I am super nostalgic/homesick for Mardi Gras this year.

I heard an NPR reporter talking about men trying to get from Poland to Ukraine to enlist in the army—“from all walks of life”—and the two occupations she mentioned to represent all walks of life were a makeup artist and a sound designer.

Timelies all!

{{{Pix}}}

Meanwhile, my folks found a place in Florida for my mom, and have arranged a special flight(my mom is unable to walk with a walker, so they needed to keep that in mind) and transportation of their car. They are leaving March 1.

Me too, Dana

I think Ukraine might have broken my compartmentalization ability. My level of cope today is what one might call low. (Turns out, you never get over your visceral childhood fear of nukes! Who knew?) I'd been so good at avoiding doomscrolling until this. Now? Oh man, so much doomscrolling. I need to block all news sites again. There's not a damn thing I can do about anything, doomscrolling just gives me a false sense of control, and I need to pull out of the terror spiral I've put myself in.

A medicated severe anxiety disorder is still a severe anxiety disorder, after all.

This coming weekend will mark two years of shopping for my parents' groceries for them. I'm sure that this small fact is not helping with my cope level.

{{Buffistas}} I'm sorry it is so much. War on top of pandemic and all the general life complications is just way too much. Says the girl who has been up since 3:30, again.

((Pix)))

JZ I'm sorry you are getting called names . But also everyone needs a little happiness in their lives and getting head butted by a handsome tuxedo cat is definitely one of the small joys in life.

It's easy to fall into the trap of "why should I enjoy this when there are bad things happening " but that could keep going on and on. And it's a trap that keeps us from enjoying things or grieving for things or whatever. It's kind of like whataboutism that your brain does instead of jerks on the internet.

(Sometimes people do it too and that sucks but right now it's your brain. )

I have an appointment with a neurologist on March 14th !

That means I'll probably be going back to work in March. I don't think my symptoms are bad enough to keep me out of work right now but I don't know. I'm going to assume they will send me back with actual accomodations. I've had a few really good days in a row and have been pushing myself more. I'm still concerned about my right eye. Especially with the kind of pressure sensation I have and the fact it doesn't seem to be improving but hopefully I'll get some info or recommendations for that.

My Monday miracle- the big workplace fuckery from last week has been resolved. My boss took my concerns up the chain and things were changed.

Huzzah!!