The last few weeks at work have been, basically, a runaway freight train. Like, if you caught me at any point this past week and asked me to perform basic math – we’re talking the 2+2 variety – I would have probably given you the wrong answer after I’d thought about it. It’s been wild.
On the bright side, we’ve (the fabulous group of people I play 7th Sea with) have managed to have a game night two weeks in a row. Last week was our first trial run dealing with combat, and honestly, I’m impressed my character hadn’t somehow died. I literally couldn’t roll to help myself in any way, shape, or form. This week went better – I smashed a beer stein over someone’s head so hard it shattered.
I had a bit of an anniversary at the beginning of this week. Tuesday was my three year anniversary here in Buffalo! So here, have some highlights from the past year.
- I finally decorated by hanging pictures on the wall, and acquired a wall clock in the shape of a pocket watch.
- We took M to New York City for the first time – and to her first musical – and she absolutely loved it.
- Somehow I was five years out of college and went to my Five Year Class Reunion (with a bonus of being at the Alumni Author Book Signing Event, which was ridiculously cool).
- I watched roller derby in person for the first time.
- The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra checked in with me on twitter about the draft of my novel.
- I went to the new Yankee Stadium for the first time in the summer to watch an afternoon game with my Dad and my Great Uncle. (The Yankees won, by the way.)
- The Cowheart turned 5 and I had cake in celebration.
- I took a big, big chance, left the job I’d been at for five seasons and started a new adventure in the world of being a contracted worker in an R&D department. I now work with food, and it’s G L O R I O U S
- I went back for a third year of tap and second year of jazz at the dance studio.
- Went to Cape Cod for the first time ever with Mom and M, and fell in love with Provincetown and windmills.
- Went to my first writing workshop ever, pitched an agent in person (and she liked it!) and wandered around Canalside.
- I made some good lookin’ cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning. Like, look at these babies. They’re great.
- WE WENT TO DISNEY. WE TOOK M TO DISNEY AND UNIVERSAL AND MY GOODNESS I’VE NEVER LAUGHED SO HARD IN MY LIFE (I also learned that very large rollercoasters screw with my inner ear enough to make me think I’m dying, and therefore I must take Dramamine before the fun starts.)
- Unfortunately, I had to say goodbye to my beloved Pepper kitty. She crossed the Rainbow Bridge at the old age of 15, and had a long, wonderful life wedging herself into boxes, playing with newspapers, and lying across my computer keyboard.
- Cats and Rent came to Shea’s and yes, I saw them both. Cats turned into a weekend with my good friend Ash, and it was exactly what we both desperately needed at the time to just kind of recharge.
- And of course, from last spring and into now, there’s been numerous TFC games.
And that’s more or less where I’m at. Ready for the next adventure, really, which is a lovely thing to think about.
I hope you have a fabulous weekend and, if you celebrate it, a Happy Easter.
Hope & Kindness,
-ML
M.L. Bilinski 