Reynolds, I'm a dangerous-minded man on a ship loaded with hurt. Now, why you got me chatting with your peons?

Womack ,'The Message'


Natter 77: I miss my friends. I miss my enemies. I miss the people I talked to every day.

Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, duct tape, butt kicking, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.


meara - Jun 10, 2021 10:25:49 pm PDT #6950 of 29428

Yesterday I went to the lesbian bar because a friend rented it out for the evening. Tonight I went with a couple other friends to make dinner for friends with a two month old. Tomorrow I go dancing. And I just found out that regular dancing is coming back in July AND my favorite frozen custard place (the only local place!) which has been closed for over a year, is reopening!!! I am so excited and yet also it feels so stressful after so long eith nothing going on!


Topic!Cindy - Jun 11, 2021 12:13:21 am PDT #6951 of 29428
What is even happening?

Good, the Oxford Comma is bullshit.

Blame you parents, God and Ayn Rand.


-t - Jun 11, 2021 6:16:39 am PDT #6952 of 29428
I am a woman of various inclinations and only some of the time are they to burn everything down in frustration

So, googling "semicolon duel" led me to [link] and I imagine it will be a while before I actually read it because that TBR pile is huge but I started the introduction and I think I'm going to like it when I get to it. It has already given me a new philosopher to be interested in, George Campbell who apparently said "language is purely a species of fashion. . . .It is not the business of grammar, as some critics seem preposterously to imagine, to give law to the fashions which regulate our speech"


-t - Jun 11, 2021 8:33:35 am PDT #6953 of 29428
I am a woman of various inclinations and only some of the time are they to burn everything down in frustration

Have you and your family in my thoughts today, msbelle


DavidS - Jun 11, 2021 9:07:02 am PDT #6954 of 29428
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."

Today is Wisdom Tooth Extraction Day for Matilda.

Please send easy-peasy, routine and breezy -ma.

I know it's been a difficult year academically for everybody's children this year (and the teachers!), so I'm wary of this coming off in a braggy way, but Matilda got Straight A's on her report card. And I'm just very proud of her resilience and diligence this year when she was struggling with depression and isolation. She didn't miss a class. She was one of the only kids in most of her classes that turned on her camera, not because she loves being on camera but because she wanted to help her teachers.

All of 2020 sucked, but when the calendar rolled over in January things began to change. Her unprompted decision to start running every morning before class had a massive effect on her mood and engagement. And the jewelry making class she took with her friend Iris from Jan through May sparked her creativity again, and also allowed weekly socializing with other kids which she was starved for.

My kids have always done well in school, but never really excelled academically. But both Matilda and Emmett got Straight A's together for the first time this term. It's just great to see them find their own motivation, apply themselves in difficult circumstances and flourish, especially after both of them were suffering and struggling last year.

Anyway, Emmett's coming over at noon to hold Matilda's hand when we go see the dentists. Actual procedure at 1:30, so please spare a thought for us today.


JenP - Jun 11, 2021 9:13:03 am PDT #6955 of 29428

Aw, that's so sweet, Emmett and Matilda. Sibling squad goals, man. I will be sending all the good extraction vibes her way! I had dental work done yesterday (the first of a long road!), and it went well, so I am forwarding that ~ma on to Matilda!


-t - Jun 11, 2021 9:29:53 am PDT #6956 of 29428
I am a woman of various inclinations and only some of the time are they to burn everything down in frustration

That's so nice to read, Hec. ~ma for Matilda, I hope the procedure is easy and recovery is swift


Jessica - Jun 11, 2021 9:59:34 am PDT #6957 of 29428
If I want to become a cloud of bats, does each bat need a separate vaccination?

both Matilda and Emmett got Straight A's together for the first time this term. It's just great to see them find their own motivation, apply themselves in difficult circumstances and flourish, especially after both of them were suffering and struggling last year.

Aww, that's wonderful!

Dylan is getting a Presidential Award for Educational Excellence this year and I'm so proud of him but also incredibly relieved he didn't graduate 8th grade during the Trump administration.


amych - Jun 11, 2021 10:03:51 am PDT #6958 of 29428
Now let us crush something soft and watch it fountain blood. That is a girlish thing to want to do, yes?

Hec, I'm so glad to hear that Matilda's year turned around so well - not just the grades (as much as it would have hurt my obnoxiously grade-grubbing little heart to say that sentence when I was in high school), but I know she was having an especially hard time, and I'm so glad she found ways to take care of herself and find some joy and connection and creativity.

(Seriously, my high school self is making the barf gesture at middle-aged me in between yelling WOO HOO STRAIGHT As!!)


lisah - Jun 11, 2021 10:20:18 am PDT #6959 of 29428
Punishingly Intricate

Go, Matilda!!!

My friend just found out she's got to get her wisdom teeth out. She's 52.