I am just so incensed over this! When I think of the countless family members who could not be with their loved ones in the hospital during the height of the pandemic. So much heartbreak.

Ugh, JZ. So infuriating.

We survived our trip to Oklahoma for my MIL's memorial. It had its tense moments, fortunately none of them related to politics, and that extended family is just plain exhausting en masse, but I felt like MIL was honored in a way she would've appreciated, and the three brothers really came together around the memorial service, which was good to see and experience.

JZ, I am completely enraged on your behalf.

Your first post-surgery event, Susan! How did you hold up? I'm glad there were no big blow-ups but sorry there was stress at all.

My brother and BIL are coming for a short visit starting so late tonight it may as well be tomorrow morning. One thing I've realized recently is what a rotten job I did of supporting him when he was in the thick of his struggle with multiple myeloma--but he's such a private person, and pushed almost everyone but BIL away. I just had no idea how to deal with it or how to push back while respecting his boundaries. It'll be an interesting visit.

Hello Buffistas! If any American Buffistas happen to be going out on Record Store Day, and would be willing to help me out. I'm looking for the vinyl release of Prefab Sprout's Steve McQueen. If anyone spies it in their shop, I'll happily cover the price and shipping to me in Canada.

I got you, Sue! I'll be at Amoeba for RSD and nab that Prefab Sprout for you.

Your first post-surgery event, Susan! How did you hold up?

I was fine--I've been back to my normal energy level post-surgery for awhile, and the last remnants of the wound from my blood blister near one of the incision sites finally closed up just before the trip. I worried more about my upcoming oral surgery, since the temporary crown they gave me has already been in over two weeks, and if it was going to fail I didn't want it to happen over 1000 miles from my regular dentist.

I'm glad there were no big blow-ups but sorry there was stress at all.

It was probably unavoidable, given the way grief can rub up against whatever points of tension were already there, and at least we all managed it well.

I got you, Sue! I'll be at Amoeba for RSD and nab that Prefab Sprout for you.

David!!! Thanks so much!

Doing a deep dive on PS were one of the things that saved my sanity early in lockdown. A band I loved as a 15 year old, but never really listened to past 1990? One dedicated fan site with all kinds of interviews and recordings. How many more albums? How weird is that guy? (A question Cher apparently asked about Paddy when she was sent The Gunman.)

Did I ever tell you that I wrote to Paddy McAloon during lockdown? And...year and a half later. I got a reply! The best thing that happened in lockdown.

Now I am not the smitemaster here, but I do believe that you can put together a most worthy smite for the swine.

JZ, love, I got you.

Did I ever tell you that I wrote to Paddy McAloon during lockdown? And...year and a half later. I got a reply! The best thing that happened in lockdown.

So cool! I also revisited Prefab Sprout over the last couple years. Paddy's got a huge backlog of recordings, apparently.

Why even argue with someone's *memory*?! and, we're totally open on medical/ caregiving issues? Right. That's why it's totally easier for me to say my internet isn't working than to say I have one. ETA: Internet is kind of wonky here, but there are times that I'm sure PDA thinks I'm on cups on a string.