sharkerbaby

It's a way people across the country are trying to brighten spirits... https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/24/well/family/coronavirus-quarantine-christmas-lights.html

nm - already answered

I think she actively uses both. I don't follow her (or any of them for that matter) but I'm pretty sure I've seen posts from both accounts here. Maybe??? eta: she's also got lizzie's B&B account as well

Yes, indeed it is. In fact the whole series is based on characters, settings, and themes from his books. He consults and is a producer (I think in name only) for the show. It's been really good and if you are a SK fan, I recommend it. I personally liked season 2 better than season 1 but overall it's good. They have brought back some of the actors from the original movies as well. For example, Sissy Spacek (Carrie) plays prominently in season 1.

Well, in their defense, they may not have had any choice, Hunter just graduated so he likely had no place else to stay I mean the air force academy was probably not going to let them just hang out until all this is over so what was he supposed to do? Garrison is likely in a similar situation. Mariah was in an off campus apartment so even though her campus closed down, she had a place to stay.

@laurakaye I saw elsewhere that you have Hulu, have you by any chance watched Castle Rock?

I so wish I would have been with you! I have heard of these triangular objects with the 3 lights. It couldn't have been experimental aircraft because at this point (40 years later) they have to have either failed miserably or been out of the experimental stage by now right? Either way, you'd think we would have been let in on this 40 yr old secret at this point. I suppose the technology could still be evolving and therefore still classified but something has to have become obsolete and available for public/private use after all this time? eta: boy I am quite the chatty cathy today aren't I? I may be sneaking up on more posts in one day than posts during my entire lifetime at Primetimer!

Well crap, sorry about that, obviously shows I do read and remember what you post although didn't mean to rope you into another topic. Gotcha, that makes sense. In this example it's the subject of your comment that makes it different, And in this case it's the jab at the physical appearance and the suggestion for a swift and fatal ending that makes it different.

acck rabbit hole!!! Since snark = snide + remark (see above Urban Dictionary definition of snark) Definition of Snide: Dictionary.com - derogatory in a nasty, insinuating manner: Yourdictionary.com - 1) someone or something rude, snobby, mocking, devious or underhanded 2) slyly malicious or derisive Urban Dictionary - A mean, snobbish or spiteful remark. Usually used to describe an insult or a haughty statement. Clawing my way out of my rabbit hole now...

So I went on a hunt to answer my own question... I couldn't find any examples or definition of "snark vs mean" but since most definitions of "snark" included sarcasm, I did find examples of illustrations of "snark vs sarcasm" so with that being said... definition of "snark": dictionary.com - 2nd def - to be critical in a rude or sarcastic way. Merriam Webster - an attitude or expression of mocking irreverence and sarcasm Urban Dictionary - Combination of "snide" and "remark". Sarcastic comment(s). Illustrations of "snark" vs "sarcastic": Reddit - 1) Sarcastic is essentially just telling a lie: "This is a great plan." Snarky is being an annoying little jerk: "This is a greaaaattttt plaaannnn." 2) snarkiness involves some wit (or, depending on how one sees it, assholery) 3) Sarcasm is when you say something, but really mean the opposite of it. These are all examples of sarcasm: "Oh yeah, I could really use more homework right now" (when you have a lot of homework) "Oh yeah, I love Justin Bieber" (you actually hate JB) Your friend just tripped and fell: "Nice going!" Being snarky is when you make little, rude comments: "That's an ugly shirt you're wearing" (your friend is wearing an ugly shirt) "You suck at your job" (you actually do suck at your job) "You're an idiot" (you actually are an idiot) The difference is that when using sarcasm, you say the opposite of what you actually believe to get your point across. When being snarky, you say exactly what you think 4) Snark is sarcasm with a healthy dose of mean and nasty. Funny to other people, but horrible to the target. ETIQUETTEER: So, tossing all these definitions together, Etiquetteer discerns the difference between snark and sarcasm thus. If sarcasm is the ability to insult idiots without them realizing it, snark is the ability to insult others who will realize it and will a) appreciate the effort made and/or b) respond in kind in a perpetual snarkfest, making them a worthy opponent in a battle no one should have to fight. Long story short, Etiquetteer sees both terms as insults delivered with irony, which often leads them to be mistaken for wit, which is defined as “clever or apt humor.” So Etiquetteer would encourage aspiring snarkers to give up now. Because let's face it, if you're not the late Dorothy Parker, you'll never get it right.

Oh dear! @Kyanight, please don't dwell on the hand slapper comment, i didn't even remember who said it. I "liked" you're post almost immediately but as is my standard I generally do not engage in a "conversation" on message boards preferring to let my rare comments stand on their own and instead heavily utilize the "reaction" buttons within the forums. You didn't really make me feel sad or uncomfortable. My discomfort is more with the board itself and the rampant poor view and constant "snark". I generally don't subscribe to the opinion that just because someone is on TV, that it represents them as a whole person (or family) and we get to see and know every aspect of their lives, thoughts, beliefs, and motivations. I think we all are pretty well aware that reality TV is not truly reality and is heavily edited, produced, and lightly scripted. I believe that is generally true of social media as well, albeit to a much lesser extent since people are generally posting snippets of themselves and their lives w/o producer manipulation and direction. And this brings me to another honest to goodness question that has plagued me for quite some time... background - someone posted (no idea who) and this is a gross oversimplification, but in essence, they loved "snark" but didn't like "mean". I truly do not understand the difference or maybe, I don't see a line where one crosses to the other? So please can someone please illustrate the difference so that maybe I too can appreciate "snark". Lastly, @Kyanight, back to you and your comments. It seems you've been fretting that you may have hurt my feelings for over 2 hours! Please don't worry about it. I find you one of the more interesting and your comments, at least with me, carry more weight due to your background. You, more than pretty much any of us, have far more insight into this way of life and that means something. But just in case you need it, I forgive you. (even though I don't feel you needed to apologize for anything!)

This is a very real possibility. After all these years and all the research and money put into finding a vaccine for HIV, there still is nothing even on the horizon. What's even more relevant though is that both SARS and MERS are corona viruses and despite significant effort and trials no vaccine's have been released for either of these diseases. So we may very well have to live with it and build up our own herd immunity as our defense.

I want to thank you both for stating your very reasoned and balanced views. In my opinion you both were able to highlight that there are at least two very valid sides to this I'm not quite as eloquent with my words when trying to point out alternate perspectives (sometimes it is the neutral view not even the contrary one). I suspect I am viewed as one of the "hand slappers" that has been spoken about and though I've been very tempted to leave it seems I'm rather resilient and have yet to be chased off. (I think I'm one of the very few left here who do not have abject hatred and disdain for all that is the Brown family.) It's people like you two who remind me that even though we may not be as vocal, there are others who think and believe differently and those views do have merit and ideally, while may be not adopted, will at least be listened to and respected. Because I think it can not be highlighted enough, I want to especially applaud @TurtlePower's statement And now I'm fully expecting to be told that my statements are ironic in that my plea for an easing of judgement is in fact an example of my extreme and intolerant judgement. In no way is any of this meant to be an admonishment of any person or their views, beliefs, or ideals.

Families come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. Would it change anything for you or your daughter if they were?

It was not considered a high risk pregnancy nor a high risk birth. Just because a fetus has a physical abnormality does not automatically equate to medical emergency. Just because Maddie's prior labor was long does not equate to a difficult or risky birth and is definitely no indicator of how a future labor or birth may be. FATCO does not automatically elevate the risk to the baby or mother. Ultra sounds are able to detect FAR more than the gender of the child. Techs are able to easily determine progress of the baby's development and therefore know if the child is developing as expected. The information they are able to glean from that "fuzzy" picture is amazing not the least of which is the size of the baby and the progress of the development of all major organs and bones. Which is how they knew Evie had FATCO prior to her birth (which they did know, despite what some here interpreted Maddie to have said). If despite the limb differences, all else was developing normally, there may not have been a reason to elevate the risk level of the birth. I missed when they said the baby was admitted to the NICU. One of my babies had difficulty with maintaining oxygen levels, was also a low birth weight baby, and also had trouble with his "suck" (ie trouble nursing and getting enough nutrition), in addition, he developed high bilirubin levels and yet he was never admitted to the NICU instead was cared for mostly in the monitored nursery for the first 48 hours. And out of an abundance of caution we stayed in the hospital for the magic 3 days. So with that said, there was no reason Maddie should have been pressured into having a hospital birth. Giving birth in a less restrictive environment can be very beneficial and far less stressful for both the mother and baby which is always good for all involved. Having the flexibility to change positions, sit, kneel, or squat in a tub with warm soothing water, walk if one chooses, have a water birth, or using a birthing ball, or any number of other options can offer the mother a more natural and relaxed birthing experience. And though it shouldn't have to be said, none of that means it is not going to be painful, or there won't be any moaning, screaming, or grunting, or even that the birthing process will be shorter or longer than if they were at a hospital it all just means that the process can potentially be more comfortable and less stressful. Also it should be mentioned that just because a mother wants to have a drug free labor does not mean she is trying to show how tough she is, or wants to be able to use it club their child over the head with eventually, or wave it as a banner for all to ooh and awe over, it may simply mean she wishes to bring her child into the world as naturally as possible. Lest we forget, despite their ubiquitousness, there are risks associated with Epidurals and other pain management drugs and therapies to both the mother and baby. As for Caleb's speeding or not, I distinctly got the impression there was a lot of "wink, wink, nudge, nudge" going on there and other than being stuck in rush hour traffic he probably was leaning a little heavy on the accelerator. For those that didn't notice, the birthing center did have oxygen and other medical implements to assist with both newborn and mother if needed. We even saw Evie fitted with a newborn oxygen mask. They had enough medical equipment to stabilize Maddie despite excessive bleeding so that she too didn't have to be medically transported to the hospital. BRAVO, I am in full agreement with everything except the last sentence. I want to highlight the bolded as especially astute. As the parent of a child with a "difference", I bristle when someone looks at my son and makes an immediate assessment of who he is, what he is capable of, and what he should or should not do - it's INFURIATING!! And as I've said before, it's equally infuriating when people say things like "oh, I'm sorry this must be so hard", or "you are amazing to be able to handle all of this" or make other assessments and judgments about me or my family. Nope, things are just a little different for us than for you but things are just as different for you than for the guy next to you aren't they?

Wow you have an awesome computer that you can see a ship date on that box to know that it came into the house recently!

It looks like a knee brace on his right leg.

We just went through the university admittance process, in our experience, letter size is no longer any indication of acceptance or not. The only large envelopes my daughter received were from schools trying to coax her to apply to their university. Every one of her acceptance letters were regular business size envelopes with one, maybe two 8 1/2 x 11 sheets of paper. Everything, and I mean everything, is done online now. In fact, one of the coolest acceptances she received was via text with a link to a "personalize" video that included a giant banner being unfurled with her name on it - all done virtually of course, but cool none the less! This new fangled way, surprised me because when I was at that stage most definitely big envelope = good news, small envelope = bad news. I was seriously concerned when the first two letters arrived on the same day both from her "safety" schools and both were small envelopes but alas, all was well. eta: oops, forgot the other exceptionally cool acceptance was indeed a big "envelope", the unusual part was that the envelope was actually fashioned out of the school flag! And since this particular school is my (and my ex's) Alma mater, I was very excited to have it. Unfortunately, my daughter only applied as a courtesy to her dad and me so she didn't carry on the legacy.

Of course, that doesn't mean as you marvel as they learn and grow you don't also feel some sadness when they progress out of each stage and march confidently towards the inevitable day when they leave the nest. I didn't assume that she wasn't packing them up for future siblings or cousins. I would be shocked if she was throwing them away but I would feel no ill will towards her if instead she were donating them or even taking them to a resell shop. All three of the reuse options are very valid choices with different benefits. Well, I'm sure the extra mothers and siblings would be happy to help her out if they all were a little closer geographically, this one can't be pinned on the foibles of polygamy only the realities of the modern world and transient nature of life today. Please excuse a bit of a rant that has been building for quite sometime... re: the expressions of difficulty, or feelings of sorrow, or assumptions of angst in regards to Evie... As a mother of a 21 yr old with a genetic disability, I did not and do not appreciate when people try to offer "comfort" with platitudes such as "I'm sorry for...", "It must be so hard for you...", "He will have a difficult life...", "You're so strong/ amazing/ resourceful/ etc...", etc, etc, etc and almost always with a look of pity in their eyes and sorrowful expression. Just the opposite, I HATE it! My son is NOT a challenge, he is NOT a hardship, he is NOT a lot of work, he is NOT living a pitiful life, he is NOT struggling through exceptional difficulties, and neither am I. Like ALL well adjusted children and young adults, he IS content with who he is, he IS doing the best he is able, he IS joyful and happy, he IS contributing, he IS thriving, and he IS a reminder to everyone that we are ALL worthy and have value. Just like all children, no two people are alike, everyone faces challenges and difficulties, no one is immune and everyone enhances the lives around them in very different and individual ways and just like my daughter, he has brought a great deal of joy and enrichment to my life. So what can you say when you find out someone has a child born with a disability? "Congratulations on the birth of you son/daughter. Let me know if there is anything I can do. Maybe bring a casserole for dinner since you'll be busy and tired with a newborn?" /rant

I love this. I too keep trinkets on my desk. Not only do they server to remind me of life outside work and bring a bit of joy to the workplace, they also frequently serve as a conduit to conversation and connection with whomever I am meeting with. These things tend to humanize people since we generally are not a bunch of automatons at work. It seems under the auspice of "mature" we take ourselves too seriously and have lost all aspects of fun and whimsy.

Corn cakes are very different from pancakes. I've always had them more savory than sweet and usually as a side or appetizer rather than breakfast.

That is all

I worked at a top 10 university for 20 years which is primarily where I was exposed to much of the progressive and social justice issues currently pursued and hyped . The views and approach exhibited by Mariah and so many of her peers is standard fair amongst many of today's students, faculty, and administration. For the most part, today's university's are the bastion of progressive ideals and see their primary mission as pursuing and informing on social and cultural issues rather than the pursuit of free and open sharing of information and knowledge. Many have gone so far as to change their official mission statements (I think Harvard may be one of them).

Yep hence "look closely and read between the lines" Me neither which is why I "subtly allude to my opinion". I don't post often and when I do it's almost always providing background, additional facts, or to share some other sourced information. (See my posts regarding Chicago neighborhoods, and where the National Guard fits into the overall US Military structure) It is also so why 9 out 10 times I will also include links to source material or references. I don't claim to be able to read others intentions, thoughts or motivations so I generally stay away from those discussions but will comment occasionally if the subject of discussion has actually verbalized an opinion, belief, or an account of an event from their perspective. I believe this to be true as well. As a recent example and one that applies here both to Mariah and to this specific discussion, Gallup recently surveyed to get a sense of how common people believed homosexuality was in the general population. The results showed that more than 35% of the American public thought more than 25% of people were LGBTQ when in fact most experts estimate it to be less than 5% some even say less than 3%. https://news.gallup.com/poll/259571/americans-greatly-overestimate-gay-population.aspx not to be controversial and throw unsubstantiated words out there but (and this is my OPINION), I think some of the overestimation is because it's kind of trendy to be part of the LGBTQ community. Regarding the bolded.... squeaky wheel and all that

Amen Sister. My posts may not have seemed like it but I couldn't agree more (especially with the bolded). My posts' intents were mostly to inform - although if you look closely and read between the lines I did subtly allude to my opinion.