megaskunk

Two weekends in a row now the stupid arts council/gallery who are a part of our building have shut down our street for events that very few people are actually attending. And we're forced to listen to the shitty music being played because it's right outside our window. It makes me feel like an old fogey being annoyed at things like that, but like, I dunno. I don't have anything against events or loud music, I just don't want to be forced to have to hear it because it's right outside my window. For hours. At least this time I wasn't woken up early by them setting up really, but in the past they've started banging outside our window on a weekend morning at like, 8 am or something, which is just rude. I think the event today is supposed to be over in like, 15 minutes, but we've been having to listen to it since like, 11 am, and also we're leaving to go to the in-laws' house not that long after it ends, so won't even get to enjoy it being over. I guess the takeaway is that I like loud music when it's music I like and I'm choosing to listen to it.

For New Year's Resolution updates - I almost didn't, but I did clear the fix-it pile this month. I fixed the things that were in it yesterday. I wanted to work on spinning this weekend, but didn't get around to it. I ran out of time yesterday, and then I was thinking about it earlier today, but for some reason after I was done doing house stuff my insides kinda hurt and I didn't feel great. I still feel kinda meh. So I ended up on computer doing stuff instead. Mostly buying Charlie birthday stuff. I really want to finish the wool that I started because once I'm done with that I only have to complete 1 more breed this year to complete my resolution. Obviously I can do more if I want/have the time, but for resolutions purposes I only need 1 more after this one. Next weekend is a long weekend for 4th of July, so maybe I'll be able to work on it then. I haven't really spent more time outside yet this year. Last weekend/beginning of last week it was too hot to spend much time outside, and before last weekend the weather had been pretty hit-or miss in terms of niceness. I feel like it was nice during the week when having to work and not great on weekends. Hopefully we can start being outside more soon. I want to go to the beach and just vibe.

I feel like every event is kind of sneaking up on me this year. Like, we ended up not really inviting anyone to Charlie's party this year because we just kinda forgot until it was too late. It doesn't help that no one really comes, so it's not that motivating to bother trying. I wanted to have his party on his birthday this year though, since we couldn't last year cuz of dumb Frankie's party and also this year is his golden birthday (the year his age is the same as the day). I know he doesn't actually care. He just likes running around and getting cake. But I like for him to have a nice birthday.

Well, I'm just going to laze around, and try to drink water and feel less meh before we have to leave.

Well, I officially finished my 2nd rare breed wool of the year tonight, since I finally got around to setting the twist. It sucks cuz I finished spinning the singles weeks ago, and I kept forgetting to ply them. Then it took me another like, week to get the yarn off the bobbin, and then I've been meaning all week to set the twist and just finally got around to it tonight. I feel like setting the twist on yarn is one of those things I put off because in my head I build it up into this big activity but really it takes like, 10 minutes.
It seems like I'm on track to complete my New Year's Resolution of completing at least 4 this year to get halfway through the Shave 'Em to Save 'Em passport, since I'm now halfway done and we're not even totally halfway through the year yet. I just ordered the next breed from Etsy, so it should be good. I just need to not get hit by the summer spinning slump (working with wool isn't as enticing in the summer when it's hot out). Once I finish the breed that I just bought (Hog Island) I'll have done all the breeds listed as Critical.
I keep forgetting to print out the pattern for the scarf I plan to make Janice for her birthday. I bought the yarn a few weeks ago during Sew What's New's anniversary sale. I also bought fabric to make a spring outfit for the porch goose and haven't gotten to that yet either. Part of that is because I'd need to figure out a pattern on my own, since all the patterns for what I decided I want to make are for like...humans lol. And second last time I used my sewing machine it was acting broken, so not even sure if I'll be able to use it to sew the porch goose outfit.
I feel like I've been slacking lately on crafty stuff. I haven't really done much outside of a few library classes and the ribbon flowers I made my mom for Mother's Day. Probably because March - April were full of stress and bullshit and now in May time I might have used for crafty stuff has been being put towards reading for the Knead To Read challenge. But if I read 30 minutes every day in May I get a free pizza from one of the pizza places in town. Overall I have been enjoying reading more. I'd like to keep it up once the challenge is over. But I'm starting to feel the commitment of 30 minutes a day. Especially since most days, at least weekdays, I don't have the time to read really until after dinner. And by that point I'm starting to get tired and staying awake while reading gets more difficult. Last Friday night I went to do my 30 minutes of reading before taking Charlie out, but I ended up falling asleep. I was thinking of trying again tonight but decided to come on the computer instead to buy the roving and post here. I have not yet fallen asleep while online shopping lol. But I do want to try to keep books around more and try to replace at least some of the time on phone with time reading instead.
Well, with that, I have wasted enough time that now it's time to take Charles for his evening constitutional. So I will go do that, and then come back inside to read. And hopefully not instantly fall asleep.

Despite not being a particularly devout Catholic, I was sad this morning to see that Pope Francis had died. Within the confines of the Catholic faith, he seemed like a pretty cool guy, and comparatively progressive. He was never going to be as progressive as the non-faithful and some of the other denominations wanted him to be, but all things considered it seems like he had good ideas. My fear is that the next pope will be a step backwards and go back to being even more conservative. I know there were people who literally thought Pope Francis was too liberal (which, lol. If the pope is too liberal for you, it's time to reconsider yourself), so I hope the cardinals don't feel pressured to pick someone more traditional. I think I said this the last time a pope died (or maybe when the creepy one resigned, don't remember), but it'd be cool if they could pick like, a black pope or something other than just old white guy. I know the odds of that are incredibly slim though.

Overall I'm just so tired of people trying to push the world backwards. I hate change. Change is scary. But you can't go backwards. Especially when it comes to things like, people's rights. I'm sure there'll come a time when I'm old and new things seem too out there and crazy, but I'd like to hope that I can at least respect people's fundamental rights to exist. Of course by then it'll be probably be like, robots rights and stuff. But we'll see.

For accountability - I need to tackle the fix-it pile this weekend!! There are now 3 things in the pile that need fixing. I can't let another month slip by.
However now it is time to drink tea and read until dinner time.

While I have not yet tackled the fix it pile yet this month (really should do that soon, before it gets away from me), I have made small progress on two of my resolutions already. Last week we went rollerblading/skating as part of date night to celebrate 12 year (dating) anniversary. We went to Gr8 Skates. It was pretty cool there. The rink was almost too smooth since I'm used to skating on sidewalks/streets more. But once I adjusted it was fine. And I just now ordered my first rare breed roving of the year so I can work on my goal of getting halfway through the Shave 'Em to Save 'Em passport this year. I just need to not dilly dally with spinning it up once it arrives.

In other news, my manager at work was randomly fired this week, which sucks. He was one of the only people left who I felt like was an advocate for me, so with him gone I feel a bit adrift and at risk. He was also just nicer and a better person than who I need to report to now. I keep hearing them talk about how bad business has been lately. I know I should probably keep my eyes open for other opportunities, since who knows when my time might come, or if the business might just fold like so many others. But then I've also heard a lot of stories about how shitty the job market is right now. So who's to say if there's even anything more secure out there right now? Job stress sucks. I like when I can just be unbothered and get through my work and not have to worry about work related things outside of work. Times like this I really miss the store. I was away from all the drama of the office and couldn't hear all of the negative stuff happening. I got to just be in my own little world, listening to music, and hoping some people would come in and buy some chairs or a couch or something.

The other annoying thing this week (or weeks at this point) is trying to get my car to pass inspection. The check engine light has been on, and the same thing happened last year where I cleared the codes before inspection but it was too soon and they couldn't pass it until the codes weren't pending anymore or something and I had to go back like, 2 times before it finally passed. This year before bringing it in I told the guy like, this happened last year, my car barely passed, so I need it to be fixed and then do the inspection. But I dunno if I just didn't explain the situation well, or the guy just wasn't really listening because all they did was clear the codes and tell me to drive around enough for them to be super clear or whatever and surprise surprise, the same thing is happening as last year. I went back for the 3rd time today to try to finish the inspection and it's still not done. So now I have to drop it off again some time so they can try to get it to pass. But now that work is back to normal after the holidays it's harder to figure out when to do that. Like, I just want it fixed so that trying to get my inspection done every year isn't a 2 month long hassle. I know I need to be careful what I wish for though, since fixing it could end up being expensive. But at this point it's costing me time and aggravation, which is harder to get back than money.

To end on a positive note, someone acknowledged my "Tell Your Dog I Said Hi" license plate frame for the first time this week! That was cool. I've had it for like, a year now I think, and that was the first time it'd been acknowledged. Hopefully they did tell their dog I said hi.