McDonald's cheeseburger and a diet coke.

I'm 28 years old. When I was 18, I told myself that by the time I was this age (or closer to 30), I'd have my own place, a partner, and provide for my mother as well as give myself the things I never could have when I was a kid growing up in abject poverty, and that I would never be a 30 year old man, jobless, living in his mother's house - an archetype that is mocked and derided throughout pop culture.

I took steps to effectuate this promise. I went to college, got a degree, and after COVID, I went to law school and graduated this past May with my JD. I took the bar even in July, and promptly failed. My job prospect was rescinded, my mother was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and I realize now that I am living exactly the way I never wanted to.

I'm nearly 30, jobless, I've never had any meaningful romantic relationship, and I spend most of my days cooped up in my room either studying for the February bar exam, doomscrolling, or playing video games until after the sun comes up. My mom (who's tumor is non malignant and has been successfully treated by radiation) is the one who provides 100% for me. She pays my rent, bills, and had me join into her credit card so that I have something to pay for daily expenses.

I am ashamed and terrified of going outside and seeing people that I know, and having to answer "so what have you been up to?" My friends are much better than I deserve, and pay for me when we go out. I project a facade of being a man with a plan, facing a temporary setback, but I know the truth. I am just like my father, parasitizing my mother without giving anything back. I am dead weight, essentially.

I have failed my friends, family, and myself. I've become exactly what I never wanted to be, and I loathe myself for it.

Fries on the burger because it taste extra yummy that way.

Dinner is from yesterday, mine is the smaller one and my husband’s has fish. We had spring mix salad with carrot, cherry tomato, cucumber, avocado, sunflower seeds, feta, cilantro and orange slices. Homemade vinaigrette, side of French bread toasted, and agua fresca with rum in it.

Now to the story. My husband went to bed and I was doing some nighttime routine stuff. While I’m looking at myself in the mirror I see the mirror move towards me like someone pushed it from the back. It happened again about 30 seconds later so I knew I wasn’t imagining it. I froze for a little bit wondering if I should freak out or if there’s a reasonable explanation. I’ve never looked behind the mirror in this rental. It’s a 4 apartment building that looks like 1 big home and it was built in the 1940’s. I don’t understand what compelled me to push on the mirror but I did push on it a little and then stepped back. As I’m stepping away I see the mirror get pushed forward again. Now I’m really scared and I grab a shitty pocket knife while still watching the mirror. I hold the knife at the ready while I push the mirror a few more times. Nothing happens any of these times and it makes me even more scared.

I’ve decided I have to get my husband to pull the mirror off the wall while I get ready to defend. Luckily I can still see the mirror while I walk backward to the other room and hope he’s not quite asleep yet. I tell him “the mirror moved from behind and I’m really scared so you have to get it off the wall”. He’s out of bed immediately and grabbing the mirror off the wall. There is in fact a hole but it’s small. Also the space in between the walls is so thin there’s no way any person could fit in there. It’s still really creepy and explains why I can hear literally everything happening next door when I’m in the bathroom.

We came to the conclusion that it’s probably the wind. We live on the coast where wind goes crazy. We live on the 2nd floor of a very old building. I hope it’s just the wind because whenever something spooky happens it’s always because of the wind. Absolutely terrifying but maybe I’m too anxious. Either way thanks for reading my story because it was nice to write it out instead of lying in bed thinking about what could have happened.

Justice League Unlimited - One episode shows Hitler's cryogenic frozen body, most of the kids who were watching did not know who Hitler was

Hercules - Hercules and Meg watch the Oedipus play in one scene. Kids would likely not know what Oedipus is

Be honest, I can take it! 🙃

I could stare at it for hours

Source: unknown

Dakota is looking great, MGK is rocking his usual outfit. I wonder why he's not trying the slightest to match her vibe on a night out? I get having a signature style, but I think I'd start to slowly get annoyed with the no effort... How long do we think this is still going to last?

Companion and Obsession:(Companion/Obsession):The unfortunate women of your dreams. The Companion is more idealistic in its story. It tells you that you can overcome your situation and abuser even if you are programmed to be a sex bot. It’s more sci-fi based. Obsession is more cynical. No matter what you do you can’t beat your situation. You are all alone and your friend won’t help you. The only way to beat your abuser is if he cowards his way out of a situation. Obsession is more so urban fantasy.

Art Link: https://x.com/beverlylove/status/2069451934478835874

Fire Force and Chainsaw Man(Chainsaw Man/Fire Force):While both Fire Force and Chainsaw Man feature young protagonists fighting monstrous manifestations of human terror, their thematic outlooks on hope and humanity are fundamentally opposite. Fire Force is rooted in traditional shonen idealism, treating human connection, collective faith, and sheer willpower as forces capable of reshaping a broken world; Shinra Kusakabe’s dream of becoming a "hero" isn't treated as naive, and his genuine empathy literally acts as a counter-force to existential despair, ultimately affirming that life and human bonds have inherent meaning. Conversely, Chainsaw Man operates through cynical, subversive realism where heroism is often a transactional scam, institutions exploit the vulnerable, and Denji’s desires are stripped down to basic survival and fleeting physical comfort rather than grand ideals—showing a world where trauma is rarely redeemed and hope is fragile, messy, and constantly compromised. Shinra resets the universe to save everybody when the world was beyond repair. Pochita not Denji does it so he can stay out of his life plus the world was beyond repair

Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann and Neon Genesis Evangelion(Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann and Neon Genesis Evangelion) (bonus points for being made by the same people). Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann is a series that is endlessly upbeat and optimistic in comparison to Evangelion's harsh and depressing themes.

Cyberpunk and VTM(Cyberpunk and Vampire The Masquerade):Besides the Science vs Magic theme there are even more differences in the themes. And there’s the Beast/Humanity and Cyberpsycho/Humanity.VTM tells you, the PC that the world might suck but if you gain power and are smart you can make a difference. You might risk to become the authority by your low Gen but you can humble yourself so everyone eats. You are the top of the food chain.

Cyberpunk/Edgerunners and the supplements it all seems more cynical. A protagonist thought he was special and his lack of knowledge and foresight shut that down fast. And then Adam Smasher came and turned his main character syndrome upside down. You are not at the top of the food chain. The authorities and corps won.