Today I finally fixed the HOSTS file that I'm using on the new computer, and thus have obliterated nearly every ad I could possibly see while browsing the internet. Includes YouTube videos.

Tomorrow starts a full week of work, which I won't be used to again since I've had such big pockets of time off in the last 3 or 4 weeks. Shitty, but I still want to do well for the chance to work from home.

Mandatory overtime on Wednesday.

Visit from Dad and Diana, we opened some presents and sat through one last quick bout of Christmas music.

I was able to return some hiking gear to him.

Productive things done today? Not much. I've been exhausted and broke my "no coffee" rule, but after the coffee and reminding myself that today was Friday, I was able to make it through the work day while doing quite well, which is important because I want to be chosen to work from home (as only 10 people from the call center will be picked). My excuse is that I was exhausted from being in the ER with Jackson until 1:30am because he has toxic synovitis. Still, it's an excuse. At the very least, I favorited this page, as we need a plastic bag holder for the closet and I'd like to not spend money on one (or at least spend less money).

Productive things of the day, completed:

- Cleaned utensil drawer, which was nasty
- Cleaned and donated baby swing to neighbors

I discovered this website, which I am tempted to give a try. I like the idea of fasting, even though it's probably not a healthy, sustainable practice(?). I usually feel better when I'm hungrier (I'm way more alert, my senses are sharper, and my sluggishness goes away). Also, being ripped would be nice.

I've also begun to start paying my student loans back. Because of this, I'd like to start some personal financial planning for the family.

I'd like to spend more time teaching Jackson things as well. If I can find the time during the day, I'd like to make it a routine thing. Reading would be my main focus, and I'd like to help him be less angry.

Surprise! I'm the worst I've ever been, and now I'm blogging about how I want to get better. I blame most of it on stress from my job, and also on the fact that working 40 hours a week is just too much. I will probably work my way up to a self-improvement post this time, and maybe also include the boys on the list.

Spring Break Experiment: Success?

I've actually gotten some stuff done now that I have inertia from my "experiment" week. I'm realizing that my resume isn't great, so I'm working pretty hard to bring that up to snuff. If I can pass one or two more exams and become proficient in MS Access and MS Excel and maybe a couple other programs that I don't really know about yet, I might have what some might consider a competitive resume.

I'm almost done with the first chapter of a study manual for FM/2, which is decent progress, considering it's all new material to me.

Mild success with the week so far. So for the case study I had to do for Econometrics, I discovered that using the natural log of price (my dependent variable; it's a time series and the residuals were heteroskedastic) was the key to unlocking a halfway decent model with the data I have. After settling on a couple of good models, I have only to ask my professor a couple of questions before finalizing my rewrite.

Other than that, I have to do a quick little essay for Wellness (trivial; also stupid!) and do this week's independent study for Discrete (usually challenging if proofs are involved). Hope to finish the essay today.

Managed to make a dentist appointment yesterday! It's about 3 weeks out, but that's fine. Somewhat related, Jackson seems to have a cavity on one of his molars, which sucks because he's not even 3 yet. Don't know what our course of action on that one is gonna be yet.

In conclusion, I almost feel okay with the progress I've made so far. If I could get some good studying time in today and the next couple (for actuarial stuff) and maybe went on 1-2 more walks, I will feel satisfied.

Mel is hiking Washington tomorrow! Here's a webcam view of what it looks like RIGHT NOW on the summit:

That's pretty scary. But also awesome. I am, as the kids say, jelly.