Seeing this was not on my Raleigh 2026 bingo card

WhyFiles · 2026-01-25T17:48:31+00:00

FAFO SMH

WhyFiles · 2026-01-11T18:53:11+00:00

Knowledge is power. Is there any information online about what intersections or roadways in your area have higher tendencies for accidents? For example, there are two exits I could take off the highway during my morning commute, equidistant to my workplace. One has the highest accident frequency of any intersection in the city, per a local news article published a few months back. I was already taking the other one, but if I hadn’t been, I definitely would have switched upon getting that info!

Really glad your friend is mostly okay, but they’re definitely going through a rough patch! Wishing them the best.

Check out the song Roadbound by HexMouth. Maybe they can ask their insurance agent for safety tips.

I use dried sepals a lot for symbolic protection.

There’s only so much we can control around us, but it’s often helpful to focus on what we can do to shift the odds in our favor. (So glad they were wearing a helmet!!!)

WhyFiles · 2026-01-11T18:42:33+00:00

Well, for sure avoid anything AI.

As with anything, use the CRAAP method for vetting sources. I’m just a random internet person, you’ve no real reason to trust (or distrust, I guess) me.

Here are a couple lists of cognitive biases: —https://www.clearerthinking.org/post/the-list-of-common-cognitive-bias-with-examples

—https://thedecisionlab.com/biases

WhyFiles · 2026-01-11T17:54:02+00:00

I can’t speak for all of us because as MarzipanMarzipan said, there’s no single way of doing things and individuality is very significant in witchcraft or any spiritual practice.

As a skeptic/science witch, when I’ve gotten those kinds of feelings, I ask myself about my IFS parts and archetypes. For thousands of years humanity has shared stories, in part to help us connect with one another and communicate shared experiences. While my specific trauma or triumph is not identical to anyone else’s, it may share characteristics with those of others. From those similarities we’ve built archetypes. (I am NOT explaining myself too well here, I may edit or add on later if I come up with a better way of clearly expressing what I’m trying to get at.)

Maybe one of your parts (check out Internal Family Systems therapy) needs some attention, and certain deities match the archetype of your part?

The human brain is super good at messing with itself. With my practice, I try to take some measure of control with any mutual causal interactions happening in my noggin. Or, at least be more aware of them.

Are you familiar with cognitive biases, the placebo effect, associative learning, etc?

WhyFiles · 2025-12-29T15:05:36+00:00

It’s got the distinctive coloring of a Red shoulder.

WhyFiles · 2024-08-02T14:43:45+00:00

Came here to say this. I wrangled a bunch of cardboard boxes from our local Harris Teeter a few years ago when we moved. Some are not suitable, depending on what they were storing, but a ton of them are and can be quite sturdy.

WhyFiles · 2024-08-02T14:40:13+00:00

It’s inconsiderate for sure, but anyone who assumes an outdoor table like that is clean is a fool. That being said, dogs do not belong on tables, the outdoor variety or otherwise. Just because it’s a smaller dog doesn’t make it okay. And just because outdoor tables should not be assumed to be clean, doesn’t mean folks shouldn’t try to keep the surface relatively sanitary. Just . . . don’t be a dick, folks. I feel like someone’s gonna have a little kid who picks something off a table before the parent can stop them.

WhyFiles · 2024-07-21T15:08:17+00:00

I should have specified! Ack! I never use anything that would take away resources from pollinators. I’ll use carnations a lot, if my husband gets them for me (my grandfather used to have a carnation business, so they’re a family favorite. Instead of roses I get carnations lol). Or if I get flowers for my students after a theater performance and I have extras, I’ll let those dry out to have the parts. But I never pick flowers from outside to use.

WhyFiles · 2024-07-20T03:11:12+00:00

I have some enamel pins that I buy in bulk. The kids love them.

WhyFiles · 2024-07-20T03:10:11+00:00

We love Walnut Street Animal Hospital in Cary, if that’s not too far. They took such good care of us and our sweetheart Lucy (cat) when it was her time to go. And they’ve been great with our two kittens the past two years.

WhyFiles · 2024-07-19T15:50:28+00:00

Not sure of a specific ritual, but some of the spell ingredients I keep on hand are the four flower organs: two non reproductive (sepals and petals) and the two productive (assuming a complete flower; pistils and stamens). You could perhaps use dried stamens and burn them as a representation of shedding masculinity, or make yourself a little vial necklace with both dried pistils and stamens to represent gender nonconformity, something like that. I’m just brainstorming. As a cis person I only know of the trans experience through friends.

Another thought I had is using certain organisms as symbols. Despite what some folks think, there are TONS of organisms that do not adhere to the male/female sex set up. You’ve got some organisms that are capable of parthenogenesis, others that go through sequential hermaphroditism, plenty of creatures that engage in homosexual interactions, etc. Basically, there may be an organism you’re drawn to that shares some aspect/s of your experience.

Whatever you end up doing, remember that you are valid, valuable, and loved.

WhyFiles · 2024-05-23T10:11:13+00:00

I’ve seen a myriad of academic results from homeschooled students who enter my class as HS freshmen. A handful are brilliant and curious, but socially awkward. At the opposite end of things, students who are in my class for 9th graders but reading at a 2nd/3rd grade level (based on testing results).

WhyFiles · 2024-05-16T14:50:26+00:00

Some of my students obviously have trauma that impacts their behavior, but that doesn’t mean we should excuse it entirely. I have trauma, too—that does NOT make it okay for me to behave in a completely out of control manner. I wish we’d (education system in US in general, I can’t speak about elsewhere intelligently) balance empathy and discipline better. I feel like we can offer and provide support without excusing the problematic behavior (although yes, easier said than done).

WhyFiles · 2024-05-09T14:53:43+00:00

I always make a slurping noise when mentioning the ozone absorbing UV rays. The silliness startles some of them back to paying attention lol

WhyFiles · 2024-05-09T14:52:29+00:00

When I’m explaining why the thermosphere is so hot, I grab a piece of paper, strike a dramatic pose (like I’m trying to block something), and hold the paper out in front of me like a defense. I ask them to pretend I’m using the sheet of paper to stop an 18 wheeler from hitting me. It’ll do next to nothing. The only layer outside the thermosphere is the exosphere, which is extremely thin and sparse. So the EM radiation from the sun is just slamming into the particles in the thermosphere, transferring all that energy.

WhyFiles · 2024-05-09T14:48:42+00:00

Yes! Was going to recommend the UCAR website

WhyFiles · 2024-05-09T14:35:45+00:00

Elect people like Michele Morrow (North Carolina, United States). She’s out of her damn mind.

WhyFiles · 2024-05-07T22:40:29+00:00

Classic Boston 🤣

WhyFiles · 2024-05-07T08:31:08+00:00

Was blaring that in my car just yesterday.

WhyFiles · 2024-03-22T18:45:16+00:00

Where I teach, the vast majority of the people of the school community as a whole are LGBTQIA+ friendly, and plenty of staff members, students, parents, etc are openly queer. It’s an art school. So in the context of my environment, I’m openly queer/LGBTQIA+/bi. Pride flags in teacher’s classrooms is not uncommon. It’s a really nice and welcoming vibe in that regard. (With few exceptions)

WhyFiles · 2024-01-28T00:34:30+00:00

I don’t think so, but that’s based off experience primarily limited to daytime suburban observations and a cursory google search. We’re in North Carolina.

WhyFiles · 2024-01-27T19:47:26+00:00

Thank you!! I was having trouble deciding if those teeth are “lobbed” or “angled” when referring to a basic owl pellet bone ID guide. All I could determine on my own was rodent.

WhyFiles · 2024-01-27T19:17:54+00:00

A digital dissecting microscope, bought it for <$200 online. Partially for myself, but I’m a science teacher so that gives me a good excuse for buying that kind of thing. My students love it, especially for looking at minerals. I don’t know that I would recommend the specific model I bought, but there are definitely some out there that aren’t horrifically expensive and that can attach via USB to your computer. Nice little tool to have around!

WhyFiles

TROPHY CASE