A few of my friends and I are planning to travel to Vancouver, BC via car for the weekend of Canada Day. Here's the problem. I JUST became a US citizen and applied for my US passport at the beginning of the month. It takes 7-9 weeks to receive your passport even with the expedited service I paid for, so in any case I'm cutting it close with the July 1st travel plans. I haven't been able to get a straight answer to this, so I was hoping you fine folks could shed some light.
If in the case my passport does not arrive on time, what exactly would happen at the border if I traveled on my old, but still valid Italian passport? I figure it would get me into the country no problem, but what about coming back to the US?
They took away my green card when I got my citizenship and they took away my citizenship certificate when I applied for my passport. So I don't really have any proof of citizenship at the moment. Meaning I don't think I can even apply for enhanced ID at this point. Are there any other documents I could bring to get me through border patrol coming back into the states without too much fuss? I have a photocopy of my citizenship certificate and I mean I can bring a copy of my lease maybe?? lol. I understand they'll probably have to pull us aside if I don't have my passport and such but what are they gonna do? Keep me in Canada? Or will they be able to like look me up and let me go through eventually?
I totally understand this is a very niche issue and its unlikely many have had to deal with this issue but if anyone has any experience crossing the border by car without the appropriate docs, I would appreciate any advice. I'm already planning to contact my congressperson to help expedite the passport once I am 14 days away from travel, but if that doesn't pan out, I'd love to have a fall back.

12/3/22
Tonight was grocery night. My wife started in on me with the kids in the car about all the problems in our marriage. She says I blame her for the last year, that I no longer look at or tough her. Which is strange since she told me she is resentful of me and I remind her of her grandfather. Why would I initiate with someone who doesnt show me they love me or have any desire for me. I tried but I no longer love her and I don't desire her any longer. She commented on my weight loss, asking her how much more I wanted to lose, I told her another 20 pounds maybe. Then she said that I would look sick if I lost that much weight. She asked if there were any particular reason I wanted to lose weight. She also stated that I must despise her because she has no desire to lose weight. Then stated she had recently lost 13 pounds. She started to complain that I only talked about my boss, which is true because she is really the only person I speak to at work, besides Byron, but he is new. She doesn't seem to understand how isolated I am at work. She then started in on me about not helping around the house, which is funny because she has commented many times on how much I do, yet she always seems to forget it within a week or 2. She kept telling me how I never speak to her and I told her I cant because if I do I will just get in trouble because of my memory, then she proved me right by bitching at me because I ask questions about things she has told me. She also threw out a lot of excuses because she has been stressed and busy with college. She then asked if we could start over and I said yes. Why can't she ever start this shit when we are without the kids.
12/4/22
Today we went to church, then got some Little Caesars pizza. After lunch my wife went to the school to do some things. It is 9:00 pm as I write this and she has been gone for 8 hours. I bathed the kids, did the dishes, cooked the kids supper, and I did my laundry and put up 4 loads of laundry, 2 of which she had done but as usual she will not put up. I put up the childrens clothes from their luggage from Thanksgiving, one week later. I put up all the laundry except for my wifes. She still has clothes lying in the chair from over a month ago, and clothes lying in 2 piles on the bedroom floor that have been there for 3 months. I did some digging and found a conversation between my wife and MIL and SIL. My wife swept the hallway in Oct, the 1st time in a very long time, and posted the picture to a facebook messenger group the 3 of them are on. As usual MIL chimed in with why don't I help. My wife said because that would interfere with sitting on my but and playing video games. MIL then said its ridiculous because my wife works twice as hard as I do and I should help. My wife is lying to her MIL and either lying to herself or actually believes I don't do anything. She will find out eventually how much I do and dont do when she actually has to do all this shit herself. Also, I spent an hour or 2 outside trimming the trees away from the house, dead limbs, And then stacking them for bulk pickup. My wife just got home, I have the kids in bed and she gets mad because she now has to clean her desk because I am working from home tomorrow and she doesn't want me to touch her things. She then raised her voice at the state of the house because she is the only one that actually sees it, only one that cleans it, and the only one that doesn't have time to clean it. I haven't spent more than an hour today not working and she just belittled everything I did today.
12/7/22
Today didn't start out great. I am working from home today due to meetings and a dr appointment. I told my wife earlier in the week but she forgot and was upset that I didn't tell her. I had my dr appointment and then my meeting I couldn't miss. Afterwards, I started on dishes and supper. Wife and kids came home while I was doing that and the only person to come greet me was my ychild. My wife never came to say hello or see what I was doing, she didn't say thank you for cooking supper or what a great meal it was. In fact one of the first things she said to me was after I couldn't find the bbq sauce. She came into the kitchen, looked in the back at the top of the fridge and found it. I asked her where it was and she just looked at me and said somewhere I would have never found it. It was so dejecting and spiteful. After supper I finished the dishes and took out the trash while they were gone for church. Speaking of trash, every week i pick up the trash from my ochilds room. The vast majority of the trash is fast food drinks that my wife left on the side table when she sleeps there every night.
12/17/22
We have inlaws coming in for Christmas later this week. We had to pick-up groceries today and we are meeting up with SIL and BIL to look at Christmas lights, so I didn't have much time today to prepare. While my wife was gone to shop with her church friends I cleaned off the back porch and swept the front yard into a large pile for the kids to play in. I worked late doing so and barely managed to finish before she got back home before we left for the SIl’s. We were gone late and got back around midnight.
12/18/22
Had church this morning and ate lunch in town while running errands. After we got back my wife spent the rest of the day picking up and cleaning ychilds room. She ended up throwing away 3 garbage bags full of clothes and 5 large toys that were destroyed. While she was doing this I picked up the living room, did laundry, and put up 5 loads of laundry. Once again I refused to put up her laundry so instead I just moved it from there where it has been folded on the chairs since I folded then and put them there 4 months ago. I put them in her computer chair. Now she has those clothes plus the clothes in the laundry baskets on the bedroom floor that have been there for 8 months in a pile unfolded. I heard her enter the bedroom and make a comment about being happy that the chairs were clear until she realized I hadn't actually put up her laundry and just moved them. I then cooked supper but had to put up some groceries that she had gotten earlier and placed on the stove.
12/19/22
I woke up this morning to a question from my wife about a bag of treats that she said I put up from the kitchen table. I told her I hadn't seen them. She told me I shouldn't have put up the groceries the previous night and how I didn't put anything up from the table, just the groceries that were on the stove. She began to say she misspoke and meant the stove. She got angry and started to mock my answers. She was still angry and we got ready to leave for work. She started to walk past me out the door and I made kissy noises for a goodbye kiss. She got mad at me for that. We left for work and I got back in time to thaw something for supper. Around 5:50 she called me to tell me she was on the way home, which I thought was a little late but she had to stop at the store. I cooked sloppy joes for supper and the kids ate well. After supper I played a little bit on the computer with my ochild. I heard her looking for the kids special Christmas PJ’s for polar express day the next day at school. She was frantically looking for them and getting angry at me because I did the laundry last (haha like she has done it in a while) and didn't know where they were. I heard her in my ochilds room digging through his closet. I heard her ask him where they were and he said he didn't know daddy did the laundry last. She then said she knows “that's why shit gets lost.” It was very hurtful, disrespectful, and derogatory to say something like that, especially in front of my child and have him participate in the conversation. I helped look for them and found them under my ochilds pillows on his bed. There was no apology or any thankfulness when I found them. Later after I got the kids to bed my wife came and sat on her side of the couch using her phone and laptop. She muttered something about ‘that sounds about right.” I asked if she was talking to me and before I could finish “or was she talking to herself about a text” she answered me with a very angry look on her face and a very hurtful tone that “not everything is about you.” I was obviously very hurt by this so I got up to fill up on water and went to bed. She started to tell me it was a text from her mom about her dad but stopped talking when I was checking locks. She got irritated and refused to elaborate. I went to bed and refused to kiss her or tell her goodnight. This was not a very good day.
12/24/22
Christmas Eve. Wife and MIl went to town today for many hours, leaving me and my FIL home alone. I asked if he would be interested in 1883 since he had heard of it from one of his hands. He said yes and we started watching it. We were probably on episode 5-6 when they returned. I had checked several time if he wanted to keep watching it and he said yes. Wife and MIL returned around episode 6-7. SIL and BIl some over at about episode 7-8 and SIL asked him if he liked it. I didn't hear him but I was told he said it was fine, had a lot of action but sometimes felt like watching paint dry. After several more times of asking if he was ok watching the show he replied we went this far might as well watch it. MIL made several biting comments about wanting to watch something else. I find this funny because she never complains when he controls the TV at his house unless it is behind his back. She doesn't have the same limitations with me. I respected his wishes and continued to the end. After the show ended MIL cornered me in the hallway berating me for watching that show and trapping him all day watching it, saying that he didn't want to watch that show. I returned to the living room and asked him if he liked the show or was bothered by finishing the season. He said no and asked me why I asked. I said I just wanted to make sure.
12/25/22
Christmas day. After yesterday I was eager to finish this weekend but I am glad the kids had such a good time.
12/27/22
Today I had my 1st meeting with my new therapist. We went over some reasons why I was seeking a divorce and what/when to tell the kids. He did encourage me to speak to my wife about separating rather than filing prior like my lawyer suggested.
12/29/22
Tonight my wife confronted me about the use of towels to clean myself off after taking care of myself when I sleep alone. She mentioned how we hadn't had sex in 13 months. Which is hard to do when you are never alone together. I mentioned this and she talked about one time we had 4 days sleeping alone together when we took the kids to the inlaws a few months ago. I told her she didn't try anything either and I was tired of asking after being rejected for the past 7 years. We argued some more and eventually she got angry and started to leave. I then suggested that maybe we should discuss separating. She returned and asked me if that is what I wanted. I said yes and she got very angry and started yelling at me. She eventually left and went to sit on the couch for about 30 min. She eventually returned and we had a heart to heart. I told her all of the things that I was resentful about and she argued with me on every point. She seemed incredulous about splitting custody with the kids. Exclaiming how I wouldn't be able to afford living alone while paying child support. I asked for 50/50 saying did she just want me to become a weekend dad and she was upset at having to switch the kids every week. Eventually the kids woke up and came into the bedroom. She started talking in terms that my son could understand saying that everything is going to change and not for the good. My son can be very emotional and he started to cry. We couldn't get the kids to bed and eventually she lost it and started hitting herself in the head with a brush and then went to the bedroom door and started shaking it violently and I am not sure if she hit herself in the head with it. She left the room and I layed down with the kids to calm them. She eventually returned and we spoke amicably and she asked me to give us a chance and attend couples counseling. I agreed and she went to lay down with the kids.
I am so thankful I recorded it.
12/30/22
Today my wife spent the day with her sister and our kids at the zoo. She didn't get back until almost midnight and we didn't get a chance to talk. She went to sleep with the kids.
12/31/22
This morning my wife and I had a discussion. She admitted to almost everything that I said to her the other night. Saying that she was sorry and that she is going to try and not yell at me anymore or criticize me when I do the housework and it is not up to her standards. I am still skeptical but I am willing to see how things go.
Next Entry Jan 2023

Where are my teens & kids who spent the summers on the run with Luke & Laura?
Some of you may have seen recently that Jackie Zeman (Bobbie Spencer) passed away earlier this month at the age of 70. She played the role of GH RN, former hooker with a heart of gold, land lady, and Luke's baby sister for 45 years. She had been a near constant in my life, so her loss sent me to YouTube in search of old GH clips and episodes.
TLDR: I watched a lot of old GH.
I found a goldmine in youtuber Sussezq who has playlists beginning when Bobbie calls her brother Luke Spencer to Port Charles to help break up Laura Webber and Scott Baldwin (1979), Laura's marriage to Scott and Luke's rape of Laura at the Campus Disco and then their summer on the run hiding from mobsters (1980), and their Ice Princess caper with Robert Scorpio and their Nov wedding with 30 million viewers (1981).
I was 9-11 during the Luke and Laura heyday. Some things I didn't remember, didn't get at the time, or just didn't get to see due to school and not having a VCR until 1984. I've watched from Luke & Laura's first meeting to their honeymoon, and here are my Gen-Xey thoughts:
The Good

• The writing is much better than you think it's going to be. Gloria Monty was the showrunner at the time, and she turned a failing hospital daytime drama into the biggest daytime soap on the planet.
• Tony Geary (Luke) was just absolutely incredible as Luke Spencer. Smart, witty, and quick with ad-libs, he was also the little black dress of the show and had chemistry with everyone. He pulled better performances out of so-so actors, generously propped up lackluster actors, and allowed good actors to shine. He took Genie Francis under his wing and elevated her performance.
• Found Family is a more modern concept in media but soap operas have been creating families via long-lost children, paternity confusion, friends, step-parents, etc for decades. Luke has a less "traditionally" familial structure than Laura: his mother died due lack of health care, and his father abandoned them. Luke and his sister Bobbie grew up on the streets, with occasional help from his Aunt Ruby who then a brothel madam. By the time Luke has been back in Port Charles for a few months, Tony (Luke), Jackie (Bobbie), and Norma (Ruby) have built chemistry and loyalty into a "us against the world" bond that is impressive now, much less in the early 80s. Laura's family, while more traditional in structure, is also new: Laura was switched at birth and doesn't find out Dr. Leslie Webber is her birth mom until she's a teen. Leslie is married to Dr. Rick Webber, who is not Laura's bio father, and Laura has been raised with her sister Amy who is actually her sister via adoption. By 1980 you'd never know Rick and Leslie didn't raise Laura.
• The adventures are fun, cheesy, and fairly fast paced for a soap opera.
• The show often manages to tie Luke & Laura's adventures back to the hospital, or at least its doctors and nurses.
• The Campus Disco is both hilarious (why is it a college campus disco???) and amazing. The music is a weird muzak version of "Call Me" and "Ring My Bell," though.
• The fashions are glorious. I hated 70s fashions in the 80s, but they're incredibly forward now, seeing them as an adult. Luke often wears an amazing pair of pink Guess Jeans that I would kill for.
• Brian and Claudia are a hot, smart Black couple who are getting college degrees when we meet them, and they're both great friends to Laura and Scott (and later Luke). There's no racist subtext in their speech, clothing, jobs, and relationship. (But see me in the Bad Section later.)
• Richard Simmons (as himself) gives exercise classes as part of his Live-It (as opposed to diet) program. He's also -- and this amazing -- one of Luke's groomsmen for his failed wedding to Jennifer Smith! He shows up again to welcome Luke and Laura home after the Frank Smith / Left Handed Boy adventure, and then he just sort of fades away.
• Two henchmen chase after Luke and Laura during their summer on the run. "Hutch" Hutchinson is blond, gorgeous, and, like Tony Geary, appears to think he's acting on bigger show than he's on. His chemistry with Luke and Laura is amazing, and the three of them become great friends (this friendship triangle will later be replicated with Robert Scorpio). Sally Armitage, a bar owner in upstate New York for whom Hutch, Laura, and Luke work, turns out not only to be one of Frank Smith's hired guns, but also a man named Max Hedges in drag as Sally. I have so many questions! It's never explained why Max is Sally. It doesn't appear that he's trans (or transsexual as it was called then) and actually living as a woman, because we seem him as Max and he often uses his "Max voice" to talk to Frank Smith. Is he in drag to better disguise himself and make Luke & Laura more trusting of him? Or is the character merely a transvestite who just enjoys dressing as a woman at times? I DON'T KNOW! But it's fascinating, and treated with astounding respect in 1980 (despite Sally being a bad guy).
• The Ice Princess freezing plot is straight out of James Bond, but there are layers to it -- the discussions of the haves and have nots are especially poignant when Luke recounts his and and Bobbie's childhoods.
• The wedding of the century was phenomenal. I hated the bridesmaid dresses at the time (I still don't like mauve or hats), the antique cars and the outdoors setting, and all of the country decor from Luke and Laura's time hiding out on Whittaker's Farm is lovely, with a with a plotluck meal from the residents of Port Charles (including caviar and Oysters Rockefeller from the Quartermaines).
• Robert Xavier Scorpio. Hot dude, great accent, great actor, stellar chemistry with Luke.
• Rick Springfield is freaking fine as Dr. Noah Drake. Just as fine as I remember from 1981 when I bought "Working Class Dog."

The Bad

• It's not even going to start with the rape. Shocker, I know. Rick and Leslie Webber and Gail and Lee Baldwin were okay with Laura at 17 marrying Scotty who had to be at least 23 (he was in law school). I grew up in a rural town in Oklahoma. It was extremely typical for girls to get married right out of high school where and when I grew up, and often to slightly older men in their 20s who were "settled." But those were poor people who had been raised to believe they had very few educational opportunities. Laura is the child of two MDs. Worse, Genie Francis actually was 17 and some of the things she went through were so not okay.
• Laura gets a job serving alcohol at the Disco when was 17. The drinking age in New York was 18 in 1979, so that was probably legal. Just weird if you're me.
• Laura is incredibly infantilized by Scott and her parents. It's kinda gross.
• The rape. It's so much worse than you remember. Luke comes to town to break up Laura and Scott (for Bobbie), fails, and then falls for high school senior Laura (they don't ever give Luke's actual age, but I think it's supposed to be around 25; Tony Geary was actually 32 in 1979). He even takes pictures of her in her cheerleading uniform (which Luke cops to still having a year later). When she is almost 18 and married to Scott, Luke pulls her onto the dance floor at the Campus Disco after hours and forces her to dance to Herb Alpert's "Rise." He kisses her despite her protests, and then drags her to the floor and rapes her while she is saying, "No." There's no ambiguity. Even a "what about" guy would struggle because Laura is 17, Luke's employee, and shell-fucking-shocked when it's over. She escapes to the park and later reports the rape, but doesn't reveal she knew her attacker. She accuses Luke of the rape to his face, and he doesn't deny it. Despite the fact that he is torn up about it, he raped her. She still keeps working at the disco, and she doesn't tell Scott, and she displays PTSD, but she still keeps helping Luke with his mob problems. The chemistry between Luke and Laura was such that the show ran with it. Tony was an incredible actor nd he brought out a strength in Laura we hadn't see before. So they have Laura punish Luke emotionally, but she doesn't turn him in, and she doesn't cut him out of her life. Before his abortive wedding to Jennifer, she writes him a letter where she forgives him (which Scott finds, ending their marriage). Once on the run, she "admits" to Luke that it wasn't rape, that she wanted it too, but was just too ashamed of her feelings for him and didn't want to break her marriage vows and be ashamed in front of her family and friends. The gross "seduction-rape" trope was huge in the 80s. Good girls could not be seen actively seeking sex, so they were often "taken against their will." It played out in real life, too, with several women my age not knowing they were raped because "they put themselves in a room alone with him" or "they should have fought harder." Several of my friends wouldn't use birth control, because that meant you had planned to have sex, rather than it be something that happened to you.
• Of all the grossness that surrounds the Luke & Laura rape, the worst is her apology to him that they made love, rather than that he raped her.
• Too much reliance on "kooky" characters like Slick Jones and Emma Lutz. While Slick isn't bad, Emma is really a single punchline (she's "trashy hot"! Ha ha! So funny!). Tony was so good at being "wacky" as Luke that they wanted to build on that. Unfortunately not every character actor is Tony.
• Brian and Claudia are attractive, smart, witty, fun, loving, loyal, and fit into Port Charles society seamlessly. They also don't have a single storyline that isn't supporting to someone else (at least between 1979-1981). Can a Black man get some amnesia or hysterical blindness???
• It's hilarious that Luke goes to Dan Rooney, the hospital administrator, for international banking intel about the Quartermaines, Cassadines, and Robert Scorpio. Oh, we get a line of dialogue about how he used to work for movers and shakers, but it's still amusing. One of my best friends is the CFO for a local small credit union. Imma hit her up about Musk and Soros.
• Laura is not only sacrificed on the purity altar, she's also dragged across the coals for getting a divorce. Since Laura's soon-to-be-ex father-in-law Lee Baldwin is apparently the only attorney in town, she must turn to his associate, Joe Kelly (who graduates law school in like 6 months) to get her divorce from Scott. Quick Mexican divorces were de rigueur on 80s TV, so off Laura heads to Juarez. Lee tears up the divorce decree in a drunken rage, and Luke confronts him about it. Lee is later apologetic, and explains it as "what a dad gotta do," but latter adds that it was also due to the mores of his generation. The mores of his generation?! Lee might be Greatest Gen, but his General Hospital CV will tell you that:

1. He's a recovering alcoholic with anger issues
2. He's the biological father of Rick Webber's younger brother Jeff who was conceived via infidelity between Lee and Helene Webber
3. He was totes fine with college grad Scott marrying a literal high school senior!

Yeah. Lee should sit this one out.
The Ugly
In a 2022 interview with Oprah's "Where Are They Now," Genie Francis explained the following about why she left General Hospital in early 1982 at the height of Luke & Laura's popularity:

"I was very young. I was only 19. I was having trouble with drugs and alcohol," she said. After spending a night in the hospital, she was told she had to return to work the next day. Then someone came to her dressing room to inform her what had been said about her on set. "They said it didn't matter if you lived or died because Tony was the whole show," the person told her. "That hurt," the actress added. Feeling that she didn't matter to the show and that she was considered "nothing," Francis thought, "Okay, watch this. I'm gone," and in a moment of anger, she quit "GH." She admitted the decision was rather hot-headed, saying, "I went a long distance to prove a point. A very long distance," acknowledging that her actions hurt herself as well.

Read More: https://www.nickiswift.com/1105223/the-heartbreaking-reason-genie-francis-left-general-hospital-at-the-height-of-luke-and-lauras-fame/
Despite the bad and the ugly of it all, the show meant A LOT to me between 9 and 25 or so, and Luke & Laura were probably my first fandom. It was amusing and sometimes surreal to relive it all again.

What will you be doing with this PC? Be as specific as possible, and include specific games or programs you will be using.

editing, primarily adobe (premiere, ps, ae), light gaming, schoolwork

What is your maximum budget before rebates/shipping/taxes?

$1100

When do you plan on building/buying the PC? Note: beyond a week or two from today means any build you receive will be out of date when you want to buy.

ASAP

What, exactly, do you need included in the budget? (ToweOS/monitokeyboard/mouse/etc)

tower

Which country (and state/province) will you be purchasing the parts in? If you're in US, do you have access to a Microcenter location?

US, yes a microcenter is accessible

If reusing any parts (including monitor(s)/keyboard/mouse/etc), what parts will you be reusing? Brands and models are appreciated.

na

Will you be overclocking? If yes, are you interested in overclocking right away, or down the line? CPU and/or GPU?

maybe in the future

Are there any specific features or items you want/need in the build? (ex: SSD, large amount of storage or a RAID setup, CUDA or OpenCL support, etc)

able to power a 1440p display

What type of network connectivity do you need? (Wired and/or WiFi) If WiFi is needed and you would like to find the fastest match for your wireless router, please list any specifics.

WiFi - Just something standard is OK here.

Do you have any specific case preferences (Size like ITX/microATX/mid-towefull-tower, styles, colors, window or not, LED lighting, etc), or a particular color theme preference for the components?

not limited to anything

Do you need a copy of Windows included in the budget? If you do need one included, do you have a preference?

no

Extra info or particulars:

What will you be doing with this PC? Be as specific as possible, and include specific games or programs you will be using.

Primarily games with some hobbies in photo editing and illustration, would like to be able to run modern games at high settings like Elden Ring, Cyberpunk, destiny and such. Will be working excessively with Photoshop, Illustrator, lightroom and 3D programs as well like Blender, Zbrush and Maya.

What is your maximum budget before rebates/shipping/taxes?

$2500 CAD

When do you plan on building/buying the PC? Note: beyond a week or two from today means any build you receive will be out of date when you want to buy.

As soon as possible, hopefully within the next week or so.

What, exactly, do you need included in the budget? (ToweOS/monitokeyboard/mouse/etc)

Tower and OS would be appreciated everything else is already provided, though i would appreciate recommendations for Monitors, Microphones, Headphones and other peripherals as im looking to upgrade those soon as well! Currently keeping any eye out for good monitors to replace my current 2 with hopefully higher resolutions than 1080p if anyone has recommendations.

Which country (and state/province) will you be purchasing the parts in? If you're in US, do you have access to a Microcenter location?

Canada, will have access to a Memory Express for parts.

If reusing any parts (including monitor(s)/keyboard/mouse/etc), what parts will you be reusing? Brands and models are appreciated.

Would like a fresh slate for all parts, will not be reusing anything from the current system. Currently using a Corsair K70 keyboard and a Logitech G600 mouse. an asus and samsung monitor that i've reused since past builds and a Huion GT-191 graphics illustration tablet.

Will you be overclocking? If yes, are you interested in overclocking right away, or down the line? CPU and/or GPU?

No interest in overclocking as most of what I do is fairly light work, would appreciate being able to run programs and games at max with minimal hiccups but not opposed to drop settings.

Are there any specific features or items you want/need in the build? (ex: SSD, large amount of storage or a RAID setup, CUDA or OpenCL support, etc)

Would like a pretty large and fast amount of storage, currently have a 2tb drive with a small SSD boot drive and a secondary small SSD for common games i play. It works fine but having more room in the SSDs would be nice if it didn't break the bank.

What type of network connectivity do you need? (Wired and/or WiFi) If WiFi is needed and you would like to find the fastest match for your wireless router, please list any specifics.

Currently have wired but i find having access to wifi handy if i never need to travel for a LAN or anything similar.

Do you have any specific case preferences (Size like ITX/microATX/mid-towefull-tower, styles, colors, window or not, LED lighting, etc), or a particular color theme preference for the components?

Whatever fits the parts! I like having the window and some of the LEDs being seen but its not a huge requirement, something fairly quiet is preferred, no huge preference on colour or theme but I typically like to stick with basic black cases.

Do you need a copy of Windows included in the budget? If you do need one included, do you have a preference?

Shouldn't be necessary, I have access to keys that I'll need.
All the help is appreciated, if you have further inquiries that would help the process let me know. Thank you!

OK, this could be a long one - I just need to tell somebody how I’m feeling after recently seeing my ex. But to begin with, I must state that I am currently very happily in a 7 year relationship and we have a child together, so I’m not about to do anything stupid.
For context, my ex (who I met through work) and I were in a 3 year long-distance ‘situationship’ which ended before I met my current partner. He was never my boyfriend and we only saw each other every couple of months although we spoke constantly. It was always very passionate (sorry, TMI) but I was young and at the time I felt like I loved him. In reality it was 3 years of empty promises and me hoping for it to be something more than it was, so I ended it and we didn’t speak for around a year.
When I did finally see him again at a work event, we were friendly and on good terms, although it did feel as though there was still a ‘spark’. However, I had moved on into my current relationship and so I dismissed it. I’ve seen him at a handful of events over the past 7 years and it’s always been the same, but again I dismissed it as I love my current partner and we now have a child who is our absolute world.
Regarding my current partner, it’s only upon meeting and falling in love with him that I realised my previous feelings for my ex were actually lust, rather than love. I hope this comes across in the way I meant it, which is basically my current boyfriend showed me what love truly is.
That then brings me to now, where I have recently seen my ex at another event at which he told me that he regrets not taking things forward with us. In his words, although he really happy for me, seeing me is torture and he would rather be on his own than settle with the wrong person - the right person being me. He also recognises that if he had made different choices then we could have been together. He will always have the thought of ‘what if’.
Now I’ll admit, I have thought to myself ‘what if I didn’t end it?’ but as far as I’m concerned, he’s still in the same position as he was a decade ago, and I’ve now moved on and started a family and have a wonderful life with my boyfriend. So even if I had kept waiting, what would have been different?
Anyway, that’s not the dilemma here because no way would I have wasted a decade waiting for someone to commit to me (I’m still can’t believe that I wasted 3 years). My dilemma is that I think I might still have some feelings of lust for him. That’s the only way I can describe the ‘spark’ that seems to be there, and even though I’ve always dismissed it, why am I still feeling it? I must also say that this never usually crosses my mind, it’s only when seeing my ex.
I love my boyfriend and I would never act on these feelings, but I’m so annoyed with myself that I’m feeling like this. I’m hoping it’ll pass but I literally have no idea what to do about it.

Looking to sell some of these extras I have to help pay off some debt. Please feel free to reach out with any offers… and I will send pictures upon request as well! Prices have shipping included and is not added on, Thanks for looking!
Phish - Junta - Black & White Splatter - (M/M) ($90) • https://www.discogs.com/release/15419389-Phish-Junta
fun. - “Aim and Ignite” - Zia Records Red/Yellow Split - (NM/NM, open and played once) ($28)
https://www.discogs.com/release/27050364-Fun-Aim-And-Ignite
TOOL - Fear Inoculum - 3 LP Black Vinyl - (NM/M, small tear in shrink) ($55)
https://www.discogs.com/release/24110888-Tool-Fear-Inoculum
Arooj Aftab - Vulture Prince - 2 Lp Deluxe Edition - (NM/NM, Played Once) ($33)
https://www.discogs.com/release/23683175-Arooj-Aftab-Vulture-Prince
The War On Drugs - Lost In The Dream - Black Vinyl - (VG/VG) ($20)
https://www.discogs.com/release/5507165-The-War-On-Drugs-Lost-In-The-Dream
Alex G - Trick - Black & Blue Quad - (M/M) ($50) • https://www.discogs.com/release/25429423-Alex-G-Trick
Lake Street Dive - Bad Self Portraits - Newbury Red Translucent Vinyl (Comes with Signed CD booklet!) - (M/M) ($75) • https://www.discogs.com/release/17919715-Lake-Street-Dive-Bad-Self-Portraits
PENDING • Frank Ocean - Blonde - 2022 Black Vinyl Repress - (M/M) ($160) • https://www.discogs.com/release/25500877-Frank-Ocean-Blonde
The Grateful Dead - Workingman's Dead - “Blue Collar” Vinyl - (M/M) ($45) • https://www.discogs.com/release/15615208-The-Grateful-Dead-Workingmans-Dead
PENDING • Khruangbin - Mordechai - Indie Pink Translucent - (M/M) ($40) • https://www.discogs.com/release/15511221-Khruangbin-Mordechai
Tyler Childers - Live at Red Barn Radio 1 & 2 - Red Smoke - (M/M) ($25) • https://www.discogs.com/release/26610812-Tyler-Childers-Live-On-Red-Barn-Radio-I-II
Nirvana - Best of Nirvana - Smoke Colored Vinyl - NM/M ($28) • https://www.discogs.com/release/16208904-Nirvana-Nirvana
Eminem - Curtain Call 2 - Black Vinyl - (M/M) ($26) • https://www.discogs.com/release/25048738-Eminem-Curtain-Call-2
Tash Sultana - Flow State - Mint & Pink swirl - (VG/VG) ($30) • https://www.discogs.com/release/12488775-Tash-Sultana-Flow-State
Japanese Breakfast - Jubilee - Clear w/ Yellow Swirl, Indie Exclusive - (NM/NM) ($30) • https://www.discogs.com/release/18924697-Japanese-Breakfast-Jubilee
(Signed!) Nnamdï - BRAT - Blue & Pink Splatter - (M/M, corner of plastic ripped to make way for signature) ($50) • https://www.discogs.com/release/23017706-Nnamd%C3%AF-Brat
Marvin Gaye - What’s Going On - 2 LP, 50th Anniversary, Black Vinyl - (M/M) ($35) • https://www.discogs.com/release/22739588-Marvin-Gaye-Whats-Going-On
PENDING • Weezer - Ok Human - Clear w/ Rainbow Splatter - (M/M) ($20) • https://www.discogs.com/release/17272615-Weezer-OK-Human
Czarface - A Fistful Of Peril - Yellow Inside Clear w/neon Violet & Neon Green Splatter Vinyl - (M/M) ($45)
https://www.discogs.com/release/19777627-Czarface-A-Fistful-Of-Peril
Czarface - Czarface Meets Ghostface - Blue inside clear w/ Yellow & Red Splatter Vinyl - (M/M) ($40)
https://www.discogs.com/release/19788499-Czarface-Ghostface-Czarface-Meets-Ghostface

Hello, I have to make a roadtrip through the country in a few weeks (Live in Minnesota) and I'll be passing through Chicago on my way back. I plan on hitting up a legal dispensary along my route. I live within 15 minutes of the Wisconsin/Minnesota border near St Croix so I literally have to drive all the way through WI, otherwise I have to go around through Iowa and Southern Minnesota.
Friends have told me Wisconsin is a zero tolerance state and my plan is risky.

Hi everyone! My name is Sharon, and I am a college student interested in civic engagement and politics. I have been working on a project with some other students to make the Seattle City Council meetings more accessible by putting them into short summaries. My friend Rachel and George has posted previously about it, and I am continuing this group project. I have put an example from last week below, though the real thing has a bit more formatting that doesn't translate into Reddit.
This project is relatively new, so we would really appreciate any feedback you may have and hope to make it as informative and accessible as possible! If you're interested in getting these newsletters every week, please click here: https://forms.gle/Yxo5fevVhVWmwcB78.
Example newsletter:
Seattle City Council Meeting Summaries - Week of May 22
Council Briefing 5/22/2023 (Duration: 1h50min)

• 6 Present - Council President Debora Juarez, Councilmembers Andrew Lewis and Kshama Sawant are absent and excused, and Councilmember Sara Nelson arrived late.

Council Meeting 5/23/2023 (Duration: 2h56min)

• 7 Present - Council President Debora Juarez and Councilmember Kshama Sawant are absent and excused.

Councilmember Updates

• Councilmember Lisa Herbold: District 1
  
  • There is no item from the Public Safety and Human Services Committee for the full council meeting on Tuesday.
  • The next committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 23rd.
    • They will receive a briefing on overdose trends and harm reduction approaches from Public Health Seattle & King County and a panel of community-based overdose prevention program grantees.
    • Will hear an overview of the proposed Council Bill 120580 regarding app-based workers' deactivation rights.
  • Met with Chief Diaz, Southwest Precinct Captain Rivera, Director Betts of the Office of Police Accountability, Fire Chief Scoggins, and the leadership of the Community Police Commission individually.
  • The Harbor Patrol unit is ready for the summer increase in calls for marine-related law enforcement and assistance.
  • There will be a fire day on the 124th anniversary of the Great Seattle Fire at MOHAI at South Lake Union.
  • Remind that the Seattle Emergency Hubs will be hosting disaster preparedness training on June 11th.
  • Provided public comment to the King County Flood Control District in support of funding to address the river-topping flood in South Park.
  • Will receive a tour and do a helpline listening shift at Crisis Connections next Wednesday.
• Councilmember Tammy Morales: District 2
  
  • The Arts and Civil Rights Committee meeting from last week was canceled due to the holiday weekend, and the next meeting is scheduled for June 9th.
  • The first meeting of the new Social Housing Developer Board is scheduled for May 23rd.
  • Attended a neighborhood safety meeting with organizations in Seattle's Chinatown-International District (CID) and Social Housing Public Development Authority (PDA).
  • Attended a workshop with SDOT and Sound Transit to discuss some issues in the Othello neighborhood and Rainier Beach neighborhoods.
  • Attended the Evergreen Treatment Services’ 50-year anniversary, the One Seattle Day of Service, and an event for the African Cultural Arts Center.
  • Spoke at the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Celebration hosted by the Department of Neighborhoods and the Seattle AAPI Caucus.
• Councilmember Alex Pedersen: District 4
  
  • There are twelve items from the Transportation and Seattle Public Utilities Committee for the full council meeting on Tuesday.
    • Will present ten appointments, Council Bill 120557, and Council Bill 120574.
  • The next Transportation and Seattle Public Utilities Committee meeting is scheduled for June 6th.
  • Participated in the One Seattle Day of Service last Saturday.
• Councilmember Dan Strauss: District 6
  
  • There are two items from the Land Use Committee for the full council meeting on Tuesday.
    • Will present Council Bill 120534, which is a tree protection bill, and Council Bill 120535, which is a tree protection budget bill.
  • Passed the Tree Protection Ordinance after making 50 amendments.
    • The bill will be presented to the full council meeting on May 23rd for public comments and votes.
    • Welcomed all city council members to attend the Land Use Committee meeting.
    • Set the deadline for submitting amendments to Wednesday, May 17th.
    • There will be a public hearing on May 24.
    • The city council will vote on the passage of the bill on June 20th.
• Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda: Citywide
  
  • There are three items from the Finance and Housing Committee for the full council meeting on Tuesday
    • Will present Council Bill 120572, which approves the 2022 budget increases.
    • Will present Council Bill 120573, which requests approval for a 2023 budget increase, and Council Bill.
  • Heard the April forecast report from the Office of Economic and Revenue forecast last week.
  • The next Housing Levy Committee will meet on May 31st to prepare the introduction of the Housing Levy Proposal.
    • The Committee will meet again on June 7th to vote on any amendments before being presented to the full council.
  • The Finance and Housing Committee will meet again in early July to discuss the revenue situation.
  • Recognize the opening of a Community Field sponsored by the Seattle Housing Authority, the Rave Foundation, and Sounders FC.
• Councilmember Sara Nelson: Citywide
  
  • There are two items from the Economic Development, Technology, and City Light Committee for the full council meeting on Tuesday.
    • Will present Council Bill 120576, which is a distribution easement ordinance.
    • Will present Council Bill 120576, which is a platted easement ordinance.
  • Release legislation that makes the use of illegal drugs in public spaces a simple misdemeanor with Councilmember Pedersen last week.
    • Updated the original bill to align with the state law. The updated bill will be presented to the full council on June 6th.
  • Joined King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn, State Representative Lauren Davis, and King County Department of Community and Human Services Leo Flor for the King County’s 2023 Conference on Substance Disorder on Thursday, May 11.
  • Attended the 49th Seattle International Film Festival, the Port of Seattle’s annual Maritime Day breakfast.
  • Participated in the mid-authorization of a bill passed by the Metropolitan Improvement District with the Mayor, Councilmember Andrew Lewis, and the downtown community.
  • Met with the new CEO of MoPOP, Michelle Smith.

Legislation Updates

• Council Bill 120578: AN ORDINANCE relating to City employment, commonly referred to as the Second Quarter 2023 Employment Ordinance; returning positions to the civil service system; exempting positions from the civil service system; and amending Section 4.13.010 of the Seattle Municipal Code; all by a 2/3 vote of the City Council.
  
  • Sponsored by Council President Debora Juarez; presented by Councilmember Alex Pedersen
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120534: AN ORDINANCE relating to tree protection; balancing the need for housing production and increasing tree protections; and amending Sections 23.44.020, 23.47A.016, 23.48.055, 23.76.004, 23.76.006, and Chapter 25.11 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
  
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Daniel Strauss
  • Councilmember Pedersen made a motion to postpone the vote to June 22nd.
    • 2 Yes (Councilmember Herbold and Pedersen) and 5 No
  • 6 Yes and 1 No (Councilmember Pedersen)
• Council Bill 120535: AN ORDINANCE amending Ordinance 126725, which adopted the 2023 Budget; changing appropriations for various departments and budget control levels, and from various funds; and creating positions; all by a 3/4 vote of the City Council.
  
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Daniel Strauss
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120572: AN ORDINANCE amending Ordinance 126490, which adopted the 2022 Budget, including the 2022-2027 Capital Improvement Program (CIP); changing appropriations to various departments and budget control levels, and from various funds in the Budget; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts; all by a 3/4 vote of the City Council.
  
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Teresa Masqueda
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120573: AN ORDINANCE amending Ordinance 126725, which adopted the 2023 Budget, including the 2023-2028 Capital Improvement Program (CIP); changing appropriations to various departments and budget control levels, and from various funds in the Budget; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts; all by a 3/4 vote of the City Council.
  
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Daniel Strauss
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120563: AN ORDINANCE relating to historic preservation; imposing controls upon Madison Middle School, a landmark designated by the Landmarks Preservation Board under Chapter 25.12 of the Seattle Municipal Code, and adding it to the Table of Historical Landmarks contained in Chapter 25.32 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
  
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Tammy Morales
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120564: AN ORDINANCE relating to historic preservation; imposing controls upon Magnolia Elementary School, a landmark designated by the Landmarks Preservation Board under Chapter 25.12 of the Seattle Municipal Code, and adding it to the Table of Historical Landmarks contained in Chapter 25.32 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
  
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Tammy Morales
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120565: AN ORDINANCE relating to historic preservation; imposing controls upon Daniel Bagley Elementary School, a landmark designated by the Landmarks Preservation Board under Chapter 25.12 of the Seattle Municipal Code, and adding it to the Table of Historical Landmarks contained in Chapter 25.32 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
  
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Tammy Morales
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120566: AN ORDINANCE relating to historic preservation; imposing controls upon West Seattle High School, a landmark designated by the Landmarks Preservation Board under Chapter 25.12 of the Seattle Municipal Code, and adding it to the Table of Historical Landmarks contained in Chapter 25.32 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
  
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Tammy Morales
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120557: AN ORDINANCE relating to the Department of Transportation's Hazard Mitigation Program; authorizing the Director of the Department of Transportation to acquire, accept, and record, on behalf of The City of Seattle, a Catchment Wall Easement from Paul Tan and Ly Ngoc Tan, a married couple, located in a portion of Lot 7, Block 35, Rainier Beach, and a Catchment Wall Easement from Gracie Lee Young, located in a portion of Lot 8, Block 35, Rainier Beach; for the purpose of extending the protection of the adjacent roadway of superficial surface erosion of the adjacent slopes along a portion of Rainier Avenue South; placing the real property rights under the jurisdiction of the Seattle Department of Transportation; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.
  
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Alex Pedersen
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120574: AN ORDINANCE relating to Seattle Public Utilities; declaring certain real property rights at the Foy Pump Station property (500 NE 145th St) as being surplus to the City's municipal utility needs; authorizing the sale of 451 square feet of King County Parcel 756870-0780 and 460 square feet of King County Parcel 756870-0775, and granting 1,201 square feet and 453 square feet on the same respective parcels for 3-year term temporary construction easements to the City of Shoreline for the purposes of the 145th Street and I-5 Interchange Project; directing the proceeds therefrom to Seattle Public Utilities' Water Fund; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.
  
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Alex Pedersen
  • 7 Yes

State Legislation Update: The Office of Intergovernmental Relations (OIR) director Gael Tarleton, State Relations Director Samir Junejo, and State Legislative Liaison Anna Johnson gave a presentation on legislation regarding climate and environment, healthcare and behavioral health, housing and homelessness, labor and commerce, public safety, drug possession and treatment, social programs and education, the capital budget, transportation.

• Here are links to some of the bills: Senate Bill 5144, House Bill 1181, House Bill 1216, Senate Bill 5165, House Bill 1329, Senate Bill 5082, House Bill 1155, House Bill 1340, House Bill 1469, Senate Bill 5242, House Bill 1134, Senate Bill 5120, House Bill 1110, House Bill 1042, House Bill 1293, Senate Bill 5412, House Bill 1474, House Bill 1074, Senate Bill 5080, Senate Bill 5236, Senate Bill 5217, House Bill 1240, House Bill 1143, Senate Bill 5078, Senate Bill 5352, Senate Bill 5087, House Bill 1324, Senate Bill 5440, Senate Bill 5536, House Bill 1238, House Bill 1436.

Proclamations:

• Recognizing June 2nd as the Gun Violence Awareness Day
• Co-sponsored by Councilmember Daniel Strauss and Council President Pro Tempore Lisa Herbold
• 6 signature affixed
• Recognizing May 27, 2023, as Eritrean Independence Day
  
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Tammy Morales
  • 6 signature affixed
• Recognizing June 2023, as LGBTQ Month
  
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Tammy Morales
  • 6 signature affixed
• Recognizing May 28th as Pride Asia Day
  
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Tammy Morales
  • 6 signature affixed

Public Comments:

• Many commenters spoke in support of the tree ordinance, arguing it is balanced and a necessary compromise.
• Many commenters spoke against the tree ordinance, commenting it disproportionately benefits developers at the expense of environmental health, affordable housing, and social equity.
• Many commenters urged the council to delay voting on the tree protection bill to further consult stakeholders.

Resources:

• If you have any questions or feedback, please email us at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]), and we will get the answers to your questions from the city council.
• Sign up here to receive this letter after every city council meeting.
• Go to https://www.purplely.org/ to get to know all the candidates in this year’s city council elections.

I was a participant at the May 20th leaders meeting themed "A Triumphant New Era of SGI-USA Begins." Part A of the meeting were performances by the Ikeda Youth Performing Groups. We heard an experience from a family that had transformed tremendous difficulties and, in the process, transformed their district into one that welcomed many new youth members.
Ikeda Sensei sent a message to the participants which was just printed in the June 9th World Tribute.

My beloved American friends: I offer my heartfelt congratulations on holding this lively leaders meeting! Amid these unstable times, you have all been praying every day for peace as you strive diligently to expand our alliance of global citizens emerging from the earth.

This is a surely an accurate description of the times we are living in and the efforts of thousands of SGI-USA members today.

Nichiren Daishonin writes: “The great correct Law will spread without fail. … When Bodhisattva Superior Practices emerged from the earth, did he not emerge dancing?” (WND-I, p. 1119).
The mission you all possess as noble pioneers of worldwide kosen-rufu is immense. I hope you will advance using times of hardship as opportunities to accumulate tremendous good fortune, joyfully chanting daimoku like the mighty lion’s roar.

At this important time we face the horrors of war, political/cultural dissension, and the loss of a sense of who we are as a people.
Providing perspective, Sensei introduces some thoughts of second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda:

Those who stand and face hardship with faith demonstrate the incredible power of the Buddha. Such individuals can truly encourage others and become allies of the suffering.

We all have to reflect a bit here. Would a Buddha choose to appear in a time of solidarity, peace, and happiness? Or would a Buddha appear in a time where suffering and even existential survival is at stake? We all collectively are the Buddha and our joint mission is to navigate a path through chaos and dysfunction.

Let’s strengthen our faith and together joyfully advance, always on good terms with one another. Illuminate your communities and those you know with the light of encouragement and hope as your lives and efforts for kosen-rufu resound with songs of victory!

This very clearly explains the task ahead for us. It can seem difficult to maintain optimism viewing the state of our country and world. But we can deepen our faith, advance bit by bit, choose to live joyfully, and strive to "illuminate your communities and those you know with the light of encouragement and hope."

With our sights set on the Soka Gakkai’s 100th anniversary in 2030, let’s construct in the places of our vow exemplary castles of capable people, good fortune and happiness! I am praying for the health, longevity and safety of all of you and your families. Please take care!

Where are the places of our vow? They are not far away. They are our families, communities, workplaces, and districts.
My district had to face tumultuous and crushing waves during the pandemic. We persisted and grew despite covid and depopulation. We had our May discussion meeting the following Saturday. Even though we scheduled the meeting on the Memorial Day weekend, we had 10 people including two guests attending. We studied the topic of how to gain conspicuous and inconspicuous benefits. I shared my experience of struggling through many severe do-or-die moments over the course of 50 years and, as a result, enjoying so many benefits today. Another member shared a cloak-and-dagger story about a series of deaths in her nursing home and how her chanting led to the capture of the culprit. A third member could not make the meeting due to work, but ask someone to share his victory completing a CD.
We all left the meeting feeling light and inspired. We all experienced a bit of "lives and efforts for kosen-rufu resounding with songs of victory!"

Hi everyone! My name is Sharon, and I am a college student interested in civic engagement and politics. I have been working on a project with some other students to make the Seattle City Council meetings more accessible by putting them into short summaries. I have put an example from last week below, though the real thing has a bit more formatting that doesn't translate into Reddit.
This project is relatively new, so we would really appreciate any feedback you may have and hope to make it as informative and accessible as possible! If you're interested in getting these newsletters every week, please click here: https://forms.gle/Yxo5fevVhVWmwcB78.
Example newsletter:
Seattle City Council Meeting Summaries - Week of May 22
Council Briefing 5/22/2023 (Duration: 1h50min)

• 6 Present - Council President Debora Juarez, Councilmembers Andrew Lewis and Kshama Sawant are absent and excused, and Councilmember Sara Nelson arrived late.

Council Meeting 5/23/2023 (Duration: 2h56min)

• 7 Present - Council President Debora Juarez and Councilmember Kshama Sawant are absent and excused.

Councilmember Updates

• Councilmember Lisa Herbold: District 1
  • There is no item from the Public Safety and Human Services Committee for the full council meeting on Tuesday.
  • The next committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 23rd.
    • They will receive a briefing on overdose trends and harm reduction approaches from Public Health Seattle & King County and a panel of community-based overdose prevention program grantees.
    • Will hear an overview of the proposed Council Bill 120580 regarding app-based workers' deactivation rights.
  • Met with Chief Diaz, Southwest Precinct Captain Rivera, Director Betts of the Office of Police Accountability, Fire Chief Scoggins, and the leadership of the Community Police Commission individually.
  • The Harbor Patrol unit is ready for the summer increase in calls for marine-related law enforcement and assistance.
  • There will be a fire day on the 124th anniversary of the Great Seattle Fire at MOHAI at South Lake Union.
  • Remind that the Seattle Emergency Hubs will be hosting disaster preparedness training on June 11th.
  • Provided public comment to the King County Flood Control District in support of funding to address the river-topping flood in South Park.
  • Will receive a tour and do a helpline listening shift at Crisis Connections next Wednesday.
• Councilmember Tammy Morales: District 2
  • The Arts and Civil Rights Committee meeting from last week was canceled due to the holiday weekend, and the next meeting is scheduled for June 9th.
  • The first meeting of the new Social Housing Developer Board is scheduled for May 23rd.
  • Attended a neighborhood safety meeting with organizations in Seattle's Chinatown-International District (CID) and Social Housing Public Development Authority (PDA).
  • Attended a workshop with SDOT and Sound Transit to discuss some issues in the Othello neighborhood and Rainier Beach neighborhoods.
  • Attended the Evergreen Treatment Services’ 50-year anniversary, the One Seattle Day of Service, and an event for the African Cultural Arts Center.
  • Spoke at the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Celebration hosted by the Department of Neighborhoods and the Seattle AAPI Caucus.
• Councilmember Alex Pedersen: District 4
  • There are twelve items from the Transportation and Seattle Public Utilities Committee for the full council meeting on Tuesday.
    • Will present ten appointments, Council Bill 120557, and Council Bill 120574.
  • The next Transportation and Seattle Public Utilities Committee meeting is scheduled for June 6th.
  • Participated in the One Seattle Day of Service last Saturday.
• Councilmember Dan Strauss: District 6
  • There are two items from the Land Use Committee for the full council meeting on Tuesday.
    • Will present Council Bill 120534, which is a tree protection bill, and Council Bill 120535, which is a tree protection budget bill.
  • Passed the Tree Protection Ordinance after making 50 amendments.
    • The bill will be presented to the full council meeting on May 23rd for public comments and votes.
    • Welcomed all city council members to attend the Land Use Committee meeting.
    • Set the deadline for submitting amendments to Wednesday, May 17th.
    • There will be a public hearing on May 24.
    • The city council will vote on the passage of the bill on June 20th.
• Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda: Citywide
  • There are three items from the Finance and Housing Committee for the full council meeting on Tuesday
    • Will present Council Bill 120572, which approves the 2022 budget increases.
    • Will present Council Bill 120573, which requests approval for a 2023 budget increase, and Council Bill.
  • Heard the April forecast report from the Office of Economic and Revenue forecast last week.
  • The next Housing Levy Committee will meet on May 31st to prepare the introduction of the Housing Levy Proposal.
    • The Committee will meet again on June 7th to vote on any amendments before being presented to the full council.
  • The Finance and Housing Committee will meet again in early July to discuss the revenue situation.
  • Recognize the opening of a Community Field sponsored by the Seattle Housing Authority, the Rave Foundation, and Sounders FC.
• Councilmember Sara Nelson: Citywide
  • There are two items from the Economic Development, Technology, and City Light Committee for the full council meeting on Tuesday.
    • Will present Council Bill 120576, which is a distribution easement ordinance.
    • Will present Council Bill 120576, which is a platted easement ordinance.
  • Release legislation that makes the use of illegal drugs in public spaces a simple misdemeanor with Councilmember Pedersen last week.
    • Updated the original bill to align with the state law. The updated bill will be presented to the full council on June 6th.
  • Joined King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn, State Representative Lauren Davis, and King County Department of Community and Human Services Leo Flor for the King County’s 2023 Conference on Substance Disorder on Thursday, May 11.
  • Attended the 49th Seattle International Film Festival, the Port of Seattle’s annual Maritime Day breakfast.
  • Participated in the mid-authorization of a bill passed by the Metropolitan Improvement District with the Mayor, Councilmember Andrew Lewis, and the downtown community.
  • Met with the new CEO of MoPOP, Michelle Smith.

Legislation Updates

• Council Bill 120578: AN ORDINANCE relating to City employment, commonly referred to as the Second Quarter 2023 Employment Ordinance; returning positions to the civil service system; exempting positions from the civil service system; and amending Section 4.13.010 of the Seattle Municipal Code; all by a 2/3 vote of the City Council.
  • Sponsored by Council President Debora Juarez; presented by Councilmember Alex Pedersen
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120534: AN ORDINANCE relating to tree protection; balancing the need for housing production and increasing tree protections; and amending Sections 23.44.020, 23.47A.016, 23.48.055, 23.76.004, 23.76.006, and Chapter 25.11 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Daniel Strauss
  • Councilmember Pedersen made a motion to postpone the vote to June 22nd.
    • 2 Yes (Councilmember Herbold and Pedersen) and 5 No
  • 6 Yes and 1 No (Councilmember Pedersen)
• Council Bill 120535: AN ORDINANCE amending Ordinance 126725, which adopted the 2023 Budget; changing appropriations for various departments and budget control levels, and from various funds; and creating positions; all by a 3/4 vote of the City Council.
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Daniel Strauss
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120572: AN ORDINANCE amending Ordinance 126490, which adopted the 2022 Budget, including the 2022-2027 Capital Improvement Program (CIP); changing appropriations to various departments and budget control levels, and from various funds in the Budget; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts; all by a 3/4 vote of the City Council.
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Teresa Masqueda
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120573: AN ORDINANCE amending Ordinance 126725, which adopted the 2023 Budget, including the 2023-2028 Capital Improvement Program (CIP); changing appropriations to various departments and budget control levels, and from various funds in the Budget; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts; all by a 3/4 vote of the City Council.
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Daniel Strauss
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120563: AN ORDINANCE relating to historic preservation; imposing controls upon Madison Middle School, a landmark designated by the Landmarks Preservation Board under Chapter 25.12 of the Seattle Municipal Code, and adding it to the Table of Historical Landmarks contained in Chapter 25.32 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Tammy Morales
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120564: AN ORDINANCE relating to historic preservation; imposing controls upon Magnolia Elementary School, a landmark designated by the Landmarks Preservation Board under Chapter 25.12 of the Seattle Municipal Code, and adding it to the Table of Historical Landmarks contained in Chapter 25.32 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Tammy Morales
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120565: AN ORDINANCE relating to historic preservation; imposing controls upon Daniel Bagley Elementary School, a landmark designated by the Landmarks Preservation Board under Chapter 25.12 of the Seattle Municipal Code, and adding it to the Table of Historical Landmarks contained in Chapter 25.32 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Tammy Morales
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120566: AN ORDINANCE relating to historic preservation; imposing controls upon West Seattle High School, a landmark designated by the Landmarks Preservation Board under Chapter 25.12 of the Seattle Municipal Code, and adding it to the Table of Historical Landmarks contained in Chapter 25.32 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Tammy Morales
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120557: AN ORDINANCE relating to the Department of Transportation's Hazard Mitigation Program; authorizing the Director of the Department of Transportation to acquire, accept, and record, on behalf of The City of Seattle, a Catchment Wall Easement from Paul Tan and Ly Ngoc Tan, a married couple, located in a portion of Lot 7, Block 35, Rainier Beach, and a Catchment Wall Easement from Gracie Lee Young, located in a portion of Lot 8, Block 35, Rainier Beach; for the purpose of extending the protection of the adjacent roadway of superficial surface erosion of the adjacent slopes along a portion of Rainier Avenue South; placing the real property rights under the jurisdiction of the Seattle Department of Transportation; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Alex Pedersen
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120574: AN ORDINANCE relating to Seattle Public Utilities; declaring certain real property rights at the Foy Pump Station property (500 NE 145th St) as being surplus to the City's municipal utility needs; authorizing the sale of 451 square feet of King County Parcel 756870-0780 and 460 square feet of King County Parcel 756870-0775, and granting 1,201 square feet and 453 square feet on the same respective parcels for 3-year term temporary construction easements to the City of Shoreline for the purposes of the 145th Street and I-5 Interchange Project; directing the proceeds therefrom to Seattle Public Utilities' Water Fund; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Alex Pedersen
  • 7 Yes

State Legislation Update:The Office of Intergovernmental Relations (OIR) director Gael Tarleton, State Relations Director Samir Junejo, and State Legislative Liaison Anna Johnson gave a presentation on legislation regarding climate and environment, healthcare and behavioral health, housing and homelessness, labor and commerce, public safety, drug possession and treatment, social programs and education, the capital budget, transportation.

• Here are links to some of the bills: Senate Bill 5144, House Bill 1181, House Bill 1216, Senate Bill 5165, House Bill 1329, Senate Bill 5082, House Bill 1155, House Bill 1340, House Bill 1469, Senate Bill 5242, House Bill 1134, Senate Bill 5120, House Bill 1110, House Bill 1042, House Bill 1293, Senate Bill 5412, House Bill 1474, House Bill 1074, Senate Bill 5080, Senate Bill 5236, Senate Bill 5217, House Bill 1240, House Bill 1143, Senate Bill 5078, Senate Bill 5352, Senate Bill 5087, House Bill 1324, Senate Bill 5440, Senate Bill 5536, House Bill 1238, House Bill 1436.

Proclamations:

• Recognizing June 2nd as the Gun Violence Awareness Day
• Co-sponsored by Councilmember Daniel Strauss and Council President Pro Tempore Lisa Herbold
• 6 signature affixed
• Recognizing May 27, 2023, as Eritrean Independence Day
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Tammy Morales
  • 6 signature affixed
• Recognizing June 2023, as LGBTQ Month
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Tammy Morales
  • 6 signature affixed
• Recognizing May 28th as Pride Asia Day
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Tammy Morales
  • 6 signature affixed

Public Comments:

• Many commenters spoke in support of the tree ordinance, arguing it is balanced and a necessary compromise.
• Many commenters spoke against the tree ordinance, commenting it disproportionately benefits developers at the expense of environmental health, affordable housing, and social equity.
• Many commenters urged the council to delay voting on the tree protection bill to further consult stakeholders.

Resources:

• If you have any questions or feedback, please email us at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]), and we will get the answers to your questions from the city council.
• Sign up here to receive this letter after every city council meeting.
• Go to https://www.purplely.org/ to get to know all the candidates in this year’s city council elections.

Hi Reddit! My name is Sharon, and I am a college student interested in civic engagement and politics. I have been working on a project with some other students to make the Seattle City Council meetings more accessible by putting them into short summaries. My friend Rachel and George has posted previously about it, and I am continuing this group project. I have put an example from last week below, though the real thing has a bit more formatting that doesn't translate into Reddit.
This project is relatively new, so we would really appreciate any feedback you may have and hope to make it as informative and accessible as possible! If you're interested in getting these newsletters every week, please click here: https://forms.gle/Yxo5fevVhVWmwcB78.
Example newsletter:
Seattle City Council Meeting Summaries - Week of May 22
Council Briefing 5/22/2023 (Duration: 1h50min)

• 6 Present - Council President Debora Juarez, Councilmembers Andrew Lewis and Kshama Sawant are absent and excused, and Councilmember Sara Nelson arrived late.

Council Meeting 5/23/2023 (Duration: 2h56min)

• 7 Present - Council President Debora Juarez and Councilmember Kshama Sawant are absent and excused.

Councilmember Updates

• Councilmember Lisa Herbold: District 1
  
  • There is no item from the Public Safety and Human Services Committee for the full council meeting on Tuesday.
  • The next committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 23rd.
    • They will receive a briefing on overdose trends and harm reduction approaches from Public Health Seattle & King County and a panel of community-based overdose prevention program grantees.
    • Will hear an overview of the proposed Council Bill 120580 regarding app-based workers' deactivation rights.
  • Met with Chief Diaz, Southwest Precinct Captain Rivera, Director Betts of the Office of Police Accountability, Fire Chief Scoggins, and the leadership of the Community Police Commission individually.
  • The Harbor Patrol unit is ready for the summer increase in calls for marine-related law enforcement and assistance.
  • There will be a fire day on the 124th anniversary of the Great Seattle Fire at MOHAI at South Lake Union.
  • Remind that the Seattle Emergency Hubs will be hosting disaster preparedness training on June 11th.
  • Provided public comment to the King County Flood Control District in support of funding to address the river-topping flood in South Park.
  • Will receive a tour and do a helpline listening shift at Crisis Connections next Wednesday.
• Councilmember Tammy Morales: District 2
  
  • The Arts and Civil Rights Committee meeting from last week was canceled due to the holiday weekend, and the next meeting is scheduled for June 9th.
  • The first meeting of the new Social Housing Developer Board is scheduled for May 23rd.
  • Attended a neighborhood safety meeting with organizations in Seattle's Chinatown-International District (CID) and Social Housing Public Development Authority (PDA).
  • Attended a workshop with SDOT and Sound Transit to discuss some issues in the Othello neighborhood and Rainier Beach neighborhoods.
  • Attended the Evergreen Treatment Services’ 50-year anniversary, the One Seattle Day of Service, and an event for the African Cultural Arts Center.
  • Spoke at the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Celebration hosted by the Department of Neighborhoods and the Seattle AAPI Caucus.
• Councilmember Alex Pedersen: District 4
  
  • There are twelve items from the Transportation and Seattle Public Utilities Committee for the full council meeting on Tuesday.
    • Will present ten appointments, Council Bill 120557, and Council Bill 120574.
  • The next Transportation and Seattle Public Utilities Committee meeting is scheduled for June 6th.
  • Participated in the One Seattle Day of Service last Saturday.
• Councilmember Dan Strauss: District 6
  
  • There are two items from the Land Use Committee for the full council meeting on Tuesday.
    • Will present Council Bill 120534, which is a tree protection bill, and Council Bill 120535, which is a tree protection budget bill.
  • Passed the Tree Protection Ordinance after making 50 amendments.
    • The bill will be presented to the full council meeting on May 23rd for public comments and votes.
    • Welcomed all city council members to attend the Land Use Committee meeting.
    • Set the deadline for submitting amendments to Wednesday, May 17th.
    • There will be a public hearing on May 24.
    • The city council will vote on the passage of the bill on June 20th.
• Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda: Citywide
  
  • There are three items from the Finance and Housing Committee for the full council meeting on Tuesday
    • Will present Council Bill 120572, which approves the 2022 budget increases.
    • Will present Council Bill 120573, which requests approval for a 2023 budget increase, and Council Bill.
  • Heard the April forecast report from the Office of Economic and Revenue forecast last week.
  • The next Housing Levy Committee will meet on May 31st to prepare the introduction of the Housing Levy Proposal.
    • The Committee will meet again on June 7th to vote on any amendments before being presented to the full council.
  • The Finance and Housing Committee will meet again in early July to discuss the revenue situation.
  • Recognize the opening of a Community Field sponsored by the Seattle Housing Authority, the Rave Foundation, and Sounders FC.
• Councilmember Sara Nelson: Citywide
  
  • There are two items from the Economic Development, Technology, and City Light Committee for the full council meeting on Tuesday.
    • Will present Council Bill 120576, which is a distribution easement ordinance.
    • Will present Council Bill 120576, which is a platted easement ordinance.
  • Release legislation that makes the use of illegal drugs in public spaces a simple misdemeanor with Councilmember Pedersen last week.
    • Updated the original bill to align with the state law. The updated bill will be presented to the full council on June 6th.
  • Joined King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn, State Representative Lauren Davis, and King County Department of Community and Human Services Leo Flor for the King County’s 2023 Conference on Substance Disorder on Thursday, May 11.
  • Attended the 49th Seattle International Film Festival, the Port of Seattle’s annual Maritime Day breakfast.
  • Participated in the mid-authorization of a bill passed by the Metropolitan Improvement District with the Mayor, Councilmember Andrew Lewis, and the downtown community.
  • Met with the new CEO of MoPOP, Michelle Smith.

Legislation Updates

• Council Bill 120578: AN ORDINANCE relating to City employment, commonly referred to as the Second Quarter 2023 Employment Ordinance; returning positions to the civil service system; exempting positions from the civil service system; and amending Section 4.13.010 of the Seattle Municipal Code; all by a 2/3 vote of the City Council.
  
  • Sponsored by Council President Debora Juarez; presented by Councilmember Alex Pedersen
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120534: AN ORDINANCE relating to tree protection; balancing the need for housing production and increasing tree protections; and amending Sections 23.44.020, 23.47A.016, 23.48.055, 23.76.004, 23.76.006, and Chapter 25.11 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
  
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Daniel Strauss
  • Councilmember Pedersen made a motion to postpone the vote to June 22nd.
    • 2 Yes (Councilmember Herbold and Pedersen) and 5 No
  • 6 Yes and 1 No (Councilmember Pedersen)
• Council Bill 120535: AN ORDINANCE amending Ordinance 126725, which adopted the 2023 Budget; changing appropriations for various departments and budget control levels, and from various funds; and creating positions; all by a 3/4 vote of the City Council.
  
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Daniel Strauss
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120572: AN ORDINANCE amending Ordinance 126490, which adopted the 2022 Budget, including the 2022-2027 Capital Improvement Program (CIP); changing appropriations to various departments and budget control levels, and from various funds in the Budget; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts; all by a 3/4 vote of the City Council.
  
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Teresa Masqueda
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120573: AN ORDINANCE amending Ordinance 126725, which adopted the 2023 Budget, including the 2023-2028 Capital Improvement Program (CIP); changing appropriations to various departments and budget control levels, and from various funds in the Budget; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts; all by a 3/4 vote of the City Council.
  
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Daniel Strauss
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120563: AN ORDINANCE relating to historic preservation; imposing controls upon Madison Middle School, a landmark designated by the Landmarks Preservation Board under Chapter 25.12 of the Seattle Municipal Code, and adding it to the Table of Historical Landmarks contained in Chapter 25.32 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
  
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Tammy Morales
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120564: AN ORDINANCE relating to historic preservation; imposing controls upon Magnolia Elementary School, a landmark designated by the Landmarks Preservation Board under Chapter 25.12 of the Seattle Municipal Code, and adding it to the Table of Historical Landmarks contained in Chapter 25.32 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
  
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Tammy Morales
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120565: AN ORDINANCE relating to historic preservation; imposing controls upon Daniel Bagley Elementary School, a landmark designated by the Landmarks Preservation Board under Chapter 25.12 of the Seattle Municipal Code, and adding it to the Table of Historical Landmarks contained in Chapter 25.32 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
  
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Tammy Morales
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120566: AN ORDINANCE relating to historic preservation; imposing controls upon West Seattle High School, a landmark designated by the Landmarks Preservation Board under Chapter 25.12 of the Seattle Municipal Code, and adding it to the Table of Historical Landmarks contained in Chapter 25.32 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
  
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Tammy Morales
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120557: AN ORDINANCE relating to the Department of Transportation's Hazard Mitigation Program; authorizing the Director of the Department of Transportation to acquire, accept, and record, on behalf of The City of Seattle, a Catchment Wall Easement from Paul Tan and Ly Ngoc Tan, a married couple, located in a portion of Lot 7, Block 35, Rainier Beach, and a Catchment Wall Easement from Gracie Lee Young, located in a portion of Lot 8, Block 35, Rainier Beach; for the purpose of extending the protection of the adjacent roadway of superficial surface erosion of the adjacent slopes along a portion of Rainier Avenue South; placing the real property rights under the jurisdiction of the Seattle Department of Transportation; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.
  
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Alex Pedersen
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120574: AN ORDINANCE relating to Seattle Public Utilities; declaring certain real property rights at the Foy Pump Station property (500 NE 145th St) as being surplus to the City's municipal utility needs; authorizing the sale of 451 square feet of King County Parcel 756870-0780 and 460 square feet of King County Parcel 756870-0775, and granting 1,201 square feet and 453 square feet on the same respective parcels for 3-year term temporary construction easements to the City of Shoreline for the purposes of the 145th Street and I-5 Interchange Project; directing the proceeds therefrom to Seattle Public Utilities' Water Fund; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.
  
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Alex Pedersen
  • 7 Yes

State Legislation Update: The Office of Intergovernmental Relations (OIR) director Gael Tarleton, State Relations Director Samir Junejo, and State Legislative Liaison Anna Johnson gave a presentation on legislation regarding climate and environment, healthcare and behavioral health, housing and homelessness, labor and commerce, public safety, drug possession and treatment, social programs and education, the capital budget, transportation.

• Here are links to some of the bills: Senate Bill 5144, House Bill 1181, House Bill 1216, Senate Bill 5165, House Bill 1329, Senate Bill 5082, House Bill 1155, House Bill 1340, House Bill 1469, Senate Bill 5242, House Bill 1134, Senate Bill 5120, House Bill 1110, House Bill 1042, House Bill 1293, Senate Bill 5412, House Bill 1474, House Bill 1074, Senate Bill 5080, Senate Bill 5236, Senate Bill 5217, House Bill 1240, House Bill 1143, Senate Bill 5078, Senate Bill 5352, Senate Bill 5087, House Bill 1324, Senate Bill 5440, Senate Bill 5536, House Bill 1238, House Bill 1436.

Proclamations:

• Recognizing June 2nd as the Gun Violence Awareness Day
• Co-sponsored by Councilmember Daniel Strauss and Council President Pro Tempore Lisa Herbold
• 6 signature affixed
• Recognizing May 27, 2023, as Eritrean Independence Day
  
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Tammy Morales
  • 6 signature affixed
• Recognizing June 2023, as LGBTQ Month
  
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Tammy Morales
  • 6 signature affixed
• Recognizing May 28th as Pride Asia Day
  
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Tammy Morales
  • 6 signature affixed

Public Comments:

• Many commenters spoke in support of the tree ordinance, arguing it is balanced and a necessary compromise.
• Many commenters spoke against the tree ordinance, commenting it disproportionately benefits developers at the expense of environmental health, affordable housing, and social equity.
• Many commenters urged the council to delay voting on the tree protection bill to further consult stakeholders.

Resources:

• If you have any questions or feedback, please email us at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]), and we will get the answers to your questions from the city council.
• Sign up here to receive this letter after every city council meeting.
• Go to https://www.purplely.org/ to get to know all the candidates in this year’s city council elections.

Written by Vincent O’Sullivan and first published in January 1916; translated to modern English, otherwise left exactly the same.
​
------
​
[Introduction]
One night— during my last voyage across the Atlantic— someone mentioned that we were passing over the spot where the Lusitania went down. Whether or not this was true, the thought alone was enough to dampen the mood and begin a serious discussion regarding the emotional state of the passengers when they realized they were sinking. From there, the conversation turned to the fate of those who drowned, (after all, they were the fortunate ones) and tales of the survivors.
A Scottish lady asked if their ghosts ever appeared on passing ships and if there was a risk of seeing one should the light in her cabin go out. This put an end to everyone’s seriousness, and most of us laughed— all except for a short, tight-faced man whose expression was bleak and gray. The lady noticed this and appealed to him for support.
“Do you also believe in ghosts?” She asked lightly.
He hesitated, thinking it over before replying. “In ghosts? N-no, I don’t; I’ve never seen one… Have any of you?”
No one replied. Instead, most of us laughed again— only a little uneasily this time— and the man continued. “All the same— even if you discount the existence of ghosts— life is filled with strange happenings that just can’t be explained. You try to laugh them off until you experience something big enough to truly shock you, and then you stop laughing entirely… It’s like being thrown out of a car—”
The man’s words were cut off by the blast of the ship’s whistle, and everyone rushed up to the deck, but we had only entered a fogbelt. I ended up smoking a cigar and walking the upper deck with the bleak man who soon returned to the topic of our dinner conversation; it was clear that our laughter had bothered him.
“Life is filled with so many strange things... You can laugh at faith-healing, dreams, and all of that until something unexplainable happens. Then, you have to throw your hands up and admit that you don’t have an answer. I’m as logical as any man here, but I’ve experienced such a situation. It doesn’t matter whether or not other people believe it— it happened. I can’t doubt it any more than I could doubt having a tooth pulled. If you will sit in this corner with me— out of the wind— I’ll tell you about it…”
​
-----
​
[The Burned House]
Some years ago, I had to be in Northern England for several months while I appeared before the courts. The trial itself is irrelevant, and I’ve forgotten most of the details anyway, but it was a long and worrisome case that added twenty years to my age. All of my time in that grimy Manchester courtroom was spent thinking of a fresh little place in the Lake District and how I would go there if the trial went well; it was the only thing that helped pass the hours.
The morning after I was acquitted, I boarded the north-bound train. It was early autumn, so— by the time I arrived— the sun had already set, and it was cold. The village was dark and deserted; they don’t go out at night anyway, but the strong mountain wind was enough to deter anyone who might try.
The hotel was not modernized like the great ones in the city. Instead, it was a real old-fashioned tavern— one of the most uncomfortable places on earth. They show you that traveling is like being in prison— that home is the best place for you— both morally and physically. The landlord brought me supper with a hat on his head and a pipe in his mouth. The room was chilly, but when I asked for a fire, he said he couldn’t go to the woodshed until morning. There was nothing else to do after I ate, so I went outside to escape the smell and warm myself with a short walk.
Being unfamiliar with the area, I didn’t mean to go far, but it was an overcast night with high winds and occasional rain flurries. Even with the moon concealed behind the clouds, it lit the night well enough to see a good distance ahead, so I continued walking until I was in a lonely, isolated region. Large trees and shrubs lined the road, and there was a mountain stream several feet below. The wind blowing through the high trees combined with the racing water sounded like a crowd of people. Sometimes the tree branches became so thick, it was like walking through a black pit, but then I would return to the gray countryside.
I had been walking for about 45 minutes when I came to a fork in the road. One side led downward— almost reaching the stream below— and the one I decided to follow ascended a steep hill. I climbed for more than half a mile fully aware of how lost I would be should I lose track of a landmark. Then the path curved and came out onto a broad plateau, where— to my astonishment— I saw a house.
It was three-storeys high with a verandah around two sides, and it overlooked a far stretch of the country. There were a few large trees nearby and a clump of bushes behind it, but the home seemed lonely with all four sides so vulnerable to the wind. Regardless, I was glad to know there were people who could give me directions if I became lost… Except— once I got closer— I found that it was uninhabited. All the shutters were closed, and there wasn’t a flicker of light to be seen.
There was something sinister and barren about it that made me shiver. It was the same feeling as if one were to consider jumping into the black waters of the stream below. It’s not an entirely unpleasant feeling— it makes one appreciate their current safety that much more. I wasn’t really frightened. I was alone— miles from any help and at the mercy of anyone who might be lurking behind those sullen shutters— but I knew that I was most likely safe. My hesitation was due to the wild scenery’s effect on my nerves along with the unexpected discovery of such a lonely house.
Instead of continuing along the road, I walked roughly 250 yards through the grass until coming to a stone wall where I rested and surveyed the scene. A strange light lingered atop the far away hills— like the first touch of dawn on a rainy morning or the last glimpse of twilight before the night comes. Between myself and the hills was a wide stretch of open country with an apple orchard to my right. A set of steps had been made in the wall of piled stones so the residents could go back and forth.
After standing there for a considerable time, I noticed a man coming towards me from the orchard. He was a tall, skinny fellow with a clean shaven face, and he wore a cowboy hat with a woolen shirt and rubber boots. He walked with a good stride and appeared to be between 25 and 30. As he began crossing over the stone wall, I wished him a neighborly goodnight, but he made no reply. Instead, he looked right at me, and his expression made me uneasy. He didn’t have an evil face— in fact it was a handsome, serious face— but it was ravaged by something terrible. It had the look of stealth, ruthlessness, and a deadly resolution… Yet he also held the appearance of a man driven by some uncontrollable power— a man asking for comprehension and mercy. It was impossible to resent his rudeness; his thoughts were so obviously elsewhere that I doubt he even saw me.
He had only passed by a few seconds ago when I turned to look for him, but he’d disappeared. Even if he’d sprinted, he couldn’t have gotten inside so quickly, but I like to attribute things I don’t understand to natural causes that I’ve merely failed to observe. Surely the man went back into the orchard or some other opening farther down… Or maybe the distorted light was playing tricks on my eyes… Either way, that’s when I noticed lights appearing behind the house’s shutters; they were flickering— going from bright to dim— and glowing like a fire. It didn’t take long to become convinced that’s exactly what it was; the house was on fire!
Black smoke billowed from the roof while red sparks flew in the wind. Suddenly, a pair of shutters were thrown open above the verandah, and I heard a woman scream. I ran towards the house as fast as I could until I could see her clearly.
She was young, and her long hair fell in disarray over a white nightgown. She stretched out her bare arms, screaming, and then a man grabbed her from behind, but they were trapped. The flames were licking around the windows, and the smoke was killing them as the house began to cave in over where they stood. Appalled by the horrible tragedy, I moved even closer; if the two could make their way to the side without the verandah— they could jump, and I could try to break their fall.
I shouted this plan to them, but— as I came right up to the flames— I noticed something astonishing… The fire wasn’t producing any heat! Truly— I was standing close enough to be burned, yet I felt no heat whatsoever! The sparks flew all around my head— some even landed on my hands— but I wasn’t even singed; likewise, there was no glare against the sky. That’s when I noticed the smoke was billowing in great columns, yet I wasn’t choked by it at all— I didn’t so much as smell it! I stood there stupefied as the whole house was engulfed by a flaming tornado and crumbled into a red ruin.
Heart stricken, I made my way down the hill while shouting for help and came to a small, wooden bridge. At the end, there was a rope fastened to the railing and thrown over the side… Looking down, I saw a man hanging between the road and the stream; upon closer inspection, I recognized him as the man I saw exiting the orchard. His hat had fallen off, and the tips of his boots just barely touched the water.
It didn’t seem possible, but there was no denying he was the same man. I scrambled to the bottom hoping to lift the body and relieve the weight on the rope. I was just able to reach his loose shirt, yet there was no resistance when I pulled, and— for a moment— I thought the shirt tore loose; then I realized my hand had closed on nothing but air… I was so suffocated by the horror that I feared losing consciousness.
I began running and stumbling along that dark road in total panic; the only thing I could think to do was wake the whole town and bring more men back to the bridge… At least, that was my intention, but— when the village was finally within sight— I instinctively slowed down and began to think it over more logically… After all, I was a stranger in those parts… One who had just endured a rather disagreeable trial, and country folk are notoriously suspicious by default.
I was already at my limit for baseless accusations, so I decided the smartest option was to drop a few hints to the landlord. That way, I could decide how to proceed based on his reaction. I found him exactly as I’d left him— still sitting in that same spot while he smoked.
“Well, I was wondering where you ran off to.” He said slowly.
I told him about my walk and casually mentioned the forked road and hill before asking who lived in the house at the top.
For a moment he only stared at me in confusion before confidently replying, “house? There’s no house up there. Old Joe Snedeker owns that land, and he wants to build a house for his son after the boy gets married, but he ain’t even gotten started yet… Some folks don’t think he ever will.”
“I’m pretty sure I saw a house…” I protested feebly, lacking the courage to dispute his claim. I couldn’t stop thinking about the fact there was no heat or substance to it.
The landlord gave me a look of concern with his next response. “You seem a bit out of it; maybe it would be best for you to get some sleep...”
​
-----
​
[Conclusion]
The man paused from telling his story, and— for a moment— we sat in silence, listening to the hum of the machinery and the lashing sea merge with the singing voices from the deck below.
As a rule, we tend to feel a shade of contemptuous superiority over those who believe in their dreams or a fortune-teller’s predictions, and that’s what I felt now. “Hallucinations— it was just your eyes playing tricks. Your nerves were probably shattered after the long strain of your trial.” I said with reassuring indulgence
“That’s what I thought, too— especially after I returned to the hill the following morning… There was no sign of the house ever existing.” He replied shortly.
“And no corpse at the bridge?” I asked with a laugh.
“And no corpse at the bridge.” He confirmed while trying to light another cigar. It took a little time, but— once he managed it— he rose from his chair and stood looking down at me before continuing.
“Now, listen. I told you this all happened several years ago. I’d almost forgotten it; if you can convince yourself that something was only your imagination— the memory begins to dim inside your head. Once you recognize it as a delusion, it loses its hold on you. Whenever I would remember it, I would think of how close I came to losing my mind; that’s all. Last year, I went back to that same hotel and talked to the same landlord who immediately remembered me as the man who thought he saw the house. After sharing a laugh, he said a house had since been built up there.
“He also said it would’ve been better if the house had never existed. Old Snedeker built his son a big, fine house with a veranda on two sides, and Young Joe began courting Mabel Elting. She was from Windermere, but she worked at a shop in Liverpool. She used to date a fellow named Jim Travers, and he was wild about her; he’d save his money to go visit her, but she eventually ended the relationship to marry Joe— probably because of his house and his old man’s money. Well, Jim went crazy, and— on the newlywed’s very first night in their new home— he burned it down while the couple slept… The landlord speculated the guy must have been drunk; he’d always known Jim as a quiet, gentle man…
“He looked surprised when I told him that wasn’t the case, but when he asked if I’d heard about the incident, I simply said no and prompted him to continue. After burning the young couple in their bed, he hung himself at the little bridge just before the road forked… He personally witnessed the body hanging on the following morning and saw that the tips of Jim’s boots just barely touched the water…”

Hi Reddit! My name is Sharon, and I am a college student interested in civic engagement and politics. I have been working on a project with some other students to make the Seattle City Council meetings more accessible by putting them into short summaries. I have put an example from last week below, though the real thing has a bit more formatting that doesn't translate into Reddit.
This project is relatively new, so we would really appreciate any feedback you may have and hope to make it as informative and accessible as possible! If you're interested in getting these newsletters every week, please click here: https://forms.gle/Yxo5fevVhVWmwcB78.
Example newsletter:
Seattle City Council Meeting Summaries - Week of May 22
Council Briefing 5/22/2023 (Duration: 1h50min)

• 6 Present - Council President Debora Juarez, Councilmembers Andrew Lewis and Kshama Sawant are absent and excused, and Councilmember Sara Nelson arrived late.

Council Meeting 5/23/2023 (Duration: 2h56min)

• 7 Present - Council President Debora Juarez and Councilmember Kshama Sawant are absent and excused.

Councilmember Updates

• Councilmember Lisa Herbold: District 1
  • There is no item from the Public Safety and Human Services Committee for the full council meeting on Tuesday.
  • The next committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 23rd.
    • They will receive a briefing on overdose trends and harm reduction approaches from Public Health Seattle & King County and a panel of community-based overdose prevention program grantees.
    • Will hear an overview of the proposed Council Bill 120580 regarding app-based workers' deactivation rights.
  • Met with Chief Diaz, Southwest Precinct Captain Rivera, Director Betts of the Office of Police Accountability, Fire Chief Scoggins, and the leadership of the Community Police Commission individually.
  • The Harbor Patrol unit is ready for the summer increase in calls for marine-related law enforcement and assistance.
  • There will be a fire day on the 124th anniversary of the Great Seattle Fire at MOHAI at South Lake Union.
  • Remind that the Seattle Emergency Hubs will be hosting disaster preparedness training on June 11th.
  • Provided public comment to the King County Flood Control District in support of funding to address the river-topping flood in South Park.
  • Will receive a tour and do a helpline listening shift at Crisis Connections next Wednesday.
• Councilmember Tammy Morales: District 2
  • The Arts and Civil Rights Committee meeting from last week was canceled due to the holiday weekend, and the next meeting is scheduled for June 9th.
  • The first meeting of the new Social Housing Developer Board is scheduled for May 23rd.
  • Attended a neighborhood safety meeting with organizations in Seattle's Chinatown-International District (CID) and Social Housing Public Development Authority (PDA).
  • Attended a workshop with SDOT and Sound Transit to discuss some issues in the Othello neighborhood and Rainier Beach neighborhoods.
  • Attended the Evergreen Treatment Services’ 50-year anniversary, the One Seattle Day of Service, and an event for the African Cultural Arts Center.
  • Spoke at the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Celebration hosted by the Department of Neighborhoods and the Seattle AAPI Caucus.
• Councilmember Alex Pedersen: District 4
  • There are twelve items from the Transportation and Seattle Public Utilities Committee for the full council meeting on Tuesday.
    • Will present ten appointments, Council Bill 120557, and Council Bill 120574.
  • The next Transportation and Seattle Public Utilities Committee meeting is scheduled for June 6th.
  • Participated in the One Seattle Day of Service last Saturday.
• Councilmember Dan Strauss: District 6
  • There are two items from the Land Use Committee for the full council meeting on Tuesday.
    • Will present Council Bill 120534, which is a tree protection bill, and Council Bill 120535, which is a tree protection budget bill.
  • Passed the Tree Protection Ordinance after making 50 amendments.
    • The bill will be presented to the full council meeting on May 23rd for public comments and votes.
    • Welcomed all city council members to attend the Land Use Committee meeting.
    • Set the deadline for submitting amendments to Wednesday, May 17th.
    • There will be a public hearing on May 24.
    • The city council will vote on the passage of the bill on June 20th.
• Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda: Citywide
  • There are three items from the Finance and Housing Committee for the full council meeting on Tuesday
    • Will present Council Bill 120572, which approves the 2022 budget increases.
    • Will present Council Bill 120573, which requests approval for a 2023 budget increase, and Council Bill.
  • Heard the April forecast report from the Office of Economic and Revenue forecast last week.
  • The next Housing Levy Committee will meet on May 31st to prepare the introduction of the Housing Levy Proposal.
    • The Committee will meet again on June 7th to vote on any amendments before being presented to the full council.
  • The Finance and Housing Committee will meet again in early July to discuss the revenue situation.
  • Recognize the opening of a Community Field sponsored by the Seattle Housing Authority, the Rave Foundation, and Sounders FC.
• Councilmember Sara Nelson: Citywide
  • There are two items from the Economic Development, Technology, and City Light Committee for the full council meeting on Tuesday.
    • Will present Council Bill 120576, which is a distribution easement ordinance.
    • Will present Council Bill 120576, which is a platted easement ordinance.
  • Release legislation that makes the use of illegal drugs in public spaces a simple misdemeanor with Councilmember Pedersen last week.
    • Updated the original bill to align with the state law. The updated bill will be presented to the full council on June 6th.
  • Joined King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn, State Representative Lauren Davis, and King County Department of Community and Human Services Leo Flor for the King County’s 2023 Conference on Substance Disorder on Thursday, May 11.
  • Attended the 49th Seattle International Film Festival, the Port of Seattle’s annual Maritime Day breakfast.
  • Participated in the mid-authorization of a bill passed by the Metropolitan Improvement District with the Mayor, Councilmember Andrew Lewis, and the downtown community.
  • Met with the new CEO of MoPOP, Michelle Smith.

Legislation Updates

• Council Bill 120578: AN ORDINANCE relating to City employment, commonly referred to as the Second Quarter 2023 Employment Ordinance; returning positions to the civil service system; exempting positions from the civil service system; and amending Section 4.13.010 of the Seattle Municipal Code; all by a 2/3 vote of the City Council.
  • Sponsored by Council President Debora Juarez; presented by Councilmember Alex Pedersen
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120534: AN ORDINANCE relating to tree protection; balancing the need for housing production and increasing tree protections; and amending Sections 23.44.020, 23.47A.016, 23.48.055, 23.76.004, 23.76.006, and Chapter 25.11 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Daniel Strauss
  • Councilmember Pedersen made a motion to postpone the vote to June 22nd.
    • 2 Yes (Councilmember Herbold and Pedersen) and 5 No
  • 6 Yes and 1 No (Councilmember Pedersen)
• Council Bill 120535: AN ORDINANCE amending Ordinance 126725, which adopted the 2023 Budget; changing appropriations for various departments and budget control levels, and from various funds; and creating positions; all by a 3/4 vote of the City Council.
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Daniel Strauss
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120572: AN ORDINANCE amending Ordinance 126490, which adopted the 2022 Budget, including the 2022-2027 Capital Improvement Program (CIP); changing appropriations to various departments and budget control levels, and from various funds in the Budget; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts; all by a 3/4 vote of the City Council.
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Teresa Masqueda
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120573: AN ORDINANCE amending Ordinance 126725, which adopted the 2023 Budget, including the 2023-2028 Capital Improvement Program (CIP); changing appropriations to various departments and budget control levels, and from various funds in the Budget; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts; all by a 3/4 vote of the City Council.
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Daniel Strauss
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120563: AN ORDINANCE relating to historic preservation; imposing controls upon Madison Middle School, a landmark designated by the Landmarks Preservation Board under Chapter 25.12 of the Seattle Municipal Code, and adding it to the Table of Historical Landmarks contained in Chapter 25.32 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Tammy Morales
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120564: AN ORDINANCE relating to historic preservation; imposing controls upon Magnolia Elementary School, a landmark designated by the Landmarks Preservation Board under Chapter 25.12 of the Seattle Municipal Code, and adding it to the Table of Historical Landmarks contained in Chapter 25.32 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Tammy Morales
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120565: AN ORDINANCE relating to historic preservation; imposing controls upon Daniel Bagley Elementary School, a landmark designated by the Landmarks Preservation Board under Chapter 25.12 of the Seattle Municipal Code, and adding it to the Table of Historical Landmarks contained in Chapter 25.32 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Tammy Morales
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120566: AN ORDINANCE relating to historic preservation; imposing controls upon West Seattle High School, a landmark designated by the Landmarks Preservation Board under Chapter 25.12 of the Seattle Municipal Code, and adding it to the Table of Historical Landmarks contained in Chapter 25.32 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Tammy Morales
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120557: AN ORDINANCE relating to the Department of Transportation's Hazard Mitigation Program; authorizing the Director of the Department of Transportation to acquire, accept, and record, on behalf of The City of Seattle, a Catchment Wall Easement from Paul Tan and Ly Ngoc Tan, a married couple, located in a portion of Lot 7, Block 35, Rainier Beach, and a Catchment Wall Easement from Gracie Lee Young, located in a portion of Lot 8, Block 35, Rainier Beach; for the purpose of extending the protection of the adjacent roadway of superficial surface erosion of the adjacent slopes along a portion of Rainier Avenue South; placing the real property rights under the jurisdiction of the Seattle Department of Transportation; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Alex Pedersen
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120574: AN ORDINANCE relating to Seattle Public Utilities; declaring certain real property rights at the Foy Pump Station property (500 NE 145th St) as being surplus to the City's municipal utility needs; authorizing the sale of 451 square feet of King County Parcel 756870-0780 and 460 square feet of King County Parcel 756870-0775, and granting 1,201 square feet and 453 square feet on the same respective parcels for 3-year term temporary construction easements to the City of Shoreline for the purposes of the 145th Street and I-5 Interchange Project; directing the proceeds therefrom to Seattle Public Utilities' Water Fund; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Alex Pedersen
  • 7 Yes

State Legislation Update: The Office of Intergovernmental Relations (OIR) director Gael Tarleton, State Relations Director Samir Junejo, and State Legislative Liaison Anna Johnson gave a presentation on legislation regarding climate and environment, healthcare and behavioral health, housing and homelessness, labor and commerce, public safety, drug possession and treatment, social programs and education, the capital budget, transportation.

• Here are links to some of the bills: Senate Bill 5144, House Bill 1181, House Bill 1216, Senate Bill 5165, House Bill 1329, Senate Bill 5082, House Bill 1155, House Bill 1340, House Bill 1469, Senate Bill 5242, House Bill 1134, Senate Bill 5120, House Bill 1110, House Bill 1042, House Bill 1293, Senate Bill 5412, House Bill 1474, House Bill 1074, Senate Bill 5080, Senate Bill 5236, Senate Bill 5217, House Bill 1240, House Bill 1143, Senate Bill 5078, Senate Bill 5352, Senate Bill 5087, House Bill 1324, Senate Bill 5440, Senate Bill 5536, House Bill 1238, House Bill 1436.

Proclamations:

• Recognizing June 2nd as the Gun Violence Awareness Day
• Co-sponsored by Councilmember Daniel Strauss and Council President Pro Tempore Lisa Herbold
• 6 signature affixed
• Recognizing May 27, 2023, as Eritrean Independence Day
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Tammy Morales
  • 6 signature affixed
• Recognizing June 2023, as LGBTQ Month
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Tammy Morales
  • 6 signature affixed
• Recognizing May 28th as Pride Asia Day
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Tammy Morales
  • 6 signature affixed

Public Comments:

• Many commenters spoke in support of the tree ordinance, arguing it is balanced and a necessary compromise.
• Many commenters spoke against the tree ordinance, commenting it disproportionately benefits developers at the expense of environmental health, affordable housing, and social equity.
• Many commenters urged the council to delay voting on the tree protection bill to further consult stakeholders.

Resources:

• If you have any questions or feedback, please email us at [email protected], and we will get the answers to your questions from the city council.
• Sign up here to receive this letter after every city council meeting.
• Go to https://www.purplely.org/ to get to know all the candidates in this year’s city council elections.

I realize that love is so many different things. And you can love people in some many different ways. And I have loved other men, but not in the same way I loved and do love him.
I met my high school boyfriend when we were 16. We were in the same chemistry class but it wasn't until we both went to a party that we officially 'met'. We fell in love hard and had such a strong, mature relationship for our age. He became my absolute best friend. We laughed, fucked all the time, had so much fun together and could confide in each other anything. The only time I really felt like myself was when I was with him.
Then we went off to college in different states, we were open for awhile but it just ended up being a weird competition on who could sleep with more people. We officially broke up sophomore year of college but we still saw each other whenever I was home and would hook up from time to time. I moved across country after I graduated then he came to visit. During that visit, we slept together. This was December of 2017. He failed to mention at the time that the girl he was seeing was getting more serious. He told her we hooked up while he was away, she said it was either me or her and he picked her. And I didn't see him again until August of 2022.
Keep in mind, he called me the second he broke up with her last summer. He apologized for not being in my life, explained to me that his parents told him that if he wants a friendship with me, he has to be honest with his girlfriends that that's important to him. I thought I had my best friend back, and I was so happy.
We spent that entire weekend together in August. Nothing happened sexually or romantically. He came to my brothers birthday and just stayed with me and my family all weekend. Having him around was so natural and like it was supposed to be that way. He was dating someone new at the time, they weren't official yet but then he told her a couple months later we spent all that time together (which I thought she knew). She freaked out and told him he could no longer talk to me.
He blocked me on everything. Even my mother is blocked. Which I know was a requirement put forth by his new girlfriend. When he called me to tell me we couldn't talk anymore, all I said was "okay. I don't know what you want me to say or do". He tried to apologize but I just hung up.
I'm not upset with the girlfriend's for not wanting him to talk to me, I even understand it. What hurts me is realizing that we still have this thing between us. And it's taken me 7 years to admit it. If he ever asked for me once, I would have gone to him. If I let myself open up to him, no doubt we would've been together. And that would be it. I did't realize how I felt until this past December, when it was too late. I was talking to my family about all the drama with him and my grandmother looked me dead in the eyes and said "he's still in love with you and everyone knows except you."
I had to act like I didn't have feelings for him all this time to survive the heartbreak of not having him. I didn't realize I look for him in everyone. I didn't realize I'm wanting my best friend back but accepting I'll never have him back is reopening the wound. So I have to go back to pretending. I wrote him a letter last month. It's sealed and sitting on my desk, never to be opened. But I wish I could tell him how I feel.
I know I can't. So I'm telling you. Whoever you are. I'll always love him, I'll always see him as the father of my children. It'll always feel like home whenever he's around. He'll always be my family.
Thank you for listening. I'm glad it's out there now.

Hi everyone! My name is Sharon, and I am a college student interested in civic engagement and politics. I have been working on a project with some other students to make the Seattle City Council meetings more accessible by putting them into short summaries. My friend Rachel has posted previously about it, and I am continuing this group project. I have put an example from last week below, though the real thing has a bit more formatting that doesn't translate into Reddit.
This project is relatively new, so we would really appreciate any feedback you may have and hope to make it as informative and accessible as possible! If you're interested in getting these newsletters every week, please click here: https://forms.gle/Yxo5fevVhVWmwcB78.
Example newsletter:
Seattle City Council Meeting Summaries - Week of May 22
Council Briefing 5/22/2023 (Duration: 1h50min)

• 6 Present - Council President Debora Juarez, Councilmembers Andrew Lewis and Kshama Sawant are absent and excused, and Councilmember Sara Nelson arrived late.

Council Meeting 5/23/2023 (Duration: 2h56min)

• 7 Present - Council President Debora Juarez and Councilmember Kshama Sawant are absent and excused.

Councilmember Updates

• Councilmember Lisa Herbold: District 1
  • There is no item from the Public Safety and Human Services Committee for the full council meeting on Tuesday.
  • The next committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 23rd.
    • They will receive a briefing on overdose trends and harm reduction approaches from Public Health Seattle & King County and a panel of community-based overdose prevention program grantees.
    • Will hear an overview of the proposed Council Bill 120580 regarding app-based workers' deactivation rights.
  • Met with Chief Diaz, Southwest Precinct Captain Rivera, Director Betts of the Office of Police Accountability, Fire Chief Scoggins, and the leadership of the Community Police Commission individually.
  • The Harbor Patrol unit is ready for the summer increase in calls for marine-related law enforcement and assistance.
  • There will be a fire day on the 124th anniversary of the Great Seattle Fire at MOHAI at South Lake Union.
  • Remind that the Seattle Emergency Hubs will be hosting disaster preparedness training on June 11th.
  • Provided public comment to the King County Flood Control District in support of funding to address the river-topping flood in South Park.
  • Will receive a tour and do a helpline listening shift at Crisis Connections next Wednesday.
• Councilmember Tammy Morales: District 2
  • The Arts and Civil Rights Committee meeting from last week was canceled due to the holiday weekend, and the next meeting is scheduled for June 9th.
  • The first meeting of the new Social Housing Developer Board is scheduled for May 23rd.
  • Attended a neighborhood safety meeting with organizations in Seattle's Chinatown-International District (CID) and Social Housing Public Development Authority (PDA).
  • Attended a workshop with SDOT and Sound Transit to discuss some issues in the Othello neighborhood and Rainier Beach neighborhoods.
  • Attended the Evergreen Treatment Services’ 50-year anniversary, the One Seattle Day of Service, and an event for the African Cultural Arts Center.
  • Spoke at the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Celebration hosted by the Department of Neighborhoods and the Seattle AAPI Caucus.
• Councilmember Alex Pedersen: District 4
  • There are twelve items from the Transportation and Seattle Public Utilities Committee for the full council meeting on Tuesday.
    • Will present ten appointments, Council Bill 120557, and Council Bill 120574.
  • The next Transportation and Seattle Public Utilities Committee meeting is scheduled for June 6th.
  • Participated in the One Seattle Day of Service last Saturday.
• Councilmember Dan Strauss: District 6
  • There are two items from the Land Use Committee for the full council meeting on Tuesday.
    • Will present Council Bill 120534, which is a tree protection bill, and Council Bill 120535, which is a tree protection budget bill.
  • Passed the Tree Protection Ordinance after making 50 amendments.
    • The bill will be presented to the full council meeting on May 23rd for public comments and votes.
    • Welcomed all city council members to attend the Land Use Committee meeting.
    • Set the deadline for submitting amendments to Wednesday, May 17th.
    • There will be a public hearing on May 24.
    • The city council will vote on the passage of the bill on June 20th.
• Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda: Citywide
  • There are three items from the Finance and Housing Committee for the full council meeting on Tuesday
    • Will present Council Bill 120572, which approves the 2022 budget increases.
    • Will present Council Bill 120573, which requests approval for a 2023 budget increase, and Council Bill.
  • Heard the April forecast report from the Office of Economic and Revenue forecast last week.
  • The next Housing Levy Committee will meet on May 31st to prepare the introduction of the Housing Levy Proposal.
    • The Committee will meet again on June 7th to vote on any amendments before being presented to the full council.
  • The Finance and Housing Committee will meet again in early July to discuss the revenue situation.
  • Recognize the opening of a Community Field sponsored by the Seattle Housing Authority, the Rave Foundation, and Sounders FC.
• Councilmember Sara Nelson: Citywide
  • There are two items from the Economic Development, Technology, and City Light Committee for the full council meeting on Tuesday.
    • Will present Council Bill 120576, which is a distribution easement ordinance.
    • Will present Council Bill 120576, which is a platted easement ordinance.
  • Release legislation that makes the use of illegal drugs in public spaces a simple misdemeanor with Councilmember Pedersen last week.
    • Updated the original bill to align with the state law. The updated bill will be presented to the full council on June 6th.
  • Joined King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn, State Representative Lauren Davis, and King County Department of Community and Human Services Leo Flor for the King County’s 2023 Conference on Substance Disorder on Thursday, May 11.
  • Attended the 49th Seattle International Film Festival, the Port of Seattle’s annual Maritime Day breakfast.
  • Participated in the mid-authorization of a bill passed by the Metropolitan Improvement District with the Mayor, Councilmember Andrew Lewis, and the downtown community.
  • Met with the new CEO of MoPOP, Michelle Smith.

Legislation Updates

• Council Bill 120578: AN ORDINANCE relating to City employment, commonly referred to as the Second Quarter 2023 Employment Ordinance; returning positions to the civil service system; exempting positions from the civil service system; and amending Section 4.13.010 of the Seattle Municipal Code; all by a 2/3 vote of the City Council.
  • Sponsored by Council President Debora Juarez; presented by Councilmember Alex Pedersen
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120534: AN ORDINANCE relating to tree protection; balancing the need for housing production and increasing tree protections; and amending Sections 23.44.020, 23.47A.016, 23.48.055, 23.76.004, 23.76.006, and Chapter 25.11 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Daniel Strauss
  • Councilmember Pedersen made a motion to postpone the vote to June 22nd.
    • 2 Yes (Councilmember Herbold and Pedersen) and 5 No
  • 6 Yes and 1 No (Councilmember Pedersen)
• Council Bill 120535: AN ORDINANCE amending Ordinance 126725, which adopted the 2023 Budget; changing appropriations for various departments and budget control levels, and from various funds; and creating positions; all by a 3/4 vote of the City Council.
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Daniel Strauss
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120572: AN ORDINANCE amending Ordinance 126490, which adopted the 2022 Budget, including the 2022-2027 Capital Improvement Program (CIP); changing appropriations to various departments and budget control levels, and from various funds in the Budget; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts; all by a 3/4 vote of the City Council.
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Teresa Masqueda
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120573: AN ORDINANCE amending Ordinance 126725, which adopted the 2023 Budget, including the 2023-2028 Capital Improvement Program (CIP); changing appropriations to various departments and budget control levels, and from various funds in the Budget; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts; all by a 3/4 vote of the City Council.
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Daniel Strauss
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120563: AN ORDINANCE relating to historic preservation; imposing controls upon Madison Middle School, a landmark designated by the Landmarks Preservation Board under Chapter 25.12 of the Seattle Municipal Code, and adding it to the Table of Historical Landmarks contained in Chapter 25.32 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Tammy Morales
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120564: AN ORDINANCE relating to historic preservation; imposing controls upon Magnolia Elementary School, a landmark designated by the Landmarks Preservation Board under Chapter 25.12 of the Seattle Municipal Code, and adding it to the Table of Historical Landmarks contained in Chapter 25.32 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Tammy Morales
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120565: AN ORDINANCE relating to historic preservation; imposing controls upon Daniel Bagley Elementary School, a landmark designated by the Landmarks Preservation Board under Chapter 25.12 of the Seattle Municipal Code, and adding it to the Table of Historical Landmarks contained in Chapter 25.32 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Tammy Morales
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120566: AN ORDINANCE relating to historic preservation; imposing controls upon West Seattle High School, a landmark designated by the Landmarks Preservation Board under Chapter 25.12 of the Seattle Municipal Code, and adding it to the Table of Historical Landmarks contained in Chapter 25.32 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Tammy Morales
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120557: AN ORDINANCE relating to the Department of Transportation's Hazard Mitigation Program; authorizing the Director of the Department of Transportation to acquire, accept, and record, on behalf of The City of Seattle, a Catchment Wall Easement from Paul Tan and Ly Ngoc Tan, a married couple, located in a portion of Lot 7, Block 35, Rainier Beach, and a Catchment Wall Easement from Gracie Lee Young, located in a portion of Lot 8, Block 35, Rainier Beach; for the purpose of extending the protection of the adjacent roadway of superficial surface erosion of the adjacent slopes along a portion of Rainier Avenue South; placing the real property rights under the jurisdiction of the Seattle Department of Transportation; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Alex Pedersen
  • 7 Yes
• Council Bill 120574: AN ORDINANCE relating to Seattle Public Utilities; declaring certain real property rights at the Foy Pump Station property (500 NE 145th St) as being surplus to the City's municipal utility needs; authorizing the sale of 451 square feet of King County Parcel 756870-0780 and 460 square feet of King County Parcel 756870-0775, and granting 1,201 square feet and 453 square feet on the same respective parcels for 3-year term temporary construction easements to the City of Shoreline for the purposes of the 145th Street and I-5 Interchange Project; directing the proceeds therefrom to Seattle Public Utilities' Water Fund; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Alex Pedersen
  • 7 Yes

State Legislation Update: The Office of Intergovernmental Relations (OIR) director Gael Tarleton, State Relations Director Samir Junejo, and State Legislative Liaison Anna Johnson gave a presentation on legislation regarding climate and environment, healthcare and behavioral health, housing and homelessness, labor and commerce, public safety, drug possession and treatment, social programs and education, the capital budget, transportation.

• Here are links to some of the bills: Senate Bill 5144, House Bill 1181, House Bill 1216, Senate Bill 5165, House Bill 1329, Senate Bill 5082, House Bill 1155, House Bill 1340, House Bill 1469, Senate Bill 5242, House Bill 1134, Senate Bill 5120, House Bill 1110, House Bill 1042, House Bill 1293, Senate Bill 5412, House Bill 1474, House Bill 1074, Senate Bill 5080, Senate Bill 5236, Senate Bill 5217, House Bill 1240, House Bill 1143, Senate Bill 5078, Senate Bill 5352, Senate Bill 5087, House Bill 1324, Senate Bill 5440, Senate Bill 5536, House Bill 1238, House Bill 1436.

Proclamations:

• Recognizing June 2nd as the Gun Violence Awareness Day
• Co-sponsored by Councilmember Daniel Strauss and Council President Pro Tempore Lisa Herbold
• 6 signature affixed
• Recognizing May 27, 2023, as Eritrean Independence Day
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Tammy Morales
  • 6 signature affixed
• Recognizing June 2023, as LGBTQ Month
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Tammy Morales
  • 6 signature affixed
• Recognizing May 28th as Pride Asia Day
  • Sponsored by Councilmember Tammy Morales
  • 6 signature affixed

Public Comments:

• Many commenters spoke in support of the tree ordinance, arguing it is balanced and a necessary compromise.
• Many commenters spoke against the tree ordinance, commenting it disproportionately benefits developers at the expense of environmental health, affordable housing, and social equity.
• Many commenters urged the council to delay voting on the tree protection bill to further consult stakeholders.

Resources:

• If you have any questions or feedback, please email us at [email protected], and we will get the answers to your questions from the city council.
• Sign up here to receive this letter after every city council meeting.
• Go to https://www.purplely.org/ to get to know all the candidates in this year’s city council elections.

Warning: extremely jaded and personal experience. Do not read if you're starting in this business.
I've been a wedding photographer for 5 years now. It's not that much, but it's more than enough to see what this business is all about. Photography is my passion and I will never get tired of it, but I'm officially done with weddings. No matter if I make a good living out of it - to me it's just a fking thankless job.
Here's the list of things I grew disgusted of:
- Having all of my spring and summer weekends locked months or year(s) in advance and missing all kind of personal happenings. All of my friends and family work in normal 9-5 jobs so when they rest and party on weekends, I'm out on a gig. I barely see them anymore. I even missed a funeral. Come on, there aren't many jobs in this world that takes up ALL of your weekends and prevents you from taking a day off on short notice - and I believe most of these important jobs get you a way bigger paycheck. I can't cancel the gig and say to the bride "hey I'm not coming to your wedding next week - here's your refund good luck finding another photographer."
I could have that "case of emergency" line in the contract... yeah, no. That would just make potential clients run away. Same for "I start booking dates only x months prior to your wedding.", I don't have enough inquiries to risk that kind of strategy.
I don't even have kids and I cannot imagine how horrid that life pace would be. Working 12+ hours on Saturdays and recovering from wedding-hungover on Sundays. When I think about it, I haven't met a lot of parents in this industry...
I'm missing my personal life as years go by, and even if I make a good living with that camera, it's just not worth missing my best friend's birthday or my brother's bridal party.
- The pressure and responsibility you have to endure, not missing any moment, constantly reassuring stressed out brides and grooms instead of photographing, the risk of having your camera fail on you during father & bride walking in the aisle, or tripping over some hyperactive running kid or drunk uncle bobs during reception...
- The overall saturation of the market, having to constantly improve your communication, SEO, etc... if you want to still be there next year.
- Getting paid in 2 times, I'm tired of receiving a split payment over 6, 12, 18 months. Without a constant rotation of clients over 2 years I can't get a decent living out of it. That's just adding more pressure and I personally hate that feeling of being paid in half over such a long timespan.
- It's not such a well-paid job, especially when you break it down to every hour you really put into effort, and when you have to face all of these responsibilities. If you start counting every hour you spent on your communication, updating your website, having all those meetings and calls and emails with the client, sending the contract, photographing the wedding, culling and editing photos, making the album, etc... it's just not worth it. I'm not even talking about the cost of gear you need in double in case something breaks during a gig, and all the other fees such as insurance, taxes... And yet I'm on the high-end prices in my country (starting price is $3000, while most of others photographers are $1000-1500). Oh and I hate brides constantly trying to negotiate prices as if you wanted to scam them, when they gladly hand over 4 times this amount to the caterer who will serve them bland frozen food.
- You get eventually physically injured out of it, holding that camera and carrying that gear all day long. I've seen old wedding photographers being completely broken. And it's way worse for videographers.
- It's one-time jobs only, you rarely get to work with the same clients again. So there's no real point building relationships with them (besides hoping word of mouth from them), unlike other types of professional photography. You have to start it all over again every time. And it's tiresome, especially if you're not that extrovert social type of person.
- Wedding industry is all fake and unfair, other vendors suck, they are unprofessional af, while most of them earn way more than you do without having to endure 10% of the responsibilities you carry on your shoulders. Bad caterer? No problem, it's down the drain 24 hours after anyway. Bad DJ? It's okay, everyone was wasted and danced like hell anyway. Bad wedding planner? The day just went along without her help (95% of wedding planners are useless pieces of sh*t anyway)
Oh and who's the ONLY vendor who can't call it a day after the wedding's over? You. The third wheel photographer who's the last to get contacted after the couple have spent all their budget, but who's also the only one who has to go back to them months after the wedding. And if the bride didn't like her wedding for any stupid reason, if you're unlucky she will blame you for it because you're the only one she can take off her hate on.
I also loved randomly finding my photos shared by other vendors - with filters, cropping, and ofc without tagging me. But hopefully most of the times they tag me when I kindly ask them. When their post is now burried in their feed weeks after they posted it.
- Entitled Pinterest bridezillas appearing more and more with stupid unrealistic expectations. The worst thing is that they are unpredictable. You can totally match with her during the first encounters, but she can turn into a monster during her wedding. I remember that bride who handed me over that 50 pages stapled ream of Pinterest styled shoot photos 1 week before the wedding. "We want this." girl you're getting married in march in northern France and you're showing me totally staged pictures taken in Tuscany in late summer, wtf.
You missed THAT one shot she never talked about with her uncle's brother-in-law's daughter who was just there 1 hour during reception? Or maybe the 218th guest is missing from your photos and you were supposed to have EVERYONE in your pictures? You better damage control that shit and pray she doesn't leave that 1 star review on your Google page - aka the end of your career.
- Culling thousands of photos. Editing hundreds of them. Or how to destroy your passion for photography brick by brick. Yeah, you can use AI softwares or hire someone but I don't think that's honest.
- Being dependent on the weather, when it rains you can be sure your photos will suck and bride gets moody.
- Ugly and fat brides. It's just impossible to make them look good in our pictures and it's a pain to edit them. They look awkward in every pose they do, especially when the husband is thin. Sorry for being an asshole on this one but come on we all think the same. If she complains that she doesn't look good in the pictures, good luck to you trying to explain without involuntary insults.
The only way I could picture myself going back into this job would be going luxury. Maybe I'll come back one day selling $30 000 packages for 6 hours coverage lmao. But even with mad money, I would still have to face most of the problems I'm now running away from.
So now I'm going into corporate photography/videography. I'm basically getting paid as much as weddings for 80% less work and none of the cons stated above. And strangely I get more fun out of it.
Wedding photography is the toughest of all photography jobs, I really respect senior photographers who have been doing it for 10+ years. I don't know how they do and I would never want to be in their shoes. This job is turning me into a bitter person and I must stop the process.
Farewell wedding photography, thank you for all you taught me.

This story takes place a few years ago, back when I had just graduated from high school, in the summer months that separated my juvenile years from the coming dawn of (semi)-adulthood.
I was naive then, still a child without a care in the world, save for my life ahead of me and spending the rest of my ‘youthful days’ with my friends.
So we decided to go on a trip around the world to sightsee, to be close before we were inevitably forced apart. We journeyed off into the lands of the British, to the towers of France, and even to the deep jungles of South America.
It was all very fun until we decided to head over to a little known island by the name of Bandai Landang somewhere in the Java Sea. If you look for the island now it barely shows anything save for a few internet forum adventures gone bad and Bandai Namco, the entertainment company.
I think our friend Canopy was the one who found out about it. He was always into the weirder side of things.
The island can be considered a micronation, but the countries nearby all claim it’s part of theirs. Indonesia, Malaysia, and even China have it listed as some other name. No, I’m not going to share the ‘official’ name of the island- I don’t want anymore unfortunate wanderers.
Anyway, Canopy said the island promised exquisite beaches, awesome views, and untouched air and a sense of peace.
“I’ve never heard of this,” I pointed out. “Is it really a thing?”
He patted my shoulder. “It’ll be fun! My cousin’s been there and she said it was AWESOME!”
So we decided to venture onto the island. We were nearby anyway, and after asking around, Canopy managed to find us a ferry that would take us there.
This is where things go wrong. This is where we had to split up.
“I’m sorry,” the old man running the boat said, “the ferry's full.” And so our group of six was split into three.
Canopy, Myra, and Al went on first, and the rest of us- me, Quincy, and Jan would have to stay over the next day. Now it was only too late when we found out that there were no ferries crossing the next day.
“It was perfectly fine yesterday?” I snapped, confused. “The weather hasn’t even changed!”
The old man who’d ferried our friends shook his head. “Today is… festival,” he pronounced. “Water no good- there are things in the water. Evil things.”
“What festival?” Quincy demanded. But the old man had walked away, leaving us on a very empty dock. “What-” he sighed.
“It’s okay,” Jan assured. “There’s things to do here.”
I nodded, and we started to walk back to our hotel when a burly man appeared. He was white, not local, and had an air of gusto to him. “You three really believe that crap about the festival?”
I looked at him, perplexed, and shook my head. “No. We just want to get too the island.”
He took my hand and shook it. “Name’s Captain Murrow,” he told. “And I can take you to the island.”
This was great news. So I shook it and we settled on a deal. He charged double the price, being as that he was the only one willing to take us. And being naive kids, we decided it was a fair trade.
We just wanted to see our friends.
Besides us and the Captain there were two others on board- a rich couple that seemed to avoid us with their dog, a fancy chihuahua of some sort that barked at everything.
“Enjoy yourselves,” Murrow suggested. “It’ll be an hour.”
An hour wasn’t that bad, considering the flights we’d traveled and the hikes we’d been on. So me and my friends made small talk, and we chatted about colleges, journeys, romance, all the little things that made up life.
The fog rolled in an hour later, when we were supposed to have arrived.
“Excuse me, friends,” Captain Murrow announced. “We seem to have drifted…” there was a certain confusion to how he was saying his words, “...off course?”
Me and Quincy ran up on deck while Jan slept. We found the rich, pretentious looking couple bickering with the captain. “I can’t wait any longer with this riff-raff on board,” she hissed, dog barking in hand. “We’re going to be late for the auction!”
“Is this some sort of tourist trap?” her husband snarled. “I’ll pay you all you need to set us back on course!”
Murrow’s brow furrowed. “I don’t know what exactly is going on,” he told. “This hasn’t happened before.”
Quincy spoke up. “Maybe the legends are true and we never should’ve gone.” I giggled at that. “OoooOo!” he joked. I think Murrow found it a little funny, cause he smiled.
The couple most certainly did not. “Kids like you will never understand what it means to be on time,” the woman hissed. “Always late.”
Her husband looked out into the mist and pointed. “Look- there are-” he squinted his eyes, “boats!”
Jan came out, wondering why we hadn’t arrived. I told her we didn’t know, and the three of us- and Murrow walked over to the edge.
There was nothing out there, much to the man’s confusion. But the more we drifted, and the more Murrow tried to set us back on course the more it seemed there was something out there.
A sense of- dread? Fear? Excitement- filled my veins. It was all very new and interesting. A youthful adventure- a group lost at sea, ready to be rescued!
“Boats!” the husband shouted. “Look!”
This was when they came into view. First it was one or two, little wooden rafts that drifted in the distance against the ferry- despite the wind blowing the opposite direction.
And then more started to come, and closer they came. They were tattered wooden things, ripped by wind and cut-like marks.
That’s when we saw what was on them. “What the hell?” Jan whispered. “Are those-”
They were almost like dolls, burnt and faceless, strung against the boats, strapped downwards with odd multicolored ropes that stood out against the graying mist. “They must be dolls, right?” I asked.
Quincy sniffed the air and withdrew in fear. “I don’t think so.” I smelt it too as the wind blew, now harsh.
It smelled of decay. Burned flesh and the sickly stench of burnt hair. “Is this the festival?” the woman pleaded, asking Murrow. She folded her arms in disbelief. “Some trick.”
“I’ve heard of these,” Murrow murmured, now serious. “I didn’t think they’d be true.”
Jan asked him what they were as more drifted nearer and nearer. The answer was just as foreboding.
“Corpse boats,” he told. It was said an unprepared traveler wandering the seas at night would find themselves met with the rafts. They would smell the decay at first, and the burnt hair.
Then they would see the burnt, paper-wrapped bodies, strapped to the boat. It was said that once a year a couple traveling out those would kids would meet them- and that they would vanish forever.
And there was something else to them, too- staring at them for too long would-
The husband gasped before Murrow could finish. “Alice, look!” he shouted. “It’s- it’s Marissa!”
The woman looked blankly at the ocean, seeing nothing. “What the hell are you talking about?” she spat. “Of course you’re thinking about your ex at a time like this!” And then she turned to the captain. “Get us out of here. This trip is over.”
“No, look- it’s-” and then he stopped. And then across the boat, floating in parallel with us was one of the corpse boats, closer than ever.
The raft was different. Three sharp, pointed sticks raised upwards, and the foul smelling corpse-doll (what were they?) was impaled. A stick through the head made it look upwards.
“She’s calling my name,” he stammered, walking away back. He screamed and put his hands around his ears. He screamed and screamed, backing away, terrified. We started to back away, shocked by his actions.
And then he did the impossible. He ran and flung himself off the ship, whispering the name “Marissa!” as he fell.
There was no splash. Just an empty nothing. “What the hell!” I yelped. It wasn’t even a question, it was just- shock.
Hesitantly, the three of us looked downwards. No strung up impaled corpse was there. No husband to be seen. Just the fog, the sea, and the corpse boats in the distance passing us by.
“Don’t look at them!” Murrow snapped, finishing his story. “Don’t look at them or they’ll take you!”
We instantly avoided our gaze, returning to the center of deck, staring at the ground instead. The boat suddenly hit something, and it flung us to a side.
I picked myself up and-
It was in front of me. Impossibly, an impaled, foul smelling corpse covered paper, arms strung almost trying to reach me. For a second it wasn’t a corpse but the dead body of my high school sweetheart and I almost reached to meet it.
But I avoided my gaze and shut my eyes.
Then my hair began to be brushed, to be braided, they same way she would do it before she’d been killed in a car accident. I heard whispers in my ear, whispers I couldn’t make out that sounded all too familiar.
“Come with me,” I heard. “Float away…”
And then I heard screaming, and the feeling of the thing near me evaporated. I opened my eyes to see the rich woman tugging at Captain Murrow. “Look!” she cried, pointing to the ocean.
“I don’t-” he was tugged, “-want to!”
“It’s my husband!” she snarled. “How’d he get on one of those?!” she slapped Murrow across the cheek. “Get him back here.”
In the sea I saw a corpse, impaled and stretched out to reach out to her. The woman started back lovingly. “Don’t worry- I’ll get you!” And then she, with Murrow in hand stepped over the barrier and, with her free hand, clasped the corpse’s hand in hers.
And then she screamed. The body pulled her dowards with such force her arm was ripped clean off.
She screamed and fell over the edge- taking Murrow with her- but Quincy and Jan leapt to action, seizing him just before our captain was lost forever.
Like before, there was no splash. Nothing to tell us she’d ever been there but for a confused chihuahua and blood on deck.
We spent the next hour below deck, avoiding the rest of the corpse-boats. And just as it had all begun the boat seemed to right itself on course. The sun shone brightly, and Murrow ferried us to the docks.
I texted my friends, the three who'd come before- but they didn’t respond.
I asked around where they’d gone, and after a while, a visitor to the island told me they jumped off after looking into the ocean for far too long. I asked further, to the locals who had been on the boat the day before.
So many had vanished on the journey. They were only three more.
I researched this phenomenon as the years passed by, wondering if they would ever be found. This event isn’t local to the journey to Bandai Landang, though. No, Corpse Boats have been sighted throughout history and in international waters.
Be careful when you travel by ferry. Don’t look at the corpse boats or you’ll end up like many of the missing at sea.

My mother (M) and her brother (B) were named as beneficiaries on their aunts (A) will, each getting half of her estate. A lived in CT, and passed mid Feb 2022. B also lives in CT (A lives in PA) and B has been the one handling the estate and working with the lawyer, but so far no progress seems to have been made and he is reticent to share details on progress, being consistently vague and dismissive. My understanding (and the explanation until recently) was that the inhertance wouldn't be released until the 2022 taxes could be filed, as A had lived in 2022. Tax date came and went... Still getting vague answers and blown off by B. M has avoided talking to the lawyer to avoid causing family drama, as B has always said not to, and that he "will handle it".
My dad and I are suspicious something odd might be happening, could there be? Or could there be a legitimate explanation we're just in the dark about?
Related: she recently went through cancer surgery/treatment and is not up to dealing with this at the moment, so I wanted to get advice on moving forward:
Should M press to get in contact with his lawyer, or could/should I do so on her behalf?
Or should we get in touch with a lawyer ourselves to act on her behalf and talk to brothers lawyer?
Finally is there anthing I should know about crossing state lines, us being in PA and everything else in CT? Would we need a lawyer practicing in PA?
Or are we being silly and just more time is needed?
TIA