Bing Bong

😞

is this machamp’s name “homo matsuri”

as in

“Dig” in Japanese was originally “Ana wo horu,” which translates to “Dig a hole,” with the direct object’s being “Ana,” “a hole” and the verb’s being “horu,” “dig.”

The common writing of “ana,” “穴,” is the same as a colloquial term for the buttocks, “ketsu.”

“Horu,” in addition to it’s more standard definition, is also a slang verb meaning “to have anal sex (between two men).”

3 can be san or mi. 1 can be ichi, hi, or to.

mito is a polite archaic word for genetalia.

dont buy them what they want. people want garbage. you want garbage,. and then when you get it you dont like it. dont ask them what they want either, they dont know. you want to get them something they will not buy for themselves

think about what they would actually use. this can be a replacement for something they used to use that broke, but not an 'upgrade' unless they have specifically expressed wanting a new one. do not buy anything that could be construed as you criticising their way of doing something. if tthey are currently doing something the wrong way and are aware there is a right way but dont do it, there's a reason

think about what they have room in their space to store. when you give someone a gift it becomes an obligation to them regardless of how much they like the gift. they have to store it, look at it, and interact with it, they have to thank you for it too. keep this in mind. small or flat and non-fragile items are best. for example if someone expresses a desire for a houseplant, i will often give them a clone of one of my impossible to kill grandmother plants and then tell them go ahead and kill it, there's plenty more where that one came from and the mother plant doesnt care. never give someone an obligation or strings attached to a gift unless you hate them. do not ask them if they like it or if they're using it afterwards, either. they'll tell you if they do. if not it's better to let it slide

think about situations where they coudl easily and pleasantly use this gift but which they have not thought of themselves. for example your straight male roommate probably doesnt have a fucking bathrobe

think about things they already choose to spend time on and enjoy. for example, my mom said she was starting to think about her novel but didnt know where to start. i bought her a pack of really nice index cards and told her about Nabokov's method of writing sentences and then freely arranging them. index cards are good for everything, not just novel writing. theyre cheap, flat, dont expire, and are visually neutral, and cheap. plus she likes stationery a lot anyway. GREAT gift.

keep it cheap (again this is for someone who doesnt want/need anything). expensive gifts are too much of an obligation for everyone involved and usually more stressful than helpful unless someone needs something specific (like a computer or phone)

do not buy them anything decorative. decorations are way too personal. the expectation is that they have to display it in their house forever or you might get your feelings hurt. bad gift

"i really liked this item/product/tool so i got one for you too because you have the same use case that i do" is a really good gift if you know this is the situation. for example maybe you and your sister have the same skin tone and you found a blush that looks great on your skin. maybe you and your friend both like fountain pens and you found an ink you really like. maybe you and your mom both get migraines and you found an icepack you really like. etc.

That's the main plot.

Democrats held onto the Governors seat in NJ

Virginia just elected its first female Governor, flipping the seat from Republican to Democrat. And it doesnt stop there. The Lt. Governor AND Attorney General also flipped from Republican to Democrat.

Pennsylvania voted to retain all 3 Supreme Court judges in its state preserving the Democrats 5-2 Majority

Maine elected to NOT pass a law that would force people to "prove citizenship" before voting. Which is good because only citizens can vote anyway and passing a law like that would only serve to allow discrimination of POC.

Colorado voted to tax the wealthy higher to fund free school meals AND use the excess from that to fund SNAP

AND Prop 40 is looking like its going to pass with flying colours.

It wasnt all wins. Texas passed a draconian Parents rights law that allows them even more control over their children's lives - likely in an anti-trans bid and they passed their own version of the whole "prove citizenship" thing.

BUT LOOK!! LOOK AT ALL THESE WINS!!!

THE RESISTANCE IS THERE AND ITS LOUD!!! THIS COULD BE JUST A TASTE OF WHAT WE CAN DO COME MID-TERMS. If we all collectively keep up the energy and VOTE LIKE HELL we can make a Blue Wave happen and SERIOUSLY kneecap this attempt at an Authoritarian Regime!

I know that we get a lot of bad news and we get it every day. But the good is there! The regime is failing left right and centre and this can be the first glimpse at what we can do!