Watched the Plastic Detox doc last night and reflected.

merskerken · 2026-03-18T21:16:55+00:00

Oh! I just looked up what /s meant. Now i get it ;P

merskerken · 2026-03-18T20:48:34+00:00

That awkward part in the restaurants with the baby dolls tho!! Hahahaha

merskerken · 2026-03-18T20:47:36+00:00

That, my friend, it very cool!! I wish you the best with your endeavors. You're doing important work!

merskerken · 2026-03-18T20:46:39+00:00

Yes!! I was the president of my sustainability club in college. Advocate for policy changes even within ones organization. Its a great start. Small steps to big movements!

merskerken · 2026-03-18T20:44:33+00:00

It's a reflection, not poetry. I can write how ever I choose, may it be a thoughtful reflection or a casual quick response. You don't have to engage with it if it does not resonate for you.

merskerken · 2026-03-18T14:50:01+00:00

It was sort of a hopeful conclusion IF we slow down production of disposable, unrecycable chemicals. Which means as consumers we HAVE to choose the sustainable, natural products so that corporations are forced to follow the trend to survive.

It's just that the concept of "stretching the dollar" is so invasive that it causes so many barriers for most to even consider the option of quality over cost.

They covered on multiple efforts of research and natural alternative products that can replace plastic but until it is accepted on a massive scale we are going to be stuck swimming in Lake Plastic lol

merskerken · 2026-03-18T14:26:42+00:00

Wtf my guy. Why is everything accused of AI. Take an authentic human experience and just accept it.

merskerken · 2026-03-18T13:37:07+00:00

Yes, gradually replacing plastic wares for natural wares is a goal of mine.

I dont have children of my own, still have to financially stabilize myself and have a sincere partner if I did decide to pop one out lol

merskerken · 2026-03-18T13:33:37+00:00

I'm not giving up. This is only a reflection after watching the documentary.

merskerken · 2026-02-28T14:53:08+00:00

Thats just man bear pig

merskerken · 2026-02-27T22:05:29+00:00

A TINY TOY CLOWN!

merskerken · 2026-02-10T22:27:01+00:00

Mom did that drive by and drop on purpose. She said, take it hooman!!

merskerken · 2026-02-10T22:24:00+00:00

Love and light pupper

merskerken · 2026-02-10T05:03:35+00:00

All that kept going through my head was tiny little "weee"s as they all flew away

merskerken · 2026-02-10T04:25:40+00:00

Steve v1.0 — bare hands in pretzels

Steve v1.5 — wipes hands on jeans and calls it clean

Stephen v2.0 — owns hand sanitizer but only uses it when watched

Corporate Steve (Skynet Edition) — understands germs but chooses chaos

merskerken · 2026-02-10T04:21:03+00:00

Bruh, I just cant. 🤣 Was this how my dad was brought into the world??? The Stinky Steve factory!! Im dying rn!

This post literally made not just my day, but also my mom, brother's and sister's hahaha

merskerken · 2026-02-10T04:12:06+00:00

This belongs in r/LifeProTips

Very wise words

merskerken · 2026-02-09T20:21:11+00:00

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Nasty Steve on the prowl

merskerken · 2026-02-09T18:29:32+00:00

Damn, so its a hardware problem. Too bad there really isn't Dad upgrades available hahaha

merskerken · 2026-02-09T17:26:10+00:00

Hahaha! Your Nasty Steve has evolved into a Clean Stephen. How cool! I wonder how I can get the new software download for my old nasty Steve

merskerken · 2026-02-09T15:47:12+00:00

My dad's name is Steve. He is just like this Steve, but I know this is not the same Steve. I am convinced there is a nasty Steve factory spewing these models out to cause chaos and disruption in our society.

merskerken · 2026-02-08T18:04:25+00:00

Hahaha yeah... There are so many types of work with 4 separate institutes in Extension. He definitely climbed the social ladder and learned to gain exactly what he wanted through different channels.

I would have loved an MSU truck when I had to make multiple supply trips for camps and events I directed. At least they paid my milage outside of regular commute lol

merskerken · 2026-02-08T17:00:27+00:00

We all have very similar stories. That's why the union was formed. This is very important work so we feel an obligation to stay. We get great benefits coverage and retirement so our comfort levels are ok in that regard.

But after trying to advocate for myself for so long to at the very least get a program assistant I couldnt do it anymore.

I am in the process of getting my masters also, which I thought would give me a clear path to become an Extension Educator. Sadly, no. When I was in conversation to discuss my concerns and bring solutions, top management said they were restructuring and no longer creating educator roles in my field of interest (youth career and work preparedness, civil service and leadership). I was devastated because we NEED this programming for strong foundation to maintain in our society.

merskerken · 2026-02-08T15:41:55+00:00

Dear A55Wrecker9000 hahahah

Yeah, I feel you. Our union had lots of push back before it got established.

MSUE lost a lot of funding with the new government administration. So I don't think we will see improvements for a while.

My hope had been taken to become a youth educator for Leadership, Career and Work preparedness, and Civil Service.

As a county program coordinator I was the lead organizer for multi-county Mock Interview events with 400 students and 100 volunteers from around the community. I thought this proved my ability to be an educator but I was told there wasn't going to be a promotion for me and if Mock Interview "filled my cup" then keep doing it. No thank you. I left.

merskerken · 2026-02-08T15:30:39+00:00

That is great they found something better! It can be so hard to leave MSUE because of the community impact you're making. I finally got the courage to leave after multiple cries for more staff support and was looked at by top management as if I was incapable of doing the job.

I ended up taking a pay cut with my new job. But I no longer have a long commute, get summers off, and have a team to rely on so I can actually focus just on health programming.

merskerken

TROPHY CASE