Update for Everyone V: Born Under A Bad Sign

[Xing]

Some of the aging conservatives at my church are honestly pretty terrible. I chose this religious community for myself and so I believe I'm obliged to cherish and to some extent defend it, but some of them make it pretty hard. A lot of these people are wonderful but some are simply garden-variety post-truth goons and it can get pretty damn frustrating.

Any chance you could be able engage some of them in a serious conversation and help them see things from your perspective? Not necessarily convince them, but at least build a bridge of some kind. I think you're one of the leftists on this forum who would be most capable to do that.

Oh, there's not really much ideological daylight between the ones I get along with and the ones I don't, it's almost all personality. There's this one guy who's a really hardcore Trumpista and would probably tread the fumi-e without a care if the daimyō "wasn't PC"; this is someone who seeks me out to complain about "the feminists" to even though he seems to know it bothers me.

Yeah, it's obvious these days that there are many people whose only goal in politics is to stick it to "the other side" - I mean, look at Santander (though it happens on the left as well, of course). Not much point in seeking those out, though it's a shame.

I briefly mentioned it in one of my posts, but I think being a jerk and insulting people who disagree with you is just so tempting and satisfying for people, whereas actually engaging with people who think differently and trying to understand where they're coming from takes a lot of humility and patience. Especially after the election, I've tried to do the latter as much as I can, though I admit that sometimes I catch myself getting pissed off about something, and trying to "stick it to the other side." I'm not perfect, but I'm trying to be better about it. It can get especially frustrating when some people just want to rub it in.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Well, I'm a motherf**king workaholic.

Preferable the (many) alternative(s).

[Since I'm the mad scientist proclaimed by myself]

Talked a lot with someone cool and told them a lot about my life that I had never told anyone else.

[Blair]

Ugh I just had a very long argument with two left wing people who are convinced that Trump is still better than Clinton because 'muh ww3'. I remember why I refuse to discuss American politics with british people

Other than that have had a relatively good start to 2017- have started going jogging 3-4 times a week, going to the cinema every week and making an effort to actually cook nice meals; all in an attempt to get myself out of the endless politics bubble.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Speaking of very left-wing people, I was the victim of road-rage again. Some girl probably twice my weight in a Honda cut me off as I tried to change lanes, remained next to me for some time (forcing the guy behind her to repeatedly honk since she slowed down considerably) which prevented me from merging, and repeatedly yelled at me. I couldn't hear what she was saying, but the words "fuck Trump" and "asshole" were uttered hysterically, and the universal gesture was given. I briefly was so enraged that I considered chucking my half-smoked cigarette into her car, but I'd rather not have a felony road-rage conviction over a desire to burn a small hole in her empty passenger seat's upholstery.

The girl looked sorta like this girl who I went to elementary and middle school with. Her mom was my second grade teacher and she was always a very active liberal who likes to pick fights on Facebook. I had to remove her after the election, in fact. It wasn't her-I'm pretty sure she's in DC-but this girl looked exactly like her (which isn't good, not that I'm really in any place to judge anyone's looks myself).

It's one thing to tear up a sign like Crumpets did (which didn't really warrant the body-slam, but that was to be expected) at a public protest where tensions are expected and already high. It's a completely other thing to pick a fight on the freaking road with a vehicle. This is getting out of hand.

[Grumpier Than Thou]

A bit of Atlas related personal news, I am now in a class with Sawx. A government class.

[Crumpets]

It's one thing to tear up a sign like Crumpets did (which didn't really warrant the body-slam, but that was to be expected) at a public protest where tensions are expected and already high. It's a completely other thing to pick a fight on the freaking road with a vehicle. This is getting out of hand.

Yeah, that's way out of line. Also, I just want to clarify - it wasn't just that a guy was waving a Trump sign at a women's rally; I have no qualms with that. It was that he was yelling stuff like "You c***s are only here 'cause you can't satisfy a man" at random women and kids.

[Since I'm the mad scientist proclaimed by myself]

Reading the first few chapters of this webcomic has made me think a lot about the concept of masculinity in a way I haven't before.

[SATW]

I'm happy drunk rn. why cant i be happy sober? #PhilosoSunriseThoughts

[Since I'm the mad scientist proclaimed by myself]

I'm happy drunk rn. why cant i be happy sober? #PhilosoSunriseThoughts

Good question.

I wonder what I'd look like drunkposting on atlas. Won't get to find out because I'm trying to not drink alcohol anymore.

[Green Line]

My drunk atlas posts are usually my most thought provoking and intelligent.  Go me.

[SATW]

My drunk atlas posts are usually my most thought provoking and intelligent.  Go me.

When I drink whiskey I tend to be thoughtful. Vodka, though, makes me dumb and happy like rn

[SATW]

Happy to report that I have no hangover and only very slight discomfort this morning.

[Grumpier Than Thou]

Happy to report that I have no hangover and only very slight discomfort this morning.

Drink more water

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

I partied hard this last weekend from Thursday night all the way until Sunday morning for obvious reasons, and the very thought of being drunk right now almost makes me ill .

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

After writing 85 pages I got stuck and decided to review what I wrote so far.

[Xing]

My grandfather has suddenly become ill, and we're afraid that it might be pneumonia. Needless to say, I don't think I'll be posting much for a bit, lest I let my emotions get the best of me.

[Antonio the Sixth]

My grandfather has suddenly become ill, and we're afraid that it might be pneumonia. Needless to say, I don't think I'll be posting much for a bit, lest I let my emotions get the best of me.

I'm sorry to hear that. Wish him best.

[Ban my account ffs!]

My grandfather has suddenly become ill, and we're afraid that it might be pneumonia. Needless to say, I don't think I'll be posting much for a bit, lest I let my emotions get the best of me.

I'm sorry to hear that.  I hope he gets better soon.

[Maxwell]

So I've been basically in an emotional, physical, mental, spiritual rut for I can't even remember how long and this is the time of year I'm trying to improve so that maybe I can dig out of it once and for all. Trying to take my classes seriously (I've usually done just enough to skate by), read more, go on Atlas a tad less (probably already failing at that), develop interests I already enjoy or used to enjoy as well as new interests, and not be such a ing loner and make new friends (which, ugh, I hate because I'm anti-social but at the same time get sad when I realize how few people I have in my life). I'm waiting about a month to go the gym because really  trying to go to the gym in January of any year because RESOLUTIONERS (yes, i did this last year because i was also a hopeless resolutioner), but exercise is also on the agenda.

[Mr. Smith]

After writing 85 pages I got stuck and decided to review what I wrote so far.

Lucky, I'm struggling to even get a paragraph done. Even a half sentence seems to take an hour to get through.

But that's what happens when one writes mostly by the seat of the pants, I s'pose. Normally wouldn't do this, but I'm trying to resurrect an old screenplay I wrote and get into both script form and novel form.

[DavidB.]

So I've been basically in an emotional, physical, mental, spiritual rut for I can't even remember how long and this is the time of year I'm trying to improve so that maybe I can dig out of it once and for all. Trying to take my classes seriously (I've usually done just enough to skate by), read more, go on Atlas a tad less (probably already failing at that), develop interests I already enjoy or used to enjoy as well as new interests, and not be such a ing loner and make new friends (which, ugh, I hate because I'm anti-social but at the same time get sad when I realize how few people I have in my life). I'm waiting about a month to go the gym because really  trying to go to the gym in January of any year because RESOLUTIONERS (yes, i did this last year because i was also a hopeless resolutioner), but exercise is also on the agenda.

Good luck, man.

[Xing]

My grandfather fortunately does not have pneumonia, and he seems to be recovering. Thanks to anyone who wished him well.

[Enduro]

After writing 85 pages I got stuck and decided to review what I wrote so far.

I got stuck outlining the third act, so I'm going to write another short story before I get back to it.

[#TheShadowyAbyss]

Had to reset my phone today because of com.android.systemui crashing whenever I would hold the home button it was a pain to do.