ItS called: apparently somehow the operating system on my laptop was completely corrupted so they're going to have to start from scratch or something. .. he says that they can save what's on it.

So, at least it's salvageable.

But how the heck did I do that?

Part of me really does want to go, to hang out with my family and see relatives. It's this stupid anxiety--lately I've had to pay really close attention to what gives me anxiety so I can try to mitigate it or avoid those things entirely.

Do other folks try to go to every aunt and uncle funerals?

Not aware of any aunts or uncles that have died. However, my grandparents came from large families, and I went to several visitations of great-aunts and great-uncles as a kid, as long as they were local. Got a surprise at Uncle Don's visitation when I ran into my English teacher. (She knew him from church.)

Not many male n's in my family. The only one I can think of is my grandfather, Merlin.

For me the question would be -- would my parental unit feel better if I was there? (And how much better, for an emotional ROI.) That's a lot of time to take off, and a long journey, too.

Don't assume I use the same bloody calendaring system you do

Even when everyone uses the same calendar system, I am STILL double-booked all of the time. You can see my calendar, people. You literally can see it.

The only male N name in my family is my grandfather's - Edwin. He has gone by Sam since 1942.

Oh, my half- brother's son is named Landon. Huh, somehow in my brain that was not part of my family. They are fine people, but Not Like Us.

My grandfather was Clayton.

My grandfather was Clayton. And my great-Uncle was Warren. Of course. my other great-uncle was named Ralph.

My dad has five brothers, and no one has a last name ending in N.

I don't think you should go to funerals out of guilt--go out of grief and to support the living. If you're not feeling especial grief and the living are supported, do you best to lose the guilt (so mote it be).

Do people send invitations for funerals? I'm thinking of the last two I missed--one would be in the support role entirely since I don't think I'd spoken to the decedent in 40 years. But her daughter has been integrated fully into multiple immediate families. For the other, I visited her when she was ailing, but it was a dicey situation in which I respected her and the especial love she had for me, but I didn't feel any big connection to her--and I'm still maintaining my half of 10+ year of grudge with one of her daughters.

Both funerals were in Jamaica, so I think people understand. Also my sister is worth ten of me at any given funeral, so it's okay if people like her more at them.

Whoah. There's a character called Eater in yesterday's CSI, and with a British character referring to them, it's very distracting. Man, this never happens to my sister.