We’ll all be excited to hear Japan reports!

Suela, you’ve been on my mind these past few days. So enraging. I don’t know who else around here (directly, immediately) impacted, besides possibly flea’s DH, but I’m really sorry for all this painful unnecessary and ultimately destructive bullshit you’re dealing with.

the pin prick shotgun holes in the picture window

Is there a good story to go with that?

dcp, we're flying out

DavidS, thank you for indulging my entertainment.

Bon voyage! Stay hydrated.

Emily, a small action for good (for you) is to get things in order so it is already done should an emergency come. May not seem directly related to current political things, but having “stuff” prepared is important when you don’t know what is coming. - passport and other important docs. Updated and in a safe location that someone else knows about. - emergency contacts in your phone and informed that you are identifying them as such. - wills and advanced healthcare directive done - car repairs/home repairs - updating any technology that might need replacing before tariffs - paying down or off debt - creating space in your place (if possible) for a friend/family should the need arise (making a plan for yourself should the need arise) -limit things that increase anxiety (news consumption, social media) - take time for things that are enjoyable and distress you, walks, meditation, comfort reading or tv watching, calls with friends, drives.

For others longer term: Find somewhere to volunteer for vulnerable people. Unsheltered, lqbtqia, undocumented, Dv victims, reproductive rights orgs. Donate an item a week or so to a food bank. Call your state and federal representatives when there is something up for vote you feel strongly about.

Stay warm, Gud. Sounds like it's fixed?

Yes, it's fixed. It was a bad control board.

I feel like Elon was trolling with that Nazi salute. I think he did it so he could complain about libs calling it a Nazi salute. He's way too high functioning to not know what he's doing.

Yeah, pretty much. It was childish, edgelord behavior from someone who has no actual convictions beyond his own ego, and as the left is who currently has him sulking like a fucking toddler, that's who he's going to try to provoke. It's pathetic. We'll see how long the ego-driven childish edgelord in chief and Musk get along before their egos clash.

It's much easier to lower the headcount if you make up bullshit reasons why you can fire employees with otherwise stellar records. Of course, that's a considerable drain of experience and corporate memory, but the people who want to lower the headcount and claim savings don't actually care if the work gets done.

I'm really trying to pace the rage. One of the guys that Trump pardoned was the Silk Road trading guy -- who facilitated billions in drug money transfers. That was in exchange for the support of the Libertarian party. Never mind that he was helping keep cartels in business and moving people across borders.

So I'm going to be angry about that today.

But in the meantime, I have a serious headcold and have slept most of the day.

I don’t know who else around here (directly, immediately) impacted

brenda, Ken works for the VHA and is in office today; I'm sure he'll unload to Jim tonight if necessary and I'll get the highlight reel.

As ever, msbelle is wise.

(Cross-posted with FB and bsky)

I had my six-month follow-up MRI today.

Good news: the pituitary adenoma has shrunk. Benign neglect for the win!

Bad news: they couldn't find a good vein for IV access in my elbow, so they had to try a new site. The IV stick combined with the bandage afterword has created some interesting (and I hope temporary) body art.

Distressing news out of Nashville (should be web-searchable but consider this a Content Warning) -- has anyone heard from Kate that she and her kids are ok?