A recent large-scale study of 28 million adults in the French National Health Data System found those who received an mRNA COVID vaccine had a 25% lower risk of ALL-CAUSE mortality over a 4 year period compared to unvaccinated individuals. Smoke that, RFK Jr. www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/mrn....

Remember that when you post "Melania was a sex worker" posts, try to phrase it in ways respectful to other SWs. Report the facts, but don't lose the tact; that's all I ask.

Congratulations, Pac 10, on at least tying, if not winning outright, the Captital One Bowl Challenge. (They went 1-0; the only other conference undefeated so far in bowl games is the Big 10.)

If you want 2026 to be your year, take advantage of this week. Resting, cleaning, and re-stocking might all be part of that.

Me: don't be political. Also me: the extra-long breaks in Congress give more time for the impeachment articles to be drawn up effectively.

One of my NY resolutions is to try to get less news from social media. That might mean I'll lose some facts in with the fakes, so if you post a big story and I don't react, you know why (or you don't read my profile.) Personal news will still draw my interest, and some "news" IS personal.

StupiTip: Don't wait until the last minute to try to send a gift card to another country. (I don't know why I thought it would be easy, or at least, possible, to send money from the US to Europe.)

If you wondered who the LEAST famous reindeer of all is, it's probably Mondar the Shy. Let him be; he's happier that way. Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Me: Merry Christmas! Also me: if vampire snakes existed, would they have bigger fangs, or the same kind, or what?

I kind of hope someone who thinks billionaires shouldn't exist wins the Powerball, just to see what happens next.

One thing I want for Christmas is forgiveness for any well-intended but not-as-funny-as-they-sounded posts and replies. If you've already unfollowed or blocked me because of that, I understand, but if not, thanks for hanging with me, and I'll try to do better.

Keep spreading it.

Due process matters. That's why the photo showing Micheal Jackson, Diana Ross, and their kids in the Epstein files needed to be shown--whatever else was wrong, that wasn't it. But also, don't we have enough for an impeachment?

Epstein or not, someone you know is probably a survivor of terrible behavior. I'm hoping we're here for each other; you DID survive, and that's amazing in its own right. You deserve better, and we can all work to make that happen.

If you're looking for an alternative, the Cure Bowl is pretty close right now. Why they named a bowl game after Robert Smith is...beyond the context of this post.

I think we've reached the point where if anyone DOES want DMs, please say so in your bio. Otherwise, ask politely first, give a strong clue as to why ("it's a business thing" or "there are typos you should know about") and be ready for a No answer all the same.

Now we know how the bubble will burst.

When I see posts asking for money, especially repeat ones, I want to offer financial advice. Then I remember that this is like offering an organic chemistry lecture to someone with a flat tire (but if you also think it'll help, let me know.)

Note that donating blood ANYWHERE helps someone.

Remember, they're asking you NOT to do this. Also, reporting a weird-looking guy in a red outfit who seems to be trying to cross the border from Canada is also a no-no.

There are organizations trying to use AI to re-create the personalities of people from books, and of people who have passed on. Is it too late to suggest that we DON'T do this with The Bible, and then carry that through to DON'T DO THIS?

Holiday baking tip: Christmas cookies. Go to a store. Buy your favorite cookies. Keep them out of the reach of pets. Enjoy them. (This also works for Hannukah and Christmas in July. You dough you.)

I was going to set up a blog of caramel custard recipes, but my workplace does not encourage having an OnlyFlans. (With apologies to anyone offended by that joke.)

Calling the second strike on an alleged drug boat a "double tap" is much too kind. "Confirming the kill" is better, though "aggravated homicide" also fits.

Can we pause the Ukraine/Russia conflict long enough to fix the shielding at Chernobyl? It could be a chance to see if whats-his-name is as good at fixing real estate problems as he claims.

I asked a bonus question on an exam about whether or not kaiju would make good pets, because I am reading the proper amount of @scalzi.com (e.g. enough really enjoy his work, but that's as far as it goes.)

The Pope is against the US invading Venezuela. So, for non-Catholics out there: glad to have you at Mass, Reconciliation is for everyone, and bring some small bills (or large ones) for the coffee and donut events. Or, you know, just enjoy that we have common cause here.

It's World AIDS Day. I'm not "celebrating", but I'm glad there are better treatments than there were, and I keep praying for a safe and effective vaccine. Ironically, I know the best efforts of science are the "prayers" we need right now.

I love it when a student explains (in a paper) a concept we spent two weeks talking about in class. I have new empathy for, and will make more effort to self-edit when talking to, women.

Like the CDC, I will update my page for the link between autism and vaccines: There isn't one. Whew, it feels good to get that out in the open. Now we can fund research into what does link to autism, and...oh.

Hulu's DVR is not playing nice with NBC recordings--apparently it's not you (or me.) Let Hulu know this is not OK.

To my writer/artist/creator friends: The trend of AI slop is bad right now--and I hope you get through it. Like the early days of spam, we'll find a way, and I know that doesn't keep you fed/employed right now, but it's a reason to have some hope.

The next line of defense will be: "Donald Trump is not a drag queen." This won't make the point they think it does.

This.

I don't have a story, but I'm always up for more data being collected.

I know there's been a lot of news lately, but the Supreme Court telling Kim Davis to go away was fun.

Unpopular opinion, but: I get why the Senators caved. For a month, it was keep the ACA or not--but then the Trump admin. made it abundantly clear they would do everything in their power and then some to prevent SNAP from being paid. Then it became ACA vs. SNAP, and that...sucks, but I get it. 1/2

Instead of a stadium, how about we name those plastic bags we use to curb our dog after whats-his-name? It's easier to remember, and it fits, because curbing a dog makes America slightly Greater again.

If you're on a budget, remember that Temu has bagpipes. Your holidays might be a mess, but now you know what would have been worse. Or you LIKE bagpipes, and I saved you a few bucks. Either way, have a great season.

Politics is weird. You can disagree with someone on most things, and agree with them on one or two issues (or vice-versa.) Also, don't judge someone on what the media shows you of them...but if you've seen their entire speeches, and think "NO!", that's different.

I saw an ad for "denim bottoms" and thought of how much I don't know about other peoples' lifestyles. Good luck; my ignorance should never be your problem.

This seems like a polite request. Good luck to the jury on this one.

Cue the "Don't mess with the Zohran" memes. (Also, since the votes are being counted, hold...hold...congratulations...hold...)

Remember to check expiration dates first, and cash is good too.

Congratulations, Dodgers. (I might be late to say that, but you fought hard, and won.)

My pets will have the challenge that I'm moving dinner back a LITTLE each day from Daylight Savings Time. I don't know if that's better or worse than having them power through it for a day. If anyone knows, i'd welcome feedback.

I'm not sure this is happening (yet), but it's funny either way. Don't tell me if it is; I can't reveal what i don't know. (Also, in this one case, if people of other gender expressions are doing that, have fun but BE CAREFUL, OK?)

If you wonder what the pattern in my posts is, I'm trying to be human rights positive. (Animal rights too, but that doesn't come up as much, and I'm not a vegan, and trying to be honest about who I am.)

Ending the filibuster was their plan all along; they threw hungry kids under the bus to do that.