overdue inspections, 5.20.24

i got pulled over multiple times last year because the sequoia was overdue for an inspection. i didn’t want to be in the same predicament with the lexus so before work today i stopped by and got an inspection. next i have to wash it and buy a license plate frame.

it made me a little late to work, but the peace of mind was worth it.

-ratha, 11:29am, 5.20.24

coming home lateee designs, 5.19.24

i was designing a few things for coming home lateee. so far, the keychains have been incredible thanks to joey. i hit him up to see if he would be able to do more of them and he said he was down. then i began designing a few things for merch. i’m thinking maybe one or two shirts and even one or two keychains. i also have to put up a few original pieces on the store from rdl365.

a lot of work in front of us, but it’s an everyday hustle which is something i understand.

-ratha, 3:41am, 5.19.24

late nights on route 1, 5.18.24

though it was raining, i decided to take a late-night drive on route one. i love getting lost in my thoughts behind the wheel. i called up money and we talked for an hour as i was driving/getting food. we spoke on family, our japan trip, coming home lateee, and him visiting boston. afterwards, i drove around looking at all the lights and signs on route one. once i hit 95, i pulled the lex a little after putting it in sports + mode. universally, there are things us humans do to clear our mind from walks on the beach, to eating a good meal, to having conversation with those we love, but a late-night drive on the route 1 and i-95 was just as good for me tonight.

-ratha, 2:11am, 5.18.24

no donuts, 5.17.24

a long, early day at work for a friday. i went in at 7am and just got out not too long ago. i didn’t know what to eat, but i stopped by the chipotle on fellsway. as i left, i was thinking how i shouldn’t get a strawberry donut from dunkin donuts, but i hopped in the drive thru and ordered one. when i got to the window, the worker told me they didn’t have any strawberry donuts left, but they had vanilla. i told her i appreciated it, but i drove off. God for sure intervened because i did not need that donut whatsoever.

-ratha, 4:41pm, 5.17.24

autozone to planet fitness, 5.16.24

i went and got my battery changed at autozone. the kid changing my battery asked me about the sequoia and if it was on a lift. i told him nah it wasn’t, but the wheels are a bit larger than the recommended so that might be why it looks a little taller. i ask him what he drives and he says he doesn’t have a car as he’s getting his license in the next two months. he says he’ll be working two jobs this summer to afford a car, which he either wants a luxury sedan or a truck. he then asks me if i go to north reading high school. that caught me way off guard, but i told him i didn’t. after he changes my battery i head to planet fitness for a workout. as i’m doing pull-downs, i hear my name. i turn around and it’s mr. kelly. he was the guy who needed jumper cables back in fall/summer. he tells me he hasn’t seen me in a while and that he always tells people about me and the other guy who helped him jump his car that one night. then mr. kelly gets to telling me how in november he had a bowel obstruction and lost almost 30 lbs. he had pneumonia, a hernia, and other problems because of it. it’s amazing because 6 months later, he’s in the gym back lifting heavy. i told him it was good to see him and to see that he’s back to his old self. some times we take our health for granted when we don’t have nagging ailments. as i drove home, i thought about how i’m in between the teenager who changed my battery and someone like mr. kelly. one has his whole life ahead of him, the other has a lot more to look back than myself. i’m in between the two and all i can do is make the most of the moment.

it’s times like these where i’m reminded i should stop playing it safe and just go for it.

-ratha, 9:11pm, 5.16.24

pollination of 24’, 5.15.24

the pollen this year is different different. i’m getting my ass kicked like never before. i need this next month to be over because i don’t know how much more pollen i can handle, smh.

-ratha, 5:17pm, 5.15.24

the start of summer, 5.14.24

of course, there are dates in which the seasons begin and end, but then there are subjective beginnings and endings. when i was younger, the start of school meant that summer was officially over and fall was upon us. ever since i moved to new england a few years ago, i began eating ice cream. the first ice cream i eat after winter is my official start of summer. this year, that was tonight. after 5 guys, i went next door to cookie monstah and got a half mint and half cake batter. the cake batter is way better at cold stone, but it was still the perfect dessert after a burger and fries.

today’s my first official day of summer, so happy summer!

-ratha, 9:54pm, 5.14.24

the first anniversary, 5.13.24

a year already?? i can’t believe that on this day last year spencer and megan got married. it was such a beautiful wedding, a beautiful reception, a beautiful ceremony, and an even more beautiful couple. what an amazing time. from the napkins with bailey on them to their favorite candy, to storm taking all the pictures with an instant camera, to the food…man that night was one i’ll remember forever.

-ratha, 4:49pm, 5.13.24

sunglasses on her head, 5.12.24

i just got back home from going out and what a night it was. we went out to eat at lincoln in southie for the celtics game vs the cavaliers. i was with the usual suspects as schuni had set up the reservation. it was packed as soon as we got there. if we didn’t have a reservation, we would’ve been in line for 30-45 minutes. i had a burger and fries with a strawberry lime mocktail. two mocktails actually. the place was loud af, so it was tough to have conversation. schuni pointed to me, then to a girl behind me. i didn’t pay much mind because i was focused on the game, plus the burger was really good. at the end of the night, i went to the restroom before leaving. lynx points out the same girl i thought schuni pointed out. she was standing with her friends with her back turned, but she had sunglasses on her head. i couldn’t really hear what was going on, plus we were on the way out. a couple hours later when i finally leave the city, i call schuni. he told me that the girl was sitting back to back with me, but she turned around twice to look at me. then when she got up and came back he thought we caught eye contact because she was looking at me. i told him i was so focused on the game and my burger that i didn’t even notice her. schuni said she was with two of her friends and that she was beautiful. it’s crazy because i’m too in my own zone sometimes to notice these things. i’m so oblivious, especially when sports are on. i’ve never been one to pick up women at a bar or a club, because i’m never really in those enviroments. i like going out with friends though, especially when food and sports are involved, but from the past few times, i’m learning it comes with other things, too.

maybe next time i’m in southie, i’ll be more vigilant.

summer’s about to be here.

-ratha, 2:31am, 5.12.24

a saturday outdoors, 5.11.24

this pollen has me so tired this year. i got up at 9am, then fell asleep shorty after until 2:30pm. i changed the oil on the sequoia, cut the backyard, took bagel on a walk at ipswich, then washed the sequoia. i’m lying in bed after a shower right now typing this hungry as hell lol. i have to get up to get dressed and go out, but i think i’ll lay here for a few more minutes.

-ratha, 7:32pm, 5.11.24