Thanks, Google Maps.

Really, I already knew.

The first time I got a Google Maps Timeline delivered to my gmail was in January. The timeline is an automated survey of places I had been in December. Over the holiday break, I drove to the airport in Houston, deplaned in Fort Lauderdale, and after a few days drove a rental car down to the Florida Keys. It was a delightful vacation. The Timeline was a mini-map with places I had visited. Like a souvenir map, courtesy of Google.

Today, my Timeline for August arrived. Without thinking too much, I know every place I’ve been, all of it in the five miles surrounding my house. This Timeline had two stellar highlights: “Was at Kroger.” and “Afternoon at Firestone Auto Care.”

“Afternoon at…” aches for something reasonably sophisticated or at least moderately interesting. But no. My afternoon at… was spent in the corner with a mask on my face, reading a short story collection on my phone and periodically checking the time to see if I could get to the courthouse early enough to renew my car registration once the brake light was replaced.

I resent Google for the Timeline. But I’m going to be inspired (and hold on to being angry too) and try for some new and engaging red dots for my September Timeline. Maybe I will take a walk through the park. Maybe go to a different grocery store. I expect my scheduled mammogram will show up there too. I could go drop off a package at the post office.

Pandemic is lonely, and there’s no crime in living a small life. But I’m anticipating the post-pandemic memorable month, with more red dots than I can count at a glance. Thanks for the challenge, Google Maps. I accept.