in-person socializing, with iced chocolate

cattitude, adrian_turtle, and I visited with nineweaving this afternoon. We sat on a patio drinking Burdick's chocolate (hot for Adrian, iced for the rest of us) and talking. I had a very good time, and Nine and I agreed to do this again soon, or at least not wait a year. I had last seen her in spring 2021, when we were vaccinated and a lot of other people weren't yet.

I suggested getting together a few weeks ago, when Greer decided it wasn't safe enough for her to go to Montreal for Scintillation next month. I already knew that her and my risk tolerances differ slightly—in particular, I'm willing to ride uncrowded buses and trains when the covid numbers are low, and she's not. So, we were in Harvard Square, which is walking distance from her place and near the buses from Arlington and Belmont.

It was a wide-ranging conversation, including eyeglasses and theatre and movies, and visiting very old buildings, and a bit about our respective pandemic precautions.

When we sat down, Nine reached into her bag and gave me the flashlight that I had lent her at a convention in 2019. I'd lent it to her because there was a construction trench near where she was staying, and I carry a flashlight in my daypack just in case I need it, which happens rarely but unpredictably.

(no subject)

We're moving in three weeks and I still have a lot to do, including talk to two utility companies. But we have hired a moving company and I reserved parking for the moving truck for the day of the move, and the signs and flyers were in today's mail.

A few people have come to look at the apartment, and yesterday the realtor came over to record a video tour, which I'm in favor of because it may mean fewer people in the apartment before we leave. I've mostly ducked outside during these visits, while cattitude kept an eye on things and made sure they didn't let the cats out.

The move isn't the only reason I'm not going to Scintillation--the travel and the amount of time indoors in groups seemed risky--but it was a factor. This way, I won't only be thinking that I want to be in Montreal with my friends.

A smaller but pleasing thing is that adrian_turtle knows someone who would like, and will wear, the silk shirts that no longer fit me. They're in my pack, and I will give them to her tomorrow, to pass along.