Veevi R

What’s with fantasy authors appropriating Jewish culture as half-assed world building lately? It’s horribly distracting to discover thinly-disguised Judaism rebranded as “Segulism” and the “Ashkar”. I expect fantasy to take me to new worlds, not drag me through my own history and literature!

So basically, expanding his gestapo beyond ICE.

Official looking NYC sign directing people to dispose of dog waste in the proper receptacle: either on a cyber truck or Elon’s mouth.

Public comment is now open for passport gender marker changes.

You can go here to go to each of the three proposed passport rules, and submit comment.

My suggestion: be unique, argue for trans-inclusive policies, against the constitutionality of the changes, etc.

www.reddit.com/r/Passports/...

Paying federal taxes to this administration in April seems like aiding and abetting criminal behavior.

Yosemite halts camping reservations, with no timetable for their return Yosemite halts camping reservations, with no timetable for their return at a time when federal employees are being laid off

Want to go visit the national parks this year?
Sorry.
The reservation system is shut down, EMT personnel are gone, so don't get hurt or lost. No one can clean the bathrooms or cabins, so they'll be closed. Rangers are fired.

www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...

200,000 layoffs. Maybe 200,000 families just lost their livelihoods, their medical coverage, their retirement plans. So many families who aren’t going to be able to pay their bills. I’m ashamed of this nation.

The GOP wants to party like it’s 1499.

It breaks my heart that the US Digital Service, which has done so much good for US citizens by making information easier to use, has been repurposed into DOGE by the current administration. Empathy is considered weak or “woke”.

Somehow not surprised.

Now that the projectile vomiting has stopped, how will I know if my continued stomach aches and pains are due to Noro virus or to existential grief?

In case you like being fancy, now is the time of year when most of the sequined clothes go on sale. Shine on my fabulous friends.

Executive Ordures.

Oh- it has coconut and almond oil in it too, which I imagine impacts the meltiness factor?

Did you want the recipe?

Open tin of natural homemade lip balm

Thanks to a local friend who keeps bees, i was able to score some wonderful beeswax and my first attempt at organic lip balm went pretty well. No added flavor, smells slightly of honey. Greg and I are testing it out this week. I need to test how liquid it might get in tropical climates though.

Got Beeswax? I’m looking for 8-16 ounces of pure beeswax for a project and would love to buy it directly and in person from a local bay area beekeeper. Grateful for any recommendations!

There are some fantasy authors that I read over and over. Their characters have such heart and kindness that it’s comforting, even inspiring, to spend time keeping them company on their journeys. Here’s a few: Katherine Addison, Victoria Goddard, and Lois McMaster Bujold. Send your recommendations!

I am so worried about my South CA family. Stay safe. And mask up! Those N-95s may save your lungs.

The Red Crocs

How do I know I’m getting old? For the first time ever, I will actually finish my current bottle of 400 Kirkland Acetaminophen capsules before it expires.

Universal healthcare? No thanks, I don't want to pay for other people's health care. I like private insurance, where I pay for other people's healthcare AND for the salaries of bloodsucking middlemen whose entire purpose is telling me “No” when I need medicine.

I was uh, moved by certain events. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1838152371/deny-defend-depose-black-guillotine

Insurance companies are in the business of collecting premiums. Paying claims eats up their profits. Why did anyone ever think this model would be good for patients?

You’d think they’d cause car accidents, they’re so abrupt and loud!

Emergency tv movie pitch- A Christmas Carol but with a bitter old CEO who us visted by four extremely convincing (spirits, archangels, whatever) who convince him to change his ways for the good of his bottom line/legacy/planet. Must be repeated late night on Fox from now until the inauguration.

Every time I think we’ve reached peak capitalism, some company says “not today snookums”. (See also: Anthem Insurance, anesthesia.) Still, I live in hope.

Just finished Polostan, the latest from Neal Stephenson, v1 of the Bomb Light series. Interesting protagonist- half Natasha Romanoff, half Forest Gump (in that her life intersects with a variety of interesting characters). Took awhile to warm up to her story but eventually got sucked in. Good read!

What with keto diets and traveling I really haven’t baked much lately. This morning i had the bright idea of making a half batch of buttermilk pancakes and accidentally put in a full measure of flour. 😳This afternoon I baked the ugliest apple pie of my life. Baking skills seem to use it or lose it.