About A.M.L.

Recent posts

• Comment on goth jenny's answer…

  0 0 Love this answer; you're honest about the problem and its scale, without being judgmental. I really like this: "Even though other animals lack the brains to give a shit about me, I know that they don't want to die and I empathize with that and I've found that consumption of other animals is unnecessary to my survival." I really respect this philosophy! A.M.L. commented 6 months ago

• Comment on Desiree Lespagnol's answer…

  0 0 Thank you, that's good to know. These shoes are really too used to donate to be worn again (I pronate really badly and they are worn through at the heels), but I'll keep it in mind for other less demolished items I have! A.M.L. commented 7 months ago

• Comment on Tom's answer…

  0 0 Thanks so much - this is exactly what I need! A.M.L. commented 7 months ago

• Follow Following 1 Recycling/donation ideas for old shoes (some, but not all athletic) A.M.L. asked in Whatever 7 months ago by Tom & 1 other answer by Desiree Lespagnol…

• Follow Following 1

  So where can I get me some Schweddy Balls?

  3 0 I saw some at the Whole Foods on Denny last week. Not sure if they still have it, but I don't think they're too worried about the anti-schweddy stigma. I LOVED the original skit, and can't believe it's garnered such a backlash! I hope you get to wrap your mouth around some Schweddy Balls real soon! A.M.L. answered in Just Desserts 7 months ago Answer, comment & read 3 more answers »

• Comment on Tambria Moore's answer…

  0 0 What I've always found interesting (and by interesting I mean: yuck!) about the 'redlining' in Seattle, is how recent a practice it was. I remember my cousin had to be escorted by security guards to his soccer coach's house for their meetings because the coach lived in a gated community (Broadmoor)... this was in 1982! A.M.L. commented 8 months ago

• Comment on lilmonster206's answer…

  0 0 Hey Charles B, I think this question came from a good place and, more importantly, no bridges are going to be crossed if people are afraid to ask the questions. As an older white man, you do represent the status quo of the idealized American culture, so your ignorance of this kind of racial backlash can be expected. I am of mixed heritage: Black, Irish, English and some Native American, and I grew up in the Central District. At that time, the early 80's, it was much less gentrified but also arguably less diverse (that is, it was more evenly split between black and white people, but had very few Asian populations, etc.). My sister and I both had to endure the accusations of being "not really black", by Black people who basically had to create a pride in being Black (they weren't allowed in your 'club', so they made their own); and also by white people who couldn't believe that I could be Black and yet also be: smart, well-spoken, well-read, kind - you fill in the blanks, I've heard pretty much the gamut. My sister is lighter complected than I am, and she has also had to listen to people tell her what "the problem is with Black people" from white people who don't know she is half-Black (she can pass). Anyway, my point is, that people are people, and racist viewpoints generally come from either a place of fear or ignorance. One of my frustrations when we talk about race is having people say things like: well, Black people scream 'racism' but I hear them calling each other 'nigger' all the time, or being homophobic, blah bliddy blah blah. Well, fuck yeah, Black people aren't martyrs, innocent babes or victims; we are people and individually are as entitled as the rest of you to be just fucked up human beings. I'm tired of having to remind people that I am not 'the Black collective', and also that most white people have the luxury of never being seen as the 'white collective'. Collectively, do we still suffer from the aftereffects of slavery, bigotry, racism and bias? I think we do, but we miss the point when we focus purely on racism alone; there are too many variables that determine our individual experience with bias, class, acceptance and stigma. For instance I would say, based on my experience, that white people in Seattle aren't so much prejudiced against race, as they are influenced by class. That is to say, we are very accepting of people as long as they act like us. If the phrase "I don't see color" didn't start here, it should have; it completely captures the Seattle viewpoint. The problem is, if we don't talk about our differences, we can't make strides toward equality. My family is all from the East Coast and they aren't afraid to talk about difference there, which is great. In fact, you always hear people talking about the East Coast and/or the South and how they'll 'tell you what they think' (something we don't do here). The problem in this case is that it's also not enough to simply acknowledge difference; we're not going to get to equality just by developing thicker skins about racial stigma and bias. At some point, someone always compares racism to homophobia, and I don't agree with that comparison. For one thing, I will never be able to pass as white and, while I absolutely support gay rights, the fact is that sexual preference can be concealed. However, racism, like homophobia, requires only the silence of those of us who benefit from its protections, to perpetuate its continuing existence. The civil rights movement needed white people to give it validity, however inane that seems in retrospect. If you don't care about the well-being of people of color, if you feel they are deserved in their position as second-class citizens, what difference does it make to you if they are abused in the name of equal rights? Similarly with homosexuals: straight people are needed to stand up and say that we are not threatened by the thought that our neighbors, friends or family members may be gay. We need to acknowledge difference, and simultaneously validate it, place it on par with our own experiences. Oh, yeah, and as to your original question: in Seattle you'll probably find the most diversity in poor neighborhoods; poverty knows no prejudice. A.M.L. commented 8 months ago

• Comment on A.M.L.'s answer…

  0 0 I should credit my friend Jessica for telling it to me, and, yeah, the delivery does have to be good. But by 'good', I really mean just a total commitment to the delivery. It's pretty hard not to laugh at someone seriously invested in making insane whale noises. Bonus if they take their time and make it last for a bit! A.M.L. commented 11 months ago

• Follow Following 1

  What is the funniest joke you've ever heard? And, have you ever peed your pants from laughing at a joke too hard?

  5 0 What do you get if you have the bird flu? Tweetment. What about the swine flu? Oinkment. Two whales walk into a bar. One whale says,"(insert insane whale noises here.)" The other whale says, "Shut up, Frank; you're drunk!" A.M.L. answered in Other Entertainment 11 months ago Answer, comment & read 18 more answers »

• Follow Following 1

  What's the most ethical way to get a homeless dude to move on without confrontation?

  7 0 Honestly the safest and most ethical way to get him to move really is calling the police each and every time you see him. Many people will respond less aggressively to a perceived authority figure, but if you approach him as an equal you may be inadvertently setting yourself up for the confrontation you're trying to avoid. In a best case scenario, you'll simply be making it uncomfortable and inconvenient for him to stay there. A.M.L. answered in Whatever 11 months ago Answer, comment & read 4 more answers »

• See all of my 3 Questions , 25 Answers and 19 Comments