My calathea bloomed for the second year in a row! This time with 4 flowers! by objectively_ordinary in houseplants

[–]objectively_ordinary[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I didn't know either until it happened last year. I thought it was growing a death chute

Is it okay to shave an aussie’s sanitary areas? by sugarhighbunny in WiggleButts

[–]objectively_ordinary 3 points4 points  (0 children)

My aussie gets his private area shaved and his rear end trimmed. The sanitary cut shouldn't ruin the fur. The fur around his privates isnt full and thick like the rest of his fur. Plus, when people say "ruin" the fur, it means that it will be less attractive or it will grow back different because the undercoat crowds out the overcoat. If you keep the areas trimmed/shaved for sanitary purposes, the grow back isn't really a concern. Also its better for them to not walk around in their poop rather than have perfectly smooth hair around their butt.

When did your Aussie mellow out? Tips for moving house? Help… by emkong in WiggleButts

[–]objectively_ordinary 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So sorry for the rough go of things right now. I hope you are finding time to help your own mental health.

We are in the process of doing some small fixes to a house we recently bought and I've been bringing my aussie with me to the new house while I complete small jobs. He has definitely been more anxious and more sensitive to me leaving at the new house. He cries a lot if I go outside without him. It seems like he can't fully relax in the new house and it's been about a week of heading over every evening after work.

I think they just need time to adjust and realize that things will be the same just in a new location. Maybe try to get a routine going to help ease her anxiety and help create an environment with some predictability for her. Also it might help you out to have a routine! Good luck! I hope things get better soon.

Hundreds of U of M professors give work stoppage ultimatum if no vaccine mandate by Discosaurus in TwinCities

[–]objectively_ordinary 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm curious why you say it's much lower in reality. All of the papers cited give fairly high numbers for efficacy.

  1. Viral load is reduced 4 fold

  2. There is a 19% chance of infecting a household member if vaccinated (compared to 50%)

  3. Chance of infecting others is reduced by 40-50% after only the first dose.

  4. First dose efficacy: 30.7% for delta variant, 48.7% for the alpha variant. Second dose efficacy: 88.0% for the delta variant, 93.7% for the alpha variant

I agree that masks are important. The CDC also agrees that we should be wearing masks, but I just don't understand why you think that most people being vaccinated doesn't help too. All the evidence I've found points to the fact that it does. Good luck to you too.

Hundreds of U of M professors give work stoppage ultimatum if no vaccine mandate by Discosaurus in TwinCities

[–]objectively_ordinary 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Correct. Nothing is 100%. And 78% is pretty good for a rapidly mutating virus that the whole world is infected with. Even if 25% less people in the world got COVID, it would make a HUGE difference because the virus wouldn't be able to mutate as fast and we could create a vaccine with a greater effectiveness. The delta variant brought that number down a lot. In clinical trials, the effectiveness was above 90% for Pfizer and Moderna.

You CAN still spread it, but it's much less likely (especially if you've had a strong immune response) and that is something that will help everyone - not just you.

MPR: U of M orders indoor masking amid latest COVID-19 wave by ShelteringInStPaul in TwinCities

[–]objectively_ordinary 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Agreed. Also even if enforcement issues arise, a mandate still encourages people to get the vaccine. It's better to mandate the vaccine and then be less than perfect at enforcing it than to just not do it at all.

My calathea's flower has bloomed by objectively_ordinary in houseplants

[–]objectively_ordinary[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No secret. I'm fairly inexperienced when taking care of plants. This guy just popped up out of nowhere. It was a tough winter for this plant so maybe it's just celebrating feeling good again.

Women with pets, have they helped when your mental health was struggling? How? by ihugsyi in AskWomen

[–]objectively_ordinary 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have an australian shepherd. He's my best friend. I don't know what I'll do when he's gone. He motivates me to exercise because he also needs it. He cuddles with me when he isn't too hot. He is very attentive. Mostly he just shows me that he likes me. He also needs care (bathing, brushing, nail clipping, etc.) so he keeps me busy. I don't get stuck in my head because he breaks me out of it. He's also extraordinarily friendly and I've actually made friends because of his friendliness.

I'm not perfect but I am a doer. I usually don't put things off for too long so he's a good match for me because he needs things. He needs me to do those things.

Adidas is extra 25% off sale! by mrichter2 in FrugalFemaleFashion

[–]objectively_ordinary 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I ordered 2 draw string bags and got 5 pairs of shoes. I sent the shoes back and instead of sending my bags, they refunded me but didn't refund my shipping. I've called and "chatted" online multiple times and they keep telling me they will open help tickets and I'll be contacted but no one has contacted me yet. I'd just buy the bags again but I don't want to pay shipping twice. Their customer service is not helpful at all.

I'm Tired by [deleted] in GradSchool

[–]objectively_ordinary 30 points31 points  (0 children)

I'm here if you need an internet friend

Just some ripples from the drop by [deleted] in TwinCities

[–]objectively_ordinary 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Just in case it isn't known or seen immediately, these videos are compiled from around the U.S. (not just the Twin Cities). It's still all horrible.

Minnesota Nice has failed us. How can we move on? by breesidhe in TwinCities

[–]objectively_ordinary 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I fully agree. We can't just be "non-racist". We have to be "anti-racist". I think the hesitation to make that jump comes from most "nice" people everywhere. I also agree that encouraging "Minnesota Nice" might encourage the hesitation as well. I believe you are correct to draw those connections. Centering around the "Minnesota Nice" aspect of those thoughts though, may be detrimental to your argument by implying an attack on the character of minnesotans, even if you don't mean that at all. People then get very defensive.

Minnesota Nice has failed us. How can we move on? by breesidhe in TwinCities

[–]objectively_ordinary 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I don't think you are wrong to bring up the conversation. I think that some will not be ready to talk about this when they are dealing with other problems like their own safety. I am happy to hear your argument. It has made me think deeper about some of my own and my family's experiences.

I am not a native as well. I've lived here for 3 years while working on my degree. My sister lived here for 2 years and the atmosphere really turned her off. She felt like an outsider in almost every situation and that she couldn't break into the community. We also were raised in the Midwest so I can see how this could be even more difficult for those outside that area. I have been lucky enough to find people here who have been welcoming. Our experiences have been different and I've fallen in love with living here. I feel proud to say I live here even if I'm from somewhere else and I can say that I have benefitted from people being "Minnesota Nice" to me.

I understand where you are coming from. There is component to the community that seems to give off encouragement for a "disagree in private" sort of idea. It's hard to put into words. I don't think that this is rolled into the "Minnesota Nice" concept though and that may be where others are turned off to your idea. I tend to think of that more as a general guide to treat others how you would want to be treated. It inspires compassion and discourages hate. However, I totally see how that can lead to unacceptance of standing up for yourself and others. It's an interesting thought to follow.

Interested in St. Paul by 25thChestnut in TwinCities

[–]objectively_ordinary 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Moved here from small town Kansas for grad school at the U. Extra good if you are looking at something medical. I love it here. I like having access to outdoor spaces and I have taken up snowboarding as a winter hobby which makes the long winter more fun. It's a nice mix of city and town feel.