{{hugs}} JZ.

I know it's weird, but I'm pretty grateful I lost my parents at a time when I could be there for them and we could celebrate their lives properly. (And that I didn't try to manage a demented parent through Covid protocols.)

I'm six weeks into being the boss, and ... it's hard, y'all. My inbox is insane, I'm still trying to do my old job, HR has shat the bed and we're months away from hiring my replacement, and one of the other supervisors is apparently trying to cut me off at the knees. (He told me yesterday that he thinks it can't possibly be as complicated and expensive to do the work my team does, and he could do it better and cheaper.)

However! Tomorrow my niece and her fiance (both also vaccinated) are coming over for dinner and I will have fresh bread and a big salad, and S will have ribs from Horn BBQ, which is the new hot spot in Oakland -- S had to wait in line 2 hours! I am excite!

So glad for everyone who is getting vaccinated, and hopeful we will soon see the end of this strange isolated time.

Oh, and I had to have a physical in December or else my doctor wouldn't keep prescribing my BP meds. Kinda bullshit, but whatever.

Because why would you want to remotely continue the medications that have been working so far during a WORLDWIDE PANDEMIC that just so happens to have high blood pressure as one of the major risk factors for serious complications, right?

I have to go soon too, or I can’t get my antidepressant

Maria’s mom passed away early this morning. I think she may have been somehow waiting for the dress, because she was asking about it, and yesterday she opened the package and approved. Thanks fir all your help

Also, how fast do things work? I am scheduled for my COVID vaccination Monday and I am wondering if I should reschedule. They generally do calling hours (which they call a wake which confuses me because I think of a wake as more of an after party with food and drink and joyous remembrance ) and a mass. If I drove I would be less worried.

So sorry for your and Maria's loss, Sophia. What a lovely service you were able to provide for Maria's mom.

That's what we (Irish Catholic) call the wake, or viewing--where the person is laid out and people come pay their respects in the couple days prior to the funeral.

My vaccine was super efficient. My appointment was at 10 am and I got my shot at 950 and was out of there by 1010.

I know it's weird, but I'm pretty grateful I lost my parents at a time when I could be there for them and we could celebrate their lives properly. (And that I didn't try to manage a demented parent through Covid protocols.)

I've thought this often over the past year when friends had to be apart from their loved ones. I was able to be with both my parents when they passed. It is always awful, but I know it would have been worse to be kept away.

My heart swells a little bit more with every single person who reports getting jabbed.

So much this! Every single time it sends a spark of joy.

I'm sorry work is so fubar'd, Consuela. I hope your dinner with niece and fiancé is a delightful distraction.

In happier news, Jeni's ice cream has created a flavor, Strawberry Pretzel Pie, to honor Dolly Parton.

I think she may have been somehow waiting for the dress

You may well be right. She needed that checked off her list to be at peace. My condolences to you and Maria.

That's what we (Irish Catholic) call the wake, or viewing--where the person is laid out and people come pay their respects in the couple days prior to the funeral.

Indeed. Many of my most vivid memories from my childhood were Irish wakes at various great aunt and uncles homes with the deceased in the living room and lots of drunk crying and/or laughing relatives. It was quite fascinating as a kid.

I'm sorry, Sophia.

I can report a slightly sore arm and throat the day after being vaccinated; just enough to tell me it's working without being too much of an inconvenience. No X-Ray vision or Carrie-like ability to wreak havoc so far.

I can also report that I've killed so many flies since the weekend that I now know what they smell like. Spoiler alert: it ain't good.

I'm so sorry, Sophia. Maria is fortunate to have you with her.

Any public vaccine administration I've heard about in NY has been shockingly efficient - mine each took under half an hour. The frigging Javitz Center is quick. The National Guard and FEMA seem to be staffing and organizing very well. I cannot speak personally to drug stores, but have heard nothing bad. Rescheduling is probably unnecessary.

I’m going to Javitz in an hour for my second shot. The first time I had to wait over an hour; I hope it goes faster this time.