The Happiness Thread

Wrote the ending of my novel today. I wasn't sure how this story was going to end until today. But I think it might be the perfect ending. The novel still needs a little (or a lot) more work before I dare call it a first draft. But, man, don't you just love it when a great idea comes to you and you're able to really work with it and execute it well?

 

I won't go into detail, but one of my classes performed a difficult and high-value gradewise activity splendidly today. We're on remote study now due to the ongoing state of emergency so it was something that none of us had done in an online environment before, but it seems that my instructions were clear, the lessons I taught leading up to it were solid, and their execution of the task blew my mind. Not perfect, mind you, there is still instruction to be given, but much better than I'd expected. A great way to end a week.

 

A pleasure to spend the morning grocery shopping without wearing a stupid mask.

 

I was never a big beach person. Too crowded/loud/chaotic. I always preferred the mountains. But now I live 2 blocks from Lake Champlain and there's this little beach tucked away that no one besides our neighborhood seems to know about and now I understand the appeal. It's awesome.

 

Two and a half hours of yard work done. Might not seem like much, but I got done what I intended to even when my brain wanted to quit. The little things in life and so on.

 

Found a notice in my mailbox today that the post office was holding a package for me because of postage due and today was the last day to claim it before they shipped it back to the sender. My sister sent it to me, so I sent her a message saying she'd be receiving it back because ain't no way I'm getting a package now.

The reason this is in the happiness thread is because of how she addressed it: Queef

Someone had to write that on the notice slip and the amount of joy that brings me is immeasurable. I ugly laughed in my driveway.

 

In either Fear of Flying or Parachutes and Kisses Erica Jong mentions having slipped the word "quim" past the censors at the DMV and getting it on her vanity plates.

 

Woo hoo, movie night.

Spoiler: Space Saving

 

Awesome film!

 

What a great weekend.

 

After a few years of psychosis sickness causing me to not be able to read books, I can finally do it again. Went through one within a two week period and just started on another book.
The world is open to me once more, fantastic!

 

College closed today due to water damage to the rooms where all the computer-control equipment is located for the entire campus. I went to work long enough to print out my research and cheerfully returned home with all materials needed to work on the quarterly newsletter from my own computer. Will be doing new research for a second article while seated in the upper garden out in the beautiful day. No dark cloud...

 

Quarantine has been extended for another three weeks. Three more weeks without having to deal with coworkers

One thing this virus has taught me is how much of an introvert I really am. I went something like four hundred and sixty days without seeing my colleagues, then we had six days at work together, and back to two months of distance teaching, and I really, really don't miss them at all.

 

I had a fantastic dream last night. I was teaching in high school--note that teaching has never been an interest of mine--and as I found a notebook of one of my students, I realized it was more like a sketchbook of ideas for writing, and I thought he was so incredibly smart. It was so amazing to realize that I could help and do something for him to help his potential come to life. I woke up in such a good mood today, I feel like walking on fluffy clouds in the open sky

 

Way to go! Nothing like typing "The End," is there? Hope it's still going well.

 

I dropped my laptop, but now it's twice as fast for some reason. I guess I'm happy.

 

I only work seven days over the next three weeks. I am very much happy about getting some well-deserved vacation time. Bring on the R&R!

 

Just learned that one of the guys who used to bully the shit out of me in elementary school has died.

Yep, I can hold grudges for a loooong time. Good riddance.

 

Went out and "partied" for the first time in a long time.

Went to the bar. Didn't drink, just chatted with my two roommates. There were balloons at each table for whatever reason so we were hitting them back and forth with another table of college kids which was amusing for a while. Also got to watch a recent soccer game, Italy vs Austria(?).

Some girls came up to my one roommate. I don't get approached. But anyway, the happy part is that we got to tag along to their friend's birthday party at a nice apartment.

It was a good time! We played a card game called "For the Girls". I didn't drink but we all had fun. It was nice to hang-out with people again. And I actually laughed without forcing myself, which hasn't happened in a long time, so that felt pretty good.

My anxiety was goin' a bit before we'd left for the bar at the start of the night, and I was a bit apprehensive, but after a while I became more comfortable. I still drove separate just in case, but no panic attack or anything like that, which I am very glad about. All the people and the loud music / noise didn't seem to overly bother me. Thank you God.

Managed to talk to some of the girls at the party. I'm not good with names; the only name I remember is the name of the only other guy there if that says anything lol. Louis. My social anxiety makes me a bit quiet until I "warm up", but the conversations overall still went well and were pleasant and I loosened up after 30 minutes or so. I often get the feeling that the conversations go nowhere, just trailing off into nothingness after a few minutes, but maybe that's okay, maybe it's normal for them to not go anywhere. There doesn't need to be a point to them from the outset, but I think lately I've just grown so accustomed to having "verbal exchanges" with people at my job, to which there is always a point: give me my damn change and the food and drinks I ordered.

I just try to remember to focus more on the other person and what they're saying, and remember to ask questions and express interest in what they're saying.