Letter to my (step-)father 3/11/2024

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Hey.

It’s been 26 years today. At this point I honestly can’t even remember much about you. I have that answering machine tape with your voice and it wasn’t what I was expecting for your voice, I’ve got photos of you but with this much time passed it just feels like another random stranger I’m looking at. I still get incredibly sad when I think about your passing, especially in light of information that was confirmed to me last year. You see… I’m not a Mercer. I’m not your biological son…

As it would turn out my father is a man called Ed Snyder of Fort Wayne, born Eduard Schlegel of Bavaria. They have these services where you spit in a tube and send it off, they sequence the DNA and then match you with others that have done the same. I did that via two services and… yeah. I matched Ed as a father/son match on one of the two platforms and when he realized what it was saying he blocked all contact with me.

On my birthday last year I was laid off while out to lunch with my wife. Shortly after I sent a letter to Ed just wanting to know some stuff about his parents so I could start doing the genealogy for my “new” family and understand more about where I came from. He reached out to mom telling her that he “wanted no contact with me” because I would “ruin things with his wife and kids”. So I’m not your biological son, and you are 26 years in the grave, and I am his biological son but he can’t even be bothered to tell me about his other children so I might know my other half-siblings. I’ve managed to identify one I believe, and watch their career from a distance because it is the best that I can do. I could message and explain the situation but I’ll respect his wishes until I see an obituary for him.

What really gets me is he’s a Master Mason like us, it looks like he was raised much later though - in 2008 and he went York Rite like I did too. I don’t want to disrupt his life, I don’t want money or missed love or anything, I just want to know more about where I came from and for my other siblings to know I exist. I believe he arrived here by boat with his mother on January 8th, 1953 as that’s what the immigration record I found records. It’s funny we always called my one eyebrow the “Jack Mercer eyebrow” in hindsight, especially since I look quite a bit like Ed:


While you may not be my biological father, you were there for just shy of 13 years of my life. I mourned you for 25, assuming you were my father; I’ve mourned you for another year, wondering if you still accept me as yours. Hopefully, when we meet again, on the other side of the veil, in that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens you’ve processed everything and still accept me as some part of you. I still keep a photo of you in my office and dining room.

Until next year Mark,

-Your… stepson :/

Making A Wooden Game Boy With the Ortur Laser Master H10

I'm going to make a Gameboy out of wood with my Ortur Laser Master H10! My apologies - at some point, my microphone started tapping out morse code or something, and I'm too lazy to do VO.

Check out Ortur: https://ortur.net/?ref=bk1vElO_v6LzMy Use coupon code RYANMERCER to save on the Ortur Laser Master H10: https://ortur.net/products/ortur-h10-engraver-cutter-machine https://www.etsy.com/listing/1102104810/svg-gameboy-lasercut-with

Ortur Laser Master H10 Engraving & Cutting Machine Review and Discount

in ,

Let's take a look at the Ortur Laser Master H10 Engraving & Cutting Machine

Check out Ortur: https://ortur.net/?ref=bk1vElO_v6LzMy

Use coupon code RYANMERCER to save on the Ortur Laser Master H10: https://ortur.net/products/ortur-h10-engraver-cutter-machine

Dive into the world of laser engraving with our unboxing and review of the Ortur Laser Master H10. This cutting-edge engraver offers a blend of power and precision with its 20W laser, capable of reaching speeds of 20,000mm/min. Perfect for beginners and seasoned crafters alike, the H10 comes pre-assembled and ready to create out of the box. We'll explore its smart desktop capabilities, 300x300mm engraving area, and revolutionary flat X-axis design for unmatched stability. Join us as we test its engraving precision, color engraving capabilities on over 380 colors, and cutting performance on materials like pine, plywood, and black acrylic. We'll also assess its safety features, including 6 monitoring systems, and software compatibility. Whether you're looking to craft personalized gifts, custom decorations, or professional-grade projects, the Ortur H10 promises to be a versatile tool for all your creative needs.

Unboxing and Testing My First Laser - Reviewing The xTool F1

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The laser: https://www.xtool.com/products/xtool-f1?ref=lGpAn2S3WtGz6N&utm_medium=5306&utm_source=influencer

The black business cards: https://amzn.to/4aR65aS

The secondary filter housing (and jig seller): https://www.etsy.com/listing/1525725078/xtool-f1-second-stage-filter

The secondary filters: https://amzn.to/3TQd0e4

Join me as I dive into the world of laser crafting with the unboxing of my brand new xTool F1! 🎉 From taking it out of the box to firing it up for the first time, you'll get a firsthand look at every step of the process.

📦 What's in the Box?

Discover all the goodies that come with the xTool F1. I'll guide you through each component and accessory, ensuring you know exactly what to expect when you get your own.

🛠️ Setting It Up

Watch as I set up the xTool F1

🔥 First-Time Firing It Up

Experience the thrill as I turn on the xTool F1 for the very first time. We'll go through the initial setup together, and I'll share my first impressions of its user interface and features.

🧪 Testing Time

Let's put the xTool F1 to the test! I'll run it through its paces, engraving, and cutting without revealing too much - I want to keep a few surprises up my sleeve for future projects!

🤔 My Verdict

After our testing session, I'll share my honest thoughts on the xTool F1. Is it the laser cutter and engraver I've been dreaming of? Stay tuned to find out.

My shocking first Buyee Game Boy Haul

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🎮 Join me on my first-ever Buyee unboxing adventure as I dive into a treasure trove of Game Boy goodies, all the way from Japan! 🇯🇵 I recently took a plunge and purchased a bunch of incredible Game Boy items through Yahoo Auctions Japan, facilitated by Buyee, and I'm thrilled to share every moment of this experience with you.

Check out Buyee https://buyee.jp?fc=658d69c6674fa

In this video, you'll get to see an array of exciting finds, including:

A diverse collection of dozens of Game Boy cartridges 🕹️

Game Boy units

Whether you're a seasoned collector or just nostalgic for the golden days of handheld gaming, this video is your ticket to relive the excitement. Watch as I unbox each item, share insights about my purchasing experience via Buyee, and provide tips for those looking to explore the world of Japanese online auctions.

Tetris on a McDonald's Chicken McNugget

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Here's what you can expect in this exciting unboxing video:

A Close Look: I'll give you a detailed look at this deep-fried-colored gadget that remarkably resembles a Chicken McNugget, complete with texture and control buttons.

Gaming Nostalgia: This toy harkens back to the old-school black-and-white version of Tetris, complete with the iconic McDonald's "M" logo on the bottom right of the screen. Watch it in action!

Exclusive and Rare: Originally available only in McDonald’s stores in China, this exclusive toy has created quite a buzz. With only 400,000 units available in mainland China and an additional 100,000 through a Chinese food delivery app, this is a rare collectible!

Officially Licensed Fun: Not just a novelty item, this toy is an officially licensed Tetris product, featuring a small LCD screen, control buttons, and even plays the classic Tetris theme tune out of tiny speakers.

Unboxing the Special Package: Witness the unboxing of this quirky toy, which comes with its own carry case emblazoned with more chicken nuggets imagery.

Pricing and Availability: Initially priced at 30 yuan ($4.24 / £3.41), it's now a sought-after item on online auction sites, commanding prices much higher than its original cost due to its exclusivity and rarity.

KFC Cologne? WHAT??! - Eau D’uardo

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Hey everyone! 👋 In today's video, I'm super excited to unbox something really special and quite unusual – the KFC Eau D’uardo Cologne! Yes, you heard that right. KFC, famous for its mouth-watering chicken, has now ventured into perfumery with a scent inspired by their iconic recipe. 🍗✨

🔍 What's in the Box?

We'll take a close look at this quirky new fragrance. The Eau D’uardo is a unisex scent, combining notes of geranium, mandarin, bergamot, and pink pepper, aiming to capture the essence of KFC's original chicken recipe in a bottle! 🌿🍊

🎁 Packaging & Design:

The bottle design is sure to catch your eye. It's shaped like a golden, tasty chicken thigh, complete with a cap at the bony end – a true collector's item for fragrance enthusiasts and KFC fans alike. We'll examine this playful design and its nod to the viral Spanish meme, Eduardo. 🐔✨

🌍 Availability:

Eau D’uardo is available in Spain as a limited edition with only 25,000 bottles in circulation. You can grab it via the KFC app for €3.99 or at select KFC restaurants in Spain. We'll discuss how you can get your hands on this limited-edition scent. 🇪🇸💻

📹 Stay Tuned:

I'll give you my first impressions and a fragrance review. Is it really chicken-scented? How does it feel to wear a scent inspired by fast food? All these questions and more will be answered in the video. 🤔📹