Strange But Special

Referred to as MZ. 34. So Cal. Biologist. DIY hooligan. Full time scavenger. Gator Bather. Desert Mother. Local cryptid.

[nudityandnerdery]

I want you to remember:

The fascists hate you too and they just will pretend otherwise until after they've killed the rest of us, before they turn on you.

[nudityandnerdery]

Thanks to whoever tried, but I knew they'd never allow it.

[library-graffiti]

Let's do it the old fashioned way. Spread it far and wide.

[thedesertmother]

A few years ago, my advisor was going on his yearly trip home to Poland. I asked him about this candy I had heard of and he told me “I hate that candy, it’s disgusting. Want me to buy you a box?” And I was like Ew no not now.

Fast forward, I’m telling one of my friends this story and she tells me “I grew up in Poland and love those candies! My mom is there now, I’ll have her get you a box”. And y’all, she got me two boxes 🥹

[bunny-banana]

if u feel the first cramp and think "i dont need a painkiller yet, itll pass" ? that the devil speaking, take that painkiller immediately

[ceekari]

It's a lot easier to prevent cramps from getting bad than to stop them once they already are. Take the medicine sooner and use the heating pad sooner rather than later.

[krakensdottir]

This is true of pain medication for ANY condition. My mom drilled this into me back when she worked as an O.R. nurse: Do not wait until the pain is bad. If you know it’s going to be, get ahead of it. First cramp? Medicate now. Twinges of a headache? Medicate now. Pulled your back and you know you’ll feel it later? Medicate NOW.

[thedesertmother]

Someday I’ll learn to do this for my trigeminal neuralgia. Hopefully soon.

[kaijutegu]

Summer’s coming, and with it, sweat.

Sweat is the worst. There’s things out there to make sweat season better, though. Without further ado, my “sweat sucks” checklist, in no particular order! All product names are links- mostly Amazon- but you can get many of these items in a lot of places.

0, the ur-anti-sweat task force item. A good anti-perspirant of your choice. If you’re sweaty and you hate it, you probably already know which one you like best.

1. Gold Bond powder spray. The powder itself is ok, but the spray is where it’s at. If you hate underboob sweat, this is the way to go. Start dry- don’t do this right after a shower, and towel off if you’ve already been sweating. Before putting on a bra or binding, lift one boob, spray underneath, and hold that boob up for a bit to let the spray dry. There’s other things that work for this, too- Fresh Balls, Monkey Butt, etc.- and I have tried all of them and this is the one I keep reaching for. Also, Fresh Balls and Monkey Butt are terrible names.

Just don’t use it on any mucus membranes. If you’ve got a sweaty groin area, be careful with it.

2. Slipshorts. Recently I stopped hating myself and wearing pants in the summer. It’s just too humid out. But a combo of chub rub and sweat means that I feel super uncomfortable if I’m not wearing something- which is where a nice pair of undershorts/bike shorts come in handy. Get cotton ones or wicking ones, and they help combat the sweat and the chafing. Jockey’s Skimmies are really good for this- the ones that wick away moisture. This is not shapewear, mind you- that would only make the sweat problem worse! 

3. A fan. I’ve got a really goofy electric one that mists me with water, but it looks really, really goofy. It might look silly, but it let me survive my family’s ill-planned hike up Diamond Head in the middle of the day. That was worth looking silly. When I’m super hot and gross, I don’t care- but it’s not convenient everywhere, or you might have more dignity than me. (Most people probably do, really.) In that case, a folding fan is extremely useful. Pick one that you like- if you carry purses, maybe even get a few cheap ones and toss one in each purse.  

4. Another kind of goofy thing that really does work is the Cooldanna, which is a bandanna that’s been sewn into a head band and stuffed with water crystals. You soak it in water, tie it around your head, and it keeps you cool for a very long time. If you were clever, you could make your own with some water polymer crystals and whatever fabric you liked- and this way you’d have more control over design and size and everything. You could even get creative about shape and placement!

5. Around April, I stop wearing closed shoes unless I absolutely have to- sandals all the way for me. I’m a Birkenstocks person, but honestly, any supportive sandal’s good. I’ve had the same pair of Milanos for well over a decade now, and they don’t stink and my feet feel pretty damn good in them.

6. A Ta-Ta Towel. It’s not fun to wear a bra all the time, but it’s equally unfun to be sitting at home and dealing with underboob sweat. You can get these other places, or make your own even, or if your boobs are shaped right, just stick a washcloth beneath them and call it a day- but nothing dries quite like a towel. 

7. Bun formers. Getting the hair off the back of the neck is vital, and a bun works pretty much anywhere.

8. Cucumber wipes and a towel. Sometimes if I have to walk or take the bus somewhere in the summer, I’ll actually take face-washing stuff with me in my bag so that I can de-sweat when I get there. If not, cucumber wipes and a small towel work fine. 

Sweaty friends: save a life. If you’ve got more things you like to use, please add to the list. 

[thedesertmother]

This is for sure not an option for everyone, but I have hyperhydrosis (diagnosed excessive sweating). I sweat when it’s freezing temps outside. It’s annoying. I also work off and on for a dermatologist, so I got help there.

Botox (or dysport or xeomin) injections in the underarm area. It paralyzed the sweat gland to make it stop overproduction of sweat. The effects usually last 3-4 months. Y’all, my sweating was under control for A YEAR AND A HALF. I wasnt sweating through three layers of clothing in the winter anymore. I was sweating a normal amount in the summer. This is the best thing I’ve ever done! It also works for palms of the hands and bottoms of the feet.

Also, you can submit it to your insurance for coverage. So there.

[therainbowgorilla]

Seriously? I didn’t know that was a diagnosis I could get! I definitely have it. Where’s you go to get diagnosis? Your GP? Or a specific doctor?

[thedesertmother]

I’m assuming a GP could reasonably diagnose, but a dermatologist would be the best bet to diagnose. I’d call up derms and tell them you suspect you have hyperhydrosis and want to schedule an appointment. The front office staff should be able to tell you if their office treats it and get you set up.

[therainbowgorilla]

OK, thanks! I’ll ask my GP for a referral to a derm then! That way if my GP can diagnose I don’t waste my time, and if I need a derm they can give me a recc to one with a payment plan or smthn hopefully!

[thedesertmother]

I don’t know if they still manufacture this medication, but you can also ask your GP for a prescription for Drysol. It’s usually used as a fast acting coagulant, but my dermatologist prescribed it to me for years for hyperhydrosis. You just soak a cotton ball with it and give it a swipe in the sweaty spots (under arms, bottoms of feet, palms of hands, etc) and it prevents you from sweating for a bit. Botox injections definitely lasts WAY longer, but I totally get that it’s cost prohibitive and shots to the armpit are just not doable for a lot of folks too. (My derm ices me up really good so I don’t feel a thing.) Good luck on pursuing a diagnosis!

[kaijutegu]

Summer’s coming, and with it, sweat.

Sweat is the worst. There’s things out there to make sweat season better, though. Without further ado, my “sweat sucks” checklist, in no particular order! All product names are links- mostly Amazon- but you can get many of these items in a lot of places.

0, the ur-anti-sweat task force item. A good anti-perspirant of your choice. If you’re sweaty and you hate it, you probably already know which one you like best.

1. Gold Bond powder spray. The powder itself is ok, but the spray is where it’s at. If you hate underboob sweat, this is the way to go. Start dry- don’t do this right after a shower, and towel off if you’ve already been sweating. Before putting on a bra or binding, lift one boob, spray underneath, and hold that boob up for a bit to let the spray dry. There’s other things that work for this, too- Fresh Balls, Monkey Butt, etc.- and I have tried all of them and this is the one I keep reaching for. Also, Fresh Balls and Monkey Butt are terrible names.

Just don’t use it on any mucus membranes. If you’ve got a sweaty groin area, be careful with it.

2. Slipshorts. Recently I stopped hating myself and wearing pants in the summer. It’s just too humid out. But a combo of chub rub and sweat means that I feel super uncomfortable if I’m not wearing something- which is where a nice pair of undershorts/bike shorts come in handy. Get cotton ones or wicking ones, and they help combat the sweat and the chafing. Jockey’s Skimmies are really good for this- the ones that wick away moisture. This is not shapewear, mind you- that would only make the sweat problem worse! 

3. A fan. I’ve got a really goofy electric one that mists me with water, but it looks really, really goofy. It might look silly, but it let me survive my family’s ill-planned hike up Diamond Head in the middle of the day. That was worth looking silly. When I’m super hot and gross, I don’t care- but it’s not convenient everywhere, or you might have more dignity than me. (Most people probably do, really.) In that case, a folding fan is extremely useful. Pick one that you like- if you carry purses, maybe even get a few cheap ones and toss one in each purse.  

4. Another kind of goofy thing that really does work is the Cooldanna, which is a bandanna that’s been sewn into a head band and stuffed with water crystals. You soak it in water, tie it around your head, and it keeps you cool for a very long time. If you were clever, you could make your own with some water polymer crystals and whatever fabric you liked- and this way you’d have more control over design and size and everything. You could even get creative about shape and placement!

5. Around April, I stop wearing closed shoes unless I absolutely have to- sandals all the way for me. I’m a Birkenstocks person, but honestly, any supportive sandal’s good. I’ve had the same pair of Milanos for well over a decade now, and they don’t stink and my feet feel pretty damn good in them.

6. A Ta-Ta Towel. It’s not fun to wear a bra all the time, but it’s equally unfun to be sitting at home and dealing with underboob sweat. You can get these other places, or make your own even, or if your boobs are shaped right, just stick a washcloth beneath them and call it a day- but nothing dries quite like a towel. 

7. Bun formers. Getting the hair off the back of the neck is vital, and a bun works pretty much anywhere.

8. Cucumber wipes and a towel. Sometimes if I have to walk or take the bus somewhere in the summer, I’ll actually take face-washing stuff with me in my bag so that I can de-sweat when I get there. If not, cucumber wipes and a small towel work fine. 

Sweaty friends: save a life. If you’ve got more things you like to use, please add to the list. 

[thedesertmother]

This is for sure not an option for everyone, but I have hyperhydrosis (diagnosed excessive sweating). I sweat when it’s freezing temps outside. It’s annoying. I also work off and on for a dermatologist, so I got help there.

Botox (or dysport or xeomin) injections in the underarm area. It paralyzed the sweat gland to make it stop overproduction of sweat. The effects usually last 3-4 months. Y’all, my sweating was under control for A YEAR AND A HALF. I wasnt sweating through three layers of clothing in the winter anymore. I was sweating a normal amount in the summer. This is the best thing I’ve ever done! It also works for palms of the hands and bottoms of the feet.

Also, you can submit it to your insurance for coverage. So there.

[therainbowgorilla]

Seriously? I didn’t know that was a diagnosis I could get! I definitely have it. Where’s you go to get diagnosis? Your GP? Or a specific doctor?

[thedesertmother]

I’m assuming a GP could reasonably diagnose, but a dermatologist would be the best bet to diagnose. I’d call up derms and tell them you suspect you have hyperhydrosis and want to schedule an appointment. The front office staff should be able to tell you if their office treats it and get you set up.

[thedesertmother]

What have I been up to in the 3 years I’ve been away from tumblr? Well:

-I got my first big girl job as an ecologist! I hated it, worked 70 hours a week, and was almost killed on the job by a rando with a knife during a bat survey and quit.

-My brother was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and given 14 months to live. I dropped everything in my life to take care of him. In 4 days, we will hit the 2 year mark since his glioblastoma diagnosis. He’s still alive, but brain cancer is a fucking nightmare. I’m still living with him, and essentially taking care of all his medical care.

-I moved to an area I’ve been dying to move to for the last decade. In true grass is always greener fashion, I have discovered that I do not like the suburbs and I am actually a country mouse. That said, there are a lot of positives about this area that I adore (and I’m gonna miss the doordash options when I eventually move more rurally again.)

-I have not finished my masters, because my brother’s illness, my mental health, and my advisor’s illness have created long pauses. I hope I finish it, but right now it’s in limbo.

-Due to the above, I have been in a very deep depression. There are many days that I seriously contemplated ending it because everything was bad, and I could not see a light at the end of the tunnel.

-I threw an application out into the ether on a whim, certain that I wasn’t going to get the job. I had applied to hundreds of jobs and interviewed for dozens, but I had been passed up, or the pay point wasn’t ever going to be enough to live. I was being exploited for my labor at the three jobs I had worked in just as many years, and I felt like I was never going to get ahead. And I finally caught a break. I’m now an environmental scientist working for the department of Fish and Wildlife enforcing environmental laws and habitat conservation. I’m making the most money I’ve ever made. I get to work from home and be with my brother. My job is easy for me and I’m good at it. I’ve been there for 4 months and my bosses are already talking promotion.

I still have a ways to go, I still have to anticipate the death of my brother, and things are still hard. But I’m finally clawing my way out of the hole.

[thedesertmother]

Well goddamnit I guess I’m back over here

[chutzpadik-moved-deactivated201]

“is that ur bf??? ;)” “haha well….. .that’s very sweet but bigfoot doesn’t belong to any of us, u know,”

[antiandrogen]

if you can read this rn learn american sign language

[antiandrogen]

as a place to start i strongly recommend Dr. Bill Vicars’ free lessons on youtube and at lifeprint.com (which also has a huge ASL dictionary and lesson plans/outlines). there are also freelance ASL tutors online who can help personalize your learning experience and give you opportunities to observe and practice signing naturally, if you don’t already have Deaf friends/family

[lesbianjaxa]

Gallaudet University, a university designed for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students, offers a few online lessons for ASL! https://www.gallaudet.edu/asl-connect/asl-for-free

I also have used this website to practice fingerspelling, https://asl.ms/. You can select the speed, and though it’s designed to help your receptive skills in knowing what the spelling was, you can practice your own fingerspelling by signing along with it.

The ASL App is also pretty good, though you do have to pay for most of the lessons, beyond the basics.

[pinkmanthedog]

I am Deaf and used to TA the ASL program at the University of Missouri and I currently teach workshops about LGBTQ ASL and intersectionality and I wholeheartedly recommend lifeprint.com as a place to start!

But!

1. You can’t learn a language, and certainly not a visual language, alone. If you want to learn conversational ASL, you will need to seek out opportunities to connect with the Deaf community in your area. Dialects and accents vary greatly, and signs you learn online may not actually apply to your IRL conversations.

2. Don’t. Learn. From. YouTube. It is full of hearing people with one or two ASL classes under their belts “teaching” flat out incorrect signs. Related! If you are not a fluent ASL user (and you know if you are or aren’t) don’t. Post. “Instructional”. Videos. It is a huge pet peeve of mine and I find it disrespectful to the Deaf community.

That being saaaaaid, covid has cancelled most of my gigs for the rest of the year and I have been doing private ASL tutoring to earn some extra money. If you’re interested in learning (and putting money into the Deaf community!) send me a PM and we can talk lessons!

[abz-j-harding]

Seeking Council  ♕

X

[otterplusharchive]

flowers from my work last week 💐

[alwaysbewoke]

[alwaysbewoke]

[alwaysbewoke]

to my beautiful dark skin queens if you have someone like this in your life they are NOT your friend. excommunicate them immediately and go on and shine like the day is bright.

(source tweet)

[artofmaquenda]

‘‘Enlightened’‘

“Nothing is more creative than death, since it is the whole secret of life. It means that the past must be abandoned, that the unknown cannot be avoided, that ‘I’ cannot continue, and that nothing can be ultimately fixed. When a man knows this, he lives for the first time in his life. By holding his breath, he loses it. By letting go he finds it.” ~Alan Watts

Recently finished oil painting…

[prole-log]

[dragkingandreweldritch]

I think in this case, "statue removal" should mean "return the Black Hills mountain range to the Lakota and let them decide what to do about the nonsense marring the face of Six Grandfathers" rather than causing any further damage to a desecrated holy site

[wintermutaldeactivated5062024-d]

my little brother came into my room last night to tell me that he was gonna sew a stack of my mom’s saltine crackers together through the little holes and then left again

[wintermutaldeactivated5062024-d]

i ended up distracting my parents so he could put the crackers back in the little sleeve like hed only taken one from the top. i dont know if anybodys found them yet but i talked to him about it later and it turns out that theyre sewn together TIGHTLY. like. the ENTIRE stack through ALL the holes

[wintermutaldeactivated5062024-d]

it has been three days and my mom has still not discovered the sewed together cracker stack in the box in the cupboard

[ilivebetweenjohnsthighs]

I’m DESPERATE to see the sewn crackers

[wintermutaldeactivated5062024-d]

i have no idea how he accomplished this

[wintermutaldeactivated5062024-d]

there seems to be some confusion on how old my little brother is. my little brother is 19, one year younger than me, and is majoring in three separate subjects in uni. he just likes to cause problems on purpose

[birdghost]

im baby. 

(a lil robin watercolor from @blazegryph ‘s perfect photo)

[unpretty]

The Outbursts of Everett True was a comic strip that ran in papers from 1905 to 1927, wherein the aforementioned Everett True regularly beat the everliving shit out of rude people as a warning to anyone else who might consider being rude. Men have not only been taking up too much room on public transport for about as long as public transport has existed, but the people around them have been irritated about it for at least a hundred years. The next time someone tries to claim that manspreading is a false phenomenon, please direct them to this strip so that Everett True can correct their misconceptions with an umbrella upside the head.

[guyalice]

I have never before heard of Everett True, but if he “regularly beat the everliving shit out of rude people as a warning to anyone else who might consider being rude,” I have a strong spiritual connection with him.

[froginakettle]

[hotcocoachia]

I fucking love him

[jaynavajasso]

i can imagine this guy’s voice very clearly in my head but i couldn’t put a name to it 

[iamtypinglike98madmen-deactivat]

He also jabs racists in the eye!

[tumblunni]

I love the justice grandpa of fists

[cursedcharley]

I’m very lucky to own a book that’s a collection of most of these comics (sadly not all of them) and would highly recommend hunting these down if you can. Sorry for the lack of a scanner but phone photos will just have to do.

He was a enjoyable cuss who didn’t care for war mongering.

Especially profitable war mongering and excuses for it!

He certainly didn’t like selfish husbands and fathers!

Politicians who turned on their words once they got theirs weren’t safe.

He said fuck the police!

He absolutely didn’t like people ruining little things for kids.

He stood up for foreigners. Especially those doing their best to communicate with limited second language knowledge.

He was not having any tomfoolery when it came to gun safety and laws. Especially with youth involved.

You had better not abuse a animal with him nearby. He’d right that wrong real quick!

And best of all him and his wife were both prickly cusses together. Relationship goals.

[biglawbear]

I have a new role model

[briarchubnj]

😍

[runcibility]

“justice grandpa of fists”

[arquus-malvaceae-deactivated202]

It’s nice to see a fat dude in a political cartoon that’s NOT being used as shorthand for greed and corruption.

[charismat1c-megafauna]

Hes like the personification of motherfucker unlimited

[bogleech]

Reblogging this newer version of this thread with so many more strips I haven’t seen…why did this character ever disappear. Where did you go, Everett.

[tramampoline]

we need him more than ever…