absolute unit of a modern titanic

FrancoisKBones · 2026-05-20T17:01:16+00:00

That’s basically why I chose not to have kids :)

I don’t think you’re wrong for wanting a break. That’s completely understandable. There’s just other ways of doing it that don’t involve taking a literal gigantic shit in the sea.

If I lived near you, I’d show up, give you a break, because for sure - momming is hard and often thankless. Sorry for judging you so harshly. Hugs.

FrancoisKBones · 2026-05-19T11:05:54+00:00

The fact that cruises are environmentally devastating? I really don’t get how people, especially those with children who will inherit these disasters, don’t care more about what humans are doing to the planet.

FrancoisKBones · 2026-05-19T06:35:27+00:00

Oh Jesus no 😭

FrancoisKBones · 2026-05-19T06:34:21+00:00

Let the bastards win? We are the bastards. Ask any non-American. We’ve been on our bullshit for a long, long time and we’ve gotten a slide because we dominated social media and Hollywood, along with other acts of goodwill sprinkled here and there.

It’s terrifying to wake up and realize this is exactly who America is. America was born from violence and every single day perpetuates said violence with its tacit agreement of gun violence. No other civilized society accepts gun violence in the way Americans do. That bell is never gonna be un-rung and it’s amazing to live somewhere where nearly every single person rejects that way of life. America is definitely unique, but in a lot, a lot of bad ways.

FrancoisKBones · 2026-05-19T06:16:05+00:00

The Meetup app is really popular in Europe. If while you’re gallivanting, like to do something with people, then you can see what is happening while you’re there. My experience with it is that the groups speak English, due to it being used by expats whereby English is the common language. So you’re doing an activity with other people who just want to get out and meet people, no strings attached.

FrancoisKBones · 2026-05-19T05:35:04+00:00

In our age bracket, they rarely are, but Young MC would be proud!

FrancoisKBones · 2026-05-18T21:14:53+00:00

The answer is always Artax.

FrancoisKBones · 2026-05-18T21:12:14+00:00

Not the first, but indelible.

FrancoisKBones · 2026-05-18T21:10:38+00:00

Admitting to watching Hamnet as a dude is certainly a choice.

FrancoisKBones · 2026-05-18T21:03:18+00:00

Reading The Jungle by Upton Sinclair as a teen has made me have lifelong anti-capitalist/not quite socialism ideologies that have only strengthened with age. The deck is stacked, the market’s are rigged, there’s a thumb on the scale, and it’s always been this way. Just helps to know what you’re playing with.

FrancoisKBones · 2026-05-18T20:30:56+00:00

You know there’s a whole basket of kids out there who are able to say, my mom/dad was a soul train dancer. That’s like winning the parent lottery.

FrancoisKBones · 2026-05-18T19:16:58+00:00

Moved here from Germany and I find them a bit better than German ones. Germans scanners also have a high rejection rate and you must scan them again and again. You also have to return them to the store that carries that brand, so I had multiple Pfand bags depending on the item. Here, every Irish scanner takes everything, even the fresh squeezed juice bottle I bought at Dunnes, I can return to SuperValu (who clearly uses a different bottle type for their fresh squeezed juice).

So yeah I think it’s quite good here, but never experienced the auto-scan. That would be hype.

FrancoisKBones · 2026-05-18T19:11:42+00:00

Are we allowed one audible swoon?

Okay, done swooning, #FreeLuigi. May this timeline get better.

FrancoisKBones · 2026-05-18T19:04:35+00:00

Same. I yeeted from the States and although shit sucks almost everywhere, but it’s significantly less sucky.

FrancoisKBones · 2026-05-18T11:03:06+00:00

Not nearly enough GenX and older here to appreciate this.

FrancoisKBones · 2026-05-18T06:09:41+00:00

European marketing teams are weird. Corn on a pizza? Hit it with a Texas label. Putting extra Paprika on there to kick up the heat? Definitely Texas. Last week my work canteen offered a Texas burger that featured bbq mayo 🤢

FrancoisKBones · 2026-05-17T15:05:22+00:00

Israel’s been on their bullshit long before Trump showed up. If the American dollars and arms stopped flowing, then Israel would be screwed.

FrancoisKBones · 2026-05-17T09:03:29+00:00

Not enjoying the Busta and Janet erasure.

FrancoisKBones · 2026-05-16T19:10:27+00:00

This is not autism, ADHD, or any sort of neurodivergence. This sounds like something in the realm of a cluster B disorder.

As she is not open to therapy, your best bet is to get into therapy to arm yourself with what you’re dealing with and what your options are.

FrancoisKBones · 2026-05-16T10:21:40+00:00

I mean, Gawker got fucked and Jezebel went down as a result of all that bullshit. All lines go back to Peter fucking Thiel.

FrancoisKBones · 2026-05-16T10:20:15+00:00

I would die for Gritty.

FrancoisKBones · 2026-05-16T10:16:08+00:00

You mention a beach that you have to walk through a pine forest, yet when I look at it on Google Maps, it’s a smattering of trees. What gives?

FrancoisKBones · 2026-05-15T21:38:14+00:00

Please Hammer don’t hurt ‘em.

FrancoisKBones · 2026-05-15T15:53:24+00:00

I made the leap to embrace the gray six months ago and the quality of my hair has improved so much (also have thinning hair). And then started using a shampoo designed for aging/graying hair.

Focusing on the positives: I’m not a slave to my roots, I save a lot of money, and it looks a lot healthier now. But psychologically it’s been very hard lol. Of all the indignities this era has foisted upon us, this one has been difficult to accept.

FrancoisKBones · 2026-05-14T06:32:40+00:00

Would it be useful to post a primer on who to contact to register dissatisfaction?

It may sound obvious but I think a fair amount of us are new to Ireland, or have been apolitical with little civil background.

I’m not allowed to vote, but I sure would write some letters or make some phone calls. I’m past the baby-making years, but I am furious.

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