… and they’ve sent me 2 more messages in the 8 minutes since I posted this

“Remember, this case is unsolved & this family is really hurting and looking for answers, & I JUST HAD A BAJA BLAST & I am soooo ready to go! Hahahaha! Can you close the door? I mean, I thought I closed it already but I guess I’m too BAJA BUZZED! Ok. Here’s a terrible story you’ll never forget.” 🙄🙄🙄

Apparently it’s asking too much to find true crime podcasts that don’t begin with 5 minutes of the hosts giggling & laughing about how funny they are before launching into the details of an absolute tragedy.

Also, “tell me you live on the Outer Banks without telling me you live on the Outer Banks”: There are people sledding up on the dunes with boogie boards and surfboards 😂

And now, back off my phone screen for a while, taking my pain meds, and putting on an ice mask while I lie down. This is not what I want my life to be.

Cognitively, I know all of this already, but when I spell it out like that, the enormity of it all hits me and it’s so surreal and emotionally painful, and almost surprises me when I speak or think about it in those terms. This is so hard.

There was kind of an awkward pause, then the woman in line behind me said, “I know I’m a total stranger, but can I give you a hug?” We hugged, and it was all I could do to keep from tearing up.

I told her I had to have my eye removed when I was 16, and that it had to be re-removed in September, and I’ve been dealing with complications and pain ever since. She looked stunned, even though she knew from school that I have a prosthetic eye.

Agreed! I am so impressed by her. I was expecting to (and have been in several cases!) be wowed by some of the big names coming in, but she has been a wonderful surprise I didn’t know of yet.

I kept saying the SAME THING. Shut up, John!

Dad and I just got back to my house so at least I’m home, but I feel like screaming. Absolutely nothing this fall has gone according to plan.

I’ve had the growth removal surgery several times, & each time it’s been a matter of “you’re having surgery and need to be dormant for several days.” This time it’s more like “whatever, take a pain pill, don’t know why it’s there.”