I was always under the impression we’d go nomadic if things got bad, traveling to where it is habitatable year round and food is more available. I’m keeping myself mentally and physically healthy enough to walk long distances while not being picky about what I eat or where I sleep. I find the whole concept of hunkering down indefinitely is itself untenable.

I had a clear childhood memory of when gravity temporarily vanished and we all had to duck and cover under our desks. Years later I learned how gravity worked. A few years after that I realized my memory was impossible though it felt very real. This may be the root of my trust issues…

The Broken Earth series, Enders game series (the first 5 books about Ender), American Gods, An Absolutely Remarkable Thing and the follow up A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor, The Kingkiller Chronicle (we’ve been waiting 10+ yrs for the final book 3, some folks are pretty irked atp, but it will be ok). If you want YA beach reading, anything by Seanan McGuire / Mira Grant for easy fun books about fairies, cryptids, and zombies.

My unasked for opinion on the word “normies” - there are some real weirdies out there that got wires crossed and they sure don’t revel in their undesired uniqueness. People who can’t sleep for more than 5 minutes spans (she exists), folks sexually attracted to shoe horns, bros who can’t feel pain and burn their hands touching the stove. Be happy most everything ended up where it should and working reasonably well - it’s not a badge of honor to be an anamoulos fringe anything. I imagine it is painful and assume very lonely. Also there is nothing more fucking pedestrian than feeling uniquely misunderstood and alone. THAT is some normie shit.

Thank you, I feel very good about my chances this go around. I’m sober because I’m a better person when I don’t drink. Up until now, I also very purposefully surrounded myself with high risk drinkers, so I knew I would not have any friends going on this journey with me.

Drinking, finally for good I hope! I’m 3.8 years in. I first blacked out at 12 and was drinking liquor regularly by 14 so booze was my way of life. I can’t socialize very well as I am naturally super awkward then never honed my “don’t be super weird” skills, but I’m finally free to live my life how I want!

If everyday anomalies and unanswered questions don’t drive you a little batty, your willful ignorance will start to become annoying.

Ooh what about pretopia and it can go either way? Regardless I hear you.

YES THIS! I’ve been saying over and over since 2016 - I read almost exclusively dystopic sci-fi and many books have a point where the reader thinks “run this is getting too bad it is the time to go”. I’m thinking specifically when June has no money in her bank account (yes it’s a tinge too late even then). So I’ve been trying to figure out when that point in our story will be and last year decided it is id Trump is elected again. We are a lost country and evil has won at that point.

When my angel of a tee totaling mother who would cry from the stress of working unpaid OT, making every family member custom holiday sweatshirts, or hosting other little girl’s birthday parties at their lazy mother’s request, died rather quickly from a brain tumor after her quack therapist ignored her months of aphasia. Selflessness guarantees nothing.

Those cringe attacks are so real! But very true, if we are so so mindful of our interactions we can’t come off as bad as imagined…

Thank you for your kind words. Logically I know I am not awful as I have friends and try to act with kindness every day. But when you seem to be the common denominator it can be hard not to think you are the reason. I’ve read you aren’t supposed to talk about yourself a lot, that it can be off putting. I try to use approachable body language, actively listen, remember when someone tells me things about themselves, but I am so in my head with social interactions I know I am coming off real weird, like I was raised in a cave. It’ll be ok ; I can always get more dogs to hang out with.

So you’re saying Israelis protesting the genocide won’t be called antisemitic while non Israelis still may and those doing the name calling don’t realize their hypocrisy? Just trying to understand.

I’m really struggling with this right now. I’ve joined to some new interest groups, but everyone including myself, seems so guarded, every time I leave feeling like I’ve failed a barrage of social aptitude tests. I feel like so many adults have baggage that by 40 they’re spring loaded to overreact and overthink, they come across as unapproachable. Or maybe I’m awful, which is what keeps kicking around in my head.

I am curious to witness the mental gymnatics necessary to call these Israelis antisemitic…what absolute nonsense will need to be implemented this round?

This is why, at the ripe old age of mid-thirties, I just drive with one finger on the scan radio button and stop when I hear a song I like. About a year ago we purchased our first car with a touch screen and I will not adapt.

Thank you for explaining myself to me. I have never been more ecstatic to be a woman than after hearing this enlightened kind sentiment.

Friend I don’t want to be raped to death in a 2025 US concentration camp so I’m voting for Joe. I’m sorry this is what it’s come down to for many of us.