paleo

"Hey, I was just teasing!" is often an excuse people use to cover up passive-aggresive viciousness. Teasing, by it's nature, exposes people's flaws and insecurities and has great capacity to be hurtful. As a rule, I only tease people that I have been in a relationship long enough to predict what emotional impact a good-natured jest will have on them. Even then, I have made some mistakes and had to ask for forgiveness.

Lupa is offering to make free custom made leather and/or fur pouches to the first five people who donate ten dollars or more to an animal shelter that needs funds.

I own two Lupa-made pouches and can confirm that her handiwork is made with skill and meaning. With the holidays coming up, this could be a great way to do good *and* treat yourself to something nice.

Vampire Diaries airs in less than 48 hours. I am trying to remind myself that I've had nearly fifteen years to build up in my mind what the characters should be like and the tv show will probably fall short of that.
As long as Damon Salvatore is drool-worthy, I'll be happy.

Dear people who believe in weird* things (and I am one of those people),

If you are going to demand the right and the opportunity to express your beliefs, you also have to give OTHERS the right and opportunity to express their disbelief in those very same things. I am not talking about tolerating trolls who barge into safe havens set up for individuals who share a common belief. I am talking about public space. If you state in public space something like "I was abducted by aliens" or "I worship a moon goddess" or "I have the soul of a dragon", don't act all persecuted and superior when John Q Public makes their opinion (which you should have predicted in advance) known.
Yes, you can ask for and hope for politeness and reasoned debate. No, you don't have to put up with outright abuse. Just don't expect to be successful with some sort of conversion attempt by screaming and yelling "This is true because I SAID SO, and you are an INFERIOR dumbass not to take my word as gospel !!!" That isn't "defending" your beliefs. That just provides the kindling for your own personal flamewar. Often the best ways to defend your beliefs is knowing how to stay calm and reasonable in the face of disbelief. And knowing that, unless mixed with insults and slurs, disbelief isn't necessarily an "attack". And knowing that verbal attacks on your beliefs by random internet people don't make you anywhere NEAR a persecuted minority.
You have faith in a weird belief? Fine and good, tons of people do including myself. It doesn't make you special. So stop demanding special treatment.

*I use "weird" to mean "outside the norm of society", not as a judgement call on worth or validity

You Are An INTP

The Thinker You are analytical and logical - and on a quest to learn everything you can. Smart and complex, you always love a new intellectual challenge. Your biggest pet peeve is people who slow you down with trivial chit chat. A quiet maverick, you tend to ignore rules and authority whenever you feel like it. In love, you are an easy person to fall for. But you're not an easy person to stay in love with. Although you are quite flexible, you often come off as aloof or argumentative. At work, you are both a logical and creative thinker. You are great at solving problems. You would make an excellent mathematician, programmer, or professor. How you see yourself: Creative, fair, and tough-minded When other people don't get you, they see you as: arrogant, cold, and robotic

You Are a Lake

You are inviting, friendly, and even playful. You are flexible and always up for fun. You are downright cheerful and optimistic. You have a sparkling, radiant spirit. You love relaxation and quiet. However, you are equally able to be entertaining and active. You live a very well balanced life. People find you very easy to be around.

Scientists meet to save Lascaux cave from fungus

Oldest English Words Revealed?

Sex Goes Way Back, Fossil Find Shows

Cache of Ice Age fossils found in Los Angeles

Can anyone tell me what sort of drum opens this song (might have to turn it up)? I've been trying to pick a drum to learn and...I don't know...this one draws me.