Speaking of loud tv and such, I really hope my dad got his hearing checked. We've always accused him of not listening carefully, but it's gotten so bad, it has to be hearing loss, despite his protest to the contrary. It was really evident on the trip, because he flat out didn't hear shit he'd want to hear and we'd have to repeat for him.

My hearing test fine, but even I know I have issues in crowds, and tend to place people and phones on my right in such cases. I have a hard time filtering sometimes. I'm sure it is all the ear infections I suffered as a kid- a baseline hearing test doesn't seem to pick up on the filtering issue. I can hear an amazing range, in isolation. Like the goddamned pitch of computers and lights in a quiet room. But throw me into a group with everyone talking and music, and I'm going to be leaning into the lap of whoever is talking to me.

Someday, I will need hearing aids, I know this. I can't imagine being in such denial at such cost.

Trudy, if only this West Indian could have one job, now that my research for my sister is done.

You will.

For all those getting right-wing viral e-mails from family members that you'd love to respond to but don't have the time to do the research, Media Matters has your back.

I just sent that Maine marriage equality video to my mom. Her opinion is that gay people should have the right to all the legal rights that marriage provides, but she doesn't like using the word "marriage." We'll see how this goes.

Her opinion is that gay people should have the right to all the legal rights that marriage provides, but she doesn't like using the word "marriage." We'll see how this goes.

That seems to be a pretty common sentiment in people older than 55 or so and non-existent any younger.

I love that sarameg gets pedicures still. I feel like my work here is done.

I went to the library and paid $10.05 in fines and another $6 to replace the library cards that got lost with my wallet.

Went to yoga today. And partially finished a dress I'm sewing. I also took a long nap (yay nap!)

I think we're going to the aquarium tomorrow. I hope so because right after we'll go and have the really yummmy fish tacos!

My mom's on the same wavelength as yours, Hil. My sister and I spoke with her about gay marriage last year, and she was all for civil unions and legal rights, but no using the word "marriage" for any such unions. Kris and I argued that she was playing with semantics, but she stayed firm.

I did get Mom to giggle when I was telling her about the Beaker "Ode to Joy" video at YouTube, and the "Habanera" one as well. Her Comcast connection was pretty spotty when I was out there in July (the audio was fine, but the video was a string of still photos instead of smoothly moving images), but I'm hoping her new computer she got last week has fixed that problem.

My niece and nephew love to show Mom new stuff on the computer when they come over--she wants to show them these videos.

I love that sarameg gets pedicures still. I feel like my work here is done.

Hah! Truth be told, it's probably only my 4th in the past year, but it is becoming a habit. Last one was a month ago.

My mom's on the same wavelength as yours, Hil. My sister and I spoke with her about gay marriage last year, and she was all for civil unions and legal rights, but no using the word "marriage" for any such unions. Kris and I argued that she was playing with semantics, but she stayed firm.

I think its more emotional than semantic (it is with the people I know). I'm not saying that their feelings are rational... it just seems like a visceral thing.

Whoopie Goldberg had that short-lived sitcom a few years ago. Her brother (I think) was marrying a man and every time they said "Husband" about each other or the officiant said "husband and husband" she cracked up.

The sentiment seems just old-fashioned to me.