Home Safe

I voted in the primary election yesterday. Many people I know mailed in ballots, but I love going to the polling place. 

I figured voting would be Covid-safe because the turnout for primaries is always low. Even with a contested race, only a couple other voters were in the big high-school gymnasium when I arrived after work. 
The election clerk handed me my ballot at the end of a grabber-stick. 

I'm relieved that Rep. Ilhan Omar won handily against a well-funded contestor. (In this district, the Democrat who wins the primary is a shoo-in.)  

I'm thrilled happy with Joe Biden's pick of Kamala Harris as presidential running mate too. Personally I might like someone more left-wing, but I'm with the NYT--the prospect of a vice president being a woman of color is exciting: 
"In Kamala Harris, a Choice at Once Safe and Energizing".

I'll be voting in person for the presidential election in November too.  My father used to take us kids with him to vote. Voting was a mark of adulthood, like carrying keys or smoking cigarettes. 
(And I feel virtuous too, even though it's the easiest possible way to participate in democracy.)

I first cast a vote for president in 1980. I voted for President Jimmy Carter, who was creamed by Ronald Reagan. That was forty years ago, but I still feel oh-so adult when I vote. 

I need to get my average up. I've only voted for two winning presidential candidates--Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. 

(What a lousy bunch the winners were: Reagan, George W. Bush, and Trump. Who am I forgetting? Oh--George H. W. Bush. The best of a bad lot.)

Back Home

I'm back home after 6 weeks of housesitting.
At the end of this month, I've lived here with HouseMate (HM) a year. 
It's been up and down, partly because 2020 has been down for everyone. It's not the easiest thing when a pandemic coops you up with a newish housemate, 24/7.
I wasn't sure how it'd be to return.

Happy to say, it's nice:
HouseMate (HM) had cleared the front porch, where she'd stored stuff, so I have more of a real sitting porch. Considerate of her--and very welcome to me. Especially with Covid, I love opening the purple front door (to the right) to watch people walking past and to greet neighbors.
HM will be visiting family this weekend, so I'll feel free to move and clean things while she's gone.

The Search for Intelligent Life

No new activity on the dating site. I've looked at all the potential matches, both men and women. (They don't even have an option for non-binary or anything--this site feels like it exists in the era of George H W.)

Judging from the number of "profile views", the other members have all looked at my profile too. We've agreed upon a polite pass.

I'd bought the budget 6-month membership. After one week, I think a month's would have sufficed.

Who knows?
Perhaps I'll be surprised. If not on this site, then out in the real world.
Anyway, it's ridiculous to give up so soon.
I appreciated this encouraging text exchange with a work pal who is a Picard fan:

She also said I should tell the Universe what I want.

I sent her this photo back: "This is what I really want."