Happy Friday, folks. It’s relatively happy for me, as I’m looking at a short work day (thanks to having had to stay a few hours late earlier this week for an absolutely draining annual audit review meeting) heading into a four day weekend (Happy Independence Day! Happy Canada Day!) . Plus, I get to spend part of that weekend playing music with my friends, which is always welcome.

I’ve actually gotten to see my family a bit this week as well, as we’re in the idle week between recital and summer session classes at the dance school (the recital, if I haven’t mentioned it, went really well), which is nice. Work has actually been pretty productive this week (aside from the aforementioned audit review meeting), with me finishing another professional training certification course, knocking out some significant work products, and feeling, for the moment, anyway, like I might actually be halfway okay at this whole program management thing.

I’m also, as of last night, 50 miles into my goal of riding 60 miles this week, and I’m prepared to blow past that milestone this afternoon after work. Weight has been pendulum swinging on a not quite a pound long string anchored at 241 (just go with the image, okay) for the last week, which is alternatingly encouraging and frustrating. I really need to get off this plateau, and I think if I hit the trail hard tonight, I can do it.

The emotional boost I’ll get from seeing the tens digit go down by one (even if it’s only to 239.9) looks like it’ll be formidable, and I really, really need that hit. Badly.

Anyway, that’s the news from Lake Woebegone for now. Enjoy some music. Very 80s new wave/pop influenced this week, even with the thirty percent viking metal:

1. “Making Art” – JD Samson & MEN
2. “Havamal” – Falkenbach
3. “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” – Eurythmics
4. “Blut Und Feuer” – Varg
5. “Champagne Supernova” – Oasis
6. “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” – Simple Minds
7. “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” – The Police
8. “Pumped Up Kicks” – Foster The People
9. “Sound and Vision” – David Bowie
10. “Nehalennia”- Heidevolk
11. “You Make My Dreams” – Daryl Hall & John Oates