ahatlikethat's recent activity
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Comment on What's an underrated, cancelled, or largely forgotten show that you really love? in ~tv
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Comment on What's an underrated, cancelled, or largely forgotten show that you really love? in ~tv
ahatlikethat Link[The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adventures_of_Brisco_County,_Jr.) Campy steampunk-western with some sci-fi and a bit of horror. The humor really hasn't...[The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adventures_of_Brisco_County,_Jr.) Campy steampunk-western with some sci-fi and a bit of horror. The humor really hasn't gotten old, and it's just fun. Great when you are in a crappy mood. Kinda hard to find streaming for free these days, but there are also cheap dvds floating around if you look.
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Comment on Your favorite low budget indie flicks in ~movies
ahatlikethat LinkRobert Rodriguez made El Mariachi (the predecessor of Desperado, which was essentially a high-budget remake) for only $7000 in 1992. Personally I think the original is way more fun than the remake.Robert Rodriguez made El Mariachi (the predecessor of Desperado, which was essentially a high-budget remake) for only $7000 in 1992. Personally I think the original is way more fun than the remake.
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Comment on ONLY in JAPAN - Japanese roads engineered to play music | Melody Road experience in ~music
ahatlikethat LinkWe used to have one of these in [New Mexico] (https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/musical-highway)-- unfortunately is is not being preserved, and only partially functional. I thought it was a nice...We used to have one of these in [New Mexico] (https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/musical-highway)-- unfortunately is is not being preserved, and only partially functional. I thought it was a nice was to encourage people to drive the speed limit.
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Comment on What is something you have changed your mind about in the last year? in ~talk
ahatlikethat (edited )LinkIts a small thing, but with a big payoff for me. I grew up where mulberries grew like weeds, and I never really liked them. 20-so years ago, we bought a place with a bunch of mature mulberry...Its a small thing, but with a big payoff for me. I grew up where mulberries grew like weeds, and I never really liked them. 20-so years ago, we bought a place with a bunch of mature mulberry trees. I tasted one, meh, Just like I remembered from chlldhood--bland, slightly sweet and with a weird aftertaste. We kept them for the birds and the shade and the privacy screen, but I ignored them for decades. Last year in the late summer, for no reason I can recall, I tried another one. It was amazing! Sweet, tart, kind of blackberry-purple-grapey. Turns out there is a wide flavor spectrum depending on the tree. Alas because it was the end of the season I didnt get many. This year I go out every morning and pick a couple pints. I should get 6 weeks worth with plenty in the freezer. I've also made mulberry-rhubarb pie and mulberry-peach crisp. My partner laughs at me because I come in all stained purple every morning. It is totally worth it. The only thing I can compare it to is he revelation of eating my first mango-- for some reason my parents and grandparents believed mangoes could be deathly poison to children, so I was an adult before trying one.
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Comment on I don't think time helps in ~talk
ahatlikethat LinkWhen I was in my twenties, I was depressed and suicidal. I thought I had ruined my life, that there was no way forward. I had a therapist who was frustrated with me. I was trying so hard to get...When I was in my twenties, I was depressed and suicidal. I thought I had ruined my life, that there was no way forward. I had a therapist who was frustrated with me. I was trying so hard to get better. My therapist gave me an ultimatum and I broke it. Then, the week before the final appointment, I was sexually assaulted. I didn't tell her. My partner at the time was very callous and selfish in response to my reaction to the trauma. So I was pretty well hanging by a thread.
Two seemingly small things, I think, saved me.
First, I had the same thought as you--what if this is the rest of my life, what if I never get better? I believed I never would. I started trying to accept myself where I was.
I started being a little nicer to myself, gentler. I tried to to what I could and let that be ok.Second, one day a little neighborhood girl appeared at my door, sobbing, She had a tiny kitten she found on the ditch bank. Her parents said she couldn't keep it and she should put it back where she found it. I promised her I would find it a good home. Of course I fell in love with it and I promised that kitten I would take care of it. At the moment I said it I didn't really think about the consequences, butI have a thing about honesty and keeping my word. As time went on I realized I couldn't kill myself and also care for that cat. I started making little changes in my life for her, making sure I had the resources to keep her well fed, in a safe home, a little savings for her medical care, etc. The promise to that cat gave me a window of time to start reclaiming myself and building a life I wanted to stay in.
Between the changes in how I engaged with myself and the changes I made for the cat, the depression faded, Not entirely, but bad stretches lasted days or weeks instead of months and years. On the worst o days over the next 19 years when I thought I wanted to die I knew I couldn't. For her. By the time she died, I had built a much better life and I knew how to get myself through the rough patches.
I'm not saying get a cat. I just really feel like as bad as things can be, having someone or something that you can help, nurture, protect, even a plant, or some kind of art, can be an anchor to remind you that you are not just here for yourself when yourself doesn't feel like enough.
It has been 30 years or so now. I wouldn't say I am cured but I would say I am much much better at living and not letting a bad day overtake me. I believe I am stronger, kinder, humbler and much happier because of depression being part of my life's experience. I know bipolar is different but I believe you may find yourself in a similar place in 30 years. It may not seem like it now, but to me it looks like you are headed it the right direction.
I don't know if any of what I wrote is helpful, but please know I am rooting for you.
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Comment on What everyday foods are 10/10? in ~food
ahatlikethat LinkLiterally any food handed to me with love when I'm having a really bad day. After that, any food I grow myself. Right now I have little tomatoes on a plan I grew as a cutting from last summer's...- Exemplary
Literally any food handed to me with love when I'm having a really bad day.
After that, any food I grow myself. Right now I have little tomatoes on a plan I grew as a cutting from last summer's tomato plant and have managed to keep going through the winter. -
Comment on Weekly coronavirus-related chat, questions, and minor updates - week of February 14 in ~health.coronavirus
ahatlikethat Link ParentI am grateful for your comment and I am so sorry you are going through this, too.I am grateful for your comment and I am so sorry you are going through this, too.
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Comment on Weekly coronavirus-related chat, questions, and minor updates - week of February 14 in ~health.coronavirus
ahatlikethat Link ParentI am traditionally immuno-compromised. My mother-in-law sent this article to my partner--the first time she has really acknowledged the difficulties we are facing in this super crappy situation....I am traditionally immuno-compromised. My mother-in-law sent this article to my partner--the first time she has really acknowledged the difficulties we are facing in this super crappy situation. Mostly she has acted like my isolation was an excuse to not give her attention. So thanks, Ed Young.
I have basically been in house arrest since the day Covid appeared in my state. I haven't been in a store, or attended any social gatherings in two years. I was already disabled and pretty limited. At the beginning of this I was my mothers sole caretaker as she died of cancer. (we had some help before covid but it wasn't safe to keep them.) We still haven't had any kind of memorial service and her ashes are sitting in my house. My partner is a teacher and it was nice when everything was distance learning but this year that changed and we have split up the house to be a functional duplex. We only see each other outside and masked.
Just when it seemed like we might be able to rejoin our households omicron showed up. Now our state has abandoned all of the safety protocols. I am supposed to be on one of those medications that basically renders the vaccines worthless-- I stopped it for my booster, and I'm now trying to decide if it would be better to risk exacerbation of my disease and maybe spend some time with my family or get back on it, stay isolated or risk pretty certain death if I get infected. I know I'm luckier than someone in my position who is forced to work, because I'd probably already be dead.
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Comment on Brian David Gilbert & Louie Zong - Breezy Slide (2022) in ~music
ahatlikethat LinkThis isn't my type of music but I was having a really crappy morning and this made me smile in spite of myself. Thanks for posting it.This isn't my type of music but I was having a really crappy morning and this made me smile in spite of myself. Thanks for posting it.
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Comment on You should listen to CDs in ~music
ahatlikethat Link ParentI do the same. I come from the age before streaming and I like to know the music I love is "mine," not dependent on some music publisher's whim or streaming giant's contract. Also I've bought CDs...I do the same. I come from the age before streaming and I like to know the music I love is "mine," not dependent on some music publisher's whim or streaming giant's contract. Also I've bought CDs from self-published musicians, where the money really does go to the people making it.
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Comment on Hi, how are you? Mental health support and discussion thread (February 2022) in ~talk
ahatlikethat Link ParentThank you everyone, I appreciate your insights.Thank you everyone, I appreciate your insights.
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Comment on Furries are leading the war against a book-banning Mississippi Mayor in ~books
ahatlikethat LinkKelsey McKinney has a really nice op-ed on book burning in The Defector, (https://defector.com/to-stop-the-creeping-liberalism-of-books-you-must-destroy-the-cloud/) It may be a relevant...Kelsey McKinney has a really nice op-ed on book burning in The Defector, (https://defector.com/to-stop-the-creeping-liberalism-of-books-you-must-destroy-the-cloud/) It may be a relevant sister-article on this topic.
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Comment on Hi, how are you? Mental health support and discussion thread (February 2022) in ~talk
ahatlikethat LinkI have a meta question about this topic: What do the people posting here want from the people reading? After reading all of this a feel very much like I'd like to offer some sort of support but in...I have a meta question about this topic: What do the people posting here want from the people reading? After reading all of this a feel very much like I'd like to offer some sort of support but in most cases I have nothing really useful or specific to provide (except to moocow and the cat-- I've been there and I really hope for the best for you both.)
When I see all of these posts without any responses, I wonder if that feel ok to the posters, if the upvotes are enough of a recognition or if you would rather have something else, even if its just a post that someone hears you and wishes you well.
I'm new here, just hoping for some guidance. And I do wish you all well.
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Comment on Teachers are leaving and few people want to join the field. Experts are sounding the alarm in ~life
ahatlikethat Link ParentI don't know where you are, but in Texas and New Mexico, if you have a BA already you just need to pick up the education classes, about a year's worth. Your previous classes can help with the...I don't know where you are, but in Texas and New Mexico, if you have a BA already you just need to pick up the education classes, about a year's worth. Your previous classes can help with the subjects that the state accredits you to teach. There are hoops, but they are pretty easy to navigate. There are also often programs to get business people, people finished with other careers, etc. into teaching. Of course every state is different but if you want to do it the kids definitely need you, and it may be easier than you think,
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Comment on What are your favorite Linux distributions to use for gaming and as a daily driver, and why? in ~comp
ahatlikethat LinkI second Manjaro. I would argue that the most important factor is the support community, especially if you are kinda new. Manjaro has a great, very helpful, positive, well-moderated forum. I...I second Manjaro. I would argue that the most important factor is the support community, especially if you are kinda new. Manjaro has a great, very helpful, positive, well-moderated forum. I started there as a newbie 4 or so years ago and I would really hate to ever have to leave.
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Comment on What have you been eating, drinking, and cooking? in ~food
ahatlikethat Link ParentThe last time I made naan I used this recipe (https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/easy-naan-bread), it doesn't use yeast but still tastes amazing. Also, I think you might have more success using a...The last time I made naan I used this recipe (https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/easy-naan-bread), it doesn't use yeast but still tastes amazing.
Also, I think you might have more success using a cast iron pan (like a comal) instead of the oven.
One thing that I have learned with all flatbreads is they work much better on a super hot, ungreased but well seasoned cast iron pan. I usually preheat mine for at least 5 min on high heat before turning down just a bit, If the dough sticks your pan isn't hot enough,
[The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adventures_of_Brisco_County,_Jr. ).
Bruce Campbell's campy steam-punk western with some sci-fi and a bit of horror. The humor still works for me and its great to watch when I am in a crappy mood. It's just fun. (sorry, cant get the link formatting to work)