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<<nobr>>
<div class="notification">
<div class="header">
<div class="left">
<i class="fa fa-comment fa-lg"></i> MESSAGES
</div>
</div>
<br>
<span class="title">Em</span>
<br>
Hey, can we <b>[[talk|Talk]]</b>? I'm just seeing this shit on the news and getting panicky again.
</div>
<</nobr>><<nobr>>
<div class="notification">
<div class="header">
<div class="left">
<i class="fa fa-comment fa-lg"></i> MESSAGES
</div>
</div>
<br>
<span class="title">Alex</span>
<br>
Hey, sending you this article. You should really <b>[[read|Read]]</b> this. And also call me.
</div>
<</nobr>><<nobr>>
<div class="notification">
<div class="header">
<div class="left">
<i class="fa fa-newspaper-o fa-lg"></i> NEWS
</div>
</div>
<br>
<span class="title">NY Times</span>
<br>
White House to tell U.S. agencies to prepare for first government shutdown of the pandemic.
</div>
<</nobr>><<nobr>>
<div class="notification">
<div class="header">
<div class="left">
<i class="fa fa-newspaper-o fa-lg"></i> NEWS
</div>
</div>
<br>
<span class="title">Washington Post</span>
<br>
At U.N., Biden calls for unity in addressing pandemic and climate change, defending <b>[[messy|Messy]]</b> end to the war in Afghanistan.
</div>
<</nobr>><<nobr>>
<div class="notification">
<div class="header">
<div class="left">
<i class="fa fa-newspaper-o fa-lg"></i> NEWS
</div>
</div>
<br>
<span class="title">Washington Post</span>
<br>
Supreme Court, Breaking <b>[[Silence|Silence]]</b>, Won't Block Texas Abortion.
</div>
<</nobr>><<nobr>>
<div class="notification">
<div class="header">
<div class="left">
<i class="fa fa-twitter fa-lg"></i> TWITTER
</div>
</div>
<br>
<span class="title">NY Times</span>
<br>
Protected Too Late: U.S. Officials Report More Than 20 Extinctions. Their stories hold lessons about a growing global biodiversity crisis.
</div>
<</nobr>><<nobr>>
<div class="notification">
<div class="header">
<div class="left">
<i class="fa fa-twitter fa-lg"></i> TWITTER
</div>
</div>
<br>
<span class="title">Ryan Mac</span>
<br>
New one w/ @MikeIsaac and @sheeraf on a very <b>[[calm|Calm]]</b> and totally chill three weeks inside Facebook.
</div>
<</nobr>><<include "Timer">>
You usually can't talk much in the mornings. You blink in the dim phone light. You should <span class="link">[[get up|get up]]</span>. But maybe <span class="link">[[five more minutes|snooze]]</span>.<<include "Timer">>
You haven't had much time for reading these days. Maybe you should <span class="link">[[pick up a book every once in a while|book]]</span>. <<nobr>>
<<set $seconds to 10>>
<<set $displayPassage = $passageArray.pop()>>
<<set _timer to 5>>
<<set $replacedLinks = false>>
<div id="phoneContainer">
<div id="time">
7:39
</div>
<div id="date">
Friday, October 1
</div>
<div id="textContainer">
<<timed 2s t8n>>
<div id="firstText">$displayPassage</div>
<div id="secondText"></div>
<div id="thirdText"></div>
<div id="fourthText"></div>
<</timed>>
<<silently>>
<<repeat `_timer + 's'` t8n>>
<<run console.log($passageArray.length)>>
<<if $passageArray.length > 0>>
<<set $displayPassage = $passageArray.pop()>>
<<replace "#secondText">>$displayPassage<</replace>>
<<timed 2s t8n>>
<<if $passageArray.length > 0>>
<<set $displayPassage = $passageArray.pop()>>
<<replace "#firstText">>$displayPassage<</replace>>
<</if>>
<</timed>>
<<elseif $passageArray.length == 0>>
<<timed 1s t8n>>
<<remove "#firstText">>
<<next 4s>>
<<remove "#secondText">>
<<next 2s>>
<<replace "#thirdText">>$displayEnding1<</replace>>
<<next 4s>>
<<remove "#thirdText">>
<<next 2s>>
<<replace "#fourthText">>$displayEnding2<</replace>>
<</timed>>
<<stop>>
<<else>>
<<stop>>
<</if>>
<<if _timer >= 1>>
<<set _timer to _timer-1>>
<<else>>
<<set _timer to 1>>
<</if>>
<</repeat>>
<</silently>>
</div>
</div>
<</nobr>><<include "Timer">>
There are moments in your day where you don't <span class="link">[[turn anything on|turn on]]</span>.<<include "Timer">>
Okay you're up. You could <span class="link">[[open the blinds.|blinds]]</span> Or maybe <span class="link">[[wander into the bathroom.|bathroom]]</span><<include "Timer">>
You hear the soft alarm and squint in the blue light. You <span class="link">[[turn right back over.|sleep more]]</span> You <span class="link">[[sit up|Sit up]]</span>. <<include "Timer">>
You fall unconscious for another blissful five minutes.
You <span class="link">[[snooze.|snooze]]</span><<include "Timer">>
You <span class="link">[[open the blinds|open blinds]]</span>. Hm, there's not much light in here anyway. On second thought, you <span class="link">[[keep them closed|keep blinds closed]]</span>.<<include "Timer">>
You flip on the bathroom switch. It's disconcerting to see your face here, harshly. Unobserved. But you're constantly looking for yourself. You're constantly shifting and peering into the green camera glow. Why is this any different?
<span class="checkPhone" style="display: none;">Absentmindendly, you [[glance over at the blue light of your phone.|Start]]</span><!--<span id="countdown">Go back to the news in $seconds seconds.</span> -->
<<silently>>
<<repeat 1s>>
<<set $seconds to $seconds - 1>>
<<if $seconds gt 5>>
<<run console.log($seconds)>>
<!--<<replace "#countdown">>Go back to the news in $seconds seconds.<</replace>>-->
<<elseif $seconds <= 5 && $seconds >= 0 >>
<<if $replacedLinks != true>>
<<replace ".link">>[[check your phone|Start]]<</replace>>
<<set $replacedLinks = true>>
<</if>>
<<script>>$('.checkPhone').show()<</script>>
<<else>>
<<run console.log("ELSE - goto start")>>
<<replace "#countdown">><</replace>>
<<goto "Start">>
<<stop>>
<</if>>
<</repeat>>
<</silently>><<nobr>>
<<set $seconds to 10>>
<<set $passageArray = [];>>
<<set $passage1 = Story.get("First Message");>>
<<set $passage2 = Story.get("Second Message");>>
<<set $passage3 = Story.get("First Headline");>>
<<set $passage4 = Story.get("Second Headline");>>
<<set $passage5 = Story.get("Third Headline");>>
<<set $passage6 = Story.get("Fourth Headline");>>
<<set $passage7 = Story.get("Fifth Headline");>>
<<set $passage8 = Story.get("Third Message");>>
<<set $passage9 = Story.get("First Tweet");>>
<<set $passage10 = Story.get("Second Tweet");>>
<<set $passage11 = Story.get("Sixth Headline");>>
<<set $passage12 = Story.get("Seventh Headline");>>
<<set $passage13 = Story.get("Fourth Message");>>
<<set $passage14 = Story.get("Fifth Message");>>
<<set $passage15 = Story.get("Third Tweet");>>
<<set $passage16 = Story.get("Eighth Headline");>>
<<set $passage17 = Story.get("Fourth Tweet");>>
<<set $passage18 = Story.get("Ninth Headline");>>
<<set $passage19 = Story.get("Fifth Tweet");>>
<<set $passage20 = Story.get("Sixth Message");>>
<<set $passageArray.push($passage20.processText(), $passage19.processText(), $passage18.processText(), $passage17.processText(), $passage16.processText(), $passage15.processText(), $passage14.processText(), $passage13.processText(), $passage12.processText(), $passage11.processText(), $passage10.processText(), $passage9.processText(), $passage8.processText(), $passage7.processText(), $passage6.processText(), $passage5.processText(), $passage4.processText(), $passage3.processText(), $passage2.processText(), $passage1.processText())>>
<<set $endingPassage1 = Story.get("Seventh Message");>>
<<set $endingPassage2 = Story.get("Eighth Message");>>
<<set $displayEnding1 = $endingPassage1.processText();>>
<<set $displayEnding2 = $endingPassage2.processText();>>
<</nobr>>
<h2>Friday, October 1</h2>
You hear the faint sound of your alarm and are vaguely aware of having woken up.
The grey half light of your bedroom isn't enough to fully rouse you, so you [[look over at your phone.|Start]]<<nobr>>
<div class="notification">
<div class="header">
<div class="left">
<i class="fa fa-newspaper-o fa-lg"></i> NEWS
</div>
</div>
<br>
<span class="title">CNN</span>
<br>
Biden White House <b>[[leans|Lean]]</b> toward releasing information about Trump and Jan. 6 attack, setting off legal and political showdown.
</div>
<</nobr>><<nobr>>
<div class="notification">
<div class="header">
<div class="left">
<i class="fa fa-newspaper-o fa-lg"></i> NEWS
</div>
</div>
<br>
<span class="title">Washington Post</span>
<br>
A win for white power at a school board meeting in Grapevine, Tex.
</div>
<</nobr>><<nobr>>
<div class="notification">
<div class="header">
<div class="left">
<i class="fa fa-comment fa-lg"></i> MESSAGES
</div>
</div>
<br>
<span class="title">Amba</span>
<br>
Hey, I really need you to <b>[[check|Check]]</b> this out. Just sent you a link.
</div>
<</nobr>><<include "Timer">>
Even this small amount of window light makes you feel human. You glance out at the bright pavement. Maybe you should [[go for a walk today|walk]].<<include "Timer">>
It's better this way. Your apartment has always been dark, so why even bother?
<span class="checkPhone" style="display: none;">Absentmindendly, you [[glance over at the blue light of your phone.|Start]]</span><<include "Timer">>
It's been messy here since the pandemic started, and you haven't bothered to clean much because let's face it, who's coming around?
But you're struck by a sudden inspiration, so you decide to <span class="link">[[do the dishes|dishes]]</span>. Wait no, the bathroom mirror looks gross. You <span class="link">[[head over there|mirror]]</span>.<<include "Timer">>
You heave your torso up and stare blankly, starting your brain up. Seems like it needs a bit more juice, the familiarity of your calendar and your tether to the world.
<span class="checkPhone" style="display: none;">Absentmindendly, you [[glance over at the blue light of your phone.|Start]]</span><<include "Timer">>
You wander over to your bookshelf. Maybe you could <span class="link">[[read an old favorite|old favorite]]</span>. Or maybe you could <span class="link">[[try something that's been on your list for a while|new book]]</span>.<<nobr>>
<div class="notification">
<div class="header">
<div class="left">
<i class="fa fa-newspaper-o fa-lg"></i> NEWS
</div>
</div>
<br>
<span class="title">Washington Post</span>
<br>
Splintered Democrats delay vote over infrastructure <b>[[plan|Plan]]</b> backed by Biden.
</div>
<</nobr>><<nobr>>
<div class="notification">
<div class="header">
<div class="left">
<i class="fa fa-newspaper-o fa-lg"></i> NEWS
</div>
</div>
<br>
<span class="title">NY Times</span>
<br>
The U.S. economy continues to soar while American politics craters.
</div>
<</nobr>><<nobr>>
<div class="notification">
<div class="header">
<div class="left">
<i class="fa fa-comment fa-lg"></i> MESSAGES
</div>
</div>
<br>
<span class="title">Em</span>
<br>
Hey, you <b>[[there|There]]</b>? I really need to talk to you.
</div>
<</nobr>><<nobr>>
<div class="notification">
<div class="header">
<div class="left">
<i class="fa fa-comment fa-lg"></i> MESSAGES
</div>
</div>
<br>
<span class="title">Zhana</span>
<br>
Hey, haven't heard from you in a <b>[[while|While]]</b>. How are you?
</div>
<</nobr>><<nobr>>
<div class="notification">
<div class="header">
<div class="left">
<i class="fa fa-twitter fa-lg"></i> TWITTER
</div>
</div>
<br>
<span class="title">Al Jazeera</span>
<br>
From masks and gloves to IVs and COVID tests, reporter Adi Renaldi visits the landfills and dumpsites that are now home to toxic medical waste.
</div>
<</nobr>><<nobr>>
<div class="notification">
<div class="header">
<div class="left">
<i class="fa fa-comment fa-lg"></i> MESSAGES
</div>
</div>
<br>
<span class="title">Em</span>
<br>
Hey, are you okay?
</div>
<</nobr>><<nobr>>
<div class="notification">
<div class="header">
<div class="left">
<i class="fa fa-comment fa-lg"></i> MESSAGES
</div>
</div>
<br>
<span class="title">Em</span>
<br>
Hey, call me.
</div>
<</nobr>><<nobr>>
<div class="notification">
<div class="header">
<div class="left">
<i class="fa fa-comment fa-lg"></i> MESSAGES
</div>
</div>
<br>
<span class="title">Em</span>
<br>
Actually, on second thought, grab your headphones and <b>[[go outside|Outside]]</b> first.
</div>
<</nobr>><<nobr>>
<div class="notification">
<div class="header">
<div class="left">
<i class="fa fa-newspaper-o fa-lg"></i> NEWS
</div>
</div>
<br>
<span class="title">Washington Post</span>
<br>
As coronavirus cases mount and vaccine mandates spread, holdouts plague police and fire departments.
</div>
<</nobr>><<nobr>>
<div class="notification">
<div class="header">
<div class="left">
<i class="fa fa-twitter fa-lg"></i> TWITTER
</div>
</div>
<br>
<span class="title">Adela Suliman</span>
<br>
Trump asks court to <b>[[force|Force]]</b> Twitter to reinstate his account.
</div>
<</nobr>><<nobr>>
<div class="notification">
<div class="header">
<div class="left">
<i class="fa fa-newspaper-o fa-lg"></i> NEWS
</div>
</div>
<br>
<span class="title">NY Times</span>
<br>
House Democrats delayed a vote on a major infrastructure bill, a sign of divisions within the party.
</div>
<</nobr>><<nobr>>
<div class="notification">
<div class="header">
<div class="left">
<i class="fa fa-twitter fa-lg"></i> TWITTER
</div>
</div>
<br>
<span class="title">Washington Post</span>
<br>
Women’s March protesters to rally across U.S. to protect Roe v. Wade.
</div>
<</nobr>>
No, really.
Take a deep <span id="breathe01"><<click "breath.">><<script>>$('#breathe02').show()<</script>>breath.<</click>></span>
<span id="breathe02" style="display: none;"><<click "2 ...">><<script>>$('#breathe03').show()<</script>>2 ...<</click>></span>
<span id="breathe03" style="display: none;"><<click "3 ...">><<script>>$('#breathe04').show()<</script>>3 ...<</click>></span>
<span id="breathe04" style="display: none;"><<click "4 ...">><<script>>$('#hold').show()<</script>>
<<timed 4s t8n>>
<<script>>$('#breathe05').show()<</script>>
<</timed>>
4 ...<</click>></span>
<span id="hold" style="display: none;">Pause.</span>
<span id="breathe05" style="display: none;"><<click "Breathe out ...">><<script>>$('#breathe06').show()<</script>>Breathe out ...<</click>></span>
<span id="breathe06" style="display: none;"><<click "2 ...">><<script>>$('#breathe07').show()<</script>>2 ...<</click>></span>
<span id="breathe07" style="display: none;"><<click "3 ...">><<script>>$('#breathe08').show()<</script>>3 ...<</click>></span>
<span id="breathe08" style="display: none;"><<click "4.">><<script>>$('#close').show()<</script>>
<<timed 4s t8n>>
<<script>>$('#close01').show()<</script>>
<<next 2s>>
<<script>>$('#close02').show()<</script>>
<<next 2s>>
<<script>>$('#close03').show()<</script>>
<</timed>>
4.<</click>></span>
<span id="close" style="display: none;">Okay. </span>
<span id="close01" style="display: none;">Now close your laptop, </span>
<span id="close02" style="display: none;">leave your phone, </span>
<span id="close03" style="display: none;">and <<click "walk outside.">><<run UI.restart()>>walk outside.<</click>></span>
<<include "Timer">>
It would do you some good to get out of the house.
<span class="checkPhone" style="display: none;">You [[open your phone|Start]] to add it to your calendar.</span><<include "Timer">>
You thumb through the pages, feeling the nostalgic pull of your childhood. You start to drift off, thinking about when you first read this book, and after a while you start to get distracted.
<span class="checkPhone" style="display: none;">You start to feel the itch of your screen, and you [[pick up your phone.|Start]]</span><<include "Timer">>
This is great. You've been wanting to read this for ages. You crack open the book and <span class="link">[[read the first paragraph|first paragraph]]</span>.<<include "Timer">>
Wow what a great first couple of sentences. You wonder a bit about the author. What are they up to now? You wonder if the author is on Twitter.
<span class="checkPhone" style="display: none;">You'll just [[find out real quick.|Start]]</span><<include "Timer">>
You found yourself leaning on the doorway, sliding down it rather, that one time you had an especially bad panic attack. Em sat with you, back when she lived here and could do things like sit on the floor with you and make thick, unhealthy meals and you could both forget about the crushing outside world. You <span class="link">[[wonder what she's up to right now|wonder]]</span>.<<include "Timer">>
Should you <span class="link">[[check on your laundry|laundry]]</span>? Or maybe <span class="link">[[check the plants outside to see if they need watering|plants]]</span>.<<include "Timer">>
You scrub the egg pan from last night and dissociate, but it's kind of nice to turn your brain off for a minute.
When's the last time you actually cooked something challenging, you wonder.
You <span class="link">[[pick up another plate|plate]]</span>.<<include "Timer">>
You rifle through the closet for Windex and then <span class="link">[[walk to the bathroom|bathroom]]</span>.<<include "Timer">>
You're sure it was when you had a dinner party, which you somehow managed to host outside, during a New York winter.
<span class="checkPhone" style="display: none;">You wonder what the recipe was for that stew, so you [[pick up your phone.|Start]]</span><<include "Timer">>
You've never been a particularly calm person, and in TheseTryingTimes, it's no exception. The last time you spoke to your mom, she asked you if you were too fragile to leave your apartment, and these days it's hard to know whether or not she was right.
You're feeling a little anxious right now, so you <span class="link">[[lie down|lie down]]</span> and think you might <span class="link">[[try some yoga|yoga]]</span>.
<<include "Timer">>
You suppose you should be making better plans for your days, or maybe doing something more creative, or maybe sticking to a routine. Maybe you should <span class="link">[[hustle more|hustle]]</span> or <span class="link">[[be more efficient with your time|efficient]]</span>. <<include "Timer">>
You and Em don't live together anymore. You remember taking her to IKEA when she moved out, and there were so many boxes you had to bungie-cord the trunk shut. But you've always liked your space, and this feels fine. Weren't you waiting to claim yourself back anyway?
<span class="checkPhone" style="display: none;">Still, you wonder how she's doing, and maybe you should call her after all. [[You start to unlock your phone.|Start]]</span><<include "Timer">>
It's nice that Zhana reached out, and it's true, you haven't spoken in a while. You keep meaning to call, but you <span class="link">[[get distracted|distracted]]</span> and it's hard to pull yourself away.<<include "Timer">>
Sometimes, no matter what you do, you can't seem to pry yourself away from the churn, and in the tide, you feel tugged under and spit out.
In your apartment, you look around and wonder what fresh distraction you can dream up. You know that you can take a break, close your eyes to it all, even temporarily.
<span class="checkPhone" style="display: none;">But it really is just a quick beat, until once again, you feel the familiar [[pull of your screen.|Start]]</span><<include "Timer">>
The silence used to make you anxious. Your mind would start racing and grasping at thoughts. But these days you can stay here for a bit longer. You <span class="link">[[let it go for a bit and listen to house sounds|listen]]</span>.<<include "Timer">>
But you can only really do that for so long before you start making lists in your head.
<span class="checkPhone" style="display: none;">And you [[reach for your phone|Start]] to write them down.</span><<include "Timer">>
Maybe she's fine or maybe she gets lonely sometimes, or maybe, or maybe. You <span class="link">[[think about calling her|call]]</span>. You think you'll <span class="link">[[write about it|write]]</span> instead. <<include "Timer">>
But you're not sure if it would bother her.
<span class="checkPhone" style="display: none;">So you [[open your phone|Start]] to text her instead.</span><<include "Timer">>
Writing has always been difficult, so most of your journal entries are angsty revelations, hastily scrawled in the middle of the night or drunk.
But maybe you'll actually try this time. You <span class="link">[[sit down to write|journal]]</span>.<<include "Timer">>
You crack open your journal and get instantly distracted by your hilarious past entries.
<span class="checkPhone" style="display: none;">Maybe you'll self-deprecatingly post one of them on Instagram. You [[pull out your phone.|Start]]</span><<include "Timer">>
You take your miscellaneous comfy clothes out of the wash and remember to neatly hang up your masks to dry. You <span class="link">[[sort out one button-down that you still insist on wearing to all of your Zoom calls|button-down]]</span>.<<include "Timer">>
"God am I really that anxious plant-mom?" you think, as you peer outside for the fourth time this morning to see if your plant children are thriving. One has a couple of yellow leaves so you <span class="link">[[trim them off|trim]]</span>.<<include "Timer">>
This shirt always made you feel powerful, and you still somehow wear it and your nice shoes, even on your silly fifteen minute walk around the dog park every morning.
<span class="checkPhone" style="display: none;">You wonder if you took a selfie the last time you wore it, so you [[pull out your phone.|Start]]</span><<include "Timer">>
You find a few more dead leaves and start to worry about root rot. Could it be too much watering or not enough? You <span class="link">[[pull out a few more leaves and stick your finger in the dirt|dirt]]</span>.
<<include "Timer">>
With your hands in the dirt you still can't tell what's up with these fragile plants.
<span class="checkPhone" style="display: none;">Maybe you should Google it. You [[pull out your phone.|Start]]</span><<include "Timer">>
You lie down on your couch and try to think calming thoughts, but you can feel your heart beating in your throat.
<span class="checkPhone" style="display: none;">You start to wonder if you have an arrhythmia, so you [[grab your phone to check WebMD.|Start]]</span><<include "Timer">>
It's been a while, but what was that yoga website you used to use?
<span class="checkPhone" style="display: none;">You'll have to Google it, so you [[pull out your phone.|Start]]</span><<include "Timer">>
Sometimes you want to just hit the off switch, like a global pause button, like the temporary non-space in time travel movies.
<span class="checkPhone" style="display: none;">What was that stupid movie where they did that again? You [[grab your phone to search for it.|Start]]</span><<include "Timer">>
It's maddening to think that you could always be doing more or being more or living more, when you feel squeezed enough as it is. This city will run you ragged if you let it. You keep getting distracted and somehow the day is over.
<span class="checkPhone" style="display: none;">You remember that someone made a meme of this once, so you [[try to search for it on Instagram.|Start]]</span><<include "Timer">>
It constantly feels like you're having four or five conversations at the same time, and you're catching up, you're catching up only to catch up again, and you never quite feel like you've listened to anyone at all.
<span class="checkPhone" style="display: none;">Which reminds you to text Zhana back, so you [[start drafting a reply.|Start]]</span>by <<link "Allie Teixeira Riggs">><<script>>window.open('http://ariggs.net/')<</script>><</link>>