Dh has had severe joint pain upon waking for a week or two. It diminishes somewhat as the day goes on but then comes back the next morning. The pain is mostly in his hands, neck, and shoulders. He can barely move without wincing. He chalked it up to arthritis due to aging even though he’s never had any signs of arthritis before and it came on suddenly. Today he got up at 4:00 with the severe joint pain and now a fever. So I’m thinking viral arthritis. He took ibuprofen, went back to bed, and asked me to call the doctor when the office opens. In the 30 years I’ve known this man, he has called in sick to work only once and he has NEVER said he needs a doctor. I know nobody here can diagnose him, and Dr. Google in the wee morning hours is rarely a good idea…but I have 3-4 hours before the doctor’s office opens and I’d appreciate any input. Any other signs/symptoms I should be looking for? No rash that I can see. No trouble breathing. There is a weird new spot on his chest. Looks like a bruise/blister? Any thoughts on what kind of virus could be causing this?

This has sketchy written all over it! Interviews take time—for some positions a lot of time. But if you’re doing actual work for the company, they need to pay you. What do you know about the company and/or the job? Do they have any reviews on Glassdoor or Indeed?

That thread about the hoops students and parents need to jump through to take OTC meds while in school got me thinking. I can’t imagine following a rule not to keep ibuprofen on me. As a 17-year-old (and as a 50-something-year old), I would see that as a ridiculous rule that serves no purpose for safety or order and, in fact, creates more work, hardship, and (potentially) pain if followed. I’m not particularly rebellious or in-your-face contrarian, so I wouldn’t raise a fuss about the rule. I’d just…not follow it. If I got caught and there were consequences, so be it. I’m curious how typical this attitude is toward rules. Are you a rule follower even if you find the rule silly? Does it depend on who is making the rules (and how much you trust and/or respect them)? Do you fight to change rules when they seem silly or overreaching, or do you go with the flow? How do you handle this with your kids? Do you encourage them always to follow the rules?

TV screens and/or blaring audio ads EVERYWHERE. Doctor’s office waiting rooms. Restaurants. Gas stations. Elevators! Give me some quiet to be alone with my thoughts for a minute!

Is the job in medical or academia? CVs are more common in those fields. is the company European? CVs are more common there (and, I believe Canada and Australia, too). As for differences, a CV typically includes everything (all education, all jobs held, all presentations/publications, etc.) whereas a resume has a little more leeway with what to include, what to exclude, and how to format. Are you in conversation with a recruiter or is this all done through automated processes so far? If you have a contact person, I’d suggest asking if your previously submitted resume will suffice. If not, is there something specific they are looking for that is not included in your resume? if it’s all automated, you might want to reformat your resume (if you have a lot of design elements, for example, take them out) and resubmit it as a CV.

Porn.

Not nearly as significant as other well-articulated rants in this thread, but I’m saying it anyway: Crocs. Particularly on grownups. Get some real shoes, man.

This thread reminds me of The Road.

This made me laugh out loud! It’s our entire relationship in 15 words. 😁😁😁

DS is almost 21, itching to launch into adulthood. He’s polite to us, but there’s no…I don’t know…warmth? Interest in us? Desire to be anywhere near us 😁? He has a plan for a decent job and an apartment within the next 3-4 months. It’s a fine plan—I’m not worried about him or his future. I do wonder, though, if that warm, affectionate, easygoing son of ours will return at some point. I mostly take this day by day and give him lots of space and grace. But I’m sad. I miss him. If any of you can relate and have a happy ending story to share, I’d love to read it.

I think the entire idea is exploitive and repugnant.

We’ve gone to several for the food 😁. They host these events to get new clients so, of course, you’re going to get a sales pitch. But it’s easy enough to say “No, thank you” when they come around and ask if you’d like to book an appointment. I’ve never felt pressured.

Now that I’m in my 50s with a husband in his 60s, I see how we should’ve more seriously considered retirement income when making career and financial decisions. So I would be asking myself how the lower-paying job would impact long-term savings. Maybe ask a financial planner/advisor to run one of those financial models (they have a name but I can’t remember it now…that 50-something-year-old brain isn’t as nimble as it used to be).

I read two Frank McCourt memoirs last month (Angela’s Ashes followed by ‘Tis). Loved them both, but I need a break from his voice before deciding whether to read his third one. I’m very close to finishing The Secret Garden from the “How have I never read this book???” shelf.

I think this board is a great place to ramble! We’re all privileged to read your words here. Thank you for the update. I’m praying for both of you.

When people say that seeing that symbol raises red flags of concern—regardless of context or additional information from the wearer or holder of said flag—it’s pretty easy to jump to being “against” the display of the flag. But I’m with you, Heartstrings. It feels like we’ve gone around and around here. I’m done too.

I hear what you’re saying. I don’t run in those groups, though, so I don’t have many opportunities to converse with J6-ers. Maybe it’s not an either/or. I do appreciate the historic significance of the Gadsden flag and I want to dispel any confusion about what it means to me. I’d love to convey that just because some hateful people have distorted the flag’s original meaning, that doesn’t mean I stand with them. It doesn’t mean that the majority of people who love that flag stand with them. They’re a fringe and that’s where they belong. I could get this message out by posting something on FaceBook. I could tell people here 🙂. I could go to a bigot rally and ask the hateful people to put the flag down. I could show up to a Sunday school class with a flag symbol on my mug and have a thoughtful conversation about it….

Is it possible that association is not as widespread as you believe? YOU associate it with far right ideology and others in this thread do, too. But that doesn’t make it universally true. Somewhat related: I read something earlier today—wish I could remember where—that suggested people on Side A of an issue are more likely to see the batsh!t crazy wing of the people on Side B than the people actually on Side B. And vice versa. I wonder if something similar is going on here. People against the flag are CERTAIN the flag currently means this one thing over and above any other thing because a few batsh!t crazy people carried it while doing batsh!t crazy things. “LOOK at the images! Don’t you see the danger?” And the pro-flag people are saying “Crazies gonna crazy. That doesn’t change the meaning of the flag for me any more than it changes the meaning of the American flag for me.” Sadly, in our current moment, the fringe of every issue gets the headlines, the clicks, the attention. And then normal people going about their everyday lives have only a surface knowledge of that issue based on the fringe group. Or they look more closely into the fringe group and start to believe THIS is the way they all are. We sort, label, and categorize people—without so much as a simple conversation—then we deem them dangerous and unworthy. And we shake our heads at the divisiveness of the country.

Agree on all points! ETA: Actually, I don’t agree with all the points. It seems that YOU have decided one group “owns” patriotism and all of the symbols. I reject that. They can use them—free speech and all that—but I’m not giving them that much power in my brain or my heart.

That’s an interesting question. I think a rainbow flag that says “Pride” is pretty obvious. I think a springtime flag with a cross that says “He is risen” is also obvious. Symbols or logos that five minutes ago meant one thing and now mean something else because a minority of people are trying to make it so? I’d give that some grace and further exploration.

You’re assuming the man’s motivation in carrying a mug with the symbol.

Yeah, cuz that’s exactly what I’m saying 🙄. In your opinion, is it possible to be patriotic—to love this country and the concepts of freedom and liberty—without being racist? I understand that many of those symbols have been co-opted. That’s a shame. But that awful group doesn’t get to define the meaning for EVERYONE who enjoys/wears/appreciates those symbols and what the stand for. Not everyone is aware of the secret (and the not-so-secret) meanings. I’m simply suggesting people stop assuming the worst. Have a conversation. Maybe he is a raging racist and OP would be wise to avoid him. But—jeesh—is it POSSIBLE he isn’t?

Better rule of thumb: Don’t assume motivations.

Good freaking grief. So instead of asking the man about the significance of the flag, many of you are content to assume he’s a Christian Nationalist racist? Because you just knoooowwww what that flag reaaalllly means to white guys like him? OP, your husband is right: you’re stereotyping.

I’m going to answer the question you asked about the man with the mug, but I’m guessing this thread is going to focus on your first paragraph as that seems more significant. Would you be willing to engage the man in conversation? “I noticed your mug and I’m curious what that flag means to you?” The Gadsden flag is not a symbol of racism. Neither is a room full of white people.