You know how I said I'm planning to come and visit in 2024? There might be a war going on here and it's very hard to imagine a vacation or anything fun right now, but planning has to start somewhere. That somewhere is a googledoc in my profile.

Hiya.

Just a reminder to sign up for the holiday card exchange if you'd like to participate this year... some love from around the world-ish might lift spirits some, I'm thinking.

If you'd like to sign up, please fill out this Google form by Monday, 11/27 (please use SHIFT+ENTER to create line breaks in the address section):

[link]

Simple guidelines posted at the top of the form -- same ones as always.

True confession: I won't have a sec to run the sorrting program until tonight at about 8p E, so there's still time if you'd like to sign up for holiday cards.

Depending on where you're reading this, see post above or below for the link.

I'll get the emails out to folks with your individual list over the next few days (all done by 12/1).

This week I completed the requirements for certification through the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals as a Frontline Supervisor.

Well. I completed the work last week, but they issued the certificate this week.

Make that, "Card assignments will be out to you by Dec. 2."

We did not have much spare fun-work time this week!

Make that tonight! Sorry, friends. Glitch in the program, but I got the assignments yesterday and will work on getting emails out tonight.

Alright, y'all. The doc with the info on where and when I'll be is now updated in my profile, including what I call a "Share a Shir" calendar.

I want to meet as many of you as possible. You're more than invited to write yourselves in and start scheming where and when I'll see you. Feel free to email or suggest group activities (or both!).

Are there New York plans? I'm in Hartford, CT, so can come down easily

Hey - anyone who's planning on seeing Shir in the NYC/DC area, could you please check in the F2F thread? Trying to get an idea for who can do where and when... I have the ability host Shir both within a short commuter train of NYC and then tooling down the pike to DC, if that would be more convenient for folks further north (like, Vortex, Nanita... those are the names I've seen so far...)

I think Shir is flexible and would love to see as many people as possible, so come help me figure out the wheres and whyfores in F2F, please!

I also need some opinions about logistics that people who are more used to flying out of Newark might be able to help with...

Thanks!

Hi, I've posted about* / offered / am still offering to make basic arrangements for a F2F in Troutdale, Oregon, which is 11 miles (16 mins. by car, an hour by bus) from PDX airport at McMenamins Edgefield.

Prior surveys pointed to late May as being the best time for most people. If someone wants to do a new survey, please do. I don't know how to / don't want to take the time to learn about surveys.

If people are interested in meeting there on/around May 25 weekend of 2025, reservations have to made for rooms a year in advance. I've posted info in F2F, and here is a history article that explains why it's uniquely fabulous. [link]

Oregonians and Washingtonians take all the various McMenamins for granted, because they've grown up going after soccer or to Aunt Linda's wedding or cousin Jim's birthday. As a Nor. Cal person, I wish we had anything close to it. There are so many things to do in one place! Plus it's close to the Sandy River for cool water swimming when it's hot.

Check out info in the F2F Thread and/or email me at profile address. Also, hope to meet Shir, maybe in Seattle instead of SF for me this year.

• In the F2F Thread: #9396 on July26, 2013; #9969 on Feb. 10, 2014; #12522 on Oct. 11, 2022; #12526 on Dec. 4, 2022; #12530 on March 4, 2024, and today, April 16, 2024.