JZ, David, I'm so sorry. That's heartbreaking.

Jacqueline, David, and family, I am so sorry this happened to you.

I'm so sorry about the fire, JZ and Hec.

JZ and her brothers just had a conference call. The insurance has good coverage for the house, surrounding property and items inside.

So they will probably just fix the roof, strip down the inside and sell the property as is. The view and surrounding property is extremely desirable (you can see SF, the entire Bay and both bridges), so some rich tech dude sitting on a pile of money will probably snap it up as a project.

Not ideal, and a headache, but maybe not a big financial loss.

Let's be thankful for whatever small mercies come to us in difficult times.

Also someone might see an ideal opportunity to pick out their dream house details.

All my sympathies to the House of Zmayhem.

Let's be thankful for whatever small mercies come to us in difficult times.

Amen. I'm just so sorry this year isn't over yet.

Amen. I'm just so sorry this year isn't over yet.

Is the world getting worse or are we just getting old? I feel like every year since we started "Good Riddance" has been full of trouble.

My poor mother- I almost lost it on Facebook, and instead called her to read her Facebook posts from people in our town and rant. I think what is pissing me off the most is people quoting actual facts being told they are being brainwashed by the left wing media, by people who actually seem brainwashed by the right wing media. And then I think am I being brainwashed by the left wing media, which I think means I am not. Maybe adjacent to the Dunning Krueger effect. Plus one of the people misspelled Biden, which seems really difficult to do.

Good news though- our city school district is remaining remote. Difficult because those are the most vulnerable students in terms of not having a good home internet connection or adequate food without school lunches, but I think it is the right thing. Of course, I also know suburban parents who have enrolled their kids in private schools because they are committed to five days a week instead of a hybrid model, which seems odd to me.

Oh yeah, hey Monday. What happened to the weekend? I did manage to go kayaking yesterday. First time this summer. Somewhat embarrassed to say it took me this long to figure out a workable plan to get in and out of the kayak in my pathetic physical condition. But I now have a workable plan so I feel comfortable going more often, maybe daily!

Good news in a tragic circumstance, David. They didn't need massive financial loss on top of the personal grief.

Mind whirling with the Kellyanne Conway news. I'm mostly angry with them for what the parents have done to their children. Sad to see a family ripped apart because of attention seeking insensitive parents. Thinking she still would have put herself first if she thought Trump was actually going to win and is using her significant family drama as an excuse to jump ship. Maybe too cynical and perhaps she and George really have gotten a clue and will do what it takes to repair the damage done. More likely we will see a family reality show on some cable channel soon.

I saw that the Conways' 15-year-old daughter is filing for emancipation. Sounds like they've pretty effectively burned that bridge.

And to add to the year's catastrophes, there are two hurricanes bearing down on the gulf coast AND an asteroid headed our way. It may not hit ... but that may be what the dinosaurs thought.