My eye just started twitching remembering the amount of shitty ramen I survived on. If I was feeling really fancy on my trans-living-room jaunt, I might have indulged in some watered down powdered mashed potatoes.

Wow, you weren’t kidding. They sound insufferable.

“The Office”

Not my location, but Scranton, PA?

This isn’t at all what you asked for, but since you mentioned something to potentially listen to at work, you might want to check out Third Rock Radio which is a music station that NASA collaborates on. Instead of “DJs” you get mission updates and “space stuff” between playlists.

https://www.thirdrockradio.net/

[email protected]

Epictetus was a slave most of his life and then banished at the end. I would disagree with the wealthy comment. Nelson Mandela embraced stoicism to get him through his prison term. I’m not sure where your perception comes from, but a major tenant is not putting emphasis on wealth or material goods.

ETA - my deleted comment above was just me moving this one down to be in the appropriate hierarchy.

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You may want to familiarize yourself with the philosophy of Stoicism. It sounds very similar to what you describe. I’d recommend starting with a “sampler” like “The Daily Stoic,” by Ryan Holiday. Epictetus and Marcus Auralius are two of the biggest names in terms of “fathers” of this philosophy.

Don’t go by whatever impression Hollywood or society may have left you with about the word “stoic.” It doesn’t mean “without emotion.”

I decorate for the seasons.

I kick off winter with a fondue party and make my place more “hygge” for the season. Candles, cozy blankets, baking bread, making tea and soup. Decor involves pinecones and coniferous branches, my rustic dark wood table is left uncovered. I have smart bulbs, so usually warm lighting. That sort of thing.

As a contrast, in summer I go more Mediterranean accents. Bowls of fruit, a wreath of wildflowers, I make limoncello and instead of candles, I’ll use an Aera scent machine for smells like “fresh laundry.” I frequently have bouquets of lavender around, and a French country tablecloth on the rustic table.

That’s the general idea anyway. Fall might have gourds, leaves, and cider in the mix.

So, while not really for a particular “holiday,” I do enjoy honoring the seasons by trying to be in sync with them. I live alone, but entertain quite a bit.

Did you mean “Here’s”? I’m trying to figure out if that is a typo that kinda flipped the meaning of that sentence.

Then again, it’s early and I’m easily confused before coffee.

So well in fact, someone should write a song about it!!

I think I just dented my forehead facepalming so hard. Good luck with everything!

Wrong takeaway from “The Diary of Anne Frank.”

Because historically the Republicans have had better turnout in swing states. Anger and hyperbole are great motivators, regardless of topic. Democrat-leaning folks tend not to be as angry, scared, and swayed by cult-like leaders, so tend to be more complacent. It’s a matter of trying to even the behavioral playing field. Not to mention the gerrymandering fuckery that has made it even harder for democrats to be fairly represented in crucial geographic areas. Finally, consider where the underhanded tactics are coming from, and rather than sink to that level, an OVERWHELMING and unquestionable show of support is needed for those tactics not to be successful.

Yeah, the kid on the far right in the original is priceless too. His look says it all.

He would have A LOT of catching up to do to out-crazy the current crop of lunatics.

Probably. sigh

Howard Dean. Yeah…he seemed awesome. This timeline is a suckfest, and not in a good way.