Connection in an isolating age

I'm in the midst of a surprisingly unplanned weekend. Not that I'm *complaining*, mind you.

Yesterday was a most excellent day. I met the one-and-only DP celebrity known as littlebluedog, via working with theamazingjosh on photos for his web site. I also was able to run around with a Nikon again later, and it turned out to be excellent practice for me, as far as getting more comfortable with where the various dials and controls are located, because we shot such a variety of indoor and outdoor locations. I don't think I got a great deal of usable material--I didn't even take many shots, really--but I'll certainly feel like less of a dial-twiddling moron the next time I shoot Nikon in a more formal client situation. ;)

And, oh my sweet lord, Kenny and Zuke's: where have you been all my life? Best damned pastrami sandwich I've had in a coon's age, and I think I need to go back there as soon as is humanly possible to try the latkes. I'm glad I've been able to gradually start eating food that's closer to "normal" this past week; my mindset is still significantly altered after the hardcore phase of the cleanse, so I've actually done well with eating out and NOT being full of empty calories and regret afterwards. It's refreshing to be so aware and so much more able to enjoy whatever I'm eating.

Wushu practice went pretty well; we're actually *doing* conditioning now because the belt test looms on the horizon. Never mind that we should be conditioning consistently, all the time... yeah, one of my myriad gripes about the class format at the school. But, oh, my special Nandao time on Friday nights makes it all worth it.

I spent my late-evening doing laundry, chatting with dakania, and being ridiculous on Skype until close to 2am. These past few nights spent at home have been so, so nice. I might even have time to read a book and (gasp!) play more Dragon Age tonight. I can't remember the last time I was able to play video games twice in the same week. Introversion, I love you.

Derby practice was all about hitting and taking positions today, and I feel like I soaked up a lot of knowledge after doing all of those drills. And, scrimmage went a hundred times better today; there wasn't enough time for me to Jam again, but I did at least feel that I wasn't completely useless as a blocker, and I think I actually applied a couple of drill concepts to what was happening. Mental clarity feels effin' brilliant. It was also nice that I could actually accept an offer to grab lunch and watch the WFTDA Nationals with a couple of derby buddies after practice. The webcast feed was atrociously choppy, but it was good to get to know the ladies under those helmets.

OH, and the highlight of today is getting on Facebook a little bit ago, and seeing this comment from my derby coach/secret ladycrush: dude. you're [sic] skating is improving so much. it's awesome to watch. just thought i'd let you know. ♥ Squee!

Note that, normally, your/you're is one of my bigger pet peeves--it's generally an insta-rejection if an OkCupid suitor dares to make that mistake when they first write to me. In this case, I'm SO completely floored to have gotten this comment, I don't even care about the grammar error. XD