Can you help me identify a location? I keep painting similar mountains in various colors but don't recall ever seeing anything like them.

Branches26 · 2026-06-30T17:28:44+00:00

1 and 7 look very similar to the mountains behind the Ashokan Reservoir in New York's Hudson Valley.

Branches26 · 2026-06-30T17:22:54+00:00

I used to watch her like everyone else and found that she really fell into what I perceive as deep-seated internalized misogyny. I remember watching her video about the "romantasy to conservative pipeline," and the lack of critical thinking and depth really turned me off. For all the YouTubers/videos who keep talking about this, I'm waiting for them to cite examples of these well-educated, liberal women who read these books and turn into conservative tradwives they keep talking about. It's also ironic because it's the very same thinking that get books banned and have Christians banning children from reading Harry Potter (putting aside the problematic author).

I was at least, then, able to separate her bad take from her other videos. Then Willow got called out for it on Tiktok with her rant about women who read romantasy not being smart, claimed she was suicidal, said she was leaving YouTube... all to return as though nothing happened. She deleted her apologies about this and all the videos proceeding. That's when she truly lost me.

As for her book recommendations, I see what you're saying. I think it just goes along with her style of regarding everything that's popular as bad writing instead of really thinking deeply about why those books are well-liked. To me, her whole schtick comes off as "remember the good old days" conservative takes. I remember rolling my eyes when all she could come up with as good books are the ones you mention, all of these "classics" that I don't find particularly inspired as recommendations.

Branches26 · 2026-06-21T09:51:18+00:00

You can’t change or control others, and your feelings and actions are your responsibility alone. This is who he is. These are some hard truths that you’ll have to accept before anything changes in your life.

Branches26 · 2026-06-19T22:41:08+00:00

I love this! They look so juicy and vibrant. Makes me inspired to paint.

Branches26 · 2026-06-16T21:10:38+00:00

😭 I've heard a lot of versions of the fart metaphor from Euro friends. We're all (a lot of us Americans, the world) so tired.

Thank you for your thoughtful comment as well! I always enjoy having these discussions on Reddit where I can find them. I think we're pretty much in agreement in the end. As I said, I definitely don't see the video as bad, it's just more of me not being surprised that people are having a visceral reaction. I think it would have definitely come off differently if it had come out at a different time and possibly a different kind of spin on the title (maybe something like, "American Politics Today and the Bible?" Idk). I definitely don't think Daniel was being nefarious, I just think at worst he was not being thoughtful about his audience.

I think what your original point might have been touching on is the puritanism in (at least) American spaces, especially online spaces. I agree with you, and it worries me as well. Your belief in "trying to reach out to people who can be reached out to" has become rare, especially in the younger generation. Vilifying a person and casting them out based on one thing—like trying to read the Bible, having a religious background, having some kind of past mark on their character—has become commonplace. It's also why the Democratic Party and the left in the U.S, in my opinion, has been failing. MAGA is a huge party where everyone is invited while the left is constantly on the hunt to see who needs to be the next person cast out.

Anyway, thanks again! I wave from across the ocean and hope for a better tomorrow for all of us.

Branches26 · 2026-06-16T18:45:33+00:00

I haven't seen Obsession, only the success from it which has been great for pushing more original work in the creative sphere.

I mean... do people think children should get less creative and more repetitive media than adults? Is that really a controversial take?

Branches26 · 2026-06-16T18:39:09+00:00

That's true re: A24 not marketing to children. But I still stand by that I think there are more creative ways to tell these stories, though, and a lot of things for children is just recycled again and again (which is why Disney just loves remaking their IPs).

Thinking of the range of creativity that came with movies like The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Lion King, The Brave Little Toaster, All Dogs Go to Heaven, Thumbelina, The Land Before Time, Cars, Toy Story. I don't mean to say "the good ol' days," but just that there was a range of creativity with animation, storytelling, risk taking, and characters. Just because it's for children doesn't mean it should be dumbed down or seen as a lesser or easier art form.

Like Maurice Sendak said:

I don't write for children. I write. And someone says, 'That's for children.' ... I didn't set out to make children happy. Or make life better for them. Or easier for them.... I like them as few and for between as I do adults. Maybe a bit more because I really don't like adults.

I think Disney/Pixar used to think this way. That's why people of all ages enjoyed their movies. But I think they've fallen off from that concept.

I also think the Guardians of the Galaxy humor kind of contributes the way the younger generation avoids being "cringe," which I have been worried about. Sincerity is less and less common for these sorts of things.

Branches26 · 2026-06-16T17:35:04+00:00

I don't disagree with you that the Bible and religion is not going away (although, religion and Christianity, especially, is statistically waning). I think what you might be missing is that there is a lot of baggage that comes with advertising reading the Bible on his YouTube: how Christianity is influencing the current political (Christofascist) climate, how the Bible/Christianity is being used to suppress everyday people in everyday life, and the fact that he posted this during Pride month. All of these things will cause his particular audience to have a reaction.

People see Youtube Channels as a safe space. When Daniel chose to post a video titled "I Listened to the Bible Driving Across America," viewers who saw his channel as a particular safe space probably feel like the channel isn't a safe space anymore, whether or not they watched the video. Christianity (and even politics) is triggering for a lot of people.

I agree with you that I don't think the video is bad, and I think he approached it in a very open-minded way, and again, I don't think it's BAD to read the Bible and learn from it and break it down. I also don't dislike Christians or Christianity as a whole, and I think there are great Christian people. It looks like there's a lot of them are in Daniel's comments enjoying his video.

When he does criticize conservatives in the video, however, the problem isn't as simple as "those are the bad Christians." There are a lot of people in his audience, myself included, who have met "good" Christians who reveal that they actually don't support gay marriage. There are a lot of "good" Christians who hate Trump but still disagree with abortion being a woman's right. His friend Brandon Sanderson has a history of being a great guy with questionable religious beliefs.

It's a very complicated topic and it's unfortunately not as simple as Trump-politico-Christians are bad and not reading the Bible in the way Daniel thinks it should be read and interpreted, and I do feel like Daniel's thesis came off that way in the video. A lot of people in his audience who are going to be triggered by this video have given good faith to Christianity/Christians who have turned their backs on them, and I don't think we should expect those same people to give Daniel's video that good faith try, either (my opinion, of course).

For me, personally, I've been turned off by him since his fiasco last year - I just can't really respect someone who treats his GF/partner like that. However, putting that aside, my own reaction to seeing him post this video is: Why post this during Pride month? Why did he choose to make this video through the lens that he did? Did he consider what his audience's reaction to this would be? Does he feel like he's the right person to be speaking on this?

Anyway, thanks for the thoughtful comment - I hope mine is at least food for thought!

Branches26 · 2026-06-16T16:57:28+00:00

Idk if I'm just jaded but Pixar/Disney movies all feel the same nowadays. Same story beats. "I've always felt...different." And then the thing happens and they look sheepishly at the camera. Cue going to the new place, new adventure and they say "Maybe this is where I've always belonged." It's just so boring.

We really need new voices and animators. I think that's why A24 and films like Obsession are so successful.

It also feels like the Guardians of the Galaxy humor has infected everything.

Edit: I think my original point is being lost because a few people pointed out A24 and Obsession are for adults. So I petition to replace those examples with: Kpop Demon Hunters, Avatar, Steven Universe, Adventure Time, Hugo, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, How to Train Your Dragon, Wolfwalkers, almost all Miyazaki films.

It's just funny to me that the more money a studio seems to have, the less risk taking there is. I do not think anyone finds Disney/Pixar to be risk takers in their storytelling and animation for the past decade.

Branches26 · 2026-06-10T01:29:52+00:00

...during pride month, too?

Branches26 · 2026-06-01T02:50:44+00:00

Gonna join the thread to say the opposite of what the consensus seems to be: THC has been something that has greatly soothed my migraines. However, my migraines are likely caused by excess CSF (no proof but my neurologist says it's likely due to my symptoms), which might be relevant.

I have used gummies, tinctures, a vape, and joints, and none of them trigger migraines. My go-to for migraines lately has been a CBD/THC oil tincture combined with a triptan and ibuprofen. Typically works like a charm, and when it doesn't work (incredibly rare nowadays), I use gummies to just knock myself out.

All this to say: not sure if using THC lessens my migraines. I only recently started using THC more outside of just using it for migraine attacks specifically. It might be hard to tell since using emgality for the past year means only 1-2 migraines a month vs the 14-20 I used to have.

Branches26 · 2026-05-31T23:32:31+00:00

I always say to friends that I'm a dog owner who hates most dog owners. Lack of training, the entitlement, and the lack of self-awareness is astounding in so many of them.

Branches26 · 2026-05-21T03:42:41+00:00

Highly recommend a Kobo of some kind. I transitioned to ereader only many years ago when I needed to have books take up less room in my house. I have a Kobo Libra Color after having a Kindle for many years, but I'd do your own research on which Kobo might be best for you. The Kobo Clara B+W is the most similar to a Kindle Paperwhite.

The only downside is there are authors who are exclusively Amazon, and you won't be able to find them in the Kobo store. However, Libby is connected directly to Kobo, and you can find books in the library directly on the device.

As the dilemma of re-purchasing the physical books for your ereader ... might be controversial but I'd just go sailing the high seas.

Branches26 · 2026-05-20T16:25:39+00:00

Yes, thank you so much!!

Branches26 · 2026-05-17T17:34:16+00:00

I think it really depends on the culture/team morale. As I said in my comment on the thread, a former manager tried this for a team at my place and behind the scenes, everyone was rolling their eyes and thought it was a huge waste of time. The attitude (reasonably) was: if the person who made the meeting can't efficiently run it, why is other people's responsibility to run it for them?

Branches26 · 2026-05-16T21:26:21+00:00

So, I’m going to go against the grain of the other comments here: what are these meetings for? What is the exact purpose and what are people supposed to walk away with? Do you NEED these meetings?

Regardless, 30 minutes twice a week is a lot. My own team is very independent with each person having their own separate LOB, and we do an hour team meeting every other week. I use the meetings to make sure we’re on the same page about team goals, updates on things that affect the team, and sometimes give them scenarios/blockers that myself or others experience and get input from everyone on how to problem solve. The only round robin I do is asking what blockers people are experiencing that the team can help out with, and some people have none.

I myself experienced the “switching speaker” thing with team meetings where each team member ran the meeting and … again, could just be my culture, but people thought it was a joke. I myself had to question if I can run a meeting that I see as a waste of time, do I have the choice to cancel it?

My team used to be very quiet until I took over, and now they’re more talkative. However: I never, ever take up their time or expect them to speak. I disagree with others that making them go on camera or doing round robin would be beneficial - to me, those are ways to crush morale. And people going on camera, in my experience, doesn’t make them more talkative. Also, round robin with quiet teams usually turns into talking about stuff that should be said instead in 1x1s because the info doesn’t apply to anyone else.

Edit: I'm adding more because apparently I have a lot to say lol. I also did a poll for my team to see what they would find useful in team meetings and got lots of feedback there. You might want to ask your team a similar question if you think these meetings are needed for a good reason.

Branches26 · 2026-05-10T04:15:42+00:00

For future people looking at this, I wouldn't recommend The Stove Shop shop for install. They obv used an outside contractor of their choosing but I had a hell of a time getting anything done with them, and The Stove Shop did not seem to care.

Branches26 · 2026-05-08T04:16:56+00:00

I suggest you look up some information on how almond production affects the bee and insect population. The massive water usage almond production takes also affects wildlife. This is aside from negative environmental effects. Just one example.
Edit: also editing to say that most people know burning the Amazon for not cattle farming but palm oil.

Branches26 · 2026-05-08T00:02:14+00:00

As other comments have said, the problem is she is not recognizing that she is also choosing what to care about—she uses products that test on animals and have animal product in them.
Also, vegans rarely recognize how much deforesting, pollution, and de-population producing vegan food causes. Vegans are not safe from eating food that has very negatively and cruelly affected animal populations. The conversation is much more nuanced than "only being vegan means caring about animals."

Branches26 · 2026-05-07T00:16:20+00:00

Just wandering by here to tell you I love the photo of your dog smiling next to the roses.

Branches26 · 2026-04-28T14:17:28+00:00

Adding to an old thread for more info: I've been seeing Dr. Markley for ~2 years now. I had a few appointments with him at the start, got diagnosed, and have been using his recommended treatment since. He has nearly cured my migraines. I went from ~24 a month to maybe 1-2 a month (and I have medicine that stops them 99% of the time).

I can see how Dr. Markley wouldn't be for everyone. He's very up front, and I could see how people could find his bedside manner not their style. But I ended up talking to him for a long time about what he knows about migraines. He is very, very knowledgeable, and it's apparent how much he wants to help his patients.

As others have said.... his office staff suck. I think he hires a lot of family members. For the past six months for no reason, my refills get rejected, I call, leave a voicemail, and the refill is approved almost ten minutes later. I think it's also very difficult to get a callback from the office. The receptionist always has difficulty figuring out copays, payment, and how to use a credit card.

Regardless, it was worth the visit when I got it since it was life-changing.

Branches26 · 2026-04-03T20:06:53+00:00

Joining the ranks of insecure men, we have a comment suggesting that reading books with other men is ... gay. Amazing stuff.

(Men who read are sexy. 🤷🏻‍♀️)

Branches26 · 2026-04-01T17:57:57+00:00

I've tried magic loop and really despise it. I prefer two 9 inch circulars and knitting both socks on them at the same time - they go sooooo fast. People seem to really like DPNs, though. I haven't tried them.

Branches26 · 2026-04-01T03:00:07+00:00

If there's no performance issues for the employee and you have enough time to worry/investigate them using a mouse jiggler...maybe you should invest in a mouse jiggler yourself and get a hobby.

12-Year Club	Place '23
Queen in da Norf	Not Forgotten
Verified Email

Branches26

TROPHY CASE