The Aviary

Things:

- We were promised a snow storm on Tuesday which entirely fizzled out - no snow at all where I live. As an adult, I should be happy this happened, but I am internally always a 10 year old, disappointed that they didn't get a snow day. I really want a snow day, dammit.

- I feel really frazzled this week in general, and today especially. Thanksgiving/birthday was good but exhausting and now it's December - the month where there's something to do every day of every weekend, plus work every day, and sometimes things in the evening after work - so there's very little time to become unfrazzled. All the things I'm doing are good and fun but man, I wish there was a little more space between them.

- This weekend, at least, most of the stuff I have on my calendar is at-home stuff. I'm making my fruitcake (the panettone may still be happening but it depends on how frazzled I feel later this month), I have a little in-town Christmas shopping to do, we're getting the Christmas tree. It's too early to get the tree, but see above re: weekends.

- I have found a new stress-decreasing tool, however. For my birthday, my mom gave me a copy of Railroad Ink, which is a roll-and-write game where you draw railroad and highway networks depending on the dice you roll. It is an incredibly soothing solo-play experience* - the components are very pleasing to look at and handle, the game is puzzly and interesting without being frustrating, it's got a very small footprint so you can play basically anywhere, and it makes my brain feel quiet. It takes about half an hour to play, so I've taken to playing a game or two in the evening after. It's very pleasant.







*You can play with other people as well, but I haven't done that yet. I'm sure it's also lovely.