Snapshot of July

 In homage to Sarah H. at Death Wears Diamond Jewelry, who is no longer blogging but is missed.

Listening…Podcasts, my latest is Something You Should Know.

Reading…No new books

Watching…I moved on to Veronica Mars from my DVD collection. It is one of the best TV shows of the early 2000s.

Playing … I have been playing Wordscapes on my phone (still).

Building... I haven't built anything substantial lately. 

Buying… I upgraded my home office because I got an updated work computer. Now I have dual monitors and an external speaker.

Loving... Too few things these days.

Planning… I am considering seeing the new Deadpool movie in the theatre.

Missing… A connection with someone.

Update

A long time ago, we used to be friends
But I haven't thought of you lately at all
If ever again a greeting I send to you
Short and sweet to the soul, I intend... We Used To Be Friends, The Dandy Warhols

I debated whether to contact Tinkerbell and see how she is doing. I don't reach out to many people very often. Besides my twins, Gia is the only person I text frequently, but I think even that will wane. I am not sure Gia will return to Michigan.

I sent a text and asked Tinkerbell how things were going. She didn't reply, so I don't think I will bother picking up the phone next time she calls. I deserve the same level of respect, and she fails to give it.

Brit came over Wednesday night, but she is hard to talk with and seems to struggle with depression. I wouldn't enjoy spending a weekend getaway with her, but she is hot and does the job, So I don't mind seeing her occasionally.

I have not noticed anyone else interesting. I have been concentrating on walking. I have hit my goal of 6700 steps daily for over two weeks and have averaged over 10,000 steps for the past eight days. I am picking up other exercises, too. It is not doing what I want; I am not losing weight, but it is supposed to be good for me.

Rain

We are getting rain from the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl. Unlike the brief violent downpours we received last month, it has been steadily raining today. I wrote back to Ray and asked if she would like to go out. I am not interested in joining her church, but I would like to get to know her better. We will see what happens. (Follow up: Ray is married but doesn't wear a ring).

I am so glad Jon Stewart is back on The Daily Show. He is a voice of comedic reason. I don't understand why Joe Biden does not step aside. It is sad, but there comes a day when you have to take the car keys away from an aging parent, no matter how hard they whine. I am not that political; however, I have not been happy with my choices for president for the last 12 years.

Show And Tell

 I displayed five Lego models at a small event on Sunday. The event was held at a church hall on the other side of town, about an hour away. A woman asked me to attend the event while I displayed at Brickfest. She was cute and close to my age, so I agreed. We exchanged a few emails between that first brief meeting and Sunday night. I will call her Ray for the sake of the narrative.

Ray is friendly and personable. I feel a sense of attraction when I am around her, which makes me feel awkward. Ray even insisted on hugging me when we said goodbye after the show.

This is her last email to me.

Bathwater

I'm grateful for you. You made the event more interesting, and it was nice to see you. I remember when I asked you if you were interested in sharing anything spiritual, you said no, but please know that you are welcome to our church anytime -- it might be the start of growing deeper in your faith. I'm glad you sensed the kindness of the church folks. I started going there 3 years ago and it has been good for me.

Here's a link to service online (removed)

If you'd like to check out a service in person, we start at 10 on Sunday.

Thanks for the links to Bible Bricks. That's exactly what I saw. I couldn't remember where I saw it, maybe just searching in preparation for this week. Maybe we can use those videos next year.

I hope our paths cross again someday.😊

Ray

I like her. She seems like a very nice and outgoing person. Maybe that is just who she is with everyone. I have her phone number and email. I am unsure if I am just reading more into her actions, but I am considering asking her out. The problem is I am not religious. I was raised Catholic, but now I am agnostic at best. I feel that the Catholic religious teachings are good for people and society. I am just not sure there is a God behind it all. 

What do you think? Am I seeing more than just someone being friendly?  Should I ask her out?

2:30 a.m. Phone Call

Thursday, July 4th

The holiday has yet to begin, and I get a phone call at 2:30 a.m. Only one person calls me at 2:30 a.m.: Tinkerbell, my pseudo-adopted daughter. Tinkerbell and I have not spoken or texted in over six months. She pulled away without an explanation. She still knows there is one person she can always call.

Tinkerbell was drunk and on her porch after an argument with her boyfriend, Tech. It sounds like their relationship is imploding. Tinkerbell mentioned they hadn't had sex since January. Their sexual relationship has always been an issue for Tinkerbell. 

I listened. I told her she would get through this. Tinkerbell reminded me I said last time. I didn't ask her why she had ignored me for six months or more. I assumed it had something to do with her relationship. I will ask her that another day if she decides to stick around. She said thanks for picking up several times during the call because she knew she had no right to expect it.

I often told Sam that Tinkerbell and Tech's relationship would end when T Rex (Tinkerbell's son) graduates high school. T Rex graduated this year and will attend CMU in the fall. Despite how obvious this seemed, Tinkerbell made no plans for this eventuality. I am sure Tinkerbell will figure it out—she always does. My only advice was not to rush things and leave his house without having a plan.

We talked for an hour. On Friday, I texted Tinkerbell and told her I was available on Saturday if she needed to leave the house. She replied that she would be fine. 

Weather And

 The weather was peculiar this weekend. Saturday morning, it rained, and it has been raining often. As Saturday progressed, it turned hot and muggy. I did my shopping early and stayed inside with the air conditioning. Sunday was the complete opposite. Sunday was overcast and unseasonably cool. I kept the windows shut Sunday because it was in the mid-to-low-sixties.

Sam and I went to an art fair along the river in St. Clair on Sunday despite the weather. Fifty to sixty vendors had tents set up in the park along the boardwalk.  Sam and I like this art show. It is in a nice location, with live music and several outdoor restaurants. 

Neither of us bought anything. I often like looking at the artist's goods and thinking I could do the same thing. It is one of the many alternative career paths I could have if I set my mind to it. 

It took a few art fair photos and sent them to Gia this morning. She would have liked it. Gia and I continue to send texts to each other almost every day. Sometimes, it is just a simple good morning. Other times, we will exchange pictures, articles, or GIFs.  Outside of my twins, Gia is the person I consistently communicate with most. It is nice, and yet I find it odd. I don't know when or if I will ever see her again. 

I like Gia; I just don't know what to do with her. Sometimes, I feel she thinks the same way. I will try again to get her to go to Utah with me. She will probably decline, yet it doesn't hurt to ask. My latest pitch is having her meet me in Salt Lake City. She can fly there, and I will drive the Gladiator. From there, we can spend the week in Utah. She would abhor spending so much time with someone, but I understand her need for space. Personally, I think it would be an amazing time.