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.

an amazing completely reversible Adventure Time/Star Trek sundress that fits me!

JZ, as someone who couldn't wear a sundress to save his life, I am bitterly envious. Hec, my condolences, he sounds like a remarkable guy.

shrift, I've woken up twice with cold chills and fever in the last year; I got myself tested both times. (Both negative, thank goodness)

Shir, if that man told me there was a sandstorm, I'd open the door and check.

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 have talked about it with Greta who is in touch with his wife. We'll figure something out. Some central archive. He did a lot! He had a movie podcast, a radio show, his movie blog.

Also, potential roommates who will not wear masks while they're seeing the place are no potential roommates of mine.

Well at least there’s a start of an easy way to cut down the options!

Shir, if that man told me there was a sandstorm, I'd open the door and check.

Oh, yes, 500% that. I got so used to think of his words as lies that every now and then I find myself surprised that he's not lying all of the time. However, in this case, his re-election really depends on it. He's got nothing else to offer (I'm you're not after entitled rabid version of nationalism he's selling and thinking that only Jews should live here and have equal rights). And it was published today that five million more vaccines are on their way because we're now a data lab for vaccine research, so I'm kind of positive about this. Or, put if differently: I think there are good chances that might not be a lie, and that by May most of this country will be vaccinated.

And I may hug my mom and friends again in 4-5 months. Maybe.

I'm sorry about your friend, David.