"The first five days after a weekend are always the toughest."

Thanks, all. I haven't made a lot of male friends in the 21st century, so it's tough to lose one.

In a little bit, Hec is firing up the DVD player so we can watch a Wes Anderson movie

The movie was Isle of Dogs, which Matilda and I saw in theaters, but JZ had never seen.

It was better on second watch for me but was a little uncomfortable at times because:

1. A major plot point is that the good guy characters at one point run forward to protest a stolen election and proclaim a revolution;

2. Much of the story revolves around a plague and creating a new cure for it.

I am having a real difficult time getting anything done. Mondays, man. Also Tuesdays through Fridays.

This. It doesn't help that my to-do list is 15 peer evaluations and my own self-evaluation, otherwise known as I Would Rather Stab My Own Eyeballs With A Hot Poker Please Somebody Just Give Me A Spreadsheet Ow Ow Ow No.

It doesn't help that my to-do list is 15 peer evaluations and my own self-evaluation

Ew.

I am having a real difficult time getting anything done.

Most of what I need to do is in reaction to *waves hand at DC* all of that, so I'm struggling but forcing myself to get some things done to do what I can to help prevent *waves hand at DC* more of that.

David, I am so sorry. My condolences.

Also voting for no-Covid for shrift. I hope you feel better soon.

JZ, I teared up (in a good way) reading your post on church and your day in general.

Sophia, I'm sorry to read about Maria's mother, but I'm glad you can be there with her (both of them).

In very local news, my roommate will be leaving next month/in March. I do not have the energy to look for other roommates, because at 35 I do not wish to simply tolerate living with anyone. I want a responsible, kind, not-difficult-to-communicate-with, clean-ish, no-drama housemate. I wasn't looking for roommates for a long time, I hope I am not asking for too much.

Oh, shrift's dad, NO. Please mask up and be good, sir.

Sophia, I'm so sorry about Maria's mom--I know how close you and Maria are, and her mom sounds like a lovely person too.

David, are people coming together to figure out how to keep Todd's blog and other creative work up, so some part of his voice will still be present?

I hate how this is all just grinding on and on and still taking so many lives in such stupid, cruel ways even as the vaccines are rolling out.

(And meara, I'm not actually sure they flew--all I know is that they're from LA, and the more I think about the statewide restrictions and warnings the more likely it seems that they drove, which would allow them to isolate all the way up and back, and it's only 5-6 hours between the two cities.)

David, I’m so very sorry for your loss.

So with you, Dana.

Ugh, Jess! I am already dreading my self-eval and hoping that with all the reorganization and changes to my job description maybe I won't have to do one. I will forgive a lot if they drop that requirement. A lot. I suspect that is not the direction we are moving, though. VP made noises about 9 Box in our last department meeting and googling that did not fill me with joy.

{{{shrift}}} sometimes I forget that you are a professional superhero. Hang in there, and thanks.

I'm glad you are able to help with Maria's mom, Sophia. That's so lovely that you have relationships with the whole family, and I'm really glad your employer is being supportive.

Shir, are you looking for another roommate or hoping to have your place to yourself?

I might normally look for another roommate but with COVID am avoiding.

Though I hear Israel is doing way better than us on speed of vaccine rollout.

Shir, are you looking for another roommate or hoping to have your place to yourself?

Another roommate. I cannot afford the place by myself and prefer to have another roommate other than the cat and my thoughts, or else I'm starting talking to still objects indoors.

Yes, Israel is doing great in the vaccine rollout front - I think there's a fair chance there I will be vaccinated in a month to six weeks time (as of today, 1.8 million got the first/first and second shots, out of 9 million. It's the PM's election promise to get all of us vaccinated by late March). I'd prefer not to search during COVID either, but I'll play with the cards I have. Also, potential roommates who will not wear masks while they're seeing the place are no potential roommates of mine.