Hi, RFK Jr.

Doing my taxes this weekend. Of course, I’m not getting a refund. I have to pay the IRS.  While working 7 days a week. While disabled. So eff you and all the people who agree with you.

I think it’s nice to just say that. Say it and release. But every time Mark or Jane complains about their tax dollars…lol. I probably shouldn’t go all the way there.  

I don’t mind paying taxes. However, there is a problem. I pay more of my income in taxes than many people do. Let’s go with Mark. Like Mark, I have a preference for where I want my tax dollars to go: helping people in need, libraries, roads, etc. NOT wars. 

Why am I paying so much in taxes while being denied basic need services for my disability?

People like Mark (and you, RFK Jr.) are the ones stopping people like me from getting their basic needs met. So eff all of these people. One by one. I would love to say it to their faces. But it’s funny, they deny people help but still end up paying in other ways. So, the joke is on them.

America, keep using me for labor and taking my money while denying me and others their basic needs. Don’t ask me why I’m always saying, “people suck.” I say it because it’s true. At the very least, you could not judge me for this.

When the people in the US stop voting for businesses and start supporting PEOPLE and their health, then maybe I’ll be a patriot. But until then, ugh, I’m not impressed. 

No love, only peace

– Me

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I’m way too relieved to be done with my federal taxes. Paid and filed today. I’d rather use this money to add to my savings so I can get adequate help …but this is The United States. Can’t do much about that right now. Or ever since I’m not healthy or wealthy enough to move. But with health, I’d feel I at least had a slim chance.

Whatever. I can’t afford to dream.

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What I Did This Week

Music of the Week

Books of the Week

Unfortunately, I have to make a new book rule. I don’t know what’s going on. But having people scream in audiobooks is not the only bad (obnoxious) thing authors and publishers are allowing. Due to 90% of the long books being overly bloated for no reason, I’m no longer reading books over 350 pages..

I’m done with saying, “This book could have been great/good but it was too long or too detailed.” And I can always find things that didn’t change the story or made the book worse. This goes for nonfiction and fiction. The only exception would be specilized nonfiction books (technical, science etc.) This does cut down my list of books I want to read, but there are still a lot of books left.

I’m frustrated by this for a couple of reasons, some selfish, of course. However, some of these books are good and could have been much better; others could have read them and enjoyed or learned something new, but they’re so bloated that the quality suffers. And my new thing is, “don’t waste my time.” These long books that say nothing are frustrating and a waste of my time.

With that kinda long rant being over, here are the books I finished this week:

• Accountable: The True Story of a Racist Social Media Account and the Teenagers Whose Lives It Changed by Dashka Slater (nonfiction) – My rating: ★★★ (really 3.50) 472 pages. Need I say anymore? WHY? So unnessary. Yes, length made the book worst. But the topics of racism, bullying, shaming and high school are also depressing, which makes the book feel longer. Too many details and musings that didn’t add to the point. But overall, interesting book. I think people in the US only want people punished for some things and not others. They pick and choose. I usually land on the side that public humiliation is enough (not for murder and some other crimes, of course). But others want a “REAL” punishment. Some people do things and never get punished for them. AT ALL. Whether it’s because it’s socially accepted or because they’re of elite status, those are the things I wish would change. And this book is also about how shaming doesn’t work. I don’t know why people think it does. But I’m not getting into all that now. This “book review” is already too long.
• The Guilt Pill by Saumya Dave (fiction) – My rating: ★★★ (really 3.25 stars) 372 pages but seems much longer. Could have been better at 300 pages. I’m wondering how these books get by the editor. Don’t ruin a good premise! I’m begging people. Okay, this book had a decent premise. But so repetitive. I enjoyed the racial and gender diversity talk in the story. But the good stuff got lost in the fluff.

Looking for books under 300 pages for next week.

Quote of the Week

Stop explaining reality to people who argue with your lived experience.

– Bridgette Hamstead