Backroads

I think, these days, practically anyone can get some certificate or another to make it appear they are a counselor or therapist. @Vort is right this is a very muddied science these days, and add in "I can give you my thoughts and advice" from any Rando. I've also met people who simply don't believe in it, that their private business is theirs alone to figure out. Edit: I'd also add that therapy is weirdly popular these days. On one hand, I think seeking help from a good therapist is great for many people. But I also get suspicious when things are too popular. On a personal and petty note, I have weird mock prejudice against the people of Salt Lake and Utah counties. That these two were operating out of that area where all sorts of weirdos are seeking special treatment for their weird issues (I am so sorry but this is the impression I have!) makes me think of, well, weird people and weird therapists.

Did this as well a few times until I told the Primary Presidency my assigned partner was clearly unable to participate (My assigned partner at that time was and is a lovely woman, but she had a whole host of issues due to taking care of her daughter-in-law and grandchild on weekends and just didn't have the bandwidth to find subs).

When I wax on about weird parents at my school, my husband is often surprised to hear about the ones that seem to definitely be more on the freedom fighter side. I think we get more of them as we're an online charter, but they're their own brand of crazy.

I confess it's been a long time since high school but here's what I remember for me: AP classes: Free college credit if I actually feel I'm clever enough to pass those tests. I did take two tests and I appreciated the credit edge they gave me, and I thoroughly enjoyed the classes for their own sake (AP Environmental Science is one of my fondest high school memories, and two of the kids at our table wound up getting married). But a proper college class they were not. Honors: I took the English honors course because everyone said it was more classroom discussion and less busywork. This was true. It was basically one big book club, just using classic-ish world novels instead of whatever Reese Weatherspoon just read. But I think AP and Honors exist more for their name than anything substantial they can produce. A lot of smoke and mirrors.

I respect the liberal arts in and of themselves, but if we're going to teach them... I feel that's is what high school is for? (And even then I've already said "let's only make 8th grade mandatory!") It seems silly to have in college unless that is, in fact, what you want to study for your major.

This idea of multiple genders kills me. It's like... how intense into the labyrinth of culture can you get? My mom buys piano books off this music guy (it's a legitimate business and I don't mean to make it sound like a black market for music teachers). Great guy, but his business is running a music store and he's very nice, friendly, dresses exceedingly well, compliments outfits... and his dear wife of many years is a mechanic. We joke about this guy, but it's probably nothing more than a guy who likes good clothes and music and a woman who is really good at working on cars. I'm sure we can find all sorts of examples of people who are bending societal gender norms and I really have no problem with that until it becomes "so they must be transgender or some other gender entirely" in some crazy meaning to define their unique existence and perspectives.

I did, but it's been awhile, and I'm trying to recall what you might be referencing? The joke about the lack of genitals? (I honestly quite enjoyed the movie while and right after I watched it, but then I realized it was one that wasn't sticking in my brain).

I remember the amount of useless stuff I had to pack into my mere Bachelor's just to get credits to graduate (I suppose, not useless: I look a car care class). With how expensive higher education is, I think many a school is going to find it harder to justify work hours to just pay their employees. I think this might ultimately work out for everyone. I've often thought dropping credit need in the high school would be a good move (and yes, I know locality depending you can already get away with fewer credits). Make 8th grade mandatory and keep the rest of high school available for those who want an academic or trade track with no guilt if they try something else somewhere else.

I saw a headline saying he was trying to keep the kids together. Dude, where were you?

Stuff like this is why I won't go near the lds freedom forum.

I'm trying to figure out where the husband is in all this.

I suppose I was wondering how far things can go before you have that dramatic twist and tie up your children. I've been following the Daybell murder case and it kind of seems that, once, those people were decent people as far as anyone could tell. But I may be cynical enough to say one was probably never that good of a person if they were able to fall to such extremes from where they allegedly were. On a less famous note, I have a cousin who had a trouble childhood. My aunt was very good in the gospel. She's passed away, and I like to hope the mental illnesses that ruined her kids' lives have been healed. Anyway, the one cousin was into all sorts of trouble and eventually was put in foster care with an "upstanding family of the church". Abuse apparently ran rampant there, the bishop wouldn't believe anything because he was friends with the family, and my cousin wound up running away from there, never to be seen again until we had the brilliant idea of Facebook search her (this was back in the day). Yes, I think I agree with you. The church (and I'll say that for any church or good group) can be a shockingly great way to hide not just your issues but actual crimes.

I won't go into the major details or news, it's easily looked up, but it's got me thinking about the whole notion of pride cycles. I believe this is something that wheels itself throughout history with no particular respect to people or creed and all are potentially susceptible. But particular to the case, this influencer, by all accounts, is or was a member of our church and the situation seems pretty awful. I know enough wonderful members of the church to not buy into the popular meme "Those Mormons are so awful!" social media would tout, but I can't help there may be some legitimate connection. I don't believe in prosperity gospel nor do I observe it in our teachings in any way. What I do see is the very good instructions of provident living, using our skills, hard work, etc. And I believe this can be twisted into prosperity gospel. Not so much "I'm rich because God loves me" but "I worked and was successful and now I'm rich and therefore I have all these blessings to show off so I must be a wonderful blessed person." I think we're seeing it. Maybe it's new, maybe it's easier to spot, but I feel people, even within something good like the church, are getting too comfortable with their fame/wealth/success and become untouchable, unable to do no wrong and thus anything they do is right. It's better to pursue the glory of the world but of course it's not for the glory of the world because they are Good People. Perhaps it's just more obvious to watch the mighty fall but I've seen it at lesser states. Desire to support one's family, be self-sufficient, demonstrate hard work... And get far too caught up in it. I once read a book that spoke of all the Good Things that can ultimately become golden idols. But because they're good things, people may not want to recognize it. So, after all this rambling, pride cycles appear to be far easier to fall into than we might think. Pretty easy to blame the Nephites and say "never us." Heck, I worry I'm doing it to myself by over-wondering about people.

This is certainly where I'm from. Truth be told, as far as pure political job went, I didn't mind Trump as president. Didn't vote for him, but the job itself I think was done okay. But not only can I not stand him as a person, I never could get behind him as a true conservative (and I realize I'm not the first person to make that complaint). My father-in-law is a salt-of-the-earth old-school conservative rancher and he was very much on board with MAGA. Not because of Trump's morality, but your remark about that baser desire for protection was a big one. I think in many ways it was a mere symptom of a much greater disease: many people feel they have to become reactionary just to get some claim for their own values. It's not perfect and I don't think many think it is, but they have to make a choice between one point of craziness or another.

I'm the type that usually has a hodge-podge on my voting slip, but I think straight ticket voting gets a bad rap it doesn't deserve. Voting straight-ticket is often a great way to show your general political values you want represented. You may not like everyone and everything, but you like the general track record of the party.

It's really easy to get into the steps of this process of the fall, but to the point, this is funny.

They are the Manataurs. A clan of manly minotaurs. Most convenient clip

I quite enjoyed the movie. I found quite a few layers of satire going on. Not nearly the depth of political mongers I feared. I also feel anyone offended by it was also offended by these guys:

I told it to tell me about Alma the Younger in cowboy poetry from: Alma's Redemption: Co ChatGPT In the land of Zarahemla, a tale unfolds, Of Alma the Younger, a story oft retold. A wild and wayward soul, he once did roam, Like a lone cowboy, far from his home. With rebellious spirit and heart led astray, He trod a path of darkness, night and day. But a voice from above, like a lonesome breeze, Called him to truth, his heart to appease. As a thundering stallion, his conversion did come, Breaking his pride, like a bucking bronco run. From a life of sin, he turned his gaze, Finding redemption in unexpected ways. Like a tumbleweed carried by the wind, Alma found grace, his soul to rescind. With courage renewed, he preached the word, A shepherd to lost souls, his voice was heard. Through the wilderness of doubt and despair, He rode on the range, spreading a prayer. With the Savior's love, like a campfire's light, Alma's story shone, in the darkest of night. So remember Alma, the cowboy divine, His journey of faith, like a winding vine. A prodigal son turned preacher so bold, In the annals of time, his story is told.

I heard in the teacher internet realm from those in the area that the bus driving jobs don't pay as well as other available jobs of similar skill level, and the retired folks who are driving bus because they're bored don't want to deal with the chaos of the kids. Multi-pronged. I don't know what the unemployment is pay is like there, but at the same time if you're trying to hire, you sometimes have to compete for employees.

I've seen a few complaints that say "the system has never driven around here!"

Same here. This has never been an issue that has arisen for me and I am so glad.

I finally signed up for it yesterday. I used it to write some back-to-school documents. And a full-on Dungeons & Dragons campaign. You have inspired me to reach for the stars.

It's kind of been a fun disaster to follow Very geographically large school district doesn't have enough bus drivers. Hires a company who uses AI to create routes. Disaster ensues. School indefinitely cancelled. My take: I get the desire to create efficiency on fewer bus drivers, but sometimes what you best need is pure manpower (bus power?)

I often say the name of my actual city rather than "Ogden", mostly to confuse people. It's actually become almost cruel in local needs/buy nothing groups with lousy geographic boundaries, but that's mostly because it's "not Salt Lake" but everyone assumes my city is some region of the Salt Lake valley.