If you think you've got it - why don't you flaunt it

It's Saturday, and for once I almost slept til my alarm at 5am. It was lovely. The cat jumped up and started pawing at about 4:50 and began patting my head. I guess she was afraid I'd forgotten about her while I was sleeping in with Yoda? I got up and fed her and now am relaxing before I go to work.

It's actually a busy day today. I have work til noon, then at 12:30pm we have Arvandor. Then at 4::45, I'm meeting my friend for dinner. Tomorrow, I'm doing nothing, I swear.

Yesterday was okay. Work was psycho, so I was mostly on the phones taking calls, though towards the end of the day, I got a few emails of people to call back. One was really sweet and excited when I called to offer them an appt, which was nice. I also had one who was a bit of a tool, but they were facing a health crisis and were finding out the realities of their insurance, so I understood. It's not fun to be yelled at, but they settled down as the call went on and did apologize.

I discovered that I did not get the first job I applied for, which I didn't want anyway, so no real issue there. I mentioned to my boss that I had the interview yesterday, and she asked me if I'd applied for the departmental position, because the list they sent over did not have my name on it. I assured her that I applied on 2/11, so she's going to go back to HR and ask what the fuck. So hopefully there will be some actual movement on that.

OMG, you all are fired! Why did no one tell me how fucking good poke bowls are? They keep coming up on the Hawaiian food channels, and they look so good that I tried one. Holy shit that was the best thing I've eaten all week, maybe all month. I wasn't quite brave enough to get the raw tuna, so I got a kani salad over sushi rice with pickled radish, edamame, furikake, green onions and masago. It was amazing. I ate almost the whole thing, which is rare for me. It just was so sweet and salty with that hit of vinegar from the pickled radish and sushi rice. I loved it so much that I ordered another to have for breakfast this morning! Next time, I may try the tuna and see how it is.

After work, I mostly relaxed. Jess had a migraine, so they went and napped, so it was just the dog and I. Mostly, I chatted with a few people and just took it easy. Part of that was deciding on where to go for dinner tonight. We came up with a bunch of ideas, but narrowing it took some time. We decided on an old favorite, and are going to Michael's Steak and Lobster, so I can get a steak bigger than my head, piled with lump crab meat. We've gone there at least three times, but they're so good. Just one of those restaurants that's been around since the 70's and it shows. Wood paneling, dark pleather booths and a Maryland staple, waitresses who have been there since the start and call you "hon."

We got another package from Hawaii, this one from the Honolulu Cookie Company. We got the macadamia butter shortbread, and the white chocolate coconut cookies. Good lord, they're delicious. I have one of each that I'm nibbling with my coffee. They're amazingly flavorful and not too hard. Definitely do recommend. The day spoiled me with good food.

After that, I just sat and surfed social media waiting for my sister to get home. She was late, as she had trouble getting her luggage, and missed her stop and had to get off at the next one. Fortunately the BIL follwed the train and picked her up at the new stop. Apparently some asshole had wedged their bag on top of hers, and she couldn't get it out. Once she did, she got to the doors as they closed.

I had a poke bowl ready for her when she got home, but it's in the fridge, since after all that she was more tired than hungry. It didn't stop her from monologuing at me for about an hour after she came home, but I begged off after a while and went to bed. It was a bit later than my normal, so I'm not horribly surprised that I slept til my alarm.

I'm starting to actually get a bit of an itinerary for Hawaii. It looks like the second half of the week is going to be the busy part. The swap meet/maker's market is on Wednesday, the night market is on Thursday and there's fireworks near our hotel on Friday and those are all things I want to do. The Luau that we're looking at is open Wed-Sunday. For that, our choices are Wed night, or Thurs or Friday afternoon. I'm thinking Wed night, just because I feel like the fire dances would lose some impact during the day. Plus, from a food perspective. I don't want to be full when we got to the night market. We're there Sunday afternoon to Saturday morning, which sadly means that we'll miss the all you can eat brunches, but I'm okay with that.

Jess wholeheartedly agreed with the plan to visit San Francisco for a day or two on the ride out and back. It'll mean it's a 10 day trip instead of 7, but it'll be so much less stressful. I'm debating on hotels for San Francisco now. Do we want to stay waterfront? Near Chinatown? At the resort near the Golden Gate Bridge? I just don't know enough yet to decide. More research! My hyperfixation knows no bounds!

It is exactly two months til we leave for Alaska. That seems unreal. It's so soon! I've got most things ready, but I feel like there's so much left to do! I need to watch the weather forecasts in Alaska when we get close, so I know what to pack. I have SO much packing to do. I need to be ready. I need to figure out Yoda's boarding and Boodle's pet sitter. I was just waiting for Yoda to feel a little bit better, but he's perking up nicely, so next week, I'll call them and make an appt for him to spend a night or two to see how he does.

He might need to get vaccines before then. He's up to date on most, but the boarding place wants him to have canine influenza as well. I didn't even know there was a canine influenza vaccine. So, I'll also make him an appointment for that and double check his bordatella. Rabies is good til 2027, so we're good there.

I hope he does well at this place. I really don't want to board him at the vet, but if it comes to that, we will.

And now, I shall go forth and do some Orientation, and get ready for my day. My poke bowl is calling. Everyone have a super Saturday!