saturday nights out, 10.1.22

we went to kowloons for dinner tonight. i had been here a few times and told my dad it was good so he recommended it for the occasion. we were sat by the parties, so it was loud and a bit of an inconvenience to hear. the food was disappointing, but afterwards, we went to gongcha. it was my first time there and i ain’t know what to get, so i bought a lychee drink. it was really sweet, but still pretty good. lychee flavor is my go-to at asian drink places. i need to experiment more, but for the first time i had to stick with what was familiar.

-ratha, 11:32pm, 10.1.22

the big e, 9.30.22

the big e was so fun. it was an uncomfortable chilly, but that is new england fall for you. i actually enjoy the thought of this type of weather, but not as much when i’m actually experiencing it. the night was crisp with the aroma of fried food and never-ending flashing neon lights. i think i lost $100 over games, but damn was it fun. we played the water game twice, which has a guaranteed prize. we didn’t win the first time. the second time we thought it would only be two of us, but like 10 other people joined, which fucked up our strategy guaranteeing us a win lol. i lost money on claw machines, a ball toss, and another game where you had to roll balls for a score of less than 10 or higher than 31. my score was 27 or something. we ate hot dogs, turkey bowls, elephant ears fried in week-old oil, and an incredible side of baked beans from the massachusetts building. we saw horses, pigs, alpacas, goats, and chicks. besides my disappointing performance at the carnival games, tonight was soooo good.

i need more nights like this, honestly.

-ratha, 11:55pm, 9.30.22

early weekend, 9.29.22

my weekend officially begins tonight. last friday i worked all summer friday, and being that this is our last summer friday, i’m wfh tomorrow morning. i only have one meeting at 11am, then it’s doing some last minute cleaning/packing for the big e. the big e is the state fair for all 6 new england states. those states are connecticut, maine, massachusetts, new hampshire, rhode island, and vermont. i’m too excited for fried food, games, and fall weather.

i want to say all the state fairs are the same, but my biasness tells me nothing can compare to the nc state fair, but tomorrow we shall see.

-ratha, 5:33pm, 9.29.22

a year ago today, 9.28.22

a year ago today, you departed this physical world. i can’t believe it’s been a year. there’s so many times i catch myself wanting to call you to talk to you and tell you things. i know you know what’s going on, but i sometimes it’s hard to find confirmation. i texted your dad. he said he’s doing well and that one of his cars placed top 5 in a show. he wants to search for a stone to lay you to rest, and that it’ll be done soon. i messaged your mom on fb. she said today is tough for her, but that she is doing well overall. when i’m in nc in a few weeks, i’ll make sure to pay them a visit. i wanna take them both out to eat.

i’m thinking we’ll go to your favorite korean spot and order galbi.

maybe you’ll join us in spirit.

-ratha, 7:17pm, 9.28.22

free play, 9.27.22

last night i went to an arcade/bar in worcester called free play. it was a $7 cover charge, with free games. it was a small spot tucked away on the corner of an older building. it wasn’t busy as it was a monday night, but that made the night even better. normally i like when places are filled because it adds to the vibe, but when i’m participating in activities, not waiting is nice. we played pinball, racing games, super mario, table hockey, and a haunted house rpg. most, if not all, the games were vintage. it was so dope. i saw street fighter, and i thought about it, but that game is so hard. maybe i’ll give it a try next time.

which hopefully there is judging by how good of a night i had.

-ratha, 7:12am, 9.27.22

using pto, 9.26.22

earlier today i bought my ticket for money’s baby shower in a few weeks, then i bought my ticket for raleigh a week after that. i gotta use my pto, and i have plenty of it. i’m hoping to sneak away to somewhere new by the end of the year. as for now, i can’t wait to be back in the a with my dog, then to go home for the state fair the week after. last time i went to the state fair was in 2017. last time i was in the a was 2016.

it’s been way too long, but that changes here in a few weeks.

-ratha, 11:22am, 9.26.22

missing phil, 9.25.22

during the seattle vs atlanta game, the commentators mentioned geno smith’s journey as an nfl quarterback. when they spoke to him, he said he learned a lot for phil, especially how he operated before the snap. that made me happy. people don’t realize how good of a qb phil was, and to this day, he’s still underrated by everyone. not in my book though.

i’m glad i never took it for granted when he was still in the league, but i miss watching phil on sundays so much that it seems like i did.

-ratha, 6:04pm, 9.25.22

deck saturdays, 9.24.22

dad almost has the frame ready for inspection on monday. this morning/afternoon we were laying tarp underneath the deck and shoveling rocks on top. this is supposed to keep weeds from growing. then we moved cutting the outer piece of composite we will be laying down to form the corners. in the middle of that, i drove with uncle dave to his house bringing some wood that he’ll use for a project in the backyard. we drove central to 125 to avoid main street traffic because andover has their annual festival today. i ended the day with walking bagel at the park, then papa gino’s for dinner. i got their meatball sub, and i’m curious how it compares to subway. i think dad said only one more week (fingers-crossed) for the deck to pretty much be finished.

all in a day’s work, but moreover, hopefully all in a week’s work.

-ratha, 7:44pm, 9.24.22

early friday mornings, 9.23.22

work continued summer fridays, which means we can leave the office at 12:00pm, so pretty much a half-day. today though, i had to process maps, so i was here with tom at 7:00am. if everything goes well, we’ll leave around 2pm, then my weekend will begin.

next week though, i’m definitely making sure i take advantage of what could be the last summer friday.

i gotta be out that bitch, i got plans lol.

-ratha, 10:02am, 9.23.22

fall 2022, 9.22.22

first day of fall. i know i said i’m liking summer more and more, but autumn remains undefeated. the leaves are already changing color, and it is getting chilly. when i start having to let bagel out with clothes on, that’s when i know the seasons are transitioning. i can’t wait for all the fall activities. the pumpkin patches, the spooky tours, the haunted houses, the holidays, and most importantly the state fairs.

i pray for prosperity, new beginnings, and the courage to let go this autumn.

-ratha, 4:33pm, 9.22.22