I'm a teacher in my early-mid 20s and I've lived in northern Virginia my whole life. The suburbia lifestyle and the entitlement that people have in the outer DC suburbs is driving me crazy and I need to get out and see more of the world.
I've always loved nature and I seak mountains, lakes, trails, and any opportunity for outdoor recreation such as skiing, climbing, hiking, etc. I went to college in the Shenandoah valley and I absolutely loved it, but recreation opportunities were limited during the pandemic so I didn't get to experience too much. The challenge is that teachers are paid really well in Nova and it's tough to live a good lifestyle on a teacher's salary anywhere else as far as I know. It's expensive living in Nova as well but I'm able to stay with family while I collect a good teacher's salary.
The plan is to save up while trying to not to pull my hair out while I find a more peaceful place to live. It's difficult though to match a decent salary with cost of living expenses in an area that suits me. If anyone knows it areas with good teacher's salary to match the cost of living in a nice area, please share with me!!
Thanks!

Well, I'm weary and tired, I've done my day's riding Nighttime is rolling my way The sky's all on fire and the light's slowly fading Peaceful and still ends the day
—John Denver, "Song of Wyoming"

Part 1 Part 2
When last we left our intrepid explorers, they were camped at Buckland Flats near Salt Lake City. Driving down from Buckland Flats in the early morning, Nibbler and I are tired, but wanting to make some good headway into the trip. It's been an exhausting trip so far. The camping is fun, but when mixed with 400-500 mile travel days, it begins to wear on you.
According to my calculations (i.e. guesses), I think we can make it well into Wyoming before needing to charge again. And surely most cities in WY will have charging stations, even if they aren't the 3-lightning-bolt ones.
Okay, so I was wrong.
We roll into Rock Springs with around 57 miles of range still left. I thought I saw on the map that there was a charging station at the local Wally World, but no. It turns out that the nearest charging station is 104 miles back the way we came (there's one in Rawlings on our route, but it's 112 miles).[1]
I have no clue what to do. A call to Jessica at Rivian confirms that I'm a screwed. Jessica consults with her colleagues and they discover a small charger in the downtown area. The drawback is that it charges at ~15 miles / hour. I spend the day in Rock Spring's downtown, with exciting boarded up buildings, delectable no restaurants, and so little to see and do! There is a cafe at least, so I can drink some tea while staving off boredom.
Once I get a charge of 115 miles, I make my getaway. The speed limit varies between 70 and 80 mph, which will destroy my range, so once again I have to drive well under the speed limit.

Trucker 1: What the...? That Rivian jerk is back at it! I thought he was going west! Trucker 2: Are you sure this isn't the omen? Trucker 1: Don't start on that again. I told you that Ouiji board is just a game! Trucker 2: But how do you explain this guy and the ravens we saw back in Salt Lake?!

u/Isanbard's Tips for Driving on Minimal Charge:

1. Use Conserve mode (natch),
2. Drive no more than 65 mph, preferably less,
3. Use regenerative breaking as much as possible, and
4. Avoid superstitious truckers.

This should increase your range by a few miles and allow you to fulfill the prophesy!
Anywoo, we get to Rawlings with scant miles to spare. It's late in the day, and while Wyoming is beautiful, I'm not in the best mood and am weary and decide that once we get to Cheyenne we'll spend the night in a hotel. It was a great idea (except the not-putting-Nibbler-into-his-carrier part, but I had too much blood in my all ready).
A quick chat about the Ireland Republican Army at a rest area later and Nibbler and I roll into Cheyenne, which is smaller than I thought it would be. The night at the hotel is much appreciated by all involved.
Next: No more butt biting? Yes please!
To Be Continued
1 As it turns out, Wyoming isn't too keen on Biden's plan to create an EV charging infrastructure...

For the record, I frickin’ HATE that I had to deal with this today.
I knew my ex set a wedding date, so it wasn’t a surprise, but he’s been “seeing” this woman for only a couple of months - she lives in Europe and they’ve visited each other a couple of times - and this rush to the alter is part of his pattern of abuse.
It’s been 5 years since my ex’s last (failed) engagement, and I basically copied and pasted the letter from last time, then added my concerns that this fits his pattern, and if anything, the fact that she’s a foreign national would make her MORE vulnerable to isolation than the last woman he was engaged to.
We’ll see what happens. My ex says she has ties to area authorities, so it’s possible it will sail through no matter what I say.
It’s like watching a train wreck unfold in front of you, but being powerless to actually stop it.

Hey, fellow Redditors!
My family and I will be moving to Melbourne soon, and I wanted to reach out to this wonderful community for some advice and feedback on safe areas to settle in. We are coming from Abu Dhabi, where safety is exceptionally high, so finding a secure neighborhood is our top priority.
First and foremost, the safety and well-being of our 10-month-old daughter is of utmost importance to us. We want to ensure we choose a neighborhood that is family-friendly, peaceful, and has a low crime rate. Additionally, easy access to parks, childcare facilities, and other amenities would be a huge plus.
Considering our background in Abu Dhabi, we may be a bit unfamiliar with Melbourne's neighborhoods and their safety profiles. That's why I'm turning to you, the Reddit community, for some firsthand experiences and advice. If any of you have lived or currently reside in Melbourne, we would greatly appreciate your insights.
Here are a few questions I have in mind:
Are there any specific neighborhoods in Melbourne known for their safety and family-friendliness? Any recommendations would be highly appreciated!
How is the overall crime rate in Melbourne compared to other cities in Australia? Are there any areas we should avoid due to safety concerns?
As parents, we value easy access to parks, playgrounds, and other recreational facilities. Are there any neighborhoods that excel in this regard?
Are there any additional safety measures we should be aware of or consider while living in Melbourne, especially with a young child?
We truly value your experiences and insights, as they will help us make an informed decision about where to settle down in Melbourne. Any information you can provide, whether it's personal anecdotes, local knowledge, or even online resources, would be immensely helpful.
Thank you in advance for your time and assistance! We are excited about this new chapter in our lives and look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Active duty MSgt here in town to eulogize my father at his funeral at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery.
BLUF: Forgot the anodized punch hole buttons on my blues coat. Would love to wear them for dads funeral (he was Vietnam).
Do any of your prior service devils/reservists in the area have some anodized buttons i could borrow?

📷

The Benefits of Solar Power Banks

Solar power banks are a revolutionary new way to store energy. They are portable, easy to use, and environmentally friendly. Unlike traditional power banks, which rely on electricity from the grid, solar power banks use the power of the sun to charge their batteries. This means that they are completely self-sufficient and can be used anywhere, at any time.
One of the biggest benefits of solar power banks is that they can save you money. By using the power of the sun to charge your devices, you can reduce your reliance on traditional power sources, which can be expensive. This is especially true if you live in an area with high electricity costs or if you travel frequently and need to charge your devices on the go.

The Environmental Benefits of Solar Power Banks

In addition to saving you money, solar power banks are also good for the environment. Traditional power sources, such as coal and natural gas, are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. By using a solar power bank, you can reduce your carbon footprint and help to protect the planet.
Another environmental benefit of solar power banks is that they can help to reduce waste. Traditional batteries and power banks need to be replaced frequently, which can lead to a lot of waste. Solar power banks, on the other hand, are designed to last for years and can be recharged indefinitely.

The Future of Solar Power Banks

The future of solar power banks is bright. As more and more people become aware of the benefits of renewable energy, the demand for solar power banks is likely to increase. This, in turn, will lead to more innovation and development in the field, which will make solar power banks even more efficient and effective.
One area of development that is particularly exciting is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in solar power banks. AI can be used to optimize the charging and discharging of the battery, which can help to extend its lifespan and improve its efficiency. This, in turn, can help to reduce waste and save even more money and resources.

Conclusion

Solar power banks are a game-changer in the world of energy storage. They are portable, easy to use, and environmentally friendly, and they can save you money and reduce your carbon footprint. As the demand for renewable energy continues to grow, the future of solar power banks looks bright. So why not join the revolution and start using a solar power bank today?
Sources:
​

• Greenpeace: Renewable Energy
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Solar Energy

Article by None

I have been in LA since May 6th, but every day I'm here I'm more and more confused about where I want to live. Based on the info below, where do you think I should check out?
About me: I'm a 29, queer, poc, single woman, hoping to make a career in art/writing. I moved to find more creatives & community, to find my future wife, and to enjoy the warm weather. I do really enjoy swimming, so ideally would love access to a pool or beach. And I really need walkability to get me out of the house, and access to good parks (esp 420 friendly ones). I love thrifting and markets, I am a night owl so really love it when there are places open late near me. And I do have a car, but I really enjoy being able to hop on a bus or walk somewhere instead of having to drive 100%. I would love to have a ~500-600 sq ft studio that feels modern. My budget is under $2800/month
Places I've looked into, and the hesitations that make me confused:
West Hollywood: Very pricey and people say it's catered to predominantly white male gays. Love the nightlife and general greenery
Los Feliz: Pricey, not many apartments, and people say it gets boring living there. Very cute and I like the vermont/hillhurst strips
Silver Lake: Pricey, not many apartments, not very walkable, and people say it's kinda fake/hipster. I love the thrifting opportunities and central location
Echo Park: Pricey, not many apartments. I like the park and location, but not sure if I can find an apartment there.
North Hollywood: Feels small and a bit removed; the walkability of it is kind of limited to a few streets. I do like that it's a bit of a chiller vibe and has a good amount affordable apartments.
DTLA: Everyone seems to have a horror story of living in DTLA. I was about to sign on an apartment in South Park, but was worried that the mess and griminess of the city would get to me. Love the walkability, but not sure if it's safe at night.
Santa Monica: Pricey, lots of tech people. Santa Monica feels like SF where artists are getting priced out, so I'm worried about not finding my people. Otherwise, good walkability and beach access
Long Beach: Far from most other places, I'm a bit worried about there not being as much to do. Seems like there's a good queer community here, good access to the beach and generally walkable in some areas.
Feel free to share new places I should check out! Honestly, I am having a hard time feeling like I love LA. I've lived in SF and Seattle before, and LA just feels very harsh and disparate in many areas by comparison. I feel like in SF/Seattle, you could kind of live most places and be able to access everything else quickly. Not so much here, so I've really been stressing about where I should go. Any help is greatly appreciated!!

Hi friends, I want to plan a nice stargazing trip for my fiancés bday in august, I’m planning ahead to sort out all the details as best I can. Im looking at a weekend in Crestline, we love it up there and there’s that fun water park on the lake, fishing, etc etc. The tricky part is I’m not sure if it gets dark enough up there to get some good gazing, if anyone has advice on where to go that’s near the area, or their own experience, that would be much appreciated!

Hi all, I’m a Las Vegas local and in a week and a half I’ll be heading up to Salt Lake City for my MEPS processing for the Air National Guard. I’ll be staying for an extra day afterwards with my girlfriend and I was wondering where a good place to shore fish would be. I’m looking for something hopefully not too far but I’d be willing to drive an hour or so, and I won’t have a boat so nice scenery and accessible fishing would be a plus. I’m not picky about what fish either as I’m planning on catch and release, although a nice trout would be tempting. Thanks in advance!

Hi all, I’m a Las Vegas local and in a week and a half I’ll be heading up to Salt Lake City for my MEPS processing for the Air National Guard. I’ll be staying for an extra day afterwards with my girlfriend and I was wondering where a good place to shore fish would be. I’m looking for something hopefully not too far but I’d be willing to drive an hour or so, and I won’t have a boat so nice scenery and accessible fishing would be a plus. I’d also like to know what a good cruise speed would be on my way to Salt Lake since I’ve heard the Utah troopers can be pretty strict. Thanks in advance for your advice!

well, we're back again. now with more characters! Enjoy.
Thanks, u/SpacePaladin15 for the universe And u/VeryUnluckyDice for implanting a tumor into my brain, go read his story 'Playing by ear' if you haven't already!
[First]-[Next]
-----
Memory transcription subject: Anaw, Venlil citizen Date [standardized human time]: October 23, 2136
It was one of those brief moments when I was on my own. Just after I separated from my working herd but before I joined my familial herd. I bought some nice fruit salad from a place down the street. As I made my way to my way to the plaza I saw that musical duet was performing there. The duo was made up of a venlil and a Krakotl. And they were performing a popular pop song by some band, ‘I love you like the Herd’ by ‘The Sneeples’ I think? To be honest I wasn't too familiar with the current trends in music, I've always listened to what my mother listened to. Never gave it much thought really. I noticed how many people had stopped to listen to them play.
I want people to see me like that! It would be so cool! To be a star, to guide the herd instead of just following it? Wouldn’t that be spectacular? Or even impress Vemly…
I figure I should find a seat, realizing there isn’t any room in the plaza itself. I have to search Elsewhere.
I look round the corner to see… a human! I have never seen one in person before but here? the closest shelter is a city over. And they seem to be alone. Which seems unusual. They don't seem to notice me so that's good. My curiosity getting the better of me, I made my way to a seat where I could watch the predator without being noticed.
The human was holding their head in their hands, their gaze presumably cast down toward the concrete tiles of the plaza though I had no way to be sure thanks to the glossy black mask that covered their face. They didn't seem to be moving aside from one of their legs bouncing seemingly in time with the music.
My meal was almost finished when suddenly the predator rose from their seat and started walking towards the buskers. At their full height, they were quite tall, but maybe my shorter-than-average stature was to blame.
Their approach caused the gathered crowd to scatter most people. those that remained kept their distance. When the human arrived at the buskers' setup the krakotl singer faltered and forgot the lyrics. The human tilted their head at this and seemed to study them for a moment before pulling out their pad and touching it to the tip receiver before turning to leave.
If a predator can appreciate our music they can’t possibly be so bad right?
Someone must have called the exterminators because exterminator officer Ezin and two other officers arrived on the scene.
The exterminators showed up almost too quickly. usually, they’re really slow, like that time when-
The exterminators raised their flamethrowers toward the human
“Predator! You’re coming with me” Ezin yelled at the human.
The human raised their hands and was quickly restrained by the two officers, with the head exterminator turning to the crowd.
Ezin addressed the crowd
“Civilians! Thanks to my hard work the predator has been restrained and you are safe once more!”
It doesn't seem like the predator didn't do anything wrong… why are they being taken away?
My need to find out what is going on overriding all my better judgment I decided to follow the exterminators to the Deep Lake office.
But first I’m finishing my fruit salad.
Yummy yummy!
-----
I arrived at the exterminator's office and headed up to the front desk. There was a snowy white venlil at the counter.
“You here about the recent incident?” she droned, without even taking her eyes off her pad.
There has been an incident?
“No I'm just here about the human from the plaza” I responded
“Just saying yes would've wasted much less of my time sir” the venlil responded, only now seeming to have found the time to look up from her pad.
“Just wait here and someone will be with you in a moment” She pointed to the seats set up at the side of the room. They were all empty.
even I couldn’t find any more reason to talk to this person so I sat down at the end.
These chairs really aren't very comfortable… no matter, ill be through in a jiffy.
Maybe I’ll have a look at these pamphlets to pass some time.
I reach over to the stand picking out the first one available,
‘What to do If a predator moves into your apartment?’
No thanks, I've had enough stress already.
‘Top 10 signs that your human is actually plotting to eat you!’
In the future even the pamphlets are clickbait. Go back to writing bleat posts.
‘Rainbow socks to be banned in Deep Lake Area’
What are socks?
I spun the stand around and spotted a hand-drawn-looking pamphlet. My curiosity piqued I opened it up.
‘Exterminator Ezin for emperor’
The Venlil don't even have a president. How can you get a role that doesn't exist? And I'm pretty sure you won't become emperor by winning an election.
Anyway, what time is it? I feel like I’ve been waiting for more than a claw, I should really be home by now.
“Anaw, come on up” It was the senior exterminator Koll. I have seen him a couple times on the local news giving important announcements. If you've ever seen a buff venlil, you haven’t. Not until you have seen Koll. It's been said that he once fought an entire squadron of armors, bare-paw, on his own, and won. After which he retired to live a more peaceful life on venlil prime. Though that’s hard to believe, When I saw him in person, standing in Infront of me? I could believe it.
Koll asked me to give a brief rundown of the whole incident, a request which I had no trouble complying with.
After a moment of contemplation koll spoke “Well, That does it then, the incident was clearly bogus and the human will be free to go.”
Koll gestured for me to follow him. We walked down the hall and then to the cell where the human was being held.
The predator looked up at Koll and then at me. Prompting Koll to start inputting the code on the cell, Koll broke the silence.
“Well predator, looks like a witness showed up and your stories match, you're free to go, get out of here.”
The senior exterminator left the room, leaving me with the predator… alone.
The predator rose to their full height. Turning their head right at me.
I've actually never met a human before. What do I do? Are they plotting to eat me? Maybe I should've read that pamphlet.
“Hey, thanks.” the predator spoke softly. Their voice was bassy and smooth, not nearly as loud as I expected.
I thought predators were supposed to growl or be aggressive! They probably don't want to scare me. I'm still really afraid though. Is that rude? Am I a bad person for being afraid?
They continued in their soft inflection.
“I don't think Sargent Fluff for brains would've let me out any time soon, so seriously, thanks for the help”
Sargent fluff for brains? Are they talking about Exterminator Ezin?
I finally mustered up the courage to speak to the human
“n-no p-problem h-human”
The human lifted one hand to their mask, presumably where their chin would be. This gave me a chance to get a good look at them. The flesh of their paw, which I think they call hands, was a smooth pinkish-white, each finger being topped by a wide flat claw that was pink almost to the tip of their finger. Where they became white. Their glossy black mask covered their face entirely but left the back of their head exposed. the human had wavy yellow fur that reached all the way to their shoulders. They were wearing a thick top garment in navy blue, it had sleeves that reached all way to their wrists and had a hood that the human wasn't currently using. Their bottom garment was the same color but seemed to be made out of a rougher material.
The human stuck out their hand In what I recognized to be a greeting gesture.
“I’m Colton by the way. It's nice to meet you”
I placed my paw in their hand and they shook it up and down very gently as if they were unsure about the action themselves.
“I- I’m Anaw” my voice quivered
“It's nice to meet you, Anaw, though I have some belongings I have to collect”
Colton began walking to the front desk of the building. Curiosity once again won out over my need for sleep and I followed the human as they approached the desk. The white venlil was still there, and still seemed to be distracted by their pad, doom-scrolling Bleat probably. The attendant looks up from their pad and looks completely uninterested in the predator staring down at her. She looks back down making a clear effort to ignore the human.
“Can I get my guitar back now?” Colton asked the attendant.
“Confiscated weapons will be kept as evidence.” the attendant droned.
“My guitar is not a weapon! It's a musical instrument. It's personal, I need it.” pleaded Colton.
This finally made the lady look up from her pad with curiosity. Apparently thrown off by the human's response.
The human wants an instrument back? That means that this human must be a musician!
At that moment Exterminator Ezin stepped out of his office, Now that he was out of uniform the full mass of his grey was on display. He wore a bandage around one of his paws. Seems like his shift was over and was on his way out.
How do you even pack so much wool into an exterminator uniform?
The Exterminator must have been listening in on the conversation because he smirked almost predatorily.
Ezin spoke “Predator if you can somehow prove that primitive club isn't a weapon,”
Venom laced his tone, “Then you can have it back.”
The exterminator raised his bandaged hand toward the human.
“But I doubt you'll be able to.” Ezin gloated with the confidence of someone who knew they were untouchable.
Colton didn't give the exterminator the chance to goad them further and made for the exit. Shoving their clenched fists into their pockets.
If the human is a musician, then they must know a lot about music! Vemly is really into human culture, if I could learn all about human music or even learn to play some then she would definitely be impressed!
I followed Colton out of the exterminator's office and steeled my nerves. I have to ask them if they could show me some human music! And then I can ask them to teach me? Before I could change my mind I yelled out.
“Colton! Wait!”
The human stopped.
“C-can you show me?.. Your Human music?”
​
[First]-[Next]

Just returned from a 2.5 week trip in Japan.
I started in Tokyo, before flying to Kagoshima and making my way back through Kyushu. I was by myself, making friends along the way.

TOKYO (Kuramae)

Tokyo was exciting and overwhelming. I really enjoyed staying in Kuramae on the east side. It was really peaceful at night along the Sumida river.
The first night I got in, being totally delirious from sleep deprivation, I ran around Asakusa in the dark. With the day trippers gone, I had Senso-Ji almost to myself.
I stayed in a hotel/hostel with a popular, upscale locals bar and cafe on the first floor, which led to a lot of commingling between travelers and locals. (named Nui). Fantastic idea.
I found a few tiny music venues in the neighborhood which were exclusively filled with locals. Me and some new travel buddies I met were welcomed as tourists, and it led to fun interactions with the bands and random Japanese.

• Asaka’s Gold Sounds
• Pure’s Sound Market

Ueno and the area around the national museum definitely deserve a visit, as does Asakusa obviously. But it’ll be busy. Save for a quick trip, I stayed out of Shibuya/ Harajuku which I didn’t enjoy.
The most interesting day trip was to Fukushima area. I used a legit tour outfit (Real Fukushima) run by the community and was able to go into the exclusion zone area, and make visits to areas that were devastated by the tsunami. We stopped by one of the few combined community centerestaurant/market centers that had reopened since the disaster. It had such a hopeful feel to it after hearing about the problems getting folks to return to the area.Was a great experience overall.
The food in Tokyo was incredible in general and the 24 hour conbinis and ubiquitous vending machines were awesome for drinks and late night snacks.
Out of all the izakayas I went to, only one server was annoyed to deal with English speakers. The rest were friendly and inviting. Always useful to know a handful of Japanese and get your phone translation ready so you don’t burden them.
By far the highlight of my time in Tokyo was being able to attend the Kanda Matsuri festival around Akihibara. I’ve never experienced anything like it. The mix of ancient and modern, with the mobile shrines being paraded while chanting in front of Akihibara’s high tech backdrop was wild.
If you get a chance to attend a local traditional festival — any festival — do it.

KAGOSHIMA

Kagoshima was a cute little city. You won’t need a lot of time in the city itself. The Sengan-en garden was beautiful, as was the ferry and bus around the Sakurajima volcano. I did both in a day.
I stayed in a really cute guesthouse called Hostel Tomal. It was a group of private Japanese style rooms in an old building that had been rescued by a sort of art collective group. The owner was very nice and helpful and spoke English.
At night, it’s a quick walk up to the observation point which has a great view of the city lights. (If using Google maps, keep going through the parking lot when you reach the top). This is really popular during the day for the view of the volcano over the bay.
The entire city was surprisingly calm and quiet at night, especially outside the entertainment district. There were very few western tourists walking around, but I did meet a few.
Food highlights: - western cafe called “CAFESHOP”. Delicious sausage omelette and croissant after eating Japanese style breakfasts for a week. - little curry place called “Friend and Bird”, nice old man running the shop.
If you are into table top games or just want a fun bar to drink and hangout mostly with locals, there is a place called “NEWGAME BAR” with a flat fee.

ASO

I made an overnight stop at Mt. Aso, which was a quick express train from Kumamoto. It’s definitely worth a visit, especially if you are spending a lot of time in the cities. It was incredibly peaceful, I just biked around all evening.
The guesthouse I stayed in was lovely. It was run by a Japanese guy who had worked in California for a time, so he had all this American memorabilia and a big flag flying which I thought was cute.
There is also a great “red beef” restaurant there called “あか牛丼専門店 ごとう屋阿蘇店”.

FUKUOKA

Fukuoka was probably my favorite place, and I stayed for 4 nights.
I was in Hakata, at Webase. It’s sort of a cross between an upscale hostel and a hotel. My private room was equivalent to a business hotel, but had the benefit of a shared kitchen, common space and rooftop patio.
Walking around Hakata, Nakasu, Tenjin at night was beautiful and a lively experience. Similar to Tokyo in that way, but more relaxed.
I ended up at a local music festival out at Uminonakamichi Seaside Park over the weekend. I was one of very few western tourists at the show, and this led to meeting some locals which gave me a ride back and took me to dinner. We went to a local izakaya that looked like an abandoned building on the outside (intentionally) and had a secret doorway. They called it the “ninja house” which was just a joke I think. (The place was called “Chinpunkampun Haruyoshiten”). They did get a chuckle out of making me try to find the hidden door. This experience was easily the highlight of my entire trip. Google voice translate works very well and really makes these experiences possible.
I also took a day trip up to Kitakyushu to see the Sarakurayama Observatory via cable car. It’s a quick trip and definitely worth the detour. Nanzoin was also beautiful to see, but I think I had more fun just stopping at random train stations out that way and walking around.
Food highlights: - really cool Izakaya called “Takenoya Kawabata” - modern Yakiniku place with great beef that will serve a single person called “Yakinikutokasudon Tatsunosu Nakasukadomis”

HIROSHIMA

I only had a short time in Hiroshima, and did the typical route of the Atomic bomb dome/museum and Miyajima/Mt. Misen.
The Atomic bomb museum and surrounding area was a very somber and emotional affair, but important to see.
Miyajima and Mt. Misen were as spectacular as everyone says, but be prepared for lots of crowds. I think I most enjoyed the ferry ride over the most. Absolutely beautiful.
One major food highlight to point out:
“Hakushima Brunch”. The most adorable cafe you’ll find in Japan. Run by a lovely older couple who opened it when they retired. They were so happy to see tourists and interact. The French toast was fantastic and very cheap, and they gave me free home made matcha.

YOKOHAMA

When I got back to Tokyo, I headed to Yokohama the night before I flew out. I didn’t have much time to see everything, but the harbor around the Gundam factory was absolutely stunning at night. Train ride was worth it just for the view.
After two weeks of almost exclusively eating Japanese food, I found an American style BBQ joint (including wagyu brisket!) there which was fantastic. In fact, some of the best BBQ I’ve ever had period. Place is called Midtown BBQ Yokohama.
Overall, I had a wonderful trip. Be polite, greet people in Japanese, don’t fear the trains, get off the beaten path when you can, and get ready to walk like you’ve never walked before.

I am a 37 year old white female, Hospice RN. I travel to homes and to facilities to see my patients. Case Management is a stressful job, certainly, and my sister feels that what I'm experiencing is stress-related. I have red "splotches" all over my torso area, the left and right side--it spreads up to a portion of my breasts, around my sides, a smidgen noted on my back, and it stops just below the top of my panty line. Nothing on my arms or legs. These areas are not raised, swollen, itchy, or painful.
I took a few photos, although it seems I cannot add any photo to the post, here is a link instead: Red Splotches to Torso
I do notice that there seem to be more on my right than my left side.
My first, immediate fear was bed bugs, but that concern has been eliminated.
I have never had nor seen anything quite like this.
I have had chickenpox as a child, but this is obviously not shingles (my husband asked about it).
I have IBS and Vulvodynia. The Vulvodynia flares when it wants to. I've been in a flare for over a month now and it affects the nerves in my feet as well to the point of where my feet HURT even when I first get up in the morning and put them on the floor (feels like I've been jumping up and down on concrete all day at times); gynecologist told me that my nerve pain in my feet was linked to the vulvodynia, and I only feel it when I have a flare. Stopping birth control caused the vulvodynia to disappear entirely for a year or so, but then it came back and that was when my feet began to be affected by it. A compound hormone cream helped for a while, and then I didn't have a flare for the longest time (3+ years) until recently.
I take an Align Probiotic 5x Extra Strength every morning to help my IBS. I take Apple Cider Vinegar Capsules (Bragg brand, containing 30mcg of Vitamin D3 and 13mg of Zinc and 750mg of Acetic Acid and 1877mg of "Proprietary Apple Cider Vinegar Blend"), 3 capsules every morning as directed. I take Evening Primrose Oil (1300mg EPO and 120mg EPA), one capsule every night with dinner. I take Progesterone 200mg twice a week except when I'm menstruating (in November of 2022, my gynecologist performed a hormone saliva test due to me having breakthrough bleeding before and with ovulation, turned out my Progesterone was low and it seemed Estrogen was quite a bit higher). Progesterone has prevented the breakthrough bleeding entirely. I have, as of the past two weeks, begun taking DIM-Plus by Nature's Bounty, two capsules every evening with dinner. I had been hoping it would help with any overabundance of Estrogen, if that could be causing my vulvodynia to flare.
I do not smoke, drink, or engage in recreational drug use.
I do drink coffee every morning, without fail, haha.
As stated, these splotches do not itch or hurt me in any way; I'm just concerned as to what they could be, given their sudden appearance and their location.
Thank you so much in advance for bearing with my long post--Reddit does ask for as many details as possible. Any insight is appreciated, as this rash-looking-thing is anxiety-inducing, even though it does not hurt or itch.

Got my BA in ACCT might get my MACC or do rando courses and take CPA. But also may move if can get a job (i can) right now with some superv exp/costruc work but entry level acct 0 exp.
I am looking to go to state seasons are fine (ie winter,summer,fall, etc all fine.)
dont want like TX, FL, CA, NYC, WA, DE, NJ, AZ, NM.
I like the middle area more i think like WY,SD,ND,WI,OH,IN,IL,IA,MS,AL.GA.SC.NC,VA,WV,KY,KS,NE,TN,ETC.
only concern with colder spots are: Asthma (dont like the congest feeling from wild coldness), old people (dont want sick or slip and boom taken out by some stupid harsh winter when they prob could get 20+ years still)
I want to get like a LCOL with a good pay. So I can have animals, land, home, etc at kind of younger age. Temps arent 2 concerning, crime rates/rising big factor, enviroment/natural disasters are a concern (ie dont want wildfires ie CA or i 10/20 years for my area to be struggling for Water (AZ)?).
Not that I plan 2, but I would prefer a "logical" idea for gun stuff, mostly with this is just if someone is breaking into my home/still on my prop/ attacking me/ being a danger (crime going up i dont want to get charged on some BS if someone tries to rob/home invade) (NJ),
I would prefer low retirement tax implications (this would not be for my ie not for my 401k withdraw but for elderly people who I will be taking care of their disburstments ie SS/ annuity/ forget other shit but perhaps a benefit state to the. On that topic a state with no inheritance/death tax.
medical care/something within 4 hours for major surgery pref ie cancer (sure most places have this i not could use plane/drive from Lcol savings (doubt needed 4 me, old people mb but both good health, poor knees. a decent cancer screening state would b good (do those rankings even exist?)
States with entertainment of some level would be a plus:
really anything just need something:
ie i like Bball, (Indiana (maybe lcol with high pay), bull riding/horse riding (viewing not doing) might b cool, golfing (for old people not me), socialization opportunities for old people maybe?, swimming, fishing, catfishing, sewing, farming,hunting, gardening, mudfishing, College football clubs, nba teams, nfl teams, mlb, museaum, historical marks, hiking trails, national parks, scenery.
One day in my LCOL decent/high pay job I hope to have someone working for me that can solve these questions so I dont have to both yall. Also if needed I dont have a ACCT focus. I do like taxes (dont know anything at all from college at all at all.) I dont mind other ie just standard act1 etc. jobs. I have few years supervisor exp and lots of years for construction fam business. I plan to like on applications if I cant get anything 55k+ legit ie 3 year supervisor? 3 year supervisor that used _____ required skill for 1 year, ads/customer service/ job req/ finance planning/budgeting @ construction ( I did actually do this just in no way what a pro co. would do more like hours as a kid figuring our product price/costs/ pricing/ft etc. I can say I did that family business for 8+ years idk how that looks resume wise but I include skills in there a job might want ie communication or whatever.
for the like req skills somehting like
bill dot com or
quickbooks
pivot/vlookup
sql
would few dedicated hours of yt not get me to a beg level to start a job? like Bill dot com get invoice bring to there, document how Co. wants??
sql will get my ass but not applying for many with that in req.
Thank yall
​
for initial home looking 3 be 2 bath 3+ acres, if in cheap lcol then 3bed 2 bath 10+ acre. wouldnt mind 2 angus 1 dairy cows, chickens, garden (havent hcosen size yet not big deal), water supply if possible, need ac/some newer stuff (dont want to buy some shitter that needs hella fixing ie fucked roof or shitty porch etc.
trying to stay between 200/700k settlling more at that 350-550 range.

Female spayed corgi, 11.5 months old
We took our dog to a lake today today to hike and swim (her first time ever swimming). At 12:00 she had a regular bowel movement and peed. We got to the lake around 12:30, she dipped in the water and actually swam 3 times, wasn’t super interested in swimming so we went and sat at a picnic table for about an hour.
At the picnic table, when I wasn’t looking, she had chomped on black locust saplings (Rubinia pseudoacaccia). I pulled her off, didn’t think she ate enough to affect her really and didn’t think much of it. Gave her a bully stick to gnaw on while my husband and I ate lunch. Halfway through the bully stick, my husband noticed her head kind of bobbing around. We thought she was just super tired fighting sleep. Then when my husband got up to go to the trash can and she stood up with him, we noticed she was swaying, full body swaying back and forth.
We packed up and got in the car for the ER immediately, at this point it was about 2:00. She was near unresponsive in the car, we were fighting to keep her awake. Called poison control line who gave us the referral for the ER, they took her in at 2:55.
ER Vet did blood, urine, and recreational drug tests, all came back “perfectly healthy.” An x-ray showed a fully belly. They pumped her stomach and did a follow up and still found a fully belly, this time with a large obstruction with air all around it. We didn’t see her eat anything recently that would fit the bill.
So she’s staying at the ER overnight for monitoring and to see if this obstruction moves on it’s own. The ER vet is perplexed because her only symptoms are neurological (flinches/lethargy/unsteady on her feet) but the only thing that came up in testing is an abdominal obstruction with no vomiting/diarrhea.
Any other ideas? He’s told us whatever it is is likely treatable , whether that be surgery or just further monitoring. But I’m terrified.

Introduction
1) Will this be your first dog? If not, what experience do you have owning/training dogs?
Yes it will be the first dog I've owned or lived with. However, I've been a dog-walker / sitter for 10 years with lots of breeds (such as husky, basset hound, beagle, Jack Russell, Yorkshire terrier, Pyrenees mountain dog, rottweiler, and many more) and I'm qualified at a university degree level with domestic animal care and I've been doing research on dogs since I can remember. Dogs are a big part of my life.
2) Do you have a preference for rescuing a dog vs. going through a reputable breeder?
I have no particular preference, but I would like a puppy.
3) Describe your ideal dog.
Very trainable and loves to learn tricks. I can provide a lot of mental stimulation. A good companion dog who likes to me around me. Minimal loud barking. A dog that loves to play, learn new things, and adventure but is OK with some chill days and is adaptable. Is OK with being off-lead and does not have a high prey drive (so, doesn't run away chasing squirrels and rabbits). A dog that can live with other dogs and cats.
4) What breeds or types of dogs are you interested in and why?
Toy poodle -> very trainable and smart, minimal shedding/hypoallergenic (not a necessity but a plus), loves to play and get moderate exercise but doesn't require intensive exercise, they seem cuddly lol.
Miniature American shepherd / Australian Shepherd / border collie -> very trainable, loves to learn tricks and be mentally stimulated, looks adorable, however needs a lot of exercise or a job, not the most adaptable, I worry about getting this dog as a first-time owner.
Pembroke/Cardigan Welsh corgi -> trainable and playful, but can be stubborn/bossy and prone to barking.
Other breeds I've looked into: golden retriever, Labrador retriever, German shepherd, Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever, Swedish vallhund, Japanese spitz, Norwegian bunhund, Eurasier, Shetland sheepdog, Norwegian elkhound, Finnish lapphund, smooth/rough collie, Samoyed.
5) What sorts of things would you like to train your dog to do?
Anything and everything! The important would be potty training and walking off-lead and playing fetch. But doing things like playing volleyball, dancing, and hide and seek would be SO much fun.
6) Do you want to compete with your dog in a sport (e.g. agility, obedience, rally) or use your dog for a form of work (e.g. hunting, herding, livestock guarding)? If so, how much experience do you have with this work/sport?
A companion dog with potentially recreational sport activities during free time. No working.
Care Commitments
7) How long do you want to devote to training, playing with, or otherwise interacting with your dog each day?
It's difficult to say. I would most likely be spending almost all my spare time with my dog, but I'd still like a dog that has a good off-switch. 3-4 hours on weekdays, and more on weekends?
8) How long can you exercise your dog each day, on average? What sorts of exercise are you planning to give your dog regularly and does that include using a dog park?
1-2 hours most days. Some days 0 walks or maybe around the block. Some days long hikes and 4+ hour walks. Dog parks, walks on the beach and in forests, regular fetch, swimming.
9) How much regular brushing are you willing to do? Are you open to trimming hair, cleaning ears, or doing other grooming at home? If not, would you be willing to pay a professional to do it regularly?
I would be OK with doing all sorts of maintenance with home or at a groomers. I would prefer lower maintenance, but I'm not very bothered.
Personal Preferences
10) What size dog are you looking for?
Any size between a toy poodle and a Eurasier. I like medium sized dogs but I'm not that bothered.
11) How much shedding, barking, and slobber can you handle?
Shedding I have no issue with. Slobbering, I would highly prefer little to none. For barking, I get very nervous at sudden loud noises. I don't mind quieter barks (or yaps), and chatty / howling dogs who aren't loud are fine. I understand that it's often possible to train out barking tenancies, but it's something I'd prefer not to deal with. I also get that inevitably, a lot of dogs are gonna bark and I'm fine with that.
12) How important is being able to let your dog off-leash in an unfenced area?
Very important!
Dog Personality and Behavior
13) Do you want a snuggly dog or one that prefers some personal space?
Snuggly without being overly clingy!
14) Would you prefer a dog that wants to do its own thing or one that’s more eager-to-please?
Eager-to-please
15) How would you prefer your dog to respond to someone knocking on the door or entering your yard? How would you prefer your dog to greet strangers or visitors?
Ideally, my dog would be a one-person-pet and we would have a special bond, but still polite or friendly to everyone. I'm not looking for a guard or alerting dog.
16) Are you willing to manage a dog that is aggressive to other dogs?
Yes, but only if it could be managed with training and I could leave the dog alone with another pet.
17) Are there any other behaviors you can’t deal with or want to avoid?
Can't deal with -> barking loudly and incessantly, high prey drive, and rarely interested in listening to commands
Want to avoid -> separation anxiety, aggression, and possessive behaviour
Lifestyle
18) How often and how long will the dog be left alone?
My boyfriend works from home but occasionally goes into the office. <1-2 hours most days, occasionally (rarely) <8 hours.
19) What are the dog-related preferences of other people in the house and what will be their involvement in caring for the dog?
My boyfriend loves corgis, he likes to play with dogs and teach them tricks too. He's happy doing as much of the caring as needed if I'm not available.
20) Do you have other pets or are you planning on having other pets? What breed or type of animal are they?
No other pets. I'm planning to have my friends and family visit with their dogs (terriers and spaniels). I'm also planning to get another dog and a cat one day.
21) Will the dog be interacting with children regularly?
No
22) Do you rent or plan to rent in the future? If applicable, what breed or weight restrictions are on your current lease?
Not applicable
23) What city or country do you live in and are you aware of any laws banning certain breeds?
United Kingdom. Banned dogs: Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentina, Fila Brasileiro.
24) What is the average temperature of a typical summer and winter day where you live?
Summer -> 15°C-30°C
Winter -> 0°C-15°C
Additional Information and Questions
25) Please provide any additional information you feel may be relevant.
No brachycephalic dogs please
26) Feel free to ask any questions below.