Clearing Out

Today I spent about four hours in my office, putting things in piles, throwing things away, returning long-borrowed stuff, packing up treasured tchatchkes. I thought it would be horrible, but it wasn't; it was really wonderful. I had the chance to reflect on all the really fun and exciting things I did there and took some time to be proud of having made public health practice a little better. We really kicked some butt. And I'm sure the rest of my team will continue to do so.

Two great moments: just outside my office hangs a very large, glossy poster of the conceptual model for the work I've done in the last several years. We had it there for ease of describing my work to visitors, new colleagues. I mostly haven't really looked at it in a while. Today, I wondered about taking it down because you know what? It's done. We did it.

Finally, on my desk, at long last, was my "author's copy" of the first textbook to which I contributed a chapter. It made me giggle. I'll bet no one will ever read that shit.

Finally getting it...
I've been feeling really great. Really. Great. I don't know why I didn't see this sooner. With only silly little changes in our lifestyle, Rob and I can afford to do this, have been able to for some time. Our quality of home life has been about zero because of the demands of our jobs and this household. Things are SO much better with me at home. SO MUCH BETTER. Why, oh why, did we not do this sooner???

As I left the house this am, I was giving final instructions for Anna's responsibilities. You know what she did? She started singing this song right here. I think I must be doing something right.

Don't You Worry About a Thing -- Stevie Wonder (Innervisions, 1973)

Guess what?
Lyman is playing a local venue a week from today and he has the following day off to spend with me and the family. How lucky am I? There's a Modernism in Design exhibit at the Corcoran; I wonder if he'd like to go...