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[Eric Blank]

Little kittens came out of their box to play with me while I watched it burn. They're starting to really play rough with their little paws

Not sure if we've been over this before, but... when are you giving us pictures? I want to see these kittens, you tease!

Spoiler: I already did, you just werent paying attention. :P (click to show/hide)

I come bearing kitties!



Dog paw for scale

My phone is a grade-AAA Idaho grown potato

Anyway, I spent all day doing virtually nothing. I am content.

[Solifuge]

Reasonably nice dinner with the family, with a minimum of unpleasant commentary or personal attacks (which has historically been a rarity, given the meeting of the alt-right and fundamentalist half of the family meeting with us "Intellectual Elitist Lib'rals"). Mostly, we talked about what was going on in our lives, traded stories, that sort of stuff. And the food was quite good! Lots of people chipped in! I mostly prepped food, cleaned up, put together an autumn-themed floral centerpiece, that sort of stuff, but it was nice.

My Dad still admitted that he's ashamed of how educated and "programmed by the 'Federally-Controlled Education Factory'" his kids are, apparently, but that's nothin' new. But also, though we still had a politically-charged conversation, I think I managed to conduct it and mediate it in a way that made folks feel comfortable, and understand differences. The fallout from the "Oh, so [Soli] ADMITS to being a socialist!" bit was even a general acceptance that "it's the fundamental duty of society to care for it's people, including those other than yourself. And that sometimes means paying money so the less fortunate can be healthy, have basic needs met, and have a shot at success and happiness." So... maybe that's progress in breaking down some of the effects of them Echo Chambers, and thinking for theirselves?

Anyway, I am round and full of green bean onion cassarole and sweet potato and cranberry and stuffing and turkey now. This is a good thing.

[nomoetoe]

I had noodles and mashed potatoes today. Was a good day.

[SalmonGod]

My Dad still admitted that he's ashamed of how educated and "programmed by the 'Federally-Controlled Education Factory'" his kids are, apparently, but that's nothin' new. But also, though we still had a politically-charged conversation, I think I managed to conduct it and mediate it in a way that made folks feel comfortable, and understand differences. The fallout from the "Oh, so [Soli] ADMITS to being a socialist!" bit was even a general acceptance that "it's the fundamental duty of society to care for it's people, including those other than yourself. And that sometimes means paying money so the less fortunate can be healthy, have basic needs met, and have a shot at success and happiness." So... maybe that's progress in breaking down some of the effects of them Echo Chambers, and thinking for theirselves?

* SalmonGod applauds

[Twinwolf]

I've never understood how some people consider being well educated a bad thing.

[Eric Blank]

If you look carefully, its usually an objection to someone flaunting their education, using it as leverage in a manner such as "Since I'm better educated my opinion/argument is more valuable than yours even if lacking supporting evidence, justification, or context, all such evidence you present will immediately be regarded as baseless and incorrect because you couldnt possibly have actually found reliable information," and generally being an unlikable cunt commonly known as a smartass. Being educated is perfectly fine.

My aunt is like that. She used to show up at family gatherings and immediately start arguments regarding politics because the rest of the family are just uneducated dumb conservatives who should just accept whatever she says. Eventually she stopped showing up at all. Which is unfortunate because I rarely ever see my cousins otherwise.

[TheBiggerFish]

My Dad still admitted that he's ashamed of how educated and "programmed by the 'Federally-Controlled Education Factory'" his kids are, apparently, but that's nothin' new. But also, though we still had a politically-charged conversation, I think I managed to conduct it and mediate it in a way that made folks feel comfortable, and understand differences. The fallout from the "Oh, so [Soli] ADMITS to being a socialist!" bit was even a general acceptance that "it's the fundamental duty of society to care for it's people, including those other than yourself. And that sometimes means paying money so the less fortunate can be healthy, have basic needs met, and have a shot at success and happiness." So... maybe that's progress in breaking down some of the effects of them Echo Chambers, and thinking for theirselves?

* SalmonGod applauds

* TheBiggerFish applauds as well

[Solifuge]

Yeah, antiintellectualism runs strongly in that part of the family. My literally-a-Doctorate-holding-Professor-Brother-In-Law has been known to throw his education around the way Eric Blank mentioned. That doesn't help things. But I'm working at it. One step at a time!


In other news:

Apparently, I'm gonna have a niece?
I still don't know how to do this thing?
The fuuuuuuck? :> :? :U

That makes me an Aunt, I guess.
Or, being one of them Deviants, whatever the hell the general term for the sibling of the parent of a child would be?
Why is there no well-established, non-gendered generic word for this relationship, the way we have "Cousin" or "Child" or "Parent"?
Honestly, English. I'm disappointed.
Get on it, people!

Captain. The word is Captain. Captain Solifuge.

Oh my fucking god, YES PLEASE. *acquires Nautical Hat for niece-watching and funny-face-making duties*

I might have a niece for the first time ever, and I'm equal parts excited and bewildered and terrified. But at least an awesome title comes with it.

[Solifuge]

*nods a million times, vibrating all the way into the mantle of the earth*

[TheBiggerFish]

BTW congratulations Solifuge!

[Tiruin]

Apparently, I'm gonna have a niece?
I still don't know how to do this thing?
The fuuuuuuck? :> :? :U

That makes me an Aunt, I guess.
Or, being one of them Deviants, whatever the hell the general term for the sibling of the parent of a child would be?
Why is there no well-established, non-gendered generic word for this relationship, the way we have "Cousin" or "Child" or "Parent"?
Honestly, English. I'm disappointed.
Get on it, people!

I've a niece of around 5 years old now :3 Treat her like a new explorer to the world and show her all the wonders possible, Captain Solifuge! Get ready for tons of hugs and love as you'll probably be one of the closest people in her life.

Also you're gonna meet lots of mundane situations o-o along with teaching her how to handle emotions and early fights or misunderstandings and stuff along the years. It's going to be gradual Don't sweat it too much.

[SalmonGod]

I've never understood how some people consider being well educated a bad thing.

What the others said is a thing, but there's also suspicion towards education being subject to interests that control the nature of what's being taught.  There is some validity and truth to this.  Education is vulnerable to subversion into an institution that indoctrinates to serve the interests of an influential group instead of the students and general public.  I wouldn't disagree that our public education system is better suited to churning out good corporate drones more than capable, independent adults.  Not that there aren't private schools set up for the explicit purpose of doing even worse.

But the conservative side typically takes that valid concern and re-directs it towards the idea that our education system indoctrinates children against their social values - teaching blasphemy like evolution, climate science, sex ed, versions of history they don't like, etc.  Basically conservatives regard public and higher education much as the left does Fox News.

[spümpkin]

man, i got pizza, had some candy, playing late-game pokemon moon, its a nice night.

got some homework and washing to do, but im feelin fine

also turkeyday isnt even a thing in the slightest here, my family are away for the weekend :V

[Yoink]

I have so many nieces I've lost count. That side of the family, y'know?
Only one nephew, though, oddly enough, and it's not a product of my most-prolific breeder sibling. Although I do have one great-nephew who is, if that counts for anything. Pretty sure I have at least one or two great-nieces by now, too.

[IcyTea31]

The interviewer didn't show any alarming signs. I'm definitely being considered for an internship at the library.