Thanks for the welcome back! Hec, how long will you be in Japan? I remember that Matilda was going, but I missed details.

I actually really enjoyed TikTok, but it was immediately too addictive. Also trends move so fast that I would get nostalgic after a week. I feel a little sad about all those "men like pterodactyls!" and cosplay lipsync videos.

I cut way back on Meta just by unpinning the FB tab on my laptop and putting it into a folder on my phone. I checked my settings yesterday and glanced at it long enough to find a couple more bsky names. I've tried to minimize the ability of ads to reach my eyeballs, but there are some very useful industry groups that I don't want to completely lose so I haven't made a complete break (yet).

I do need to figure out how to get involved in some local groups offline.

I got the signal app four years ago and never did anything with it. I now have that set up as far as I can tell.

Cash, I've been meaning to say that I'm happy to be a local contact for your eldest if ever needed.

I got hooked on TikTok during my breast reduction surgery recovery 2 years ago. I think the thing that pisses me off most on a personal level about our tech oligarchy is that it shouldn't feel like any kind of political statement to use an app that helps keep me in touch with far-flung friends and relatives (FB) or lets me amuse myself in spare moments with the antics of, say, a charmingly eccentric cat rescuer in Vancouver (TikTok).

Amen, Susan. As others said, I don’t feel any safer just because the billionaire with my data is American instead of Chinese…but also I just want nice things!! Why can’t we have nice things. (Other than borg)

Hec, how long will you be in Japan? I remember that Matilda was going, but I missed details.

I'll be there for ten days, about equally split between Tokyo and Kyoto. Matilda will be there for three months, studying Japanese. I overlap with her orientation but leave on her first day of class. She'll be with a host family (the mother is into Kendo and Country Guitar). They have a dog! We're looking for the right dog present.

Cash, I've been meaning to say that I'm happy to be a local contact for your eldest if ever needed.

Thank you, Aurelia! I love knowing people are looking out for my kids.

Well, I seem to have come down with a stomach bug this weekend. I haven't thrown up since last night, but I still feel off and can't seem to regulate my temp, so I'll be staying in bed tomorrow to avoid the "festivities". I had already been planning to call in when you guys reminded me why I would be pleased to miss any and all news feeds tomorrow. So thanks for that. And I'm also (sort of inexplicably?) disappointed in Snoop.

I actually plugged-in my plug-in hybrid new-to-me car yesterday! I don't have a driveway or garage, so an at-home recharge is not in the cards. So I found a public charging station in Central Square (Cambridge) and went walking/shopping for like 40 minutes, which got it up to a half-charge.. for 45 cents!

The half charge doesn't take it far at all on just EV -- like 6 miles. The gas half is way more efficient than my previous car -- I'm getting like 32mpg, so it's a win even if I don't charge up often. But it would be nice if I could charge up every day, I drive less than 6 miles on a typical day, to work and back and errands.

And, a big HI to Emily.

Sorry about the bug Epic.

I’ve got plans to see 2 movies with friends. I need to shovel the snow from yesterday and should probably see if they want to carpool since we have to pay for parking.

First though, coffee.