^{issue no. 12}

hi once more

I left work on a long lunch to perform my civic duty. I’m actually writing this from the longest (there are 25 people ahead of me) line (to vote) of my life (these 45 minutes feel like 17 hours), so I’ve decided to be productive instead of scrolling through Substacks that all want to teach me how to be my best self. No seriously, I’m okay right where I am. (Well, not right here. But metaphorically. You know?)

While I wait here, I started thinking about October and everything I managed to pull off.

It went a little like this:

• 24ish questions asked

• 11 newsletters written and published

• 11 movies watched

• 17 hangouts

• too many screenshots of good conversations

I’m really proud of this! I would say I’m going to celebrate with cake and invite all of you, but I’m not willing to eat sugar for that. I will celebrate at some point with a crisp cold drink. Ideally, the new winter edition Red Bull or the new holiday edition creamy vanilla Coke Zero. I just have to find them first.

October truly felt like an experiment in consistency. I needed to see what would happen if I kept showing up. Now we practice something new like understanding how to slow down, giving things a little breathing room while staying engaged. (A difficult feat when you struggle with object permanence. I want to see you every day so I don’t forget you.)

November will have a slower rhythm, a little more warmth. Fewer questions, maybe, but better ones.

So that’s where we’re headed: toward the softer kind of momentum. The kind that still counts as progress but also leaves room to breathe. (I’m so busy and actually need more time for my weekends and reading).

Let’s meet again a little later this month. One of the newsletters will be a special edition for Thanksgiving (with recipes)! See you then.

- with love, the sleepiest slig 🐌

P.S. I did find the new Fuji Apple & Ginger Red Bull last weekend! 4.5/5. It’s great, but it’s no Fig Apple. I’m still on the hunt for the vanilla Coke Zero.

life lately, november

November has been off to more of a start for me personally than I imagined. I secretly love driving — NOT. I really just miss people and I’ve been super homesick, so…

I started with a spontaneous trip home to surprise my mom for her birthday! It was sooo worth it. I spent exactly 24 hours in Houston with good food and my family. Crazy how the cure for homesickness is simply going home.

The following weekend, I went to San Antonio for my monthly visit with the newest love of my life, Mr. Baby! I will be obsessed with him forever. He’s getting perfectly chunky like I like, and just needs a few more rolls on his arms and legs. He’s absolutely perfect, and laying on the couch watching movies and updating him on my life? Basically the best thing ever.

I also managed to have the weirdest allergic reaction that caused the white jelly part of my eye to swell. Didn’t know that was actually possible. Then I’ve been working really long days since I had been avoiding finishing my budget. I did turn it in this week, so hopefully my hours go back to normal.

Anyway! I’ll spend this weekend reviving our old Wurstfest tradition and celebrating Emerald, and then I need a full 24 hours in my house.

the month (so far) in questions

💬🛍️
If you were turned into a gift basket, what three items should be included?

💬🎨
What’s something you’d like to reimagine?
(Maybe it’s something creative, a relationship, or a decision you’ve made this year.)

💬🍪
What’s your favorite holiday recipe?
(Bonus points if you actually share it)

💬🏆
What’s something you’re proud of accomplishing this year?

💬🎯
What’s one goal you’d like to tackle in 2026?

^{k, thanks.
love you! bye!
Sent from my sad little desktop™}