Well my inbox looks like a refugee from 2010. I guess that means the current fandom favorite platform is imploding? That feels so 1996. *hugs you all*

Trust me, it's not the end of the world, just a minor apocalypse. We'll be fine! I don't know how often I'll be here (as I've barely been on tumblr lately) but I exist and have not forgotten my passwords! (Some weeks it's a low bar y'all.)

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I have an older cousin who is having some trouble and is in a homeless shelter in St. Paul Minn. From what I can gather he needs to get into the healthcare system for a lingering chest cold (he was a heavy smoker once upon a time)and I'm guessing, partially because I recognized something in him when I last saw him, that he probably needs the opportunity to express the need for mental health help as well.

I'm looking for social workers or people who know the system in the St. Paul area. Information of safe places to go for help or even short term work, would be much appreciated. There is some family there but sometimes you don't want to go to family in a situation like this. Since he's an older gentleman (but seriously gentle) I don't expect anyone to volunteer their couch, I understand how that might be uncomfortable. But any information would be appreciated. He's a nice guy, but I could never figure out if he was a born wanderer or could never figure out how to be happy.

Thanks in advance,
Ami

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I swear to god, all the handwrigning insurance companies do about spending money MUST cost more in the long run. If I win the lotto I'm commissioning a study on long term $$ spent on problems that could have been solved if the insurance company just paid the FIRST FUCKING TIME. LACK OF FUCKING SLEEP WILL ONLY MAKE ME SICKER YOU ASSHOLES. (They don't like to pay for seroquel used as a sleep aid, they'd rather pay for goddamn ambien, which is fucking hilarious.)

This message brought to you by the person who has to take her sleep meds 4 hours before she wants to sleep as a stop gap so she can ACTUALLY sleep and have enough brains to call the fucking insurance company and ask what exactly in the name of all that is holy they actualfax WANT FROM ME so I can get a pill that lets me sleep without having to plan 4 hours ahead and pray to live a life without surprise schedule changes.

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Dear SPN,

Thank you for making Pontiac, IL exciting.

Much nerdy love

Ami

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Dear the beach,

Never change.

Love Ami.

Pics from our balcony ( under the cutCollapse )

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Look. I get that there are real, true, horrible, stories where police officers are supposed to be on our side and aren't. Then there are stories where we are just minorly inconvenienced because a police officer has to do his job and something about me/you/us makes giving him a small portion of our time PART OF HIS JOB.

Okay. Yesterday seperis and I were driving down to South Padre. In a rental car. With florida plates. Without kids in the car. On a weekday. In the off season. While Very. Very. White. (See the tale told hilariously here.)

That was enough to ping a the police officer on the drug task force and he pulled us over for a grand total of 15 minutes to make sure we weren't carrying illegal drugs, firearms or large sums of money. He was not rude, it was not harassment, and he was just doing his damn job okay? I'm sure seperis can write a very long, detailed and interesting post on the border in south Texas and how right now it can be described as a drug runner's playground.

The truth is, it was terrifying for about 60 seconds (until I saw that he was going to be really nice about it all and I was sure I hadn't committed a SERIOUS moving violation without realizing it), confusing for about 3 minutes (until he asked enough questions for me to realize what was happening) and bewilderingly amusing for the rest.

Actually, as soon as he told me what the violation was (didn't wait the full 100 feet after signaling before changing lanes), I knew it was just an excuse to pull us over and get a look at us. I got no ticket and an incredibly hilarious souvenir from it (a written warning! omg I just love that!) and as soon as HE was sure we weren't a problem, he EXPLAINED it in general terms. It wasn't overt b/c I'm sure he's not supposed to do that but it was very "I'm sure you're wondering about those questions" "There's a lot of weapons and guns that come through" etc. AND it took a grand total of 15 minutes. I hear check points can take like an hour or more AND might include searching of both your vehicle and your person. So in the end? I'm totally fine with giving 15 minutes of my time over to a guy who's just trying to do his job.

(I get that driving while Not White in south Texas carries its own issues and security concerns, but that's not what this post is about and I really don't want to moderate that discussion while on vacation.)

NEXT POST: PICTURES OF THE BEACH. OMG I WANT TO LIVE HERE FOREVER.

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Have arrived in South Padre with a drug bust and a black eye. These are unrelated. I think. Driving in a rental car while Very White near the boarder is apparently a flag.

Meanwhile, I have changed, taken pain killers and put my meditation playlist on repeat. The rest is gravy.

...even if a kind of painful gravy.

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I am talking to you from 10,000 feet in the air!! Also the chocolate cake that came with the meal was amazing! BOTH ARE TRULY FEATS OF TECHNOLOGICAL WONDER.

I forgot my journal in NYC, so you guys might get a slightly more detailed account of my trip than usual. I'll try to keep the large blocks of text under the cut.

Here's a preview:

Delta has really upped their game in their LaGaurdia terminals!

( Pic under the cutCollapse )

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On Monday I get on a plane which will take me, by way of ATLANTA yeesh, aaaaaall the way to Texas where seperis hides out. It's actually a fairly long vacation, with multiple climate zones! I am not kidding, I go all the way from South Padre, TX to Chicago, IL.


Let me sum up the weather differences: Brr.

So this week has been a series of errands, here, for your edification and you know, because I am too freaking excited is my to do list, followed by seperis's version of our itinerary with my comments in brackets.

Vacation To-Do List (this is in no way complete, my complete one is so anal retentive it's a little scary)
Collect ALL THE MEDICATIONS HA! I HAVE DEFEATED YOU RITE AID AND WALGREENS
Do monthly med presort with alterations for 12 day trip.
Finish laundry
Pour large bottles of toiletries into smaller bottles
CHARGE ALL THE ELECTRONICS
Do a final sync with my external HD for backup purposes.
Decide what goes into my carry on and what gets checked in
Snuggle cat
Decide if I'm going to undermine Jenn's plans and download a conversational spanish app for my iphone.
Make notes for grocery list and gird loins so as to not be overwhelmed by fancy cheese section
CHECK IN WITH DELTA YAY!!!
Whittle down jewelery to 2 pairs of earrings and 2 necklaces
Mock cat extra so he does not feel so lonely while I am gone.
Finish Rental Car Reservation
Call insurance guy and find out about car rental insurance and possibly have to call car rental place from airport and alter the agreement yet again. (THIS ONE SO IMPORTANT.)
pack the suitcase



Vacation Schedule [Annotations by Ami in brackets and bolded.]

So far, we think we have a plan. Hotel and condo reservations bear this out. [WE CANNOT CHANGE ANYTHING JENN. NO MORE CHANGES.]

Monday - Ami arrives! Dinner at Kerby Lane! Apparently pumpkin pancakes. [If there are pumpkin pancakes on the menu, then there is nothing else, only zool.]

Tuesday afternoon - train to San Antonio. [I'm actually being left ALL ALONE while Jenn goes off to work and stuff. Stupid responsible Jenn. I'll probably wander out into Austin proper. I've got other friends in the area and also, my bras are slowly giving out on me at the WORST TIMES. I may have to have an emergency visit to Lane Bryant.]

Tuesday through Thursday - Explore San Antonio. [And stay in this awesome Bed and Breakfast, which serves gourmet breakfasts and is run by an adorable lady who I'm sure thinks a lovely, jewish, lesbian couple from NYC are coming to stay.]

Thursday morning - leave for Port Isabel [Note: Jenn apparently does not drive. I don't mind? But we shouldn't let this step pass by without acknowledging that none of this is possible without me. I AM THAT IMPORTANT.]

Thursday afternoon - stop in Corpus Christi for lunch [NOMS.]


Thursday-Tuesday - South Padre! Condo on the beach! Balcony! Loafing! Hot chocolate and fajitas and homemade tortillas on the balcony! Exciting cooking! Pirate cruise! ATVs! Horseback riding! Massages! Last three in the same place! [ALSO DOLPHINS DAMNIT. THERE WILL BE DOLPHINS! And maybe a gorgeous nature DRIVE (no walking, this is vacation damnit).]


Tuesday morning - return to San Antonio [With Ami driving. *G*]

Wednesday morning - return to Austin/New York and Real Life. Bah.[My vacation doesn't quite end here, I leave Jenn in Austin and continue for about a two day train ride. Yes, I did this on purpose. As a birthday gift for myself. I booked a gorgeous train ride for the experience and the pretties. The last leg goes up to Albany and then down through Poughkeepsie, it's an amazing view. The whole way.]


I was originally going to try to do this with a carry on size, but based on the length of the trip and the number of climate changes, I've moved up a size and have added a bag the size of a medium messenger bag to take on the long train ride so I can check the suit case.

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I'm pouring large bottles of shampoo and conditioner into smaller bottles! THIS CAN MEAN ONLY ONE THING!

VACATION IS IMMINENT!

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