Working the non-paying job today, so no 6am wakeup, shower, coffee, mad-rush-to-the-bus. Good thing, too. I was getting knackered. My more forgiving schedule today let me stay up for an 11PM visit to the gym (badly needed) followed by a phone call from San. The wake is tomorrow, and then the memorial service on Saturday. I think nighttimes are bad because she can't sleep - so this is why I'm glad I have my super-hero ability to stay up until dawn. I feel encouraged that she reaches out to me when the grief overwhelms. I think it's a good sign because it means she's choosing to seek comfort instead of isolate. The next year will be dangerous for her and I like knowing that she isn't going down a path (at least not now) that would make me afraid.
Dutch lessons yesterday reminded me that I've been neglecting my study-responsibilities. I was almost completely incompetent. A discussion in Dutch comparing Social programs in Belgium and the U.S. left me completely babbling and speechless when Pat, the instructor, looked kindly at me and asked, "Wie betaalt voor de Verenidge Staten sociale zekerheid?" and for the life of me I couldn't remember what the verb "betallen" was. The rest of the sentence is pretty easy to piece apart (particularly since social security was the discussion point - and "Verenidge Staten" is Dutch for "United States" ). Of course, "betallen" means "to pay" which I should know because this is on every single credit card machine and cash register in the Netherlands and I've seen it hundreds of times. Not the sharpest tool in the shed recently.
Dutch lessons yesterday reminded me that I've been neglecting my study-responsibilities. I was almost completely incompetent. A discussion in Dutch comparing Social programs in Belgium and the U.S. left me completely babbling and speechless when Pat, the instructor, looked kindly at me and asked, "Wie betaalt voor de Verenidge Staten sociale zekerheid?" and for the life of me I couldn't remember what the verb "betallen" was. The rest of the sentence is pretty easy to piece apart (particularly since social security was the discussion point - and "Verenidge Staten" is Dutch for "United States" ). Of course, "betallen" means "to pay" which I should know because this is on every single credit card machine and cash register in the Netherlands and I've seen it hundreds of times. Not the sharpest tool in the shed recently.
It's sunshiny and beautiful today (and a brisk 18 degrees). I really ought to get work done - but I want to bundle up and walk in the sunlight. I keep telling myself that I need to download the "J-Mol" software and talk to my software programmer, and then update my company's credentials in the Government's award management system (all top-of-the-list tasks today) but the sneaky, escape-work part of my brain says that a nice 2-mile stroll down to Trader Joes might actually be VERY IMPORTANT. After all, don't I need pizza dough for a nice man to make pizzas with me tonight? This walkabout would also allow me to listen to an audible version of Alan Bradley's new Flavia DeLuce book.
Ok. Fuck the government registration. My brain is a bit sad and needs the sunlight. The terrorist attack in Paris yesterday really got to me. I always know that terrorism doesn't distinguish between civilian and military targets, but I hate seeing it in action. And Paris. I love Paris. And I love the uppity French people for all that they irritate me in Africa. And I hate that these cowards attacked cartoonists. What more peace-loving and idea-rich people could there be? They attacked men who would not, out of principle, respond with violence - even if they'd been armed. Seriously? What the fuck? I hate the stupid deployment of brutality against ideas. I'm going to take off for a few minutes.
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