Three years ago today we ate this for dinner and it was great

We leave behind pieces of ourselves

like clay shavings

in the places that shape us.

The only sticker I’ve ever put on my laptop.

Today I felt almost normal. Pretty sure it’s the first time I’ve closed all three rings since surgery.

Old Preferences: Software Updates list the software and release notes. New Settings: Click More Info. Click on the only update listed to highlight it. THEN you get release notes.

This sucks.

Eight years ago today, 6 months into my Allovue journey, I came down to Baltimore for a party in our small office above a bar. The party started at 6, and Ted and I still hovered over a laptop at 6:15pm. We excitedly called Jess over to show her– we just fully loaded our first set of general ledger accounts and transactions into Balance. It was, I hope, her favorite birthday present that year.

I’d be lying if I said that I knew that day was a key milestone in a life-defining adventure and partnership. It just seemed like a cool problem we solved.

I love getting photos from the dog walkers.

Watching TV together.

Last week I had my appendix removed. It was not an experience I enjoyed.

I had to cancel two trips, my volleyball league and pickup games, and my gym membership, but luckily the appendectomy was more than 4 weeks before we plan to head to Mexico City for the winter. The big trip remains on, as scheduled, and I should be mostly recovered by the time we leave. Right now I’m mostly fighting late afternoon/early evening fatigue and sudden reminders that I still have holes and stitches in my abdomen.

I finally gave in on YouTube Premium– the ads were just too much– though I wish I could cut something out to reduce my monthly bills. If it weren’t for Elsa and her mom, I think Netflix would be top of my chopping block, which is remarkable.

Lately I’ve been itching for a new creative project. I’m not sure if it’ll be writing or music, tactile or technical. I’ve spent the year getting back in touch with the joy of being present in my body and putting in physical effort. Work takes up all the mental space and energy. With an eye toward what I want for 2023, I am starting to consider if there’s some way I can bring creativity into my life so that I can have mental joy outside of work the way I’ve found physical joy.

I’ve got a domain I’m itching to use for something.

Oh yeah, and we finally went to Cuba, with a trip originally booked for May 2020 as a gift to Elsa’s mom for Christmas 2019.

The lighting off Capital One Arena last night made for a modern cinematic moment.

Oysters should always come with freshly grated horseradish. Despite that oversight, these were excellent.

Having roasted (air fryer) crunch chickpeas was awesome. This process was not.

Friday’s afternoon cocktail (not pictured: lemon)

Pittsburgh throwback

The last six months have been better than the six months before that.

I said this year was going to be about fun. I didn’t really know what that meant. I just knew that 2021, especially from about June on, was a real slog, and a times, quite dark.

If I had to guess what “fun” meant, I don’t think I would have said, “Your once a week volleyball league will turn into a 3-4 time a week thing.” If I’m in Baltimore, just about every Monday through Thursday, I’m playing volleyball. These days it’s mostly indoor pickup, where folks just show up and self-organize. I’ve learned I really don’t like playing in the sand. I get home tired. My body often hurts. But it’s the most fun I’ve had in years.

I’ve even made some friends, which is pretty great, because my best friend moved away this summer.

I’ve been listening a fair amount to three new albums by Cave In, Porcupine Tree, and Dashboard Confessional, which feels would make as much sense in 2002 as 2022.

Somehow, my household has continued to be COVID-free, and with at least seven trips between now and the end of the year, I am anxious for a fresh Omicron-specific booster.

The dogs are great.

I’m thinking about adding an About page of sorts to the blog. Possibly replacing “Uses” or making Uses a section on that page.

Lazy Saturday

I did it.

So happy I stopped puttering around in the kitchen and sat down with them.

Is good

Dumps and noods

I’m staying in a kind of strange spot in Pittsburgh. Driving through, nothing would seem worth stopping and checking out. But there’s some incredible architecture to experience when you walk around. I don’t think I would have ever noticed this church from inside of a car.

On a rooftop in Los Angeles, where it’s easy to love the weather and forget about all the cars.

Baltimore’s taco game just went up a level.