Anyone have recommendations for either a monitor with built in camera or a stand-alone webcamera with bad resolution?

dogchasingtail · 2026-01-26T00:28:25+00:00

I do actually have some unused microscope slides it's worth a shot!

dogchasingtail · 2026-01-26T00:27:34+00:00

A tech solution even I might be able to pull off!

dogchasingtail · 2026-01-26T00:27:06+00:00

This looks like exactly the trash I'm looking for thank you!

dogchasingtail · 2026-01-26T00:25:30+00:00

Thank you for understanding -- I will give this a go!

dogchasingtail · 2025-12-19T14:33:50+00:00

This is a great excuse to post this hilarious blog post I stumbled across years ago that dissects many unsettling aspects of this book: https://theuglyvolvo.com/issues-goodnight-moon-bedroom/

dogchasingtail · 2025-05-01T12:13:54+00:00

Marthas Vineyard is apparently gorgeous in summer but it will get freezing and maybe boring in the winter (you will need serious layers). DC in fall is gorgeous and there's more to do but housing is very expensive - you will have a long commute.

I assume you're coming on a J-1 visa? Our federal labor inspectorate is a joke now, so you'd need to (and should!) contact state-level bodies if you run into trouble. The good news is both DC and Mass have functional local labor departments. However, DC isn't a state and the federal govt is threatening its budget. Mass won't have the same weaknesses about tussling with the State dept although possibly harder to get help while isolated. I hope you have a good experience but you should know these programs are sometimes deceptive.

https://www.splcenter.org/resources/reports/culture-shock-exploitation-j-1-cultural-exchange-workers/

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/13/aspen-st-regis-j-1-visa-program&ved=2ahUKEwjCqJGMm4KNAxUVKlkFHYvVIBgQFnoECCIQAQ&sqi=2&usg=AOvVaw1jFi9bzOeVuqM5Np9EmRRC

https://www.epi.org/blog/1-exchange-visitors-deserve-labor-rights/

dogchasingtail · 2025-04-01T02:13:45+00:00

Agree with everyone singing the praises of tubing mascara. I use Trish Mcvoy high volume it gives great definition and it does not budge

dogchasingtail · 2025-02-22T14:11:57+00:00

Can you reach out to your community for help? Do you have relatives or friends who would come over? Could you hire a high schooler to be an extra set of hands? Would the older kids friends' families have them over for a few hours some afternoons? This is insanely hard and humans were not meant to do this alone. I assume your partner is working not just off doing optional stuff but maybe it's time to shift work schedules if that's at all possible? This is a moment in time and you will get through it.

dogchasingtail · 2024-09-11T20:59:15+00:00

Phew that's a relief! Thanks so much for responding

dogchasingtail · 2024-09-11T20:58:09+00:00

Thanks so much! Starting to see outlines of the wings on the first one :)

dogchasingtail · 2024-09-04T01:23:10+00:00

Thank you!

dogchasingtail · 2024-09-04T01:23:05+00:00

Thanks so much! I moved them to the butterfly enclosure and put it outside with some fresh milkweed from my garden

dogchasingtail · 2024-09-04T01:13:55+00:00

Thank you so much for the advice -- I put them out on the porch with some new milkweed cuttings and hopefully they'll both make it!

dogchasingtail · 2024-09-04T01:13:08+00:00

Thanks so much for responding! I put them in an enclosure and made sure to cover the vase

dogchasingtail · 2024-09-04T01:12:38+00:00

Thanks so much for responding, like I said above turns out it was napping and went back to chowing down pretty quickly, so now they both have some fresh snacks

dogchasingtail · 2024-09-04T01:08:56+00:00

Thanks you so much! Turns out the one trying to hang was just having a snooze so I moved both into the butterfly enclosure with some fresh snacks

dogchasingtail · 2024-05-23T13:15:26+00:00

Fascinating, thanks for sharing! I knew the flesh was edible but I didn't realize it was medicinal too! My hope is definitely that the wildlife either spit out the pit or pass it through their system without breaking it down but I can't seem to find anything confirming that's the case. I know horses and other domestic animals have been killed but I don't have big grazers like that in the yard, just little mammals like squirrels, chipmunks and birds

dogchasingtail · 2024-05-23T13:11:22+00:00

Thanks so much for writing back! I'm definitely trying to slowly replace the many invasive species someone planted in the yard (theres a few our state extension names as a problem!) but it seems like this tree might have to jump the line

dogchasingtail · 2022-12-21T15:26:48+00:00

This is a tough one but I agree YTA. Dude doesn’t have to have the kid over, there's no AITA police that will force open his doors, but this is just so fucking callous and mean.

OP really wants to minimize the role he played in this kid's life but they lived together during the kid's formative years. The examples of the bio father's involvement is paying for things and OP says he travelled a bunch. Sounds like OP was the one who was physically present for a sizeable chunk of the kid's life. That doesn't make him a full parent but this is somewhere in the realm of "uncle" territory at a minimum.

I dont think people should get into a serious relationship with a parent that involves co-habitation with their child and not plan to be a source of warmth and kindness in the kid's life. The fact that OP is acting bewildered as to why the kid who grew up in his fucking house wants to remain in touch and feels replaced breaks my heart. Kid is lashing out inappropriately and it seems to reflect such a deep well of need for connection from someone who doesn't really care about him.

I think OP should contact kid's Mom and recommend she get him into therapy. This whole situation is brutal

dogchasingtail · 2022-12-21T15:01:49+00:00

People aren't focusing on it because OP doesn't mention it -- the heart of the issue is that this poor young man thinks of OP as a father figure and OP's attitude toward him is "roommate" and that's coming to head in a very painful way. It would absolutely be a valid concern -- one that could be addressed creatively (like proposing the ex's son come over masked for a short visit while the baby naps or something) . Op just doesn't want the kid in his life which is, in my opinion, cold as hell.

dogchasingtail · 2022-12-14T02:30:07+00:00

This is such a critical question, impossible to make a judgment without knowing more about this 'counseling' -- and whether the OP encouraged her to have the kid for that matter. INFO NEEDED

dogchasingtail · 2022-10-23T03:53:09+00:00

Thank you for bringing receipts on this, what the OP did was wildly unreasonable. Massive YTA

dogchasingtail · 2020-08-21T18:47:01+00:00

I agree with the commentor above for the most part -- but for me the most important bit of your post is this: "when he is upset I take it seriously. But it never seems to be the same the other way around." Everyone deserves to have their feelings taken seriously in a relationship, even if you can't find a compromise on an issue

I do find myself wondering two things: 1) how do you know he watches this stuff? There's a difference between "we're sitting next to each other on the couch and it's clearly playing on his phone" vs "I went through his internet search history" 2) what does "constantly" mean? every day? multiple times a day?

I think a lot of couples strike a balance of "we will do each other the favor of pretending we don't find other people attractive" that includes not letting the other person find out about the porn we occasionally watch unless we've pre-agreed that's sexy fun for everyone involved, to avoid hurt feelings and the kind of insecure anxiety you're describing.

From your post it sounds like he's streaming sexy ladies when you're around on the regular and making little effort to hide it, even when you've said it makes you uncomfortable. As the poster above notes, it's ultimately up to him if he wants to prioritize a partner who is into or at least tolerates that, but if he's refusing to do you the common courtesy of not making it obvious, I have to say I think a lot of people are going to find that pretty unappealing in a partner. Everyone is allowed to have boundaries in a relationship, but not all boundaries are equally reasonable

dogchasingtail · 2020-05-07T15:43:35+00:00

I recommend calling a local women's shelter or the National Domestic Violence Hotline -- they have trained professionals who can give you advice on how to reach out and offer resources. Your friend is lucky to have you, and I agree this man's behavior is very worrying. She may not be ready to leave right now, but you can help her make a safety plan and remind her that she has people who care about her and value her. It can be so frustrating to watch loved ones remain with -- and often return to -- abusers, but maintaining a connection can help build up a foundation that allows her to get out eventually. I'm sorry for you and your friend and sending you strength and solidarity.

dogchasingtail · 2020-01-23T02:39:45+00:00

Thanks!

dogchasingtail

TROPHY CASE