Westwood Village, LA

Despite economic insecurity etc , a long line has formed outside South Pas. CA Trader Joe’s in anticipation of release of mini tote bags which are apparently “really cute” per person in line (who also said it’s unrelated to possible price increase from tariffs). 🤷

Many neighbors are self-evacuating from South Pasadena to get away from the terrible air quality.

We’re miles from evacuation zone for Eaton Fire but ash is falling on our heads and stuff like this still all over (viewed while wearing N95 mask)

Just heard on the radio that LA is having its driest start to winter since 1964. I live in South Pasadena. We’re so fortunate — didn’t even have to evacuate but it’s still been so crazy here and now my younger daughter is convinced our house will burn down. Thanks to false alerts.

Proposition 32 was just rejected. In blue California, why did the minimum-wage boost fail? — good examination here of this surprising (to me) outcome

45-minute (!!) line to vote at the public library in the non-crucial non-swing state of South Pasadena CA

Another reason to subscribe to the Post: Awesome baseball coverage by ⁦@barrysvrluga⁩ . Great column on last night’s crazy game #whyisubscribe

I used to work at the Post, and I know firsthand how hard the reporters and editors work … and whatever does or doesn’t happen on the editorial page (which they have nothing to do with!) we need them to hold the next administration to account. #whyisubscribe.

RT @LuluGNavarro: Democracy is thrilling! Vote!

@AnnaCramling @GothamChess @DanielRensch @dsmerdon And of course @GMJuditPolgar !! True honor to speak with you.

Thanks to @AnnaCramling @GothamChess @DanielRensch @dsmerdon for your help & insights.

I know there’s a lot going on but … I wrote a story for the Post about chess, which is my new obsession! It’s about surprising gender inequities and a #MeToo scandal:

Ok I definitely did not know that Ina Garten once worked at OMB writing the nuclear energy part of the budget (per intvu she’s doing on NPR rn).

One of my kids found this on our sidewalk in South Pasadena (and was disappointed it couldn’t be spent at Sephora)

I have never understood grownups who are obsessed with Disneyland but this is beyond. The kicker is a quote from the woman literally saying she would sell a kidney to get back into this crazy expensive club there.

Linda was an absolute legend and role model. I will never forget taking (flawless) dictation from her in the AP LA buro pre-smartphones (as in, she would call from court and compose a story in her head while narrating it complete w/punctuation — lost art).

🥲

LAUSD, fed up with kids distracted by social media, to consider cellphone ban (this would be a total ban on campus, not just in class - vote today)

My younger daughter asked if she could listen to an “exquisite” song. Unfortunately it turned out she meant “explicit.”.