We put on our holiday playlist today. It was time. We’re in Canada, so we’re allowed. (Our Thanksgiving was in October, and there’s snow on the ground.)

Hyperthyroidism runs in my family. Both of my cats have eventually gone hyperthyroid. Each time, I call my mother and inform her that she gave another grand-cat her bad genes, and now they need medicating.

She always takes it like a good sport. She knows it’ll be my turn someday.

I just need everyone to know that it was this day in the year of our lord 2025 when I finally realised that all of these "cultivator" comics were actually about martial arts and not about farmers. For real.

I really assumed it was just a wacky niche. Reborn farmers, reborn villainesses, etc.

We're celebrating Ace Pride Week with 15 indie books featuring major asexual characters or written by ace SFF authors!

www.readindiefantasy.com/books-for-ac...

(Don't forget to check out our LGBTQIA+ book collection for more or to submit your own ace book!)

Book two of the Victorian Faerie Tales, ROSEMARY & THYME, is in the process of being written... and chapter one is already available to beta-chapter tier patrons on the Patreon! (Everyone else still gets to hear me tell weird D&D stories on Discord.)

www.patreon.com/c/atwater_au...

I think it's important to give money to author support orgs that actively defend our interests. It's just solidarity.

But solidarity is a contract. Author support orgs that violate solidarity by promoting AI do not get my money.

So... IN A WAY, I guess AI is saving me money this year. Depressing.

Me: I'm getting older, and strange things are starting to happen around my period.

Dr: Have you considered that you might be stressed?

Me: I am indeed stressed that strange things are happening around my period.

Dr: We could treat you for anxiety.

Me: I was thinking like. Some endocrine tests.

Everyone I know supports this strike.

By the way, @mark-carney.bsky.social , the reason package volume is up at private carriers is because they're not regulated enough. Their quality is awful, and they pay their employees pennies. Level the playing field instead, and no one will choose them.

Asked my historical consultant about Benedictine feast food, and this led to a long conversation about ways in which Benedictine monks cheated the rules to eat whatever they wanted anyway.

Him: Great, now I’ve made myself hungry. Feeling Benedictine, might snack later.