That kind of update.

I know it's been a while. And I know there was at least one person to whom I promised a long overdue post about anything (not everything, though).

Then things sort of went haywire: Christmas happened, which is a busy time for everyone, and this year's economically inspired decision to give everyone handmade gifts turned out to be well received, beautifully worked, and time consuming as all hell. Still, as usual, spending time with my friends and family is a boon.

The corporation in charge of issuing my paychecks has gotten too big for its britches, and is closing down about a million locations across the nation (mine included) in addition to cutting labor across the board, which left me scrambling for hours and for placement (which, I think, has been found). My ability to support myself has become suddenly dubious.

I have stopped listening obsessively to Iron&Wine, and have begun listening obsessively to Mike Doughty. Pal is really tired of it.

I signed up for nursing school. Holy crap. It's wise on EIGHTY MILLION levels, and is also terrifying, and means I am absolutely resigned to at least two more years below poverty level. And then long working hours and fat paychecks I can't use because I won't have any free time.

A dear friend and coworker was brutally beaten in an attack that is being officially labeled "attempted robbery" but was in fact most likely just a random act of violence. I showed up for my shift that morning to locked doors and police sirens, and closed down the store three hours after it opened, stepping over his blood to get to the dish machine. For the record, he is a pagan saint of a man who is taking this all with great valor, and will fully recover without too much effort. Corporate says attempted robbery. Those of us who have been in the coffee industry long enough to know that people are fucking crazy say, "He wanted a nonfat latte, and we gave him a mocha with whip."

For the next two weeks, I have to go back to that store and work, knowing that my safety and that of my friends has been compromised and no one really cares that much, because they know that we can't live without our crappy seven bucks an hour.

Sean's coming to visit. Andy's coming to visit. I have a house to clean and roommates to feed and gardens to plan and a life to live with a great deal of joy, despite all that's happened.

Also, there's a 6 foot tall Indian man with hair down to there and multiple master's degrees. He calls me dear.

Toast this new year and the one it leaves behind, everyone. Each deserves the accolades.