by which I mean: there are no contraindications to getting the rabies vaccine for post-exposure prophylaxis.

every other vaccine usually has a few contraindications like ‘don’t take this if you’re allergic to it’ or ‘if you’re pregnant discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor’ or ‘don’t give to children below age 6′ or something, but not the rabies vaccine. if you’ve been exposed to rabies, there is literally no medical reason that can justify not getting the rabies vaccine–you can be deadly allergic to literally every single ingredient and the correct decision is still to administer the vaccine, because if you don’t, you’re 100% guaranteed to die of rabies. even the life-threatening allergies are a step up in survival rate (especially since anaphylaxis is something that can be managed, even if there are risks associated with it)

which is to say, the rabies condition: if a character has been ‘exposed to rabies’, aka, in some impending absolute worst-case scenario, like the apocalypse or some death curse or the destruction of their entire city via demons or whatever, then that character has to take action and the consequences and risks no longer matter, because literally any other outcome would be better, and 1% chance of survival is still better than 0%. that doesn’t make those actions necessarily good, the same way that injecting yourself with something you know you’re deadly allergic not a good thing to do, but it’s still better than dying horrifically of rabies. desperate times and desperate measures etc

2025 vs early June. Ages 48 vs 49. I noticed my hairline start to take off around age 41, but didn't start taking meds til age 46 because I was worried about side effects and was too stressed about trying to get out of Florida to focus (or spend money) on hairloss.

I've been on oral finesteride about 3 years now (so, 13 years on HRT), which has kept my hairline from creeping back further. It works by blocking DHT, which is a masculinizing hormone converted from testosterone that contributes to hairloss on the head.

Side effects for me are less body hair (counterintuitive, but yes) and some spotting (never enough to be a mess) every day of my cycle. My libido took maybe a little hit (refactory window was usually ~5-10 min, but now sometimes closes for the night), but that's sometimes a good thing, being so tightly wound. I also am lucky not to suffer from the depression/suicidal ideation side effects.

I am also about 5 months on oral minoxidil, which promotes hair growth through a few mechanisms. I am nearing the early side of max effects (around 6 months, may continue up to a year, mainly as the hair grows longer). Side effects for me were increased tachycardia (my doc cleared me for use as someone who already has this issue and is on propranolol) for just a few days, and then my body acclimated. I also saw some body hair regrow from loss to finesteride.

I don't have crown balding - just the receding hairline, which is *very* aggressive on my mom's side. My hair is about in the middle of both parents. (Dad's side wasn't too bad.)

These photos aren't quite the same angle, but you can still see how my temples and forelock are fuller and have more definition. I am pretty happy with this result, as I like having a somewhat "mature" hairline. But like a lot of my transition milestones, I wish I had started earlier. My 39-year-old hairline was pretty perfect. 🥲

I thought sharing would be good for setting expectations, as well as combating the myth that minoxidil is only for crown balding.

Who knows how long my hairline will stay at this point, but the meds are fairly inexpensive and as I said, I'm lucky where my side effects are manageable. This combo of meds is considered the most effective at hairloss, and is prescribed even if one opts for a hair transplant.

Don’t ever hug a lobster when you see one on the street,

For decorum is essential when a lobster you must greet.

You may comment on the weather, compliment his choice of hat,

But crustaceans like their space if one should stop them for a chat.

Don’t ever hug a lobster when you’re strolling down the coast,

Simply nod and give a greeting, or a handshake at the most,

For a lobster’s first priority is formal social graces,

And one seemes over-familiar if a lobster one embraces.

Don’t ever hug a lobster when you meet one in the sea,

For a lobster’s spines and chitin make it difficult, you see,

And he might become self-conscious if you bring that fact to light,

Hint – it's NOT because it makes your bedroom look like a frat boy's first apartment who spent all his money on a giant TV (also on the floor) and a ps5 and one sad mattress on the floor. (Although this is also a good reason, to avoid being that guy, it is not the actually important reason.)

The reason is this:

You will get mold or mildew under your mattress if the mattress doesn't have air circulation happening underneath it. Air circulation is possible when the mattress is lifted up off of the floor with a bed frame, or if you have a floor mattress, when you regularly roll the mattress back up off the floor.

Do not just dump a mattress on the floor and leave it there.

You are a warm sweaty body lying on a mattress at night and all the sweat, moisture, and oils will get trapped between the mattress and your floor if there's no circulation. If you have a floor/tatami style mattress, you actually have to be frequently rolling that back up and moving it for the same reason.

Traditional floor mattresses get put away (taken off the floor) after sleeping, which brings in the necessary air circulation!

don't give yourself a moldy or mildewy mattress – those things are expensive.

The cheapest options are:

buy the cheapest frame you can find when you buy a mattress

or buy the super basic frame that comes with the mattress as a bundle offer

find a used mattress frame somewhere for free or cheap. Facebook marketplace, buy nothing, used furniture stores, estate sales, moving giveaways, whatever.

DIY a mattress frame if you have the time, energy, knowledge, and can find supplie

Buy a floor mattress you are committed to regularly rolling or folding up to provide air circulation