Okay, this school gets a gold star! A Texas school district is pushing back on Gov. Greg Abbott's mask mandate ban by making face masks a part of its dress code. Loopholes for the win.

Hi, sumi! It's good to hear the treatment is going well. I hope you are able to work out the rides. The center may have assistance for that too.

Also, What Dana Said.

Glad to hear that, sumi! Still hoping for superpowers, of course.

Anyway, random: Does anyone know anyone at Hopkins SAIS? or who was there fairly recently? I would like gossip.

No, but for some reason I love that you're asking? Maybe because I love gossip

Hello peoples - I am 25% done with radiation treatment. So far no side effects that I can perceive.

YAY! Fingers crossed it continues!

Separate question: my parents want me to come "home" for Christmas. "Home" is where they live in South Carolina. They moved there a few years ago, I've been twice, but only once for Christmas, between breaking my ankle and COVID (I went in the summer, another time). But now my sister doesn't live nearby, so I'd have to either stay with them (oh god) or get a hotel room. And South Carolina not known for mask or vaccine compliance (though my parents are being quite careful, thankfully). If I could have them come here, or meet me elsewhere, I would, but my dad is really not able to travel much (he's semi-wheelchair bound--can walk a few steps to the couch or whatnot, but not much more). What do I do? My mom is sad because she hasn't seen me in two years, my dad could pass away any time (...though he's been saying "I might not be around next Christmas" for the past...20 years?). I'm thinking of offering to go in like, early November, when there's fewer crowds (and cheaper, and easier to find dog sitter), even though that won't be very "holiday"-y. Thoughts??

My first thought was that I've heard flying on Christmas Day is amazing for lack of crowds, lines, etc. - but that doesn't help with where to stay...

I was trying to think what my dad would want if we hadn't seen each other through all this. I think that he'd want me to come whenever - the point is to see you, not necessarily to see you under the tree or whatever. They probably suggested Christmas partly because they assume you'll get a little time off,etc. They wouldn't just ask you to come whenever. I'd bet that if they hear that November 3 (or whatever day) is an option, they'd jump at it. Especially if you're offering to come sooner.

Hello peoples - I am 25% done with radiation treatment. So far no side effects that I can perceive.

Excellent good news!

Going maybe not at holiday time sounds like a good idea to me. Would it upset them if you stay at a hotel?

My vax card generally lives tucked away at home. I have a picture of it that is thus stored in the cloud which means I can easily get to it on my computer and phone when needed.

I'll be traveling to Puerto Rico for some business on Sunday and I'll have it with me for that trip. There is a whole thing where you document your trip ahead of time through a portal and get a QR code from Travelsafe PR, but I'll also have my card. I have not laminated mine since there are spots for additional vaccines to be entered if needed.

Meara, perhaps you could go when your parents usually decorate for Christmas (if they do), and help with that? It wouldn't be on Christmas, so probably less holiday travel stress. And you'd still get a bit of holiday fun with the family. If your family has traditions around tree ornaments or some special thing you do with the windows, it could be nice to revisit that. Plus, it would give you something to do with them.

Calli that’s a lovely idea, though I don’t think they really decorate at all. I’ll check with my sister, too, see if she has good ideas. Last year it seemed very obvious to cancel….and we are back to those levels of virus….but I feel like it’s harder to say no.