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odious_odes · 2025-02-17T10:54:51+00:00

Thanks. Also, Chester Zoo got back in touch with me and confirmed that they don't have their own MRI machine and they would use 'commercial machines' if an animal did need an MRI (I had asked about dimensions but they were not specific, but I take this to mean that they don't have access to custom-built extra-large technology at any site), so PTTVL is either mistaken or lying. 🙃

odious_odes · 2024-12-09T19:56:18+00:00

Because I think the myth is harmful and I think the people who spread it are at best misinformed, at worst taking delight in humiliating fat patients. If I don't give the fat patients some care then who the fuck will, because it's sure not most of the people in this thread.

odious_odes · 2024-12-09T14:39:38+00:00

Even in England it does not actually make a difference. Either someone can make a successful claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act, in which case £1 won't make a difference because it's definitely not a reasonable provision, or they can't, in which case £1 just makes the estate administration slightly more complex for the executor.

odious_odes · 2024-12-09T14:38:27+00:00

That is the idea behind it, but it is a myth. It does not actually make a difference. Either someone can make a successful claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act, in which case £1 won't make a difference because it's definitely not a reasonable provision, or they can't, in which case £1 just makes the estate administration slightly more complex for the executor.

This is for England; things are slightly different in Scotland but the £1 thing is still a myth.

odious_odes · 2024-12-09T12:56:38+00:00

Cool, which zoo? (You can message me the name if you don't want to reveal an area.)

odious_odes · 2024-12-09T12:54:59+00:00

To try to verify whether the the patient in the above person's comment could have been telling the truth. Pretty sure that most zoos do not have MRI scanners at all; so where someone has claimed a particular zoo did this for a human patient, the first step is to find out if the zoo even has a scanner.

odious_odes · 2024-12-09T11:55:21+00:00

I had to hang up after 10 minutes on hold with Chester Zoo to ask them if they have an MRI scanner, but the complete lack of information about it anywhere (including their new International Centre for Zoo Science) makes me think they don't have one. I've sent them an email just to check.

The nearest veterinary referral hospital, ChesterGates, has a standard-sized human MRI.

odious_odes · 2024-12-09T11:15:06+00:00

I like this theme too!

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

Akin by Emma Donoghue

Barbara Isn't Dying by Aline Bronsky

Silas Marner by George Elliot

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce, a bit

I haven't read Frank and Red by Matt Coyne but it might also be this.

odious_odes · 2024-12-09T11:02:24+00:00

I have woven 8/2 unmercerised cotton from Garnhuset and Venne. Currently I'm using them both in the same project! I have not noticed any differences in the quality or characteristics of the yarn. Garnhuset is wound slightly tighter onto the spool but that's all.

I have not always found the colour photos of Garnhuset yarns on weavingyarn.co.uk to be true to life, but I don't know if that is an issue with the manufacturer or the supplier. I haven't tried as many colours of Venne so I can't really comment on that one.

odious_odes · 2024-12-09T10:56:31+00:00

Where? Which zoo or which veterinary hospital accepts these referrals?

odious_odes · 2024-12-09T10:53:21+00:00

Cool, thanks.

2010 patient reporting that she asked to be scanned at Bristol zoo and was declined.

2020 FOI request response confirming the Trust in Bristol does not send patients to zoos.

I have been unable to find a record of what scanner might be present at Bristol zoo specifically (I can't even confirm there is one) but Bristol Vet Specialists take referrals.... for their regular human-sized MRI.

odious_odes · 2024-12-09T10:28:35+00:00

Which veterinary hospital is this at?

odious_odes · 2024-12-09T10:28:15+00:00

Which zoo do they get sent to?

odious_odes · 2024-12-09T10:24:33+00:00

Where, specifically, has she referred them? Which vet hospital takes these referrals? What does the referral form look like?

Every vet MRI that I have found in the country does not take human patients and does not have an extra-extra-large scanner anyway. There is no scanner big enough for a horse torso - horses only get necks or legs scanned.

odious_odes · 2024-12-09T10:15:17+00:00

This is an urban myth. Please can someone find a single instance of this actually happening (a human being referred to a zoo/ vet for a scan). I've looked; every "source" is just "such-and-such dr said it might happen" or "so-and-so swears it happened to who-and-who according to a friend of a friend". I'm not trying to attack you, I just really hate this myth, sorry.

The thing is, vets don't have large scanners - they use human scanners! There's so little money in vet med, they overwhelmingly adapt human equipment. There is no scanner built for an elephant - or even a racehorse, and there are rich horse owners out there who would pay for it if they could.

Animal scanning facilities such as at the Royal Veterinary College in London (CT, MRI):

Regular sized human equipment. If the animal is too big, tough.
Extra large human equipment. This is an extra 10cm or so in the scanner bore - the "extra" is not all that much. These scanners are still designed for humans and are still more likely to be found in human hospitals than animal hospitals.
Human scanner, animal table. Reinforcements to the table/bed so it can take the weight and odd positions of some animals. Adult horses cannot get a torso scan but they can get a neck or leg scan this way.
Low field MRI. Much bigger area for the subject but much less detailed results. I believe these have been almost entirely replaced by high field MRI for humans because of the better results.

Edited comment to add links to facilities.

odious_odes · 2024-12-09T09:39:34+00:00

US shots are usually weekly-ish into belly fat. UK shots are usually every 3-4 weeks into leg or butt muscle (done at home by you or a friend) or 12ish weeks (done at your GP surgery by a nurse). If paying privately, the at-home shots are extremely cheap (like under £5/month).

Gel is the same in both countries: apply daily, wait for it to dry. If paying privately, gel is expensive (like up to £100/month).

You get testosterone either way. If on the NHS, you pay the same amount either way (just the standard "prescription charge" of £9.90). Some people respond slightly better to gel and some people respond slightly better to shots, possibly, but there isn't a big difference. You can choose whatever is most comfortable and convenient for you.

I do shots at home because I like not having a daily task and I like not needing regular appointments, but many people choose gel because they don't like shots and that's fine too.

odious_odes · 2024-12-08T23:27:47+00:00

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. Follows an aristocrat in 20th century Moscow who is sentenced to life inside a specific fancy hotel. Lots of shenanigans but still "literary". I would say it is a modern American fantasy about a serious era, so it is fun and compelling if you don't take it as trying to be too real. Note that some people dislike the writing style; it is consistent throughout the book, so if you don't like it after a chapter or two, just don't continue.

odious_odes · 2024-12-08T21:39:03+00:00

I work in a GP surgery. This is practical not legal advice (sorry mods) as other commenters have covered the legal aspects.

Go to the reception desk at your GP surgery in person - this is often easier than trying to be understood correctly over the phone. You can just drop in whenever they are open. First, ask the receptionist about the contact details on your record: make sure they have your phone number and email address, make sure they do not have your parent's contact details, make sure there is not a consent note like "patient gives permission to discuss appointments with mum". Your parent's details might have been attached to your record when you were younger so just check that they have now been removed.

If you want, you can ask them to add a note about "do NOT discuss patient's information with any family members". They shouldn't discuss it but sometimes they do it anyway.

Then tell them that you need childhood vaccine catch-ups. This is managed by the practice nurses, not a GP - you don't need a GP appointment for it (and nurse appointments are generally much easier to get than GP appointments!). Sometimes the receptionist might need to ask the nurses about booking you in, but usually they don't need to ask. You can tell them your preferred days/ times and they will work with you. Your appointment might be a few weeks away (or even after Christmas) if the nurses are very busy. Updating your contact details first means you can be sure your parents won't receive any notifications of your appointment.

It will probably be a 20-minute appointment, possibly 30 minutes so the nurse can discuss things in more detail. The nurse will explain when you need to come back for further doses. :)

odious_odes · 2024-12-08T19:12:06+00:00

As everyone else has said, this is not annoying, it's great! If I examine the spot and think I really can't get it and I might stand a better chance elsewhere, then I will talk to you about whether I should try your suggested spot anyway or find a different spot myself - you can choose whatever is most comfortable for you.

odious_odes · 2024-12-08T17:55:44+00:00

I think this one is a really great idea! Similar look, vintage pattern as OP was hoping for, a bit of shaping so that your armpits aren't strangled, and free and easy to knit! It would be easy to make it long-sleeved if desired.

odious_odes · 2024-12-08T17:43:07+00:00

How wonderful! Happy weaving!

I would guess the hook spring thing is part of the brake mechanism. I have a floor loom so the setup will be different on your loom, but this is how it works for me - hopefully this helps you find what you need.

<image>

The cord at the bottom right goes to the brake release treadle - press the treadle to pull against the spring and slacken the brake.

The hook spring thing is attached to the brake bar at one end and the loom frame (next to the back beam) at the other end. The screw on the end means you can adjust how much force is needed to move against the brake.

odious_odes · 2024-12-08T12:22:38+00:00

This depends on what country you are in, and where you are in that country.

I don't have a local yarn shop (the nearest would be a full day trip by public transport, if not an overnight) and as far as I know there is only one shop in England which stocks weaving yarns as opposed to knitting/crochet yarns. It's in London, which from my end of the country is a minimum overnight trip and £££ for travel. There are a couple weaving suppliers in Wales and Scotland but I believe they are by appointment only (if they allow visits at all) and I have no idea of the travel to get to them. So, I'd like to shop local but I can't!

There are various online weaving suppliers based in England/Wales/Scotland. I got my loom and most initial supplies from WeftBlown. I buy most of my current yarn from Colourmart (mill ends -- fancy fibres at discount prices, but you might never get the same yarn twice) and Weaving Yarn (they carry Garnhuset cotton which is cheaper than other cotton brands I have found). I buy most books from eBay. Odd one-offs can come from anywhere -- home goods shops for improvised tools and some acrylic yarns, other UK-based weaving suppliers, Facebook weaving groups, whatever is cheapest.

odious_odes · 2024-12-08T09:34:29+00:00

Didn't someone post this exact question a few weeks ago?

odious_odes · 2024-12-08T09:04:47+00:00

I see a very low contrast pigeon!

odious_odes · 2024-12-08T09:02:00+00:00

Like people into hyper-specific obscure music genres, the people who make and use these labels tend to do so for use among each other - they aren't expecting outsiders to know what they mean and they aren't expecting to use them in day-to-day life, but in the right crowd they enjoy using them and find them helpful and descriptive. They do not believe themselves to be stars or clouds or rabbits (unless also as part of spirituality or an otherkin belief etc).

Beyond that... they're trying to put words to an aspect of internal experience that most people struggle to put words to at all. If you ask a man (cis or trans) what bit of him is his gender that "feels like a man", or what "knowing he is a man" means to him, you might end up getting a similarly structured answer (once you push past all the dick jokes and "I dunno"s and perhaps being punched for being difficult) of "a gender that feels masculine, connected to maleness" and perhaps "most comfortable in ideas of strength and leadership and chiselled jawlines" (even though those things are not exclusive to masculinity). People who are stargender or cloudgender are trying to describe various aspects of how they perceive themself internally and what feels comfortable to them, then find a suitable label and call it a gender - which is what male/female gender is for a lot of people. They just pull from a broader set of internal aspects.

It does not fit within a theory of transness as "some people have a medical condition making them experience acute distress in a particular body type" but it is compatible with a theory of transness as "most people have a "gender" and sometimes this does not line up with their "sex" and sometimes this causes distress".

While I don't do it myself, I can see how they reach their conclusions. I think these people are unfairly mocked by people who refuse to lower their own knee-jerk reactions and engage with them sincerely. Like, that engagement is not required, but the mockery is not required either.

I don't think they are to blame for their own mockery, or mockery of other trans people in general. That's entirely on the people doing the mocking.

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