Fractals, Frugality, Fun (more intentions)

 Three or more further intentions for 2026
("more", because they branch out)

What even were the others I already stated?
…One was to spend more time with and learn more about the Mississippi River. 

1. FRACTALS is more of that ^.
I read an article about the physics of rivers, and I want to know more about how rivers work.
I can't even form a coherent sentence about rivers & fractals.
But here's a picture from space:

Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech

2. FRUGALITY

Also an extension of something I already do (Thrift Life),
but a fun new challenge:
to explore ways to spend less money. To be inventive! 

And also, it's something of a necessity. The main way I've lived cheaply, living alone, was by renting small spaces from friends.
For the past 3+ years, though, I've paid market rate rent for a one-bedroom apartment. It's my favorite place I've lived as an adult.
I don't earn much more than I pay in rent.

I am going to get $180 in cash and live on it (or try to) for the rest of January. But not till after Marz visits this week––
that'll be easier than a whole month: 
from Wednesday, January 7, until Sunday, February 1.
That's only 3 weeks + 3 days.

I will cheat and not count bus fare ($2/day RT to work) or my phone bill.  But I will count coin-laundry, groceries, craft supplies, postage, money given to people on the street, movies, gifts, everything. My food cupboards are pretty full, however, so I'm not starting from scratch. 

The main trick will be changing how I go out with friends--gotta eat beforehand and order the small cup of soup, and drink brewed coffee  not espresso ☕️ drinks. 

Also, sharing!

(But other people paying for me doesn't reduce spending, because one should return the favor.)

That’s all easy enough for three weeks, the trick would be to keep doing it forever. When I need new shoes, or dental work, and big-ticket stuff like that. Forget travel beyond the range of the city bus—unless I bike… Yay, biking! Hopefully my knee will not object this spring.

The intention is more inventiveness and freedom, not deprivation.

We shall see.

3. FUN

What's fun?

The main thing that's fun, I think, is Thinking About Things (like rivers and how to scavenge what you need). Thinking About Things is a fractal! 
Very satisfying. 
And free too.

a. One thing I want to figure out is how to search for online info, now that google searches are so crap.
I thought I'd go to the library and ask for help using their online search options.
There're places like J-STOR and the Library of Congress.
Even going to Wikipedia and following their source notes.

b. And playing with the Girlettes is fun, though that is not a new intention.
Things they want, coming up:
A string ladder for the Playground House
Shako (marching band hats), to be made from t.p. rolls
To dress up like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

What new things would be fun?

Must think about it... _________________

Below is a screencap from a test--"the otherness scale"––that measures your intro–/extro- or otro-version, which I found linked on Orange Crate Art.
(I was a "communal introvert.")

This is the only question that I answered "Very Strongly Agree", which made me laugh.