9.19.20

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The Day After.

I woke up still struggling to comprehend that this is real, although it definitely feels real enough when I see how the GOP is salivating at the opportunity act as duplicitous(ly?) as usual. It makes me sick. I needed to do something, anything, that felt like a real action. I’ve wanted to volunteer on Election Day for a long time, so I decided this is the year to do it. I will mask up and drink a gallon of hand sanitizer and do whatever it takes to help people vote.

The second picture is from a distanced get-together with our friend this afternoon. We already had it on the calendar and decided that maybe the solidarity and commiseration would help a little bit. The pitcher of mango margarita that comes with a straw also helped a little bit.

9.18.20

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Gutted.

I don’t know how else to describe the way I feel. Let’s throw in nauseated, too. When our friend texted us earlier tonight saying, “Did you see the news?” I knew it wouldn’t be good. Fuck, I texted back. I think that’s what I said to B, too – I don’t really remember. It’s going to take a while to process what this means, and I think we will see decades of ripple effects. But tonight, we weren’t the only ones who found ourselves mourning and trying to make sense of such a devastating loss on the steps of the building. She wasn’t perfect, but she did what she could. More in the coming days, I guess.

9.17.20

Honestly the laziest co-worker.

9.16.20

I will always feel relieved to get these results. I know I’ve taken a lot of precautions, but I also think luck plays a little part, too. My heart goes out to everyone who has suffered as a result of this pandemic, and I am humbled to feel so grateful for a negative.

9.15.20

Navy Yard looks lovely this morning (as seen on my way to pick up breakfast tacos, haha). These trees have grown SO MUCH since B and I moved to this neighborhood in 2013. It’s not our specific neighborhood anymore, but it’s so close and will always feel a little like home.

9.14.20

I’ll never not love how handsome he looks on the sofa that matches his eyes.

9.13.20

In The Before, we had plans with friends to see Brandi Carlile at Red Rocks in Colorado this weekend. That marriage of artist and venue makes a bucket list show I’ve hoped to see for several years now. The show got rescheduled for the same time next year and while I have no idea what’s in store for 2021 (lolsob), I’m grateful that I still have a chance to make it happen.

In the meantime, we got tickets for a BC livestream tonight, in which she played the entirety of her Give Up the Ghost album. It wasn’t a live show like I’m used to, but it felt so good to watch them jam and cut up and I don’t know, help us all feel a human connection again for a little while.

I hope to take advantage of more livestream shows from her and from other artists I like. Everything sucks right now, but participating in a performance in such an intimate way feels like a gift.

9.7.20

Look at this mofo go!

9.6.20

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We planned to have a physically distanced picnic with a friend today, but sadly she had to cancel because of a relative who has COVID (this is where we’re at these days).

We were already out and about to pick up some things to take with us, so we considered for a moment whether we should go back home. But honestly, it’s a challenge for me to leave the house these days. Part of it is the taxation of taking all the precautions needed to run the simplest of errands, and part of it – if I’m being honest – is just deep fatigue and dread with everything that’s going on. It’s not depression, but it sure feels depression-adjacent. So when that choice presented itself, I decided I still wanted to go because I’d already done the hard work of getting ready and out the door! ON TIME!

We went to the same place we’d planned to meet up, hoping that it would still work out. I haven’t been to that specific spot before, but I didn’t think it was a popular (aka crowded) one. And thankfully, that turned out to be true, even thought we were located between the Tidal Basin and the Washington Monument. We had so much room, so much shade, and all of our snacks and drinks ready to go! We set up our little speaker, laid out our blankets, kicked off our shoes, and just hung out for a few hours. A few other families set up close enough that we could see them playing soccer and cricket (!), but it was nice for all of us to have plenty of room.

We had plans for distanced face time with another friend that night, and for a second I wished we didn’t because the conditions were so perfect to stay another few hours. That just means we’ve found a favorite new picnic spot and will have to go back.

9.5.20

Storefront art in Anacostia.

9.4.20

I miss going to the movies, but I’ve loved having access to new releases at home. We don’t get that exact same great movie theater popcorn smell, but our bathrooms are cleaner and no one can kick the back of my chair. But when it’s safe to go back to theaters, I’ll be there in a heartbeat.

9.2.20

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Allow me to introduce the Begroni. This is the Negroni + grapefruit radler, and it is delicious. It is also boozy. It’s one part each of gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari, topped off the rest of the way with radler. It looks so cool, and I usually admire the gradient look of it for a minute before stirring it all up. I didn’t do that the first time I made one, and that first sip from the bottom of the glass was, shall we say, intense.