Jenn Dolari @dolari@driveinsaturday.org

After three months I've reclaimed my living room!

Texas is now trying to crominalize all gender transition surgeries, not just for kids. In fact, the house bill was written ABOUT banning surgeries for trans kids, but then had them stricken to criminalize all surgeries.

"The bill, H.B. No. 3399, amends existing Texas law regarding procedures and treatments for gender transitioning, gender reassignment, or gender dysphoria, specifically addressing the use of public funds for these services. Key changes include the removal of references to "children" in the context of prohibited procedures, thereby broadening the scope to apply to individuals of any age. The bill prohibits healthcare providers from performing surgeries that sterilize individuals, administering certain prescription drugs that induce infertility, or removing healthy body parts, while also outlining exceptions for specific medical conditions and ongoing treatments initiated before June 1, 2025."

https://www.transvitae.com/texas-bill-seeks-to-ban-gender-affirming-care-for-all-ages/

House Bill 3399: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/pdf/HB03399I.pdf

Looking very 1938 these days.

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2025/02/27/iowa-civil-rights-act-transgender-protections-vote-house-file-583/80546396007/

If there's anything I've learned from decades of tech support and phone repping, it's that if you're angry, are you angry at the person or the situation. And which is more to blame?

Even if the person is at fault, if the situation caused the problem, be angry at the situation.

Thoughts Before Bed

"What is a man but a miserable pile of secrets."

Gene Hackman
1930-2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQDiQoQ8oxE

I have had a rough day, but we had a nice moment. After testing every 5.1 codec I had for this new and expensive surround sound system (and failing), I was considering sending it back when a friend suggested another use for it.

You office has stereo PC speakers, right? Put the sound system in there. It's still just gonna be stereo, but with some high end speakers a decent subwoofer. Gonna make it sound nice in there.

I hooked it up, and sure enough, it's still just stereo, but a nice beefier stereo that fills the room since the rear speakers are also pushing out sound.

So not a complete waste. Just a big one.

Controversial Opinion Before Bed

The Nintendo 3DS makes a better portable than the Nintendo Switch. Despite having beefier hardware, Switch is too big. 3DS, particularly the XL form factors are juuuust right.

My living room is still a wreck from the emergency move out, but the first major milestone was finally hit today. The video game shrine is FINALLY unpacked!

Hay guys, remember this?

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152737195573830.1073741828.528578829&type=1&l=df460bbea0&__tn__=R*F

Today was a virtual world kind of day. I not only spent a ton of time world hopping in Resonite, showing off the worlds we all built during Creator Jam (which you can see here), but I also spent some time in Second Life attending a Japanese Tea Ceremony.

That's something I've always wanted to experience. I've seen a few on TV, but never attended one in person. This was virtual, but just as intricate and solemn as any tea ceremony. It was really lovely.

Maybe if I go to Kyoto, I'll see one in person.

Controversial Opinion: Dots are not gumdrops. Gumdrops are gumdrops. Dots are Dots. AND THEY ARE BETTER.

Discuss.

This is some good stuff. Critical Thinking is important. THINK critically about what you're seeing and hearing. Don't just take the spoonfed news you're given, by any news source or algorithm. THINK.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEJpZjg8GuA

Getting started on the Wrath of Khan script comparisons.

I always buy green bananas so they last through the week, but these are like unnaturally gamma ray irradiated green.

Sadly, the holy basil plant has given up the ghost. It survived longer than any of my other plants. And tastier, too.