Fun-sized tiger dad

This Trans Day of Visibility/Vengeance, I reflect on my own journey to understanding and where I might be now if visibility *didn't* increase over the last 25 years.

I knew of zero trans classmates in high school in the late 90s. With my sheltered upbringing, it took long enough to process my attraction to males, but even halfway through my undergrad, I was still deadass saying shit like..."trans people aren't being true to themselves."

As trans people slowly began entering my life, my ignorance started to dissolve. While I was generally well-intentioned, the risk for me to say something hurtful at that juncture was significant. Some of my interactions were guaranteed, at minimum, insensitive.

Being visible means being exposed to potential emotional and physical harm, requiring courage with a side of guts...but evolutions like mine aren't likely without it.

Cheers to all the cisn't folks out there from the hopelessly male tiger. Your identity is not negotiable, and nobody will ever sling that brand of disrespect without reprisal with such a stubborn ally like me (and my husband) around. <3

#TransDayOfVisibility #tdov

My search keeps finding new ways to rattle and depress me, but fuck it, today's our 13th anniversary celebration and nothing else matters at the moment. Headed out for the best coffee in the city, then a vegan cafe that grows a lot of their own greens, then the zoo, then to our mutual favorite restaurant/bar by far in the evening.

Thirteen years. It hasn't always been easy, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. <3

Hey, heading down to recycle these boxes. Oh, I forgot some? I don't see any more...oh, some other thing? What the hell else would I need?

Inspired by Rick's latest round of adopts, because naked with footwear is such an aesthetic. I know you follow Rick (right?), but ICYMI, check 'em out!

@rickgriffin@meow.social

#nsfw #justthestripes #male #nude #hairy #tiger #furry

I celebrated First Contact Day by marooning Chakotay in the Delta Quadrant in favor of Seska in Across the Unknown. Game immediately straight up tells you he dies, lol.

I had the most stupid grin on my face. I love that the game lets you make these decisions. Chakotay's character was straight up dogshit, and Robert Beltran is a self-centered right-wing shitnozzle that hated most everything that Star Trek universe intended to exist for.

Highly worth your time, even if they didn't go through the effort of writing the generic replacements differently. Bit of a missed opportunity, but hardly a dealbreaker.

#StarTrek

This tofu I just cut into tiny cubes smells like cum.

...it's not unpleasant.

Wait...can you...? Pretty sure it would be possible, right? Would it be any good? That'd be one hell of a molecular gastronomy experiment, right there.

Knowing me, I'm actually going to get into the biochemistry (which I'm already reasonably familiar with) and try in microscale.

#nsfw

Didn't want to jump the gun and share what was going around last night because I along with several others saw too many inconsistencies on the "Prohibited Content" page to actually believe it, and we were collectively correct...

...for the moment. Mind you, the terms are certainly generally horrendous and limiting currently for other reasons; there might be...one creator I follow on SSA that *might* be in complete compliance. Haven't compared historical versions of the page yet, but no real matter. It is was it is now, and I'm under no illusion that this is the last word. Payment processors and conservative pearl-clutchers have been doing whatever they've wanted for years now, and I've only *now* seen a real initiative looking to curb discrimination based on legal consumption of media. Who knows where that will go.

If things at SSA *do* jump forward to the "uncouth zoophile knee" (concept credit masklayer at slime[dot]global) point sometime in the future...I'm old enough to have seen this before for what it is. A long time ago, there was an image site that was frequented by both anime and furry artists. Some furry artists love posting there for their own reasons. Then, one day out of the blue after banning feral art, they dropped an absurd rule relating to anthros being unacceptable unless their fucking *eyebrows* were a certain way.

I don't think there's a term for this. They *technically* didn't ban furries despite that obviously being their intention, so they can technically save face by labeling pushback as exaggeration and overreaction. What SSA would purportedly do is the same thing. This tactic baits out a *lot* of malicious compliance and parody...rightfully so and you love to see it, but it points the company right at those they seek to silence and crush.

Related...only a bit sad this shit didn't marinate for a little longer, because I wanted to see where furry artists would take "uncouth zoophile knees."

But anyway...

I won't directly link posts from other social sites, but there was one I came across from a popular furry porn artist that I'd consider quite vanilla in terms of kinks offering full-throated support of free artistic expression and smacking back against the "exceptioners". More of this, please. Reaching an audience that needs to get it through their skulls that total control and blanket bans are the only thing our puritan opposition will actually accept.

If you ever run into anyone saying they're happy they banned (both directly and indirectly) victimless fictional content, normalize responding with a single 3.5 word phrase until they actually understand:

"You're next, freak."

#SubscribeStar #SubscribeStarAdult

The husband has been acquired and delivered home safely, thank dog almighty...the wait was excruciating. Pair that with the appropriate amount of scotch, and this tiger is enjoying wave a peace amidst the chaos.

Actually went out last night. Unexpectedly nice evening.

Husband and his best friend wanted to go to a casual version of the furry beer group meetup at a pub. If you recall, I'm no more than neutral with some of them, and I actively despise several. Still, that's a big buffer, so...try again?

It wasn't like I really appreciated the company of the group at large, they haven't gotten better, especially the asshole that runs the thing. I quipped on the way there he was going to say something confidently ignorant about beer in the first five minutes, and would you believe I was right?

Apparently Bellhaven (Scottish Export) is a "Scottish Cream Ale" (such a style doesn't exist) that was an awful lot like Guinness (it was served to him on nitro, the styles are otherwise are diametrically opposed).

Husband and his best friend got sick of his narcissism and glorifying being drunk that they gave up trying to communicate with him within the first 5 minutes. During the walk back to the train station, we just tore into what a uniquely awful person he was. Brought me closer as a friend to my husband's best friend. Sometimes you just need a little catharsis, I guess!

#beer #alcohol

*Crawls out of his hole*

This hasn't been one of my favorite weeks. I'm suffering through a hell-loop of being ghosted by potential employers. Multiple trips in nice clothes downtown. Absolute cream of the crap was being invited to interview...then silence, then say they hired someone else without interviewing me. What happened in between is a long story but makes their petulance even worse.

Don't get me started on the state of the world. We know someone that's stuck in a place hearing explosions daily, currently safe and hoping that won't change.

Today I'm going to have some fun at a hiring event, though, either by brute forcing myself into a position with some prestige and growth potential, or by tearing these corpo recruiters a new one for the awful shifts and abysmal pay they offer grunts (which surprise, their turnover is staggering). Smart money is on the latter...

Nice day yesterday out with the husband, made a big breakfast at home ahead of the North Park beer festival. Rideshare driver indirectly complimented me on my cooking just because of how I smelled, lol. He also had amazing taste in music, was a great start to the day.

The festival itself couldn't've been much more packed. Felt like a bee in the hive. One basically had enough time to visit every brewer once...if they didn't run out before you got there. Paced myself fine by requesting half pours (~30 mL) for most beers. Some good, some bad as usual. Unexpected stars were the Mexican lagers (usually not my favorite) from a small operation that specialized in them. Fundamentally flawless. Talked up the head brewer, and was hardly surprised hearing the big names he's worked for in his 40+ year career before deciding to do his own thing. Tracks.

Managed to find a bit of time to meta/boost my odds with one application.

Ordered in upon arrival home, and *finally* found worthy vegan Mexican I'd been missing from Dallas. Doing fuck all this Oviposition Day because my neck is bothering me from having to be on a swivel all afternoon yesterday. ^_o;

#beer #alcohol

I feel like you can tell a lot about a furry artist in particular by reading their TOS.

Tones that are aggressive and utilize charged and/or derogatory language are wholly unnecessary, and often seek to intimidate real-world abusers. On the whole, I feel the vast majority of them don't know the first thing about the psychology of abuse.

You're going to get the coldest shoulder from me.

My brothers and sisters and everyone else in dog, I know plenty of artists that are comfortable drawing a lot less than you are when it comes to kinks/porn, that are infinitely less judgmental in their TOS. I've had a dinner conversation with a popular furry artist or two about it. Their consensus is always "being nice and welcoming isn't hard" and just makes sense for their mental health. Putting effort into respecting the patron encourages respect for the creators boundaries.

It's also more than possible to take a stance without coming across as an asshole without puriteen-grade cloutposting, believe it or not.

On the advice of a friend, I should block the worst offenders for my mental health. Wherein I already have a large mute list, having a harder filter will just be better in the long run in the interest of preventing me from getting mentally preoccupied when there's *so* much more important shit to care about.

Got assigned the morning judging sessions for both Saturday and Sunday. Very much hoping for no severe off-flavors/flaws in the homebrews. Naturally, one should eat a substantial breakfast if drinking (ugh) in the morning, and nasty beer just makes you want to toss it all.

Managed to keep everything down after (my most prestigious) certification exam, but my stomach was doing backflips so damn hard that I just wanted to curl up and die. I remember having to call dad just to distract me from my stomach pain.

In a curious twist, there's a taproom position that just opened up at the brewery where the competition judging is being held, so I'll be around anyway for a friendly follow-up after that immediate application. They're kind and progressive there, with a strong code of ethics. I feel good about the prospect, but I've been ignored, ghosted, jerked around, or disrespected so fucking much the past few months that I'm taking *nothing* for granted.

#alcohol #beer #homebrew

Fuck that last post, got rid of it. -^.^-

Yesterday was evidence of how much I needed an *actual* distraction. Back into a video game, finally. A 4X with a theme I (mostly) loved (Voyager) was exactly what the dogtor ordered. Funny enough, I felt I needed to play it after seeing so many others fail miserably at it...these are the kind of games my cohort dominates (and make the children whine that there's no action because they suck at them).

Pulled me right the fuck away from the news cycle. Engrossing without being addicting, like any good involved eurogame. Increased efficiency with everything else work-related I wanted to get done yesterday.

...except eating. Workouts have been a bit aggressive and my daily mean has fallen to ~129 lb. / 58 kg. Tiger requires more plants. Making a huge cauldron of decadent gourmet oatmeal to devour before anything else noteworthy today. ^^;

Terrifying poll was recently published that the two GOP candidates for CA senator were now #1 and #2 in the open primary.

The Democratic field is hilariously bloated, and they're a couple months away from utter disaster. It boggles my mind that such a deep blue state at large cannot produce any truly progressive candidates that everyone can rally behind.

What we currently have is absolutely nobody I actually want to vote for. A summary for the uninitiated (which was me as well until I did a dive)...

Swalwell: Hnnnng I love cops *so much*. Probably secretly happy the US is at war with Iran.

Porter: I like most of her politics just fine, but she's unhinged and unstable as fuck, and I don't trust anybody that would denigrate low-paid staffers and journalists whenever she's had a bad day.

Steyer: The mystical "progressive accidental billionaire." Might almost trust him if he immediately gave away hundreds of millions of dollars directly to working Californian families and the environmental causes he supports.

Becerra: The out-of-work famously incompetent HHS secretary with a chief of staff that stole millions in campaign funds. The true disqualification for me is his suspect animal rights record, though.

Villarigosa: The ✨ moderate✨ that cares too much about his magical sky wizard to leave them out of his platform.

Mahan: Techbro cosplaying as a Democrat for electability.

Yee: Let me follow my impassioned speech on the environment with why everyone needs to use AI.

...fuck.

All of them have some redeeming qualities, but is that the best you can do? I'd want another option if it wouldn't simply be shooting ourselves in the foot with only a couple months left. Will probably be put in the the uncomfortable position of choosing the candidate that's polling highest right before I vote, and dog alive I'm going to hate that.

I already hate open primaries.

#uspol #capol

Put out a beer judging application for the national qualifier which happens to be quite close, and it was approved in less than 10 minutes. If only I could get a reaction like that for a paid position...nothing from the place I'm waiting on yet; tomorrow feels like a good day to follow up with a good feeling that's turned a bit sour.

Competition will be judged at a brewery I'd really love to work at and have already spoken directly to at the last beer festival, so I didn't hesitate in the interest of looking ahead.

#alcohol #beer

Got assigned to some difficult judging categories this weekend...21 (Specialty IPAs) yesterday, and 33 (American Wild Ales) today.

Got paired with two seasoned veterans that were quite nice as I got a feel for the pacing and what the computer system demands. Landed within consensus range (5 points on a 50 point scale) on 11 out of 14 brews tasted. Not bad.

There was definitely a share of seriously flawed beers (20-point range), but no stomach-turning abject garbage (10-point range), which was nice...despite one being awful close. Some drinkable beers, especially in these categories, will be conceptually stupid though. A session-strength IPA with FIVE different hops and massively dry hopped, or a mixed fermentation with four different strains...ffs get *over* yourself. I can hear Brudi screaming in the background and I concur...what a cacophony.

Just like my time in academia, the best part is all about the high-scoring ones. Truly unique experiences. There was a Brut IPA on Saturday that was brilliant, bone dry, effervescent, with a lasting West Coast feel resin and pine bitterness that I could drink all day. Today brought a British Brown Ale that smelled of top-quality chocolate and cherry cordial with a secondary Brett fermentation. Positively *inspired* concept, even though the execution wasn't truly perfect. Tasted like chocolate liqueur, slightly sour, with a welcoming woodsy and earthy mild funk. Delicious.

One major conflict per day. Yesterday was about a harsh off-flavor (cholorophenol) that completely overwhelmed me, but my partner couldn't sense it. He brought his score way down once I was able to convince him...shows you how different sensory limits can be even among highly experienced tasters. Today's was more dramatic. There was a fundamentally tight Straight Sour competing with that luscious Brett British Brown from above jockeying for the #1 and 2 spots in the mini-BOS. Partner (whom was a Grand Master II by the way, only handfuls of those around) stumped hard for the Straight Sour. Clean single-note apple sourness that was almost flawless save for maybe of a bit of acetaldehyde that only I could sense. BBA was under-carbonated, but he (technically correctly) was making a big fuss it was inappropriate for the style, even though the experience was sublime.

...we overruled him without hesitation. I would've for the Straight Sour if it brought just *one) more note to the table, even if I didn't like it so much, but when it's so close (original scores were 41 and 42 respectively), I'm going to go for what's inspired, different, and memorable. The reason I was meh about the BJCP as an organization is that they try to ruthlessly enforce style rigidity over brews that dare to bend one descriptor to be unique. Now that I know people that will say "fuck that" exist, I'm now more likely to judge more and be that rebel when I need to be.

Otherwise, I learned an awful lot, and it felt good to be with my kind of (normie) people with the knowledge to refine my assessment skill. <3

#beer #alcohol #homebrew

This is definitely a 27th of February outside of the tropics in the Northern Hemisphere.

Will freely donate this to anyone that desires it (if and when I can determine how)...

This one's mainly for vegans and vegan-adjacents, but that *is* quite a few of you...:

Interaction yesterday got me thinking...can anyone shill for some good vegan-themed attire / pins / patches? I'd definitely prefer buying something furry from a furry maker, but would entertain other small businesses.

I think it was Somnius that had a favorite shop that I looked at...great gothic designs across the board, but nothing resonated perfectly with me.

Could use a thread or two that's thought-provoking with a bit of attitude that doesn't come across as assholish. A conversation starter for the civil and curious at a convention or on the street that can either bait out or repel belligerents.

Got any leads?

#furry #vegan

Calling Linux Touchers: Connected to the last post and separate for visibility...need a laptop for judging purposes, and I’m going to wipe a cheap laptop my husband hates for a mobile internet with a keyboard machine. Kind of figured this could be an excuse to try out another distro and maybe another desktop environment...which one would any of you recommend for lower-end (but not basement) hardware performance in particular?

Would be willing to learn a few new tricks for it; just don’t expect me to be happy having to use the terminal for everything.

Paradoxically, I feel that lower-attenuating English ale yeasts are "typical", but nowadays, you see lots of them produced with those whack-ass, highly engineered "juice pack" yeasts.

Since I know you wouldn't be caught dead using the latter, I'd recommend the former. An American wheat needs some esters, but it certainly doesn't need to go overboard. Effectively, just choose literally any yeast of any origin that brings the esters to the table you like.

Everyone is so mean 2 me

#shitpost