#flugelwhisper

[flugelwhisper]

My rural, conservative county had their first pride festival today.

The second that it was announced, there suddenly was a churchy festival claiming that they were THE freedom event of the day. And that THEY were the only one that was an event of freedom and love.

I reported some vile posts on Facebook claiming some nasty shit on the pride event. They had to amp up security due to threats. Signs guiding people to the event were stolen.

I grew up with active shooter drills. Lockdowns. My mind was racing with every possible outcome. How I would escape if needed. Fear and worry beating through my heart, but the optimism rang just as loud.

I got to the event today. And-

It was... wonderful.

They had resource booths. Church booths. Political booths. Book booths. Accessibility to all. Art vendors. Food vendors. Kids games. Breastfeeding tents. Entertainment. Independent vendors. Food vendors. First aid. Bubbles. Storytime. Pride flags. Pizza. Youth clubs. Yoga.

Hope.

Aside from the heat... It was magical. It felt like a little slice of hope and heart in the middle of a sea of red.

In the midst of the darkness - there is a light.

People were so kind. I got a lot of compliments. I felt safe. I felt like I could dance in the sunshine and others would feel safe enough to join.

Gay marriage was legalized nationwide when I was in high school. I knew people who got grounded or disowned for coming out. I knew some vile things thrown around. We didn't have pride here because it wasn't safe. We just held close to the people we knew who were safe.

I know people who had a change of heart and mind. Those who have opened their homes. Who carry little rainbows on their sleeves. Those who hold the rainbow flag after years of snapping hatred. Forgiveness and learning. Little acts of progress only help to build change. Those who challenge the status quo. Those little acts of defiance.

There is hope for rural communities. Please don't write us off and out of pride.

There is strength. There is progress. There is courage. There is hope and there is light for communities like mine. It takes little acts of defiance. It takes courage.

There is hope for us in rural towns. God, there is light.

Happy pride, y'all. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

[ironwoman359]

Hi! Do you have screenshots of Roman's jacket? (Showing stripes, shoulder design, and cuff design?) Thank you, screenshot queen! 💕

the first shot of his new outfit is honestly one of the best ones, you’ve got you’re shoulders, your sleeves, your patches, your sash!

[theatrestruggles]

Theatre Struggle #1557

Those little kid theatre moms.

The ones that won’t let you touch their kid or they’re extremely overprotective of them. And when you try to tell their kid something, they get mad at you. But, the theatre mom expect you to cater to their kid’s every need.

[flugelwhisper]

There was a huge weather system that has been crossing parts of the Midwest today into tonight.

It frustrates me when people talk about how they inconvenienced themselves to avoid bad weather (and all they got was rain).

I know people in two of the towns most heavily impacted. Would you like to tell that to them? That this storm was a bust because you weren't personally impacted?

That the meteorologists warned us for nothing because you weren't personally impacted? Would you like to tell that to the guy who now has a tree on his bed?

Meteorologists can't fucking predict where exactly tornadoes will touch down. They just know this area has the ingredients to churn out potentially deadly situations. And they warn us as soon as they're able to so we can try to find a place that we can hunker down, should we need it.

I remember we got warnings DAYS before the Dec 10, 2021 storm system. The goal wasn't panic, it was preparedness.

One of the towns that was hit hardest was a town I called home for a few years. I have friends who live there. (Thankfully all are okay, they just have property damage.) The tornado there was upgraded to a PDS while it was on the ground.

Potentially Deadly Situation.

That's fucking why meteorologists warn us.

It's not fear mongering. They're doing their damndest to reduce the number of deaths by keeping people informed.

If they could predict the weather, they'd be evacuating locations hours before a tornado formed.

But that's not how the weather works, now does it?

Meteorologists are fucking rock stars while getting the most hate (if they are wrong).

They are reading radars and trying to see if the data they are seeing indicates a hook or not. The call they make can mean the difference between life and death.

Early detection can mean more time to scurry off to shelter with the proper safety gear.

Fuck, I'd rather they warn us about a tornado that disappears a few minutes later than not warn us about a tornado that is rapidly forming until it's too late to brace for impact.

I'm sorry that you're upset that a tornado didn't upend your entire life in the matter of minutes and that your only inconvenience was rain.

I'm sure those picking up the pieces from a PDS tornado would love to have a minor inconvenience.

Instead, they're wondering what the fuck the next few months will look like and if they'll have a home to return to.

But, yeah, I'm sorry your only inconvenience today was rain.

[flugelwhisper]

First time watching N2N on PBS. I've seen it locally, but this is my first time watching this version.

I find it funny that they talk about sex in the first song but every curse word is off limits.

Holy shit I love this set. The reveal and integration of the orchestra out is lovely.

[flugelwhisper]

I got diagnosed with psoriasis a little while back. I never had any symptoms when I was younger.

It's like my body waited for me to get kicked off my parents insurance before the first bit of psoriasis popped up.

Anyway, I've started looking in groups meant for people with psoriasis. Mainly to see if there were any tips in managing the condition and what things to look out for.

I ended up on a biologic. I think it was due to where my patches were and the percentage covering. (My entire head and neck were impacted.)

But the thing I find so interesting are... the number of people who are weary of biologics.

And like, I do get it. I had a very bad needle phobia going in and my derm wanted biologics to be a last resort, seeing how anxious I got around needles. (It's also an immunosuppressant.)

But at the same time - untreated inflammation is worse. I couldn't use my hands some days because it hurt to bend my fingers. I once missed days of work because my eyelids were stretched so tight/I got massive light sensitivity because of it.

I slept sitting up for months because it was the least painful position to sleep in. I had a weeping sore at the back of my neck for months. My scalp was either covered in flares or bleeding. I once woke up to my hair stuck to my scalp (my scalp wept overnight).

I wouldn't wish psoriasis on my worst enemy.

And some people say they don't want to be reliant on a medicine for the rest of their lives.

I didn't want to either. But, then again, I didn't think I'd get diagnosed with psoriasis in my 20s.

You wouldn't tell a diabetic not to take their insulin. You wouldn't tell someone who needs glasses not to wear them. There are a number of conditions that have lifelong medical care. One of the treatments for psoriasis is an injectable.

Why is it that you wouldn't take a second glance at someone who needs glasses, but biologics are where you draw the line?

I understand that, in the USA, biologics are not cheap and sometimes insurance doesn't cover it. (I'm incredibly fortunate with my current situation. But I literally talked to someone yesterday who is on and off her medicine because of insurance.)

But like, it is SO much worse for your body to deal with untreated psoriasis. Inflammation and flakes aside - your body is not getting the rest it needs.

This time last year, my derm was putting in a prescription for my first injectable. (One that would help, but it didn't do everything I needed out of a medicine.)

I have been on this current injectable for 9 months. The day I showed up to my derm for my second injection (first one after my loading dose), my derm could not find a flake on me. (Like I said, my entire scalp was impacted by psoriasis.) She was incredibly happy for me and did a little boogy while she cleaned up.

I was just surviving while dealing with untreated psoriasis. I started living the moment I got on a biologic.

I get being weary of a new medication, especially one - like a biologic - that may change your day-to-day. I didn't think I'd be scheduling pharmacy pickups to pick up needles, but here I am.

I was so scared to start a biologic because, in past experiences with needles, I would have panic attacks. Sometimes I'd forget to breathe during labs. I'm not someone who handles needles well.

You know what I do? I collect pins and buttons. On injection days, I pick a small business and order some buttons. Or I go out and get myself an ice cream. I do something that I can look forward to.... And the injection days have become less and less stressful for me.

I'm still not capable of injecting it myself, but I'm lucky my dermatologist office lets me stop there for an injection.

It can be scary, especially starting out on a new medication that is completely different from what you're used to.... But, holy shit this medicine has changed my life.

[flugelwhisper]

If you feel stupid, just remember there's a generic "read-sy" artist out there trying to trademark a phrase that's existed longer than their business has been open.

(oh, and they're probably selling unlicensed merch on top of that.)

[flugelwhisper]

Here's your friendly florist reminder to get your flowers in for Valentine's Day BEFORE Valentine's Day!

Call your local florist, preferably before January ends, and ask if or when they take Valentine's Day orders. If you want something SPECIFIC, be sure to get it in WAY BEFORE 2/14.

If you order flowers on 2/14, there is no guarantee you'll get what you want. You'll probably be left to what is in the cooler.

As someone who works flowers - designer's choice is your best option. You'll get what the florist is good at. Imo, just tell them if you want a specific flower or color palette and let them go wild. You'll get the more beautiful bouquet the less restrictions you give to a designer.