(no subject)

* Photographs of the Grandmothers Trump has cruelly banned from entering the country: https://www.instagram.com/bannedgrandmas/

* "Why we should be very afraid of Trump’s vote suppression commission:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2017/06/30/why-we-should-be-very-afraid-of-trumps-vote-suppression-commission/?utm_term=.95de37a5d89d

* This article explains why I'm so freaked out more clearly than I am able to do just now. "The Trump administration's massive request for voter data is raising fears of suppression:" http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2017/06/trump-administrations-request-for-extensive-voter-data-raises-fears-of-suppression/

* "Jewish people form protective barrier around Muslims as they protest Trump:" http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/jewish-people-form-protective-barrier-around-muslims-as-they-protest-trump-a7769086.html

* It's just a study, but it's a start. "Hawaii just became the first US state to pass a bill supporting basic income:" http://www.businessinsider.com/hawaii-basic-income-bill-2017-6

* No, Service Dogs are not bullshit. Yes, people do need them for things other than blindness. I had an ex who had no hands and only part of one arm total. His service dog had saddle bags as acted as his hands. He still got constantly hassled by cops because they refused to believe that was a Thing. Also, a lot of people have invisible disabilities. Just because you can't see someone has a serious seizure disorder for example, doesn't mean they don't need the dog.

Invisible disabilities are still disabilities. The Brain is an Organ. Don't be a dick!

* "If you want to know what climate change feels like, you’re going to find out this summer:" https://thinkprogress.org/heat-wave-delivers-record-breaking-highs-8640ec9dc2a

* "Small Change in Average, Big Change in Extremes:" http://www.climatecentral.org/gallery/graphics/small-change-in-average-big-change-in-extremes

* "Europe's extreme June heat clearly linked to climate change, research shows:" https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jun/30/europes-extreme-june-heat-clearly-linked-to-climate-change-research-shows

* "Vulnerable ‘chokepoints’ threaten global food supply, warns report:" https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jun/27/vulnerable-chokepoints-threaten-global-food-supply-warns-report

* "Happy 150th Birthday, Canada!:" http://transgriot.blogspot.com/2017/07/happy-150th-birthday-canada.html

* Yesterday was incredibly frustrating with lots of reboots and general computer fuckery and me having to constantly get up to solve problems around the apartment. I did finally achieve stability and was getting real work done, when Tavy ran over and flopped onto the keyboard before I could stop him, turning it off. I extracted him from the lap top and went off to try to salvage a light bulb from a dead fish light in hopes the light was dead for electricals and the bulb was good (fish grow lights are very expensive), as one of the bulbs went out on the twenty that both twenty tanks are now sharing. I usually get the fish store guys to do the big lights as it's tools and tiny fiddly bits that my hands can't really do properly anymore. Extracting the bulb from the dead light was reasonably easy as I own screwdrivers, and I trapped all the small parts in the body of the light just in case. I start to take the second light apart and the fixture flew apart when I loosened the second screw with an alarming ting. Like all of it came apart and not just the bit I wanted, because of course. I can't examine the assembled fixture properly as doing so might endanger a light I knew worked and couldn't afford to loose. I did manage to proof of concept well enough to prove the bulb was still good, but I could not for the life of me get it to match and the thing wasn't stable. Then I realized... missing part. no sign of the thing anywhere. I take the equivalent missing bit from the dead light, construct a prop, start to put it together, discover the screw driver also missing. Because of course. Also, Tavy keeps trying to help. because small loose fiddly bits are his favorite toys. I finger tighten and figure I'll improvise with scissors as they are closer to the right size for the philips head later. I get it assembled and test. Light works as is so bright and beautiful. (Yes, you are supposed to replace both bulbs at once, but unless you are buying me a big ass aquabulb, don't complain.) I take the sofa apart and find the screw driver, tighten, secure and close. It took an hour and a half what with all the help and missing things. The missing piece turned out to be literally under the light, which I discover when I put it back. Fun. next on the list it seeing if I can get one working light out of the 30 light Tavy toasted and a dead supplemental. These, of course are a different shape bulb with different fixtures. Sigh. Not tonight.

* So it turns out that if you email Tom's of Maine to ask them specific questions about their toothpaste, they call you up and talk to you about toothpaste preferences, and they mail you a free full sized tube to try!

I adored Tom's of Maine as they made non-mint flavours, but I was warned off by my Dentist in the mid-90's because of my genetically fragile teeth. (Not a problem for normal people, and said friend says their toothpaste is smooth instead of gritty, so they may have entirely changed formulations in the intervening two decades.) I was advising a friend recently and discovered they'd dramatically expanded their product line and contacted them on the off. I'll test out the taste and texture and see how it goes, since I'd love to be able to switch back. I hate Colgate and Sensadyne flavourwise, and I react badly to peppermint because of my sensory difference. (Spearmint and Wintergreen are fine, but most other mints not so much).

I admit to hoping they might send me a small travel sized tube for testing, I was not expecting a full sized one. Good on you Tom's of Maine. I adore your deodorant, and your mouthwash is entirely inoffensive and does not send me into sensory overload. I am so hoping the propolis and myrrh is safe and pleasant. I'm not a fan of myrrh as a scent, but I admit to curiousity. My hope is if the texture is right and the flavour wrong, I might try the children's flavours. Anyway, fingers crossed.

In other mint news, they had discontinued my tummy tea, hence my inability to find it since I started looking 'round the turn of the year. I was forced to search out a new brand with May's food allotment. I tested it on a queasiness mid-month, and turns out that Numi Moroccan Mint is "sweet spearmint" like as promised, richly flavoured and inoffensive, butter tasting than the old brand.

* There was a last minute bidding flurry, for which I am grateful, but the most valuable thing on there went for about half of what it would have made if I'd waited until Fall. Sigh. The bill I floated last month got paid this afternoon out of my government money. I can for sure pay the bill coming due end of next week. I am suspecting I haven't enough for 2nd bill when it hits mid month, but I won't know how short I am until we get there. Clearly I am not getting paper towels this month as I'd hoped and I may have to do another auction. Which means picking sacrifices. Worse, I may do an imp lot which is waaaaay harder without Main computer's database, but the immediate emergency is solved.

* This gave me a lot to think about. "American Gods: The Good, The Bad and the Awesome:" http://www.fangsforthefantasy.com/2017/06/american-gods-good-bad-and-awesome.html

* "The Mist, Season 1, Episode 1: Pilot:" http://www.fangsforthefantasy.com/2017/06/the-mist-season-1-episode-1-pilot.html

*****
* Full list of Resistance and charity links has been migrated to my profile as it was getting out of hand.

* "What can I do to help Syria?:" http://gwydionmisha.tumblr.com/post/161385222607/what-can-i-do-to-help-syria

* This App phones your rep for you: http://takeastance.us/

* Here is one that will send your reps a fax: https://resistbot.io/

* "So, what can people do?*:" http://brigdh.tumblr.com/post/161640495373/so-what-can-people-do

* Want to fight Climate Change? "Ready to Mobilize? Start Here!:" http://www.theclimatemobilization.org/start_here

* Distressed by the anti-gay genocide in Chechnya and the anti-gay laws in Russia? Donate here: https://lgbtnet.org/en

* The Rainbow Road and other ways to help Gay Refugees: http://gwydionmisha.tumblr.com/post/160470723507/the-rainbow-railroad-is-helping-gay-men-escape

* This is a Real Life friend of mine. They do very much need the money and a number of people and beasts depend on him and his husband. They have been incredibly helpful and supportive of me. If you can kick in, it is a kindness.: https://www.youcaring.com/tod-788345

* This is my oldest continuous Real Life friend. She is disabled and really needs the money for herself and beasts. To buy jewelry from her: https://www.etsy.com/shop/karjack

* Help pay for cat food, litter, meds, medical copays: Paypal Lethran@gmail.com

* Want Game of Thrones without the creepy? We need new players. We are very inclusive. "Game of Bones MUSH:" gobmush.wikidot.com