Thanks to cgod's idea, I got to spend a few lovely days at a bar/cafe that offers access to their piano. It's very therapeutic and scratched that itch right and proper. The owner started encouraging everyone to give me requests after letting me hog it for a while. It's a bit weird, but he asked if it's OK, and I didn't have a good reason to say no. People seemed receptive.

Talked with a bunch of people who seemed like regulars. It's interesting to hear them go on about their stuff, though we don't have that many topics in common. Some joined in with me and played on whatever they had with them. Afterwards, they told me to come to their practice space on Thursday if I'd like. Seems unusual, but what the hell. I never played with anyone else, at least not for any significant amount of time, but nobody seemed to give a fuck. In kind, I do my best to keep the inner try-hard in check. Otherwise, it's just a new, fun experience.

Being here is a much-welcomed change in my life, so I'll probably keep hanging there for a while longer. Mixing it with contract work down the line seems like a great way to kill two birds with one stone.

Very positive week, hope it was the same for you, Hubski!