A Christmas Present from the State of Washington

I got a notice from the state: based on my knee and foot problems, they're reinstating my short-term disability benefits!

YAY!

This means three very important things can now happen: 1.) The monthly benefit is just barely more than my rent, so going forward I will be able to meet my rent! 2.) I can now go to the Opportunity Council with proof of income and plead for help from their eviction prevention programme to cover the back rent and late fees, and 3.) I get a breather in the stress of worry about eviction while I look for suitable sedentary work.

This is SUCH a load off my shoulders. For the time being, I don't have to fret about paying rent while job-hunting, or worry about being evicted.

Thank you, DSHS!

Star Wars Holiday Special 30th Anniversary

Some 30 years ago this holiday season, waaaaaay back in 1978, I was an excited 10-year-old geekling who eagerly plopped down in front of his TV to watch one of those ubiquitous musical holiday specials -- this one, with a Star Wars theme!

Here's part 1 of 11:

It's truly bad -- so bad, it's *almost* good. Lucas has tried to bury this, but every year, it rears its Lumpy head again! I make no guarantees that the videos will still be available on YouTube by the time you read this.

All of the parts are here: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=rhchr5&view=videos

Especially worth watching: Boba Fett's first appearance ANYWHERE in the animated segment, Bea Arthur's Cantina Cabaret, and the 1970s commercials on this recording.
Especially worth mocking: Carrie Fisher's singing, Chewbacca's outfit, and anything Harvey Korman appears in.

Coming up at 11: How to fight the frizzies.