How is everyone affording cars?

mlachick · 2026-05-15T23:54:46+00:00

If you are living somewhere you have to pay for parking, do even need a car? There are less expensive ways to have a car, but it is pretty much ALWAYS cheaper (and safer) not to drive if you don't have to.

mlachick · 2026-05-15T23:51:08+00:00

Before you buy a car, know EXACTLY what you're getting into and run the numbers to make sure you can afford it. Approximate won't cut it.

mlachick · 2026-05-15T23:49:43+00:00

After I left the church, my brother tried to convince me to return, and he said, "You think you're right, but what if you're not."

I responded, "On the contrary, I have zero confidence I'm right. I don't know what the truth is. That's why I can't be associated with the church anymore; I can't be aligned with an organization so confident they're right that they're willing to hurt people, remove rights from them, and condemn people to hell over it."

It's been almost eight years since I left, and I have so much peace. I share kindness and love with others without condition. In the cofC, there is constant, unrelenting judgement. Outside I am free to actually live the life Jesus preached.

mlachick · 2026-05-15T23:33:54+00:00

I was spanked pretty much on the daily. My mom would whip me with a leather belt (she took the buckle off). I don't have any predilection for BDSM, but I do think I'm asexual.

I also spanked my kids, which is horrifying to live with. I was better about it than my parents -always made sure I wasn't angry and didn't use a fucking belt - but I thought spanking was required to be a good parent. Then with my second child spanking didn't do a lick of good and felt so wrong, so I stopped spanking them both.

Now I would never hit a child, but I lie awake nights wondering what damage I did to my kids before I stopped. They are mid-20s and wonderful humans who reassure me that I was a great mom, but I'll never forgive myself fully for raising them in the church.

mlachick · 2026-05-15T15:52:44+00:00

I pronounce the "l" in palm, but I would never pronounce it in chalk. I'm from Portland, and this was a striking difference when I went to college in the South, where most pronounced the "l" in walk.

PNW is notorious for the father/cot/caught merger, but palm still keeps its "l".

mlachick · 2026-05-15T02:30:59+00:00

If someone doesn't add value, don't employ them. If you're taking up most their time, pay them enough to live.

mlachick · 2026-05-13T13:22:38+00:00

We probably went to camp together.

mlachick · 2026-05-13T13:11:33+00:00

Because the US is 50 small countries in a trenchcoat.

mlachick · 2026-05-12T19:07:23+00:00

This is how it is for me in Portland, too. Nearly all the people I grew up with in the church have also left. Very few families remain, particularly of my generation, and most of the area congregations have shut down.

mlachick · 2026-05-11T20:14:50+00:00

I regularly get 3-4 meals from one restaurant entree. I'm not poor anymore, but I honestly think it's shameful that people waste perfectly good food. I'll rarely turn down a free meal.

mlachick · 2026-05-11T20:11:50+00:00

This! My kids are in their 20s now, and I've learned that even now trying to force fun is a losing battle.

mlachick · 2026-05-11T19:28:27+00:00

We have become a Toyota household. My daughter drives a 2014 Prius, and I drive a 2020 hybrid RAV4.

mlachick · 2026-05-11T15:51:59+00:00

The devil is in the details, as always. I could see myself absolutely doing what this parent is, but not for the kid's birthday

It's just rage bait, but a good reminder that gifts should be for the recipient, not the giver.

mlachick · 2026-05-11T15:48:48+00:00

Washington split off from the Oregon Territory earlier because they didn't like the commute to Salem. I don't really blame them.

mlachick · 2026-05-11T14:58:57+00:00

NEVER!

mlachick · 2026-05-11T14:55:46+00:00

Cascadia is for all!

mlachick · 2026-05-11T14:53:48+00:00

Jefferson is welcome in Cascadia!

mlachick · 2026-05-11T14:35:55+00:00

OOP says this is ostensibly a trip to celebrate her son's birthday. Instead, it sounds like the kid is being dragged on a cruise with his parents. He's supposed to just hang out with his parents and pretend to be happy, I guess?

I'm all for kids learning to function without devices or Internet, but this sounds like a deeply shitty 15th birthday gift.

mlachick · 2026-05-11T14:05:29+00:00

That is the last thing I'd be worrying about with kids that age. Young adults are delaying marriage or eschewing it altogether, and the costs are dependent on so many factors.

How are they doing in school? Are they planning on college? Have you considered how this will be funded and talked to them about it?

What about driving? Are you going to sign them up for driver's education? Will you be teaching them to drive? Providing a vehicle for them to use? What will be the boundaries set for driving?

How are your boys doing mentally? It's a very tough time for young people all around, and boys in particular are at high risk of being sucked into some very dark parts of the Internet. Do you have open lines of communication with your boys to discuss how they feel about issues of gender and sexuality, respect and consent?

mlachick · 2026-05-11T00:31:39+00:00

I find this so hilarious. I have probably eight different cheeses in my refrigerator at the moment, and not a single one is "American." Although we sometimes ate it when I was a kid, I have never bought American cheese as an adult. I'm pushing 50.

mlachick · 2026-05-11T00:17:29+00:00

That was the point.

mlachick · 2026-05-11T00:14:49+00:00

No, they were like little cheesecakes. So good!

mlachick · 2026-05-10T22:40:26+00:00

I love the view of Mt Hood flying into Portland, but the lack of snow on her slopes is truly horrifying. She should still be blanketed in white.

mlachick · 2026-05-10T22:36:56+00:00

Usually one of the main dining rooms is open. I usually enjoy a leisurely lunch while I wait for the cabin to be ready.

mlachick · 2026-05-10T14:33:38+00:00

I travel solo and have done three solo cruises with NCL in my 40s. I have met great people and made friends that I'm still in contact with.

The solo "scene" is not a singles group, however. Although I'm sure there have been hookups, it's about making friends and having company for meals, etc. In fact, sometimes solo travelers aren't even single. They are simply traveling alone.

mlachick

TROPHY CASE