This may just be a southeast US thing but Cookout’s Cheddar Style + Out West Style Double Burgers are excellent. Decent pricing too compared to the downsized overpriced stuff from the major chains

Prof Richard Wolff

Bernie Mac

Nia, Bill Burr’s wife

97% of Colombian women

Kelis

I’m partial to both Colombian and Namibian accents atm

My grandmother suffered a stroke and went from lively, independent, able-bodied to a wheelchair bound, muted person who is no longer able to feed herself. Facial expressions very limited, her head at a constant downward tilt… it was a stark and sudden affliction that I had never personally witnessed.

So my mom, aunt and two uncles are her care takers switching weeks on duty. One day, I’m sitting across the table from my mother who is trying to feed my grandmother dinner, but she is shaking her head trying to move the spoon away, clearly expressing that she doesn’t want to eat. The look on both my mom’s and grandma’s face… my aunt frustrated because they go thru this with her often, telling her she has to eat… (big sister vibes)

During moments like these (and in my early’ish 20s), one typically finds themselves operating in an autopilot-like state, numbing emotions in order to function in the new reality… a there-but-not-there sort of thing, just trying to be helpful whenever you can and not be in the way. I was mostly able to uphold this fortified state during this particular visit. However, catching that interaction in that instance broke right through my defenses. I got up from the table, fighting down the rising lump in my throat and went outside on the porch to have my moment in private.

Not long after, a kid… maybe 12, 13 years old walks past the house. It’s a cold, gusty overcast day out and he’s wearing a thin jacket that’s visibly too small for him –– his face unwashed, slightly disheveled (my grandmother lived in a fairly poor area). I don’t remember the wording but he essentially asks me if I could help him out so I reach in my pocket, a 5 dollar bill came out and I gave it to him. The combination of complete shock and absolute gratitude on his face I can vividly recall to this day. He asked me if I was sure first and then said “thank you, man” still with so much awe… that exchange broke me again lol.

I think we lose sight of just how much we personally receive and benefit from the act of giving. It still fills my heart whenever I reflect on that exchange.

My friend has a hard time pronouncing ‘teeth’. Just comes out sounding like ‘tits’

I had a secure, well paying job in my mid 20s with a very well known company that I was frankly lucky to get given my clear inexperience. I voluntarily left a year or so in. I’m now in my late 30s and work ever since I left has been temporary contracts that lasted no more than a year, and each one was more dreadful than the last.

The money problems and the thoughts of where I could be had I never left that job would be completely non-existent… the life I wish to build for myself and my family, the support I could’ve easily provided my loved ones, the moves I could’ve made to no longer be stuck on the sell your labor for bs pay wheel, all circle my brain at night in bed.

And with the current state of the economy, AI in my industry, the younger generation entering the work force with the latest knowledge, tools, methodology, etc… it’s harder and harder to envision my trajectory getting back to the heights I once had.

I remind myself that I was in my infancy when it came to my professional career with no perspective on the industry (completely diff major in college). I did not have a mentor or direction. And the concept of the private/public sector in relation to job security never dawned on me until much later (I assumed that once you were hired as a contractor, you would eventually be brought on full-time and begin your career with that company… nope ha)

… I remind myself of these things and at times it helps quiet my soul… but at night lying in bed, the most financially stressed I’ve possibly ever been, that reminder does little.

Despite how depressing this all sounds, there’s still a glimmer of hope and optimism left in me. I’m quite grateful for the support I have currently which enables me to plot a change in course starting this coming new year. Fingers crossed 🤞🏾

Wishing everyone well in this thread. So long as we have breath, we have purpose.