On top of all the national and international terrible news this weekend another beloved local business (a family-owned hardware store) burned down last night.

And a way too young colleague of my friends in the Hopkins emergency department passed away unexpectedly yesterday. He was a pediatrician who specialized in treating abuse victims. The med school students are devastated.

And a way too young colleague of my friends in the Hopkins emergency department passed away unexpectedly yesterday. He was a pediatrician who specialized in treating abuse victims. The med school students are devastated.

Oof. Too much sad.

I walked into my Pilates studio and it was filled with unexpected people, large professional lights and cameras.

Christina introduced herself - she's a marketing person and they were filming our class. Great.

So glad this is my first class in three weeks when my form should be immaculate. @@

Christina: [seeing myself and the other middle aged guy in my Monday morning class] "Oh good! We need some men in our video."

Me: "Because that's what America needs - more white male representation."

Unsaid but Thought While Being Filmed: "I know Spine Stretch Forward looks like we're doing absolutely nothing but it's actually quite challenging when you're doing it correctly which you can tell by how my arms are trembling."

Ugh. My friend who rents this place was staying somewhere else for Thanksgiving and got bed bugs. And although she did tons of laundry and threw a bunch of stuff out and generally was being paranoid (because she was ALREADY having anxiety issues) and now she’s sure there are new bites (are there? Maybe? Could they be something else? Possibly?) and she has infected us all. Has she? Maybe? Are we on the other end of the giant house from her and there’s a lot of tile flooring between us? Yes. But she had to leave for a medical appointment but when she gets back is going to high anxiety clean everything she can again and again and then leave and hole up somewhere new and keep cleaning? Apparently? And told everyone else who was coming to cancel. So if I stay I’ll be alone here. Which sucks. But on the other hand, if I’m going to do a bunch of cleaning and heat treatment better I do it here where it’s lovely and sunny rather than at home? Still sucks and is not the lovely friend-filled-commune vacation I had planned. (Also my friend had JUST recently started lexapro for anxiety and this absolutely is NOT helping and she is 100% spiraling)

Jesus, lisah, WTF!?! Not aimed at you, obviously. I think I am more shocked by arson than the general public might be. And that is very sad about the medical person and I am sure a loss the community can ill afford

Oof, I'm sorry that's happening, meara. Not what any of y'all needed!

Who's thinking of going in '26? Registration for previous attendees opens on Jan. 1, and for "rookies" on Jan. 8th. Just sayin'...

Ooh, I have an extra week to think about it! I was considering WorldCon next year and have pretty much decided that I can't afford that but maybe this will seem more affordable in comparison? Will think about it and eye my poor beleaguered budget...