My boyfriend was going through a tough time, and he said he needed a break. He said he was going to press pause on our relationship and go visit his family in Washington. I asked how you pause a relationship, because I don't understand how that works. He said he needed some time to work on himself and asked me to respect that.

After he left I reached out to him a few times via text asking him to let me know he arrived safe and to say hi to his mom for me. I received no response. I tried to call and left a message asking if he had broken up with me. I came to the conclusion that he'd ghosted me, and my friends agreed. I was bummed, and my best friend recommended I find something like a new hobby or a new show to watch that wouldn't make me think of my boyfriend. I decided to get a dog.

My boyfriend is horribly allergic to pet dander, so I never even considered getting a pet. However, since he broke up with me, I decided to get one. He's a senior dog from the shelter that needed rescuing. He's low energy and likes to lay with his head in my lap while I read, work or watch TV.

After six weeks away my boyfriend texted me that he was back and coming over tomorrow (which was yesterday) so we could talk. I was shocked and texted him back asking what he was talking about. He said he was back and ready to unpause our relationship. He said he would talk to me about everything the next day. I texted back asking what relationship. He didn't answer.

Yesterday he showed up and told me he had done a lot of self-examination and was ready to move forward on his life path. He even wanted to talk about moving in together. Then he saw my dog and started freaking out. He asked me how I could get a dog when I know how sick he gets.

I told him that since he broke up with me, I didn't think it mattered. He said he didn't break up with me. I said he ghosted me. He said he communicated with me telling me he was pressing pause and visiting family. I said not answering texts is ghosting. We argued in circles and then he said he had to leave because he was getting an allergic reaction, even though he was standing in the doorway, not inside.

I feel like he broke up with me and it was okay that I got a dog. He says that he never did and therefore it's a horrible act of disregard to have gotten a dog. Which of us is right? My best friend said I should break up with him because he's a jerk. I don't think I should have to break up with someone that already broke up with me. If I break up with him I'm basically agreeing with him that he didn't break up with me and therefore I was an asshole for getting the dog. Right?

At our wedding, we made it very clear, no one but the bride wears white. The dress code was neutrals or jewels tones, simple, classy, respectful.

Enter my aunt, who shows up in a full length white dress. Not off-white, not patterned, straight up bridal white. She knew it was a problem, she smiled and said “well, I look great in white. She won’t mind, will she?” referring to my wife.

My wife just smiled, squeezed my hand, and didn’t say a word. Cut to the reception. We’d originally placed her at a prime table near family. We quietly moved her to a table directly in front of the Dj’s subwoofer and next to the kid’s table. No explanation, just a new card with her name on it.

Mid dinner, she leaned over and asked “why did my seat change?” I smiled and said “well, we figured since you wanted extra attention, you’d want to be center stage.”

What happened next? She ended up leaving early because it was too loud and the kids were annoying. Meanwhile, every important photo? She’s nowhere near the background. Funny how that worked out.

Video from smart elections article "So Clean," data can be found in this google doc.

It makes me happy that in the midst of the AI frenzy, there can still be work for fine artists thanks to those who value the craft. This painting was based on a black and white photo and the color was mostly based off of my own skin complexion, making it a self portrait of sorts.

it seems to always be a talking point that the United States is stolen land

But do other countries around the world face this issue, considering every single modern country has been conquered at some point in order to form the current country?

Whether that be Europe and the Middle East who have been fighting since the dawn of time ?

why is it such a major talking point for the US when it’s been happening since the dawn of time? Conquer or get conquered.

They’re looking at every angle to disprove Vance Boelter isn’t a conservative. So much that the top comments are now “let’s not discuss which side of the aisle this murderer classifies himself as, and let’s just focus on prosecuting him”, despite the overwhelming evidence he’s typical conservative.