Other Voices Other Bathrooms

Gaslit Again

digibob — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 19:05:35 GMT

Recently someone at work was going through some Coke Zero which I think has been around for years but maybe just recently had a formula and/or can design change. I don't drink soft drinks for the most part and rarely ever a "diet" soda because I think they taste icky. I prefer zero calorie seltzer water — water with bubbles. I did drink too much Coca-Cola back when I was young. Anyway, this person tells me it tastes like regular Coke. Um, actually 1) It doesn't and 2) it is not only zero calories and tastes like artificial sweetener tastes it's also zero caffeine. Why bother?

Words at Work That Make Me Wince

digibob — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 13:09:06 GMT

Usually unrelated...

How are you? (it's really none of your business)
Quick question. (the question might be quick, but the answer is always complicated)

Struggling Left Turners — Help Me Understand You

digibob — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 16:30:54 GMT

Where I live and work we have loads of intersections with really heavy vehicle traffic, but without traffic lights. I'm talking intersections in which you need to cross 3 or more extremely unforgiving lanes to make a left turn. It's not a four way stop. It's definitely not a "take your turn" situation. You are pulling out of a busy shopping center onto a parkway that has traffic going 60+MPH regardless of the posted speed limit. So, I need to know if you are bound and determined to do this, what is going through your mind? I personally easily give up on anything I see as too much of a challenge and end up turning right and can usually get where I'm going. I might travel a slight distance further, but I've saved a ton of time and stress. Determined left turner, are you not aware there is more than one way to get there? Or is it the challenge that makes you feel so alive inside once you are successful? I feel like the concept of turning left at these intersections was created long before there were 7 billion+ people on the planet. Back in the early 70s (I was 9-10 years old) my mother put me behind the wheel of her station wagon to free up her drinking hand — we could drive for miles without seeing another vehicle...it was a different time.

The Truth Is Hard To Swallow

digibob — Sat, 07 May 2022 15:15:11 GMT

While the events of this week as it relates to women's reproductive healthcare did not come as a surprise, it is nonetheless disheartening. You should have been on high alert leading up to the leak, but if you weren't now maybe you are painfully aware. Rest assured, like Covid, the right is not done with you. They will continue to chip away at your rights and will not be satisfied until what we consider democracy is completely gone. What's next? Maybe your marriage will no longer be recognized. The US Capitol terrorist attack on 1/6/21 was a run through rehearsal. In addition, an effort has continuously been made prior to and since the attempted coup to suppress particular voters across the nation from voting. Regardless of whether everyone who should be able to vote could vote, unless they win the upcoming elections results will not be accepted and in the meantime they have installed the people in the positions of power they need to overturn election results. Some people continue to scream and blame "ANTIFA" for the woes of the country. FY in your eye — antifa is the abbreviation for anti-fascist. I am anti-fascist — contrary to popular belief not all anti-fascists are violent. I don't condone violence, but when a fascist is the victim of anti-fascists I do give the victims what they historically give us — "thoughts and prayers." The opposite of antifa I presume means embracing fascism. Any middle ground identity is their ally — not mine. No, we can't just all get along. Your silence will not protect anyone including yourself.

Ice Tea Bemusement

digibob — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 20:46:25 GMT

When I order ice tea at any restaurant I always ask “was it made today?” If they hesitate or look confused change the order to another beverage. It came to my attention a couple of years ago there are people who don’t believe it needs to be placed in a refrigerator or disposed of at the end of the day.

I Never Left, I Just Needed A Break

digibob — Sat, 05 Feb 2022 22:44:44 GMT

So, it's a break that lasted over 10 years, but less than 11. A few things happened. And I may need another break from one of those things.

I revisited an activity I started, but dropped in the 1990s — American Contra Dancing. The reason I dropped it in the 90s may be the reason I'm considering dropping it now — people suck (me included).

The pandemic forced me and everyone to pause it March 2020. I've participated in two contra dances since March 2020 during what I call the vaccine honeymoon period -- Spring/Summer 2021. While I enjoyed the moment of both of those instances, I also felt regret afterward. Contra dance is way too intimate for a pandemic even if you think for a moment the pandemic is over or about to be over and obviously it was/is not over.

I became so immersed in contra dance the 20teens that I became interested in calling dances. I went to workshops and would meet with other callers and calling aspirants like myself monthly. I even wrote (mostly stole — it's a rampant not necessarily frowned upon practice in the industry) a dance that doesn't work, but someone made the mistake of verifying it did work on one of the contra dance databases — it was not me, I did not do it.

I came to the conclusion I was not very good at being a caller. And I was fine with not being good at it. I wasn't doing it for the right reasons — but I won't say it was for the wrong reasons. It was just for my reasons. I did it so I could be on stage and tell people what to do which has always been a hobby. I hate the rehearsal, but I love the performance regardless.

Obviously, a lot of dance communities have not been dancing over the past 2 years. It's caused a lot of anguish amongst dancers across the country. I've avoided posting about it on other social media platforms as I have witnessed when others post about the situation I've come to the conclusion they are "asking for it." I don't think I have any dance connections on Live Journal, but I don't filter anyone out so they could find it, comment, and maybe even have a moment in which I'm sure no parties will be swayed. There are about a dozen hard core consequences-be-damned groups that are still gathering — https://www.trycontra.com/list. The list was double that size back in January, but omicron culled the field.

Back in August my local dance community had an opening on their board because one of the members rage quit. The person that quit wanted to dance NOW and could not convince enough of the other board members to open back up. I don't know if this is the reason they quit, but I know their stance was in the minority. And unless you can get a majority to agree then dancing will not resume for this community. I said I would take the position if they wanted and I also disclosed I had no desire to return to dance until the instance rate map turned green. I have since found that most people would settle for the map being yellow or even orange. Regardless, I was voted in. Since then I've gotten a taste of how what a small percentage of the community thinks as it relates to returning to dance. And while the number of people is relatively small that want to return to dance, they are very loud. You know who they are and you will know how they feel.

I've offered to everyone that complains they may dance. If they feel it's safe they should have a dance, but the local official organization more than likely will not be sponsoring those dances in the near future. By near future I mean next week. I've named resources, suggested locations that might be available for rent, etc. I've not screamed at anyone to wear a mask or what to do to protect themselves from the virus. At this point I'm going with we all have the same bad and valid information. There were periods of time where schools were closed but bars were open which pretty much sums up how America has handled the pandemic. I'm not going to be solving any problems by telling people they shouldn't have a private party.

Back to the loud people...it has at times gotten ugly. After a recent vote in which one of the organizers of a private party asked the organization for a "donation" so they could fund their private party (pay a hall, a caller, and musicians) was denied by a board vote, I was told in 2022 we would find ourselves with "less friends." I know I was supposed to be devastated by this, but I just shrugged and replied "I'm good."

What all this has led to over the past several months is my thinking my dance, calling, and organization trustee career is over. The term ends in May and I don't plan to renew for another term. In fact I'm encouraging loud people to step up and put themselves on the slate to be voted in so they can take on the responsibility of opening dance back up. I might be able to travel to other communities when it's safe again, but I'm having a hard time wrapping my mind around dancing with my local community. Contra lines involve interacting with every other person in that line. And while I loved most every dancer I came in contact with in the before times and could tolerate the ones that I might not have loved so much, I'm just not sure I can see myself fake smiling at or even making eye contact with this population that I think has made some rather not so great decisions or unreasonable requests. Never say never, but that's where I am right now as it relates to this subject.

I need a new interest. I should read more. Reading doesn't depend on other people, right?

From Twitter 05-15-2011

digibob — Mon, 16 May 2011 07:04:55 GMT

15:08:39: I'm on Words With Friends as digibob. If you start a game I promise to make at least one move every 3 or 4 days...if time allows.

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From Twitter 05-14-2011

digibob — Sun, 15 May 2011 07:04:03 GMT

19:46:32: Hardees in Jeffersonville (exit 0) could use $1s $5s and quarters if you could help em out.
22:54:12: Some con artist just got two gallons of gas out of me. I'm an idiot.

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From Twitter 04-10-2011

digibob — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 07:02:39 GMT

17:35:16: Fish Fry Friday review for 04-08-2011 http://digibob.tumblr.com/post/4504723033/fishfryraphael

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From Twitter 04-02-2011

digibob — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 07:02:25 GMT

11:48:57: Mr. My Left Foot - I was hobbling yesterday on a cane because of my ankle. I’m not really sure why it was... http://tumblr.com/x291yv9uby
15:02:09: Anonymous asked: hey sexy are you single? http://tumblr.com/x291yxvnle

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From Twitter 04-01-2011

digibob — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 07:03:07 GMT

19:45:51: Photo: I heard Ursius spent THREE HOURS getting this gif together for your enjoyment. Anyone notice I’m... http://tumblr.com/x291ylrev6
21:23:13: Photo: The housewives keep their distance as they don’t want to ruin their hair, makeup, and jewelry.... http://tumblr.com/x291yn4vfn
21:43:04: Fish Fry Friday - Our Mother Of Goose...um no...Sorrow - Jackpot! It appears they do their own fish and they... http://tumblr.com/x291ynff3w

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From Twitter 03-31-2011

digibob — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 07:04:33 GMT

13:55:26: More Evidence That I Am A Pretty Big Deal... - Zumba King now reigning http://tumblr.com/x291y2lun8

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From Twitter 03-25-2011

digibob — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 07:02:30 GMT

23:05:25: Fish Fry Friday St. Stephen Martyr - Fish was really good (it comes from Hungry Pelican as well — it seems a... http://tumblr.com/x291vsdl95

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From Twitter 03-22-2011

digibob — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 07:03:21 GMT

00:34:42: Photo: Ali was with her and was completely annoyed that Lindsay was getting all the attention. When I... http://tumblr.com/x291ug9iiy

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From Twitter 03-20-2011

digibob — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 07:02:36 GMT

19:35:17: Seriously? http://twitpic.com/4blx3v

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From Twitter 03-19-2011

digibob — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 07:02:40 GMT

14:17:47: Ting Tong and Mr Dudley just left Toast on Market.
16:19:15: Photo: thomcubby is much talent thomcubby: http://tumblr.com/x291tlhwmh

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From Twitter 03-18-2011

digibob — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 07:02:46 GMT

22:22:47: St. Therese Fish Fry - St. Therese is located in that area that I can’t identify as Germantown or Paristown.... http://tumblr.com/x291tcqjio

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From Twitter 03-16-2011

digibob — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 07:02:39 GMT

00:37:46: @LisaLampanelli will it matter if you are ever able to find work again after tonight? If not what will your new career be?

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From Twitter 03-12-2011

digibob — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 07:02:43 GMT

19:15:46: Friday Fish Fry - There are 5 Friday Fish Fries during Lent (only 4 left). I go to a different one every... http://tumblr.com/x291r4fx53

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From Twitter 03-06-2011

digibob — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 07:02:36 GMT

00:09:24: Photo: Thanks! I wore this on Halloween to Checks and stuffed the crotch with socks. People wouldn’t even... http://tumblr.com/x291oqyi9g
18:14:36: Just saw Adjustment Bureau. Spoiler alert - the chairman is Oprah.
19:12:46: RT @5tevenw: How much coke did Charlie Sheen take?
Enough to kill two and a half men.

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From Twitter 03-05-2011

digibob — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 07:02:54 GMT

16:14:52: Photo: thomcubby: http://tumblr.com/x291olmf88
23:55:25: Shadow Box - Ever heard of a play called Shadow Box? Miserable show, but put on and directed very well by... http://tumblr.com/x291oqsfzb

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From Twitter 02-27-2011

digibob — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 07:07:23 GMT

23:17:07: It's a negative of Napoleon Dynamite on my TV

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From Twitter 02-20-2011

digibob — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 07:03:06 GMT

16:36:40: Why you should never shop at Best Buy http://tumblr.com/x291kdl4is

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From Twitter 02-17-2011

digibob — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 07:03:17 GMT

14:00:51: For Valentimes I received 3 different flavors of Reese Cups. You know how lucky and loved I am. 3 days later actually some left.

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From Twitter 02-14-2011

digibob — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 07:02:41 GMT

00:08:27: stealthgutpuncher asked: Happy Valentine’s Day http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lgk8naA5Up1qfnqb0o1_500.jpg http://tumblr.com/x291icm7z4

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