Just me and Genghis. Chillin.

In a few hours, I am leaving for Seattle. Its a trip I have had planned for a while, and as happy as I am to go west and visit lots of friends, I am also feeling a bit down.

See, Shannon leaves for Ireland while I’m gone. She comes back on the 23. I come back the 15. That’s eight more days without her. There is also the fact that Shannon and I travel well together. She keeps me witty and on my toes–even when I don’t want to do either–and my friends adore her. Honestly, who doesn’t?

Shannon also keeps me safe from fascists when I drink. She won’t be there…so I need to be more careful.

Don’t get me wrong: I can travel and hang out without her. I just don’t want to.

Waking up early blows. Here is coffee.

I live a hop, skip and a jump away from work. It is an insanely short distance–about a mile–that has opened up a number of possibilities for me. For instance, if I lack motivation, I can sleep in and get to work at 9. If I am feeling supermotivated (or under the gun) I can get to work at 8.

What has dawned on me is the middle road. I can get up early, putz around the apartment, and get to work at 8:30. Like today: I am having a leisurely breakfast, complete with coffee and juice, before heading out the door. My putzing doesn’t have to stop at blogging and breakfast. Oh no. I can–and want to–start doing more physical activity.

I could bike to work. I could work out–whatever that entails–then shower and get to work at 9. I could, and should, develop a better routine. Given that my brother is looking to change his lifestyle, I figure I can do the same. The cool thing about my system of change? I have a triathlete on my side.

Regular readers will point out that I have flirted with gradshool for damn near ten years now. I’ve debated programs, schools and financing. I’ve written personal statements, statements of intent and gotten letters of recomendation.

Like an acrobat, I ducked, dodged and weaved each and every possible application date with a variety of excuses. If I had put as much energy into finishing an application as I have in self doubt, I would have a PhD by now.

That ended yesterday. I applied to DePaul’s Masters in Information Technology yesterday. I find out in a week as to the status.

Open Thread (and test post using ecto)

What is going on this weekend, my people?

Not the blog, just the TV, Computer and our entire life. Blogging spotty till then.

Till then, tell me this: What do you like and dislike about your neighborhood?

Yesterday, I learned that there are huge changes coming to my office. While I am not going to be hugely impacted until August, I actually may have an opportunity to change jobs.

I’m back to the question I needed to answer to years ago: Do I go clinical or work with computers? Expect more musings on this topic.

The best way to deal with stress, trauma or grief is to actually allow oneself to address it. Culture, society and family have us “Deal” with things in some of the least healthy ways. Drinking, fighting, arguing and just “being a dick” seem to be the top ways people actually address their loss. We are not allowed to actually feel it.

Take one day. Let yourself feel what your body is telling you. It will not be enough to heal, but it would work for at least one more year.

If you listen to Public Radio, give them $20. Please.