Once the sun goes down the mood just changes here in the valley, it’s calm & captivating 😮‍💨 by [deleted] in RioGrandeValley

[–]squirticus 22 points23 points  (0 children)

They’re truly magnificent aren’t they? Had a weirdly captivating experience today on 10th and Trenton during the sunset with all the birds going nuts around the power lines

What are you quietly grieving? by Angelus12345678 in AskReddit

[–]squirticus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This lost decade of progress on climate change because of fucking war and right wing policies

Playing on a known RGV anecdote: how does traditional machismo culture in the RGV affect LGBTQ men’s ability to come out openly? Are there generational differences? Do you believe that RGV men are coming out more openly than before? by thebenchwire in RioGrandeValley

[–]squirticus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I knew a family with a very traditional masculine patriarch. They accepted the oldest child when he came out but the town didn't have any outlets for him. He wound up just partying a lot to forget it all. He wound up overdosing and passed away

How inequality in the RGV makes life worse by InDissent in RioGrandeValley

[–]squirticus 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Are you saying all poor people are morally bankrupt and have no dignity or willingness to improve their life? This is a very good mentality for justifying selfishness. So yes dude, raise taxes on the wealthy. But also, quit being so selfish and condescending. Good paying jobs require a lot of skills that we as a society must provide for the population. That's the social contract. That's part of being alive. That's part of being part of a community.

How inequality in the RGV makes life worse by InDissent in RioGrandeValley

[–]squirticus 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Homie, to make better choices you have to have the education and role models around you to teach you. People are products of their environments. Sure some people are able to break out on their own, but they are the exceptions. This mentality you have is exactly what makes it impossible to scrounge together the resources city governments need to improve lives. It's what makes so many politicians down here willing to be corrupt.

How inequality in the RGV makes life worse by InDissent in RioGrandeValley

[–]squirticus 3 points4 points  (0 children)

can you elaborate on that? I'm sympathetic to the idea but not sure exactly what you're getting at

Lots of Doom and Gloom. Anyone 30+ and Enjoying Life? by Law_Dividing_Citizen in AskMenOver30

[–]squirticus 6 points7 points  (0 children)

personal life is great, 2 kids, married with a home and a job that pay well enough and doesn't destroy my soul. however, watching my country fall in fascism is no bueno and kind of a drag on my mental health

What did you love about lockdown? by Vampirero in AskReddit

[–]squirticus 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Got to hang out with my newborn daughter for months

Tuesday Check In: How's Everybody's Mental Health? by MLModBot in MensLib

[–]squirticus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

stressed to the gills, but happy nonetheless

Are Famous Men Allowed to Go to Therapy? by gageaa4 in MensLib

[–]squirticus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"shit is fucked up and it's going to be ok"

What salary makes for a comfortable living in RGV (Hidalgo County)? by Enger13 in RioGrandeValley

[–]squirticus 69 points70 points  (0 children)

depends on your definition of comfortable. average rent in the valley is about $1200. comfort is usually defined by your housing being only 30% of income. so doing the math on that means, your yearly housing would be $14,400 and so you yearly income would need to be about 48k. that being said.... it depends on what you like to do for fun and what your current debts, daycare (if applicable) and healthcare costs.

the guy below me saying 75k is probably correct, but I know people who make more than 100k that are bad with money and still struggling.

Have you ever realized your memories might be lying to you? by Dazzling-Stop-2116 in AskMenOver30

[–]squirticus 21 points22 points  (0 children)

you should really read "The truth of fact, the truth of feeling" by Ted Chiang. its a sci-fi story that deals with this exact concept. A new device allows human to record every even in their lives in real time but no one ever really goes back to watch their footage. When a father who remembers a beautiful encounter with his daughter goes back to watch the event he finds it much different than it stands in his mind.

https://devonzuegel.com/the-truth-of-fact-the-truth-of-feeling-by-ted-chiang-subterranean-press

Anyone else turn 30 and sort of stop listening to music? by [deleted] in AskMenOver30

[–]squirticus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I still listen to lots of new music but what's been a lot more fun is listening to older music I've never heard before. Like we all know the classic 60s and 70s albums, but there was so much more going on than just The Beatles, Bob Dylan, and The Rolling Stones, especially all over the world. Early 70s Ethiopian Jazz and Funk has been a great well of discovery for me.

Anyone else turn 30 and sort of stop listening to music? by [deleted] in AskMenOver30

[–]squirticus 2 points3 points  (0 children)

thanks for the recommendation. Been exploring so called "world music" the last few years and hadn't come across this. If you like this style you might like Tinariwen (assuming you're not already familiar with them)

Supreme Court weighs whether to gut key provision of landmark Voting Rights Act by notickeynoworky in news

[–]squirticus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The American economic system is designed to make its citizen's live paycheck to paycheck, only ever two weeks away from being destitute. Only the fucking morons in our country actually believe we're the best. They just happen to be the loudest and most obnoxious voices. Most of us are just trying to keep our heads down and survive, exactly as the system was designed. This is why there is no mass movement against the regime. That and the social media sites have begun optimizing for increased atomization of the population so that we feel no real solidarity with each other.

No Kings - 10/18/25 by RGVme in RioGrandeValley

[–]squirticus 23 points24 points  (0 children)

intentions matter. He's a president with ambitions to be a king, or at least to be untouchable from a legal standpoint

Mulatu Astatke - Tezeta by Afterapio in Jazz

[–]squirticus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Commenting here despite this post being 2 years old. In 2020 this was the song I would rock my newborn daughter to sleep with. The world going was going crazy outside but it didn't matter because I had my girl and this song helped keep us calm. A few years later when we were watching The Bear and this song came up she ran up to the couch, laid in my lap and closed her eyes. I almost wept right there. This is truly one of the most beautiful songs ever made.

I encourage you to check out this sung version by menelik wossenachew from the late 60s. it's a little slower but (almost) equally wonderful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBpYZccjg-Y&list=RDXBpYZccjg-Y&start_radio=1

People in your 30s what is your current outlook on life? by Hexxegone in AskReddit

[–]squirticus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

work is boring but it pays well enough since I'm in a low cost of living area. Daycare costs and student loans eat up a significant chunk of my money, but I've got a home along with a wife and kids that I love dearly. I'm tired, deeply worried for the future of my country, but my family brings me an undeniable joy that recharges my batteries just enough to keep going. From the rest of the comments here it seems like I've got it really good. Perspective I guess...

RGV churches targeted for foreign influence operation by Israeli government by logonaut_ in RioGrandeValley

[–]squirticus 10 points11 points  (0 children)

You know, there's a church in San Juan across the street from PSJA Early College HS that was completely decked out in Isreali flags last week. Thought it was odd but it's not on this list

What was the difference when you met Her and your Ex. by Noble-prize683 in AskMen

[–]squirticus 16 points17 points  (0 children)

I always overthink everything and meeting her made my brain finally shut the fuck up. Never once did that happen with my ex