C.M.

My girlfriend and I have been dating for a little over two years, and during that period of time she has always had what appear to be pretty severe night terrors. She usually talks in her sleep, but when her episodes begin she usually starts having a conversation like she's dreaming but then it gets violent and she gets very afraid. On a couple occasions she bolts straight up and when I have tried to calm her down and she's reacted by punching me in the face. Usually the episodes revolve around snakes, of which, she is deathly afraid, however sometimes she later says she saw a man standing in our room. Obviously there's no man and its just a dream just as there are no snakes (no demon theories please). Tonight she just woke up and when I ran to the bedroom she was standing upright talking about something (probably a snake). The weird part is that most people would think she's totally awake. Her eyes are totally open and she responds to you normally, and then I'll say "you're just dreaming, its okay, theres nothing there" and she instantly sounds like she's asleep (mumbling like she was just woken up) and accepts that everything is ok.

I have no experience with these sorts of things and I know there's no PTSD at play here. I believe she has general anxiety disorder and I think this might cause her episodes.

If it is night terrors, what do I do? Would therapy help? Treatment for anxiety? Does this sound like night terrors or something else?

A girl I've known for a couple of years and I had a talk a couple months ago and I told her that I had feelings for her. She said she felt the same way. I was dating a girl at the time, and was in a position where I couldn't break up with her yet. (She had no place to stay and breaking up with her would have forced her out). The woman I like told me a few nights later that she wasn't going anywhere and that when my then current gf and I broke up, she and I would start dating.

Fast forward a couple months and I talked with this girl again and she said she needed time to work on herself. She had recently gotten out of a very emotionally abusive relationship, and wanted to be able to be happy with herself before she "could be happy with (me)". So she said she wants to be friends for now. She also told a friend after he asked her about it, the same thing, and that she wanted to be the best person she could with me so that it had an actual chance of working.

A few weeks later and she acts very distant towards me. This weekend, a few friends and I were supposed to go to her house and have a few drinks for my birthday. She cancelled at the last minute saying her mom was going to be down this weekend, but instead of telling me, she called my best friend to tell him. She also knew it was my birthday (obviously) and didn't even text me to tell me happy bday. Considering like every other chick in her mid twenties, her cell phone is glued to her hand, I have a hard time believing she didn't have her phone, or was too busy.

I like this girl, and I'm willing to be friends for now, but only if I'm not being lied to. I Just want to get an unbiased perspective. Sorry for being a little wordy.

I've got a Glock 22 .40 S&W Gen 3 with 6 hi cap 15 round magazines. I've also got a massive bill I need to take care of and need some quick cash. I know I can repay the loan in 3 months no problem but I need to know how much I can get for it first. I have a $300 out of state ticket that I have to take care of PDQ (my girlfriends last act of defiance was to cancel our car insurance and I got stopped). Since I'd really like to not do time in an Oklahoma jail I need money. A few months ago I pawned my Glock 27 to make up for a small check, which was a Gen 4. They paid me $400. I also have a few other bills so I'd like to make at least $400 off this gun. Since they only did $400 on the Gen 4, how much will I likely get on the G22 Gen 3?

The apparent going rate for them on gunbroker and armslist seems to be around $378 for the standard gun with 2 mags, factoring in the other 4 should put me over $400.

My question is, what do you think they'll give me for the gun?

I few weeks ago I applied at the local US Cellular dealer (fairly small town) and I applied only a day or two after they stopped looking for people. The application was a simple, cut and dried, standard application. I filled it out, however, I also attached a cover letter to it. I met with the manager, she said they weren't looking for anyone at the time, but that when they opened the new store I'd be a consideration.

I let the app sit on her desk for about 2 weeks, and then went in, shirt and tie, and just let them know that I was still interested. I've checked in twice since then, and the last time the manager asked some questions (experience, availability, etc). I said I was a full time college student, but added that my schedule wasn't set yet and that I would work whatever hours they needed me for, either part or full time. She seemed impressed and said she would send my name to the district manager. I went in a couple of days ago to let the manager know I was still interested and she asked me to give her until Tuesday, and she'd call me, letting me know.

My feeling is that I know I'm the only one who submitted a cover letter, and I know I'm the only one who has consistently checked in. Is it more likely she'll call with a job offer, or less?

A while ago I found a site that sold Lucky Strike cigarettes by just the single pack for around $5 and I've since lost the website. Now all I can find are sites that sell them by the carton and I'd rather not spend that kind of money on a smoke I've never had before. Luckies are still made in Switzerland and the website ships them from there. I'm hoping somebody has a link to either that site or another one that sells the individual packs.

Thanks!

OK, bare please bear in mind that I have had to resort to drinking to not feel like a total piece of crap over this. I would really like to get a woman's perspective on my situation.

I went out with a girl tonight that was not my girlfriend. We didn't even kiss, I did not cheat. She's someone I've known for three years and have had feelings for the entire time, but only told tonight.

I've been in a relationship with someone since Valentine's day. She and I have known each other for less than a year. We started dating a little more than a month ago and I really care about her.

Here's the problem:

I have feelings for my girlfriend but I don't love her, and I have made clear that I don't want to get married or have kids. She knows this. But I care for her tremendously and do not want to stop being her friend.

This girl that I've had feelings for and I had a conversation tonight and she admitted to having feelings for me too for the same length of time. And that I should have a conversation with my GF about where we see the relationship going. She told me to call her when I figured it out. I don't want to get married or have kids, but she is the only woman I've ever known that could convince me otherwise.

The problem is that I care for my GF and want to be friends with her, but we don't have that spark, while the other girl and I do.

I feel like a complete POS, and need to not string her along. I have not and will not cheat on her, but I need to be upfront with her and she deserves a LOT better than the stock "its not working out" excuse. I want to be involved in her life, but as a friend, not her boyfriend.

How should I approach this? How can I do this without her thinking I'm a horrible person?

10 points and my undying appreciation for best answer.

Known this girl for a couple years now, we're both 23 in college and I've had a thing for her since we met, but haven't said anything.

We hung out a few weeks ago at our usual bar and I tried to pay for her drink and it took a couple minutes to convince her to let me. At first I thought this was just kind of teasing and being "self reliant". Is this possible, or is it more likely that she didn't want to appear to "owe" me anything?

She nearly always comes to hang out whenever I call her, but when we make future plans to go out a few days later she always flakes out.

I initiate most of the conversations via phone/texting.

Generally I would consider this a sure sign of disinterest, but after a period of flaking out or not communicating for awhile, when we talk she asks about my relationship status (single), and asks about crazy exes. Then she talks about her being single too, so it seems as though its a "you're single, I'm single" conversation, but the other events make it seem unlikely.

I really like her, but am not sure if I should say anything, because if it's unlikely she feels the same I'm not going to mess with it and invest the emotions into someone who won't return them. Jaded, yes but it is what it is.

I enjoy being her friend as well and if she said no, it wouldn't bother me, I don't typically feel awkward, but I have a feeling she would and we wouldn't hang out much anymore.

I've just recently moved in with a few friends of mine and I moved into the room that (oddly) has the thermostat in it for the central heat and air system. The gas bill has typically been about $60 until this month which was $185. I keep my room very cool (about 70 or less) and my roommates can barely stand to open the fridge so they want to keep the house fairly warm. The thermostat is set at 70 degrees, and the thermometer reads 70 degrees, yet the bill is extremely high. The water heater is electric and the stove is electric so there really isn't any other explanation. The problem for me is that one of my roommates is saying its because I have the fan on in my room and somehow magically making the heater stay on despite the fact that its rarely on and that the thermometer and the set point are the same damn number.

That rant aside, does the gas company estimate readings for certain months and then overcharge on others? Any other explanations?

I've known this girl for about 3 years, we used to talk only occasionally and now are talking and hanging out about once a week. She's really hard to read and I'm not sure if she's "testing the waters" or just friendly. Here's the timeline:

I've called her to come hang out with my friends at our house several times the last few weeks and she always says yes, but doesn't usually stay more than an hour. We talked about going out for drinks a few weeks ago, just us and planned it two weeks in advance. Half an hour after she was supposed to have been at the bar I texted her and wanted to make sure we were still on, and she said she was home and was just going to hang out there. So she stood me up. The next day she texts and apologizes for it and asked me to go out to the bar that night (with her friends). Its common knowledge that being the only guy out with several girls is, in all practicality, a chick. I declined, in no small part to not wanting to be her b**ch. Afterwards she came over to hang out. Last night I'm going out with my friends to the bar, I call her and ask if she wanted to join me, she did and met us at the bar. After a few minutes she and I broke away and sat at the bar (we were 2 of 10 people in the joint so it was quiet and somewhat private) and talked for over an hour. She mentioned things that we should do together (baseball games, museums, etc) and said she wanted to spend new years with me and wanted to hang out what was today. When she got home she texted me thanking me for a great evening and said she enjoyed my company.

Looking at it from a logical standpoint, I have no real evidence that she has any feelings towards me and a lot of circumstantial evidence that she doesn't. But little things like looks and things make me wonder.

There really is no risk of telling her how I feel, with the exception of rejection, which, if I wanted to feel that bad there are more dignified ways of accomplishing it. But at the same time, I don't want to waste my time and kill a great friendship with one of the few women I actually respect (it's earned, ladies) and enjoy hanging out with.

The question then is, should I tell her, or should I forget about it?

I've been friends with this girl for about 3 years now, and he instantly hit it off back then and still have a lot in common now. I like her, and I like hanging out with her and would definitely like to get to know her better. The problem is that I'm not sure if she would be interested in me in a dating sense, and more to the point, from the guys I've known that she's dated, I'm a few shades lighter than what it seems like she prefers... Both of us are white, but she seems to date more Saudis and black guys than white, so I'm not sure I'm really her type...

All of this aside, I have no reason to believe she would say yes or no, she's hard to read.

Thoughts?

Two years ago I dropped out of college to go to culinary school, I also never went to class and was academically dismissed and last semester I applied for reinstatement and was reinstated with financial aid returned. I was put on financial/academic probation and ended the semester with a 3.0 (for that semester) and was taken off of probation.

This semester I took too many classes and missed the drop date for a class I was failing. This put me at 11 hours (12 needed for financial aid) but was told by the aid department that 11 hours was fine but that if my cumulative GPA doesn't "move above 2.0" I'll go on suspension.

I can't find any university or fafsa policy that says I have to move above 2.0 or be automatically suspended, in fact it says that if you don't meet satisfactory academic progress you get a warning at the end of semester and have the spring to bring it up unless you fall below 6 hours and then will be suspended.

If I get A's in abnormal psych, judicial process and a B in Russian I'll have a 2.0.

If there are any financial aid advisors on here I'd greatly appreciate help. If it came to an appeal, with my excellent grades last semester and the F notwithstanding this semester I think I could appeal it sucessfully.

Appreciate any help.

I'd especially like to hear from any LEOs on the boards.

I've got my polygraph test coming up for employment with my local PD, and Ive got a few questions.

All cops know as does anyone else with a brain, that the polygraph is bunk, and used more as a tool to scare people. (no man or machine can read your mind or see your past). I also am close to finishing my bachelors of science in justice studies with a minor (and what will soon be a masters) in forensic psychology. I've had training in advanced interrogation techniques and am adept at recognizing psychological "mind games" as part of my curriculum. I am fully cognizant of the techniques used (control, relevant, irrelevant questions, etc) and have been shown how to alter the readings (and thus the polygrapher's subjective translation). Is it best to admit this to the polygrapher, or let him/her continue to think they're gods amongst men?

I don't have a shady past or anything, but I do know that in the voodoo that is polygraphy, the odds that a person is lying is the same at winning at a Vegas blackjack table or the flip of a coin and it dq's a lot of

people who should be cops and lets in just as many who shouldnt be trusted with a pet rock, much less a firearm. I have smoked weed once, I think the fact that it's illegal and Bacardi 151 isn't is pure insanity but I know that a lot of people have a bug up their a$$ about it, especially a lot of departments. I am an honest person, no criminal record, not even a speeding ticket, but I also know that honesty and polygraph machines have nothing to do with each other.

Any tips for the interrogation?

Everyone in my family back to my great grandma has bent middle fingers on both hands. They bend laterally towards the ring finger on either hand and they are bent at the bone, not a tendon issue. They aren't painful and it's not an injury obviously, so it's got to be a genetic defect but the only mention of it is some astrology BS. I'm looking for a medical (ie non superstitious) explanation for this. I know others have it so I'm wondering if it's a defect associated with a particular ethnicity or just a random gene mutation.

Thanks.

I'm interviewing for a job as a bartender next week and Ive got some questions.

What is an appropriate way to dress? Usually I'd go to an interview in a suit and tie but I'm sure that's a little much for this interview. The bar isn't swanky, it's not a typical college bar, it's a relaxed place to go: pool tables, darts, etc. It crowds on the weekend and they usually have a DJ.

I also have two tattoos, one large tat on my forearm and one on my calf and I have gauged ears (4Ga), should I cover the ink and take out the gauges for the interview?

Are there any tips anyone who has worked as a bartender would offer? Thanks.

This is more of an experiment more than any serious intent to enter political life, I would appreciate simple yes/no answers and why or why not, along with political affiliation as well as religious (you'll see why).

My political affiliation (official and beliefs) are Libertarian with mostly left leaning views. I support gay rights, as I believe the gov't has no right to dictate terms of marriage, a religious ceremony. I am pro choice, because the gov't has no right to dictate medical procedures, but would personally rather raise a child and support legislation to give alternative options to women. I also am an atheist, I have no affirmative belief in god, but am by no means anti religion. I would increase funding to education especially financial aid for college students to give more the oppurtunity to attend college. I would propose a nuke arms treaty, lowering our nuclear weapons to what is essential for defense (not offense), not renew the patriot act, lift Cuban embargo, impose higher tariffs on imported goods that can be made here, establish a loan system for american farmers to grow those things here. Give tax cuts to US based corporations that staff 80% + of US citizens and impose heavier taxes to ones that don't. Give tax breaks to middle class, not to upper class. Support individual gun rights and refuse security detail until all states recognize the right to carry. Reduce congressional wages, eliminate third strike laws, legalize marijuana to those 21+, eliminate tax exempt status for religions (their money is as green as everyone else's). End the war in Iraq and afganistan, pull out of Libya. Reform health care to be accessible to all, with no penalty for opt out. Require welfare recepients to repay what they're given after 5 years with a max of five years on welfare per child, welfare would terminate with more than 5 children.

There is more but I'm out of space, so ask for clarification if you have questions, thanks everyone.

I've decided to start eating less meat (I'm naturally more of a red meat kind of guy) and try to "ween" myself off slowly rather than stop all at once, and I'd still like to be able to eat meat occasionally, but I am also trying to lose weight and live healthier and this is the best way.

So what is the best way to accomplish this? What are good meal ideas and any info others could give could be especially helpful.

Thanks.

I've been reading through the KPFPA (concealed carry law) and the definition of "weapon" is specified as "handgun" but I can't find any reference to batons. I have a concealed weapons permit already and carry a firearm regularly but I cannot tell if batons are expressly forbidden. I know that generally speaking a lack of express law usually constitutes legal standing.

A few months ago my girlfriend had an amazing body and was flat out drop dead gorgeous, however she's gained some weight and cut her hair extremely short, and now isn't very attractive anymore. The relationship is fairly new and I do love her and would not leave based on how she looks, but I take care in getting ready everyday and making sure I look my best when I leave the house but it's like she really just doesn't care which is the part that bugs me the most. How do I talk to her about losing the weight and losing the Jaime Lee Curtis look without it seeming like I don't accept her? Because I do accept her and would not break up with her for those reasons at all, but I think she might be happier being more athletic again.

Also, she has been thinking about growing her hair out, so how do I encourage this without looking like a douche?

Thanks everyone

I've been talking with this girl for about three weeks now and its been very sexual, but very emotional as well. We've admitted strong emotions for each other in a relationship context, and within the next week we're going to spend the weekend together (there's some distance between us but we met at school we're home for the summer in different cities) and since we decided to do this the expectation has been that we would hook up over that weekend, we've discussed it, so it isn't an assumption, but tonight she went back on that and said we should wait for a couple weeks...

She's said before she has no problem messing around and has done so with guys she barely knew but now "we should wait", but our conversations are still highly sexual and she said she still wants us to be in a relationship. So here I am totally confused about what the deal is... Is she having doubts? Am I slowly being shoved in the dreaded "Friend Zone"? Or do you think she wants things to be different with us?

I mean, as a guy, if someone has been talking nonstop about jumping my bones and all of a sudden its "lets wait", its hard not to think that something else is going on.

What do you guys think?

Also important to note that my interest isn't purely sexual, I want to be with her too, but its weird that this is just all of a sudden.

My eyes are mostly green, and I understand the general principle behind eye color, but I have a very noticeable ring of dark orange around my pupil, and when the light hits them, especially with a camera flash, the entire iris looks orange, its both creepy and kinda cool. The only people I've seen with it like mine are three of my sisters, the only ones that I share a father with, which leads me to believe its passed down from the father. Is it a genetic mutation or pretty common? In what ethnic groups is it most observed in?

(and for the smart a**es out there, no I don't have any hepatic disorders or diseases)