Thank you!

Think about writing a lot, but writing seems like a hard gig these days. Plus, most of my writing is rambling thoughts, so I’m not sure I could find the right audience for it.

Appreciate it, though. (:

I have to make a conscious effort to drink water, and my health requires that I do so. In order to not be dehydrated and sick, I carry a water bottle wherever I go.

I had a really cool NES water bottle that I loved because it had a push-button flip top. The less effort it takes for me to get to the water, the better! But eventually, the top broke and I begrudgingly had to get another water bottle.

Got one off Amazon (during lockdowns), and I just always had issues with it. Too big, flip top would come open in my bag sometimes, hard to clean, etc. I finally asked for a water bottle for Christmas as the one thing I wanted, and my SIL came through.

The flip top is SO easy to clean, the button is great, it has a handle that can flip up & down and doubles as a safety that covers up the button (so no more accidental openings!!), it has a pour spout AND a clever af straw-less sip option built into the top and it is just… so good. She got me a bright orange one, because that was the only color they had in the store at the time, and she was worried I would have preferred a darker, more neutral color. Nope! Turns out, it’s perfect for making sure I don’t constantly lose my water bottle anymore!

As you can see, I will ramble to anyone who asks about it, because it’s just so damn good.

I recently realized that it comes in different sizes, too!!

So anyone in the market for a damn good water bottle, check out the “owala”-brand. It’s extremely inexpensive, great quality, lots of color & size choices, and it’s just great. I swear I’m not a company shill– just a passionate hydro homie.

Here’s a photo of mine. Yours will not come with stickers. Gotta supply your own. Sorry!

I’ve never met a well-adjusted homeschooled kid.

— former homeschooled kid

itemlabel!

I have (almost) all their plushes & a bunch of their hoodies, too.

Search “Big Shirt” and you’ll find it.

I have no issues paying higher prices for good-quality plushes. Thank you!

They look so friendly! Probably great breakfast buddies. Where are they from?

I mean, yeah, that’s how I deal with it.

But even some non-church-going folks with drop off their kids at “youth group” essentially for free childcare and debatable “moral development.”

Exploiting people: making them feel that they have no choice under the threat of poverty if they don’t comply, often resulting in accepting less than favorable pay/them paying more to get something they need.

Monetizing people: “We already play video games for fun, so why don’t we turn it into a thing where we get paid to play video games by streaming it and possibly doing ads or accepting audience donations?”

Basically, exploitation is taking advantage of people’s possible desperation. Monetization is just taking something people might want and changing/making money off of it.

Monetization can lead to exploitation, but they are not intrinsically the same at its base.

Honestly? I think it will eventually be astroturfed by corporations and bad actors once it gets big enough.

P×dophiles are flocking to churches because they’re unregulated by the government. They’re becoming a safe haven for these sick fucks because they often attempt to handle conflict and scandals within their own walls. Also, due to a high need for childcare, often no background check is needed!

A “scandal” is bad for business attendance numbers, so they like to keep it quiet, if they can.

My family has gone to so many churches throughout the years, and at least 5 or 6 have had the sexual abuse of a child come to light within church leadership.

I am dead serious about this: KEEP YOUR KIDS OUT OF CHURCHES!!!

EDIT: I forgot to mention that most clergy are not bound by laws that would make them mandated reporters for child abuse.

I sew. Specifically, I love sewing stuffed animals.

As a kid, I always wanted those giant stuffed animals, but it just wasn’t meant to be. Now I can make pretty much whatever I want!

I love the colors, the feel of the fabrics… but my favorite part is seeing my 2D drawings get turning into a tangible 3D object! Plus, it makes kids go “WHOOOOAAA” or smile or laugh when they see what I make. That really can’t be beat!

That’s fair. Still, though, something is needed.

I agree. 15 years is hardly “life” in prison, though. I think it’s more than fair.

That’s fair, and I get it. To me, that’s absolutely radical, especially if it was my child who was harmed.

I personally have just learned from experience that people who get off easy are likely to continue on the path of destructive behavior.

I’m not necessarily calling for her death or anything… but the punishment needs to fit the crime. Two lives are permanently gone from this world because of the careless and stupid choices she made.

I’m not sure you know what the word “reactionary” means if you think that my comments and opinions were “reactionary”.

The family can grieve, and my opinion has no bearing on the outcome of whatever happens. My point was, in the end, no matter what the reason, there needs to be consequences for someone who killed people, regardless of what the grieving parties think. I don’t think that’s particularly radical.

It’s a sad and awful situation al around. I can see why those poor families just want to move on.

That’s fine, but she still made a conscious decision to do it. If she was one year older, would that make any kind of difference?

And let me be clear: mental illness can make some behaviors more understandable, but not murder– if the blame is put solely on mental illness, all that does is put more stigma on it. Not every shitty decision people make is because of “mental illness”.

It’s a nice sentiment, but…

This was premeditated. She needs to be held accountable and have consequences for what she willfully and knowingly did.

She literally killed people. I’m not sure this can be a case of “forgive and let her off lightly.”

besides the admins of both instances can read them as well.

What?

This oversized shirt! It’s soooo comfy and cozy and roomy. It’s been my favorite wardrobe staple for months now! Plus it’s got a cool fish on the pocket.