have 8 spots still open.

I would like to update the lighting in my home, removing the contractor grade 'boobie' lights. Update ceiling fans to LED, and some other lights. Also update the 8 recessed can lights in kitchen and one bedroom to LED.
For the love...... I didn't realize that getting a ceiling fan without a remote is now about impossible. My main fan is wired to a wall outlet to manage the fan speed and light dimming. I do not want a separate remote. I'll keep looking.
For the other lights, it appears that the LED wafepuck lights, with ability to change the light are the best option. I need/prefer light here in the winter. Is there a preferred brand? Halo? I would rather not get some random Chinese brand but not overpay if it's not necessary. Is the Commercial Electric brand at HD sufficient?

During high school, I had a lot of shit happen. A. Lot. I was constantly overwhelmed, over performing, emotional. I experienced the death of a friend/first crush by suicide and it crushed me. I had zero support system, and in fact my parents made it worse. In hindsight, I can only describe my parents behavior as manipulative and selfish. I was very distraught and grieving over the death of my very good friend, and my mother decided it was best to send me to a mental health facility when I began to act out at home. (She said “I heard it was with a shotgun, that must have been a mess to clean” the day after it happened) My mother began to become extremely overbearing and developed (or maybe always had) control issues. Tracked my location 24/7 on my phone, literally watching it hour by hour. Going through my belongings/journal/phone/everything I own to find something incriminating. Wouldn’t let me hang out with friends under any circumstances. Even though I had straight A’s, took extra classes, stayed 6 hours every day after school for my extra curricular. (Lead roles in school performances, best ranked cellist in my state/first chair, varsity track and forensics/debate, 3rd best ACT scores in my class) Long ass story short, one day my mom deceived me by having the school counselor take me out to get McDonald’s, then to the hospital where my mom had lied to the police saying I had made suicide threats and told them I was abusing drugs. This fucking ruined me. The moment I realized who she really was was when I saw the look on her face when I was being dragged away in handcuffs. The police looked at me like I was dangerous and insane. I spent only a week there because I acted normal the entire time. But I still was given diagnosis of BPD Type 1 and prescriptions as well, and forced to take them or else I would be allowed to leave. Anyways, since then, I’ve realized I probably don’t have BPD and was just coerced into it to please my mother who payed all kinds of money for her weird form of punishment. (The first thing she said when I answered the phone at the mental facility was “are you ready to apologize yet?”) I haven’t taken the meds since I moved out and I haven’t had anything close to an episode. I hate that I was forced to believe I had this diagnosis just because of circumstance. It makes me feel so bad for so many people who are given false diagnosis’s just to check a box. I have a lot of resentment toward my mom, but I try so hard to remember she raised and fed me my whole life and payed for everything I needed. I don’t know what happened, but as I got older, the more control my mother needed over me. It was too much. I wish I could help my mom realize her mistakes but she’s too far gone. She can’t see any other perspective but her own and will lie and deceive to make sure her image is upheld, even at the cost of her child. For some closure, I ended up dropping out of high school when my mom kicked me out on Christmas. I only had .5 credit to graduate because of all the extra classes I had taken. I went to live with my dad but he didn’t let me leave the house for 5 months until I turned 18. right when I turned 18 I had to find an apartment, work full time, and work my ass off. Anyway, I got my GED, enrolled myself and college and currently working towards a major in Epistemology and a major in music. I guess I needed to get more off my chest than I thought but I am just so proud of myself that I pay my own bills, I pay my own apartment and car, work 12 hrs overnight, get A’s in all my college classes, and I am not even fuckin 21 yet. All by myself. Fuck u mom and dad and stepmom and stepdad saying I wouldn’t make it a week on my own after kicking me out. I did that shit. And I’m not bipolar. Just a lame ass way to put the blame on your kids reactions instead of your own actions.
If you made it here, I’m so sorry to have wasted your time. I have absolutely 0 people to talk to in life, and I’ve just wanted to get this off my chest.

Life is programmed with an existence bias and the compulsion to continue on without any end goal or meaning. We will call that “the DNA delusion.
This essay takes a position against the DNA delusion, and it is the full realization that God is dead, unlike many flavors of modern atheism which still dance with his corpse. This dance is far from a freebie, and we are about to tally the cost. This essay is one last reality check, addressing all the delusions other secularational/intellectual movements continue to hold dear. It exposes all the harm, insanity, fallacy, and failure caused by life's reluctance to accept certain truths.
There have been around 20 trillion trillion (trillion 2 times is not a typo) sentient life forms, including trillions of mammals and 108 billion humans that have been tortured, violated, raped, molested, degraded, and murdered by nature. Nature is more sadistic than every slaughterhouse, mass murderer, animal holocauster, serial rapist, factory farm, concentration camp, psychotic dictator, and torturer in history combined, by a margin of "trillions of trillions,” yet most people will tell you they love nature, because it looks pretty and seems beautiful when all that madness is not happening. But, actually, all that madness has been happening for hundreds of millions of years on a global scale without even one day or one minute of pause in the action.
Clearly, life is suffering, but the DNA delusion seems to have a literally undying dedication to ignoring this. Perhaps it all seems "deep and spiritual and beautiful" when you are whitewashing 540 million years worth of collateral damage. So, what does the rest of the price tag looking like? Why is this happening? And, what goes through someone's head, when, after conducting a life experiment with a DNA code that literally invented torture, they are surprised when things turn out wrong?
Because DNA evolution is just an error code, it is literally mutants and mutation, not even mutating on purpose, and the entire mutant code was strung together by chaotic incidents of physics and biology. It does not know what it is doing or that you even exist; neither DNA nor the universe has anyone's back.
All harm is being caused for no sane purpose. You have probably seen people acknowledge that life has no purpose, but the DNA delusion creeps back in like a virus and says, "life has no purpose, so you make up your own." That means senseless torture is being caused for a made-up purpose. There is no way around it, but note how life keeps fabricating and confabulating a cheat in logic to get out of this truth. The DNA delusion is an amnesiac-style twist of logic that takes many forms. The most interesting part is that people under the DNA delusion are going to be completely appalled and enraged by this idea, instead of the truth to which it simply points. The DNA delusion will redirect all rage at clusters of words like these, not the incomprehensible harm and insanity being simply exposed by these words, almost like it is manually turning the head of a rabid dog toward some unassuming irrelevant target. That is what psychology on a leash looks like.
Even supposed intellectual, rational, secular thinkers cannot seem to let this notion go. They say things like, "the universe created life so that it could," which just keeps missing the point, not only of this idea, but of evolution's truth entirely. It did not do anything so anything; it just did.
Life is an unintelligent design of chaos that just happened because it could. Most people struggle firmware-flashing this truth to their brains. This is because our collective species is still hungover from centuries of dogmatic fairytales and lies, spread and labeled onto what we ultimately exposed as a happenstance mutant molecule and carnage machine. Now, if this idea is just sobering you into the gradual understanding that an unnecessary happenstance mutant molecule and carnage machine that resulted in trillions of ongoing torture victims was not a function that has/had purpose, "goodness," or real objective, rational use, net-utility, justifiable existence, etc., then you might consider that you probably should not feed your family into it and expect it to turn out well. By the way, there is no going back now that the cat is out of the bag.
There is not a single sane, sound, or rational reason to continue the DNA life experiment. The reason it continues is because of the DNA delusion. Of course it is wise to end this gratuitous misery and net-zero biological brainwash, but when you are already in this much of a deficit, the manic members of the life casino want you to keep playing. They have absolutely no coherent goal or game theory; there is only a manic compulsion to keep going. That is the DNA delusion, the only thing truly going on inside the "logic" of life.
This madness should stop. Even scientists and great thinkers have childlike visions of living forever or putting McDonald’s on every planet. Even a lot of serious thinking intellectuals never seem to slow down or give a sober thought about what the DNA delusion of "living forever and covering the universe with yourself" is costing or that the whole notion of "wanting to live forever and cover the universe with yourself" is nothing but an impossible ruse that was burned into the hardware of all DNA organisms over the course of millennia.
What's ironic is that we are doing this 6th largest mass extinction right now based on greed for fossil fuels, animal products, and rearing pointless children who needlessly serve this "need machine." The DNA delusion creates massive war machines that could wipe out the planet, and it ravages the planet of resources, all in the name of its own delusion. This is not far off from a heroin addict that wants infinite heroin, parasites on everything around it, and then inevitably destroys itself.
DNA agents are built to destroy other DNA agents, for the sake of DNA. DNA created a global war of Team DNA vs. Team DNA; it kills the losers and then kills the winning team. Do you understand just how psychotic this experiment is?
Life creates all of its own worst problems and nightmares by the mere act of existing; needs that do not need to exist, problems that do not need to exist, yet it has the undying urge to persist this. How is this sane?
You do not accomplish anything by "creating a need and satisfying it." You do not accomplish anything by creating every problem and solving some of them (or even all of them).
DNA life is a zero sum game in every sense. Yet sometimes the DNA delusion attempts to label such objective truth as "utilitarianism,” and it shoves it back under wraps and continues being psychotic.
Coming into existence is always a serious harm and problem for everyone that can be harmed. Not coming into existence is simply never a harm and never a problem for anyone.
Every "good" in life is made of "fixing a bad"; it is all based on needs and deprivations DNA installed inside you, which continue to pose the threat of ultimate harm and anguish toward you: both if you do not satisfy these installed needs and even if you do satisfy them. It did not give you a winning move.
These are the real implications of DNA evolution and reality: the objective truth of utter peril, the one the DNA delusion does everything it can to keep under wraps.
Humans keep ignoring, keep imposing, and keep pretending that it is all somehow a big mystery, and they ignore the fact that this twisted experiment somehow does not seem to be working in life's “best interest.”
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Source: https://www.reddit.com/Pessimism/comments/wgx98w/the_dna_delusion/
Please view the end of the post linked above to see the original source.

Okay. My situation is this: Me and my long-distance boyfriend just had a trip together, and when he left, and after my dopamine dropped because of the successful trip, I started feeling unmotivated to do anything alone. I told my friend, who checked on me, and it turned into a two hours long phone call, where I discovered that there are a lot of activities around me, but I couldn't go because my only friend has been very occupied lately. And this is when I got the genius idea of asking people through my Instagram story if they are interested in hanging out with me.
During these 2 hours, I made the mistake of not replying to my boyfriend, who was very busy driving around all day and being quite absent and nontalkative since morning. After the "ignoring" time, where if I'm being honest, I wasn't replying to his last message immediately, because it had a bit of passive-aggressivity to it, he started being the one not replying, and even saying he's "not feeling like talking to me today". I asked about it, but like always, he didn't want to elaborate. After hours of barely having a normal conversation, he said he feels "used and disrespected by me" and I tried to encourage talking about it, what he immediately shut down, again, like always. I told him that for the hundredth time, please stop saying that there's a problem, and then not try to solve it, because it gives me extreme amounts of anxiety trying to figure out what I did wrong. And to that, this is what I've got:
"How would you feel if after a nice vacation and after the fun is gone I would ignore your messages and in the meantime post on Instagram about finding someone to go out with places? Advertising yourself like on Tinder. Should I be ok with you going out dancing with your ex? Or other dudes? Or your lesbian friends? Are you out of your mind? Is this normal around there?"
So yeah, that left me flabbergasted. I feel like there's a bit of exposition needed here. We are from different countries, but we talk to each other in English. I wrote the post in my language, which means, he had to translate it, and I feel like there's a lot that gets lost in translation, but I'll try my best to make it understandable.
"Hello people of (name of my city), somebody please be my friend, because as it turns out to me there are a lot of events in my vicinity which I would like to visit, but I don't step outside of my flat alone. HELP. /very trustworthy and friendly human/"
The main question is DO YOU SEE ANY PROBLEM WITH THIS TEXT? Because I don't. In my eyes, it showcases my humor and my awkwardness with social situations. But that obviously isn't what he saw in it. He's been cheated by his previous partner, which destroyed him, and now he has absolutely zero trust towards anybody, which includes me because I slipped up once by not taking his boundaries seriously enough in the past. So the first thing he does is jump to conclusions because as you see, there was no mention of partying with dudes. On the other hand, I'm bisexual, which he never really got over, because he comes from a very conservative place, and doesn't really understand that no, I don't want to fuck my friends just because they're girls.
I still don't really understand what the main problem was, because what he always brought up was this scenario. "What if a guy replies to my story and I start talking to and feel comfortable around him, and he offers to take me out somewhere?" First of all, I explained to him that I wouldn't reply to a guy, because I know that he would see that as disrespectful, and I very hardly feel comfortable around men, so for me to actually make friends with one has to mean that I feel a 100% safe with them not trying anything and last, but most importantly I'm not an NPC! Just because a guy comes and talks to me doesn't mean that I'll act like a magnet, and stuck to them. I can make my own decisions, but because of his issues with trust, he can't seem to trust me with not being mindless.
And he had a problem with how I'm advertising myself to the whole city, while I know that I barely have any people added from here and could tell you that exact 50 people who actually watch my stories, and they know as well, that I'm talking to my already existing friends who I might have lost touch with.
So after an hour of intense trying to make the other understand, my conclusion was that next time if he feels like I did something wrong, what I CLEARLY can't sense by myself, don't spend the day not talking to me and making me anxious, but communicate the problem to me as soon as he feels wronged by me, because then I might even have a chance of fixing it.

Why does my drinking Bud Light offend you?
May 30, 2023 4:39 pm • Last Updated: May 30, 2023 4:41 pm
By Mike DiMauro
Day Assistant Sports Editor
[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
News item: Anthony Bass, a pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays, shared a video Monday via Instagram endorsing an anti-LGBTQ boycott of brands such as Target and Bud Light.
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"Here's the reason biblically why I believe Christians have gotta be boycotting Target, Bud Light, and any other corporation that's pushing the things they're pushing,” Bass said. “I think a lot of people make this into a political issue, or they say, 'Oh, what's the big deal?’
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“This is evil, this is demonic, we won't stand for it, we're not going to go to the stores anymore and we're not going to give you our money.”
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It would be impolite to wish that Mr. Bass, who throws a ball for a living, blows out his elbow. Perhaps then he could simply blow it out his tailpipe.
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Because I’ve grown tired of sanctimonious and hypocritical moral outrage over what Target and Bud Light are “pushing,” while it’s permissible that Bass and his ilk get to “push” their beliefs on the rest of us.
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Example: In the last two months or so, I’ve been questioned a half dozen times in public as to why I’m drinking Bud Light. Seems people like Bass have objected to Anheuser Busch’s marketing partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney. Their boycott of Bud Light has led to a decrease in sales both locally and nationally. (Local bar and restaurant owners say Bud Light sales are down almost 30 percent.)
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It is their right, of course, to boycott the product. I’m just curious as to why what I’m drinking is their business. I drink Bud Light because I like it. And I’m still drinking Bud Light because I will not marginalize people based on gender, race, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. I’m respectful enough to support someone else’s desire to evolve into another gender. And I’m not stupid enough to believe that my decision to drink Bud Light changes who I am or what I stand for in any possible way.
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But I wonder why it’s so important for people — and the questions to me haven’t all come from men — to announce their disdain for a bottle of beer, tacitly implying their sexuality is “normal.” Remember this one and write it down: If you are truly comfortable with who you are, you needn’t announce anything to anyone.
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And yet to further illustrate how screwed up this country really is, there’s this: Anheuser-Busch hasn’t merely been accused of alienating its traditional customer base with the partnership, but some LGBTQ+ campaigners have also criticized the company for not defending its ties with Mulvaney.
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Amid all the finger-pointing and fear-fanning, the truth hides in the corner, too scared to emerge. The truth is that we are supposed to think critically, weigh evidence from both sides and then make up our own minds. Instead, we’ve become a country hell bent on legislating whatever cause we think is right and just, while burying the other side from all consideration.
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It’s political tribalism. All or nothing. One side or the other. If you’re not in agreement with every morsel of the transgender movement, you are a snarling, hating, infidel. If you’re not in total agreement with Anthony Bass and his beliefs, you’re going to wither in hell.
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But what if — and hold on to your ascots here — two conflicting positions can still be true? Example: What if I support Bud Light’s decision to use a transgender influencer, but also believe that transgender high school athletes belong in their own division?
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I disagree with the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference’s policy complying with a state law that requires all high school students be treated according to their gender identity. We should consider a sports-centric law that acknowledges sports' unique challenges and accommodates the physical component for success that exists virtually nowhere else in society.
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Sex discrimination in education, health care, housing and financial credit have no place in this country. But we must — must — realize and accept that sports require a physical component to succeed that calls for different guidelines.
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Put it this way: Applying to a school or for health care, housing or financial credit requires no physical component to succeed. Sports require speed, strength and agility and do not fit under the same umbrella. And yet sports are routinely shoved into the same arguments about unfair treatment. Injustices get piled on for rhetorical usefulness, even though they're not applicable.
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The male born composition has inherent physical advantages, rare exceptions noted. But in the aggregate, there are physiologic differences between biological males and females. I don’t believe writing that makes me transphobic. We should respect a person’s pronoun of choice. But that doesn't mean we have to blindly agree with claims that are not supported by science.
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Yet that appears to be the new end game in this country. Blind agreement. Their side or yours. And here I sit, sipping my Bud Light, trying to figure out why so many of us act like the last three letters of Anthony Bass’ last name.
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This is the opinion of Day sports columnist Mike DiMauro
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Comment threads are monitored for 48 hours after publication and then closed.
READER COMMENTS
Philip BroseJune 1, 2023 at 16:30Report
Robin great points the right can’t even keep track on who to be mad at. Why are they so sensitive? I here Chick-fil-a is evil now for they “ensuring equal access,” “valuing differences,” and “creating a culture of belonging,” under the title, “Committed to being Better at Together.” what monsters!
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Philip BroseJune 1, 2023 at 16:27Report
William Peter the guidance councilor?
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Joseph B De La CruzJune 1, 2023 at 15:15Report
This article pretty much sums up exactly how I feel about the situation. Bud Light basically sent someone a can with her image celebrating a milestone. The fact it turned the beer into enemy number one doesn’t surprise me considering the vitriol that has become commonplace in our country. I have had plenty of private messages regarding a video I posted supporting a beer, and more importantly a human being. Most have been vehemently against my support of both and relish the chance to send me a screen shot of Bud Lights stock on a daily basis with a “Go woke, Go broke” ending. I believe much of the vitriol comes from news and talk radio which is why Spotify now fills my vehicle with music instead of talk. I ask everyone to limit their news intake to 30 minutes per day regardless of your party affiliation to center your life. Sometimes my radio will land on a “news station”, and I can feel my blood pressure rise as the most divisive topic of the day is being discussed with a majority of the facts not being considered. I am not recommending folks to ignore what’s happening in our world, but would point out that our country has survived many decades without the need for “up to the second” news reports. Most of the things we worry about will never happen and it seems our country is living in a constant state of fear which is certainly to blame for the vitriol. There will never be a point where everyone in the country will collectively say we are all happy with everything, but I still have a deep believe that with constructive conversations and true empathy we can get us close. When I get my boat in the water I would love to have an ice cold Bud Light while listening to my relaxing boat playlist, and of course talking with my favorite sports writer. That’s an invitation Mike. Great article.
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Robin DaudaJune 1, 2023 at 13:41Report
“Bud Light sales are down between 26% and 35% nationwide additionally Budweiser and other AB brands (Michelob Ultra, Busch Light and Natural Light to name a few) have also taken a hit of around 11%.”
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All the more reason to explain what set this off. Completely unhinged.
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“My take, buy Coors stock now”
And that statement reinforces my point since Coors has been a decades long supporter of LGBT rights probably the biggest supporter (it all began with a workegay alliance boycott ironically… or not)
“Coors Light has been a sponsor of The Center and Denver PrideFest for decades,” says Rex Fuller, CEO of The Center on Colfax. “The work we have been able to do at The Center over the last four decades would not be possible without this support and we are grateful for it.”
Beyond supporting Denver PrideFest, Molson Coors has a distinguished history of supporting LGBTQ communities across the country, with significant support for organizations such as Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Matthew Shepard Foundation, National Amateur Gay Athletics Association of America, National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, LGBT Victory Institute, Out & Equal, and One Colorado.
In addition to these partners, Molson Coors works with local LGBTQ organizations in key communities through its Tap Into Change program. Annually, the summer program donates more than $100,000 to these organizations with a consistent growth in impact each year. Events take place in each city to help raise additional funds, awareness, and support for the missions of these local organizations. Over the past 10 years, Tap Into Change has raised nearly $600,000 for local LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS nonprofits.
https://denverpride.org/coors-light-supports-the-lgbtq-community/
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This is even though like 2006, 2010 and 2014 they had to go through boycotts for this. And they did shrink back in response, but also came right back and didn’t move backwards for long.
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And what will I do?
Continue drinking Corona because I drink what I drink.
It’s damn near impossible to do a successful boycott long term. The web of corporate connections means when you think you’re hurting one, it’s actually benefitting another one connected to it.
The beverage brand that owns Budweiser, Corona, and Stella Artois, is suing US beer-maker Constellation Brands for using the Corona brand name in a hard seltzer, according to a lawsuit filed Monday.
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Beverage giant Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) acquired Corona’s parent company, Grupo Modelo, in 2013, but US antitrust regulators required it to sell the company’s US-based business to Constellation. AB InBev retained rights to the products in other markets, and the deal gave Constellation the rights to produce Corona and other Modelo brands in the US.
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William PeterJune 1, 2023 at 13:36Report
The virtue signalers didn’t like my harmless comment. I guess being offended by an opposing view is reason enough to silence someone in 2023
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Richard GoldenJune 1, 2023 at 12:57Report
Robin- not certain this article nor all the comments will move the needle. Bud Light sales are down between 26% and 35% nationwide additionally Budweiser and other AB brands (Michelob Ultra, Busch Light and Natural Light to name a few) have also taken a hit of around 11%. Bud Light has been the best selling beer in the USA for over 20 years and the normal volume of sales is 27 million barrels a year or 1134 million gallons. A 30% drop equals a loss of 340 million gallons a year. My take, buy Coors stock now
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Chris JawakaJune 1, 2023 at 10:12Report
People are allowed to drink or not drink whatever beer they want and for whatever reason they choose. End of story.
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Robin DaudaJune 1, 2023 at 09:05Report
Do people realize that Bud Light sent a pack of specially made cans with the person’s face on it and did a minute long or so bit released on like TicTok? It wasn’t some big nationwide PR campaign yet it rubbed someone the wrong way (or so they would like us to think) and it snowballed into this.
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I don’t ever want to hear about people calling “the libs” snowflakes or use their center liberal stances as a weakness. These champions of “conservatives” are gullible whiny babies.
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I watched in real time a bunch of idiots blow something up out of nothing and then saw them flocking to the internet people with their influencer pages and podcasts and publications where immediately they were being hawked “anti-woke” beer and all these other wares, often made by the same places they are boycotting for double the price.
There is a whole market opening up to people that will only get their businesses off the ground (temporarily for a quick cash grab) by using these outrage tactics and capitalizing (literally) on impaired brains that as Mr. DiMauro correctly observed “Blind agreement. Their side or yours”
Bless your little void of empathy and common sense hearts. Don’t spend all your money in one place now, spread the wealth to these people selling you overpriced junk.
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Paul LevasseurJune 1, 2023 at 07:47Report
Mike is discussing one of this election cycles right wing culture war hot spots.
If you can’t get elected because of your governing skills you’re going to have to try to get elected by getting people angry and hateful. The right wing loves doing that. It’s their bread and butter.
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TOM DONNEEJune 1, 2023 at 06:46Report
Preaching hate and preaching tolerance ARE NOT the same Evan
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DANIEL STORMSJune 1, 2023 at 05:56Report
I always liked this formulation: “In the first place, what makes it any of you business? And in the second place, my reasons for saying yea to [whatever it is that offends you] are at least as valid (and maybe more so) than yours for nay. And in the third place, what makes it any of your sodding business in the first place?” I agree wholeheartedly with your plea for reason and tolerance. Not to seem argumentative but rather to add information to the discussion, though, you might be interested in this blog post from a biologist about the supposed physiologic advantages a trans man or woman has over a cis athelete: https://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2023/05/31/we-hunted-the-rabbit/
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Evan AndriopolousJune 1, 2023 at 03:10Report
For me… Bud Light as a “beer” sucks. I would rather support local breweries that provide far better beers. As far as this column… as far as AB selecting this influencer in their campaign I have no opinion on it or that person. Up to each to decide for themselves.
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Regarding this column actually Mike what you are writing is basically the same as the boycott and the changes in attitudes (political divide) of the country. Often used by politicians on BOTH sides of the aisle screaming to be open, defending one´s right to choose, freedom of speech etc.. and this is the most important part..”unless it does not validate their opinion or view”. This is exactly what you are writing. So if someone elects to boycott something and we know the WOKE police and Leftists enjoy not only condemning opposing viewpoints to the point of boycotting, attacking employers for the “views” of their employees etc… and demanding they be removed from the position their are in. So if someone boycotts something let them… I would ask you… why does it offend you that others are using their constitutional right by boycotting (freedom of speech). I always respect other´s opinions and even when we do not agree. Sadly we live in a world where people are afraid to speak up due to the potential ramifications. None of us will always agree and I know the powers to be are trying to “force” us to all be uniform in our opinions which is sad. And btw Bud Light is terrible anyway… How about you focus on sports.
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Benoit BenoitMay 31, 2023 at 20:12Report
Ironic you drink because you like it but will continue to drink it because “ I will not marginalize people based on gender, race, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.” Not just because you like it.
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William PeterMay 31, 2023 at 17:46Report
This comment has been removed for violating The Day’s commenting policy.
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JAY DEMPSEYMay 31, 2023 at 16:53Report
TY Mike….. I drink Bud Light most all the time unless in Ireland…and support Levine Distributors in our area and my friends that work there. I think the cancel culture is terrible whatever your political party of choice is. Very sad that social media has done this to us. I have good friends that I can no longer talk politics with because of the “great divide” that enriches social media giants.
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ROBERT WARNERMay 31, 2023 at 16:45Report
I suppose a similar question could be asked, “Why does a person wearing a MAGA hat bother some people?”
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David NowakowskiMay 31, 2023 at 14:30Report
great column, Mike. I’d like to think there are far more folks who see this subject and all its nuances the way you do…but you are probably right again in saying that it is tough to go against your chosen tribe on any component, regardless of how you might actually feel. thanks again!
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Andrew RogersonMay 31, 2023 at 13:33Report
Mike DiMauro – well said sir, on all counts.
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Lynn YoungMay 31, 2023 at 13:28Report
Drink what you like. Be who you are. Live and let live.
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Richard GoldenMay 31, 2023 at 12:36Report
Light Beer is like Sex on the Beach….****ing near water.
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Paul NUNESMay 31, 2023 at 11:44Report
Does anyone remember the first light beer and the commercial featuring a slice of bread?
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THOMAS MORIARTYMay 31, 2023 at 11:05Report
Richard, must have been some other brand light. Bud Light? It was probably 10 years ago. But he could have been messing with me.
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Richard GoldenMay 31, 2023 at 10:17Report
Malcolm- The moral of the story is; if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
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Richard GoldenMay 31, 2023 at 10:16Report
Thomas- as far as I knew and as far as I can tell Guinness is the most popular beer in Ireland holding a full 25% of the market share. Bud Light does not even show up in the top ten (https://www.beer100.com/best-selling-beers-ireland/) I think the guy was pulling your leg. Bud Light only became available in Ireland in 2020.
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Malcolm JulesMay 31, 2023 at 09:32Report
A corporation decided to target one of their products to a specific community and failed….end of story.
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Margaret KliseMay 31, 2023 at 09:12Report
Agree/agree. Good article, Mike.
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SUSAN HOTCHKISSMay 31, 2023 at 09:06Report
I always enjoy Mike’s opinion pieces. In total agreement about the transgender athlete issue.
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THOMAS MORIARTYMay 31, 2023 at 09:00Report
Tom, hope all is well with your daughter.
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THOMAS MORIARTYMay 31, 2023 at 08:57Report
A Bud Light story: Several years ago while in Ireland my son and I toured the Guinness brewery. Of course there’s a pub on the top floor and while getting a pint of Guinness the bar I notice several taps Bud Light. I asked the bartender “why in God’s name are you serving THAT stuff in here?” He replied that it’s the best selling beer in Ireland. Go figue!
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THOMAS MORIARTYMay 31, 2023 at 08:51Report
Good column Mike. These anti “woke” zealots claim to support democracy but would be no different from the Taliban if they had their way.
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Richard GoldenMay 31, 2023 at 08:42Report
All this talk of beer makes me thirsty…but I have found that drinking beer has become an unwelcome undertaking. No beer allowed at the beach, nor while night fishing in Waterford, nor surf fishing at Avery Point, nor at any state boat launch, nor is state parks- try walking down the street with a cold one….
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Chris JawakaMay 31, 2023 at 08:08Report
IMO The left loves their cancel culture but gets all grumpy when the right does the same. Hey it can go both ways. That said I really don’t care about the Bud thing. Its not like they sold beer with its face on it.
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Matther TookerMay 31, 2023 at 07:35Report
Thoughtful piece as always Mike. Perhaps the best offset for the 30% decrease in Bud Light sales would be a 30% increase in church attendance. I am betting that won’t happen. (Matt Tooker)
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KEITH J. ROBBINSMay 31, 2023 at 06:11Report
You drinking Bud-Lite does not offend me, although it is a horrible beer. What is my concern is a guy using the ladies room that my nieces use!
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TOM DONNEEMay 31, 2023 at 05:55Report
Agree Phil. Well done Mike!! Waiting for my daughter to come out of surgery. Then we’ll stop for a cold one, think I’ll make it a Bud Lite!!!
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Philip BroseMay 30, 2023 at 16:59Report
Mr. DiMauro is always thoughtful and intelligent. The best writer at the day. Give the guy a raise.

Okay. My situation is this: Me and my long-distance boyfriend just had a trip together, and when he left, and after my dopamine dropped because of the successful trip, I started feeling unmotivated to do anything alone. I told my friend, who checked on me, and it turned into a two hours long phone call, where I discovered that there are a lot of activities around me, but I couldn't go because my only friend has been very occupied lately. And this is when I got the genius idea of asking people through my Instagram story if they are interested in hanging out with me. During these 2 hours, I made the mistake of not replying to my boyfriend, who was very busy driving around all day and being quite absent and nontalkative since morning. After the "ignoring" time, where if I'm being honest, I wasn't replying to his last message immediately, because it had a bit of passive-aggressivity to it, he started being the one not replying, and even saying he's "not feeling like talking to me today". I asked about it, but like always, he didn't want to elaborate. After hours of barely having a normal conversation, he said he feels "used and disrespected by me" and I tried to encourage talking about it, what he immediately shut down, again, like always. I told him that for the hundredth time, please stop saying that there's a problem, and then not try to solve it, because it gives me extreme amounts of anxiety trying to figure out what I did wrong. And to that, this is what I've got: "How would you feel if after a nice vacation and after the fun is gone I would ignore your messages and in the meantime post on Instagram about finding someone to go out with places? Advertising yourself like on Tinder. Should I be ok with you going out dancing with your ex? Or other dudes? Or your lesbian friends? Are you out of your mind? Is this normal around there?" So yeah, that left me flabbergasted. I feel like there's a bit of exposition needed here. We are from different countries, but we talk to each other in English. I wrote the post in my language, which means, he had to translate it, and I feel like there's a lot that gets lost in translation, but I'll try my best to make it understandable. "Hello people of (name of my city), somebody please be my friend, because as it turns out to me there are a lot of events in my vicinity which I would like to visit, but I don't step outside of my flat alone. HELP. /very trustworthy and friendly human/" The main question is DO YOU SEE ANY PROBLEM WITH THIS TEXT? Because I don't. In my eyes, it showcases my humor and my awkwardness with social situations. But that obviously isn't what he saw in it. He's been cheated by his previous partner, which destroyed him, and now he has absolutely zero trust towards anybody, which includes me because I slipped up once by not taking his boundaries seriously enough in the past. So the first thing he does is jump to conclusions because as you see, there was no mention of partying with dudes. On the other hand, I'm bisexual, which he never really got over, because he comes from a very conservative place, and doesn't really understand that no, I don't want to fuck my friends just because they're girls. I still don't really understand what the main problem was, because what he always brought up was this scenario. "What if a guy replies to my story and I start talking to and feel comfortable around him, and he offers to take me out somewhere?" First of all, I explained to him that I wouldn't reply to a guy, because I know that he would see that as disrespectful, and I very hardly feel comfortable around men, so for me to actually make friends with one has to mean that I feel a 100% safe with them not trying anything and last, but most importantly I'm not an NPC! Just because a guy comes and talks to me doesn't mean that I'll act like a magnet, and stuck to them. I can make my own decisions, but because of his issues with trust, he can't seem to trust me with not being mindless. And he had a problem with how I'm advertising myself to the whole city, while I know that I barely have any people added from here and could tell you that exact 50 people who actually watch my stories, and they know as well, that I'm talking to my already existing friends who I might have lost touch with. So after an hour of intense trying to make the other understand, my conclusion was that next time if he feels like I did something wrong, what I CLEARLY can't sense by myself, don't spend the day not talking to me and making me anxious, but communicate the problem to me as soon as he feels wronged by me, because then I might even have a chance of fixing it. Was I right in saying that I'm very rarely a 100% confident in myself, but now I can say that he's acting toxic?