Aromantic and asexual are distinct, but often confused.

Aromantic/aro: an individual who feels little or no romantic attraction to others. These folks may still have relationships or hookups, but generally don’t find those evolving into long-term romantic love or monogamy.

Asexual/ace: an individual who feels little or no sexual attraction to others. These folks may still have relationships or hookups but generally don’t feel a specific drive to engage in sex or other physical intimacy with people.

Anyone on either of these spectrums can still have relationships of any type, and anyone on either of these spectrums can still be an asshole in those relationships. Aro people generally don’t form individual romantic bonds, but unless they’re also ace/asexual they are still as sexual as anyone else. As a result, it might appear that they are a bit of a player (sex without long term attachment).

If she is indeed aro but not ace and is in a monogamous relationship, she’s likely not in the best situation for someone with those leanings. It sounds to me like she wants out of the relationship but isn’t willing to be honest about it and is trying to get OP to end it.

My mom swears by drinking something through a straw during conversations where you think you might cry. I have yet to try it out myself, but maybe it’ll work for you :)

I’d amend this to say ‘know what the seasonal conditions are for your area and plan accordingly.’ In Washington for example Spring is generally too cold for comfortable camping (the temperature typically drops to ~30-45 during at night). While August/September is peak wildfire season nowadays. So June, July, early August are your best bets unless you’re happy toughing out the cold or the smoke.

Alohaha is great for this, it feels like sitting on a beach at night. Also in that theme are Green Arrow by Yo La Tengo and Island Music by Tennis.

Real talk, do you chomp it raw like chips? Or do you like . . . suck on it until it softens??

I’m a ho for orecchiette, I just love how toothsome it is. Maybe not the absolute #1 for sauce retention but I’m all about that texture.

Absolutely this! Octavia Butler literally wrote a fascist American president with the slogan “Make America Great Again” in 1993.

No one rejected them! Although I can’t confirm whether everyone ate them lol. None of my neighbors reciprocate with baked goods, so can’t comment on that, but I am satisfied with the trade even just for good will for me and my barky dog.

But I can confirm that I have baked for years, and have passed out enough goods around the building that no one has cause to mistrust me. I definitely wouldn’t have gone this route if I wasn’t a competent baker.

Personally I love to bake, so when I first moved into my current apartment I made a bunch of small coffee cakes and just cold knocked on the doors of all my neighbors one evening. Some folks weren’t home, but for the people I did meet it broke the ice and set us up to chat more when we ran into each other in the hall. And I was lucky enough to even make 3 good friends who I trade pet/plant care and favors with!

This exercise also quickly identified some people that I would not be friends with and that was valuable too.