Out and about

Yesterday, I decided to go to one of the National Parks in my state. Totally worth it! I had a nice drive, enjoyed the scenery, saw some critters, and enjoyed having an entire day really taking a break from the daily grind. And, of course, I got LOTS of pictures. Here's a few:

I think I met this guy's cousin back east.

It's easier to photograph animals in the wild when they are pretty used to humans.

I wish I could say this was skill, but it was really mostly just luck.

I interrupted this guy's basking twice, poor fella!

Surprise!

 

For the birds

 

Hitting it big

This week is one for the books, in terms of, "Yay! So many reasons for me personally to celebrate!"

First, my team at work got our donations queue to under 1000. Which, yes, it is absolutely absurd that one of 5 collecting teams has that many donations in the first place, it's a long history and until time travel is a thing, not much I can do about it, but we are under 1000. (Also important to note, not all of those are actually ready to be processed, so they aren't all my responsibility. Anyway, if you know archives, this will make much more sense, but if not, you probably have a job where numbers are a thing, so you can appreciate the accomplishment all the same).

Then, I finally got my car serviced--oil change and it's 30000 mile checkup. Even better news? No problems to worry about, it's in good shape! Yay! Double Yay!

Finally, on Saturday, I did my last act as a committee member/chair for one of the organizations I'm in. It wasn't a hard committee to run. The hardest part was that there's not a consistent workflow, it kind of peaks at 2 points during the year, and then everything is done by email, and somehow, that was just a struggle for my poor brain at this point in life (post-pandemic, overwhelmed with a new role at work, etc.). But, we got through it. Although I should maybe leave some pointers for the next chair. I do love the way the committee works. You are on it for 2 years, then you are the chair. I think it's a good model. 

Also, I had a lot of success at getting out of bed and at work at the desired time. It has been a struggle, I admit, these last few months, but this week, I was just doing really great! And that was super exciting. 

So, a week of feeling fairly accomplished. I think I celebrated by doing absolutely nothing on Saturday (hey, my car was in the shop, it felt like a good reason to chill at home and unwind). And I had frozen custard, because, yes. Celebrate.

Anyway, rah rah, go me, probably won't be this accomplished for a while so I'm enjoying it while it lasts. 

The No Thanks list

A "No Thanks List" is the opposite of a bucket list: things you DON'T want to do before you die. If all goes well, you will never cross any of these off your No Thanks List. 

Run a marathon

Be on a jury for a serial killer

Have my face printed on anything. Or have an action figure of myself.

Be famous.

Go to jail. 

Go to space. 

Be a CEO.

Be on the news.

Climb Mt. Everest.

Sail around the world.

Experience a hurricane.

Go skydiving.

Be president of anything. 

Eat bugs.

Be on a reality TV show.

Go gluten free.

Go dairy free.

Wear stiletto heels.

Step on a frog.