Insane Advice

Cathy Engelbert Is Doing The Job She Was Hired To Do

Stuck with a gift card from a shuttered business Here are your options, consumer advocate says
The sudden closure of a Lakeshore day spa has led to anger from some of its gift card holders and to offers of help and advice from consumer advocates and other local spas.

> Ten ways in which being against AI in writing makes you a gatekeeper by

FTA: "If you want to be a writer, do the thing. If you want to be called an author, write stuff and get it published. Boom. Done. You want to steal and call yourself an artist Nah, fuck that."

> Ten ways in which being against AI in writing makes you a gatekeeper by

FTA: "If you want to be a writer, do the thing. If you want to be called an author, write stuff and get it published. Boom. Done. You want to steal and call yourself an artist Nah, fuck that."

While I ate cake at a family gathering: Thoughts on family

I stood in the corner, a paper plate with a slice of cake in my lap. My eyes widened with confusion. Looking around me, I realized: I dont know that many happy families.

Can anybody something like Apple's hide my email

I've started some self hosting and wanted to go to proton mail with that feature but since they're doing questionable donations I feel more like a managed nextcloud for storage and then do the rest myself.

I have solutions for Passwort management but I'd need something easy to generate email aliases as well and store them in the PW manager. Any recommendations for that

. See for official warnings from the QFD. DO NOT RELY ON THIS SERVICE FOR TIMELY EMERGENCY WARNINGS.

STAY INFORMED - Kilkivan - fire as at 6:03pm Tuesday, 11 August 2026 (WARN-84)

Location: Kilkivan, Black Snake and surrounding areas -26.11056810851664 latitude, 152.24855440659292 longitude, grid square QG63CV93
Map:
Incident Type: FIRE VEGETATION
Alert Level: Advice
Severity: Moderate
Action: Monitor
Expires: 2026-08-12T18:05:04.33+10:00

A fire is burning near Blacksnake Road. This fire could burn for days.

Fire crews are on scene and will be conducting a large backburn to help control the fire. Fire and smoke will be very visible to the community.

Stay informed because the situation could change.

- Check for warning updates often and listen to your local radio station.

- Decide what you will do if the bushfire gets closer.

- If the smoke is thick where you are, stay inside and close windows and doors.

- If you need medication to help you breathe keep it close. Smoke can make it hard to breathe.

- Do not fly drones around the fire as they affect firefighting.

- If you are in danger, call Triple Zero (000) now.
- Click here for current QFD incidents and warnings
- Click here for bushfire preparation tips
- Click here for health advice and air quality information
- Follow QFD on Facebook and X.com
- Click here for road closure information or call 131940

- See for a listing of ABC Local Radio stations which may be broadcasting emergency information in your area.

. See for official warnings from the QFD. DO NOT RELY ON THIS SERVICE FOR TIMELY EMERGENCY WARNINGS.

STAY INFORMED - Kilkivan - fire as at 4:46pm Tuesday, 11 August 2026 (WARN-82)

A fire is burning near Blacksnake Road. This fire could burn for days.

Fire crews are on scene and will be conducting a large backburn to help control the fire. Fire and smoke will be very visible to the community.

Stay informed because the situation could change.

- Check for warning updates often and listen to your local radio station.

- Decide what you will do if the bushfire gets closer.

- If the smoke is thick where you are, stay inside and close windows and doors.

- If you need medication to help you breathe keep it close. Smoke can make it hard to breathe.

- Do not fly drones around the fire as they affect firefighting.

- See for a listing of ABC Local Radio stations which may be broadcasting emergency information in your area.

How not to live your life

Time is the most important thing in your life. Once it's gone, it's gone.

Hitesh Choudhary

(He teaches programming on the Hitesh Code Lab YouTube channel)

We try to do advice segments for the viewers email Jigbruhadvisegmail.com and well try to help you out everyday at 8 pm on stream

. See for official warnings from the QFD. DO NOT RELY ON THIS SERVICE FOR TIMELY EMERGENCY WARNINGS.

STAY INFORMED - Kilkivan - fire as at 10:16am Tuesday, 11 August 2026 (WARN-78)

A fire is burning near Blacksnake Road. This fire could burn for days.

Stay informed because the situation could change.

- Check for warning updates often and listen to your local radio station.

- Decide what you will do if the bushfire gets closer.

- If the smoke is thick where you are, stay inside and close windows and doors.

- If you need medication to help you breathe keep it close. Smoke can make it hard to breathe.

- Do not fly drones around the fire as they affect firefighting.

- See for a listing of ABC Local Radio stations which may be broadcasting emergency information in your area.

. See for official warnings from the QFD. DO NOT RELY ON THIS SERVICE FOR TIMELY EMERGENCY WARNINGS.

AVOID SMOKE (HAZARD REDUCTION BURN) - Thallon - fire as at 10:09am Tuesday, 11 August 2026 (WARN-77)

Location: Thallon and surrounding areas -28.63383207854918 latitude, 148.86659198165734 longitude, grid square QG41KI37
Map:
Incident Type: FIRE VEGETATION
Alert Level: Advice
Severity: Minor
Action: Monitor
Expires: 2026-08-12T10:09:57.837+10:00

Thick smoke is affecting Thallon and surrounding areas. This is from hazard reduction burning near the Carnarvon Highway.

Protect yourself from the impacts of smoke.

- If the smoke is thick where you are, stay inside and close windows and doors.

- If you need medication to help you breathe keep it close.

- If you are worried about your health call your doctor or 13 HEALTH (13 432 584). If it is an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) now.

- If you are affected by the smoke you may need to leave the area.

- Do not fly drones around the fire as they affect firefighting.
- Click here for current QFD incidents and warnings
- Click here for bushfire preparation tips
- Click here for health advice and air quality information
- Follow QFD on Facebook and X.com
- Click here for road closure information or call 131940

- See for a listing of ABC Local Radio stations which may be broadcasting emergency information in your area.

QUESTION: NEED ADVICE ABOUT A SCHEDULE CONFLICT BETWEEN TWO JOBS AND STANDING MY GROUND:

The gist: In my NEW serving job, I agreed to work Mon-Fri and I kept my OLDER serving job for Sat & Sun. Because there are far fewer servers at my OLDER serving job, I am needed every weekend. I love that job and it's actually a great de-stressor for my NEW job (good money, but wears me out come Friday night).

Anyway, I made this clear in the interview. It went up in the schedule, went blank after opening, I re-added it myself, and it was approved by the GM. Suddenly, I see a Saturday shift pop up.

It's only the 2nd week of being open I hope this is not some battle I'm gonna have to keep fighting.

I made the shift available for other servers to take ASAP, but doubt I'll get any takers. BUT, I have to work my OLDER job that day, even if the schedule's not out yet for it. I've worked weekends 3 months straight. I want to avoid giving in and working "just this Saturday" because EVERY DAMNED TIME it becomes an expectation and before you know it, I lose the other job because I can't show up anymore.

The NEW job is a brand new restaurant where I'm scheduled 33 hrs/wk M-F, but as the newness wears off in a month or so, we'll get less busy & hours cut, & I'll need my weekend job to fill in the gaps. I can't afford to alienate my 2nd job.

Sorry so long, but I wanted to give the context. HAVE ANY OF YOU ever had to repeatedly explain your availability and stand firm on it How would you recommend I do it without offending the managers or caving in to the pressure I'm worried because they'll start cutting servers that aren't pulling their weight soon & I don't want this to be what puts me on the firing list (can't afford to lose this job). I caved enough last week trying to help clean up every night & don't want to budge anymore.

Any help would be great here. I just hate the situation.

How to staycation better

. See for official warnings from the QFD. DO NOT RELY ON THIS SERVICE FOR TIMELY EMERGENCY WARNINGS.

AVOID SMOKE - Cambroon to Conondale (near Kenilworth) - fire as at 10:22am Monday, 10 August 2026 (WARN-74)

Location: Cambroon, Conondale and surrounding areas -26.699262589422762 latitude, 152.70450788424995 longitude, grid square QG63IH42
Map:
Incident Type: FIRE VEGETATION
Alert Level: Advice
Severity: Minor
Action: Monitor
Expires: 2026-08-11T10:25:50.277+10:00

Thick smoke is affecting Cambroon, Conondale and surrounding areas. This is from several fires burning near Rogers Road, Cambroon and Beausangs Lane, Conondale.

Fire crews are currently on scene. These fires could burn for days. Protect yourself from the impacts of smoke.

- If the smoke is thick where you are, stay inside and close windows and doors.

- If you need medication to help you breathe keep it close.

- If you are worried about your health call your doctor or 13 HEALTH (13 432 584). If it is an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) now.

- If you are affected by the smoke you may need to leave the area.

- Check for warning updates often.

- See for a listing of ABC Local Radio stations which may be broadcasting emergency information in your area.

. See for official warnings from the QFD. DO NOT RELY ON THIS SERVICE FOR TIMELY EMERGENCY WARNINGS.

STAY INFORMED - Kilkivan - fire as at 10:04am Monday, 10 August 2026 (WARN-72)

A fire is burning near Blacksnake Road. This fire could burn for days.

Stay informed because the situation could change.

- Check for warning updates often and listen to your local radio station.

- Decide what you will do if the bushfire gets closer.

- If the smoke is thick where you are, stay inside and close windows and doors.

- If you need medication to help you breathe keep it close. Smoke can make it hard to breathe.

- Do not fly drones around the fire as they affect firefighting.

- See for a listing of ABC Local Radio stations which may be broadcasting emergency information in your area.

Here are my suggestions on how to handle three kinds of metaphorical holes: assholes, potholes, and black holes.

Trans fundraising needed! I launched Reclaim Our Names as a self-determination blog where I invite trans to contribute essays, , other original written work. I'd like to compensate contributors for their work and intellectual labor and, if possible, be compensated for my work as editor and coordinator of the project. Curious if others have suggestions for raising funds as an individual running a project. (Not a so ineligible for that pot of .)

It's not important how much you earn, but how much you save.

Hitesh Choudhary

(He teaches programming on the Hitesh Code Lab YouTube channel)

<- TUNE IN

How to tell when you have too many social media accounts:

When one of them is either X, Facebook, Instagram, or Tiktok

22 oddly specific life hacks that could save you time, money, energy, or sanity

Libraries are unique places to build community, focus on work, and, of course, read! When in doubt, ask your librarian:

& from

This Week In Privacy 65 will be live in 30 minutes, we'll be discussing how Apple's iCloud Private Relay is leaking your real IP address, and covering the latest privacy & security news Come and watch and join th

via RSS feed. Not an endorsement.

Scott Galloway's Dating Advice

. See for official warnings from the QFD. DO NOT RELY ON THIS SERVICE FOR TIMELY EMERGENCY WARNINGS.

AVOID SMOKE (HAZARD REDUCTION BURN) - Helensvale, Currumbin, Mount Tamborine to Binna Burra - fire as at 12:02pm Friday, 7 August 2026 (WARN-44)

Location: Helensvale, Currumbin, Mount Tamborine, Binna Burra and surrounding areas -28.06262063197414 latitude, 153.32253939027203 longitude, grid square QG61PW84
Map:
Incident Type: FIRE VEGETATION
Alert Level: Advice
Severity: Minor
Action: Monitor
Expires: 2026-08-08T12:03:14.143+10:00

Thick smoke is affecting Helensvale, Currumbin, Mount Tamborine, Binna Burra and surrounding areas. This is from multiple hazard reduction burning near Hinze Dam, Lower Beechmont Conservation Area and Nerang National Park.

Smoke could be in the area for days. Protect yourself from the impacts of smoke.

- If the smoke is thick where you are, stay inside and close windows and doors.

- If you need medication to help you breathe keep it close.

- If you are worried about your health call your doctor or 13 HEALTH (13 432 584). If it is an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) now.

- If you are affected by the smoke you may need to leave the area.

- See for a listing of ABC Local Radio stations which may be broadcasting emergency information in your area.

. See for official warnings from the QFD. DO NOT RELY ON THIS SERVICE FOR TIMELY EMERGENCY WARNINGS.

AVOID SMOKE (HAZARD REDUCTION BURN) - North Stradbroke and surroundings islands - fire as at 11:59am Friday, 7 August 2026 (WARN-42)

Location: Russell Island, Lamb Island, Macleay Island and southern parts of North Stradbroke Island -27.667036455946807 latitude, 153.4086640996025 longitude, grid square QG62QH99
Map:
Incident Type: FIRE VEGETATION
Alert Level: Advice
Severity: Minor
Action: Monitor
Expires: 2026-08-08T12:00:37.307+10:00

Thick smoke is affecting Russell Island, Lamb Island, Macleay Island and southern parts of North Stradbroke Island. This is from Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service hazard reduction burning in the Naree Budjong Djara National Park.

Smoke could be in the area for days. Protect yourself from the impacts of smoke.

- If the smoke is thick where you are, stay inside and close windows and doors.

- If you need medication to help you breathe keep it close.

- If you are worried about your health call your doctor or 13 HEALTH (13 432 584). If it is an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) now.

- If you are affected by the smoke you may need to leave the area.

- See for a listing of ABC Local Radio stations which may be broadcasting emergency information in your area.

Dating advice Q&A from Gemini AI

Whats the best way to kiss a Martian with three mouths

Kissing a three-mouthed Martian requires a thoughtful strategy, mostly to avoid a catastrophic geometric collision.

1. Identify the Configuration

Before initiating contact, assess the facial layout:

Vertical Stack: Lower, middle, and upper.

Horizontal Row: Left, center, and right.

Triangular / Radial: Standard three-point symmetry.

2. Choose Your Strategy

The Sequential Approach (Recommended)

Target one mouth at a time. Start with the central/primary mouth to establish clear, consensual communication before moving to the secondary mouths. This minimizes confusion and avoids awkward head-tilting.

The Multi-Point Contact (For Advanced Xenophiles)

If you want to greet all three simultaneously, you will need to adjust your approach:

Cheek & Forehead Angles: Direct your lips to the main mouth while using a hand or fingers to press soft, gentle contact points near the other two.

The "Two-Sided" Tilt: For horizontal configurations, target the center mouth with your lips while leaning slightly so your cheeks rest against the adjacent outer mouths.

3. Key Safety & Etiquette Protocol

Check for Exhalations: Martian physiology may route breath, sound, or heat through different openings (e.g., one mouth for speaking, one for respiration, one for nutrient intake).

Watch for Atmospheric Reaction: Ensure your suit sealsor your shared atmosphereare compatible before making direct skin contact.

Pace Yourself: Three mouths mean three times the sensory feedback. Keep it slow, attentive, and light until you understand their body language.

Unwritten With Lee Jacobs
The show for anyone who has done the therapy, the courses and the inner work and still keeps landing back in the same patterns...

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Unfiltered And Unbound
Hosted by Kate Baxter, a Perth, Western Australia based project manager, running coach and recovering people-pleaser, this is the podcast for women who are done shrinking themselves and ready for the conversations that actually matter...

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Wheneer you lecture, be concise: the soul
Takes in short maxims, and retains them whole:
But pour in water when the vessels filled,
It simply dribbles over and is spilled.

Quidquid praecipies, esto brevis, ut cito dicta
percipiant animi dociles teneantque fideles:
omne supervacuum pleno de pectore manat.

Horace (658 BC) Roman poet, satirist, soldier, politician Quintus Horatius Flaccus
Epistles Epistularum, Letters, Book 2, ep. 3 Art of Poetry Ars Poetica To the Pisos, l. 335ff (2.3.335-337) (19 BC) tr. Conington (1874)

More about (and translations of) this quote:

Life Moves Pretty Fast. If You Dont Stop and Look Around Once in a While, You Could Miss It.

Daily writing prompt Whats the best piece of advice youve ever received

Its Friday. Im posting this as a reminder that your job is not your life! Your school is not your life! Your responsibilities are not your life! Sometimes, you need to stop and look around to enjoy your blessings. Am I saying you should call in sick to work, or ditch school today Nobut if you happen to have a vacation day or mental health day that you need to use, USE IT! There is something exhilarating about the freedom to do whatever you want on a work day.

Let me share about a time that I pulled a Ferris Bueller. I was a Senior in high school. I had my own car, a part-time job, and I only had a few classes to attend in the morning. Up until my Senior year, I was a model student. I always followed the rules, got good grades, and would never think of getting in trouble. But something about having my own car and money, together with the fact that I was getting married right after graduation, made me realize that I was an adult. I was 18. What more did I have to learn in the few months left of high school It was Spring, the weather was beautiful, and I had some money burning a hole in my pocket. So, one day I ditched my last class. It was my Accounting class, taught by the track coach, Mr. A. I went shopping and treated myself to takeout for lunch. Later that day, my brother, Eric, had an important track meet. I was so cocky, it didnt even occur to me that I would run into Mr. A. there! Besides, he would be down on the track, coaching his guys. I showed up to the meet a few minutes late and joined my parents in the stands. Everything was going well, until about halfway through the meet, here comes Coach A. climbing up the risers to where we were sitting. He sat in between me and my parents and then just leaned back to rest his elbows on the step behind us. This guy was one of the most popular teachers in school. He had swag before it was a thing!

Hey guys, hows it going he asked.

Hey coach! my Dad beamed. The boys are looking good today!

YeahEric is running strong. How about you, Heather You having a good day Coach asked as he turned his attention on me. My heart dropped into my stomach, as I felt beads of sweat form on my upper lip.

Um, yeah. Im ok, I guess, I replied. My mind was racing. He caught me! I was dead! He didnt even have to call homemy parents were right there! I cant believe how stupid I had been.

Just then my Mom chimed in,Oh, yeahHeather had a fun afternoon! She went out to lunch and went shopping, didnt you Heather Just what you needed since youve been so stressed with wedding plans lately.

What! My Mom totally outed me! Im sure Mr. A could see the horror in my eyes. He looked at me and gave me one of his patented suave grins, as he said, Well, it sure was a nice day for it. Glad you had a fun time.

Then, he shook hands with my Mom and Dad. Mr. and Mrs. McVickeralways a pleasure. Thank you for coming out and supporting the team. Id better get back down there. Good to see you!

As he began his descent, he looked over his shoulder and said, See you tomorrow, Heather, as he winked at me. What! He let me get away with ditching He really was the coolest teacher! Maybe he went up there planning to tell my parents, but then felt sorry for me. Maybe he just wanted to make the point that he knew, and to scare me into never ditching again. Whatever the case, I am so grateful that he didnt spill the beans.

So, am I going to ditch work today Nope. I dont have any students scheduled today, so I dont have to go to school. Maybe, I will find something fun to do, just as a reminder to enjoy life. After allLife moves pretty fast. If you dont stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.

   So, Jeeves!
   Yes, sir.
   What do you mean, Yes, sir
   I was endeavouring to convey my appreciation of the fact that your position is in many respects somewhat difficult, sir. But I wonder if I might call your attention to an observation of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius. He said: Does aught befall you It is good. It is part of the destiny of the Universe ordained for you from the beginning. All that befalls you is part of the great web.'
   I breathed a bit stertorously.
   He said that, did he
   Yes, sir.
   Well, you can tell him from me hes an ass.

P. G. Wodehouse (1881-1975) Anglo-American humorist, playwright and lyricist Pelham Grenville Wodehouse
The Mating Season, ch. 4 (1949)

More about this quote:

I'm looking to put a small sink in my workshop for hand washing. The closest sink is the ensuite, and it's a pain to use without bringing workshop filth through our bedroom.

There's no good spot for a properly-plumbed sink without an expensive waste water routing job. I'm looking at buying/building a "portable sink", with tanks for storing fresh and wastewater, and a gravity- or foot-pump-fed tap.

Any fedi folk have any advice to offer

Form for Dumbbell Skullcrushers

Dumbbell skull crushers are an effective isolation exercise for developing the triceps, especially the long head that contributes significantly to upper-arm size.

1 Set up securely
2 Keep your upper arms stable:
3 Lower with control
4 Use a comfortable range

How Do I Talk To My Kid About Death

. See for official warnings from the QFD. DO NOT RELY ON THIS SERVICE FOR TIMELY EMERGENCY WARNINGS.

AVOID SMOKE - Howard - fire as at 8:59pm Wednesday, 5 August 2026 (WARN-25)

Location: Howard and surrounding areas -25.322653279506238 latitude, 152.55013458196566 longitude, grid square QG64GQ62
Map:
Incident Type: FIRE VEGETATION
Alert Level: Advice
Severity: Minor
Action: Monitor
Expires: 2026-08-06T21:01:00.21+10:00

Thick smoke is affecting Howard and surrounding areas. This is from a fire burning near Prawie Street.

Fire crews are currently on scene. This fire is under control. Protect yourself from the impacts of smoke.

- If the smoke is thick where you are, stay inside and close windows and doors.

- If you need medication to help you breathe keep it close.

- If you are worried about your health call your doctor or 13 HEALTH (13 432 584). If it is an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) now.

- If you are affected by the smoke you may need to leave the area.

- Check for warning updates often.

- See for a listing of ABC Local Radio stations which may be broadcasting emergency information in your area.

Concussion Protocols Are A Sham

The Leaders Of Influence Podcast With Anton Guinea
Whether you're a leader, an entrepreneur, a parent, or someone looking to make a difference, this podcast will guide you through strategies and insights to amplify your influence...

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Last updated: 2026-08-11