i get the message about things that are up to us and things that are not. i get it several times. i expect to still get the message until i get it good. when i get it i'll get it. julia mentioned epictetus and i ordered the book and then i had a strange and disturbing meeting with her about the government, and then i read the book and i met julia and apologized and hugged and we felt relieved we're still us, and the government is still whatever it is and it's not up to us. the government thrives on fear and disconnection and strife and people fighting, when all we have to do is stay connected and let the poison government go on with it's heedless trajectory. we're still here and we're still friends.