November #25

 As the calendar flips to November, a collective sentiment echoes across conversations, social media posts, and casual exchanges: Where did the year go?

The brisk chill of autumn and the encroaching holiday season seem to amplify the realization that 2024 is nearing its end. For many, it feels like only yesterday they were crafting New Year's resolutions or celebrating the arrival of spring.

This feeling of time speeding up isn’t just anecdotal. Psychologists suggest that as we age, our perception of time shifts, making months and years feel shorter than they once did. The phenomenon is partly tied to how our brains process routine activities. The more familiar or repetitive life feels, the less vivid our memories of time passing become.

"It's like driving down a highway," explains Dr. Lisa Nguyen, a psychologist specializing in time perception. "If the scenery remains unchanged, the journey feels faster. But if you take a winding, scenic road, the trip feels longer because there’s more to take in. For many, 2024 might feel like a highway year."

The year 2024 was marked by its fair share of significant events. From technological breakthroughs to political milestones, the world seemed to move at a breakneck pace. Yet, as individuals reflect, personal moments often feel overshadowed by the relentless flow of news, work, and obligations.

Now, with Christmas around the corner and holiday decorations beginning to appear, November offers a chance to pause and reflect. It’s a time to savor the fleeting weeks before the new year sweeps in, bringing with it fresh resolutions, new challenges, and—hopefully—a slower sense of time.

For those feeling disoriented by how fast the year has flown by, experts recommend a few strategies to regain a sense of presence:

Take Stock of the Year: Journaling or creating a photo collage can help solidify memories and make the year feel richer.

Focus on New Experiences: Novel activities, no matter how small, can help stretch your perception of time.

Unplug: Digital distractions can make time feel fragmented. Try spending a day without screens to reconnect with the present moment.

As we countdown the final weeks of 2024, the sentiment remains universal: time flies. But November serves as a gentle reminder to slow down, take a breath, and cherish the moments that remain before the clock resets once again.

 It was November 23rd, a crisp and sunny day in The Core. The scent of spiced cider and roasted chestnuts filled the air as Emma adjusted the colorful banner hanging in front of the community center. It read: "Happy Polyamory Day! Love Without Limits."

Emma, a longtime advocate for ethical non-monogamy, had spent weeks organizing the event. This year’s celebration was themed "Together in Love," focusing on building bridges between polyamorous families and the larger community. Attendees trickled in, their smiles warm despite the chill. There were individuals, triads, quads, and even entire polycule families, including kids running excitedly toward the craft station.

In one corner of the hall, a cozy storytelling circle was forming. Amelia, a seasoned speaker, began sharing the history of Polyamory Day. She spoke of the CPAA's advocacy efforts in 2011 and how far the movement had come. Listeners nodded in agreement, some wiping tears as they reflected on their own journeys of acceptance and love.

Nearby, a "Love Languages Workshop" was in full swing. Participants practiced active listening and role-played scenarios that strengthened their communication skills. At the table next to it, local artists sold jewelry, books, and paintings inspired by the theme of connected hearts and intertwining lives.

Later, Emma introduced the evening’s highlight: a panel discussion titled "Redefining Family in the Modern Age." Panelists shared their stories of balancing love, work, and societal expectations, offering practical advice and hope. One speaker, Raj, talked about coming out to his conservative parents and how, over time, they embraced his partners as part of the family.

As the event wound down, the room buzzed with conversation. Strangers had become friends, connections had deepened, and everyone felt a sense of belonging. A group photo was taken in front of the banner, everyone holding up peace signs or heart-shaped hand gestures.

That night, Emma sat on her couch with her two partners, Alex and Jordan, reminiscing about the day. “We’ve built something beautiful,” Alex said, their hand resting on Emma’s shoulder.

Emma smiled, feeling the warmth of love not just from her partners but from the community that had gathered to celebrate. Polyamory Day wasn’t just about raising awareness—it was about creating a space where everyone could be unapologetically themselves, surrounded by love in all its forms.

Rotating the tortilla-wrapped meal to consume the Mexican food in even levels, eyewitnesses reported Thursday that every movement in local man Eddy Azarian’s burrito-eating technique has been informed by past burrito tragedies. “You can see how he massages the outside to get an a well-balanced distribution of ingredients as he goes, so you know that’s a man who has lost some carne asada to a floor before,” said friend Mike Fuentes, who noted the concentration on Azarian’s face as he rolled down the foil to form an even and tactile seam out of biting range. “Just look at that grip, perfectly spaced and easy to shift on the fly. And then he rolls it at regular intervals, making sure none of the juices or grease pool in one area and leaks out. You know every memory of rice spilling out or guacamole getting lumped in a corner is running through his head as he works. The way he takes a bite from the center and then works to the exterior so nothing is at risk of spilling. He’s seen too many burrito catastrophes for one lifetime and he doesn’t want to experience one again.” At press time, Azarian was reaching for a napkin after propping up his burrito against a cup of fountain soda he assumed to be full enough.