Oh dear. I just got a voicemail from the woman who works for me in California, and her father just died. Like, it sounded like just. I'm glad I didn't pick up (I was on the other line), because who really wants to have that conversation? I think it's a little crazy that she called immediately, but I guess she wanted to put work out of her mind. Poor her! He just had some surgery that was supposed to help something, but she was saying how hard it was seeing him come out of the hospital all frail and aged 10 years. Ugh.

I'm sorry you are feeling crappy. I sometimes get the raage. Knowing it is chemical doesn't make me any less prone to overreact or be incredibly tight strung. Knowing it'll end just becomes another annoyance.

I just talked to my dad for the last time before his Mongolia trek. He's allowed under 40 lbs baggage (including gear like sleeping bags and personal gear and water purifiers in addition to clothing) for 2 weeks that involve 10 days trekking on foot with camels carrying gear through the Altai mountains and foothills and then like 4 days in a russian jeep across pretty rough territory, possibly near the Gobi. He's gonna stink by the time they reach Ulan Bator again. He's going 2 days early and will possibly be in Ulan Bator those first days. He's SO EXCITED.

I'm excited for him. And anticipating the scrapes he could get into. Um.

I feel completely broken and empty. This is usually period related, and I know it will pass shortly, but it doesn't make the horrible pain any less horrible. Just bearable

Not to mention all the family stress. You've had an exceptionally shitty month (has it been longer than a month?), Allyson, so I'm not surprised that you feel lousy.

Whatever kind of indulgence makes you feel better -- hot bath, cold martini, trashy novels -- I think you should partake in as much indulgence as you need.

We took Matilda to Children's Fairyland yesterday.

Oh! I loved Children's Fairyland! Yay!

I may still have a magic key in a box somewhere at my mom's.

Oh hey, I heard a rumor today that the commentary on the Dr Horrible DVD will also be musical. A musical called "Commentary."

Oh hey, I heard a rumor today that the commentary on the Dr Horrible DVD will also be musical. A musical called "Commentary."

I've heard that too. I've heard there's a regular commentary, and a muscial one.

Ah, wikipedia says so, too:

[link]

Planned DVD extras include Commentary! - The Musical, with entirely new numbers performed by the cast and crew.

How fun!

This is one of the most... amazing (that's not quite the right word, but I can't think of a good adjective) photos ever taken.

[link]

It's the photo of the body of a woman who jumped off the Empire State Building. The bizarre thing about the photo is how peaceful she appears. She landed on top of of a car, crushing its roof in, but it looks like she's just sleeping on the car.

The photo is not gory. From 1947.

I think that was in Life magazine (or possibly Look), and, yeah, completely eerie how serene she looks.