I’m proud to say I’m related to an Austinite roller derby star (not mentioned in this article). They really are a badass group!

It’s all so confusing when you put what you interpret to be “good” out into the world, only to be shit on, chastised, or ignored after the fact. Reading what Kwakigra responded to you with, and remembering the examples of Pals coming together and celebrating community despite the horrors they face, I’m reminded of a cliché - those who mind don’t matter, and those that matter don’t mind. In your struggles, despite them or because of them, you can still find community. I count myself as grateful to see your continued contributions here, and it sounds like others feel similarly. You’ve probably opened my eyes to a number of things that enrich my life in these two short years here. I just hope that this random Internet person (me) can somehow show thanks for your existence. Does this count for much? Maybe not, but maybe. All I know is that you seem to be a positive influence here, and I appreciate you.

I’m not going to try and find the “right” thing to say because I’ll surely fail. What I can say is that I’ve lost two people to suic*de, one a family member that I was just getting to know in my adult years and we were getting along so well, discovering we had lots in common. My heart hurts to see you in this position, and it hurts to be reminded that I didn’t pay attention to the signs that my family member would be taking their life upon reflecting on events that led to that day. What I hope to convey in this is that I see you, and I recognize that you’re reaching out. I don’t know if any of us have the answer, but I’ll be damned if I make the mistake of not recognizing when I could bring even a modicum of grace and kindness to my fellow human. I’m sorry this shit show of a timeline is so damn shitty. You surely deserve better.

Hard agree. It’s times like these that I look for any humans that understand and show compassion. I’m really lucky to have met gentle souls with personalities that wear like battle-tested armor. I do my best to learn from the many hardships we’ve all faced and try to be the mycelium that brings us together with a shared appreciation for a simple, equitable lifestyle and community. Much easier said than done.

So much to noodle on. I have so many emotions about what’s to come, but suffice it to say that a full step back from exploitative economies is going to take a concerted effort from all of us to learn how we contribute to them. I don’t know if we’re all prepared to do that as now so few of us have resources to be discerning with our purchases. How do we make it easier for people that can’t make “considerate” choices toward a healthy economy… especially when critical thinking and free time are at an all time low? What a wicked problem we’ve woven. Is it just going to be us trying to barter with simple goods, participating in mutual aid networks exclusively to sustain ourselves in the near future? It’s not so simple to participate in modern life in the US without being a commodity ourselves, interacting with the systems that dress us down and rate our worthiness with a litany of traits deemed to have a value in this world according to those with power - income, living situation, gender, location, height, skin color - the list goes on. What’s the best way to fight against the commodification of humans in the labor force while simultaneously enriching small networks of communities interacting outside of the exploitative systems we are forced to interact with to survive? Who would be willing to trust their neighbors to sustain their livelihoods? So many questions from a soul that has been made weary from the forced lack of connection to their fellow humans.

I can’t help but point out - during the previous Trump term, he appointed family to positions and they were everywhere in the public eye. Now it’s very rare to see any of them. I wonder if they’re just as tired of his bs as everyone else now as he goes deeper into the rabbit hole.

I also wonder how Vance’s wife is in all of this. I only saw her once during inauguration at the church service, but largely didn’t pay attention to any of the transition or the people involved. If she’s an actual caring human, I wonder how much abuse she encounters. Or maybe she’s as messed up as the rest of em…

It’s a mob shakedown by an incompetent, myopic, known to be liar and his minion. Repeating yourself, raising your voice, and latching onto half-ideas to push your brand – “intimidating” and bluffing to force the deal only works if you had any respect in the first place.

Also, it feels like Vance’s PR team told him he’s being overshadowed by Trump in the media so he should make a big show to boost his ratings. Absolute clowns.

Also only really lurk around beehaw, and maybe(e) it really is nicer here. Haven’t had any complaints.

Thank you for this! Love to see folks getting back on their feet. I’d like to eventually get down to Philly and try their pies, but maybe their cookbook will suffice for now.

It really irks me when there’s a good spot at the grocery or hardware store and someone leaves a cart halfway on a curb in the spot. They take the time to put two wheels up but can’t wheel it 10 feet to the corral? It’s been snowing a lot here lately and sometimes they freeze in place too, so they’re harder to get out. I get heated because it really is so inconsiderate.

This is fantastic, thank you friend!

Police unions, understandable. Not so much the other two.

Boycott, Divest, Sanction - while it’s original goal was not so broadly applied as a movement, I’ve adopted the principles to shape how I interact with the economy. So paying attention to how companies operate informs my purchases and support.

Jon Stewart has been on about cloches lately. I wish we could put people actively claiming insane things like this in a cloche whenever they try and distract from a real conversation. Seems like a pretty effective mute button.

Thank you kindly! I will check back in hopefully by the end of spring!

Great list! Helpful to reinforce my own mental BDS list. Gotta love a spreadsheet ❤️

What an incredible comment! Thank you so much for sharing this wisdom! I’m looking to start my first backyard garden journey this year and this is so helpful.

I loved your music! So great to hear families singing together and passing down generational knowledge. Happy Black History Month ❤️

It’s a stretch, but if I have ever had faith in that horrendous individual, he may just be perfect for this exact job… and maybe that’s one of the main reasons why the other “strong men” of the world like him.

Sorry to hear about her grandmother. It’s typically not fun going to funerals, and it sucks to feel bad when feeling good or even just level is hard to do these days. This isn’t an answer to your question, but rather a “I think I understand how you feel, sorta” thing. This empathy you speak of is why I couldn’t end up going to one of my best friend’s funeral today (…aside from the fact that it’s a very expensive plane ride away). I would likely fall apart if I was around his family, and that feels weird for me because I never met them. His dad reached out to me to tell me the sad news, and while I’m still devastated and processing it all, I don’t know exactly why I feel uncomfortable with going. Maybe it would hurt more, dunno. Sorry, friend.