Enjoying season 2 of Andor. Seems relevant for our time too.

Glad you have this weight lifted.

Japan so beautiful - so many mountains so very close!

Mount Fuji 😭 just a glimpse of it brought tears to my eyes! 🏔️

Okay all worry is gone, they exchanged our tickets when I asked. 😮‍💨

I would not mind this too much except that I don't know if this means I'll have to buy (two sets) of the remaining two tickets again. And that's like another $80. 😣

Appreciate the comprehensive reach of the rail system in Japan, and also: it is confounding at times. There are also delays. Right now I'm on a train that will be late to my reserved connection because it's inexplicably NOT the limited express and will take 30 mins to complete all stops.

Yes 1/3rd japanese.

Photo of a park at a highway oasis. Koi and duck pond with fountain spray, a gazebo, blossoming trees and mountains in the distance

Photo of muddy trail in pine forest

Photo of snow monkeys in a steaming pool

Photo of mountain village at dusk

Going to Japan was a great idea. Departing from my typical individualistic independence to meet up with friends and experience Japan with them was an intelligent choice that made all the difference. A healing place to be - and return to.

Donate to Help Franklin Gx Ultimate Team Reach Nationals, organized by Ash Escobar This year, we want to make Franklin Gx History and go to the High School Na… Ash Escobar needs your support for Help Franklin Gx Ultimate Team Reach Nationals

Today in all the wackiness of the world, it felt good and grounding to support the local (Seattle) South End Gx Ultimate Frisbee team - they've had to turn down invitations to nationals every year due to cost. Will you join me in giving to make it happen for them this year? gofund.me/6b64855b

Screenshot of BEA cancellation

Screenshot of FESAC cancellation

Farewell to the advisory committees of the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...

Cover of book by Loretta J. Ross: Calling In - How to Start Making Change with Those You'd Rather Cancel.

A third of the way through Loretta J Ross's excellent book "Calling In: How to Start Making Change with Those You'd Rather Cancel." Saw her speak recently, she is an old school organizer and sharp, sharp, sharp!

48 Scientific Societies Representing Almost 100,000 Scientists Ask Congress to Protect the Future of Science 48 scientific societies representing almost 100,000 scientists signed on to a letter asking Congress to protect the future of science

Today, a broad coalition of scientific professional societies who represent over 92,000 scientists are speaking out against the politicization and demonization of Federally funded science and government scientist jobs.

It was an honor to help the Union of Concerned Scientists with this! 🧪🌎

Copy of a bluesky post from citizenwillis.bsky.social showing a screenshot of an article excerpt about Martin O'Malley (former governor and commissioner at Social Security Admin) telling CNBC that "Ultimately, you're going to see the system collapse and an interruption of benefits.... I believe you will see that within the next 30 to 90 days." And "people should start saving now."

If social security checks don't show up on time, disabled and elderly people will go hungry, landlords will not get their rents, sandwich generation will be even more stressed and squeezed... not good, not good at all.

The final vote: 51-45, with 4 people absent.

CLOTURE FAILS, A CONGRESSIONAL SPORTS BAN WILL NOT HAPPEN.

Democrats hold firm, not a single dem voted for cloture.

MAJOR victory for everyone who called in today and this week in support of trans people.

Last I checked, anti-trans decision-makers are trying to make it impossible for trans folks to:
- have accurate identification
- play sports
- go to a public bathroom
- receive essential medical care
- have a job
- basically exist in society

That’s full-on real oppression. wtf?

Trans kids are not a bargaining chip. Before legislation comes up for a vote on Monday, write and call State Senator Elena Parent to tell her to vote NO on anti-trans bills SB 30 and SB 185!

(404) 656-5109
Elena.Parent@senate.ga.gov
Elena@ElenaParent.com

Not good.

Judge rules mass firings of federal probationary employees is likely illegal U.S. District Judge William Alsup ordered the Office of Personnel Management to inform certain federal agencies that it had no authority to order the firings of probationary employees, including the D...

NEW: A federal judge in CA just entered a TRO (temporary restraining order) against the Office of Personnel Management & its Acting Director, Charles Ezell, finding that OPM illegally terminated probationary federal employees because it had no authority to do so.

www.cbsnews.com/news/judge-r...

First 2025 measles case in a WA resident confirmed A King County infant has tested positive for measles. Authorities are letting the public know where and when the risks existed for exposure.

"In King County, about 87% of 2-year-olds are up-to-date on the MMR vaccine, meaning they’ve received one dose, and about 72% of 4- to 6-year-olds have received both doses.

Herd immunity requires about 95% of people to be vaccinated against measles because it’s so infectious."

A CDC vaccine committee meeting, the first of Kennedy's tenure at HHS, gets postponed An HHS spokesperson didn’t say when the meeting would be rescheduled.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) makes recommendations that determine access to vaccines in the US.

The ACIP meeting scheduled for next week is now delayed.

This is how RFK Jr will administratively destroy vaccination programs.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...

I want to know why.

Senior USAID security officials put on leave after refusing Musk’s DOGE access to agency systems | CNN Politics Two top security officials at the US Agency for International Development were put on administrative leave Saturday night after refusing to allow officials from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Ef...

Musk's cronies tried to to gain access to classified USAID data. USAID Director of Security John Voorhees security said no. The Musk people threatened to call in the US Marshals and take the data at gunpoint. They still said no.

edition.cnn.com/2025/02/02/p...

As a follow up to yesterday's post, here is the SUPPORTIVE bill for trans kids!
app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/5180

Washington besties please go comment in SUPPORT of this one!

Don’t go along with illegal orders. Don’t preemptively do things like taking pronouns out of your email signature and disbanding everything that might be construed as DEI. Make them stop you

Grim, even for a Monday.

Calm. Cool (40ish degrees). Lots of light, winter light so not harsh.

Photo of flat still water from shoreline of Hood Canal

Photo on a sunny day of Intertidal mud flats meeting saltwater

Photo of wooden boardwalk from shoreline leading into bare deciduous tree woods on a bright winter day

Photo from Kingston ferry terminal at dusk, docking mechanisms in foreground and Mt Rainier in the background amidst pastel pink skies

Beautiful weekend in the Hood Canal.

"Intertidal mud flats" is my favorite phrase of the day.