The first year we were in this house we tried to get Chinese takeout for Xmas but couldn't find anywhere open! That was the same year menorah candles were so hard to find. Solano county, man.

I have had multiple people tell me that if something is properly developed under agile you won't need technical writing because you won't need a manual.

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Because my company sells software to city/county/state gov. agencies, no one dares say that. Every now and then a pillar lead (big boss of whatever feature division) will ask "Can we put this in tool tips or some sort of hover help?", and as one the dev team and I laugh bitterly and say "That is a beautiful dream. Budget?"

At least I've gotten my feature team trained to instinctively ask me for help with anything in the UX that needs a label or string.

I love how many of us are in tech docs.

At least I've gotten my feature team trained to instinctively ask me for help with anything in the UX that needs a label or string.

Niiiiice.

My current place doesn't even have context-sensitive help, but I've got enough to do right now that I'm just fine with it.

A couple of days ago I sent a question to support in our IT dept about a feature in our ERP and the answer was "Per the Help screen..." and I realized that was the help desk equivalent of "here let me Google that for you" and then I realized I hadn't even done a help ticket to ask my question and I AM THE WORST...but at least now I know?

I just got off the phone with dad. he is doing ok but super frustrated. He really really wants to go to the beach and go fishing. But going to the beach means dealing with one of his oldest friends- who acts like Covid doesn't exist.

And soon some other friends of his who stay there (usually) for half the year- are flying in from Texas.

They are all in their mid to late 70s and it's just.. Dad said he can't go down and go fishing and not invite his friend because he knows (from past experience) it will cause hurt feelings. And he can't say what he wants which is "if you are going to keep acting like Covid doesn't exist I'm not going to do things with you" because that would be even worse hurt.

On the plus side his shoulder is doing better and since he's been taking iron supplements all year he isn't as cold as he was last winter.

Shir, I'm sorry to hear your father is having a difficult time.

Pecan pie is the best pie, and bourbon chocolate pecan pie is the bestest best.

And how should we pronounce "pecan," Susan?

We're all pretty traditional about our holidays, but there have been plenty of years we've left out this or that. This year we skipped scalloped oysters and corn bread, because it was only the five of us, and at some point, all that food gets ridiculous.

I'm still trying to work out Christmas Eve and Christmas in my head. My whole life I've done Christmas Eve at someone else's house (my aunt's or sister-in-law's). Christmas dinner was at my childhood home, and later (as an adult), at my own (as was Christmas breakfast with my parents & parents-in-law, when the kids were small and everyone was alive).

My s-i-l is still doing Christmas Eve, with everyone, because she's foolish. Most of DH's siblings' families will be there. We will not be going.

Since it's just the five of us, I'm not inclined to cook everything I usually cook for Christmas dinner (which always includes lasagna, plus either a roast beef, or roast turkey, or ham -- and sides), and then also cook a mess of stuff for Christmas Eve, too.

I'm feeling a little overwhelmed, which is dumb. My kids are big, and my husband is easy (but not cheap!). I should probably just ask everyone for some input, which I can't believe I didn't think of before this second. D'oh.

I love how many of us are in tech docs.

Right?!

I love how many of us are in tech docs.

When I met you all I was a tech writer!

Shir, I meant to say earlier, I'm sorry you are having to deal with that. One of my long-time meatspace friends has succumbed to paranoia and refuses to get treatment (part of the pathology) and it's been hell on all her relations.

bourbon chocolate pecan pie is the bestest best

I will need to go and hunt down one. It sounds wonderful.

And thanks, people. I mostly wrote here because my heart was heavy after listening to him and trying to have a conversation with him, but I'm used to it (and it is hard and heartbreaking, every time). It's easier when I'm not there and not having to go through conversations that have very little to do with reality. But I found that living my life away from this is the best antidote. Emphasis on living - I learned so much on how to live by looking at my parents, and choosing another path. One with friends, and hobbies, and a life, and trusting people, and have meaningful conversations, and speaking my mind and expectations (well, still working on the latter).

Oh, and Happy Hanukkah!