*sigh* When authors should know better.

I won't really go into the latest racefail controversy, AKA "Mammothfail". I just want to point out that it's really a distressing feeling to read the comments of an author you respect, and find yourself muttering "No, No, no! Just, stop. You're NOT helping. I know you're trying to support your friend, but you're making things worse. No see, you're still typing. That's bad. Aw, no, not with the metaphors, just back. Away. Slowly."

A part of my mind is trying to adapt the Tom Leher song "Who's Next" to Racefail, as I wonder who the next author I respect is going to make the mistake of explaining their way deeper into a mess.

Thinking of important things.

One of the remaining cool, breezy late spring afternoons gave me the opportunity to go for a walk and clear some of the cobwebs out of my head. As I walked, I got to listen to all the various bird calls around me- more than even the woods had in Santa Barbara. And even better, as I crossed a deserted office park I had as a companion a huge yellow monarch, before it decided to investigate some pine trees. And then there was coffee, and a walk back, while all around me were the fluttering, scurrying and singing of life going about its business.

It's not that these are the only important things to concern myself with, far from it. But they are important things for me to remember, especially these days, to keep myself on an even keel.