😈✨🍺MrTenant's Tavern and Dungeon

[cascadiabound]

It's insane how many are put at risk at the same time.

Frankly, every one of us is at risk, to different degrees and in different ways. Just some are able to see those risks more clearly than others.

 

[Lotus_Kitty]

Frankly, every one of us is at risk, to different degrees and in different ways. Just some are able to see those risks more clearly than others.

Oh I agree. I do. But I’ve been screaming about it into the wind to my fellow citizens and nobody really wants to hear it. They’re still, still trying to play chess with those who flip the board and punch them in the face. They still expect to vote or legislate their way out of a problem caused by irreconcilable differences in views. They still refuse to effectively fight state capture, institution capture. They’re comfortable, mostly. Mass civil disobedience now or a national divorce if we ever regain power would be uncomfy. *resigned shrug* My grandparents survived the Nazis. My parents survived Stalin. They fled the Iron Curtain. I lost my childhood home, all my stuff, when we fled. I’m willing to strike. I’m willing to move, to uproot. Most of my peers aren’t. So now I’m just focusing on going somewhere better. It’s a great luxury to have that possibility. If I get out, I’ll try to help others emigrate. 2016 broke me hard. I mean anhedonic, barely functioning. I had to accept what I can and cannot fix. Without enough like minded allies, what I can do is almost nothing. Yet I’m happier than I’ve been in a long time. I stopped doom scrolling and ruminating. I focus now on what I can do, who I can help, that’s it. I’ll move where I do have more allies. Then I’ll have power to do more.

Sorry for the long rant. Hope it might give someone a bit of peace if they’re still trying to fix everything alone.

 

[Lotus_Kitty]

Frankly, every one of us is at risk, to different degrees and in different ways. Just some are able to see those risks more clearly than others.

Long before inauguration, my workplace was already crapifying to suit the new administration. If I continue to speak up for those at risk here (risk of assault, rape, worse), maybe I get in trouble. Again, shrug. We have the luxury of savings. There’s been talk of loyalty pledges at work. If that comes to pass, I guess I get fired but I make next to nothing currently so I’ll deal. Had better work before, made investments. If we uproot, lose a home, I’ve been there, done that.

So by my lights, I’m ok. I’m ok enough. I expect it to get much, much worse. Unless they start confiscating passports, which I don’t rule out, I’ll stay ok long enough to get out.

 

[Lotus_Kitty]

Frankly, every one of us is at risk, to different degrees and in different ways. Just some are able to see those risks more clearly than others.

And maybe my previous two posts fit in the politics forum better but I avoid that like the plague. Done arguing and trying to persuade. See no point any longer.

Rant over, apologies if off topic.

I do sincerely wish you all survival and more, thriving some day. May we spit in the eye of those who would burn things down by not letting it all burn down.

Take care of yourselves. Put on your own oxygen mask first before assisting fellow passengers. And if your plane is going down, at least enjoy a Biscoff cookie while you search for flotation devices.

Wow, airplane Biscoff cookies say “Lotus” on them!

 

[cascadiabound]

And maybe my previous two posts fit in the politics forum better but I avoid that like the plague. Done arguing and trying to persuade. See no point any longer.

Rant over, apologies if off topic.

I do sincerely wish you all survival and more, thriving some day. May we spit in the eye of those who would burn things down by not letting it all burn down.

Take care of yourselves. Put on your own oxygen mask first before assisting fellow passengers. And if your plane is going down, at least enjoy a Biscoff cookie while you search for flotation devices.

Wow, airplane Biscoff cookies say “Lotus” on them!

View attachment 2472904

I love those cookies!

 

[Lotus_Kitty]

I love those cookies!

Right? And the spread made of crushed cookies! Takes me massive willpower not to toss that in the grocery cart.

 

[Lotus_Kitty]

I too am so worried for my trans and queer friends, for POC and those with insecure immigration status and those who are food and housing insecure.

Stay warm and dry. Protect yourself so you have the capacity to help protect others when that day arrives.

All of this. I’m with you on all of this.

 

[cascadiabound]

Cookies and drinking.

I'm thinking of maybe making a decadent cake just to distract myself. I have a recipe for a chocolate earl grey layer cake I've been wanting to try.

 

[Lotus_Kitty]

Cookies and drinking.

I'm thinking of maybe making a decadent cake just to distract myself. I have a recipe for a chocolate earl grey layer cake I've been wanting to try.

Please share a photo of said cake when done? Maybe a recipe linky if it’s online?

 

[Strixaluco]

And maybe my previous two posts fit in the politics forum better but I avoid that like the plague. Done arguing and trying to persuade. See no point any longer.

I haven't even tried... One look on that forum was enough. Even the thread titles make me squirm.

But hopefully you can get some rest from the world here

 

[AlexBailey]

I haven't even tried... One look on that forum was enough. Even the thread titles make me squirm.

But hopefully you can get some rest from the world here

I’ve spent way too much time plugged into politics. It’s killing me little by little. I’m sincerely going to make an effort to avoid the PB, but so many of the stupid thread titles keep grabbing my attention. Why TF doesn’t the site let you put certain sections on ignore?

Time to breathe and let the sun shine whenever and wherever it can - that or else let someone take me deep into their dungeon for a while…

 

[Strixaluco]

I’ve spent way too much time plugged into politics. It’s killing me little by little. I’m sincerely going to make an effort to avoid the PB, but so many of the stupid thread titles keep grabbing my attention. Why TF doesn’t the site let you put certain sections on ignore?

Time to breathe and let the sun shine whenever and wherever it can - that or else let someone take me deep into their dungeon for a while…

I'd definitely want to put that section on ignore, too. But mostly the titles keep me away from even opening the.

 

[Lotus_Kitty]

I’ve spent way too much time plugged into politics. It’s killing me little by little. I’m sincerely going to make an effort to avoid the PB, but so many of the stupid thread titles keep grabbing my attention. Why TF doesn’t the site let you put certain sections on ignore?

Time to breathe and let the sun shine whenever and wherever it can - that or else let someone take me deep into their dungeon for a while…

Where’s the hug reaction emoji?
Huuuug.

 

[Rj_1954]

Where’s the hug reaction emoji?
Huuuug.

 

[Trubbycat]

My daughter is taking off any minute.

The trip to the airport was fine . Getting out was another story. The parking gates were malfunctioning and we were stuck for twenty minutes unable to leave. After being polite and getting nowhere I lost it and started screaming OPEN THE FUCKING GATE into the intercom and I may have kicked it. Eventually they opened the gate and we got the hell out of there.

 

[cascadiabound]

I’ve spent way too much time plugged into politics. It’s killing me little by little. I’m sincerely going to make an effort to avoid the PB, but so many of the stupid thread titles keep grabbing my attention. Why TF doesn’t the site let you put certain sections on ignore?

Time to breathe and let the sun shine whenever and wherever it can - that or else let someone take me deep into their dungeon for a while…

Yep. Gotta remember to breathe, find places/people of safety and manage your own boundaries so you do not become overwhelmed.

Drop by here anytime for the drink or treat of your choice. We serve everything. Especially kindness.

 

[cascadiabound]

Divested myself of my childhood stamp collection gifting it to two different familes. I hope they find joy and excitement in the treasures.
I feel relieved, sentimental and happy all at once.

 

[Lotus_Kitty]

Divested myself of my childhood stamp collection gifting it to two different familes. I hope they find joy and excitement in the treasures.
I feel relieved, sentimental and happy all at once.

Sounds very bittersweet. I too hope they will enjoy your gift. My dad collected stamps as a boy, from the 50s, 60s. I'm sure you can't find any of them anymore except in collections.

 

[Mrtenant]

Oh I agree. I do. But I’ve been screaming about it into the wind to my fellow citizens and nobody really wants to hear it. They’re still, still trying to play chess with those who flip the board and punch them in the face. They still expect to vote or legislate their way out of a problem caused by irreconcilable differences in views. They still refuse to effectively fight state capture, institution capture. They’re comfortable, mostly. Mass civil disobedience now or a national divorce if we ever regain power would be uncomfy. *resigned shrug* My grandparents survived the Nazis. My parents survived Stalin. They fled the Iron Curtain. I lost my childhood home, all my stuff, when we fled. I’m willing to strike. I’m willing to move, to uproot. Most of my peers aren’t. So now I’m just focusing on going somewhere better. It’s a great luxury to have that possibility. If I get out, I’ll try to help others emigrate. 2016 broke me hard. I mean anhedonic, barely functioning. I had to accept what I can and cannot fix. Without enough like minded allies, what I can do is almost nothing. Yet I’m happier than I’ve been in a long time. I stopped doom scrolling and ruminating. I focus now on what I can do, who I can help, that’s it. I’ll move where I do have more allies. Then I’ll have power to do more.

Sorry for the long rant. Hope it might give someone a bit of peace if they’re still trying to fix everything alone.

I am in a deep red state that constantly does shitty things politically. There are people that say "do something, how can you stand it, why live there," and so on.

I find that there are many like minded people as me here. We are all looking for something to do that has some positive impact to stand against the raging river flow of bullshit spewing from the capital.

For now, and the last few years, I have been throwing out life preservers and showing others that they can do the same. It doesn't stop the river, but it helps. For now, that is what I can do. It isn't terribly effective against the river, but, the people we help, are certainly grateful for that life preserver.

My group started out as 5 volunteers in 2019. We are now 21 volunteers and loosely network with several other organizations. We still have work to do but we are doing it. My people are happy, really happy, to be doing something. I am not sure where it will lead, but I have seen hearts and minds change and that gives me courage and resolve to keep at it.

We all want the big organizations to flex and fix shit. I'm not so sure they know how and if they are really in touch with what matters to people.

So, we are in a red state. It is our home. We belong here. Even with all the wing nuts and haters. If we don't do something, who will?

 

[Strixaluco]

Divested myself of my childhood stamp collection gifting it to two different familes. I hope they find joy and excitement in the treasures.
I feel relieved, sentimental and happy all at once.

I did this with almost all my Lego (I'm planning to sell some of the oldest stuff that only nostalgic kids of 70s will actually value.)

Oh the bittersweet moment... And yet, now I have more space.

 

[Lotus_Kitty]

I am in a deep red state that constantly does shitty things politically. There are people that say "do something, how can you stand it, why live there," and so on.

I find that there are many like minded people as me here. We are all looking for something to do that has some positive impact to stand against the raging river flow of bullshit spewing from the capital.

For now, and the last few years, I have been throwing out life preservers and showing others that they can do the same. It doesn't stop the river, but it helps. For now, that is what I can do. It isn't terribly effective against the river, but, the people we help, are certainly grateful for that life preserver.

My group started out as 5 volunteers in 2019. We are now 21 volunteers and loosely network with several other organizations. We still have work to do but we are doing it. My people are happy, really happy, to be doing something. I am not sure where it will lead, but I have seen hearts and minds change and that gives me courage and resolve to keep at it.

We all want the big organizations to flex and fix shit. I'm not so sure they know how and if they are really in touch with what matters to people.

So, we are in a red state. It is our home. We belong here. Even with all the wing nuts and haters. If we don't do something, who will?

It is very good you are doing that. Small achievable goals are how we keep hope from dying when times are bleak. And I know “small” can be all the difference in the world for someone.

I have done the same, in the past. That was how I responded in 2016, even while deeply depressed. Networked, worked with groups, local and state. I am immensely grateful for the like minded people I found here doing that too.

Was still doing that in 2024 (national group, local cells, data driven targeted letters to voters). It does make a difference. I’m not arguing that nor trying to get others to give up. I completely agree no one is coming to save us but us. There are a few legislators who walk the walk but without grass roots action, nothing changes. I do see the good, the results.

I share the goals of protecting human rights but have come to disagree with most groups I worked with about the long term means of doing that. I can’t put my time and energy into groups focused on persuasion without power to protect or legislation without power to enforce. I can’t do life preservers forever without fixing root causes of problems. The two groups I still work with do local life preservers and trying to unionize my workplace. Both have proven effective over the years.

I’m sorry if I came across as dismissive about moving when saying I want a national split. The importance of roots and community is enormous. I know, having lost them several times. My view is that the long term rewards, especially for future generations, are worth that enormous cost. I’m not on LitE to try to change anyone’s mind. Some know the same facts and history I do and draw different conclusions. Some have different needs to thrive than I do.

I deeply respect those who work and sacrifice towards bettering conditions here. I’m in a deep red state too. It’s the people I see as unwilling to sacrifice comfort in the short term that frustrate me. It’s those who keep doing things that haven’t worked, recently nor historically, that frustrate me. But enough about my frustrations. I am very grateful for the many people who have spent a long time helping others here.

I am grateful for you and others in this thread who care about others.

 

[cascadiabound]

Please share a photo of said cake when done? Maybe a recipe linky if it’s online?

chocolate cake with earl grey buttercream

It's one of the more complex cake recipes I've made.
Last night made the cake batter and baked 3 layers.
This morning made salted caramel sauce, tea infused butter and then a meringue before I could make the frosting (the base is meringue with the tea infused butter, vanilla paste). Now it's chilling before I top it with caramel sauce.

OMG

Picture later.

 

[Lotus_Kitty]

chocolate cake with earl grey buttercream

It's one of the more complex cake recipes I've made.
Last night made the cake batter and baked 3 layers.
This morning made salted caramel sauce, tea infused butter and then a meringue before I could make the frosting (the base is meringue with the tea infused butter, vanilla paste). Now it's chilling before I top it with caramel sauce.

OMG

Picture later.

 

[cascadiabound]

View attachment 2473815

 

[Lotus_Kitty]

View attachment 2473837

That caramel sauce in that light looks almost like mirror glaze!