My Skill Set

I often feel that I don’t have any particular talents any more. What I used to know (e.g. as a radio producer, web consultant and ESL teacher) has fled the muddy depths of my brain and/or is obsolete. But it occurred to me just now that I am indeed expert in one thing: worrying. I wonder if I can package and market that, or otherwise get paid for it. Oh, I’m also quite good at dreading as well.

What am I worried about? Well, the entire world. As I wrote last time, I’m distraught about the suffering in Haiti and Afghanistan, and elsewhere. I’m panicked about climate change, the California gubernatorial recall effort by the far-right, the worsening virus, and wildfires. I’m anxious about other big personal stuff as well but I won’t go into that.

Regarding the blazes, I continue to track those in the northern part of the state, and two in particular: the Dixie Fire as it moves relentlessly further into Lassen, and the River Complex Fire in the Trinity Alps where we hiked a few weeks ago. Because I now know an easy way to create a simple gif animation (thanks again, Josh!), I’ve been spending many an hour building some in Photoshop: maps of the day-by-day progression of both of these infernos.

I’ll put the animations up here when I’m finished. They’re quite horrifying to ponder.

Good things: 

• This week’s after-travel Covid test was negative (as expected, but still a relief).
• My friend Marianna seems to be doing pretty well post-surgery (she’s among the few who actually read Bloggy).
• Small is making friends like crazy at her new retirement home (she’s been there only since May).
• My new mattress is very comfortable (though as mentioned, I practically need a ladder to attain the summit):

• In three days I get to take Em on our camping trip at last (I’m already completely packed, except for food). I’m beside myself with excitement. This is the campsite Eleni chose for us (at my request):

Not only that, in about six weeks I also get to have a vacation near the California coast way up north with Jesse and Ruby as well, and of course Eleni and Jason too (Eleni found a cool VRBO with this view from the lawn):