Sven Slootweg @joepie91@pixie.town

Another cool thing, I have been working on is the redesign of the timelines. The different sections should now be better organized and easier to read.

"What else do we forget about the pandemic? We forget how mesmerised we were as nature rebounded, how clean the air was in the absence of industrial scale human activity. We forget that carbon emissions fell at the sort of pace required to avoid cataclysmic climate change. We forget that no-strings cash payments saw child poverty in America plunge to record lows, that the UK slashed homelessness with schemes that found homes for people sleeping on the street.

We forget that there really was a sense of global solidarity, that the reflection demanded by a pandemic opened up spaces for us to consider truly radical and permanent change. Remember build back better? There really was a sense that the coronavirus, as we all knew it then, could be the catalyst for a better word.

It couldn't last because of capitalism. This isn't some glib statement, it is literally why such promises could never be fulfilled. Because such promises required redistribution and structural shifts to economies that billionaires don't want shifting."

https://www.donotpanic.news/p/five-years-on-a-covid-retrospective

Discovered a new live music night at a tiny venue near me.

The bands are followed by a robot wars tournament.
With "live battle music".
And a second-hand vinyl record sale.
And an open mic.
And retro video games.

Overwhelming.

It's been so long since I had my needs considered without ridicule (assuming they ever were) that I've entirely stopped considering them myself. I don't know what my needs even are at this point.

While walking my dog earlier I managed to come up with the following: be actively included (since everyone's subconscious tendency seems to be to exclude me) and have my participation be acknowledged. In short, I just want to feel like my presence is appreciated.

@actuallyautistic

My annual call for actually having a good fucking winter holiday

It's amazing how many services will go 🚨 we couldn't charge your debit card so you have to add a different one asap! 🚨

Or I could just put more money on that one and click a button to have you try again. If the button existed.

Or at least click a button to stop you whining until the actual expiry date comes and let me use the service I have actually already paid for in peace.

I've done a/b tests a few times on different social networks, and no one can compete with yall's voraciousness for clam facts. It is remarkable. Keep up the great work being curious about the weird little wonders of our world! (:)

There was a weird tension at the HEMA stationary department yesterday…

Happy 37th anniversary of the Max Headroom Incident, to those who celebrate.

Here's the email I just sent to #ScienceFriday explaining why I will no longer listen to them.
(Text in the replies.)
🧵 1/9
#COVID #CovidIsNotOver #ImmunityDebt #science

This is really good. Got this off Facebook: If you are a server, these tips will help you next time someone who is blind is seated in your section.

Introduce yourself when you approach the table. “Hi, I’m Allison, your server today.” This allows us (the person who is blind) to make a connection with you that we cannot do visually.

No need to feel awkward about what to do with the menu. Do not say to my friend “what should I do with her menu?” Just place it on the table as you would any customer. Some of us may use magnification or technology to read our own menu. If you are ever unsure, just ask us. Having one large print menu, one Braille menu and a QR code to scan ensures accessibility for all customers.

Always ask me (the person who is blind) what I would like to eat. Do not ask the person I am with, it is rude. When you do this, you belittle me, treat me as less than and exclude me from normal daily interactions. Just say, “what would you like to eat?” If you are looking and speaking to us, we often can tell you are talking to us by the sound/direction of your voice. If we do not reply, just ask us again so we know you are talking to us. Sometimes it is hard to tell someone is speaking to us, especially if there is a lot of surrounding noise.

Because you told me your name when we sat down it allows me to get your attention if I need assistance as, I visually cannot connect with you by eye contact or waving. Knowing your name allows me to say, “Excuse me Allison, may I have the bill please?”

When you give me the bill it is helpful if you say, the total is $14.35. Scenario: I (person who is blind) gives you cash to pay the bill. You return and are holding out the change to me and I do not see this silent action. No need to feel awkward again, just Say, “I am passing you, your change straight out in front of you. This way I can collect it. It is helpful to give us the coins first, then hand us the bills. If there are multiple bills, please tell us the nomination. Do not hand my change to my friend, just use your words.

Treat people like you would like to be treated. If ever you are unsure, just ask. I promise we won’t bite unless it is into our sandwich.

Do you have any other helpful tips in a restaurant scenario that would be helpful for another post?

Gina Martin
DiverseAbilities.ca

Photo description
A server is topping up wine at a table of friends. The server has the bill in her other hand getting ready to hand it over.

traffic light #PixelArt