Sumi- I am sorry about your diagnosis (although I still can’t find the original post, so I feel like I am missing details.I was so beside myself just needing a biopsy, I can’t imagine. But you have my (and all of our) support

I want to near a, but I am not sure I remember everything.

Gud and tommyrot and Karl- it is excellent to see you. I am sorry about the year, tommyrot and your mother, but it sounds like you are poling your head out a bit. I can’t believe TCBITW is engaged. Is that our first Buffista baby engagement? I guess no, because Laura’s son is engaged (married) and some of us have older kids.

Meara- I hate projects like that. I always have the pleasure of doing things I don’t know how to do, because I can figure them out, but that sounds like a recipe for failure because there are parameters, you just haven’t been trained on them

David- has the wisdom teeth happened yet? DO NOT share my story with Matilda, but I actually was awake, but paralyzed during my wisdom tooth/general anesthesia bout. I had no pain though, I just was aware, but couldn’t indicate it. Then, after they were done, I was out. I always tell the dentist this, because I also have a delayed novacaine reaction, and should I ever go under again, I will also share.

Teppy-et als. For accountability, I should also share I have sort of backslid during COVID, but it is more medium clutter than hoarding again. I am actually working this weekend to get it back to “acceptable for teenaged boy” so that Aidan can start coming by and taking out my garbage again. I loved that, but we lost it during COVID. And, according to my therapist, I think that there is sort of a hoarding scale.

COVID really sort of did a number on my mental health, I think. I never before in my life regretted not being partnered, but the endless alone was terrible. I felt like I was forgetting even how to speak properly. Now that I am fully vaccinated, I am back to working in the office and I feel so much better. I stayed home one day this week and it was terrible, so no more! I saw my best work friend in person for the first time since last March on Monday, and had my second hug since COVID. I am no hugger, but I seriously teared up

I am stressed out about a doctor visit on Monday because I haven’t been taking care of myself and I feel old, and I feel like I will be chastised, and I hate being chastised. I am also stressed out because our whole bus system is changing on May 17, and all my memorized ways to get places will be different. They are also adding something, which I think will be good, but I am a little confused by, which is called on Demand. Which seems sort of like Uber, locally. So within my little zone (and other little zones), it sounds like you can schedule a pick up from a bus stop to another bus stop within the zone (but on another line) for a dollar and they come pick you up in a van. So instead of having to go downtown and transfer, taking hours to get to somewhere that is 3 miles from me (like the grocery store), I could do that. I would just be nervous about getting stuck at the grocery store. The reason they need this is because Rochester is not a grid, it is more like a bicycle wheel with spokes, so all the busses go downtown and then out- there is nothing to get you crosstown. And the further out you are from Downtown, the wider the space between spokes, so it is a very long walk for me to get to the next line. Everyone is up in arms, but I am trying to give it some time. I think it may be better.

It looks like my local movie theater is open. I could maybe go see a movie. In a theater. I don’t know how to feel about this.

I'm so sorry, Sumi. Hope you have an easy course of treatment.

David- has the wisdom teeth happened yet?

Not until June 11th. I will not be sharing that story!

They are also adding something, which I think will be good, but I am a little confused by, which is called on Demand.

Oooh, that does sound like that will really solve a lot of your transit issues, once you get the hang of it.

I am actually working this weekend to get it back to “acceptable for teenaged boy” so that Aidan can start coming by and taking out my garbage again.

That'll be a huge help.

I never before in my life regretted not being partnered, but the endless alone was terrible.

I have been worried about my singleton Buffistae this year.

Thanks David- I was just listening to a podcast where someone was describing their COVID brain as not being able to remember or think anymore than 24 hours ahead or behind, and not remember anything if it is not on a calendar or to do list written down immediately. I have ALWAYS had a really, really good memory, so I have been beginning to think I have lost it, but it seems like other folks are experiencing this, too, and that I don’t have a serious medical condition. I do hope I remember to go to the Dr’s on Monday, though. It is actually on my outlook calendar, so I should, since all I have done since March was follow my outlook calendar blindly and Zoom.

I feel like I have COVID brain plus migraine meds brain plus possibly perimenopause brain. It's like I have no short-term memory or grasp on words I want to use.

It is comforting to think that my brain might get less unreliable when pandemic conditions change.

I still don’t mind being alone most of the time, but I feel more certain than I used to that I will not be able to live safely by myself forever and I should make some kind of plan about that.

I feel like I have COVID brain plus migraine meds brain plus possibly perimenopause brain. It's like I have no short-term memory or grasp on words I want to use.

This is 100% me. Although I guess it's definitely perimenopause brain. (And I'm annoyed by the hot flashes that started the evening of my first vaccine shot, where I had to play the game of Did Menopause Start Right This Moment, Or Is This A Vaccine Side Effect?)

I am not sure I would really be doing better if I lived with someone. I miss most the everyday, not too deep conversations with workplace friends and people at places I frequent. But this has also made me think about how I may never be able to retire. And that I have no one to care for me, except possibly Maria’s kids.

Also menopause, but I think this is worse because COVID