Oh I agree. It really requires -supported affordable housing. Although the best results come from integrating low-income units into mid-price housing so people can be near jobs and have decent groceries etc. Also mixing mid-price housing into high-end neighborhoods so the people who provide services can also live near where they work.

The real problem is landlords who’d rather sit on empty homes than lower the rent. And collude to keep rents inflated.

I’m pretty sure this is what you were listening to, and yeah it’s a pretty bleak situation:

2024 saw one of the slowest housing markets in 30 years. What will 2025 bring? https://www.npr.org/2024/12/29/nx-s1-5240991/2024-saw-one-of-the-slowest-housing-markets-in-30-years-what-will-2025-bring

The only glimmer of hope seems to be in cities that have put effort into building more homes. Capitalism isn’t going to solve this, because it only gets “luxury” housing built for the Haves.

One thing that is helping in California is the Builder’s Remedy Law projects, where, in cities that haven’t come up with a legit plan to create more affordable housing by the deadline, (usually because they don’t want Poors living there) developers can create huge new projects that don’t have to conform with the existing (overly restrictive and often based on redlining) zoning laws as long as they include 10% low-income units.

They didn’t realize Bezos thinks “Democracy Dies In Darkness” is a GOAL.

For me, a brisk walk is 5.2 km/h (at 8% grade, and I’m totally sweaty after 30 minutes, it would take me about 45 to go 2 miles) because I’m short and 65. With my husband, we would take over an hour because he can only drive his wheelchair so fast before the vibrations make him lose control of his lip-joystick. Add in crappy curbcuts for another 10 minutes. I (or we) would take the bus because I’m not a privileged idiot like him, but you should also be aware of your own privilege of youth, stride length, and health.

Having random superb owls appear in my feed is very cheerful!

Blocking the crosswalk ramp

Sounds like terrorism to me

It starts with acknowledging to them that you’re beginning to realize that your view of reality is different, shaped by your experience, and you can’t viscerally understand theirs, but you want to try. That the burden of explanation shouldn’t be on them, but you appreciate when they are willing to do so. This part should initially be done when you’re not in the middle of arguing/discussing. But in your own mind you should return to it when you are, and ask yourself, and then her, “what am I missing or misunderstanding, what context am I not seeing to help me better hear what she’s saying?”

And if she gives up, doesn’t want your solution, realize that your empathy may be all the solution she’s looking for from you. Especially if it’s something external, like a problem with her boss. You telling her what you think she should do about it would just add pressure on her, and probably wouldn’t fit with all the nuances of their dynamic. (Just an example) Instead, reminding her you have faith in her strength and intelligence will help her respond in ways that feel right to her, even if it’s not how you would have handled it.

In some of those situations, you can “solve” what you think is the problem, but it’s impossible for her to explain the aspects that make your “solution” inadequate. Your life experience is just so different, you think you understand but you don’t. And that just upsets her more. Women aren’t against solutions, they’re just done with men not actually understanding, even when they think they’re listening.

For every denial of claim, the burden of proof should be on the insurance company. The assumption should be, if a doctor ordered it, it was necessary.

She’s weaponizing the soulcrushing banality of the DMV for good! Her deadpan face and stolid “I’m here all day anyway” refusal to give an inch, and then the little chink of sunshine through her castle wall as she helped you, a normal person who treated her with respect.

I don’t recommend OP take on a toddler until they master their own emotions.

Good for you, though! Sending you a hex against other random stress-inducing disasters befalling your family while you’re navigating this difficult passage.