Squirrels in the attic would be bad, I vote ghost also. Or unseasonal Santa’s reindeer on the roof though that runs the risk of roof damage I suppose.

I woke up and started work and walked into a bit of a shitstorm. One country’s team members have been whining and complaining a lot. And some of it is them being complainers but one thing we didn’t disagree with them on but had to say “listen, that’s not something the client has agreed to, even if we think that’s short sighted, so we have to follow what they agreed to until it is a problem we can justify”. And they tried to say an earlier problem was justifying and we said no, that wasn’t it because they hadn’t followed the process. Have been going back and forth this week…and today they pulled a problem and tried to follow the expected process and (not at all shocking) it didn’t work. So now it’s a problem because it didn’t work, the client is mad because their own process didn’t work, and the team is feeling justified in the earlier issue (even though that one didn’t go through the broken process). They weren’t right before, but they are now, and we aren’t surprised, but that still doesn’t mean they were right last time? And yet, not surprised. It’s all a pain and now we have to go through a whole justification process and nobody wants to admit fault. But it all feels so minor compared to the fall of our government??

Also kicking someone out of their home on 3 hours notice after firing them for being a woman is so this administration. Jesus.

Taking a brief tea break before heading out to dinner at the Swan before the Globe.

Extravagant tea box has been acquired, after confirming it is not available for shipping to the US so really what choice did I have? But seriously, this is a box that will be around for years and years I expect.

Link for the curious: [link]

In the meantime have been eating my way across London. 14 Hills last night, Hawkmoor today, and now the Swan.

That's lovely, Brenda -- the top is beautiful!

Love the box! I would have bought it, too.

So pretty, brenda! Not a surprise that you couldn't resist!

brenda, looks lovely!

I also am working my way up to calling my reps, but I did send an email to the only Republican who theoretically represents me, and actually got a reply today directly addressing my concern! I mean, he said Musk has a high security clearance, the president can appoint whomever he wants, and anyway our private data is totally safe! But it looks like he's also heard enough concern about it to have a form letter ready for this particular concern. I think that's a good sign.

My mission today is to work myself up enough about USAID to call.

My current employer is one of those big-endowment schools, but therefore also one with fairly conservative rich donors, so I have been wondering how this was going to play out, but the Arts & Sciences dean yesterday addressed fac&staff and said good things. Including that people whose grants are affected will be supported. Good intentions and all that, of course... but I was cheered.

ETA: I've had Chappell Roan songs stuck in my head for DAYS and then went and listened to one Sabrina Carpenter song and now THAT's stuck. Seriously. Brain. The lyrics are punchy, but there's a limit.

I just got a notification of an offer to change my next nephology appointment, from April 3rd to...11 minutes from now.

Funny! But no, thanks.

Coming out of colonoscopy. All good. Anesthesia is awesome! Feeling fab. Thought I'd share.

Okay, there are Nazis dressed in all black waving Nazi flags on an overpass of I-75 about 12 miles north of downtown Cincinnati (so, well within what's considered "greater Cincinnati"). (Hil, flea, and anyone else who knows or cares about Cincinnati neighborhoods, it's Lockland/Evendale.)

God damn.

ETA: I've had Chappell Roan songs stuck in my head for DAYS and then went and listened to one Sabrina Carpenter song and now THAT's stuck. Seriously. Brain. The lyrics are punchy, but there's a limit.

But have you heard Sabrina Carpenter covering Chappell Roan? [link]

Okay, there are Nazis dressed in all black waving Nazi flags on an overpass of I-75 about 12 miles north of downtown Cincinnati (so, well within what's considered "greater Cincinnati").

Ohio is so different now from when I went to college there. It used to be such a swing state with a strong union base. Now, it's way more Kentucky, Indiana, West Virginia. It's dead red and has gotten to be such a hotbed for Aryan/Nazi activity.

One of the reasons I never considered having Matilda apply to Kenyon.