Nothing-ma, msbelle.

I have no words for what is happening in my beloved Los Angeles. It's horrific. At least 25% of our student body is currently evacuated, and we have 38 students with confirmed lost homes from the Palisades Fire. By the end, we suspect it will be closer to 100. The winds just shifted south, and the fire is headed down towards my beloved school and —More importantly — thousands more homes. ND and I know at least seven friends or family of friends who lost everything in the Eaton or Palisades fires. And they are still raging. The winds have died down a bit but are going to pick back up Sunday into next week.

We are safe for now. We've been lucky that none of the major fires came towards us when the winds were the worst, whipping 80 mph. We didn't have power for three days, but we have solar and battery backup that got us through all our basic needs. We are currently on a boil water notice, but we broke out the earthquake supplies and have plenty of purified. We are okay. But we've been on high alert since Tuesday, with ND staying up late and me getting up early, go bags and pet carriers ready. Of course, we live in the highest danger fire zone, so that could change in a second. But no one ever thought places like Altadena would burn, so I don't even know what high danger means anymore. We, at least, are always on high fire alert and are required to do clearance every spring and carry high risk fire insurance. The people in most of these areas never dreamed they'd be facing fires like this.

I love my county (and it is a county, not just a city). I believe we will rise from these ashes. But I'm heartbroken and riddled with grief right now.

But I'm heartbroken and riddled with grief right now.

That's a lot of loss.

It's impossible to assess such things as they happen, but this is a huge, historical regional trauma.

This is an inflection point in LA's history and will mark it, and those who lived through it.

It's just harrowing.

The extent of loss and continued danger is beyond comprehension. I am so sorry. I hope that people evacuated. I worry that the death toll will be much higher. The news reels are overwhelming and terrifying.

Nothing~ma for msbelle and for everyone in LA not already impacted. I can’t even imagine the grief and trauma and loss you all are going through.

I don’t know that you’ll see it but lovely to see you here for a moment Deb g.

I agree, brenda and Hecubus. msbelle, all kinds of -ma. (Mostly, they're not.)

Hopping back in to say hi, since I saw folks at ita's remembrance, and the Facebook thing. I find Facebook way easier to use on my phone than here, but I want to stay in touch.

I agree, brenda and Hecubus. msbelle, all kinds of -ma.

Yes. I had that happen and it was terrifying, but mine was immediate. I can't imagine waiting.

The problem is that I find bsky more Classic Twitter than Fbook -- I want to be able to read longer posts, enjoy pictures, get part of groups and so on.

Yes! I could not twitter. I actually like Discord, but I am mostly on one run by the old TWOP people, so I think there is less chaos. Everyone sort of still follows the old rules (except me, because I am off-topic bunny). You also have to be a patreon supporter of the podcast. I see Jesse over there.

My other big podcast is Crime Writers On (Hi Nanita who has appeared on the bonus book club podcast) and they have a great Facebook group that I do not want to give up.

Nothing really ever satisfied me since Livejournal died, though. Facebook and Discord are the best, but I just miss Livejournal.

Thanks everyone.

I’ve decided I need an incognito bluesky since there are no filters there and I work in HR for local government. Ranty and political posts will be under my second account “the nicest” pocquito is my user pic so if you are over there you should recognize it. I also put Buffistas in my profile at least for now.

I agree, Sophia -- I miss lj most of all. And that was when I was most actively fannish, so it's nostalgia, too. I really loved that format, though.

Nothing-ma for msbelle. Also, poquito! Tons of -ma for LA and LA folks.