u/DukeMcFister

Cook Out is the only thing on the list so far, never had it before and my southern friends swear by it. Definitely looking for good BBQ since that is not the yinzer forte. I am not picky so give me any and all recommendations please :D

For context, I have been friends with these guys for over a decade. Recently, I've honestly started to feel like I am being taken advantage of. I grew up in an abusive household and confrontation as well as saying no to people has been an issue for me. This is far from the first time that I have tried to say no and then my "friends" continuously pressure me into doing things I really didn't want to do. I'm a full time student with a full time job. I cook for me and my dad and I have a girlfriend with 2 daughters that requires a decent portion of my already limited time. I worked years in the service industry but I recently started an office job on opposite schedules of one friend who is unemployed and another that works evenings at a restaurant. Another thing to keep in mind is anytime these two are hanging out, alcohol is certainly involved. I am not crazy about drinking and have been doing it more than usual lately. Coming into work hungover has started to wear on me to the point where I don't even want to drink anymore.

Last night, it was raining pretty hard. Buddy A hits me up saying he needs a ride and asking if I possibly want to hang out. I said I would pick him up but I needed to do homework and couldn't really hang out. I get him, he says that's cool but Buddy B hasn't eaten in 3 days and can we please bring him some food? Okay, I won't let my friends go hungry so that's fine but I'm dropping you off and I need to go. I get to Buddy B's house, about to leave and my friend says "Hey dude I thought we were hanging out. Can you at least check out these cool rocks I found at the creek?" I don't really give a fuck about the rocks, I need to do homework not I'm not trying to be a dick so fine, whatever. I check out the rocks. Cool, gotta go. "Cmon man you gotta do a shot". Fine one shot and I'm leaving. Take the shot. "Cmon man play the Oculus for a bit". I try saying no. "Just one game". Jesus Christ fine but then I really have to go. I finish the game and my other buddy (He gets manic and starts going on endless speeches) is off on a tangent. I try cutting him off. Hey dude, I want to go home. I have shit to do. Cue further trying to convince me to stay. Turns into an argument. Then "We can't let you leave on bad terms" nah dude I'm fucking leaving. "Can you just stay for a song". I must have said 20 times by now I want to go. This entire time they are also trying to feed me more alcohol.

By this point I'm livid. I reached my breaking point. They always pull this shit when I try to tell them no, when I try to set boundaries. I had it. I started motherfucking up and down. Stormed off to my car and drove home while they protested. The whole drive home my anger just built up even more. By the time I was back I was fuming. I have never felt myself this angry before. I was so tired of being disrespected, talked over, and dismissed. All the peer pressure on top of not having time for any of this. I called them like a raving madman. I screamed. I was laughing to myself like a lunatic. "Hey, I just want to know. How many times do I need to repeat myself before you listen to me? Is it 30? 40? What's the magic number? How many times? Can you fucking tell me? Like what is it? " Cue gaslighting, "It's only 11". I need to wake up at 7 AM for work. "You could have left whenever you wanted". I tried and you didn't let me. I told them to fuck off if they can't respect what I say when I say it. Hung up and just started bawling. I woke up still fuming. But happy I at least stood up for myself, finally.

The rice ball was delicious.

Hey guys, I am getting ready to buy an air purifier to keep my flock healthy. I'm looking for safe and affordable options, any recommendations? Birbs for tax.