Highlight(s) & Accomplishments: Weird awakening. I woke to what sounded like somebody going into the side alley storage room door—a thump. Even though I was wearing only boxers, I went to check anyway. It was not as cold as I'd expected, but the light was on inside. I opened the door, nobody there, so it was likely left on by Tommy or myself. I turned it off and went into the house, and a moment later, the power went out. I looked next door, and their patio lights were on while our house, alone, it seems, was powerless. A moment later, it was back on. It seems unusual that one house alone would have an isolated power outage for a moment or two but, that's what occurred. Luckily I'm not inclined to turn it into a ghost story, so unless it happens again, I'll forget it by tomorrow. Today was our last day walking Abby & Lucy. Potentially the last for a while. Lauren's less into the idea of doing this again, so maybe it's time for Mia or another neighbor to get involved. I got back and walked Scottie solo as Jen was in a meeting. He had some, let's call it, bowel issues. I had to hold his tail up and try picking stuck excrement from his fur. Of course, this was all right at the location where our home and the neighbor's home connect. And just then, their kids came walking out. That was likely a bit traumatic for them. It was for me. I took him in and cleaned him up before getting shaved and ready for the All-Hands meeting and my first pass at Product related updates. I kept it simple and lean. I know that these meetings are best kept simple and short. I thought I did great, and I had another really good workday. I also found that I'd missed an email yesterday and, long story short, got the employment agreement terms I'd ask for, including a severance agreement, which takes a stressor off my shoulders about 'what if' that's kept me hoarding my PTO time in case of emergency. Of course, this might all be moot if another opportunity takes me away, as it's only for protection if the company cuts me due to cost reductions or the like. Ultimately I'm starting to feel like I have hit a sweet spot of responsibilities and engagement, and I'm excited again. I haven't been for some time. Maybe in part, it's a good distraction from the situation with Linda. I've not been to visit for a couple of days as I've been 100% focused on work, but I hope to get over there tomorrow and spend an hour or two working bedside. I took Lauren to the low vision specialist optometrist recommended by Palo Alto Vision Center. It seemed to go very well, and new contracts should be received in 2 weeks. The doctor felt like she could bring her vision to a level better than we've been told before, and that would be interesting to see play out. Lauren and I got Una Mas to go for Austin and us, and we went and had dinner with him at Panorama. It was a bit awkward, and I think he's so indoctrinated into the Patterson family dynamic that he's not comfortable with Lauren or me or anything that might challenge what's been laid out as the definition of loyalty. That whole family has this 'us or them' mentality, and I saw a glimpse of it tonight when the topic of his grandfather came up. Tommy was getting another fish for his aquarium, but maybe we'll see him again as it's likely he'll be staying there at least for a couple more days, if not through the weekend. School resumes tomorrow, so I'll be walking with Lauren again. That'll be nice.
Gratitude: I enjoy the routine that's developed between myself and Lucky, the "other" dog, in the mornings. I get up, and he hears me walking about from Lauren's room next to us. When I come out of our bedroom, I open her door, and he greets me. I leave her door open and the hall light on so she'll wake up while I take him out front. I bring my socks and shoes and sit on the patio with him. While he goes pee, I get my shoes and socks on, pet him, and we go inside. It's become another ritual of sorts in my daily habits, and it's a pleasant one. Getting up early and sitting on the patio with him feels like a gently refreshing way to start each day.
Goal(s): Visit Linda
Anticipation: Making headway on the updates for our new dev process with Richard and David and getting things set up for easier oversight of roadmap project using Epics, hopefully.
Health: Weight: 161 (1d: +1.8, 7d avg: -0.14) | Steps: 6279 | Heart Rate: 57
Habits: Mediation Presence Gratitude Calm Action Family