by MustBTVDay twenty-three of furlough. I woke up early, grabbed my Starbucks, because of course I did, and stared into the middle distance while contemplating my next career move. After twenty-three days of government shutdown, the options are getting creative. Top contender: rodeo clown. I already juggle chaos, dodge disasters, and wear metaphorical face paint every day. Seems like a lateral move.
Amy has her doctor’s appointment today, so the Living Room Republic is under partial command while I consider expanding the wardrobe with some cowboy boots and a hat. Practical? Maybe not. Therapeutic? Absolutely. If this furlough goes on much longer, I might start introducing myself as “Deputy of Domestic Affairs, Division of Yeehaw.”
On the productivity front, a small miracle: I finally completed the Amazon returns. The boxes are gone. The foyer is clear. The cycle of online commerce and regret has been broken, at least until next week.
Had lunch with some co-workers, if I can still call them that. Strange how you can share a table with people and still feel like everyone’s in their own separate chapter. Conversation was half nostalgia, half speculation, with a sprinkle of “so… any word yet?” Spoiler: there’s never any word.
Back home, Remington continues her usual patrol, blissfully unaware of fiscal policy. Mittens is unimpressed by my rodeo ambitions, and Tabby has taken up her post on the router again, ensuring internet stability like a furry little sysadmin.
Morale check: cautiously amused. Coffee in hand, cowboy dreams forming, and the Living Room Republic still stands. If this shutdown keeps going, I’ll be the best-dressed clown Texas has ever seen.
