u/BrooklynBirdy13

I'm from Detroit, but I have many Canadian friends. I was chatting with one the other day and we ended up the subject of College (before I knew him). I had mentioned I almost went to school in Toronto and he goes "nah, knowing you I think you wouldn't enjoy living in Toronto full time. You give off more of a Montreal vibe. It's very much your scene."

The conversation continued on from there and I didn't think much about it then. But it's been slowly nawing at me. Like what does that even mean? I know he didn't mean it like a back handed compliment or something. I just don't know what the vibe is. (I can't ask him cause he's out of reach for another 2 weeks cause of a business trip)

I've been to Windsor, Toronto, Ottawa, and a few small towns here and there to visit friends, but Montreal is still on my To Visit list. Tried to Google what the vibe is, but mostly just got lists of places to visit while there.

So, what's the vibe? Do I need to pack a bag? Is Montreal calling?

Edit: guys, I never thought he was trying to insult me. I just wanted to know what vibe I was giving off. I am in fact an artsy, cultural/humanities nerd (also queer and a "commie" but only one person so far said that was apart of the vibe). So I think he was right

About 3 months ago I started working the front desk for a small, female owned business. The owner, who I have named Peggy for this story, if I had to guess is probably in her mid to late 60s. Peggy isn't in the office often, but is extremely friendly when she is and makes it a point to talk with everyone employed here, no matter what position.

I learned very early on, from Peggy herself, that her adult child is non-binary. As a whole, Peggy seems to understand what it means to be trans, but gets lost/confused in the more nuanced areas (identifying as trans but not wanting surgery, gender neutral pronouns beyond they/them), but she still tries in order to understand her child better.

Peggy's in the office this week and asked me yesterday if I did anything fun for my mom for Mother's Day. I kinda just awkwardly laughed and said I'm currently NC with my mom, before quickly telling her about my day with BF and his mom. She got called away to something shortly after, so I didn't think much after that.

But today, she pulled me aside to apologize incase her asking yesterday upset me or brought up a touchy situation. I told her I genuinely appreciate the concern, but I'm fine and honestly have been thriving since being NC with my mom. It can just be awkward at times having to explain to people I don't keep her in my life because she's an awful human being. Without missing a beat Peggy goes "oh yeah, my mom was like that. A real bitch with a capital C if you know what I mean. Good on you for getting away."

PEGGY can recognize the generational trauma and it's harmful effects in her relationship with her own mother

PEGGY has made changes so she does not perpetuate the cycle of dysfunction

PEGGY despite not fully grasping the concept of non-binary is still loving and supportive of her child

Has she been perfect the entire? Probably not, but the point is that she's TRYING. She's actually putting in the work to understand and be a better person as a whole.

So remember kids, the next time your Boomer Asshole Parent says that they can't change because they "grew up in a different time"

*steps on soap box while screaming into the megaphone* YOUR BOOMER PARENT IS CAPABLE OF CHANGE! PEGGY WAS ABLE TO CHANGE! THEY ARE JUST CHOOSING TO BE IGNORANT RATHER THAN INCONVENIENCED!

Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.

I already through the Start Here post and didn't see anything. But if I missed this being answered elsewhere, just point me in the right direction please.

What are some good resources if I wanted to learn more about the basics of making your own low tech devices?

I'm starting to do research for making my own cyberdeck/e-reader and I fear I have gone down the hyperfixation rabbit hole. I was already leaning away from Big Tech and trying to be as minimally digital as possible, but now I'm starting to think of a bunch of other little things I could make without having to rely on them.

If I wanted to expand my education beyond the minimum of what I need for my e-reader, but still want to keep it practical/easy to comprehend, what sources would you recommend? A "Guide to Electrical/Computer Engineering for Hobbyists" if you will.