Jer Lance @jer_@wandering.shop

It's already August somehow, which means we're only about 3 short months away from #EXTRALIFE, where I'm fundraising for Beaumont Children's Hospital and @CMNHospitals.

My goal for this month is to reach $300. Please donate and/or spread the word! http://jer.wtf/extralife21 #xp

In the pantheon of bad takes, it seems like claiming that the gymnast with the most world medals and the most world gold medals "fails as a gymnast" is pretty top notch. One might opine that @dylanohernandez has failed as both a human being and a sports journalist. #xp

It's not normal behavior among folks in my circle (especially so at work), and when folks in my presence do it, I call it out.

More importantly, when I fuck up and folks call me on it, I learn from it and change my behavior.

This approach is the problem. Do better. #xp

Today is the day that a bunch of folks that get disoriented by rollercoasters are going to express their disapproval that the greatest gymnast of all time isn't living up to their expectations.

I hope you choke on your pizza roll when you grunt your way out of a chair. #xp

Pretty jazzed for the start of @ThatConference (for me, at least, some of y'all got the jump on me!)

I'm doing this full remote, so I don't know if that'll make me more or less spammy! #xp

First up, @wesley83's Keynote! https://that.us/activities/f0ByacQCrzrCC5kYNsMo

It's been a long time since I've played MtG...it's been even longer since I've owned any...but with the release of Forgotten Realms themed cards in pre-built decks--here I am! #xp

In what I assume is a completely un-controversial take, Josie and the Pussycats has a fantastic soundtrack. #xp

From today's crossword...neither "no allure for me" nor "me back" fits... #xp

Black Widow...a 2-hour well-crafted action sequence interrupted periodically by great comedy beats and genuine heart...and I mean that in the best possible way.

If you're going to see it, I'd go again! #xp

A ranking of Taylor Swift albums that is largely Truth save for the fact that there's no universe in which Reputation is higher than Lover...do with this data what you will #xp https://www.slantmagazine.com/features/every-taylor-swift-album-ranked/amp/

Well, that does it for Audacity I guess... #xp https://fosspost.org/audacity-is-now-a-spyware/

2120 miles, 6200 feet of elevation, 7 days, 6 black bears, and 4 completely closed stops on 1 really great road trip (not pictured, approximately 1000 pee stops) #xp
https://www.instagram.com/p/CQyeEycDk-A/

The book I'm reading just changed location to Warren, VT...a little over an hour from where I'm staying currently. Eerie synchronicity! #xp

Of course, this all very much keys into the differences between ask culture and guess culture, but I'm sufficiently a narcissist to believe that my ask culture ways are Right and guess culture is Wrong...so ymmv

What I'm saying, I guess, is that communication is hard and maybe the gross oversimplification I began with is more "gross" and less "simple" than I thought when I started this thought...
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2. Don't phrase demands as questions

Is "no" an acceptable answer to your request? If not, why is it a question?

All-too-common example: "hey, can you work Saturday?"..."no"..."Oh, it's not optional, I need you to come in on Saturday"

3. Don't phrase requests as statements

If you're asking for something, ask for it.

Example: "...so now I have nobody to help me move, I don't know what I'm going to do" cue expectant waiting...

Three communication rules that have served me well over the years...a thread (with an ending that I didn't expect):
1. Ask the question you want the answer to

Don't ask "whatcha doing tomorrow?" When you mean "can you help me move tomorrow?"