Moynihan train station address

Hi everyone.
To Kill a Predator is a work of fan fiction set in the Nature of Predators universe originally created by SpacePaladin15 whose Patreon you should subscribe to.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Depiction does not equal endorsement.
Hope you enjoy it!
[First] [Previous]
---
Memory transcription subject: Martin Russo, Human Refugee
Date [standardized human time]: January 10th, 2137
​
Without the girls, life settles into a boring rut. I talk to them as much as I can on the pad, but they’re busy on Earth, hitting the ground running.
There’s been a lot of ground to cover before they’re caught up to where everyone else will be, particularly for Vilek. She’s often had to pull double-claws of studying, working her fluffy ass off to gain a baseline understanding of psychology in record time. Thiva’s classes on VP by contrast have prepared her well for humanity’s relatively simple technology.
That, and they’ve had to get used to Earth. Earth food, Earth culture, and a planet full of omnivores with forward-facing eyes. I’ve been doing what little I can to help coach and encourage them.
For my own part I’ve been restless. Given that I’m not able to look for a job yet, that physical therapy kicks my ass every other paw, and that I’ve got nothing to do other than look forward to a half-hour of chatting with my friends… I’ve started up on software again. It’s something I can do even while laying prone. Particularly since I have a way to write without using my hands.
What do I do with that, anyway? I can read minds. I can even use the raw data from a full brain scan to extract memories. There’s got to be something useful to do with this. It’s practically the only part of this entire debacle I haven’t bothered telling the UN about.
Honestly after what I’ve been through, I can’t imagine trusting them, or the Venlil government, with this. Bastards would be prosecuting thought-crime by the end of the week.
​
Jarkim’s opened his business a couple of weeks back. Without an actual office, since he plans to simply operate out of Slavik’s farm. As I understand they tolerate it as long as he also helps out in return for food and board. I hope the arrangement works out for the both of them.
I gave Jarkim some help with his online presence. He wasn’t initially sure about the black and white picture of him in a fedora and a tie, or about the business name “Jarkim Krakotl, Private Eye”. But as soon as humans heard about Venlil Prime’s only Krakotl detective they’ve ended up coming to him with their problems.
He sent me a picture of his first solved case, some runaway kid who got lost and reunited with her mother. He was still wearing the hat. No tie, though.
​
Today is my paw off from Chasa’s torments, and it coincides with the launch of another exciting new business venture. So I take the time to visit Mosun.
“Hey Martin! Hold on a minute!” I see the Yotul wrangling a bunch of foam mats around the large, empty room. And its wall-length mirror. Fittingly the place look like the midway point between a dance studio and a martial arts dojo, except for the soft and spongy floor. It’s meant to safeguard against falls.
I glance around the room while he huffs and plops the last few ones down. There’s perhaps thirty-five or forty foam mats scattered on the floor. “So are you being optimistic, or did you get a good reception?”
He looks at me, bouncing with excitement. Though his ears signal a bit of nervousness. “Five Yotul have signed up so far! That’s almost half the Yotul in the entire town! And almost twenty humans! Hanya’s bringing a couple of Gojid friends too, and we’ve got a few Venlil coming along with their humans… Oh, and an Iftali, that was a surprise. Honestly I may be a little in over my head here; I’ve never taught crowds before! I’m not even sure how much will translate across species!”
“So you’ll be learning on the job. I have complete faith in you. Are the Exterminators going to give you any trouble?”
He barks a laugh. “Hah! No, Jarkim had a talk with the magister. I got permission from Vaska’s office to teach the classes in the name of cultural preservation, so those motherfuckers can’t touch me!”
I laugh as well. “You might need to censor your language a bit as a teacher.”
“Combat Dancing is about honesty and expression, Martin. If I can’t live it, how am I supposed to teach it?”
Well, he got me there. “Anything I can do to help?”
He glances at me, his voice gets a little uncomfortable. “Um, I don’t know. Can you carry heavy stuff right now?”
I shrug. “Probably not, no.”
“Then I’ll be fine. You’re not interested in taking the class?”
​
“I think my dancing days are over, for the foreseeable future.” I wryly lift my cane and wave it as a small reminder. It’s wood, and I’m quite fond of it. Chasa found a Venlil craftsman who wanted to be the first to make one for a human, and he made it out of the wood of some kind of tree called Lampan. The color reminds me of mahogany.
His ears droop a bit. “Ah yeah. How permanent is that looking?”
I shrug. “Finger dexterity on the right hand’s likely never going to be the same, but I’ll be able to play video games. Left arm should recover enough for daily use. Leg should get a full range of motion, but I won’t be going jogging. Thankfully I look dignified with a cane.”
He wags his tail teasingly and cocks his head as he regards me. “Do you? …Must be a human thing.”
“Piss off. Mind if I sit in on the class?”
“Of course not!”
Turns out first class of Yotul Combat Dancing is a quick demonstration, and then Mosun talking to the quite large and varied crowd. He talks about the history and cultural significance of Combat Dances to the Yotul, the philosophical underpinnings of the artform, and the mentality to be cultivated in practitioners.
Everyone is listening with rapt attention, and a few of the humans are even taking notes. When he opens the floor for questions, a Venlil asks “Isn’t this an expression of Predator Disease?”
To which Mosun answers “No. Next question?”
Which is honestly as much of a response as that warrants.
I talk with Hanya briefly after the class. She says that she’s been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and that human therapy is helping her out. She even talks excitedly about piloting shuttles again, someday soon. I’m glad for her.
​
Once I get back to the house, there’s a man in a suit waiting for me. He’s tall, bald, and has very dark skin. I don’t recognize him. He extends his hand toward me, and I shake it. He speaks English with an African accent, instead of letting the translator handle it. I’d guess western Africa, but I’m hardly an expert. “Bamidele Adeyemi.”
“Martin Russo. Can I help you?”
He indicates the door. “May I come in?”
“Sure. My Venlil hosts aren’t home right now.”
“Of course.”
Once he’s been let in, and I’ve given him something to drink, I wait patiently for him to explain his presence.
“I am the UN liason to the district magister’s office.”
I keep my tone neutral and politely curious. “What happened to Robert McGinley?”
He keeps his tone neutral too, but friendly. He smiles at me. “It was decided that he should be replaced.”
Oh no. Anyway. “Alright. But… No offense mister Adeyemi, but why are you here?”
​
He takes out a pad. “I have some documents that the UN and the District Magister would like you to sign.”
I sigh inwardly and make a quite heroic effort to not sigh outwardly. I look at the pad briefly anyway. As I expected, it’s about making myself legally liable should I speak up about what I’ve gone through. “I’m afraid you are wasting your time. McGinley told me to sign papers like this too, and I told him ‘no’.”
He nods, entirely unsurprised. “I understand you signed similar documents over a smaller… altercation with the Exterminators. Why the difference of response, if I may ask?”
“Because the first time he threatened to have me thrown out of the refugee center if I didn’t.”
Bamidele’s eyes widen briefly. “I see. That does explain why you told him to ‘fuck off’.”
“Yes.” I pause briefly. “…You’ve been polite enough that I don’t want to use the same language. But.”
He laughs briefly. “Haha, yes, I understand. Different circumstances, yes? My predecessor tried the stick. I am here to try the carrot. So tell me, mister Russo, what will it take for you to sign?”
“There’s nothing that…” I pause.
I sit down. I’m briefly quiet. I miss my friends so goddamn much. I swallow, mouth feeling dry as I tentatively reach for the proffered lifeline. “I… hear Sweden’s lovely this time of year.”
He flashes his teeth at me in a broad smile and chuckles pleasantly. “Hehe, I thought you might say that. But… You do realize it is January?”
​
​
Date [standardized human time]: January 12th, 2137
​
The thought of leaving this wretched planet and its wretched food and its wretched government and its wretched ever-present sun makes me feel like I’m already back in Earth’s lighter gravity.
I ended up paying Chasa back for all the pain and suffering she inflicted on me: The largest gift basket I could find online, filled with fruits, candies, and preserves of both Zurulian and human origin.
When I wake up at the start of the paw, my arch-nemesis has sent me two pictures. The first one is a schedule to keep for the next couple of months. In the second picture she’s put pillows and blankets in the basket and is using it as a bed, a paw raised in goodbye.
If the medi-teddies ever learn to weaponize their cuteness, humanity is in real trouble.
Packing is easy. I don’t have a lot. A band shirt from when I went to see ‘Where Angels Fear’, a few bad sketches of fruit, my dad's chess set, my pad, and a neural scanner.
​
Date [standardized human time]: January 13th, 2137
​
The space flight actually lands directly in Sweden, somewhere north of the polar circle at a place called Esrange. I immediately realize that winter’s back on the menu, as the cold makes my left leg and arm ache like hell. It’s the dead of night, too… But I’ve missed night. So has everyone else, as despite the cold people are walking straight out into the snow to just stare up into the starry sky and stare in open awe at the sky, where the stars form a backdrop for the northern lights. I join them.
A poetic whimsy falls over me, making me grin at the cheesiness. It’s like the sky itself is welcoming us back home.
From Esrange we take cars to Kiruna, Sweden’s northernmost city. From there it’s a long train ride south. I’ve gotten a sleeper cabin. With the generous stipend from the UN, I have no need to scrimp.
Even so, it takes significantly longer to travel 1400 kilometers across Sweden than it did to travel 16 light-years from Gliese 832. I’ve got almost twenty hours to appreciate the irony.
​
Date [standardized human time]: January 14th, 2137
​
I’m met at the train station in Lund by a man holding a sign with my name on it. His car takes me directly to the university. Everything feels very… ordinary, except I’m a bit dazed at having so many humans around me again.
We arrive a little before 8 in the morning. Excited students scurry to and fro, eager and hopeful for the first day of spring term. The driver is named Markus, and very kindly helps me find my way to my meeting. I’m left outside a door, standing around awkwardly.
The man I’m meeting with is Jonas Falck, and he’s the head of the department of computer science. While the UN has ‘encouraged’ the university to take me in despite it being so close to the term start, the decision remains with him.
I really wanted to see the girls first, but the meeting time was set for me. I desperately wish I had thought to shave beforehand. I’ve been using my beard to hide my weak chin, but it probably looks more unprofessional than-
“Hey, are you Martin Russo?”
Ah, I see.
Mister Falck is holding two cups of coffee and offers one of them to me with a smile. He’s got a full beard, a full belly, hair past his shoulders, and a pink hawaiian shirt to go with his khaki shorts and flip-flops. This man is clearly one of the most talented professionals working in the field today.
​
“So, do you mind if I ask…” He motions to my cane while I take a seat.
“How that happened?”
“Yes.”
“That’s classified. I’m not even joking.”
He nods once, like that was more or less what he expected to hear. He leans back in his chair, which creaks a bit, and takes a slow drink from his coffee while reading on his computer. “So you studied at Columbia University before the Bombing?”
“Yes.”
“And your family lived in New York?”
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” He doesn’t say it unkindly, but he does say it as rote. ‘Oh you’re from one of the places that doesn’t exist anymore? Sorry to hear that.’
I nod awkwardly. “Yes.”
“And you were focusing on studying brain-computer interfacing?”
I feel like a recording. “Yes.”
“It’s very uncommon to add a student this late. The term begins today.”
“Yes.”
“We can’t provide housing for you on such a short notice, for one.”
“I have that handled, sir.”
He scrunches his face up. “Jonas, please. Americans are so formal.”
“Alright, er, Jonas.”
“So, Martin, what I’m asking for is a reason. To take you in right now, I mean, instead of next year.”
I nod. This is thankfully something I had planned for. My hand slips into my pocket, fingering the box holding the scanner electrodes. “Well, Jonas… I think there’s something you should take a look at.”
​
Handling paperwork and basic orientation takes most of the morning. I manage to get morning-and-evening classes to share my time off with the lambchops. That only works because most people don’t want evening classes. Evenings are for partying if you’re a student, so late classes are mostly for adults with jobs.
I end up standing around nervously by the entrance to the university building, counting down the time. I watch people passing by as calmly as I can, still checking my pad every minute or so for any messages and jerking my head around like a bird at anything that’s even a bit of a shade of gray.
I can tell the alien girls are coming even before I see them, since everyone is glancing curiously their way. I straighten my back and shift my weight from foot to foot. I feel like a dog at an airport, waiting for the return of its owner.
They’re looking around as I see them, and Thiva’s the first to spot me. Her ears perk up and Vilek immediately looks to me as well. As they speed up into a sprint, I’m a bit surprised to see them both wearing clothes. Both girls are wearing custom boots made to fit their digitigrade legs.
They’re both wearing coveralls, Vilek’s in a hospital teal and Thiva’s in a bright red. It’s been explained to me that many at the university have a student culture of wearing colorful coveralls that they decorate with patches, called ‘Ovve’, and that Thiva’s red marks her as a mechanical engineering student. Vileks’s teal, presumably, mark her as studying healthcare. Or specifically therapy, perhaps. I need to look it up.
Seeing as computer science students are apparently expected to wear pink ones, I’m thinking I might sit out this grand and colorful tradition. On the other hand according to the Internet it’s an informal rule to cut a bit from the ‘Ovve’ of anyone you’ve exchanged body fluids with and patch it onto your own. So I suppose I could be convinced.
The girls collide with me, thankfully gently. Their tails are wagging like crazy out of the back of their outfits, and they’re clinging to me. I inhale deeply, take in the distinct and pleasant scent of my cute Venlil friends, and cling to them as well. My fingers stroke through their thick fur, and I hear their happy wordless bleating and whistling.
I close my eyes and enjoy the moment, not giving one whit for the passersby watching the scene.
“Oh, girls, I-” Vilek punches me in the arm unexpectedly. The right one, thankfully.
“Ow!”
Even though her ears signal joy and her tail is wagging, her voice is still stern. “We learned what ‘lambchops’ means!”
Ah.
​
The student flat isn’t very expansive, but it’s larger than the one we shared on Venlil Prime. Probably because humans are just plain larger.
It’s currently sparsely furnished. There’s a couple of desks, a couch, a table, a beanbag chair, and a bunk bed. I take my shoes off in the hallway, as the girls do. When in Lund.
They help me unpack. There’s not a lot, but they had already set aside a little corner for me. I’ve got the beanbag chair instead of a desk, which I’m perfectly fine with.
I sigh and lean against a wall briefly. “I’m… so glad to be home.”
Thiva turns her head a little, flicking an ear in question. “You missed being on Earth?”
I chuckle, and pinch her ear-tip lightly. I lean over to give Vilek one too, for fairness. It earns me a pair of bleeps from them, and I go on the offensive to rub their heads and scratch their ears and do everything I can to make the lambchops squeal happily. They thankfully oblige. “I missed being with my herd.”
My friends are safe, they’re here with me, and we all have paths forward. I’ve fought and bled for this opportunity. I’m allowed to enjoy it.
I sit down on the couch with a quiet groan of satisfaction, finally getting to put my cane aside. “So, girls… how are you feeling about Earth so far?”
They grumble immediately. “It is so freaking cold!” “Snow! We do not like the snow!”
“It’s only for another couple of… Months.” They’re undressing right in front of me. I am left briefly stunned.
Oh right they don’t normally wear clothes.
Reminding myself of that doesn’t help. The context is what it is. They’re my best friends and my two favorite girls and they’re stripping naked before me.
My brain fails me. “…Okay, so, uhh. Um. Hmmh. Huh.”
Mother of God there’s nothing different! They’re naked. They’re always naked! It hasn’t been a problem on VP, it won’t be a problem here! Man up!
I take a deep and steadying breath and resolutely refuse to think of patches of white and red on a set of pink coveralls, with pink patches on their matching ones.
“I guess we should… buy some food? And some clothes for me to use? And…”
And they turn their heads toward me, staring at me with one eye each. Side by side. Making me feel like I'm being stared down by a single creature. One with forward-facing eyes. And an orange blush.
They take slow steps closer. Thiva speaks first with an amused lilt to her voice. “Or maybe this is a good time to talk. You know, about the house rules.”
Vilek speaks as well, moving her tail sinuously in a teasing motion. “Relationship statuses.”
Thiva comes in with the finisher, practically purring. “Sleeping arrangements.”
Ah.
​
---
And that's the end! Thank you all so much for reading, and check the comments for a small request from yours truly!
[First] [Previous]

Introduction: The debate surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) has been ongoing for decades, with arguments being made for both its benefits and drawbacks. AI technology has been rapidly advancing in recent years, with the potential to greatly impact society in a variety of ways. Many experts predict that AI will bring about significant advancements in medicine, transportation, and other industries. However, there are also concerns about its potential impact on employment, privacy, and even global security. In this article, we will examine both the positive and negative aspects of AI technology.
Subheading 1: AI in Medicine
One of the most significant benefits of AI technology is its potential to revolutionize the healthcare industry. AI has the ability to analyze vast amounts of data quickly and accurately, which can be particularly useful in diagnoses and treatment planning. Machine learning algorithms can be used to detect and diagnose diseases at an earlier stage than traditional methods, leading to better outcomes for patients. Additionally, AI can be used to develop personalized treatment plans for individual patients based on their medical history, genetic makeup, and other factors. This can lead to more targeted and effective treatments.
However, there are also concerns about the potential for AI to replace human doctors and nurses. While AI can assist with certain tasks, such as analyzing medical images, it cannot replace the human touch in healthcare. Additionally, there are concerns about the privacy and security of medical data when it is processed by AI systems.
Subheading 2: AI and Employment
Another major concern about AI is its impact on employment. As AI technology becomes more advanced, there is a possibility that it could replace human workers in certain industries. For example, self-driving cars could eliminate the need for human drivers, and automated factories could replace human workers in manufacturing jobs. While this could lead to increased efficiency and productivity, it could also lead to job loss and economic inequality.
On the other hand, some argue that AI will create new jobs and industries that do not currently exist. For example, the development and maintenance of AI systems will require skilled workers, and new industries may emerge as a result of AI technology. Additionally, AI could be used to enhance the skills of human workers, leading to increased productivity and innovation.
Subheading 3: AI and Privacy
The use of AI technology raises concerns about privacy and data security. AI systems require vast amounts of data to operate, and this data can include sensitive information, such as personal medical records or financial information. There is a concern that this data could be misused or stolen, leading to breaches of privacy and security.
To address these concerns, it is important to develop strong data security protocols and ensure that AI systems are transparent and accountable in their use of data. Additionally, individuals should have the right to control their own data and be informed about how it is being used.
Subheading 4: AI and Ethics
The development of AI technology raises important ethical questions. For example, there are concerns about the potential for AI to be used for malicious purposes, such as cyber warfare or terrorism. Additionally, there are concerns about the potential for AI to reinforce existing biases or perpetuate discrimination.
To address these concerns, it is important to develop ethical guidelines and standards for the development and use of AI technology. Additionally, AI systems should be transparent and accountable in their decision-making processes, and steps should be taken to mitigate the potential for bias and discrimination.
Subheading 5: AI and Security
AI technology has the potential to greatly enhance global security by enabling faster and more accurate threat detection and response. For example, AI algorithms can be used to analyze vast amounts of data to identify potential security threats, such as cyberattacks or terrorist activity. Additionally, AI can be used to develop more effective defense strategies and improve communication and coordination between security agencies.
However, there are concerns about the potential for AI to be used for malicious purposes, such as cyber attacks or the development of autonomous weapons. To address these concerns, it is important to develop strong cybersecurity protocols and ensure that AI systems are transparent and accountable in their use.
Subheading 6: AI and Society
The development of AI technology has the potential to greatly impact society in a variety of ways. For example, AI could lead to increased efficiency and productivity, improved healthcare outcomes, and enhanced global security. However, there are also concerns about the potential for AI to exacerbate existing social inequalities, such as economic inequality or discrimination.
To ensure that AI technology benefits society as a whole, it is important to consider and address these potential impacts. This may involve developing policies and regulations to ensure that AI is used ethically and responsibly, as well as investing in education and training programs to prepare individuals for the changing job market.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the development of AI technology has the potential to greatly benefit society in a variety of ways. However, it is important to consider and address the potential drawbacks and concerns associated with this technology. By developing ethical standards and investing in education and training programs, we can ensure that AI technology benefits society as a whole.

Introduction
The development of artificial intelligence (AI) has been a significant topic of discussion and speculation in recent years. As technology continues to advance, machines have become more intelligent and capable of performing complex tasks. While the benefits of AI are vast and varied, some people have raised concerns about the potential dangers of this technology. This article will explore the question of whether artificial intelligence is dangerous, examining various perspectives and arguments on this topic.
The definition of Artificial Intelligence
Before diving into the discussion on whether artificial intelligence is dangerous, it is essential to define what we mean by AI. Artificial Intelligence is a branch of computer science that deals with the creation of intelligent machines that can perform tasks that usually require human intelligence. These machines are designed to learn from experience, adapt to new situations, and perform tasks more efficiently and effectively than humans.
The Benefits of Artificial Intelligence
There is no doubt that artificial intelligence has many benefits. AI is used in various sectors, from healthcare to finance, to improve efficiency and accuracy. For example, AI is used to diagnose diseases more efficiently, assist in financial transactions and enhance the efficiency of manufacturing processes.
One of the most significant benefits of AI is its ability to perform tasks that are too dangerous for humans. For example, robots can be used in environments such as nuclear plants and oil rigs, where human workers may be exposed to hazardous conditions. In these settings, robots can perform tasks that would put human lives at risk.
However, it is essential to note that AI is still in its early stages of development, and some of the benefits of this technology are yet to be realized.
The Dangers of Artificial Intelligence
While there are many benefits of AI, some people are concerned about the potential dangers of this technology. One of the most significant concerns is that AI could become too intelligent and become a threat to humanity. The idea of machines becoming so intelligent that they pose a threat to humans is a common theme in science fiction.
Another concern is that AI could be used to create autonomous weapons. With the development of AI, it is possible to create weapons that can identify targets and take action without the need for human intervention. This could lead to a significant escalation in the arms race and potentially lead to devastating consequences.
Another danger of AI is the potential loss of jobs. As machines become more intelligent and capable of performing complex tasks, there is a risk that many jobs will become redundant, leading to unemployment and economic instability.
The Ethical Issues of Artificial Intelligence
Developments in AI also raise many ethical concerns. For example, there are questions about who is responsible if an autonomous machine causes harm. If a self-driving car causes an accident, is the manufacturer or the software developer responsible? There are also questions about the use of AI in surveillance and the implications for individual privacy.
Another ethical issue is the potential for bias in machine learning. AI algorithms can be biased if they are trained on data that reflects societal biases. This can lead to discrimination against certain groups and perpetuate existing inequalities.
The future of Artificial Intelligence
Despite the concerns about the dangers of AI, there is no doubt that this technology will play a significant role in shaping our future. Advances in AI will lead to more efficient and effective systems, and the potential for innovation is vast. However, it is important to consider the potential risks and ethical implications of this technology and take steps to mitigate any negative consequences.
Conclusion
The question of whether artificial intelligence is dangerous is a complex one, and it is essential to consider various perspectives and arguments on this topic. While there are many benefits of AI, there are also significant risks and ethical concerns that must be addressed. It is crucial to continue to monitor developments in this field and take precautions to ensure that the potential risks of AI are minimized. Ultimately, the responsible development and deployment of artificial intelligence will be critical to realizing the benefits of this technology while avoiding any negative consequences.

I was always proud of my self for not being the insecure and jealous type. Sure, I do have rich( relatively rich) friends, but I never shed tears comparing myself with them. Recently, I gave an entrance test and unfortunately could not get into the top 10 government colleges. So I decided to hop on the private-college-track(not some hulululu college; a very decent private college) and according to the past year trends, will get a scholarship there. (exclusive of living charges). Now for the first time I am feeling super vulnerable and highly insecure. The students coming there would we paying the fees my parents cannot afford. Also the journey to this institution, situated in a different state, demands that we traverse by train, followed by a rickshaw ride from the station to the campus while other students (richie-rich) would be coming in their fancy cars with "ostentatious" parents. On the other hand, my parents are from a very very humble background.(I have been provided a very decent education and exposure tho) I am feeling fucking insecure and just can't think. For the first time (i swear) I felt pathetic for not being born rich. For the first time in years, I felt pity myself. chii. or maybe I should have worked more hard to get into the top 10
Also, the path before me is at crossroads, I would most probably get an scholarship, but there is a modicum of chance that I do not get. If in WORST circumstances, I fall on the latter, I would leave the college in the first year and would prepare once again for the examination.

Okay.. so a couple of months ago I (21F) was on the hinge app and matched with a guy (23M) who was pretty cute and we shared a bunch of the same interests.
So after a week or two of texting and us hitting it off we set up a date and met up in Melbourne out front of the train station
Breifly greeting each other we shared a quick friendly hug. However I immediately noticed that his clothes had the overpowering smell of mildew, to the point of having to hold my breath at some moments during the date.
(For more context my older sister (26f) came into the city with me aswell (for safety reasons) and once she got the OK she left to do her own thing)
As soon as my sister had left he immediately grabbed my waist from behind and kissed my cheek, something I was VERY uncomfortable with but didn't feel that I could properly express so I tried to use body language and to walk faster than him to avoid it happening again.
He didn't really take the hint (my fault for not not using my words) and kept grabbing my waist, while we waited for the tram he had probably kissed my face 6 times. (Into the date about 7-10 minutes at this moment)
when we finally got on the tram I was not the only one who could smell the mildew it was packed and people still have us room trying to avoid us.... We were on there tram for about 5-6 minutes and the mildew smell was becoming nauseating (it's well known trams in Melbourne have almost no ventilation).
The entire time trying while to converse with him felt VERY akward and unnatural, he didn't want to talk about our shared interest and then when I had asked if he had chosen a place to have lunch yet (like we had planned) he kept changing the topic.
When we finally got off the tram since I don't live in Melbourne i asked if I could run into my favourite skin care store very quickly to pick something up before we head to lunch, he agreed so we went in
I picked out what I wanted in under 2 minutes while he loudly commented that he was the only "male" in the store and he asked for my opinion on if he wanted to get something what he should get, I picked up a face mask based on what he told me and immediately didn't like it as it was in a pink packet so I them picked a different one out for him.
And when I made the comment that the colours don't matter where he made the comment that he thinks it's dumb people are changing their identities and it was stupid that people can identify as other genders, while he can't identify as a "black man with a big cock"
I was done. I was uncomfortable and very much hated what was leaving his mouth. I text my sister without him seeing asking for the escape call.
When I ended the call and explained I needed to leave due to a family emergency he offered to come with me and I had to tell him I didn't think my sister would be comfortable with that. After finally getting him to except that I was leaving he grabbed both sides of my head and very forcefully tried to pull me into a kiss.... I pushed on his chest to stop for too long before he gave up... I had only met this dude a less than a half hour ago. I then said goodbye and left on a tram to my sister..
I did end up leaving a breif message letting him know how uncomforble he had made me from the physical touch and how I didn't agree with that stuff he was saying in the store and I wasn't keen on meeting again.
I understand I should have voiced I didn't feel comfortable being touched or kissed by this person I was also battling with previous trauma Making me feel I had to people please my way out of an anxiety induceing situation. And I just needed to get this off my chest (And maybe some advice)

I apologise in advance for this being long, I want to include all details as I experienced them. (Also sorry since I posted this in another sub but got almost no responses and I really really need some advice on this)
A bit of background: I (33f) lead a department of five people. We are mostly similar in age and through shared moral convictions and humour, we’ve become quite close and also spend time with each other outside of work. We have had a great balance from the start. We make decisions as a team, but regardless of our friendship, it is clear that I could overrule them if I deem it necessary.
Since they are all smart and motivated people with strong work ethics, I’ve had to do that maybe two or three times since I started 1 1/2 years ago and it’s never been a problem. I absolutely enjoy when I have an opinion on something and they change my mind with well thought out arguments. We work really well together and I adore them all.
Now to the situation.
I told one of the team members, let’s call her Lila(f32), about a concert in a different country I was going to with my brother. She expressed how much she loves the band and would love to go as well, so we (the team and I) gifted her the ticket for her birthday in December. Lila was super excited and we agreed to book travel and accommodations soon.
The next few months I kept asking about the trip and that we should book soon, but she always said things like “oh yes, soon, next time we see each other” etc. I have to mention that Lila in general is a rather scatterbrained person, it is not unusual for her to do things last minute or forget about stuff all together, so this didn’t worry me at first.
3 weeks before the concert when we were both in the office, I told her I was gonna book now, since flights were only gonna get more expensive. She agreed and said she’ll do it at home. I sent her my flight and hotel data, where I booked, etc.
Then followed days of back and forth from her with her saying she’ll take the train, stay at a friends house who lived there, then again flight, and then the final idea to make the 8 hour drive with a friend by car (Lila doesn’t drive). I told her twice that if she didn’t wanna come or if it was too expensive that it was okay to tell me, but that I just wanted to know, so I could find someone else to go with me. Lila said she really wanted to go, and that she already had booked a room in the same hotel I was gonna stay in. She then purchased a ticket to the concert from me for her friend (I had one extra since my brother cancelled).
The day of the concert, they were supposed to start driving at 8 am. When I boarded my flight at 1pm, I got a text from Lila saying her friend cancelled due to her child being ill and that she wouldn’t come. I texted her “oh no that really sucks :(“ but with all the back and forth I didn’t really believe her. So when I checked in, I told the hotel clerk that my friend asked me to see if she could cancel her reservation and if he could check. There was no reservation under her name.
I was pissed and disappointed, but I haven’t said anything to Lila yet.
This was a few days ago so I have calmed down and now I am mostly worried what I could have to done to create an environment where she didn’t feel comfortable to tell me the truth. In general, the team knows that Lila doesn’t always tell the truth, but it’s mostly smaller lies.
She also is the only one of the team who repeatedly has shown issues with admitting to mistakes. I try to lead by example and immediately admit when I was wrong, and during one-on-one’s with everyone in the team I asked them separately if they felt they could do the same and trust me to react appropriately. Everyone said yes, and that they felt comfortable coming to me with anything, and all except Lila regularly do. I have never once yelled at them (and never ever will! Managers who do that fucking suck!) and actively try to educate myself on how to become a better manager through books and workshops. I’ve also been in therapy for years to improve how I handle my feelings and biases and become more self-reflective.
Lilas behaviour makes me very worried that despite all of my effort I am doing something wrong and creating an environment that breeds dishonesty. I also don’t know how to handle this situation because it is not work related and I don’t know how to address it and if I even SHOULD address it.
I’m also reconsidering the closeness in our team and if i should refrain from hanging out with them privately, because no matter how close we are, the dynamic of “hanging out with the boss” could lead to problems again in the future. On the other hand I don’t want to stop spending time with them because they are amazing human beings who have enriched my life a great deal.
Thanks to anyone who made it through my short novel! I guess my question is: should I talk to Lila about the situation and why she felt the need to lie, or should I try to distance myself from my team members?
Thank you in advance.
TL;DR: coworkefriend lied about coming on a trip with me, and I’m not sure if it’s my fault and how I should deal with it.

This subreddit has been an amazing resource for my solo trip prep over the last few months so now it's my turn to give back. I did not have a set budget in mind since I save diligently for my trips. I am fairly well-traveled, a late 30s, solo traveler. This was my first time in Japan and my goals were a mixture of eating, exploring history, enjoying some theme parks, and enjoying experiences that only Japan could offer.
Total USD Spend: 17 days (2 travel days) came out to about $4200 USD total: * Flight: $1050 * Accommodations: $1400 * Food and Snacks: $1000 * Transportation (IC card, buses, trains): $250 * Theme Park & Novelty Experiences: $400 * Misc (souvenirs, shopping): $200 I typically budget out about $5K USD for my trips and Japan was definitely on the higher side of the budget, but again, I splurged on some fantastic restaurants, premiere entry at Universal Studios Osaka, along with numerous day trips. As others have mentioned here, I also averaged between 25K-30K steps a day. I’m in decent shape but walking 10-15 miles everyday definitely took its toll and my body shut down for a day.
Day 0: Landed in Osaka in the late afternoon and ended up wandering Dotonbori for a few hours since my hotel was located a block away. Ended up eating some very mediocre ramen at a stand in Dotonbori which was pretty disappointing, but the carbs were enough to knock me out. Day 1: Woke up early to walk around Dontobori at 5am and then headed out to few unique temples, including Namba Yasaka Jinja. Hopped onto the subway to enter Ueno Sky Tower, and overall, it was meh, I didn’t stay long just taking a few pictures and walked around Ueno for a few hours before heading to the Pokemon Cafe in Shinsaibashi. As others have noted, the food was very mediocre, but it was a fun experience nonetheless. Spent the rest of the evening getting drinks in Dotonbori before calling it a night.
Day 2: A full day at Universal Studios Japan to experience Super Nintendo World. I splurged on the express passes that gave me full access to a bunch of rides. SNW is pretty fucking awesome and I had a blast riding the Yoshi and Mario Kart rides, all the while taking taking in the atmosphere. The premiere pass also gave me access to a few additional rides including Harry Potter, Doraemon VR, and Jurassic Park. Had a late dinner at Kyushu Ramen getting their famous chashu ramen and it did not disappoint.
Day 3: Spent most of the day exploring Kuromon Ichiba Market, the local malls, and Dotonbori trying some street food. Went back to my hotel room and just relaxed for the rest of the day since jet lag was still bothering me. Watched some sumo matches on random Japanese tv before calling it a night.
Day 4: Took a day trip to Himeji to see the Himeji Castle. What a fantastic piece of history! I spent hours just taking in the sites and the nearby garden also highly recommended. Afterward, I had my first taste of Kobe beef in the form of a beef bowl at Kushiyaki Kobe Beef. Fantastic little hole-in-the-wall place with some really nice people working the counter. Took the train from Himeji directly to Nara where I was planning to stay the night. Day 5: Spent the entire day playing with the thousands of deer and checking out some local temples, including Todai-ji. I didn't do anything in Nara that hadn't been mentioned enough times here, but as others have said, a day trip or one day is more than enough time in the area. Took a late train to Kyoto. Day 6: Woke up in the early morning to beat the crowds to enjoy Fushimi Inari. Hiked the entire loop (about 2-3 hours) with only a fraction of the crowds, enjoyed some macha soft serve at the peak of the hill, and took my time going back down right rwhen the army of tourists and tour groups arrived. Grabbed an overly expensive Kobe beef stick from one of the food stalls by the temple gates and then spent an hour at a cute coffee shop called Rickshaw Cafe just people watching before grabbing an early dinner at Ramen Sen-no-Kaze. The food was solid, but it took 90 minutes to get a table. Not worth it and in hindsight I would have left.
Day 7: Woke up early again to check out the highly overrated Arashimyama bamboo forest. It was pretty underwhelming, but I did get a few nice photos before the crowds arrived. Strolled through the park and really enjoyed walking along the Katsura River seeing the catfish waiting to be fed and seeing the fishing boats tied up. A very tranquil place. After the nice long stroll, I walked back-and-forth the Togetsukyo Bridge and Kimono Forest (meh). The highlight of the morning was really Tenryu-Ji and the amazing zen garden. After a few hours taking in the peacefulness and silence, took the city bus to Kinkaku-ji, and the crowds were in full swing. Still totally worth seeing in person although it didn’t last very long. Day 8: A full day experiencing the Philosopher’s Path on a gorgeous sunny day. Too sunny since I got some pretty bad sunburns! I visited too many amazing temples, including Kiyomizo-dera, along with old Gion, although I thought the area was bit overhyped. I preferred the smaller, more peaceful temples away from the mass of tourists. Some of my favorites during my day exploring old Kyoto included Eikan-do, a more secluded temple up in the hills, Nanzen-Ji, with its beautiful aqueduct, and just walking the streets aimlessly for a few hours. Went to Nishiki Market and ate some amazing oysters at Daiyasu. If you love oysters, this is the spot to try it! Spent too much money on oysters and decided to go cheap and ate at Kura Sushi. The food was mediocre by Japanese standards, but blows away the quality and cost of the Kura Sushi restaurants in my hometown of Los Angeles.
Day 9: Took an early morning train to Kanazawa. Enjoyed my first ekiben while taking in the sights from the comfort of the Thunderbird Limited Express. Spent the rest of the day visiting the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art (meh) and Kenrou-ken, probably the most beautiful garden in the Kanda province. Wrapped up the day by visiting the D.T Suzuki Museum and wow, the tranquil pool area was amazing. Do yourself a favor and stand on the corner and just stare at the water. You’ll feel like the entire world is moving along on a plane and you’re the one that is frozen in place. It was pretty trippy. Ate well at Mori More Sushi Omicho and stopped by the Pokemon Center to pick up the exclusive Pikachu Kimono figure only available in the Kanazawa store.
Day 10: Torrential rain the entire day but I powered throughit with my trusty umbrella. Enjoyed breakfast and snacks at the Omicho Market, enjoying a tuna-don at one of the stalls, fresh uni, and more oysters. Not cheap but fresh! Walked around the Higashi Chaya District, doing a bit of window shopping and ate some gold leaf macha soft serve at Kaikaro, spending more time people watching. Walked around the Kanazawa Castle Park in all its empty glory as well as the Oyama Shrine. The castle was pretty underwhelming esp. after seeing Himeji so I probably would have skipped it in hindsight. Wrapped up the day visiting the Naga-machi District, probably my favorite part of Kanazawa. Had more sushi at Sushi Rekireki Omicho, an enjoyable omakase.
Day 11: Took the Shinkansen to Tokyo eating the most expensive ekiban I could find, and spent the rest of the entire day in Asakusa in Tokyo. Walked around Senso-ji, had a few beers in Hoppy Street, and finally tried Ichiran. Called it an early day since I would be doing DisneySea in the early morning.
Day 12: Took the express bus from Tokyo Skytree to DisneySea. Thanks to the early forecast of rain, the park was barely 50% full? The longest wait for most rides was under 20 minutes so I was lucky enough to ride everything at least once. My meals consisted of a bunch of unique Dsney parki food: gyoza hot dogs, alien mochi, Mike watermelon bread, etc. Stayed until the fireworks and went straight back to the hotel and crashed. That was a 40K step day!
Day 13: Visited Akihabara, spending way too much money on crane games, browsing retro games, and looking at figures. Headed to Shibuya to eat breakfast for lunch at A Happy Pancake (meh). Went to the Nintendo Store in the PARCO mall, only to be disappointed to find out that all of the Nintendo World store t-shirts were sold out. Actually everything semi-interesting was sold out. Went up to Shibuya Sky to watch the sunset, spending a few hours just watching the day slowly turn into night. Did the Scramble a few times and then headed to Shinjuku where I’d be located for the last few days.
Day 14: Another torrential rainstorm sadly ruined my plans of visiting Shinjuku Gyoen, Meiji Jingo, and Harajuku. Maybe next time. I was hoping to buy Tokyo Giants tickets but they were all sold out so I ended up going to the Tokyo National Museum. I won’t lie, I was pretty bored, and in hindsight I wish I went to the neighboring National Museum of Nature and Science instead. After strolling Ueno Park in the rain, I was craving tonkatsu and googled Tonkatsu Yamabe. Good decision as it was the best tonkatsu I had in Tokyo. Went to a nearby Taito Game Station wasting more money on crane games before heading back to Shinjuku. The area is insane and in hindsight, I would probably pick somewhere like Shibuya or Ueno, somewhere slightly more chill. Day 15: One of my favorite days in Tokyo! Teamlabs Planets lives up to the hype but ONLY if you can get first admission at 9am. It was glorious to be among the first people in the exhibits as I could take in experience the way it was intended. There were only a few people in each room giving each space such a great, peaceful, and chill vibe. Headed to Ginza to the Michelin-rated Sushi Toyama, where I had a chance to finally experience bluefin toro (worth it!). Probably the most expensive lunch ever but it was quite the experience. A sunny and beautiful day, I bought a bunch of souvenirs and clothes (a 12-story Uniqlo with its own coffee shop, Muji Ginza, Ginza Six), checked out my favorite Toy Story in Japan, Hakuhinkan Toy Park, intricate stationary stores like Itoya, and went to a very popular Ginza Starbucks to people watch. Spent the evening in Shinjuku exploring Golden Gai getting swarmed by Nigerian dudes. Wanted to try a hole-in-wall ramen spot in the area but the line was stupid long so I ended up just going to Kyushu Ramen and was satisfied enough. A good day.
Day 16: With the break in clouds the day before, I decided to call an audible and set up a last minute day trip to Mount Fuji. Took an express bus from Shinjuku to Fushiyoshida and got dropped off in front of Chureito Pagoda. It was cloudy for most of the day, but for the last several hours I saw Mount Fuji in all its glory. It was a gray day but no complaints — it was nice to cross another bucket list item from the list.
Wow, this was much longer than I anticipated. Well if you got this far, feel free to ask any questions! In the meantime, I'll be planning my next trip to Japan soon!

(this is a long one, clocking in at over 1600 words. Enjoy!)
Madoka Magica has often been called a “deconstruction” of the magical girl genre, and while many fans refute that claim, it’s clear that it at least offers a darker twist on many of the tropes beloved and well-known in the genre. These tropes include the transformation trinket, the cuddly mascot, the monster of the week, magical girls having a secret double life, magical girls themselves being child heroines, and even the concept of why magical girls fight in the first place.
One of the biggest examples of these tropes being twisted is the magical girl transformation trinket, which in this series are Soul Gems. In more conventional magical girl series, transformation items are pretty, flashy items that enable the girl to transform from her civilian form to her magical girl form- and to be frank, serve the double purpose of selling toys and merchandise in the real world.
In PMMM, Soul Gems are beautiful Faberge egg-like items that serve the same purpose. It turns out though, that their name is very literal; they are gems that serve as containers for the magical girl’s soul (or may even be her crystallized soul, it’s not really made clear). Soul Gems are formed when magical girls make a contract with Kyubey and are the source of their powers. Moreover, because her soul has been ripped out of a magical girl’s body, her body cannot function unless her Soul Gem is within a few hundred feet of what is now her soulless husk.
In more traditional magical girl shows, transformation trinkets sometimes get stolen, misplaced, etc with no ill effect for their users except for an inability to transform. In PMMM, this is a literal death sentence unless the Soul Gem can be recovered (as displayed in episode 6, when Madoka tosses away Sayaka’s Soul Gem in an attempt to prevent her and Kyoko from fighting). The consequences of this are actually explored in one of the routes of the Madoka Magica PSP game; Sayaka is separated from her Soul Gem in a Witch’s barrier, and it takes Kyoko days to find it. In that amount of time, her body began to literally rot.
The next concept I want to explore is that of the cuddly mascot. Magical girl mascots are a common feature in many shows, from the Moon Cats in Sailor Moon to Cerberus in Cardcaptor Sakura to the many, many mascots in the Precure franchise. In all of these series, the mascots act as friends and often mentors to their magical girl companions; in most series, they are also responsible for empowering/awakening their magical girls.
In PMMM, Kyubey initially seems to be much the same. He is a cute, cuddly creature who is responsible for creating and guiding magical girls. Pretty soon however, it becomes clear that Kyubey is a sinister figure. His contracts don’t seem very benevolent; they seem exploitative, taking advantage of girls when they’re at their lowest point. And unlike the Senshi in Sailor Moon or the Cures in Precure, it quickly becomes apparent that the magical girls in PMMM are dealing with much higher stakes- at least, when it comes to their own wellbeing.
PMMM almost seems to ask the question: what kind of creature would give superpowers to children and send them to fight monsters that could very easily kill them? Even Kyubey’s appearance is highly implied to be a carefully calculated façade meant to lure teenage girls into a false sense of security and make them feel drawn to him. For example, Kyubey uses this to his advantage when he plays up his helplessness to Madoka in episode 1 when he’s being hunted down by Homura. In reality, the Incubator’s true appearance- as seen in Rebellion- are implied to be mechanical structures with giant eyes in the middle; a very alien appearance suiting their alien origins and psychology.
Speaking of child heroines, PMMM also addresses the magical girl tropes of the child heroine and the double life. In most magical girl shows, being a teenaged (or even child/preteen) magical girl is portrayed as an exciting, glamorous, heroic position. The role of magical girl is often contrasted against the mundane, yet still charming and school and civilian life. Magical girls often work hard to maintain the secret of their alter egos from their (non-magical girl) friends and family, although in some series the secret does come to light. However, the girls are usually able to enjoy a healthy balance between their personas.
In PMMM, magical girls seem more like child soldiers than glamorous heroines. Being young girls and not hardened adults, many magical girls face severe psychological trauma from the life they’re thrust into- much life real-life child soldiers. Most magical girls made their contracts without truly getting to think about their wish or the consequences of being a magical girl for the rest of their lives. And because getting enough Grief Seeds is literally life-or-death, they must spend most of their free time patrolling for Witches.
We get a good look at the toll being a magical girl takes on one’s social life through Mami’s character; supplementary materials reveal that she was once a popular girl who had a lot of friends, but after she was forced to contract in the same accident that killed her parents, she slowly lost all her friends because she had no time to do anything else but train, hunt Witches, fight Witches, etc in her free time. In episode 3, when Madoka talks about how she wants to be a magical girl, Mami outright tells her that the life of a magical girl is a lonely one and Madoka will no longer have time for things like boys or hanging out with her friends after school. Even in Magia Record- an alternate timeline that offers a much more positive look at the PMMM-verse- most magical girls are only friends with each other.
Another major example of a trope being twisted is that of the “monster of the week.” Most magical girl series have the girls fight monsters, and in many of those series the monsters are created from human beings. Sailor Moon and the Precure franchise are two standout examples of this. For example, in the fifth season of the 90s anime adaptation of Sailor Moon, people who don’t have “true” Star Seeds will turn into monsters called Phages if their Star Seeds (ie, souls) are ripped out. A similar phenomenon happens in Heartcatch Precure, with the added bonus of the victim’s consciousness eternally reliving the same state of despair that made them vulnerable in the first place. In all of these series, however, the magical girls are able to heal the victims and restore them to their former selves. Sometimes, if the monstevictim is a loved one or someone else known to them, they can even do a “I know you’re in there somewhere” plea to help them to break free.
PMMM takes the true horror of this concept up to eleven. Moreover, the victims aren’t regular people- they’re the magical girls themselves, and this fate is inevitable. Every magical girl, if she doesn’t die in battle against a Witch, will become a Witch herself who spreads despair and kills innocent people until the day she is put out of her misery by another magical girl. And she will be in misery; the Rebellion movie shows that Witches relive the worst moments of their lives over and over again and are psychologically tortured. A lot of Witches also seem to be in ironic hells. For example, Charlotte can create any dessert she wants except for cheese or cheesecakes, which is her favorite food. Roberta is surrounded by lascivious men (her familiars) who annoy her. And of course, every Witch was once a magical girl who once spread hope and saved people and now does the opposite.
It’s also made abundantly clear that once the Witch transformation happens, it’s over. There’s no saving someone. The only person in canon who is able to actually get results is Madoka- aka an actual goddess with huge karmic potential- and it comes with caveats (in one, later timeline she brings Sayaka back from the dead after she became Oktavia, and in Rebellion she is able to reverse Homura’s transformation into Homulilly- although afterwards Homura still needs to be brought into the Law of Cycles like any other magical girl about to become a Witch). In episode 9, when Kyoko and Madoka try to reach out to Sayaka’s inner self when Kyoko fights Oktavia, it ends in Kyoko’s death because nothing of Sayaka remains.
In most magical girl shows, the monsters of the week are just ineffectual mooks who are fodder for the evil organization opposing the magical girls. But in PMMM, they are mirrors of the magical girls themselves, agents of chaos and despair who present a very real threat to the magical girl’s lives- not to mention the lives of any unfortunate people who stumble across them.
Finally, I want to examine the topic of why magical girls fight in the first place. In most series, there is a group of villains who pose a threat to humanity/the Earth/etc and magical girls must oppose them. There is a very real external threat being faced.
In PMMM however, the beings that empoweperpetuate magical girls and are ultimately the threat are one and the same. Because the tragedy of PMMM is that magical girls are fighting against a self-perpetuating cycle; magical girls form contracts, magical girls become Witches, more magical girls form contracts and fight the Witches, and on and on it goes. Magical girls are their own enemy, in a sense.
I’m sure there are lots of tropes I’m forgetting, but this essay is already over 1,600 words long, lol. I might make a part 2 at some point, so give me your ideas!

Northbound Q trains are running on the express track from Brighton Beach to Prospect Park.
Emergency teams are responding to a person who was struck by a train at Avenue M.
For service to/from bypassed stations, take a southbound train.

To start, I have to say I Am autistic. I struggle with nonverbal signals. So I was on a train to the town where I work, wearing elf ears, summer dress and leginns. I was listening to music and playing with Snapchat filters, when a guy approached me. He asked if he could sit with me, I agreed and we started Talking. As he was talking, he was showing me photos on his phone So he leaned closer to me. He touched me with his knee, but I was telling myself it was just my paranoia. He told me a station where he was supposed to leave, but he did not and he drove with me to my station. He touched me even on the train, hold my hand and I didnt know what to do. As I was getting of the train, he kissed me and I froze, and now I hate myself for not slapping him or screaming, but I was just shocked. He then went to work with me, where I work alone. He kissed me again, he touched me and I just froze. I have history of being SA, and it all flashed In front of my eyes. I managed to make him leave, but that was the moment where he told me I was looking at him like I wanted it. That I was flirting with him. I managed to Call my dad, but I feel dirty and used and I Am scared I Am flirting with people around me without knowing it…I feel like a slut.

Hi, I'm attending a conference at UCR in a few weeks. Arriving at LA and spending some time before heading to UCR. What's the best way to arrive to campus via transit? I had planned to take a Metrolink from Union Station but wasn't sure if it's better to take a train heading to Downtown Riverside or UC Hunter Park. I read that arriving to Downtown Riverside allows me to take a direct bus into campus, whereas UC Hunter Park Station doesn't offer a bus into campus? Is that right? TIA for your advice!

Hi, in a couple weeks I'm looking to store luggage for 3-4 hours at Union station before taking a Metrolink train. Does Union Station have luggage lockers?
​
TIA!

So, for context, my PMC responsibilities are making sure that the BIMs receive adequate attention: weekly cleaning (and daily, really, including the drain cleaner), calibration, and ice sanitising. In our manager group-chat, the first assistant asked that we make sure the drains are cleaned for the weekly. Because I'm only in on the weekends and don't do the weekly, I replied saying I'd try to get the drains cleaned the next morning when I did the daily.
My morning co-manager then piggybacked off the reply to say that I could "come on time between 6am and 7am to do it". (I admit, I usually arrive at about 06:10 or 06:15 but will clock in straightaway and start my work.) I was quite annoyed because it felt like an attempt to make me look bad in front of others, it wasn't relevant, and because as a shift manager it is not solely my responsibility to do the daily. These are things the crew should be trained to do. I then sent her a direct message saying as much: namely, that me being responsible on the PMC is not the same as saying I have to be the one to do it personally, and that if she has a problem, I'd appreciate it if she brought it directly to me.
I don't mind it, but it's not just my job. I constantly hear complaints from her and my business manager that I take too long. As I have pointed out several times in the past, it takes me longer because the daily is either not being done during the week or it's not done thoroughly enough, leading to build-up of base mix and lubricant. It has to be addressed. It's a food safety issue. Moreover, I have to deal with mixed messages where one day the crew will do it, and the next I'm told to do it.
I sent her a direct message. The next morning, when I went to the office, she brought it up in front of the overnight manager, made several claims and refused to listen to me or let me speak, and then said she wanted to talk with me in front of the business manager as she needed a witness. Why do you need a witness? And why do you need to involve somebody else? It's childishness. This was last week but I have a feeling she's complained to the BM about me. I felt like I was finally being assertive for once.
I dread going to work now. The business manager said he wanted to speak to me, then changed his mind and said we'd talk about it tomorrow. This is a person who says to his staff, on the floor in front of customers, verbatim, things like:
"Take your fucking jacket off. You don't need it. Are you trying to piss me off?" Or "You don't need a mask. Who gives a fuck about COVID? No one."
He will shout, denigrate and belittle staff, shout at and talk down to them as if they're stupid and so on. I have been on the receiving end of this. He told us to encourage the crew to say that they were highly satisfied in the workplace survey. Is this in any way acceptable behaviour from a store manager?
I just want to come in, do my fucking work, and leave. I don't want to be drawn into all of this petty shite. My co-manager told me (and I'd already planned to do it before she told me so) to clean the screens and around the coffee machines. It's not busy between 6am and 8am and I feel it is a great time to be productive and get as much of the daily cleaning tasks out of the way. I tried to clean the BIM today but was overridden. Then the store manager complains about all the grates and doors being in the dive. Well, because my co-manager told me to do something else! What the fuck do you want?
I managed the kitchen today. I worked from 06:00 to 15:30 with no break. When I was doing polishing the stainless, the BM asked me: "Who told you to do that?" I pointed out that it was one of several secondary responsibilities in my area checklist. I feel like I'm being picked on and I'm just here trying to clock in, do my job, then leave. That's it.

our other option is 6 hours in a sold-out train. how big is the villach station?

District 7
Aria Jones (Game 18) seemed to admire the forests around District 7, and she finally arrived at reaping square. Once prompted, she reached her hand into the female bowl, removing the name of fourteen year old Betula Pratt. A scream was heard as a girl with chestnut curls of hair and brown eyes walked to the stage.
Aria was about to reach into the male bowl, when a voice volunteered. A tall, muscular young man with brown hair and eyes smiled at Betula, before shaking Aria’s hand. He introduced himself as eighteen year old Birk Pratt. Birk was Betula’s older brother, and he hugged her close.
Betula and Birk were visited in the town hall by their older brother, Banyan, and his wife and two sons. Birk promised to care for Betula so that she would return, and hugged Banyan. Banyan then hugged Betula, and tearfully told her to listen to her mentor and brother.
On the train, Betula and Birk met their mentor, 28 year old Holly Hammond (Game 8). Holly watched Birk throw axes, and the two then taught Betula how to throw knives.
At the apartment the next day, Holly had Betula take notes on the other tributes, and sat and had some wine with Birk. When District 3’s reaping was about to begin, Betula’s attention was on the television.
District 3
Aria was in awe of some of the technology in District 3, and soon was in reaping square.
Aria reached her hand into the female bowl, and removed the name of seventeen year old Electra McAllister. A girl with bright red hair, green eyes, and freckles walked to the stage, and shook hands with Aria, a firm expression on her face.
Aria reached into the male bowl, and removed the name of thirteen year old Micro Farron. A boy with ebony skin, dark hair, and brown eyes walked to the stage, and shook Aria’s hand.
In the town hall, Electra was visited by her older brother, Volt and younger brother Switch. She told them that she would miss them, but would try to be back soon.
Micro was visited by several other orphans from his orphanage, including his younger sister and brother, Printa and Optico. He hugged both of them, before being taken to the train.
On the train, Electra met her mentor, 32 year old Minerva Sharpe, while Micro met his mentor, 31 year old Sparky Danger. Minerva taught Electra how to use a taser, while Sparky worked with Micro on knife throwing.
Back at the apartment, Minerva and Sparky showed Electra and Micro the 5th Games, and gave them advice for a variety of arenas.
Training
The next day, Electra fired shot after shot of electricity with her taser, while Micro hit in the electrical station. Betula stayed by Birk, who threw axes at targets.
Assessments and Odds
Electra scored a 7 for taser usage, and had odds of 7 to 1. Meanwhile Micro scored a 3, and it was not known what he did, but he had odds of 20 to 1. Betula scored a 3, and it is also unknown what she did, she had odds of 18 to 1. Birk scored a 9 for ax throwing, and had odds of 4 to 1.
Interviews
Euphemia Demigloss wore a scarlet dress, and asked Electra her plans for the Games. Electra admitted that she had no plans, other than to try her best.
Micro was to shy to answer questions, while Betula cried at the thought of dying.
Birk swore to get Betula out of the arena alive, earning the respect of many in the crowd.
Game Maker Juliana Ricci gave her hint word, which was “rain”.
Tube Rooms
The next day, upon arriving at the arena, Electra was visited by Electra, who advised her to try and steer clear of the 2s. Sparky told Micro to run for his life.
Holly visited Betula first, and told her to stay with Birk and listen to him. She then told Birk that no matter who won, that he was an amazing brother, and hugged him.
Once all 24 tributes were in their tubes, they rose up into the arena.

When it comes to safeguarding your business, home, or personal assets, a reliable security service is paramount. SwiftIndia, the leading Security Service in Faridabad, is dedicated to offering comprehensive and top-notch security solutions. With their expertise, cutting-edge technology, and commitment to customer satisfaction, SwiftIndia ensures a safe and secure environment for all.
Unparalleled Expertise
With years of experience in the security industry, SwiftIndia has garnered a reputation for its unmatched expertise. Their team of highly trained professionals possesses the necessary skills to tackle diverse security challenges. Whether it's installing state-of-the-art surveillance systems, conducting risk assessments, or providing on-site security personnel, SwiftIndia's experts are adept at creating customized security plans tailored to the unique needs of each client.
Comprehensive Security Solutions
SwiftIndia takes a holistic approach to security, offering a wide range of solutions to address various security concerns. From electronic security systems, including CCTV cameras, access control systems, and alarm systems, to manned guarding services and event security management, SwiftIndia covers all aspects of security. Their comprehensive solutions provide round-the-clock monitoring and protection, ensuring that your premises, assets, and loved ones are safe and secure at all times.
Cutting-Edge Technology
Staying at the forefront of technological advancements, SwiftIndia integrates cutting-edge security systems into their services. By leveraging advanced surveillance technology, they provide clients with real-time monitoring, video analytics, and remote access to their security systems. This allows for prompt detection of potential threats and immediate response, significantly enhancing the overall security effectiveness.
Commitment to Customer Satisfaction
SwiftIndia is committed to delivering exceptional customer satisfaction. They prioritize understanding their clients' specific security requirements and work closely with them to develop tailored security solutions. By providing personalized attention and prompt support, SwiftIndia ensures that their clients' expectations are not only met but exceeded. Their commitment to quality service and customer-centric approach sets them apart as the leading Security Service in Faridabad.
Conclusion
When it comes to Security Service in Faridabad, SwiftIndia stands out as the premier choice. Their unparalleled expertise, comprehensive solutions, utilization of cutting-edge technology, and unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction make them the go-to security partner. With SwiftIndia's robust security measures in place, you can have peace of mind knowing that your premises, assets, and loved ones are safeguarded from potential threats. Choose SwiftIndia for reliable, efficient, and top-notch Security Services in Faridabad.

I'll be going to Marilao Bulacan via commute for the first time.
My main question is ilang oras ang byahe from SM North or Trinoma to SM Marilao via UV?
Then I also have sub questions:

1. Alin ang mas malapit sa MRT3 North Avenue station, Trinoma ba or SM North?
   
2. Alin sa dalawang route options na ito ang mas mabilis/maikli ang travel time?
   

A:

1. recto-bound train from lrt2 marikina-pasig to lrt2 cubao, then cross to mrt3 cubao via gateway/farmers
2. mrt3 cubao to mrt3 north ave
3. uv from trinoma/sm north to sm marilao

B:

1. lrt2 marikina-pasig to lrt2 recto, then a 5-10min walk to lrt1 doroteo jose
2. roosevelt-bound train from lrt1 doroteo jose to lrt1 monumento
3. balagtas-bound bus from monumento to sm marilao