E had a second interview at a place in DC. I think this is really going to happen and she'll move here. Kind of a game changer for me to have this best friend in town. Even without her, slowly a community has formed, but this is a whole different level of love and support.

I had a beautiful, normal Saturday: Yesterday morning I got up early and biked to the market, then K came over and we took a couple of bikes to the co-op to work on them. I'm giving him BT's old bike that was left here but it needs some work. I used to do all my own bike mechanic stuff but then over the years I kind of outsourced all of that to BT. Now it felt really good to wrangle the tire off and patch the tube, adjust the brakes, clean and lube the chain. The co-op is just a space in a parking lot outside a hardware store, but there was a big turnout and they have stands and all the tools. I can't do everything but I can teach someone how to do the very basics, so I'm going to start volunteering at the end of the month (!!). No matter how sad i am, when i get on a bike I feel like a kid again and I can't help but be happy.

Later we wandered around the cherry blossoms down at the tidal basin at sunset. I got into an argument with a guy who was violently shaking a tree so all the blossoms rained down on him for a photo. In hindsight I guess I could have been less aggressive in my approach (I was basically, "WTF why are you DOING that?" instead of "excuse me sir, have you considered that if everyone shakes the trees there will be no more blossoms for any of us to enjoy?"). Then he might have listened more, but I was so shocked. People marveling at these acres of cherry trees but also thinking nothing of picking sprigs for their hair or breaking off branches for their selfie or whatever. The guy was basically, "but there are so many trees, i can do whatever I want to this one" and also "you are ruining my romantic raining-cherry-petals moment with my wife" as though this tree is there for his personal amusement. We can't have nice things.

*
Briefly chatted with BT yesterday; he wants to *talk*. He has processed some feelings. I said, ok, whenever. That relationship has ceased to be the most important thing in my life. The reorientation was essential. It was a traumatic time and I often miss BT (the best of BT, not the monster BT from the end). But i have more good days than bad. I'm going to be okay.

10:01 a.m. - 2019-04-07