On our last day of vacation, one of my mom's friends visited us. The friend came in and hugged my mom and hugged my dad. My mom said, "You remember Hillary," and the friend said, "Of course I do -- I remember that you don't like it, but I'm going to hug you anyway." And the she hugged me as I tried to not shrink away. When she was leaving, I purposely went and sat on the couch and said my goodbyes from there, but the friend actually pushed past my dad to get to me to give me another hug, again while saying, "I know you don't like it." It's not like this is someone close -- last time I saw her was probably 15 years ago. Why do people do this? I hate it. (When I was a kid, my mother was very insistent on kids having personal space, and that no one could hug me or touch me if I said no. Apparently kids get more personal space than adults, because when we were talking about it later, she reluctantly agreed that I do have a right to personal space, but she said that I have to remember that other people like hugs, too.)

Then they should hug other people who like hugs and leave you alone!!! WTF?

Hil, wtf? I'm not sure I could have resisted responding with, "I know you don't like being slapped in the face, but....."

Seriously, that's bad. I am a hugger, and I try to remember who's not. I might accidentally hug someone I'm not supposed to. But I would never remember, tell them I remember, and then hug them anyway. That's just asinine.

Well, I am chilling out with my bonus time. The SO has left for the airport. I need to finish laundering the linens, breaking down the recyclables, and I should probably get dressed at some point, but the house is in reasonable condition for guests. Oh, and I need to grocer.

Only, there's a youth work team that's come in town that is hanging with our other missions buddies this week, and I was thinking about going down to hang with them this afternoon. But that kinda defeats the purpose of introvert time.

I am trying to identify people I want to invite to a very toned-down version of a bachelorette party (think Lily's from 'How I Met Your Mother'. Without the vibrator). My little sis is organising it for me. I am stumped. Turns out, being an antisocial homebody with an ASD whose main interests are reading and television - not ideal for party planning. Even if the party involves tea at Fortnum and Mason's (now that bit I'm up for).

You know, not able to add much to the conversation other than to say how very much I love and admire the Bitches for you all are wise, amazing people.

Oh, and Nora and smonster-- I may be coming up with A Plan, at least perhaps come fall, after my schedule lightens a bit. My New Orleans story is being very, very insistent about my getting to it but for the kind of tone and color I need to make the story sing, I'm going to definitely have to visit. And I'm going to need people who live/love/know the city to show me their NOLA.

Think of it as Barb's Immersion Program.

Of course, this is all dependent on a LOT of things, not the least of which has to do with whether or not I sell the YA that's currently out on submission or have a glimmer of interest on this one, but boy, the more I think about visiting NOLA and getting Buffistas in the process, the more excited I am to write this thing.

Bachelorette party at Fortnum and Masons sounds like a lot of fun, Seska.

It sounds like there is definitely not going to be a wake or funeral for D since he made it clear in his suicide note that he didn't want one. I wish I was better knowing what to do with this kind of thing, but without the usual social conventions, I'm lost.

I remember that you don't like it, but I'm going to hug you anyway."

I think it goes without saying that I would have flipped out like a mammal at this person.

I do have a right to personal space, but she said that I have to remember that other people like hugs, too.

Then they should fucking hug other people.

I may have just convince my little sister to watch Firefly. She's only 14, is it gonna be too scary?

sj, can you find a way to remember him that is meaningful to you? Light a candle by a photo, or something he loved? I don't think there is a "right" way to grieve, especially in a case like this.

eta when I went for my grandma's funeral, I went into my grandparents' bedroom and snagged one of her curlers. I have years of memories of pulling them out of her hair and brushing it. That's all I wanted of hers, and it sits on my altar.

On a lighter note...

I'm going to definitely have to visit

WOO TO THE HOO. Hope to be a resident by then. And yes, you must visit to get the full flavah.