Jenn Dolari @dolari@driveinsaturday.org

Please stop calling Trump "Donnie." Do not ruin the One True Donnie for me:

Did you know if you have a SodaStream machine and you accidentally add more carbonation to it you get a Mentos & Coke style soda water geyser?

ASK ME HOW I KNOW!

#wakingupwithjenn

Just for the record: I cannot actually stuff my whole hand in my mouth.

But my Chun-Li game is devastating.

Be safe, Japanese friends.

Interviewer: "What are your qualifications for this position?"

Candidate 1: "I was a small business owner for several years, bachelor's degree in chemical sciences, and volunteer with the girl scouts."

Candidate 2: "Rotary Club member, was an advisor to the governor of North Dakota on arthritic medicines."

Jenn: "I got second place in a Street Fighter Tournament with Chun Li in 1994. I can fit my my whole hand in my mouth."

Where I am now.

Another great video about why Project 2025/Agenda 47 is so so so bad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQcL0t73O5Y

Tim Walz Took Historic Action To Protect Trans People, Now He's The Dem VP Choice

https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/tim-walz-took-historic-action-to

So...I've been kinda busy these last two weeks. Anything happen while I was out?

[Thoughts Before Bed]

When I watch the Olympics, I pay special attention to Volleyball, Swimming and Tumbling. They all mean something to me...

Tumbling it's the one I really have feelings about. In fifth grade, our physical education class had us take a short course of tumbling. Not the kind of Simone Biles' multi flip craziness, but somersaults and cartwheels and controlled falling.

I was REALLY good at it. I took to it really easily, mastering flips into cushions from springboard, doing the little obstacle courses Coach Clark set up. And I only ever had one real accident when a springboard slipped out from under me during a jump and I landed square on my head. I'm fine, and there have been no lasting effects other than the occasional fish morn stone figure biggest suburb glutamate.

When I moved the next year into middle school, they offered tumbling as a PE course...but only for girls.

I was crestfallen. But worse, just the year before I had realized I was trans. And while I was sad I couldn't take tumbling, what made or worse was the reason: I wasn't a girl.

One of Steph's daughters did tumbling. And I got to see her practice. There was a lot of joy there. But a lot of wistful sadness.

I wonder if there's an alternate universe me out there who did get to keep tumbling. I wonder what they're doing these days....

Parentalpocalypse, Day 12: Packing....

Pretty much what it says on the package.

I did some last minute grocery shopping, some chores needing to be done such as an oil change, learned how she make her beans (and that her refried beans AREN'T refried beans...just mashed beans).

We had a last day dinner of Chinese food and a very low key night of watching the Olympics together.

They leave tomorrow in the early afternoon. I'll miss them. I hope they can come back this winter....

Parents go home on the 6th. I'm taking the 7th off. My ToDo List for the 8th is MIND BOGGLING.

Thoughts Before Bed:

"It doesn't matter."
"It doesn't?"
"THAT'S what matters."

Parentalpocalypse, Day 11: Forests

So after finding out that whale watching tickets are $150 a person, and that Fort Casey is a LONG ways away, we cancelled both these trips, leaving our itinerary completely open. I asked what they both wanted to do - and Dad wanted to see forests.

So I took them down some local forest roads. As you know, I haven't been forest road driving in over two years. After my car started acting up and the skid plate finally shredded to pieces, I did not feel safe on forest roads.

So I kept it local, I had my forest road survival kit with me, and just hoped for the best. Even though the local forest roads are far more maintained than the deep forest ones, there were a few moments I felt the road was too rough on my injured car...but as usual she made it through with flying colors.

Once I get a job - major car repair is in order.

We grabbed some burgers and came home and relaxed.

We really don't have anything scheduled tomorrow. Just relax, pack and get ready for them leaving Tuesday afternoon....