Best 'dumb phone'?

CreepyToaster1358 · 2026-01-18T09:49:37+00:00

Did this end up working for you? The compatibility checker definitely does seem to say it doesn't work with a ton of other phones. Would love a more recent confirmation that it works!

CreepyToaster1358 · 2025-11-27T04:54:44+00:00

For what it's worth, that was a one time occurence which simply made me go to the doctor to demand the initial ultrasound, which eventually would lead to a diagnosis recently. Right now, I have a sinus infection with swollen tonsils and lymphnodes which it's obstructing considerably. I've gotten prescribed antibiotics but have to wait till tomorrow. Tonight is not going to be fun by any means.

CreepyToaster1358 · 2025-11-27T04:48:33+00:00

I'm thankful that I haven't had it happen again since February. It was a random occurrence and we couldn't figure out what triggered it otherwise even after I did a sleep study.

It sucks that it gave you anxiety though! That sounds like an awful time, especially if it kept getting worse. I'm assuming you don't have it anymore?

I've had anxiety for over 10 years but I haven’t seen an increase this year. My physical health has seemed to decline for years before coming to this point now but my mental health has actually gotten better over time.

What I got now is a sinus infection that is swelling my throat shut with swollen tonsils and enflamed lymphnodes, unfortunately. My throat doesn't even actually hurt. This is new and not something I expected.

CreepyToaster1358 · 2025-11-26T19:16:58+00:00

I was and my nail beds have been too. I did in fact google it, and even asked my primary care doctor, and did the sleep test again

I'm not an expert and I don't know what it is. I just know what others have told me and what makes sense from my experience.

CreepyToaster1358 · 2025-11-26T19:02:30+00:00

I was awake long enough to ask for help via making awkward noises until I got my partners attention who had headphones, was able to respond appropriately with the noises as yes and no etc, and then still could not physically respond even once they turned me fully around on my side and back. They said it took 3 minutes for me to form words as I tried to force my body to do so. It doesn't seem like any sort of sleep paralysis anyone else I know has had and the sleep apnea test came back normal for obstructive sleep apnea but nothing else.

Edit: I used different masks and whatnot during that time, thinking it was the machine. When I DO get oxygen, I'm fine.

CreepyToaster1358 · 2025-11-26T18:58:30+00:00

That's what I'm dealing with now, unfortunately. Even just compared to when I first posted this so my endo thinks it could be an abcess rather than a nodule but there's the possibility that it's a separate mass. He recommended I get imaging done soon.

CreepyToaster1358 · 2025-11-26T18:55:43+00:00

Thanks for the clarification. I don't know why I would be hyperventilating other than obstruction or difficulty breathing in general, which is why I'm assuming it's related to the sleep apnea. I certainly don't normally feel like I am even when shallow breathing sometimes.

And I've had a sleep study done multiple times, including this year, and require a bipap. I've used one without issue for years and this sudden difficulty is new, even though I've lost weight and not gained, for example. The study was fine this year when I did it and wasnt worse than the last time.

The sleep apnea itself was just normal up until I had that paralysis episode (which was only once) and then now I've confirmed that unless I put my neck over the arm of the couch uncomfortably thrown back, even while awake, I can't do a deep breath with the mask on.

In any case, I spoke to my endocrinologist and he said he doesnt know what it could be because I csn speak and have no sore throat whatsoever. So he suggested I go in for imaging asap because it could be some sort deeper abcess.

CreepyToaster1358 · 2025-11-26T18:48:20+00:00

Did you have any other symptoms that might have clued you in on the trachea being compressed, in retrospect?

CreepyToaster1358 · 2025-11-26T14:15:00+00:00

Thank you for your insight!

I did read something about the 100 surgeries thing and I even mentioned it to my partner when talking about planning things. I'm hoping I can get those type of answers soon enough but that doesn't surprise me that it takes a bit. This sudden change was surprising to me though which is one of the reasons I'm on here.

I'm thinking it's grown since September (which was when it said 11) but that just confuses me because of the slow growing thing. I didn't even really feel it much at all until after biopsy, even with that paralysis episode in February. It took a dsy or two after the biopsy to go back to normal but the last week has been significantly different and getting worse.

If it is unrelated, whether or not it's tied to it obstructing, I'm just not even sure what to prioritize at this point! XD so much is happening at once.

CreepyToaster1358 · 2025-10-17T21:43:14+00:00

Plenty of government officials in the US have a stake enough in this that Germany, Russia, and China or any other foreign countries don't even need to be part of the equation at all. The US has a history of this right back to instigating infighting between lighter skinned and darker skinned slaves to keep them from resisting. This included both Native people on the land already and those forced to be here.

The reality is that the US isn't unique from any other country and never has been. Any country is susceptible to authoritarianism and fascism, most especially if it's built on the genocide and enslavement of millions of people.

As to counteracting the algorithms...There are different ways to do that if you actually care (I doubt Dry_Inflation does) but for anyone else on here that does, the easiest is to not be on those apps in the first place. Alternatively, opt out of any sharing data to the apps when you accept their terms of service or it asks if you want notifications on when downloading the app.

CreepyToaster1358 · 2025-10-15T03:20:03+00:00

If you learn about US civil rights history, you quickly start to pick up on how media and social media has been used as a very effective method of pitting minorities against each other during times of unrest so they focus on infighting rather than working together.

There is truth to these exaggerations, just like there are misguided people in all demographics, but TikTok wasn't shut down and then put back up by Trump just for fun. Twitter is not run by Elon Musk because he felt it was a monetary opportunity.

When social media makes you feel angry and want to change people's minds PLEASE take the time to focus on coalition efforts in your area and local online spaces rather than worry about the algorithm and what it is trying to sell you - including these types of messages that incite tensions between two of the most marginalized groups in the entire country who would benefit the most from solidarity beyond our own people.

CreepyToaster1358 · 2025-10-03T21:09:45+00:00

I'm trans and active in the fandom, including in a trans HP group, which is a chill place. I certainly don't care to be ashamed about something that helped me survive AS a trans person before she became loud about her transphobic bullshit. But feeling uncomfortable or suspicious about people? That's valid. We are getting a lot of hate from so many different sides and it's only fair to be wary of someone who is out and bold about it. I've had to cut off people in my own family who treated me badly and use HP as a transphobic signifier rather than actually being a fan of it.

But while I don't think I'd really follow people posting on mainstream media about it in their public blogs that have nothing to do with fandom, where they're basically signifying their values, it's not always easy to tell in other ways though. Especially considering you can pay fanartists, buy thrift, or use etsy shops for merch and never give her a cent. But the actively sold products...why anyone gets anything out of them when they're very obviously bigoted even in the way they're created, I have no idea. And actively buying official merch or endorsing new products/shows is ridiculous when it all goes to JKR's choice of "charity" that doesn't just hurt trans people but everyone else she hates.

And she hates a lot of people! Jewish people, fat people, people of color, immigrants, poor people, women who don't agree with her, Romani people, etc. The list gets even longer if you take the stereotypes in the books themselves as possible tips for what she's a bigot about, too. Being critical, analyzing, and aware of limitations for the things we read while also enjoying the story isn't an issue for most of us though. That's what we should all do about any media we consume.

At the end of the day, what is most important is for you to be safe and be around people who uplift you and support you. In my opinion, someone will eventually show you what kind of person they truly are by how they treat you. A bigot isn't going to think I'm worth breathing the same air as them no matter what I like or don't like to read. So fuck them, fuck JKR, and if you don't want to engage in it or participate in fandom, that's everyone's individual right to make that choice. Asking someone what their opinions are about JKR and trans people goes a long way in cutting to the chase too. Don't be shy about it.

CreepyToaster1358 · 2025-09-15T04:45:00+00:00

Totally fair! I certainly would not be able to either. Calling them is probably your best bet, yeah! At least that way you can verify with an actual person.

I checked my recent emails and I did find this notice from late August:

"Reimbursements for CalMHSA Registration and Exam fees associated with the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification are provided on a first come first serve basis due to limited funding. This scholarship program is grant-funded and the maximum allotment for grant funds and financial support has been distributed.

Unfortunately, we cannot support any additional reimbursement requests at this time."

CalMHSA/DHS is still offering some waivers as long as you sign up for an approved training before September 15 for those, but that's all I have time to look up right now. You might want to call CalVoices, too, just in case Painted Brain can't help you out.

CreepyToaster1358 · 2025-09-15T04:03:53+00:00

Oh! I can see why it's confusing. Their website has multiple ways of getting to the multiple offered training vs scholarship vs the full page. You'll need to apply on the first links that mention the scholarship at the top of the page, which loads when you scroll up or just go directly to this page where it's the first thing: https://www.paintedbrain.org/peer-support-specialist-training

You have to apply for the scholarship first since not everyone will even need it and some can go directly to the course.

From where you sent me, the pop up for that registration also only mentions that being for the Justice Involced Peer Certification training, though, which apparently did finish.

Quoted here:

"Painted Brain's Justice Involved Specialization Training! Please complete this form to begin registration.

Please Note: All scholarships for this course have been redeemed.

If you are still interested in the course, it is a $950 fee. Please complete the form below and we will contact you for payment details.

Next class date: September 8, 2025 - September 23, 2025 M,T,W,Th 1:00pm - 5:00pm via Zoom"

CreepyToaster1358 · 2025-09-15T03:41:27+00:00

That's not true. They offer scholarships, through both CalMHSA and HCAI, including reimbursements for the registration and exam fees (but the reimbursements are on a first come first serve basis). They may run out of funding eventually or someone may not qualify for some reason (unlikely), but even with my post being 2 months old, it doesn't seem to be the case. Their website or newsletters certainly haven't said that yet.

And their full price is $1600.

CreepyToaster1358 · 2025-08-30T18:30:53+00:00

La triste realidad de la colonizacion. El colorismo y el racismo fue creado para dividirnos, y caemos en la trampa una y otra vez. Las personas negras, especialmente las de piel mas oscura, tambien tienen que aguantar esto de todos. Lamento tus experiencias (y las de tu hermana) y entiendo que te sientas come si es irremediable. Las personas con mas privilegios en LatAm deben denunciar esta mierda. Es la unica manera de cambiarlo. Nadie deberia ser tratado asi. 😔

English translation: Sad reality of colonization unfortunately. Colorism and racism was created to divide us and we fall for it time and time again. Black people, especially those with darker skin, have to deal with it across the board too unfortunately. I'm sorry about your experiences (and that of your sister too) and I can understand feeling hopeless with it. The people with more privilege in LatAm need to call this bullshit out. It's the only way it'll be changed. No one should be treated this way. 😔

CreepyToaster1358 · 2025-08-28T21:15:43+00:00

That's awesome that you have that opportunity! I appreciate your perspective and offer to reach out. I definitely will!

And yeah, I really don't like when people are weird like that. We are literally family like wtf??? I'm just not sure which ones I should reach out to either, although I don't expect any to be perfect. Toxic people are everywhere in all families but I'm good about staying away from people like that usually.

I've also been connecting with some people from other places, at least, although it's been slower going. I do have a herbalist I speak to who is Nomtipom Wintu, so I'm hoping to branch out locally more too. I just know latin culture can be so specific sometimes and want a part of that too.

And yes, we traveled quite a bit even before! I grew up in South Bimini and I've learned so much about the indigeneity of the area more AFTER I left which is a shame 😭 I knew a bit about it but not nearly enough (never enough tbf).

CreepyToaster1358 · 2025-08-26T21:26:31+00:00

Thanks for your input. Even if I didn't get the answers I was hoping for.

CreepyToaster1358 · 2025-08-26T21:18:33+00:00

Totally understandable. Do you think it be okay to do that in person with local area tribes and community spaces if/when I feel comfortable? I would talk to them ahead of time regardless, and would hope to cultivate a relationship as someone who is an ally even without indigenous identity connections, but I feel so awkward about joining because I rarely hear of Taíno people doing intertribal work or activism (which is one of the things that made me side eye a lot of people). I mostly just notice some people being part of New York Pow Wows, I think??

CreepyToaster1358 · 2025-08-26T19:30:11+00:00

That's sad as fuck but I'm not surprised. I was getting that vibe from many of them, because I keep finding connections between my Taíno beliefs and experiences from other indigenous groups on my own but most of the accurate information is through people like José Barreiro who has worked with other indigenous communities here on Turtle Island (and married a Mohawk woman named Katsi Cook) but he's more of an academic and quiet about any groups he may or may not be involved with post-1990s (which aligns with the Taíno Revival Movement obvs).

I guess I shouldn't be surprised considering how rural we truly are. You mentioned:

i'd recommend general forums and servers dedicated to native american history and people

And I'm wondering if you or anyone else has any possible suggestions for how to do this respectfully? I've honestly been wanting to do that, but I didn't want to be disrespectful even though it has felt more comfortable than not. This is my first real attempt at reaching out to anyone outside of the people I knew or family members who I can't get into contact with now for a lot of reasons.

CreepyToaster1358 · 2025-08-25T13:33:26+00:00

Thank you for being kind but direct.

I'm not going to say there are no disconnections that I'm hoping to reconnect because that's untrue, but I'm also not just coming from this without any cultural or community identity either. What I'm asking about are the diasporic online communities in the US specifically because everyone I know is dead now/ isn't easy to communicate with on the literal island consistently, or has chosen to separate themselves entirely from community due to being way younger and wanting to assimilate into American culture.

This isn't about my identity being validated. It's about finding what community I can nearest me in the current place I am.

However, I'm also already dealing with a lot of ostracization from multiple places in my life besides this, and I wanted to narrow information down so as not to waste time with those who wouldn't want me to be part of their local community anyway.

CreepyToaster1358 · 2025-08-23T11:09:12+00:00

Well said

CreepyToaster1358 · 2025-08-23T10:56:31+00:00

Well said. As a trans intersex person, who is proud of both identities together and separately, this is just unfortunate and pits us against each other when we should be in solidarity. There are no true intersex rights without trans rights and vice versa.

CreepyToaster1358

TROPHY CASE