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Laura Blegen @laurablegen.bsky.social · 1d

Another vote-by-mail update!

By the way, if anybody finds this thread and has questions, drop 'em in a comment.

Laura Blegen @laurablegen.bsky.social · 1d

Today (Oct 10), I got the official email notification that my specific ballot had been sent.

Now seems like a good time to mention that every ballot has a unique tracking code. If I tell them I don't receive mine, they know which one to cancel so it can't be used by someone else.

6/x

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Laura Blegen @laurablegen.bsky.social · 1d

Today (Oct 10), I got the official email notification that my specific ballot had been sent.

Now seems like a good time to mention that every ballot has a unique tracking code. If I tell them I don't receive mine, they know which one to cancel so it can't be used by someone else.

6/x

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Laura Blegen @laurablegen.bsky.social · 2d

Hmm... What about this?

Close up photo of a very smooshable calico cat face, resting her sleepy head on my wrist.

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Laura Blegen @laurablegen.bsky.social · 2d

Why do cat food companies not put the same varieties in their small cans that they put in their big cans? What is the point of testing to see if my cats will eat what's in the small cans, if I can't then buy the food at a sustainably affordable size?

(let's see if today's cat picture will upload)

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Laura Blegen @laurablegen.bsky.social · 3d

Honestly - this black square started out as an excellent cat picture. I tried uploading it three times and it did this every time. I give up...

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Laura Blegen @laurablegen.bsky.social · 3d

Those look SO good even before they're done...

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Laura Blegen @laurablegen.bsky.social · 3d

Who needs a little mid-week pep talk?

Well, Zoë doesn't care much about that. She doesn't care what you're working on today. She just thinks you should get on with it and bring her treats when you're done.

Photo of a calico cat, lying stomach-down on the raised knee of her favorite human, with one of her front paws curled to hold her in place. Her head is turned to look at the photographer with a stern expression, that says any activity other than petting her is just procrastination.

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Laura Blegen @laurablegen.bsky.social · 3d

Another update in my ongoing thread tracking my voting-by-mail experience...

(and oh look, there's a typo. Oh well...)

Laura Blegen @laurablegen.bsky.social · 3d

Today (Oct 7), I got an email from my county election letting me know that ballots will be mailed this Friday. There are also links to sources of information about what's on the ballot, and a notice that I can still change my address and they'll void the first ballot before sending another.

5/x

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Laura Blegen @laurablegen.bsky.social · 3d

Today (Oct 7), I got an email from my county election letting me know that ballots will be mailed this Friday. There are also links to sources of information about what's on the ballot, and a notice that I can still change my address and they'll void the first ballot before sending another.

5/x

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Reposted by Laura Blegen

Dawn Xiana Moon @dawnxianamoon.bsky.social · 4d

OK folks, a lot happened in Chicago over the last few days. I'm going to recap - buckle up, because this is long. What's happening here has massive implications not just for this city, but for the entire country, especially blue cities. 🧵

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Laura Blegen @laurablegen.bsky.social · 5d

We'll definitely have to start making sure the bed is made whenever we have people over... 🤣

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Laura Blegen @laurablegen.bsky.social · 5d

One of the walls in our bedroom has been empty for a very long time, because we couldn't decide what to put there. Over the weekend, we finally decided, and got the great pleasure of writing a check (yes, an old fashioned check) to the actual artist. I'm thrilled!

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Reposted by Laura Blegen

Dawn Xiana Moon @dawnxianamoon.bsky.social · 5d

My evening in the "war zone" of Chicago included riding my bike to the lakefront 10 min from my apt, catching the sunset, & being greeted by happy, wet puppers from the dog beach.

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Laura Blegen @laurablegen.bsky.social · 5d

It's always dog o'clock somewhere...

Laura Blegen @laurablegen.bsky.social · 5d

Woohoo!!!

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Laura Blegen @laurablegen.bsky.social · 5d

Oh my gosh it's SO GOOD. I wasn't super enthusiastic about seeing it, the first time, and I was SO wrong.

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Laura Blegen @laurablegen.bsky.social · 8d

Aw, thanks!

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Laura Blegen @laurablegen.bsky.social · 9d

I love having house guests, honestly. I get real joy out of making people feel comfortable and welcome.

Also, I must be honest that I also love it when they leave again. When the rhythms of the house start adjusting back to normal.

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Laura Blegen @laurablegen.bsky.social · 9d

I feel like this could start a trend...

"Don't rob a bank, but if you do, Call us..."

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Laura Blegen @laurablegen.bsky.social · 10d

I don't have any how we continue running the civic marathon that keeps feeling like a sprint.

We're sprinting because the house is on fire, and we're either about to be trapped inside, or we need to rescue someone we love.

But also... getting "to safety" is going to take a while.

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Laura Blegen @laurablegen.bsky.social · 10d

I don't have a lot of energy to get MORE mad today, but this... this is super important. So if anybody's on the "ready to call my reps" train this afternoon, maybe consider this?

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Laura Blegen @laurablegen.bsky.social · 10d

Oh.

You'd think that by now I'd be used to that sinking feeling in my stomach. But no, it just keeps sinking...

Laura Blegen @laurablegen.bsky.social · 12d

He's home, with his belly shaved and a little cranky about the whole experience, but none the worse for wear. They didn't have to sedate him, thankfully, which makes the recovery easier. (and he's already had his first meal)

We won't have any news for a couple of days, but I feel better already.

Laura Blegen @laurablegen.bsky.social · 12d

Had to drop Malcolm-the-cat off for an ultrasound this afternoon. They're gonna call me when he's done, as if there's anything I could possibly concentrate on in the meantime.

Poor little dude was SO confused about why we wouldn't let him eat this morning.

Photo of a gray and white cat, curled up a green laptop bag, looking woefully in the general direction of the camera.

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Laura Blegen @laurablegen.bsky.social · 12d

Ugh, that's so frustrating. Hugs to you (both) and him...

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Laura Blegen @laurablegen.bsky.social · 12d

Thanks. This is one of those "just in case" things. When we talked to the vet a couple of weeks ago, she thought we could probably manage his tummy problems with a diet change (that we're in the middle of). So, I'm trying to keep my brain out of the worst case scenario zone.

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