Author: Overcoming Adversity | Buteau’s Odyssey

DEAR ABBY: I am a man who was widowed 11 months ago. I met a woman on a dating site, and we clicked immediately. We have been enjoying each other’s company for several months. We have a long-distance relationship. She lives three hours away. Although she indicated on the dating site her status as “separated for two years,” she still lives in the marital house with her husband. She recently filed for divorce, but it could be a while before it is finalized. I’ve asked her why she doesn’t move out now to protect her mental health. She says it…

Get ready for fall baseball and the road to the World Series. The MLB playoffs bracket is set for the Wild Card and Division Series in both the American and National Leagues. Which of these 12 teams will be lifting the Commissioner’s Trophy?  MLB Playoff BracketWild Card RoundThe four Wild Card Series began on Tuesday, Sept. 30 with four Game 1s. Game 22 were on Wednesday. The three Game 3s are on Thursday. Each series are hosted at the higher seed.American LeagueNo. 6 Detroit Tigers at No. 3 Cleveland Guardians – Series tied, 1-1(Winner will play the No. 2 seed Seattle…

A Scottish university student took his own life just three months after his school mistakenly reported that he didn’t have enough credits to graduate on time – and now his family is looking to ensure other struggling students don’t slip through the cracks.  Ethan Brown, a 23-year-old geography major at the University of Glasgow in Scotland, killed himself on Dec. 13, 2024 — the day he was supposed to graduate with honors. Months earlier, in September 2024, the school “wrongly informed him that he did not have the necessary credits to graduate,” the University of Glasgow wrote in a statement…

You know spooky season has officially arrived when a film makes your pulse spike like a jump scare — even if it isn’t technically horror. Sean Decker’s guerrilla short Rendezvous isn’t about masked killers or supernatural hauntings, but it’s dripping with the kind of danger, dread, and adrenaline horror fans crave. Decker is no stranger to that world. For years, he’s been a recognizable voice in the horror community: journalist, screenwriter, and tireless champion of the genre. Shot without a single permit on the nocturnal streets of Los Angeles, Rendezvous stars indie scream queen Sarah Nicklin (V/H/S Halloween) as a…

A Royal Caribbean cruise ship rescued a group of people stranded on a ramshackle raft floating in the waters between Mexico and Cuba over the weekend, according to reports. The Enchantment of the Seas cruise was heading west in the Yucatan Channel on Sunday evening when it happened upon the group of travelers in a haphazard, crumbling raft, NBC News reported. “Our crew identified individuals in distress in international waters, provided medical care to those who were rescued, and worked closely with the Mexican Coast Guard,” the Royal Caribbean Group said in a statement to the outlet. A Royal Caribbean…

One down, one narrative to go. The Yankees accomplished the vital first step by saving their season Wednesday night. That moved them to Thursday and a chance to discard the ever-burgeoning perception that in this era they can’t win the kind of series they now will have a chance to win. Nine innings to either move on or same old Yankees. Nine innings to show that they can stand up in October to someone else in their weight class. Nine innings to fly to Toronto or crumble in an all-too-familiar way at this time of year, which will re-trigger screams…

He’s the boob for the job. North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un has ordered an emergency crackdown on breast augmentation surgeries claiming they are “anti-socialist,” according to a report. Pyongyang City’s Ministry of Public Safety issued the emergency orders against the “rotten capitalist” implants with perpetrators facing harsh sentences in the dictatorship’s labor camps, UK outlet Metro reported. North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un has ordered an emergency crackdownagainst “anti-socialist” breast augmentation surgeries. KCNA/EPA/Shutterstock “Strike teams” were deployed to central areas, including Pyongyang, over the summer where federal agents in civilian clothing scanned for black market doctors and unnaturally buxom…

AMC Networks Unveils Official Trailer for “FearFest” with HalloQueen Janelle Monáe: “Today, AMC and AMC+ revealed the official “FearFest” trailer featuring award-winning artist, musician and horror enthusiast Janelle Monáe (Glass Onion, Antebellum, Homecoming), the official host of “FearFest.” Key sponsors are on board for the long-running, annual horror and genre programming event featuring over 650 hours of iconic horror films franchises, new series, specials and more including BACARDÍ Rum and Kraft Heinz as presenting sponsors. This year’s “FearFest” trailer, titled “Carnival of Frights,” was brought to life by legendary, award-winning director and frequent Janelle Monáe collaborator, Alan Ferguson. Evoking a classical carnival experience but updated and stylized with everything keyed to a vibe that can…

Heroes and zeros from the Yankees’ 4-3 Game 2 win over the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday. Hero The Yankees were in need of a hit — particularly with a runner on base — and Austin Wells delivered. The catcher, whose playing time has taken a dip this season because of Ben Rice’s rise, snuck a single down the right field line for the go-ahead RBI in the eighth. Zero Brayan Bello lasted just 2 ¹/₃ innings in which he was hit hard — two runs on four hits and a walk — before Boston manager Alex Cora…

Nina Dobrev is shutting down rumors that she and Zac Efron are dating after her breakup with Shaun White. The “Vampire Diaries” alum was seen on video Wednesday, shaking her head “no” after being asked by TMZ if she and the “17 Again” star are an item. She later gave a curt “yes” after the outlet asked if she and Efron are just friends. Nina Dobrev shut down rumors she and Zac Efron are dating on Wednesday. CIAOPIX/COBRA TEAM / BACKGRID When asked by TMZ, the actress confirmed they are just friends. CIAOPIX/COBRA TEAM / BACKGRID Instead of focusing her…