by MustBTVDay twenty-two of furlough. I actually slept in until 0700, which is practically noon by my recent standards. Progress, or exhaustion — hard to tell anymore. Breakfast was the classic Instant Oats with Brown Sugar and Cinnamon, dependable as ever, joined by the eternal constant: a Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha. Some people have morning prayers, I have espresso and sugar.
The main objective of yesterday, Amazon Returns, was an unmitigated failure. The boxes remain by the door, stacked like mocking monuments to my procrastination. I’ll make another attempt today, though at this point, it’s starting to feel less like an errand and more like a recurring side quest with a glitch in the storyline. Even Remington has stopped guarding them, assuming I’ve permanently adopted the cardboard.
The day also brings a bit of ceremony, attending the SMSgt going-away party. Apparently, even during a government shutdown, people can still PCS. Bureaucracy sleeps for no one. I suppose it’s reassuring that at least someone gets to move on while the rest of us wait for funding and purpose to reappear.
Mittens continues his silent oversight of all home operations, sitting beside Curly like a furry auditor. Tabby remains draped over the router, perhaps sensing AWS could betray us again at any moment. Remington is back to her cheerful self, blissfully unaware of party invites or PCS orders.
Morale check: functional. Coffee flowing, oatmeal comforting, and errands… pending. The Living Room Republic stands ready for another attempt at Operation Return, success TBD.
