I am so afraid to feel any optimism, and after 2016 I've avoided looking too hard at any predictions/polls/clairvoyant octopods in case I accidentally see some good news. This is an incredibly normal and healthy way to feel for 8 years hashtag everything is fine.

I am the same. I'm going to try my damnedest to stay off of social media tomorrow, because 1) it won't help anything, 2) I've returned from the work conference to an insane amount of email and Slack messages, and 3) I'm going for a breast biopsy today, so my stress levels are already stupid high.

So much love to you, amyparker.

However, even just taking the cynical/practical view of things, it seems clear that women are highly motivated by the Dobbs decision especially as they see women dying in parking lots.

I agree -- I think it'll turn out that Dobbs is a much bigger factor than most pollsters counted on.

Most pollsters aren't women. Which is not something I think about every day, just like how many male Jeopardy contestants biff it on Historic Women, etc. Still true. Atropa, try not to worry. Most biopsies aren't cancer.

I am Jessica, PM, and Atropa with the scared to be optimistic, and avoiding social media tomorrow.

All good thoughts to you, Atropa, on the biopsy and the workload.

Karl, congratulations on your household being vaccinated, and best thoughts the vaccines do their jobs.

Parker, I know you've had a lot of practice, and I do regret the necessity, but I'm in awe at the skill with which you navigate your family relations. Much love and comfort in your loss.

Tomorrow is our corporate Global All-Hands and normally I wouldn't bother to come to the office for that but (1) there's a catered lunch and I am very food-motivated and (2) attending in person will keep me off the news for 2 hours. Score!

Yep, a solid catered lunch would shake.me out, too, for sure. Sadly, no one is offering me one at the moment.

I feel like I just want to get in the car and drive around all day listening audio books and comfort podcasts.

Atropa, all good vibes your way for the biopsy.

ETA: But right now, I'm going to order something delicious with which to stuff my anxiety down my gullet, as you do.

I mostly want to be listening to/watching something live but unrelated, and just have them promising to break in if there’s actual news. As opposed to endless time-filling that the actual news will be doing?

I have a mammogram this afternoon. So will think good thoughts toward the biopsy Atropa!

Love to you, amyparker

Biopsy~ma, Atropa

I'm in the office tomorrow, so it should be pretty easy to avoid news during the day, and after work I'm going to my parents' so we can be stressed together.

Flops into the thread, still in recovery from the road trip. I slept horribly both hotel nights. The highlight of the trip by far was meeting up with JenP on the way. Normally as Buffistas we would have discussed all the things over brunch, but the brain is finding it hard to think of anything other than the election.

I remain steadfastly optimistic, mostly because it is unbearable to consider any alternative. I will expect a landslide across the spectrum including taking out Ted Cruz and Rick Scott.

Also, I think I must have left the pet food in the car because I can't find it, and am pretty sure I didn't leave it behind, but maybe I left it in NY. If so I will have to go out tonight as I finished off what I had in travel baggies. I am so tired that I am waiting for DH to get home from practice to check the car for me.

Love to all.