I actually wrote a reply to this earlier, but the forum crashed, so everything I typed just vanished into thin air. 😠
Elizabeth Alvarez13 said:But what I’m really trying to get at is that a non-smoker isn't exactly *forced* to stay in a smoky area—you know what I mean? If there’s a sign on the door that says "smoking lounge," why would a non-smoker even walk inside?
Well, you *are* forced if your only choice is between skipping out on things you actually want to do or sitting there choking on smoke. I’m not talking about dedicated smoking rooms; honestly, I’d be thrilled if people only smoked in designated areas. I’m talking about all those public spots like concerts, or—even worse—when you have to show up for work and some senior executive or someone more experienced than you, whom you're meeting for the first time, starts lighting up right in front of you. It varies wildly depending on the industry, obviously. In some places, there are rules, but in others... well, it's a free-for-all.
Elizabeth Alvarez13 said:And if you're on a subway next to someone who smells terrible, you probably end up breathing through your mouth too, right? Or not?
I don't take the subway anymore. I have a car now, and back in the day, I used to let smelly people or even drunks hitch a ride—which wasn't exactly my brightest move, looking back—but even that didn't bother me nearly as much as cigarette smoke. You're missing the core issue here because you're looking at it strictly from your own point of view. I don't breathe through my mouth just to avoid an odor; if I do that, my nose gets all stuffed up and my throat and mouth dry out, and then that kind of breathing just absolutely wrecks my lungs.
Elizabeth Alvarez13 said:Another thing that bugs me is how much people judge smoking while totally normalizing alcohol.
Look, there are DUIs, and they are enforced. Sure, someone might drive drunk and slip past the radar once in a while, but if you call the police and tell them exactly where a visibly intoxicated driver is, there's a real chance they'll get pulled over. But who am I supposed to call when a room is filled with smoke where it shouldn't be? How many people are going to look at me like I'm Public Enemy Number One if I do that?
Elizabeth Alvarez13 Scott Smith said:So, I’ve been sitting here thinking... how on earth are we actually going to handle the regulation of these absolute stenches? It’s a mess. I mean, really think about it. We need some kind of framework to deal with the different tiers of odor pollution. I'm talking about Class A—you know, those massive, sweeping environmental stenches that hit you like a freight train when you walk out your front door. Then there's the whole other issue, Class B—the more personal, localized breath odors that make you want to back away slowly during a handshake. How do we even begin to legislate something so... visceral? It feels like we need a standard, maybe something akin to how the EPA handles air quality, but applied to the much more awkward reality of human presence. Just a thought. I'm probably overthinking this, but it's bothering me. 🤮) ?
How on earth are we supposed to regulate those loudmouths who just won't stop shrieking into their cell phones in public spaces? Honestly, it’s getting out of hand. I was sitting in a quiet little cafe in downtown Chicago the other day—just trying to enjoy my coffee and get some reading done—and this guy next to me starts yelling into his phone like he’s shouting orders at a football coach during the Super Bowl. It’s constant. Just... constant. It’s more than just a nuisance; it’s actually starting to mess with my mental peace. My focus just evaporates. How do we even address this? Should there be actual rules in place for shared spaces? I feel like we need some kind of social etiquette standard, or maybe even local ordinances, because the sheer lack of consideration for others' headspace is becoming unbearable. Does anyone else feel like they're losing their mind? 😛
Honestly, the sheer irritability you see from non-smokers... it all stems from this massive misunderstanding of what smokers are actually facing. If we’re looking at the long game, there's always that looming possibility of dying from a smoking-related illness, and let's be real—smokers tend to underestimate just how heavy that weight is. I know people—I’m talking about my friends' parents and folks in my circle—who passed away directly because of smoking. And look, I’ll be the first to admit, they weren't even passive smokers. They were active users. So, personally? I’m not losing sleep over the idea of dying because someone near me lights up. There are way more ways to kick the bucket in my daily life. I face much higher risks when I'm tearing down a mountain on skis, racing around on my bike, or driving my car too fast. Even just bickering with someone, rappelling down a rope, or honestly, even while I'm standing in the shower... those moments feel far more precarious to me. 😁 The thing that really gets to me... it’s those short-term effects from being stuck in a smoky environment. I mean, it’s more than just an annoyance. Because I deal with respiratory issues myself, being around all that smoke just hits me differently. It’s tough. Honestly, having a nose so dry and stuffed up that I’m forced to breathe through my mouth—especially when you're stuck in some stinky room—is a massive issue. It is a much bigger deal than someone’s phone ringing incessantly. Seriously.
Scott Smith Scott Smith said:I just can't help but feel like everything is... well, complete. It’s hard to put my finger on it, really. Sometimes you just sit there, staring out the window at the skyline here in Washington, D.C., and you realize that certain things just reach a breaking point where they are finished. There isn't much left to say, is there? It's a heavy feeling, honestly. I was thinking about this earlier while I was grabbing a coffee—just one of those moments where the weight of it all hits you. Total finality. Complete. Honestly, I’ve been sitting here thinking about this all morning, and I just can't shake the feeling that these bans on smoking in public spaces are a bit much. It really feels like we're stripping away someone's right to enjoy a legal product. I mean, if I've gone out, paid my taxes, and followed every single rule to ensure what I'm consuming is perfectly legal under American law, why should I be penalized for it? It reminds me of this one time back when I was visiting a small town in the Midwest—just a quiet little place, nothing fancy—and there was this local cafe where everyone used to gather. It had such a specific, communal atmosphere. Now, you see these sweeping regulations everywhere, and it feels less about health and more about control. It’s a slippery slope, isn't it? First, it's smoking, then what? Every little personal choice starts getting scrutinized by some overzealous committee. I truly believe in personal responsibility, and if an adult wants to indulge in something that is sanctioned by the government, they should be able to do so without being treated like a social pariah. It's about freedom, plain and simple.
So then we’ll just go ahead and turn the whole product illegal. Is that what you wanted? Are you actually happy now? Look, even a chainsaw is a perfectly legal product, you know? It’s not like owning a car or a kitchen knife. But that doesn't mean you can just go swinging it around the aisles at a Walmart. Common sense, right? All other kinds of harassment are strictly forbidden, even if they seem way more trivial on the surface. I mean, think about it—you don’t have people bringing dogs into cafes, nobody’s going to spray you with a water hose at your job, and no one is shoving food or drinks down your throat that you didn't ask for. And regarding those last two points, there's a parallel that smokers just don't seem to grasp. It’s like... maybe some person wouldn't care if someone poured a literal gallon of milk into their mouth every time they stepped out, but there’s an entire group of people with severe milk allergies for whom that wouldn't just be annoying—it would be physically devastating. In the same vein, people are far more sensitive to smoke than smokers ever realize. It's a real issue.
Uh, honestly, that sounds pretty perfect for what I’ve got going on right now. Between finishing up my senior thesis and trying to wrap my head around this short film I've been working on—I'm actually in the home stretch, thank goodness—I still have all this editing left to tackle... See you guys on Tuesday!
If we actually want to wipe out smoking, we have to convince smokers that it’s a bad idea in the first place. Bans are just a band-aid for us non-smokers to feel less threatened, but the real work would be persuading people that smoking is just... bad. That can only happen through solid education starting from when they're kids, but honestly, that’s such a massive, uphill battle that it feels impossible to pull off right now. I remember back in middle school, the atmosphere regarding this was actually great—really proactive—and even now, looking back 12 or 13 years after finishing middle school, the number of smokers from my old class is tiny. It was the same in high school, though you have to consider that I was in a specialized math academy where most kids weren't really the type to smoke anyway.
Smokers just don't seem to grasp how much the smoke bothers other people. It's easy for them to shrug off if they're used to smelly stuff, but my nose is incredibly sensitive, and being stuck in a smoky room absolutely kills me. I remember one time, I was hanging out with a group where everyone was just completely ignoring my requests to stop smoking, so I ended up grabbing a bottle of insect repellent—not the toxic kind, just that skin spray with an intense scent—and I spent half an hour spraying it around me. Of course, everyone had a total meltdown. 😁 Well, that’s basically how I feel every single time that stench is around me. And yet, heaven forbid you put a smoker near a drafty window or they might catch a cold and die! Meanwhile, they can just poison everyone else in their vicinity. 🙄
TripAdvisor forum could also be useful. Honestly, I'm just sitting here hanging on your responses, waiting to see what you all think before I dive any deeper into this.
Don't mind that silly remark from Zachary Alvarez8 🙂 Which direction are you heading in, and what’s your target mileage for each day? Also, what kind of sights pull you in the most (Nature? historical places? beaches? ...)
Since you're planning to ride 1554 miles as one big group, I'm assuming you've got plenty of experience under your belt—so hopefully, you won't be too bothered by heavy traffic. Honestly, sometimes there's just no way around those busy stretches.
I’ll be honest, I’m still figuring out the whole online payment thing—it's all a bit of a maze, isn't it?—but I really have to give a shout-out to Bank of America. They've been such a solid choice for me. The staff? Just incredibly polite and professional. And they're everywhere across the US, so you're never really stuck. I did run into a little hiccup early on when trying to drop some larger payments... you know, that awkward stage where they're still deciding if they can actually trust you with the big bucks until you've proven yourself. But once that hurdle is cleared, everything runs like a dream. My Visa through Bank of America is working perfectly fine right now, though, looking back, there were plenty of those annoying little surprises that used to pop up from time to time.
Andrew Wells7 said:Honestly, any amateur could have put this documentary together in an hour. I was really hoping for something gripping, something that would actually challenge my perspective, but instead... it was just completely underwhelming. Total waste of time.
Yeah, I’m right there with you. It’s disappointing. I went in looking for some fresh insight, something I hadn't heard a thousand times before, but it just didn't deliver.
wanderinggull6 said:...and I wouldn't have even noticed if it hadn't started feeling tight, stinging, and itching at that spot almost every single day!? Is this actually normal? Should I be panicking here?...
Look, I’m definitely not a doctor or anything, but I’ve spent way too much time falling down internet rabbit holes about moles. I’ve actually had five or six of them removed myself, so I’ve picked up quite a bit of conflicting medical advice along the way.
In my case, I had two moles that were acting up and itching. I ended up getting one removed—it was just dysplastic, you know, totally benign but something that could have turned into a real headache down the road. As for the other one, I haven't had it taken off yet because the irritation finally stopped. Honestly, looking back, I think it was just being constantly rubbed by the waistband of my jeans or my underwear. So, yeah, it's not necessarily cause for alarm.
When I was just a kid, my mom always had breakfast waiting for me, so back then, if I didn't eat something first thing in the morning, I’d be absolutely famished by noon. Now that I'm quite a bit older—27, actually—and a little more filled out 😁, I’ve moved past that phase where I'd skip breakfast every once in a while. I make sure to eat it every single day now, even though, honestly, I wouldn't even feel hungry if I decided to skip it.
My usual go-to is: - a banana (maybe two, or sometimes a banana and a kiwi) - tea - toast and cheese (though occasionally I'll have some Mavrović's cornbread with raisins—I highly recommend everyone give that a try, it's seriously delicious) - yogurt, though I've started thinning it out with a bit of water because it seems to sit a little heavy on my stomach(?)
Kimberly Thomas4 Asks: Does anyone actually know if there’s a private surgeon out in Washington, D.C., who handles breast augmentations without absolutely draining your entire life savings? I mean, I'm looking for someone legitimate, obviously, but I feel like every time I look up a specialist, the quote they give me is just... astronomical. It's a bit overwhelming, honestly. I was reading this article about medical inflation in the States the other day—can you believe how much things have jumped? Anyway, I just want a straight answer. Is there a clinic that won't treat me like an ATM the second I walk through the door? $267 I honestly just can't wrap my head around it... I mean, really. How on earth can such a minor, almost trivial little procedure end up costing this much? It feels completely nonsensical.🤣 So, basically... if anyone happens to have some solid recommendations for private practitioners, please let me know! I'm all ears. Or, alternatively—and maybe this is more practical—does anyone know of a hospital that would actually accept my Medicare referral for this? I'm feeling a bit lost in the shuffle here.👍
So, I originally went through with the whole procedure down in Miami. I actually pulled a few strings, you know? Had a little connection there just to make sure I was seeing a top-tier doctor instead of some random intern. But after that, I realized the surgery itself was pretty routine stuff. So, when it came time to do it again in Washington, D.C., I didn't feel the need to call in any favors or hunt for a specialist. Instead, I just headed over to that local clinic—you know the one—where I ended up being more of a practice case for a medical student. It felt a bit surreal, honestly, but everything turned out fine. 🙂I mean, look, I specifically told them during the pre-op consultation that I didn't want anyone "practicing" on me. I had this gut feeling—this nagging suspicion—that I was going to be someone's learning opportunity. And honestly? It wasn't even about being anxious during the surgery itself... it was the sheer, blinding fury and that absolute sense of helplessness afterward. When she dropped those surgical shears right in front of my face? Just clattering down like that? That one moment told you everything you needed to know about how unsafe I felt. It was devastating.
After that whole ordeal, I think my next move is going to be for... $333 I decided to go private for this one, and honestly? I couldn't be happier with the choice. It made such a difference. The surgeon who handled everything was just incredibly professional—so poised, really. He was actually chatting away with the doctor and the nurse about some insanely complex surgery he’d performed recently, you know, something a trillion times more complicated than what I was there for. Hearing him talk like that... it sounds strange, I know, but it actually made me feel totally relaxed. I felt like I was in the best possible hands. $333 It’s a lot, I know. But if you ask me? It’s well-deserved. When you're performing surgery—no matter how routine or "simple" someone might claim it is—you're still stepping into a role that required years of grueling schooling. You aren't just punching a clock; you're carrying the weight of a patient's life in your hands. Your hands can't shake. Not even a little bit. And you have to make sure that scar heals perfectly, too... there's an art to that. Honestly, what gets under my skin way more than the big stuff are those mindless, routine check-ups where... $67 Honestly, you end up learning SO MUCH LESS than what I can pick up in just ten minutes of scrolling through the web. It’s actually kind of ridiculous. About a year ago, I went to see a private doctor—just for some unrelated stuff, mind you—and I ended up laying out everything I had already deduced from my own online research. And you know what? He actually charged me for the privilege of confirming my own self-diagnosis! Just... yeah. Unbelievable. $67 🙄
Nathan Ramos77 said:So, here’s my situation. I'm 22, I eat pretty well, I get plenty of sleep, but I just can't seem to put on any weight. Honestly, I don't think I've ever even hit 120 pounds. What am I doing wrong?😲
I actually really appreciate these deep-dive posts. It's funny how life works—you could be a woman standing 4'11" and it's just a quirk, but if you're a guy standing 7'2", that's a whole different level of intense.
It's almost certainly down to genetics. Maybe try swapping out what you're eating for something a bit more... indulgent? You know, the kind of stuff that actually packs on the calories.😁
Steven Collins38 said:So, Verizon spent 12,000 bucks on a new logo$0.00!
I mean, if that price tag covers rebranding every single sign and storefront for Verizon across the entire US, then maybe it isn't such a massive waste. But honestly? I think the actual design is just hideous. It’s one of those things where you can't unsee it once you notice it. Still, it's not like I pick my service provider based on their graphic design choices... I care about other stuff. And right now, all three major carriers are pretty much failing us, so I guess I'm sticking with Verizon for the time being. I’m almost waiting for some customer service rep to call me up and ask for a detailed list of everything they're doing wrong just so they can feel better about themselves.😁
I was hoping some of our guys would head out there just to soak up the atmosphere, and honestly, they’ve always been such class acts on the track in past races. They play by the rules, you know? It’s refreshing. Maybe this time the stars will finally align for them. Go Martinčević, go Frčko!
Let Duje do whatever he needs to do; you’ve got my full support. Look, he didn't join some Qatari military unit to go fight against America, he just went to swim for the same kind of paycheck those "patriotic" soccer players pull when they sign with clubs overseas. Honestly, mad respect to everyone staying put right here—especially those who built themselves up from nothing, like Janica did—but we don't need to turn on our own guy. Duje knows he’s gotta secure his future while the opportunity is actually there.