As the title of this post suggests, we’re smack in the middle of that stretch of springtime with a total dearth of federal holidays; this year with 96 days between Washington’s Birthday (observed) and Memorial Day. In public service, one can usually count on a long weekend or some such break every six weeks or so, but not so at this point in the year. It’s always kind of a drag on the psyche in the best of years, and as we’re all aware, this year is pretty much the exact opposite of that.

I’ve also not taken much personal leave these last few months, given the current uncertainties, as a strategic measure, given the fact that should my current employ not be continued due to whatever, annual leave would pay out in a lump sum, which would end up being a not-insignificant amount after tax; two or three paychecks, which could make a hell of a difference under those circumstances.

So, it’s been a slog, and there aren’t enough hours in a weekend to allow for regular decompression, especially right now.

Even so, his weekend was actually pretty decent. I got a bunch of things accomplished – groceries, grass mowing, wrapping up at least one of those automotive tasks I alluded to previously. I also spent an enjoyable evening on Saturday with friends at a quite exciting Richmond Kickers match, got a few more episodes of Ted Lasso in, took a nice long bike ride and found my endurance hasn’t regressed as much as I’d expected, and had great fun in my not-quite-monthly old-folks Dungeons and Dragons game, this time involving giant fireballs and very high deception and performance roles in support of convincing cultists we were feudal OSHA inspectors.

It was also blessedly free of doom-scrolling the headlines and social media, which I’ve been trying to limit any consumption of anyway, and occasionally succeeding.  Of course, I woke up to more shenanigans and the Pentagon and The Pope talking to JD Vance then promptly setting off to his heavenly reward.

I feel ya, Frank.

That said, productive as it was, it still dodn’t quite provide tge respite required. So, here’s to hoping for a non-eventful work week for all within viewing distance of this wall-o-text; especially me, as I’ll be busy this coming weekend doing my alleged rock star thing at Ravencon (more on that later this week), and I need the rest.