+++ title = “03” date = 2019 +++ I’m old enough to remember the emoticon. The series of characters that you can type with a regular keyboard that look like facial expressions. Like this : ) or this ; ) Sentiment is a funny thing. When we talk to each other in person, we are able to use facial cues, tiny micro movements, and other subtle body language to interpret meaning, feeling, and emotion.

+++ title = “03” date = 2019 +++ Applying to college in High School was an endless shame spiral. You’d take a hard look at your GPA, and then compare it to the average student that different colleges accepted. You’d make a list of reach schools, target schools, and backup schools. Then you’d apply to all of them and see what came back. I applied to American University early decision, partially because it was nearby and I was afraid of moving too far away from home, and also because it had an audio technology program (which is what I wanted to do with my life at that point in time).

I have an amazing long-term memory. My short term memory is total shit, but my long term memory amazes me on a daily basis (and many of my friends as well). My memory’s so good that in ninth grade, I was at a movie theater and noticed that the guy who was selling tickets was a friend of mine that I sat next to all of second grade. He moved away from that school for third, so I hadn’t seen him since.

+++ title = “03” date = 2019 +++ Sometimes the music I listen to is a lot like the food or drink I consume. I was sitting in my living room with my Discovery Weekly playlist on Spotify, with the 5pm sunlight streaming through the window. I was playing with my son on our couch and he was being particularly smiley and giggly that day. And then, this song by Eric Whitacre came on.

+++ title = “03” date = 2019 +++ Playing with babies is a great way to meditate. My son is a little over six months old and something that took me a while to understand about him is that everything is new to him. Anyone can tell you that. But it’s weirder to see it in practice. Everything is new. Sunlight is new, and it’s wondrous. The artwork on the wall at the coffee shop is a masterpiece.