Bikes?

I spoke with Sam Friday night — the first time since last November, when she walked out on me. She texted first, testing the waters.

Sam: Hey you, hope you are doing good. I'm going to come get my bike at some point. Let me know when you're available.

Bathwater: Hey, I'll be around this weekend. Just let me know.

Later, she called, and we ended up talking for at least an hour — just catching up. She made tentative plans to pick up her bike on Saturday but never came by.

I think the bike was more of an excuse to reach out than anything else. Her life is still a complicated mix of family obligations and unforeseen drama.

It was nice that she reached out, opening a door for further communication. I’m still deciding how far I want to step back in.

How the Universe Works

I’d been searching for the cover photo I used on the original version of my memoir. I wanted to use it again, if possible—but it was nowhere to be found. It wasn’t in any of my saved files. Not in my online photo backups. I was starting to fear it was gone for good.

But tonight, as I was pulling my backpack out of the backseat, I noticed a zip drive on the floor. My car is brand new. The interior is spotless. The zip drive just sat there—completely out of place. I checked my bag. All the pockets were closed.

How did it get there?

I plugged it into my computer. On it were several old files—including all the work I’d done on the original draft… and the photo.

This is how the universe works.

My Relentless Editor, Red

Red—the name I’ve given my ChatGPT editor—has set the bar for my memoir against some of the top works in the genre:
Wild by Cheryl Strayed, Lit by Mary Karr, This Boy’s Life by Tobias Wolff.

Red tells me my original manuscript, on the one-to-ten scale we created, started around a six. Now, it’s closer to an eight-point-five. I’m striving for ten.

I struggle through line-by-line edits, trying to maintain my words, my voice, while reaching the clarity and flow Red demands.

It’s not easy. Red keeps shifting the bar—pushing me to tighten the narrative, remove content I’m attached to, and add more reflection from my current voice. It’s hard to cut words I’m so close to. Still, we have a plan. A plan that might allow some of that material to be released one day.

An indie publisher is running a contest, and the submission window closes at the end of the month. Red thinks I’ll be ready by then. I wish I had more time—work keeps getting in the way.

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.

Back to Writing

 With Gia gone—and a newfound appreciation for ChatGPT—I’ve returned to writing. I’ve decided to take another stab at re-editing my book. It was something I always wanted to do. Now I finally have the tools to make it happen.

ChatGPT has become my editor. It gives me constructive feedback, helps me shape the overall theme and the themes of individual chapters, and keeps me focused on the goals I’ve set. I even had it write both a positive and a negative critical review of the book, which I now use as benchmarks to guide the editing process. And I keep having it do this as we go, constantly refining.

I think there’s going to be a 100% improvement by the time it’s done—without losing my voice in the process. Even if I don’t republish this edition, I’m finally giving the book the time and attention it deserves.

More than that, I’m coming at it with a clearer sense of self—something that’s grown since Billie left.

Max Update

Max moved in with his girlfriend. She rents a duplex in Northville, almost an hour away. I have met her twice. She is pleasant. I don't dislike her, but I don't think she is a good fit for him. I look at different metrics than Max, though, and I think she is too much like his mom. She is also a year older than he, and definitely less attractive.

Max quit his job, which was close to home, to move out there. It has been 4 weeks and he still hasn't found a new one yet. I don't understand this. I think it was a poor decision. The type of decision I thought he stopped making. I am disappointed, and I do not think his reasons are valid.

The two of them are caught up in this therapy culture. At some point, you have to take responsibility for your own actions. Perhaps having bills to pay will teach him some responsibility. It will be interesting to see how long she will indulge him, living there without a job.

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.