#summer hell

Canberra this evening. Road Closure to Tharwa

Writing a little before bed, as is my way. More for its own sake, than because there's anything to say; also because I just made a fresh cup of tea because I'm thirsty, and I don't want it to go to waste. I'm still just sick enough that plain water burns a little on the way down, and I ran out of pickle juice earlier tonight, so.

Let's see. Lots of little things. Was sick over the weekend, as I just mentioned; Hearthsnail had it first across the week, I picked it up later in the week. We've both got the lingering cough, and mine seems to be drumming up my asthma some as well, but other than that and being a bit more tired than usual we're mostly fine. It was a relatively light thing. It's our required once a year to get sick, and it's out of the way, so we should be good for most of another year.

Tonight was a board games night. Just with Gnomemode. We played Moon Colony: Bloodbath, and in doing so found a tableau builder that I actually like. For the most part they're not my thing, mostly because I don't enjoy the super nitty-gritty that tableau builders tend to lean into; but this one was light enough, and had a fun theme to wit, which helps. Otherwise it was our last round of a legacy game before retiring it, and then some Dutch Blitz to round out the long games with something short and stupid.

Went to the aquarium this weekend, with Gnomemode and their partner and Hardplace. Took a lot out of me due to the aforementioned sick, and also it's one of their busiest days of the year - but we managed to time it such that arrival was the most crowded it was and things tapered down a bit. Didn't realize the kid's area was completely out for the count - sounds like they're remodeling it. The rest was all mostly the same as it ever is. Got to share some fish facts, and we took the Blue Whale Cum Facts a step or two deeper on the math than I had previously. Making sure we hit the important things, at least.

Had a power outage this morning. Lots of wind, the last few days - probably the hot weather blowing in - and it was out for a solid five and a half hours. Mostly I was sleeping, and then after that I was showering - I am eternally gratefully that we always have hot water even during power outages. So a shower by lanternlight was sort of nice. Came on just before I left for the day's errands. I'm not 100% sure about how well the things in the fridge fared - probably ought to keep an eye on them. It was the first one of the year, though, and earlier than usual to boot - makes me worry that it bodes ill for the rest of the summer. I know that they're forecasting a potentially rough fire season this year. We should probably actually get a go bag prepared and put together again, just in case.

Other adventures. Music adventures. Picking my harp up tomorrow, finally, after like four months. I'm not worried about how long it's taken to get it worked on, I'm just happy to have it back. Looking forward to starting to learn it - I paged through the sort of beginner's teach-yourself book, and it looks fairly approachable even knowing nothing. Lots of early practice on hand position, because you know. Music and repetitive strain injuries. Also, I had my first drum lesson today and enjoyed it greatly. Drummers and neurodivergent people being a circle of a venn diagram seems to pan out so far, but that's all right - probably works better for me anyway. I enjoyed it a lot, and he loaned me a couple of sticks to take home and practice with. I found that a couple of our padded folding chairs have some decent rebound on the sticks, so I've been playing music over the TV and standing and trying to drum along as best I can. Been enjoying it so far. I am making it my goal over the upcoming few weeks to become as insufferable as I can with drumming on everything all the time. It's a required phase for new drummers, as I understand it, and I intend to do good. Want to get the grip on the sticks down for my next lesson in a couple of weeks - comfortable enough that it's automatic and I don't have to think about it, and can focus on other things.

Got to talk to Lighthouse earlier tonight, just a bit ago. It's nice to touch in with her here and there, especially since she's on the opposite side of the country now. Got to share the drumming with her, which I figured she in particular would appreciate, being a former drummer herself. Different sort, but nonetheless. Looking forward to seeing her sometime this summer, and maybe later this month. We shall see.

What else? The upcoming many weeks are going to be busy. In truth, it's going to go from what ought to be the self-contained stretch of constant busy over the upcoming couple of weeks, into camping for a couple weeks, directly into summer work marathon hell after. So this is really the beginning of the end. These couple of days are probably my last quiet ones for a while, and I ought to use 'em well. I'd like to get a bunch of things cleaned, if I can - partly because it needs it, partly because there won't be time later, partly because it's easier to come and go from things like camping when the house is clean. There are probably other preparatory tasks like that I should consider, especially planning things, but planning will be what it'll be. I'll find the time in and amongst all the rest, and what I don't have time for I'll improvise and all will be well. It's been nice, this year, feeling another step greater in terms of comfort and fluency with improvisation. I need to be careful not to let it make me lazy - my well-planned events are still on the whole better - but it's nice for when I need or want the time for other things.