Tom, reading through your post made me sad that you had such a shitty day, but it sounds like you're recognizing that some of your coping mechanisms, like withdrawing, may not be doing you favors now. You needed them then to survive and maybe you still need them now, but you can identify that this may be causing you problems. That's pretty fucking insightful, man.

Also, hi! I've been in a mindfulness meditation retreat all day. I talked to strangers about my feelings. I had to stare into a stranger dude's eyes. I went to lunch with strangers and had stimulating conversation. I had homework to practice mindful eating, so I sat down and focused on this yuzu mousse I picked up and it was delicious.

I did not die in an agony of embarrassment, although I am delighted to be at home in silence now. Maybe this is too much personal growth for one day.

but you can identify that this may be causing you problems. That's pretty fucking insightful, man.

Shrift's advice is better than mine because of her mindful meditation. I just got ragey all day about stupid authors, man. And that dog in Detroit.

I am delighted to be at home in silence now.

So much this. Even though I had far less interaction with other people today than did Tom or shrift.

In other news, reports of shenanigans in Saturn's F ring: [link]

My town, man. What a fucking mess. [link]

The cops who are supposed to be protecting kids on the street? Yeah, no -- they're abusing them too. Let's be straight: this girl was raped by a series of cops. And when she told the wife of the Chief of Police, nothing happened. Fucking hell.

Tom, I'm sorry you had a hard day, but you took some pictures, which is creative and that's a good way of beating back the black dog.

Me, I'm out of jury duty (they sent us home today because one of the parties is ill and they have to continue later), and I made Mexican chocolate brownies and the dog looked at me like her goofball self: [link]

Oh, Tom. I'm sorry it was such a bad day.

I'm sorry Tom, that's a lot of awful to have to process. And I'll note that workplace death is weirdly fraught so if you can, try not to let other people's weird coping mechanisms get to you. Just as a personal example, I know when my friend passed away in December it was just... awful. And I'm sure I was not acting like myself, and now I hope no one took it as a reflection on them.

Thanks for the kudos, I am proud of Franny. Also note the bath bomb was a success, so now I will be buying the ingredients to make more of them. And who knows? Maybe we'll even make soap

I hope today is a better one for you, Tom.

I hate that so much of life's ugliness is piling in on people here. I wish I had a magic wand to wave and make everything better.

Steph said exactly what I would have said, Tom.

And I totally relate to the feeling of ' how is it that everyone seems so much more connected than me?' No matter how much I contribute to my communities, I still stand alone. Most of the time, that is a good thing, but in times of stress, it can weigh heavy.

It is a great thing that you can combine your coping mechanism with such amazing talent.

Not that you need to care, but I honestly think your 'eye' on the world, through your photos, could help others cope with their own sense lonliness. You always find such beauty in your surroundings.

Consuela, that pooch snoot is curative too!