#1028: How do I talk about my military service in leftist spaces?

October 5, 2017October 5, 2017 ~ Shepherd ~ 203 Comments

Dear Captain Awkward, When I was seventeen, in order to escape an emotionally and physically abusive mother, I joined the Air Force. However, about six months into a four year contract, I realized that my priorities (and my politics) had shifted, and that I could no longer justify to myself being in the military as … Continue reading #1028: How do I talk about my military service in leftist spaces?

#651 How do I tell people what I “do” if I’m not employed?

January 2, 2015January 2, 2015 ~ Shepherd ~ 346 Comments

When I meet people for the first time (for example, at a party) often the first thing they ask is "What do you do?" (meaning, what paid work do you do.) I have very severe health problems that prevent me from working, but that's a very painful, personal subject, and I really don't want to … Continue reading #651 How do I tell people what I “do” if I’m not employed?

#645 Talking About Food and Animals and Justice

November 13, 2014November 15, 2014 ~ Shepherd ~ 377 Comments

Hi Captain, For the past year or so, I’ve been doing what I think most people do when they’re young and newly liberated from their ultra-conservative family – learning about the world. Before this, I was very sheltered and of the belief that the world is mostly okay save for a few small things like … Continue reading #645 Talking About Food and Animals and Justice

#537: How Can I Suggest Ways for People to Actually Be Supportive?

January 20, 2014January 20, 2014 ~ Shepherd ~ 81 Comments

Hi Captain et al, Like a number of commenters here, I have a chronic, incurable (not deadly) illness. I am really quite ill, it has a huge effect on my life and, advances in medical science notwithstanding, I will be very ill for the REST OF MY LIFE. But I get on with it, because … Continue reading #537: How Can I Suggest Ways for People to Actually Be Supportive?

#512: Can I quit my unpaid internship?

September 2, 2013August 30, 2013 ~ Shepherd ~ 147 Comments

Ahoy, Awkwardeers. I graduated university about two months ago, and right now I work at a tiny indepedent publishing house. Well, I say "work"; they cover my travel expenses and feed me lunch, but I'm not getting paid, which I didn't care about when I started because I thought it would be interesting. Nominally, I … Continue reading #512: Can I quit my unpaid internship?