Similar with the daughter of a childhood friend, though the child goes by Lu, rather than full given Lucia (and had been sometimes called Lu before, but not exclusively.) But similar transformation one summer and the family has managed to avoid using any indicative pronouns, so I'm not sure if it's a gender thing or just butch. In the case of the twin, whole new girl name unlike given name.

Given how young these kids are, it seems like their parents are going public with a minimum of fuss, not making it a thing. The only indication acknowledgement of any sort of change was someone asking if Girlname was liking her long hair & a response of yeah, but dad really has to learn to braid now, which wouldn't be really that significant unless you knew Girlname used to be Boyname.

A Japanese friend told me that people in Japan eat sushi with their hands, and he thought it was weird that Americans ate it with chopsticks.

I feel better about my life choices.

Well, at least my sushi-eating choices.

Oh, for god's sake. Political memes are getting dumber and dumber. The latest one, courtesy of a cousin, is a picture of Trump giving a thumbs up and says "Was never called a racist in 68 years of life on this earth...until he opposed Hillary."

I don't believe anyone can make it to 68 without being called a racist. Shit, I'm 45 and I've been called a racist.

WORK HARDER, STUPID MEMES.

um also - he was called racist PLENTY with his comments on the Central Park 5, also his landlord practices.

Oh, I know. I'm just rolling my eyes at the ridiculousness of that one. It's quite an extreme claim to make ("NEVER been called a racist") about pretty much anyone. Much less Trump.

"Was never called a racist in 68 years of life on this earth...until he opposed Hillary."

He was sued by the federal government for refusing to rent to African Americans. Settled for millions. He is a racist.

Jesse, I'm glad you gave blood. I'm not sure -- the last time I gave blood, about a month ago, it took me about two weeks to recover from it. I was just run down and unable to exercise. So frustrating. I've given a ton of blood over the years, and now I'm wondering if I'm just getting too old to keep doing it.

I've been hyper focused on just one thing or the other because Baltimore, the world, shit I need to do...is just making me tired. I'm pretty much just focusing on the next swim, get through everything in between.

I had a bunch of stuff I needed/wanted to do this evening, but then a friend (from Baltimore!) said she was driving through town on her way back from a camping trip in Canada and could have dinner. So I gave up on my plans. Not sure when I'm going to fit everything in, but...

Work suddenly is crazy busy AND they pulled me to do this big meeting/presentation on Monday and Tuesday. Ugh. Not sure how I'm going to get all my own work done, but I guess the meeting part is good experience.

Jesse, I'm glad you gave blood. I'm not sure -- the last time I gave blood, about a month ago, it took me about two weeks to recover from it. I was just run down and unable to exercise. So frustrating.

Oh, that's a bummer! Maybe try one more time, just in case that was a fluke? But I always tell people not to worry about it if they can't give for whatever reason.

Yeah, I've given blood four or five times at DragonCon, and twice I've ended up shaky and almost passing out. I don't like those odds.