1. As Required

A gentleman I came across had super cool running shoes.

Me: Are you a runner?

John Doe: If there’s danger, yes. But otherwise….no way, not a chance.

2. Side HUSTLING

When the hours from your part-time jobs add up to a 53 hour workweek.

😮‍💨

3. My Bad

I took a writing class via Zoom. I was 1 of 8 students. Here’s how one of the classes (to be honest, most of the classes) played out:

Instructor asks a question.

(silence all around; and with some of the Zoomers resembling a black hole more than a human)

I raise my hand, get called on and answer the question correctly.

Ditto. Ditto. Ditto.

And after that last ditto….

Instructor: Well, K.J., seems like you could just teach the class?

At the time, I didn’t know how to respond. Now that I am a writer and have an outlet, well—

The other students might as well be in Thailand. I was trying to help; to save us all from quicksand. But then, you come at me with a reprimand? Sue me for taking command. My exit was unplanned, but seems necessary; a gesture grand. Plus, outside is a winter wonderland. But first, how do you like my shorthand?

&

if I don’t like it—I understand.

4. The Significance Scoreboard

This is a quote—a letter from Mother to Frankie—in The Women by Kristin Hannah.

And it inspired me to wonder—

Am I using my talents in meaningful ways?

What greater good could I be doing?

5. You have a package!

When the Ring Doorbell says that you have a package and the “package” is your husband.

6. Summer Blues

Quote from our kid:

The invention of Summer was great, but then they nerfed it with bugs.

7. Movie Mishap

Our family went to see the movie—Michael. A girl directly in front of us got reported multiple times by multiple people for sharing her commentary with the theater. Her friend kept telling her to shut up and ultimately became embarrassed to the point that she friend left on her own accord. And then this happened…..FOR 10 MINUTES….

Manager: You need to leave for being disruptive.

Punk: You’re the one being disruptive. I’m trying to watch the movie.

Manager: You need to leave.

Punk: You already made my friend leave. I’m trying to enjoy the greatest black performer of all time and you telling me to leave is racist.

(this shouldn’t matter, and I’m not trying to profile, but I do want to point out that the punk was white)

Manager: If you don’t leave, I will call the police. You were also seen smoking and that is illegal on our premises.

(manager moves to block her view, she movies, manager moves, she moves, etc)

Punk: I can’t see. You are harassing me.

(all of the above on repeat)

When the manager finally left (to call the police), the punk flipped off those she suspected of reporting her and told us all that “telling on her was some middle school bullish!+”.

And I so desperately wanted to lean over and tell her to…

JUST BEAT IT

8. T.A.V.R. you ready, Dad?

I write this morning with my Dad about to undergo an outpatient heart surgery:

A.I. ON PROGRESS (😉)

From open-heart surgery to procedures like Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement, medicine has quietly transformed fear into possibility, extra years into expected years, and once-impossible outcomes into routine Tuesday appointments.

I ❤️ you and will see you on the other side (of the hospital room door once you’re done).

9. Closing Credits

I appreciate you.

And I appreciate your readership. 😘