The Duck and Cover Kind

 

Yesterday was quiet on my end. More job applications, more waiting.

I finished documenting the hostile intentions of every blood relative I've ever had. It took over a week to write down everything — all of it. I'm glad it's done. I should have the rest finished before the end of the month and finally get that out of the way.

Yesterday morning, Spawnpoint decided it would be a nice idea to wake me up just so I could call her phone. I cared more about my sleep. She's an older adult — keeping up with her own belongings shouldn't require waking me. She kept telling me to keep calling it, as if I was helping her without question. I let her believe that a few times before I finally called it once and left it there. I didn't consent to being woken up over someone else's incompetence. I couldn't even manage to lose my own phone in over six months. There's no excuse. I've already dealt with enough of her faults — some that almost got me sexually assaulted. Safe to say I'll never be thrilled to help her in any capacity. I simply don't consent to it.

During my weighted run at the park yesterday it was quiet and lively. Men had their weighted vests, women had their dumbbells, children had their dirt bikes. There was a small family event — volleyball being played as the lake water glinted under a harsh sun.

Then an explosion happened.

Not the celebratory kind. The duck and cover kind. I figured it had something to do with the landscapers nearby, some kind of industrial work. But after I left the park, I kept hearing it in different areas — setting off car alarms, disturbing dogs, and unsettling the general public alike.

Even later in the afternoon it continued. Louder, and this time right next door. Whatever the case may be, no ambulances were called so I assumed it was none of my business. I don't live in a safe area to begin with and I'm no investigator for the unimportant.

I checked in with Muffy yesterday. Just a simple call. She's going on a trip with her kids this Wednesday, Leesburg, Florida. Her husband's father lives in Texas but met up with them and they're going to stay with him once everyone reaches Florida. He's only been able to do day visits — twice in the last three years. I'm sure the whole family is excited for a longer stay. It's sweet.

Then came the supposed nightly weighted run. I had to walk — couldn't breathe properly, the air felt off. It felt like a mistake going out but I didn't plan on a cheat day. Surprisingly, no mosquitos. More explosions in the distance, louder this time — enough to burst an eardrum from half a mile away, judging by the cars that responded. After that I called it a night with Muffy.

Then while scrolling through TikTok I found out that Oliver Tree passed away that same day along with five others in a mid-air collision between two helicopters in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He was 32 and in the middle of his world tour. He was a nice artist to listen to. He will be missed. 

On a brighter note — I found out that vegam1nd went to a concert to dance because her trending move made the artist 3OH!3 go viral. A nice touch after the shocking news. And I also found out about Verity.

What I Don't Write About

  

Today wasn't so eventful.

Mainly job hunting, learning a few more skills, then a weighted run — fueled entirely by the certain desire to reach my goals, all that will better my existence. The most important one being the final act that severs every tie to this situation I'm expected to call home and biological family. I don't consent to that break being temporary. It has to be permanent. 

I'm willing to endure whatever pain it takes to get stronger where it matters. All strength, accepted. If it buys total freedom, I'd offer up my bones in exchange. Sounds dramatic — until you live with what I don't write about.

With that in mind, I'm pretty satisfied with tonight.

Oh — there's a new music page on Neocities now. Work in progress, like the rest of the site. Nothing amazing yet, but I'll be satisfied with it in due time.

The drifting frequencies label has been deleted. Besides. I have something better here in my other website. It's in the playlist spore.

Echoes Of Anomatrix

For Nostalgic Purposes

 Yeesh. I need to touch up on the music choices.

Starting with the original song for the site. It needs to be replaced entirely. It used to fit the old theme of the website when I first started — it had a vibe to it. That vibe no longer applies.

I'm pretty sure the majority of my posts will be ⊡ Catch Up labels. Probably some randomness here and there.

For nostalgic purposes though — the original song name is on Pixabay. I don't feel like making a mini music player for this one. Well, maybe not for this song specifically, but perhaps for the website overall.

Song Origin

I'll just leave this here for myself. Goodbye music, times were fun. 😭

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Welp

 

Welp.

I made a few changes to the website. I'm sure it's obvious.

There was a point where I had wanted to create a whole new design. That idea is scrapped. I don't feel like doing all of the extra work — and what I have is already pretty nice. Drifting Echo is the main and only website. That's settled.

While making those changes, I got a real look back into the past. Everything was different in the ways that mattered. I'll just leave things there.

I'm not really sure what to post about next. I'll probably work on some updated interests for this website. I have a long while left to stay on it while some plans are in motion. I might as well make it to my liking.

2026 Is Looking Pretty Good

This morning is surprisingly clear.

Despite the five tubs of bathwater that kept pouring not too long ago. Apparently some places were hailing — perhaps further up north. I definitely heard just water. That probably explains the cold chill in the middle of a spring day. Felt like summer just a couple of days prior. Only one month away from summer, by the way.

Oh yeah — I quit my job last Monday. April 27th, 2026.

I made sure to leave abruptly rather than during the week. It was a bad job. I gave notice that day and proceeded not to show up for the rest of the week. No drama. Just gone.

Shortly after, I went to an event on Eventbrite — some financial thing that wasn't worth my while. Turned out to be a pyramid scheme tied to Patrick Bet-David. The founder of the PHP Agency. Of course he wasn't there, and I wasn't introduced to the nature of the scheme beforehand. I probably should have done my research before ending up at a Trump supporter's national financial marketing organization focused on life insurance — in a shopping mall.

Had I known anything about Patrick Bet-David prior to visiting, I simply wouldn't have dressed up for the occasion.

2026 is looking pretty good regardless.

I ended up looking up some political maps and history about the area afterward. To no one's surprise, the Galleria and River Oaks area leans predominantly white and conservative. That would explain the several Cybertruck sightings when I was homeless around there, seeking services a long time ago. At least three per week.

Now that I've quit, no more of that area.

Besides — Sebastian made a comment suggesting I was from Africa for not liking a poorly cooked apple pastry. I'm Houstonian. He was the husband of one of the owners at my job.

Good riddance.

Somewhere along the way

Hey guys.

Felt like doing an update today on some of the things I’ve been doing during my break from the website.

I made a really good purchase recently. I got my HopHorse vibration plate about two weeks ago. I’ve been using it in the mornings to wake myself up—kind of like forcing my system to start moving before I even step into the restroom. It actually works better than I expected.

Somewhere in all that, I ended up looking at birds again.

I found one that looks way better than the Curl Crested Aracari. The Collared Aracari. To me, it just looks… elevated. Not just an appearance favorite anymore. It feels like a luxury bird.

They’re so gorgeous.

It’s elite.

I also got a new tote bag. I love it—and Muffy did too. It’s bigger, fits my laptop, and feels way more durable.

My old one was falling apart, losing shape, messing with my shoulder. It started pilling and looked older than it actually was.

The old one was cotton—or at least felt like it. It also came with a really nice marker set. Like… a really nice marker set. And a doodling journal.

I really liked it.

I ended up going to a family-owned Vietnamese restaurant. First one I’ve ever been to—and by default, my favorite.

I tried something new since they didn’t have the mango smoothie I wanted.

My god.

That drink was the best. It tasted like real fruit for once, and it lasted. My hands were freezing, but it was worth it. Every sip—I actually savored it.

I had ordered chicken egg rolls, but they came smaller than expected, with these leaves on the side. I figured out pretty quickly they were probably for wraps. The purple stem had a strange taste. I don’t recommend eating it by itself.

I don’t even know what it’s called.

I had it with my pho ga, which was really good. Maybe I wasn’t supposed to eat the whole thing. I forgot and got a surprise instead.

The sauce was a mystery. Didn’t like it. No idea what it was.

The dumpling sauce though—that one was actually good. So I just used that for everything.

Delicious wraps. Gyozas. Whatever they were.

And the lychee smoothie…

I could’ve added boba, but I didn’t feel like eating my drink like that.

It was so cold and windy that day too. On my way back to the library, I was freezing. I wasn’t dressed for it at all.

At one point, the wind was so strong my purchase almost crossed the street without me.

The wind would’ve been perfect for cosplayers though. Just stand still and let everything flow dramatically.

The wind would’ve been perfect for cosplayers though. Just stand still and let everything flow dramatically.

I ended up having gumbo at home later. It was actually a really good source of protein.

Somewhere along the way, I saw this image that felt completely cursed. Honestly, this is so true yet cursed looking.

 Then I tried rice curry from a ramen place.

Then somehow I got pulled into a movie trip by my stepfather’s daughter—the one who stole money from his account. He took a huge hit from that and the whole family had to downsize.

What I got out of it was a churro sundae, late quesadillas, free tickets, and a watch of Hoppers.

It wasn’t bad.

There was one part that almost made me cry. Just… sitting on a green hill. Peaceful. Quiet.

It reminded me of something I’ve never really had.

That kind of peace.

Even now, it still feels like something that comes with terms and conditions. But it’s better than what I was forced to accept.

My mother has been trying this weird approach lately. Trying to get close.

I entertained it for a bit.

But I’d be an idiot to trust her.

Every time she’s gotten close before, it turned into something else. I’ve seen her weaponize trust too many times.

If she tried anything now, I honestly wouldn’t care.

That would hurt the version of me that used to care—not the one now.

Our relationship isn’t real.

I don’t consent to repeating that cycle again.

At all.

I also talked to Gintama. Found out he has schizophrenia and is on antipsychotics.

I knew something felt off, but not that.

I’m not really good with that from past experience, so I’m not expecting much. But he’s been kind to me so far.

So… we’ll see.

Friends for now.

Then I randomly came across Yties again. Haven’t seen those since middle school. I used to have a purple-pink pair. 

Still think they’re cool.

Later, I went to a shopping center to see what might upgrade my life. I was trying to improve my wardrobe, but I got distracted by flowers. It was almost enough to derail my rush of a plan.

 

Eventually made it to Five Below.

Got a cat paw squishy, a tripod, bubble tea with strawberry tapioca pearls, and some 4D pear gummies.

The gummies were the best.

They looked beautiful. Like Frutiger Aero gummies.

The tea was really good too. I’ve only recently started trying those.

At some point, I realized my debit card was missing. I must’ve lost it during my trip somewhere.

So I ended up going to the bank.

The duck pond was right next to it.

Once I got there, it was too late before i realized it.  I didn’t even have my ID and it was 15 minutes from closing for the day.

So I ended up just going to the pond instead.

Way better than the one downtown. That one smells like sewage. If the wind hits wrong, you’re getting droplets in your face and hair.

This one was clean.

The ducks were beautiful—especially the brown ones.

Everything felt calm.

Fathers teaching their sons to cath and release. Ducks moving around each other. Mothers laying out on towels while toddlers ran around.

No trash. Just peace.

I didn’t take many photos.

Some moments are better felt quietly.

Like that scene in Hoppers.

After that, I went to a park in a really nice area.

It was so nice it made me feel ugly just being there.

It looked cooler than any park I’ve been to—literally. Fans, seating, a tower clock, some weird cocoon thing in a tree.

Then I realized it was mostly for kids.

Probably won’t go back.

Still peaceful though.

Then I checked out a nature center.

That one…

That one actually felt alive.

Way better than the other one from my Trailed Off post.

I took my flats off and just stood there for a bit. I was grounding.

No insects, probably because of the lizards. They moved so fast it looked like they were running from taxes.

Some squirrels had really fat bottoms. I guess that’s a good sign.

I saw flowers. A bluejay too. Not really a fan of those.

There were rabbit carvings, a fountain, different areas I kept wandering into.

Just walking through it felt calming.

Like I didn’t need to rush anything.

There were many areas I took an interest in. Simply walking in this nature center felt calming as i casually gained some information of the place. I came across an interesting fountain, bits and pieces of the plant life. I saw a few that i've never seen before. The rabbit stool seemed to go in hand with the rabbit pen.

The pigeons I came across were huge though I didn't feel like taking their photos. They looked tired and I respected that. I also kinda hoped to pick some pecans from the tree but it didn't have any.

I really ended up taking some more photos. I think I have a thing for tree trunks. During my walk, I kept staring at a bunch of live logs, beautifully creeping plants and bark patterns.

This sensory trail had me unstable. I tried to keep my balance but i was like an over reacting cat in flats.

Then I saw some more interesting interests. Live baby alligators. I didn't go inside of the houselike attraction but I was curious. Welp. That's about it.

New Skills Aquired

Today marks the day where I finally finished my HTML course. I'm sure that i'll put this knowledge to good use. I ended up finding a coder community with users from across the globe and several opportunities. Muffy was the first person I told about it. She was pretty happy for me to. So many events happened during my time away from this website. I have so much to catch up on. Maybe later though.

Long Days

Maow

 

Twas So Yummy

  So it's definitely been awhile since i last posted. A whole lot happened. Let's play catch up. So i ended up going to my favorite ramen place a few days ago and it sucked because i had to write a bad review on the 11th. The place was going super slow due to rainy days and they still managed to mess up my order. They had a cool restroom though. I didn't know lockers and bathrooms mixed so well. Bad service, sloppy meow.   

So yeah i have no idea what this dessert was but the caramel sauce was soooo good. I also had me some not so bad cheesy breadsticks with some red sauce. Oh yeah that day, I went to two parks of some sort? Definitely the 16th. Lol. I clocked in late that day and panicked.

I ended up going to some boring tourist attraction. I just wanted a spot to eat my dessert.  Why do people like getting splashed by water just to take a picture. Some people pay 150 dollars just to tour here. I wonder why. Seems like a scam to me. It kept happening so often, I took one to after I was done eating of course.

 

I found a beautiful plant that highlighted my walk away from the park. I absolutely hated the ducks. I'm not a fan of duck ponds for sure. EEEEEWWW.

                               

   

On my way to my appointment, i stopped by for some food. Lychee taste amazing. I hope to taste the fruit itself one day. I wonder how I'd buy one and see if it's ripe. Old friend helped to me see potential path to the start of my secondary education.

     

 

Hmmmm well that sums it up so far byeeeee.