ahatlikethat's recent activity

  1. Comment on Clark Olofsson, one of the two charismatic Swedish criminals involved in the kidnapping that gave the world the term "Stockholm syndrome", has died aged 78 in ~news

    ahatlikethat
    Link Parent
    Agreed. I read an article somewhere a while back that touched on this bit in the Wikipedia article: The hostages were clearly behaving rationally to save their own lives, having been discarded by...

    Agreed. I read an article somewhere a while back that touched on this bit in the Wikipedia article:

    In particular, Hill's analysis revealed that Stockholm authorities – under direct guidance from Bejerot – responded to the robbery in a way that put the hostages at greater risk from the police than from their captors (hostage Kristin Enmark, who during the siege was granted a telephone call with Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme, reported that Palme told her that the government would not negotiate with criminals, and that "you will have to content yourself that you will have died at your post"); as well, she observed that not only was Bejerot's diagnosis of Enmark made without ever having spoken to her, it was in direct response to her public criticism of his actions during the siege.

    The hostages were clearly behaving rationally to save their own lives, having been discarded by the government.

    13 votes

  2. Comment on Repairing an LG OLED TV and alternative courses of action in ~tech

    ahatlikethat
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    I'm not much of an electronics tinkerer, but we do have an old LG (older than yours by a few years). It have some settings for power saving-- you can choose to leave it on standby or power off...

    I'm not much of an electronics tinkerer, but we do have an old LG (older than yours by a few years). It have some settings for power saving-- you can choose to leave it on standby or power off completely whenever you use the ON/OFF button. Just wondering if playing around with those settings might let you sidestep the problem.

    1 vote

  3. Comment on ‘Doctor Who’ ratings dive, supercharging uncertainty about future of sci-fi series in ~tv

    ahatlikethat
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    I love Doctor Who. I also absolutely adore Ncuti Gatwa. I have not watched a single episode of Gatwa's Doctor because in the US I'd have to pay for Disney+ to see him, which is just too expensive...

    I love Doctor Who. I also absolutely adore Ncuti Gatwa. I have not watched a single episode of Gatwa's Doctor because in the US I'd have to pay for Disney+ to see him, which is just too expensive for me.

    I feel like the effect of restrictions of the new (c.2022, I think) streaming contract on viewership is more significant than you see in articles about the show's popularity.

    9 votes

  4. Comment on Eurovision 2025: Austria's JJ wins with "Wasted Love" in ~music

    ahatlikethat
    Link Parent
    Totally agree--this was the only song I'd actually choose to listen to. I was really surprised it made it to the final. I did think JJ deserved to win based solely on his vocals, though. Really a...

    Totally agree--this was the only song I'd actually choose to listen to. I was really surprised it made it to the final. I did think JJ deserved to win based solely on his vocals, though. Really a unique talent. As a classically trained coloratura, I was astonished that he nearly had my range--very unusual for countertenors (most of whom are in the alto range). I thought the song itself was mediocre, though pleasantly reminiscent of the opera singer scene in the Fifth Element.
    Katarsis was just not pop enough for the contest's culture, I think. I do hope the participation and publicity helps them continue and develop their art.

    1 vote

  5. Comment on Tips for starting a garden? in ~hobbies

    ahatlikethat
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    I live where >100F temperatures in the summer are common. I find my chile peppers do better with afternoon shade, so I'd suggest putting the basil out with the tomatoes and the chiles on the porch...

    I live where >100F temperatures in the summer are common. I find my chile peppers do better with afternoon shade, so I'd suggest putting the basil out with the tomatoes and the chiles on the porch where the get some sun but are shaded from the strongest rays in the afternoon.

  6. Comment on Hi, how are you? Mental health support and discussion thread (May 2025) in ~health.mental

    ahatlikethat
    Link Parent
    Sorry to have not answered. Turned out that my mom's cat (which I inherited) died on the 5 year anniversary of my mom's death. She was 21 but honestly it seemed like she was gonna outlive us all....

    Sorry to have not answered. Turned out that my mom's cat (which I inherited) died on the 5 year anniversary of my mom's death. She was 21 but honestly it seemed like she was gonna outlive us all. She was also the 3rd of my old cats to die in a month-long stretch (all old, but each unexpected and awful) it really knocked me over and I'm still grieving them all.

    Caring mom's cat was the last thing I could do for her, and that loss has really illuminated the finality of my mom's passing.

    To answer your question--My mom was an enigma to me and so she will remain, I guess. She hid herself for her own protection and became what she thought people wanted her to be. Only rarely, and and near the end, did I get any real sense of her. During the last few months she had periods of compete memory loss that lasted for days. During those times she became like a child--incredibly sweet, simple, curious--I think it was the bare essence of who she was. I feel grateful that I was able to see that.

    How are you doing?

    1 vote

  7. Comment on Hi, how are you? Mental health support and discussion thread (May 2025) in ~health.mental

    ahatlikethat
    Link Parent
    I feel for you. My mom died 5 years ago tomorrow, and I'm still trying to work it out in my head. I really hope you can be extra kind to yourself and give yourself lots of time.

    I feel for you. My mom died 5 years ago tomorrow, and I'm still trying to work it out in my head. I really hope you can be extra kind to yourself and give yourself lots of time.

    10 votes

  8. Comment on How do I improve at interviews? in ~life

    ahatlikethat
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    I was a teacher and school counselor. One thing you have going for you is that there is a huge shortage of teachers, especially highly qualified and experienced ones. And male ones. At least that...

    I was a teacher and school counselor. One thing you have going for you is that there is a huge shortage of teachers, especially highly qualified and experienced ones. And male ones. At least that is the case in the US, not sure where you are.

    That said, my experience (in the US, and in the specific districts where I have worked) is that the hiring process is heavily influenced by factors other than experience and expertise. In particular, references (formal and informal) carry a huge amount of weight. If you are leaving your old position because of some turmoil, getting some positive spin out there can really make a difference. In any case, good references from influential and respected colleagues and administrators may overcome any minor shortcomings in an interview.

    Secondly, I personally have found that the people doing the hiring are often more concerned about you liking them than perhaps seems logical. At least where I have worked, hiring committees aren't PR professionals, but a group of teachers and admin you would be working with. They are looking for someone they want to work with, even if they never say that out loud. Knowledge and enthusiasm about the school and its community can help, of course, but if you can make a personal connection--making them feel heard and appreciated during the interview, it can get you a step up past other applicants who may look better on paper or even have more experience or expertise.

    5 votes

  9. Comment on How did you learn to read? in ~humanities.languages

    ahatlikethat
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    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...

    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.

    1 vote

  10. Comment on What quotes inspire you? in ~talk

    ahatlikethat
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    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...

    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.

    3 votes

  11. Comment on Who are your favorite actors? in ~movies

  12. 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
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    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...

    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.

    7 votes

  13. Comment on Beekeepers say catastrophic honeybee losses are cause for alarm in ~enviro

    ahatlikethat
    Link Parent
    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...

    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.

    6 votes

  14. Comment on Who are your favorite actors? in ~movies

    ahatlikethat
    Link Parent
    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.

    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.

    3 votes

  15. Comment on A baseball discussion thread, 2025 spring training edition in ~sports.baseball

    ahatlikethat
    Link Parent
    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...

    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

    1 vote

  16. Comment on A baseball discussion thread, 2025 spring training edition in ~sports.baseball

    ahatlikethat
    Link Parent
    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.

    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.

    5 votes

  17. Comment on A baseball discussion thread, 2025 spring training edition in ~sports.baseball

    ahatlikethat
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    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...

    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!

    5 votes

  18. Comment on Grammar errors that actually matter, or: the thread where we all become prescriptivists in ~humanities.languages

    ahatlikethat
    Link Parent
    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.

    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.

    1 vote

  19. Comment on Grammar errors that actually matter, or: the thread where we all become prescriptivists in ~humanities.languages

    ahatlikethat
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    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...

    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

    5 votes

  20. Comment on Looking for a new mouse (maybe) in ~tech

    ahatlikethat
    Link Parent
    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...

    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.

    2 votes