Month: February 2025

39! Some frustrations but books!

I’m thirty-nine years old!

I was unable to take my Security+ exam!

…sonofabitch.

I stood up from my desk to get Cooper, the golden retriever, a calming chewie to keep his barking down when I had two minutes before the start time. Little did I know (because they only wrote in chat and did not speak) the proctor had logged in early and decided that my coming back into frame was enough to declare my test time invalid. Before the exam would start.

Yes, I’m appealing for a redo and should hear something soon. But to say that I was angry was an understatement of…epic proportions. I basically shut down to keep from shouting at everyone, since no one around me deserved to receive my grumpiness. I’ve calmed down enough to be socially acceptable (as much as I am normally, anyway) and I’m making the most of my time off from the post office and not studying for 9 hours a day.

On a high note, I’ve found books to read for the next month!

I have no idea what the Swifts book is about, and I’m not one for Young Adult stories, but it caught my attention (understandably) when Sarah pointed it out at the bookstore. That, and finding a new (to me) series to try out rounded out my birthday.

I’ll give myself a month to read “Colonyside” and set a reminder to write up an opinion piece, but if you’re a science-fiction reader and fan of John Scalzi: the first line is a damn good hook.

“I’m not dead yet.”

You know what…all right, Michael Mammay. That’ll do. If it turns out that I’m reading out of order, I’ll post a correction and hurriedly catch up.

And now…Cooper taking the good seat for the fireplace.

Stay safe out there, folks.

-JB Swift

02/09/2025 Sunday Updates

Progress is progressing!

Except for when Korra thinks I need to stop studying by cramming herself under my desk.

With studies paused and dogs moved out of small spaces, I did manage another writing session before being interrupted by Cooper!

Cooper was not pleased that I had spent most of my Saturday at my desk.

He wouldn’t look at me for almost three minutes. That’s hours of resentment for golden retrievers.

02/07/2025 Vacation Starts, Study Time Now!

Folks, I’m away from the Post Office for the next…checks calendar…two weeks! After clocking out yesterday and clearing out the case and Union PO Box, I ran away from the building with all the appearance of a schoolboy at the beginning of summer.

Why is there a two-week vacation from work in the middle of winter? I have two reasons: first, my birthday is this month and when I have the leave, I take most of the month off as a gift to myself. Second, because I’m taking the Security+ certification exam on my birthday, so the majority of the time-off will be spent at this desk and reading for all I’m worth.

That doesn’t sound much different than what I do on any of my regular non-scheduled days, does it?

But while I’m going to be bound to this spot for the next two weeks, I’ll be able to make daily posts, provided I don’t get hit with executive dysfunction. Speaking of which, another chunk of writing progress was made this week!

It’s not even into Chapter 11. I need an editor who doesn’t mind Star Wars fanfiction; that, or I was shooting too low for my projected goals.

I’m betting the latter.

There are several projects and notes I’d like to get back to, plus a few ideas to try. In the meantime, look at the leek Sarah got me.

There’s a leek in my office!

Back to the studying I go.

02/02/2025 Happy Birthday, Mom

Today was a day spent having dinner with the woman who always encourages me to find spots throughout the day to work at my writing: my mother.

No pictures, I’m afraid, but I forgot to ask her permission to post photos, so I’m going to leave that as it is.

On top of that, said dinner was a true rarity: having all four of us (Dad, Mom, my older brother, and myself) at the table! Considering how far we all live from each other, I think this happens maybe once a year if at all.

It was a pure moment for mom to experience and I’m hopeful the next time comes about soon.