Also, my first Blogger blog is probably up for deletion in Google’s purge. I’ve tried every password I could remember from around that time, and every password recovery technique they offer, and have never been able to log in to re-claim it. I guess that’s the way the internet cookie crumbles.

Hoping to unlock some fond memories, I ordered a CK cologne gift set with some old favorites from high school. It came and I opened the small Obsession bottle. I took a whiff - - YUCK! It was terrible. They all were. Then I realized…hold on, I don’t want to smell like high school. $45 💸🗑️🤦🏻‍♂️

I was just browsing pictures and laughed out loud when I saw (and didn’t remember) that I had put my 8th grade yearbook photo in a folder called “memes.” Appropriately filed. Good one, Me.

✍️ I’ve been thinking about writing (and not sending) about a letter a week to my conservative dad. The one who sent me to conversion therapy with a clergyman when I was a teen, leaving wounds that still aren’t closed. The one who believes that Black Lives Matter is more of a threat to America than the January 6th insurrection which literally set the White House on fire. The one who thinks Trump is a wealthy, smart businessman because Art of the Deal.

🙅‍♂️ “Imagine there’s no heaven. It’s easy if you try.” Also, it would solve a lot of problems and conflicts and wars and persecution and brainwashing and indoctrination and cults. Cuz, I hate to break the news, but prayer sure hasn’t solved any of it… Happy Sunday!

Cyndi Lauper’s vocal chops on full display in this ol’ number. Listen through to the end if you’ve ever thought of her as just a novelty act (which I hope no one here would ever do).

This is the time of year when I play the seasonal choral songs we sang in high school’s Senior Ensemble, the smaller, auditioned group. Invariably I also listen to the non-seasonal choral songs we sang in high school’s Senior Ensemble. Songs like this one that we took to contest:

♀️ I may subscribe to Vanity Fair. They pull no punches and their truthy headlines alone are worth the $1 a month digital access fee. Eg: Republicans Trip Over Their Own Assholes Trying to Take Down Hunter Biden

🎵 I got an Echo Sub to pair with our (my) Echo Studio in the main bedroom. Wasn’t sure it was working ‘til I played some Missy Elliott. That put a BIG smile on my face. 😁 Now playing: the bass heavy Tori Amos cover of Steely Dan’s Do It Again and it’s delicious.

🎵 Now Playing: Walking in Memphis by Marc Cohn from the album Marc Cohn on Music

🎵 I am 100% certain that the specific play counts are off, but I’m ok with the final Apple Music Replay ‘23 rankings.

🙏 Today I facilitated a small class on gratitude in the workplace. It was more of a great discussion than a lecture or training. One of my colleagues shared this when we were closing out, and I nearly cried. It’s an absolutely beautiful essay and you should listen to it now. Gratitude by Michael Perry

😁 I recovered the PowerPoint file I thought I’d lost.

An afternoon updating a PowerPoint for a class I’m doing tomorrow, and PPT just crashed hard. Our agency won’t enable OneDrive for Business so it wasn’t auto saved. I lost every update I’d made. Ironically, the class I’m doing tomorrow is on gratitude. Here’s a slide that doesn’t lie.

🎵 Now Playing: Off the Wall (album) by Michael Jackson

I need a hobby/project and I was thinking about digitizing our big DVD collection and serving them up on a home server. The digitizing/ripping part I can do. The server part, not so much. Any good tutorials out there?

Good news, everyone! The ulcers in Lucy’s eye have healed!

Here’s a photo of Lucy waiting to see the doc.

At Lucy’s ophthalmologist, hoping for some good news about the two ulcers she’s had in her good eye for about a month. It is pretty heartbreaking watching her bump into walls, but she seems to not be too bothered. Much more resilient than I am.

Location check in 🗺 — MedVet

✊ Some fragile, privileged, rich white men tried to stop teachers from teaching Black history. Kristi Williams teaches it anyway, on her own time and dime. Kristi Williams isn’t going to back down. Kristi Williams starts each lesson with a pledge: “We will remember the humanity, glory and suffering of our ancestors and honor the struggle of our elders.” Kristi Williams is a modern day hero. Be like Kristi Williams. https://www.

🔊 Today is a work-at-the-downtown-office day for me. With it being the day before a holiday, there will be no one there. I can turn up my Bluetooth speakers a bit more than usual!

APPLE ONE: ONE SHADY SUBSCRIPTION MODEL TO RULE THEM ALL

Just got the notice on my iPhone that Apple is increasing their Apple One subscription price. I don’t like it, but I feel like I’m stuck with it. How did I get here? It all started when iTunes Match came out and I subscribed. It was glorious. Not only could I listen to my music from anywhere, I could listen to my music anywhere - the music I’d imported that Apple had magically matched to better quality versions of the same songs.

I was obsessed with this song for a good month or so. I though it had released its grip on me. It has not.