What it says on the tin. Can't really eat or drink or I feel like I'm getting socked in the face by a two ton truck. The soonest exam I could schedule on Monday, is tomorrow the 26th. ALWAYS mention you can't eat or drink when filing a dental emergency.

That being said, the best Christmas present I got was getting to have Christmas eve gathering for the first time in 3 years (after routinely doing it all my life) with my eldest sister, who declared she was cancer free earlier this year and was able to be a witness at my marriage officiating earlier this year. She was able to host this year after finalizing her divorce, moving away from her house and moving off to a new apartment to recover from...well, she is a private person, so whatever happened to her over the course of a few decades. I wish her well on her healing journey.

Though, she is a very thoughtful gifter. She takes gifting very seriously and will almost never gift straight cash or giftcards, preferring to get what you would have gotten yourself as a treat with laser guided precision. I have to say, I did miss that for a good 3 years where we had no idea what she was doing or up to. I saw her twice in person, visiting her home once on a determined whim traveling 3 hours by bus, and another time I simply detoured there coming home from a mandatory in person work appointment to my former HQ. I figured it would be a good idea to establish that not only had I totally detached from my ex fiance, but that now I had a new engagement that felt like it was actually going to go through.

An overall pleasant Xmas this year despite the ongoing health complications. Plus, we had heavy snowfall for this Christmas so it actually felt esthetically synchronized rather than just being barren and cold, but not cold enough for snow in time for Christmas.

Id like to mention for transparency, while I am on good terms with progressive Christians & celebrate Christmas, I do not consider myself particularly Christian and some would say I had an interfaith upbringing even if most of my family has been various denominations. Ultimately I find religion being 100% optional to be a relief. I have found that I am not a fan of any major religion, even outside of Christianity and cannot take devout, pious folks seriously on various matters as their religious beliefs delude their ability to perceive the physical world around them for what it is.

Or worse, outright refute it if they do "perceive" it.

Moving on, I hope to submit more art in 2025 and perform various things to obstruct the intent and goals of the incoming extremist right-wing organizations and goverment that will be knocking on our doors in January.

A reminder to anyone reading this, that Minnesota is a trans refugee state. As of January 1st, gender affirming care will be a required insurance coverage for non religious companies when it is found as medically necessary, which is going to be in every case where you say you have already socially transitioned. The older you are the faster you will be granted HRT. Our main 3 state insurance programs have no major religious affiliation. Personally, I'd get out of the Bible belt and southern states while you have a chance to actually think about what you are doing.

By the time the end of January comes in for 2025, you will not be able to stop the onslaught of bad news to distract you from your goals of getting to safer locations. Id just book it or bunker if you cant leave. Learn practical skills and fuck off, worked for me.