magic

As a TiVo user for almost 17 years, I've always loved the UX, but it's gotten even better now that they've added a button to perfectly skip entire commercial breaks with one press (as opposed to the secret 30-second skip Easter egg). Somewhere out there is a team of commercial lawyers who negotiated this with the networks, and for that I am so grateful.

ten

It was a three book weekend, which means that May is the first ten book month since December (which in turn was the first ten book month since November 2016).

stroopwafel

Mini chocolate covered stroopwafels are so much better than the original, full sized variety. And when you walk in to find one on your desk... That's just perfection.

what to wear

A few of us at work who often accidentally dress the same have now mapped out simple criteria for each day (today is hoodie day, bonus points for featuring the color maroon), and it is so simple and dorky, but it makes getting dressed in the morning so much easier and faster.

long weekend

Low key long weekends are the best: hanging out with friends at home and experimenting with baking sourdough bread, playing Super Nintendo, sleeping, reading...

effortless

Remembering our dives in Fiji last fall... I've felt that my time underwater has been easy and effortless for some time, but it was only on this trip, some 300+ dives in, that the time above water, getting geared up or down, that the rest of it has felt just as easy and effortless.

the good fight

Current politics are so discouraging, but reading #HomeToVote tweets from Irish diaspora going back to Ireland to repeal the abortion ban reminded me that progress is worth the pain.

defy the odds

Went back to prison on Thursday to see some of my guys graduate. It blows my mind how easy it is to relate to each other, and touches my heart that they remembered me after seven months. It was like seeing old friends, one of whom even gave me a bottle of the sauce he made, that we'd talked about last time. I brought a law school friend, and he was really amazed by the experience. I thought it was a happy, lighthearted visit, comparatively speaking, but my dreams that night made me continue some of the mental and emotional exercises, and it ended up being both heavy and illuminating after the fact.

good boy

Fiver made an appearance in my dreams last night, for the first time in a long time. He was sweet and happy and it was good to see him again.

reading again

After an embarrassingly slow start to the year, May is turning into a good reading month. It may even end up being a ten booker.

back

Had a 1.75 hour massage today, always a good thing on a Sunday evening after running some errands on a Sunday afternoon. And I realized that somehow, some time in the last year, this one part of my lower left back that could never seem to let go, despite all the efforts of my massage therapists and chiropractor, started cracking and releasing for no apparent reason.

xlb

Found an unexpectedly good place for xiaolongbao nearby, on my manager's recommendation. I see a lot of weekend soup dumplings in my future.

rbg

Mid-day legal team outing to watch RBG!!

me time

Boyfriend is doing family stuff on the East Coast, which means I get the whole bed and complete latitude on the social calendar. Korean BBQ with coworkers last night, Eurovision/lunch/dinner/Super Nintendo with friends today, reading/shopping/dinner with family tomorrow... Lots of selfish fun.

going out

With warmer weather and longer days comes a decreased urge to hibernate, resulting in a night out with coworkers in the city last night, dinner with old coworkers tonight, and plans for next weekend already in the works.

best fried rice

I'm not usually a big fried rice fan, but they had the best fried rice at work yesterday: duck, shrimp, pork, and plenty of cilantro.

yuzu

Yuzu gummies from the store, and a yuzu tree from the nursery!

pack it up

Volunteer day at work, and we sorted, labeled, and packed almost 5,000 pounds of canned goods. Plus, we got new hoodies and went out for ice cream.

happy dog

Bought a replacement for boss dog's favorite toy, which was getting pretty ratty. It pretty much made his day, if the amount of slobber, tug, and fetch were any indication.

breaking it down

So in retrospect, it was a nearly perfect weekend, and it's because it had a bunch of different things: gorgeous weather, chill time with the dog and Boyfriend, books and TV, girl friends and gossip, double date cards and absurd musical instruments, returning things for refunds, overdue pedicure, incredible massage with unexpected foot crack, and steam room. Need to remember this secret formula for the future...

world on fire

It's been a while since I've had this, the feeling of invincibility, that the world is burning with a secret fire that only I can see, that everything will work out because I want it to. I know it's a trick of the mind, but I love this trick so much.

oh yeah

I've gotten so accustomed to massage being a standalone indulgence that I forgot the additional perks of getting one in a spa: the steam room, the fluffy robe, the essential oils, the hot towels, the shower afterwards.

good choice

When your friend's new boyfriend fits right in with the group.

fun fun fun

Sunny day, games and wine with girl friends, cards and dinner at home, binge watching a new show, returning things for a refund, pedicure and a book, and a massage -- it's looking like an awesome weekend.

lunch

Smoked bacon udon, sashimi, and strawberry mochi for lunch? Yes, please.

so fetching

When your dog, after almost five years of not caring, suddenly decides he really likes playing fetch, and runs himself ragged playing at work until he collapses into a long and cuddly nap.

last minute dinner

A college friend was in town for meetings today, and we scored a good reservation on short notice and got to catch up for a couple hours.

fourth time

I learn something new every time I go to prison. These guys get me right in the feels, telling me that they've talked about me and thought about me since the last time I was here, that they think I'm strong and that my strength inspires them, that they want me to meet their families...

just desserts

When you identified some shady behavior and flagged it to your former employer, and then find out the shady individual got fired. Stay Googley, Googlers.

fool

The key to a great prank is to have enough detail and backstops that you can push it past the point of disbelief until the person is so bought into the alternate reality you've created that they might not believe anything ever again.

mensch

When you suggest to your manager that he request approval for a title bump for your teammate, and a few hours later, he tells you it was approved, and he got one for you, as well.

jesus christ

Jesus Christ Superstar on TV, and Judas rocked it. Love that show, and loved seeing all my music and theatre geek friends nerding out about it on Facebook, too. A nice break from the usual politics and inspirational quotes and awful recipes.

chicken skin

Boyfriend has started saving chicken skin and broiling it into delicious chips for me.

badass

When you go guest lecture for your law school friend's seminar, and feel like you had no business doing so, but your friend tells you afterwards that one of the students met you last summer when he worked for your outside counsel, and both he and they thought you were a badass.

orange you lovely

My favorite flowers are back in season!

easily impressed

Just blew Boyfriend's mind by using a Tide pen to erase blood stains that the dog tracked all over the couch.

friday night

Impromptu raid on a coworker's house, bringing six people, dinner, and drinks for an evening of cards and video games. That's my kind of Friday.

dumpling dog

Henry has a hard life at work.

pranks a lot

After a few months hiatus, just couldn't resist a few little goofs at work, and it just gives me life.

like butter

When you hit all the lights right so that even during rush hour, you make it into work in record time.

first day back

Back at work, and the first thing I see is a new snuggly dog bed that the CEO bought Henry because he's such a dog guy. Second thing I see is a mocha on my desk from my work wife. Third thing I see is my new manager, who ten years ago first hired me into Google. It's good to be back.

nappy

We've been home 26 hours and I've already had two naps and a full night of sleep. Getting home from vacation on a Friday is the best.

exuberance

I don't think my dog has ever been as excited to see me as he was when I picked him up yesterday.

three years later

Reservation tonight for what was our favorite place in Tokyo last time, and I'm all anticipation to see if it lives up to the memory.

tubthumping

Vacation is a king size bed, blackout shades, and a lovely bathtub.

glorious tokyo

Secret little seven person cocktail bar, uni soba, schoolchildren in tiny hats with giant backpacks, truffle rice, red bean pancakes, lotus root wrapped in bacon and fresh off the grill, seasonal pickles, tonkatsu with a choice of pig and cut, rich slurpy ramen... And we're only halfway through the trip.

small world

Flew halfway around the world (in an almost empty first class cabin), only to run into a friend at the Tokyo airport. Weekend plans will ensue!

nihon

Time to go eat things in Japan!!

we got this

After a few hours of controlled panic, my co-worker and I realized that despite a bare bones transition, we've got this. We're not half bad, and with my favorite manager ever coming in, we're going to be awesome.

one year in

Hung out with two girl friends that I met a year ago and had a hilarious four hours of wine, cheese, and immaturity.

best week

Two amazing things happened at work this week. One is a blast from the past, and one is a reward for the future. I'm so damn lucky.

amazing

Just slept fourteen hours for the first time in I don't know how long, and it was amazing.

aww shucks

Creative director stopped me in the hallway and said that when he was interviewing, he looked at or team photos in the website and said that he had never seen a lawyer wearing a leather jacket in an official photo before, and that he thought it must be a different kind of company with the coolest legal team.

bye

Trees are starting to bloom, and the ten day forecast breaks 70° every day, so winter is definitely on its way out.

friends in town

Friends in town for the next few days, lots of old jokes and catching up to do on recent developments. Good times.

got my back

When your CEO trusts your judgment on some pretty big stuff, then offhandedly mentions a bunch of things he's doing to make your life better because he wants you to stick around.

young people

Cambodian mentee stayed with us for a few days, and two girls who currently sing in my college choir stayed for the long weekend. Went to a concert with another choir friend, and got pulled up on stage to sing the signature song of the a cappella group and the Radcliffe alma mater and fight song. The nostalgia for college days was strong this month.

there is nothing

There is nothing quite like really liking the people you work with, especially when you like them enough to stay late to get some work and a lot of talking done.

sent

Finally got the first wave of invitations sent out for our crazy summer camp, and it's fun to see the RSVPs coming in. Can't wait!

warmth

All of the feathers in our down comforter shifted to Boyfriend's side, and last night, we flipped it to my side, and it was so warm and amazing.

it's people

When your coworker in Ops brings you boba one day, your HR BFF brings you a morning hot chocolate another day, and you can have a whole range of serious and silly conversations with your other work friends, you know you're working with good people.

second to last

Almost the last day of the year, and I managed to return library books, sort through a bunch of clothes and books and donate them, redo my purple hair dye, and firm up plans for tomorrow to pick up my mentee, go to brunch and a sing along Sound of Music with my sister and a former work friend, and go to a New Year's Eve party. I think my reading total for the year will be 65; nowhere near where it's been for the past seven years, but still quite respectable, given the hours I've been working.

contentment

Tell a dog he's a good boy, put his bed in a sunny spot, and he will teach you the meaning of contentment.

it gets better

Every day for the next six months will be brighter than the last.

overdue

A fresh pedicure never fails to please.

good friday

Lunch at Google with a friend, Star Wars with coworkers, a gorgeous sunset (I never see sunsets anymore), a drink with my two work BFFs, a prank gift for one of them, a few rounds of our favorite video game, and a quick dinner out. A pretty good Friday.

cavalry

Reinforcements have arrived, and my new teammate is great. She knows all kinds of things I don't, and is fresh and ready to work. It's nice to have a peer, and I'm so glad she's joined.

scent hound

Last week, I suddenly had the illusion of a scent that I hadn't smelled in years. It smelled exactly like Fiver after he'd had a bath. I breathed it deeply and felt all the memories come back just like that. I haven't smelled him since he died, and I don't know why I thought I smelled it last week, but it was wonderful.

do gooders

Team volunteer event today, and fourteen of us sorted and packed over 5,000 pounds of food!

roll tide

Huge sigh of relief as Alabama elects a Democratic senator instead of the pedophile the Republicans ran. After a couple Dem governors were voted in last month, I'm starting to feel a little bit of hope after the debacle of last year.

a good book

Finally, after months of book drought, I've hit a streak of a few good books, including the great one I'm reading right now. Quiet house, sunny afternoon, couch, dog, blanket, book. I could do this every day.

star wars marathon

Surprised a coworker with a Star Wars marathon today, and we had a great time eating, drinking, watching movies, and hanging out.

quitter

I haven't had coffee in four days, and I'm still alive.

feast finished

Forty hours of family, friends, and food complete. This year, we scaled it back, so we "only" had veggies, hummus, cheese, bread, smoked salmon, pork belly buns, prime rib, asparagus with eggs, Brussels sprouts with bacon, mashed potatoes, bourbon sweet potato souffle, and pumpkin pie with ice cream. Plus our traditional fondue the night before and crepes the morning after. Mischief managed.

aww

Sleep barking never fails to be adorable.

at least

When I'm sick and working from home, at least Henry gets to sunbathe.

preparations underway

Pork belly is in the sous vide bath for the night, so Thanksgiving must be coming soon.

surprisingly okay

Going back on meds and not actually that upset about it this time around. It's been a rough few months, so it makes sense.

at least

At least the uncontrolled communications within a nosy family mean I was able to avoid an awkward conversation with my parents and find out their thoughts without taking to them...

coup de grace

When you're the black sheep of the family, but everyone believes you when you tell them about a terrible thing that happened in the past, and they band together to try to do the right thing, and you almost start to understand why other people trust their families.

cleaner

When you finally go through the papers on your desk for the first time in months, get rid of most of them, and you can see your desk again.

starburst

When you open up those little two packs of Starburst, and three out of four are pink.

good talk

Got off the phone after catching up with friends for the first time in a while, and realized we were on the phone for over four hours! Time flies with old friends.

aaa

Well, that's the third time in 1.5 years that I've had to call AAA, this time for a flat tire. I guess it makes the membership fees for the previous seven uneventful years worthwhile? Also, no idea how they got to me in fifteen minutes and changed the tire in five.

single weekend

Sleeping in while taking up the whole bed. Pho and games with friends. Re-dyeing my hair. Pedicure. Dog cuddles. Massage. Books. Those are my crazy plans for my anniversary weekend while Boyfriend is out of town.

me too

When your friends and family start telling you the things they have been most ashamed of, and you feel honored to receive such trust and faith.

all mine

When your boyfriend goes to visit his family and you get the whole bed to yourself, and sleep for nine hours for the first time in god knows how long.

wanna cookie?

When your coworker brings in three bags of dog treats for your dog, because her dog changed diets.

ketchup

When you come into work and a coworker left this for you.

prison break

Had my third prison volunteering event today, and realized that a lot of the things that we've been teaching the guys in the program and vulnerability, shame, and trust are things I've been working on because of the program. I posted my #metoo posts partly because I found myself telling things to strangers in prison that I was afraid to tell my own friends and family. I owe a lot to these men, who happen to be in prison, and who have taught me so much.

Also, I won a t-shirt in a raffle there! I've never won a raffle in my whole life. So I get to keep my family AND I get a shirt. It was a good day.

bombs away

Drew a line in the sand with cousins. Waited. And watched as a large number stepped over to my side.

been a minute

Surprising and emotional week after a YOLO post about sexual assault and harassment. Support and love from unexpected quarters. Then, fondue.

More generally, feeling pretty valued at work, which helps get me through the roughness of a bumpy launch.

Completely unrelated, quickly tracked down a friend's "the one that got away," and they've gotten back in touch, picked up where they left off, and I hope to be a flower girl, at last.

end of the week

Finally got another massage from my favorite massage therapist last night, and I'm still happily sore. Slept in this morning, and puttering around at home for the day.

eight years in

After over eight years of allergy shots, probably over 150 shots, my allergist told me she thinks we can try going off the shots and see if I can be done for good!

slow loris

Surprise visitors at work yesterday included a lemur, a kinkajou, an alligator, a great horned owl, an eagle, and this slow loris. Also had lots of human visitors, including three former officemates and one other coworker from my Google days (one was Boyfriend), one bearing a haul of gummies from Switzerland. Stayed until 9:30 for social reasons rather than work reasons for the first time in months. Much needed after a roller coaster week.

accidental investment

When you realize that the house you bought on a whim has increased $1M in value in four years.

just in time

Biggest thunderstorm I've ever seen in California (and during the dry season!) broke the heat just as the air conditioner repair guy said we can't use the air conditioning until he gets a replacement part in.

Dat lightning, tho'.

good times

Happy times with old friends and new, more free time than I've had in a year, more time with the boyfriend than I've had this year, some quality reading time, extra sleep, pretty dives with great coral, fish I'd never seen before, and a sea snake, which I haven't seen since 2003.

Back to reality and I was actually ready for it this time. I've got my dog back. My co-workers missed me, my CEO gave me a raise and told me that I've been working hard and doing a good job, and there is so much going on to jump right back in and keep having fun. Also, I had a one day work week, and tomorrow, I landed a sweet reservation for dinner, just in time to wear one last rented dress before I send them back in.

it's been ages

Since I changed jobs, we haven't traveled as much as we used to, and the trips we have taken have been hectic ones. This is the first time in over a year that I've had this much time to just sit around, read, nap, and enjoy the sun. I forgot what this feels like!

it's been ages

Since I changed jobs, we haven't traveled as much as we used to, and the trips we have taken have been hectic ones. This is the first time in over a year that I've had this much time to just sit around, read, nap, and enjoy the sun. I forgot what this feels like!