the way Cesar Millan works with biting dogs is that each embraces the reality that drama is when stuff really changes.

I have admired how well he can calmly stand there, dripping blood, having just gotten through to a dog, and reassuring the distraught owner that if the dog hadn't had that misbehavior, he could not have corrected it, so there would be no progress.

Oh, Shir. Sounds like you're cluesticking as gently as possible. Stay safe and try to let go of feeling badly about that.

I have admired how well he can calmly stand there, dripping blood, having just gotten through to a dog, and reassuring the distraught owner that if the dog hadn't had that misbehavior, he could not have corrected it, so there would be no progress.

Exactly. And, if you listen closely, every time a dog lunges for him, he says "This is good. This is good." Not that it's actually good, but that it is vital information.

I am training myself to do the same. It really helps keep me from going into the "no you didn't just try to nab me, you little bastard" frame of mind. Me panicking, or getting angry just makes it worse.

A good life lesson in general. Engaging in crazy just gives crazy life. I'm not for that.

This city is bad for young women and a lot of every-age-women. All of the tensions are unloaded on them, on us. And if I'll say anything, I take a huge risk with sounding racist, insane or an emotional creature in front of people that in some cases I worked long and hard to convince them I'm intelligent and worthy. So I'm practicing on the conversations in my mind, but I can't seem to stay calm even then, with imagining only the first sentences and considering what to say to them that will make me sound sane and rational.

{{{Shir}}} I don't know what to say to that. I wish I did. I wish it were easier to explain to men facets of safety that we have to be aware of, that they simply do not understand. You have to put your safety first (or at whichever priority level you choose). You have to make assessments of situations, and make your choices. If they choose not to acknowledge that the world is is a different place for a woman than it is for a man, then their ignorance and arrogance speak louder than any form of liberalism they choose to broadcast.

What Andi said.

DO EET. But with all chicks for the team.

Of course. We are us, after all.

My sympathies to DJ and amyth. Hugs to both of you.

Hang in there, Shir...BTDT(sorta) C'mon, Local leg. District: If one million Egyptians can show up, you can! (although there is a certain irony in my hoching people about this as this event is in a private home, which means that access is(so-so handwave)

Well, somewhat prepared for Snowmageddon. That is, the garage is cleared out.

Why did I have to clear the garage for Snowpocalypse? Because we have to have the street clear for the snowplows or pay dire consequences. Thus, the little car goes in the garage, the van goes in the driveway. Previously this was...not possible. At all.

So. Stock up on food? Nah. Chop wood? Nah.

Clean? Yeah.

Thanks, all. It's just frustrating more than anything. It's not that I think less of them for their opinions. It's just that I'm picking my battles, and it's so hard to explain why I'm not choosing "their side" (and hence declaring myself as The Enemy of Everything Good and Pure).

erika, may I ask how did you handle these situations?

{{{Shir}}} does it help at all to know how very wise you are? Your ability to analyze your self and your surroundings continues to astound me.