33 posts shown.
jadesailor14 said:I prefer direct transfers because I know people get exactly what I write on the slip.
With phone payments, part goes to commission and part to sales tax.
The news reported that the end user ends up getting less than half the total amount.
Whether it's 50% or 20% isn't really the point; the point is they don't receive the full amount intended.
Totally agree, though unfortunately, you can still rack up more money that way...
placidjackal36 said:We should probably start some kind of association to track which cases are legitimate and which aren't.
Take this case, for example—it's real. But then there are all those "invoices" arriving in the mail that are just fake cases and straight-up scams.
A site or an organization like that would help centralize everything so people can actually see who needs help.
I think the government needs to step up its organization. People wouldn't have any trouble setting aside $3.25, they just need a clearer path to find out about the issues and how to donate. People want to help; they just don't know who or how.
Every time something came on TV saying, "Call this number and donate..." $1.75 plus tax, I’d always look up the number.
It would be even better if the government waived the sales tax on those donations. 😛
Think about how much money goes toward stadiums and political campaigns while someone's life is hanging by a thread because they lack funds.
It looks like Nick might manage to raise what's needed, so we're hoping there won't be a need for more media coverage, but not everyone is that lucky.
It's pathetic that on top of a mental breakdown and worrying about a sick kid, you also have to deal with raising massive amounts of money, wasting time and energy you don't even have.
Emily Gonzalez51 said:Wouldn't it be great if there was just a dedicated phone number people could call to donate a few bucks? Honestly, I bet that money would add up pretty fast.
Sure, that’s the best way to do it. Of course, emails like that can look pretty suspicious—which makes sense, given how many scammers are out there. Plus, typing out all those payment slips and account numbers is a hassle; it just slows everything down. And let's be honest, plenty of people don't even use email much these days.
Getting that TV set up isn't exactly a walk in the park. You'll probably need to pull some strings at Comcast or someone similar just to make it happen. It’s doable, but definitely not simple. Is it really that straightforward? Not quite.
Luckily, some big-time corporate owners actually stepped up, so a massive amount of cash has already been pulled together.😛It looks like there are actually enough decent people out there who still care about these kinds of stories, especially when it involves little kids.
Let's keep helping out and just try to stay out of Nicole's way.🙂
Sadly... or maybe luckily, depending on how you look at it 🙂, I actually know little Nick.
Regarding the amount people will chip in, everyone’s going to give what they can. But it would be pretty depressing if people just ignored this plea for help. Surely anyone can skip a few coffees to help save a life? A life that young? So, come on people, please don't just ignore this email.
It's a small gesture for us, but everything for Nicole 🙂
Fetishism?
Fetishism is just being fixated on inanimate objects or body parts that aren't exactly sexual to begin with. It’s that compulsive need to use them to get off. So, suddenly, random items or bits of anatomy become sexual symbols? Groundbreaking.
Fetishism almost exclusively shows up in men. Once it takes hold, it becomes a chronic, long-term pattern of behavior. It's just another form of paraphilia, isn't it?
So, we’re dividing up the fetishes now? Is there a system, or are we just winging it?
Fetishes can be inanimate or living. Who knows?
Inanimate object fetishes usually fall into two buckets: shape or material. One focuses on the silhouette, like a pair of high heels, while the other is all about the texture, like silk or leather. People with these fixations sometimes get carried away collecting things—it's not unheard of for someone to turn to theft just to snag something "special" for their collection. Who knows where that obsession ends?
The list of objects people use to fuel their fetishes is endless. But if we’re talking most common? It’s usually the basics: lace panties, bras, thongs, tights, stockings, silk nightgowns, heels, boots, gloves, schoolgirl outfits, or even braces. Who knows where it ends?
The usual suspects in the media fetish scene? Leather, silk, rubber, or fur.
Fetishes aren't just objects; they can be "living," too—specifically body parts. We're talking hair, feet, legs, butts, or breast size. When it comes to hair, it’s usually about length or a specific color. Then you have guys who are into armpit or leg hair. And sure, some people are attracted to partners with amputations, which might just be a subconscious craving for control and power. Or is it?
What actually drives fetishism? Is there a single root cause, or just a mess of different triggers?
Why does fetishism happen? It’s not exactly a simple equation. Some learning theorists argue it starts in early childhood when an object gets tied to intense sexual gratification. Others point toward late childhood or adolescence, focusing on conditioning during masturbation. Then you have psychoanalysis, which obsesses over phallic worship and castration anxiety. Some researchers suggest it's just a shift in focus—where an attraction to a specific body part evolves into a full-blown necessity, eventually replacing a partner entirely. According to this view, most men carry mild fetishistic traits; some prefer certain hair colors, while others are just driven by breasts, legs, or backsides. Is there really much difference?
One theory suggests fetishists are just kids who witnessed or experienced inappropriate sexual behavior. Is that really how it works?
Compensation theory suggests that fetishists just can't find satisfaction through regular means, so they turn to unusual behaviors instead. Is it really that deep?
The psychological model suggests that behavior, hormones, and the nervous system are all linked, specifically focusing on how male hormones drive aggressive tendencies. Is it really any surprise?
The psychology of a fetishist. Is there actually a personality behind it?
So, scientists have finally figured out that fetishists generally lack social skills, live pretty isolated lives, and struggle to build intimacy. Who could have seen that coming?
So, how exactly does one achieve sexual satisfaction through a fetish?
A fetishist craves any kind of sensory connection to an object or body part. It usually involves holding, smelling, or rubbing the item while masturbating. For some men, getting an erection is nearly impossible without that specific trigger. Women? They rarely fall into this category.
Fetish objects? They basically show up to every solo session and can easily be brought into the bedroom to spice things up with a partner. Who doesn't like a little extra excitement?
Sometimes drawings or photos might do the trick, but most of the time, a fetishist wants the actual item—preferably one that’s already been worn. It isn't about holding onto some sentimental souvenir of a former owner, either. The focus stays strictly on the object itself, not the person who used it. Is it really that complicated?
Focusing on objects rather than people
For someone with a fetish, sexual activity often becomes depersonalized and revolves around an object instead of a person, even when a partner is involved. All the attention goes straight to the fetish. Instead of connecting with their partner, they find satisfaction through kissing a shoe, stroking nylon stockings, or using underwear to reach climax.
Don't confuse this fixation with just having a preference for certain body parts. Even people without fetishes have things they find particularly attractive, but they aren't obsessively fixated on them to the exclusion of everything else.
In some cases, the fetish is so central that arousal or orgasm is impossible without it. In milder cases, they might manage without it, though the satisfaction usually takes a hit.
When the object isn't there, most rely on fantasies to get aroused. Some partners even have to incorporate the fetish into the act to make it work—like rubbing silk against genitals or making sure the partner is wearing specific black lingerie and high heels.
Treating Fetishism
Sometimes the compulsion gets intense enough to ruin someone's quality of life, leading them to seek medical help. Treatment options include traditional psychoanalysis, hypnosis, and behavioral therapy. Though research is limited, current data suggests these methods aren't always the most effective. Recently, antiandrogens—medications that lower male hormone levels—have been used to reduce libido and the frequency of these behaviors. This can give a person the breathing room needed to focus on counseling and therapy. Antidepressants like Prozac also work to lower sex drive, though they aren't as great at targeting specific sexual fantasies.
Another approach involves conditioning, where the fetish is psychologically linked to an unpleasant experience to lessen its power.
frozenbadger54 said:Are you two speaking from experience?
You bet!
All that talk is nonsense. First, figure out the psychological root of why you're overeating, then go from there. Overeating isn't the actual problem; it's just a symptom of some other imbalance or dissatisfaction. Once you actually make peace with yourself—meaning, when you're finally ready to be disciplined and your desire for health outweighs your craving for junk—you won't need vitamin guides, Oprah segments, or endless internet searches. You'll realize the path to losing and maintaining weight is actually pretty straightforward. The point isn't starving yourself or feeling miserable under a strict diet; it’s the exact opposite: frequent, healthy meals and enough exercise to actually feel good.
frozenbadger54 said:Apologies if I missed this thread somewhere in the first five pages. I’m planning to start this diet today, so I was wondering—is anyone else familiar with it, or has anyone actually tried it yet?
How does one actually do this?
Some kind of miracle soup? Or just a lucky break?
Three large red onions.
Four cans of tomatoes or canned crushed tomatoes? Decisions, decisions.
Minus one small cabbage. Is that all?
Two green peppers. That's it?
One bunch of celery—the stalks, not the root kind.
Three white truffles (if you can't find them, whatever...).
One packet of onion soup mix or four beef bouillon cubes? Is there really a choice to be made here?
Chop up the veggies, drown them in water, and let them simmer for an hour. Add some soy sauce if you're feeling fancy. Or not.
When you're starving, you can eat as much of this soup as you want. It’s zero calories. Does eating more actually make you lose weight faster? Who knows.
Coffee and tea? Sure, drink them whenever you want. Just skip the milk and sugar.
Cut out the bread entirely. And anything else that isn't strictly on the meal plan. What else are we waiting for?
Losing 5 to 9 pounds a week on this diet, yet somehow feeling great? Is that even possible?
Me from the South:
One day of unlimited fruit—minus bananas. Sounds like a dream?
Two days of unlimited veggies—boiled or fresh (except beans, peas, and corn). What else is there?
Three veggies and a fruit (minus bananas and potatoes).
Bananas and milk for four days. That’s eight bananas and a gallon of milk max. Is that really enough?
Steak and tomatoes? Or maybe some grilled chicken instead. Let's say 10 to 11 ounces of beef paired with exactly eight tomatoes. Is that too much to ask?
All-you-can-eat steak and veggies. No potatoes, though. Is that too much to ask?
Whole grain brown rice, veggies, and fruit juices without any added sugar. Is there anything better?
Heads up: make sure you drink at least 2 liters of water on day five or six. Is that too much to ask?
This diet supposedly cleanses the system and regenerates every bodily function. Does that actually sound realistic to anyone else?
Modern life is basically a recipe for aging prematurely. Between the lack of fresh air, zero physical activity, and constant overeating, our metabolism just hits the brakes. Is anyone actually surprised?
Vital organs, nerves, brain—all shredded. What else is left?
Between cellular breakdown and a strict diet of magic soup... what's next?
This diet isn't dangerous and doesn't require supervision if you stick to a 10 to 14-day stretch—unless, of course, you have underlying health issues that require a doctor's oversight. You could just run it once a week, doing those 10 to 14 days every two or three months. Is it really that complicated?
The core rules for a parental leave break?
Maybe try not to overeat? Just a thought.
Eat slow. Savor the meal. Is that really too much to ask?
Transition back to regular food gradually over a few days. This applies if you’ve been on a long-term diet—anything longer than twelve days. Does anyone actually expect instant results?
Good luck. 😉
Magic soup? Is that all we're calling it now?👎
I tried that "magic soup" fad ages ago. Total nonsense. I don't buy into magic soups or miracle diets; the only real way to lose weight is by cutting calories. Besides, I’m not the type to follow some rigid menu someone else dictates—especially in a place where the food options are already so limited and repetitive. Why bother?
What's the point of thinking long-term when I'm definitely not eating this menu for the rest of my life? That soup was great at first—actually helped kill the hunger pangs—but after a few days, I’d rather just starve than take another bite. Who actually enjoys that taste?
And I definitely didn't drop 5 to 9 pounds in a week. Losing 10 to 18 pounds in just two weeks isn't exactly "healthy" by medical standards, though there's no need to worry about it—you aren't actually going to lose that much anyway.
Lisa Barrett22 said:I don't know, these pills work on all sorts of things, so maybe they'd help with discharge 😁. Clearly not. 😁 For me, Diane was a lifesaver for hair issues, but I'd honestly rather be hairy than bloated like a balloon 😂
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See, I never actually had any bloating issues.🤷
Diane is like a Kinder Egg; you never really know what you're gonna get.😁
Lisa Barrett22 said:I didn't get the impression that there was actually that much going on. I see your point now. 😉 Just daily pills... Not sure if that’ll actually help you cut down, unless you switch to birth control. 🤷
Birth control for discharge? Is that actually a thing?😁 I was on Diane for eight years, and honestly, things never felt better than they did back then—not until I started noticing these issues. It seemed to snowball after I switched to the generic pills. I don't remember having these kinds of problems before. Never again with Diane. And you know, it didn't even help with my breakouts or cause any hair thinning. What was the point?😠
😁
Lisa Barrett22 said:Why are you making such a big deal out of this? It seems perfectly normal to me. Why would anyone bother doing anything about a completely standard occurrence? 🤷
🙂
Why am I leaking 24/7, every single day of the month? I bet some of you have perfectly normal discharge and can't fathom why this is such a massive issue for others. It clearly isn't right, yet every time I go in for an exam, the doctors tell me everything looks fine. As soon as I lie down on that exam table, the doctor makes her diagnosis before she even starts the checkup. Abnormal discharge.😠Everything seems fine on paper, I guess. But listen, I’m constantly wet—it’s just a nonstop leak. It isn't exactly pleasant. And it doesn't even change with my cycle; it's the same all thirty days of the month. Wouldn't it be nice to just be completely dry for ten minutes?🙂
And when I actually get worked up? Well, then things just get awkward.😂
Have any of you ladies found anything to deal with this constant arousal? It’s getting exhausting day and night.😁..
A few times at the drugstore, they suggested some medicated suppositories that supposedly work wonders, but—👎.. I don't see much point in visiting a gynecologist since I don't have any infections. Everything feels fine there, yet I’m leaking like the Colorado River.
Any home remedies? Like, yogurt and garlic in a tampon...?😁 anything...🤷
Angela Flores76 said:I'm also dealing with constant discharge, so I'm always wearing pantyliners. 🙂
Same here. It’s actually kind of embarrassing because it makes me look like I'm constantly turned on, which I'm really not. 😁 Sigh...
I don't think you have anything to worry about as long as you aren't actually feeling any symptoms. If it helps reassure you that your cycle is totally normal🙂, in my experience, my period didn't even return until about six months after I stopped taking birth control...😲