Connie, what a horrifying experience. I'm so glad that the bicyclist will be alright.

Small world indeed! I'm so glad to hear she's going to be OK.

That is a freaky coincidence, but good to hear good news.

You have to tell them that?!

The world really is full of morons, isn't it?

Oh honey. At events we staff stations with recycling, compost, and trash bins, and even though we stand there and tell people *exactly* what to do, some still do it wrong.

Tutu visited Gaza. Saw it first hand. Says it is much worse than Apartheid.

And remember private boycott and divest won't stop you you from growing food, or repairing water system. More stuff like the Pixies won't visit you. Even if we get sanctions "siege" is a absurd word. Nobody is going to send their military to stop ships going to Israel by force. Not remotely the same thing as what Israel is doing to Gaza.

I hate writing bios. Not one for tooting my own horn, and I always screw up the tense. Then to find a picture of me. Oy. But cool that I am on the UCI school of the arts website (well, soon, not right now).

Also, since Shir is going dark grey but tweeting, I succumbed and signed up for a Twitter account. Same name as I have here. Dunno how often I'll tweet.

Thank you for all of the birthday greetings!

We have a lot of bikers and are very biker friendly here but it only works when people follow the rules of the road. Whether they are driving a car or "driving" their bikes.

I shall say nothing of Oregon's complete failure at figuring out four way stops. Especially when left turns are involved. Ptui! And we shall speak of them no more.

The world really is full of morons, isn't it?

It really, really is.

Cass! How is your birthday treating you?

Would I be a dick for maintaining radio silence on Father's Day? Especially if I call other fathers in the family?

I sent my aunt an e-mail last night explaining things. She hasn't responded yet. I hope she's cool.

I just talked to my cousin since I was overdue to congratulation him on his new house whose housewarming I wasn't able to attend. This would be the cousin who's married and has a kid and a house and two cars and is therefore the very definition of success, in contrast to me. He asked me if I was coming to India in December and joked that it would be a good vacation, no pressure. But he understood that no, "no pressure" was not in my parents' vocabulary. He said I should find someone on my own, that would be better, and he would support me in that. So I'm glad he's got my back.

Would I be a dick for maintaining radio silence on Father's Day? Especially if I call other fathers in the family?

Honestly? Yes. It's your call to make but I think, at minimum, send a card or an email if you can't deal with the interaction of a phone call. Especially if you do call the other fathers in the family.

How is your birthday treating you?

Nicely. Mom is sending me two house elf visits and I am about to go nom me some cheese enchiladas because that's what I am craving like whoa.

Honestly? Yes. It's your call to make but I think, at minimum, send a card or an email if you can't deal with the interaction of a phone call. Especially if you do call the other fathers in the family.

Cass is wise, and I also think that not calling might make things worse. Don't give them any ammunition to use against you.