DharmaCurious

Oh I see it now, thank you!

There are a few good videos on YouTube that I am too COVID to find and link right now. But homes are straight up houses, apartments, et cetera. Some are nicer than others, but they're just houses.

As far as ownership goes, iirc if you've lived in the home 5 years (as in, you paid rent for 5 years) then you own the home. Like a rent to own in the US. I don't know how that works currently, with a lack of capitalist landlords, but that was the agreement when they socialized housing. The government has the right of first refusal if you leave the home, with the exception that you can give the home to a family member or co-occupant when leaving. You can own up to two homes.

Also, despite being run by the communist party, they are not communist. They're socialist, to use the Marxist definition. A transitionary state. Private ownership is still very much so a real thing in Cuba. They even have privately owned businesses. Calling Cuba communist is the same kind of error as saying the US is a direct democracy because the democratic party controls the Senate, or that the UK is a communist society because the labour party was in power. The party names are more... aspirational than anything else.

Splain? Idgi.

I'll be honest, I'm not familiar with new monasticism.

But yes, I loved growing up in the Baptist church, I loved the sense of community, the feeling of connection. But the politics of the far right that has taken over these once radical traditions is honestly depressing. It makes me sad to know that if I ever have kids, they will not be able to have those same experiences. I wish there was something similar in the more lefty churches, like the episcopals, the the United church of Christ, or the metropolitan community Church, but it seems like, in my area at least, mainline and fringe lefty churches don't generally offer those some kind of things. :/ and of course, there is no Christian anarchist community to speak of.

Def a bot. They're responding to themself below.

... most just use socks, from what I understand..

Oh that is so what I call it from now on.

It's amazing. The cookie dough doesn't cook all the way, so it's like chewy nuggets of cookie goodness.

I won't lie... I prefer the raw batter. I only bake the cake because I'm a coward and society tells me I have to.

Thank you!

I actually have an appointment with my doc today because of stupid stinky COVID, so I'll ask her about this. I really appreciate the advice. :)

I can, have and do bake cakes without the use of cake mixes. It's not hard, and I normally have most of the ingredients on hand. But cake mixes are very popular, come in a wide variety of flavors/types, and, generally speaking, are pretty good. They're also cheap. And they store well, and efficiently on the shelf or in a cabinet. So it's just super convenient to have one on hand. It also takes like 30 seconds to make. Add water, oil, egg, mix.

Gimme a panic button to press in case of emergency, so that I won't die if something happens, and yeah. I would. Prisoners do solitary confinement, and it's awful, and inhumane, but clearly survivable. I have no problem talking to myself and keeping myself company. I routinely spent 8 hours totally alone 5 days a week as a kid, and yes, I realize this isn't the same. But I believe I could keep my mind occupied, and sleep through most of it. This isn't one of those insane ones, where they do it for a year. It's 48 hours. Sign me up.