This week at work, the trend of quiet anxiety continued. I saw only a handful of clients, who seem to encounter as their biggest barrier intake processes at the Department of Public Welfare. The food pantry again ran out of food this week, necessitating clients to make a return trip on Thursday; however, we only managed to serve sixteen families this entire week, which I can't remember a time we've served fewer people. Predicting how many people will utilize our pantry in a day is akin to anticipating jazz rhythms for the very first time, but it's a relief to see that our wares aren't being stretched too far this week.
After the rather pleasant fundraiser at Joseph-Beth Booksellers last weekend (again, many thanks to the staff of JB for promoting our Holiday Assistance Program), I'm anxiously awaiting our staff retreat next week. The Board intelligently decided to dissect our service provision, staff structure, and agency mission through a series of focus groups, culminating in this retreat next weekend (inconveniently, a day after I've scheduled to take off to attend my first Pirates game and my second MLB game, lifetime). This should be a good opportunity to honestly and effectively confront how we do business and how we can improve ourselves and our service to our clients, although I'd much prefer not to sacrifice a Saturday to do it.
School continues, much as it has for these nigh two decades. My class isn't particularly difficult (in fact, I've already completed the reading for next week, five days early!), but it continues to feel like I'm biding time until I can really start my career and start reaping some of the benefits adulthood in earnest.
Patterns in my gaming as of late have become erratic and unpredictable. In the past week, I'm dipped my toes into Marvel vs. Capcom 2, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, and came this close to buying the XBLA version of Phantasy Star II. Despite my claims to the contrary, I seem to be emphatically not playing Dragon Quest IV nor any handheld game. Although I don't have a project that I'm currently working on other than mopping up achievement points that have strayed from my grasp, I'm okay with that for the moment. As most of the games I've been anxious to play have nervously bowed out of the holiday spotlight frantically seeking the relative anonymity of 2010 (FFXIII, Arc Rise Fantasia), I've taken another, closer look at my existing collection of games and have begun to work to wring entertainment from even its depths. However, that being said, Bowser's Inside Story will almost assuredly be purchased within the next week.
Chavonne and I and our life together is continuing to be like an elegant symphony. We've continued to be attentive, interested, and good-natured partners to one another and have had several simple and lovely moments together this week. We've recommitted ourselves to spending more time with one another, especially as she will soon be transitioning into a new position where she will report for work at 8a, an hour earlier than myself. We started a maddeningly complex 1,000-piece puzzle this week, had a couple of cooked-with-love meals, worked to save the world from Dr. Doom, and watched in stunned disbelief as Hines Ward was stripped of a game-winning touchdown. Especially on a day like today, we continue to acknowledge that our time together is precious.
This entry was beautifully written! I find myself quieter in spirit as the weather gets cooler. I'm so grateful for the little time that we have together; it's such a joy being near you. I hope that the retreat is great and please know that dinner-made-with-love will be ready when you return. I've noticed how erratic your game play is, but am glad to see it doesn't bother you. I hope you find a perfect game to tuck into, one that holds your attention and has a great storyline and battle scenes. Love you so very much.