So My Coworker (lab Mate?) Is Partially Deaf And Was Given A Sign Language Interpreter By The University

So my coworker (lab mate?) is partially deaf and was given a sign language interpreter by the university (so he doesn't pay for anything) and also got one at his new job, which is really cool.

I didn't realize just how hard sign language interpreters work until I started interacting with his interpreter.

Any time I need a Zoom call from my coworker to get him to explain some machine learning stuff to me, his interpreter joins the Zoom call.

During 2 hour lab meetings, he has 2 interpreters that constantly switch so they don't get tired, and when there's only one, we have to take a break in the middle so she can rest.

Both his interpreters spent a lot of time reading complex scientific journal articles in machine learning in order to agree on what language to use during the lab meetings.

We went out for a lab lunch and everyone ordered all this delicious food...and the interpreter couldn't eat anything, because she had to work (my coworker said it's part of their job but still!).

She would constantly ask me what the group on the other side of the table was talking about so she could keep my coworker "in the loop" of the "office chatter" instead of only interpreting when someone spoke directly to him.

Having to struggle with words from other languages (I'm bilingual and when I mixed in some Urdu words, the interpreter asked me to translate so she could sign them). Also having to interpret conversations where everyone is interrupting each other.

Just...it's such an important job and I didn't realize how much work goes into it. Sign language interpreters are amazing and really do their part to not only "translate" for deaf people, but to make them feel included in all of the conversation.

Trans women and nonbinary people who dress femininely (no matter if they are amab or not) are the closest to the image of Aphrodite that anyone will ever be, actually.

The issue in a nutshell.

How I see my deities, part 2 Ig

Ok so basically, I mostly see my deities how they are pictured in Hades (the game) 😭 especially Aphrodite because when I was researching how to worship her, even before I saw the game, the post I saw used her hades picture as the picture so I’ve seen her like that ever since. Dionysus and Ares kinda have two forms to me. First there’s white boy Dionysus (I like to call it) and then hades Dionysus. For Ares, there’s frat boys ares and hades ares. Weird I know but lmao 😭 ok enough of that I’m gonna use the picrews I made ! Enjoy ig

Lord Ares (aka Dad)

Again, pretty consistent. Though in my mind eye, I really do see him as more like the hades version. Also m’lady has been featured here too! I see him as having short, black hair, having dark eyes (more black like mine) and having light tan skin. I also see him as having scars on his face !

Aphrodite

Dionysus

A Tip For Mentally Ill Devotees

I think this has been said before, but the most effective devotional acts for your god(s) is taking care of yourself. Your deities want what’s best for you before even offerings. I’ve found that I feel a stronger connection with my deities after I’ve taken care of myself (showered, brushed my teeth, drank water, journaled, etc.) than I do when I give them offerings when I haven’t. You can’t devote time to another person/ being when you’re not devoting time to yourself. 

I’ve also found that this really helps with my mental health issues. Due to a combination of them, I have very little motivation to do basic stuff like my homework, keeping myself clean, or even taking my medicine. Devoting these acts to deities rather than just doing them for myself makes it way easier for me to get enough motivation to do them. 

I seriously can’t recommend this enough. If you are a pagan with mental health problems and you have god(s) or spirit guides or anything you devote actions to, I highly suggest you do these acts for them if you can’t do them for yourself. 

Another thing: working with certain deities who are the patrons of things that you need help with is a good idea too, if you feel up to it. For example, if you need help with self-love or even relationship help, Aphrodite might be able to help you, or if you want help being more independent, working with Artemis might be a good idea for you. 

Those are some very basic tips, but I figured it might help some of you who struggle like I do :)

Lmao, I decided to watch Heathers the musical with Dionysus and he absolutely HATED it 😭 He said his favorite part was when I kept pausing it. He rated It 1/10

If anyone wanted to know, his favorite character is JD, he would play as Veronica (ofc he has to be the main character), and his least favorites were Veronica (even though he would play as her 🤨) and Yellow heather (I don’t know her last name 😭).