#go get yourself a library card and support your local library!!!!!!!!!!

[narutosfrogwallet]

every time i check a book out from the library im like wow. i cannot believe im allowed to do this. theyre letting me take this book for FREE? it never gets old i love this shit

[incorrectbatfam]

i'm so scared

what will happen to my future

Everyone, take a deep breath.

Now, I cannot tell you what's going to happen for certain. All I know is things are gonna get more tense as steps will be taken backward and people will become more divided.

As we regroup, the first thing we need to do is evaluate the cards each of us hold. It'll look slightly different for each of us. It could be aspects of your identity that act as a protective factor. It could be your financial standing, education, connections, or platform. It could be the city or state you live in that allow more opportunity for progress.

After that, you assess the risks. That means determining where you are in terms of safety and how to protect yourself. What that also means is asking yourself what risks you are willing to take. I'm a stubborn ass who has no qualms taking direct action and the only way I'm leaving is if I'm dragged out kicking and screaming. I know that's not something that can be expected from everyone, but for every person that lays low, we also need people who are willing to take those risks and cause a scene.

These two components come together in the actions we take. Petitioning and protesting. Donating and volunteering. Providing counsel and sanctuary. Supporting nonprofits, libraries, and local businesses while boycotting the corporations working against our best interests. Educating ourselves, listening to people being affected, and raising kids to be empathetic people. Most importantly, it means voting at every level every time, not just when there's a candidate that aligns perfectly with your views.

And it is so tempting to find someone to blame, especially when half the country voted for this guy and a bunch of people didn't vote at all. You're scared. You're angry. So am I. These emotions can be useful tools, but they can just as easily devolve into hate—it's the easiest way to think in the face of uncertainty, but the least productive. Don't let the powers that be convince you that your neighbor is your enemy. We are only doomed if we stop having each other's backs.

[rudeflower]

you need a library card

Almost everyone I know doesn't have a library card, and some of them read less than they want to because they can't afford to buy the books they want???? GUYS BIG SOLUTION TIME

BOOKS! Audiobooks! DVDS! Movie/series/documentary streaming services! Ebooks! Video games! Magazines!

Air conditioning! Wifi! Heat! Meeting rooms to reserve! Copy machines! Printers! Quiet safe place!

FOR FREE! FOR FREE! NO COST! FOR FREE!!!

Let's face is inflation is killing us, and you may have had to sacrifice buying books for fun, keeping the heat at a comfortable temp, cancel a few subscriptions. Enter your library card

"I don't have time to go a library" me neither I use the audiobook and ebook app daily and check out digital books and get them on my phone immediately

"I want to support the author" If you like it then you buy it! You don't have to pay up front for something you might not like ten pages in! Buy a book you know you love even if you don't plan to reread it to support the author!

"I don't want to wait for a book" Fair enough then don't, check out the books you can wait for

This world has home, where you pay to be, and very very few places outside of the home that you don't have to pay to be. If you're losing your head and need to get out for a few hours, you have to pay to exist almost anywhere you want to go. Not libraries.

I've gone to libraries weekly, almost daily at times, my whole life and they have never once asked anything of me. They give.

This world takes and takes and takes and libraries give and give and give and you deserve to be given lovely things.

It is not hard to get a library card, for most people. In most places I've lived you need some form of evidence you live in the area the library serves, and I've brought in a piece of mail, a student ID or an electric bill and been good to go. Many libraries also work with people who don't have documentation like this to get one anyway.

Get a library card even if you don't think you'll use it. Because one day there will be a book you really want that your local bookstore doesn't have, but who has it? THE LIBRARY! GO GET IT!

This is a USA centric post, and also goes out to my non-American cousins who taught me that libraries are a beautiful gift and not a given, and we should take advantage of it more often than we do

Get a library card, love yourself

[blogthebooklover]

30 Things I Learned As An Adult

In honor of me turning 30 in January, I’ve decided to write out a list of 30 things I learned as an adult.  Now, some of these worked for me through trial and error, while others did not.

1. Self Care Is Important

I cannot stress this enough.  We all need to practice self care, to take time for ourselves.  It takes baby steps to find a good self-care routine, and there’s plenty of online resources to find one to your tastes.  Remember it is all about trial and error, and don’t worry about perfecting it right away.  Research some different self care routines online as a starting point.

2. Read Books, Not Fanfiction

Okay, don’t get me wrong, I do love reading some good ole fanfiction, and current events.  However, definitely pick up a book once in a while.  Whether it’s a graphic novel, comics, manga, please develop a reading habit.  It definitely helped me out a lot as a former college dropout, there are reading lists on sites like Goodreads, here on Tumblr, even colleges have lists what books students are required to read.  And it does help with expanding your knowledge and vocabulary.  As I’ve previously said, I’m a former college dropout who’s currently back in school, however, developing a healthy reading habit is what kept me grounded.  If you need a starting point, I recommend reading a fiction book, preferably in the SciFi/Fantasy genre; or reread a book from your childhood.  Also, PLEASE GET A LIBRARY CARD!  You’ll definitely be saving a lot of money, and we need to support our public libraries now more than ever.

3. Say “No” More Often

If you don’t feel comfortable going out, or if your manager calls and asks to cover a shift, just say “no.”  Remember, you have the power to set boundaries, especially with family, friends, and work.  This correlates to number 1 on my list, self care is super important, and you cannot put your health at risk for anyone.  I’m going to repeat that last part: SELF CARE IS SUPER IMPORTANT, AND YOU CANNOT PUT YOUR HEALTH AT RISK FOR ANYONE!

4. Register To Vote, And Vote In Every Election

With politics being so polarized and divisive in the past decade, and the upcoming 2024 US Presidential Election, please register to vote.  And voter suppression has been very rampant in the past two, arguably three, decades.  To anyone about to turn 18 here in the US, please register to vote ASAP!  And vote in every goddamn election, both national and local.  I seriously cannot stress this enough.

5. Eat Healthy, No Seriously

I love some fast food once in a while now, however, please take some time to learn about healthy eating.  It will catch up with you in the future, and our US healthcare system is already fucked as all hell.  I know the rising costs of everything, including food, is insane right now; but please keep informed about how to prepare good healthy food.

6. Take Breaks From Current Events, Social Media, and the Internet

This also correlates with number one.  While it is very important to stay informed with what is happening in the world/country of origin; especially with the US Presidential Election year.  Remember, it’s okay to take breaks from reading too much news, and scrolling through social media feeds.  It really does have an effect on your mental health, and unfortunately too many people tend to fall down the conspiracy theory rabbit hole on all sides of the political spectrum.  To the teenagers and young adults, take breaks and focus on your mental health and well-being.  To the adults, read the previous sentence.  With everything so polarizing, take care of yourself first.  

7. High School Friends DO NOT LAST!

My friends from high school and early college years were definitely the “ride and die” type of  friends, metaphorically speaking.  If you have that one friend who was/is the “give the shirt off their back” type, check in on them once in a while.  However, with the former, just move on.  The friends I had in high school definitely had a lot of childhood trauma, and in one aspect, I’m glad that they were honest about it; it was/is a way to heal.  However, any “friend” who just doesn’t want to better themselves and use you for any convenience, DUMP THEM AND CUT OFF ALL CONTACT!  Remember just as you set boundaries with your toxic family members, and even for your job, you should do the same with friends.

8. Change Jobs, ASAP!

This is a very important one.  I didn’t really have a job as a teenager, I wanted to enjoy being a kid for a little longer, however, I did have an occasional babysitting job.  At 23 years old, I got a job at a fast food place.  While I do appreciate part of the experience, like how to use the “customer service” voice, however, any red flags that pop up in your head, change jobs, ASAP!  It was toxic, too political (for some weird reason) and a lot of drama (and not from the teenagers).  The grocery store I work at now does have its busy times, however, it’s much more calmer, and I don’t see too many “Karen” types. 

9. Declutter More Often

This is also a definite must as you get older.  Whatever you don’t need anymore, donate them.  Whatever is completely broken, throw it away!  Whatever it is that is in good condition, sell it or maybe give it to someone as a birthday/holiday present.  Any old makeup, throw it away!  It’ll help reduce the amount of clutter and mess.  If you need a starting point, I suggest the KonMari method.  It really did help me out a lot.

10.  Use A Planner

This is a life-and-time saver.  Write down any appointments, cleaning days, paydays, bill charges, etc.; into a physical planner.  If you’re in college, please use one!  And write down any assignments to work on/turn in BEFORE the deadline.  Also, anything important, put into your calendar app on your phone and laptop as a reminder.

11.  Have A Skin Care Routine

Okay, I know having a skin care routine isn’t for everyone, and we all have different reactions to skin care products; however, don’t be afraid to experiment with a good skin care routine.  In my early teen years, I used Proactiv skin care for my acne, and it helped out a lot.  Remember: cleanse, tone, any serum of your choice, and moisturize.  This also helps out if you don’t feel like jumping into the shower.  Also, use sunscreen, seriously.

12.  Don’t Get Married, Until You’re Ready

This is coming from someone who is single, lol.  If you plan on getting married to your romantic partner, I’m proud of you! Marriage is about communication, being honest, and doing equal amount of work (finances, household chores, etc.)  Save money if you’re planning for a wedding, or go to your local courthouse to get a marriage license if you don’t want the big, fancy reception.  

13.  Don’t Have Kids, Until You’re Ready

Again, this is coming from someone who is single and childless, lol.  Having kids is a lot of work: physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially.  Not everyone is capable of being a parent, and I have read PLENTY of posts on here and other websites about toxic parents/parenting styles.  Take time and think about if you’re ready to become a parent.

14.  Learn How To Budget Your Money

This is for anyone of any age out there.  Please learn how to budget your spending.  Look for stuff on sale or clearance, or cut back on certain types of spending. I know most people have no idea where to start, but there is! There’s some great websites and YouTube channels on how to budget your money. Another great tool to use are spreadsheets like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. I use a Google Sheet template to help track my spending and budget my finances. Also, if you have gift cards from your birthday/holidays/etc; definitely use them, you won't be breaking your bank account :). Also, definitely have some paper cash in your wallet for emergency use.     

15.  Open A Savings/Emergency Funds Account, ASAP!

This is a huge one to have as an adult, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Anything left over from paying the bills, from a side hustle, or from your tax returns, put that into savings.  Certain banks will also have the option of creating “financial goals” in savings accounts; so I highly recommend using that as well.  This also correlates with number 14.  If you’re interested, open two or three savings accounts, the last one should only be for emergency funds.

16.  Get A Physical Hobby, AKA Exercise!

It doesn’t matter what type of exercise you do, please do it!  And for anyone who is physically disabled, there are modified options provided on YouTube.  We do lose certain motor functions as we age, so definitely pick an exercise that’s right for you, as they say. Even if it's just going outside for a walk for 30 minutes, please do some type of exercise.   

17.  Learn How To Meal Prep

It doesn’t have to be for every meal of every day, pick a meal you want to make and prepare ahead of time.  And prepare that meal the day before, so it will be on hand when you leave your house. There are some great videos on YouTube, and some ideas from Pinterest if you need a starting point.

18.  If You’re Able To, Go To The Dentist!

Seriously though, try and go for a checkup/teeth cleaning.  You’re only given one set of teeth after all your baby teeth fall out, and you need to take good care of them.  If you’re able to, or live near to one, local colleges have free cleanings through their dental training programs.   

19.  If Your Job Offers a 401K, GET ON IT NOW!

My old job at a fast food restaurant didn’t have retirement benefits, but my current grocery store job does.  I jumped on it right away, even if it’s not the job I want right now.  And it’s a good starting point to have some money saved up for retirement. If you leave the job that has a 401k, you can do what's called a rollover. This will put the money that was set into the first retirement fund into another one; you can do this with your bank or if your new job has a 401k.

20.  If You Don’t Have Health Insurance, Sign Up With The State, or Through Your Job.

In my experience, I have insurance through the state at the moment.  If your job offers health insurance as well, jump on it right away, even if it’s not the job you want, it’ll be a starting point that correlates with number 19.

21.  It’s Okay To Not Go To College

This is coming from someone who was a college dropout at 19, and currently back in school.  If you don’t feel ready to go to college, that’s okay too.  College is very expensive, especially here in the US, and not everyone can get a scholarship, even if they did apply for a lot of them.  Maybe get a part-time job or two (for some income), explore some hobbies you enjoy, and take some time to think about some goals.     

22. If You’re In College, It’s Okay To Stay At Home

Again, coming from a former college dropout, I stayed at home while attending a nearby community college in another state.  However, out-of-state tuition and housing is also very expensive.  If you have a good relationship with your parents, and if you’re going to school in-state, talk to them about staying home while going to school.  If you don’t, then talk to a trusted friend or family member about getting an apartment together that isn’t on-site housing while you’re attending school.

23. Watch Non-English Language Movies

If you’re a movie lover like me, take some time to watch some foreign language films once in a while; and I know we anime fans do, lol.  To be honest, it does get very boring watching English language films all the time, whether from the States, England, or Canada.  Watching foreign language movies will definitely help you to understand the world a lot better, if you don’t have the means for traveling yet; and they will help you to understand that no matter where we live, we all have similar issues, hopes, dreams, etc.  If you need a starting point, I recommend any of the Studio Ghibli movies, I would start with Kiki’s Delivery Service; or Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth.  

24. SET BOUNDARIES

Remember: toxic family members and friends are not worth it.  You are worthy and valid for love and respect.  This correlates to number 7.  This is also very useful in the workplace.  

25. Express Yourself Through Fashion

Like everyone else, I feel most comfortable in jeans and a t-shirt myself; however sometimes I like to dress up just for fun, or to build up my self esteem and image.  This also helps when learning to pair an accessory with an outfit.  Play around with different color palettes and clothing styles, and find the one you feel the most “you.”  For example, I’ve always looked my best in jewel tones and a cooler color palette.  Read some fashion articles or watch some YouTube videos about how to pick out an outfit.

26. It Is Not Selfish To Prioritize Yourself

This correlates with number 3.  I have noticed it’s mostly a Western/American/Christian culture norm, we’re always told to take care of others before taking care of ourselves; or we’re selfish for prioritizing ourselves over others. It is not selfish, it is part of self care. Again, this is tied in with number 24.

27.   Failing and Making Mistakes Is Part of Growing

There is so much societal pressure on trying to be successful in life and work, especially in the Western/American hemisphere. However, making mistakes and failing at something is part of growing, and learning as an individual.

28. It's Okay to Not Have a Label to Define Yourself

Hear me out. I understand the use of labels in society and culture in general; everyone wants to belong somewhere and feel accepted. However, it is okay to not have a label to define who you are, and who you want/choose to be. Take all the time you need to figure out what's best for you. And sometimes people don't realize a label will fit them until they are much older in life. Or they couldn't at the time.

29. Don't Compare, You'll Get There

We are human, and we all have the tendency to compare ourselves to others. Unfortunately, this doesn't end after high school and college. And that needs to seriously change, especially in the Western/American hemisphere. Simply writing down "don't compare, you'll get there" is a great reminder to have for yourself. Everyone learns and grows at their own pace.

30. It Really Is The Little Things That Keep Us Going

When life seems to get too hard, it really is the little things that keep us going. Whether it is something as simple as someone holding a door open for you, or someone complimenting* you on your outfit or your work ethic; those moments are the ones that matter the most. Remember those moments, hold on to them.

[zer0fantasy]

Hello. I've found it's very easy to fall into a despair spiral when it comes to helping Palestine, especially when you're unable to help them financially for whatever reason. I've compiled together direct and indirect ways to help without spending money. If you have anything not listed please let me know and I will add it. 

The most well-known is arab.org, and the click to help Palestine feature. One click every 24 hours will send aid to Palestine. Your click confirms to advertisers that there's traffic to the site, and is sending the ad revenue to Palestine. You can click more than once a day by using different devices and browsers, or incognito mode. 

Watch/read/participate in Palestinian culture. Here is a list of Palestinian movies, artists, authors, and recipes, and here is another masterlist of many Palestinian resources. Maps, books, movies, poems, podcasts, etc. All links are free to watch/view

Boycott Israeli products. Here is an official guide on what and what not to boycott by the BDS movement. The app "No Thanks" can scan barcodes and tell you if they are of Israeli origin or on the boycott list.

Amplify Palestinian voices. Reblog/retweet art made in support of Palestine. Share GoFundMe's for Palestinians. Share resources like these. Even if you may not have a following, every voice matters. However, this doesn't mean you have to expose yourself to gruesome gore videos and images of Palestinians dying. I feel many people feel obligated to for "awareness," however if all you post about is palestinian death you are not helping the cause and are likely giving yourself an incredible mental toll. If anyone pressures you into sharing a post please remember it does not define you as a person if you choose not to.

Go to protests nearby, if you're able. here are posters to print out for protests, and here is how to find protests near you. This list is not all encompassing, however but it's more than nothing. ​join a bds campaign​​​ also has a way to find protests/projects near you.

Call your representatives. Their phone numbers and emails are usually public, you can call and demand a ceasefire. At the time of writing I'm aware there are several scripts to read out depending on which party represents your state (in the US) but I'm unable to find them.

Texting "CEASEFIRE" to the number "51905" will automatically send a letter to president Biden demanding a ceasefire. I find calling representatives difficult because I have social anxiety so this is a much easier alternative to that.

Block Zionists, and don't spread their posts. I know it's tempting to dunk on the zionists, or repost someone clowning on a zionist or using them to prove a point, but ultimately it helps no one and you are still amplifying their voice and reach. Spending time looking at how horrible zionists are, or arguing with them online will only lead you into a worse headspace. The less engagement they get the better.

Create anything surrounding Palestine. Make your voice heard. Draw a character you like with the Palestinian flag, make a Palestinian recipe, shittily draw the flag onto an article of clothing. Recently I had painted a watermelon onto my denim jacket with the Palestine flag below it

Find Palestinian books/movies and check them out at your local library. Library cards are free and libraries have movies and cds as well as books. Libraries benefit the authors financially as well. Depending on your library, if they don't have a book in stock you can ask them to buy one for the library. I've found this especially true for high school libraries, they would be happy to order a book for you.

I apologize for the lack of resources thus far but I hope I will be able to add to it in the future. Thank you for reading.

[envirogoth]

"there is no ethical consumption under capitalism" "you can criticize capitalism while participating in it" are both true and valid statements. but if you care about anti capitalism, your hands aren't wiped clean. acknowledging the problem is only the first step

yes, you can make money to survive & buy things to have fun. you can get things that aren't necessary to treat yourself. you can work your way up the corporate ladder.

some people resign themselves to their fate, as though capitalism is the way that things must be forever. but there's still questions you should ask yourself before deciding to drop all attempts at working against the system:

do you support/promote the culture of excessive buying?

how do you treat poor or otherwise disadvantaged people?

do you support local libraries, local businesses (if you can afford to), or other local organizations?

do you vote in favor of social services and education?

do you vote at all?

do you buy things in quantity over quality(lifespan) when you have the money to do either?

not everyone is an activist, but everyone has the power to vote with their money and with their ballot. telling yourself that there's no ethical consumption isn't a get out of jail free card. you don't have to be perfect or have to shop outside of your means or really go out of your way at all to take actions against capitalism. the main thing is that you care about people, your community, the environment, etc enough to care about your behaviors. that's all we can ask of anyone. to care

(this post is written about the US, I'm unclear on the situations in other countries)

[seeminglydark]

good news! i finally got a job after being unemployed for a few years. it’ll be at least a year or two before i’m able to move out due to trying to pay off my credit card debt but i’m excited that i’ll be able to leave town and get away from unsupportive family. i’m trying to spend as little money as possible on entertainment stuff and i have a massive book collection that i’m excited to read and sell some of it i don’t feel like i need them anymore. you’re comics have been very helpful for me to be able to understand and express myself. it has given me a lot of joy since finding it especially after the loss of my cat a month ago.

any tips for a queer punk trying to escape and start over with no support system?

happy pride month! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

ANON! I'm so proud of you, thats incredible! i am wishing you all the best on your journey forward and out. it sounds to me like you already have a good handle on things, paying down your debt is a great place to start. depending on how much debt you have, (most of my advice is US based I'm afraid, since thats where i grew up as a poor lonely punk so hopefully it can help you, or someone else) you may be able to find a financial counselor or coach, (not adviser!) to help you get rid of some of it immediately. there are ways to 'challenge' things on your credit that have been there for a while, and many times the creditors will either drop it cuz they dont want to deal with paperwork, or reduce it to a much smaller payable sum because to them something is better than nothing. a lot of cities has free nonprofit programs to help with this, and other non profit organizations offer them as well depending on your community. This will also help improve and build your credit score cuz even a punk might need to buy a home or rent an apartment one day.

i know there is an allure to big name cities when you move, i lived in one myself while poor as dirt and it kinda sucked (Austin tx specifically) because it was so expensive. look into where you want to go before moving there, look at cost of living, and public transit, things like that. it looks like youre waiting a while before going, look into job transfers so you might not have to start completely fresh from the bottom.

thrift stores are great but they are getting more expensive by the year, but when youre a poor guy in a new place, dumpster diving might be an option. please dont ever get a mattress from a dumpster ok? bedbugs are a thing and often why those are thrown out, but other things like tables, chairs, shelves etc. check your local papers and neighborhood boards, sometimes hotels and such renovate and when they do they auction furniture off dirt cheap. Thanks Mr Marriott for furnishing my house for like 40 bucks in 2005!

When you move out, if you are still struggling financially, you can look into fixed rent apartments, you usually have to get on a list, but there are places out there to help you get on your feet. a REALLY good resource for many things if going to be your local library. librarians are like gods and they know SO MUCH that can help you.

speaking of libraries. you do deserve a little joy, i would think about perhaps getting a electronic reader, did you know that you can rent books and audio books from libraries with one? plus it reduces the bulk of books you may have to move later. i know the vibe is different from getting to touch the pages, but the pleasure of reading is still there. The library is also going to be a great place to meet people and find a circle of support and new friends. many of them have clubs and community activities ranging from book clubs to everything in between, you can even suggest a club yourself that they might consider hosting. don't deprive yourself of happiness, itll be helpful on the days when it gets hard to move forward.

its been a hot minute since i was alone and starting over, and things have changed a lot so im not completely sure all of this is still relevant, library is ALWAYS a good place to start. if my followers have any advice, please feel free to chime in the comments as well! im so proud of you anon, and keep us updated as life goes on. <3

[merriclo]

Tips on Accessorizing for Cheap !!

this has been said to death already, but find the cheapest second-hand or thrift store you can in your area, and become a fiend. there’s a lot of great jewelry that’s hidden in there

furthermore, lots of thrift stores will have auctions to get rid of what doesn’t sell. here, you can get actual buckets of things for like,, $5 USD. you can ask the staff if they host these, and they’ll let you know! in my experience, you either have to be 18+ or be accompanied by someone who is, so if you’re young, grab your favorite trusted adult and go get some shit for dirt cheap. (this doesn’t stop at accessories, actually, i got all of my dishes and some furniture and books this way. just make sure to clean it !!)

if you’re interested in using chains and such for accessories, get them at a hardware store!! they’ll be sturdy and last you a good amount of time, while also being much cheaper than anything you’d find at a store.

ask around!! see if anyone you know has things they want to get rid of that you can snatch up

follow tutorials from punks. the entire subculture is built on rebellion, and thus relies very little on consumption. i’ve seen punks use the waistbands of old jeans as bracelets before, and look sick as fuck while doing it. even if that’s not the style you’re aiming for, you can still take the principles and practices and apply it to your own style.

get versatile!! i’ve used necklaces as pseudo-belts and bracelets before, and have wrapped bracelets around hair-ties. scarves can be ribbons or belts or hair-ties, too!! everything has a second, secret usage

things that aren’t accessories can also very easily become accessories if you try hard enough. bottle tabs can be tied together to make shapes and charms (many tutorials and patterns can be found on Pinterest!) and random pieces of thread can become charms if you learn how to tie certain knots.

diy and crafts!! save bottle caps and turn them into pins, spare ribbons as bracelets or earring charms. dollar stores and walmarts and such have supplies to craft your own jewelry, too! lobster hooks, thread, beads, earring hooks, etc.! you can even bypass this by buying sturdy enough wire and making the earring hook yourself, if that’s your only option. tie buttons together, and you end up with a bracelet, tie even more and you have a necklace or a belt or whatever the hell you want.

if you get some bobby pins and then hot glue charms or whatever onto them, you get hair clips!! just try and make sure the charm isn’t too heavy so it’ll stay in your hair.

libraries and other public services might have jewelry making or knitting or crocheting nights where you can learn how to craft and take what you create back home for free!! check that out (and also support your local library. get a library card i beg of you.)

you can prolong cheaply made jewelry (especially rings) by coating it in a layer of clear nail polish. it’ll stop it from turning your fingers green, and provide a protective layer between the metal and any sweat or water it might come into contact with

kids sections of stores. i am not even playing right now, go get yourself some hair clips meant for 6 year olds. if you figure out how to style it, it’ll be perfect.

remember that you can use and do literally whatever the fuck you want, so long as you like how you look. loop dental floss through buttons and wrap it around your wrist, or make a charm out of knots and hang it on the zipper of your jacket, or cut off the straps off of an old unusable bag and make it a choker. have fun with it

i’m American, so some of these might not translate well to other countries. if you have any advice to add, please do!!

[sadpearonmars]

Do you have any advice for how to deal with world events that make you feel helpless? I want to stay informed and, you know, stay woke, but it's so hard to not get swept away with doom.

So these are just my thoughts, as a person who grew up obsessed with the news and being informed and also a person who got so burnt out and hurt by it all. So don't read the editorials and don't read the comments.*

The news is often horrible. The vibes out there are really fucked and a lot of this stuff can get personal. I find the worst part of reading the news is the sense of hopelessness it can spark. How do we do anything in a world so dark? I'm afraid the answer is to be as much like Samwise as we can. To try, no matter how hard it is, because we care.

Pick something. Pick literally any action you can take to make the world a little better, that does not involve staring at your computer/phone screen soaking in the horror. It does not have to be the most important issue, it only has to be one you can do something about. Tackle that and make it something you do regularly, so every week or month or whatever you can say "Well, we live in hell but I did X this week and that's not nothing."

I personally have the luxury of a yard and despite having zero knowledge or aptitude for it, I'm getting into plants. I planted a bunch of flower bulbs just because I wanted something beautiful. I planted a bush because it will have berries to feed the birds and support our native ecosystem. I'm going to kill a whole section of grass and plant native seeds for grasses and flowers, a project that will no doubt horrify the sweet old man on my block but will be good for the bees. I cannot fix the absolute horror show of climate change myself but I am trying to make my tiny place in the world more hospitable for the creatures I share it with.

It doesn't have to be the plants. It can be volunteering to walk dogs at the shelter or Meals on Wheels or being a crossing guard during the school year. It can be knitting hats for a fundraiser or just for people you know need them. It can be donating to your local library. It can be taking a walk in your neighborhood and picking up trash along the way. It can be playing cards with the vets down at the VFW hall on Fridays or being a clinic escort or doing admin work for a nonprofit. Just find something, no matter how small it seems, and do that. Write it down so you can show yourself later when you despair that last week you did something. It's not nothing. It's something. It helps you, it helps someone else.

(Of course, if you have the ability to do bigger work like advocacy, protesting, campaigning, do it! I tried to focus on the very specific personal quality of coping with the news in this answer)

*I broke this rule only to read the comments on the Washington Post review of Lisa Frankenstein just to verify that I was not crazy and it truly was a bizarre take on the movie. But otherwise, I have managed to avoid the comments section for twenty odd years now.

[gallifreyan-ginger-sociopath]

Okay, allow me to maybe slightly derail this for just a moment to do one of my favorite things: shill for public libraries.

Public libraries are one of the last available free public spaces we have left, and I think we all know they're under attack right now. This is just one of the reasons they are so important, because they ARE one of our last third places.

Obviously resources vary wildly based on where you live, your library may have more or less than mine does. But here is just a short list of some things my library has (aside from the obvious books and places to sit and read):

1. Study rooms you can reserve, with large wall mounted monitors perfect for a free movie hangout with a couple friends.

2. Video game lending, and in some cases places to play them in the library (usually in the teen area).

3. Board game lending, typically for use while you're there.

4. Community events from crafting groups to story time to chess clubs and whatever else someone can think of and successfully pitch to the events people.

5. DVD lending. Borrow them and have a cheap movie night at someone's house, or maybe you can use one of those study rooms if yours has them (check for the presence of disk drives and see if you need to bring a laptop or DVD player of your own to hook to the monitor).

6. Computers. Remember when we used to hang out in someone's "computer room" at their house? Bring some headphones and relive the experience of Being On The Computer as an activity (just be mindful of volume and sprawl in a public space).

7. A library of things that sometimes includes museum passes. Want to go to a museum? Don't want to pay $20-50+ for entry to said museum? Check your library, see if you can get free admission through them.

8. 3D printing. Not sure of the process yet because I haven't done it myself but from what I understand, you just pay the cost of materials and can make yourself or a friend something cool.

9. A community jigsaw puzzle. Just take a seat at the table where it's set out and puzzle away for a few minutes or much longer.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, I'm sure I've forgotten a lot. And your library might have even more! Please go check them out. If you don't have a card, they will be so happy to help you get one. Check multiple area libraries, see if places near you offer non-resident cards. Some have a yearly fee ($35-50 seems to be the average) but others are completely free if you're a state resident, a student, work in the city, etc.

Dwindling hours, slashes in funding, and attacks by hate groups wanting to ban books or close libraries altogether right now are doing some damage, but that just means it's so important to support public libraries right now. If you can donate, that's great. If you can vote or contact representatives to try to help them that way, that is also great. Give positive feedback through whatever avenue your library has available. If you can't do any of that, just USE the library. Foot traffic and usage reports help them justify funding. With enough support, library resources and operating hours can grow, and that is a very good thing!

Please support your local public library.

[localmonstersmoocher]

I just want to remind those in the grand aether of the internet to go and support your local libraries to the best of your abilities. From those cozy small town libraries, to those beautiful sanctuaries in bigger cities. Especially now more than ever.

Libraries provide not just access to books and other forms of media for free, but they also provide spaces and programs for kids and teens, a safe space for those experiencing homelessness, and information on community services available in the area.

So go out and get a card at your local library, even if you yourself barely check anything out. You can also get access to a large collection of ebooks and audiobooks on the Libby app with a library card. Hell, you can even get access to magazines.

And to those who are in a place to donate to your local library branch, please do. Every little bit helps, from a couple of dollars to even some used books collecting dust on a shelf. If a library can't put them on their shelves, they'll definitely put them in a charity book sale.

Anyways, go and support your community. Also remember to take care of yourselves too. Remember, together, we'll endure and outlast the horrors. ♥️

[loemius]

1, 13, 24, 30 (hi k i miss u)

hi quartz!!! miss you too, feel free to dm me literally any time <333 thank you for the ask!!! hope youre doing good my friend, sending you blessings and love <333 1: What are your opinions on AI in Witchcraft? i'm not really huge on AI in the first place tbh. i think it can be a helpful tool for gathering resources or summarizing complex texts into digestible bits to help your comprehension, but i don't really think it's a replacement for doing the work yourself. i think a large part of any spiritual practice, whether that be religion or witchcraft, is hands on experience, and AI simply cannot give you that. you gotta do it yourself. i draw from historical texts and sources, so i personally don't vibe with the idea of like. asking AI to come up with a spell for me. it doesn't have the same connection to me. you do what you wanna do, if that's your jam don't let me sour it, but it's not for me personally. 13: Do you think you can hex/curse/jinx a deity? Do you think you should? i would never suggest it. to me, the gods are the most powerful things -- that's part of why we worship them. they're larger and grander than us, more powerful than us. to think that you can put a curse on them is like... it doesn't compute in my brain. i don't want to be too harsh but like. to me it's pretty blasphemous and hubristic to attempt such a thing. hard pass for me. i don't even really think it would do anything honestly. any kind of magic i do is theurgic in nature, so i'm calling upon the gods for that, and to basically turn that around on them and use their own power to try to harm them or their family members kinda feels like a spit in the face to me. it's kind of like a minnow trying to take down a shark. like buddy you can try but the most youre going to be is mildly annoying and you will reap the consequences of what you sow for that action. 24: Outside of the online space, where do you get your resources from? i mean pdfs are online but i read a lot of pdfs. i go the library and explore when i have down time, which is always fun for me. i also try to talk to my professors at university about things when i can, or my very educated friends and loved ones. basically i ask a lot of questions to people more informed than me and go to the library LMAO. this is your local polisci nerd reminding you to support your local library and get a library card 30: What do you think is a scam in witchcraft? honestly i am not a fan of those deity confirmation readings on etsy or whatever. if they work for you then im glad they do, but i honestly am a big believer in just praying and making the relationship. if you feel called to a particular deity, that's your sign. there you go. make a water offering and a prayer. i also just think its really hard to interpret sometimes because so many deities have overlapping signs. i've done some of those readings myself early in my own practice and in retrospect like... looking at that original reading i could draw multiple deities from the cards i pulled. i also think overconsumption in witchcraft is a huge issue. a lot of people, more informed than me, have talked about this before, but it still like.. grinds my gears a little. like you dont need to go out and buy x specific thing. witchcraft by and large was about people using what they had on hand and using things that are local to them. i think sometimes this idea of 'you need x specific thing' can lead people into just learning lists of correspondences and associations and not really understanding WHY things are associated the way they are or making their own connections, which only hinders their own practice. thank you again for the ask my friend!! so good to hear from you, please feel free to reach out any time <33 gods bless you always with happiness and health

[sonicenvy]

If you have the right to vote and are capable of voting, you have no right to complain about politics if you voluntarily CHOOSE not to vote. Your vote matters, and if it didn't there wouldn't be people trying to disenfranchise you and your fellow citizens.

This goes double btw for people who live in super blue states/cities like mine where it is stupidly easy to vote with many days of early voting in a large quantity of sites, same day voter registration, no-excuse vote by mail, voluntary permanent vote by mail registry and no voter ID laws. Everyone in my state being whiny piss-baby about voting is being dumb and selfish; they make it soooo damn easy to vote in this state my fucking god.

Here are my answers to a bunch of excuses for not voting:

"I don't know enough about the candidates to vote!'' - Google is free. You can google the candidates. Most local newspapers do candidate interviews with all of your local municipal candidates. There are many websites you can visit to see what the platforms and policies of the candidates on your ballot are. Do that. If you don't have access to the internet at home, we have FREE internet at the public library. You don't even have to have a library card to use it. Don't have a device? No worries, you can get guest passes to use library computers.

"I don't know where to vote." -- Go to your local board of elections website and look up your voter information. If you live in a large city, your city has its own BOE site. If you live in a smaller city, village, town or suburb your county has a BOE site you can use. Google that.

"I'm not registered to vote." -- If you are 18+ and a legal citizen of the United States you can register to vote. You can go to your city/county BOE site to find out more about registering to vote (what documents to provide, whether or not your municipality allows same day registration, what the registration deadlines are, etc.) You can also go to sites like vote.org to get the full information.

"Someone is trying to prevent me from voting via intimidation or other methods." -- A. That person is an asshole who is denying you your legal and sacred right. B. Call 1-866-687-8683 which is the national voter protection hotline for help.

"I'm disabled and home bound." -- You can register to vote by mail. Many states now have no-excuse absentee/mail in voting. For those states that do not, being disabled and home bound is typically one of the approved "excuses" for absentee voting. Look up your state's rules on mail ballots.

"I don't like any of the candidates." -- This is why you get involved before elections and in primaries to support local candidates who do share your values. This means helping candidates collect signatures, volunteering to canvas, voting for candidates that you support in primaries, running yourself, etc. Additionally, even if you don't like the big name federal candidates, you should still vote, ESPECIALLY for local offices like city councils, mayors, library boards, school boards, water reclamation, etc. The work these officials do directly effects your community and your life. These are the officials who decide what goes on in your child's school, what goes on in your public library, where public trashcans get placed in your neighborhood, what goes on in your local parks, whether or not intersections in your neighborhood have street lights, whether or not your neighborhood or town invests in cycling infrastructure, etc. Vote in these elections. If there's someone who has been running uncontested for a really long time, you should find out if there are other people interested in running that aren't collecting enough signatures to get on the ballot. Or heck, you can run for these offices. As long as you are a citizen of the United States and of age, you are legally allowed to run for office. If you want more information about how to do that your city/county BOE will have that information. Finally, a candidate is a bus stop, they help you get where you want to go, but are not the end-all be-all. Voting can be harm reduction. Which candidates are less bad? You have a brain and the ability to google things. Use that.

Democracy is verb. It is your sacred right and duty to participate. Voting isn't a one and done, it's something that you have to keep showing up for, every election, every year. Every election changes the landscape of your local and federal politics, and every election matters. So. Get out and Vote. Participate in democracy. People around the world and across time have fought and died for the right to a ballot box, and it is privileged and stupid as fuck of you to surrender that right by choosing not to vote when you have the ability to do so. Throwing your vote in the garbage by choosing not to vote does nothing, complaining on tumblr dot com or the bird site or t1k t0k or wherever does nothing if you are not also voting.

[tucsonhorse]

Most libraries also have ebook services (so you never have to go back in if you're like me and a chronic homebody), and some, like mine, have video streaming services too.

If you find yourself in the once every year or two situation of needing to print something, the library is going to be your cheapest place to go, and some even offer free printing to card holders (mine gives a $5 printing credit every month which gets you 50 pages free). And most libraries also offer free wifi, without having to buy a coffee first, and a nice place to sit and work for a while.

And oh yeah, a card at your local library won't cost anything because your taxes are already supporting it, so get a card and make use of the service you're already paying for.

I think it’s time for us to all collectively return to the library. Get a card, go to a club meeting, volunteer on an off day, rent some equipment. You don’t even have to read a book. But since the digital world is rapidly becoming a subscription-only hellscape requiring a criminal amount of private personal information to use even CASUALLY, the library has become our last safe haven to just exist with information present and not have our labour or information exploited for money.

[silicon14blog]

Went to a local library today, and they were having a book sale that was going on throughout the week, and today was the last day, so they were trying to move them out, and instead of having to pay for all of them individually, we could donate any amount instead, so I did.

My library has a service called "Libby" which allows you to check out E-books and Audiobooks for free (as long as you have a card) and another service called "Kanopy" (which allows you to watch movies and shows with your card for free), had trouble signing up for the former, but the people there were very helpful and resolved it by replacing my current card. Got some books there too, and saw some others that I would like to check out when I get the time to read them. I regret not checking out a movie, though.

My library also has a small bookstore as well (not connected to the book sale), and also run "silent auctions" where you write your name and your bid. Today the bids were Elvis and Beetle related items.

Go get yourself a library card and support your local library.

[printstandardmail]

Print My Documents And Mail Them To Me

Print My Documents And Mail Them To Me There are lots of places to go to print documents — your local library, an office supply store, or even the post office make it easy. Some of these companies will even ship your printed documents to you, so that's an option if you need a lot of copies that you just don't want to run out and get yourself.

Another option is to visit a printing service like PostGrid, which prints and sends standard and personalized letters, envelopes, postcards, business cards, and more directly to the people you need them to reach. The service offers numerous customization options, including images, fonts, layouts, messages, and more, so you can create professional-looking documents that will be noticed. Plus, you can use the variable data feature to personalize your entire mailing with a single click.

The only caveat here is that your printed documents will likely be in the same room as other people's, which may not be ideal if you have sensitive information or need to keep your privacy intact. Fortunately, most businesses that offer these services take steps to protect your information.

And finally, you can also visit a shipping store, such as The UPS Store or FedEx Office (which used to be known as Kinko's). In my experience at one location, the employee would email my file to the printer and then print it before handing it to me, which felt pretty safe and secure.

SITES WE SUPPORT

Print Standard Mail – Blogger