No constructive suggestion here, but lately I've been thinking about how, as kids, we were presented the "caveat emptor" episode of The Brady Bunch, in which we were taught that we should expect people to try and rip us off. How fucked up is it that this lame reality of our society made it into kid's shows?
Anyway, I appreciate your wanting to be sunshine and rainbows, but honestly, you provide fire, which is what I personally lack/need.
omg are you referring to the episode where greg gets ripped off buying the crappy car from his friend and mike lectures him?! and then everyone helps him fix it up?! haven't thought about that in YEARS but it was burned into my little brain too!
And…woof that thing you said about withdrawing and soaking in distrust like a sponge…I am there. My family pulled some BS on me last month (they cannot resist holiday toxicity) and I literally have been stewing ever since. But you’re right, it’s amazing to be able to trust at all, and part of why I have what I have is because I’m always looking for the good in people first. Despite knowing better.
Also hoping to not sound too fan girl but…your record really single handedly got me through the end of this clusterfuck of a year. So thank you ❤️❤️❤️
I feel this so hard. I sold a guitar this xmas so I could buy a Mitchell acoustic for the neighbor kid who’s learning to play. It all went amazingly well, right up until I got hacked by one of the selling sites😂. It’s hard not to let this dumb damned corrupt shit chip away at us when the reserves are already depleted by survival. I get mad, but then I also just keep hearing that open e string over and over and that kid’s face smiling ear to ear while I tried to teach his ears. I have just learned to feel rage and wonder at the same time. Not sure if that’s good or not, but that’s where I am. I’ll see you in Delaware in a couple weeks to cry about it.
I also have a tuxedo cat, rescued from a hoarder, wish I had a tiger for her to lay on. But your ornaments! I’ve never seen one of a package of hot dogs, and is that Salvador Dali? Please show more, so cool!
Here’s to a new year and living expectant but without expectation!
I’m forever trying to lean into this way of being which sometimes means I’m blindsided and bewildered and taken advantage of, but on balance, I’d rather trust and lead with joy, not in a Pollyanna kind of way but in the way that recognizes, yeah, life can be shit and hard and also beautiful and full of joy.
Happy New Year Neko, and to everyone here. Hope the next one moves us all in a better direction. I love communities like these where the people who aren't just shitty and uninterested in anyone else's suffering are drawn together. And we are drawn together by you, and your music and your art and your writing and your humor and your big heart. Thank you for that.
My UPS driver leaves a dog treat on every package he delivers because he loves my dog. Great guy! Luck of the draw I guess. I still try to give people i don't know the benefit of the doubt until I can't. Can't wait to see you in Indy soon!
Happy new year Neko, I know its tough out there but there is a great group of people right here to push forward. I always look forward to your letters and reading all the responses, gives me hope and light, happy new year everyone ❤️
Happy New Year? It is another one anyway. Firstly I have to swoon at your Chrissie tree Dec's, Salvador Dali! meat! I stumbled across a shop in the pnw called Archie McPhees and spent hours chuckling at the catalogue.
In a more serious note (C#) the idea that the egregious evil we see doesn't surprise us, but rather retraumatises nailed it for me.
I'm on the dual lane highway with despair in one lane and faint hope in the other, as a libran that usual involves lane straddling.
I have been joined in retirement by my beloved Jenny and she's keeping me real, so generous and thoughtful.
We are traipsing off to the UK in late Feb then Spain and Greece, Crete
In case you are stuck in ups menu hell, change the reason you are calling to make a complaint. Also if they provided you with a proof of delivery that says it was signed for that is straight up fraud on their drivers end and is potentially legally actionable (which would be a whole pain in the ass, but often times it is the key phrase needed to escalate the bullshit issue to someone who can actually help. May the odds be ever in your favor and sorry if this is something you’ve already tried.
I don't have any insights other than, 'What was the item, maybe someone on this chat will re-buy it from you?'. And, if that doesn't work, try the 'Castanza Method' (serenity now!!!).
See you at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall in a few weeks. :-)
If it can get worse, it can get better is the mantra I’m taking into this year!
No constructive suggestion here, but lately I've been thinking about how, as kids, we were presented the "caveat emptor" episode of The Brady Bunch, in which we were taught that we should expect people to try and rip us off. How fucked up is it that this lame reality of our society made it into kid's shows?
Anyway, I appreciate your wanting to be sunshine and rainbows, but honestly, you provide fire, which is what I personally lack/need.
omg are you referring to the episode where greg gets ripped off buying the crappy car from his friend and mike lectures him?! and then everyone helps him fix it up?! haven't thought about that in YEARS but it was burned into my little brain too!
Yup.
Happy almost new year!!!!
And…woof that thing you said about withdrawing and soaking in distrust like a sponge…I am there. My family pulled some BS on me last month (they cannot resist holiday toxicity) and I literally have been stewing ever since. But you’re right, it’s amazing to be able to trust at all, and part of why I have what I have is because I’m always looking for the good in people first. Despite knowing better.
Also hoping to not sound too fan girl but…your record really single handedly got me through the end of this clusterfuck of a year. So thank you ❤️❤️❤️
I feel this so hard. I sold a guitar this xmas so I could buy a Mitchell acoustic for the neighbor kid who’s learning to play. It all went amazingly well, right up until I got hacked by one of the selling sites😂. It’s hard not to let this dumb damned corrupt shit chip away at us when the reserves are already depleted by survival. I get mad, but then I also just keep hearing that open e string over and over and that kid’s face smiling ear to ear while I tried to teach his ears. I have just learned to feel rage and wonder at the same time. Not sure if that’s good or not, but that’s where I am. I’ll see you in Delaware in a couple weeks to cry about it.
I also have a tuxedo cat, rescued from a hoarder, wish I had a tiger for her to lay on. But your ornaments! I’ve never seen one of a package of hot dogs, and is that Salvador Dali? Please show more, so cool!
I love the ornaments as well! Happy New Year 🎆
Here’s to a new year and living expectant but without expectation!
I’m forever trying to lean into this way of being which sometimes means I’m blindsided and bewildered and taken advantage of, but on balance, I’d rather trust and lead with joy, not in a Pollyanna kind of way but in the way that recognizes, yeah, life can be shit and hard and also beautiful and full of joy.
Here’s to more days like that in 2026!
Happy New Year Neko, and to everyone here. Hope the next one moves us all in a better direction. I love communities like these where the people who aren't just shitty and uninterested in anyone else's suffering are drawn together. And we are drawn together by you, and your music and your art and your writing and your humor and your big heart. Thank you for that.
My UPS driver leaves a dog treat on every package he delivers because he loves my dog. Great guy! Luck of the draw I guess. I still try to give people i don't know the benefit of the doubt until I can't. Can't wait to see you in Indy soon!
Happy new year, Neko. Let’s all commit to pushing the nose of that clown freighter forward together.
``It feels like there is a garbage disposal always on in my stomach,'' sums pretty well for many.
Happy new year Neko, I know its tough out there but there is a great group of people right here to push forward. I always look forward to your letters and reading all the responses, gives me hope and light, happy new year everyone ❤️
This is part of my New Year's ritual:
https://youtu.be/HPRRPc2H47I
I hope it fortifies you all too!
May 2026 be brighter for those of us with tender hearts, anxieties, and dwindling sparks. Let's rekindle that fire in our bellies!
You are a beautiful light in the world, thank you!
Happy New Year? It is another one anyway. Firstly I have to swoon at your Chrissie tree Dec's, Salvador Dali! meat! I stumbled across a shop in the pnw called Archie McPhees and spent hours chuckling at the catalogue.
In a more serious note (C#) the idea that the egregious evil we see doesn't surprise us, but rather retraumatises nailed it for me.
I'm on the dual lane highway with despair in one lane and faint hope in the other, as a libran that usual involves lane straddling.
I have been joined in retirement by my beloved Jenny and she's keeping me real, so generous and thoughtful.
We are traipsing off to the UK in late Feb then Spain and Greece, Crete
Brushing up on my Mycenaean .
I ramble, forgive me. We love you so there!
In case you are stuck in ups menu hell, change the reason you are calling to make a complaint. Also if they provided you with a proof of delivery that says it was signed for that is straight up fraud on their drivers end and is potentially legally actionable (which would be a whole pain in the ass, but often times it is the key phrase needed to escalate the bullshit issue to someone who can actually help. May the odds be ever in your favor and sorry if this is something you’ve already tried.
I don't have any insights other than, 'What was the item, maybe someone on this chat will re-buy it from you?'. And, if that doesn't work, try the 'Castanza Method' (serenity now!!!).
See you at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall in a few weeks. :-)
Happy 2026, Neko!