What's IN/OUT this week

Once again, I will likely be on a plane as you’re reading this. I am getting pretty sick of spending time at O’Hare. The good news is that I’m always running late, so I’m never really at the airport for too long.

IN: Enjoying the trip. With how this month has been going, I wasn’t even really looking forward to our long-planned trip to New York last weekend. But we kept our plans light, spent fantastic time with our friends, and generally took it easy. I also kept my in-bed-at-9-p.m. sister out until 3 a.m.!!! OUT: Mirrors that are too high. This is my one complaint from the trip: The mirror over the sink of our hotel was mounted by someone who must have a real vendetta against anyone shorter than 5’5.” I had to keep standing on my toes to see anything below my eyebrows.

IN: The AeroPress. When I arrived home from our trip, there was a package from my friend Mike, who I do not deserve! He is a true coffee connoisseur — a bard of the bean, if you will. I’ve only used this contraption twice but I am liking it. I also really enjoy that I now have six different ways to make coffee. Each morning I wake up, splash my face with water, and muse over how I’d like to give myself the caffeine shakes that day. OUT: A quiet barista. Our hotel had a pretty nice cafe where I could get a free coffee each morning. But one barista was wearing an N-95 mask — good for them! — and speaking in their lowest possible register. I watched them set multiple orders down and zero people retrieved them, unaware their lattes were getting cold. So I stationed myself directly in front of the counter and waited until they made direct eye contact with me so I could be fairly certain that it was my americano coming into view.

IN: Taking maybe a handful of photos during the entire trip. Sure, I wish I’d taken a few more, but we’ve gotta live in the moment! I also just never think to do it, and I can’t decide if this is an upsetting or delightful trait. But one of the five pictures I DID take includes whatever this thing is (below) that we found on the ground at the Central Park Zoo. OUT: Taking a million photos in one spot. I used to feel second-hand embarrassment when I’d catch influencers in the wild. Now I just feel pure rage! Two young women were taking turns shooting “candid” photos of the other outside of a cafe that my sister, Dave, and I were planted at. The women were snapping and posing for at least 30 minutes before disappearing with their iced matchas. I excused myself a little while later… only to immediately catch sight of them both slipping into the cafe’s only bathroom. I should’ve pounded on the door!!! (I was afraid that my rage was running too hot.) When they eventually came out, they were in completely different wardrobes. My sweet, selfish, smooth-skinned daughters: Self awareness will get you much further than a sponsored Instagram post could ever.

IN: Free time. Once all my travel is wrapped up, my job winds down, and a few projects are cleared, I’m going to be a proud owner of Free Time. And I really am excited about that, even if I am stressed about not having enough work. I even made a little list called Free Time. So far the activities include: Long walks with the dog, library trips, thrifting, ice cream walks. OUT: Not enough time with the dog this month. I miss my dog!!

Tell me what you hated this week!