Hmmmm

While speaking with HWiPfI yesterday about the concept of the self (specifically the self-in-itself and the self as contextual creation; I'm not sure I experience the former, and experience too much of the latter), he took it in the direction of nonlocalized consciousness, wave/particle metaphor, etc. While I know this is a belief system to which he subscribes, and it's not necessarily an uninteresting line of conversation, for me at least, it's not at all therapeutic. I can certainly construct castles in the sky with the best of them; it's an occasionally fun thing to do when sitting around with friends and booze, but it really, really doesn't feel like a productive use of not inexpensive time. I know I said at least twice, "This is all very interesting, but I don't see how it helps me", but didn't get much back in the way of a n interpretable response, other than the suggestion that the implications of such thought could bear fruit for me. I'm not terribly metaphysically oriented; I've nothing against those who are, but again, my problems are present here and now, and I would like the solutions to be as well.

(no subject)

the good

People were very, very polite, and to a certain extent, friendly.

the bad

Discriminatory assumptions made without question.
Gender normativity in full force (despite the mission statement to the contrary).

the explication

We went to AGE today for the new members' meeting. Apparently, there is a six month cycle for new members with topics all geared towards helping newcomers with their impending/eventual/necessary transitions. Today was "Identity Management", which sounds way cooler than it was. I learned how to get the 'F' on driver's licenses, seal birth certificates, change names, and what steps to take in switching from 'male' to 'female' (despite there being an obvious female in the group, there was no inclusive language about ftms). Needless to say, I was very disappionted.