slowly closing in

We've made it to the last day of 2022. It's handy to have a blog so I'm able to dig around and see what just happened. 

Before ripping out the old calendar, I will summarize with an oh-so-exciting look back.

We did our first winter bike-to-work day. Cold day, but the coffee and sweet rolls were warm and worth it. Ran into Wolfgang for a win.

Meego graduated college. WHOOP!

Magnum and I took a trip to Taos, NM and stayed in an Earthship. Interesting structures, desolate landscape.

Summer bike-to-work day. *Note:  on neither of these bike-to-work days was I actually scheduled to work*

We did a family trip to Steamboat Springs, CO. I'd never been there before. Lovely place.

Other things I discovered in my archive dig:

• The entire family got COVID around the same time.
• I began tutoring for the college in addition to my part-time admin job and like it
• We attended our first Tour de Fat and first Tour de Corgi 🐶
• I completed *most of* Inktober '22
• I raced against the mayor on Thanksgiving day and won

Okay, enough of that business. Move on!

repair and refresh

Christmas '22 has come and gone. I took down my sparse decorations on Tuesday, and we're back to darkness. We had a nice gathering, just us five. Thankfully, no one was having to fly to get here.

Chaco has been here since last Wednesday evening. Drove up in a blizzard and had elective shoulder surgery on arctic blast Thursday morning: Bankart repair after repeated shoulder dislocations. 

So we've become somewhat educated on arthroscopy and shoulder bits. It's been a week, and he'll likely return to his place tomorrow. Know anyone in Westminster that will shovel snow on demand?

The weather did greatly improve after the polar vortex, the bombogenesis, whatever the term. Temperatures mellowed out and most of the snow is gone, only to be replaced by another little spitting last night.

Work starts up again next Tuesday, then classes begin - heralding in new tutees - in mid-January. I feel a bit stagnant in the testing center. There's not much more to learn, and I have no wishes to "move up". The job functions as a steady trickle of income and 401k eligibility, so I remind myself that it's serving that purpose just fine. 

Our little workplace gift swap didn't happen since the campus closed a day early. I don't think anyone was particularly disappointed about that. It would've been a swap of re-gift items. Scented candles galore, I'm sure.

And yes, Boss did end up getting that promotion, so we'll see what happens. I was voicing my workplace ennui to Party Girl recently, and she offered that maybe that will change for the better when Boss moves to his new digs. Maybe? She's counting on it for herself. 

Here's to a happy new year all around 🍾

may your days be merry and bright!

 

Happy Holly Jollies to y'all! 🎄

my tears can't drip

I was covered, head to toe, convinced it was the only way to survive the arctic blast. Even so, after 10 minutes or so of shoveling, my frozen fingers were complaining. Then, neighbor dude went by.

He had on an unzipped jacket and jeans, no hat, no scarf. Boots? Maybe. Gloves? Maybe?

He pushed his shovel down several yards of sidewalk in both directions from his house, clearing a path for his house, our house, and several others. I stopped my shoveling and watched him, nearly naked, go past. 

How were his ears not falling off, frozen bits of meat? How did his face still work? I thanked him for his fine but perplexing work and went about continuing to freeze my fingers.

Yes, like many parts of the country, we are in a deep freeze. Magnum and I went out and cleared our driveway and walkway early this morning when it was about -7 degrees F. He had to take Chaco to an appointment, and I stayed home with three dogs and the cat.  The college announced on Tuesday afternoon that we would be closed today through Saturday, so my winter break started a day early.

The sun did eventually peek out, so it turned into a pretty day, but never got higher than 2 degrees above zero as far as I could tell. I ventured out for a little look-see as the cabin fever was setting in. I figured I'd walk to the nearby convenience store for cigarettes. Just kidding.

The bright sun made it seem warmer than it was, and thankfully, the wind was nearly nonexistent. I swung by the neighborhood park to shoot a
hoop under that clear blue sky.

Afterwards I thawed out satisfyingly at home with hot tea and a ridiculous book - ridiculous not in a good way.

I guess Magnum thought my reading approach amusing from across the table.

I will not ever join an online dating site, but if I did, this would be my profile pic.

Truth in advertising.

Linking up this week with Mama Kat for the prompt:
2. Write a blog post inspired by the word: cold.

drifting

Winter solstice 2022 is Wednesday, 12.21.22 at 2:47pm MST, but who's counting? I'm looking forward to more daylight/ less nightdark. We're almost there. Will my headlight batteries last long enough?

I'm appreciating the warm house after a cold, blustery week. Today is just cold without the blustery. We've been step-by-step replacing pieces of our house, a former rental. Last year it was water pipes, water heater, windows, furnace. Now we've moved onto washer, kitchen range, and are currently in the middle of a bit of dishwasher drama, and it's all good. Appliance makeover is nearly complete. *looking at you, old fridge*.

The new range has an induction cooktop, which is very cool (and hot), and I'm still learning its idiosyncrasies. I have a voucher for a 6-piece cookset from Samsung in exchange for my review on their website. Haven't given the review as the range is still pretty new, plus... I don't need the cookset. We'll see if I get motivated enough to submit a review.

In entertainment news, this week we watched a couple of good movies. Firstly, Emily the Criminal with Aubrey Plaza as the title character. I thought it was really well-done, although I didn't like any of the characters. In this case, I didn't need to like the characters to like the movie... and now I'm paranoid about credit card fraud.

We also watched Troll, a Norwegian movie about, well, a troll. It's basically a monster movie, but it was better than I expected, having some colorful, well-written characters. 

And I'm reminded of the 2010 film "Troll Hunter", which was also quite good.  Troll Hunter is not necessarily a monster movie. It's presented like a documentary production made by a group of film students. Bunches of fun!

I'm looking forward to wrapping up this week at work, then we have a week off before the January fun begins. Boss had his interview for that promotion, so we've all got fingers crossed but not counting any chickens. 

I'm about as ready as I'm going to be for Christmas. Just need to get the food. Minor detail.

concentrate

When I was a college undergrad, I did my time working retail. This was back before "online", let alone online shopping. So Christmas time was a zoo, Christmas eve being the worst. I was shocked at the number of shoppers on Christmas eve - grabbing whatever was left on the nearly empty shelves in order to have SOMEthing for Uncle Charlie!

Now, years later, I've circled around to another part-time job, this time at a college testing center. The equivalent to retail Christmas eve is last day of finals, which was yesterday. A steady stream of the anxiety-riddled.

At one point in the mayhem, an instructor stopped in. Instructors come by on a regular basis, usually to drop off or pick up exams. So this one - an older man - wandered in, and I met his gaze.

"Hi. Dropping off? Picking up?"

He looked at me rather confusedly, "Uhm... neither", then he turned to Assistant Boss, who was behind me, to say, "I'm in class giving the final, but if you have any questions about my tests for students here, it's okay to call me".

Assistant Boss said, "okay", and old instructor guy exited.

Then Assistant Boss looked to me and said, "That was weird".

And I said, "Yeah, why would he need to come in here just to tell us that".

And Assistant Boss, who is male, said, "No, I mean, why did he tell it to me instead of to you??"

"Oh, that", I replied, "because clearly my lady brain can't handle his complex instructions".

This particular instructor even looks similar to this manly man from a scene in Orange is the New Black:

Except in addition to regularly ignoring us women-folk, he often seems a bit spacey. Recently, one of my fellow lady-brained coworkers noticed him intentionally stealing pens from us. Weird, especially given that our pens are nothing special.

Maybe he thinks it's fine unless someone sees him stealing pens? And women don't count?

So I chalk his behavior up to him being a little "out of touch", or him losing his mind, and not worth the angst.

He teaches biology. Hmmm.

storm before the calm

I worked the Saturday shift with Party Girl yesterday. She confirmed, as I expected, that she is also hoping big for Boss's promotion. In fact, she didn't mince her words when the subject came up, stating, "Oh, he needs to get the F*CK outta here", then told me how he held her captive talking about stock car racing while she was trying to "actually get some work done" on Friday.

Boss has been a life long bachelor for all of his 62 years until just a few months ago when he moved in with his "girlfriend" of about 2 and a half years. We consider his living alone for so long to be the main reason behind his long-winded, self-centered monologues. Or is it vice versa?

Wouldn't it be funny if he got the promotion, but kept his current office? Ha! NO!

Either way, girlfriend must be a glutton for punishment or otherwise made differently than the rest of us. 

Anyway, another good week down. I finished up with all my college tutoring for fall semester as students are in the throes of final exams now. Tomorrow is sure to be a zoo in the testing center as it's the last day of finals. The storm before the calm.

I'm not at all on the ball with Christmas prep, but no biggie since we don't make a big deal about it in our household. Still, I like having something for each of the kids to open. And I might finally get some lights hung later today. Neighbors keep putting us to shame.

This reminds me that it's once again time for the box of diabetes to arrive from Magnum's dad's wife. I've mentioned here before how most of it ends up at work breakrooms and/or the trash since I don't know of a good way to get her to stop sending the mountain of store-bought sugar shock each year. It just seems so wasteful.

Maybe she'll forget this year? 

porridge

I have a vague memory from when I was around 3 years old. I was at home with my mom, and she bundled me up and let me go out in the backyard by myself. By myself! I don't think I'd ever really been by myself outside ever before. 

The backyard seemed YUGE, a vast expanse! It was covered in freshly fallen snow. 

And maybe my mom was out there with me, but in my memory, I was alone in that "wilderness", quite mesmerized by the sensation of waddling through the snow. I remember how it felt to move through it in my boots, and the swishy sounds it made, and how comfy I felt in all my bundlage.

This was snow. How enchanting.

Honestly, I'm not a great fan of snow. I don't even ski. I KNOW, I live in COLORADO! So I've skied, but it's not something I'm passionate about, and it's gotten so expensive anyway. And the crowds. I guess I equate my snow bliss with being away from crowds and bustle. 

So this morning, when I stepped outside and was met with surprise snow ("this was NOT in the forecast"), I took it as a gift? Maybe?

Yes. 

What a beautiful morning - not given justice with my cell phone pics and lacking photography skills.

I came across a few others out there - walking dogs or out alone, a few bicycle commuters slowly doing their thing - no one complaining. 

Eventually, I had to turn around and head back home, but I kind of didn't want to. Hypothermia, though... not good.

Sometimes we get just a little bit of snow that only functions to create mud to be tracked into the house.  Other times, we get dumped on, and it makes a mess, creates crap conditions for getting anywhere, and long overstays its welcome.

But once in a while, we get these Goldilocks snows. So my day started out just right. 

playing catch up

Hello, December!

Another busy week down. Finals begin this week at the college. High anxiety time. These days, there are all these stressbusters in place: puppies, free treats, free yoga, etc. Sheesh, when I was in college, we tempered stress by studying and abusing substances on our own dime.

In other work related news, my boss is up for a promotion.  Similar role, but bigger crown. I hope he gets the job because (1) I think he'd be highly effective at it, and (2) if selected, his office would be at another campus.

I would still work for him, and as I've said here before - I like working FOR my boss, but I don't necessarily like working WITH him a lot of the time. He talks SO much about himself and his special interests (which aren't very interesting). So if he is the chosen one, it's the best of both worlds for me, and his maybe-promotion is all about me.

The selection process will take a while, but I'm over here rooting for him. He actually asked me to go over his cover letter and tighten it up a bit. You know I did my best!

The weekend was good. I had a PEO meeting on Saturday and then another Tortoise and Hare race on Sunday. This one was a 6k, so about 3.7 miles. 

The nature of these T&H races is such that "the fastest person doesn't always win". In fact, the fastest person rarely wins.

Likely winners are those who improve over their previous race. Last year, the one who took the grand prize at the end of the season was a 7-year-old kid.

But it's still a race, so naturally, everyone wants to know who's the fastest. Sorting the results always pulls up the same bunch.

Always those whipper snapper high school cross country kids. Oh, to be young again.

do you tell 'em?

Do you speak of it? Disclose? Open that can of worms?

Magnum and I were talking about "icebreaker" situations - like the opening of a workshop or a class - where everyone is prompted to "tell us one/ some of your hobbies".  Or maybe it's just while sitting in the chair at the salon, meeting new coworkers, etc.

I always feel kind of "uh boy" in those situations. Around here, there's a lot of outdoorsy stuff: hiking, skiing, biking, etc. and that's fine, but what about the non-physical-exertion stuff? 

Do you tell people that you have a blog? That you like to blog and read other blogs?

For me, oh heck no.

Thinking of what I've heard from others, aside from the outdoorsy stuff, there's gardening (yes, I know that's typically outdoors), maybe scrapbooking, knitting, reading (vague), gaming (not big with the crowd I'm usually asked to share with, other than maybe Candy Crush, whatever the hell that is...)

I don't recall anyone ever mentioning blogging or even journaling. Yet here we are.

Fact is, I feel kind of strange about mentioning that I have a blog to a real-life person. Maybe it's because I don't want to deal with the potential follow-up questions. Or I just don't want real-life acquaintances coming to visit!

Anyhoo, last week, Linda Sue asked, "From where do you blog?", so here goes.

When we first looked at this house as a potential rental, this room was unfinished - cold, neglected, with a naked cement floor - in the lower corner of the garden-level.  By the time we moved in, the landlords had, most likely, DIYed it into what could be counted as a bedroom. We rented, then eventually ended up buying the house.

The room has a small closet, decent enough carpeting, and an acoustic tile ceiling - minus one light panel that the cat took out, but that's another story.

Not really a she-shed, but most certainly not a man cave. It's more of a "She-Cave". My she-cave.

I hung some shelves, a corkboard, and a whiteboard and moved on in. The drawing table is only there when inktobering or similar, but I include it here for the photo shoot.

The room is rather small, and I'm currently unable to close the closet doors because of the closet's use for meaningful storage, but it's cozy enough and I like having the big window: overcast skies, snow falling.

That's it. My office. My studio. My she cave. 

Don't tell.

for the moment

And so... the holiday week comes to a close. We woke to grey skies and a fresh dusting of wet snow/slush. Maybe Mother Nature herself is reluctant to rush back to the rat race.

It makes for nice running weather, though, and I enjoyed a quiet morning slog along the creek once again. I thought I'd give some blog homage to the ducks since the geese typically hog the glory, but this pair didn't seem too willing.

A nice week it was, what with Thanksgiving and all. Sadly, Meego missed the festivities here as he is dealing with the annoying-virus-but-not-COVID that is currently worming its way through the community. He decided to keep his contagion to himself, while we four remainders did our thing.

Additionally, Magnum and I had birthdays this week. No fanfare to be had, just acknowledgement that we each survived yet another year.

Speaking of aging, race results eventually came in for that Thanksgiving day run. I learned that the mayor is the same age as me, and we both made decent showings for our old lady age division. Until next year, Mrs. Mayor!

And speaking of birthdays, I must give a shout out to my friend and PEO sis, Maxine, who turned 101 this week! Still going strong! She's been on the earth a long time and has seen some stuff!


Her family appropriately threw a 101 Dalmatians birthday party for her, but know that she is no Cruella!

Personally, I have no real desire to live to be 101. What year is appropriate for Hello Kitty?

I took on the mayor... and won

Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow American revelers.  Happy Thursday, everybody else. I'm thankful to not wake up to news of another mass shooting event - knock on wood.

All the sons are planning to come over later, I've got a large breast... simmering in the slow cooker, and I will eventually get to work on my candied sweet potatoes. I pretty much wear all the toques in this kitchen's French brigade, so expectations are not too high. But there will be food for which to give thanks.

This morning, I ran in the local Thanksgiving Day Run - 4 miles of fun near downtown. 

It was a lovely morning for it: temps in upper 30's, slightly overcast, kinda breezy. The snow and ice from last week's storm is mostly all gone, so that was nice. Race results aren't yet available, and I wasn't really "racing" this year, just there to be part of the pack. It was a good fun time.

And a pack it was. We were shoulder to shoulder for the entire first mile it seemed, then the elbow room slowly opened up. I know my pace was pretty slow for those first couple miles of running like one sheep among many, but I managed to pick off a few contenders for the second half.

I'd been running with a content group during a good portion of the back stretch. A woman to my left was running with a guy and acknowledging a few spectators here and there. I don't really know any well-known runners or well-known people in general since we moved here at the onset of the pandemic. But she seemed to be someone people might know.

At one point, we went by a group of people cheering on the side of the road for us random strangers, and the guy running with "Miss Popularity" pointed to her and said, "she's the mayor!"

I glanced over at the woman, decked out in running clothes, a bright fleece beanie, and sunglasses (coulda been anyone). I don't know much about our mayor, but I at least know her name and have seen her picture on some propaganda promoting our bicycle friendly city - her happily commuting via bicycle.

"Oh, so I've been running with the mayor", I pondered to myself. 

Then I sped up. It's likely the only time I will choose to take on the mayor - singlehandedly at least - and win.

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Linking up this week with Mama Kat for the prompt:

1. Happy Thanksgiving! How will you be spending your holiday?

bright outside

It seems like, around here, we're often, "geez, we need some snow", then when it happens, we're, "Ugh, snow".

We got our first appreciable snow of the season this week. It mucked up the roads and caused early closures and delays, but was only a few inches. It's that first snow when everyone has to remember what to do.

My goose friends are still hanging around. I dodged ice patches during a run on the pathway this morning, and found this gang having a morning gossip sesh.

I'm thankful for the sunshine and warmer temperatures forecast to melt some of the ice leftovers. I walked to work on Thursday and Friday because I don't like riding my bicycle on snow and ice and road vomit. The walk is under two miles, but SO slow. It teaches me patience, not one of my virtues.

I'm looking forward to a mellow, short workweek. The students have the week off, certain services, including us in testing, are open through Wednesday. I appreciate people and services that are open through holiday "breaks". My previous job at the nursing home helps me appreciate not being on a holiday schedule rotation. 

Stay warm!

getting closure

Nice to be sitting here at the end of a busy week. Lots of activity at work with it being the week before Thanksgiving, PLUS a lot of people are out sick. Not COVID, but there seems to be a heavy cold thing going around. Lots of people fighting the snot wars.

I feel kind of bad for these college students, having forgotten what that's like. Miss a couple of classes, and too bad, the work moves on without you. 

I was tutoring yesterday, and another student whom I don't formally tutor, but have helped out a few times, tried to "crash" the session my student, "Ren", and I were having. I know Ren, didn't want the other guy, "Joe", to join, and we managed to fend him off, but I felt kind of bad.

Joe explained that his tutor, Kay, has been out sick for two weeks. TWO weeks! I wondered why I hadn't seen Kay in a while.

My coworkers in the testing center have been in and out with illness too, and we don't have much back fill. So I worked a few extra hours last week to cover. On Thursday, I was working my usual scheduled shift as we  were getting our first decent snowstorm of the season. An announcement came over the PA that campus was closing early because of the weather.

So we all got to go home early, but what a pain, having to end certification exams that people had prepared and paid for. They'll be able to reschedule, but I know they were thinking they'd have them out of the way and be able to relax for Thanksgiving.

Think again.

But hey, at least we're not Buffalo, NY! Eek, whatta mess. 

Stay warm and safe!

plumage

Another week deeper into Fall. I think I've raked my last pile of leaves. I hope.

I came across this photo from last week's Tortoise and Hare 5k - at the start line with my (#728) wave mates. I didn't remember that young girl in the group - maybe because she's not much shorter than me, and maybe because I was blinded by fluorescent tights guy.

But, speaking of running tights and the color "plum", by George, I'd say plum is the color of my running tights here. They're neither grey nor purple, so "plum" it is, just like the cat! So glad to have come to that conclusion. Finally.

Okay, enough excitement. This week featured some adjustment to the time change. Coming home at 5pm is dark now. I have front and rear lights on my bicycle, but their main function is to allow others to see me. They don't work so great as to helping me see where I'm going. For that, I use a headlight - like a coal miner. 

Who knew I'd need one for 5pm? Not me. Not LAST week anyway. 

I know now.

take your time

"Whew! I made it just in time!", she breathily declared

"There was never a doubt in my mind", I sleepily replied. But in all honesty, since about 3 minutes prior, I was kinda wondering.

I was scheduled to work this morning. We all have pretty regular Monday through Friday schedules, and Boss rotates us on Saturdays, when only two people work. As a testing center, we must have at least two people in place or we can't operate. It's never been an issue for as long as I've been there until recently.

Phi, my coworker this morning, has been showing up late with concerning frequency. Like two to two-and-a-half hours late. Our part-time shifts are typically 5 hours, so showing up over two hours late is quite noticeable.

She'd told boss that she wanted to work every Saturday in addition to her couple of weekly shifts, and that was fine until she got the case of the latelies. Push came to shove, and Boss told her no more Saturdays, we can't risk not being able to open. Today would be her last Saturday, and if that were to go belly up, her employment status would be on thin ice.

I like Phi. She has a full-time 2nd shift job, plus she teaches one class at the college. She's a newish addition to our team, and to me, she seems very responsible. The late shows seem out of character, but there they are. Plenty of them. She's told me she "likes to keep busy", hence her asking for every Saturday.

Anyway, I was happy she showed up (we had a plan B in place in case she didn't). I like her and I enjoy working with her. We had a rip roaring Saturday of invigilating. I really hope she keeps her act clean, and maybe she'll get some, if not all, Saturdays back.

Some other coworkers don't like Saturday duty - treat it like a school kid having to show up for punishing "Saturday School". They were happy when Phi asked for all of them, spreading out the rotation for the rest of us. 

I don't mind working Saturdays. First, it's a short shift - we're only open 4 hours, and I don't tutor on Saturdays. Second, campus is quiet, the morning commute is nearly traffic-free, the phone hardly rings, the work is steady but not overwhelming. Since I don't have kids' events to attend on Saturdays any more, and I don't have a habit of partying hard on Fridays, what's not to like?

So Phi lives to work another day.

Meanwhile, speaking of my life in the slow lane, how is it that cats know just where to quietly sit to be most intrusive?

All, "I'm just quietly sitting, what's the problem?"

Napolion, recently working on some "Catculus". 

saving time

Happy November on standard time. I don't know anyone who likes the twice-a-year ritual of changing our clocks ahead or back an hour, but here we are still doing it. I'm more of a morning person, so if I were to choose a preference, I guess I'd go with standard time, but really, I'd be happy to just pick ONE and done.

I did another one of those Tortoise and Hare races this morning - this one a 5k. It was well attended under overcast skies and about 40 degrees F.  Results aren't in yet, so I don't have a final count on attendees, but it was probably the most crowded of these races I've done yet. Granted, I started doing them in 2020, somewhat socially distanced, so it's good to see the numbers continuing to increase.

As far as my performance, I felt pretty good about it. My big push to the finish was a bit hampered by the crowd - the nature of these Tortoise and Hares is that the pack gets thicker closer to the finish - so it was more of a big bob and weave, but much fun was had and that's the point. 

We watched a couple of movies this weekend. Firstly, Athena was an engrossing film, loaded with symbolism and complex cinematography. Thinking back on it now, I don't remember any "slow" parts with any sort of breather. That said, it's also very gritty, violent, and edgy and is not one I would recommend for the masses. It's French with English subtitles, and it was challenging to follow the dialogue while also taking in all the visuals. The ending left us with more questions than answers, and I'm sure if we watched it again, we'd see things we missed the first go around.

Nextly, we watched The Way Way Back which was certainly on the lighter side from Athena, but it had its share of emotion as well. It's about an awkward 14-year-old kid who spends the summer at a beachhouse with his mom, her jerk boyfriend, jerk boyfriend's daughter, and the somewhat lacking-in-morals adult friends of jerk boyfriend. 

It was cute, predictable, had its comedic moments, and I liked it well enough. Steve Carrell plays the jerk boyfriend, and it was interesting to see him as a non-humorous asshole for a change.

I've taken on a couple more tutees, and a common theme is how lacking in skills a lot of these kids are. I call them "lost children of the pandemic". 2020 and 2021 were not good years to be in high school. Ooch.

big minions, teeny hulks, and a chicken in every pot

We had our best Halloween yet since moving here. Our first was Halloween 2020, which was a bust for reasons we shall not speak. Last year was cold and wet and brought two or three groups of diehard trick-or-treaters. 

This year was a pleasant evening. I lost count of the moochers, and we nearly ran out of candy. I mainly recall two very large Minions and a teeny tiny Hulk.

Speaking of junk and food, two or three weeks ago, I decided to put a concentrated effort into eating more protein. I'd read on another blog that people need more protein as they age, so I ran with that since all blogs are pure fact. I did eventually google a bit and learn:

"Protein tissue accounts for 30% of whole-body protein turnover but that rate declines to 20% or less by age 70. The result of this phenomenon is that older adults require more protein/kilogram body weight than do younger adults" - SOURCE

Okay, I'm not 70, but I'm quite sure I'm on the other side of the peak.

But no food logs/ journals here or counting the macros - nothing quite so scientific. I just decided to up the protein - mainly in the form of eggs and chicken, maybe an occasional helping of pig (since I stopped eating cows years ago). This to supplement my usual sporadic dairy sources.

Now I'm sort of wishing I did geek out a bit and have some numbers to compare - some before and afters - because I am feeling different/ better.

Mainly, I feel I have more energy in general. Maybe a little faster on the morning slog/jogs, a little stronger on my gym game. I'm not ready to throw all my thanks on the chicken gods just yet however, because 

1. I decreased my caffeine intake at around the same time I upped the protein, so maybe I'm sleeping better?
2. We've had some recent overnight freezes that have adeptly been killing off the pesky allergens.
3. Perhaps the last vestiges of COVID crud I had last summer are finally leaving.
4. Or it's all just placebo affect.

When I worked in the dietary department at the nursing home, I scratched the surface of nutrition science. One of my coworkers was a (female) body builder attending grad school to become a registered dietician. 

Strange "sport", bodybuilding. Vee, the bodybuilder, would drink gobs of water everyday - maybe supplemented with something. Going in to a competition, she took in hardly any liquid and would become so dehydrated so as to maintain the "cut" look. It's not how you feel, it's how you look.

I'm about the feels.

gotta let it go

Coming off a string of dud movies here. I'm not even going to mention any titles, but we've watched four bad movies in a row, and I don't like to think about the ~8 hours of my life gone to them. Actually, I got in some good napping for a couple, so not all went to waste.

I did manage a couple of decent-to-me books this month, however. "Every Last Word" pretty sure is categorized YA, but it's a good story about a teenaged girl, tiring of the pressure to be popular, who links up with some "misfit" kids and their secret poetry sessions. The story featured a surprising twist I did NOT see coming. 

I also read "Stolen", a novel which shed some light and gave an interesting take on Stockholm syndrome. I can now totally see how that's a thing.

I'll also mention that I'm blogging from my shiny new laptop. My old desktop was crashing often, requiring much TLC. Like an old person, it would lose its train of thought and just freeze, staring off into space for long moments. 

Plus, I think I mentioned how I didn't like all the space the granny computer took up on my desk, so I chucked it all into storage a couple of weeks ago and had been managing with a chromebook. Best Buy had an "early black friday" sale this weekend, so I went in and got me a deal, according to the salesperson. So far, I like!

Another busy workweek as I definitely notice an increase in in-person enrollment over last year when we were still masked and requiring COVID vaccinations. Speaking of which, I have several ineffective cloth masks from the early days of the pandemic, and I'm sure I'm not alone. What to do with 'em?

And now, inktober 2022 is coming to an end. I managed to keep my head just above water this week with four more participatory inktobers. It's been fun. Maybe I'll pick up the prompts I didn't get to in upcoming weeks (pfffft, I say that every year...)

looney tunes and boogers

A week or so ago, I disassembled my desktop computer for more surface area at my desk. I've been using an old chromebook for most things and a laptop we usually keep upstairs. I like all the extra space, but I can't "move around" as efficiently with this old chromebook. First world problems.

Anyhoo, another busy week in the books. Midterms time at the college, so high anxiety and busyness there.  I'm very much enjoying tutoring for the college and glad I decided to throw myself into that ring. 

Fall continues to burst with color since we haven't had any real precipitation in a while. Here's young George doing his thing.

I can't tell if he's grown much since we brought him home from the nursery, but he seems to be doing okay, getting ready for bed.

Checked getting a flu shot of my to-do list this week, so we'll see what happens. Another October activity

And speaking of October activity, inktober continues, and I managed a few more prompts. Part of the motivation to clear off my desk was to have more space for doing this nerdy inktober challenge.

We're in the homestretch now. I've had fun seeing what others come up with for the prompts. Then we will likely all, like George, go quiet for several months

exactly as I fantasized

As I sit here, I'm calmed by the gentle tumbling noises made by my laundry. Or, more accurately, the gentle tumbling noises of the laundry made by our new washing machine.

Magnum and I went appliance shopping last weekend and picked out a sweet new addition. She was delivered and installed on Wednesday, and life is gooder. Our old washer came with the (previously a rental) house and was a typical Landlord Special. It made a lot of noise, but I'm not sure how much cleaning actually happened in there.

The new washer has a steam cleaning option, so we've named her "Steamy" - short for Steamy McSteamface.

In related excitement, we've ordered a new dishwasher (similar Landlord Special, currently). It's scheduled to be here by Halloween. Party time.

Fall coloring is in full bloom (anti bloom?) here. Young George is still green, but I snapped this pic while out for a lovely run near duck town on this crisp morning.

And speaking of Fall, inktober continues with no let up. I managed a few more submissions this week, but needed to skip a couple.

              

I think Wood Ducks are called Wood Ducks because they live in the woods? Or are they boarders?

Okay, nevermind. 

So that was the week that was. This week, I look forward to more inktobering, possible improvement to my work schedule, and a flu shot. Compelling plot, I know.

starting to finish

Greetings on this fine fall day! I'm very much enjoying the cooler temperatures. Leaves are just starting to change around here, and George, - remember George? - looks to be starting to join his colorful older neighborhood cousins. I'll update when he's ready.

This morning, I ran in the run club's first Tortoise and Hare race of the season. It was a short and sweet 4K (about 2.5 miles). Large turnout for the run, so much so, they broke us up into two separate routes. I expected to head east from the start, but was directed west instead. Welp, just point me in the right direction. I followed along and survived it.

While on the course, I noticed a couple of blind runners. They have volunteers who run with them and give gentle guidance. Seems like admirable work. I'd hate to mess up somehow in that job, though.

Speaking of changing routes, I decided to try a different bicycle commute to work this week. Omigosh, SO much better than my old route. I think I've whined here before about the congestion along my commute as it went through an elementary school zone followed by a middle school zone and all the drop-off line/ crossing guard guarding they involve. This along with the high schoolers going by in the opposite direction.

One morning this week, the voices in my head said, "go that other way, doofus!", so I did. Lovely lovely ride to be had away from all the school traffic, and it only adds a little under a mile to the commute. Not to mention, it avoids a couple of left turns off and on to busy roads, riding a busy road east into the morning sun... What was I thinking before?

This was an otherwise pretty busy week with, again, training new hires at work and pulling some extra hours for such, hence my lack of blog presence. Plus, I've been doing inktobers, and surprisingly have yet to miss a day. Here are this week's submissions:

I can feel my streak about to end, however. But I'll keep inking along in my instagram until the end and see how many I get done by Halloween. No pressure!

crack me open so I feel the air inside me

Happy October, typically one of my favorite  months - not too hot, not too cold, not too dark, not too bright. It's the Goldilocks of months for me.

Yesterday, we went downtown to witness  our first Tour de Corgi. So many Corgis! 

We watched the cute,  slow, waddling parade, then checked out a few of the booths in attendance. 

It was a lovely day for the nice wholesome event that included a costume contest as well as the parade.

October also is the month of the inktober challenge, remember? Thirty-one days, thirty-one drawings? We're two days in, and my head is still above water.

This is good for me, I haven't touched my art toys in a long time. I literally had to dust everything off. 

Speaking of misfit endeavors, we watched the movie Dinner in America. What a hoot!

It started out feeling like a goofy, quirky, misfit movie, which it is. And it could've totally bombed. It's aggressive and edgy and there are lots and lots of f-bombs. But it has a rather deep - dare I say "sweet and meaningful"? - core to it. It's not for everyone, but I loved it.

waiting through the bad hurt

 "I was so confused. I didn't know what to do!"

Tuesday, I worked with one of the new-hires. I'll call her The Writer. It was her second day of training, and I liked her right away. She's an English instructor for her "real" job at the college. She asked me what she should be working on, so I asked if she had her training checklist from Boss, and I would get her going.

"I... don't know", she replied. "I worked with him last night, but he spent the whole time talking about his time in Mexico.  I was so confused..."

*Oh for chrissake*

"I'm so sorry. Yeah, he does that...", I sympathized. Oh, the poor woman.

Some readers might recall that, when I first took this job, I had a similar experience with Boss in regard to hockey. He droned on and on about hockey. 

I was so confused. I didn't know what to do!

I don't know why he does this. I honestly think it's possible that he has some sort of condition. He'll get rolling on some monologue and can't stop, and Boss's favorite subject is himself. I've since learned to anticipate it, see when it's about to happen, and cut him off at the knees, but it's not always easy or altogether avoidable.

It's understandably difficult for new hires because (1) it's so freaking weird and uncomfortable, but (2) it's the boss.

Thankfully, Boss was busy doing boss things on Tuesday, and we got some actual training and decent two-sided conversation in. 

"Oh, this is so much better!", The Writer exhaled.

I know some people don't like their bosses for a variety of reasons. Except for this issue, I mostly like mine - he's considerate and flexible with scheduling, very personable and approachable, treats us fairly, and he's good at running a test center.  Many test centers didn't survive the pandemic. 

In short, I like working FOR him. I don't like working WITH him.

I've worked there a little over one year, and four people have come on board and left within that time (if we count recently quitting what's her face, which I think we should in this case). I wouldn't be surprised if  Boss's ramblings were a key factor in the exodus. 

Of those of us who remain, I think Assistant Boss has learned to block it out, Party Girl - well, she drinks. A lot - and I've learned to stop it before it really gets going. I think Sangria uses a combo of stopping it and blocking it out. Now we've got two newly hired part-timers who also teach on campus. Fingers crossed for them both.

I wouldn't say I love this job, but here are some likes:

• I like helping college students with their educational goals
• I like helping professionals get their licenses and certifications
• I like my work schedule, it's probably one of the better paying part-time jobs I can easily tolerate
• I like my short commute
• I like my coworkers and the instructors and tutors I've gotten to know
• I like the steady paycheck and 401k, which I don't get as a contract tutor
• I like the tidy, attractive campus

Gonna focus on the positive.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Linking up this week with Mama Kat for the prompt:
5. List 7 Reasons why you love your job.

we know you love a party

This was another good week as we head to the end of September already. Dogs outnumbered us as we "boarded" Chaco's dog, Ella, while Chaco traveled for work. He's acknowledging that he needs to find a place to board her when he travels, but she's particular about where she'll hang out and with whom.

In the meantime, we're glad to help out, and the dogs have a good time together, but three energetic dogs don't come without exertion. Plus, the cat is not a fan, but he gets in his "free range" time when the dogs are outside. We have a kennel for them in the backyard. Ella stands on the dog houses and sends subliminal messages to be let out to run around or back into the house.

Let me oooooooouuuuuuuuttttttttt

Things at work are looking up. Boss put the word out about our staffing shortage since whats-her-face quit without notice right after being hired. He got a good response from a few part-time instructors looking for more hours and hired two of them. I met one of them last week, and another will start tomorrow. We also got a new work study student on board. In hindsight, we all think we dodged a bullet when whats-her-face left. She looked good on paper and interviewed well enough, but seemed a bit "off", for lack of a better term. 

Coworker Party Girl is doing a "dry September". I honestly think she's a functioning alcoholic. Her husband, Mr. Party Girl, probably is too. Her doctor has told her to cut back (drastically), but you know it's bad when even her drinking buddies tell her she drinks too much. 

She and husband accomplished Dry January of this year, but she was miserable despite having one (pre-planned) drinking weekend. I'm not sure what prompted Dry September. She did confess that she and the Mr. agreed to do it together, but would allow drinks on Fridays to make it more bearable than January was. 

It must be tough being a slave to a substance.

*slurps coffee*

where'd she go?

Happy Autumnal Equinox. We're having a fitting day of grey, damp, and drizzly.

We're running a bit lean at work these days. Coworker Kat left a couple of weeks ago. She'd wanted to work from home, and got a job as a crisis hotline counselor. I think it's a good fit for her as she has some experience in that area, and it's more along her interests. Kat could be daunting on first impression - over 6 ft. tall and big boned. But she has a most calming "aura" - a nice feature at a testing center.

I worked on Tuesday, and our last tester of the day started crying when I told her her time was up. 

She hastily gathered her test papers and materials and I could hear the snot forming, and thought, "here we go". 

I mean, it was a biology test...

Eesh. We get the criers sometimes, and I always feel a bit awkward. 

I was working with Assistant Boss, and we discussed how we're never quite sure how to handle the criers. 

He and I had one a few weeks ago that was so bad, we passed the buck to one of the mental health counselors down the hall. 

Poor girl just put her head down on the desk and bawled. 

I mean, it was a calculus test...

Okay, enough of the Dad Joke Puns.

Kat had given ample notice, and Boss hired a replacement who'd begun training with us. Then *BAM*, Boss got an email on Monday, "...not a good fit...blah blah blah...". That's it, she's gone, us left in the lurch. No notice, nothing.

So it was a bit of a shock, coming from a mature "professional". I honestly didn't get a chance to know her very well - only worked a few hours with her. However, Boss put the job posting up again and also put the word out around campus. Looks like a couple of part-time instructors will pick up extra hours with us. 

Fingers crossed, problem solved.