Washedupcynic

As was foretold by the deep magic.

I'm just going to sit here and enjoy the no deductible insurance provided to me by my blue state job, that costs me $10 a month after trading in vacation time to get a $110 discount each month. Mike Lawler voted against impeaching trump, again on 12/11/25. He voted yes to tabling impeachment in June of 2025 also. More performative bullshit from a rethuglican. Thoughts and prayers to the democrats in his district. Republicans in his district, along with him, can enjoy getting EXACTLY what they voted for. Lawler has that sweet sweet gubment insurance plan, so he'll be fine. I'll be waiting with the popcorn when his constituents turn on him.

The correct answer was thalidomide.

Tin-foil hat time: I'd bet $ Trump put out a hit on Reiner and his wife.

Edit: Looks like Reiner's son was arrested for the murders. takes off tinfoil hat

I spent 10 years working for vision and dental insurance. The only benefit of plans with a high deductible, like what you are describing, is it puts a cap on your own spending. Look at your plan's maximum out of pocket. That number represents how much you have to spend out of pocket, before you are fully covered. What you spend towards the deductible is counted towards the maximum out of pocket. (If my deductible is $4000, and my max oop is $10,000, I won't get 100% coverage until I have spent $4000 towards the deductible, and $6000 in copays/coinsurance.)

In all honesty, some of these plans have such high deductibles and max out of pockets that even with insurance, a major illness would be financially devastating. I've been in that position and just decided not to have insurance. Like if I'm going to be fucked no matter what, may as well save those insurance premiums for an emergency instead of paying a middleman for nothing.

I'm truly sorry you had this experience, and I am so happy you set a boundary and blocked this girl/woman. Do not unblock her. You may miss her presence in your life, but that pain will fade. Focus on other things in your life that make you happy. If you like to draw, every time you think about her go draw. You like video games? Play your favorite game when you think about her. Stay safe.

I have a PhD in this bullshit.

Makes me think of the neutral zone between romulans and federation.

Russia and USA can get fucked, and I say this as a US citizen. Trump didn't just suck Clinton's dick, he's still sucking Putin's dick.

I started playing a few months ago and it's a really good game. I am not far in. (I got distracted by hades 2.)

😂 😆

From what I remember from my neuroscience classes, TL;DR there are different networks that promote sleep vs wakefulness. Sleep involves firing of specific networks that are so in sync they generate brain waves that can be measured from the outside of your skull. Think delta waves. Alcohol has many non-specific targets in the brain that fuck up this rhythmic firing that keep you from entering REM and deep sleep.

The hypothalamus, a peanut-sized structure deep inside the brain, contains groups of nerve cells that act as control centers affecting sleep and wakefulness. Within the hypothalamus is the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)—clusters of thousands of cells that receive information about light exposure directly from the eyes and control your behavioral rhythm. Some people with damage to the SCN sleep erratically throughout the day because they are not able to match their sleep/wake cycle (circadian rhythms) with the light-dark cycle. Most blind people maintain some ability to sense light to help them regulate their sleep/wake cycle.

The brainstem, which is made up of structures called the pons, medulla, and midbrain, controls the transitions between wake and sleep. Sleep-promoting cells within the hypothalamus and the brain stem produce a brain chemical called GABA, reduces activity in the hypothalamus and the brainstem. The brainstem (especially the pons and medulla) also plays a special role in REM sleep. It sends signals to relax muscles essential for body posture and limb movements, so that we don’t act out our dreams.

The thalamus sends and receives information from the senses to the cerebral cortex. The cerebral cortex is the covering of the brain that has many functions, including interpreting and processing short- and long-term memory. During most stages of sleep, the thalamus becomes quiet, letting you tune out the external world. But during REM sleep, the thalamus is active, sending the cortex images, sounds, and other sensations that fill our dreams.

The pineal gland, located within the brain’s two hemispheres, receives signals from the SCN and increases production of the hormone melatonin, which helps put you to sleep once the lights go down. Scientists believe that peaks and valleys of melatonin over time are important for matching the body’s circadian rhythm to the external cycle of light and darkness.

The basal forebrain, near the front and bottom of the brain, also promotes sleep and wakefulness, while part of the midbrain acts as a system to help us stay alert during the day. Release of a chemical called adenosine from cells helps make you feel sleepy. Caffeine counteracts sleepiness by blocking the actions of adenosine.

The amygdala, an almond-shaped structure involved in processing emotions, becomes increasingly active during REM sleep.

Alcohol has non specific targets in the brain. It reduces excitatory action through NMDA ligand gated ion channels. It enhances inhibitory action through GABA ligand gated ion channels. Fucking with those ion channels changes ions entering neurons which changes electrical signals that eventually propogate down the axon. Electrical signals in a nerve axon lead to the axon terminals releasing neurotransmitters to the next cell in the chain of the entire network. This fucks up the overall network/brain waves and fucks with your ability to enter deep sleep.

You can fall asleep faster with ethanol on board, but quality of sleep will be poor.