We can be each others' SUPER SLACKER SEKRIT SANTAS...and agree not to get each other anything.

Cass, I'm sorry you've been feeling crummy and hope you are much improved today! I am just getting caught up on things, but I had so much fun with you when I was there. Thanks again for being such a great tour guide. Also, for being fun and all, but that's more of a given.

But? Had a fabulous time with you here too. So glad that we got to spend some time together. I think we perfected my Portland in a Flash tour.

Hec, how awful for EM and Emmett. Very glad you have him for now and that EM is away from psycho ex for the time being. Nervous as hell about the whole thing, though.

I hate to even ask, but you said pyscho ex's son's mother is dead...there's no chance that's linked to psycho ex, is there? Don't mean to be paranoid, but I worked as a domestic violence crisis counselor for a year. Stalking and violence on inanimate objects related to the stalkee (in this case the car tires and the window) are a very bad sign as to the liklihood for escalation. I'm so incredibly glad that EM is getting such support from the police. That will make a huge difference.

Anyway.

On a completely separate subject, I think that all of you PMS-ing and crampy Bitches are contagious. OMG the ick of being female may kill me tonight.

Oh, Hec. Ugh. Ugh. Ugh.

Does EM have a REALLY good advocate helping her with the paperwork and going to court? She may want to get a lawyer. I've been through this twice. If you or she have questions, please feel free to e-mail me.

Hec, that's so awful. Poor Em. I'm glad neither she nor Emmett were there. I hope the police continue to be helpful and the neighbors continue to pay attention.

Huh. I just got spam from Ray Guy (I'm guessing Marvel rather than DC) titled "selfishly flounce". I know what I'll be doing for the rest of the evening.

Oh! Some other news, my office Christmas party this year will be 80s themed. I've been trying to decide what to do for it that reflects what I was doing in the 80s. I finally worked it out; today I bought myself a Rubik's cube.

Dear me, so much going on.

Hec, my sympathies to EM and Emmett - hope this mess settles down. I'm glad they have you to keep Emmett safe and give EM support. And yay for police protection.

Cass, sorry you're feeling so lousy - hope you feel better soon.

Jilli, hope the commies (the bad ones) let up soon.

In post-election news, the classical radio station I listen to in the mornings had asked people to vote on the music that best suited their feelings about the election. #1 is "Jupiter bringer of joviality" from Holst's "The Planets". #2 is Wagner's immolation scene music.

Trudy, I would try your suggestion except (1) I don't know who of my friends I would need to talk to to get some, and (2) Pete would be SO very not thrilled at the notion.

Heh, Jilli, Tom is the same way in general, but one night I was just in so much crampy stomach horrible pain he was all, don't you have a leeeetle bit around? And I did, and I partook, and it was good. It doesn't take much, and the effects are pretty quick, and it gets me to sleep, at least. The issue of #1, though, is logistically stickier.

Hec- God. I am so, so, sorry that you are all having to go through this.

Damn, Hec, I hope this is the worst it gets. It's good that EM has you and other good friends to help out in this situation.

I hate to even ask, but you said pyscho ex's son's mother is dead...there's no chance that's linked to psycho ex, is there?

Thanks for the concern, Kristin, but she died of breast cancer. It would make a singularly depressing novel showing how that family unraveled after she died. She was so strong and such a great mom and held everything together. I cut him a lot of slack because obviously losing your wife and raising your kids on your own is extremely difficult. But basically he collapsed into a neurotic pile of selfishness. Some people rise to that kind of challenge, some manage to do no harm. He was weak and his kids have suffered for it. The daughter sensed it and started withdrawing from the family in her early teens and has successfully escaped to college this year. No such luck for the son.

Alas it appears to have been the victim of a paperwork error.

Grrr. It was good AND fun to say