My favorite moment from the old Batman animated show was when the rogues were sitting around telling their stories about how they almost got Batman. Actually, I wouldn’t do it justice, just watch it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UUr7bM1A6s
Of course there’s a twist at the end that changes the moment a bit, but it was still hilarious.
Batman is the world’s greatest detective. His villains need to compete on an intellectual level, and in fiction a doctorate is short-hand for “smart” and “an expert in the field.”
“Legal” is also a bit fuzzy. Some countries frown upon copying an artist’s work, but that’s going to be a question for the manufacturer. Owning a reproduction is not illegal as long as you don’t try to commit fraud with it (i.e. hanging it in a gallery or selling it).
Go to the landlord and provide your account of what is happening. Document as much as you can, and stop trying to figure out why they are so upset. You’re not going to discover some hidden rational explanation, nor is that your responsibility. Protect yourself.
I think there’s a fine line between victim-blaming and identifying an object lesson. We all understand why people started using twitter, and people are creatures of habit. But this is an example of why people should stop using twitter. We’re not saying “this is your fault because you’re stupid if you’re still on twitter.” The message is “this should serve as a wake up call to anyone stuck in their habits.”
I always tell my kids, you can try your best and still fail. Sometimes you will succeed without any effort at all. Luck will affect the outcome of anything you do.
But you have to be ready for the luck. You have to work hard to be in a position to take advantage. Hard work can mitigate your failures, and any effort you put into doing your best is never wasted because you’re trying to be the best version of yourself.
That’s why you try. Not because you might win and get wealth and fame and glory. You try because you want to be the person who tries.
See also, honesty, kindness, generosity, forgiveness. These are not things we do to be rewarded. The universe (not to mention other people) is going to let you down more often than not. You should still be honest and kind and generous and forgiving and hardworking because that’s the person you want to be.
Good enough for what? Obedient to whom? Deviating from what? What the fuck are you talking about?