FlowerGirlXyl0 AM(A)A

"Xyl0c41n3" (i-am-xyl0c41n3) 07/03/2015 at 11:58 • Filed to: AMA, Keep Oppo Texas, SJWhat?, I like turtles, FiestaSedanLyfe, DustyWillNeverConvinceMeToLikeHotHatches

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Edit: Day crowd bump. It’s been a long week at work, so... why not do an AM(A)A? Ask me almost anything. Here’s a poorly edited composite image I created from some photos I shot last week during the seemingly never-ending Texas rain. Let’s do this, Oppo! :)

Cherry_man1 > Xyl0c41n3 07/01/2015 at 22:40

2

What is your favorite fast food place to eat?

TheOnelectronic > Xyl0c41n3 07/01/2015 at 22:40

1

Almost ask you anything? Alright; How many times did it take before you really got comfortable with

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > Xyl0c41n3 07/01/2015 at 22:41

1

That lightning shot is awesome!... I mean: that lightning shot is awesome?

Agrajag > Xyl0c41n3 07/01/2015 at 22:43

2

What’s your favorite episode of TNG?

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Xyl0c41n3 07/01/2015 at 22:45

0

454, 440, or 390. Which engine?

Xyl0c41n3 > Cherry_man1 07/01/2015 at 22:46

2

Hmmm, that’s a tough one. Heh. Who am I kidding? I’m a Texan. My answer is obviously Whataburger. No. 1, hold the onions, extra pickles. Spicy ketchup for the fries, and sweet tea to drink.

Though, I also like Pollo Loco because it’s like the food I ate growing up: chicken, rice, and beans. :)

Xyl0c41n3 > TheOnelectronic 07/01/2015 at 22:49

4

I was born comfortable with

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > Xyl0c41n3 07/01/2015 at 22:53

2

Hello /james

Xyl0c41n3 > Agrajag 07/01/2015 at 22:55

2

Hmmm, that’s a hard one. There are a few. For sure, the season-ending cliff hanger and subsequent season opener where Picard was captured by the Borg and turned into Locutus. That was some pretty powerful stuff right there, especially seeing the incredibly human moments he had afterwards, the frail moments. He was always such a strong character, not just to us, the audience, but to those under his command, so seeing him struggle afterwards with the responsibility he felt he had for the actions he took as Locutus was pretty damn awesome. All the more so because of the subtlety with which Sir Patrick Stewart played it. It really cemented him as a three-dimensional character.

Also, I liked the series finale episodes. I’m on the fence about Q, (mostly because that actor kinda skeeves me out), but it was such a neat little bow the writers created with him and the three simultaneous time periods to wrap up the series with.

I know there are more, but it’s been a minute since I’ve seen a TNG episode, and my brain is on information overload at the moment. What about you? What’s yours?

Xyl0c41n3 > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura 07/01/2015 at 22:55

0

Hola! /Xyl0 :)

Xyl0c41n3 > mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ 07/01/2015 at 22:56

2

Ha! Thank you! Got to the location as the bigger strikes were already winding down, but it was still fun. :)

Funktheduck > Xyl0c41n3 07/01/2015 at 22:57

1

Where's the photo/video of you walking away from an explosion like a boss?

Xyl0c41n3 > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback 07/01/2015 at 22:57

3

289.

Though, a certain Raptor-loving Oppo may have me convinced to at least do a 302. ^_^

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Xyl0c41n3 07/01/2015 at 23:01

1

1. Top two Mustang years?

2. Sisko or Picard?

3. Which Enterprise is your favorite?

4. BSG or TNG?

5. Am I a Cylon??

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Xyl0c41n3 07/01/2015 at 23:02

1

No big blocks? C’mon!

Xyl0c41n3 > Funktheduck 07/01/2015 at 23:02

1

I totally walked away from an explosion like a badass, but I left my selfie stick in my car, and my iPhone’s battery died. That, and I walked right into another maelstrom this week (which I’m currently procrastinating on, heh.)

But basically, this was me as of 5 p.m. last Thursday:

And it will hopefully be me again tomorrow. :)

Also, you should stop by chat more often, Ducky.

Funktheduck > Xyl0c41n3 07/01/2015 at 23:06

1

Hey. You found a gif of me workin out.

I should chat more. That power chord replacement was 80 freaking dollars.

Fookin' Prawns > Xyl0c41n3 07/01/2015 at 23:07

1

What is the airspeed velocity of a coconut-laden swallow?

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > Xyl0c41n3 07/01/2015 at 23:08

1

When ever there is any lightning here, there is also fog... Mountain life :)

JGrabowMSt > Xyl0c41n3 07/01/2015 at 23:10

1

Left turn or right?

Xyl0c41n3 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/01/2015 at 23:11

2

1. The original, (1964 1/2) because that was the year awesomeness was introduced to the world. Then, hmmm... 1969.

2. Picard, of course. Don’t argue with me, K. I’m always right. Except when I’m not. :P But Sisko is a very close second. In fact, I love him, too. But Picard was my first Starfleet captain and first loves die hard, you understand.

3. NCC-1701-D, of course.

4. TNG, all the way. Though I loved the writing (in the beginning) and the much more serious atmosphere of BSG. But the ideals of the TNG universe informed a lot of my world, so, again... first loves die hard.

5. Yes. But it’s ok, I don’t judge.

Cherry_man1 > Xyl0c41n3 07/01/2015 at 23:11

1

I will have to try Whataburger sometime I dunno if they have that in Kansas though.

Xyl0c41n3 > JGrabowMSt 07/01/2015 at 23:12

2

This is Texas, so the answer is, straight. :P

Xyl0c41n3 > mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ 07/01/2015 at 23:13

1

Sounds like a perfect opportunity to go shoot! Do it, and report back to Photography, young padawan! :)

Xyl0c41n3 > Funktheduck 07/01/2015 at 23:14

1

Hawt!

Yes, you should. JFC... I hate faulty electronics. *grumbles in the direction of her shitty laptop*

Xyl0c41n3 > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback 07/01/2015 at 23:14

0

I’m not a fan of excess.

*dons flame suit*

Xyl0c41n3 > Fookin' Prawns 07/01/2015 at 23:16

1

Coconuts?

DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully > Xyl0c41n3 07/01/2015 at 23:16

2

Two questions...

First: Which RX-7? SA22C/FB, FC or FD?

Second: Which Miata: NA, NB, NC or ND?

Xyl0c41n3 > DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully 07/01/2015 at 23:18

1

Primero: Mustang. Always. 1964 1/2, 289, white interior.

Deuce: Miata is never the answer.

Funktheduck > Xyl0c41n3 07/01/2015 at 23:19

2

Apple refuses to make a cord that doesn't break. Mine lasted longer than most people I know

Nibby > Xyl0c41n3 07/01/2015 at 23:20

0

Hey, so you know how I’ve been applying to jobs in Austin?

Dozens and dozens of ‘em. A few rejection emails... ;_;

Xyl0c41n3 > Nibby 07/01/2015 at 23:22

2

You gotta dig through a bunch of earth to find a diamond, or some such. You’ll get there, nibby.

Xyl0c41n3 > Funktheduck 07/01/2015 at 23:22

1

I replace the cable to my iPhone about once every six months. It’s incredibly aggravating.

DrJohannVegas > Xyl0c41n3 07/01/2015 at 23:23

2

Can you even?

TheOnelectronic > Xyl0c41n3 07/01/2015 at 23:23

1

So strong.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Xyl0c41n3 07/01/2015 at 23:24

1

1. It was indeed the birth of all ‘Murican awesomeness in a pony package; but ‘67 has my heart because no one can deny this rear end:

And I’m gonna be that one person who actually likes the 1971, because it’ll most likely be the cheapest 1st gen Mustang I can one day afford as a project. :)

2. I remember and know not to argue with you anymore. Unless it comes to BSG, but that hasn’t happened.....yet. I’m Picard over Sisko as well. Just something about Sisko and DS9 seemed off to me.

3. I’m gonna be that weird one again and go with NCC-1701-A. It was the first starship from Star Trek and first Enterprise I ever saw; that includes actual real ships.

4. Can’t beat a first love ever can we. I don’t think I could pick between the two myself honestly. I’d side more with BSG because most of the issues and conflicts within that show aligned with similar events growing up(even though I didn’t watch it until high school and all those events had passed). But TNG is just so timeless compared to BSG, I could watch it over and over.

5. I’ve had toast four days in a row.....It must be true!! (o_O)

6. Did you ever watch, or enjoy Enterprise?

Funktheduck > Xyl0c41n3 07/01/2015 at 23:25

1

Sounds about right. I've had to replace my Apple iPhone cords every iPhone. I buy generic brands for those. Didn't do that for the lap top cord since it's a power brick too

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > Xyl0c41n3 07/01/2015 at 23:26

1

Lol. Will do... I've been super busy recently and very much need to get out and shoot some!

Nibby > Xyl0c41n3 07/01/2015 at 23:27

1

Thanks. Take care

Xyl0c41n3 > DrJohannVegas 07/01/2015 at 23:27

2

Agrajag > Xyl0c41n3 07/01/2015 at 23:28

1

God this is difficult. I’m sorry to have put you through this, haha.

I’m going to rule out two-parters for my choice, because the finale would probably take that spot. It deserves all the accolades it receives and more for not only being an awesome trek episode, but being a finale that isn’t horrible.

There are popular favorites like Yesterday’s Enterprise or Inner Light, but I’ve always been a sucker for the “scary” episodes, which don’t seem to get enough or any love. Like the one where the crew starts vanishing, leaving Crusher alone. The one where Data starts to dream or the one where the crew begins to devolve. Those kinds of episodes always were able to convey a specific type of creepiness which I enjoyed.

If I had to narrow it down though it’d be a toss up between Tapestry and Family. The latter being for the reasons you described.

DrJohannVegas > Xyl0c41n3 07/01/2015 at 23:29

1

Xyl0c41n3 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/01/2015 at 23:31

1

I honestly sat here staring at a 67 and a 69 trying to decide which one I like more. Seriously. For like 5 minutes. I really do love both of them. And you’re right... dat ASS! Basically, I’d be over the moon to own any sort of Mustang between 64.5 and 69.

I’ve only seen a few episodes of Enterprise. Never could get into it.

Xyl0c41n3 > DrJohannVegas 07/01/2015 at 23:32

0

I ain’t your bro, bruh! :P

Dusty Ventures > Xyl0c41n3 07/01/2015 at 23:34

4

Do y’all realize how much fun it is to mess with Texas?

Xyl0c41n3 > Dusty Ventures 07/01/2015 at 23:36

1

Yes.

But it’s kinda like family... you can’t talk about my mama, but I can talk about her all I want.

Also, I’m gonna let slip a little secret, but don’t tell anyone else, ok?

I might just be trollin’ kinja with how TEXASFOREVER I am all the time. Just a little. :P

Dusty Ventures > Xyl0c41n3 07/01/2015 at 23:42

0

Does that mean you’re secretly planning to move to Oklahoma?

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Xyl0c41n3 07/01/2015 at 23:43

0

The power of DAT ASS compels you!! ;)

I’ll be honest, I could only get through the first two seasons of Enterprise. It’s not bad by any means. It’s just so different in so many aspects to what I’m use to in Star Trek, that watching it like I would TOS or TNG just doesn’t do me any favors.

Oh! Here’s some good ones.

6. TOS or VOY?

7. TOS original or Remastered?

8. Favorite Star Trek movies(TOS, TNG, and overall)?

Xyl0c41n3 > TheOnelectronic 07/01/2015 at 23:44

4

I am woman. Hear me roar.

Xyl0c41n3 > Dusty Ventures 07/01/2015 at 23:45

1

Oklahoma sucks!

Dusty Ventures > Xyl0c41n3 07/01/2015 at 23:54

1

There are two things every Texan loves:

1. Texas

2. Hating on Oklahoma

Dusty Ventures > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/01/2015 at 23:56

2

The biggest disappointment of Enterprise was going with that soft ballad theme song crap after Star Trek’s legacy of epic orchestral pieces.

Xyl0c41n3 > Dusty Ventures 07/01/2015 at 23:57

2

Correction, 3:

1. Texas

2. Remembering the Alamo

3. Hating on Oklahoma

Dusty Ventures > Xyl0c41n3 07/01/2015 at 23:58

3

I initially misread that as “Raptor-owning Oppo” and was like “crap! How’d she find out?”

I mean... SQUIRREL!

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Dusty Ventures 07/02/2015 at 00:01

0

I liked that theme, but it’s true. After decades of masterfully orchestrated themes, it was very much a letdown. Still, it was catchy and the ideals and message of the show were there.

We did get an orchestrated piece in the form of the mirror universe episode though:

Close enough?

Xyl0c41n3 > Dusty Ventures 07/02/2015 at 00:03

0

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

WAT?!

Dusty Ventures > Xyl0c41n3 07/02/2015 at 00:06

1

Even for those Texans whose heritage comes from the other side of the battle? (Genuinely curious)

Dusty Ventures > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 07/02/2015 at 00:09

0

I agree. As a song on it’s own it’s pretty good. But using it as the intro for a Star Trek series would be like using U2 for the opening of Star Wars VII

Xyl0c41n3 > Dusty Ventures 07/02/2015 at 00:09

0

Which battle you referring to? The Texians’ war for independence against Mexico? Or the Civil War?

Dusty Ventures > Xyl0c41n3 07/02/2015 at 00:11

2

EDIT: Wrong gif

Dusty Ventures > Xyl0c41n3 07/02/2015 at 00:14

1

Independence against Mexico

Agrajag > Dusty Ventures 07/02/2015 at 00:19

2

My reaction upon watching the premiere. “The fuck? Rod Stewart?”

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Dusty Ventures 07/02/2015 at 00:20

1

Yuck!!

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Xyl0c41n3 07/02/2015 at 00:23

0

Butter or juice?

Xyl0c41n3 > Dusty Ventures 07/02/2015 at 00:27

1

EXACTLY!!!! I think I sat down to watch the first episode and as soon as I heard that, I was like... UGH.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Xyl0c41n3 07/02/2015 at 00:28

0

Dude, that’s a kitteh, not a women

Xyl0c41n3 > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 07/02/2015 at 00:38

1

Xyl0c41n3 > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 07/02/2015 at 00:39

8

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Xyl0c41n3 07/02/2015 at 00:41

0

WOAH

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Xyl0c41n3 07/02/2015 at 00:42

2

Can you teach me how to do this?

#twowheelsgood

Xyl0c41n3 > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 07/02/2015 at 00:44

2

Two wheels most definitely good. But no, I can’t teach you how to do that. Looks fun, though.

Dusty Ventures > mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ 07/02/2015 at 01:04

4

Posts in AMA

Gets homework

CRider > Xyl0c41n3 07/02/2015 at 01:18

1

What’s your favorite motorcycle?

What’s your favorite part of Texas?

Xyl0c41n3 > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 07/02/2015 at 02:05

2

Actually, I’ve got a question for you: why have you suddenly started being nice to me?

Xyl0c41n3 > CRider 07/02/2015 at 02:38

1

These are pretty:

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

My favorite part of Texas?

The part where it’s not California. :)

http://blog.estately.com/2015/04/27-rea…

Rico > Xyl0c41n3 07/02/2015 at 08:19

1

I want to ask a non car question, as a fellow Latin person what is a way we can improve our immigration policy?

Do you think that Texas is overly strict/conservative on common sense things such as abortion, birth control and gay marriage? Would you ever leave to a more progressive State?

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > Dusty Ventures 07/02/2015 at 09:49

1

Haha yep!

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Xyl0c41n3 07/02/2015 at 09:49

0

I always have been

Xyl0c41n3 > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 07/02/2015 at 10:34

3

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Xyl0c41n3 07/03/2015 at 12:04

0

Of all the cars you’ve driven in your life, which one left the biggest impression? Do you feel an emotional attachment to any cars?

macanamera > Xyl0c41n3 07/03/2015 at 12:08

0

What is the formula for the volume of a pizza with radius “Z” and depth “A”?

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Xyl0c41n3 07/03/2015 at 12:09

1

Why does your avatar say “press button” and what happens when you do.

PS9 > Xyl0c41n3 07/03/2015 at 12:13

1

Asteroid

Zombies

Poor people riot

Global warming

Viruses, because anti-vaxxers win and vaccinations go down as a result

Oil Depletion

Global insolvency

Rank each calamity in likelyhood as responsible for the destruction of life on earth as we know it.

CB > Xyl0c41n3 07/03/2015 at 12:14

0

Who is your favourite Canadian?

Leadbull > Xyl0c41n3 07/03/2015 at 12:16

1

Would you rather fight one Texas-sized duck, or 1000 duck-sized Texas’?

PatBateman > Dusty Ventures 07/03/2015 at 12:26

1

Fun Fact: There were many Mexicans that fought for the Texian Army. The first Vice President of the Republic of Texas was a gentleman named Lorenzo de Zavala. He previously held several high offices in Mexico and was also an Emprezario (land granter for new Texas residents).

Hahayoustupidludditeshutupandgohandcrankyourmodeltalready > Leadbull 07/03/2015 at 12:41

1

Texæ

Leadbull > Hahayoustupidludditeshutupandgohandcrankyourmodeltalready 07/03/2015 at 12:57

1

Texeese

Jordaneer, The Mountaineer Man > Xyl0c41n3 07/03/2015 at 13:02

0

what part of texas would you sentence to hell if you could?

Xyl0c41n3 > Leadbull 07/03/2015 at 15:47

2

The answer, of course, is:

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

*grabs a bag of brisket-flavored bread and starts sprinkling chunks of it on the ground for the Texas-sized duck*

Xyl0c41n3 > Jordaneer, The Mountaineer Man 07/03/2015 at 15:58

0

“You may all go to hell and I will go to Texas.” -Davy Crockett

“I have said that Texas is a state of mind, but I think it is more than that. It is a mystique closely approximating a religion. And this is true to the extent that people either passionately love Texas or passionately hate it and, as in other religions, few people dare to inspect it for fear of losing their bearings in mystery or paradox. But I think there will be little quarrel with my feeling that Texas is one thing. For all its enormous range of space, climate, and physical appearance, and for all the internal squabbles, contentions, and strivings, Texas has a tight cohesiveness perhaps stronger than any other section of America. Rich, poor, Panhandle, Gulf, city, country, Texas is the obsession, the proper study, and the passionate possession of all Texans.”  John Steinbeck , Travels with Charley: In Search of America

Texas is heaven. Though there are definitely a few people here who aren’t deserving of the awesomeness of this state.

Xyl0c41n3 > CB 07/03/2015 at 16:01

0

No fair asking trick questions!

I know which Canadian is my least favorite:

I mean just look at that stupid face! And that stupid expression. Don’t you just want to punch him? I know I do.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

But seriously, you know it’s a toss up between you and Pete. You can’t make me choose. :)

Xyl0c41n3 > PS9 07/03/2015 at 16:35

1

- Global insolvency (or localized insolvency in multiple places throughout the globe) will lead to...

-Disenfranchised ( poor ) people rioting...

...a situation exacerbated by an increasing lack of resources, coupled with higher prices for those resources and a still-booming global population growth. Scarcity of resources and population increase are inherently intertwined, causing and being effected by...

- global warming , which also gets progressively worse through fossil fuel use, but...

- oil depletion isn’t as disastrous as it seems, because we have so many other energy sources we can tap into (wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, nuclear, etc.) and savvy, ingenious people working on how to more effectively harness them. But, I think our dependency on fossil fuels means their loss will still have hugely catastrophic effects on our society unless we take steps to mitigate them now.

- viruses and bacteria . Loss of herd immunity via inadequate vaccination compliance is just one problem, but it’s a problem that can be fixed (or managed), if worse comes to worse, through government intervention (making vaccines mandatory). That would churn the stomach of even some Democrats, I think, but, shit, sometimes you gotta save people from themselves. The pathogen issue that’s bigger than illnesses caused by viruses are those caused by bacteria. Humanity achieved the closest thing possible to a miracle when antibiotics were discovered, but now chronic overuse and misuse, through over-prescription by doctors and patients not ingesting them as directed, means we have more and more pathogens that are resistant to even our strongest antibiotics. Tuberculosis, staphylococcus, and now even a strain of gonorrhea all exist in strains that do not react at all to the two “last line of defense” antibiotics we have. Can you imagine dying from a cut you got on your arm by scratching an itch and accidentally breaking the skin? Because that’s what MRSA can do. And it’s not just ourselves we’ve fucked. Our livestock and food chains are all subject to dosing with antibiotics—prophylactic administration of medicine delivered in an attempt to mitigate the damage caused by our poor animal husbandry practices. It’s all a mess.

- Zombies . I’ll talk about zombies here, even though I think they’re less likely than an asteroid hit because if they were to happen, ostensibly they’d be caused by some sort of super virus or super bacteria. I don’t think “reanimated corpse” type zombies will ever happen, mostly because it takes an incredible amount of coordination and cooperation from so many different body systems —neurological, muscular, and circulatory — to get a living body to move, balance, and otherwise be animate. There’s no way a single-celled pathogen would ever be able to achieve that kind of purposeful propulsion in a corpse. Not to mention the fact that necrosis can be a fairly fast process, occurring in as little as a few days, or as long as several years, depending on climate and terrain. A reanimated corpse would still continue to decay and eventually fall apart. Now, do I think a “28 Days Later” type “fast zombie” could ever occur? Sure, maybe? In a sense. We already have pathogens that cause severe neurological changes, such as rage, agitation, and aggression. Rabies comes to mind. Could a pathogen like rabies ever mutate to become hyper-contagious? Sure. Ebola Zaire is 90 percent fatal. Ebola Reston (which affects only primates) was airborne. And some of the fastest incubating pathogens (the common cold, for example) can take as little as 24 hours to start presenting symptoms in a person. In a horror world of microscopic bad guys, you could theoretically have a pathogen that spreads quickly, affects almost everyone, kills almost everyone, and has rapid symptom onset all in one huge knock-out combination. God forbid that actually ever happen.

- Asteroid . If there were a huge asteroid headed this way, we’d be fucked. I know there are currently people working on trying to figure out how to mitigate such a disaster, what with the fairly recent launch and landing of a probe on an asteroid, but currently, I don’t think there’s anything we could actually do. Luckily, that seems like a pretty faint possibility right now. Unless, of course, something knocks loose a huge rock from either the asteroid belt in the middle of our solar system or the Kuiper Belt at the far end of the solar system and sends it our way.

JFC... I spent entirely too much time writing all that out.

TL;DR: There’s always something that can fuck us up. Take your pick. Until then, live your life as best you can. Be good to the people you love and who love you. But also be good to the people who aren’t among that number. Enjoy the time you have.

Xyl0c41n3 > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 07/03/2015 at 16:39

1

Because, as probably almost anyone on kinja can attest to, I like debating things. Sometimes that annoys people, sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes it presses their buttons. I guess I’m a button pusher. :)

Xyl0c41n3 > macanamera 07/03/2015 at 16:40

0

Miata?

macanamera > Xyl0c41n3 07/03/2015 at 16:49

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volume would equal PiZZA!

Xyl0c41n3 > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 07/03/2015 at 16:58

2

Actually kind of surprised to see you here, given the, erm, contentious, history you and I have. But thanks for stopping in.

To answer your questions...

I’d have to say that my previous vehicle is the answer to both biggest impression and emotional attachment. It wasn’t exactly a dream car. It was a 2002 Chevy Cavalier sedan. The body style left something to be desired and it was in a color I hate (red). It didn’t have any frills or anything fancy. It was a car purchased by necessity, but over time I grew to love that car. I drove it for almost a decade, so it saw me through many adventures, huge life experiences, etc. Some of my happiest memories happened in that car, as did some of my biggest moments of grief. I knew every square inch of that car, and knew exactly what it was capable of. From smoothly paved highways, to the beach, to back country Texas dirt roads, to grassy pastures with hidden hazards, I drove that car everywhere and in every weather condition (except snow, because, Texas). I didn’t always show it the TLC it deserved, but that little car, and that tiny little engine kept on trucking without complaint until the last three months I had it. To this day I still miss that car.

Second car that left a nice impression on me? Probably a 1989 Porsche 911 one of my friends (the only gearhead friend I have IRL) bought a few years back. It looked like this one:

And it was gorgeous .

Xyl0c41n3 > macanamera 07/03/2015 at 16:58

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AHAHAHAHA...I totally get it now. Hehehe. I’m stealing that.

Xyl0c41n3 > Dusty Ventures 07/03/2015 at 17:25

3

Well, I’m Latina, but I’m also fiercely Tejana. And as Pat Bateman mentioned below, there were Mexicans who fought alongside the Texians in our war for independence. There were also some freed men who fought for Texas, too. Their names are listed on plaques inside the Alamo. Well, at least the names of those who fought and lost their lives there. And below each it lists whether they were Texian, Mexican, freed man, or from one of the states that then made up the United States (Davy Crockett, for example, was from Tennessee).

I honestly don’t know if any of my ancestors were involved in the war at all, for either side, but there’s a saying in the southern part of the state: “We didn’t jump the border, the border jumped us.” That statement is very much true. For a long time, the southern portion of present-day Texas was disputed territory. At one point, the “border” stretched as far north as the San Antonio area and at others as far south as the Rio Grande (which ultimately became the international boundary line and still serves as such today).

What people forget about wars is that the combatants make up only a very small portion of the number of people in any given area. Everyday people had no say in whether or not they were now considered “Texan” versus “Mexican.” They simply continued to live and exist in the land they’d always known.

There were actually a lot of problematic consequences for the people of Texas after the Texas Revolution. From freed blacks, to women, to natives, to Mexicans and mestizos who had already been living on the land for generations, the new laws of the new republic were not kind to us. Our rights were taken away, our people were hunted and murdered (yes, even lynched), our treaties were broken, our land stolen.

Texas’ problems haven’t gone away. We still have huge issues in this state that are currently being fought over in our state legislature and in our communities (women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, employee and wage rights, racism, etc.), but I still love this place. It’s my home. I will fight to make it the home I know it can be.

Jordaneer, The Mountaineer Man > Xyl0c41n3 07/03/2015 at 17:32

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why we can’t send him back to the frozen white tundra to freeze his nonexistent balls off, I don’t know.