#ruby corner

[arsonist-chicken]

Taking a train throughout Germany when you're from Austria:

[arsonist-chicken]

#should i go as a witch with a cat plushie on my shoulder or hat?

(But seriously that would be so cute and would suit you so well, I promise I most definitely won't try to steal the plushie 👀)

I see you're going as a cat thief! But look at all those adorable babies, posing so politely to have their picture taken, doing their part in earning treat money 🥺🥰💖💖💖💖 I should just get two of those and tell my sister to bring our cats with her and carry them around all evening. Or maybe get a dress with pockets big enough to stick them into when they've had enough as a hiding place.

[arsonist-chicken]

#FINE I'LL watch the new neil gaiman show!#the sandman#wait is it a horror show?

Kinda? It's mostly dark fantasy, it has some horror elements but it's not too bad if you ask me. (I know, I know, given my track record that means nothing to you but still!) Fair warning that it does have some gory moments—nothing too graphic, but stuff where I briefly had to look away because either "gross, better not look at it too much" or "ow ow ow, that looks PAINFUL". So depending on your tolerance I guess that may warrant a heads-up?

(That aside though: JOIN dot png 👀)

"if you ask me" *side-eyes "How We Sell Our Lies"* Should I?

Well... that sounds okay enough, I can just look away during those parts. And I saw the starry skies/galaxies coat of the Dream guy so join it is 👀

[arsonist-chicken]

How accurate am I?

(AKA, I saw this template and my first thought was, "How can I meme my favorite raccoon Jess into this?" Sorry not sorry 🤭)

Aww 🥰

The first one very much, but the problem with the second one is that I'd rather avoid conflict if possible and find a non-confrontational solution; but I guess if that's not possible then throwing hands it is 🦝 not that that has happened so far though

[arsonist-chicken]

One big hug coming your way! Mentally I am wrapping a blanket around your shoulders and yes, I'm ignoring for the moment that it's hot out. And no, you have NOT caught the C-19 again, I'm manifesting it, you do not need it, it can back right off! You're staying healthy and you're getting your hugs from that kid at work until you feel better again OR ELSE!!

That aside! I don't have anything clever to ask, but I'd love to hear about your day. Like what even is that work of yours, I don't think I know anything about that? Or, you know. Talk about stuff that makes you happy. Tell me about your cats! Or daydream up your ideal place to escape to where you can finally be independent! I'd love to hear just about anything 💕

(And no, me needing a distraction because I'm getting my written exam results tomorrow has nothing to do with this. Nothing at all whatsoever, nope nope!)

[ID: A gif showign a simple drawn person with a red heart, with the text "sending virtual hug" and a loading bar that then shows "hug sent!". It switches to two people, one with a red heart hugging the other who blushes and hugs back, and when they part again, both have a red heart. End ID]

I did not catch Covid again, through some miracle! The kid was so sweet though, she wanted to hold my hand to walk places a few times, including on the last day to walk through the audience to their waiting spot for their part in the play, and before too when we waited to go down, and she told me just a bunch about what she does in her free time and some Secrets and her mother and whatnot. Kids will really just tell you anything unprompted. Love the "OR ELSE!!" like who are you threatening here? 😂

Oh, the Festspiele here always have a one-week thing in summer break where there's about 200 kids (well 160 this year) ages 6-11 who put on a play from A-Z, they learn a song and a dance and make their own costumes and the decorations for the stage and everything! It always has to do with the current Festspiel play, so this year (Madame Butterfly) it was about a butterfly leaving her home to go to some forbidden tree and she meets other animals along the way until she finds her way back home. I was there for the second time now and it's really fun! Yes it's only a week and not worth putting on CVs, but most kids are just really excited to be there and so eager to do all that stuff and we're basically just there to watch out that no one gets hurt or does dumb stuff and to help them with whatever they're preparing at the moment. Of course, there's always a few who do Not want to be there or are Too Cool to be there, they are a bit exhausting to deal with (it's 35-40 kids per group with 4 adults, so if 3-4 of the kids drag everyone else down, that can be a lot), but all in all, it's fun to work there, and this year the performance was in the actual Festspielhaus for the first time, that was really cool! And yeah, some kids are exhausting, but some are so sweet, like the one I already talked about or this other really young boy who just always looked around like a lost labrador. And the other adults there are also really fun! Two of them who do the scenery + decorations workshop have been there for 15-ish years and decided that this year was their last year (because they're moving to Sweden) and on the last day, the husband cried a little over it, and I realised that I don't think I've ever seen a man I know in real life cry from being emotional before, which was.. odd. But I get it, they fit in there perfectly, like you look at them and think yeah. weird artsy people, let them show the kids how to do decorations. And yeah I don't usually like kids that much, like I'm awkward around them, but that week is really nice actually and I want to go again next year even though my parents will have something to Say about it again but we move. But I could NOT do childcare permanently; as a kindergarden or primary/middle school teacher, you kind of also have to discipline/raise them a little at least you know, so they will behave, here it's a week and then we'll only see them again next year.

Stuff that makes me happy? Uuuuh. Talking to you is a big one right now. My cats, although they're rarely inside with the sun out all day. Seeing my friends. Seeing my friend move out from home and in with her boyfriend, and another one break up with her shitty boyfriend and move into her own apartment. Lying in the sun or shade by the lake and going swimming by myself or with friends when I'm not thinking about what I should be doing instead.

My cats... are really rarely here right now, they're just wandering around outside all day, maybe come back for a snack in the morning and afternoon and then bolt again. I should go call them, we've had rain and thunderstorm, maybe they want to come inside. Otherwise, two neighborhood cats keep dropping by for treats, one of whom I first lured in during the very first lockdown, and he's been coming by every day ever since.

MY IDEAL PLACE TO ESCAPE when I can finally be independent! You know how to hit my heart don't you. I cried a little when I first read that and again just now. I have had a Day and am once again desperately yearning to live independently in my own permanent home where I can go to bed and get up when I want to and not eat when I don't want to and come and go as I please without being questioned about it everytime and just generally live my life freely as an adult the way I see fit without always having someone There watching me and treating me like a teenager, alone or with someone I actually like living with. I'm not sure what I want it to look like because for the past few years, I've always made an effort to not have Too Much stuff in preparation for moving out and not wanting to drag everything there then, and owning too many things I don't use anyway makes me feel bad (like eating when you're not hungry yk), but I ALSO was at friends' place who just have the most random weird stuff strewn across everywhere and it was so cool. Very personal, very clearly their home, not something you plan to stay in only for a limited time and so don't want to bring too much stuff you then have to pack up again. I guess eventually it will end up being a "there's something everywhere but not too cluttered" home, because I'm also awful at throwing things out that I could still technically need at some point or that I've just had forever even if I don't use it anymore. I actually started a list of things I want to get when I move out, including a CD player with actual physical CDs, the fluffiest towels I can find, and one of those large bouncy balls to sit on. Also colours. I want it to be colourful, none of that "it has to look Adult with only decent well-fitting colours", miss me with that. I want a yellow wall and a light green one, maybe even pink in one room if it fits the room. Also a wall where everyone who visits can write or draw something onto. (I know all that is hard when you rent instead of own your apartment but one can dream.) Also an extra mattress or pull-out couch for friends to always crash on when they need a place to stay and a cupboard with their favorite snacks and teas or coffee or cocoa. Also cats if possible somewhere down the road. Also ideally, living with someone who's happy to do chores together and spend time together in any way and maybe cuddle on the couch, or even share a bed, also platonically (rent is rell, sharing a bedroom is much more affordable, right?).

I just want a permanent home with someone I like living with where I can live freely the way I want to and make it a home for us who live there and everyone who wants to visit or needs a place to crash. That sounds a little too close to live laugh love so let me make it clear that no matter how much I love whoever I'll live with, if I do, if they try to bring that inside, I'll burn it. (It looks like I'll be one of the last ones in my friend group to move out so probably it will be more like "there's no more bus driving" if even that but regardless. If I have space for someone to stay, I will not have them stay somewhere else they don't want to be.)

(I'll head over to your inbox and drop some more random stuff there in a bit ✨)