I just paid a bunch of bills, put aside $$ for mac's upcoming rent (he has one more month before I move him if he cannot cover it) and it depressed me

It was two years ago that I gave #1 son the ultimatum. (he was 28) He had until July to have an apartment that he had wages to support without help, or he was coming to Otter Lake with me. (fate worse than death) He really didn't want that to happen, but he came to NY. Now it is almost 2 years that he has been 100% independent and I know he will be okay. Yes, I wish he showered more often and wore decent clothes, and yes I kinda hoped he would seek more than doordash as a career. But he is 3 years into a relationship. They are happy, healthy, and self sufficient. I can't begin to tell you how much of a relief this is when I really didn't think it would ever happen. DH was prepared to have to take care of him forever because he seemed so incapable of the normal. Brilliant, beyond brilliant, but zero normal skills.

Also, WWDitS is taunting me in my queue.

Argh. My boss scheduled our monthly meeting for today at 8am, which is before my usual start time, so I came in early so I wouldn't be just running from my cart o the meeting. Got an email a little while ago that he is sick and cancelling. So I am here for no reason, trying to remember what I am supposed to do today besides meetings. One of my other meetings got extended, so total meeting time for today did not get decreased. Of course, all these meetings are over Zoom anyway, so being in the office is still somewhat superfluous. But whatever, being in the office is almost always superfluous. I guess I do have a reason for being here in that my coworker who is leaving is coming by at lunch time to say goodbye in person, and I do want to see her.

Also, I tried out the toaster and my bagel was pretty cold when it came out so I am disappointed. I couldn't tell whether the setting was all the way up or all the way down and couldn't seem to change it, so.

Eta: I am actually two episodes behind in WWDitS because I forgot it comes out weekly/what day it's on...

Pres. Biden has jumped on the bandwagon and tested positive for Covid today. This variant is ridiculously fucking transmissible. Yeesh.

I want to barricade myself, but life! Mostly the only inside place I want to keep going is to the gym. Outdoor eateries are abundant, although I haven't really been eating out. All delivery or curbside in life. Somehow both Brendon and I have escaped despite some level of risky behavior like travel and coaching. Sigh, feel bad for Biden, but at least he gets to hide out for a while.

Dumb time for me to start travelling, and yet I'm going to make my whoosh of a trip this weekend and sit on a plane going and coming and in an audience (of hopefully masked and vaccinated people) for hours. I did invest in KN95s rather than relying on the same fabric masks I've been wearing for two years.

I have been eating out, but I think I've decided to stop that for a bit. I've still been ordering or picking up pre-pulled grocery orders because that's awesome regardless of pandemic circumstances.

Next travel is Panama, assuming all signs are OK for travel come October, and I won't push for anything before then. Well, we may do a working week at the beach in September with two other friends, but that doesn't require a plane.

Going to tighten up my masking for any indoor retail, hair, nails, food pick-up, etc. I do it 80%, but I did not mask the whole time for my last haircut or pedicure, though pedicure place was mostly empty.

We've been lucky, but I think I've gotten a little lax and a lot cocky, so time to be more responsible. Stupid virus.

I got some good news this week: Mom's cancer check-up was clear, and the next one is in one year. Really feeling optimistic that she's well and truly safe from a relapse now.

We were going to see our friend's band perform on Saturday because it was an outdoor show, but since it's stupid hot and humid here, the show got moved inside where there's a/c. Which is smart in terms of the weather, but I really don't know if I want to be at an indoor event, even masked. I dodged Covid once in Nashville and don't know how long my luck will hold out. Must ponder.

It won't be rows of seats like a theater; there will be tables set up cabaret-style, so the space between the tables means you're only in close proximity to your table-mates, but I'm still pretty hesitant, damn it. I'd rather sit outside in the heat with cold beverages than sit inside.

Matt, that's great news!!! So glad to hear it.

That's great, Matt!

Meant to say earlier - Renfield is a terrific name for a cat. Especially one that catches flies and eats spiders as so many of them do.

Newsflash - I still really resent when work related web sites require a 2-factor authorization using my personal cell phone. So annoying!