Links

Trans victories in 2023, mostly in America. https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/a-case-for-hope-the-victories-trans

Buy one get one on all Jennifer Steingass patterns on Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/jennifer-steingass?mc_cid=78445fd357

Covid-19 and “immunity theft” https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/12/25/2213619/-Covid-is-not-done-with-us-It-s-just-getting-started-We-really-should-be-paying-attention

And some good Covid news: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-04003-4

Substack article giving me thinkies about the current “”conflict”” in Palestine. Not sure that I agree with all of their approach, but I’m wondering how much the US left is alienating the centrists whose support we do need. https://theconnector.substack.com/p/if-its-not-helping-then-shut-the

There should be new insomnia drugs that actually help … in about 10-15 years. https://neurosciencenews.com/circadian-rhythm-protein-25397/

And a reminder that, if you have anxiety or low self esteem, you are worth more than you think you are, and you’re probably deprioritizing risks and dangers to yourself because of it. Please be careful of yourself and your health and safety. We only have one of you.

Stealing the Friday Five NYE meme

1. What are you hoping for in 2024?
I’m going to do some more desire mapping tomorrow, now that I’ve read a little bit more about it. I am hoping that doing things that make positive emotional states more likely is a better way to set intentions than trying to form “””habits”””. Which my brain does not like to do ever.

2. What was your low point of 2023?
Well, the week I spent at my mom’s house alternately crying and being super pissed off at my husband was pretty 💩. This week is kinda not great either, what with the dead cousin and needing to travel into freezing temperatures for her funeral and to be the executive function for the members of the family who under-function in times of crisis, which my body and brain are going to ~love~. /s

3. And your high point of 2023?
Smelling all the smellgoods that my friend leopard_princess sent me, and bringing them to my friend ot_atma’s place for us to smell together. Making smells for folks for Yule was a close second.

4. Do you make New Year’s resolutions or are they just a waste of time?
I make resolutions all the time, and am usually able to follow them for a while before I forget about them. Speaking as someone with definitely autism (and possibly AuDHD) trying to form habits is a pain in my 🍑. Does anybody else forget things that are supposed to be habits and then never get them back? So annoying.

5. Do you have any traditions for celebrating New Year’s Eve?
• Black Eyed Peas (or Posole back when I used to eat pork). It’s a tradition that Mom got Aunt Rhoda and I into back in the 90’s. I don’t know what it’s supposed to do, but I do like black eyed peas, and spicy soups.
• Party. I used to either go to a party or host something every year, with cocktails and fancy mocktails, back before the fibromyalgia and increased sensory issues.
• Internet friends! The last few years I’ve been spending time in virtual spaces like Discord, since there’s like _a plague_ going on. Which is the best bet at the moment.

Y’all stay safe out there.