Yes, I am a Swiftie. No, I am not watching the Super Bowl. Let the Superb Owls gather in their Parliament while we look back at the week that was.
Of course some of the biggest news this week is that Taylor Swift will be dropping a new album in April. Titled The Tortured Poets Department I am anticipating it eagerly. Of course, not everyone agrees, and while music tastes can differ, one person had a response that really rubbed me the wrong way:
Now the writer of that opinion doesn’t know me from the Archibald Pothole, but as a PA native w/ mental health issues & who writes poetry (for myself) it’s hard not to take this a bit personally. [Unwisely] criticize Taylor’s “tortured poet” status, fine, but discounting an entire state is a flaming trash heap of a take. Don’t make me channel my inner Swift Cat:
Politically, the press has ramped up its unfounded attacks on Biden’s capability to serve as president while blatantly ignoring the problems Trump presents. The election cycle will be long and I’m determined not to get sucked into pointless arguments.
Politically and socially, the biggest ever survey of trans Americans finds 94% happier after transition.
With a better approval rating than ice cream, this is a success rate that basically doesn’t exist for medical interventions. This should be the end of any argument about HRT or transition in general, but as always, the cruelty is the point and not the actual data. When you look at those on HRT, that 94% goes past 98%, and when one looks at the 6% regret rate in the study, most of that regret comes from a lack of access to care and social/religious/political/familial pressures, and less than 1% regret actually transitioning. Is there anything else that does those kinds of numbers?
And yes, I get the irony of linking to a Guardian article but that’s how strong it is that even they can’t deny it. Here is the link to the study.
This week’s holidays, including today, were:
- Weatherman’s Day
- International Eggplant Day – a foodstuff that is delicious when prepared well and flavor-suckingly awful when not. Also, a sometimes-naughty emoji.
- Wave All Your Fingers at Your Neighbors Day – don’t be the kind of neighbor to earn a one-fingered wave . . .
- Potato Lover’s Day – What’s your favorite way to enjoy this tuberous starch?
- Pizza Pie Day – What’s your favorite pizza topping(s)? I prefer pepperoni, mushrooms, and green peppers.
- National Flannel Day – I hope your day was comfy, cozy, and warm.
- Peppermint Patty Day / Superb Owl Sunday
We reached out, and Peppermint Patty from Peanuts had this to say:
I know the answer! The answer lies within the heart of all mankind! The answer is twelve? I think I’m in the wrong building.
The Peppermint Patty candy did not return our calls.
As promised, the food this week was nothing much to post about. It was good food, but mainly leftovers and quick, easy dishes. Nothing wrong with that. I did make some elevated boxed macaroni and cheese using nutmeg, cream, Jarlsberg cheese, and bacon; and on Friday we picked up a pizza on the way home from the DMV.
One night we got subs, and I went into the sub shop still wearing my work lanyard. The cashier behind the register noticed my pins and asked if I’d show them since they got turned around. I did and they were so excited that I work at a place that, in some way, lets me be me. And I realized I made that happen . . .
Work was work this week for the most part. The highlight was getting word about a bonus, which at first I was disinclined to believe since it looked very much like the spam email examples used in our quarterly/yearly trainings. Maybe I’ll finally get another tattoo.
On the funnier side of things, we’ve lived in our apartment since 2018. Recently our complex has added identifiers to the mailboxes to help clarify deliveries.
Our name is misspelled.
My brother Charlie asked “Is it at least one of the common misspellings? Or have we encountered a new variety?”
Answer: It’s a few letters short and not all of them are in order.
I’m going to get a black marker and correct it.
We had Session Zero for an upcoming D&D campaign. It’s based around the physical embodiment of the seven deadly sins (a fixation of mine) and I’m super excited to play a Kenku Way of Shadow monk (vice: Envy manifesting as Wrath)
As I said earlier, I had to go to the DMV. Usually the lines are short and my visit quick, but with the closing of one brach the lines at my usual place were much longer. I still got my business done; however it does get tiring getting misgendered at family functions and work and the DMV and the grocery store and . . .
I know full well how I present BUT at the same time folks that are around me often should know better and if my pronouns are prominently displayed I would hope one would make an effort. I know I do. Anyway.
I’m half certain someone will read that and think I’m an unemployable HR nightmare waiting to happen who should have no place in “polite society” – at least, judging by my social media that’s the thinking of several people. Sigh.
I’ll admit I might be in a slightly bad mood while typing this. I’ve had my coffee and a brownie but were expecting storms and since 8:00 last night I’ve felt the pressure change and shift and now I’m on the floor with the heating pad all because on December 17, 2011 Chad ran a red light talking on his cell phone and, as I was making a left turn, hit me in the drivers’ side door going 65 mph . . .
But I’m here talking to you, and I’ve had quite peasant interactions online about food and movies and TTRPGs and cats even just typing that out has made me feel a bit better about things in general.
But I really want a Moxie soda and have no real way of getting one.
What are you doing today?
Running In My Head 