Daily: Reflect on 5 things for which I'm grateful.

- many luxurious hours of sleep
- newly washed clothes!
- my hilarious niece and her identification with cheeky monkey
- overabundance of snacks (which I must remember to give away instead of consuming absent mindedly)
- M and her smartness and generosity (even while recovering from hardcore partying)

- that I managed to keep my eyes open long enough to roll into SF without hurting myself, the car, or anyone else
- snow, hail, sunshine, the flowers that bloom in the spring – all in evidence in Ashland OR within moments
- playing cards, wild dancing to xmas music, and genuine surprise
- old friends and the perspective they provide
- clam chowder, I wasn’t planning on it, but it hit it

- for J Michael Walker and All the Saints of the City of Angels.
- Roderick Sykes and St. Elmo Village
- Karen Mack and LA Commons
- the rocking and soulful choir at St. Agatha’s Church
- for everyone in the gift economy, who values the act of sharing, who finds joy and sustenance in community and creativity.

- cucumber water
- the bearded camo-clad guy in the audience at the tiny production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest who got on his Harley and rode away quickly after busting up assumptions about who goes to see Equity-waiver theater
- finally started the homework before it’s too late!
- a visit to Blick’s – is there anything better than an art supply store? – and new pencils
- discovering the mob of turtles on Beverly

- taking a walking meeting (that’s what happens when the colleague you’re meeting with brings his dog), and in outstanding weather
- chatting with gaggle of sweetie pie smarty pants students in the lobby. good women, doing good work.
- snack and conversation about the economic impacts of global warming. (economic analyses show that the US will likely be a net economic winner in the new warmer clime per the nicest environmental economist I’ve ever met.)
- N and his incredible gameness; he’s been up to see student shows all week long and he keeps coming back. The student work is pretty darn good – AND N’s risk tolerance is hearty.
- p called. finding the new normal.

- seeing and gossiping with friend P. It’s been way too long, but feels like no time at all. That she’s her blazingly honest and hilarious self.
- spicy spinach juice. ok, as a food it’s a little woo woo crunchy. but today it was totally delish and satisfying.
- overcoming inertia and social awkwardness to go to the party. loving and appreciating documentary filmmakers.
- seeing people adjusting to “new” roles and responsibilities, progress!
- positive response to my attempts to bring staff into the season planning process. an experiment, but apparently meaningful.

- many puzzles to think on today
- made a good attempt at delegation and it more or less worked.
- asked a and j to speak in class, and they did quite splendidly.
- got out of the house early.
- grateful for collegiality, several folks on good behavior, others being their outstanding selves.

- T’s meeting prep was really good. I’m proud of him.
- that we took the office staff out to lunch. remembering that tiny things make everyone happy.
- the rain, and the pink and blue sky at 5:45 pm
- sitting down and eating breakfast at the table while reading.
- learning who got the job that I was a finalist for; she’s someone truly smart and great, whom I respect. it’s good to know that the competition is excellent.

- voting. it’s a municipal election and I was the only person voting this morning. I’m glad I made it.
- walking around outside this morning. not sure it can become habitual, but it was nice to get out of the house without getting into the car.
- my favorite banh hoi cha gio and the total flirty sweetheart of a cashier at So Pho No. 1
- p called back straight away. still a bit weird and confusing to talk, but not worrisome, not nervewracking.
- closing the office door and relishing peace and quiet. must remember to do this more often. Maybe I can put up a “COME ON IN” sign or something. Not having the distraction of the buzz outside my door.

- my second cousins, they’re a great combination of knowing and sheltered right now. it’s good to see them.
- doing inversions. we’ve finally got round to doing some in class. being upside down is a joy and a challenge.
- chocolate chip cookies, made by my auntie. sweets from a big sweetie.
- that c came with me to the reading and that the reading was sharp and fresh (and filled with people from different parts of my past, like some kind of weird dream)
- heat outside – leading to wide open windows for the first time this year.