wmctalon reblogged
wmctalon reblogged
the soup du jour
wmctalon reblogged
something i'm realizing (albeit slowly) is that not every project needs to be finished. sometimes the project isn't meant to be finished, it's just meant to bring you to the next project. sometimes the project is only meant to give you practice, and once you've practiced enough you can stop. you can stop. it's okay to let go of old projects.
wmctalon reblogged
The photo is not very good and I still need to wash and iron it, but I couldn't wait to show my first ever big cross stitch project;
Love how it turned out, especially with the green embroidery thread (cotton thread on linen)
This is beautiful!! As an embroidery person, I can really appreciate the amount of effort put into this!
Not to mention the drawings which are absolutely beautiful
wmctalon reblogged
Tfw you and your homies have to point at something together
wmctalon reblogged
Anonymous asked:
Hi! This is kind of a weird question but how/why was influenza (and other diseases that we have vaccines for now) so deadly 100-200 years ago? Obviously vaccines help tremendously, and probably immunity over time, but are there other reasons that the flu was a much bigger deal a century ago? Sorry if this is oddly specific, but my current project is historical. Thank you!
This is a very interesting question and there are a couple of different ways of looking at it.
Let's start with influenza:
[Note: it's surprisingly difficult to get good worldwide flu data, so I'm going to use US numbers for the purposes of this post.]
I think the first thing to understand is that unlike many other infectious diseases, influenza is substantially different every year. That means that the immunity that you build in 2017 from either the flu or the flu shot won't necessarily help prevent you from getting the flu in 2023. By then it will be a different enough virus that your previous immunity won't be as helpful. Though it might make it a little milder. But keep reading, I'll give you some fun facts to share at parties:
We name flu (A) viruses based on two different proteins on the surface of the virus. The proteins are "H" and "N". There are 16 different "H" proteins, and 9 different "N" proteins that we currently know of. The combination of the two forms the "name" of a particular flu virus. Think H1N1, or H5N6, or any other combination. Each combination has their own attributes, which contributes to how infectious or deadly they are in any given year. And which ones circulate are different every year.
Just mathematically, that's a lot of substantially different flu viruses. Hundreds of them, in fact. And you have to build immunity to each one individually. You could, say, build immunity to H2N5, but that would do little to save you from next year's H4N3. And not only that, but within a single type there are many smaller variations. For example, say you got H5N3, but then it went and mutated. If you then got exposed again, you might have some immunity to new!H5N3, but it could also be just different enough that you still get sick.
Like I said above, different types of flu virus are deadlier or spread faster than others. H5N1 (a type of avian flu with a human mortality rate of 52%) is terrifyingly deadly but fortunately doesn't spread particularly well, while H1N1 (the star of both the 1918 and 2009 flu seasons) spreads rapidly and kills primarily young adults (weird, since flu usually kills babies and old people).
This is why in 2009 we did the whole "close the schools vaccinate the teens hide the president" routine. Because if it was *that* H1N1 we were all about to be screwed in ways we had never experienced before. Fortunately it wasn't, but thank goodness we did it. Also if you got vaccine #2 in 2009, you are also protected against the 1918 strain of H1N1. You're gonna be a hit at parties with that one.
Now, if you look at only deaths (not the best measure, but one with some emotional punch), within the last decade alone we have years where 12,000 people died of flu in the US (2011-2012) and years where that number is as high as 61,000 (2017-2018). These numbers are similar throughout recent history (relative to population), but then you get years like 1968 (where 100,000 people died in the US) and 1957 (where 116,000 died), and then sometimes you get these wild whopping years like 1918 where 675,000 died (equivalent to 1,750,000 people dying in today's US population). These fluctuations have happened since Hippocrates was around, and probably long before that, and there's really nothing to suggest it's getting any milder in any statistically significant way.
Now, outside of these natural fluctuations, we do have some ways of driving down these numbers. We do have a vaccine. It is different every year, based on our prediction of what the most likely or dangerous types of flus will be this year. Fortunately, you do get to keep this immunity for some time, so you can look at the flu vaccine as a personal collection of different flu viruses you have immunity to- you can collect 2-3 different ones every year in one shot and you didn't even have to catch them!! Yay! Unfortunately, since we never reach herd immunity with the flu vaccine, and we can't perfectly predict and incorporate all the strains that will circulate in a given year, while you do get some protection, it's not ever perfect. But it *is* still worth it.
We also have other feats of modern medicine as backup to the flu vaccine. We have oxygen, antiviral drugs like tamiflu, immune modulating drugs, and technology like ventilators to help keep people alive in ways we would not be able to in previous generations. So that's also an advantage. Unfortunately, these don't always work either, and we are still at the whim of those yearly fluctuations in influenza virus deaths.
And really, if you ask any epidemiologist, covid is just a little trial run for the next Big One. Which is both extremely likely to be a flu virus and which we're statistically overdue for.
TL;DR: The flu isn't getting milder so much as it varies wildly in severity every year. The next major flu pandemic is probably going to be in our lifetimes, so start collecting your flu immunity now if you haven't yet. New collections drop every August and are available until April. Get em' while they're hot. This year's included a 2009-like strain of H1N1 and a delightful H3N2 number from Hong Kong.
As for All the Other Vaccine Preventable Illnesses:
*ahem*
Yes, it's vaccines. It's obviously vaccines. Its basically only vaccines. Anyone who has ever told you it's not vaccines is lying. No other major discovery of modern medicine has ever saved as many lives, prevented as many disabilities, and created as many opportunities for a life well lived as vaccines have. No antiviral drug, no antibiotic, no ventilator can even hold a candle to vaccines. The answer is f*cking vaccines*.
I hope I have made myself clear.
Enjoy this table:
*Yes I do have a masters degree in public health and am a registered nurse that interacts with the public regularly, how did you know?
-Ross @macgyvermedical
wmctalon reblogged
wmctalon reblogged
what the fuck is this monstrosity
Wh-
I started watching this and thought “this doesn’t look too bad, what’s everyone–what–wait–oh no–OH NOOOOOOO”
I’m getting some powerful Eddie Rambler vibes here.
Here’s the thing.
I am forty-five years old.
This is spectacular and if I was 25 again I would risk it all to cook and eat this. There’s no part of this I don’t love and it looks degoddamnlicious. Eat it, kids. Risk death to eat this.
But I’m 45 and I can’t. The grease. The dairy. The heartburn. I can’t.
EAT THIS FOOD. FOR THOSE WHO CAN’T. RUIN YOUR DINNER. EAT IT ALL.
I’m going to go eat a Clif bar and dream of youth.
Although I will say, I hope the recipe includes directions not to freeze the thing fully solid because if you fry that from fully frozen it’s going to still be frozen in the middle when you pull it out. I feel like that’s the most 45-year-old thing I can say, but I had to say it.
[ID: I’m not going to describe all the images, just the video; in it, a man cooks sausage patties and steamed eggs, then layers them with macaroni and cheese in a canister before freezing it. Later, he pours pancake batter over the frozen block of food and deep-fries it, then cuts it open to show the sausage, egg, and cheese, entombed in macaroni and cheese, wrapped in fried pancake batter. Eddie Rambler would be so proud.]
the mcgriddle sandwich with mac n cheese
wmctalon reblogged
what the fuck is this monstrosity
Wh-
I started watching this and thought “this doesn’t look too bad, what’s everyone–what–wait–oh no–OH NOOOOOOO”
I’m getting some powerful Eddie Rambler vibes here.
Here’s the thing.
I am forty-five years old.
This is spectacular and if I was 25 again I would risk it all to cook and eat this. There’s no part of this I don’t love and it looks degoddamnlicious. Eat it, kids. Risk death to eat this.
But I’m 45 and I can’t. The grease. The dairy. The heartburn. I can’t.
EAT THIS FOOD. FOR THOSE WHO CAN’T. RUIN YOUR DINNER. EAT IT ALL.
I’m going to go eat a Clif bar and dream of youth.
Although I will say, I hope the recipe includes directions not to freeze the thing fully solid because if you fry that from fully frozen it’s going to still be frozen in the middle when you pull it out. I feel like that’s the most 45-year-old thing I can say, but I had to say it.
[ID: I’m not going to describe all the images, just the video; in it, a man cooks sausage patties and steamed eggs, then layers them with macaroni and cheese in a canister before freezing it. Later, he pours pancake batter over the frozen block of food and deep-fries it, then cuts it open to show the sausage, egg, and cheese, entombed in macaroni and cheese, wrapped in fried pancake batter. Eddie Rambler would be so proud.]
wmctalon reblogged
wmctalon reblogged
So I have a friend that I knew since AoL. Literally since the 90s. There is no one on this entire earth I trust more. We stayed in contact more or less entirely via the internet for many years.
When we first met in person, after 20.years of knowing one another, it was still in public. We still had people who knew where we would be and with whom. We stayed in public.
And it has paid off in spades, we are closer than anyone I know. But that choice to meet safely and carefully? Don't regret it at all.
Yes, after a while that internet person becomes real to you and you should take the opportunity to meet and grow that relationship if you can!
But for the love of your own safety, still be safe and careful. Go to a con together! But get separate rooms. Meet at a coffee shop! But tell a friend where you will be and with whom. Go see a show! But have your own transportation.
"Be safe" doesn't mean stop engaging your joy and your friends. It means, "Be. Safe."
Here's a couple of things you could and should do before meeting a friend from the internet:
- Friend them on Facebook. I know it's a dying platform, but if you both have one, it's a good starter platform to begin to confirm identity. Why? Because if they have YEARS of history on that app with photos and posts to/from friends. That's good proof they are who they say they are. You can fake a facebook, but if they have an account older than a year or two, it should be filled with historic posts confirming identity and most scammers won't go to that kind of effort.
- If they don't have facebook - instagram, tiktok, other apps that should contain years of proof that they are who they say they are. Don't just look for content, check dates. Look for interaction with other people.
- Zoom, discord, or other video chat. Why meet in person before having a good old vid call? If they can't get on video with you, you have no reason to believe they are who they say they are. Also, it's bound to be easier to find a time to vid chat before coordinating an in person meet. Besides, this is a good first step for all kinds of relationships - better to do an initial video meeting and see if you are compatible (as friends or whatever) before meeting in public.
wmctalon reblogged
There’s not too much point in talking about the election anymore, but I think some people are misconstruing the results. 21% of the American population voted for trump. He won the popular vote with polls only recording a 43.7% approval rating, and he has never held an approval rating over 50%, something that Biden and (arguably) Harris have. He lost millions of votes from 2020 to 2024, it’s just that Harris lost millions more.
All this is to say that there is not some ‘silent majority’ of trump supporters in America. While some people will definitely be emboldened in their rhetoric and action by the results of the election, Trump was a deeply unpopular president, and is shaping up to be one again. He will enact unpopular policies that are against the will of the average American, but that doesn’t mean every American is out to get you. Engage with your local community, check in on loved ones, and maybe even take a look at local political offices in the coming few years. If you dislike the two party system, volunteer or donate to a third party. It’s altogether likely we see another 2022 situation, resentment grows further against the Republican Party, and the midterms offer a lot of opportunity to alternatives, at every level of government.
It may all feel like the end, but it’s not. We’ve been through it before, and no matter what we do, hate and ignorance will bleed through the cracks in society again in the future. It’s going to get better, but that’s easier to say if we make it better.
wmctalon reblogged
Hello everyone! I have a giveaway running over on my Patreon right now, anyone who is a member (free or paid! doesn't matter which) will automatically be eligible to win this handmade necklace :) I'm choosing the winner on December 15th, so you have until then to join!
wmctalon reblogged
I know all the posts about how to stockpile hrt come from a good place but yall. Stockpiling T on purpose is a felony and its not one i judge you for but...STOP admitting it out loud on your blogs frankly and with none of the "teehee THEORETICALLY" shoplifter blogs used to have. Im seeing people talk abt the stockpiles they already have AND their plans to share it and my guys... this website WILL give your personal info to the government if subpoenad. Idk that its LIKELY but I know itd be embarrassing as hell to go to JAIL for felony possession of controlled substance w intent to distribute bc you couldnt stop yourself from YAPPING on a fucking tumblr post and then mr hammers gave your email and login ip to the cops. I KNOW youre all not using secure enough burners and vpns and shit 4 that Cmon now
Saying it louder for the motherfuckers in the back. I know everyone likes their internet clout but sometimes you own things that you shouldn't be taking PICTURES of let alone posting them
#1 rule of fighting fascism safely
wmctalon reblogged
my son Blunthead Slug Snake he has every disease
wmctalon reblogged
found it. i'm about to become so insufferable
update: hey @staff this endpoint is vulnerable to a very simple replay attack.
Well. that was fun. Thanks for the reverse engineering exercise, tumblr! Anyone who wants the code, lmk ;D
WAIT I CAN STILL BOOP????? OH SHIT
WHO WOULD LIKE TO BE HIT BY MY BOOP BEAM RB TO CHARGE
it’s all fun and games until your comp sci bestie codes a boopbeam.
the boopbeam.
hey op wanna be a weapons dealer