Happy Friday, North Americans. (Happy week-end, billytea!)

Thank you! And happy weekend to you too now, I think?

We've received the word that Ryan will be back at school from 1 June. Lots of new hygiene and social distancing measures, of course. I'll be sorry to see him go back really, but it had to happen sometime. Fingers crossed I won't have to go back to the office for a while yet.

Yay no stitches!

I don't know how to buy shoes online. As in, in a way I won't have to return them because of size and comfiness issues. I want new comfy flat shoes for the office as there's a good 7-11 (celsius) degrees difference between indoors and outdoors so I tend to freeze there during summers, and I never figured how to understand if a shoe I never worn before will be comfy from just looking at it online and measure my feet.

I'm also deeping my toes back into German online. I went to the verb conjugations explanation section with all of the English warnings that it's difficult and complex and began to laugh. Oh my sweet summer child, have you heard of Hebrew verbs conjugations?

I am not filled with confidence, motherfuckers.

I'm very sorry Steph and this is very frustrating, but I also think I need this on a pin. Possibly embroidered on something, too.

verb conjugations...difficult and complex

Hah! That reminds me of a couple of bits from the '80s Britcom I've been re-watching lately, Yes, Minister .

Bernard Woolley:

"That's one of those irregular verbs, isn't it?

• I give confidential security briefings,
• you leak,
• he has been charged under section 2a of the Official Secrets Act."

• I have an independent mind,
• you're eccentric,
• he's 'round the twist."

Oh, wonderful!

I really need to re-watch it too. I am after all an MPA student now.

I don't know how to buy shoes online. As in, in a way I won't have to return them because of size and comfiness issues.

I don't think that way exists. Even buying the same style in different colors doesn't reliably work for me.

I hope you feel better, askye.

I think you just have to be willing to return shoes. Although I am usually good with Danskos in the size I know fits me. But I bought the exact same Steve Madden combat boots on Amazon (like I actually repurchased) and they are different!! They have been my go to shoes for a couple of years- I appropriated a pair from the costume shop and they go with everything in the winter. But this time they are different.

Shoes are tricksy

I have to leave the house today to pick up groceries and I don't wanna, wanna sleep

Something that just occurred to me yesterday:

On Mother's Day, we went over to my mom's. My mom and stepdad have been exceptionally cautious with coronavirus precautions -- they get their groceries with ClickList so they don't have to go in the store, they don't go anywhere (other than picking up groceries), they're in full-on hermit mode to stay safe. So I offered to just leave her present on the porch so we didn't have to interact in person, but Mom decided we could visit by sitting in the driveway in camp chairs 6 feet apart [definitely no hugging], which we did for about an hour. And despite any issues I've had/continue to have with my mom, it was really, really good to see her and my stepdad in person.

So I thought, hey, we could do that with my dad, too -- visit and stay 6 feet apart. Except, no. Because he's STILL working at Kroger (even though he doesn't need to financially), so every damn day increases his exposure and chance of getting/carrying Covid-19, even if he's asymptomatic. And you know what? I am obsessed with doing everything I can to keep Tim safe, since he's higher risk due to the immunosuppressants he takes for his RA. I was comfortable visiting my mom and stepdad because they see NO ONE; the closest they come is when the ClickList person puts the groceries in their trunk. But Jesus, my dad works at a grocery store. Every shift, he's exposed to so damn many people that I genuinely can't believe he's still healthy (or asymptomatic). I won't take the risk of seeing him in person, even at 6 feet away.

And that sucks. I'm still angry at him for choosing to work when he doesn't need to, and I'm also really sad, because I have no idea when I'll get to see him in person again. If it were just me, I'd probably visit him. But, to every extent possible, my #1 priority is NOT increasing Tim's risk. It has to be. God damn it.

I just needed to vent about that, because it sucks. I know we're all in similar situations (or in the same ballpark, basically; I sure the fuck hope that no one else's 76-year-old heart patient father is insisting on working at a grocery store even though he doesn't need to financially).

I'm sorry, Tep. I hope he is actually well but of course you are right to be protective of Tim.

OK. Getting dressed. Ugh.

My parents are being very sensible. I didn't have any reason to think they wouldn't, but you never know with parents.