Karl, dearest, thank you for checking in with us.

Glad you're all clear, Karl.

Though I have to point out that most of the big booms on BtVS were blamed on faulty gas lines.

So. You know. Keep your stake and garlic handy.

Thanks, smonster. I was *this* close to crying myself to sleep. My parents offered to take me out to dinner but I'd spent hours making stuff here and didn't want them to spend $ for food when there was food here. Plus there were some maybe RSVPs and I didn't want them to show up with the house locked up.

Luckily one of the maybe RSVP folks arrived. I have met her in the flesh only once before. I know her from Friendfeed. So it was nice to have the opportunity to get to know her better. Although I had to kind of hush up the fact she works at USC because my family is a UCLA family. ;-)

Anyway, she is very into music and film. So we gabbed a lot about '70s film (which is a weak area she's now strengthening) and various eras/genres of music. And played 45 rpms from my collection when the damned Crosley turntable would cooperate. And I probably gabbed her ears off because I was so relieved and excited that she came.

She does film and music critique here: [link]

Karl, I'm glad you and yours are okay. I hope you can get through the turmoil as smoothly as it is possible to be done.

San Bruno blew up while I was offline so I'm trying to catch up on the news now. I feel so bad for those affected. And it makes me think about what I would grab in case of emergency. I need to get a better plan together.

Oh Spidra, that blows. Please invite us once we are in better circumstances, and know you will be welcome at our gatherings. We always have a good time and would love to include you. Glad one friend was there for you.

Huge hugs for Aims. Stupid lack of jobs and money.

And much ma to others who need it--I'm so relieved to hear that our San Bruno area Buffistas were not hurt, but how scary!

PS My Ambien was apparently a sugar pill. Took it an hour ago and I'm wide awake. Argh!

Ai, sympathies on the Drewsister thang. Even my LTRs have been so relatively short that I never had to deal with family of SO issues. It's difficult enough dealing with one's own family.

I would love to hang out once things have calmed back down and Drew is fully healed, rested and recharged. Vibing for you both in the meantime.

As for sleeping, you might want to try taking a hot bath. Not only is it good for relaxation but by getting your body temp up, it sets you up for cooling off as soon as you get out. And since your body natural cools a couple degrees as you get drowsy and go to sleep, this mimicking of it kinda tells your body it's sleepytime.

mmmmm bath

of course, I had mine hours ago. Now I'm having string cheese. iCarly string cheese. I know you are all jealous of my cheese.

The thing with being sick and high on drugs, and sleep for 12 hours (more or less. I woke up every few hours), and waking up to a bunch of news, a murder in your city, Israel's attacking the Strip ("what? That one way to do peace process!") and 6 Beep Me posts is... wow. When did the world become nuts?

Also, I'm somewhat dizzy, partly hallucinating and feverish. Me, and my parents. Because nothing's more fun than being sick together on the holidays.

So, one by one, and I hope I didn't forget anyone:

Yay Drew news! And yay DJ news!

smonster, much sis~ma.

Stephanie, much ~ma, good luck and good coping~ma to you and Joe.

{{Ginger}}. {{Spidra}}.

Kristin, for the record, you are the most patient person I had the chance to read. Really. All of these very considering updates you're sending, with the very tender wording? I can't even do that while not having a SO in the hospital for God Knows What. So I understand if you'd like to PixSmash.

As for the library gig: it'll pay few shekels per hour less. The thing is that it's defined as a student job. I had a job for 3 years which paid 10 shekels more per hour, so it feels like a withdraw. But I'll have enough hours per week to save enough to come and see you guys (which is all I'm saving for), plus some to treat myself with a show every now and then.

I'm leaving the computer now for a while (and for a much needed shower). Updating in Bitches alone took much out of my. My thoughts with those of you who are effected by the explosion.

Gosh, I hope you feel better soon, Shir. You and your folks.

Thanks. It's just fever and weakness and a little bit of pain (when I'm under the influence of blessed, blessed drugs). But nothing too big.

So, in my sick haze yesterday, I transferred a bunch of money from our bill account to our regular spending account. Because I was out of it and didn't want to worry about bouncing a check. Yep! First thing this morning, ingot an email saying that I had bounced a check from the bill account. Totally self-inflicted wound.

Joe is in Chicago. Left yesterday and coming back tonight. Ellie asked where he was last night and I told her he went on a trip. She for this awful look on her face an said, "He left already?". I could tell she meant Iraq and it just broke my heart. This is going to be a hard year.

Glad everyone is safe from the fire.