I hear what you’re saying and I’m not saying you were wrong in your usage. The issue I think most women (including me) have is when men refer to us as “females” while not referring to themselves as “males” is that it makes us feel like they view us as not fully human, or like a lesser animal. Problematic people are often trying to feel superior to others, whether via race, class, religion, age, etc etc, and certainly speciesism (is that a word? Autocorrect thinks so) can play a role.

That’s still a bit different than saying “males” or “females.” Using those words as nouns makes it feel like a nature documentary narration.

Flossing: pretty good. I occasionally forget but most of the time I realize it pretty fast because my teeth feel…thick or something.

Cutting out Diet Coke: quite good. I was super disciplined for about four weeks before I had one, in part to see how bad the cravings would be afterward. It was okay, but at the same time I could tell how easily it would be to become addicted again. Have only had it one other time (yesterday) but I’m sick so I’m giving myself a pass.

The ones I’m talking about are just bumper stickers. What’s the difference between a learner and a new driver in your jurisdiction?

Student driver or new driver stickers on cars. I swear 20% of the cars on the road in my area have them lately. That said, I do actually think in this case that there has been an increase in adoption of these stickers (possibly to try and hand waive bad behavior of the driver?) but when I first mentioned it to my husband, he blamed it on Baader-Meinhof.

It’s great! I’ve picked up sewing now (knitting got too easy after nearly twenty years…) and the first major disappointment is how there is nothing like Ravelry for sewing. There are major pattern companies, indie pattern companies, review sites, blogs, etc. but they’re not all in one central location and it bums me out. Oh well.

This is super niche but Ravelry is a fantastic place for knitters and crocheters. I don’t personally participate in many forums there, but there are lots of other ways to be involved and it’s very informative.

Then or now?

5 year old me: She-Ra

10 year old me: maybe Bugs Bunny honestly

Adult me: Bluey hands down forever. And my kids like it too.