I broke out the adult coloring books I'd forgotten acquiring 8-10 years ago. There's something genuinely soothing about painstakingly filling in the intricacies of a page of Celtic knotwork designs.

I broke out the adult coloring books I'd forgotten acquiring 8-10 years ago. There's something genuinely soothing about painstakingly filling in the intricacies of a page of Celtic knotwork designs.

I started this recently, albeit in a “goblincore” themed book. When I visited family in Wisconsin and didn’t do it, I found I missed it. It definitely helps me sleep better than doomscrolling before bed.

I started this recently, albeit in a “goblincore” themed book. When I visited family in Wisconsin and didn’t do it, I found I missed it. It definitely helps me sleep better than doomscrolling before bed.

One of my friends got heavily into coloring books during the lockdown, so I made a big coloring CARE package for her with elaborate books I bought for her in Japantown and colored pen and pencil sets I got at the stationary store.

Yesterday was my friend Eleanor's last day at Borderland Books as she's 38 weeks pregnant and almost ready. I could sense she wasn't going to be there much longer so I made a point of dropping in and I'm glad I did. She's turned into a good friend for me, and I'll miss seeing her at the store.

I suppose she could come back and work a day or two down the line, but that seems less likely. I'm going to miss seeing her regularly and our talks. The next time I see her I'll probably be delivering homemade soup to her and minding the baby while she takes a shower.

All of my parasocial places (Borderlands, Comix Experience, Alembic) have taken a hit lately, losing people I really enjoyed seeing. It just changes the dynamic so much in those places when they lose a welcoming woman, and it's guysville when you walk in the door.

Borderland is down to Jude, one of the co-owners. And I love her, and some of the other clerks, but it was special coming in and seeing Jude and Eleanor together (they used to dress up in themed costumes every Friday.).

My friend Zoey quit at Comix Experience quit after running the shop for five years, and if I see the owner Brian at the front desk I often just keep walking. My friends Katt and Katie are still there though.

And my favorite bartender at Alembic, Megan, left. Now it's all dudes behind the bar, which makes a very different vibe.

I do make a point of swinging by my backup bar (Minibar - art and cocktails) on Tuesdays when it opens because Molly opens. It's not just the person themself, but the kind of people they attract into the bar/store. When I saw Molly on Tuesday, I wound up having good talks with strangers at the bar.

Anyway, I'm dependent on these parasocial relationships to get my fix of human engagement.

Though I think once I get into a groove with the Pilates classes I'll have more regular contact.

Though I think once I get into a groove with the Pilates classes I'll have more regular contact.

I really like the people at the place I’ve started doing yoga. It’s in the next neighborhood over, where the university is, so the people are an eclectic mix that’s Trump’s worst nightmare.

I’ll miss yoga next week, though, because the bookstore in my neighborhood has a book club (the Anti-Despair Book Club, formed after the 2024 election), and it meets the same time as yoga class. It’s only once every two or three months, so I don’t mind skipping yoga for it.

I am essentially dragging myself kicking and screaming out of the house before I transform entirely into a creepy shut-in. (OTOH, Covid is still a thing, which makes me wary, even with masks.)

And despite me saying that ^^^ (re: wary), I’m currently killing time at the nail salon waiting for my pedicure to dry. My winter feet were in desperate need of some TLC and a new color (dark purple; I like only dark colors on my toes, though I was tickled to see a few people getting very 1980s neon colors).

I am essentially dragging myself kicking and screaming out of the house before I transform entirely into a creepy shut-in.

It is so tempting to do this. So much less effort.

I'm getting somewhere with my condo association battle. Short version is that I started the book club group for 2nd Wednesdays, and another resident started a Thirsty Third Wednesday group for happy hour BYOB type stuff. We were posting our announcements on the condo website with no issue for a few months when suddenly the powers that be decided this was dangerous with potential damage and liability or some such foolishness. Many emails ensued for some time, with our announcements not published the past couple months. Finally, my latest missive was sent to all the board members explaining that socialization is normally a priority in groups with common socialization areas. They actually responded like they finally heard what we were saying and now are going to have a community calendar coordinated with the social committee. I feel accomplished! My best chances for socialization are with the people who live in our condo neighborhood!

I am essentially dragging myself kicking and screaming out of the house before I transform entirely into a creepy shut-in.

I think my transformation is already complete. I do have to come to the office 3 days a week, but actual socialization with people I don't live or work with? Yeah, I don't do that. (Proximity matters, and our best friends are all 45 minutes away at minimum.)

I really want to get back to pen and paper journaling. There are a few of my co workers I'd like to hang out with outside of work. But I haven't tried really hard yet. One of them is around my age. But there is also a coworker that can be a lot so no one wants to hang out with her much outside of work but they also don't want to hurt her feelings.

I'm in insurance/Dr hell loop right now. But it should be resolved as soon as I can call the Drs office.

I've been trying not to spend too much time obsessing about the news unless it was trying to find something I can do to help things get better, but the newest thing (DeWine signing SB1) is affecting my actual job, so there's really no way to avoid it.

Elise Stefanik is the rep for the Otter Lake district. Her campaign signs have her staring adoringly at her favorite president. It delights me that they are too afraid of losing the seat to let her have the promised UN appointment. Yes, Elise, your loyalty will indeed go unrewarded. I doubt that the seat was really at risk, but apparently someone else is owed more than Elise.

I’m sorry, Hil

I think my transformation is already complete.

Yeah, it’s an uphill battle to convince myself to try to reverse the process at this point. I do feel like I should, but it’s gonna take so much effort