More Side Quests

The last couple of weeks have been a collection of tiny adventures, good food, and weird little moments. Pull up a chair and pour a drink and let’s talk about them!

I got a fruit punch donut from Dunkin’.

I’m still mourning the loss of my beloved blueberry cake and lemon-filled donuts. The fruit punch donut will not be filling that void, not only because it’s seasonal, but also because it just wasn’t very good.

On the other hand, my own food was excellent.

I made chicken and rice, Guinness sloppy joes (usually good for two days of meals, but this time they disappeared immediately), hot dogs with homemade baked beans, and swai with rice and Brussels sprouts.

I thought I had used all the swai, but apparently I have one filet left in the freezer…

I also had a very confusing moment when I opened a 12-pack of ginger ale and found a Diet Pepsi just hanging out like it belonged there.

Skeptics will say I staged it, but since Pepsi is never okay (aside from that one bar downtown that makes a Pepsi-based Old Fashioned), y’all know I would never waste my money like that.

At work, I found a purple flower, saw geese wandering around campus, and took pictures of Chauncey and two statues called “Crest of the Wave” and “Bailey”

All good things must come to an end, and truth be told, I had three pairs of shoes that had come to an end some time ago (even if I continued to wear them). One of them had holes in the bottom so that my toes would go right through. All of them were worn so thin that stepping on morning dew would soak my soles.

I finally bit the bullet and bought three new pairs . . . Thankfully, each of them was either on sale or clearance!

There was also a day of thrifting, lunch at Cheddar’s, and the general joy of finding random treasures: vintage vinyl, the last four books of a graphic novel series, the second book in a duology in hardback, and a cast iron pot.

I attended Pride Prom for the third year in a row — this year after going out to dinner for a friend’s birthday! — and it was a really good year. Krystal really helped me with my hair and outfit, and I felt fantastic and got many compliments – as well as one “excuse me sir” . . . which how does that happen wearing what I was? I hope their sports team loses their next game. 

I’ve also been doing my Pride prompts this month too, which has been a fun little creative challenge to put thoughts and moments into words that celebrate queer joy. 

I’m also glad to have received great positive feedback on them.

I have also been watching The Matrix almost every day. Unfortunately, work travel means I will miss Monday and Tuesday this week, so my streak will be interrupted. 

How tragic.

I also saw The Bride! and Primitive War, and both were enjoyable. The Bride! was very different from what the previews made it seem like. I had wanted to see it since I first heard about it, and it did not disappoint.

I also remembered Mr. Tom on D-Day.  He said it was the worst day of his life. I had the privilege of sitting with him for almost a decade, and now I remember for him.

This past week was also the anniversary of the release of Jurassic Park, and now, as I write this, I am traveling for work, sitting in a hotel room with a sandwich, pretzels, and a couple of cold drinks thanks to my insulated pouch.

I had vouchers for happy hour, but after driving all afternoon, I have absolutely no desire to leave my room.

The next three days will be quite people-y and I need to build up my reserves. 

How have you been?