Ada

I will, uncharacteristically without proof, assume my power to enumerate local field extensions is not, as they say, "super effective" in this instance😁

Oh, I'm right there with you, Jen 😁

Young one's spelling homework included "arch" words: archive, hierarchy, anarchy, matriarch. My interest was piqued, but sadly, these are unrelated to the current reader, apparently on geology.

No offense to geology, but I was dying to see the kids story with "abrupt" "uninterruptible" "anarchy"

Two months on pills now. To celebrate, I'm reliving the height of my teenage years! 🎉

I will stare at draft messages that my social anxiety keeps me from sending, contemplate existential fears in a world increasingly on fire, and eventually give up and play a video game until I fall asleep. 😅

Took a sick day today on the slim pretense of an afternoon appointment.

I've been alone in the waiting room for 40 mins now writing in my notes app and I cannot for the life of me recall why I have a 10 year old note: "Blue paint marker. Paint car at dawn, Thurs."

I used to rewatch THE SANDBAGGERS regularly. If only the series creator didn't mysteriously vanish/die before more could be made. Alas.

That's terrible. I'm so sorry🫂

I forget to tell search engines not to try and "summarize" sometimes, but I'd rather let one slip than be sufficiently identified as to save a preference.

Oh, AI search...

"Feeling sick to your stomach and angry at the government often go hand-in-hand due to stress and anxiety impacting your gut, but it's important to distinguish real physical pain from stress-induced discomfort; while the phrase itself is a popular meme for political frustration..."

Returned to work from the holidays today - not a great day. December was full of great moments, but at some point I'll have to figure out how to manage in normal, routine daily life.

"Just pretend everything is fine" was a critical mistake all along, after all.

So proud of you! 💜

It was so lovely to meet you in person and look forward to doing so again sometime.

We really should! Once the introvert batteries recharge after the holidays, I think we're not terribly far apart (in that way that most of the east coast is) 😊

None of us have room to talk... But I almost replied with 300 characters about historic monuments in DC or maybe about "Monument" by Robyn and Röyksopp and how chill the Waveshaper cover is...

Shoe fits, I'm afraid. 😁

Yeah, October. It's bizarre and I don't know the true reason for it. (Things people make up are more amusing anyway)

Maybe passing a budget by Oct 1 seems easier than Jan 1? 🤷‍♀️

Given how rough 2025 has been, but in recognition of how much I appreciate these last three months in my life with personal growth, friends, and family - I'm switching to US federal government fiscal years.

I hope everyone has a Happy Start of FY26Q2 next week.

Though apropos, I am somewhat sad to be "the less-mythic." 😊

💜💜💜

Great! Went shopping for teeth, glasses, and meds. (Dentist, Eye exam, Follow-up). So far so good.

Optometry tech was on a mission to find dramatic cat-eye glasses for me. I'm unsure, but return policy exists, so why not? 😊

Been trying since last night to find words for the trip. It was amazing. It was a lot. *I* was a lot (and try not to dwell on it 😅)

The trip was impossibility made real. I could never talk to my family, reconnect with my best friend, face the past, or be that unguarded and happy. Or so I thought 💜

💜💜💜

I was anxious, a bit scared, and felt like I was quite awkward, but I'll stand by my description of the day in the moment:

"I am happy and I have run out of words."

A friend introduced me as "(extra long pause) Surname" at a coworker happy hour. I'm not out at work, so that's cool. We share a govt given name, so reasonable enough.

It felt like I'd entered "..." as a name in an RPG, which was fun. Supportive but awkward friend is adorable, so glad he's cool.

Totally overcommitted today. Like "Get up early to sneak in dental surgery before hanging out with an old friend we're hosting before even more stuff" type overcommitted.

This should be the last achievement speedrun masquerading as a normal day for a while.

Happy birthday, Asha! I hope you have a wonderful day and so many wonderful days ahead! 💜

Happy birthday, sis! 💜

💜 🫂 I'm am so thankful to have met you and to be your friend on here as well (Please don't worry about posting this later, we've met recently, and after the day you had... I just wish for better days ahead for you) 🫂 💜

Very much so. I look forward to reading it again, perhaps through eyes less exhausted from tears 😅

A selfie of Ada holding a copy of Galaxy: The Prettiest Star in front of the lower half of her face while her eyes (hopefully) convey excitement

My wife knows how to cheer me up after a couple of rough days - with a copy of Galaxy: The Prettiest Star!

Right? This is basically where we are. Curated channels/videos for the older and constant observation on the younger. Neither uses Kids, because it seemed like there were just no controls. As you said, connection with their generational culture is really tough

It's a terrible challenge. Our older had to have it taken away for *all the reasons*, but our profoundly autistic younger legitimately just listens to age appropriate songs. Taking it away in full did not go well 😞

Manually curating is a lot of work when the site actively doesn't want you to