The Karen trope is funny, perhaps because it is relatable. It’s a familiar image: a middle-aged woman with zero tact who thinks that “asking for the manager” is the solution to any customer service dilemma. But it also belies societal attitudes towards aging women.
More …I am not a summer person. Not only that, but I wince every time someone describes sunshine and high temperatures as “good weather.” To me, good weather is darkness and coolness. And the best weather is a thunderstorm. But I am hesitant to share this, lest I come off as a joykill or a wannabe punk.
When I lived in Georgia (almost 10 years), I struggled to find anything to like about summer. The brightness gave me a migraine. I didn’t like the heat or humidity. Yet the air conditioning felt nothing like a natural breeze. My apartment was my refuge. But I still felt a sense of alienation when I heard the sounds of the streets below. The season soured my mood.
I attribute my reverse seasonal depression to my childhood in South Florida. In the American tropics, seasons do not exist. It’s one endless humid summer. And I don’t recall my time in Florida fondly. My parents fought non-stop. The houses in my neighborhood were owned by retirees and vacant most of the year. So, I had few companions. Even if I had wanted to venture outside, I was constantly warned to avoid the sun because of my family’s history of skin cancer. I associate the Florida weather with these experiences.
Relief came when my father got a new job and relocated us to Oregon. We were there for 2 years before we moved to Michigan to be closer to family. When my parents split, I went with my mother to Atlanta. Two years ago, I headed to Washington solo.
More …Until recently, a pair of glasses was a big purchase. It probably wasn’t that long ago that you tried-on dozens of frames in your optometrist’s office, only to realize that your favorite pair carried a price tag upwards of $300. The price may or may not have included the lenses. You might have coughed up the money, especially if you needed to justify your purchase of vision insurance. Or you may have taken your prescription to Walmart or Target, hoping to find cheaper options. Still, you may have just gone with contact lenses, which were less of an investment.
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