ANA Y3 D95

Round 2 of presentations went well. 121 people showed up for this one. That means over a two day spread, out of 407 people invitied, 291 showed. Apparently from my insiders, the response was overwhelmingly postive. I will take that. I was stressed all day about it. Once it was over it was like a huge weight lifted. It's a holiday weekend and I plan on enjoying it as much as I can.

ANA Y3 D94

Remember the client I was bitching about yesterday? Woo boy did he cause major problems yesterday. This is the client I am doing monthly presentations for. I did one yesterday at 8am and another scheduled for today at 2pm. Well he sent no less than three emails explicitly saying what he wanted covered this month and I was not to deviate from his list and I'd better cover everything. Well, I did. Halfway through my presentation to 172 people, he unmutes and tells me to stop talking about certain topics. Huh?? Firts off you completely just fucked my flow up by unmuting and just talking. Second, huh? Turns out the CIO was in the background chewing his ass out for having me cover things that they will not be buying any time soon because the CIO doesn't want to spend money OR show end users anything that could possibly cost them money in the future. Seriously? For example, I am no longer allowed to mention system requirements in my classes because then users go and want better hardware than the shit he has been buying for them. The whole thing turned into a fiasco and him trying to dump the blame on me, me standing up for myself saying um, fuck you, and then me having to rework my whole presentation for today to remove all of the offending pieces. The sad thing? The users LOVED my material. Major kudos were given to me, sent to them, etc. Everyone fucking loved it. The problem is every time I do something for these people it immediately shows how woefully unprepared they are to do anything. Of course this makes me the enemy of IT, but the savior of the people. Go figure.

Another day of being a dog parent. One week to be exact. So much crazy. Can't believe it's been a week already. We went on two walks, made pasta for dinner, stayed up until midnight, up at 3am, back up again for our 6am. So tired but it's so worth it when she snuggles with us.

Time to pay bills.

ANA Y3 D93

Some people just don't think about other people. Especially clients who see people like me as toys they can just use at their whim. Remember the client who wanted me to go overseas for them? Here's what they thought was reasonable:

• Take cheapest flight from here to Singapore, arrive on a Sunday
• Teach Mon and Tues in Singapore
• Fly to Germany on Wednesday
• Teach Thurs and Fri in Germany
• Fly home redeye Friday

Like excuse you? It's a 12 hour flight from Singapore to Germany not even counting the time difference. Are you nuts? I would be woefully unprepared to teach. I need at least one day in each country to get my bearings let alone be prepared to be functional. Plus I am NOT flying economy for 40 hours total. Kiss my ass. We figured it out and flight costs alone will be 20-30k. Nope. There is NO REASON for this to be onsite if it's only 2 days in each country. Ridiculous.

So yeah that was my day. Fighting that. Dealing with a hyper dog. Spending the afternoon and evening alone. So fucking tired of everything.

ANA Y3 D92

Weather was horrible all day yesterday. In the evening we were sure that power was going to go out. C's mom and sister were under tornado watch and a tree ended up falling on her mom's house. No damage luckily, but scary and now they have to have the tree removed. B ended up with branches coming down on their cars and almost getting hit by one. They did end up losing power. Us of course has to take the dog to the vet and go outside for walks in it. Fun times. We did take baby to her first vet appointment. She did great. Got her first set of vaccinations and we got to ask the vet a thousand questions. We do love her so. She of course loved the doggo. Said she was in great health, no issues, and is on the slightly larger side for her breed. We go back in 3 weeks for her second set then in December we will have her spayed and chipped. Then we will be good until Feb. Ah, the joy of parenting. 

I worked on stuff for tomorrow's presentation. I have a good presentation put together if I do say so myself. Very impressed with how it turned out. I feel like I could use this for other things. I didn't want to try and cook last night because of the weather so we had burgers delivered. Went to bed at 10, C at midnight, and we skipped the 3am based on the doctor's advice. Thank god. She told us to wake up and see if she was asleep. If so, go back to sleep ourselves. 

C closes again tonight. Joy. But the weather is a little better today and shouldn't be raining.

ANA Y3 D91

Same shit different day. No sleep. Puppy is life. So tired. 

Worked on stuff for upcoming presentations. Had client change what they want so have to redo today. Leftovers for dinner as C worked until 9:30. Went to bed at midnight. Awake at 3. Next potty break at 6am. Going to vet today. Get shots and all sorts of fun stuff.

ANA Y3 D90

A little less tired today. Because I have to work, I went to bed at 10, C stayed up to do midnight, then woke up for 3am. I will do 6am, then she will do 9am and noon. Then she is off to work and I will do 3, 6, and 9. Rinse and repeat. This should only last another week or two. Baby is very smart. Smarter than some humans I know. We took her on a ride yesterday where she had some car sickness, but we're learning. She goes to the vet tomorrow. She got to meet B and play with Pip. Good for her to get out and about. We were gone for a good portion of the day. We spent time outside when we got back and did more leash training. A tiring but satisfying experience is being had all around. My roast came out nice. Was very happy with dinner.

ANA Y3 D89

Long days and long nights. But I signed up for this. I didn't sign up for C being at work so much. Well, I guess I did.

I wished my friend a happy birthday yesterday but in case he missed the text - Happy Birthday.

Not a whole lot going on outside of puppy work.

ANA Y3 D88

We are cronching some breakfast behind me right now. Little chomping noises are so cute. She is such the baby. We are on day two and doing good. No issues, no problems. Little whining last night when we went to bed and turned out the lights. Repitition and follow through are key. We were looking for mama last night when C went to work, but she was okay with me. Those two have bonded like crazy. I love it. I worked during the day, ordered BBQ for dinner as C closed. Same thing tonight. Overall it wasn't a super exciting day and that's okay.

ANA Y3 D87

It has happened. We are parents. Pic at the bottom. We got up stupid early yesterday, got in the car at 3:10am and headed to PA. The drive was easy and straightforward. Since we left so early we didn't hit any traffic at all. We got near our destination, a farm in the middle of rural PA, about 7:45. We had agreed on 8am and we didn't want to get there early but we also didn't want to stop anywhere. Sadly, the area we were in was full of political signs that caused our anxiety to go through the roof. We found a parking lot we could basically hide in for a few minutes. We arrived at the farm a little after 8 and got to meet the litter. All three of the pups were almost identical and the same level of energy. We went with the one who was just a little bit bigger and fluffier. We also got to meet her mom and dad. I never thought I would have a purebred dog but here we are. The opportunity was just too good. It was as I suspected and Amish or Mennonite farm. Very nice people. They had a little general store, cows, chickens, etc. Was truly a working farm. Got everyone situated in the car and within the first 10 minutes she shit and puked. We're parents now clearly. We stopped at a local dollar general and loaded up on supplies. The next 4 hours were very long. We stopped periodically to let her out to pee and get used to being amongst people. We finally got home around 3pm and set in to get the house situated. We also have intituted a 3 hour pee schedule to get her trained. Yes, we have been up every 3 hours. I am about to do the 6am in a minute. Just until she is trained. She lived in a barn and never in a house. She is the perfect baby. I got her vet appointment lined up for next week to have a microchip impanted and to get her looked over. It's been a long 24 hours, but I am happy as fuck.

Here is the baby. Meet Sandy.

ANA Y3 D86

Up and ready to leave in an hour. Life may change once again for me in 4 hours. Let's see what happens.

Yesterday was pretty uneventful. We put gas in the car, we went to the pet store to buy basics, we went to the bank. We had indian for dinner. Went to bed at 7:45. I didn't fall asleep until 10, so I am functioning on about 3.5 hours of sleep. Wonderful.

ANA Y3 D85

Something may be on the horizon.We are going to PA tomorrow morning. We found some dogs we are interested in. It's a 4 hour drive but we may be adding to our family tomorrow. No details until we see what happens.

Spent the day working together with my boss on some stuff. Was a good working session. Made meatball subs for dinner. Watched some tv.

ANA Y3 D84

Was up too late again.Its because poor C didn't get home until almost 10pm. So by the time we got into bed it was nearly midnight. I spent the day doing admin stuff for work. Setting up students for an upcoming training class, answering emails. Work in on the horizon. Just need to make it until September. Had leftovers for dinner. Not much else going on.

I did have a doctor appointment yesterday. That's worth mentioning. I got my lab results back in the morning. Everything looked good. They managed to get me in at 4:15 yesterday afternoon. We talked about all my numbers and we're upping my progesterone but otherwise, no changes. I may be fat, but I am healthy at least.

ANA Y3 D83

Boring day. Got C off to work at 5:45 and decided to go back to bed. Slept from 6:30 until 8. Made some french toast. Cleaned the house and waited for her to get off work. Made swordfish for dinner. That's about it. Not much else to report. Another week ahead of me.

ANA Y3 D82

We had a really fun day yesterday. Left the house around 8:30 and got to Frankemuth a little before 10. It started raining which did prove to be sucky later in the day, but we handled it as well as we could. We went to the bakery where we got some treats and bread. Then we went to the slipper store and I got my first real pair of Minnetonka slippers. They are SO comfy. Hopefully these will last me a long ass time. We then went to the outlet mall where we had a less than stellar experience. The outlets we went to kind of suck. Lot of white trash people and to be honest not that good of deals. The weather wasn't helping. It was raining but 80 and sticky and bleh. It was making stores uncomfortably hot and everyone just was cranky. We got out of there as quickly as possible. We then headed to our next destination where we had really good pizza. We hung out with one of C's friends for a while and headed home. We got home around 5pm and had grilled cheese. We just hung out the rest of the night and it was nice. No plans for today. Might actually go back to bed for a while.

ANA Y3 D81

I am awake and don't want to be. I  need a week where I can just sleep please. Is that so much to ask? Just sleep. Sigh.

Nothing exciting again. But we're getting out of the house today. Taking a little trip and I am looking forward to it. Bills are paid. Things are taken care of around the house. Let's get the hell out of here.

ANA Y3 D80

Hey I finally have something to actually write about! It wasn't just another night of the same old shit! Amazing!

We were sitting around at about 2:30 when I said to C, want to to do KPot tonight? Just a random, let's get the fuck out of this house and go do something. When we got there we also decided, hey want to go to an actual movie? The last time we went to a movie was Cocaine Bear. When was that? I can't even remember it's so long ago. Well, we did. When we got to the restaurant, I looked up movie times and bought tickets. We had an impromptu date night that was a blast. We had our dinner then went and saw Deadpool + Wolverine. What a great movie! It was perfect! We got home around 10pm and went to bed but it was such a nice time out. A much needed time away from these desks and this house. The weather was wonderful, the theater wasn't too crowded, and the movie was awesome. Best random Thursday night out ever. 

Today nothing is planned other than therapy, bills, and meetings. Then tomorrow we go for a day trip to Frankenmuth. Looking forward to that as well.

ANA Y3 D79

We got some disappointing news yesterday. The concert we were supposed to go to Friday is cancelled. No explanation, no nothing. Just cancelled. Well that sucks.

More of the same shit yesterday. Nothing else to report. Still going on an adventure Saturday. Have that to look forward to at least.

ANA Y3 D78

Stayed up until almost 1:30am. Just wasn't sleepy. Or at least I didn't want to go to bed. But now I am paying for it. Some day I will be able to sleep like a normal person. But hey, I have been saying that for 15 years haven't I?

Same shit as expected. We had a fire outside, went on a walk. That was the highlight of the day.

ANA Y3 D77

I looked up where we're going on Friday to prepare and found something out. The venue where we're going is the historic Masonic Temple. They have an auditorium there where they normally do concerts, but they also have a chapel for weddings and events. Our concert is actually in the chapel! Very cool! It's a replica of Westminster Abbey and we're in the balcony. This is going to be very exciting!

Worked on some presentations yesterday, more reading. Nothing exciting. C worked a close so I was alone from 2-9:30. We watched some tv when she got home and that's about it. Honestly this is just a make it through kind of week.

ANA Y3 D76

Got up with C, went to the store, got things for dinner. Came back home and putzed around the house until she got home at 2:30. Went on a walk. Made salmon bowls for dinner and dessert skewers with melted chocolate. Watched some tv, played some games, went to bed.

This weekend will have some adventures. We have a concert on Friday, then on Saturday going out of town to drop off a guitar C built. Just need to make it through the week. That's all I do these days. I miss travel, I miss doing things. I miss a lot of stuff to be honest. I miss living in a town where there's stuff going on. I miss being able to walk without incident. Last night on our walk we were hassled by some guy in a loud car. I just want to walk safely and calmly. But no. Not here.

ANA Y3 D75

Awake. Don't want to be but I am. Tired of C working weekends at 6 fucking am. Need a break. Cleaned the house yesterday. Made steaks. Nothing planned for today.

ANA Y3 D74

Okay, I have to write this down first before I lose it:

In my dreams, I was at the Disneyland hotel with someone. I don't know who that person was, but they were friends with or hanging out with David Lynch. Lynch invited me back to this campus where he was doing some teaching to hang out. So I go with him where he's got this private room area and we're just talking. I tell him I need to use the restroom and when I look up, Jeff Goldblum is in the room with us too on a phone call. I exit back to the main campus area to find a restroom where there is some kerfuffle going on. Some 80s movie bad guy is dunking some other kid in a toilet. Yep. Like straight out of the plot of a bad 80s movie. On a balcony above us mostly obscured is some big fat man who looks like the protagonist in every said 80s movie. Explain that one. Oh and before I left the room, I told David when I get back I want to know how he got into fashion. Huh?? He answers me as I am walking away "hook and dodger". What the hell does that mean??

Welcome to my brain.

My back started acting up again last night and I made C switch chairs with me. Let's see if it makes a difference. One of my students/friends messaged me yesterday asking if I could tell our sales team to politely fuck off. She is not a decision maker but she is getting calls right and left from sales. She is in the middle of year end work, working until 9pm, and has no time to deal with their antics. Of course I told sales and marketing to leave her the fuck alone. Let's see the backlash on that one. 

Made chicken fajitas for dinner. Watched Evil. So close to being done with that show. I think we have five episodes left. Can't wait to see where this goes. They'd better wrap the story up in a way that makes sense. That's all I know.

Going to clean the house today and do some laundry. Whee! C works today and tomorrow which sucks ass. Next weekend we have a bunch of stuff going on including the Kristin Hayter concert. Next weekend will be fun. This weekend will be utilitarian. Oh well.

ANA Y3 D73

My back is doing better. I had a dull throb early in the day yesterday but it faded by the night luckily. This morning I am feeling okay. Another dayof not doing much other than reading articles, helping people in emails, and learning new stuff. I hate slow weeks. Made lamb chops for dinner. They were good.

ANA Y3 D72

I thought I was going to die yesterday. Seriously. The day was going pretty normal and around 3pm I started feeling a little pain in my back. I couldn't tell if it was my back or stomach at that point. The pain was in my lower back region but felt like it was moving around to my stomach depending on my position. By 5pm I was on the floor crying. I couldn't get comfortable, I couldn't move. I was switching between bed, floor, and couch every 30 seconds to try and find a position where I wasn't in agony. C had to go to work and felt so guilty for leaving me. But there wasn't anything she could have done anyway. I was just fucked. Around 7pm with tears running down my face, I ripped out our "old box of meds" that we keep around for just such emergencies. I found some old hydrocodone tablets and immediately took two. Anything would be better than the pain I was in. Luckily they knocked me out until about 9 when C got home. I was still in pain but it was a dull thob at that point. I have never had back pain like this. I was almost to the point where I was going to have her take me to the ER. But I didn't want them to think I was a druggie just looking for a scrip. I honestly felt like I would never walk again at one point last night. I managed to fall asleep around 11pm ready to get back up in the middle of the night and take more drugs. Luckily this morning I am functional. There's still a dull throb but I can move. I hope to god this doesn't come back today.

ANA Y3 D71

For the first time in weeks we were able to sleep with the windows open. My god what a difference it makes. I slept all the way through the night for the first time in a while. I even decided to sleep in a little longer and take advantage of my quiet work week. Speaking of work, I was dealing with some bullshit late last night. I got a new company card recently and forgot that we had an autopay setup for AWS on it. Oops. When I went to update it to the new card, my card wasn't activated. No problem, except I can't activate since I am not the primary card holder. Argh. So I had to get a hold of my boss boss and have him activate, switch the AWS account, and get everything updated. Pain in the ass. I was dealing with that until 9pm. Fun. I also had to help sales a few times yesterday because they are taking advantage of my boss being out of the office this week and coming to me directly with stuff. Sneaky little bastards. Sigh. It's all good. Made fish tacos for dinner. Watched tv. Relaxed.

More of the same today.

ANA Y3 D70

The weather has turned! For at least a day. It's 'cold' outside at least comparatively speaking to what it's been. I have windows open. It's nice. Raining too. Perfect.

Didn't do much during the day. Assisted a coworker with an issue. Read some articles. Went to dinner with a friend around 4:30, waited for C to get home. Brought her home dinner. We watched some tv and went to bed around midnight.

Nothing exciting today.

ANA Y3 D69

I was outside at 8am sharp yesterday ready to mow the lawn. It was also already 78 degrees. By the time I was done, I was dripping sweat. Totally exhausted from doing nothing more than lawn work. How sad is that? That was the only real thing I did yesterday. Remainder was spent cleaning the house, doing laundry, and making ribs for dinner. We watched tv and C fell asleep in the chair in the office while I played video games.

Today is bloodwork, dinner with friend, about it.

ANA Y3 D68

I don't like when C works on Saturdays. It bugs the shit out of me. I spent all day just being alone and it wasn't fun. Plus she worked 8-4 which was like the whole day. At least today it's 6-1. Feels different ya know?

Went to my hair appointment yesterday and was able to talk through everything with my friend. I think we're good. We're going to dinner tomorrow night so we shall see how things are. I also went to the grocery store and total wine. C wanted to try a nice merlot so I picked up a 91 point bottle of some french stuff. Then I came home and was alone for like 3 hours. Sucked.

Made seafood pasta for dinner. Watched some tv. Went to bed because we had to be up this morning. Today I am mowing the lawn and cleaning the house. Go me.

ANA Y3 D67

Yesterday was impossibly rough. My sweet pain in the ass baby is no longer with us. I cried so much. When we got home every little thing sent me back into a spiral. I don't expect today to be any better. Like right now no one is screaming at me to be fed and it's killing me. She was a pain but she my pain. I miss her so much. Oh god I am crying again. This sucks.

ANA Y3 D66

Today is the day. Marble goes across the rainbow bridge. I am not in a good mood. I have bills to pay. I have meetings to go to. I am not happy this morning. Had weird dreams.

ANA Y3 D65

It was hot as fuck outside yesterday. At one point reaching a feels like of 109. I struggled to keep the house cool all day. Had to give a webinar and was just sticky and hot. The AC was working its ass off.

In the good news column for yesterday, I got my court date for the divorce! It's a virtual meeting which is wonderful. Bad news is the earliest we could get on the court's docket is October 17th. Seriously? October? Whatever. At least it will be done. Also in the win column, B got a new job. Making 13k more, better benefits, and it's at a pot company HQ. Go them. Of course they have all these successes without me around. I am an alabatross.

Did my webinar, made food, waited for C to get home from work, went to bed. Today is Marble's last day. I am very fucked in the head about it right now. She is frustrating me but I am trying to be patient today. Tomorrow is going to be hard. Just really hard.