ahatlikethat's recent activity
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Comment on How did you learn to read? in ~humanities.languages
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Comment on What quotes inspire you? in ~talk
ahatlikethat LinkI framed a greeting card that I keep by the bathroom mirror: "It'll all be OK in the end. If it's not OK, it's not the end" (there is no attribution) This doesn't inspire me the way you might...I framed a greeting card that I keep by the bathroom mirror:
"It'll all be OK in the end.
If it's not OK, it's not the end"
(there is no attribution)This doesn't inspire me the way you might imagine.
It reminds me of an episode of The Walking Dead, when Carol, who believes she is dying, is lying on the road, laughing. Because she cannot be threatened or hurt any more and all of her burdens are lifted. (She didn't actually die then, but...)
The quote reminds me that in the end, I will have to let go of everything. Everything. And that will be OK. I find that comforting.
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Comment on Who are your favorite actors? in ~movies
ahatlikethat Link ParentI love him in everything, but I always think of him as Boggs from one of my favorite X-files episodesI love him in everything, but I always think of him as Boggs from one of my favorite X-files episodes
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Comment on Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.: Texas measles outbreak is call to action for all of us. MMR vaccine is crucial to avoiding potentially deadly disease. in ~health
ahatlikethat LinkReally glad to see this, regardless of his motivations. I read this article yesterday--https://asm.org/Articles/2019/May/Measles-and-Immune-Amnesia. I knew measles was bad, but I did not know how...Really glad to see this, regardless of his motivations. I read this article yesterday--https://asm.org/Articles/2019/May/Measles-and-Immune-Amnesia. I knew measles was bad, but I did not know how huge and long-lasting the effects of measles were for survivors and the surrounding community.
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Comment on Beekeepers say catastrophic honeybee losses are cause for alarm in ~enviro
ahatlikethat Link ParentI live in the rural high desert southwest. I believe that honeybees here aren't native, but there are a lot of commercial honeybees around here still. We also have a wide variety of native bees--I...I live in the rural high desert southwest. I believe that honeybees here aren't native, but there are a lot of commercial honeybees around here still. We also have a wide variety of native bees--I think in part they like my yard because we have a lot of native plants (so does my next door neighbor who farms organically.)
One thing I have noticed is that bees are more likely to swamp my hummingbird feeders and the water in my birdbaths--I think in part because there has been a drought here for a while. Another thing I have noticed is that the native bumblebees are getting more aggressive and territorial. No idea what that means.
Other than that, I worry about the lack of butterflies and especially moths. Thirty years ago they were everywhere all summer. Last year I saw maybe a dozen butterfies, despite having an inviting yard. Moths are harder to count but definitely going out at night they are harder to find. I worry about the birds and lizards, and even other insects like praying mantids that depend on the moths and butterflies for food.
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Comment on Who are your favorite actors? in ~movies
ahatlikethat Link ParentWalton Goggins is amazing. I'd watch anything with him in it. Brad Dourif is another character actor who deserves a lot more credit, I think.Walton Goggins is amazing. I'd watch anything with him in it.
Brad Dourif is another character actor who deserves a lot more credit, I think. -
Comment on A baseball discussion thread, 2025 spring training edition in ~sports.baseball
ahatlikethat Link ParentAbsolutely agree with you! I get really invested in players, which is why even though I'm mostly a Dodgers/Mets fan, I follow a bunch more teams to keep an eye on some of my favorite players. Also...It's better to have a team you can root for day in and day out than winning random championships
Absolutely agree with you! I get really invested in players, which is why even though I'm mostly a Dodgers/Mets fan, I follow a bunch more teams to keep an eye on some of my favorite players. Also I've always kinda loved the Mets for keeping Wilmer Flores. https://www.mlb.com/news/featured/wilmer-flores-changed-baseball-history-by-crying
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Comment on A baseball discussion thread, 2025 spring training edition in ~sports.baseball
ahatlikethat Link ParentI became a Mets fan because their announcers are the best in baseball. Even when the team is painful to watch, the announcers make it a great experience.I became a Mets fan because their announcers are the best in baseball. Even when the team is painful to watch, the announcers make it a great experience.
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Comment on A baseball discussion thread, 2025 spring training edition in ~sports.baseball
ahatlikethat LinkI love baseball with my whole heart. I will watch any game with joy-- from a middle school practice to winter ball to the World Series even if I don't love the teams. Actually I think lower level...I love baseball with my whole heart. I will watch any game with joy-- from a middle school practice to winter ball to the World Series even if I don't love the teams. Actually I think lower level games are more fun. Before covid and my autoimmune crap we would go to our local AAA games all the time. I love the slowness everyone complains about, that you can enjoy the game and the people you are with at the same time.
I fell in love with the Astros as a kid in the 70's, sitting in a hospital waiting room as my sister fortunately did not die from an asthma attack. Those 70's jerseys were the most beautiful thing, to my preadolescent mind. I'm glad to say my sense of style has improved, but the baseball stuck. I was devoted to the Astros through all their crummy years until they broke my heart by winning. Cheating cheaters. It still hurts.
I love the Mets because of their announcers. I love the Dodgers because when I moved to this state, the AAA team was a Dodgers farm team, so we saw our kids here grow up to become Dodgers.. And everyone here is a Dodgers fan. I love the Orioles cbeause that's where I grew up, and the Nats because my mom loved them.
My mom was also a big baseball fan. She loved to tell the story of her mom getting her in to meet Mickey Mantle. She adopted the Nats and was able to see them win the World Series before she died. She was in a lot of pain at the end, but baseball was a constant, dependable joy. She would watch the games over and over, talk about the players like they were her nephews. I am so grateful to the game for giving her that respite.
Every year, my partner and I predict who we think will go to the world series. We have 20 years of predictions on this ratty old piece of paper stuck to the fridge. Winner gets noting but the warm feeling of being right. Usually at least one of our teams makes the post season at least, but each of us has only actually won a handful of times. Last year I won with the Dodgers. This year I think I may just go with my heart and pick the Mets, even though I'm sure they will be the Mets this year, like every other.
Play ball!
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Comment on Grammar errors that actually matter, or: the thread where we all become prescriptivists in ~humanities.languages
ahatlikethat Link ParentWell, a linguist's job is to study the language, not police it. A grammarian, on the other hand, would likely take issue with this...kinda the point, and why no one likes the grammar police.Well, a linguist's job is to study the language, not police it. A grammarian, on the other hand, would likely take issue with this...kinda the point, and why no one likes the grammar police.
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Comment on Grammar errors that actually matter, or: the thread where we all become prescriptivists in ~humanities.languages
ahatlikethat LinkSo long as were are all being prescriptivists on this thread, I feel compelled to point out that the examples discussed here are largely usage rather than grammar ;-) --See...So long as were are all being prescriptivists on this thread, I feel compelled to point out that the examples discussed here are largely usage rather than grammar ;-)
--See https://www.merriam-webster.com/grammar/is-it-grammar-or-usage -
Comment on Looking for a new mouse (maybe) in ~tech
ahatlikethat Link ParentEdited because I totally screwed up. I have the MX Master ERGO. Derr, sorry. I use it with Solaar on linux. I have joint issues and this mouse is by far the most comfortable I've tried. Another...Edited because I totally screwed up. I have the MX Master ERGO. Derr, sorry. I use it with Solaar on linux. I have joint issues and this mouse is by far the most comfortable I've tried. Another bonus is you can use it anywhere, you don't need a flat desk or extra space to move it around. I put it on the arm or my chair or my lap most of the time so I can kick my feet up and lean back.
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Comment on Besides Shawshank Redemption, what films do you like that feature grit, resilience, endurance under hostile circumstances? in ~movies
ahatlikethat LinkLife is Beautiful The Color Purple Smoke Signals Rabbit-Proof Fence -
Comment on Hi, how are you? Mental health support and discussion thread (January 2025) in ~health.mental
ahatlikethat Link ParentHaving been suicidally depressed myself, I would like to suggest: what can you do, before you go, naturally or otherwise, to make the most positive difference in the life of any living creature?...Having been suicidally depressed myself, I would like to suggest: what can you do, before you go, naturally or otherwise, to make the most positive difference in the life of any living creature? Maybe the world is going to shit, but while it is still here, and you are, what can you relieve another creature's suffering? I'm still here because a little girl brought an abandoned kitten to my door. Since then, I know if I had gone through with it, the lives of several people (some I hadn't even met at that time) would have been considerably worse. It's hard to see when you are feeling so bad. Please reach out to whoever you can find to help you. Every one of us matters.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
ahatlikethat LinkI started playing DA Veilguard. I had been playing Cyberpunk 2077 for about a year, restarted several times and never got to Act 3. I ended up with a heavily modded game and I relaly enjoy almost...I started playing DA Veilguard. I had been playing Cyberpunk 2077 for about a year, restarted several times and never got to Act 3. I ended up with a heavily modded game and I relaly enjoy almost everything about it, but I have some personal life events that make impending doom seem like not so much fun. I know I will go back to it, but I really needed a break.
I've played all the Dragon Age Games, and while I find them pretty inferior to any of the CDProjekt games, I've been entertained enough. I know most people we unthrilled with DA Inquisition, but I really enjoyed the characters and the story, though there were too many long stretches of boring and fetch quests. I find the pacing in Veilguard much better, but the characters more generic so far, anyway. It is nice to hear some of my old favorite actors (Claudia Black, Michelle Gomez especially) and the female protagonist voice actor is quite good, I think. Some of the other actors seemed really not so good, at least at the beginning, but either they have improved or I've just gotten used to it. The story is not so interesting, at least yet, but it is mostly not annoying and entertaining enough. I feel like it is impossible to forget for a moment that it is a game, which was also a problem I had with Balder's Gate 3. I like to be able to lose myself in the story and scenery more. Overall I'd give it a B. Glad I got it on sale.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
ahatlikethat Link ParentThats good to hear, I bought it a while back, but some random post somewhere made me think it was a mistake. Your post makes it sound right up my alley. Gonna put it first in cue for once I finish...Thats good to hear, I bought it a while back, but some random post somewhere made me think it was a mistake. Your post makes it sound right up my alley. Gonna put it first in cue for once I finish DA Veilguard.
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Comment on Proton CEO tweets support for Donald Trump's Department of Justice pick and the US Republican Party in ~society
ahatlikethat LinkI feel like it is impossible and fruitless at this point to "vote with your wallet." Allmost every area of commerce is currently monopolized or dominated by a very few massive companies. The...I feel like it is impossible and fruitless at this point to "vote with your wallet."
Allmost every area of commerce is currently monopolized or dominated by a very few massive companies. The owners/CEO/board members are all extremely wealthy (mostly white, male) people who have no interest in the common good. Of course they are going to support political parties that cater to the wealthy at the expense of the rest of us.The fact that the proton guy kept his opinions quiet until recently does not mean that his company was better before, just that he was better at PR.
In my personal situation (rural US, disabled,mostly homebound) I am limited to extremely distasteful companies for almost everything. Locally for groceries, there is only Walmart or Albertsons. Hardware? Home Depot or Tractor Supply. My partner's rx insurance forces us to use Walgreens (or we could go without). I use Amazon to get things delivered. I used to try to find things at small businesses that deliver, but whereas that was difficult but possible 15 years ago, most of that has gone.
I use Protonmail. It works pretty well though I have had bad experiences with their customer service. I'd be happy to switch if there were a real alternative, but at this point I don't think I would switch believing that the new company was any better morally or politically. Its pretty disheartening.
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Comment on Activities to do out of the house with an elderly relative? in ~life
ahatlikethat Link ParentI don't know how to reply to the person who gave this an exemplary tag. It's my first! Thanks for that!I don't know how to reply to the person who gave this an exemplary tag. It's my first! Thanks for that!
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Comment on Activities to do out of the house with an elderly relative? in ~life
ahatlikethat LinkI have been a caretaker for my elderly mom and a devoted niece to an elderly aunt. Their response to your plans would have been wildly different. I would recommend to not spring a surprise on your...- Exemplary
I have been a caretaker for my elderly mom and a devoted niece to an elderly aunt. Their response to your plans would have been wildly different.
I would recommend to not spring a surprise on your relative. Older people deal with a lot of loss of autonomy and personal control. Even the best-intentioned plan may make her feel like she's being forced to do something unless you have her buy-in from the beginning.
Also, instead of doing a big thing, maybe consider something super small and low-key. Is there a shop she likes but doesn't get to these days? Is there a nice walk you could take around her neighborhood or nearby? If the small thing goes well, she may feel more positive about something bigger, and the small thing will give you an opportunity to gauge what she may need to be successful in a larger trip. (like how important is it that she has bathroom access, or how well can she get in and out of your car, for example.) You don't mention if this is a one time thing, like if your are visiting from out of state, or you expect to be able to do this more than once. Either way, a successful small outing will promote better shared memories than trying to push for something big that may be more than she can really handle--unless the big thing is her idea.
In my mom's case, even small trips were exhausting and stressful. and she was happier to have the world come to her and spend time in her yard. In my aunt's case, she really wanted to go do things, but had limitations we had to find ways to work with.
I think it's awesome that you are wanting to share your time and help your relative enjoy herself. I hope it ends up being an excellent day that lives in both of your memories.
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Comment on The Walmart effect in ~finance
ahatlikethat Link ParentHere are a couple companion pieces that add more support and data to the Atlantic piece: https://www.salon.com/2024/03/27/hidden-costs-public-burden-the-real-toll-of-walmarts-always-low-prices/...Here are a couple companion pieces that add more support and data to the Atlantic piece:
This article brings up some more points about how Walmart devastates communities:
For example, as Walmart expanded its traditional stores into Supercenters, it would often construct a new, larger building nearby instead of simply adding on to the existing one. Those old stores frequently sat empty or underused, just like the original Walmart in Rogers. That may be why Walmart openings have been linked to declines in nearby home values.
Walmart and other major retailers have made the situation even worse by including restrictive covenants in the deeds of old buildings, which prevent other retailers from using the space for competitive purposes. These provisions perpetuate food deserts and tie the hands of communities struggling to figure out what to do with these ghost buildings. After all, it’s not easy to find a use for an old Walmart that doesn’t involve grocery or retail. One former Walmart Supercenter in Brownsville, Texas, became the center of a national debate when it was bought by a firm detaining migrant children.
Limiting competition is apparently not enough for Walmart. The company understands what happens to communities when its stores are abandoned, and it uses this knowledge to leverage a tax break. The company often engages in what is known as the “dark stores” loophole, a tax dodge that lets it evade millions in property taxes by valuing its stores as if they were closed.
There's a lot more to this article, it's a really good companion piece, I think.
Also:
https://jacobin.com/2024/05/walmart-living-wage-medicaid-snapObviously left-leaning, but talks about how Walmart leverages taxpayers money so that we are all subsidizing their inadequate worker's wages and benefits.
In 2023, the chain increased the minimum wage for roughly 340,000 of its hourly workers in the United States by as much as $2 an hour in some stores, to $17.50 — leaving its rates behind its competitors, including Costco and Target — with its overall range from $14–19 per hour depending on location. That’s a pittance.
The living wage in the United States — the income level at which a family can afford the basics — hit $25.02 an hour in 2024.
and:
70 percent of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid users in their study were full-time workers, with 90 percent of them in the private sector. A significant number of them worked in restaurants and department or grocery stores.
Surprise, surprise — Walmart ranked among the top four employers whose workers relied on Medicaid and SNAP. As Eli Rosenberg broke down in the Washington Post, in nine states alone, Walmart had 14,500 employees on SNAP and 10,350 on Medicaid. Other top offenders included McDonalds, Dollar Tree, Amazon, Burger King, and FedEx.
My mother read to us, probably not daily because she was never very methodical. I had an older sibling who I was obsessed with being as good as in everything, so I was determined to read and write at an early age. (I do remember this, I have strong memories going as young as age 2.)
When I was 4, my mother subscribed to a service that sent Dr. Seuss books at some interval (probably more often than monthly but I don't remember.) I do remember impatiently waiting for each book to arrive, opening it and figuring it out for myself. I was able to do this for every book except "To Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street," which had a word that I could not figure out on my own and drove me nuts. My mother used to say my first word was "I do it by myself!" and true to that I never did ask for help. I do remember going back to it some time later and realizing it was all easy to me and feeling accomplished.
I am not sure exactly how I figured all those books out on my own, but I think the order they were sent was deliberate, to build on previously acquired vocabulary, and of course they have a lot of pictorial support. Also, I was watching Sesame Street and The Electric company. And even though my mother probably didn't read to us every night, she absolutely loved books, and that was no doubt contagious. We had all kinds of cool books on science and history that I would look at the pictures of long before I could actually read them.