Gratitude Day 18: Loss
This is... a difficult subject, especially in the context of gratitude.
What I wanted to write about is some of the people I've lost along the way. One thing you begin collecting as you age (without warning) is departed loved ones and friends. It's not a fun process.
And honestly, I can't stand it when people say things like, "Well, death is just a part of life." That's some serious carrion comfort to me.
But I found I couldn't start writing about departed friends without it geting extremely heavy, and I felt odd sharing things about people who are not around to have any say in it (even though they would be very good things).
So, what I will do instead, and what I would like to invite you to do with me, is to just stop for a minute and give thanks to all of the people in our lives that helped propel us forward, helped safeguard ourseves from harm or self-harm, encouraged, nurtured and loved us selflessly.
Because we've all had people in our lives like that. If you don't believe me, talk to Fred about it.
Gratitude Day 15: Mental Health Awareness
One thing I struggle with is seeing how much worse things are today than 30 years ago. Our capitalism is unhinged, rapacious, and vulgar. Our leaders are utterly clueless sociopaths. Our technology is manipulative and vapid. Injustice is reaching biblical levels.
But dang if mental health awareness isn't on fire …
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Gratitude Day 3: Cats!!
Ok, seriously forget that supposed rule about the internet being for, uh, "spicy media." Forget that exploitative nonsense. Seriously. Call me a prude, I don't give a rip.
The Internet is for CATS. I sense that Vint Cerf, Bill Joy, Kirk McCusick, Al Gore, and the other parents of the …
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Re: Ghosts in my phone
Earlier today, I put out a call to see if anyone wanted to do a July Reply collab, and Hyde answered that call!
In his post Hyde talks about doing "spring cleaning" on his phone, removing old photos and contacts.
I have a similar routine, removing a year's worth of …
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Quasi-Lucid Ravings
I don't understand time.
I don't understand this weird 80-year period of life, bracketed by glory.
I don't understand squinting and sweating under the sun, waiting for our Rescue.
I don't understand the Creator's insistence of running the simulation of humanity on such a flawed and cantankerous scratch file.
I …
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Don't Go Back There
Content warning: discussion of religion and politics. If those subjects are triggers for you, I fully understand, and offer instead this lighthearted post instead.
Note: this post is in some ways a continuation of this one from 2024, but you don't need to read that first.
There's a phrase found …
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Mind the Shards
Photo source: Marika Vinkmann
I was listening to one of my new favorite podcasts, Don't Listen to Us with Mandy Patinkin and Kathryn Grody (his wife). As I mentioned in a recent post, Mandy is one of my favorite actors, nay, favorite humans on the planet. I can't get into …
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Breakfast at Der Waffle Haus
Disclaimer 1: A heavy "[sic]" is implied on all intentional butchering of the German language in the references (and URLs) in this post
Disclaimer 2: This post deals with issues of grieving, but in a lighthearted manner
Disclaimer 3: This post may be best enjoyed while listening to this track …
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The Past is the Future
Yesterday was my grandmother's funeral. As a family member, I had the shared duty of greeting the various guests, and then when things got started, I just kinda hopped from table to table, talking to people I know and catching up with folks. It was a great way to top …
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Nietzsche's Heavy Declaration
Content Warning: this post is a downer. I will be dealing with issues of religious manipulation and existential guilt
Chidi grabs the drug dealer by the hoodie while reciting Nietzsche
In yesterday's post*, I discussed my favorite episode (s03e05 "Jeremy Bearimy") of my favorite series (The Good Place). I didn't …
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