However, as I review my work calendar, what I don't read were all the small difficulties that conspired to make this week an assault on the senses. Midway through the week, I lost the ability to actually send emails, which is, you know, fairly important. After effectively dissecting Eudora of its ability to communicate with the outside world and eventually installing Outlook, I realized that this week would soon be defined by its relative degrees of pain-in-the-assness.
I spent more time dragging computer processors into the 21st century than actually using them to research agencies or resources; I spent more time dialing and notating than actually providing insight; and I spent more time dragging a pen across an intake form than actually helping anyone. It's a troubling trend and one that I hope I can transform into useful, fulfilling, and productive time.
Midway through the week, I had an opportunity to earn my "Man Card" by helping Raji repair his car, whose electrical system failed immediately after work on Tuesday (necessitating I miss class). We made an admirable effort to install a new battery, but found his positive post battery cable unsafe and stubbornly immobile and surrendered. Raji eventually resolved this through the heroics of the AAA, who informed him that we were objectively in over our heads. Although it was a chilly and fruitless night, it was good to spend time flailing with Raji and it was a nice reminder that had the tables been turned, he'd have been right there for me too.
In the interest in protecting my mental health and because the reproductive labor in the Wright household had reached an intolerable level, I decided to take Friday off; I spent my early morning visiting the Pittsburgh Animal Hospital (highly recommended) and learning that both Kairi and Matlock are more porcine than canine at this point, but are otherwise happy. Chavonne and I had a wonderful weekend together finding the Holy Grail along with Professor Jones as well as having our beloved car Sophia inspected (prohibitively and astronomically expensive, I might add). We raked our yard and we cooked pizzas and gushed over couture dresses and generally enjoyed one another's company.
In a reverse from the normal trend, I enjoyed the time I spent at home despite my time at work. Ordinarily, at the end of the day, I'm tired but neither annoyed or disgusted. This week, however, my opportunities to escape served as my only tenuous links to calm. I hope, earnestly, that this changes and soon.
I look forward to many lovely walks as we try to improve our porky pups' and our own health. Love you!