Cluck Cluck Cluck

Two female friends were chatting during a social visit.  One had better communication skills than other.  (Don't become too excited by that statement.)  Both were focused on talking about their own lives, though Female "C" did initiate the visit's vocal exchange by asking about Female "F"s life.  Female "F" interrupted almost half of the times that female "C" was speaking; female "C" interrupted only a handful of times, usually to ask a relevant question.  Female "F" changed topics unexpectedly, usually by interrupting, without any relation to the current topic.


* Letter codes are not name-based, but grading-based. :)  Distribution might be similar to a Bell Curve, but IME there are many more self-focused female conversationalists than highly effective ones.

 These types of female-female interactions are very common.  So what about a female-male interaction?  With societal norms changing, due to female dominated formative years and "mansplaining" & other degradating terms,  there are a decreasing number of "A" and "B" (and even "C") ability males.  Silence is safer and self-focused chatter is learned by example.

Controversial?  Yes.
That doesn't change reality.

Equality Not Labels

If equality is truly the goal, then why is your group label so divisive?  Black/Blue/Brown/Yellow Lives Matter

Why does Hulu have a category for LGBT?  Can I request SWM?

Since there is the NAACP, can I start the NAAWP?

Why has LGBT become alphabet soup?  How many more can you define?

"Cassie"

I fairly recently started to enjoy the music of Flyleaf. I had heard one or two songs at some point, but never really pursued more. Since I have, I do enjoy the music. They are Christians who are in a band, not a Christian band, based on their statements. One song's lyrics caught my ears: Cassie. After some research, I found the story behind it. It's based some questionable recounts of the events at Columbine. However, further digging led me to find what seems more likely to be the truth (as I expected).

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/1999/09/23/columbine/index.html
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/1999/09/30/bernall/

The events at the school that day are tragic. The apparently untrue story is sad. However, if the narrative fits . . . promote it!! It's unfortunate that these types of stories live a strong existence despite evidence to the contrary. I still enjoy the riffs that Flyleaf puts out.

New House

Why is it that when you show people your new house, that there are a few who tell you every project that "you really should do" to improve the place or increase its resale value?

While appreciating the interest, it's a bit annoying. Are they going to help you? Are they going to foot the bill? Do they realize that a new-to-you house doesn't need resale value? (Unless you are looking to take a loss or flipping a property.)

Child Support = Redistribution

Child Support is a good concept: attempt to ensure that a parent provides for his/her child(ren). Sadly, in many situations it is nothing more than a redistribution of wealth. Most systems just attempt to "balance" the income of the two parents. There is no concern for cost of living, number of children, or even where the money is ultimately spent.

Honesty

The one thing I strongly stress to those with whom I have some influence (yes, a short list) is honesty. It is an ideal that is difficult to achieve, and seemingly impossible for some. It must start with yourself. If a person cannot be honest with oneself, then they cannot be honest with others. Facing yourself, not deceiving in order to make a situation more palatable, is the first step.