(For the record, I am totally against keeping wild exotics as pets, and many of the giant rats evidently do NOT make good pets--some become quite territorial and aggressive when they come of age. But when you see a picture of one being hugged by its handler part of me just goes "awwwww".)

I can't be the only person who sees news articles about those giant African rats who are trained to sniff out landmines and instead of thinking "those poor people who have to deal with landmines on a daily basis" I am sometimes thinking "those giant rats look like they would make an AWESOME PET".

Before the inauguration: Chop wood, carry water, support trans rights

After the inauguration: Chop wood, carry water, support trans rights

I must say I will not be too sorry when this whole "Dry January" thing is over. There's just so many headlines one can take that are evidently about people OBSESSIVELY AGONIZING over what is in someone else's glass, and what OTHER PEOPLE MAY THINK about what's in their own.

Then again, about 3 weeks ago the FB bot was convinced I was totally into SPOTWELDING, a topic I don't think I have ever had the SLIGHTEST interest in, as CLEARLY evidenced by my FB history. So me being a lesbian is a definite step up on the "This makes perfectly logical sense" graph.

I have nothing but good will for groups like "The West Thunderville Lesbian Alliance of Arkansas" or whatever (made-up name). I just wish the bot would realize that all people are much more multidimensional than it apparently assumes. You would think by now the tech could think beyond Boolean B&W.

My latest following someone on FB has been the comedian Kristen Key and her Lesbian Army. The FB bot thinks it has CRACKED THE CODE and suggests all sorts of lesbian enclaves for me to join. I'm fine with the association and I shall always be a staunch ally, but I feel like FB is making me intrude.

Anything under 15F and I put my shoes on before I go out to start my car. I HAVE gone out barefoot in single digits, but I have learned that is the way to end up with single digits on your feet.

Today’s snowfall, since I bothered to go outside in 15F weather to measure it. Measurements (yes, I take SEVERAL, because I have no life) were between five and six inches. You’re welcome.

Anyway, that’s the sort of thoughtful, inspiring behavior one can expect from the likes of me. Rest assured I care just as deeply for each and every one of you, as much as I care for, umm, What’s-His-Name. You know, the plow guy.

I’d tell you his actual name, but he didn’t sign up for the veritable flood of social media concern for his feelings, and I did not want to subject him to such scrutiny. WHO’S THE PERSON MOST PUBLICLY CONCERNED ABOUT HIS WELFARE *NOW*?

The clever ones among you might notice my performative altruism in expressing casual concern about “the plow guy”. Certain equally performative concern-bots may point out how I referred to him by the perhaps-demeaning “the plow guy”. YES I AM WELL AWARE HE HAS A NAME

My never-fail social media instincts tell me I should draw everyone in with a weather report. So, uh, we got maybe five or six inches of snow last night. Nothing earth-shaking, but enough for the plow guy to plow, so I hope he’ll be happy.

I repost this occasionally on FB, so why not BS as well? The artist is Joey Alison Sayers: www.jsayers.com.

And they say Big Tech isn’t spying on you. Duolingo’s TOTALLY got my number, dude. HOW DID THEY KNOW?

My first post on Bluesky. What should I say? Something profound. Something for the ages. Something that will change hearts and minds for the better. Something that—oh, crap, I’ve ruined it already, haven’t I? STUPID! STUPID MOJO! BAD!!!