Month: September 2024

Negatives

Oh hello, “Mx” as an honorific. Nice to see that you are out of scope for the LDML Person Name specification, like all the other titles, generation terms, and credentials.

A partial screenshot of text that says, "or validation (Mr, Ms., Mx., Dr., Jr., M.D., etc.).

Makes me think about that time a lawyer for Big Tobacco referred to “No Smoking” signs as great advertising for smoking. The existence of this non-smoking area implies the existence of some other pro-smoking area…

(Jean-Paul Sartre was sitting in a café, and ordered a coffee with no cream. The waitress came back a moment later and said, “I’m so sorry, Monsieur Sartre, we are all out of cream — could I bring you a coffee with no milk?”)

Audio picture books?

I listen to a lot of audiobooks for small children and this is the first one I’ve encountered that includes image descriptions. It’s such a good idea! The small child I was listening with was so excited that I had to pause the story for celebrations. Alt text all the things.

The book is Secret of the Jade Bangle, by Linda Trinh.

I need to be precise in talking about it because infantilization is real, but there can be so much solidarity between children and disabled people.

Last year’s teacher made sure our giant hepa filter got set up properly in this year’s new classroom without me even asking. This should not be necessary but under the circumstances it is such a relief to have an accomplice.

Triumph!

Photo of a black and white wasp climbing on a raspberry bud

I don’t know a lot about bugs but I count it as a win when I see a new native insect in my garden, especially a predator. I think this is Dolichovespula maculata, who goes by many names but the coolest one is blackjacket.

Our yard was all lawn when we moved here a couple years ago, and eerily devoid of bugs. I am feeling emotional that there are apparently enough flies and caterpillars now to support this terrifying new friend 😭