Setting goals is fine and I know we've got a lot of achiever beavers here, but I'm here to say modest and mediocre activity is way better than nothing.

This year, in addition to my regular goals WRT writing, exercise, eating, etc., I made an overall resolution that I always start over again--that instead of thinking I might as well give up if I haven't written a word or gone for a run in a month, I get my notebook out that night and write a few sentences or lay out my exercise clothes to put on the next morning so there'll be no barrier to going to the park to run at lunch.

I also set tiny minimums. Even if I feel like the worst writer in the world working on the stupidest story in the solar system, I can write one sentence and count it as a day I've written. (And I plan to do just that as soon as I finish this post!) If I take an empty seltzer can from my desk to the recycling bin, that's cleaning. Walking around the corner to the little green space and creek at the end of the block is working out AND getting out in nature.

I also set tiny minimums.

It's really a good strategy.

one of the reasons I had to go get a new dog so soon after Jetta died was that having a dog forces me out of the house twice per day.

And the Tornado (her new nickname, it's so appropriate) absolutely needs at least 45 minutes of walking a day. Preferably 3 hours. Which is one reason why Return to Office sucks so much: I used to be able to take her for a walk or even a run in the middle of the day. Now she's crated all day and I get home too exhausted after 9 hours of meetings and email to actually get a real workout in.

My agency finally got a verson of the Fork in the Road message today. For those of us over 40, we get until May 22nd to decide if we want to take it. Folks under 40 have until Monday at midnight. I really can't, not with the market crashing. But days like today, it's so fucking tempting.

I'm back home and have a bit of a cold, I think. I'm drinking coffee and trying to get the energy to go to the dog park. The animals are super happy to have us home, although Skinner may miss his buddy, who he camped with for a week.

I have boob re-squishage and US in a couple hours. They want to do the extra stuff because of a swollen lymph node, but I know that I have had them come and go countless times over the years, so I am not concerned. I would skip the follow-up, but I'm trying to be all responsible and stuff. It's almost gone already.

Suela that really sucks. I’m so gutted for what’s happening to people like you and so many others who have been doing such great work on all our behalf.

Angry nihilists are no basis for a form of government. What happened to the tarts in ponds? Can we give that a shot?

Angry nihilists are no basis for a form of government. What happened to the tarts in ponds? Can we give that a shot?

#MoistenedBint2028

I have been putting off a haircut for months with the move and post-move drama, and I desperately need it to be short enough so it doesn't constantly tangle.

I am super overdue for a haircut and color. Mostly because I need to find a stylist I really like since my beloved former stylist retired. My therapist has curly hair, and I have therapy today, so I need to ask her who she recommends. That seems like a good place to start.

Okay, super tasty, high-protein, high-fiber lunch that's low on the starchy carbs: (1) large can of chicken, (2) can of diced tomatoes, (3) can of pinto beans, (4) tiny can of corn. Mix in bowl. Season how you like. Makes at least 4 servings by itself (or 3 if you're starving). Or you could throw it on some rice or a salad or whatever. So fucking good.

Ordered more grippy socks for Pilates

I read this as more grippy socks for Pleiades, so that's how my day is going.

I want to get my hair cut to just above my bra band. Various meds are combining to make me shed a lot, and shorter hair seems like the way to go.

I had a complete meltdown last night, because I've got a big work presentation on my plate, and the Brain Raccoons tried to convince me that my boss is looking at this as the thing that will tip me from a review of Achieves to one of Development Needed. Nothing my boss has said implies that, but my hind mind won't be convinced.

And the rotten cherry on the top of this: last night's meltdown triggered a migraine today, and I really need my brain for work.