Before I get to all the downfall and tragedy, I’d like to ask a favor. For whatever reason, most people aren’t able to post to the Facebook page, but a few of you can. And because the missus and I are both administrators, we can’t see the page like a regular viewer and thus can’t really troubleshoot. So if any of you are able to post to the page, could you do so and include a screenshot of where you see the option to post? It’ll help me show others how they might be able to do it.

Thanks in advance!

OK, enough about my problems. Let’s talk about me—and the fact that Mrs. LDBC and I both got zapped by Bing and Bowie this afternoon. Yes, all we wanted was a couple bunches of asparagus and a dozen or so Cosmic Crisp apples (a favorite of mine). But apparently, loving fresh-grown goodness was enough of a transgression for The Boy to decide we deserved to go.

Hey, it happens. Just as it’s now happened to more than 300 of you who’ve filled out the form, along with those of you who haven’t. (And if you haven’t, please do so we can properly memorialize you at the end of this Thing of Ours.)

As I keep saying, ’tis a brutal game we play.

But it’s one that brings us together in our anxiety and suffering year after year and brings out the best in generous LDBCers such as Thom Downing, who has once again put together a new LDBC-safe Spotify playlist this year. Thom and others do this regularly, and you can find the results of their efforts on our LDBC-Safe Media List.

A week to go, people. If you’re still in it, look lively, be careful, and make those of us who’ve stopped running proud. (And check below for the latest batch of Elfies from some of us.)

Ever vigilant.

For Bill!

Feast of the Fallen: a Remembrance of The Boy’s Victims