Someone needs to do a wellness check on her parents, make sure she hasn't deported them to avoid spending Thanksgiving dinner together.

It just plays into the fear economy. It's not about convenience in people's busy lives.

I know I sound like I'm yelling at clouds.

But I am not wrong.

And I expect better from Rogen.

Hamm too.

The first sin is that they're just not funny.

I get the premise, but the scenarios are lame.

And the worst sin, even though the scenarios are fictional, the message is clear.

Don't go out into the world. Stay home, where it's safe from the bad people.

Enough of this shit.

And yes, I flush several times, pouring water from a pail into the tank to stir up the fine sand that gets deposited there over the course of the season.

(I don't have a well, so pump water from the river.)

Is this little hand pump used but once a year?

Yes.

Works great to remove both bowl and tank water.

What else am I gonna use it for, basting meat on the grill??

Um...no.

Look, closing up is all about timing. Did I hold off as long as I could in winterizing the cottage toilet?

Yes.

Did I finally remove all water and put anti-freeze in the tank & bowl?

Yes.

Is that when the "oh oh, things are happening" start?

Yes.

Three hours ago.

He can wait. Priorities.

I'm going out to hear some live music, so it's ok with me if he takes the night off.

It's exactly what popped into my head, and then I realized what would happen.

The "Ba Ba Ba" part would be replaced with the insipid "U.S.A." chant.

And we in the rest of the world would collectively roll our eyes so hard that the earth would be knocked off its axle, killing us all.

Too risky.

When I started this job, the old-timers looked at my enthusiasm as naivety. I genuinely loved the work. Still do.

One told me that the place would change me.

I told her I was going to change the place.

As the old-timer now? I'm still always trying to make it better.

It's a great gig.

I told the same thing to another shadow a few weeks ago in Saskatchewan.

You don't want to leave them wondering if they were a burden, or you consider their lack of experience weakness.

Give them more than a technical lesson. Teach them how to treat the shadows they will have someday.

She said she learned a lot watching me work. Took copious notes.

We also had a chance to learn about each others' values and background.

When we landed, I told her that she was good company and that I was cheering for her.

Too many mentors forget to say that. They leave their shadow uncertain.

Then you should've fought harder for him when the cool kids came after Clippy.