That sucks, Maria (the customers part--your dad is awesome).

Today was my work-from-home day, and I got a fair bit of copyright research done, which was my biggest task. And I learned a bit more about a new-to-me learning management system, which was also on my list. Otherwise, I've been listening to a lot of Leonard Cohen. I don't know why it took his passing to remind me how much I love his stuff.

So far I've been able to eel out of conversations that start to get uncomfortable. Whether they note my leaving after I'm gone, I don't care. So far nobody's confronted me, and that's fine. A simple, "I don't feel well," is all I plan to say if challenged or taunted. I won't engage. I won't. I won't. I can't affect these people, I barely have touchpoints in common. It's a futile exercize and the only one affected will be me.

I'll save my ferocity for places and ways that will make a difference. Mocked behind my back I can do, but I won't argue with black holes of hate.

Maria, I love your dad now and wish I could be his customer.

Maria, your dad is awesome.

I'm so sorry, Maria, but I kind of love your dad right now.

What sj said. {{{Maria}}}

It's true, Maria. It's wonderful to know people like your dad are real.

Joining in on the love fest for Maria's dad!

I alternate between rage, relative calm, and a fucking avalanche of anxiety. My super liberal parents and brother will be here for Thanksgiving, so that will be fine, but then we'll go to Oklahoma for Christmas, which... I'm not sure what to expect, really. Usually M's family doesn't talk politics much, but he has one aunt who is already being super obnoxious on FB, and I'm thinking of ways to shut conversations down just in case.

I have also committed myself to saying something if I hear any racist comments, not just over the holidays, but from now on. They're pretty rare in my circles, but even so, I can think of a couple of instances when I should have called that shit out, and didn't. And that makes me burn with shame. No more.

So you know how several of us are triggered by the Cheeto-in-Chief's face? It's not just us. It causes revulsion and anxiety and other negatives in a lot of people. I have this really bad.

And i just realized that it's a federal regulation that his photo be prominently displayed in every federal building.

I had to leave a lunch & learn thing yesterday, because what was supposed to be a talk about writing better exams somehow became a discussion of whether or not Bill Clinton has a sex addiction, and I just could not handle it.

I am finished with my first week.

The store is small...we only have about 20 people working. The stocking staff is me and a guy and a supervisor. The guy is nice but he's in his 20s and so is faster and stronger but I'll get there.

We are just setting up the store and next week is training.

I need to ask about work gloves my hands are going to get ripped to shreds.

Only had a few moments where I put my foot in my mouth. OH and I got high fived by someone when I mentioned archive of our own. One of the 19 year old was talking about their shows and it came up.