I took a few days isolated from the news, because this shit sucks unmitigated ass and I'm fucking done trying to tank it.

So instead I went and hung out in the middle of the desert with some friends; was challenged to - and won - an impromptu habanero pokerfacing contest; and participated in the concocting of a concoction involving lime electrolyte powder, generic cola, and vanilla that was then called "Sproke"