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I've had covid twice now. It was just a stuffy nose. As far as I know I've never had the flu. Colds are also just a stuffy nose. I never get the aches people talk about. However, whatever this is it's really kicking my ass! I feel like I've been hit by a train. I ache all over, I can hardly breath, I'm coughing and my eye sockets are sore, if that makes any sense at all. If this is what normal people go through I'm so sorry for that. I had no idea! This is going to sound completely stupid and nonsensical, but in a weird way it's making me feel closer to my Mom. She sounded like I now feel, and it just makes me empathize more. Maybe I'm just delirious. I'll get through this just fine, but I will be a bit more patient when someone is complaining about their flu symptoms.

Shortbread

Sorry to hear Steve. You have a virii sibling in Esmé who just tested positive for mono. Their IG is like a crime scene of food sharing photos and videos.

Diva Smith - I Can See in the Dark

So sorry for your loss Steve. As others have said, mother-sons bonding is very real. It was nice that you were able to speak with her.

I picked up tickets to see Los Lobos and X at the Ryman this fall. Unless I sneak to some show there before then, it'll be my first trip to the church of country music (and to see a punk band, no less)

Sorry to hear of the woes upon woes....sending multitudes of hugs and wishing you sleep and fast/full healing!

Ooh whee, this judge is MAD! https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.364265/gov.uscourts.cand.364265.1508.0_2.pdf Not a lawyer, but I reckon the Apple VP of Finance may be headed for some jail time?

I wanted to post an update from the weekend earlier, but I was waiting for the group photo... Needless to say it was a great day. There was a lot of driving for myself, I just live too far away from everything these days. But the weather was perfect and it was a great day of sharing and having a lovely walk around the lake. Engaging people along the way to share our mission. We invited two other organizations, Living with Conviction, and Civil Survival, to help share their stories and support as well. We ended up just under $13,000! from our $15k goal. Thanks again and with much gratitude to all. Cheers - Mikey

Got some sleep, however, the tickle I started feeling in the back of my throat yesterday afternoon has now developed into a full blown sore throat, cough, congestion and dull ache/tightness behind my eyes. Hard to describe. I really wanted to stay occupied with work. Maybe the upside is this cold/covid/whatever will make me sleep. I always knew that losing my Mom would be hard to handle. I'm a pretty independent guy, but we had a very special relationship, as so many men do with their Moms. Especially gay men. Dogs are amazingly sensitive. Maki is very aware of my sadness, and will not leave my side. She usually occupies herself playing in the yard, checking in on me every now and then. Last night she was glued to me. This morning she hasn't even gone out to pee. She is a comfort.

You can buy them on Taobao here: https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?ft=t&id=694554929492

Jill Sobule died in a house fire(!) She made the good song called "I Kissed A Girl" I vividly remember it from 1995, which was about the last year I liked pop music. That was before the 1996 Telecommunications Act passed, allowing Clear Channel to own fucking everything and ruining radio (and therefore music) forever. UH I MEAN what a catchy folk pop tune.

Longest day at work ever! Got 20 minutes of sleep last night. And of all of the days, two employees almost went blow to blow with each other right before opening. The cashier screamed for me to come break them up. Reasoning did nothing, they wouldn't let up. I literally had a melt down. Fell to my knees sobbing. They stopped then, probably wondering WTF! Anyway, I made it through the day. Hoping for some sleep tonight.

That's my Mom Last night I called my Mom because I hadn't heard from her in a few weeks. She sounded terrible and told me she'd been sick for a few weeks. It was obvious that she was having a hard time talking, so I told her that I loved her, and that I'd check on her tomorrow. 15 minutes later my Brother called to tell me that she passed. I told him that I had just hung up from talking to her. He said that makes sense. He's convinced that she was holding on until she could talk to me. I'm so fucking glad that I called when I did!