u/BentoOtaku

I've been NC for YEARS now. Have historically had mini panic attacks when I've spotted her out and about at grocery stores and such. I've changed where I shopped and such and it's largely been a non-issue.

I've also started cycling to work recently. Gas prices are through the roof and I'm trying to save a little money and get a bit healthier. Double win!

My bike is a folding bike, so I use it as a shopping cart, too. It's pretty neat, I never have to worry about buying more than will fit in the basket(or having my bike stolen). There's one grocery store on the way home and I go 2-3x a week. Trips are quick and I don't bother taking my helmet off(which has a helmet camera). Where I live, you can record or take photos of others without their consent if it's in public, so long as you're not intentionally recording THEM. I record my rides because if someone hits me, I want an account of the situation. It's essentially a dash cam. Also, in the any grocery store around here, there's signs going in noting that partons are on camera and being recorded. So double covered for not turning my camera off in stores.

Anyway, I spotted nmom in the store I frequent a couple visits ago. Started to panic internally a bit and got away from her before she noticed me. Had my head on a swivel while I was in line ready to check out.

After getting home, I reflected a bit. If she tries to confront me in a store, her gaslighting and manipulation of the flying monkeys simply won't work. I'm recording my stops into the store as a matter of laziness and habit so I'm not specifically recording HER. But like any encounter with a dangerous driver or someone parked in the bike lane, I can do something with that footage. Just like I could turn that footage in to the police, I could share that footage with family. So if she tries to play victim and twist things in some sort of way and lie(as she's prone to doing to cover her a$$ when it gets exposed), I'm protected by reality. She ALWAYS hated having her photo taken and being on camera, perhaps because it means she has to face herself or that something can't be twisted or altered as easily? Perhaps that makes for a good deterrent too. If she still has that camera phobia, she won't want to interact with me!

What a relief! Knowing this I'm confident that even when confronted I can probably remain calm and confident, even if she contronts me while I'm minding my own business. I've been through therapy, I've studied etiquette (something she never has cared for) and I think I can handle her if she manages to find a way through NC. Not sure what I'd say, probably something like, "I'm sorry, do I know you?" After 5 years and me wearing a bike helmet to obscure my appearance a bit and such, maybe she'll think she came across the wrong person? My posture has changed and such, too. Either way, I think I can handle it calmly and elegantly.

And that makes me happy!

This is going to be pedantic, sorry in advance, I just figure giving a thorough description would be the most helpful and minimize that "dang it's too small for my needs" sort of replies. :)

I've been commuting to work on my new-to-me 2007 A-Line for the past couple of weeks and yesterday got caught in the rain yesterday. I used a bath-towel as an impromptu rug for my bike but the floor is hardwood and I'd like to not make a habit of doing the bath-towel thing because laundry*. I also cycle(pun intended) between three pairs of boots** and a pair of heels (weekend-wear) so bigger than "just-enough" for my A-line is ideal. That way I can store them near the entrance and not have to sweep the floor so much.
I don't fully fold it up, only tucking the rear wheel under because it's convenient and means I can leave in a hurry.

I'd prefer it to be under $50, but if I need to go higher to protect the floor, it's worth it, especially when quality is involved. $150 is probably my cap for this sort of thing.

*I could then use a dishtowel to dry it off which would generate fewer loads of laundry even on a rainy week
**airs out after work so they don't get stinky

I know, given our lifestyles we only keep the essentials or things that bring us a lot of joy.

This is about an essential that you need but don't like.

I'll go first. Mine is my work wardrobe. I can't exactly wear lolita fashion to a construction site, so I have a separate wardrobe for the day-job. The money and work environment is really really good, so obviously I'm not going to change careers just to be able to wear frilly clothes full-time.

What about ya'll