So much happened this week that I kept thinking it was Saturday ever since Thursday morning.  That means, I repeatedly thought I forgot to write a goal post when 8 am went by with nothing.  Keep in mind that my weekday posts go up at 10 am, so I was clearly disoriented.  Going by the calendar on my laptop, phone, and several paper ones in the house, I’m right this time.

Part of the confusion stems from so much being crammed into 7 days.  Last weekend, I had my son and family came over for the traditional Hanukkah latke party.  There was also two Pokemon Go outings that day and we relaxed on Sunday.  Showed him a movie called ‘Kung Fu Hustle’ and let him play his newest video game while I continued to heal from my ordeal.  All of that sounds like a lot, but it was only during a single weekend and I’m sure I forgot a few things.  Probably the usual tense interactions with certain entities . . . Oh, and getting ready to return to work.

That’s right.  After a little more than a month away, I finally got to go back to work on Monday.  I still had my last wound care appointment, but I made it in and got to see the students before the break.  Made it in time for the last birthday party one will spend with us and before a few started their vacation early.  I wasn’t able to run around and pushed myself a bit too hard.  Still had the energy to help my son with homework and take him out for Pokemon Go.  All of that might be why I hit Tuesday night exhausted, but I feel like all of the discomfort and pain was worth it.

Speaking of my healing, I had my first day of no pain or discomfort since before Thanksgiving.  Sort of.  Technically, it was Thursday since the wound area didn’t give me any trouble even after a walk.  Not happy about a scar being there even though I think it’s shaped like a ‘Y’.  Have to go by touch since I can’t see it.  Anyway, I did have a nasty sinus headache on Thursday due to the temps dropping fast.  So, my full day of no pain was yesterday.  I’m trying to avoid taking painkillers since I was on them and antibiotics for so long.  Give my system time to recover, especially the good old defective digestive system, which took a beating.

Probably should mention the writing progress in regards to Darwin & the Joy Path.  I only had three days to write, so I finished chapter 11.  At this rate, I’ll finish 75% of chapter 12 before the break is over.  I was hoping that doing Pokemon Go early in the morning would give me more time.  Didn’t expect the cold to make a mess of my outings and drain me even when indoors.  Normally, I would tackle a second chapter section in the evening, but I was always too tired.  Instead, I started outlining the penultimate volume of ‘Phi Beta Files’.  My brain keeps telling me a fantasy world shouldn’t have Greek letters, but it’s based on my freshman year of college group.  It was called ‘Phi Beta’, so I want to keep it that way.  By the time I write or publish it, there will be hints that people from Earth have traveled to Windemere at times.  This could also be a big hint to such a thing as well.

It snowed last night and into this morning, so it’s messy out there.  Probably won’t try to go anywhere until after lunch to give the roads time to get cleared.  That means writing this morning, which could allow me to get a second section done this afternoon.  Chapter 12 starts with a talking scene to give a break before the action continues.  That should make things easier, but my mental and physical endurance still suck.  I keep doubting myself as well.  Every challenge Darwin is facing takes 2-3 chapters to get through and I can’t tell if that’s a good or bad thing.

I have my son this coming week, but the weather and me not being 100% means we will take it easy.  A few appointments stops us from going far from home too.  Still, the cold weather is perfect for relaxing and getting important indoor things done.  We aren’t sure what’s going on for New Years Eve either.  A lot of possibilities, but much of it depends on what the kid is doing.  Having everything up in the air might not be a bad thing either.  It means I can recover more and get ready for going back to work for a full week, which might be taxing on me at first.  Sounds like I’m milking this mess, but I still have issues due to the scar being sensitive.  Damn thing sits right on a clothing seam too, so it’s impossible to avoid aggravating it if I’m walking around all day.  At least the bleeding is over.

Anyway, time for the list of goals and then I can finish watching ‘The Mighty Nein’.  I’m enjoying it, but I think I like ‘Legend of Vox Machina’ better.  One reason could be the latter started with the heroes already together and the former is showing how they came across each other.

Goals of the week . . . Final list of goals for 2025:

1. Write more Darwin & the Joy Path.
2. Rest up when possible.
3. Time with son when he’s here.
4. Start working on March blog posts.
5. Get a daily walk for both Pokemon and exercise.
6. Work on ‘Phi Beta Files’.
7. Puzzle time.
8. Flip off 2025 during its final seconds.
9. Avoid saying 2026 will be my year or anything similar.  Next year better approach me real slow and play nice.  Already getting a sense that chaos is in my future.
10. Probably should do a little grocery shopping.