So, I wasn't here, because I'm still in Scotland.

I thought of you immediately when I read the story earlier, Fay, and I'm beyond grateful you weren't there. And my second thought was with yours as well, in hoping that none of your friends were among the victims. Regardless, however, it's terrible.

Oh Fay, good to know. Actually, I never heard about the nightclub hit - almost nothing pass through the "more rockets/bombings" media cover.

You know, I think that what really scares me about this, more than everything, is that my failing leadership has no strategy. They basically have a big meeting every morning )or more) and they decide what to do according to what happened the day/few hours before, coming from their POV of "they will surrender".

No, dummies. You can kill and destroy people and buildings, but you can never do that to an idea. And I still didn't hear about one demonstration to end violence on both sides, which really makes me sad. Everyone takes a stand. They're basically saying violence is necessary. And I can take a hell lot of bombing - if I knew there was no other way. But you can't have a routine without a fucking long term strategy. Otherwise, it's just survival, and my country then takes not only a double standard, but a kaleidoscopic standard.

< /uselessly crying out loud>

Anyway, glad you're safe, Fay.

Nora - for a funeral, yes. For a memorial service - not necessarily. I think I know about 3-4 Christian/atheist families who also waited a month to have the memorial.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I need a catharsis or two. TV, here I come.

It's seems like a long time to me too, Nora.

ION - sometime ago a friend gave me this aromatherapy stuff where you put twigs (specially provided twigs) into a bottle of scented oil and it perfumes the house. So, I finally go around to trying it out and guess what?

The oil has gone off and now my house smells of turpentine.

So lovely.

And it's too cold to open a window AND it's making the cats cry.

Memorial timing is a bit different than a funeral. I can see where the holiday would mess up timing too. ((Nora))

So, I wasn't here, because I'm still in Scotland.

I thought of you immediately and selfishly was grateful you were still away. A horrible way to start the year for so many people.

Sumi, I have one of those things, but it never smelled like turpentine. Yuck! You may have to air out the house despite the cold.

I'm trying to fight it off with a spiced pear scented candle.

We did the memorial service less than a week after ND's dad passed, and it was widely regarded as too fast. Lots of people didn't know I'd had happened or couldn't make it from out of state because of the speed, and I know they took grief for it.

Also, HNY to all. So happy 2008 is history.

brunch. food. round. champagne. nappppptime.....

Fay I thought of you immediately and said -- No wait , she is still home. Hooray! and then ...what a horrible thing to do...

I rang in the new year with kinky folk; it was fun, but I honestly would have preferred a low-key, non-kinky party, because I was just feeling mellow. Still, I've had worse NYEs, so I can't complain.

What I wore last night (yes, it was a kinky party, no, there is no nudity in the picture, just a sheer shirt with a normal skirt): [link]

And truly, I'm all about fat acceptance, but I am ASTONISHED at how much weight I've apparently lost since the summer. Summer picture: [link]

very glam , but I like the summer photo , too. you look very happy in that picture.

Uh, and I totally didn't mean that to be a selb-absorbed egotistical mememememe post; I really mean it as a "Huh, I totally am surprised" post.