And That's Okay

I wished Billy a happy birthday today. She told me she’s thriving and sent a couple of pictures of her daughter—she’s adorable. I told Billie that motherhood was always where she belonged. She agreed, saying it’s given her a whole new perspective.

She also said she thinks of me often. I can say the same. We bonded through trauma, but these days our connection feels less about what we endured and more about acknowledging that we survived.

Since my divorce, I haven’t had many meaningful relationships. That’s why it matters when someone like Billy remembers me as a positive part of her story. Even with Tinkerbell, for all the chaos, there’s still a mutual respect and acknowledgment.

Gia was different. With her, I did everything right—or as right as I knew how—and still didn’t get the ending I wanted. She walked away and erased the relationship completely.

The irony is that Gia probably would have stayed longer in a messy, chaotic relationship. But I’m not built that way anymore.

And that's okay.

Running On

Gia and I sit in the Buick, waiting in line for gas at BJ’s. A cool summer morning filters sunlight through the windshield, warming us in the stillness.

I turn up the radio. A lull between songs, the murmur of a concert crowd—and then it begins. A pulsing rhythm. Jackson Browne’s Running On Empty, an iconic moment recorded live in Columbia, Maryland, 1977.

Lookin' out at the road rushin' under my wheels
Lookin' back at the years gone by like so many summer fields

Gia has lived in eight or ten cities in twenty years. No roots, nothing sustained. Always running to the next city.

Gotta do what you can just to keep your love alive
Tryin' not to confuse it with what you do to survive

She runs from connecting, from herself. Surviving behind walls so thick they’ve become her identity. Pushing away anyone who might slip inside.

I look around for the friends that I used to turn to to pull me through
Lookin' into their eyes, I see them runnin' too

It seems like a sad existence, but it’s all she’s ever known. Performance as armor. Survival as self.

When she stopped trying, so did I. It’s hard to see value in someone who doesn’t see it in themselves. But she still lingers—in song, in unanswered questions I still try to understand.

I turn to her and say, “This is your theme song.”

Honey, you really tempt me, you know, the way you look so kind
I'd love to stick around, but I'm runnin' behind…Running On Empty, by Jackson Browne

Gia listens for a moment, then shakes her head. She disagrees.

But I don’t.

Retro

 Max texted me today:

“What are you doing? I may need some help.”

“What do you need? I can make time.”

He and his girlfriend were heading to an estate sale. They had their eye on a vintage freestanding cone fireplace but weren’t sure it would fit in his car.

He was heading to an estate sale. They had their eye on a vintage freestanding cone fireplace but weren’t sure it would fit in his car.

I met Max there. He paid $450 for it. We loaded it into my truck and took it back to their duplex. Afterward, we walked into downtown Northville for lunch with his girlfriend, Kay. Over lunch, we talked about Max’s recent battle with a tonsillar abscess.

Like his father, Max is leaning heavily into using ChatGPT. It diagnosed his issue—and even pointed out the inadequate care he got when the hospital discharged him after draining it. I'm glad he is. It gives us something we can bond over.

I asked if they wanted the concert tickets, but they declined. I told them what had happened with Gia. I spoke in psychological terms—about her avoidant personality. They get that. Like many their age, they’ve replaced religion with psychology.

Later, I called Tinkerbell to see what she and Tech were up to. She mentioned she had Googled Gia. I’m not sure why. I never asked her—and I’ve never done it myself. Tinkerbell has this innate need to tear down the women in my life. She didn’t find anything I didn’t already know.

Just because I like to see the good in people doesn’t mean I’m not hyperaware of who I’m around.

Tinkerbell invited me to join her and T-Rex on Move-In Day. He’s starting his second year at CMU. It should be a fun adventure—one that reminds me of the good old days, when the three of us used to go everywhere together.

Snapshot of February

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

Listening…The Telepathy Tapes, podcast. I think autism is the next set in human evolutionary development.  Give it a listen.

Reading…Just finished reading Dave's latest book, The Body In Time. 

Watching…All 13 seasons of Supernatural, again. 

Playing … I have been playing Last War on my phone. It is very intense. You must join an alliance, get on Discord, and spend money.

Building... I built Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs cottage while waiting for the Lego show this weekend.

Buying… Try not to purchase anything.

Loving... Just received a Lego-produced limited addition Forestmen's Hideout from Bricklink. It is a massive set. I haven't decided if I want to build it or save it.

Planning… Gia is planning to come here for a week at the end of April just to vacation with me. I can't wait. We still chat every day. She is back in Rhode Island with her family. 

Missing…  Gia, she is not dancing anymore so she doesn't come to Michigan to work, just to see me. 

This weekend is the BrickFest Show in Novi, Michigan. I have all my displays packed and ready for set up tomorrow.

The Difference

 I picked Gia up from the airport Friday around 6:30 p.m. To say she traveled light would be an understatement. She didn't bring anything with her. She warned me she didn't have a Winter jacket. The weekend before, I had picked one up for her at Khols for $40. I also picked up some tops and pajama pants for her at BJ's while grocery shopping. I figured anything she didn't wear I would just take back. 

We had a great weekend together. Gia is the perfect house guest. She even gets along with the cat. After the airport, we ate at Ford's Garage and then went to Rochester to see the lights and get dessert Friday night. It was cold Friday night so we didn't do much walking.

Saturday we went back out to Dearborn and went to the Henry Ford Museum, had lunch, and then spent the rest of the day looking at the lights in Hine Park and Gross Point. Gia is content as long as we are doing something. Gia never complains and we never argue. I don't have to go out of my way to please her and she is always appreciative. I like that about her.

Sunday the weather was much warmer. We went to a fleamarket inside the Masonic Temple downtown and then we went to the Greektown Casino. Gia was a bit negative about the slot machine we were playing. "Give it a chance," I told her. At first, we were down about $45. The casino was a spare-of-the-moment choice, so I didn't bring any gambling money. I went to the ATM and got out $200. I end up putting $100 into the same machine. We played for another twenty minutes. At one point we were up to $250.

I whispered into Gia's ear, "What do you want to do? This is yours." 

She decided she would keep playing until the total was down to $200. We cashed out when the total was $200.15 and I told her to keep it. I don't go to the casino expecting to win anyway. We had lunch in Corktown and wasted a few more hours in the suburbs before heading to the airport.

We discuss how we communicate when we are apart. "I don't want to bother you," she tells me.

"I feel the same. Why don't we both agree that we aren't and stop thinking about it."

It was a good weekend. Our time together always brings us closer together. We understand each other. Which is to say we are fine with each other's quirks. Gia let me prattle on about useless knowledge. She plays along when I get her to sign Barenaked Ladies in the car. I can tell when she lets herself cut loose and I can tell when she is getting stressed (like when we were getting close to the airport). I don't mind that she only cuddles in the mornings, never at night.

We were talking on the couch Saturday night. Gia doesn't like her apartment in Tampa. She is having problems with the maintenance company. Her air conditioning went out in the summer and now her heat went out just before she left. "It seems like whenever things start looking up, they go to shit."

"Look how far you've come. A year ago you had nothing and were sleeping on the floor in your sister's apartment," I reminded her. "Now, you have a roof over your head, a car, and a steady income. you have people you can count on back in Rhode Island and me here in Michigan. It all depends on what you focus on. Just keep taking baby steps in the right direction and stay focused on your main goal."

I don't have any expectations when it comes to Gia. I am sure we will have a few more adventures in the future. "You are always welcome to stay here," I told her. "Whether you want to come up for a few days to work, or if you just need to get away." I think, in the future, she will.

Argumentative

On Thanksgiving, I made a turkey burger on whole-grain bread and a broccoli and macaroni casserole. I set the computer up on the coffee table and had a Zoom dinner with Gia. Gia ate eggs with ketchup. she didn't want to fight the crowds and go shopping.  It was fun. 

Gia and I have come a long way since we first met. The woman who wouldn't get in the same car as me the fourth time we went out is now coming up to stay with me next weekend, which was her idea. She has even started mentioning going to Utah with me next year. It all depends on how her dog does with the dogsitter this weekend. I've learned with Gia, that everything works out once she thinks it is her idea.

On Monday, I met Sam for dinner at Green Lantern. I had been avoiding going out with Sam, and I was feeling bad. Sam arrived first. Kay, my favorite waitress was our waitress. Sam seemed like she was trying to be cordial. Like the conversation was forced. We discussed Gia's upcoming visit. I told Sam after I picked up Gia from the airport I was thinking of taking her to Greektown Casino downtown.

Sam thought that was a bad idea. She said that the area was not safe. It has been about six years since I visited the Greektown Casino. I only go downtown occasionally. So I concede to her advice. However, Sam was in a mood. Despite saying, "I don't want to argue." She indeed wanted to argue. She was making a few snippy comments about Gia, which I let pass, but she got mad and said I have been argumentative lately. I wanted to say the same thing about her, but I didn't. It would have just escalated her displeasure.

When someone says, I don't want to argue then proceeds to argue, I am not sure I am the issue. This isn't the first time it has happened recently. Thus, the reason I have been avoiding her. At the end of the meal, Sam had the check. I handed her my portion and she figured out the rest. Sam is always flush with cash of various denominations and she is a bigger tipper than I.  When Kay came to pick up the bill I said we were all set. Sam must not have heard me. I actually think her hearing is going. 

When I asked Sam if she was ready to go, she said she was waiting for change. "I didn't realize you needed change. I told Kay we were all set."  That was the nail in the coffin. I offered to call Kay back. I offered Sam some money to make up what she wanted back, but Sam was over it. She ended up walking out with me trailing behind.

Coping

 I went out with Ava several times but never picked up where we left off. Despite what Ava says, I don't think she has broken up with her boyfriend. She has it in her mind, but he doesn't think so. This is all from my casual observations. At one point, Ava suggested she would need more to come over but could only stay for an hour. I told her that wouldn't work for me. Something tells me I haven't seen the last of her though.

What have I been doing?  Like half the men in their 20s, I have been glued to my tablet playing an online game. The game is called LastWar and it is raking in billions. You can download it from your phone, but I don't suggest it :). I spend nights on Discord chatting with members of my alliance and trying to grow my squads.

I have been secluding myself away from others by choice. I went out last month with Jay, Sam, and Alexis to celebrate our collective birthdays, but for the most part, I haven't even been spending time with them. It just doesn't bring me joy. The only ones I see regularly are Max and the twins.

Gia and I text regularly. She is happy in Tampa again, and far enough away from the coast to have weathered both Hurricanes unscathed. About once a month we get on Zoom so I can see her gorgeous smile. We are planning a Zoom call on Thanksgiving.

I received a drunk call from Tinkerbell late Friday night. She was walking home from the bar. I think her boyfriend Tech doesn't approve of our relationship. I don't blame him. While I consider it more of a father/daughter type bond at this point, I can see how it can be intimidating. Tink wanted me to know that T-Rex is doing good. He is away, at Central Michigan University now. 

I think Tinkerbell is sacrificing her happiness for the T-Rex's future. "Don't ever think, I don't love," Tinkerbell stated more than once. "You are my Luke." This is a reference to a character on the show Gilmore Girls. "Lorelai ended up marrying Luke." I assured her that wouldn't happen with us.

Tink's unhappiness was palatable. More from what she wouldn't talk about than what she did. I do miss her. I miss the days when we would talk for hours on the phone. This conversation just leaves me perplexed.

Are we all just trapped in unhappy lives? Some of us just coping better than others.

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.

Bay-O-Rama

After a week of work, I swung by Gia's Airbnb in Ferndale on Friday evening. She greeted me in peach-colored exercise shorts, a grey spaghetti-strap tank top, and a stylish black and grey cap. We headed back to my condo so I could change while Gia relaxed on the couch, engrossed in her phone.

Once ready, we hopped into my Gladiator and set off for New Baltimore. I had promised to take her to Bay-O-Rama, the local festival. The sun was blazing as we arrived, the air thick with humidity, though the forecast hinted at an impending downpour.

Downtown New Baltimore hosted Bay-O-Rama, a modest affair with carnival rides, games, a beer tent, and various booths. Gia was up for anything; her adventurous spirit was evident as we explored the carnival attractions. We even tried our hand at a balloon-popping game and scored a small stuffed lion as a prize. Gia couldn't resist getting a caricature sketch done of herself.

As the sky darkened and raindrops began to fall, we sought refuge at Finn's Restaurant, sitting comfortably under the awning of the upstairs patio bar. The downpour arrived in full force just as our food was served. While most patrons scurried indoors for shelter, Gia and I stayed put, relishing the dramatic weather and our delicious meal.

Returning to the Gladiator under a gentle drizzle, we made our way back to my condo, both of us smiling despite being slightly damp. Gia was a joy to be around—considerate, affectionate, yet emotionally distant in bed. I found myself pondering why I was drawn to someone seemingly unattainable. It's funny how when you're infatuated, you tend to see the best in someone, even if reality might be more complex.

Gia possesses many appealing qualities, and I'm drawn to her physically. She has a radiant smile. While I don't see her as someone suited for a long-term relationship, she would make an excellent companion for short-term adventures, provided she's open to it. So far, she is not.

Gia left for home Monday night, feeling homesick and mentally drained despite her efforts to stay until the end of the month. I'm uncertain when or if she'll return; perhaps not until September, if at all. Despite Gia not being what I'm actively seeking, I find it difficult to let go, perhaps because no one else fits the mold.

Not Enough Glue

 Gia has a captivating smile. When she truly smiles, her eyes sparkle, the years fall from her face, and she has a youthful innocence. Gia has been in Michigan for a month and is getting homesick. As the weather shifts to summer, the club is slowing down.

Gia: I may leave sooner. Work is getting annoying. A lot of cheap dudes, and I'm tired of spending money on a rental car. 

Bathwater: How soon are you thinking?

Gia: I don't know. Pretty soon, honestly. I'll see how tonight goes. Maybe next time, I'll only get an Airbnb for two weeks, not a whole month.

Bathwater: I figured it would slow down once the weather kicked in. Today is Father's Day.

Gia: You were right. I forgot it is Father's Day :(.

Bathwater: Do you want me to come down and keep you company for a bit?

Gia: It's up to you. That's a far drive.

I drove across town to the club. An accident caused the fifty-minute drive to take an extra twenty-five minutes. I arrived at eight forty-five. It was the first time I had been to the club since April. Gia and I have been seeing each other outside the club on Fridays. 

There were more dancers than customers. I got a booth, and Gia and I camped out for most of the night between her trips to the stage. She tried approaching a few other customers without luck. 

"You have come a long way since we first met. You are less stubborn," I tell her.

Gia and I are sitting in the booth. Gia is wearing an orange micro bikini. Her legs are stretched out across my lap. 

"I have been working on that with you," she tells me. 

I wish there was more of a connection between Gia and me. There are so many differences, and there is not enough glue. 

Not The Nail

 I don't know why I haven't been taking the time to write more. Many things go by without me recording them here. I find it hard to recreate the events in a narrative that pleases me. This is ironic considering all the tools we have today to improve our writing. 

I have been communicating very little with anyone lately. I told Gia I reached out to her more than anyone else, which surprised her, considering we don't text much. 

Brit sits across from me on the couch. She is talking to me about her relationship with the guy from California. They met on Instagram. Brit flew out to see him. This guy lives with two roommates, both women. One was supposed to be his cousin, but Brit never sees this cousin and isn't sure she even exists. 

The red flags continue to pile up. First, the guy says he is in his low forties. It turns out he is fifty. He has five kids by three women that he never mentioned to her. He is a graffiti artist and likes to tag trains—at fifty?

The conversations she tells me are him gaslighting her. Brit is a psychology major. It is the classic case of a person with mental issues seeking answers. Brit is visibly upset over this guy. I wanted to tell her he sounded like a big loser who would not bring her happiness, but you can't fight emotion with logic. The whole conversation reminds me of the YouTube short  It's Not About The Nail.

I shut down the conversation by leading Brit upstairs. 

Nothing is Perfect

I have been seeing both Gia and Brit. Both could be better. I enjoy hanging out with Gia. She is opening up to me slowly but plans to stay only through June. She is still hard to get close to, which makes intimacy difficult for me. Gia knows it, and I know it. Mostly because I want more from her.

On Sunday, I picked Gia up from her AirBnB. 

Gia: (You can pick me up.) As long as you take me to Walmart, that's the deal. 

Bathwater: No problem.

Gia: And UPS. I need to mail out my rent.

We stopped at both so she could run errands and then head into New Baltimore for lunch. After we ate, we walked through a small fleamarket before returning to my condo. 

*      *      *

Brit came over Tuesday night. She spent the first forty-five minutes telling me about a long-distance boyfriend (sort of) who lives in California. She is upset with him, but not over him. The guy has so many red flags around him that she should be running away from him. Brit seems immature for her age, probably due to some past relationship. Naive and vulnerable are the words I would use to describe her even though she is thirty.

Options

 Gia is back in Detroit, which surprised me. She indicated she was thinking about coming back, but then, on Monday, she texted me, saying she was coming back on Tuesday.

Gia: I'll be in Michigan tomorrow.

Bathwater: What? Tomorrow? Thanks for the heads up.

Gia: Hah

Bathwater: How long do you plan on staying?

Gia: A while.

Bathwater: Well, that narrows it down.

Gia: A month to start.

I said Gia needed to let me take her to dinner on Friday for her birthday. She doesn't like working the weekends anyway, so I told her we could hang out in Royal Oak. I would take her to all the worst places.

Brit still seems to be interested in continuing to get together. We are hanging out on Thursday. With summer approaching, it is nice to have options. 

Brit, Mulch, and Covid

 Gia flew back to Rhode Island Friday morning. She enjoyed her time here. It is as close to a vacation as she will allow herself. I don't think I have seen the last of her. Although it is expensive for her to make the trip. Gia knows a dancer in Texas who is considering joining her next time. It would make the journey more inviting if she split the cost with someone. I'd be curious to meet this friend of hers. Gia only gets close to a few people. 

Remember Brit from this post? Brit came over to the condo Friday night. This girl is really hot. Brit wore light jeans, a top that showed off her stomach, and a white sweater. I showed Brit around the place and then went to New Baltimore to eat. Brit is not a picky eater, which is nice. She's quiet, but I pulled some new information from her.

 Brit has a day job, but her psychology degree is not paying off. She really needs a Master's or better. Brit is thirty. Her parents divorced when she was twenty. Her dad remarried and is not in the picture, but she is close to her mom. Brit has a kitten. Brit says she has had mutually beneficial arrangements in the past, but judging from how she comes across, I suspect it was more like an older guy who cared for her. 

Brit is quiet and seems naive for her age. I have decided to be open-minded about Brit. She is interested in continuing our arrangement and wants to get together again this week. We only did some heavy petting at the end of the night, but she has clarified that she is ready for more. 

I tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday. Over the weekend, I hauled 115 bags of mulch for the Condo association. We offer 5 bags to any resident who wants to spread it themselves. We are having 200 more bags delivered, but Home Depot has delayed our order. The Association decided to get ahead because the mulch was on sale.

I spread at least 40 bags over the weekend while sick. I hit areas where people had already weeded, or the weeds were easy enough to pull before laying the mulch. It will only partially solve our mulch problem but will make a significant dent cost-efficiently. If the mulch goes on sale again, I am going to push us to do a second round this year.

Eclipse

 I viewed the solar eclipse yesterday. It did not go dark here, but we witnessed the moon cover the sun. I used special glasses. I have nothing of interest to report. I have been building Lego and seeing my kids, but otherwise, I have been lying low.

Gia still hasn't decided whether to return this month. One day, she is coming; the next, she is not. Gia wants to stay for a month or more but feels it is too expensive. Gia is worried about it working out financially. As of this morning, she has returned to considering coming out for just the week of the NFL draft. Gia will need to make her mind up soon. The draft is only two weeks away.

I really want to see her again. Though I know it will probably lead to nothing, she is fun to be around. I do have a coffee date with a new girl tonight. We will see how that goes. It would be nice to have someone around for the summer. 

This week is Max's birthday. He turns twenty-five. I want to buy him a new pair of boots for work. He has been walking around with duct tape on his current pair for a month but refuses to buy a new pair. 

Snapshot of March

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

Listening… Podcasts like The Rewatcher: Buffy The Vampire Slayer. These are the same women who do Morbid. It is funny to listen to them dissect the episodes.

Reading… How To Read People Like A Book. I got bored with this one. It was all common sense.

Watching…I am not watching any TV.

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

Building... I have been building with my Lego. Here is an example.

Buying… I splurged and bought some overpriced sheets from Boll and Branch. I haven't put them on yet. I entered a sweepstakes on their site and won a second set of sheets and a blanket. Those haven't arrived yet.

Loving... I have a four-day workweek this week.

Planning… On seeing Gia next month. She has confirmed she is coming back in about four weeks. I don't know how long she plans on staying.

Missing… Good TV, warm weather, someone to get close to... the usual.

Annoyed

 I am annoyed with office stuff today. I don't talk much about my job. It is safer that way. People amaze me, though. Some do not want to make any effort of their own. They want to be told what to do rather than think themselves. Others take advantage of the bosses being away to leave themselves. I am not the hardest worker, but I get the job done. 

Anyway, I have about two weeks of disassembling and sorting Lego. I have agreed to participate in the small show in July. At this point, the plan is only to bring three creations: something new and two from the Novi show. I bought a revolving lighted disc. The latest piece will sit on that.

I would like a quick March. The temperatures have been pleasant lately, and I look forward to Spring. I am hoping Gia will still come back next month. We still text, but I have been pressing her about her return plans.

The World Is Going To Hell

Sam texted me Friday asking if I wanted to get dinner. I agreed, and we planned to meet at 6:00. I hung around the office after work instead of heading home and waiting for 6:00. I arrived at the Green Lantern before Sam and got us a table. I opened the door to enter. A family with a young daughter was living. The daughter had her face glued to a giant iPad and had to be guided out the door.

I was seated by the windows. I ordered us drinks and waited for Sam to arrive. I was playing a game on my fun when I received a text from Gia. We were bantering back and forth when Sam arrived. Sam asked who I was texting. When I told her it was Gia, Sam's face turned to one of disapproval. Sam thinks I should not waste time on Gia. While I agree there is no future in it. I still like Gia; she doesn't distract me from anyone else. Her return is something to look forward to.

I finished up my text conversation with Gia.

Bathwater: Have a good night + (a gif with a digital cat shaking its tail).

Gai: Hahaha, you too. Miss you. (heart)

That alone makes my day. Who doesn't like positive attention from someone you are into. 

Sam and I ordered individual pizzas. Behind Sam, two women sit at a table. One had a daughter around ten with them. The daughter had an iPad. The daughter was standing in the space between the tables. She drew my attention as she placed the iPad on the window sill and started making TikTok videos, dancing right behind Sam. 

I was appalled. Not only was it inappropriate for the girl to infringe on our meal that way, but a child that age should not be on TikTok. This went on for several minutes. The mother and other woman were oblivious to her.

I felt like saying something loud enough for them to hear. Thankfully, they left soon after, and we enjoyed our meal. The world is going to hell. People are raising screen-addicted, attention-seeking drones who will not be able to function in the world. 

Nuggets

Last Friday, I went to see the psychic. It could have been a better reading. She did come up with a few good nuggets, though. She did see me seeing Gia again. She described Gia perfectly. The Psychic said Gia liked to be in control, she was focused on money, and I would show her she could still have fun. When I ask the psychic about different people, I never give her any of my opinions, only the names. She always comes back with wildly different descriptions that only match that person. For example, what she said about Billie or Ava would never apply to Gia.

She didn't see anything developing with Gia. Just more of the same. I am okay with that. The Psychic did describe someone else being around me. Someone I currently know, but I still need to take the time to figure it out. She said this year will not be my year with a travel partner. She sees that in 2025. Oh well.

Thursday night, I received a message through TikTok from a different dancer I often talk to from the club. I did not plan on returning to the club until Gia returned in April, but since this girl reached out, I made the trip on Saturday. 

A lot of girls were working, but none really interested me. The one I went to see was there. She is fun to talk with. I planned to take her to the back and spend some time with her, but she disappeared. Not with a customer in the back. I think she just left. Either way, the night was disappointing, and I don't plan to return anytime soon. 

This week is Chinese New Year, the year of the dragon. My colleagues in China are all on vacation, so work has slowed down for the week. 

The highlight of my days is my brief text exchanges with Gia. I reach out a few times a week, and we usually banter back and forth a bit when she replies. Distance is a hard thing to overcome, though. 

Update

 I have been trying to keep up with the blog this year. This weather makes me feel like staying put. When I am at home, I don't feel like leaving. Even at work, I dread getting into the car for the ride home.

I have been dealing with one condo association issue. We are trying to change the bylaws. We sent out a package to all the residents for approval. At this time, we are a few votes shy of the two-thirds majority we need. I will go door-to-door this weekend to explain the changes to six or seven residents to get the quorum. I don't trust the President to go on her own. She tends to rub people the wrong way.

I continue to text with Gia. She thinks April, when the weather breaks, would be a good time to return to Michigan to work. She indicated the NFL draft is in Detroit at the end of April. That girl is always doing her research. Hopefully, it works out. 

I finished my edits on Dave's next book. It was an engaging read. One of his best. I have to start my taxes over the next couple of weeks. Over a week ago, when I started this post, the weather was very cold. It has been mild since then.

I have been slowly working on a new castle. My progress has been impeded by a lack of parts. Most of my tan is tied up in models built for the show coming up.