I was hoping someone I knew would get the chance to do that, Lisa. Because I kind of figured someone might, cause it's Baltimore...it might be nice to feel represented for a change!(Although it's nice for once to feel like the Senators from AZ did the right thing...that doesn't happen every day, to put that mildly.) And I know, as someone who's always had to bring her own seat to the table and reads the word "institution" as an automatic "No, thanks,"(I know--not the same ones.)I start out critical of guys like Schumer, but when we see him, it's usually bad. Why is it so hard for him to get that the wheeler-dealer, horse-trader era(or fundraising skills, because whatever boosted him is not skill at explaining Democratic values to the public, I'd stake what remains of my life on that) but it's a different era now. As much as I, personally, think Bernie Sanders is bomb, the people showing up in Nebraska might or might not. What they want is an assignment of sorts. Bernie is a bit of a hard grader, and has really scaled up a vision of a "group project"--Back when, maybe that would be Chuck's job, though.(or at least, he could have talked to some machine guy once, and not had to herd a million donkeys.)

I'm not sure we can afford to count on long term strategizing if the short term is going to just discard the rule of law entirely.

Agree but at the same time it would be nice if Democrats could come up with a Project 2025 equivalent of their own.

Here's one version our Executive Director works on. In case that link doesn't work, or you just want to learn more, it's called the 21st Century Economic Bill of Rights...it's based off one of FDR's last speeches, but, you know, updated. [link]

Add me to the list of microbladers. Mine are a hybrid of microblading and tattooing because my color is custom (most permanent cosmetic artists have never used anything other than "normal" hair colors, surprise surprise), and even tho' they've faded slightly I am SO HAPPY with them.

A work system went down, so I took the opportunity to do some personal stuff.

Cancelled 2 streaming services and communicated with person coming to pick the knee scooter tonight.

That’s 2 fairly large things out of the house this week.

I met with the hand surgeon about carpal tunnel surgery this afternoon. It turns out I do definitely need surgery. But NOT at the same time. My right hand is super fucked up, so that one will be first, and then 6-8 weeks later we’ll do the left. I’m waiting for the surgeon’s scheduler to call me so I can actually schedule the first surgery, but the surgeon said she’s scheduling about a month out. That’s not too bad, and it'll give me time to rearrange my work schedule.

The surgeon said that the surgery is literally 5-10 minutes, and if I’m not squeamish they can do it with local anesthesia (which I am totally doing because I am a medical nerd and if I have to be my own guinea pig I am definitely watching it) and recovery is like 3 days. Seems pretty straightforward.

I forgot to ask if she can install lasers and/or web shooters in my wrists during the surgery, but it’s 2025; I’m pretty sure that comes standard without having to ask.

You'll be like Luke Skywalker clicking the little widgets when he got his robot hand.

I don't know how I feel about Dems voting to pass the budget. On the one hand...don't vote for it. On the other hand...if the government shuts down then it just seems like anything could happen.

In other news I had my ultrasound sound today and I checked My Chart ...good news .. everything looks great . The bad news is it cost me $600 to find that out and I still have stomach pains and nausea. And dizziness. So ....I don't know what the next step is.

Right now I'm at Mom's amd the drive up wasn't bad until I had some stomach pains and was having to go around 5 cyclists who were really spread out which made it hard to pass them.

Oh M's mom has COPD and is refusing to call a specialist but hasn't smoked in almost a week! M decided not to come up with me so he can stay and support his mom/keep an eye on her.

I have no experience with microblading. My eyebrows are still the same even though the hair on my head keeps thinking

You'll be like Luke Skywalker clicking the little widgets when he got his robot hand.

Yesssssss.

How am I supposed to get the motivation to go to the gym when I don’t want to if it also starts HAILING. WTF Seattle. Ugh. But I gotta go today because of how the rest of my week is booked already. And my usual gym companion has not been available the past few weeks which definitely doesn’t help.

Just don’t get an evil hand, Teppy…