• author sandra tsing loh is divorcing and wrote this article about it. interesting article, many truisms (i think, speaking as a never married) but ultimately too bleak.
• city of virginia beach FAIL: i noticed a change at the little park just across the street from where i live. about 2 weeks ago, there was lots of tree cutting and trimming activity. i am one that would normally support fairly vigorous pruning as i walk my dog alot and will have memorized which streets or trails have lots of low hanging tree branches that threaten to gouge out my eyes on my walks with the magpie. however, they did appear to be planning to deforest the landscape, which i had commented to my guy when i noticed it. in any event, sometime last week, i noticed that the benches were different. instead of just a regular, metal bench that was there – and not that old or weathered in appearance – i started noticing benches with a little armrest in the middle. like dividing a bench into two sections of two seats. so how does that relate to the compassion fail? well, those types of benches, specifically recently placed benches, are devised at least in part to render lieing on or sleeping on benches impossible. it harkens back to debates in my hometown (san francisco!!) in the 80’s (maybe they still debate it, despite SF’s reputation as completely socialist).  i just saw on this mornings news that a homeless shelter has been built about 2 blocks in the other direction, so i realized there is definitely a connection there. i find it disappointing. i mean, i have noticed a particular kind of asian appearing man on a 10 speed with really old school radio headphones that did seem to be stationed on one of those benches napping alot since i’ve been here, and i have noticed the wafting scent of pot drifting from individuals sitting for a long while in that area… but i also feel for the folks who don’t have a place to go during the day – and may not feel safe at night sleeping in a new and clean shelter with strangers in a room. i’m conflicted.  i don’t want to encourage loitering or unsafe areas by any means (the landscaping changes do make for more visible areas which i actually now think is an improvement and make it more likely that i might strol around the block there at dusk), but i also think switching out new and perfectly good benches for most likely lieing down inhibition is kind of paranoid.
• in regards to using FAIL above, slate posted a great article about the epic rise of fail
• i am enjoying twitter so much – i’ve so  been on it for a few years -  i do approve my “followers”, after the epic fail of having them as a widget on my blog last year and the ensuing nightmare – and i really do keep in touch on a daily basis with quite a few really cool people i know who live far away. wish i could get my brother and grandparents to tweet!
• i <3 my boyfriend! he is completely wonderful and awesome and smart and cute! i aim to get so we are able to spend any and every moment we want together, but for obvious reasons, i can’t really put all of that out there on the blog.
• maggie is barking at the open window. incessantly.