Joyeux nouvel an! And a curse.

Last night I found the French channel and watched the celebrations on the Champs Élysées. A fabulous video display projected on the Arc de Triomphe and then fireworks for days. Those French – they know how to put on a show. It was midnight before I knew it. Yes, I actually lasted till midnight! Amazing.

In this shot from the TV, you can see Alice Neel’s portrait of my dad hovering over the festivities, where he loved to be. When we lived in Paris in 1964, we went to the Champs for New Year’s Eve. It was fun. But it wasn’t remotely like this.

I have decided — we must not let the @#$% fascists and greedy fools ruin our days, our mood, our lives. There’s a special place in hell for people who have no concern for the welfare of others, I’m sure of that, and it’s here on earth. The rest of us are in this together. Let’s celebrate everything we can, including celebrations!

Onward and upward. Moving right along. #$@&^%# you, Trump, Putin, Netanyahu, Poilièvre, et al. We see you, we despise you, and we celebrate not being anything like you. Happy New Year, and rock on, friends!

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