What's IN/OUT this week

Happy 7-Eleven Day, Haters. A little fact about me is that I’ve never had a Slurpee. But we did sell a slushy drink when I worked at Dairy Queen that you could blend soft serve into. Only the most agile employees could do this, though, because the Blizzard machine could really get away from you. I watched a lot of good teens go down early in their shifts because they didn’t respect the Power of the Blender.

Anywho!

IN: Having directionless conversations with other dog-owners. I was walking Dottie one morning and another dog poked her little snout through the fence and they sniffed at each other for a bit. The dog’s owner came from across the street and asked if Dottie was a boy, and I said no — but she has a masculine energy (she does!). The owner replied that her dog normally doesn’t like other female dogs. I, again, told her Dottie has masculine energy (I honestly don’t even know what I mean). We both just sort of passively smiled at each other until I walked away. A perfect interaction. OUT: Dogs with bad attitudes. The folks next door to us have a full-size Goldendoodle and, man, that thing sucks. It barks at anything when it’s outside, and if another dog passes its yard, this dog barrels toward it, growling. My take is that no doodle wants to be a doodle. Their eyes are too human-like and they look trapped. But if you have a doodle I bet it’s really wonderful!

IN: Dueling for a woman’s love!!! I met a couple at a cookout last weekend who met online while playing a video game, and the woman’s ex also ended up playing against this guy in a video game. The specifics are a little nerdy but I love that the chest-puffing came out in this way. You could tell it thrilled our lady gamer! There is a lid for every pot and I want to see those lids CLANGIN’ against the others like little knights. OUT: Bringing it to everyone’s attention when you notice something will probably end up in this newsletter. IT WAS A GOOD LOVE STORY, ROCK. Of course I was gonna write about it!!

IN: Making it work, for friendship. I slept poorly two nights in a row. This can destroy me, a person who needs 8-10 hours of shut eye and has a silk pillowcase. But a friend was laid off this week and a few of us got together that day because you celebrate these things. Splash a little cold water on your face and high-five for unemployment. OUT: Thinking you can keep your friend hangouts straight without a calendar. I triple-booked myself one evening because I failed to put a variety of events on my Google cal. If the plans that only involved me, fine. But these were three events with three different people. Please subscribe to my newsletter so I can afford a personal secretary who saves me from being a disappointment! 

IN: Wiggle room for thinking hours. I woke up (after a very good night’s sleep) and had an absolute avalanche of wide-ranging ideas. This should be something you’re allowed to take a few hours off for! You should be able to text your boss/editor/client that you will be unavailable for the morning because you need to stare at the sky. I think what I’m getting at is I want to be a woman in the early 1900s with generational wealth (cocaine in soda and a walk along the ocean!). OUT: AI brain. While we’re yearning for the past, I’m going to grumble about how people are using AI. As a True Idiot who gets herself into assignments I have no business taking, I do understand the desire to have ChatGPT sort it out for you. But a lot can be lost here, even beyond the simple fact that Chat can give you the wrong answers. I’m talking about creative-solution endorphins, mama: Using your existing knowledge to solve a problem can truly give you a high. The way I peacocked around the apartment once I finally figured out how to marginally use Adobe Premiere…wow.

Tell me what you hated this week!