thealmostbear

[thealmostbear]

“We Like to Party (The Vengabus)” with every second beat removed

[thealmostbear]

Pork roulade, stuffing, white asparagus, Yukon Gold mashed potatoes.

Christmas dinner.

[thealmostbear]

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate.

[thealmostbear]

Winter beverage season.

[thealmostbear]

Oddly, my weight doesn’t make me sad (but how I’m treated because of it makes me frustrated)

[thealmostbear]

From Sunday at sundown: I was invited to a First Night soirée at friends’ house.

Ħanukkah Sameach!

[thealmostbear]

Level 0 – Hardcore Prescriptivism: There is a true meaning and usage for every word, and there is a precise method of grammar that is inflexibly “correct”.

Level 1 – Unlearning Prescriptivism: Okay, some words have more than one meaning, and grammar can be more relaxed in casual settings.

Level 2 – The Budding Linguist’s Epiphany: WHAT THE FUCK? IT’S ALL FAKE? LANGUAGE IS JUST A SERIES OF ARBITRARY SOUNDS AND SYMBOLS AND NOTHING MEANS ANYTHING! HOW DO WE EVEN COMMUNICATE???

Level 3 – Coming to Terms With It: While these symbols may be arbitrary, they share collectively agreed upon meanings within groups and networks of people with common languages. Language is constantly changing, and it has meaning because we give it meaning. All forms of a language are valid, so it’s not anyone’s place to judge or correct.

Level 4 – Acknowledging Complexity: Language still has to have some level of clarity and consistency; broad misuse of a term is not always neutral and can often obfuscate the original purpose, which is especially troublesome for terms discussing societal issues, mental health, and other heavy topics. Not to mention the intentional crafting of language is a tool of the powerful to sway or even outright manipulate those underneath them. There has to be room for these in the discussion of language shift and evolution.

Level 5 – Acknowledging Personal Responsibility: It’s not a moral failing to be annoyed by certain perceived misuses of words and grammar; it’s an intuition that comes with language competence, and agreeing on what’s inaccurate or ungrammatical is all part of the balancing act of communication. Just understand that what’s acceptable may vary from person to person, and you should evaluate why you find certain things unacceptable to be sure they’re not coming from a place of prejudice.

Level 6 – A Little Prescriptivism, As A Treat: Who the fuck calls every soda a “coke” like that’s WAY too specific to enact brand-to-generic on. If you actually wanted a Dr. Pepper why didn’t you say Dr. Pepper! I can’t read your mind!! And why’re you out here calling a god damn Sprite a coke like they’re not even remotely the same flavour or colour–

[thealmostbear]

My mood the last month.

[thealmostbear]

Tonight was a chili night.

Pork and chicken mince, with mushrooms (not pictured), chiles de árbol, poblanos, jalapeños, onion, cilantro, chickpeas, lentils, salt, white pepper.

[thealmostbear]

GINGERBREAD VILLAGE CAKE

[thealmostbear]

december……

[thealmostbear]

[thealmostbear]

// roads of autumn glory

[thealmostbear]

The plate. Got it all done.

[thealmostbear]

A break from cooking prep and cleaning. Hope all the USonians are having a good holiday, and the non-USonians are enjoying their day.

[thealmostbear]

"Defend Trans People!'

Seen in Bed Stuy, Brooklyn

[thealmostbear]

gays need to flirt recreationally or they will explode