ION, a small fire has broken out by the side of the road just down the hill from my building. I think it's a controlled trash fire. But when someone said, "Hey, a fire!" three-quarters of my co-workers stood up eagerly to see. Yes, I went to the window and observed intelligently, "Wow, actual flames," and a guy who hadn't stood up said with interest, "Really?"

Obnoxious but clever guy said, "Breaking news! Small fire captivates 800 highly trained software employees!"

In the words of Beavis, "Fire! Fire! Fire! Fire!"

I feel so grateful to know BC and to have met him in person. He is such a genuinely good person. It feels so unfair and wrong that he's leaving so soon. I was in denial, hoping we'd have another year with him. It's a blessing that he's had family and friends around him these last months, and I hope he knows he's loved and cherished and we'll miss him so so much.

(He's a good kisser too, but I'm not putting that on his wall...)

Damn it. Why do the good people go too soon.

I remember a night in Seattle (I think) when you tested that out.

I'd been sending cards - and confused the poor guy no end at first - but I've slacked off, since things have gotten busy. I'll try to be better.

Seattle F2F, under a leopard not-skin robe. (The only guy I've kissed in 10+ years. I chose well.) Dammit, I'm crying again.

Thank you for the update, Kristin, even though it is very sad news. My heart breaks for you and his family, but I am glad that he has been given such a warm, loving, and peaceful send off.

Damnit, another reason to regret missing the Seattle F2F!

Vortex took pictures. Of the huge leopard-skin robe with two lumps under it. Very titillating.

I had some other stuff to say to people that I forgot to post, so, here.

There's a post I saw on Tumblr that's a drawing of a person picking up and hugging this round squishy creature, and the idea is picturing your anxiety as something outside yourself that you can calm down when it gets all freaked out. I've tried it this week, and it actually helps. (I also tell it "I gotchu, baby girl," but that's optional.)

Steph, that's a lovely idea. I'm gonna try it. This is why I like Tumblr.

Yeah the loud drumming is actually mate-calling. "Bachelor, here! Reeeeeaally good bachelor here, all you hot woodpecker chicks, come check out *this* drumming action!"

Oh, geez. Keep it in yer cloaca, dude!

Then it evolved to giving them names and personalities. ... My therapist talks in terms of the internal parent, child and adult. And I talk to them and work out some understanding. I mean it's so just me but it's what helps, you know?

You are not the only one who does that! I mean, really why not; the conscious ego we think of as "me" is really just part of the whole multifacted human, it exists to, idk, make tools and appreciate sunsets, I guess. Why not have a conscious relationship with our other facets, instead of just an unconscious one?

Laura, that sucks. I'm sorry for your loss.