flemmings | (no subject)

For once this decade I managed to get all my Christmas cards written and mailed with a minimum of internal hysterics, though that might be partly owing to a few names dropping off the list, and partly to there being nothing else I had to do. Still have a few seasonal snarlies, as when reading Piers Morgan's take on Prince Harry (what's with right-wing types' reflex projection? The editor of the Daily Mail's relationship with the truth is flatly adversarial) and the young idiot who decided to strike up a conversation with me as I was trundling home (we Do Not Do This in Toronto, unless there's less than ten years difference between you) which promptly turned into him telling me that masks don't work and why was I wearing one anyway? I should have said, 'So I don't have to smell that cigarette you're smoking' but because it's Christmas and I'm out of patience I just said Go away, and he did.

One reason to wear a mask is because temps reached a dizzying 14C/ 57F and all the leaf mould allergies came roaring back in the bright sunshine. Actually they've been doing it for days and I've been sneezing and hacking clear mucous up because of it. I'd almost rather have something actually in the lungs than this chronic post-nasal drip, but then I'd probably fret about COVID or RSV. So I keep hot beanbags on my chest and round my sinuses, and sleep propped up.

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I suspect that we caught covid in the restaurant and of course you can't wear a mask while you eat. :-(

I have to admit that I gave up wearing masks a while ago, except when I think I have an infection of some kind and I want to protect others. So if anyone challenged me on "masks don't work", I'd just say, "Fine I think I have [insert illness], shall I take it off and cough on you?" But to be fair, even when I was still wearing masks when others weren't, in such a small community, no one is going to say anything, even if they think I'm weird.

Re leaf mould, the last time I wore a mask was in the garden emptying the grass cuttings out of the wheelie bin. They'd been left too long and gone mouldy, so I masked up as a precaution.

I mask by reflex now, just in case. And also because it relieves me of the necessity of watching my expression, which someone with Resting Bitch Face finds very necessary.

I eat in restaurants but go at off hours when there may be only two or three other people, and the buildings themselves are large airy structures, so hope I stay clear.

I mask by reflex now, just in case. And also because it relieves me of the necessity of watching my expression, which someone with Resting Bitch Face finds very necessary.

Thank you for mentioning this unintended advantage of masking. Even if I'm not projecting RBF at a particular moment, I'm glad that I don't have to bother editing my expression when I'm inappropriately amused by or disdainful of something.

Also also, if I'm cursing under my breath because things hurt dammit, no one can see my snarls. And a good thing too.

I must admit, I rather liked some aspects of wearing masks. I could mutter to myself going round the supermarket and no one would know.

When we're away from home and we eat out, we normally go mid-afternoon or very early evening when everywhere is quiet. But this trip was specifically to meet our daughter and so it was later because she was working that day and then had to travel.

However, looking on the bright side, with the booster plus naturally gained immunity via infection. we'll be pretty safe for a while in the New Year. Though of course there is always flu to watch out for.

True. A case plus booster seems to up the immunity double. Stay well, whatever. As you say, there's still flu

Piers Morgan is a complete and utter reverse-projecting fundamentally dishonest mean-spirited prat.

I was so pleased yesterday to see that Harry had won over half the cases that the judge inspected.

He really is a wart of the worst malignancy. So glad that people with clout and money are finally going after him.

Total agreement.

On a much nicer topic, thank you for the splendid Gorey card! Love it.

Good lord, Royal Mail just zips these days.

On another topic, did Amazon actually drop a parcel in your mailbox on Wednesday as they claim? I thought they couldn't access your box?

Hm. I have had a couple of amazon parcels arriving over the last week, but nothing that I wasn't already expecting.

I'll try checking the mailbox of the facing block of flats tomorrow - we have a recurring situation of Amazon and other parcels sitting on top of the mailbox with a number from the other side (odds vs evens) on them.

Oh joy. No big deal if it's not there, but annoying.

Well, thanks for alerting me in any case - I shall investigate.

Sadly it has not showed up. The postman was kind enough to take a look at the postbox-stands in the neighbouring small blocks of flats, but nothing’s appeared. Sorry.

Oh well. At least amazon occasionally manages to deliver. Thanks for taking the trouble to questionthe postman.

Meanwhile your package arrived safely yesterday and I look forward to opening it.

Thanks for letting me know!