Samuel Scott54 said:Honestly, the book is incredible—it might even be better than the original movie.
I actually really liked the book, so I went back and watched the original, which—if I'm being totally real—was kind of a letdown, so I'm definitely not even planning on giving the American remake a shot.
Man, I find this topic absolutely fascinating, so huge thanks to whoever decided to kick this thread off.
I actually know this guy who honestly took him a hot minute to realize the person in this music video was actually a dude 😁
He even admitted—though he played it off with a bit of a joke, probably to save face—that he kind of caught feelings for a second. And the thing is, we're talking about someone who identifies as straight and doesn't really carry themselves in any way that feels "feminized," if you know what I mean. It cracked me up a little that he didn't clock that it was a man; maybe it’s just more obvious to us women, I don't know, I guess we'd have to ask some guys to get their take on it. But it really grabbed my attention because my train of thought is basically running parallel to yours here—this whole dynamic regarding straight men and trans or cross-dressing individuals is such an interesting rabbit hole to go down.
Beyond just instilling this deep-seated fear of parents right down to the bone, there's another issue at play here that’s honestly way worse, because you can't just hit some magic reset button on it later in life. If you're "explaining" things to kids through physical punishment, they aren't actually developing any healthy, rational understanding of why certain things shouldn't be done; instead, they're just making choices based entirely on being terrified of getting caught or punished. I feel like the whole goal of being a solid parent is to raise a kid who actually gets the reasoning behind their actions, you know? Because that's really the only way they'll develop actual self-awareness and understand the "why" behind how they carry themselves. Sure, you won't catch them doing the right thing the first time—maybe not even the tenth time—but you just have to keep showing up and, more importantly, being that living example of the behavior you want to see. Eventually, it all starts to sink in.
Honestly, what you’re describing sounds a lot like that thing that happens when someone escapes a super sketchy situation—you know, where everything feels fine while you're actually in danger, but then once you're safe, you just start shaking uncontrollably for an hour or two afterward. While you were right in the middle of all that chaos, I bet your whole body and mind just flipped into this pure survival mode; you basically had no choice but to just power through it. Now that the dust has settled, it makes total sense that all that horror is finally catching up to you, because you aren't in fight-or-flight mode anymore and you can finally "afford" to let those feelings of hopelessness wash over you. I really think it might be a good idea to sit down and have a real heart-to-heart with your wife about this, and honestly, maybe take the advice everyone else is giving and go chat with a therapist too. Anyway, at the end of the day, I am seriously relieved to hear how things turned out so well with all those collections, debts, and legal headaches. 🙂 Just try to take a second to really process how huge of a win it is that you guys pulled through.
I totally missed out on Avatar; honestly, for about a week after that trailer first dropped, I was all about it, just constantly thinking I had to see it, but then... nothing 🤷 it seemed like everyone and their mother was raving about it—and the more people kept insisting that it was this absolute MUST-SEE cinematic event, the more I actually started feeling turned off by the whole thing 🙂 so in the end, I never even sat down to watch it, and now I'm just kind of over the hype entirely.
rowdytiger said:Honestly, right now? I just want to get laid. I couldn't care less about making an impression or looking sophisticated.
Well, you pretty much answered your own question there, because if you actually want to get laid, you're eventually going to have to make some kind of impression. It’s just how it works—people leave impressions. Everyone wants to be their best self just so they can have enough people around them, since humans aren't built to live in total isolation; if you look at nature or even just basic history, it's clear you have a better shot at surviving in a group, and to be part of a group, you either have to fit in or prove you bring something valuable to the table.
And deep down, you *do* want to make an impression, so let's not play pretend here. You're acting all tough, basically dancing on the edge of being disrespectful to other people on this forum, and whenever someone disagrees with you, you immediately take this high-and-mighty,wannabe-cynical tone... but really, you're just a kid going through a super typical phase for your age. Like, oh, you read Bukowski? Big deal. Nobody asked, so why even bring it up? You want to make an impression? Trust me, the whole world's already reading him.
The whole point of your post is totally lost.
@Almost Rosie, I hope you don't end up deleting this, because even though it feels a little personal, it actually ties back to the topic quite a bit. 🙂
Matthew Ruiz8 said:so I've decided to just pull my own name off the ballot entirely, let's see how the trolls and spammers handle things without me in the mix 😁 this whole vote stays open until post number 16
don't be like that, man. you've gotta put yourself back on there or else the whole election is basically a sham—I mean, what kind of democracy is that even supposed to be? 🙂
Thanks a ton, Michelle Evans! 🙂 So, I actually just got off the phone with him again—and honestly, he’s acting totally normal, nothing out of the ordinary at all. I don't think I'm going to change how I act toward him or anything, because if I hadn't found out the truth, I probably wouldn't have changed a single thing anyway.
yeah, I gotta admit, it’s starting to feel more like he’s just got this weird fixation on certain things, you know? Like, for instance, whenever we settle on a plan or make an agreement, I feel this sudden, intense pressure to immediately confirm that I heard him or that I actually received whatever info he sent, almost like I have to check a box right away just to satisfy him
driftinggull21 said:Schizophrenia isn't spread through social contact...😁 so, if you don't like the person, avoid them; if you do, hang out with them. If they become acutely psychotic, they won't be able to maintain quality relationships with anyone anyway. At that point, step back and let the family handle it.
yeah, that makes total sense 😁 actually, I was wondering more about how to even act when they get stuck in one of those "loops," you know? Like, when I can't even follow what they're saying anymore—should I just let them ride it out, or should I try to pull them back to reality? I mean, I know his illness isn't my responsibility or anything, but I've never actually been close to someone living with schizophrenia, so I'm just trying to figure out the best way to handle it if he starts getting 🤷
Harold Anderson3 said:I think you might be overthinking things a little. While it’s incredibly heavy that your boyfriend's friend took his own life following some relationship drama, that event is really just a catalyst rather than the root cause of everything else. Honestly, I'm not sure what his feelings toward you are right now, but if he was the type of person who used to call you every single day, there's no reason he shouldn't do that now too. If talking to him doesn't feel like a burden, then please, reach out. But if it does feel overwhelming, don't force it. Just try to treat him with the same consistency you always have.
No, no, I’m not saying he’s actually gonna kill himself 😲 I just mean I don't want him to spiral into this whole obsession if there's a way to prevent it
So, what, am I supposed to like, distance myself from him or something?
I’ve got a question for you guys: how are you supposed to act when you’re dealing with someone who likely has schizophrenia?
To give you a bit more context: I have this guy I went to college with, and we’ve always had this kind of loose connection where we’d catch up every once in a while after graduation. We go through these stretches where there’s zero contact, and then out of nowhere, he’ll call me and we’ll set something up to hang out. Usually, he’s the type where once we actually meet up, he’ll be calling me constantly for the next few weeks—like, every single day—and it’s always for these super weird, random reasons (not important right now what they are, but basically just totally disconnected conversations and questions). Honestly, I didn't think much of it at first because even back when we first met, he was always a bit of a "lone wolf" type, and people tended to steer clear of him because he’s just a pretty eccentric guy. Then, about a week ago, we grabbed coffee, and he told me he’d been seeing a psychiatrist and that she’d diagnosed him with schizophrenia. To be totally blunt, I don't know much about the condition beyond the most basic stuff you see on TV. I actually asked him—kind of jokingly, honestly—if he hears voices, and he said he’d gone through a phase of that. But I didn't really take it seriously or realize he actually had a diagnosis. Looking back, though, our whole friendship has always felt a little... off? He definitely seemed more scattered and strange than usual. If he hadn't mentioned the therapy and the meds, I probably wouldn't have even questioned it, because like I said, he’s always been a bit of an oddball. For example, we’ll be talking about one thing, and suddenly he’ll jump into something completely unrelated and just start cracking up. During our hangout, there were so many moments where I just couldn't follow his train of thought. On one hand, it felt like he was using it as a defense mechanism to shut himself off, but on the other, it just looked like total chaos was going on inside his head. Basically, I didn't fully grasp the gravity of it all.
Afterward, I talked to my boyfriend about it and told him how surprised it actually made me. My boyfriend used to have a really close friend who struggled with schizophrenia, and unfortunately, that friend ended up taking his own life. He described behavior that sounded almost identical to what I was seeing with this guy. Now, it's not like there's a massive problem right this second, but he did mention that before his friend passed, he had developed this intense fixation on a girl he was in love with, and he warned me that there’s a chance this guy might start obsessing over me (since he knows I have a boyfriend). And honestly, that’s exactly what happened—ever since we saw each other, he’s been calling me nearly every day. It’s not that I mind him; he’s sweet and fun to hang out with, and I don't have any issue being friends, but I’m genuinely worried about him developing some kind of fixation on me. So, the big question is, how should I handle this? It feels hard for me to be distant or pushy, but I also don't want to send any mixed signals that he might misinterpret in some crazy way. Maybe I’m just being a little dramatic about the whole thing, and maybe nothing will ever happen, but I’d really love to know what to do just in case.
I find myself quite prone to daydreaming these days. It’s a bit of a departure from my younger years, actually. As a child, I wasn't nearly this much of a dreamer; that particular tendency simply wasn't part of my nature back then. 🤔 Perhaps everything is finally coming full circle. 😍 🤣
This immediately crossed my mind, though I suppose there must be some underlying reason why we haven't managed to shake it off just yet. 🥳 I haven't the slightest clue what that could possibly be.
Furthermore, I find myself loath to tear up paper—even when it contains absolutely nothing of value to me, let alone something that might actually be useful down the road. Even if the document isn't mine, the act itself feels unnecessary. 😵
There isn't even a chance I’d gift someone something that actually belongs to me. Instead, I’ll just wrap up whatever I bought for them right away. It keeps things simple—no unnecessary emotional attachment. 🙂 😬
Charles Mitchell60 said:😂😂😂 Goodness! Don't even get me started on the paperwork! 😂 I simply cannot bring myself to toss them out. I lack the necessary fortitude. I find myself dwelling on the fact that this was once a tree, tragically felled just so I could end up with this heap of paper... 😢
My home is utterly overwhelmed by these scraps—white ones, colored ones, it matters little... 😁
Just take it to the recycling bin! Honestly, I’m exactly the same way. My house is currently drowning in piles of paper where only one side actually got used; there is absolutely no way I'm tossing that stuff into the recycling until I've squeezed every last bit of utility out of it first. 🤦 I mean, I honestly think it’s a pretty solid move, you know? Not that it really has anything to do with what we were just talking about a second ago, though... just a random thought popping into my head.
Hey, so I think someone mentioned coercion earlier... could you guys maybe give me a little more context? Like, don't just drop a random term and leave it at that, I'm totally lost lol. Give me the full scoop! 😁
I get why seeing stuff like this brings back all those old memories for you guys, but I’m curious—do you ever get those same vibes from objects you aren't even attached to? Like, things that are relatively new or just don't play a huge role in your daily life yet?
Hannah White2 said:Does this tendency tie back into general daydreaming too? 🙂
That's actually a really interesting way to put it. Personally, yeah, I definitely tend to drift off into my own head quite a bit; I'm one of those people who thinks very visually, so it's pretty easy for me to just sort of... linger inside my own mind for a while.
Do you reckon there might be some kind of connection between the two?
Alright, so first off—honestly, I’m kind of at a loss for a title here because the topic itself is just so weird to frame. I’m really hoping this is the right spot for a Psychic post, and please, believe me when I say I’m not trolling, even if it sounds totally ridiculous to some people. I have a feeling I’m not alone in this "issue," either, since some of my closest friends have actually mentioned feeling the exact same way. (And seriously, sorry for such a dramatic intro for something that might actually be pretty common 😛)
So, here goes nothing. I wouldn't call myself a materialistic person. Like, don't get me wrong, I love working, I love having things, and I definitely enjoy treating myself to stuff. But money isn't my main motivator in life, and it certainly isn't the core of how I view my relationships with people.
But—it’s about objects. Physical, material things. Take my wallet, for instance. I’ve had this one for ages. If I’m being totally real: it’s ugly, it’s beat up, it’s completely worn out, and it barely even closes anymore. It is high time I go out and buy a new one. Something better, maybe a little pricier, and definitely nicer. And then, there's the "problem." I get all excited about my new wallet, but then I immediately feel GUILTY for just tossing the old one aside, and I start WORRYING that my old wallet is actually sad. Okay, look. I am fully aware that a damn wallet doesn't have feelings, but I can't help myself. Sometimes it feels so pathetic that I actually find myself picking it up and giving it a little hug.
So yeah, that’s basically the situation.
It’s not like I struggle to throw away junk all the time, and I don't get hit by these moods constantly. This example could apply to literally ANYTHING. I mean, when I was a kid, I used to take such good care of every single one of my stuffed animals. If one fell over or if I played with another one more than the others, I’d get so upset thinking I had somehow hurt its feelings. But okay, that makes sense. I was a little kid. Stuffed animals are basically little creatures that are cute, and it's normal for people to feel a certain way toward them, right?
Do you guys ever feel this weird sadness toward things that get replaced by something better, more expensive, prettier, or just more functional?
If I were to speculate further—I've wondered if maybe it's because I used an item for so long that I've attached nostalgia to it, like I'm linking the object to a specific era of my life or whatever, but I don't think that's it. Because I remember getting a set of colored pencils, and then the very next day I got a different set that was much better. I felt bad for the "worse" pencils immediately, even though I hadn't even used them yet, and even though they were just a gift from someone I barely knew—so it wasn't about a deep, cherished memory. I have plenty of examples like that, so I really don't think it's about tying things to specific memories. The reason I'm bringing this up now is that I honestly thought I had outgrown this phase, but just a few days ago I actually teared up when I realized that one product was selling better than another item that was in the exact same tier—equally good, just not advertised enough. I felt so bad for that object (I own both, by the way) and I found myself hoping it wasn't feeling lonely. 😕
But seriously, I'm not a troll. I genuinely want to hear what you all think. Is there anyone else out there who finds themselves trying to comfort inanimate objects?? 🙄
cosmicpilot22 said:I honestly think Donnie Darko is super underrated
I don't know, I've seen both Donnie Darko and Requiem for a Dream, and while you could definitely draw some parallels between them, if I'm being totally real, they hit me in completely different ways. Donnie Darko just stuck with me on such a deep level, unlike Requiem for a Dream. Don't get me wrong—that one is good too—but there’s just something almost mystical about Donnie Darko. I hadn't even heard a peep about that movie before I sat down to watch it, so I didn't have any preconceived notions or anything, but man, I walked away feeling totally blown away and, honestly, a little shaken up.
Oh, totally! I wouldn't want to live like that forever or anything, but man, I'd give anything to just experience it for a three-month stint! I can't even begin to wrap my head around why I’m feeling this way, but maybe part of it is just pure curiosity about what it's actually like to have a dick😬 plus I'm kind of dying to see how my whole look would change and if my entire personality would shift too
And obviously, when I say "changing into a guy," I'm fully accounting for the fact that my hormones would start acting up and changing everything about me