Erunion

Well said! I think the fundamental difference here (from say, rape) is that Sadeas needed to die. He was an evil man, who had done evil things in the past and was, at that moment, telling Adolin that he fully intended to do evil things in the future, specifically to harm the people that Adolin loved and the nation that Adolin was honour bound to defend. He then was essentially taunting Adolin about how powerless he was to stop him. Unfortunately, Sadaes was essentially above the law. Adolin snapped, and killed him. What makes it so interesting is that, in many philosophies (as discussed by Shallan and Navani, and seen in our own world), killing Sadaes could be easily construed as the right thing to do. How else could Adolin stop him without eroding Dalinars support and honour? The really interesting thing here is how completely opposed it is to 'Journey before Destination' - because Adolin acheived a good end (Sadaes' end, to be precise), through murky means (murder, instead of trial, or battle, or a formal duel). As you can tell, I'm still torn about whether this was the right thing to do or not - was there another way to stop Sadaes without killing him? A legal way? An ethical way? Was there perhaps a way to kill him 'honourably' instead (like a duel?), without risking thousands of lives (as a battle would). Such a difficult thing to think about.

And what I'm saying is that his actions up to this point, have been kind, generous and thoughtful. That's what I'm judging him by. As it stands currently, he has just committed a terrible crime, while under an incredible amount of stress. What will he do next? How will he respond? That will definitely determine what I think of him in the future. As it stands, he committed an action that is way out of his typical character, while under extreme stress and has only responded to that action through his state of extreme stress. This brief moment of one action is not enough to effectively change my judgement of his character. However, how he responds in the next book may alter my perception of him. TL;DR - Up until now Adolin has been an extremely kind, and generous person. That is what my judgement of him is based on. He has recently committed murder, but has not responded to it save while under extreme stress. I will wait to significantly alter my judgement of his character until I see how he responds to what he just did.

Still disagree with you - you can be both a truly nice person and, under the right circumstances, be willing to commit murder. Especially second degree murder, for what are essentially the right reasons, which is the case here. The fascinating part is examining the juxtaposition! If he pre planned a murder? Or if he made a habit of it? That would definitely make him 'not a nice guy'. Furthermore, hiding a body in the immediate aftermath of a murder (when you're going 'holy crap what did I just do'), does not necessarily make you unrepentant. For now. We'll see what his internal characteristics are like later on. How he responds to it mentally.

I disagree here. Firstly, it's not established that he's unrepentant. Secondly, I think it's fascinating that he snapped because he seems in every other situation to be a genuinely good person. This is the guy who seems to consistently uses his position of authority and power to help the abused and underprivileged of society (see rescuing the prostitute, just because he could, and treating he with respect throughout). He is kind to those he meets regardless of station, supports his quasi-fiancée through his own quiet, unassuming competence (there's a great discussion of this in the last few chapters of the TOR reread, where Adolin quietly arranges for everything Shallan needs so she's not distracted by small concerns). Every interaction we see him have with his underlings is respectful, kind and generous, and as far as I can tell it's all natural to him: not an air he puts on to impress people. He appears to be a genuinely kind, generous, warm-hearted person. Then he snaps and murders a dude. A dude who IS an unrepentant murderer and manipulator, one who will gladly sacrifice the greater good for his own personal benefit, one who can only be described as a foolish, selfish villain. And crucially, someone who is impossible to prosecute, who considers himself above the law and will use force to ensure that he is. So Adolin takes the law into his own hands and kills him. Which is a FASCINATING character arc, one I really hope Sanderson explores in depth!

I wouldn't mind Adolin doing a dark arc followed by a redemptive one, or something like that.

I don't really want to see the Shalladin ship doing anything but sinking. Because I think it would be way cool to see a Shalladin non-romantic relationship. Working together as friends, or like siblings. It just seems to fit their characters so much better. That and I totally ship her with Adolin. Let the nice guy win this one by being generally nice and competent, instead of having another broody mcgloomalot be oh so alluring and attractive.

On the 'are you full' - he's not asking for personal details, he's likely looking for an opening. Sounds like he wants to ask you out for coffee to me - likely he was hoping that you'd respond something like 'i could always fit another snack' or 'I could have another bite'. If you'd said one of those things, that would be his opening to ask you out. Probably. Armchair psychology is not what I'm trained for. Basically, he's giving you tons of opportunities to flirt with him - he's giving you a lead-in that can easily and quickly lead to flirting. He's fishing for your interest; seeing if you will bite. So he's not trying to be creepy. He's just hoping for a date. Which, since you're obviously not interested, leaves you two options. The hard way, or the slightly less hard way. (Unfortunately there's no easy way, not that I can think of). Hard way: You go up to him and straight out say that you want to keep your relationship strictly professional. Say you're not interested in him romantically, and let that be the end of it. You could do it with a stern face/attitude (guaranteed success, but increased likelihood of strained relations in the future), or you could do it with a friendly smile (NOT GUARANTEED SUCCESS - he might still think he has a chance. But decreases likelihood of strained relations in the future). Slightly less hard way: You ignore him. You continue to ignore him, and let his overtures of flirting be like smashing his head against a brick wall of your NO. Hopefully he'll get the hint and move on. Advantages of Hard Way: - Situation ends. You've brought your cards to the table, you deal, and it's over. Odds are you won't have to deal with this anymore. - It's best for him emotionally. He knows he doesn't have a chance, he gets to move on and stop fixating on you. Disadvantages of Hard Way: - IT'S REALLY FLIPPING HARD. Like, seriously. I have actual training in interacting with people (including strangers), have experience with extremely difficult conversations, but being the introvert and peacemaker that I am I don't know if I could do it under the circumstances. I say that as a guy. - He could make a scene. This is especially risky if he has lower character, expects something of you, or is crazy. Advantages of Slightly Less Hard Way: - It's not as hard. You just ignore the guy. - Smaller chance of a scene. He's more likely to just go gripe about YOU with his friends over drinks or something. Disadvantages of Slightly Less Hard Way: - You leave him hanging. Which means this could go on for days, weeks or months, depending on how bad he is at getting hints. - Emphasis on YOU in the above section. If he has a large group of friends who you interact with this could poison relationships/future relationships, but that's only if he's vindictive and/or crazy. That's not too common among guys, but you see it. Especially on the internet. - DISCLAIMER: I'm a guy. I'm also tall, athletic and have spent over half my life training in martial arts. I have a very, very different perspective from most people. Which means that solutions that work for me may not work for you. Because you and I are different. And that's like 90% of the point of this thread, to get different perspectives on relationships. But not all solutions work for all people. My take: Take the hard way. Because it's probably also the right thing to do. In the short time I've been alive I have continually found this to be true. Ignoring your problems doesn't make them go away. Especially in relationships. Especially with people. My last relationship lasted four years. It was also my first relationship. We never really fought, and we always got along. I thought it was because we were matureish, because we got along so well, and because I was a peacemaker at heart (I am, but that's another story). But there was a problem. A really big, flipping problem. Because I wanted peace and quiet, and hated confrontation so much (shocking for a fighter, but it's the truth. I hate confrontation. I love contests of strength or skill, I love intellectual arguments, but I can't stand emotional arguments; especially with people, doubly so if I care about them. It's a long story), I let things slide. I ignored problems. Thought they'd go away. Felt that they weren't even really problems, or that just by ignoring them I could pretend they weren't real, knowing things would work out. Unsurprisingly, I was wrong. I learned a painful lesson. Sometimes, in fact many times, confrontation is the best solution. The right way. In fact, some times it's the only way. So my two cents? Deal with him directly, honestly and without guile. It's the best way. For me. You're not me. So my advice (for me), might not work (for you). So take it as advice and use it to make your own decisions. Whatever you do, be careful, be wise, and know that you've got us on your side.

On the first one: get used to the scalding temperatures? Not much else there. On the second one: Adblocker maybe? But yeah, that third one is unconscionable. I totally here you.

Wine is really nice. I don't know enough about it, but I'm definitely a wine/scotch guy, whereas I just don't get beer. I've had beer, but I don't get it. It doesn't make sense to me. It's not tasty, not really satisfying, and not particularly alcoholic. So you don't drink it for taste, for that indefinable feeling of satisfaction you get from a good wine (with a good meal), nor does it make sense to drink in order to get drunk (it's terribly inefficient to that end). Wine is tasty, satisfying, and is great with a classy dinner. I once had a fine Glenfiddich scotch at my brother in-laws bachelors party. It was like drinking a delicious, smooth and smoky oak wood fire. That was fantastic. Haven't been able to recapture that feeling since though :/ (Please note: I have drunk alcohol, but interestingly enough I've never really gotten drunk. I don't like losing control, and there's the frequent biblical admonitions to avoid drunkenness, so I don't tend to drink to get drunk. Mildly buzzed, maybe, but not actually drunk. So that maybe colours my opinion on beer?)

Hence it's a silly pet peeve. I'm Canadian, so I hear math, I get both honor and honour, but I just cannot stand legos. It doesn't make sense, but there it is.

DUDE. World domination is the best. I just finished dominating the world as Byzantium, and am currently dominating the world as a formerly lost Scottish colony based in Ontario. Dominating the world is one of my favorite pastimes. (Specifically, I was/am playing the game EUIV, which is a pretty epic grand strategy game. I'm partial to grand strategy games. In fact, they're where I got my childhood love of history)

The grammar nerd in me just flinched at hearing that. Ouch. Well yeah! It was a semi-dead language that was completely revived and is now people mother tongue again! That is so linguistically cool! Add in it's religious significance, and the importance of accurate translation/understanding of scripture, and it becomes even cooler!

Yes, and a little bit They're the finals for this semester, so I'll have 2 and a half weeks. One of those weeks I'm volunteering at a camp, and I have to work a few days, but it'll be the first real break I'll have had in a very long time.

Normally I'd take that advice, but there are two problems. Problem 1: I'm making a reference sheet that I can take into the exam. I need to fit the last chapter or two onto it so I have that reference with me. Problem 2: I wasn't paying enough attention in class. I used to, but it's the side effect of a mixture of 'lazy college senior' and a massive case of studying burnout. I haven't had a break longer than a long weekend since Christmas, and I spent that break a mixture of depressed and sick. So after 5 years of university with no breaks longer than 3 weeks, and about a year with no useable breaks longer than 4 days, I'm at the end of my tether.

That happens? Cool! Hebrew would be an interesting language to learn....

Back to the original topic: I have a final exam tomorrow in 8.5 hours. I am exhausted, stressed out and no where near ready. I'm currently running on caffeine and sugar from a couple Tim Hortons Iced Capuccinos (they're delicious). But I am in a mind burning need sleep but need to study more mode. Then as soon as this exam is done I have to START studying for another exam. That's on Tuesday. To add insult to injury, currently stressing out about my sister in law who was just taken to hospital. So bleh.

Pet Peeve: like massive pet peeve. And ridiculous. People calling Lego, Legos. It's an adjective (Lego bricks) originally, that's morphed into an uncounted noun (so the plural and the singular are the same, no s Like a sheep and sheep. Or water, or sand).

Nope! But you can play with sand! Or mess around with the Sands of Time.... If you dare.

I grew up on Star Wars. Literally watched the VHS's every day, until I wore them out. I think we all need a hug from this one.

Yep! It's an adjective (to Lego Bricks), and has become an uncountable noun (like water, or sand. You don't go and play with waters or build things with sands, you play with water or you build using sand in your sandpit. Legos would refer to different bodies of Lego, like sands refers to different bodies of water). The more you know! Plus, it's a ridiculous pet peeve. It bothers me, when it really shouldn't matter... Such is life!

/hug Get as much sleep as you can before you go, then be prepared to take midafternoon naps whenever possible!

These are amazing. However, to be slightly pedantic about a pet peeve of mine, the proper term is "Lego", not "Legos" - so "I'm playing with my Lego!" is proper, or "Using Lego, I built these amazingly awesome things!". Legos is incorrect! Not that it's important, just a pet peeve xD Have an upvote for awesome constructions!

Canadian here - there are a few, but not that many. As automatic transmissions are more efficient now, most people find that the extra difficulty and decreased fuel economy aren't worth the 'feel'. For the record, my brother and my boss both have a vehicle that's manual transmission, and I HAVE learned how to drive it (but haven't practiced in years). But most of us have automatic.

/huge hug /like all the hug It'll be ok You're doing fine - you're handling things the way you need to. You got this. "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your lifespan"? It doesn't help, so if at all possible, don't dwell on it. You're getting your savings back, and you will be ok! On the teeth grinding - maybe get a mouth guard for when you're sleeping? It can help by protecting your teeth and making your mouth less sore (because it absorbs some of that tooth-gritting energy). Might be something to think about!

Appreciated - but yeah, I'm not a casual swing kind of guy partly conservative morally, partly personality (I'm into commitment and relationship, and don't like messing with people's emotions).