📱 It was time to update dad's cellphone, and my parents decided that my mom should have a phone, too. So now I have two less-than-tech savvy parents with cell phones that are constantly going to be calling me asking for help.

At least my mom seems to be picking it up. We've been sending text messages back and forth. My dad still has no idea how to text after having his old phone for a few years. Maybe she can finally beat it into his head.

👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨 Almost at the six month mark with R. Still don't know how strongly I feel about us as an item. But we enjoy each other's company, and we put up with each other's quirks.

My taxes are done, and I still have two whole hours to go before they're due. By my standards, that's early!

I've been kind of busy the past month, which is why I keep falling behind and catching up.

😟 A friend of mine died unexpectedly two weeks ago. RIP B. I ended up making three separate trips out to Reading, PA, to see his husband M, who was absolutely destroyed. Nice guy who was always helping people.

🙁 My other friend J wound up in the hospital with an infection. He'll be fine, though.

👨‍❤️‍👨 I'm still not calling this thing with R a relationship. It doesn't really feel like one yet. But I've spent a bit of time with him, and I am enjoying the time together. So I'll take it to its logical conclusion, whatever that is.

🥚 Lazy Easter. I slept in, then went to my parents for dinner. Now I'm back home.

💉 After I delayed it back when everyone got sick back in December/January and then promptly forgot about it, I finally got my booster shot yesterday. I worked yesterday, and then took today off of work to recover from any ill effects.

Thankfully, the shot effects were mild, though my sore arm is getting worse now. Blah.

🌮 On my way home from work, I went to my favorite taco place for their tuesday taco special, and I randomly bumped into wantedonvoyage and his friend. It was the first time we've met in person, though we actually live near each other. Great guy.

That's all. Short update today.

Beware the Ides of March.

🗑 As of Friday afternoon, the borough/new trash haulers replaced one of the two missing dumpsters. So at least we have somewhere to put our trash now.

👨‍❤️‍👨 So over the past few weeks, one of the two south Asian guys that I know introduced me to a third one, R. And I think he's becoming somewhat attached to me. I don't know where this is going to lead, frankly because I don't have that much of a libido to begin with, and the mental health meds I'm on reduce that even further. Halp?

R wanted to get his ear pierced, so last night we went and did that. And we went to Costco.

🕳 A month ago, I put four brand-new tires on the road beast. Last night, I hit a pothole and developed a slow but significant leak in one of those tires. R and I found a 24 hour repair shop, where they found a hole in the tire sidewall, which could not be repaired. But they didn't have my size tire. So they pumped up my tire, and I was able to drop R off and make it home. This afternoon I was able to get a new tire. But I'm really annoyed that I didn't see the pothole, and that I had to replace an almost-new tire.

As I drove into the parking lot of my condo complex, I noticed the dumpsters were missing. I get home to this email from my condo association:

"The town of Belleville fired the refuse company, █████, and they were so angry they removed all of the refuse containers from all Belleville properties. The new refuse company is trying to provide dumpsters, but unfortunately this is a town issue. If you can, try to keep all garbage within your unit, garage, etc. We will keep you updated."

Just a reminder, add me over on DW if you haven't already. Same name there as here.

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Now that my parents are all settled in to their new place, my mom wants a dog again. I don't think this is a great idea, as my parents aren't in the greatest shape anymore, and they have a fairly long walk from the elevator to their apartment. Not to mention my parents aren't getting any younger, and their hips and knees are only going to get worse. But I don't know if I'll be able to dissuade her.

So after 17 days I finally got the results of when I was tested for Covid before Christmas. It’s nice to finally know that I tested negative.

Fortunately, everyone I was with at one of two events I was at, that had gotten tested, had tested negative. So after a few days and not having any fever or night sweats or anything, I kind of figured I was negative, too.

Nothing really going on, so here's a video instead. Merry New Year!

CW: Weird, somewhat gore-ish animation