As has been mentioned previously, I was not a guest at Marscon this year, though attended with my family as a civilian. This convention, what I consider my “home” convention for various reasons, had gone through some changes heading into this year, in terms of management and venue, and I wasn’t entirely sure what to […]

…and we’re back. I never managed to put up anything like my traditional year-end wrap up post, but honestly, I’m not that worried. It’s more work than it’s worth most of the time. I put almost 2200 miles on my bike tires and/or boot soles, which isn’t bad, and I think I’m a net five […]

Today, with any luck, is my last work day of the year 2022. I say “with any luck,” because the last couple of months have been awfully crazy and given where I am in the organization (basically management’s back-up brain and copy editor these days), I can’t rule out the odd phone call about where […]

Another week, another series of December surprises, office drama, one or two little wins, and for whatever reason, not a lot of sleep. But, it’s almost over. I’ve got the balance of my forty on Friday, a weekend with very little planned, and a handful of days left to work for the year before I […]

The last couple of weeks have been rough on me, and given the time of year, the next few will maintain that pattern. That’s just the reality of the holiday season for me, and I cope the best I’m able. Part of that coping is finding and embracing pleasures where I find them. Yesterday after […]

I haven’t heard this song in more than 35 years, but when my friend Chris mentioned it on social media and I saw said mention this morning, I heard it all before clicking play. You did too; admit it. Got some stuff done this weekend. Took off early on Friday and hit IKEA for present […]

So, I thought last night’s show went pretty well. I thought I sounded pretty good; sold few CDs and pulled in some tips in addition to my fee, and, probably most important to the venue, brought in some friends who ordered lots of food and beverages. The staff (who I generally get along with anyway) […]

For those keeping track of my crashing mental state, Tuesday was…better. Sure, I worked eleven hours, thanks to annual ethics training, some interesting contract communication issues, and everybody trying to squeeze a whole week into two and a half days’ worth of desk time, but I got a ton done, had a nice sunset walk […]

This weekend was something of a struggle; I know you all know this – if you’ve been reading, you’ve been watching my downfall in real-time. Friday’s work wasn’t terrible, though I was just kind of numb. They dropped one of those Friday bombshells in the morning; a new agency manual for my corner of the […]

The feelings inherent in yesterday’s post persisted throughout the day, though at least a few of us got to laugh a bit during the last meeting of a busy ten hour day; sure at least some of it waslaugh(ing) to keep from crying, but it was still laughing, which I guess is, if not a […]