Ms. Marvel 1 Reminds me, on the reinvigoration tip:
After I finished watching the show, that sentiment really stuck with me. In the big scheme of things, re-doing your house and your appearance is a pretty insignificant event, but something like that can really reinvigorate you.

In middle school once, my homeroom teacher had us all visit a Head Start program preschool. Once. It was a very weird experience, at least somewhat in that it was based on our privilege. Admitting privilege without doing anything about it. Such charity. Anyway, we had about the same number of students as the preschool class, and each hung out with one of the kids. The kid I hung out with was sullen and unfriendly.

I get the idea that he had never, in his life, had anyone pay full attention to him for an extended period of time. We had a bit of fun. I barely remember it.

What I remember perfectly well is returning four months later, for a repeat visit. His teacher approached me and said that the kid (I didn't remember his name at the time, let alone now.) had completely changed after our visit. He was more outgoing. He was cheerful and a little charismatic. He's been looking forward to our return visit very much.

And since it went so well that first time, could I also play with this second kid, who is also sullen and dejected.

Ugh. I was in sixth grade, but I could tell that was braindead. My previous buddy wanted to kick a soccer ball around. My new buddy was sitting alone, staring at the ground. My previous buddy thought my new buddy was "silly" and I should forget about him and pass the damn soccer ball already.

I tried to get the first kid to pay attention to the second kid, but it was the wrong tack. I expect it was an immense let down for him, to have me return and not pay him attention. And I had no idea what to do for the other boy.

Boys have so much going against them. Girls too, obviously. Perhaps to a greater degree. But, Jesus God, boys have so much going against them.