December 31, 2022

Very distressing news.

I've just learned that a lifelong close friend, whom I've known since I was 13, he was 10, was arrested two years ago for possession of child pornography.

My first reaction was to mutter "Jesus." Subsequently and to this moment I've been unable to think. The words my sister said ring in my ears, an overlapping cacophony.

He moved to Oregon last April, and I wonder if his arrest was the motivation. No matter; he still has to come back to Orange County CA for trial. At least I hope there's a trial. I want him humiliated.

I really don't know how to process this. Should I block him? Ignore him? Write him an angry letter? Because I'm furious (for the second time in four days).

My friend.

I'm going for a drive, roll down the windows, clear my head.

December 29, 2022

I am so furious I can't see straight. (cross-post: Lounge)

My 16-y/o nephew injured his knee and elbow at work last night (McDonald's). (For starters, the manager didn't send him home. I doubt she even wrote it up.)

Myles asked his 'rents to take him to the ED. They refused, saying let's see how it feels in the morning. This morning, he said, "they didn't care."

I asked him how he'd feel if I talked to his mom about it. This was his reply:

"She never listens and she'll just yell at me for telling others our business. . . . Since I was little it's always been "What happens in our house stays in our house." So I get yelled at every time I mention something to someone."

He has a number of psychological problems, and terrible anxiety is a big one. He's not going to ask again to go to the doctor because they'll yell at him. Instant panic attack. Same for McDonald's: the thought of "rocking the boat" panics him.

I am so furious that I can't see straight. I am powerless from here, 1,800 miles away. But I'd be powerless there, too: I'm not his parent or guardian.

FUCK.
FUCK.
FUCK.

Addendum to post in the Lounge, re some advice rec'd there: I am afraid to contact CPS due to his parents' inevitable reaction: they'll kick the shit out of him. Not to mention how his anxiety will spike as soon as CPS knocks on the door. And those two things will be just the beginning for him.

December 29, 2022

I am so furious I can't see straight.

My 16-y/o nephew injured his knee and elbow at work last night (McDonald's). (For starters, the manager didn't send him home. I doubt she even wrote it up.)

Myles asked his 'rents to take him to the ED. They refused, saying let's see how it feels in the morning. This morning, he said, "they didn't care."

I asked him how he'd feel if I talked to his mom about it. This was his reply:

"She never listens and she'll just yell at me for telling others our business. . . . Since I was little it's always been "What happens in our house stays in our house." So I get yelled at every time I mention something to someone."

He has a number of psychological problems, and terrible anxiety is a big one. He's not going to ask again to go to the doctor because they'll yell at him. Instant panic attack. Same for McDonald's: the thought of "rocking the boat" panics him.

I am so furious that I can't see straight. I am powerless from here, 1,800 miles away. But I'd be powerless there, too: I'm not his parent or guardian.

FUCK.
FUCK.
FUCK.

December 23, 2022

If you could create any toy . . .

What would it be? What would it do?

Mine is simple. I want an Emma Thompson action figure.

What's yours?

December 19, 2022

WE'RE NOT MOVING

When the agent was showing the house today, my sister took her aside and pleaded our case for staying.* The agent convinced the landlord to extend our lease by a year.

The relief is amazing. It'll take the anxiety a while to dissipate, though.

* The landlord declined to renew our lease because we are geriatric & near geriatric (70, 61, 59). He's afraid one of us will die and he'll get stiffed. He said in almost so many words that he wants young people here.

December 18, 2022

Lookie-Loos in our house right now. Ask me anything - about anything!

I have a massive case of the irrits. Calgon can't take me away from this.

Ask me something. Help me to keep occupied while our lives are being invaded.

December 17, 2022

Did you know that Kevin McCarthy can't speak English?

Read Dana Milbank's column

12/16/22

Is Kevin McCarthy okay?

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/12/16/kevin-mccarthy-republican-party-leadership-speaker/

"If he does succeed in his speakership quest (which is likely, if only for the lack of an alternative), he will earn the distinction of being the first speaker in U.S. history not to speak fluent English."

December 16, 2022

Does anyone know how to price used camera equipment for re-sale?

I have a Pentax K-30 DSLR that I've used twice. I have four lenses: a Pentax 18-55 mm zoom, a Pentax 50-200 mm zoom, an Ultimaxx 52 mm wide angle lens, and an Ultimaxx 52 mm telephoto lens.

Do you know how to price this stuff? Do you know of any websites that might do it for me? I plan to put it on Craigslist; hopefully it'll be someone's perfect gift.

December 14, 2022

another rental question

So, all of our* credit scores are sub-par. But we have a couple of things going for us. One is that we have enough income to make a landlord say, "well, clearly that won't be a problem."

Does anyone know if this will boost our chances despite sub-par credit?

Thanks

*Our: my sister and my wife and I share a home.

December 14, 2022

Letter explaining poor credit to prospective landlord?

We saw a great rental this morning. Suits us perfectly. The owner's rep gave us applications, and then the anxiety hit.

Credit check. I don't know why this hadn't occurred to me before. I didn't forget it would be required; it just hadn't entered my mind in this context.

The rep was sympathetic. She suggested that we write a cover letter to the landlord addressing the low credit scores.

What do you think of this idea?