Thanks, Zen.

Burgers were pretty good, but the fries were disappointing. I think the place is a chain - The Counter. The best fries I've found around here are from a hot chicken sandwich place called Woo Boi. I can still get the fires (spiced waffle fries; so good), but I can't get the sandwich anymore, which is a shame, because SO good. But breaded, alas.

Oh, but I got a mint chocolate shake, too, and that was yum.

I'm so sorry, Tep. Remember to take care of yourself first.

The choice to not making deep frying a part of one's burger restaurant is pretty reasonable, now that I stop and think about it, but still norm challenging. And I can't even eat fries, so why do I care at all?

Right? I actually had a rage blackout for like 1.5 seconds. Like for real for real. I think I stopped breathing for a second, too.

No doubt, and yikes.

I'm sorry, Tep. I know how hard it is.

With me the closet Trumpidiot is my brother. We used to be able to talk about sports, but now he doesn't watch sports anymore because of the 'dishonoring of the flag'. So we can talk about the weather. I haven't seen him since February. He did text me on my birthday. We don't talk. His health is so precarious that it makes me feel bad, but I can't do it. Maybe after visits are safe again I can visit him and talk about grandkids or something. We are less than a year apart in age and it hurts, but really, it isn't my fault.

My husband discovered last week that his brother, who I certainly thought knew better, has somehow bought into all of the Trump shit. He lives abroad and has for many years, so I'm definitely hoping he doesn't vote.

Last time I talked to Dad he was probably not voting for President again this year. I'm not bringing it up because those discussions become so fraught and I just am not willing to deal with it right now. Which kind of feels cowardly but I can't deal with that emotionally right now.

So far this year my dad has had a recurrence of back pain, he had to have hernia surgery and now his shoulder is bothering him and it's his rotator cuff and he needs an MRI. I really really hope that he doesn't need surgery. But his MRI isn't for awhile now..a week or two I think.

I really miss seeing Dad. I wish I could get him to figure out how to video chat but he doesn't do that level of technology.

My in-laws are still doubling down for Trump, which is one of the reasons why I feel the need to socially distance from them because I can't trust their judgement right now.

One of my besties is getting married, and they decided to do a small ceremony now with family and chosen family and a big party later. We had a zoom about it last night and I asked lots of questions about Covid precautions, and made some suggestions (such as assigning pews in the church). Fiance (conservative Republican) doesnt want the "hassle" of organizing (I already volunteered). Which is fine for the church, because masks are required. They want to do a little post ceremony cupcake/champagne thing in a park and I am pretty sure that there will be a lot of people not wearing masks. I have also suggested social distancing visual cues (buttons/armbands with a red/yellow/green system for comfort with contact), but it's going to be a battle.

Burger place without fries? I see you that, but I raise you a fancy Vegan restaurant that doesn't have desserts.

I'm still irate.

My conservative BiL has been surprisingly good about not buying into Trumpness. I think he's hoping it's a momentary aberration on the Right. Which, yeah. Hope is free, I guess. We have biweekly Skype calls, and I get to watch my niece drag him leftward in real time. It's delightful. On the other hand, a cousin who I'd thought better of is posting Blue Lives Matter and Support the Police stuff on Facebook. Makes me tired. Or maybe that's the resurgent insomnia.

ETA:

I raise you a fancy Vegan restaurant that doesn't have desserts.

Boooo! If you can't have meat or dairy you've gotta have dessert. Otherwise you're just paying for someone to punish you via food.