I listen to the Armchair Expert podcast with Dax Shepphard (sp?). On Wednesday, I played the episode with Jewel Kilcher and was impressed by her. First, she has overcome significant adversity. Second, I didn’t know that Alaska’s winter is six months of darkness. SIX months of darkness?! I become ornery when darkness rolls in an hour earlier each fall.

Jewel spoke at length about mental health. As I was listening, I wrote, “Effort to become a better observer/questioner of my feelings.–>Recognize when I am feeling a gnarly emotion and lean into it. Her website about “emotional fitness” is jewelneverbroken.com.

I recently bought a variety pack of incense sticks. I know, “Cut your hair hippy.” My hair is somewhat high and tight these days. Anyway, I am digging the lavender-scented incense.

As the pandemic continues to rage in America, the City of Philadelphia has implemented Lockdown Part Deux–gyms are closed, there is virtually no indoor dining or bar-ing. I continue to work remotely. Therefore, aside from my daily walk, I pass the days and nights in my apartment, which is located in Center City. The pandemic has taught me that the city is fucking loud.

A break from the racket of the sirens from ambulances and police cars generally lasts no longer than twenty minutes. Noise from construction seems constant no matter what part of the city I live in. And the sound of news helicopters flying in the airspace above my apartment makes me want to procure an RPG. Get off my lawn.

Lastly, I am simple. I chuckle every time I see someone bookended a sentence with “AF.”