Thank you for sharing, Shir. Distraction from all the bad stuff is always appreciated!

Indulging in some crispy duck and chow fun for lunch. Yum. Too much food b ut the leftovers will be breakfast tomorrow - planning on taking myself out for dinner before book club tonight (hopefully will be able to finish 1984 while I eat - I know how it ends (or what I remember of the ending, anyway) so I have been dragging my feet a little on getting there, I think)

I just finished doing my taxes and filed my returns this afternoon. E-file is so much easier than the old way!

Weirdly I'm getting slightly more back than last year in federal—I guess my income must fall just above the GOP's "Make the Poors pay for the Elite's tax cuts!" dividing line—but slightly less in state so it pretty much evens out. Fingers crossed whatever tax code calculations were involved snatched a bonus out of some ICE agent's wallet.

I did my taxes and I owe just under $200, which is awfully close to getting my withholding right in an objective sense but it irritates me to have to pay the current incarnation of the government anything so I was going to delay actually filing as long as possible, but it turns out I am getting a refund from California, so I suppose I might as well get it over with and get that...

I should be asleep now, but I just got home from being social with strangers and I would like my introvert making an effort merit badge, please.

It was fun, 1984 discussion at the bookstore near work I’ve been trying to get to since I moved to that office (last time I tried was on a Saturday and there was some sort of festival and parking was too impossible so I just went home, got a spot right out front tonight) with a nice bunch of people. It really like the owner now that I’ve met her so I will probably try a little harder to get there in person. Only bought one book (my bookshop e-book purchases are assigned to this store, so I’ve been supporting them).

Dinner beforehand was also pleasant, although the guy two tables down who seemed vaguely creepy dined-and-dashed, so feel bad for his servers and the restaurant for that. But the people directly next to me only got chatty when they curious about how my dessert order turned out, and it was quite good so I couldn’t blame them for that.

I should be asleep now, but I just got home from being social with strangers and I would like my introvert making an effort merit badge, please.

Well done you social thing!

Ahhh, sweet validation. That’s the stuff.

I have a job starting tomorrow! It’s only a month-long contract to start but they are hoping to extend so 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞

Speaking of socialization, today is indeed a party day! Today we celebrate -t's birthday. Happiest of happy birthday wishes are sent your way. May this year exceed all expectations!

Woot! And another reason for celebration! Well done, lisah.