nicole @nicole@myna.social

I brought summer colors to Montreal with me. ☺️

Not all the stuff I listened to back in the 90’s still lands, but some of it does. 😭

My goals today are simple: (1) support my engineers; (2) be kind to myself; (3) cry when I need to. .

Any day where I can capture four decent photographs of my friends and their families is a good one in my book. 🥰

Excite.

One of my all-time favorite Chibi photos.

Back in California, where the food isn’t quite as sumptuous, but there’s a little dō who jumps for joy when she sees me.

Today’s Chicago lunch was sourced from Big Star, a fairly well-regarded local institution.

I’m an absolute snob when it comes to Mexican food. Color me Not Impressed. I’ve had better; I’ve had better in Chicago; I’ve had better in Chicago on this trip.

Had a lovely day of walking ten miles, eating three breakfasts, and doing the irl reenactment of my coming out for friends I could only reach by text two years ago.

Also, my company’s performance cycle, but that didn’t fit in the fun-shaped hole.

Today’s Chicago dinner was a spicy minced pork pie that I carried out from Chiya-Chai. Oh my goddess, I could eat this every week.

Today’s Chicago fast-breaker is Bang Bang Pie and Biscuits. Very much a yum.

Today’s fast-breaker was lunch at Staropolska, a Polish restaurant recommended to me by a friend and fellow food tourist.

My eyes were bigger than my stomach: I barely conquered a single potato pancake before I fell over in defeat. The sour rye soup was fantastic as well.

Also, I really miss Chibi. Can’t wait for return snuggles on Saturday.

I feel like my face has been all manner of bloated, swollen, and inflamed since arriving in Chicago (lack of sleep; salty food; alcohol), but there have also been moments where I felt pretty good about how I’m presenting. Walking around Logan Square yesterday was one of them. (I really love this knit mesh buttoned top. It’s one of the few I’m comfortable wearing without also wearing jacket)

The scale in this morning’s airbnb, though …. 😂 I guess I _lived_ yesterday. 💕

Revival at Dove’s Luncheonette.

Trying to figure out the posing in this photo. Like, what was the photographer going for exactly?

Went to a queer bar for the first time on Saturday. Ended up getting pushed off the dance floor by a couple who took offense to something about my presentation. 🤷‍♀️ After half an hour in the corner with the trash cans, a dude spit on me; I got the hell out.

It’s ❤️ to have friends for nights like these: I ended up calling one and having a good, solid two-hour talk that kept me from tipping into a depressive fugue.

Some snaps of SF street life from my walk; it sure put things in perspective. 😕

Pulling out my favorite threadbare doggy photo for my threadbare self.