We tossed it out, unopened before we moved. We figured if we didn't need anything in it in 9 years, we never would. It was sort of liberating.

I've been doing that with the old files I've been going through the last few weeks. If nobody's needed the stuff in these folders in the fifteen years since the project was done, probably we don't need to save it, right?

This morning I shared a lane with P, a guy I see swimming all the time. Well, he's there when I am there. He's also there when I bring Noah to lessons.

I asked him if he swims every day. He said, yes sort of. On Tues/Thurs, he said, he only swims for an hour with the masters group. But on Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat/Sun, he swims for 2 hours and 30 minutes following this long, but slow workout. Said it kept his cholesterol down and was better than meds. GOOD ON HIM I say! Amazing.

I am not much of a tchochke person, so I don't have trouble with that, but paperwork is my bane. I did a few purges at points, and now I'm wishing I'd kept a few of the (work-related) things so that I could say what exactly I worked on--stupid porous memory! (I had an interview at a place I've worked before and they went "what is this on your resume about xyz?" and I ...couldn't remember. I wrote that right after I left!)

My next-door neighbor (who has the other half of our duplex) is planning to sell next spring. She told me I could have dibs if I wanted it. I'm considering it. The chances of getting another neighbor as good as she is are slim. If I own it, I can vet whoever I rent it to. And then when my BFF G. is ready to move here (in about five years, according to her plan), she can buy it from me. OTOH, owning a rental property wasn't in MY plan until I paid off my own mortgage, which will be a few years yet. I don't know. It's uncomfortable owning half a house if your neighbor doesn't take good care of his/her half. I really don't want to be stuck in that situation.

So, any Buffistas want to move to Charlottesville in the spring? Hmm? I'd be an awesome landlord. Except I'd probably kick you out in about five years.

also, ita, did you see this picture: [link] I haven't seen recent pictures of Mandela in a while (I know he's been not in great health) but I love this picture. Malia is so TALL!

Anyone want to magically find my cellphone? I can't figure out where it is, and have a sudden fear (after combing the house several times) that it got stolen while I was at the gym. But would someone take the phone and not the kindle or the money? (it's on vibrate so I know it's not going to ring...I tried calling and it went to voicemail, so no one picked up saying "Hey, I found your phone!")

So, any Buffistas want to move to Charlottesville in the spring?

tempting . . . does the university still have a hiring freeze?

meara, have you checked your car?

Wasn't in the car between the gym (where I definitely had it) and home (walked).

ARGH.

I'm glad to read stuff about aces, but that whole thing really put me off. First of all, I assumed it was written by a man until about halfway through. But no, it was a woman (who I'm not sure is asexual) writing about how *hard* it is for a man to be asexual compared to a woman.

From way back, because it pissed me off THAT MUCH. At no point did I think it was a man, because apparently, unlike a lot of early-20s fandom asexuals, I've actually read the studies (there are some) on the emotional states and experiences of self-identified asexuals. Shockingly enough (in the way that is NOT AT ALL SHOCKING), the mens ain't bovvered. The womens, they has the angst and concern. The mens? They're cushioned by their position in the kyriarchy. Fucking dumbshit twit writer. Stop trying to justify your stupid fucking story that fails my ability to suspend my disbelief.

And newsflash: ain't bovvered is a more likely explanation for why there appear to be fewer self-identified male asexuals, demi-sexuals, and grey-As. Hell, even them what acknowledges that, yep, the shoe fits, they MAY NOT GIVE A FUCK ABOUT THE FUCKING LABEL. OCCAM SEZ U R A DUMBASS.

Ahem.

Hey, I discovered how to make wine bubble. I am tipsy enough to not have filters.

That kind of essay pisses me the fuck off, because there is NO FUCKING SCIENTIFIC, SOFT-SCIENTIFIC, OR OTHER EVIDENCE FOR IT, SO STOP THINKING ABOUT THE MENS, YOU NAIVE TWERP. AND GOING TO AVEN AS YOUR ONLY SOURCE OF INFORMATION OR FACTS IS AS STUPID AS GOING TO PETA TO LEARN ABOUT VEGETARIANS.

Also, sorry, but heteroromantic and aromantic asexuals can step the fuck off of my LGBT lawn. You are sexuality cousins, you are potential allies, but you are not legally oppressed, and no, it's really not the same thing. Homoromantic? Bi-or-panromantic? Yeah, pumpkin, c'mon and get a cuddle, and I'll fight for your right to marry the person you want to smush on forever.

Shit. This has been building for, umm, a while. About as long as it's been making my back button burn from repeated pressing, really.

Meara, good luck. I left mine outside and someone called Paul's cell, so we had a happy ending. May your cell be found!