{"id":6834,"date":"2021-11-28T14:15:06","date_gmt":"2021-11-28T20:15:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/deepsicks.com\/?p=6834"},"modified":"2025-02-07T17:02:56","modified_gmt":"2025-02-07T23:02:56","slug":"infinite","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/2021\/11\/28\/infinite\/","title":{"rendered":"infinite"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here we go again, another near year between proper posts. It&#8217;s not for want of whoa. Time marches on. My kid is almost two. I put my mind to the grind and got a new job and boom, bought a house and love the fall of the light each degree of rotation and the dark that falls at night absent streetlamps in the neighborhood, far enough from big city life to see the real sky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I natter to myself, next year I\u2019ll slow down but I doubt it\u2019ll happen. I\u2019ll hold my breath at the bottom of my chest, empty out that exhale till I keel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wish I could report I\u2019m writing elsewhere, journaling, or anything, alas. I love being a mom, yes and and yes\u2014it is at the expense of old ideas of me. Not the love. Just the momming. But honest to god I would give anything, I am giving everything, to keep getting all I am receiving, my world shrunk tight yet rapidly expanding, anew, through the eyes of my child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1077\" src=\"https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/captainohmycaptain.jpg\" alt=\"Louie grinning in his fort.\" class=\"wp-image-6910\" srcset=\"https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/captainohmycaptain.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/captainohmycaptain-768x689.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">He\u2019s a terrorist.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Holding our sleep hostage, crawling in with us at four in the morning, sometimes snuggle snoozing, often forcing us up, every day, again and again. Tantrums over YouTubes, you guys, this crap is crap, sound effect starter packs, disembodied hands orchestrating jump-cut ASMR everything, kinetic sand, Kinder eggs and rainbow gak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/kindereggtv-900x1200.jpg\" alt=\"Louie surrounded by toys staring at the TV.\" class=\"wp-image-6903\" srcset=\"https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/kindereggtv-900x1200.jpg 900w, https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/kindereggtv-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/kindereggtv.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He puts his hot little hand in mine and mama\u2019s me to the floor to play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When a pickup roars by blasting Tejano, he moves his shoulders like a mobius strip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He has this wide stance dance that carves out space, a fulcrum and a magnet but turned the other way, like the guy who throws down in the middle of the pit and like magic holds the chaos both apart and together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hey, check it out:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"730\" src=\"https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/nytimes_atx_screwed.png\" alt=\"Phone screencap: NYTimes. Austin has become one of the least affordable cities in America, and with nearly 200 new residents a day, a housing crisis is brewing.\" class=\"wp-image-6905\" style=\"width:540px;height:365px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/nytimes_atx_screwed.png 1080w, https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/nytimes_atx_screwed-768x519.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And so we left. We looked for a house in Austin for over half a year, outgunned by cash offers 100k over asking, on let\u2019s be real, dumps, pushed further and further out while still not flush enough. The dread of a commute reined me in, but this vanished once I got a new job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I work 100% remotely now, for good, for the best for me and my family, pandemic or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"774\" src=\"https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/worksweetwork.jpg\" alt=\"A handmade cross-stitch that reads Work Sweet Work.\" class=\"wp-image-6914\" srcset=\"https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/worksweetwork.jpg 800w, https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/worksweetwork-768x743.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a while I distanced myself from the Great American Work Upheaval as though it didn\u2019t apply. Yeah sure, it\u2019s about the kid, but now that I\u2019ve escaped\u2014the condescending oversight, the perpetual moving targets, the emotional labor and compassion fatigue, the fear uncertainty doubt and double-edged everything, plus! plus! getting reamed by the worst human beings when forced to enforce mask policies, it didn&#8217;t matter how important The Work was, or how good I was at it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">It sucked, and I was done. Burned out. Used up.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMy heart is still in public libraries\u201d but only because enough of it got tore off and chewed up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There\u2019s more to say, and there\u2019s not. I miss folks, though\u2014colleagues and regulars alike. We\u2019re close enough to visit but we won\u2019t. Not as often as intentions declare, but that\u2019s a choice, and it feels all right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I wonder how many times I have left to start over. If there\u2019s a limit. If I actually did it, now or ever, gnawed my limb out of the trap and let it dangle, or do the metal jaws drag behind with sharp teeth, jagged jewelry hobbling me. &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Did I mention I\u2019m happy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/megsimonaccurate-900x1200.jpg\" alt=\"Meg looking haled out.\" class=\"wp-image-6915\" style=\"width:675px;height:900px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/megsimonaccurate-900x1200.jpg 900w, https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/megsimonaccurate-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/megsimonaccurate.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I\u2019m sad for our country. Scared and second-guessing doubling-down in Texas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">But this part. This plot.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/new_house_yay-900x1200.jpg\" alt=\"Photo of Meg, Arthur and Louie in front of a house.\" class=\"wp-image-6904\" srcset=\"https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/new_house_yay-900x1200.jpg 900w, https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/new_house_yay-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/new_house_yay.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This land, this story. It\u2019s mine, it\u2019s ours, it keeps going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Love is infinite.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/afghanvortexx-900x1200.jpg\" alt=\"Louie with his mouth wide in elation in a tunnel of afghan.\" class=\"wp-image-6909\" srcset=\"https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/afghanvortexx-900x1200.jpg 900w, https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/afghanvortexx-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/afghanvortexx-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/afghanvortexx-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/afghanvortexx.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><s>Don\u2019t you <\/s>It\u2019s best you forget it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">So it can wake you up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/sleepingonma-900x1200.jpg\" alt=\"Louie laying on his mom.\" class=\"wp-image-6907\" style=\"width:900px;height:1200px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/sleepingonma-900x1200.jpg 900w, https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/sleepingonma-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/sleepingonma-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/sleepingonma-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/sleepingonma-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Again<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/whereishe.jpg\" alt=\"Louie hiding behind a curtain.\" class=\"wp-image-6908\" srcset=\"https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/whereishe.jpg 800w, https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/whereishe-768x1024.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">And again.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/hereheis.jpg\" alt=\"Louie popping out from behind a curtain, Here I Am!\" class=\"wp-image-6911\" srcset=\"https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/hereheis.jpg 800w, https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/hereheis-768x1024.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Here we go again, another near year between posts. It&#8217;s not for want of whoa.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6906,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[17,23,43],"class_list":["post-6834","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-narratives","tag-family","tag-home","tag-work"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6834","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6834"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6834\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8845,"href":"https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6834\/revisions\/8845"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6906"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6834"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6834"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/megasimon.com\/d6\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6834"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}