Erunion

I'm sorry, but I'm with @Delightful. On the naming of the sandwich: Thus a sandwich has the fillings 'sandwiched' between two slices of bread. The other items commonly referred to as 'open faced sandwiches' should rather be referred to as 'bread and/with cheese/meat/etc' as they were historically known. This is terribly vital issue of great relevance and international importance, that we should settle immediately and allow no leeway on.

It's weird for me when I hear people say they don't want kids, as I LOVE children and absolutely do want kids. But I also get it conceptually - I know I don't want kids for a while because they are a huge commitment, an incredible responsibility AND they make many aspects of life more difficult, especially career aspirations/etc. Not impossible, but more difficult. (Plus, seeing as I'm single and likely to remain that way for a while.... it's not like there's a huge risk of having kids suddenly). And that's not mentioning the whole pregnancy and birth thing that you ladies go through if you want children (and don't want to adopt). So I can mentally understand not wanting kids, but then I look at my niece and my heart just absolutely melts.

For the record, this is hilarious. I also can't decide if it's fantastic advice or terrible advice. Probably both. Fantastically terrible advice. (If you have difficulty speaking in socially awkward situations, having something written down that expresses your feelings and considerations on a topic can be helpful. Passing said document out to the whole school unsolicited? That's a little... much maybe?)

@Mistrunner - you're in early high school, right? Grade 8-10? Firstly: congratulations on not wanting to date at that age. That is an unusually wise position, as most teenagers are emotional messes who can barely communicate (I say this as someone who vividly remembers being an emotional mess who could barely communicate). It is a good idea not to date when you're young. Not the only way to go about things, but a healthy way. For the record, I only know of, in all my wide acquaintance, one example of a high school relationship going 'happily ever after' and not crashing and burning to some degree. Generally high school relationships do not last. Secondly: if he asks you out, politely but firmly give him the memo. Let him know you're flattered by his attentions (if, indeed, you are flattered! You don't need to lie here! But usually it's the diplomatic thing to say) but let him know that you do not feel that dating at this stage would be wise. If at all possible, be able to explain your reasons. It may be a good idea to write this down on an actual memo, and keep that memo on your person in case of emergencies. That way you can give him the memo instead of having to awkwardly try to explain things. Plus it seems in keeping with your overall persona. Finally, and most importantly - never get into a relationship with someone you're not confident you're in love/falling in love with. Don't get into a relationship because you feel pressured, because your friends want you to, because you feel like it's the 'thing to do'. Don't be Eowyn chasing after the idea of a relationship, thinking about what it should be and trying to make it happen with Aragorn. Don't start anything unless and until you fall in love with your Faramir - someone who sees you as who you are and loves you deeply, and who you love not as an idea but as a person.

Nice to see a bisexual main character! Bisexuality is as common, if not moreso than homosexuality yet is represented far less in media (at least as far as I've seen. Except in WOT, but I'm not sure if that counts as bi or if it's just bi until graduation from magic college). But it I still ship Shadolin. Sorry guys. Shallasnah is just hero worship/a tiny crush.

Similar in BC, Canada You get junior high (7-8 or 7-9), or you just go from elementary (k-7) to high school (8-12). I've never heard any locals calling it 'freshman - sophomore - junior - senior'. Just grades 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12. Sometimes we use freshman to refer to first year university students, but often we'll just call 'em first years. I've never heard of a local calling any university or college age people sophomore, junior or senior. The only one that ever gets used is freshman.

Haven't tried it (yet), but why not? Do it. Meeting people these days is hard, and knowing whether someone reciprocates your interest is even harder. Your options for dating really are as follows - current social groups (friend groups, church groups, school or university, or possibly work), social hobbies (group activity style hobbies), being set up with someone by a mutual friend (not awkward at all), bars/clubs, or online dating. If you don't have anyone you're interested in in your current social groups, and you don't have time to take up a hobby or find a new social group, if you lack the kind of friend who would set you up (awkwardly), and if you don't want to/don't have time to go to bars/clubs, then online dating is your best option by far. Even if other options are available - why not online date?

Possible, but don't expect it. Attica's death is significant. It's a game changer for Alcatraz, and likely why he was unwilling to write further books. (Thankfully Bastille believes the story needs to be told! Can't leave our faithful potted plant Brandon Sanderson without a book to publish in his name!)

You could definitely see it coming a mile away, and they're have been pretty obvious hints (for example, previous books established that they live together). It is a bit overused as a trope (Sanderson has done it a few times), but it's worked so far. Plus I trust Sanderson. Just watch him set up the perfect example of this in another series, build up our expectations that the protagonist and the Bastille/Elend/Megan character will get together, and then dash it all to the ground. Have them fall for different people, or just remain friends. Watch it happen. *cough* Shalladin *cough*

I am so excited for the Bastille books. How many will there be? When will the next one come out? So many questions! Mostly looking forward to the new perspective. Plus, while I'm sure we'll miss Alcatraz, I can guarantee he'll be adding snarky commentary to Bastille's work.

So, I'm one of those guys who missed the folded over end page until I came here. And I was absolutely gutted. Like, completely. I was lying in bed, trying to go to sleep thinking 'how could he do that to us?' it was brutal, and brilliant. I'm still feeling it. Absolutely loved this book. The humour kept getting better, and the story more fun, when WHAM. Grandpa Smedry gets shot in the head. And suddenly everything goes horribly wrong. I can't wait for the Bastille books now.

Guys, especially shy/nerdy guys, really like it when a girl is shares one of their interests. I mean REALLY likes it. It gives them something to do with a girl, to talk about/etc. It's an automatic thing they have in common. Think about how few things a 'typical high school girl' (as seen in late 90's early 2000's film and television) has in common with a guy who is even slightly geeky. Because of hollywood, many guys grow up thinking girls are exactly like that, and that as a geeky guy they will have almost nothing in common with girls, and they will have nothing to talk about with a girl and any such communication will only end in awkward silence. It's a problem. But yeah, if you, as a girl, express clear personal interest in a guys major hobby, they will be thrilled, whether or not they're interested in you romantically! It means to them that they can have an actual, interesting conversation with you without them turning into awful puddles of socially awkward. Had that before. Easiest solution is to bring up your significant other. If you don't have one, then life gets harder. The simplest solution is to never initiate contact. If they initiate, be polite but brief, and don't get too deep into any conversation. If you do that, and never yourself initiate contact, they should eventually get the hint and move on. However, they could be crazy. In which case, good luck. Other solutions include direct confrontation (can be super awkward, especially if they deny they're interested), or start talking to them about someone ELSE that you ARE romantically interested in. (Basically, letting them know that they are a friend but that you're romantic attention is elsewhere. I don't really recommend this method, because it's not very kind to their emotional wellbeing).

For the record: a cravat is not a modern necktie, although the modern necktie grew out of the tradition of the cravat, and is in fact a type of cravat, sort of. Traditionally, what we refer to as a cravat is a much wider swatch of cloth than a necktie, and usually more flowing. This creates a thicker, more complete coverage and some very interesting different types of knots/etc. I recommend a google image search. It's kinda cool The modern necktie is much narrower and has a different shape, as well as being generally thicker (so less flowing/creasing). Source: 2-3 years reading through my mother's (and sisters) Georgette Heyer collection (regency comedy/romances - very similar to Jane Austen. Pretty darn good too), because I'd run out of fantasy to read (at the time. My knowledge of he genre has grown immeasurably since then, but at the time I'd finished my 6th or 7th reread of LOTR, my 3rd or 4th reread of Narnia/etc.).

Ahahaha ouch. I feel you. I'm at the point where I feel like I could date again, but the whole concept seems so strange and foreign to me. I literally have no idea how to proceed (also, with how busy my life is, I'm not sure if I should proceed until things settle down). That's what happens when you meet a girl in a lab group, she asks you out (sort of) and you spend the next four years together. I have never actually dated or initiated dating before (I was a socially awkward teenager, to put it mildly). I did did ask a girl out once to a formal. But, being socially awkward, I'd put it off until the day before and she already had a date. (Interestingly, 8 years later, she's the girl I'm currently most interested in! Funny how that happens. But see above on 1) my lack of dating experience and 2) my uncertainty w.r.t. my busy life).

Odd, but fun usually.

It's mostly for your own good! Only you can make you into a better person

While learning to drive in my dads (then) new car, I backed into a pole in a parking lot. He was in the car with me. He was not happy. I I feel you @Delightful - have a hug! And get back to driving ASAP! There's nothing like experience to build confidence!

@Cognizantastic - sounds like you're dealing with a bit of a Sadeas, eh? Where possible, compile evidence. Support your friend, make it clear that you know the rumours are false, and that you support her. Wherever possible, counter the rumours with truth and a smiling, relaxed attitude. Treat the rumours as ridiculous (and a bit offensive), because they clearly are. Is rumour weed's boyfriend a friend of yours? If so, he needs to know just how deep a pile of crem he's getting into in this relationship. You are a guy with evidence of rumour weeds craziness from one of her ex-boyfriends, yah? That should give you credibility. HOWEVER - you guys are teenagers. So a lot of people there are emotionally immature (the unfortunate reality of the teenage years: significant physical and mental development preceeds significant emotional development for most of us. I will say that I absolutely 100% do not miss being a teenager.) Good luck, my friend. @Darkness Ascendant - never ever is it the right thing to do to public ally humiliate people, or make them feel like dirt. It is OFTEN the right thing to do to privately or publically confront people, with witnesses and evidence, but the goal should NEVER be to humiliate. It should only ever be to solve problems, improve the clarity of the situation, or to clear the air. A good pattern of confrontation with someone is to take an issue to them privately and politely first, being honest and forthright. Then if their behaviour does not change, bring several people with you, including at least one neutral party, to discuss the issue. If that doesn't help, assume the situation to be irresolvable and move on with your life, or if it's serious go to the authorities to take action. This pattern unfortunately, will likely not work in @Cognizantastic's case, as he is dealing with what we here colloquially refer to as a Twimom. Under those circumstances, it often takes extreme motivation or an act of God to institute a change, as people like that are so self absorbed they cannot comprehend the need to change their behaviour. Also, do your Lebanese classmates like being referred to as Wogs? That used to be an extremely derogatory term, and AFAIK still is. You might be being a bit racist with your words and attitudes (I doubt it's intentional racism, but I advise caution - you may deeply hurt someone, making them feel ostracized or alone in your environment).

I was on a foolish 5 year hiatus from the shard, but I created my account back when it first started (I was one of the old school guys on the TWG forums - back in the heady, early days of the Cosmere when we were still madly theorizing Mistborn while waiting for WOA/HOA...). And on my upvote/post ratio? I was procrastinating from studying and wrote a 2,000 word essay/analysis on a Scadrial vs. Roshar war. I think it's approaching 30 up votes now.... @Darkness Ascendant - you are a sharp, witty poster who is on the ball when it comes to creating new threads!

- his age is definitely relevant here. How much of this is creepy dude and how much is awkward teenager? Also, thanks for the new thread! Please post about your lovely relationship with food there

Food. Food. The deliciousness of food is clear evidence of a benevolent deity ;D In this I must support @TwiLyghtSansSparkles - peanut butter is not to be underestimated. One of my favourite evening snacks (or light late night dinners when I get home from work at 9:30) is a tortilla, with melted peanut butter (15 seconds in the microwave, on the tortilla), wrapped around a banana. Slightly sweet, slightly savoury, slightly salty, and an amazing post work/workout snack (great nutrition too!).

@Delightful - You give thoughtful, caring advice and excellent replies, implying that you are a thoughtful, kind and generous person. (This is how this thread works, right?)

My friends, don't underestimate the versatility and deliciousness of peanut butter. With banana, it makes a great dessert/snack. With jam, banana or honey, it makes for a great sandwich. But when you really start getting creative is when it shines. My absolute favourite hamburger to date is peanut butter, bacon, and sweet Thai chili sauce (sweet and slightly spicy!) with a juicy hamburger on a toasted bun. It is so, so good. Also, on applesauce? Try it with slow-roasted pork. It is amazing. My family used to go to a medieval themed Christmas dinner (most of my siblings and I would dress up and sing in it, it was kind of a performance thing). They had delicious medieval dishes for us to eat, and the main course was pork roasted on a spit over an open fire served with applesauce. So, so good. Having said said all that, we should probably keep this thread on topic. Our relationships with condiments are important and relevant, but they appear to be (deliciously) derailing this thread. Perhaps a mod could open up a new thread to discuss this separate topic and move all this there?

@Mistrunner - if you don't want to date yet, good for you. Waiting for dating is a very, very smart move, IMO. So tell him. You're flattered, would love to chat with him, but don't want to start dating until you're older. I.... Don't actually know what homecoming is. Some kind of school dance event? I am clearly not an American. (I'm also assuming you're one! Which could be false!) Nevertheless, if you don't want to go, don't go. If you want to go, or think it might be worth going, go with the guy. But make it clear that you don't want to date until you're older. Open and honest communication is extremely handy and helpful! No raising false expectations or giving fake answers! That's general life advice for you there folks, straight from the horses mouth! (I am, apparently, a horse. I didn't know this until today.) In all seriousness though, make the decision you are less likely to regret. Are you more likely to regret the missed opportunity, or are you more likely to regret an awkward high school dance. Either way, you're a teenager, and being a teenager is confusing. So good luck, try not to overthink things and have fun!

@skaa glad to see things are working a bit better for you!! With this new contact, go into it with zero expectations. Maybe she regrets rejecting you, maybe she's just being friendly, or maybe she wants to hire you! You say she has a startup, so that's entirely possible! The fact of the matter is, you don't know. So just go and be a friend! On on the topic of nervousness around girls you're interested in - 'there's nothing you must deal with that is not common to man'... We pretty much all have to deal with that. Your best bet is just to focus on her as a friend (or even as a potential employer!). Be friendly, normal and just squish down any feelings for now. Good luck my Sanderfriend!