issues that look like they're going to become chronic

So, the tingling has settled with the change of diet. One less thing to fret about. Alas, no more tomatoes! And lemons may also be out - a double blow of sharp-and-tasty things.

Ultimately, I'm going to have to become accustomed to a new definition of normal. Along with the ups and downs of acclimating to exactly where 'normal' lies for me.

This is going to be a challenge.

There's a part of me that wants to apologise for dragging you along the journey with me. Although you can always unsubscribe from reading this; fair's fair. I hope you won't, but I understand that looking after yourself is more important than holding my hand or offering encouragements (and it should be).

I've started a blog on which I'm going to talk more about my faith and spiritual things. It's kind of a midway point between FB and LJ/DW, because, frankly, I'm not entirely comfortable 'coming out' fannishly on FB, and I feel...self-conscious sharing about my faith here on LJ.

seriously, you should come to Australia

You would have to leave your guns behind, and possibly deal with us making fun of/mocking you for being American (we make fun of everyone; it's not personal), but we have democracy! And health care (for the moment)! And...honestly, I don't know what would attract Americans to live here.

We're not polite like Canada. We will poke merciless fun at America. We're cynical and there's a pretty big drinking problem in parts. Also, our government is getting scary (they're taking a leaf from America, I swear). But we do have winter (if you settle in Tasmania and possibly inland SA, VIC, or NSW) - just probably not like New England, and if you prefer tropics, then from northern NSW up to Queensland is good. The Midwest is probably inland NSW, climate-wise, and California is pretty much north coast NSW. (You'd have to get used to the sun rising over the water, not setting over at. Also, the best aspect for your house is north, not south. It'll turn you around for a while.)

You probably don't want to live in Darwin; Perth is a lovely quiet city and even semi-affordable. Sydney is not. I love Sydney, but it's horrendously expensive, and I say that as someone who had a great deal of financial fortune on her way through life.

Yes, we have racism. Yes, we have sexism. Yes, we have stupidity and bigotry and all the ills of the human race. I fear that, wherever you run to, there you (and therefore the rest of humanity) will still be.

However, our lines are not quite as sharp as America's: "forged in bitterness and blood". There's resentment and bigotry over immigration and opportunities, yes; there's stupidity over Islam and terrorists and refugees (trying to pass the buck off to some other country), but Australia was never "great" and so we have no "greatness" to hearken back to. It's somewhat freeing when you don't have a glorious past, just an uncertain future.

Actually, would any American refugees care to take a turn at Manus Island on the way to Australia? Because I think that your complaints and outrage might do a lot more to smack the Australian Govt (and the 'Reclaim Australia' bigots) in the head than the refugees we've been housing there under the "Pacific Solution". (*grr*)