missed him

My work wife (who doesn't work with me anymore, and whom I text every day and see a couple times a month) came into work today for lunch and to hang out, and I just couldn't stop smiling, because we just laugh at all the same things. I miss him in the office, but it was good to see him there and remember our work vibe.

rain

First rain I've seen since the spring, and it came with thunder and a brilliant rainbow, plus I got to wear my new rain boots, so it's worth it.

make me laugh

When Boyfriend makes me laugh, he really makes me laugh, whether it's through absurd IM conversations about a fake company we could start, or through violent dancing to Journey songs, he fully understands my love of everything absurd.

exceeds expectations

Persimmon tree produced about 50 persimmons this year, much more than usual.

needed that

A few days in the city I love best with some of my favorite people, away from the smoke and the bubble world of the Valley. I decorated a Christmas tree for the first time in decades, drank lots of wine, and got a bit of a reset. Read a book on the plane ride back, met Boyfriend at the airport. Back in time to still have a full weekend before going back to work.

i <3 ny

Ten friends in two days so far. Ethiopian food, Google visit, hot chocolate, wine bar, Warhol at the Whitney, public transportation, walking, and people who aren't bubbled away in cars.

maybe next time

Work friend last minute invited us on a spur of the moment Thanksgiving in Mexico to escape the smoke, but we're both going to the east coast to freeze, instead. Pretty awesome idea, though, and hoping it works out another time.

out of dodge

This last month+ has been rough, to say the least. With Boyfriend going to Boston and my usual family Thanksgiving cancelled, I was debating what to do with myself, and when two friends said they'd take Henry, I decided to go to New York for a few days. Greatest city in the world, I'll see you soon, it's been over two years, and I miss you.

boss dog

A four-day playdate with the boss dog!! When in doubt, dog is almost always the answer.

what you need

Sometimes, a few group texts are what you need to stay sane in the face of insanity.

Sometimes, an unexpected heart-to-heart with your CEO about your non-work lives, your future work lives, and your current work lives is what you need to recommit yourself to doing whatever needs to be done, even in the face of setbacks both at work and in the real world.

nice save

Solo Saturdays in the office can be tough, mostly because the lights (and my monitor) turn off every ten minutes unless there is motion detected. Cue a young engineer who came in to do some work at just the right time, and when asked, promptly moved his workstation near my desk and walked around frequently, keeping the lights on while I was in the zone.

sunday funday

Sushi, friends, sun, sky, ocean, seals, tide pools, trees, and pizza. California doesn't give in to winter without a fight.

good friend

You know you're good friends when they decide to come over in an hour and you decide not to shower or change out of your pajamas.

successful scramble

Managed to coordinate a few folks to scramble together a surprise birthday/promotion celebration for a friend at work on Friday: balloons, cake, candy, noisemakers, and flowers came together pretty damn quickly.

irl

Met a friend in real life for the first time. Drank a bottle of wine, ate some cheese, traded some clothes, and dropped off a bunch of clothes for donation. Not bad for a Sunday.

Yesterday, had maybe 16-18 people over to eat snacks, drink leftover booze from camp, and look at pictures (which we turned into a drinking game).

A good social weekend at home after a tough week at work.

eating my feelings

It's been a rough couple of weeks at work, but a few coworkers cheered me up yesterday by accompanying me to get donut burgers, against their better judgment. Yum.

they're back

Years-long prank surfaced after a long period of dormancy and totally made my day. Love my friends.

love this place

No matter how crazy things get, it's all about the people, and my work crew is amazing, top to bottom.

great day recipe

Immediate gratification (bacon and maple syrup and coffee for breakfast). Future indulgence (sixteen tickets to see Hamilton next year). Usefulness (plowed through a big pile of work). Empathetic pleasure (seeing a friend happy when something went well). Dog (dog).

velcro

Boss dog has decided to be a Velcro dog this weekend. If I'm in the living room, he's in the living room. If I'm in the kitchen, he's in the kitchen. If I'm in bed, he's in bed, preferably resting his chin on my leg or squishing his entire body up against me. My dogs have always done their own thing (partly due to how I raise them), but it's been super sweet, especially as I'm feeling a bit gloomy this weekend.