u/rsalty

Oh man. I almost didn't want to watch the finale because I don't want my time with the characters to be over. It's funny thinking about my reactions to the first season (like, who is that guy making tiny furniture? Why are these detectives drunk on the job).

For years I was like, "I know this show is good, but I'm just not in the mood for an intense police and drug crime show." Boy am I glad I sat down and started it a few months ago. They don't make them like this anymore. TV has gotten so dumbed down. I had to pause The Wire frequently and discuss with my husband what actually was going on, what the allusions are in their dialogue, keeping track of all the characters. It's like a giant novel and forces you to remember the specific details.

So here are my random thoughts/reactions after watching. Obviously can't include everything because there are 100s of characters and moments and I love them all.

Season 1: Slow buildup for me, but I loved the boys and their orange sofa. Baby Michael B!!! I cried for hours when Kima was shot! Queer POC representation, ahead of its time! Lester as the swaggiest man alive.

Season 2: I know some people don't like this season but I had a great time. Crazy to see the Key Bridge in some shots which doesn't exist anymore!!! Frank Sobotka and his unhinged son! Stevedores!!!

Season 3: Bunny Colvin YEARS ahead of his time. YOU CAN'T SHOOT OMAR'S GRANDMA LIKE THAT!!!! Stringer Bell as businessman. Shakespearean end to his story.

Season 4: Oh my god, Prezbo as classic first-year teacher is incredible. I'm also a teacher so I loved seeing the progression of the kids throughout the episodes. This season felt especially tragic, with the main boys going on such divergent paths. AGAIN Bunny Colvin ahead of his time. Loved Dennis getting fawned over by the moms, lol. Lacking in drunk Bunk/Jimmy/Lester scenes. Marlo has gotta be the flattest character in the show (on purpose, maybe? he's like the only villain without redeeming qualities, but his final scene in the finale is awesome) but damn SNOOP is legendary.

Season 5: Actually nauseating watching Jimmy interfere with the crime scenes - NOO JIMMY DON'T DO THAT! I cried for hours when Omar died. Have you ever met a more lovable shot-gun slinging gangster?That's something only this show can do.

Carcetti realizing the homelessness is a core issue (The shot of him saying Hmm...homelessness..). Finale was beautiful. Bubbles goes upstairs!! Idiot Scott Templeton gets a Pulitzer, LOL! Michael is the new Omar. No, Duquan, noooooo! That storyline absolutely broke my heart.

Ultimately, the iconic quote "The game is the game" is not just about the drug dealing. "The game" is the politics of a city, and how everyone from a homeless man to the mayor are doing whatever they can to survive. Everyone is trapped in the machinery of a broken society.

Would love to hear other people's thoughts/reactions/fave characters. Any readings/essays about the show too, I'd love to check out! I don't think I'm ever gonna be ready to watch another TV show series after this.

A year into TTC, my husband (35) and I (33) went to a fertility clinic. It was an immensely frustrating year that started out so hopeful, giddy and excited. After six or so months passed things felt a little bleak. By the year mark, we had already completed some preliminary fertility testing (SA, HSG, day 3 bloodwork) and were ready see a specialist.

On the first visit, the doctor found a uterine polyp on the transvaginal ultrasound. I scheduled a removal within two weeks after that appointment. In a way I felt relieved that something was physically wrong with my uterus and could be corrected with surgery!

I was a little nervous to go under general anesthesia, but the nurses were very warm and comforting. I was in the surgery center at 8am, and out by 11am. Took a bunch of naps and watched TV and was able to work the next day. I had to abstain from exercise and sex for 7-10 days, which did force me to rest and recover.

Starting "trying" again this past cycle - felt a little thrilling that trying that this time it might actually work!

I had the follow-up surgery one month after surgery and doctor confirmed I had ovulated and noted that uterine lining looked good. My husband and I are going to try without interventions for 4-5 months before starting IUI. She didn't push us on IUI or IVF immediately. I'm definitely anxious about the waiting game again but want to think of it as a restart.

I know everyone's experience varies, but I wanted to share my experience with others, especially if you're heading into 1 year and you're nervous about what they may find on an ultrasound.

Dealing with an aggravating, 2 month long flare-up of the demonic bubbles on my palms. I've used Clobetasol in the past (like, 4 years ago, for a mild outbreak) but it's way expired. Also, I'm trying to get pregnant and the last time I went to the derm they basically warned me from all of the steroids.

However I'm in serious pain and irritation on my hands so I went to a new doctor. She said to try to Clobetasol, but once I get a positive pregnancy test I should stop.

Seems to be no consensus on safety during preconception and pregnancy. Some people continue using the ointment, others avoid it. I'm curious if others are in a similar situation.

My husband and I are spoiled in NYC where most places are open daily. We’re headed to Montreal this July to ride the P’tit Train du Nord and got a hotel deal in the old port area (we’re willing to walk/bike for a restaurant though!)

Planning to check out Da Emma, 180Gram, and Vin Pap on our other days there.

So if you could help…any charming spots open on Mondays? (With vegetarian options?)

This is a general rant about the norm of waiting “1 year” before seeing a fertility specialist. For context I’m 33 and in general good health.

-I got my IUD out March 2025. With Gynecologist #1
-got diagnosed with Hashimoto’s around the same time, got scared about its impact on TTC, gynecologist #1 laughed in my face and said “don’t worry, you’ll be pregnant within three months.”
-Gynecologist #1 moves out of state.
-Normal periods, hit the fertile window every month for six months, no results
-Gynecologist #2: “keep trying for a few months”
-A few months pass. No availability to go see gynecologist #2.
-9 months of TTC…Gynecologist #3. Orders day 3 labs and HSG
-All lab work looks great. Husband has A+ semen analysis
-12 month mark- finally find an appt with an RE that takes my insurance.
-10 minutes into appointment—>uterine polyp seen on ultrasound. Hysteroscopy scheduled ASAP.

The RE is pretty hopeful that I haven’t conceived because of the anatomical obstacle in my uterus. It’s so frustrating because I felt like I was following all of the regular protocol, even going to get testing earlier than expected. WHY isn’t a trans-vaginal ultrasound part of more routine testing, like when I went to see two separate gynecologists over the course of the year? I’m hoping the polyp is the culprit here and I can get the ball rolling soon after but I just can’t help feeling this entire year of agony and emotional turbulence and lost time could have been managed way earlier with a simple 3 minute exam.

Anyone else been in this situation? It makes me want to primal scream off a mountain!!

Context: I moved into this 60-unit apartment building about ten years ago as a roommate, and now live here with my husband. It’s an old building in a desirable neighborhood in Brooklyn and currently is way under market-rate. Landlord is usually pretty hands-off, but in the past month people have gotten new leases with a 20% rent hike. Included in that new lease is a clause about how the building “doesn’t fit under the good eviction law because it’s a co-op building” even though it’s not treated as a co-op building (but its lease is structured like that). So tenants are really doing some deep dives to evaluate what protections we have and if we are potentially rent-stabilized.

Meanwhile, my super keeps asking permission to enter our unit to have “insurance adjusters evaluate it.” There’s a stipulation on our lease that allows super entrance so I can’t really so no. One time happened to be home when they came in, a gaggle of them dressed nicely, saying “ooohh we love this layout. This needs some work but we would mostly keep it as is! Wow!” And I was like..this is NOT an insurance adjustment, they’re definitely selling the building. I know my super and landlord will just deny if I ask them upfront until the paperwork is finalized.

So I’m curious if this has happened to anyone else. I’m wondering what power the tenants have in this situation- what if we do find it could possibly be rent-stabilized, only for the building to change hands? If the building does sell, what will happen to us who live here?

Correction* TRAIN* du Nord
Bonjour/hi!

I visited Montreal about ten years ago, and I'd like to go again this July with my husband for our anniversary (his first time to Canada!).

My favorite part of my last trip to Montreal was the amazing bike infrastructure. We live in NYC and bike everywhere, so that's always exciting for us.

I'm wondering if there's a logistically feasible trip to get out of central Montreal a bit and bike a longer distance, see the countryside.

We are a little intimidated by DIYing the whole thing. We're wondering what it's like up there and what are some of the highlights to see? We typically ride roadbikes but we would be okay using hybrid rentals.

I'm curious about this tour where the hotels and shuttle and rentals are all handled in the same package:

https://ignace.qc.ca/en/packages/cycling/16-forfaits/velo/52-cycling-escapade-2020

Thanks for any guidance! Merci!

Hi!

I visited Montreal about ten years ago, and I'd like to go again this July with my husband for our anniversary (his first time to Canada!).

My favorite part of my last trip to Montreal was the amazing bike infrastructure. We live in NYC and bike everywhere, so that's always exciting for us.

I'm wondering if there's a logistically feasible day trip (we are early-risers) to get out of the city a bit and bike a longer distance. I've read about some rail trails and the Montérégie network but not so sure of the geography.

Thanks for any guidance!