I think the universe heard me, because after I posted here, I checked Facebook, and saw a post that this Sunday, several organizations in my neighborhood are having an appropriately named Anti-Despair Resource Fair. Various organizations (mutual aid, reproductive justice, food access, disaster resilience, etc) will be there with ways to get involved. I definitely need this.

I'm also giggling because the post included: "Raffle! All prizes rad!" I can't pass up a chance to win rad prizes, can I?

Clearly, you cannot.

I need rad prizes. At least *a* rad prize.

Anti-despair fair seems like an excellent plan. I am absolutely remembering some books about 1930s Germany right now and wondering…

I want an anti despair fair.

I was amusing myself by filling out the DoGE application website with various names. And random info. And using a copy of the Constitution as my resume.

It wants 3 bullet points about experience so for Andrew Tater I put alpha male Alpha Male ALPHA MALE.

Nutria are all over Louisiana. That’s basically the extent of my knowledge.

Yeah. Do not squish the nutria.

IIRC the nutria were brought in deliberately to eat the water hyacinth (another invasive species that escaped decorative ponds) and have been impossible to control ever since.

Obviously, couldn’t try gorillas because that whole freezing to death part wouldn’t work although if there’s gonna be snowstorms as a regular thing….

Well. My company, about half of whose business is with the government, just sent out an email with details of all the stuff they're stopping or removing that was DEI-focused. God forbid we have any of that inclusion.

God forbid we have any of that inclusion.

Equity is for chumps.

We're up and getting ready for Matilda's first day of orientation.

The other students in her newly arriving cohort (4 other students in the Second Semester Gap Year) arrived at a hotel yesterday and have already met. We'll be connecting with them at the hotel this morning at 9am, and Matilda will join group activities.

She'll spend tonight at the Ryokan with me and tomorrow she goes to Osaka with her host family.

We both need coffee.

IIRC the nutria were brought in deliberately to eat the water hyacinth (another invasive species that escaped decorative ponds) and have been impossible to control ever since.

They're also edible and their fur was useful.

The female nutria can get pregnant the day after she gives birth so she can give birth to entire litters three times a year.