Our kiddo starts kindergarten this week and I'm not ready.

First, logistically, I feel unprepared. Our public school has only trickled a few emails our way. We've combed the school's website and the city's website for information. We're still lacking details which leaves us uncomfortable. I mean, nothing is bad, we just feel less prepared. Our daycare was so communicative and had great onboarding so we always knew what to expect. This feels a little like jumping off the high dive for the first time. 

Next, I never love it when routines change. This is a massive routine change for all of us. Until we get back into a rhythm, I'm going to be out of sorts. Our kiddo has generally been good with cold turkey change so, thankfully, that should help with things. 

Finally, I am not emotionally ready to have a school-aged kid. Where did the years go!?!? I know things go by fast when you have a small child, but it feels like COVID ate even more time. I just cannot wrap my head around the fact that we're entering the school play, field trips, and homework years. 

Don't mind me - I'm just going to be over here alternatively weeping and hyperventilating. 

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I’m back in the world of Dark Olympus by Katee Robert. This time, she’s telling the story of Ariadne and the Minotaur in Dark Restraint. I don’t know this myth at all, so I’m just reading this one as a straight erotic romance. It feels like the rest of the books in this series.

*Books shared here are affiliate links for Bookshop.org

• I can't DNF books but these are good tips. [The Atlantic - gift link]

• Keep an eye on the polls. [The Atlantic - gift link]

• More educators are needed to teach braille. [Short Wave]

• The subtweets in this kid's podcast episode are strong. [Wow in the World]

• The first few days of college are incredibly important. [The Academic Minute]

• A travel story about human connection. [Atlas Obscura]

• Would no tax on tips work? [The Indicator]

• I learned some things about wormholes. [StarTalk Radio]

• An interesting conversation about cemeteries. [Atlas Obscura]

• I was surprised by Jack Reacher. I was predicting a typical Tom Cruise action flick, but there's a bit more too it. I thought the filmmakers had great attention to detail to complement the phenomenal cast. It was things like the elevated script writing where Cruise's character askes for "the" auto parts store versus "an" auto parts tore. I did think the conspiracy part of the plot was overly deep but not enough to ruin the film. [Netflix]

• Rustin has been on my list since I heard about it. This film is a fairly formulaic biopic of a phenomenal man. Colman Domingo gives a masterful performance in the lead. Chris Rock is aged up to play his role and that weirdly stands out. His performance was fine, he just looks budget compared to everyone else. I appreciate how they mixed in real footage here and there. Also, my coworker has a non-speaking bit part so it was fun to spot him. [Netflix]

• For my solo week, I decided to binge watch The West Wing. I've seen every session dozens of times. I intended this to be a background show while I worked on things but I inevitably got sucked in. [Max]

• During my solo week at home, I made food that I enjoy more than my family. That included crispy mushroom Reubens. I went heavy on the horseradish and sauerkraut. Give me that zing and briny! I served this with tater tots. [Real Simple]

• I've wanted to make smoked salmon flatbreads for a while. This was quick to throw together after a long day at work. I ate it right off my cutting board I prepared it on. Would be delicious as a brunch option. [Real Simple]

• I tossed together Italian shrimp salad as a dinner, but I'm thinking it would be pretty good as a lunch meal prep. This one was refreshing and easily customizable to individual tastes. I think a can of white beans would have been a nice addition. [Skinnytaste]

Super moon pictures taken in DC are always a thing of beauty. [@Chris_FukudaWx]

The Commons Library is a resource to help you learn about social change. It covers and array of topics with materials you can read, listen to, or watch. It’s a great way to learn about things that are happening in the news.

Me hyping up my kiddo for kindergarten. Totally channeling all that first day of joy school I had as a kid.