Carefully Random

The weeks are tumbling over each other like fat, happy, stupid puppies. I've gotten a little bit out of the habit of keeping daily snippets, as these last two weeks especially have been very "go, go, go". I had the thought, a couple of nights ago, that as I fall asleep the things I regret not doing more of tend to be a) self-care type exercise, b) reading, c) email; that last one not because I love it, but because I dislike feeling behind on it.

This week, same as last week, I again bounced around between condos. At the new one I finished ( a bunch of stuff; click if you like houses! )

Physically, I did my TGUs at 55lb for the third week in a row and then touched the back of my head to both feet while in a backbend; only the second time in my life I've done that. I also had a walkover lesson that was surprisingly pleasant.

Spent an afternoon at apfelsingail's place, helping with winter window treatments and discovering an excellent hole-in-the-wall bakery. And painting our nails with the results of a recent mooncat order. (There's a peachy-pink color that it surprises me to really love.) I also had lunch with mindways, and was extremely tickled to learn that he's dating another kind, helpful, competent person I've known for a few years... sometimes the universe makes a very satisfying click, as pieces settle into place.

Media recommendation for those who like philosophical TV shows: I watched the first two episodes of Pluribus with the squirrel, and really like it so far. It's like a darker version of The Good Place, and holds up American hyper-individualism very effectively against a world that is largely a lot more collectivist. So it appears that the squirrels have a new show! The bug and I also just finished up the single season that exists of Scavengers Reign, which was recommended to me by someone at Zillian and which went delightfully all-out on the alien botany. Text is still my medium of choice, but my recent string of 2-star reviews on Goodreads says I'm doing weirdly better with TV lately.

Did I mention I've been training a lot? Off to the Epsom salt bath with me.

A fairly happy week of bouncing back and forth between the new condo, my usual condo, and the squirrel's place. The new condo now has blinds in the windows (except the bathroom window where there's translucent film instead), coat hooks in the hallway, and protective bumpers installed in lots of places where a door would otherwise hit a wall. Tomorrow I'll work more on installing a couple of hinge pin door stops, putting protective drawer liner on all the drawers and shelves, and calling a locksmith to get a combo lock put on the door. I also spent a productive couple of hours installing towel rods for the new 2nd floor owner over there, who is obviously a good person to form an alliance with. All of it had to go in with drywall anchors (bleh, give me a stud!), but it went fine and she didn't have to hire a handyman.

Body stuff continues to be interesting. I held a 75-second straight handstand, by my coach's timer, on Wednesday, and he doesn't press the button until a person is up and balanced so you know that's really real. I shrugged it off, only mildly pleased, and he made a big point of telling me it's really good and quite an achievement, etc. So -- all right! I think it is a new record for a straight hold. I also discovered a big asymmetry in my chinup strength by experimenting with mixed-grip chinups, and did well in my press lessons but with no single big thing to report. Did my TGUs with 55lb again, and that made me happy.

Halloween occurred, and with it a very good circus show in which I got to see Tiny Person being insanely awesome in two excellent acts. In one she was a kind of undead Barbie-ish character, and in the other she was a sleeper who was awakened by (and thrown around, and stacked upon) two demons. So good. My enthusiasm was only somewhat dampened by getting gum on the train of my Morticia Addams gown -- heated white vinegar and a toothbrush did pretty well for undoing that, this evening, but what a pain.

My squirrel is leaving his big company for real in a few months; the exit papers are signed.

Following a good video call with my new collaborator, a new crossword puzzle is almost ready to send in. I ran it through several test solvers this week, and I think it's good! A couple of tweaks, especially to the theme "revealer" clue, and it will be good to go.

Winter is coming -- DST ended today. We are plunged into the dahk-ness. I bought a new coat on Wednesday (a puffer coat this year), and Birdie went to the Fluevog store and bought some of the same boots I have. So I suppose we are prepared enough. I'm daydreaming about sewing, and making mulled apple cider, and hosting craft nights and, most especially, sleeping a lot. Speaking of which... good night, internet.