Happy birthday wishes being sent out today to Quester and Emily! I hope you are being spoiled today and that the following year will be filled with happy surprises.

Thank you, Laura. I got taken to a movie (my first in - theater since the lockdown) and then dinner. very nice.

Jimmy Carter has left us. I knew it was coming, and I knew he was ready. But, as the lady said, it's always sudden.

Ave atque vale, Mr. President. We shall not see your like again.

I'm just so sorry that he didn't get to see Trump defeated or in jail.

I just heard that my most favorite college roommate's SO died from an aneurysm on Christmas, in her arms. Man, it kind of sucks to get this old, because people I've known for 40, nearly 50 years are dying or losing dear ones on a regular basis now.

Man, it kind of sucks to get this old, because people I've known for 40, nearly 50 years are dying or losing dear ones on a regular basis now.

Yup. Matilda and I attended a memorial on the 21st, and my friend Josh is nearing the end after 5+ years of cancer treatment.

It would be terrific if the people who lost their elections this year made the kinds of contributions Carter did. That's kind of pressure, though. But an excellent standard. I think, since I'm disabled and all, I've struggled with survivors' guilt(or hell, something related...I'm no clinician, despite my most orthodox intentions starting college) since I was about ten. But I always had too much to do in therapy and elsewhere to open that particular dark little box.(I'm sure having to stay in the invisible caste labeled Lying Liars Who Lie helped a ton, though--thanks so much, America.)

Is it petty to hope the Carter family bans Trump from the funeral?

He was such a good man. Not a great president, but honest, and he tried. Certainly the best human being that held the office.

Welcome to the next to last day of 2024.

My life has become such a blur of Highly Eventful Things and Unchanging Things that it's become hard for me to keep track of the years lately. So I've taken to labeling them in my head to keep track.

2024: Grief Year (Full of War and Trump)
2023: Cancer Year
2022: The Wonderful Year (when we bought the house and moved in)
2021: Half locked down, transitioning to open (and hope)
2020: COVID / Lockdown
2019: Before Times
2018: Before Times
2017: Before Times...
2016: Bowie and Prince die, everything goes to shit

If anyone has ~ma to spare, could use it at 1:15 EST (like 5 mins) for a convo with my boss. No job worries, but possible good thing.

I think maybe the electoral system held Carter back.(Don't you wish that we could say "At least it's better now," when you had thoughts like that--I sure do!) but enough about work. also, the clubby congressional bullshit, Ie, Carlin's "big club, and you ain't in it." Jimmy wasn't in, either.) I know we don't usually do that, but, and not only because I'm not sure what to say(Because I'm not...next year will probably mean another round of Austerity Shit Sandwiches for me, even if I were crazy enough to think I could plan something else...which I tend not to do anymore.) But, all that said, doesn't take away from the love when I {{{Hecubus}}} Vortex, all the --ma. Best of luck.

Retro good vibes, Vortex.

I'm basically a giant ball of anxiety walking (and not sleeping) right now because of work and other stuff, so I made an appointment with my doc for Thursday. I am lucky in that I don't usually have bad and disruptive anxiety, but, hoo-boy, it is right now, and I need some Rx help stat.

This morning at 4a I was finally able to get back to sleep by distracting my brain with my NYT games and a couple of other ones It was a noticeable dip in raciness. I need to find some additional coping mechanisms. And tonight, I'm taking one of DH's Trazadones.

Um. I hope that you all are doing well. Does anyone have NYE plans? We are going to hang at a good friend's place with another friend and couple and chill and play games, and I cannot wait.