u/R3DSmurf

There is Zero need for it. Paper ones would be fine as dog poo bins are often just a few feet away. In UK, we use billions of plastic bags a year just to wrap up dog waste and throw it into a landfill (or worse, leave them hanging on trees).

Single-use plastic dog bags should be banned. There’s no reason we shouldn't be using paper bags instead. They are completely compostable, break down naturally, and do the exact same job without leaving plastic waste behind for the next few centuries.

Anyone else think this or do you enjoy dog poo baubles hanging on trees FOREVER?

Edit: I am not suggesting that ALL dog poo bags are non plastic. There are times a plastic one might be needed. But the plastic should be biodegradable. And YES thick paper or waxed paper should be the norm. OBVIOUSLY. Now grow up.

I am shocked. This series is excellent. I am 12 books deep and still amazed and entertained. It is high fantasy with magic and dragons and yet a good chuckle every now and then. Easier to understand than Tolkien and much better than game of thrones. Honestly, after years of fantasy novels this is the best thing since Magician.

I've come across this a few times while dating, and I find it deeply unattractive.

One potential date told me, almost proudly, that they bought the only tickets available for their child's graduation, knowing it meant their ex wouldn't be able to attend.

Another explained that the only reason their ex did so much work on the house they once shared was because, if they refused, they'd limit access to the children.

Someone else I knew had significantly greater financial resources than their ex and used that advantage to pursue a lengthy legal battle with very little evidence. Regardless of the merits of the case, the sheer legal pressure caused a huge rift between the other parent and their child

For me, If someone cannot see that both parents can provide a positive influence for kids or choses the weaponise access to kids that is a total deal breaker.

Has anyone else encountered this while dating? Is this more common than I realize, or have I just been unlucky?

The Frog Graham Round is a fell-running and swimming challenge that was created by Peter Hayes via inspirations from the classic Bob Graham Round but with an added twist: As well as running just over 40 miles and ascending and descending 15,750 feet over the North Western Lake District fells, the contender must swim across Bassenthwaite Lake, Crummock Water, Buttermere and Derwentwater before finishing where it all started at Keswick’s Moot Hall

Has anyone done this or is training for it this year?

I'm a 50ish year old bloke, average in most ways, and I've been dating for a while now. I went in thinking that at this age, people would mostly be looking for the same thing I am — someone to actually share life with. Conversation, companionship, someone you genuinely get on with.

That's not been my experience. What I keep running into is that connection alone doesn't seem to matter. If there's no spark, interest evaporates — even when we get along brilliantly, make each other laugh, and could clearly be great company for each other. I've had situations where the friendship side was genuinely good, and the moment it became clear I was offering friendship over lust they were gone.

Maybe I'm naive, but I always thought passion was something that could grow out of really knowing someone, not a prerequisite you have to pass in the first hour. It's left me a bit deflated, honestly. It sometimes feels like being desired matters more than being understood.

So I'm asking the people who've dated in their 40s and 50s: is this just how it is now? Did anyone start with friendship and compatibility and find the rest followed? Or am I looking for something that doesn't really exist anymore?

Genuinely curious what others have found. And I am wondering if this is a male thing or same for everyone.

I am not time wasting but I am trying to remember to get everything I need and vaguely enjoy spending a small fortune just to eat. The mild panic from people desperately trying to dash in and out of the grocery store is fine but if they could be aware other people are just trying to find a small amount of happiness in life before returning to chores and jobs that would be great.