I have to report my successful efforts to circumvent the man, or thwart the condo board, as the case may be.

A few months ago, the board decided that residents could no longer post non-official events on the condo website. I couldn't post the book of the month and date for the Book Club, Deb couldn't post the 3rd Wednesday Happy Hour, and so forth. It could only be official announcements, and apparently, people selling things.

I went back and forth with them for months, then the last board meeting they proposed this convoluted system of residents presenting potential gatherings to the Social Committee, prior to the 8th of the month, and they would get board approval, then it would be included in an official calendar, but announcements wouldn't be going out. Additionally, a lengthy section of legalese included a waiver that explicitly excluded the board and association from liability and personal responsibility, which they expected everyone to sign. Basically, making something simple absurdly complicated. They suggested I head the Social Committee since I was so adamant about wanting a method of social engagement within the community.

So I said thank you but no thanks to the Social Committee position and started a Facebook group which states clearly that it is unofficial and not associated with the board or association. Just a place to communicate with the neighbors and announce event plans. 20 members already, when it was just created this weekend, and people are stopping me in the hallways and messaging me about how wonderful this is, including the previous social committee members and some board members.

I already put up the Book Club announcement, and another person said they were going to put up an invite to join in the Sports Lounge for the hockey playoffs. We have this great Sports room with a card table and games, a pool table, and a big screen. It is almost always empty.

It is a massive weight off my back to stop the tug of war with the board and do it myself. The response has been fantastic. It has driven me crazy that we didn't have a simple way to communicate with the neighbors and socialize. I am a social butterfly and a bit of a troublemaker.

Way to thwart the condo board, you troublemaking social butterfly!

You go Laura. Stick it to The Man!

Nice end-around on needless condo board complications!

Guinea Pig cage is cleaned (always the most onerous task) and I also washed the pots and pans that don't go in the dishwasher.

Matilda just announced that she's making the call right now to her friend's employer to apply for a job, and she's doing just that.

Later she's cleaning up the Garden Apartment (and doing laundry) because (a) she's been using it and (b) it will be occupied by our Guinea Pig sitter, Cousin Nikki (aka, Cousin Nicole) whilst we're in NYC for the wedding.

I have a phone call with a friend at 5 that I'm looking forward to, and it feels like a good mix of productivity and fun stuff for a Sunday.

Good job, Laura!

I heard him interviewed on someone else's podcast recently where he was pressed on one character's deep resemblance to Elon Musk, to which he responded, "Come on--I specifically said he was an excellent and devoted husband and father!"

Oh, that's brilliant. I figured it was intentional, but also there were so many candidates!

I could have my mom teach you the Look of Death, Hec. (For a white person, when Ta-nehesi Coates writes about the Look or Tone of Not Playing, I think I understand. But not as much as my brother!) There is always withholding the friends and/ or bf until you get some desired result, but maybe you don't want to isolate her *too hard* nor punish yourself by being the warden. Perhaps a short-term strategy, though. Says the non-parent who once told the kitty to stop being a bitch last month.

My brother still imitates the LOD. Probably because he works a nerve like there are invitationals. ETA: the bitchy thing my kitty does is sit so close on the bed that it bugs her when I move my arm. Sometimes she gets her claw stuck and then hisses when I try to free myself. Bitchy. ETA2: Not calling that the same as raising a human being. Just thought you'd wonder why I curse at a kitty.