Thanks to @stoneboar for commissioning this! It’s meant as a notification alarm for taking your meds, but it’s also on your dash reminding you to take a second and think, “Did I take my meds today?” Available free on request.
Lyrics:
hey motherfucker it’s time to take your meds hey motherfucker it’s time to take your meds if you don’t take your meds then you might end up dead hey motherfucker it’s time to take your meds
they might be nonessential that’s okay they might be nonessential that’s okay you should take ‘em anyway so you could have a better day either way it’s kinda time to take your meds
hmmmm okay i really want to talk about the session i was at at the conference that discussed how venus fly traps evolved from sundews but im not sure if i remember it correctly. all the data from that symposium + more is published in this new book reviewing all the modern work on carnivorous plants called Carnivorous Plants: Physiology, Ecology, and Evolution. now on one hand, its incredibly fascinating stuff and id love to have my own copy. on the other hand, its $100 and im poor. on another other hand, my library at school has a copy and i can wait to talk about it. unless i want my own copy to add to my expanding aesthetically pleasing collection of botany books. and ill need to wait a month to talk about it. and it’s a fairly long textbook for the price, some 500 pages, which really isnt bad. and i love them. and i have a job so like i wont die immediately. and i got some money for my birthday. but its still 10 hours worth of work. but maybe its worth it. and its really new research. an
good lord the table of contents alone is 15 pages long
i had to order my textbooks for school anyway so i may or may not have indulged and just lumped it in with all the other expensive books i had to buy……..supplemented with some money i got from work/for my birthday….worth it? we’ll soon find out
when i get it ill use it to verify the stuff i remember from the conference and make a post on how we think venus fly traps evolved
– Language: Knowing Hebrew is required for high level curse breakers. Discovering long forgotten spells in the tanach. Old spells, in a language older than latin have ancient power to them.
– Bar/Bat Mitzvahs: special dispensation to go home and miss classes. Every second and third year is invited to a party in the great hall for every single one. Tallits with designs that shimmer even in dim light. Performing mitzvahs for baffled but grateful classmates.
– Being Jewish at Hogwarts: Asking questions. So many questions. About everything. Because what are we if we do not question and interpret everything?
– Jewish Wizarding Community: It is small but very old. They refuse to call themselves purebloods. Jewish memory is long, we do not forget. We know what divisions reaps and we know where “purity of society” discourse leads. They square their beliefs with their abilities by acknowledging that we cannot know everything, we can only seek to learn more.
– Shomer: Constant debate over whether or not magic constitutes ‘work’ and if so, all magic? Just automated stuff?
– JEWISH WIZARDING WEDDINGS OK. NEED I EVEN EXPAND ON THIS POINT?
This is a really cool post, to answer the question about magic it’s probably no, because the actual rules of Shabbat say that you can’t create and since magic is transformation and theregore a form of creation I would say no
@deliciouspineapplessister but I think there’s still room for argument! Because in a way magic is a part of them, it’s inside them. It happens in their minds but uses a wand as a conduit.
Can animagi transform on shabbos? I have so many questions about technicalities!
Not really knowing what I’m saying here, but writing is forbidden on Shabbat, and the writing utensil is used as a conduit for the story inside the person to come out. Same thing with musical instruments. So making magic with a wand would be forbidden.
But we’re still allowed to create without instruments-tell stories, dance, sing. So magic without a wand, including anigami, would be allowed.
Also the Leviim were allowed to play musical instruments at the Beit HaMikdash. So imagine the Leviim standing on the steps, playing music, and beautiful magic displays fly above their heads.
That’s an interesting way to think about it, but one could also think about a wand like a fork.
We must eat to survive, therefore we still use utensils.
A wand is a utensil of sorts.
Magic isn’t just a story or a song. It’s a necessity of survival.
Honestly I agree with the first comment on this post and would assume magic is forbidden as one of the halachot of shabbot is that youre not allowed to create or destroy. When summoning ones inner magic for a spell which’s job is inherently creating, or destroying would be against halacha. Moreover, the spells that transfigure things, are in a sense creating something there that wasnt before and again, creating is breaking the rules. However, I feel that there would be a big debate. Orthodox Jews would most likely not use magic on Shabbat at all will maybe Modern Orthodox Jews would use magic, but only in the case that the purpose of the magic cast is not inherently creating or deatroying. Then again this brings up the argument if the magic done always exists and is waiting to be harnessed or does it not exist until the whitch or wizard does a spell. Also, how does non verbal magic come into play? Moreover isnt a spell like a recipe? Puttinf things in a sequrnce to create a whole knew thing? I feel like Rabbi’s would have many different opinions and eventually there would be some halacha but mostly it would just depend on someone minhag, like how certain people wait six hours between eating meat and dairy and some people wait three. So much theory!
It’s wild to me, the people who are willing to stan things like big pharma and health insurance companies in the US like somehow the cost of things isn’t arbitrary and absolutely made for profit.
Just saw a comment that said “I don’t think people realize how expensive health care actually is, it’s not like pill companies are out to make a profit” like, I’m sorry, my migraine meds which I can get for free or for a significantly lower cost in nearly every other country in the world, would cost me $120 per month in the US if I chose to fill the prescription. And yes, that’s generic. And yes, that’s with health insurance. My health insurance doesn’t cover them.
My epi pens, a literal life saving rescue med, if I can’t get a generic non auto-injector or if I don’t have a coupon, can cost me $600 per pen. And you’re supposed to carry two and replace them yearly.
For that price I can literally fly home to the UK for two weeks and have them replaced for free (I’m a UK citizen before anyone gets their knickers in a bunch about freeloading scroungers), and still have an extra $100-400 to play with depending on the time of year I fly out.
I literally plan trips home based around when my meds need refilled, because it’s works out cheaper than trying to get a pharmacy in the US that takes my insurance and provides generic non automated adrenaline pens.
That’s fucked up.
And it is absolutely because health insurance companies and “big pharma” are in cahoots over how much profit they want to make from tragic events and debilitating illnesses. Meanwhile people die cause it’s a choice between food for their kids or insulin for their diabetes.
But go off I guess.
Another thing that ticks me off is people who go “oh just get new insurance if yours is too expensive” like I didn’t already think of that, and am also not restricted with who will cover me because I’m an immigrant.
Cause oh yeah, that’s a thing.
Anyone that says “well immigrants come here to get free healthcare” are absolutely talking out of their asses.
“Oh but we meant the illegals…” except you cannot get Medicaid or state equivalent without an official alien green card number??? So that’s false???
“But I heard…” well ya heard wrong.
Free health care is such a weird phenomenon to me.
We have state clinics, which are cheaper than private hospitals. You still pay for your treatment though. Medical insurance is ridiculously expensive, and not a “Benefit” with most jobs in my country. You’re lucky if you land that gig.
My husband tore a ligament a year back, we carted him off to the state hospital, he sat in line for 9 hours, had a quick xray to confirm and was sent home with aspirin. That was the extent of the help he got.
I had my wisdom teeth removed in a private hospital. I’m deathly allergic to tramal, which is the painkiller they inject you with after you come out of surgery. Noted on my chart and medical alert bracelet. I felt confident that the doctors wouldn’t inject me with the thing that could kill me.
I guessed wrong.
If I hadn’t asked the doctor what he was injecting me with ( still high on anaesthetic, fyi) he would have killed me. Do you know what he said to me when I told him I was allergic? “HOW allergic?” 😐.
Pharma companies, healthcare in general? No one cares. Pay, don’t pay. You’re going to suffer regardless. All that matters is how much money they can make off of you.
‘Free’ healthcare isnt all its made out to be. The british NHS will do everything they can to blame YOU for anything that is wrong or that you need treatment for. If your BMI is over the optimim 18 to 25 points you’re screwed. Flu? Too fat. Broken Ankle? Too fat. Polycystic Ovaries? Too fat. Asthma? Too fat. Everything you would not have if you lost weight. Oh you have despression and are self harming? Well if you lost weight… do you see where this is going?
Also prescriptions; in Scotland and Wales prescriptions are free. But in England unless you have a medical exemption card you’re paying. I have asthma and regularly have to replace my inhalers for various reason; lose them, break them, they run out. I earn less than £7k a year so i earn less than someone who claims benefits. The one exception is if they are what are classed as ‘life saving drugs’ you dont have to pay.
Doc: If you dont carry your inhaler and have an attack you’re screwed and could die.
Me: Oh ok. So can i get a medical exemption card? These things are getting expensive.
Doc: Nope
Me: But you said if i dont have my inhaler i could die from an asthma attack.
Doc: Exemption cards are only for Life Saving Drugs.
Me: But you just said i have to carry my inhaler or else i could die. It could literally save my life.
Doc: Nope. Inhalers arent considered life saving drugs.
Me: but…
Oh and lets get onto mental health care. I was diagnosed with post natal depression after i lost my first child. That then turned into the fairly rarely diagnosed pre-natal depression when i was pregnant with Superpup.
After he was born the trauma of his birth and the isolation that came with being a new mother tipped me back into severe post natal depression again. I found the strength to seek help and my GP referred me to a state shrink…
I walk into his office and before i’ve even sat down he comments that he wished new mums didnt bring their babies with them. Then he told me (not asked) to tell him the history, asked some very emotionally painful questions before telling me to ‘snap out of it before you get committed’.
He then suggested i would feel better if i lost weight and was happy to write me a prescription for amphetamines that would make me very active and happy.
I told him to fuck off and stormed out.
So no, free healthcare isnt all its cracked up to be.
Oh friend. I got news for you. Private for cost care doesn’t remove any of that shit.
It just means I’m getting charged $500 per 20 minute appointment to be told it’s my fault.
That isn’t a money or cost issue, it’s a systemic ussue of the sexism, the racism and ableism that is permitted to run riot in the medical world, regardless of cost.
So, to sum up, healthcare is fucked everywhere.
Fucked but not unfixable. Likely not to any benefit of my lifetime, but we don’t always get to see the forests we burn down to regrow.
*Nods*
I’m in the US. I have what’s considered “good” health insurance (I’m lucky, my husband has a state union job). This does not do much to cover mental health services though. I mean, technically it’s covered but most therapists won’t take it because it pays them so little.
But moreover, it has protected me from shitty healthcare on the medical side. I’ve got what turns out to be a mixture of panic disorder and something called Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome aka POTS (basically my heart rate goes way up from standing-it is SUPER easy to check for).
The first doctor barely checked me over and was like, “You have chest wall pains, go on this steroid.”
Friends, do you know what you really shouldn’t give someone with an overly fast heart rate and panic attacks? If you guessed steroid, you know who ended up in ER two days later, baffling doctors with her freakish racing heart, shortness of breath, and chest pain.
The drama goes on for quite a while after this, and includes a lot of doctors brushing me off and one yelling at me because I stopped taking antidpressents because they gave me suicidal thoughts.
My take on the problem (at least in the US, having never received medical care in another country)?
1. Medicine is for profit now, not for people.
2. Doctors have no training on dealing with people.
3. Doctors are only allowed a few minutes per patient.
Also, as a medical professional, I would like to add on to the “HOW allergic are you?” question, because if you only experience minor swelling or irritation, they can usually toss in an antihistamine and let the drug do its job. If it’s worse, then they abso-fucking-lutely need to step up their game (and naturally, allergy profiles don’t have that kind of nuance to them in computer systems, so we gotta ask every time). I’ve had to verify with doctors and patients concerning various penicillin and opoid allergies and not all of them were fatal reactions.
Allergic reactions can vary from minor redness and swelling to anaphylaxis, and please keep in mind that even if our allergy profile for you is updated, there is no way for us to keep track of the severity. Some of us go to one extreme and avoid it completely, others will be asking how allergic you are. And since our hours are constantly being cut, we don’t have the staff or the time to help everyone the way we want to help them, the way they need to be helped.
Okay so, I have this possibly helpful tip/product for trans guys. I know it might seem like a small thing but often with trans dudes the smallest things can make a huge difference.
So, basically I found these underwear (made by Hanes) that are technically women’s underwear but they just look like boxers. (heres a picture)
Now, the reason I’m highly recommending these is because they’re made to fit a female body. The inside even has a place you can put a pad so you don’t have to wear those girly panties for a week each month (if that applies to you, it’s a definite plus). Not to mention they’re affordable (i found a two-pack on sale for 5$) and, since they’re technically women’s underwear, it might be easier to slide by the lesser-supportive parents and the like.
Again, this seems like a really small and dumb thing, but dysphoria’s a bitch and I know y’all just want somethin’ comfy between you and those jeans.
If a neurotypical asks you, “What game are you playing?” they’re not asking you to describe the game.
They’re asking you if they can play too.
If a neurotypical asks you, “What are you watching?” they’re not asking you to explain the plot of the movie/tv show to them.
They’re asking if they can watch it with you.
.
When neurotypicals ask you “What are you doing?”
What you think they’re asking: “Please explain to me what you are doing.”
What they’re actually asking: “Can I join you?”
Now here’s the really fucked up part. If you start explaining to them what you’re doing? They will interpret that as a rejection.
What you think you’re saying: [the answer to their question]
What they think you’re saying: This is an elite and exclusive activity for a level 5 friend and you are a level 1 acquaintance. You are not qualified to join me because you don’t know all this stuff. Go away.
.
This is why neurotypicals think you’re being cold and antisocial.
IT’S ALL A HORRIBLE MISCOMMUNICATION.
I didn’t realize, even thought it took me almost three decades to learn this, that this was such a paradigm changing realization until we had our conversation today.
But it really really is. One of the most bewildering realizations I’ve had is most people don’t talk to learn things unless its related to work or directly towards their own hobbies, all the words and questions are bonding questions if done socially. They are “lets make friends” questions.
So if I answer their question without an opportunity for the person asking the question to give a response or to join in somehow, the asker feels alienated and starts shutting down.
Example: what are you reading?
True answer but not what they’re looking for: Title of book
Best answer for social scenarios where I want to retain/create friendship: This book is about x and y but it has z that i know u have an interest in too.
Example: what are you doing?
True answer but not: drawing
Best answer for friends: I’m drawing but would u like company while I’m working?
And sometimes frankly I’m not in a headspace where I can process people so the answer is something like, “I would like to do something in a day or later, do you want to plan something?”
Tldr: communication is wierd
HOLY
SHIT
that explains so fucking much thank you
(why the fuck do neurotypicals never just day what they mean ie hey this show looks cool mind if I join you)
Further annoying?
They don’t realize that’s what they’re asking and they just feel rejected and go away. So you can’t even ask them what you did wrong because they can’t even put a finger on why they feel the way they do they just know you made them feel bad for some undefined reason.
Being trans is not a mental illness/ you don’t need dysphoria to be trans: 12 3 4 567 (this one is massive) 8 (also if you want a living example of a cis person with dysphoria search godflex here on tumblr, careful it’s nsfw)
srsly tho this is absolutely a thing that dudes do all the f***ing time
like where if he knows a girl doesn’t necessarily want to give him a hug, he will trap her in this position in front of witnesses where she has 2 options- both of which are undesirable for her, while simultaneously desirable for him
if she doesn’t want to hug him, whatever she does, it will suck for her.
she can 1. say nah and be the fucking asshole in front of other ppl or 2. forsake her corporeal boundaries and allow unwanted intimate contact
it’s a f***ing trap
F***ing hate dudes forreal.
too many f***ing times ugh
Story time.
One day I was on the MAX (basically a giant street car that goes all over the metro area) on my way to meet up with a few friends. I didn’t look at anyone, I didn’t speak to anyone, I just stood to the side on my phone making sure I wasn’t going to be late to my meeting.
Out of no where, this guy comes up to me and starts to chat me up. Me, being who I am, am absolutely terrified to tell this guy to f*** off. He was at least half a foot taller than me, and was way too bulky for me to fight back. So I suck it up at humor him, say hello. Before introducing himself or asking me for my name, he asks me out on a date. Not wanting to piss him off I try to make light of the situation and I laugh, telling him that my boyfriend wouldn’t like the idea, but thank you for the offer. He just shrugs and says, “He doesn’t need to know.”
At this point I’m scared out of my mind. There’s this guy who, after seeing me run two blocks to catch the train, comes up to me and has made it perfectly clear that he wasn’t going to leave without getting something out of me.
I deny him a second time, saying, “I don’t even know you’re name. We’re strangers, I don’t know you.” He finally introduces himself and asks me for my phone number. I tell him I don’t give my number out to people I’ve just met and he says, “Fine, but at least take mine so we can meet up later.” So he watches me plug his number into my phone (which I deleted as soon as I knew I was safe and away from him) as we’re pulling up to my stop. I tell him I need to leave and switch trains and he tells me, “Oh, I’ll wait with you. I don’t have any plans, so I’m in no rush.” It’s important to note what at this point he had previously told me that he was late to a job interview, but he has all the time in the world because he still hasn’t gotten what he wanted from me; a yes.
I get off of the train and he follows me, and waits at the platform with me for over ten minutes until my train arrives, asking me all sorts of personal questions about where I live and where I was going that day. As soon as the train pulls up he grabs for me and says, “Do I at least get a hug before you go?”
I was terrified. I was embarrassed. This dude, who before even asking me for my name asks me out on a date and then continues to harass me after I tell him I have a boyfriend, asks me for a hug only fifteen minutes after meeting. People around us were staring at me, as if I was being rude for denying him, and every inch of me was mortified. I wanted to run, but I felt like if I had done that he would have chased after me and things would have gotten worse. So I did, and he squeezed me so tight I felt like I was going to burst. It took me a good ten seconds to get him to let go and I ran to the train car just as the doors were closing. He was trying to get me to miss my train so I would have to wait with him even longer. I would have been stuck there for over a half an hour until the next train came by, and the platform (aside from the few buses coming by) was now COMPLETELY EMPTY. He knew EXACTLY what he was doing and he knew EXACTLY how to get me alone with him.
People, if you are in a situation like this do not feel obligated to give in. If someone is making you uncomfortable and asks to touch you in any way, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SAY YES. Make excuses, be blunt, just straight up say ‘no’. If possible, go to someone else near by who you think can help you and ask them to help you. It’s important for guys to learn that they can’t get what they want just by asking over and over again.
I got lucky. But not everyone does. Please, everyone, Be Safe.
SECOND STORY TIME
So I was on the transit bus alone one time. This was my first time riding, and so already I was PETRIFIED. I sit down, pull out my ipod, and begin to play some games. This guy sits down next to me, and begins trying to have a conversation. I don’t really respond, I don’t even look at him, just give half-hearted “mhm”s and “oh”s, as I don’t want to be rude if he was just striking up a friendly conversation. He then asks me on a date.
Now, as I stated before, I already was absolutely petrified. My heart stopped and I didn’t know how to answer. So I just didn’t. He didn’t let up and I could feel his eyes on me. I quietly stammer out a “no thanks” and my stop HAPPENS to be coming up, so I pull the string thing to let the driver know I want to stop there, and once we stop and the doors open I get up and he asks me, “Well, can I at least have a hug before you go if you won’t go on a date with me?”
This makes me break. There are now people staring, as we are the only people standing up and not getting off… So I just start crying. Hell, I am bawling almost instantly. He looks so fucking freaked out and people are now getting up to come over and comfort me/question him. I don’t stop crying, and he keeps trying to comfort me by touching me, and people are yelling at him for that.
AND THEN. AND. FUCKING. THEN. THE GOD DAMN BUS DRIVER. A VERY EASILY 6 FOOT BURLY MAN. COMES OVER TO US. PULLS THE GUY AWAY. AND KNEELS DOWN. HE THEN ASKS, IN THE MOST CALM VOICE, “Did you request the stop?” I very slowly and shakily nod, as I am still crying my eyes out. He then asks, “Do you want to get off?” I give a quiet “mhm” and nod once again, and he offers me his hand. I take it, he stands up, and he escorts me off the bus. He asks me questions such as where I was going next, if I was going to meet someone shortly, if I was going to transfer buses from there. He was very polite and waited for me to answer the entire time, and my friend (who I was going to be meeting there) showed up. He asked me if this was someone I knew, I said yes, and he said alright, have a good day. He then told me- and this is something stuck in my mind forever, so it is word for word-
“If some guy EVER starts harassing you like that again, do exactly what you did there. Cry. Cry and scream and have a temper tantrum. Not only will it throw him off, but it will get others to notice. They might not interfere, they might, but you will have gotten their attention and if you happen to go missing the next day the search for you will be a hell of a lot easier because everyone in that location will have seen you screaming and crying with a guy now very awkward with his actions. They will know. That is what my daughter did, and three days after she went missing she was back in my arms. I pray for you and every other person like you who has this done. You stay safe now, okay?” And after I began blubbering again, I nodded and he left.
So this is the second lesson for yall. If you can not have the courage to say no or make an excuse, cry. Let out those sobs and tears and cry your heart out. Because it is going to make people notice and make people aware.
Reblogging for that second story. This might save a life.
I just wanna note that bus drivers can be really amazing and good ones do look out for their riders.
Also, as an additional tip (in case you cannot cry on command or such), you can say, “No, because you’re creepy/creeping me out” and if he persists or tries to laugh it off, say “I do not want to be touched” and look at one of the strangers/persons that is watching.
It: 1. Gives them a sense of urgency in the situation, as the eye contact is a way to make them feel as though you are personally asking for their help and it is now their obligation to help. 2. Contains words so that if you’re in a public place but people aren’t necessarily watching, then they (as natural evesdroppers) can overhear the attention-grabbing words and then notice the situation. Note, this does NOT mean that they will come for help, but you might be able to look someone in the eye (as previously mentioned) or just get some people’s attention. 3. It shows that you have fight in you. As with rapists, those who are physically aggressive (ie. these huggers) choose women they see as an easy target. The moment you show them you are going/willing to fight them, they are less likely to continue. Sadly, this is not always the case, but every little bit helps.
Hopes this also helps, guys, and I’m so sad that this has to even be a post we need.
Dudes who follow me: 1) reblog this 2) don’t be the creepy guy who asks random women for hugs 3) be aware of your friends or random creepy dudes and call them out if they act gross towards girls/womem
Ok, I wasn’t going to comment about this, because there was no way of doing it without talking about a part of my life I really didn’t want to. But fuck that, there be young girls out there who need a hand.
So I used to be hot when I was young. I mean, model hot, because I actually used to model. Even now, I’ve let myself go on purpose because I was tired of the harassment. But I fit a UK size 6 with a pert ass from volleyball and a cup c breast. As you can imagine, I couldn’t wear anything or go ANYWHERE without being harassed. I sometimes even happened in church.
Anyway, I’m not a shrinking lily, and when I get angry enough I can do some crazy shit. So here are some of my coping mechanisms:
1) find a matronly looking lady, run up to her with ‘aunt may! I haven’t seen you in ages! ’ then whisper ‘please help he’s harassing me!’. 99.9 times out of 100, she will be scandalised and help you anyway even if she’s annoyed or in a hurry. If no older lady is available, find a younger one, or a nun, or a trans lady. We of the sisterhood know what it is to be harnessed, and I guarantee if you look frightened enough, they will help.
2) If you are out alone at night, and someone is following you, spot a house or apartment where the lights are on and knock, asking ‘mum’ or ‘dad’ or ‘john’ to let you in. Even if the people inside are annoyed, odds are they won’t turn you away, and you can phone someone to pick you up, or phone the police from a safe space
3) Make noise. Cry and scream loudly, call them out ‘i don’t know you and you are terrifying me! Please get away from me!’ if there are people around. Even if they don’t help directly for fear of their own safety, someone around you is calling security or 911.
4) speak a foreign language. If you know it, speak the language to them fast and incessantly, like you have just met someone you knew and you’re just giving the best performance rant of why your OTP is the best OTP. Make yourself ANNOYING. Think about what would be awkward and annoying to you and make it what you do to them. If you make them think YOU are something to get away from they will leave you in peace.
Now beware, the following ones are the CRAZY ones and may not always work. But they are a valid last resort:
5) stare at them. Stare at them like you’re hungry and they are a hapless deer you’re going to tear to pieces. Like yours the girl from the ring emerging from the TV to kill them. Don’t smile, don’t change your expression. DON’T BLINK. Hold their state like you’re Wednesday Adams about to do unspeakable things to a spider, and they are the spider. Even the most courageous of stalkers balk at this, but if they don’t…
6) Use the Hannibal Lector. After staring at them for and extended period of time (imagine all the things that have made you scared, imagine you could get revenge on them for putting you here, that’s the thought you need to have), if they are getting closer to you, whisper something like ‘i would fry your liver in garlic’. Even the hardiest ones will be taken aback, but keep it up while making sure you don’t let the others hear you. Things like, occult star readings requiring blood, wondering whether he is the offering the spirits sent. If you’re on this site you’ve read some weird shit at least once. Tell him that. Tell him you would like him to meet your lord, Vlad the Impaler, who requires much blood to be appeased. Be a stereotypical ‘crazy bitch’ like they see in the movies. Believe it or not, this has worked for me twice.
Above all, banish the notion that you have to be polite.
They were impolite by approaching you. If you can, ignore them. If you are not alone, pointedly put headphones in your ear, and don’t make eye contact, wait for them to realise that ‘youre a bitch anyway’ and move away. If you are alone, evade and find places and ways to fix that as soon as POSSIBLE.
And if all else fails, summon Satan.
Something I have learned at work:
Never underestimate the power of a good “EXCUSE me????”
Legit. It makes people STOP IN THEIR TRACKS. This is the one I whip out when people start swearing at me over the headset and always, without fail, they stop what they’re saying, shocked.
Go for offended, and go for loud. Not yelling loud, but giving-your-best-presentation loud. “EXCUSE me??? You approached me two minutes ago, I don’t even know your name, and you want WHAT? Creep.”
For one, the presentation will shock them. For another, that indignant tone? EVERYONE AROUND YOU IS GOING TO WANT TO LISTEN TO THIS JUICY SHIT.
Now the second key here is, DON’T LET HIM JADE (justify, argue, defend, explain). He smiles and goes “I just wanted–” FUCKING INTERRUPT HIM. Firmly. Irritably. “I heard what you wanted, and I’ve already declined once. Maybe you should go back to kindergarten where they teach you no means no.” Run right over the fucker. He’s not respecting your words, you don’t need to respect his.
A further note: if you’re an iPhone user, you can use Siri to call 911. (I know Android has a similar function, but I don’t know what it is–play with your AI and find out.) If you’re in a secluded area, this works well; I used to walk home from work at 2am and had to do it twice. Make eye contact with your harasser, activate Siri, and loudly, firmly say “Siri, call 911.” Siri will immediately reply “calling emergency services.” (It actually takes five seconds to activate, but there’s a Call Now button if you need it.) Almost ALWAYS the person harassing you would rather take off than wait for you to get a dispatcher on the line.
As they say on the podcast, My Favorite Murder:
Fuck Politeness.
This is NOT the kind of thing I usually post on here, but this is something that every female [or, every person honestly, harrassment isnt a one way street]needs to see. This is a fairly active blog, so I hope to see numerous reblogs.
Who cares that this isn’t Harry Potter it’s important
aaaaaand at least one of them was dyed with an arsenic compound
one of these days i’m gonna have to write a thing about arsenic dyes
Oh arsenic pigments. So very very very deadly.
If anyone who paints has ever wondered why you can only get “emerald green hue” when most other pricier pigments (like cadmium red and cobalt blue and such) are gettable as hue and in real form? it’s cos the pigment called “emerald green” was a copper acetoarsenite (please let me have spelled that right lololol) and thus…yeah. It isn’t stable, which meant that when it was used as a clothing dye or wallpaper ink (which it was, widely, until about 1900 or so–it was cheap to produce), it eventually made people in close proximity to it rrrrrrrrreal deceased.
This is why I am really careful at my job with maps that have bright green pigment remaining. Usually greens in that family react badly with the print ink of the map and like…Italy falls out of the page because it was green. But sometimes there is remaining paint and I have to be cautious. (See also: bright orange that might be mercury/cinnabar related, white that might have lead in it…) I’m not in any danger, no more so than I was at any given time at art college, but I do err on the side of caution. Because just SOME PIGMENTS MAN.
Anyway if you wrote a post about arsenic pigments I would read the heck out of it and be very appreciative 😀
I’ve seen lots of reblogs and gotten several asks saying “these dresses would kill you.” Here ya go.
Arsenic was THE poison of choice (deliberate or otherwise) for centuries; it was even called poudre de succession, “inheritance powder”
for its ability to speed up getting to the reading of rich Uncle Edward’s will…
Poisonous Printing Pigments give a new slant on “This book is cursed, all who read it fall ill; some of them die”, and don’t forget green wallpaper. I don’t know if it was involved in Oscar Wilde’s death – “Either that wallpaper goes, or I do” (he did) – but I remember reading that it may have been a contributory factor in Napoleon’s demise.
If you’re a Non-Muslim and you see a Muslim praying in public, could you please not pass in front of them?
Go behind them, but not in front. 👍
Oh, signal boost! I didn’t know this.
Okay, but also: if you see a Muslim praying in public and they have something in front of them, like a purse or a bag or something like that, you can pass in front of them, but pass in front of that object.
it’s called a sutrah, and it’s meant to act as a physical barrier between the person praying and someone who might happen to pass in front.
Also, if you did this and didn’t know, please don’t beat yourself up over it. Now you know! Muslims aren’t supposed to pass in front of Muslims praying, either, because prayer is communication with God and you don’t want to break that connection.
Spread culture, respect customs, be good people. Simple as that.
Didn’t know this.
Reblogging again
THE AMOUNTS OF REBLOGS THIS HAS JUST MAKES ME SO HAPPY
S I G N A L B O O S T
Reblog forever !
Similarly, if a Jew is saying the Shemonah Esrei prayer (whispered, moving only the mouth, standing facing east with legs together) don’t go in front unless there’s a barrier.