(Since the song was written, genetic studies have indicated that the black death was indeed the bubonic plague, which is a bit of a shame given the effort put into that song.)

billytea, this is Seanan's response:

I question the veracity of their science.

Given that the study was funded by people who want to RUN A TRAIN through SEVERAL PLAGUE PITS, it seems a little convenient.

Scola hugs are world class contention.

Sorry to hear you're having a rough time, Tom. Would a look at some really cute cakes help cheer you up? (I love the giant Twinkie cake.) [link]

I could use some cheering up right now.

I heard a rumor that Joss Whedon was going to do a big budget Avengers movie.

Also, Scatman Crothers does a cool version of "Ghost Riders In The Sky".

Oh Tom, many hugs to you. And many hugs to ita as well. Glad you got to see your mom, glad she has so many to rally around her.

Liese, that sounds amazing and, as you said, profound. One of those blessed moments.

I am having a more quotidien moment right now. Sitting at my computer, eating cottage cheese for breakfast and planning out how to take care of some housework, go to the grocery, head into work for a couple hours, and do a bit of laundry. Hrrmm. I think laundry gets cut from the list.

Tom--you DID have a really shitty childhood, but the good thing is that you already did the hardest part--surviving it. You are loved, live in a gorgeous place, and, most importantly, are a good person now. The work of integrating and understanding the badness is really hard and dark, I know, but the fact that you are doing it shows that you are already on the other side, even if you don't feel like it sometimes.

Lots of hugs, Tom.

You are loved, live in a gorgeous place, and, most importantly, are a good person now.

This. You are ALWAYS one of the people I want to see when I visit NY.

Scrappy FTW, as is frequently the case. More happy things - my roommate's kittens' favorite cat toy? Frankie's constantly wagging tail.

Anybody got a link to the Belinda? I just finished watching a Japanese flick with and evil cat named Blanche and baby crying and it reminded me of Belinda. I need to share the evil.

Belinda could come in handy in a Japanese horror flick. When the vengeful ghost shows up, just hold Belinda up, ask if she'd like to pet it, and she'd be all "GAH! Er, so sorry, I have the wrong address!" and hop back into the TV or up into the attic.

Scrappy is wise.

And yes, we love and value you, Tom. We know you beyond your childhood, you are not defined solely by your past.