Nikki Benner

Thank you for bringing timeline joy to Bluesky. You're a delight and our timelines are better for you

My birthday was 2/23 but we celebrated today. My loves surprised me with a karaoke bus. I had no clue. I cannot express in a skeet what it meant that my loved ones celebrated me perfectly. I'm 49; I am where I should be, and it's only going to get better and better. I am so loved.

Sony ... Bony...

And she was engaged to Jack Kelly! Bigotry stopped us from the joy of a transgender First Lady of Philadelphia; his family made him end the engagement when he ran for mayor because they were going to go after her in opposition ads.

I haven't met you in person but your beauty radiated in our online exchange. I am positive you are far more beautiful than your eyes let you see; I imagine you have loved ones who agree you are lovely. I wish for you that you eventually see yourself with their eyes so you can observe your beauty.

May his memory be for a blessing; his life certainly was.

May his memory be for a blessing. He looks like a sweet lil guy. I'm so sorry for your loss.

💕😭😭😭😭😭😭💕 too soon

I should specify: I am cisgender but married, and I took my husband's last name, which made my legal name on all my legal documents different from the name on my birth certificate.

I worked with an attorney who specializes in name changes for those who are transgender to legally change my birth certificate; my birth certificate matches my legal name. It wasn't cheap, but I jumped through that hoop, and told my friends I would give them $ to do the same if cost was a barrier

My spouse is still alive because of his colonoscopy. We are the same age as James was. It would be a pleasure to help you. The offer still stands to help you find someone who can accompany you.

There are pills now you can take instead of the drink. If you have blood in your stool, or you think you maybe do, I think they're medically recommended (if your insurance needs a reason to approve)

If you live anywhere within three hours of Philadelphia, I will happily drive you. I also have friends throughout the country; if you feel comfortable messaging me with your location, I'd be honored to help find someone to help you.

Philly gal currently in Seattle for work; they aren't greasing the space needle so you know peeps here are way more chill than my Souf Fully jabronis

I'm in Montgomery county, just outside the city. Would a suburban address help you?

You can also live in Blue Balls or Intercourse. Pennsylvania has options for you 💕

May I recommend Hugh Howey's "Machine Learning: New and Collected Stories", specifically "The Plagiarist" and "The Box". I am also a big fan of Ted Chiang's "The Story of Your Life" which was the basis for the movie Arrival.

And also lead poisoning for those born before unleaded gasoline.

Born in 1977; My bully stole my house keys and made me chase him for them; I slipped on ice doing so and fractured my wrist. He was scared so he threw them at me and I had a huge bruise under my eye where they hit me. I was told "he probably has a crush on you".

I agree with you that so long as Citizens United stands any candidate who get traction nationally will be spoiled by capital. But I appreciate the zeal of those more idealistic than I, & I don't write off their whole position because I don't agree with some of their points. I understand you though.

I think we need to work within the Democratic party to primary and replace politicians who are not serving us, AND to support 3rd parties at a local level to eventually create viable national 3rd party candidates. I don't find their position idiotic, I just don't agree with their timeline.

I didn't say you're at fault; I didn't assign blame at all. It is your perfect right to proceed as you see fit; I shared with you why I believe the OP is not a troll nor a moron. I offered a gentle suggestion to attack positions instead of people, and pointed out how your second skeet did that

I guess it's more that I prefer to have a conversation with people whom I disagree when those people appear to have similar positions to mine, instead of calling them names. And I don't have that intuition, no - I came to my opinion because had a conversation with her.

At the risk of tone policing you, my friend, I'd like to point out that this skeet calls positions trollish/ moronic instead of a person, while your previous skeet was a personal attack. I think it's important to be aspirational, and our current parties as they currently function are not serving us

First, she and I were having a discussion, not an argument, which we productively continued and actually became positively acquainted. Second, she is neither a moron nor a troll; she is a person who has strong beliefs and a strong moral compass who wants to see radical change.

Continue to be the bright light in the darkness. You have a friend in Philadelphia, if you ever find yourself here. It would be a pleasure to meet you in person. Message me publicly or privately if you find yourself in need of a friend here.

I don't disagree, but we do need to start somewhere. I think they are a good start though. I'm going to disengage now - I don't want to argue with you when we clearly agree on most things. My friend, take care of yourself!

Fair enough, my friend. I've found my energy is better spent on the ground supporting people through mutual aid via my Quaker Meeting, but if you are called to this, I'm keeping my phone close, am holding you in the light, and am an @ away if you want support.

I did see that. I do see that. And to be honest I don't know that we actually disagree that much; maybe just on timelines and where to start? I would just suggest that your point has been made, and we (and I) need your fire and strength; don't burn out here. You're needed.

May I recommend you disengage there? The attacks are quite rude and you don't deserve that, and if you continue there I'm concerned for your spirit and your mental health. That said, if you choose to continue to engage, while I am sure you can defend yourself, please @ me if you'd like my support.