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.

Timelies all!

Got my TDaP shot on Saturday. Felt cruddy for a good part of yesterday, but that passed and I just have the sore arm.

Yesterday we had Mr. S at the house, along with Gary's mom, for some Hanukkah stuff. Well, that was the plan, but Mr. S was very unfocused, and went from activity to activity. This is not surprising, since he has not been on meds for ADHD since he went to the RTC.(There was a mixup with the hospital he was in before that not listing the ADHD med on the form)

As for NYE, some friends are coming over and we're going to go out for dinner. Beyond that, I dunno.

Does anyone have NYE plans?

I might go to my Tuesday bar early just to say hi to Molly the Bartender. Otherwise it depends on whether Matilda is going out or staying in.

She'll probably go out.

I got my passport today! Woot! I can check that off the list. The list I've had since August.

Looking at travel options to Tokyo I'm not sure how I can get seats together with Matilda when I'm going roundtrip and she's going one way. Anybody have any tips?

Also, where should we stay in Tokyo?

Also, where should we stay in Tokyo

Shibuya is probably a safe bet—central and close to popular attractions.

Harajuku for funky, pop culture vibes.

Bunkyo is quiet and chill.

I would do what my amazing planning husband did. Get a good guidebook and make a list of top 10 things to see. Then take a good, large map of Tokyo and plot out your wish list.

Find somewhere to stay close to those places (or convenient to transit).

Oh, and also, look up info on what you want to see about opening/closing times, price for tours vs free tours. AND how to get there via train or taxi.

You may or may not want to spiral bind this information with confirmation numbers and inset maps. Your trip planning may vary.

Remember that “mōshiwake arimasen”covers a huge number of faux pas.

Thanks, Cashmere. DH keeps saying he will get plans together since he lived there for several years, but experience has taught me that I need to get planning.

You know, my grandfather was born in Japan, but the only bit of information I inherited out of that was toasting with “kanpai”. One of the many places on earth that I mostly know from murder mysteries.

Whew—22 hours of driving over two days later, I finally made it home about an hour ago! Exhausted but looking forward to sleeping in my own bed.

Vortex hope the good vibes worked!

For NYE, I'm going to see Six at the Bushnell, the local Broadway roadhouse. Should be fun.

Not sure about the good vibes as yet, but they are always appreciated.

I have invitations to two different parties tonight, after last year nothin' happening. So perhaps this bodes well for 2025 (on a purely personal level -- America may well burn to the ground, but I can at least watch from a comfortable seat.)

Well, good vibes as long as they’re useful, Vortex.

I’m going to my nephew and niece-in-laws’ NYE party, which apparently centers on board games. Suits me fine.