I'm 41 male. And my daughter is 13 female. My wife and i divorced 1 year ago and i thought my daughter took it very well. She didn't act any different or seem sad at all so i just saw this as her personality until i recently found her diary.
Now don't take this the wrong way. I'm not the type of guy who goes through my daughters personal belongings or anything like that. I just saw a note book on the dining room table, which i thought was my daughters (8) and i like to look through her drawings or write sweet messages for her to find later. I was found with something completely different. My 13 yr daughter had written from all the way to 2018 saying how much she hated herself. That she cut herself at night when i was asleep and had even attempted suicide.
I was extremely shocked by this. My daughter is a bright and happy girl and i would never expect that she would be feeling like this. I never saw any cuts or signs of self harm at all. And i really didnt know what to do.
A part of me feels guilty and a part of me wishes i never even read the diary. I have had conversations with her before. About her mental heath and if things were okay at school but she'd always said everything was fine. I don't know if i should have a conversation with her, because i dont want her thinking i invaded her privacy and to be honest how do you even have a conversation like that? I was going to call her mother, but that would be a bad idea since she has decided to step fully out of the family and hasnt seen any of us in a year. I love my daughter so much. And i really just want the best for her. For her to grow happy and be happy. So what should i do i feel like the worst dad in the world... [Repost for frnd]

I have wanted a desk in my apartment for a long time. While there is space for one, it blocks the walkway a little. I’ve tried to do work at my dining room table, but I run into a bit of a psychological problem there. Every time I work there, it feels like I’m being punished (probably left over from doing math work there). I’ve really tried to advocate for the desk, but no matter what I say, my mother just keeps saying no. So, how do I make my dining room table feel like a more inviting place to study, instead of feeling like a punishment?

OMG a student just got attacked by a dining hall worker over FOOD at west campus DHall (he asked him to leave without the food he paid for and student refused. He knocked the food off student hand with a punch and student threw the rest of the food at him) and got crazy attacked, shoved around breaking tables chocking him until people broke off the fight. I think student got injured. BUPD came and removed the worker off the property and suspended from work until resolved.

So my store we close at 12am and have no drive thru. We would normally have a part of out lobby closed off and have our main part of our dine in usually opened but as we are located in a suburban area the youngsters would all come around near closing time and most likely leave a mess. I dont expect them to leave them spotless but quite literally they dont even throw out their own trash out and leave it on the tables. Some of us managers actually have our lobby completely closed and asked people to leave and have our orders to go. This may seems as a rant but I would want to know what other stores do that are similar to mine.

I usually paint at my desk upstairs with the doors closed so I’m not bothered by my two cats, but tonight decided to bring a few pieces downstairs to finish at the dining table to be with the family.
This was a mistake I won’t repeat any time soon. The cats tried to steal small minis, eat my brush heads, and knock paint bottles off the table. Then one tried to stick her head into the old jar I use for brush water, to drink it I assume? However the jar neck was too small and she almost got her head stuck.
I packed up my shit and went to glue a couple pieces together. The same cat came up to sniff the plastic cement, and ran off at top speed. Apparently if I need to keep them away I just need to daub some of that around.
Anyone else have “inquisitive” pets that try and stop you painting?

We have a dining room set that we purchased fairly cheap from a chain furniture store when we bought our house and needed a set to eat on ASAP. It’s wood, but not great quality or true hardwood, and the wear is showing on it. We have two fairly young boys and right now we don’t really want to invest in a nice set yet while they’re still playing Transformers on it all the time and scratching it up.
The finish of the top of the table has always felt sticky. I don’t know why. The slightest dampness and it will just be tacky and gross. It drives me nuts.
So since we’re not really wanting to get a new set right now, although we’ve considered it, I was thinking about maybe sanding the top of the table to smooth it out, and maybe painting it? I know chalk paint has been used for furniture and can be forgiving.
My husband thinks this is the worst idea he’s ever heard.
There honestly won’t be much loss if it’s screwed up, because it already looks pretty bad. How bad of an idea is this really? And if it’s worth trying, does anyone have any tips or suggestions on how to go about it/what paint?

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Synopsis:
Juliette Contzen is a lazy, good-for-nothing princess. Overshadowed by her siblings, she's left with little to do but nap, read … and occasionally cut the falling raindrops with her sword. Spotted one day by an astonished adventurer, he insists on grading Juliette's swordsmanship, then promptly has a mental breakdown at the result.
Soon after, Juliette is given the news that her kingdom is on the brink of bankruptcy. At threat of being married off, the lazy princess vows to do whatever it takes to maintain her current lifestyle, and taking matters into her own hands, escapes in the middle of the night in order to restore her kingdom's finances.
Tags: Comedy, Adventure, Action, Fantasy, Copious Ohohohohos.
​
Chapter 3: Kingdom In Debt
There were more empty chairs than usual today.
Dinner was becoming a rather solitary affair, wasn't it? In my memories, I could hear the grandstanding and the laughter as my brothers and sisters fought, argued, laughed, and did something that was a mixture of all three.
That was many years ago now.
A tragic thought, considering I surely wasn't old enough to be able to look back on times gone by. Yet time ran swiftly for royalty. Especially at dinner.
I placed my napkin down on my plate, satisfied at a meal shorn of any wonky carrots, if not the crumbliness of the sweet potatoes.
The plates belonging to my mother and father were long cleared. Clarise was dining alone in the observatory, dabbling as she did in her trinkets and toys. The rest were working. Dinner, still. But working dinners nonetheless.
My eldest siblings were enamoured with politics, and were thus exempt from our mother and father's fussing. Even without being given the choice, they would dine with the daughters and sons of the Ducal Houses.
Already, there were rumours of factions as influence ebbed and flowed between them.
I didn't believe any of it, of course. In other nations, other kingdoms, perhaps. But not this one. House Contzen did not do in-fighting. Except when Roland let out the most abominable of smells while sharing a carriage with Tristan. Then there was blood. Usually when Mother put a stop to it.
Otherwise, we were well behaved … if not exactly normal.
Yes, even for someone as far removed from normality as I, even I could recognise that what I was seeing in front of me was not normal. And I was not referring to the untouched confit de canard braised with hot oranges. No, that was just eccentric. And disgusting. Please don't ever make it again.
No, what I knew was not normal … was the 14 layer cake that was threatening to either touch the ceiling or collapse the table beneath its weight.
“Did you enjoy today's gratin dauphinois de patates douces, dear?” asked Mother, beaming with excitement as she lowered her teacup. She'd finished drinking it over ten minutes ago. “The spring harvest is truly bearing fruit this year. Everything was delectable.”
Next to her, Father gave a chuckle as he toyed with an orange from the fruit basket. I wondered if that's why they all tasted somewhat shrivelled up.
“The stewards say that this year's yields will be our finest yet,” he said. “The markets will be teeming with people from all across the continent for our seasonal wares.”
I cocked my head and gave a puzzled smile. Wasn't that what the stewards said last year? And the year before last?
If so, it'd mean that quantity was truly no replacement for quality. What good was more food if I could only stomach less of it? The bourguignon d'agneau was overdone, the gougeres were dry and the oeufs en meurette were the consistency of tepid pond water. How could I live in these conditions?
Why, if I didn't know better, I'd almost say that the food tasted ... old. It's a wonder I was still alive!
“That brings joy to my heart,” I replied, pushing my semi-emptied plate away. A maid immediately scooped it up and retreated to the kitchens. “Our beautiful kingdom can only be made richer still by the presence of so many curious visitors experiencing the fruits of our labours.”
“Well spoken, my dear. Wealth begets wealth. Ours is a prosperous land. And it is only both wise and fair that it's enjoyed by people from across every realm.”
My father smiled with unabashed enthusiasm. I couldn't help but smile in return. Even though I knew that we were simply avoiding the main subject here.
The extremely gaudy 14 layer cake smothered in cream and strawberries.
“Mother, Father.” I let out a small cough. “The cake. I can't help but notice that the maids began assembling it during dinner.”
“Oh, goodness, did you notice?” said Mother, looking sheepish. “I hope it didn't ruin the surprise. I actually hoped that the construction process would have been rather more discreet.”
“No, Mother, they were very discreet. Why, when the topmost layer began toppling over, I barely noticed as three of the maids locked arms to prevent a collapse, while another utilised a halberd from the wall to lodge it back into position.”
My mother let out a sigh of relief.
“Good, good. Then I suppose it hasn't all been to waste.”
“That would depend. The question needs to be asked. Why, Mother and Father, do we have such an extravagant cake prepared?”
“For you, of course!”
Both Mother and Father smiled at me. I smiled back, as all my tutelage taught me. I was quite proud of this. Because inside, I wasn't smiling. Oh no. Not at all. I was peering down a chasm as wide as the ground once this table inevitably collapsed under the weight of this cake.
Because as certain as the fact that all the maids had conspicuously retreated from the hall, a cake on a day where no cake should be served was the guillotine for my good, if slightly strange day.
“I see.” I swallowed. Hard. “Thank you. It looks wonderful.”
“You're very welcome, dear. The strawberries are your favourite variety. And the cream was only whipped minutes before the cake was assembled.”
“Yes, the gleam is very enticing. However, I must apologise. The occasion has completely evaded me. If I may be so bold as to ask, why are you gifting me with such a luxurious cake, topped with my favourite strawberries and freshly whipped cream?”
My mother elbowed my father, who elbowed my mother, who kneed my father, who shouldered my mother, who headbutted my father.
“My dear,” said Father, his eyes spinning slightly. “Do you remember Duke Hallingsey?”
“I do. He visited two years ago. His beard left a strange trail on the floor as he walked. I could not tell whether it was hair or something living inside it.”
“That's the fellow! And what do you think about his son?”
“I'm afraid I didn't meet him. He was, if I recall, too busy introducing himself to the statues in the gardens. Should I ask them if he was charming?”
My father's smile quivered momentarily. I couldn't tell if he was struggling to maintain his forced expression, or if I'd simply said something to actually amuse him.
“Darling,” said Mother. “Duke Hallingsey's son is a worthy match for you. Although it's true that in the past he was known for his eccentricities, he has been tempered into a fine young man. Just as you are a fine young lady. All we're asking for is a meeting.”
“A meeting.”
“Yes.”
“Just a meeting?”
“Just a meeting. And also marriage plans.”
“I see. Thank you, Mother and Father. It's as you say, the son of Duke Hallingsey is a fine match. I will, of course, consider this meeting in due course. Once I've made my decision, I'll inform you immediately.”
I nodded, smiled, and rose from my—
Rose from my—
Rose from—
I looked down.
Hmm. Interesting. I wasn't rising from my seat.
Despite my legs clearly working to eject me from this chair, the fact remained that I was firmly stuck to it. Only the chair itself moved, its heavy wooden frame budging by approximately half an inch as I forced my muscles to push against what felt like a wall.
I smiled at my parents.
“Why am I stuck to this chair?”
Mother leaned forwards and cut a small slice of cake. She placed it over a plate, considered me, then began nibbling on the end instead.
A wise choice. Offering me the cake would have been offering me a weapon.
“A troll caravan visited the villa earlier. They touted us a new invention created by the greatest minds of the Mage's Guild. The traders called it … what was it, darling?”
“Super glue.”
“Yes, that's it. Super glue. Its efficacy is stunning, wouldn't you say? It creates an unbreakable bond between almost any material. Why, we even managed to fix the crookedness of your grandfather's portrait. It no longer tilts on its own.”
Crank. Crank. Crank.
I scraped the chair across the marble floor as I forced it to move one chair leg at a time.
“Yes, highly impressive,” I replied. “Almost as much as your attempts to marry me off.”
“Really, dear!” said Mother. “There could be worse matches. If Duke Hallingsey's son isn't quite your cup of tea, then there's also—”
“Neither Clarise nor Florella are married. And Roland and Tristan's engagements are indefinitely postponed.”
“Your brothers and sisters are working hard to secure the future prospects of this kingdom in their own ways, dear. It's not necessary for them to remove themselves from a table they may still use for their advantage.”
“I can do that when I'm older. The same as them. Why is this being discussed now? What is this about? This is quite clearly out of the blue. Your last attempts to marry me off at least came with a hint of subtlety.”
“Oh? You actually knew?” Mother's eyes lit up with triumph as she turned to Father. “You see? I told you she wasn't tone deaf to social nuance. She was just being difficult.”
“I'm not tone deaf and I'm not difficult,” I said, continuing to noisily slide my chair towards the nearest door. “Now, why are we, and I mean the both of you, suddenly seeking a marriage arrangement for me?”
My mother looked at my father. This was all the bad news she was willing to give.
“We're bankrupt,” he cheerfully said, before accepting a piece of the cake being offered by my mother. “Gosh, we overpaid for these strawberries, didn't we?”
“Dry as a wicker basket. I told you so, darling.”
“I apologise. Next time, do ignore me if I try to go with my gut instincts. You need to be more incessant.”
“I try. But you've failed so much with your gut instincts that you're always convinced the next will be correct.”
“Well, a streak has to break at some point, doesn't it?”
“Mother! Father!”
I slammed my palms down on my thighs. I could hear the glue setting even further. My regret was deep.
“How are we bankrupt?! Do you mean to say that we're … that we're … poor?!”
Father nodded as he slid a crystal glass of amber wine towards himself.
I almost fainted on the spot. Although I wasn't sure how much of it was due to physical exertion. Chairs were remarkably heavy.
“The truth is that the previous years have been rather difficult for the kingdom, dear. The promised crop yields never materialised. Ships have ceased to trade at our ports owing to the pirates in our straits. Rival criminal syndicates plague the capital and monsters stalk the open roads, all the while our soldiers must stand vigilant against the continued skirmishes on our eastern border. Our forests are beset with unfathomable snow and a hole into the abyss has been discovered in our mines. Oh, and Duke Valence is in open revolt. Really, it's been one thing after another. We've done what we can do stifle the effects. But there is only so much we can do. Our vaults are now empty. Would you like a slice of cake?”
I stopped skidding forwards, then slowly, twisted my chair around.
This … This sounded awful?!
“Why didn't I hear about this before?!”
My father smiled kindly at me.
“There was no need to tell you, dear. And in truth, we may well have not needed to. Your brothers and sisters are securing alliances, loans and deals as we speak. There are promising winds, if nothing more. If all goes well, then perhaps this marriage proposition is not needed, after all.”
My arms fell to the chair's sides.
My brothers and sisters. So they knew. But of course they did. They were the shining stars of the kingdom. And what was I, but a princess in her tower?
I thought back to the days of sloth I enjoyed. To the scandals and the villainy I read about in my books. To the countless hours I'd spent tending to the apple trees, napping in the grass and shooing away any force of nature that dared disturb me. I … well, I did not regret a single moment of any of that.
But I did feel terrible. I wasn't a help. I was a burden.
This … This cannot be allowed to continue!
I am Juliette Contzen … and I refuse to be poor! I had ... I had living standards to maintain!
“I understand, Mother, Father. Please rest assured that I'll devote all thought towards restoring our family's … no, our kingdom's finances. As your daughter ... and as the 3rd princess to the throne, I solemnly promise that I will not permit our noble country to fall into the throes of destituteness.”
The expressions on my parents' faces were brighter than even my sword, which had lit up the orchard as though I were wielding a star.
In that moment, I knew what I had to do.
​
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Okay so before anything else I’ve never posted anywhere on Reddit before so bare with me.
Second, all opinions are based on my own personal experiences. My “credentials” being that I work at one of the premier chipotles in my area (15k a day), have worked at multiple other restaurants including running a local business for 2 years, Sonic, and a restaurant more on the finer side of dining. This is purely restaurant experience and have more mostly in a supervisory position.
Alright so let’s get to it.

1. “Customer Service” From the second you start watching the training videos, like most restaurants, will emphasize the customer. How they’re always right and that you want them to feel like family. This is the most absurd thing about training because when you get down to it, Chipotle’s core values and practices are not indicative of a good customer experience. All chipotle cares about is speed and money. I have worked as a crew member for 6 months and haven’t seen a single “table touch”. The fact that all any of my managers (from KL to GM) can say when they help a customer is “what else” and “that’s extra” providing the most uninviting and socially awkward situation I’ve ever seen in customer service is crazy to me. And these are good hard working people. They’re just taught to act like robots so their precious throughput is high enough. It’s honestly embarrassing seeing how flustered customers can get because they’re just seen as an order to be fulfilled, not a person.
   
2. Management System
   

On paper, the management system that chipotle works with isn’t the worst. But unfortunately, a LOT of things that work on paper don’t in real life. On the books it provides a coherent and easy to follow chain of command, Kitchen Leader -> Shift Leader -> AP -> GM. But in REALITY, it leads to a mess of 4 people every shift that are all in some place of power each instructing you to do 3 different things in 3 different ways. Maybe in a perfect world this wouldn’t happen, but as I said in point 1 all anyone cares about are sales and money so instead of taking the time to address these issues, they’re tossed to the side as low priority.

1. The Waste

I understand labeling everything. But is there not a better way than the millions upon millions of stickers that all eventually get washed down the drain polluting our water systems?

1. Shift Change

If my shift ends at 3 and my replacement is late, why is that ALWAYS my problem? Maybe it’s my store only but there has never been a time when I left when I’m scheduled to leave. It’s like all of us are just expected to not have lives outside of the job, and when I or other employees get annoyed about it and vocalize our issues WE are looked at as the bad guys. If it wasn’t an every shift issue I wouldn’t even be bothered but it’s every single shift, I don’t understand.

1. Work Ethic

TW: Whiny Baby who doesn’t like to work hard.
I understand that no matter what I say here I’m gonna get the usual comments and that’s okay but, I grew up working on a farm, have worked much harder and physically demanding jobs than chipotle. Maybe it’s my age starting to get to me or just all the things that I hate about this place but, why the hell would I work so goddamn hard for this place? Everyone here thinks it’s weird that I don’t work at 1000mph. I genuinely get harassed for it. Yet I don’t see the point for sweating, running around, frying chips while chopping onions and sweeping all at the same time for slightly over minimum wage and the most miserable job I’ve ever been at. Don’t get me wrong I’m not an asshole. I don’t sit there and purposefully fuck people over and don’t look for ways to be lazy.
TLDR I hate working at chipotle, and don’t think my experiences are because of my coworkers but the system they are apart of.
Anyways let me know how you guys feel.

It was so terribly cold. Snow was falling, and it was almost dark, when out of the blue, my wife called me at work. "We're going to Niagara Falls for the weekend. I got us an awesome deal!"
We had both been working at our first "full-fledged" jobs for a year and had reached that moment after graduation when you suddenly realize you can't make that impact on the world your student enthusiasm once promised. At first, I just sighed. It was the dead of January, and I had already expended all my energy on a week of inconsequential stress. I just wanted to collapse on the couch for two days. Sarah felt a similar weary exhaustion. I could tell. Her tone was more hopeful than excited, but she had dreaded the routine we were sinking into and was trying her best to pull us free.
I looked to the ceiling and adjusted my telephone headset. At that time I was working at Stats Canada on the tele-query desk. I took a deep breath and, as convincingly as possible, said, "Sounds good." I don't think she bought it, but we went nonetheless.
This was Niagara Falls before the casinos when there was a very distinct off-season. When we got to the hotel, we were given the details of our "lovers' special". One dinner to be used either Friday or Saturday, two breakfasts, a roll of tokens for the arcade, 10% off some "4D" movie ride experience, and a 2-for-1 coupon to Max Tussaud's. I guessed it was Madame's nephew? We also got a bottle of sparkling wine in our room and chocolate treats on our pillows. I was impressed. It sounded good.
When we got into our room and saw the "bottle" of wine - basically an aeroplane-sized glass and half - and the chocolates - "fun wrapped" Oh Henry's left over from Halloween - we both started to laugh. The tone for two wonderful days had been set. We decided to cash in on our dinner coupon right away.
The restaurant off the lobby had hopes of being better. There were huge panoramic windows that promised a view of the gorge. Unfortunately, they had some winter moisture problems that day, and it felt like we were defrosting amid the dripping streaks and foggy patches. The decor was your standard booths and tables though the "romantic" lighting was unique. Dollar store battery-powered tea lights were lodged inside thick tumbler glasses and shed a muted pleasantness in a "what a great idea for a craft" sort of way. I had a feeling they were created by our waitress since she was the one who always seemed to be fussing with them. Only one other couple was in the dining room, so she attended to us immediately.
"Can I get you something to start?"
"Sure." "Thank you, that would be nice." We both responded simultaneously.
"And what would the lady like this evening?"
Sarah smiled at the flattery. "I think I'll have a glass of white wine." She glanced over at me to see my reaction. This was a subtle cue of the mood to follow. Diet Coke was usually the beverage of choice. She didn't normally drink alcohol. One glass numbed her nose and made her giggle far too easily. When she did drink, however, it meant she was comfortable with my company and open to anything to follow. I raised my eyebrows in a debonair way.
"And for the gentleman?"
"Do you have Foster's on tap?"
"Yes we do."
"I'll have a pint please."
Sarah smiled at the happy memories I invoked. At university, Foster's was my signature beer. It was at a time when Crocodile Dundee was a known name, and Australia was inexplicably cool. 15 cent buffalo wings and a pitcher of Foster's was the Tuesday night special at the London Arms pub. There the Classics Club would meet and, as a group, circle the wagons and drink ourselves into extroverts.
As soon as the waitress left, Sarah smiled at me. She reached out and held my hand across the table. With my gaze on hers, she slipped her foot from her shoe and slowly began sliding it up my pant leg.
"I got a pedicure this morning." She announced seductively.
I nodded and pretended I didn't notice her invitation. "What colour?" I asked.
"I'm not telling." She teased. "You'll just have to find out later." Her devious little smile was gorgeous.
"Mmmm. I can't wait."
When the waitress returned with our drinks, we immediately retreated to our personal spaces as if we had been discovered by the chaperone. Sarah opened the menu and began to salivate at the variety.
"Can we add an appetizer to the package dinner?" Her question seemed innocent enough.
"You're on the package?" Our friendly waitress disappeared, and we were no longer a lady or a gentleman. She ripped the menu out of Sarah's hand and took mine before I had even opened it. She then scurried to her podium and brought back a tattered, grease-stained, photocopied page that we had to share. We both burst out laughing.
The waitress was flustered that we were not as bothered as she was. "The drinks are NOT included!"
"What choices do we have?" I asked, expecting the usual chicken or fish. I had been on many packages before with my parents.
"Coffee or tea." The waitress snapped.
Sarah and I looked at each other in amused disbelief.
"I'll have coffee please." I didn't even flinch at the ridiculously limited package. I was eager to get my order in early.
"And I'll have the tea!" Sarah followed my lead. "Can I have some milk with that?"
"Yes." The waitress snarled.
"Fantastic!" I enthused.
"Yes, great! I'm glad we got the package, Honey." Sarah joked.
The waitress stormed off and returned sometime later with our lettuce-only salads drowned in Kraft's Italian dressing and our chewy chicken dinners, which she had thoughtfully allowed to cool. She tossed the plates on the table and left us to peacefully devour our deal. We didn't see her again until we requested the bill. For some reason, we found it amusing to leave a generous tip, which of course, defeated the purpose of the package, but we didn't care. It was fun.
The rest of the holiday was marred with similar off-season products and services. The wax museum was only half open, so we couldn't see the pop stars of the seventies. I didn't think it was a problem, but Sarah pouted playfully. She really wanted to see young Bowie. Meanwhile, the arcade was particularly stingy about spitting out coupons. So much so that Mike, the scraggly-haired repair guy, ended up escorting us from game to game and repairing the devices on demand. In no time, he was acting like an old drinking buddy. He joked and laughed, then, out of the blue, revealed that working at the Niagara Falls Fun Centre wasn't his career choice, that his dream was to be part of a travelling carnival. He desperately wanted to see more of the world, he explained and socialize with a greater variety of "wildlife." Mike winked at Sarah to punctuate his meaning, then began advising her on which games to play.
Sarah was partial to Skee ball and clearly had career potential in the sport, but Mike quickly pointed out that the token-to-coupon payout was not the best. In a furtive whisper, he revealed that The Storm Stopper was your best bet, provided the arcade had left it on its original factory settings. He assured us the ones here were "cool." The game had lights that ran around the outside in opposite directions and you had to hit the button at just the right spot to win. It looked impossible, but Mike was right; if you calculated tokens in versus coupons won, it was the best deal. It only took a little practice to win a minor jackpot every 5 or 6 times.
We would cheer each win as if Toronto had won the Stanley Cup. I would give a quick fist pump and a full lung "Yes!" while Sarah would jump up and down screaming, "WhoooHooo!" Of course, in the end, when we cashed in, "Mike's secret" only bumped us up from a key-chain flashlight to a "deluxe" nail beauty set. Mind you, it did come complete with clippers, scissors, a file AND a cuticle scraper. Not only that, it was all neatly packaged in a paisley-patterned pink and green plastic vinyl case. Mike was so pleased to give us our prize and to be honest, we were thrilled to win it if only to see his broad chicletted smile. It was more of a trophy than a grooming set.
That night, I made reservations for us at a fancy Chinese food restaurant - the Bamboo Garden. When we arrived, we had half-expected renovations of some sort. Instead, the place was immaculate. Gentle pools teeming with goldfish highlighted the epic black and red Ming dynasty decor. Real candles flickered on crisp white tablecloths. Again, the restaurant was virtually ours. The reservations on my part were entirely unnecessary. In fact, as soon as we entered, they knew us by name and guided us directly to our table. A live lounge piano caressed the air, its notes danced vaguely around familiar harmonies until finally, as if prompted by our presence, a song emerged immediately accompanied by the velvet voice of oriental karaoke. It was our song remastered

The following description is not provided by this sub or any of its contributors.
Aldi
Code OUTDOOR40 goes live 24/03, giving 40% off selected Garden Furniture & Outdoor Kitchen, works on the items on this page
https://www.aldi.co.uk/c/specialbuys/garden-outdoor-offers
Runs from 24th March to 11th April. Full credit to @Stoneddd for the code
Some iiem prices with the code

• Gardenline Mini Kamado BBQ £75.94 delivered
• 6 Piece Patio Furniture Set - £99.94 delivered
• Kettle BBQ Trolley £81.94 delivered
• Gardenline Decorative Gazebo £69.94 delivered
• Gardenline Wooden Garden Love Seat £69.94 delivered
• Gardenline Rattan Coffee Set £189.94 delivered

Some examples using the code
Gardenline Mini Kamado BBQ £75.94 delivered
Take your garden party to the next level with the Gardenline Mini Kamado BBQ. This gunmetal ceramic bbq features a temperature gauge, powder coated steel hinge, bands, handle, chimney top, fire grate bring, stainless steel hinge springs and an ash door bring. It has a unique Japanese inspired insulated design that allows you to cook food that is not only succulent but gorgeously smoky at the same time. The mini kamado bbq is versatile allowing you to grill, bake, slow cook and even smoke your summer bbq favourites. It has been designed so there is an even distribution of heat, cooking your meals evenly. What tasty treats will you whip up?
6 Piece Patio Furniture Set - £99.94 delivered
Give your garden a new look with the 6 Piece Patio Furniture Set. This stunning grey furniture set includes a dining table with a glass top, 4 sling back chairs and 1 umbrella. Stay protected whilst you enjoy the summer under the umbrella with UV protection of 50+. Complete with an instruction manual, this is the perfect set to update your garden with so you can invite your family and friends to relax this summer in style. Make the most of your garden and add a new contemporary look to it.
Kettle BBQ Trolley £81.94 delivered
Keep the feast going this summer with the Gardenline Kettle BBQ Trolley. It features a 22"" diameter enamel coated kettle bbq along with a rubber wood chopping board and trolley for easy manoeuvring. Easy to maintain, this durable bbq has a large cooking area so you can cook and prep all in one space. Saving you time running to and from the kitchen, keep all your cooking essentials together on the handy storage shelf and hooks for any utensils. Make it a summer to remember with a delicious summer feast with the help of this premium bbq.
Gardenline Decorative Gazebo £69.94 delivered
Never get caught out during the rain or sunshine with this Gardenline Decorative Gazebo. Whether you are avoiding the rain or having a garden party, this gazebo will have you covered. With dimensions of 2.9 x 2.9 x 2.7m (approx.) it has plenty of room to shelter you and your guests. Perfect for having over garden tables or a spa pool, the sturdy steel frame is complete with a polyester roof. Prepare for the unpredictable British weather with this durable decorative gazebo.
Gardenline Wooden Garden Love Seat £69.94 delivered
Ease into the day with the Gardenline Wooden Garden Love Seat. This gorgeous seater has a rising table in the middle, which will create the ultimate summer feel in your garden. Lounge and sit in the morning sun with a coffee in hand as the birdsong surrounds you, or chat for hours with a friend as the sun sets in your garden.
Features

• Perfect for the garden
• Easy assembly
• Central seat can pull up as a table
• Natural wood colour
  Guarantee/Warranty
  
• 3 Years
  This deal can be found on hotukdeals via this link: https://ift.tt/2aJOL0M
  

One table with a leaf, 6 chairs, 5 of them work, one could use some screws! 6 year old table and chairs originally from Ashley Furniture.
All yours, pickup in the Woodland Hills area. I'll message you pics if asked.
https://imgur.com/a/aL8mLLb

See chapter 1 part 1: https://www.reddit.com/exAdventist/comments/11wi81l/countryside_sabbath_fellowship_chapter_1/
WE HAVE THIS HOPE THAT BURNS WITHIN OUR HEARTS,
HOPE IN THE COMING OF THE LORD.
Curiously, we did not bother singing the second verse of the song. The second verse was about love and unity in Christ, and I should have found it telling that these ideas were not something we would sing about. After the song, we all got down on our knees for prayer. Albert prayed, wrestling with the holy spirit to bring a sermon filled with truth for these last days.
After the tithe and offering plates were passed around and the special music was sung, the sermon came. It was the traditional Seventh-day Adventist program. In fact, nothing was much different other than the sermon and the fact that we got on our knees for each prayer.
The sermon was packed with information. While at other churches, the pastor did a lot of talking, and few if any materials were displayed, this church seemed to display huge chunks of information on the screen up front. While the Bible got some air time, it was really the Spirit of Prophecy* that was front and center. There was no sugarcoating it: Ellen White was the soup du jour at this church, and the congregants lapped it up like heat-scorched desert camels. The book that Albert was most fond of was The Great Controversy, as it shed light on the coming end of the world. Chunks of her writings were displayed, with certain words and phrases being color-coded. Some words, such as apostasy, were underlined. For a good hour, we listened intently to how Ellen White saw various end times events progressing, and how we were at a very precarious part of earth’s history.
I had never been to a sermon that was so loaded with information. There was a lot to take in. The congregation of predominantly old men seemed to come alive. Unlike some of the other churches I had been in, there was not a single closed eye. Not one was asleep. Backs were erect. Eyes were intently focused on the front of the room. Every once in a while someone would let out a militant “amen.”
Albert did not leave his perch at the podium in the front. He was the kind of pastor that was like a tree. Settled in place, hands firmly wrapped around the projector remote. As he preached, he would say “friends” a lot when trying to get his point across. “Friends, do you really want to be asleep at this point in earth’s history?” “Friends, it's time to wake up, because the rest of the world is asleep.” “Friends, we need to watch, because nobody else is going to watch for you.” “Friends now is the time to pray with trembling. The end is right around the corner.”
After over an hour, tummies were rumbling. After the final prayer and closing music, basic human wants took over. It was time to eat. We all quietly and reverently made our way out of the sanctuary to either the restrooms or the kitchen and dining area. The atmosphere was a little more lively. Some would talk about the sermon while others were discussing the pamphlets and upcoming events. Others were preparing lunch and just talking about the previous week’s events. One thing that was missing was the presence of children. Other than our daughter, who was two years old, there was not a single child present. Nor were there any teenagers or anyone in their twenties. Honestly, I think that we were the youngest in the group.
A few of the congregants were related. There were two brothers and their father who were said to be regulars. I recognized one of the brothers as the man who pounded that piano into submission for the “We Have This Hope” song. He was lanky and jovial. He laughed a lot. His brother appeared more sulky and quiet. He almost appeared to be brooding. The father was sitting at the table, hunched over. He didn’t look too well. He was very stoic and almost silent.
The younger man, who we shall call Eric, was preparing a salad and cutting fresh avocado. He took his time doing it, making sure to create a culinary masterpiece that would be worthy of the Sabbath day. I could start to smell the food at this point. All sorts of scents mingled as the food was warmed up in the oven. Things were getting hot now and our stomaches were screaming for sustenance.
Every Adventist potluck is different, but you can tell a lot about a church by the food they eat. The more traditional a church is, the less you will see dairy or meat. I have only seen meat at potluck when traveling internationally. It’s not something you see a lot of in the United States. Cheese is the great equalizer. The more cheese you find at a potluck, the less sway Ellen White has over the congregation. If cheese and other dairy are absent from the potluck spread, you can rest assured that the Spirit of Prophecy is abiding.
Looking over the potluck spread, I saw that some dairy had made a happy appearance. Little signs proclaimed whether or not a plate was vegan. The more traditional members ignored the cheese as if it didn’t exist. As for me, I reached for the lasagna. It would possibly be something I would have to answer for in the final judgment—but I was hungry. Real hungry.
Being that we were guests and had a child in tow, we were allowed to go up first. To have the first pickins off the buffet table is an honor that brings with it a solemn responsibility. Behind me was a small army of hungry seniors. To fill my plate with one tantalizing dish could mean that a more seasoned soldier of the Lord behind me would lack. I had to muster my self-control and make my way forward. Tongs danced across salads and strange casseroles as I lifted the contents onto my plate. I made my way along the table, seeing a variety of concoctions that would bedazzle an outsider. Many of these dishes looked like something you would find in a cookbook that had gone out of print decades ago.
It can not be denied that much of the food was good. Some of it was bland, but given that the optimal Adventist diet shuns the use of pepper, spicy condiments, and vinegar, what can you expect? There was salt for those who desired it. I also found that strategically mixing certain foods could give them an added flavor that almost seemed exotic—maybe even sinful. Later on, I would read that much of the spice-abstaining diet ideas that Ellen White saw as optimal were gleaned from a health craze that had taken over during her time. While this craze had become obscure and disappeared from life in our modern era, some Adventist groups still follow this outdated form of healthful eating advice.
Potluck is the perfect time to get a real feel for the individual beliefs of church members. While most churches have a mix of more conservative and liberal members, observing the banter that happens during potluck is a great way to gauge the overall feel of a church. It was during the potluck time that I began to understand that there was more to this church than originally met my eye.
As I slurped up a vegetable broth, my ears were taking in all sorts of discussions that were happening from various areas of the table. I heard something about chemtrails and something about Jesuits. I had heard some discussion of Jesuits in the past but had always kind of ignored it. Being that I went to a Jesuit university, I found it somewhat relevant. I had heard my father-in-law discuss chemtrails in the past, and always thought it was a strange, and even a stupid thing to waste your time thinking about. It never made any sense to me. Yet, strangely, here it was, popping up at potluck. Talk of increased spraying and airplanes flying low over the area filled my ears.
Now was a good time to step outside and get some fresh air. It was a lovely Spring day, and nobody wants to spend their whole day in a musty old church. Therefore, I gathered my wife and daughter and we made our way outside to play on a small playground area that had been built outside. Even though there were no children at this church, the other church that still owned the building must have had children in the congregation.
As I watched my daughter play on the wooden playground, I looked up at the steeple. I thought back to our time in Eastern European Country, of this place, and the Deer Park church. I did not understand it. Yet, I didn’t see any reason to not come back and visit again. Everyone was super friendly and welcoming. That is one way they get you in.

Accommodation available in a fully furnished private room for a female in a 4b2b at the Gateway at Tempe. The entire bedroom costs $610 (including all utilities) Dates available : May 12th to end of July.
Currently sharing it with one female and 2 male (both of them will be vacating the unit in May since they are graduating).
The bedroom is fully furnished with a full size bed and mattress, night stand, study table and chair, dresser, closet.
Common area has in-unit washer and dryer, couch and center table, dining table and chairs, fridge, microwave, oven, dishwasher.
The complex has swimming pool, gym, basketball court, tennis court available.
Mercury bustop at 5 min walking distance from the apartment, Valley 30, Valley 62 bustop within 5 min walking distance.

I own a small fast casual restaurant in Colorado, small as in 5 employees plus myself and give or take 400k in annual sales. Counter top, take out and delivery. Dining room has 8 chairs 4 high top tables kind of small. We are open for lunch and dinner. My question is if it's possible to rent out my kitchen/space for a breakfast. Like I don't want to do breakfast it's too much added on my plate but the space could 100% support a counter top deli style breakfast menu. I don't currently even use half the available storage space and the kitchen is perfectly set up for pretty much anything a breakfast menu could want/use. My question is how/where do I find people trying to open a breakfast place or food truck that could use the space?
For context I've seen it work with a desert bar and breakfast restaurant sharing a space and now a Mexican restaurant down the street has a breakfast food truck that now serves breakfast in their restaurant in the am before the Mexican restaurant opens. Completely separate businesses sharing a space.
I own the building I'm in too so no issues with landowner

8th Month 7111 AD/Year 3 of the rule of King Artys VIII. Arryn, Eyrie/Gates of the Moon
Invitations
Tournament
[Midsummer Festival]()
More detailed description of the Eyrie and Gates of the Moon

Prayer

The traditional prayer for all the Faithful that had gathered in the Eyrie that day was held in the Sept in the Skies. The heptagonal building stood on a small hill in the middle of the Main Yard, overlooking the Gardens and the open area of the yard. Stained glass in the roof of the Sept was in the tones of blue, colouring the inside of the shrine, and shrouding the marble statues of the Seven Who Are One in blue and grey shadows.
A prayer to the merciful Gods, the Seven Who Are One who all held a protective hand over the Kingdom of the Mountains and the Vale, the place of the Andal first landing and the birthplace of knighthood and chivalry, the Kingdom that adhered to tradition and celebrated and honoured the true Gods, and for that, they were blessed. In their mercy, the Father ensured that the Kingdom was ruled justly, the Mother offered mercy even to those who had lost their path, the Smith gave strength to their armies and the Warrior protected them from all foes, the Maiden guarded the innocence of children and girls especially, the Crone provided wisdom and guidance.
Candles aplenty were lit before each of the altars - a few small flames even flickered before the Stranger in his shrouded likeness.

Midsummer Banquet

The Midsummer Banquet was different from the usual feasts so often held in the castle of House Arryn, the mood was a more relaxed one, as the bard troupe played beautifully into the night, wine and ale flowed freely, and garlands of flowers adorned the walls and tables, in addition to the sky-blue banners with the Falcon and the Moon.
Food served was a celebration of Summer, with a selection of fruits and other crops, salads, cheese and poultry, fish and seafood delivered to the castle in large barrels of ice, and a great many desserts, honeycombs with candied flowers and fruits, pears and apples poached in red wine, and the specialty of the evening, a dessert of crushed ice, sweetened cream and berries.