klemptor

I'd never considered this before, but the flexiblity that you get from ambivalence is almost like a social superpower - that's really cool!

I'm American and I haven't given a penny to my folks. If they needed financial help, of course I'd help them out, but they don't need my money. By the same token, I've told them several times that I don't want an inheritance. I'd rather they enjoy their money while they're alive.

Speaking as someone in the upper middle class and barring any catastrophe, I think it's poor planning on the parents' part to have to be reliant on financial support from their adult child. I understand it's not that way for everyone, but in our case, my parents worked for the State. They had good benefits including a very generous pension, plus they both receive social security. If they needed my help financially it would mean they'd been really irresponsible with their money.

I do help them in other ways - e.g., moving heavy furniture that they can no longer lift, or being there to help my mom when my dad had surgery. They know that I'm there if they need me. Maybe in our case that's what matters more than giving them actual money.

I am a pacifist. I would not punch anybody unprovoked. Provocation would mean a situation in which I have to physically protect myself or someone else.

Portal Stories: Mel

I think it might be generational. That word has always been part of my vocabulary. I've got no problem whatsoever with it, and if I'm being really honest I have a hard time taking it seriously when someone refers to it as "the R word". I would never use it to refer to someone with an actual intellectual disability - that would be cruel. But normal people who do dumb shit, or even inanimate objects that malfunction? Sure, all the time, because I don't mean it in a literal way. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Yes! Much better than Flotter anyway.

She secretly likes it

I wouldn't say so - I can think of several counter examples off the top of my head: mold, wild, kiln

Or folk, or yolk

Holy shit

"Different strokes for different folks."

It's a reminder that your preferences aren't the only acceptable way to feel. It's OK if some people like things you don't. On different scales, it's a lesson in tolerance.

It goes hand-in-hand with "Be excellent to each other." Kindness goes far!

Together I hope someday they lead to "Harmony and understanding, sympathy and trust abounding."

Mako shark tastes like marlin or swordfish (same meaty texture too) but with a little sweetness.