Chit-Chat: What's On Your Mind Today?

[Ancaster]

On 12/19/2024 at 1:21 AM, Quof said:

I hate when people say "Oh, by the time you get to that point, you don't even care who is looking at your business."

That's like saying "By the time you've been shot and stabbed, you don't care if you get kicked in the head."  

Getting to a point where you are so bereft of privacy and dignity that you just don't give a damn anymore who is looking at your genitals?  Don't try to convince me that is acceptable or even tolerable.

I didn't mind them looking "at my business", but the fact that none of the books mentioned the pooping meant I was horrified when that happened (to me, not the baby meconium).

[shapeshifter]

I got invited to do Amazon "Vine" reviews. 
Has anyone here ever done that?
Someone on Reddit who just quit doing the reviews said most of the free stuff they got was not something they would have purchased. 
So it sounds like a waste of time for more clutter. 

[nokat]

25 minutes ago, shapeshifter said:

I got invited to do Amazon "Vine" reviews. 
Has anyone here ever done that?
Someone on Reddit who just quit doing the reviews said most of the free stuff they got was not something they would have purchased. 
So it sounds like a waste of time for more clutter. 

I keep getting asked to do reviews. If I like something, I will do a review, but I don't want to be sent something I don't want.

[shapeshifter]

1 hour ago, nokat said:

I keep getting asked to do reviews. If I like something, I will do a review, but I don't want to be sent something I don't want.

It seems if I accept their offer to become a Vine reviewer, I get to choose from a list of items to be sent to me to review. A commenter on the Reddit AmazonVine sub said:

Quote

very little is stuff I'd have otherwise bought. Even when it is, it isn't the exact thing I would have bought, but a compromise. If I had to pay, I'd rather pay more and get exactly what I want.

  
Here's more about it: amazon.com/vine/invitation
I think I got invited because I order a lot of stuff on Amazon (since the pandemic and moving to the boondocks and having to haul everything I bring home up a flight of stairs from the basement where the condo garage is) and I do write reviews for items if I think it would be helpful, but not for everything.
Plus, writing is something like breathing for me and my family — heh, sometimes writing is easier than breathing.

So it's tempting, but might just be a time suck, and I already have enough of those.😉

[EtheltoTillie]

 

It seems if I accept their offer to become a Vine reviewer, I get to choose from a list of items to be sent to me to review. A commenter on the Reddit AmazonVine sub said:

  
Here's more about it: amazon.com/vine/invitation
I think I got invited because I order a lot of stuff on Amazon (since the pandemic and moving to the boondocks and having to haul everything I bring home up a flight of stairs from the basement where the condo garage is) and I do write reviews for items if I think it would be helpful, but not for everything.
Plus, writing is something like breathing for me and my family — heh, sometimes writing is easier than breathing.

So it's tempting, but might just be a time suck, and I already have enough of those.😉

Writing is like breathing for me too in a way, but it still takes too long to edit and write something decent. Hence my many drive-by posts here. So I’d probably also consider it not worth the time. 

I have a friend who has been sucked into taking surveys for medical issues (she’s a doctor). She does not get much for the time spent but she is so manipulated by the system she doesn’t do the math correctly. 

[shapeshifter]

4 minutes ago, EtheltoTillie said:

Writing is like breathing for me too in a way, but it still takes too long to edit and write something decent. Hence my many drive-by posts here. So I’d probably also consider it not worth the time. 

I have a friend who has been sucked into taking surveys for medical issues (she’s a doctor). She does not get much for the time spent but she is so manipulated by the system she doesn’t do the math correctly. 

Thanks for the good points. 
I think I'll let it go for now.
About 10 years ago I was apparently one of very few reference and instruction librarians who was able to answer all of the questions to complete a survey from a publisher of academic journals in the field of social sciences, specifically regarding their use in library instruction.
A very esoteric survey! 
Anyhoo, I won an iPad for my efforts to share my very esoteric knowledge, LOL.
Best prize ever.
Well, I also won a pair of sewing scissors in a store drawing about 40 years ago that still work, so maybe 2nd best prize ever. 😉

[Ancaster]

9 hours ago, shapeshifter said:

Thanks for the good points. 
I think I'll let it go for now.
About 10 years ago I was apparently one of very few reference and instruction librarians who was able to answer all of the questions to complete a survey from a publisher of academic journals in the field of social sciences, specifically regarding their use in library instruction.
A very esoteric survey! 
Anyhoo, I won an iPad for my efforts to share my very esoteric knowledge, LOL.
Best prize ever.
Well, I also won a pair of sewing scissors in a store drawing about 40 years ago that still work, so maybe 2nd best prize ever. 😉

Presumably you can try it and quit at any point?  You never know, you might score one of those handy sewing un-pickers to go with your scissors.   😄

 

[shapeshifter]

Just now, Ancaster said:

Presumably you can try it and quit at any point?  You never know, you might score one of those handy sewing un-pickers to go with your scissors.   😄

 

Hah! I still have a seam ripper, although it's a bit dull from all the seams I had to rip out when I'd get distracted and either sew wrong sides together or one right and one wrong side together instead of the correct right sides together. 🙃😊

[Caoimhe]

5 minutes ago, shapeshifter said:

Hah! I still have a seam ripper, although it's a bit dull from all the seams I had to rip out when I'd get distracted and either sew wrong sides together or one right and one wrong side together instead of the correct right sides together. 🙃😊

I have at least five I can think of right now, my favourites are the scalpel-type ones since I can just replace the blades.  I recall reading somewhere that some tailors will use a razor blade to cut stitches, I don’t trust myself that far!

[EtheltoTillie]

I'm scared of those scalpel ones.  I have one like the one pictured above.  I actually have three.

[Caoimhe]

2 minutes ago, EtheltoTillie said:

I'm scared of those scalpel ones.  I have one like the one pictured above.  I actually have three.

If you line them up just right between two pieces of fabric you can run it all the way down the seam and it’s done!  If you line it up wrong you just ruin stuff and I’ve done that too. I have one Havel, one Tula Pink, and one Kai like that plus two Gingher equivalents (that are just NOT sharp enough to skim down a seam). I also have a pair of Superior Snippers that are helpful when I can’t use the scalpel ones.  I somehow managed to lose TWO pairs of those (I no longer allow the trash bin to be within reach of my machine) so I’m on my third pair of those.  Then I have the old-style “normal” seam rippers but I don’t even know where they are.

Obviously my sewing is very far from perfect! 🤣

[Ancaster]

29 minutes ago, Caoimhe said:

 

Obviously my sewing is very far from perfect! 🤣

Obviously a lot better than mine because you have terrifying scalpels and other equipment.  And you may be able to tell my level because I didn't know the proper name for seam stripper.  I have one that I use mainly to take out labels, which irritate me and make me itch.

I can (and do) sew on buttons, so there's that.

Can I just say that I love this thread (pun not intended, but apt) and there are some days when it really keeps my spirits up.  So thank you everyone.

[Dimity]

My high school graduating class is having a big reunion this spring and I just got some links to it.  I was shocked to see how old some of my former classmates look.  Poor things.  I probably won't attend - I'd hate to rub it in that I've remained youthful and fresh faced when they clearly have not.

Of course there is the barest possibility that the mirrors in my house have been lying to me...

[PRgal]

51 minutes ago, Dimity said:

My high school graduating class is having a big reunion this spring and I just got some links to it.  I was shocked to see how old some of my former classmates look.  Poor things.  I probably won't attend - I'd hate to rub it in that I've remained youthful and fresh faced when they clearly have not.

Of course there is the barest possibility that the mirrors in my house have been lying to me...

I went to my 25th a couple of years ago.  Most of us looked our age - 42/43 at the time - but for those of us who were mothers (this is a girls-only school), we seemed to be in varying stages of parenthood.  One gal had her first child young and showed us pictures of her daughter in her prom dress while others had very young children!  My little guy was about to wrap up Junior Kindergarten that year.  He's now in Grade 1.  While there, we saw some women who were attending their 50th and we were all like "will we be like those ladies in 25 years?"  My 30th will be in 2028.  

[fastiller]

Last year I went to my 35th.  I held out on attending reunions until my 30th.  We all look quite well.  We look our age, to be sure, but well.

My Secondary School does these as Old Scholar Weekends, thru the OS Organisation.  Anyone from any year is welcome at all OS weekends, but they really do focus on the fives & tens.  For some reason, my year always has a strong showing.

Joining us for the 2023 OS weekend were a few folks who were 60 years out (Class of '63).  So, they were in their late 80s.
Also notable at the 2023 OS was in the in memoriam section: Sinéad O'Connor, who attended for a brief time in the early-mid '80s.  OS was just a few months after she died, so she was a big presence for the weekend.

These weekends are planned for both days. On the Saturday there's usually some kind of sporting event like the OS field hockey match, followed by dinner at a nearby hotel.  Sunday has additional activities on campus, including a tree planting ceremony, and if you want to, for even more nostalgia: Sunday Dinner in the school dining room.  I did that last bit at the 30th, with about a half dozen of my year. We sat at the same table we did back in 6th Form. Was kinda surreal to be going thru the line, tray in hand, as we did for all those meals: breakfast, dinner, tea; for all those years.
 

[oliviabenson]

Merry Christmas Eve to those who celebrate!

Channuka I think starts tomorrow!

[Absolom]

We're in the throes of Christmas Eve and Hanukkah is already out with at least the "shrub" lit and decorated and some presents are on the table.  My daughter tries to keep each holiday in a separate room and the menorahs won't come out until sundown tomorrow. Meanwhile kids are showering and will soon get to open their "early Christmas present" which as usual is Christmas pajamas.  I bought them last February! 

[Annber03]

Happy holidays to all who are celebrating! Hope you're all having a lovely time. 

And for those who aren't celebrating anything, I hope you're having a good week in general. 

[oliviabenson]

due to family drama I'm home alone and happy. people in my life stink.

[shapeshifter]

1 hour ago, Absolom said:

their "early Christmas present" which as usual is Christmas pajamas.  I bought them last February! 

Perfect!

1 hour ago, oliviabenson said:

due to family drama I'm home alone and happy. people in my life stink.

I'm braving the family gathering bright and early tomorrow.

[Cloud9Shopper]

Does anyone else hate group pictures, or am I alone in that? I understand why they’re so important to people, in a way, but in another I just hate how you can’t not be in them.

I went to church tonight and the choir director is big on group photos. He wants to take one after every special Mass and it grinds my gears. And you are not allowed to say no thank you. One other girl tried to decline and everyone was like no come on you HAVE to! I’m also short so I had to stand in the front row. I wanted to hide in the back but my mom was like oh don’t hide come on! And oh, also, three different people were taking the picture. Meanwhile mostly everyone else in the church had gone home. I hate the badgering, you MUST be in this picture or the world will end and we HAVE to take one because we didn’t do it last year! Did anyone really miss it besides the choir director? (He is one of those people who takes pictures of everything. Many of our event photos are people eating or giving the camera blank/WTF looks because he’s always taking pics.)

I just hate my body right now (lost 50 pounds, gained it all back plus a few) and hate the forced nature of these pictures and how you can’t decline to be in them. And because I’m short I get shoved up front. And I hate them when you just want to go home and put pajamas on. But at the same time, now I feel really guilty for getting upset and letting it ruin my night to the point where I’m sitting here in tears. And I feel bad that I was kinda snippy with my mom when she wanted a picture of us in front of the altar. Maybe I can suggest we try another one in front of the tree at home tomorrow or again after Mass on Sunday (not like they are going to take the decorations down that fast)? No one will know or care if we take it on Sunday instead when there’s not as much pressure. 

 

Edited 17 hours ago by Cloud9Shopper

[Ancaster]

 

2 hours ago, Cloud9Shopper said:

Does anyone else hate group pictures, or am I alone in that? I understand why they’re so important to people, in a way, but in another I just hate how you can’t not be in them.

I went to church tonight and the choir director is big on group photos. He wants to take one after every special Mass and it grinds my gears. And you are not allowed to say no thank you. One other girl tried to decline and everyone was like no come on you HAVE to!

 

Since you know it's going to happen, could you just grab your coat as soon as practice is over and scurry away, calling over your shoulder, "Sorry.  Gotta go.  I'm meeting someone/expecting a phone call/need my ice cream fix," or some such excuse?

[Yeah No]

Happy holidays everyone!

[Cloud9Shopper]

7 hours ago, Ancaster said:

 

Since you know it's going to happen, could you just grab your coat as soon as practice is over and scurry away, calling over your shoulder, "Sorry.  Gotta go.  I'm meeting someone/expecting a phone call/need my ice cream fix," or some such excuse?

I actually did put my coat on after Mass and my mom (who was also singing with the choir) told me “now come on take your coat off!” The other girl who didn’t want to be in the photo also tried standing near the photographers rather than getting in with the group. She wasn’t rude or complaining; she just stood quietly away from the group. And everyone was like come on so and so, get in here! They would not take it without her. 

These people are obsessed with their pictures. No is not an option to them. 

It hasn’t just happened at church either. When I have tried to decline to have my picture taken at family gatherings, I am always told I have to smile and just suck it up and let my dad or uncle or whoever take the picture. Or I get lectured for having an attitude because we have to do a photo with my grandparents who won’t be here much longer.

I will get photos taken other times, but I have to want to be in it or in the right mood. I’ve even thought about buying myself a photo shoot when I feel more confident in my own skin (I want the casual/posed versions of senior pictures I never got to have in high school and have the photoshoot experience.) But I hate the forced you MUST be in this picture and you don’t have a choice because the choir director/Mom or Dad/Grandma/aunt and uncle said so. 

Edited 7 hours ago by Cloud9Shopper

[Browncoat]

Happy Holidays, everyone!

[Ancaster]

5 hours ago, Cloud9Shopper said:

I actually did put my coat on after Mass and my mom (who was also singing with the choir) told me “now come on take your coat off!” The other girl who didn’t want to be in the photo also tried standing near the photographers rather than getting in with the group. She wasn’t rude or complaining; she just stood quietly away from the group. And everyone was like come on so and so, get in here! They would not take it without her. 

These people are obsessed with their pictures. No is not an option to them. 

It hasn’t just happened at church either. When I have tried to decline to have my picture taken at family gatherings, I am always told I have to smile and just suck it up and let my dad or uncle or whoever take the picture. Or I get lectured for having an attitude because we have to do a photo with my grandparents who won’t be here much longer.

I will get photos taken other times, but I have to want to be in it or in the right mood. I’ve even thought about buying myself a photo shoot when I feel more confident in my own skin (I want the casual/posed versions of senior pictures I never got to have in high school and have the photoshoot experience.) But I hate the forced you MUST be in this picture and you don’t have a choice because the choir director/Mom or Dad/Grandma/aunt and uncle said so. 

Maybe just tell your mom, "I'll wait for you in the car" and leave?  Perhaps that small act of standing up for yourself like that will help with your self-confidence?  Please stop letting people push you around; you don't deserve that.

You say, "No" is not an option for your family members.  How about, "Yes" is not an option for you?  It seems you have two options - you know what they want and if you want to keep the peace, suck it up and get in the picture without comment, or, stand your ground and leave the room.

You do have a choice.

PS:  If you want me to stop with the advice from an internet stranger, just let me know.  I do just want the best for you.

Edited 2 hours ago by Ancaster