#rabbi replies

[dispatchrabbi]

Whoops! Sorry I'm a little late today, time got away from me. Sometimes I feel like I'd be happier if I was a non-linear being, but whatever. What form do you think your manual would take? I used to think it would be a book, but the more my smartphone becomes central to managing my nonmagical life, the more I have to admit it would be a convenient and cool manual! -YWWA

I’ve thought about this question a number of times. In recent years my iPad has never been far from me, so I think that’s probably the best candidate. I’d love to be romantic and say it should be a book, and it’d be really convenient to have Bobo or the Aethers or something that was less physical, but I think a tablet is probably exactly my style.

I wonder how many cousins would say their smartphone or tablet now who wouldn't have a few years ago...

[dispatchrabbi]

um? jewish people are not like eh whatever. we're just as upset as every other time someone wants us dead

Yes, I agree with you, as I wrote on that post. There is a big difference between “eh, whatever” (as OP claims) and “nice that you’ve noticed how pissed we’ve been for a while, because that’s pretty much the ground state”.

[dispatchrabbi]

Life is better with cats in it! I'd ramble about my own cat, but I'd surely give away my identity in a heartbeat! Today is the last day before the anon reveal... Any guesses who's been haunting your inbox? -YWWA

Hmm… I thought I knew a bit ago, but I am much less sure now. Despite all my careful investigation (okay, I didn’t do a ton of that) I have no clue. You’ve completely confuzzled me!

[dispatchrabbi]

Happy Friday the thirteenth to you! I hope you had a good day today! I got to pet a black cat so I'm very happy. Pet any cute fuzzies lately? -ywwa

Thank you! My friend Patrick has a wonderful, friendly cat that I got to pet last week, and I’ve been looking into getting one of my own now that I’ve moved in. I kind of want to wait until I get some more furniture, and I’m not sure where the litter box will go yet, and I don’t know what I’m going to do when I go out of town, but yesterday someone at work asked me whether I have a cat yet so I think I probably ought to speed my timeline up.

[dispatchrabbi]

Dai Stiho cousin! Apologies for missing another day - my area has been having a lot of weather-related difficulties. But we already talked about the weather! So let's talk weather, Night Vale style: what are some tunes you've been enjoying lately? I've had Lindsey Stirling's new album on repeat myself. -YWWA

We all have. There was an impressive rainstorm today... unfortunately, it was on my way home from work.

I’ve been playing the soundtracks from Hamilton and Moana (How Far I’ll Go is gonna win an Oscar, I think) a lot, and also I’ve been listening to a bunch of @tessaviolet‘s songs (Not Over You and Sorry Not Sorry are two of the ones I keep going back to). I need some new music though - maybe I’ll check out Lindsey Stirling!

[dispatchrabbi]

Ooh, nifty! I've only watched the odd episode here and there with commentary - I really ought to go through all of Leverage with it sometime! Who's your favorite Leverage character and why? Mine's got to be Parker, because of the beautiful character arc and development she got -- she could have so easily been another "quirky" character but they fleshed her out the same as the rest of the team and gave me one of my favorite characters in anything, ever. -YWWA

Although, truth be told, Nate's ex-wife Maggie is a close second in the favorite character department. It's hard to believe she's only in four episodes, because she makes such a great impression! -YWWA

Maggie is one of my favorites! I also really like Sterling, just because I have a soft spot for Mark Shepherd. But of the main 5 characters... ugh, it’s so hard to pick. I think probably Elliot is my favorite. He’s a smart fighter, and he throws himself into everything he does with equal fervor - fighting, cooking, music. I love it.

That said, I have on occasion exclaimed “Age of the geek, baby!” when I hack stuff together or do something cool on the internet and it works.

[dispatchrabbi]

I feel you on sweater weather - it's my favorite time of year! I just get grumpy when I have to spend a lot of time out in the cold (but then again, who doesn't?). We've gotten a greater-than-average amount of snow and ice here recently and no one knows how to drive in it >.< But, on a more positive note, there's lots of fashion choices that can be made by adding more layers! What's your signature winter Look (tm)? Mine's #toomanyscarves, tbh -YWWA

Oh, you have to spend some time out in the cold and appreciate it — we just got some surprise snow last night here and I was *so happy* — but the best way to spend cold weather is indoors, with a huge window, a fireplace, and friends. Which, incidentally, is how I spent my New Year’s Eve.

As for my signature winter look? I do a collared shirt under a single-color v-neck sweater and some variety of khakis. I actually have this one shawl-neck sweater that I absolutely love — it’s dark green and super warm. And my winter coat is grey with buttons and little shoulder strap thingies, and it fits my body type really well, which makes me happy. Gloves, hat, and my bag and I’m on my way!

Winter is nice because it's one of the few places that someone who dresses masculine but isn't stick-thin can be fashionable. Layers are wonderful, and sweaters beyond the basic are starting to creep their way into line-level men's fashion. And winter accessory choices are much more numerous as well.

As for scarves, I’m in consistent appreciation of people who know how to do scarves. I have tried and tried and have no effing clue how to make scarves work, either logistically or fashion-wise.

[dispatchrabbi]

Hi Cousin! Sorry I missed sending you yesterday's message, life happened, you know? And then after all of the happenings, my cat sat on me and wouldn't move, so I wasn't allowed to do anything for a while. Have you had a good weekend so far? -ywwa

It’s okay, anon, I left you hanging for a day too, because, well, life just happens.

I do know what it’s like to have a cat on you. It’s the best feeling in the world. I could just sit with a warm, purring cat for days...

So yesterday I watched all of Leverage Season 1 with commentaries, and let me tell you, that was a good life decision. I love listening to John Rogers talk about storytelling, and I’d listen to him commentate anything he really loves - and he loves the idea of Leverage. They have the writers and producers and directors and DoPs on there too, and they all contribute really cool things that helped me discover an even deeper level to a show that seems pretty simple on the surface.

So yeah, it was a good day!