election results

well…here’s the post I hoped I wouldn’t have to write. Trump won. And by all counts and measures, he won by a lot. The imagery of a red wave is pretty apropos. I hope the kids feel good about voting nonetheless. It sure was a polarizing first experience. So disorientating for steph and I waking up this morn. Not like the loss of a parent or anything. Just like being forced to tune into a channel you never wanted to watch. A massively collective, abrupt reflection of our national identity.

Halloweekend

Always seemingly my least favorite holiday but it always turns out alright. Eventful big parties, everyone comes out, everyone very dressed up. Turned out good this year. Sophia is home, so good to see her and catch up even if it’s just driving to Starbucks and playing ping pong. She’s leaning into Palm Springs with the family which is exciting.

Still working hard. I enjoy the restaurant. It’s an easy way to work hard and focus on something without being overcomplicated. I love the hispanic kitchen and they love me. I really wish I knew better Spanish to communicate with them. We work around it with simple hand gestures and my small spanish vocabulary. By this point I usually know what they want from me or are gonna ask me. I can tell they like when I’m put on shift with them. It feels good to bring them their soda’s. It’ll be hard to leave this job soon whether it’s in time for tennis season, or leaving for college.

Sophia goes home tmrw

It’s been a quick but really nice visit with Sophia. She’s been sleeping with the dogs upstairs, faithfully brining Remy down at 5:00 in the morning for his ritual pee. Daylights savings time changed last night so it must have felt extra early. Julian went to yet another Halloween party last night so who knows where his head is at. The afternoon was leisurely and all about brunch with the Fickle Pickle crew. Sophia’s first job and still to this day, a meaningful part of her being. Again, I wasn’t crazy about the idea at first but with the help of a little Sunday jazz, we got in the swing of things and put together a solid breakfast for the chef and his family (they have 6 kids!). Now Jules is at work and Phi and Steph are at a Billie Eilish concert. I’m having a much-enjoyed beer while sitting on the patio, thinking how nice, if only for a spell, to have my 4 Reese’s pieces under one roof.

Sophia’s home!!

it’s Friday. Day after Halloween. Jules played hookie and seemingly had quite the night last night at Avalons party. this morning, Steph went with him to Dr Rikhter’s office for a mandatory physical exam so he can join the tennis team.bet that was rough. 🤢 Steph went from there down to the airport to pick up Phi. I’m so excited to see her.

dropping 10 lbs

flying home now from LA. Was such a great trip. I know I was poo-pooing it early on but in my heart I wouldn’t have missed it. we got to meet Maria’s whole family. she’s the eldest of 4. Not only that, the World Series was on and the Dodgers have been creaming the Yankees! Aunt Enid was there. We went to an Izakaya one night with Adam and drank some sake and ate homemade tofu. All this to say I feel I want to lose a little weight before the next family reunion in December. We’re going to Palm Springs! Which sounds a helluva lot easier than Mexico if you ask me. So right here. Right now. I’m throwing down the gauntlet and challenging myself to lose 10lbs between now and then. I’ll weigh in when we get home tonight.

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first vote

I casted my vote for the first time in the presidential election! Mom accompanied me and rode down to the Roswell library. Unsurprisingly, my first time going into my city library as well. Mom said we got lucky with a short line being that I voted early. Waited about 5 minutes in line, stepped up, verified my I.D. and made my choices for the 47th president and other government members. It felt good to take part in my democracy and being able to rep the “I voted” sticker. Today was also my first time wearing contacts. Really a struggle to get them in and out. The payoff was great, I’ve never been able to see the tennis ball so well and lead to me playing the best I have at drills tonight. Returning serves good, predicting the ball, prepping for contact, and being able to see my opponents facial expression after I rip a baseline winner.