I didn’t think I was going to get any movement in today, but a little bit of bike action to start helped. Then I did a slow, lazy robot-vacuum style lap of the empty central plaza that connects two office buildings where our little rented broom closet is. A successful new routine!

It doesn’t feel like a short week, partly because of the work but mostly because of the little interruptions. At least there’s progress on some fronts, tasks to occupy idle hands, and small but worthwhile distractions if one knows where to look and to stop and take in the view.

Saw so many people out today, dragging other family members along, trying to get a change of scenery and some fresh air. After my shift yesterday, we were doing the same, and couldn’t be mad at everyone else for getting in our way. At least overhead conversations were mostly fun.

A day in, partway through “The Bird King,” accommodating somebody’s process and holding my tongue in check, and making a holiday call with a couple of others overheard. At least I’m fed and watered, neither ridden hard nor put away wet, and comfortable enough for a cat’s company.

My neighbors have been loud today, yelling at each other while playing videogames next door, setting off Noche Buena fireworks in the street a little after sunset, and now reciting what sounds like prayers or spoken song lyrics in unison. Oddly, their dogs haven’t barked so far.

So I paid for an oil change! But not when an employee offered me several services after reading off his checklist for drivers of cars with more than 50,000 miles! Or for an air filter he suggested, before realizing he didn’t have it in stock! Or when he rang me up for it anyway!

We had a seam open up in the clouds covering the western sky, with a glint of sun slipping through for a moment, and even a half hour or so earlier today of a wan glow coming through the vertical blinds. Nothing to match warmth coming up from our floor heater as sunset comes on.

Odd little errand first thing today, followed by more familiar efforts like work in the company’s little rented broom closet, a brief look at Volodymr Zelenskyy’s congressional address on CSPAN and a quick run by a hardware store to replace and restock cleaning supplies at home.

Got locked out of a broom closet, minutes before a scheduled press conference livestream. Just as it’s about to start playing on a borrowed laptop with a pen and pad in my hand, it’s cancelled due to technical difficulties. Minutes later, I look over at a TV and bam, there it is!

Very slow Monday, with A. off being social and B. only interested in sleeping as long as I’d let her. Also, a pleasant surprise from friends, and the last of a series of super cold days to deal with. With some luck and discipline, a new target may be within reach by month’s end.