How I made the decision: asked myself do I want to have children because that is what I want or because that is what is expected/wanted by others? For me, it was the latter. I have been incredibly happy with the decision, though I’m also incredibly fortunate and privileged to be in the spot my partner and I are in.

My partner and I had the luxury of me being in grad school as the “excuse” for why we hadn’t had kids. Then student loans. But at a certain point that was unfair to us and our parents. My partner is an only child so her parents won’t have grandkids. I have a brother who has kids.

Avoiding uncomfortable conversations and putting the wants of other people before yours is something we all do. However, doing that with bringing a whole living being is, in my opinion, a recipe for fucking disaster.

If you want kids because you want to, then you should. If you don’t want kids because you don’t, then you shouldn’t. If your partner is on a different wavelength, you need to have a very adult conversation. The decision to bring a life into this world (especially at this point) is huge. This is also not a conversation to convince the other person you’re right (this goes for your partner too).

I hope you are able to make this decision in a way that fits best for you.

Kinda crazy to see Stanford, KY on here! I did a semester long practicum at Lincoln county highschool.

And it makes the sunset really pink, because of the air pollution! But the the main question is, is it worth it?

The “I’m so tough I don’t need a vacation” most likely.

That’s enough Jerry, now you’re just playing around.

I transitioned from an elliptical to the treadmill. Knees are in rough shape and it took about 4 weeks for them to get sore after pushing a little too quick and not getting proper rest. Probably wasn’t doing enough stretching either. Inside of my knee is where it hurt so don’t think it was an IT band issue.

Listened to my body, that’s the fitness victory. Knee feels better 7 days since my last run and just in time to set off of a thru hike of the Uinta Highline Trail on Sunday. Hella excited for the adventure too!

I call it my God hole.

Just manager.

Inny Minny miny…?

Look at what you went ahead and did; made me learn something when I was just trying to make a joke.

But seriously, super interesting and appreciate the serious reply!

I don’t like that comment at all.

It’s it because you can’t trust the Dutch?

The other piece that can come after this is the eventual gaslighting where they deny they said it. I can say that, personally, there have been times where I have begun to doubt my perspective because of the strength of their denial and my openness to examine why I think what I do (not all the time if I’m being fair). The amount of effort that goes into learning that it is a tactic with the desired outcome to be bend people to their will can be a hard learned skill.

Surely to fuck the FAA will resist such a move that is based on a bottom line of a corporation and not on safety, right?..right?!

I did a practicum in a federal prison for a year and somehow my supervisor and I got onto the topic of bathroom use (probably just talking about the reality of incarcerated live). I’ll never forget it because it was such a candid moment for him when he said: real thugs sit. Nothing else added, just let it be said like that. People that don’t clean up after themselves definitely grinds my gears.

What kind of damned animal doesn’t rinse their dishes after washing them with soap?! I refuse to accept there are people out there doing this and if there are: I am not mad, I am just deeply disappointed in you.

Hear that subtle mandolin?

Same here, it’s been a fun experience.