Either as an early adopter within closed networks in academia, military or government (late 70s - late 80s), mid adopter with the BBS ecosystem (mid 80s - 90s) or later once it became commercialized with the dot com boom (late 90s).

Elder millennial here. I keep seeing all these "millennials don't age" or "aging like fine wine" references. Am I alone in actually looking old af?! Like I spent my teens sunbathing my melanin-challenged skin and binge drinking because I was an idiot, I spent the subsequent decade in total poverty working three jobs, then my last decade is a blur of pregnancy, sleepless nights and caring for children with special needs. Now my parents are dying, everyone needs something from me, and me and my old face are tired, boss.

ETA: I'm not all that worried about this, as I have bigger fish to fry. I guess I just want to age in peace.

Years ago, I had a conversation with a woman who was telling me about growing up poor in Oregon. She said the family home was heated by means of some contraption that sat within what was I guess some kind of enclosed area. It heated the walls surrounding it which were themselves how rooms got heated. ANybody ever heard of a setup like that? I'd think it'd be a fire hazzard but IDK.

I’ve made some crappy decisions in life, one of which was my ex. Post breakup, I’m not in a great financial position (better than some - I do get that, but believe I am living paycheck to paycheck) so have decided that I need to sell one of my two flats and live in one. They‘re awesome and completely crap in equal parts, and will each cost me another 50k in renovations to becompletely comfortable. One of them is bigger (probably 1.5 times the size or more) and much closer to friends and family, but much further away from work. The other is really quite small, but is right in the thick of town: shops, bars, facilities are all within walking distance.

I dearly love both flats, and I am also 50 - so o feel like whatever decision I make needs to be the right one. I need to make sure I am well placed for later on in life. Do I want big (but a ten min drive to major services) or do I want convenience (a five minute walk)?

This is driving me nuts.

You can be responsible, kind, hardworking, pay your bills, avoid unnecessary drama, and somehow wake up wondering when exactly your life became something you just maintain instead of enjoy. The funniest part is that everyone congratulates you for having your shit together while you're quietly wondering what the shit was supposed to be for. Maybe a midlife crisis isn't a crisis at all; it's just the first time someone stops being impressed with their own ability to function.

For yourselves beyond kids or grandkids.

House party?

At a club?

Small intimate gathering?

Community center volunteer event?

I was just listening to a thing about a chili cookoff and it reminded me of decades ago when I had the best chili I'd ever eaten in my life. It was genuinely incredible for some reason. I was a teen at a little dinner made by some of the others in the high school choir I sang in. This girl from Mexico who had a beautiful voice brought the chili. It was rich, flavorful with subtle hints of spices I'd never had before and I legit wish I'd have asked her about it.

THe worst part was that the pot tipped over in her car on the way to the dinner location so we got tiny portions LOL. But it truly was devine.

Someone that isn't a mainstream celebrity but has been in the public eye even digitally. That you sent them an email or DM on a lark and they actually responded, leading to a regular two way communication about your mutual interest area. Some examples:

Social media influencer/ YouTube personality

Author

Reality television star

Former athlete

Local politician

I've had some experiences like this over the years, but within the last 6 months I cannot get ONE person to be good with communication, show up on time, plan ahead (ie. give a reasonable time line on when we are to meet or I need to leave the door open, "can I get in right now" is not reasonable)...

Just WTF?. On about 6 different projects, only ONE has actually come through with a quote for the job. The rest of them money has not been discussed. Meaning I am NOT low balling them, we don't even get to that part!?

The big one right now is a boat mechanic. I have always just said "great, perfect" when he says he's going to work on it. He never does?! It's always an excuse. This guy is highly recommended and one of the only people that work on my type of boat in the area. This is preventative mait. It has been in the wind for THREE MONTHS and still hasn't touched it.

Another guy last Friday - we were to meet at a condo to see about some drywall work and painting being done. We spoke on the previous Monday, meeting was 1145 on Friday, I had to be somewhere at 1. This was a simple walk through for an estimate (I already had sent pictures). At 1115am I checked in with him, he said he would be there. At 1155am I called him and asked if he was having trouble finding the place. He said "Oh we are going to be late, sorry about that" I responded with "I needed to meet at 1145 and cannot wait, how about Monday?" He agreed Monday.

This past Monday I get a "hello hello" text from him at 9am and I respond immediately greeting him and letting him know I am home and will be there till 11am.

No reply, did not show up, haven't heard from him all week.

I suppose this could be a real result of heavily deporting the hands on workers of our country, but it still doesn't excuse terrible communication.

Anyone else noticing this? Do I just give up and things don't get fixed?!

It is pathetic how easily we confuse someone's circumstances with their character. We call people loyal when they've never had better options, humble when they've never held power, honest when lying wouldn't benefit them, and kind when they've never had anything to gain from cruelty. I'm not saying these people are secretly terrible. I'm saying we often judge morality without considering how little it has actually been tested. I've seen people become almost unrecognizable once they gained money, authority, attention, or the freedom to stop depending on others. And the uncomfortable part is that most of us are convinced we'd be different. Maybe that's the biggest illusion of all. We judge ourselves by the principles we believe we have, but character is what remains of those principles when breaking them finally becomes convenient.

With military and intelligence officials providing detailed information on podcasts, television shows and Senate hearings. Or did you think we would be further ahead by 2026?

Recently I was dealing with a scary situation where I was worried about being kicked out of grad school (over what I thought were overblown accusations). Unlike most people, I didn't really have any friends to reach out to. Has anyone dealt with the situation where they realize no one really cares about you even when you're dealing with a serious issue? Luckily I won't be kicked out of grad school and will be receiving free therapy in the meantime so no need to suggest that.

When you know where a contentious situation is headed deep down but don't want to take the pre-emptive action to mitigate/ protect or neutralize it now because it's too painful to admit.

Like being in a toxic work environment that is trying to squeeze you out but not filing the formal complaints, saving key documents, making a daily log etc to set yourself up for a wrongful dismissal claim because your soul hurts knowing that you are at that stage through no fault of your own.

Or seeing that once friend turn sour on you but hoping that it's just a phase cause they are going through a tough patch. But knowing that this is a slow road to a huge blow up.

TBH, this comes up, too, because I recently talked to an older woman I know whose son has one child of his own and like 3 that are his wife's kids. They're all under 15 and she makes a thing out of spoiling her specific grandchild and not much acknowledging the other kids. I kinda get it and it's def up to her. HOwever, I empathize with the other kids and wish she could be a tad more tactful about showing special attention to hert grandchild alone.

It's all linked because the gist here is how do you deal with literal kids who aren't yours or related to you in a way that respects all involved?

Even if what you did was justifiable.

That you didn't really leave the house except for work, shopping, medical appointments and family obligations. That you got real cozy with a warm blanket, tea mug, books, podcasts and quality television shows.

Guessing 70s or 80s...Found this unique cat at a garage sale in a very nice neighborhood. It's an original, I think marker illustration? On nice thick paper, no pixels...

I've always enjoyed unique pieces and this guy called me back to him over and over so I finally grabbed it, all while my husband began doubting my judgement.

From what I've read on AI, with a huge grain of salt, it says Cricket was a common psuedonym back then. Cannot find anything similar enough to be positive.

Looking for ANY information. Style, medium. Artist.

From the early days of submitting a resume in person with a brief interview then offer to a labyrinth of keywords algorithms, instant application questions, AI screener interviews, multiple panel interviews, work sample tests, references and background checks.