And for the trifecta: I called my work EAP today! And they were essentially unhelpful, but I explored! And in the process, realized I might want a therapist closer to my office than my house, for getting-there-after-work purposes. I just don't see doing therapy at any other time.

One-star reviews of national parks:

Ahahahaha these are amazing! One of them begins with an actual non-ironic "Thanks, Obama"!! But I think my favorite is the person who went to Haleakala to see the sunrise and gave it one star because it was cloudy that morning.

I called my work EAP today! And they were essentially unhelpful, but I explored!

Oh, geez, that's disappointing. But you did it! That's progress, itself.

I had a little crying jag on the phone with my boss this afternoon. Apparently that was enough to make her realize I really do need help, which I finally got. I am also, at her suggestion, taking the next three days off as sick days to "go visit my sister". But! hey, I can take my laptop with me! because there's still X and Y to do! and so I still will be working on my mental-health break from work.

I think my boss has been working here so long she's forgotten what it means to go away from work. It's like Stockholm Syndrome almost.

One of my lifeguards spotted me at Druid last week; turns out he likes to swim outside a few days a week there in the summer too! He's also a daily swimmer.

Failed at calling roofer today. Partly too much going on, partly phone hate. I've scheduled it tomorrow. But the totally wrong shipment people finally got back to me and are shipping me new and I don't have to return the wrong stuff. See if any of my neighbors can use it.

It's like Stockholm Syndrome almost.

Sounds like it! Sheesh.

So, you need a break, take some time off, but keep working while you do it? Huh.

Sweden is fascinatingly weird! That's wonderful.

Also, FWIW, the EAP lady tried to help -- they just only have one person who is convenient to me, and I didn't like the looks of her. I think I might complain to HR, though.

Just suddenly discover your sister has moved to a place with no power and no cell service. And you've got to hike in. God, I've no patience for that sort of shit.

I've got the windows open. Predict I'll wake with gummy eyes, but the fresh air is nice.

I think we've driven the rats out from warrening on our property, but they're definitely still visiting. Might go full anti-Noriega on them and install motion detector lights down low and deploy a motion activated cat toy on a leash down there (seriously, I got one as a gag gift that terrifies the cats. Chirping, flashing, spinning yellow plastic rat. It's here somewhere. Irony would be delicious.)

I am caught up on my RSS feed!

t /inordinately proud of myself

Just suddenly discover your sister has moved to a place with no power and no cell service. And you've got to hike in. God, I've no patience for that sort of shit.

This confused me on first reading, but now that I have parsed it, yeah. Something along those lines.

Wow, Zen, that's ridiculous.

I am also having several special snowflakes this week--"oh, but that's so much work, do I REALLY HAVE TO?" Um, I'm asking you for it once every 8 weeks. And in the time it took you to write those several complainy emails, you could've easily faxed me the FOUR PAGES we're talking about. Jesus.