I realized I could drop my ballot off at a drop box (drop VAN actually, it was just stationed outside a community center), so I did that. It took me past the hardware store, which I needed to go to anyway.

Now it's 7:30, I'm fed, I fixed the toilet, and I have a glass of wine, courtesy my roommate. Life could be worse.

Took Walter for a brisk walk (I maybe could have run and stayed in the the right heart rate zone, but I didn't wear running shoes, so that didn't happen) that was very pleasant (the radio told me when I was heading home that the weather was "unusually pleasant" by the way, and it is!). Went past the police station, as we generally do, where they had a banner out for Nat'l Night Out, but the actual event is on the other side of town and i don't think I'm gonna bother. It's too close to my bed time for all that.

Oh good grief. Dr. Snowflake just sent a chiding email to me - only to me - scolding me for not answering his emails. My last email to him was last Thursday, telling him what we're going to do to fix the mess we made. His last email to me was last Friday, asking again questions I've already answered. It's been TWO business days since then. I don't even have the proof of his correction to send him yet! FFS. It's past time my boss started handling this guy.

Plus, I just learned today that we have another incorrect figure that got into print - part b of a figure was overwritten with similar-looking part a. Author didn't notice in his proof, I didn't notice in the proofread. What the hell. And of course, this author also wants us to correct the online version, which, again, we can't do.

This journal hasn't had to run an erratum in literally years, and suddenly I have to run two in one issue. And the art people who are screwing up aren't even going to be made aware they're screwing up, because no one wants to take responsibility for talking to their little two-man department.

I'm sick at my stomach over all this.

My sister's boyfriend just took her to the hospital for "some weird heart thing", according to my niece. She's had a heart arrhythmia for several years; normally takes her meds and doesn't pay it much mind. For her to go to the hospital is worrying. Any ~ma would be appreciated.

Oh, my sister just texted me with "Love u." Now I'm terrified.

best of luck to her zen.

I have to be up before 7am tomorrow. Because I have to be coherent on the phone at 7am. Do not want. Also, I have started playing lots of solitaire on my phone/iPad. Which is entertaining but feels very useless and wasteful. I mean, at least if I read, I've read a book?

Heart~ma to sister of Zen.

Heart~ma, Zen sis!

Hospital is keeping sister overnight. Don't know whether to be less worried or more, but glad she's under observation. Stupid meat parts, wearing out before we're finished with them.

I want so badly to drop all my work on my boss tomorrow and drive across the state to see my sister.

Oh, Zen. Love and ~ma to you and your sister.

Hi, folks. Sorry I haven't been posting much, but I'm here and reading, bearing witness, as it were.

Hugs to those who want them.