Having my entire team in office laughing and having a good time and now knowing I am going home soon to take my girl on a date!

what brought me joy today , i held a new baby in my arms at work today cus the mom is one of my regular customers and its her third baby. she knows i have 10 nieces and nephews babies are so stinkin cute just cant get enough.

I went back to read old threads started in 2010 and read some absolutely fascinating and wonderful debates with excellent topics.
I miss those kinds of threads.

I miss them too!

Reasons why there are not critical thinking threads:

1. We (generally) are getting older, and don't have the time, or aren't able to put our thoughts into coherent sentences (ok this one is me)

2. The people who enjoyed a lively debate have moved on, or have been banned.

3. People feel safer posting nonsense (ok me again)

4. Ex drama has forced some to move on or post pap for fear of censure.

5. Threads are derailed by a few who cannot keep to topic.

Or God help us, the threads like "white privilege", where much time is wasted while white people repeat over and over that they are not privileged because they have xyz blood twice removed, or they know 45 people of color etc...

Anyway, if you start something worth talking about, i will try to keep up!

Bought a kerosene heater. I was without electric for 3 days last season. My area have very large pines and they have a very shallow root system. Needless to say they took out a bunch of power lines. best thing about my neighbors they all came to the rescue with chain saws. Problem was pines where down miles before you could get to us. The electric company has been here and marked several trees to take down.. havent seen them as yet tho.

I think it's partly all of these, plus (for me), my BFP time is "fun" time. I don't really want to get into heavy stuff but just want to wind down. I read but rarely contribute to the "heavy" topics.

Perhaps it's also a lack of knowledge or experience in whatever topic is being discussed.

Related to #1, I have noticed that occasionally there are "correct" opinions and beliefs here, and if someone differs, I have seen a verbal smackdown. That in itself might be a topic, however problematic. I just don't have the verbal skills to articulately hold my ground opinion-wise. So, people like me give way to the far more skilled debaters, who then either move on or get in trouble. A few still come around now and then.

Meeting new friends
Going to the Haight in San Fran
Painting my nails to match my dress for the company Christmas party

Looking forward to finding a bubble tea in the city!

One or more of my dear friends joining the Planet!

Lunch and errands with mom and dad (I'm fond of them)

Ok, for me, it's not about trying to be right, it about articulating what I think and *why* I think what I do. The defence of "I'm entitled of my opinion" .... Well of course you are. I'm also allowed to question the reasons and logic behind the opinion. And if someone doesn't have very good reason or logic, then it's not a sound opinion. Just like someone saying "you are triggering me" when what they actually mean is "I'm offended" I will challange. I'll challange an opinion I don't agree with and I will expect some form of logical explanation that has validity to it. If it doesn't, I'll point it out.
If it does, I might learn something new. That's rather the point, for me. If I have a logical fallacy in my argument because of something I hadn't considered, I hope someone will point it out. That may cause me to look at things differently.

Granted, there are things I will no longer debate, like sex workers rights, but I was reading old threads where I thought "huh, oh yeah, I ihad forgotten that point. It's actually something quite valid... "

But if the people who are posting in this community no longer enjoy that kind of thing, even if it takes them against certain opinions, then I can understand. I loathe drive by posts where someone just dumps an opinion without reading the arguments of the thread and thus a dogpile of "no it isn't!" Occurs. It can feel like one is buried like that. I figure of three people have already expressed my opinion and argument and there is nothing new I can add, then there isn't a point for my post. So I get the "I hate being dog piled on" assertion.

There was a polite agreement at one forum about that .... Can't recall which one.

Anyway, that was the whoe point of me going to forums, to stretch my learning. I have local friends for fun fluffy conversations. So I miss it sometimes. I cut my teeth on queer theory here, and although the older discussions I couldn't really be arsed with anymore, I do miss having new ones. Or people posting about dilemmas.

I've got people to talk abut sandwich fillings with, which is actually a very valuable thing. And I know not everyone has that. Nor is interested in learning by discussion and debate. I'm not as adept as I used to be, brain rot and all, but I still like some brain yoga.

Thanks Grianne and Ms tinkerbelly. Thee feedback is actually food for thought.

Walking down the street in China Town, her hand in mine and our mouths full of a delicious coconut bun! The sounds of the city around us and knowing that this is life and we are living it.

Being able to come home from class and get loves from the dog kid.

And being able to lay in bed on a rainy day.

The quiet certainty of knowing I am Loved...
...And a REALLY big burrito!
:hangloose:

Coconut Cake, by the bay

Its camping day!!!!

My new favorite redneck
 

My beautifully helpful son!

A cup of warm cocoa and a warm doggie on my feet, while I watch the sleet outside.

Waking up to a pretty, pinkie sunrise :)

fog
chocolate cookies

Thinking today, how many good, positive things have happened for me so far this year.
Patience is being rewarded.
Hopefully more good news to come soon.

Sketching in my journal.

THANK YOU
 

I really appreciate you sharing this.

.... reading with a good friend...

:fastdraq:

IT"s A GIRL

Checking into my flight. 20 more hours to my birthday vacay <3

Being comfortable... being peaceful...being at peace with decisions I've made...being confident...and after doing my morning chores and tending to all the critters, enjoying my little, quiet Haven.

Getting another persons perspective about a personal issue can be very uplifting.. :pirate-steer:

Joy: when my lawyer said "Don't worry about this anymore. Let me handle it."

My children, always.

Having my A1c test come in with normal results...priceless.

This entire day has given me joy and a peaceful feeling of deep content and happiness.
I am in my element!! In my "zen" garden of favorite surroundings!!

Wish I could share pictures of just how beautiful my day has been...

NC sure does have some gorgeous places to relax, enjoy nature and meet great people.

And I'm so proud of myself for parking the camper in JUST THE RIGHT SPOT on my first try!!

Believe it or not, it's the mess of stuff and furniture in the middle of my daughter's room. She's getting ready to paint it this weekend, and I'm reminded that I own my house. Mine, mine, mine, mine, mine!

So happy I could dance and play in the rain!!!
My two beautiful, witty, bright, feisty, wildly smart nieces made my day!! Over the last five years, they've blossomed into such amazing young women. I am beyond proud! My youngest niece is visiting a Florida college this week (much warmer state than where they're from)...I'm so happy for her that she's willing and ready to "break out of the box" of the little "ghost town" of our hometown that doesn't offer room for growth. It feels so damn good to reconnect with them again!!
I am truly blessed!

Seeing and hearing two of my dearest friends happy and proud of themselves. Although for different reasons, it was extremely rewarding to share in their happiness.

A parade and JSU's Sonic Boom. They never disappoint. :)